Chapter Thirty-Seven: Within the Hall of Worthies

Liu Yao followed his personal guards to the Hall of Talent. The hall had been established for some time, but so far, aside from attracting a handful of men with abilities fit only for county service, or craftsmen such as blacksmiths, there was not a single renowned figure among its candidates—a fact that left Liu Yao somewhat disheartened.

As soon as he entered, he saw Tian Feng was already present, and Gao Shun had arrived at some point as well. Four men stood before the two, and the six were engaged in conversation.

Liu Yao was momentarily stunned—fortune had come so suddenly and so abundantly. If none arrived, so be it, but now four at once, and with Zhao Yun, that made five. As for the abilities of these four, there was little need to say more—since Tian Feng and Gao Shun regarded them so highly, they could hardly be men of no account.

A cough from Liu Yao interrupted the conversation. Instantly, all eyes turned to him.

“Greetings, my lord,” Tian Feng and Gao Shun stepped forward at once to pay their respects.

“At ease,” Liu Yao replied casually, then turned to the four men. “I am Liu Yao, Governor of You Province. May I have the honor of your names...?”

“I am Cheng Yu, styled Zhongde. This is Chen Lin, styled Kongzhang. This is Zhang He, styled Junyi, and this is Gao Lan, styled Yuanbo. We pay our respects to the Governor,” the four replied in unison.

The moment Liu Yao heard their names, his heart leapt with joy. Among these four, Chen Lin was one of the famed Seven Scholars of Jian'an, known for penning the scathing “Proclamation to the Province of Yu on Behalf of Yuan Shao,” which denounced Cao Cao’s entire family without a single vulgar word, and reportedly so infuriated Cao Cao that it cured his chronic headaches—such was the potency of Chen Lin’s rhetoric. Cheng Yu, meanwhile, was counted among Cao Cao’s most vital strategists, a legalist scholar whose ruthless acumen rivaled even that of the infamous Jia Xu. Notably, Cheng Yu served Cao Cao the longest, living to the age of eighty—a remarkable feat in the era of the Three Kingdoms, where few saw old age.

The other two were no less impressive. Gao Lan and Zhang He were two of the “Four Pillars” under Yuan Shao in Hebei. Though Zhang He’s martial prowess was said to fall short of Yan Liang and Wen Chou, he made up for it with courage and strategic insight and was undoubtedly fit to lead armies. In Wei’s later years, it was Zhang He and Sima Yi who held Zhuge Liang at bay on Qishan, gradually wearing down the great strategist. As for Gao Lan, he too was a formidable general.

“I have long heard of your illustrious names, gentlemen! Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner,” Liu Yao laughed heartily, then, feigning ignorance, asked, “May I inquire what brings you so far to my humble hall?”

Zhang He stepped forward and replied, “My lord, the two of us have studied martial arts since childhood with the hope of serving the Han. Upon hearing that Governor Liu of You Province had routed the Wuhuan and defended this land, we have long admired you. Now we hear you have opened this Hall of Talent, welcoming all men of ability, whatever their craft. We dare to believe our martial skills are not without merit and come to seek a position under your command.”

Gao Lan echoed, “We beseech your lordship to grant our request.”

Gao Shun added, “My lord, their martial skills surpass even my own. They are truly mighty warriors.” It turned out that before Liu Yao’s arrival, Gao Shun had already sparred with the two and well understood their abilities.

Liu Yao laughed heartily, “I have long known of your martial prowess. With you at my side, I am as a tiger with wings. I appoint you both as captains under my banner—are you satisfied with this?”

The two exchanged glances, their excitement unmistakable. They had expected that, at best, Liu Yao might grant them the rank of staff officer; never had they dreamed of being made captains at once. “We pay our respects, my lord!”

“Excellent! Please, rise,” Liu Yao said, helping them up. Then he turned to Gao Shun, “Gongxiao, why don’t you take the two of them to familiarize themselves with our camp?”

“Yes, my lord,” Gao Shun replied, leading the two elated warriors away toward the military encampment.

