Cunning Three Kingdoms

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Fei Qian smiled as he escorted Kuai Yue a long way, only retracting his smile after Kuai Yue's carriage had disappeared from sight before turning back. 

Fei Qian hadn't expected Kuai Yue of the Kuai family to demonstrate such astonishing decisiveness and boldness in making his move. 

Kuai Yue personally visited Fei Qian at the foot of Lushan and, upon meeting him, immediately bowed deeply, apologizing for his offenses. 

This took Fei Qian completely by surprise—he truly hadn't anticipated Kuai Yue being willing to humble himself to such an extent... 

Naturally, Fei Qian didn't make things difficult for him. Since Kuai Yue had already lowered himself so much, giving Fei Qian—and by extension, the Pang and Huang families behind him—ample face, any further arrogance or unreasonable hostility on Fei Qian's part would only reflect poorly on himself. 

So Fei Qian simply listened with a smile as Kuai Yue spun excuses—being misled by scheming clerks, acting impulsively and foolishly, and so on—without calling him out. After all, both sides knew the truth of the matter. Let Kuai Yue say whatever he wanted; Fei Qian would just treat it as a story. 

Kuai Yue had earned his reputation long before Fei Qian, yet he could discard his pride so effortlessly. Such forbearance was truly remarkable. Fei Qian couldn't help but think that if it were him, he might not have been so smooth. Kuai Yue, however, executed it flawlessly—proof of how well-versed noble families were in the art of yielding and advancing. 

But this also meant Fei Qian no longer had any pretext to trouble Kuai Yue further—at least not openly. Such were the rules among noble families. Since the Kuai family had sent Kuai Yue to express humility and concede defeat, Fei Qian, as the victor, would typically show some leniency—unless he was determined to fight the Kuai family to the death. For now, the matter was settled. 

Such was the way of noble families! 

Fei Qian sighed and shook his head as he returned to his wooden house. 

Just then, Xu Shu (styled Yuanzhi) emerged from inside and, upon running into Fei Qian, stepped aside to let him pass. 

"Yuanzhi, where are you heading?" Fei Qian always felt there was something off about Xu Shu, but it wasn't just his appearance—there was something deeper... 

Xu Shu gestured to the scroll in his hand. "I've finished this book and am going to the front hall to exchange it for another." 

Fei Qian hadn't anticipated so many people staying in the house he built at the foot of Lushan. Originally, he had planned to dedicate one room for books, but now all five rooms were occupied, forcing him to place the bookshelves behind the screen in the front hall. Ordinary classics and collections were kept there, allowing residents to borrow and return them freely—quite convenient. 

However, certain special texts, like Fei Qian's "Six Secret Teachings" or Zao Zhi's agricultural records, were kept in their respective rooms. Pang Tong also seemed to have a few scrolls he rarely shared. 

Fei Qian had long wanted to talk with Xu Shu, but his recent busy schedule left little opportunity. Now that they had crossed paths, he pulled Xu Shu to the front hall for a conversation. 

To be honest, though Fei Qian had seen Xu Shu's appearance many times, he still wasn't quite used to it. The man's burly frame was far broader than his own—standing in front of him, Xu Shu could completely block him from view. With such an imposing physique, how had Xu Shu managed to stay silent and unnoticed in Cao Cao's camp for so long in the original history? 

Moreover, Fei Qian suspected "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" might have taken some liberties. While Cao Cao did value talent, he was also ruthless in eliminating those he deemed threats—history recorded many he had executed. Could Cao Cao really have tolerated Xu Shu for over a decade or two without issue? 

There must be more to the story... 

But for now, that era hadn't arrived yet—Xu Shu hadn't even met Liu Bei. 

"Yuanzhi, are you settling in well here?" Fei Qian asked, breaking the ice with small talk. 

At this, Xu Shu truly had to thank Fei Qian. First, because Fei Qian had built this wooden house, allowing Xu Shu to stay at Lushan's foothills instead of having to lodge in Liu Biao's Pi Yong Academy in Xiangyang—which would have been costly and far less convenient. Second, Xu Shu was well aware of his own flaw: his thunderous snoring, which he couldn't control. Fei Qian had soundproofed Xu Shu's room by lining the walls with layers of cotton, hemp, and bamboo strips, allowing him to snore freely without fear of disturbing Pang Tong—who had previously greeted him with nothing but eye rolls. 

Thinking of this, Xu Shu clasped his hands and bowed in gratitude. This had been a great help to him. After all, as a disciple of Pang Degong, if his snoring kept Pang Tong—Pang Degong's nephew—awake night after night, he wouldn't have had the face to stay. 

Fei Qian smiled. "Our meeting is fate. Besides, we're both disciples of Master Pang—we're practically fellow students. No need for such formalities. By the way, I've been meaning to ask—how did you meet Master Shui Jing?" 

At the mention of Shui Jing (Sima Hui), Xu Shu smiled. "As you just said, it was fate. Back then, I... well, to be honest, I got into some legal trouble. I was captured by officials, but a friend from my village rescued me. As for my mother..." 

Xu Shu paused before continuing, "She exhausted our family's wealth trying to plead for me, but no one was willing to take me in. I had no path to study—until my fellow villager Shi Guangyuan recommended me to Master Shui Jing. That's how I got the chance to study under Master Pang." 

As it turned out, Xu Shu came from a modest landowning family—not wealthy, but comfortable enough to afford his martial training. In his youth, he led a group of friends, acting somewhat like a gang—not exactly virtuous, but not outright criminal either. 

But one impulsive act of defending a friend went too far—he accidentally killed a man. Fleeing in fear, he was captured by officials and tied to a post for public display, nearly executed. Fortunately, his childhood friends were loyal enough to create a diversion and free him. 

After this second lease on life, Xu Shu changed his name from Xu Fu to Xu Shu (meaning "commoner"). With Sima Hui's recommendation, he eventually became Pang Degong's disciple. 

At this point, Xu Shu sighed mournfully. "My family wasn't rich, but we lived comfortably. Now, we've been reduced to commoners, with only a few meager fields left. Even my elderly mother has to labor again... I am truly the shame of the Xu family." 

Fei Qian fell silent. Perhaps this was why Xu Yuanzhi had changed his name to "Shu" (commoner)... 

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A/N: "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" claims Xu Shu entered Cao Cao's camp without offering a single strategy or word for over a decade—yet not only did nothing happen to him, he was even promoted to Right Imperial Corps Commander and Palace Aide to the Censor-in-Chief... what do you make of this?