Chapter 2: Shocking Revelations—Liu Biao Was Terrified to Death!
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“Liu Bei is not in Xinye but in Fancheng; that must be no later than the 13th year of Jian’an, which is 208 AD.”
“In that year, Cao Cao had already pacified Hebei, decisively defeated the Wuhuan, and eliminated threats to his rear, enabling him to lead his troops south to conquer Jingzhou.”
“Liu Biao was gravely ill; upon learning of Cao Cao’s southern advance, he would have died of fright. Cai Mao and Kuai Yue would then have supported Liu Cong to become the Governor of Jingzhou.”
“Those two surrender factions would coerce Liu Cong to submit to Cao Cao, effectively handing over Jingzhou.”
“Liu Bei, caught unprepared, would only flee southward with the people, barely surviving the perilous Battle of Changban.”
Xiao He’s thoughts raced as he pieced together the timeline.
No need to guess further—the man before him could only be Liu Bei.
The red-faced, long-bearded gentleman must be the incomparable Guan Yu, while the black-faced one naturally was Zhang Fei.
As for the young scholar with the feather fan and silk kerchief, there was no doubt he was the brilliant Zhuge Liang, the Sleeping Dragon.
And the young female warrior who had saved him, whom Liu Bei called Yinping and also referred to as his niece, was most likely Guan Yu’s daughter, Guan Yinping.
In other words, it was the daughter of Guan Yu who had rescued him.
“This young lord actually knows me, Liu Bei?”
Liu Bei looked at him with surprise, a hint of doubt stirring within.
But once he spoke, he felt the question was somewhat unnecessary.
He had dwelled in Jingzhou for nearly ten years; his reputation was known far and wide. Since this curious young lord hailed from Jingzhou, how could he not know his name?
Xiao He withdrew his thoughts, quickly rising from the couch. He imitated Liu Bei’s manner and bowed with folded hands.
“Liu Yuzhou’s benevolence and righteousness are known throughout the realm. How could I not have heard of you?”
“I never imagined I would be saved by Miss Guan, and I am honored to behold Lord Liu Yuzhou’s demeanor.”
His words were elegant, refined, surely those of a well-read man.
Liu Bei’s suspicion eased somewhat, and he continued, “May I know your full name, young lord?”
Xiao He hesitated briefly before answering, “My surname is Xiao, given name He, courtesy name... Bowen.”
As a devoted history enthusiast, Xiao He understood that a courtesy name extended the meaning of one’s given name.
“He” denotes harmony, gentleness—the idea of being mild and temperate.
So he had cleverly chosen Bowen as his courtesy name.
Upon hearing that Xiao He had a courtesy name, Liu Bei’s guard relaxed further.
“Xiao He, so your name is Xiao He.”
“Why do you wear such strange attire, wandering alone in the wilds? Aren’t you afraid of being eaten by tigers?”
Beside him, Guan Yinping rattled off questions with a clear, crisp tone like jade beads falling on a tray.
Liu Bei also looked at Xiao He with curiosity, eager to uncover the origins of this oddly dressed young man.
Xiao He cleared his throat a few times, feigning to sip his tea to buy time, while quickly thinking of what to say.
His strange clothing was certainly bizarre in the late Han era; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been chased away by Cao Cao’s soldiers as a madman.
Looking at the table piled with flashlights, lighters, and other backpack items, it was no wonder Liu Bei and the others were astonished.
How could Liu Bei not harbor suspicion?
Especially with the astute Zhuge Liang by his side.
To confess he was a time traveler was out of the question—who would believe him?
He had to concoct a plausible identity.
But as a nobody, what background could he invent to fool Zhuge Liang’s discerning eyes?
After a moment’s thought, a glint of inspiration flashed in Xiao He’s eyes.
“I am actually an orphan, adopted by my master from a young age, and have been training in the mountains.”
“A few days ago, my master said I had achieved proficiency and ordered me to descend the mountain to gain experience.”
“Miss Guan may find it amusing, but I have never left the mountain all my life and somehow got lost in the forest.”
“Luckily, I was fortunate enough to meet Miss Guan; otherwise, even if not devoured by tigers, I might have starved in the wilderness.”
Xiao He spun this tale with a self-mocking tone, unflustered.
Since he couldn’t invent a proper identity, he resorted to the vague notion of a reclusive sage living in the mountains.
Even if Zhuge Liang doubted him, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to venture into the deep forest to verify his story.
Liu Bei suddenly understood, his doubts quietly dissipating.
No wonder this man wore strange clothes—he was a hermit from beyond the mundane world.
A hermit’s attire, demeanor, and behavior naturally differed from ordinary folk.
“Master Xiao, what are these strange objects...?”
Zhuge Liang picked up one of the lighters and flicked it before Xiao He’s eyes.
“Oh, these were given to me by my master before I left—just ordinary things.”
“If you like them, I shall gift them to you.”
Xiao He answered casually, boldly offering them to Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang’s heart jolted, exchanging a peculiar glance with Liu Bei and the others.
Goodness, such a small device that could ignite flames was called ordinary by this man?
And he was willing to give it away without hesitation?
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“Could this man’s master truly be an immortal from another realm?”
The thought simultaneously surfaced in everyone’s minds.
Even Zhuge Liang, who adhered to the principle of wary reverence toward spirits and ghosts, entertained such a notion.
“It seems there is such a reclusive sage near Fancheng. It is indeed remiss of me for not paying an early visit.”
“Once we have repelled the Cao bandits, I shall personally enter the mountains to pay respects to your revered master.”
Liu Bei’s face showed longing, clearly believing the identity Xiao He had fabricated.
Xiao He quietly breathed a sigh of relief, yet remained vigilant.
Repel the Cao bandits!
Liu Bei had just said, after driving the Cao thief away!
That meant it was indeed the autumn of the 13th year of Jian’an, when Cao Cao had already led a massive army south.
Wasn’t that to say Jingzhou’s fall was imminent?
When Liu Bei fled south, pursued by Cao Cao’s tiger and leopard cavalry at Changban, he would face the most harrowing moments of his life.
If he followed Liu Bei then, his own fate would be uncertain, suffering untold hardships.
Drawing a cold breath, Xiao He tested the waters with a question:
“Lord Liu Yuzhou, do you know if Governor Liu Jingsheng of Jingzhou is still alive?”
At these words, Liu Bei’s expression changed. He stared at Xiao He in surprise.
Though Liu Biao was frail, he had recently summoned Liu Bei to Xiangyang to discuss how to resist Cao Cao’s southern campaign and entrusted him to care for his son.
Why would Xiao He suddenly and inexplicably question Liu Biao’s life?
“Master Xiao, why do you ask this?”
Liu Bei’s face showed suspicion as he countered.
Xiao He took a deep breath and said solemnly:
“If my calculations are correct, Liu Biao has already died of fright due to Cao Cao’s advance.”
“Cai Mao and Kuai Yue have secretly enthroned Liu Cong as the new ruler of Jingzhou!”
The moment these words left his mouth,
everyone present was stunned beyond belief.