Xu Shu's home in Beijing City

"Wu'er, do you have something on your mind?" Xu Shu's mother, Xu Wu, brought the meal to the seat, and saw that Xu Shu had not moved for a long time, so she couldn't help but ask with concern.

Xu Shu's father died early, and the Wu family independently pulled Xu Shu to grow up, Xu Shu was later arrested by the government for revenge for his friends, and he hid for a few years after escaping, because the world was in turmoil, and the government did not have the energy to arrest him to settle the matter. Otherwise, if it is in the peaceful era, Xu Shu may not be able to reunite with his mother in his lifetime. Perhaps, because of such an experience, Xu Shu became more and more filial to his mother.

Later, Xu Shu also died because of his filial piety to his mother.

In the Three Kingdoms, Xu Shu threw himself under Liu Bei, defeated Yuan Shao's old generals Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang in Xinye, and then defeated Cao Ren and Li Dian with a strategy to capture Fancheng. After Cao Ren and Li Dian went back, Cheng Yu recognized Xu Shu and offered Cao Cao to deceive Xu's mother, and then Cheng Yu forged Xu's mother's letter and deceived Xu Shu, and Xu Shu recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei before leaving. Many people may have doubts when they see this, since Xu Shu knows Zhuge Liang's ability, why didn't he recommend Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei earlier, but he didn't recommend it until he left, is he worried that his position will be occupied by Zhuge Liang, here is actually because the Three Kingdoms are a little different from the real history. Let's say that after Xu Shu came to Xuchang, Xu's mother hanged herself when she learned about it.

And the original history is like this: Xu Shu recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei after serving Liu Bei, and Liu Bei sought Zhuge Liang after visiting the thatched cottage three times. After that, Cao Cao began to move south after settling the war in the north, when Liu Biao died of illness, and his second son, Liu Cong, took over Jingzhou and sent an envoy to ask for Cao Cao's surrender. At that time, Xu Shu and Liu Bei were in Fancheng, after hearing about this, Liu Bei led the people to the south, Xu Shu took his family and Zhuge Liang to flee with Liu Bei, and was caught up by Cao Cao's army in Dangyang Changban Slope, Xu Shu's mother was captured by Cao Cao's army, Xu Shu in order to protect his mother, bid farewell to Liu Bei, and went to Cao Ying. Although history does not clearly record the life and death of Xu's mother, since there is a saying in the Three Kingdoms, it is obvious that there may not be no wind. Although the real history is slightly different from the Three Kingdoms, the result is the same, but it is harmless.

In fact, with the intelligence of Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu, they may not have thought that once Xu Shu went to Cao Cao's command, Xu Shu might die because of it. Then, if Xu Shu actually didn't go to Cao Cao's camp, wouldn't he be able to have the best of both worlds, not only to serve Liu Bei, but also to take care of Wu's life.

Of course, there is a saying that you can't have both fish and bear's paws.

Xu Shu's departure from Liu Bei can be said to be an inevitable result, it should be said that this is related to the promotion of filial piety during the Three Kingdoms period and the situation in which Xu Shu was present.

In the Han Dynasty, if a person wanted to be an official, one relied on the family, and the other relied on filial piety. The Han Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety, and the emperor's nickname had the word "filial piety", and the selection of officials also had a section of filial piety. That is to say, in the Han Dynasty, whether to be a person or an official, filial piety was the most basic condition and requirement. On the other hand, it is difficult for unfilial piety to gain a foothold in society, which is the direct reason why Xu Shu's mother was taken captive and wanted to leave.

This kind of case is by no means just Xu Shu.

Zhang Miao and Chen Gong defected to Cao Cao, and Cao Cao's mother was taken hostage by Zhang Miao and Lu Bu, and Cao Cao asked Bi Chen to go to his mother. Bi Chen swore that he had no two hearts, which made Cao Cao cry and moved, but just after leaving Cao Cao's sight, Bi Chen still ran away. Later, the rebellion was put down, Bi Chen was arrested, but Cao Cao not only did not kill him, but also appointed him as Lu Xiang on the grounds that "filial piety" must be "loyal to the king". As for leaving the general's mother in the capital, it is a common practice for monarchs, which seems to be to make the general's elders happy, but in fact there is also a hostage side. It was also this rebellion, and after Lü Bu was defeated, Chen Gong was captured by Cao Cao. Chen Gong thought that he was disloyal and unrighteous and lived in the world without face, Cao Cao loved his talent, and wanted not to kill him, but also to use his mother to force him. Cao Cao asked Chen Gong, do you still want your mother to live? Chen Gong said: "I have heard that people who rule the world with filial piety will not kill other people's relatives." He also said, "Whether my mother is dead or alive, you can do it." In the face of a person who wants to execute himself, Chen Gong still has to pat himself in disguise, is it not for his mother? Cao Cao is for this "rule the world with filial piety", and he also raised Chen Gong's mother.

