The First Banner of the Three Kingdoms

When Xu Shu devised the plan for Su Ming to bind Huang Chengyan and his daughter, he had already considered how to compel them to serve Su Ming. But the arrival of Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and Meng Gongwei was an unexpected delight.

Xu Shu had not anticipated that Gan Ning would manage to bring these three as well. Although they were not on the same level as Zhuge Liang or Xu Shu—first-rate strategists—they were certainly upper second-rate talents. As prominent pupils of Master Water Mirror, even if only nominal disciples rather than the personally instructed ones like Zhuge Liang or Xu Shu, their abilities were more than sufficient to govern a prefecture.

In terms of intellect, Xu Shu still surpassed the three, allowing him to handle them with ease. Smiling, Xu Shu settled his thoughts and, though he had made up his mind, he withheld his intentions. Stroking his beard, he turned to Su Ming and asked, "Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and Meng Gongwei consider themselves men of renown. My lord, do you know what such men value most?"

"What do they value most?" Su Ming pondered briefly and replied, "Men of renown, as the name suggests, value their reputation above all else."

Upon hearing Su Ming's answer, Xu Shu smiled with satisfaction. He thought how effortless it was to converse with such a perceptive lord—grasping the essence immediately, with no need for lengthy explanations, and never dismissing a strategy for lack of understanding.

"Exactly!" Xu Shu affirmed. "These men of renown value their reputation above all else!" After confirming Su Ming's answer, Xu Shu leaned in and whispered a few words into his ear.

As Su Ming listened, a smile gradually bloomed on his face. Ah, Xu Shu! Truly, there may be mistaken names, but never mistaken nicknames.

Clever Tiger Xu Shu.

The tiger is the king of beasts, and calling Xu Shu "Tiger" meant his strategies were generally grand and upright. Yet, the prefix "Clever" implied that Xu Shu could employ both orthodox tactics and ingenious schemes.

This time, Xu Shu intended to use both straight and cunning strategies to force Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and Meng Gongwei to serve Su Ming.

After hearing Xu Shu’s plan, Su Ming smiled and nodded repeatedly—it was indeed a brilliant strategy.

A few days later.

Outside the city of Xiling.

Gan Ning led his team, escorting several carriages. When they reached three miles from Xiling’s gates, the scene before them left Gan Ning utterly astounded.

The citizens of Xiling had lined up along the official road for three whole miles, stretching all the way to the city gate. In their hands, they held banners bearing inscriptions:

"Welcome the esteemed Cui Zhouping to serve in Jiangxia."
"Welcome the esteemed Meng Gongwei to serve in Jiangxia."
"Welcome the esteemed Shi Guangyuan to serve in Jiangxia."
"Welcome the virtuous Huang Chengyan to serve in Jiangxia."

Beyond the multitude of banners, drums and gongs resounded along the route, with lion dances adding to the festivities.

Witnessing this spectacle, not only were those inside the carriages stunned, but even Gan Ning, responsible for their security, was left speechless.

Gan Ning wondered, what kind of display was this?

When strategist Xu Shu arrived, there hadn’t been such commotion. Could it be that those in the carriages possessed even greater talent than Xu Shu? Otherwise, why would the lord go to such lengths for a welcoming ceremony?

This was, in fact, one of Xu Shu’s two strategies to make Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and Meng Gongwei serve Su Ming—the straightforward approach.

The words Xu Shu had whispered to Su Ming were to organize the citizens to greet them three miles outside the city.

What do men of renown desire most? Fame.

Such fanfare would grant them ample reputation.

Of course, Su Ming would not lose out either. For after today’s spectacle, their path of retreat was cut off. In the eyes of outsiders, Cui Zhouping and his companions would surely be seen as having joined Su Ming.

This was the overt strategy, a transparent plan that Cui Zhouping and the others could not resist.

As for the cunning scheme, that would come later.

Originally, Xu Shu had only advised Su Ming to organize a welcoming party three miles outside the city, telling the citizens that these were noble scholars whom Su Ming had gone to great lengths to invite.

With their arrival, Jiangxia would surely prosper.

Traveling across a thousand miles was no exaggeration. That these men were noble scholars was also true.

However, whether they were "invited" might be questionable.

Su Ming thought, since they were already being welcomed three miles from the city, why not make an even greater spectacle?

Thus, under Su Ming’s direction, the first banners were prepared.

He also arranged for drum teams and lion dancers.

"This..." Huang Chengyan spoke nervously, "Is this a welcome for us?"

Huang Chengyan was no longer young—after all, his daughter was already married. Despite his age, apart from being respected as Master Huang in Baishui County thanks to his family's influence, he had achieved nothing of note.

Yet, seeing the banners and the enthusiastic welcoming crowd, he felt a secret delight. After all, to be recognized beyond Baishui County was a joyous thing.

In truth, the citizens did not know Huang Chengyan at all—these banners had been prepared and distributed by Su Ming’s men beforehand. Those in front, holding the largest banners and shouting the loudest, had been given a few coins each in advance, with promises of more afterward.

Though the crowd was large, many were paid to attend, while others simply came for the spectacle.

"These noble scholars were sought by the Prefect to serve us."
"They will certainly offer strategies to make Jiangxia better."
"Such talent is rare, mostly found in Jingxiang. We had to journey all the way to Jingzhou for them."

The onlookers pointed to the carriages, murmuring and whispering among themselves.

"What does this mean?" Shi Guangyuan asked, bewildered by the welcoming crowd.

The hot-tempered Meng Gongwei grumbled, "It’s like a weasel wishing the chicken a happy New Year—no good intentions here!"

"Even if there were a welcome ten miles out, Meng Gongwei would never plot for the traitor Cao," he added.

Among the three, Cui Zhouping was the sharpest. As the others puzzled over the situation, Cui Zhouping’s brows knitted in worry. Staring at the welcoming throng, he appeared deeply troubled.

(End of chapter)