Chapter 59: Taiyuan's Warm Recovery

  Liu Xiu hastily stood up to greet him, and with a slight bow of his head, politely asked the young man who looked refined and slightly thin: "May I ask who you are?"

  Taiyuan Wen Hui. Wen Hui returned a courtesy, and then bowed to Liu Bei with his hands clasped together, walking slowly into the door with one hand behind his back and the other on his chest, a faint smile on his face: "My father is the governor of Zhuo County, I followed my father to live in Zhuo County as a guest, and had some acquaintance with Yide, so I was fortunate enough to receive Yide's invitation."

  Liu Xiu and Liu Bei suddenly realized, looked at each other, and smiled without saying a word. Liu Xiu didn't mind much, but Liu Bei became somewhat formal again, bowed once more: "So you're the young master of the governor's mansion, I've long heard of your great name, nice to meet you."

  Liu Xiu rubbed his nose, thinking to himself that Liu Bei respected him. Was it because this young man had a good reputation or was it because his father was the governor? Moreover, although Wen Hui's age and stature were similar to those of Liu Bei, he didn't have Liu Bei's robust build. However, his demeanor was calm and composed, with a bit of the air of a noble son, unlike the arrogant officials' sons from his previous life who would fight on the streets.

  "I received a message from Yide brother, saying that a personal disciple of Lu Jun has arrived at the mansion. I am very curious and have come to pay my respects. Before seeing your face, I heard your voice and can tell that you are a straightforward person who can admit mistakes and correct them. No wonder Yide is willing to be close to you." Wen Hui looked Liu Xiu up and down, his mouth slightly raised: "I dare not deceive you, I am opposed to going to war with the Hu people."

  Liu Xiu smiled slightly and thought to himself, "So he's a debater from the opposing side. But this person is indeed very open and aboveboard, directly stating his position without hiding anything."

  May I ask for your advice?

  Wen Hui blinked, and for a moment, his youthful innocence showed through, but soon he regained his composure as a young scholar. He twirled his fingers: "May I ask Brother Liu, what are the necessary conditions to defeat the Hu people?"

  Liu Xiu did not answer him immediately, but thought very seriously. Liu Bei wanted to speak up, but when he saw Liu Xiu's cautious appearance, he also dared not make a sound.

  Liu Xiu paused for about a dozen breaths before slowly saying: "Elite troops and abundant supplies, plus a capable general."

  Wen Hui's eyebrows rose slightly, revealing a hint of an approving smile: "Although it's not perfect, it's not far off either. Brother Liu, which condition do you think this Zhuo Jun possesses?"

  Liu Bei could not help but speak up: "Yan has always been a place where elite soldiers emerge, how can you say that not a single condition is met?"

  Wen Hui turned his head and looked at him with a smile: "Have you read the biography of Marquis Huaiyin?"

  Liu Bei shook his head in shame and said discontentedly: "This is a principle known to all, why do you need to read the biography of Marquis Huaiyin to know it?"

  Wen Hui smiled and said, "Not bad, indeed one doesn't need to read the biography of Huaiyin Hou to know this principle. However, if one has read the biography of Huaiyin Hou, they naturally wouldn't have such a view." He paused for a moment, turned his head and asked Liu Xiu: "This gentleman is not wrong, Youyan has always been a place where elite soldiers emerge. In the past, when Emperor Guangwu was competing for the world, he started from Yuyang's cavalry. But do you know what kind of people the Yuyang cavalry mainly consisted of?"

  Liu Xiu asked with some irony: "Barbarians?"

  "It's true." Wen Hui raised the corner of his mouth and asked again, "Then do you know why the Hu people would be willing to become the main force for Emperor Guangwu to conquer the Central Plains?"