There are also negative examples. Yuan Shao's general Ji Yong betrayed Gongsun Zhan, and Yuan Shao sent the general Zhu Ling to attack. Zhu Ling's home was in the midst of the rebellion, and Gongsun Zhan pulled Zhu Ling's mother and younger brother to the city to blackmail Zhu Ling. Zhu Ling had no scruples and fought to siege the city, but as a result, the city fell, and the whole family was killed by Gongsun Zhan. It's hard to say how much this incident affected Zhu Ling, but Zhu Ling, as a general who became famous in Cao Cao's early days, has never been trusted by Cao Cao, and it cannot be said that this is one of the reasons. Xu Shu's family background and personal social status cannot be compared with the above people, if he bears a reputation of unfilial piety, it can be said that this person's career is basically over.

Doesn't it say that loyalty is more important than filial piety, can't Xu Shu stay on the grounds of loyalty?

This is another situation in this special period of the Three Kingdoms. At that time, although the princes in the world were working separately and serving a certain prince, that is, that person's courtier, there was also a nominal emperor in the world, if Cao Cao appointed someone as an official in the name of the Son of Heaven, then this person would be the same as the princes in form, and became a courtier of the court. This is just like what Han Song under Liu Biao said: "The Son of Heaven gave Han Song an official position, and I am the courtier of the Son of Heaven, but just an old official of General Liu Biao." ”

There is a story that illustrates the unusual nature of this period.

Cao Pi once had a big banquet guest, and he asked a question, saying: "The monarch and father are both seriously ill, and only one pill can save a person, do you save the monarch or father first?" Cao Pi asked Bing Yuan to express his position by name, and Bing Yuan said loudly: "Save my father!" Cao's father and son coerced the Son of Heaven to order the princes, they are the actual "monarchs", Cao Pi's intention in asking this is obviously to show everyone's loyalty, but Bing Yuan, as the chief officer of Cao Pi's staff, said the answer that Cao Pi did not want to get, and Cao Pi did not embarrass him, which shows that this is a special era. After all, there is a difference between a civil war and defending against external humiliation.

Since there is no fundamental difference between serving under Liu Bei and serving Cao Cao, if you lose your filial piety, it will lead to ruin, and in a way, Xu Shu really has no more choice.

So, why didn't Liu Bei force Xu Shu to stay? There are roughly three reasons.

First, Liu Bei had no reason to force Xu Shu to stay. Filial piety was the highest moral standard at that time, and Liu Bei could not violate the hurdles that Xu Shu could not pass. In the entire feudal society, only the emperor can "win love" (filial piety after the death of his parents), others do not have this right, Liu Bei is not the emperor at this time, and it is unreasonable to force him to stay. This is not in line with Liu Bei's original intention, once he does this, wouldn't it tell the world that he has different intentions and wants to be the emperor himself, after all, Liu Bei's slogan at that time was to restore the Han family, not to establish himself as the emperor, after all, the Han Dynasty was still there at this time, the emperor was still there;

The second reason is a bit cruel to say, but it is a fact that has to be said, Xu Shu is not a top talent, and it is not necessary to force Xu Shu to stay, but if it is because of the death of Xu's mother, who was harmed by Xu Shu, then Liu Bei will be infamous instead, and the gains outweigh the losses, if it is replaced by Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei will not necessarily let go. Xu Shu's talent is outstanding, but there must also be people who are comparative. Compared with Liu Bei's original subordinates such as Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, etc., Xu Shu's talent is naturally very high, but compared with Zhuge Liang, Guo Jia, and Sima Yi, that is the difference between the light of fireflies and Haoyue. Cao Pi's middle and middle Huangzhong periods, Xu Shuguan to the right middle Lang general, Yu Shi Zhongcheng. Zhuge Liang wondered, is this because there are too many talents in the Wei State? If it is said that the record of "Wei Luo" is not credible, but the actual situation is that Xu Shu is indeed only a middle talent. Xu Shu recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei, Liu Bei met Zhuge Liang, and Zhuge Liang made a long speech, the so-called "Longzhong Pair", which clarified Liu Bei's strategic thinking and development direction. A person who "farms and reads" at home can clearly see the general trend of the world, so why can't a "working" senior staff member see it? In the final analysis, it is the difference in talent.

The third reason, Xu Shu himself said, in Xu Shu's own words: "Now that I have lost my old mother, I am already in chaos, and staying will not help your career", so one has to leave, and the other is difficult to stay. Shu can't stay in Liu Bei's camp, from Xu Shu's point of view, it is limited to love, and from Liu Bei's side, it is forced by the situation, and it is a last resort. Therefore, in terms of situation, anyone may have a hurdle that cannot be overcome.