After the three had left, Liu Yao turned to Cheng Yu and Chen Lin. “Forgive me for the earlier slight, gentlemen.”

“You are too kind, my lord,” Cheng Yu and Chen Lin replied.

“Why don’t we sit and talk?” Liu Yao suggested.

“We dare not refuse.” The three took their seats.

Liu Yao, seated at the head, looked at the two and asked, “Did you come to You Province together?”

Cheng Yu shook his head, “Not so. I came from Dong’e in Dong Commandery, but met Brother Kongzhang on the road.”

“That’s right,” Chen Lin agreed. “I came from Luoyang and met Zhongde along the way.”

“Then may I ask—did you come to the Hall of Talent with the intent of joining my retinue?” Liu Yao asked directly.

The two exchanged glances and answered without hesitation, “Indeed, that is our purpose.”

Liu Yao felt a quiet satisfaction, though he maintained a humble air. “What virtue or ability do I possess that merits such assistance from you both?”

Chen Lin shook his head firmly, “My lord, you are too modest. As a scion of the imperial house, General Who Guards the North, you routed the Wuhuan and defended You Province. If you are unworthy, then I know not who is.”

“You flatter me,” Liu Yao said, smiling.

Cheng Yu remarked, “In truth, this is not the first time Brother Kongzhang and I have seen you, my lord.”

“Oh? When was this?” Liu Yao asked curiously. Though he knew of Chen Lin and Cheng Yu, he could not recall ever meeting them.

Chen Lin smiled, “Do you remember the poetry gathering at the Grand Cai Residence six years ago?”

“Oh, you mean that event?” Liu Yao tried to recall but could not remember seeing Chen Lin or Cheng Yu. He apologized, “Forgive me, Kongzhang, Zhongde. I truly do not recall meeting you. Had I known, I would certainly have sought you out.”

Cheng Yu laughed, “Naturally, my lord, you did not see us. We were mere scholars then, observing from the fringes, unworthy to enter the inner hall. But even as a youth, seeing you from afar, I knew you were no ordinary man. I had not expected, in just a few short years, you would achieve such greatness.”

“I see now,” Liu Yao thought to himself, marveling at Cheng Yu’s keen eye. He had concealed himself well in those days, yet still had been noticed. “In that case, I will not stand on ceremony. There are many positions vacant in my retinue—would you be willing to lend me your strength?”

The two immediately knelt. “Chen Lin (Cheng Yu) pays respects to my lord.”

“Please, rise,” Liu Yao said joyfully, helping them up. “Is there any particular post you would wish for?”

The question caught them off guard, and they hesitated.

Seeing their silence, Tian Feng offered, “My lord, why not appoint Kongzhang as chief secretary under your command, and Zhongde as the administrative officer of You Province?”

Liu Yao nodded in satisfaction—these were indeed the most fitting posts. “Let it be as Yuanhao suggests.”

Chen Lin and Cheng Yu were delighted. These were prominent positions, among the most important in the province. “Thank you, my lord.”

“Haha! Now that you serve under my banner, we are as family. There’s no need for such formality,” Liu Yao said with a wave of his hand.

“Etiquette must not be neglected,” Chen Lin replied promptly, gaining a deeper respect for this approachable lord.

Liu Yao did not mind. Tian Feng and the others were much the same; it could not be helped, so he simply let it be.

“By the way, what do you think of Zhang He and Gao Lan, whom you met just now?” Liu Yao asked, wishing to test Cheng Yu’s discernment.

Cheng Yu understood that Liu Yao was testing him. After a moment’s thought, he replied, “From our brief conversation, Gao Lan possesses great martial skill, but lacks in strategy—a fine warrior. Zhang He, however, combines courage, intellect, and a sense of the greater whole—a true leader, fit to command an army on his own.”

“Is that so?” Liu Yao said nonchalantly, though inwardly he was astonished and deeply impressed with this seasoned man’s insight. With so little conversation, his assessment was nonetheless precise. Truly, age brings wisdom.