Chapter Fourteen: Ju Shou and Gao Shun

A group of riders made their way along the roads of Jizhou.

“My lord, this stirrup you invented is truly marvelous. I barely have to exert myself to sit steadily on horseback—such a help in battle, too. I never imagined you’d be so ingenious,” Tai Shici remarked with a mischievous grin.

“Ziyi, how can you be so improper with our lord?” Tian Feng frowned deeply, quickly reprimanding him.

At this, Tai Shici’s face fell.

Liu Yao, riding alongside, interjected with a chuckle, “Yuanhao, you know I don’t care for such formality. Just be at ease.”

Tai Shici nodded eagerly. “Understood.” Though Tian Feng, rigid by nature, was still not entirely pleased, he let the matter rest. Acting as Tai Shici did was something utterly beyond him.

“Yuanhao, I’ve heard there’s a man of great talent in Guangping—Ju Shou, also known as Gongyu. And I hear you are old acquaintances. Is it true?” Liu Yao inquired.

Tian Feng was taken aback, not expecting Liu Yao to know even this. “My lord, it is indeed so. Gongyu and I are well acquainted. Do you perhaps wish to...?”

“Precisely. Such a man of talent—how could I let him slip by? I’ll be counting on you, Yuanhao, to help me,” Liu Yao replied.

“I would be honored,” Tian Feng said, clasping his fists.

“Shi’a, how far is it to Guangping from here?” Liu Yao next asked.

Shi’a pondered for a moment. “Roughly ten li remain.”

“Ten li? Then we should arrive by noon.” Liu Yao murmured, then declared, “Very well! Let’s hurry to Guangping at our fastest pace. Loser buys lunch—ha!” With that, he spurred his horse and shot ahead.

“Ah, my lord, you’re cheating!” Tai Shici shouted, urging his horse in pursuit.

Tian Feng and Huang Zhong exchanged glances, sharing a wry smile. Shi’a, who had followed Liu Yao for years, was unfazed by such antics.

They soon reached Guangping and, finding a decent tavern, set about soothing their rumbling stomachs.

As they ate and laughed together, a voice called out, “Innkeeper, bring me a jar of Huoyun Spirits!”

The four paid no heed, but Tian Feng’s ears perked up. He looked over and spied a man dressed as a scholar.

Scrutinizing him for a while, Tian Feng ventured, “Gongyu?”

The man, hearing his name, turned in surprise. “You are... Yuanhao?”

At last, Tian Feng was sure. “Ha ha! Gongyu, it’s been so long!”

“It truly has—seven, eight years, perhaps,” Ju Shou replied, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

As the two old friends caught up, a cough interrupted them. Tian Feng turned to see Liu Yao.

“Yuanhao, would you introduce this gentleman to us?” Liu Yao’s voice drifted over.

Only then did Tian Feng recall the purpose of their visit. “My lord, this is my good friend, Ju Shou—Gongyu.”

“My lord?” Ju Shou looked puzzled, wondering when Tian Feng had come under another’s command.

“So you are Master Gongyu. I am Liu Yao. Why not join us for a drink?” Liu Yao feigned ignorance, inviting him warmly.

Ju Shou accepted with pleasure and sat down, studying Liu Yao at length, as though searching the depths of the boy—no more than a teenager—before him. Knowing Tian Feng’s character as he did, he reasoned that anyone capable of winning the man’s allegiance could not be ordinary. “Yuanhao, weren’t you serving as an official in Luoyang? What brings you here?”

“I could not bear the ways of Luoyang and resigned my post. Afterward, I met our lord,” Tian Feng replied with resignation.

“What are Master Gongyu’s thoughts on the current state of the Han?” Liu Yao interjected.

“And what are yours, Master Liu?” Ju Shou countered.

Liu Yao smiled. “To my eyes, the Han is riddled with rot.”

His words shocked even Tian Feng and his companions.

“Outrageous!” Two angry shouts erupted—one from Ju Shou himself, the other from a burly man at the neighboring table.

