Chapter 41

Yu Pa, not truly wishing to follow Liu Bei, lived a simple and frugal life to avoid suspicion. Later, after tasting the Dou Yun (Soft Tofu) made by Chang-ran for her elder brother, he tried hard to obtain it but failed.

Once, Yu Pa refused Zhang Fei’s visit, which angered Zhang Fei greatly, causing him to cut off contact. However, unable to forget the Dou Yun, Yu Pa personally went to find Zhang Fei’s daughter, showing that human affairs are unpredictable.

The rumor about tofu spread incredibly fast. Besides my family and servants, others who tried it also found it delicious, indicating its rapid popularity.

The curiosity about new food and the taste evaluations by renowned figures contributed, but the core was the story behind the tofu. The rumor that I made it personally for my brother spread widely in Chengdu.

Those who tasted the tofu came forward to confess, wanting to repay the kindness by spreading my virtuous deeds. Seeing their sparkling eyes seeking praise, I could only let it pass, thinking it unnecessary to do so next time.

The tofu was named Zhang Family Bean, meaning the beans of the Zhang family, as it was first eaten in our house. Fortunately, it didn’t get a strange name.

After taking care of Zhang Po for a few days in Chengdu, he regained some strength. Just as I was about to visit Wang Sha, a surprising guest arrived.

“Ahem, I am Yu Pa.”

The middle-aged man with a stubborn expression was famously known.

Yu Pa, originally under Yu Piao, followed Cao Cao when Liu Bei arrived, and after Cao Cao’s defeat at Chibi, fled to Yi Province to follow Liu Zhang. His efforts to escape Liu Bei’s grasp were well-known.

However, eventually, even Yi Province fell to Liu Bei, ending Yu Pa’s escape. His tearful escape to avoid Liu Bei was known to all in Yi Province, yet Liu Bei’s magnanimity and desire for talent inspired many.

Yu Pa’s three escapes, comparable to the three visits by Zhuge Liang, could be called the light of Zhuge Liang and the dark of Yu Pa.

But my shock at his visit wasn’t due to his episodes with Liu Bei but because of an incident with my father.

‘Didn’t he openly disrespect our father?’

Despite Zhuge Liang’s mediation, Yu Pa ignored it, leading Liu Bei to severely criticize him. Yet, Liu Bei still holds him in high regard, showing his immense capability.

“Lord Yu Pa, what brings you here?”

“Ahem, is Lord Chun Bu here?”

“He’s currently away. If you’re looking for my father, I can relay a message.”

“No, it’s fine. I came to see you, Commander Guang Wei.”

“Me?”

I had no connection with Yu Pa. Though I’ve seen his face a few times, we’ve never even greeted each other.

“Please, come inside.”

Leading him to my room, Yu Pa curiously looked around and sniffed the air.

“It smells nice. Do you enjoy tea?”

“Yes, I often drink tea. Shall I have some brought?”

“That would be appreciated.”

Despite his rough appearance and conflicts with my father, Yu Pa was quite polite.

As the tea arrived, Yu Pa cautiously spoke.

“Actually, I recently tasted something called Dou Yun.”

Tofu? The method shouldn’t have spread yet. I recalled presenting the second batch of tofu to Liu Bei and nodded.

It’s common for a ruler to share new and delicious food with trusted subordinates. They must have eaten it together with Zhuge Liang and Yu Pa.

“Did you come for the Dou Yun?”

“Yes. I’ve never seen such food in my life. But there’s a more important matter.”

True to his nature, Yu Pa didn’t hide his desire for the tofu and saw a bigger picture.

“Let the country produce and sell Dou Yun.”

“Sell it nationally?”

“Yes. It will sell like hotcakes. Dou Yun is good for health, enriching the national treasury and improving the people’s health. How can the country not promote it?”

Currently, all salt in Yi Province is managed by the government. Beans aside, salt is essential for making brine, making mass production by the private sector difficult.

“Establish a Dou Yun Supervisor under the Salt Commissioner and sell it. No matter the price, people will buy it. The story of brotherly love attached to Dou Yun will also appeal to scholars.”

Yu Pa, the economic expert of Shu Han, even considered marketing. He once proposed minting coins to fill the empty treasury, showing his practical approach.

“Even after circulating the coins, we must return some wealth to the people. Dou Yun can be one way.”

“Give Dou Yun to the people for free?”

“Different prices. Cheap for the people, expensive for the aristocrats.”

Price discrimination. If done as Yu Pa said, the tofu market would be monopolized by the supplier. Theoretically, no major issues, but would the aristocrats accept it without complaint?

“Will the aristocrats follow?”

Liu Bei subdued the Yi Province aristocrats, making their power weaker in Shu Han, but aristocrats aren’t easily removed.

Naturally, Liu Bei also embraced the Yi Province aristocrats. Compared to Wei and Wu, he used carrots and sticks effectively, achieving results, making the aristocrats seem weaker but not toothless tigers.

