Chapter 98: Those who love the people must be loved by the people
Zhou Ping, Liu Bei and others were all covered in mud. When they returned to the city, they went home to wash and change clothes.
"Shaojun, Awu, what's wrong with you? Why are you covered in mud like this?"
When Ah Shui saw this, he couldn't help but asked in surprise, thinking that the two of them had fallen into the gutter on horseback.
"Understand the sentiments of the people and share their sufferings, hahaha..." Zhou Ping laughed.
Although he was very tired today and had blisters on his hands, he was really happy.
When he and Liu Bei left the field, many people respectfully shouted "Hello, Commander Liu", and many of them had tears in their eyes.
Today's pain, dirt, and blisters on my palms are all worth it!
When Liu Bei brought Chen Dao back to the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion, Mi Zhen was shocked when he saw her and asked anxiously: "What's wrong with my husband? Why is he so dirty?"
"Haha, I went to inspect the farmland and did a day's work with the people."
As Liu Bei spoke, he spread out his blistered palms to show Mi Zhen.
Mi Zhen said in surprise: "Ah, why are there so many blisters! These tasks are done by the servants. My husband is a state shepherd, how can he do these things!"
"You don't understand!"
Liu Bei was not satisfied with Mi Zhen's words, but he didn't argue with her. After all, she was the daughter of a wealthy family. Let alone work, she probably didn't even watch others work.
The new concubine Wang came to take off Liu Bei's clothes and wash them. When she saw the blisters on his palms, she couldn't help covering her mouth and snickering.
"Why are you laughing?" Liu Bei asked.
"Husband, you only know the suffering of farmers today, right?"
Wang is a farmer's daughter, and she is quite pretty. Liu Bei sleeps with her on a daily basis. Now she is not as reserved with Liu Bei as before, and she dares to speak out if she has anything to say.
Liu Bei spread his hands again, looked at the blisters on his palms and said with emotion: "Oh, I used to hold a sword astride a horse, but my hands are so prone to blisters. In the past two or three years, I have rarely held a sword, and my hands have become thinner.
But the water soaked up well today! Hahaha..."
Liu Bei remembered that when he was in Zhuojun, he and his mother weaved mats and sold them, and later led Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others to kill bandits and suppress bandits. How could he have blisters on his hands at that time?
However, since he became the Prime Minister of Pingyuan, he rarely went into battle to kill the enemy in person, especially after he became the governor of Yuzhou and then took over as the pastor of Xuzhou, he never used his sword in battle.
Thinking of the way the people burst into tears today when they saw the dirty clothes on his body and the blisters on his palms, Liu Bei felt very proud.
"Those who love the people will be loved by the people!" Liu Bei couldn't help but sigh.
That night, Liu Bei slept soundly with his concubine in his arms.
The next day, when the sun was rising, Zhou Ping took Zhang Wu to the Prefectural Mufu to find Liu Bei, hoping to talk to him about going to Danyang to find Taishi Ci.
But when they arrived at the Prefectural Mufu, Liu Bei was still awake.
Liu Bei, who has always been a diligent and early riser, had to wake up so late for the first time.
After waiting for less than half an hour, Liu Bei came to the meeting hall yawning.
"I've kept you waiting for a long time, sir."
As Liu Bei spoke, he raised his hand to cover his mouth and yawned.
Zhou Ping smiled and said: "My lord was too tired yesterday. I should have let my lord rest more, but Ping came early."
"Sir, you were tired from yesterday. Are you here for something today?"
"Yes, I came here today because of the affairs of Taishi Ziyi and Lu Zijing, and also to send troops to seize Jiujiang."
When it came to business, Liu Bei straightened up and asked with some confusion: "Lu Zijing? He didn't know where he was before. Sir, do you have any news about him?"
Liu Bei had never met Zhuge Liang, and Zhuge Jin had not told him in detail about Zhuge Liang's robbery.
