A Treasure That Rolled In from Xiliang

The treasure that had rolled straight to his doorstep. Born in Xiliang, Hu Che'er possessed a colossal frame and the monstrous strength to match it—a natural-born warrior in every sense. He had lived by that strength his entire life, but he had no intention of doing so forever. Tempted by Jia Xu's proposal, he had knocked on the Yuan family's gate with a faint hope in his heart… only to have his pride shattered on the spot instead of demonstrating his power. He had been utterly overwhelmed in the very area he was most confident in. And not just once, but twice!

Hu Che'er had learned firsthand the well-known truth that the world was vast and wide. Still, his bruised pride had not gone unrewarded. "You live up to that size of yours! You're hired, Hu Che'er!"

After being thoroughly trounced by a subordinate and then brutally crushed again in the test Yuan Shu conducted himself, Hu Che'er had still caught the man's fancy. Of course, it helped that Yuan Shu already knew his name, but it was also because after personally gauging the giant's worth, he had concluded the man would prove quite useful.

That was fortunate indeed. If, after living by his strength and being defeated by it, he had trudged back to his hometown without even achieving his goal of catching a powerful patron's eye and living well, the disappointment would have been crushing.

At any rate, despite the ordeal, the outcome had been favorable. After a good night's sleep and a hearty meal, Hu Che'er decided to shake off the unpleasant memories and focus only on the positive thought that he had been recruited into the Yuan family. He had always possessed a simple nature, and sometimes that very simplicity worked in his favor.

In high spirits, he went to visit his acquaintance Jia Xu, the one who had sent him to the Yuan family in the first place. He had promised to report the result no matter what, and since she was the benefactor who had given him the opportunity, paying her a visit to express his gratitude was only proper.

"Hmm… I see. Just by looking at your face, I can tell how it went. I was watching from afar and feared it hadn't gone well, but it seems everything worked out in the end, Hu Che'er."

"Hahaha! Yeah. The young master took a liking to me."

Hu Che'er scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh and slightly turned his face away. It was embarrassing to have been shown getting beaten by Xiang Yu. Showing such a shameful sight to an acquaintance wasn't exactly pleasant.

"Thanks to you. I got a good position. Jia Xu. Thank you."

"Hehe, it would have been a greater shame to let a warrior like you rot away in the countryside. I'm glad it worked out."

Jia Xu hid her true intentions and smiled gently, praising him. If things went well, they might soon be eating from the same pot; it was wise to leave a favorable impression.

"Still, I was surprised. I had even wondered if you, Hu Che'er, might be the strongest warrior alive… Without the return of the ancient Meng Ben and Xia Yu, I thought no one could match your strength…"

At least this part was Jia Xu's genuine sentiment. She had been born later than in the original history and was therefore younger, with less experience. Though even with ample experience, encountering such a giant and the monster who had toyed with him so lightly would not be common.

"Uhahaha! I was surprised too. The world really is wide. Who would've thought that small body could play with me like that!"

Xiang Yu was not exactly small, but most people would appear tiny before Hu Che'er's massive build. He was excessively large. And like so-called combat-compressed muscle, warriors such as Xiang Yu, Richard, and Choe Jun-gyeong all possessed relatively slender frames compared to their terrifying strength. Not frail, of course—they were sleek and solidly toned. If one had to describe it, perhaps like athletic beauties? Something along those lines. Among the three, Xiang Yu was the largest, yet still fell short.

"If she were an enemy, maybe not. But as an ally, she's reliable. I made a good choice."

"Indeed… In this world, where could you find a better lifeline than the family that achieved the Four Generations of Three Dukes?"

Jia Xu nodded lightly in agreement with Hu Che'er's words, then silently sipped her tea.

From the smile on Hu Che'er's face, Jia Xu immediately understood that he was genuinely pleased about entering Yuan Shu's service. From that, she could also infer that Yuan Shu had recruited the giant based purely on his ability, while simultaneously captivating such a talent in the span of a single meeting.

Hu Che'er is the sort of man who could easily appear riddled with flaws in the eyes of a noble from a prestigious house.

His speech was far from eloquent. Mixed barbarian blood and that enormous frame could seem unpleasant or even repulsive to the great clans of the Central Plains; he might be scorned as a half-breed. Moreover, he was neither particularly courteous nor mindful of etiquette, so he could easily come across as rude. To an ordinary young noble of this era, Hu Che'er would not be a man to recruit, but rather one to punish, despise, or simply ignore.