Everyone turned to look at the stranger. Liu Yao regarded him for a moment. “Sir, would you care to join us?”

“Hmph. Why not?” the man replied and sat down, unhesitating.

Liu Yao nodded inwardly. Such boldness was rare.

“And your name, sir?” Liu Yao asked.

“I am Gao Shun, styled You’an.”

“It’s him!” Liu Yao was inwardly startled. Another great catch—though Gao Shun’s martial prowess was not the very greatest, his skill in drilling troops was second to none; his elite formation, the Trap Formation, swept all before it.

“What did Master Gongyu and Brother Gao mean just now?” Liu Yao asked.

“We are subjects of the Han, and you speak such words—how dare you!” Ju Shou’s face was thunderous; if not for Tian Feng’s sake, he would have stormed off.

“Indeed! How can a son of Han insult his own dynasty? You are contemptible,” Gao Shun echoed.

Liu Yao countered, “And why is it not rot? Look at the Han now—the Ten Attendants wreak havoc, the people starve, tales of parents eating their own children abound. If not for such rot at the heart, how could things have come to this? In the days of Emperor Guangwu, the Han flourished.”

“Even so, as sons of Han, we should serve our country and do our utmost for the common folk, not simply talk idly as you do,” Ju Shou retorted, full of scorn.

“In that case, if there were a chance to serve the state and benefit the people, would you take it?” Liu Yao’s lips curled in a sly smile.

“Indeed,” both Ju Shou and Gao Shun replied at once.

Liu Yao stood and bowed. “Then please accept my apology for my earlier offense.”

The two looked at him, perplexed by his sudden change of manner.

“I will not conceal it—my name is Liu Yao, and I am the eldest prince. I go now to Youzhou to serve as governor, to defend against the Wuwan.”

“You...” Both men stared in shock. “We greet you, Governor.”

“Please, rise. I did wrong to conceal my identity, and shall punish myself with three cups.” Liu Yao drained three cups in quick succession.

“But, Your Highness, why did you speak so of the Han just now?” Gao Shun asked in confusion.

Liu Yao sighed, “I had no choice. To tell the truth, besides defending against the invaders, I mean to build my own strength in Youzhou. The Han is tottering on the brink; I must prepare a path for its restoration. This is a matter of utmost secrecy, hence my test just now. I hope you will not take offense.”

“We would not dare.”

“Then I ask you both to lend me your aid. Surely you are both eager to serve the realm.” Liu Yao bowed deeply, the faintest smile at his lips.

The two saw through Liu Yao’s stratagem. In ancient times, a man’s word was his bond. The prince’s noble bearing and respect for men of talent gave them no reason to refuse.

“We, Ju Shou (and Gao Shun), greet our lord.” Both men clasped their fists in salute.

“Wonderful! With you by my side, I am twice the man I was!” Liu Yao beamed with excitement.

Afterward, the group introduced themselves to one another.

“Gao Shun, where do you hail from?” Liu Yao asked.

“My lord, I am from Bingzhou.”

“Oh? Then how came you to Jizhou?” Liu Yao was curious.

“To speak plainly, I once served as a company leader under Inspector Ding Yuan. But not long ago, he took in an adopted son—a brash and arrogant fellow I could not abide. That is why I left,” Gao Shun replied with a sigh.

“Would that be Lü Bu?” Liu Yao seized Gao Shun’s arm, wary of Lü Bu’s fearsome skill.

“How did you know, my lord?” Gao Shun was surprised.

“I’d heard some rumors.” Liu Yao quickly composed himself. “Hmph, what of Lü Bu? He’s but a warrior. My own officers are no weaklings, and there will be more in time. Why should I fear him?”

“Who is this Lü Bu, my lord? Why are you so concerned?” Tai Shici asked in confusion.

“Lü Bu? His prowess may even surpass Han Sheng’s,” Liu Yao murmured.

“Oh? To think there is such a man in the world! I would dearly love to face him in battle,” Huang Zhong exclaimed, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

Liu Yao smiled mysteriously. “You’ll have your chance...”