Chapter 2: A Wave of Explosive News, Liu Biao Was Scared to Death!
"Liu Bei isn't in Xinye, but in Fan City, which means it must be at the latest the 13th year of Jian'an, or 208 AD."
"In this year, Cao Cao had already pacified Hebei, decisively defeated the Wuhuan, and eliminated his worries, and would lead his army south to conquer Jing Province."
"Liu Biao, gravely ill, would likely die of fright upon learning of Cao Cao's southern advance, and Cai Mao and Kuai Yue would enthrone Liu Cong as the Governor of Jing Province."
"Those two capitulators would then coerce Liu Cong into surrendering to Cao Cao, handing over Jing Province on a silver platter."
"Liu Bei, caught unprepared, would only be able to flee south with the populace, enduring the near-fatal ordeal of Changban Slope."
Xiao He's thoughts raced, searching through the timeline.
Without needing to guess much, the person before him must be Liu Bei.
The red-faced, long-bearded man was undoubtedly Guan Yu, and the dark-faced man was naturally Zhang Fei.
As for the young scholar with a feather fan and silk scarf, there was no doubt he must be Wolong Zhuge Liang.
And the young female general who saved him, whom Liu Bei called Yinping and also his niece, was most likely Guan Yinping, Guan Yu's daughter.
In other words, he was saved by Guan Yu's daughter.
"This young master actually knows me, Liu Bei?"
Liu Bei was surprised by the other's astonished expression and couldn't help but feel a question arise in his heart.
However, once the question was out, he felt it was somewhat redundant.
He had been a guest in Jing Province for almost ten years, and everyone in Jing Province, high and low, knew him. Since this strange young master was from Jing Province, how could he not know his name?
Xiao He collected his thoughts, quickly got up from the couch, and, imitating Liu Bei, bowed with clasped hands:
"Liu Yuzhou's benevolent reputation is known throughout the world; how could I not have heard of it?"
"I just didn't expect to be saved by Miss Guan, and to have the good fortune to witness Liu Yuzhou's distinguished presence."
Speaking so eloquently and in such a refined manner, he must undoubtedly be a well-read person.
Liu Bei then lowered his guard a little more and continued to ask:
"May I know the young master's esteemed name?"
Xiao He hesitated for a moment before replying:
"My surname is Xiao, my given name is He, and my courtesy name is… Bo Wen."
As a hardcore history enthusiast, Xiao He naturally knew that a courtesy name was taken, the meaning of which was an extension of the given name.
He means warmth, as in gentle and warm.
Therefore, he had a flash of inspiration and gave himself the courtesy name Bo Wen.
Upon hearing that Xiao He also had a courtesy name, Liu Bei's guard dropped even further.
"Xiao He, so your name is Xiao He."
"Why are you dressed so strangely, wandering alone in the mountain forests? Aren't you afraid of tigers eating you?"
Guan Yinping, standing by, rattled off questions, her voice as clear as jade beads falling onto a plate.
Liu Bei also looked at Xiao He with curiosity, eager to know the background of this strangely dressed young man.
Xiao He coughed a few times, pretending to take a sip from his teacup to moisten his throat, buying himself time as he quickly thought of what to say.
His attire, in this era of the late Han Dynasty, was undoubtedly outlandish. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been chased away by Cao Camp soldiers as a madman back then.
Looking at the table, piled with flashlights, lighters, and other items from his backpack, it must have surprised Liu Bei and the others immensely.
How could Liu Bei not be suspicious?
Moreover, there was the exceptionally intelligent Zhuge Liang by his side.
Admitting that he had transmigrated was definitely not reliable; who would believe him?
He had to fabricate a plausible identity.
But as someone without any official records, what kind of background could he invent to fool Zhuge Liang's discerning eyes?
After a long moment of thought, a glint flashed in Xiao He's eyes; he had an idea.
"I am actually an orphan, adopted by my master from a young age, and I have cultivated in the wilderness."
"A few days ago, my master said that I had achieved some success in my studies and ordered me to descend the mountain for experience."
"It's rather embarrassing for Miss Guan to hear, but I have never left the mountain since I was a child, and I unexpectedly got lost in the forest."
"Fortunately, I was very lucky to encounter Miss Guan; otherwise, even if I wasn't eaten by a tiger, I would probably have starved to death in the mountains."
Xiao He, with a self-deprecating tone and a straight face, spun a tall tale.
Since he couldn't invent a legitimate identity, he could only use a vague identity like an enlightened recluse or a mountain hermit to fool them.
No matter how suspicious Zhuge Liang was, would he be so bored as to delve into the deep mountains to verify the truth?
Liu Bei suddenly understood, the clouds of doubt in his eyes quietly dissipating.
No wonder this person was strangely dressed; it turned out he was an enlightened recluse cultivating in the mountains. That explained everything.
An enlightened recluse, compared to ordinary mortals, naturally had different clothing, demeanor, and conduct.
"Then, Mr. Xiao's strange objects…"
Zhuge Liang picked up the lighter and waved it in front of Xiao He.
"Oh, these were all given to me by my master before I left; they are just ordinary items."
"If this gentleman likes them, I'll give them to you."
Xiao He casually brushed it off, even generously offering to give it to Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang's heart trembled, and he exchanged an unusual glance with Liu Bei and the others.
Good heavens, this divine object that could spray fire with a light flick was called an ordinary item by him?
And he said he would give it away without any reluctance?
"Could this person's master truly be an immortal from beyond the world?"
The same conjecture simultaneously arose in everyone's minds.
Even Zhuge Liang, who advocated keeping a respectful distance from spirits and gods, harbored such a thought.
"I never thought there was such an enlightened recluse near Fan City. It is truly impolite of me not to have visited earlier."
"After we repel the Cao Thief, I will personally go into the mountains to pay my respects to your esteemed master."
Liu Bei showed a look of yearning, clearly believing the identity Xiao He had fabricated.
Xiao He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately became alert again.
Repel the Cao Thief!
Liu Bei just said, "After we repel the Cao Thief!"
That means it is now confirmed to be the autumn of the 13th year of Jian'an, and Cao Cao has already led his large army south.
Doesn't that mean the fall of Jing Province is imminent!
At that time, as Liu Bei fled south, pursued by Cao Cao's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry at Changban Slope, he would face the most harrowing moment of his life.
If he followed Liu Bei then, wouldn't his own life also be uncertain, and he would suffer greatly?
After taking a deep breath, Xiao He tentatively asked:
"Liu Yuzhou, I wonder if Liu Jing Sheng, the Governor of Jing Province, is still alive?"
As soon as these words were uttered,
Liu Bei's expression changed, and he looked at Xiao He with surprise.
Although Liu Biao was in poor health, he had recently summoned him to Xiangyang to discuss how to resist if Cao Cao led his army south, entrusting him with the future care of his son.
Why would this Xiao He suddenly, for no reason, question Liu Biao's life or death?
"Mr. Xiao, why do you ask this?"
Liu Bei asked back, his face filled with suspicion.
Xiao He took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice:
"If my calculations are correct, Liu Biao has already died of fright due to Cao Cao's southern advance."
"Cai Mao and Kuai Yue have already, without anyone's knowledge, enthroned Liu Cong as the new ruler of Jing Province!"
As soon as these words came out,
Everyone present was greatly astonished.
