Three Kingdoms, Myth

Cao Mengde's days were not going well; he was severely short on grain recently. However, he heard from Xun Yu that the grain in the State of Lu was almost ready for harvest, and he planned to learn from the Yellow Turbans. But unlike the Yellow Turbans, who foolishly left nothing behind wherever they went, Cao Cao aimed to secure a grain-producing area for himself. It didn't need to be large, just enough to ensure his soldiers were well-fed.

Operating with only five days' worth of grain was a challenge. Cao Cao envied Liu Bei immensely whenever he thought about it. Mount Tai was a land of abundant grain, and with the strong support of Tao Gongzu in Xuzhou, Chen Zichuan pressured Ji Province, emptying the entire Nanpi granary. The world's wealthiest merchant, Mi Zizhong, supplied large amounts of grain, and the Lu family in Jiangdong ensured a continuous flow of water transport. As a result, large quantities of grain were shipped to Taishan and Qingzhou, supporting over a million Yellow Turban refugees without causing any unrest.

Cao Cao knew he needed to accelerate his plans. Liu Xuande was developing too quickly; in at most two years, he would fully digest all of Qingzhou. Meanwhile, for Cao Cao, this year was already a waste—without grain, there was no way to develop. Everything revolved around grain.

"Wenruo, when should we take action?" Cao Cao sighed as he spoke. He envied the prosperity of Yuzhou. If all his soldiers were veterans, he wouldn't have to worry so much; he was confident that even if his troops were outnumbered by Yuan Shu, he wouldn't suffer any losses.

"Three more days," Xun Yu replied with a sigh. "Zhicai will have everything arranged in Jingzhou. It's a pity that Liu Jingsheng refused our goodwill. Since that's the case, we'll have to force him to keep Yuan Gonglu occupied." Xun Yu was helpless. Liu Yan's influence had grown too large recently, forcing Xun Yu to take this renowned talker seriously. Liu Yan had become a significant obstacle after arriving in Jingzhou, where scholars ruled. Such a figure naturally drew the scholars of Jingzhou to urge Liu Biao to meet this famous guest.

Besides Liu Yan's pre-existing fame and his indiscriminate spending on hosting gatherings, his position as the creator of a significant innovation had also elevated his status. Without this accomplishment, he wouldn't have reached his current level of recognition in the scholarly world.

And what did Liu Yan achieve to warrant such recognition? It was simple: Chen Xi attributed the development of improved paper to Liu Yan, instantly making him a luminary in the scholarly world, a figure who could not be ignored. His contribution to the preservation of civilization was undeniable, and this catapulted him into the upper echelons of the literary world. When Liu Yan arrived in Jingzhou, even older figures like Huang Chengyan, Sima Hui, and Pang Degong came to greet him.

Liu Yan's achievement in solving a major problem for the transmission of knowledge made him a figure worth meeting in person. So, when Liu Yan arrived in Jingzhou, the reception he received left even him feeling overwhelmed, thinking he didn't deserve such honor.

Liu Biao personally hosted a banquet for Liu Yan, putting aside Mao Jie, who had come on behalf of Cao Cao to discuss attacking Yuan Shu. Liu Biao was already hesitant about fighting, and with Liu Yan's arrival, he found it even more inconvenient to make such decisions. Why rush?

Liu Biao knew very well that someone unfamiliar urging him to act would definitely benefit the other party, but whether it would benefit him was uncertain. So, Liu Biao wasn't in a hurry. Instead, he spent his time chatting and enjoying the company of scholars.

Liu Yan might not excel in many things, but his eloquence, demeanor, and appearance were impeccable. Combined with his significant achievement, he attracted everyone's attention wherever he went.

"Liu Yan has come from the north, and I am honored by the warm reception from everyone here. I've heard that Lord Jingsheng has the 'Three Elegant Vessels' for drinking. I have brought fine wine from the north. Would you all care to try it?" Liu Yan asked aloud.

The past few days had been wonderful for Liu Yan, who felt as though he was on a vacation. Following Chen Xi's advice, he wasn't there to act as an envoy but simply to visit. So, Liu Yan behaved candidly, without any ulterior motives, enjoying food, drink, and literary discussions with a clear conscience.

Meanwhile, Jian Yong had been sent off to some obscure corner, but he didn't mind. Since Liu Yan could do a better job, he accepted being sidelined, understanding the importance of the task. Jian Yong also realized why Chen Xi had told them not to meddle but simply to maintain their refined demeanor. It turned out to be the right approach.

"Hahaha, I didn't expect Wei Shuo to have such elegance. Bring the 'Three Elegant Vessels'!" Liu Biao laughed heartily. He was known for his drinking prowess.

Soon, three large cups were brought forth. Liu Yan laughed as well. "As expected of Lord Jingsheng's drinking vessels, they are indeed large. But how can we have good vessels without good wine!" With that, he clapped his hands, and a servant brought out a jar of wine.

"Lord Jingsheng, please accept this. It's fine wine I acquired from the northern regions, a rare and potent brew. Today, I offer it to everyone here!" Liu Yan said as he removed the seal from the jar. A waft of the strong aroma filled the hall immediately.

Liu Biao, a known connoisseur of fine wine, recognized the quality of the brew as soon as Liu Yan removed the seal. The rich aroma made his mouth water.

Carefully, Liu Yan filled Liu Biao's three cups to the brim. The wine was as clear as spring water on stone, and its fragrance filled the air. One jar was just enough to fill everyone's cup.

"Excellent! Truly excellent wine!" Liu Biao exclaimed after downing his three cups. It felt as if he had swallowed a ball of fire, but the intense heat quickly turned into warmth, and Liu Biao found himself lost in the rapidly shifting sensations, thoroughly enjoying them.

Suddenly, one of the scholars collapsed, drunk. Liu Biao, who was feeling quite tipsy himself, laughed and called out, "Someone, get a needle and wake Yidu! We must keep drinking!"

But before he could finish his sentence, Liu Biao slumped over the table, muttering about continuing to drink.

After having everyone carried out, Liu Yan smiled at Jian Yong. Their mission was essentially complete. Someone like Liu Biao, who could drink five liters in one sitting, wouldn't be fit to handle state affairs for at least five days. And with Mao Jie also passed out, Cao Cao's request for joint military action was effectively stalled for now.

What Liu Yan and Jian Yong didn't know was that Xi Zhicai hadn't relied on Mao Jie's diplomatic skills at all. His habit was to handle matters personally, believing it was unwise to rely on others. When Xi Zhicai learned that Lü Bu had fled to Yuan Shu, he almost exclaimed, "Heaven helps me!"

As Xi Zhicai received the latest intelligence from Jingzhou, cold sweat dripped down his forehead. This was an unexpected but incredibly timely turn of events—too good to be true!