Chapter 931: Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong

In a certain part of Danyang, in Jiangdong, the Zhang family, who had moved from Xuzhou to Jiangdong, was now living under the protection of the Zhang family in Jiangdong. Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong, looking at the letters in their hands, showed a hint of bitterness on their faces. When the two brothers exchanged glances, they both saw the regret in each other's eyes.

When Liu Bei had just arrived in Mount Tai, he had sent someone to invite them. However, they didn’t even allow the envoy to enter. Looking back now, if they had agreed at that time, they might have been in Lu Su's position today.

When Liu Bei made some progress in Mount Tai, he personally went to Xuzhou to invite them again, but the Zhang family shut their doors and refused to meet him. In hindsight, if they had shown even a little bit of courtesy, they might have already been in charge of their own territory.

The third time, when Liu Bei had established Fenggao City, he sent another invitation. However, after personally coming twice, the third time he sent a letter instead. This deeply offended the Zhang brothers.

When the messenger left with the remark, "You will regret this," the two brothers laughed for a long time. They were men of great talent—how could they ever regret not serving a mere regional warlord?

But later, they really did regret it. Liu Bei rose like a comet, unstoppable, defeating the Yellow Turbans, defeating Yuan Shu, and even overcoming Cao Cao. At that point, they truly regretted their decision. If Liu Bei had extended an olive branch, they would have seized the opportunity to join him.

But Liu Bei came and went without giving them a way out. Perhaps they had indeed overestimated themselves. At least, they realized they could not have orchestrated such a meteoric rise like Liu Bei had. It turns out that those who lack ability and are overly proud should indeed feel regret.

In reality, Chen Xi did not advocate for the idea of "inviting someone three times, and if they don't come, invite them again." A ruler simply does not have so much time to spend on such gestures; it’s better to focus on more productive matters.

Chen Xi believed in the rule of three attempts. As for Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong, he had already given them enough face. Even Xun's family in Yingchuan had at least opened the door for a conversation, even if Xun You was not there. But Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong had directly shut their doors, even when Liu Bei had come personally to invite them.

When Liu Bei was about to make his third personal visit, it was Chen Xi who stopped him, advising that a letter was enough. Whether they came or not didn’t matter—there was no point in overly flattering others and demeaning oneself. He knew they would regret it eventually. That final message from the messenger was something Chen Xi had deliberately instructed to be passed on.

From then on, Liu Bei never invited or recruited anyone more than three times. Three attempts were enough—anything more would be insulting to oneself.

In Chen Xi's view, if someone wanted to serve, they should come forward. If they didn’t, then they should stop making a name for themselves by playing hard to get. No need to put on airs.

This sentiment was especially directed at talented individuals like the Zhang brothers. With Lu Su in place, Chen Xi lost interest in them. Later, with Li You and even Zhuge Liang joining, Chen Xi completely gave up on the two fence-sitters.

Even though the Zhang brothers’ administrative talents were top-notch, it didn’t matter anymore. Their team was complete. Whether the Zhang brothers joined or not made little difference. If they wanted to come, they would be given a position. If not, Chen Xi had no intention of flattering them or letting them look down on Liu Bei’s team.

And so, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong grew more and more distant from Liu Bei. As Liu Bei grew stronger, their regret deepened. They finally understood why that final messenger had come back to say, "My strategist asked me to tell you, 'You will regret this.'"

Because of that single sentence, they could not bring themselves to approach Liu Bei and admit their mistake. They were filled with regret, but that one sentence still weighed on them heavily. How could they swallow their pride and go to Liu Bei now?

"Sigh, brother, we were truly blind back then," Zhang Zhao said with a hint of sorrow, throwing the letter aside. The years of regret and the weight of Chen Xi’s words had built up, leaving the brothers increasingly burdened.

"That man likely foresaw this outcome. After we turned Liu Bei away, he pulled the rug from under us. It was payback, one way or another," Zhang Hong said, tilting his head back and closing his eyes with a helpless expression. "Who would have thought that young man had such foresight?"

"What should we do now?" Zhang Zhao said gloomily, burdened by years of regret and uncertainty.

"Let's go, admit our mistake. Even if they say we have no backbone, we’ll accept it. We were blind to not recognize the gem that Liu Bei truly is," Zhang Hong sighed.

Since their departure from Xuzhou, the Zhang brothers had kept a close eye on the situation, but few warlords caught their attention. Among them, only one could rival Liu Bei, and even he had fallen. In hindsight, the brothers realized they were not good judges of character.

"..." Zhang Zhao remained silent, unwilling to accept the situation. The events of the past three years had deeply affected him. Liu Bei had risen from obscurity to become the most powerful warlord in the land.

"I can’t accept this," Zhang Zhao finally said, unable to contain his frustration.

"Neither can I. But what can we do? Will you bury your talents in the wilderness?" Zhang Hong replied helplessly. "In this world, if you possess skills in literature or warfare, you offer them to the emperor. Most people only retreat to the mountains when they have no other choice."

"Sigh..." Zhang Zhao's frustration dissipated in a long sigh, filled with regret.

Thus, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong crossed the Yangtze River, intending to return to Xuzhou. However, the Yangtze was already blockaded by Yuan Shao and Liu Bei’s forces. With no other choice, the Zhang brothers went to Shouchun to rest and wait for the right time.

"This Sun Bofu has some skill," Zhang Zhao remarked as he and Zhang Hong strolled down the main street of Shouchun, observing the city.

"Not bad," Zhang Hong replied, though he didn’t pay much attention to Zhang Zhao. He knew his brother was still troubled, as the words "you will regret this" lingered in their minds, occasionally striking them like a sharp blow.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yu, along with Zhuge Jin, Gu Yong, Yu Fan, and Lü Fan, was busy managing governmental affairs. As for Pang Tong, he was already passed out drunk, having indulged himself. In fact, Pang Tong was one of the few people under Sun Ce’s rule who had such freedom.

Pang Tong insisted that he didn’t understand governance and was only skilled in military strategy. So, in times when he could afford to, he would rather drink himself into a stupor than deal with tedious administrative work.

While Zhou Yu was working, he suddenly felt something as Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong entered a certain range. He quickly raised his head but then lost the sensation brought on by his spiritual talent.

"Someone, inform Bofu," Zhou Yu thought for a moment before deciding to notify Sun Ce.

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