Based on the above reasons, there is nothing to say about Xu Shu leaving Liu Bei to go to Cao Cao's camp. Some people may have doubts that leaving Liu Bei at that time was a last resort, then, after Xu Shu arrived in Cao Cao's camp, his mother was killed, Cao Cao can be said to be an indirect murderer, why didn't he leave Cao Cao and throw himself into Liu Bei's arms again, maybe he could take revenge. And Xu Shu himself also gave an explanation, he had betrayed Liu Bei and thrown himself under Cao Cao, and he had already been disloyal once, and he didn't want to be an unfaithful person again, so he would rather do nothing under Cao Cao than change his camp again.

So, what is the real reason?

There is such a record in the Three Kingdoms: but it is said that Xuande is arranging gifts, and wants to go to Longzhong to tell Zhuge Liang, and suddenly someone reports: "There is a gentleman outside the door, Eguan Bo belt, very good-looking, and he came to explore." Xuande said: "Is this Kong Ming?" and then dressed up to greet him. Regard it as Sima Hui. Xuande was overjoyed, please sit in the back hall, and asked: "Prepare for a farewell fairy face, because of military affairs, I missed the visit." Today, the light has fallen, and the private admiration is greatly appreciated. Hui said: "I heard that Xu Yuanzhi is here, so I will come for a while." Xuande said: "The proximate reason is that Cao Cao imprisoned his mother, and it seems that his mother sent someone to write a book and recalled Xuchang." Hui said: "Cao Cao's plan is in this way! I have heard that Xu's mother is the most virtuous, and although she is a prisoner in the Cao prison, she will not go to the book to summon her son; this book will be deceitful." Yuan Zhi is not going, his mother is still alive, if he goes now, his mother will die!" Xuande asked the reason, and Hui said: "Xu's mother is high-righteousness, and she will be ashamed to see her son." Xuande said: "Yuan Zhi is leaving, recommend Nanyang Zhuge Liang, what is his person?"

Looking at this dialogue, Sima Hui said that Xu's mother would die, and after Liu Bei asked the reason, he immediately asked Zhuge Liang. Perhaps, in Liu Bei's eyes, those who achieve great things are not informal, and he naturally will not spend too much energy because of an old woman like Mother Xu. And don't forget, Xu Shu and Sima Hui are friends, and this matter will inevitably fall into Xu Shu's ears, so if Xu Shu does not return to Liu Bei's command, it will be said in the past. Maybe the two have the same idea, Liu Bei already has Zhuge Liang under his command, so it is not very important whether Xu Shu comes back or not.

Wu is a loyal person, but that doesn't mean she's just as intelligent. Otherwise, whether it is the Three Kingdoms or the real history, the Wu clan will die as soon as they are captured by Cao Cao, instead of waiting until Xu Shu is under Cao Cao's command.

Let's say that Xu Shu heard Wu's inquiry, hesitated for a moment, and then said bluntly, "Mother, the child has some doubts in his heart, so he can't let go!"

"Let's see if your mother can help you out. ”

Parents have always been a kind of image in front of their children, even if they know that their parents have many problems that cannot be solved, but they are still willing to tell their parents about the problems. Perhaps, they don't necessarily need their parents to give them answers, they just want someone to talk to.

"Yes!"

Subsequently, Xu Shu did not hold back, and told Yuan Chang about their actions to prepare for the Son of Heaven, as well as the idea of preparing to implement a new system, perhaps he understood that the Wu family could not solve his doubts, he just wanted to confide in him, and he didn't want to let this matter be stuck in his heart, so that he could not calm down.

"I see!"

Wu nodded, understanding why his son was confused. Also, Xu Shu, who has been taught the concept of loyalty since childhood, would be strange if he was not confused when he encountered this kind of thing. After thinking about it, Wu said: "Wu'er, my mother has told you to be loyal since I was a child, you can keep it in mind, and I am very happy for my mother." However, if the world is peaceful, the Son of Heaven is wise, and the monarch and the minister are harmonious, you will naturally be happy to be a mother; If you have enough ability, then think about the problem of the Son of Heaven and the world, but you can't do that now. Now, you should go out and look at the people of Youzhou, see their lives, and whether they can survive under the rule of Youzhou Mu. Being a mother doesn't know the big truth, what to do is still up to you, no matter what you do, motherhood will support you. ”

"Yes, Mother, the child knows. Xu Shu didn't expect the Wu family to help him solve his doubts, he just needed this care and advice that was not mixed with any feelings.

After eating, Xu Shu decided to listen to his mother's words and go to see the lives of the people, which might make him feel something.