“That’s why we need a story. And differentiate. I heard there are quality differences in Dou Yun. Supply lower quality cheaply to the people and make high-quality ones for the aristocrats, selling them expensively as premium products. Stimulate their vanity, and they’ll want to show off their filial piety and wealth.”

Now I understand why Yu Pa avoided Liu Bei.

This man has a merchant’s temperament. He weighs gains and losses, values efficiency over justification, and tangible results over invisible virtues.

Liu Bei, who led 100,000 people despite inefficiency for the sake of humanity, was the opposite of Yu Pa.

It also explains why Yu Pa quickly sided with Cao Cao. Cao Cao’s similar temperament matched well with Yu Pa. And Liu Bei, being the opposite, must have valued Yu Pa highly. Liu Bei knew he couldn’t just chase virtue.

But Yu Pa isn’t a complete sociopath. Considering the people harmed by the coin minting, he proposed this measure.

Yu Pa resembles a somewhat calculative modern person. Thinking of himself first but still holding altruism, striving to follow conscience and morality, like many in the 21st century.

Thinking this way makes dealing with Yu Pa much easier.

“Let’s do that.”

“Of course, for you too… huh?”

“I’ll teach the method to the servants. Lord Yu Pa, please submit a memorial to the ruler.”

“…Is that okay?”

Even after proposing, Yu Pa hesitated. Holding back a laugh, I tilted my head as if asking what he meant.

“Why oppose helping the people and filling the treasury?”

“Right. But is it really okay? Actually, everything I said was achieved by you alone.”

“What meaning is there in me alone becoming wealthy? If something made for family’s well-being is used for governing and benefiting the people, that’s also good.”

Yu Pa stared at me intently, as if trying to see if I truly meant it. I met his gaze without flinching. After a brief staring contest, Yu Pa burst into laughter.

“Ha, haha… hahaha! The blue hawk has given birth to a black crane.”

His light chuckle turned into hearty laughter, and he suddenly praised me.

The blue hawk refers to a fierce hawk, symbolizing harsh officials.

In contrast, the black crane symbolizes a virtuous gentleman, representing profound and deep meanings.

It was too grand a compliment. I wondered if the tofu he ate had gone bad, given his high praise.

“I’m just a mere military officer, your words are too kind.”

“Haha, did you hear what I said to your father, Lord Chun Bu?”

Yu Pa quoted his disrespectful words to my father, asking if I had heard them.

“Judging parents reflects on the child.”

Implying that if he praises me, he should also respect my father, Yu Pa immediately retorted.

“One doesn’t discuss the father when praising Shun.”

I stared at Yu Pa without a word, and he shook his head as if admitting defeat.

“Alright. Looking back, I was too harsh. I’ll apologize to Lord Chun Bu.”

“Ah? No need. I’m not asking for an apology, but please explain why you treated my father that way. Isn’t it because he harshly treated subordinates, making him seem less virtuous? Right?”

I must firmly correct my father’s bad habits this time. Normally, a child wouldn’t do this, but if left unchecked, another Zhang Da or Fan Jiang might emerge.

It all comes from a place of caring for my father.

Yu Pa was quick-witted. He quickly composed himself and smiled, following my lead.

“Right. Taking care of the weak and guiding the lacking is a gentleman’s duty. I’ll speak well to Lord Chun Bu.”

“Please do.”

“By the way, is there any left?”

“I’ll have it brought. Dipping it in soy sauce while warm makes it especially delicious.”

“Great, great!”

After eating his fill of tofu, Yu Pa showed the remarkable mobility of his exile days.

Returning home, he immediately proposed to Liu Bei to establish a Dou Yun Office under the Salt Commissioner and appoint a Dou Yun Supervisor to monopolize its sale, which Liu Bei readily accepted.

Yu Pa consulted with Wang Lian, the Salt Commissioner, to select officials for the Dou Yun Supervisor and sent them to me.

“This time, Ye Ye has been appointed as the Dou Yun Supervisor.”

Ye Ye was someone I knew. Known for his integrity and clarity in handling affairs, he even earned the nickname “Qing Neng” (Clear and Capable). In the Three Kingdoms era, not all nicknames were positive, but those passed down were almost guarantees of ability, showing how seriously this project was taken.

However, what caught my attention more than Ye Ye was the young official accompanying him.

“I am Zhang E, assisting Lord Ye Ye.”

Without realizing it, a fish had been caught in the net.

Zhang E, alongside Huang Quan, Ma Chong, and Wang Ping, was a top-tier talent of late Shu Han, loyal, capable, and flawless in character.

Having no prior connection and working as an official in Yi Province, directly seeking him out would be strange, but now that it’s come to this, it’s all or nothing.

“You.”

Words escaped my lips without passing through my brain.

“Won’t you come under me?”