But the man called Yuan Shu was different. Someone born with a status nobler than any save the imperial family had watched his own subordinate suffer near-humiliation, yet he had not judged hastily. Instead, he had tested the giant's skill personally. Upon finding it to his liking, he had taken him in.

Now Jia Xu was certain. That man would not cast her aside or scorn her merely for her origins. And if her talents met his standards, he would welcome her with a smile.

This was precisely why she had recommended Hu Che'er. Ordinary nobles, fixated on what they perceived as his flaws, would never recognize his true worth and would at best see him as a mere clown.

Still… there was one lingering concern…

It's probably just needless worry, but… he wouldn't accept only military men and reject civil officials… would he?

Every person Yuan Shu had gathered so far possessed martial talent, which had planted a reasonable seed of doubt in Jia Xu's mind. But she dismissed it as groundless fear. Waiting too long might cause her to miss a golden opportunity. Sending a scholar from Xiliang to Yuan Shu right now would waste both time and effort, and above all, she had no desire to create more competitors with her own hands.

I have confirmed everything I needed to confirm. And… I have also realized this is the final lifeline I absolutely cannot afford to miss.

Jia Xu decided that further hesitation would be foolish. After Hu Che'er departed, she sat alone, quietly and slowly sipping her tea while lost in thought. Soon she firmed her resolve and set out.

Standing before the Yuan family's gate, she spoke to the gatekeeper.

"I could not help but admire the exploits and renown of General Yuan Gong of the Chariot and Cavalry. Sharing a cup of wine with him has become the wish of a lifetime. An opportunity has arisen to visit, so I have come despite the impropriety… Might you convey a single word to him? If he refuses, I shall hold no further attachment."

The prestige of a servant reflected the prestige of the master. A lord who allowed even his slaves to live prosperously was the greatest source of pride for such servants. Jia Xu gently stroked that pride with her words.

"Haha, this scholar has quite the discerning ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠eye! Delivering a message is no trouble at all! I'll inform him right away!"

The gatekeepers reacted exactly as Jia Xu had hoped.

And before long…

"The master says to join him for a drink as you requested! Please, follow me!"

Yuan Shu had accepted her petition. Jia Xu was soon brought before him.

"Kukuku, in all my days, you're the first person I've met who claims that drinking with me is the wish of a lifetime! Still, it's not a bad feeling."

Yuan Shu waited for her with a drinking table that was modest yet by no means small.

"This humble one greets the legitimate heir of the Yuan family ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of the Four Generations of Three Dukes, the renowned General of the Chariot and Cavalry, Lord Yuan Shu. To meet you like this… is truly an honor!"

Jia Xu bowed deeply. Yuan Shu smiled and lifted the wine jar; she respectfully raised her cup to receive the pour. Once both cups were filled and they had taken a light drink, Yuan Shu's eyes gleamed as he regarded her.

"But from what I see… you don't look like someone who came all this way ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just for a cup of wine. Got something else you want to say?"

"Hehehe… ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠What greater honor could there be for this insignificant body than to receive a cup from the General? However… since you have bestowed such precious wine upon me… I cannot help but feel the urge to repay its value, however inadequate I may be."

Jia Xu had already discerned Yuan Shu's aversion to needless complications.

"I am Jia Xu. I know that success is promised to the General, yet I possess a small scheme that could hasten that success somewhat. I wish to offer it to you, that it might aid you on your glorious path. May I dare speak a word to Lord Yuan?"

Jia Xu? Did she just say Jia Xu…?

At the scholar's self-introduction, Yuan Shu's eyes flashed. Normally, one sought out and recruited talented individuals to fill one's own shortcomings. But for someone of Yuan Shu's status and fame? It was not he who sought them—the talented came to him of their own accord, eagerly displaying their abilities and begging to be used.

Jia Xu's visit was no different.

"Puhuhu… Now I'm curious. Let's hear it."

"Thank you."

After another sip of wine, Jia Xu spoke.

"It is a humble guess, but… the people's discontent is flowing all the way to Luoyang, and great and small troubles arise without cease in every direction. In the end, great chaos will descend upon the world. Therefore, Lord Yuan, throw a few juicy bones to the power holders in Luoyang to cloud their vision. Rather than remain in the capital, go out to the provinces and build your strength."

It was still a time when even the Yellow Turban Rebellion lay quite far in the future. Yet Jia Xu was already gazing ahead into the coming age of chaos and speaking of it to Yuan Shu.