Zhou Ping replied: "Well, it turns out that Lu Zijing went to Chaohu and surrendered to the bandit leader Zheng Bao. Now he and Zheng Bao jointly lead the tribe."
"He...he would rather become a thief than rule the country?" Liu Bei said in astonishment.
"That's not the case. He previously thought that there were Danyang soldiers and Taishan people in Xuzhou, and there were powerful enemies outside Yuan Shu and Cao Cao who wanted to fight for Xuzhou. He thought that it would be difficult for the lord to defend Xuzhou, so he was unwilling to come to govern. This man is quite talented and ambitious.
, who is also slightly famous. After joining Zheng Bao, he is now the second leader under Zheng Bao."
"Zhuge Zhizhong's two young brothers came back from Yuzhang and were robbed by thieves on the way. Lu Zijing learned that their two brothers were from Xuzhou Zhizhong, so he talked with them and said that if their lord sent troops to seize Jiujiang,
He can lead his troops to help. Now they have more than 10,000 troops. Although they are a mob, they can still make a big impact from a distance. If they help, Jiujiang will be easier to win."
Liu Bei was a little worried. His understanding of Lu Su was just his name, which was far less than what Zhou Ping knew.
"Zijing is already among thieves, can his words still be trusted?"
Zhou Ping responded: "Zijing is not a treacherous person, but above him, there is still Zheng Bao as the leader. I am afraid that he cannot make the decision, so I want to see him."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei waved his hands quickly: "That's not appropriate, that's not appropriate. How can you, sir, take the risk of entering a den of thieves!"
For Liu Bei, Zhou Ping is a more important figure than Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in terms of ability. Nowadays, brave generals are easy to come by, but counselors are hard to find, especially counselors like Zhou Ping who know the situation well and are good at setting up cunning schemes.
When it comes to relationships, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are definitely more important than Zhou Ping.
Zhou Ping smiled slightly: "My lord, just ask Xu Zhongkang to take twenty tiger soldiers to go with me. Now I am the strategist Zhonglang General under your lord's command, and Zheng Bao is just a mediocre person without ambition, and he will not dare to harm me. Besides,
I will go to Danyang first to look for Taishi Ziyi. If I can persuade him to lead the crowd with me, I will have no worries."
"Zhang Ziwei is about to get married. Will he also go with his husband?"
Liu Bei knew that since Zhou Ping proposed it, his decision had been made. He remembered that Zhang Wu was going to get married in more than ten days, and whether Zhou Ping was going to see Taishi Ci or Lu Su, it would be very dangerous, so he needed more people to protect him.
Zhou Ping replied without thinking: "Ziwei's wedding is coming soon. He will stay in Xiapi to get married. I can take Zhongkang and others there."
"Since Ziwei is not going with your husband, I can ask my uncle to go with you."
"My trip this time will probably take a long time. After next spring, the lord can send out troops. I will join the lord in Jiujiang. The lord cannot be without his uncle to protect him. Don't worry, lord, with Zhongkang's courage, he can protect me.
I'm thoughtful."
"Then sir, you can take Zhongkang and thirty tiger soldiers with you."
Liu Bei knew Xu Chu's strength, so it shouldn't be a big problem with his protection, but for Zhou Ping's safety, he still wanted him to bring more people.
Regarding Taishi Ci, Liu Bei had met him before. Whether it was his personality or his force, Liu Bei liked him. If he could get help from this person, it would be a great thing.
And if Lu Su leads more than 10,000 troops to help, defeating Yuan Shu will be even easier.
Therefore, although Zhou Ping took the risk this trip, it was still worth it. Moreover, Liu Bei felt that if Zhou Ping thought it was feasible, then it must be feasible.
This is a man who clearly discerns the world's trends and knows everyone in the world. He also has great strategies. If he is in danger, he should be able to turn danger into safety and turn danger into safety.
Liu Bei repeatedly told Zhou Ping to be more careful on the road. He also called Xu Chu and ordered him to select thirty strong men from the Hu Shi camp to protect Zhou Ping's safety.