  Liu Xiu smiled. He understood the meaning of Wen Hui, the elite troops of Youyan were mainly because there were Hu people as the main force of the cavalry, and the Hu people were willing to fight for the Han people because the Han people gave them benefits. In other words, that was the effect of amnesty. This is exactly why Liu Yu and others insisted on amnesty and did not want to take the initiative to be hostile to the Hu people. Otherwise, once the Hu people turned against them, the main force of Youyan's elite troops, the Yuyang cavalry, would become a knife cutting towards Youyan itself.

  Wen Hui saw Liu Xiu and only smiled, but didn't speak, nor did he care. He continued to say: "Now that we've finished talking about the troops, let's talk about food. Youzhou is located on the border, and the grain yield is not enough to cover expenses. Every year, a large amount of grain tax has to be transported from Qing and Ji states just to barely support it. The army hasn't even moved yet, but the grain and fodder have already been sent ahead. Do you know how much money is needed to support a war? Do you know why the Western Qiang became a headache for the Great Han? Do you know why the court has repeatedly proposed abandoning Liangzhou? It's simple: because they can't afford it."

  "Was it wrong for Taoyu to conquer Eastern Qiang?" Liu Bei's face sank, extremely displeased.

  "Duān Jǐng?" Wēn Huī coldly laughed: "He has made achievements, but is the Qiang rebellion pacified? Is Xiliang pacified?"

  Liu Bei was speechless.

  "Duān Jìn sent troops for two years, spending the accumulated wealth of the great Han Dynasty, and earned a good reputation for Emperor Huan of Han. However, the Grand Minister of Agriculture was left empty-handed. In recent years, natural disasters have been continuous, rivers have overflowed, and floods have spread across Shandong Province, with millions of people affected. The imperial court couldn't even provide relief funds. At this time, even Duān Jìn would not dare to mention starting a war again. Because he would definitely lose."

  Warmly and enthusiastically discuss.

  Liu Xiu frowned and remained silent, thinking that although Wen Hui's words were somewhat piercing to the ear, they probably weren't entirely fabricated. Had the great Han dynasty really become so impoverished that it couldn't even afford to wage a war?

  "Even if what you said makes sense, isn't Taoyu a famous general?" Liu Bei said loudly. Although he also thought that Wen Hui's words might be true, he was extremely displeased with Wen Hui's attitude and had to find a reason to refute him. Even if the conditions for going to war with the Hu people are not met now, isn't Taoyu a famous general? You can't deny it! As long as you admit this, then saying that one condition is not met is wrong.

  Wen Hui gave Liu Bei a somewhat scornful glance, and from his words, it could be heard that Liu Bei should have been very admiring of Duan Jie, but Wen Hui had no good impression of Duan Jie at all, so he didn't mind saying two more sentences to thoroughly defeat Liu Bei.

  "Duangan served as the Colonel of Liaodong, what military achievements did he have besides deceiving people? Alright, let's say he was invincible in Eastern Qiang and had outstanding military exploits. Did you know that he was defeated in battle and punished for his crimes?" Wen Hui sneered with a smile: "He is just a fierce general who excels at crushing the enemy, but can't be considered a famous general. Moreover, even someone like him cannot be found in Youzhou now. The Duangan Taishi you admire is now devoted to flattering eunuchs and won't come to Youzhou to take up arms again."

  He turned around: "Is there a famous general in Youzhou now?"

  Liu Bei was thoroughly embarrassed, facing Wen Hui's inquiry, he could not respond. Youzhou indeed did not have a famous general at the moment, even the person he mentioned, Duan Jie, was from Liangzhou and had nothing to do with Youzhou. To say it is embarrassing, Youzhou has not produced a famous general for many years. Now when it comes to famous generals, most of them are from Guanxi, Guandong produces officials, Guanxi produces generals, which has nothing to do with Youzhou.

  Wen Hui no longer paid attention to the dejected Liu Bei, and instead turned his head to gaze at the silent Liu Xiu with a composed smile: "I wonder if Brother Liu has any other brilliant ideas, please feel free to share them, so I can broaden my horizons."

  Liu Xiu looked at Wen Hui and suddenly smiled.