ATPnovel Chapter 3 Fated Encounter
Chapter 3 Fated Encounter
Liu Bei snapped out of his thoughts and strode toward the Military Affairs Office.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!
He was never one to boast; burying himself in military affairs was his top priority.
Suddenly, a voice from outside the prefectural government building struck him like a hammer blow, pinning him to the spot.
"My name is Gongsun Zan!"
"I am a native of Lingzhi in Liaoxi, and I have come to the prefectural government to apply for a minor official position!"
His voice was clear and resonant, full of energy, carrying a touch of youthful vigor and arrogance, and could still be heard clearly even through several courtyards.
Liu Bei, with his back to the courtyard gate, stiffened almost imperceptibly.
The fingers hidden in the sleeve clenched quietly.
He had been plotting and scheming day and night ever since he woke up from that strange dream two months ago.
Abandoning the stability of the Central Plains, he volunteered for Liaoxi, joined the military academy, got close to the prefect, and seized the initiative...
Each and every one of these actions was taken to avoid the turbulent fate in his dreams and to cut off the starting point that should have belonged to Gongsun Zan.
He calculated the timing, the human relationships, and how his early arrival in western Liaoning was enough to establish a firm foothold.
But one thing I didn't expect was—
Gongsun Zan, surprisingly, set foot in the prefectural government office today.
So far, he has only received some praise from the prefect, far from being able to steal the prize.
This is far removed from his earlier plans!
According to what he learned in his dream, Gongsun Zan should not arrive in Liaoxi to serve as an official for another two years.
These two years were enough for him to gain the prefect's favor, be recommended for the civil service examination, and gain experience in military affairs...
He even married the governor's daughter, thereby gaining further control over Liaoxi Commandery.
It would be impossible for Liu Bei to feel no guilt about this, after all, it was not a benevolent act!
And he was a benevolent and righteous man!
Wang Congshi's calm voice interrupted Liu Bei's slightly flustered thoughts: "The Lingzhi Gongsun family?"
"Since you are a native of this county, why are you only now coming to apply?"
"I was delayed by household chores, which is why I am late."
Gongsun Zan replied in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant, "Zan has some knowledge of military affairs and is willing to serve the country in the border region. I request that the government accept him into its service."
Liu Bei took a deep breath and slowly suppressed the slight shock in his heart.
Don't panic!
We mustn't act recklessly!
He is now a military officer, favored by the governor, and has a letter of recommendation from Lu Zhi. His position is secured, and he has gained the upper hand.
Even if Gongsun Zan arrived, he was merely a latecomer.
The worst that can happen is fair competition, and the advantage is in my hands!
Liu Bei even began to feel relieved, thinking that this was for the best, as it ensured fair competition and prevented him, Liu Bei, from stealing the prize.
If he can't marry the governor's daughter, it's because Gongsun Bogui is incompetent, not Liu Bei's fault.
The boy slowly turned around, his gaze calmly fixed on the direction of the courtyard gate.
On the corridor outside, Wang Congshi was leading a young man slowly towards them.
The man was about the same age as Liu Bei, but much taller, with a heroic appearance and sharp eyes.
He walks with his back straight, exuding a sharp and assertive air, making it clear at a glance that he is a person of fierce temperament, brave and combative.
This person was none other than Gongsun Zan.
The Gongsun clan of Lingzhi in western Liaoning, though a prominent local family, was not a top-tier clan; most of its members made their living through martial prowess.
Gongsun Zan was chivalrous from a young age, loved riding and archery, and was brave and had a good reputation for courage in the countryside.
I entered the prefectural government to apply for the position because I heard that the prefecture was recruiting officials and wanted to use this opportunity to make a living.
As he walked along, his gaze casually swept over the scenery in the courtyard, pausing slightly when it landed on Liu Bei standing under the eaves.
Although the young man was simply dressed, he had a calm and composed demeanor. Standing there, he was like a quiet pine tree, unassuming yet commanding respect.
Wang Congshi spotted Liu Bei at a glance and immediately beckoned, "Xuande, come here."
Liu Bei stepped forward as instructed, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Excellency, I am here."
"This is Gongsun Zan from Lingzhi. He joined the government through recruitment and has been working in the Military Affairs Department ever since."
Wang casually introduced Liu Bei and then spoke to Gongsun Zan.
"This is Liu Bei of Zhuojun, courtesy name Xuande. He is also a disciple of Master Lu Zhi. He arrived more than a month earlier than you. Since you are new here and not familiar with the place, you can ask him for advice."
"A disciple of Master Lu?"
A strange look appeared in Gongsun Zan's eyes. He looked Liu Bei up and down again, then clasped his hands and said, "So we are fellow disciples."
"My name is Gongsun Zan, courtesy name Bogui."
"My name is Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande."
Liu Bei returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his tone calm and without a trace of sharpness, saying, "We are fellow disciples here; let us support and help each other."
One still, one moving; one calm, one sharp.
Although it was their first formal meeting, an invisible contrast was already subtly emerging between them.
Gongsun Zan had sharp eyes and an imposing presence; at first glance, he was clearly a brave and daring warrior.
Liu Bei had a gentle expression and a composed demeanor; one could tell at a glance that he was a meticulous and steady person.
Wang Congshi observed this and secretly made comparisons in his mind.
One is martial, the other literary; one is sharp, the other steady—they complement each other.
"Since we are all from the same school, and will be serving in the same military corps in the future, we should work together with one heart and one mind."
Wang Congshi waved his hand, "Bo Gui is new here and unfamiliar with the affairs of the prefecture. Xuande, you should take him to familiarize himself with the documents of the military office and the rules of the prefecture."
"You can proceed with confidence!" Liu Bei replied.
Gongsun Zan also clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Xuande."
The two walked side by side toward the Military Affairs Office. Along the way, Gongsun Zan glanced at Liu Bei several times, and finally couldn't help but ask.
"Xuande was also from Zhuojun, my fellow townsman, and we were both students of Master Lu."
"Why have I never seen this before?"
"My family was poor in my early years, so I started my studies late and had only been studying for a short time. Therefore, I never studied with Bo Gui."
Liu Bei answered calmly, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.
He naturally wouldn't say that he deliberately avoided studying at the same time as Gongsun Zan.
They would never say that they had already spent half their lives interacting with this person in their dreams.
Throughout his life, during his times of hardship, he relied on Gongsun Zan for protection and shelter, for which he was grateful.
But it was that same man who controlled Youzhou, with a strong and powerful army, yet he was arrogant and tyrannical, causing trouble for the court and murdering members of the Han imperial family, which disgusted him.
At that time, he was a guest living under someone else's roof and had no right to comment on this matter. Later, when Tao Qian of Xuzhou invited him, he resolutely left.
Simply because he knew they were never meant to be together!
Now, the two are in the same government office, working in the same department, with equal titles, but their circumstances are completely different.
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Zan did not ask any further questions, but simply replied, "The border prefectures of Liaoxi are frequently invaded by the barbarians, and only the brave and martial can establish a foothold."
"Since Xuande has come here, he must also possess martial prowess?"
These words already carried a hint of a martial artist's arrogance.
Liu Bei smiled slightly, not wanting to compete: "I am not good at fighting on the battlefield. I am only slightly versed in writing and can manage affairs and handle some miscellaneous matters. I dare not claim to be brave."
The more he yielded and made concessions, the more contempt Gongsun Zan felt.
They thought Liu Bei was just a clerk who only knew how to copy and write, far inferior to themselves in terms of military prowess.
In border regions, military prowess has always been paramount.
In Gongsun Zan's view, the real skill lies in being able to fight and defeat the enemy.
Those tasks of burying themselves in documents and organizing household registers were nothing more than trivial chores, not worth mentioning.
Liu Bei took in all the changes in his expression, but was not annoyed at all, nor was he moved in the slightest.
He knew Gongsun Zan too well.
Brave and fierce, but too sharp and aggressive, fond of fighting, yet inept at managing affairs, neglecting details, and unable to win people's hearts.
This person may be a hero for a time, but he is unlikely to achieve lasting success.