It wasn’t until the sky darkened and the lamps were being lit through the estate that someone finally came for Zhou Yu. He wasn’t angry, however. He waited there calmly the entire time. If Sun Ce had been in this situation, he might have gotten up and left in frustration. But Yuan Shu was no ordinary official, setting his own lack of actual post aside. Even if his father, the former prefect of Luoyang, had been here, he also would’ve waited.
Before he left, his mother reminded him more than once to remember what kind of a person his father was, to consider how he dealt with problems and how he acted as an official.
After Zhou Yu set off, he reminisced about his father often. If he were with him on this journey, what would he do? What would he say? It gave him the patience to sit there in the lobby, waiting an entire afternoon.
When the lamps in the lobby were lit, a servant summoned him. “The general is requesting Zhou-gongzi’s presence.”
Yuan Shu had finally cleared some time to see him. Back when he was living in Shu County, he often heard of Yuan Shu’s reputation as a seeker of talent. If Zhou Yu were trying to gain a position here, his chances would be slim at best. But asking Yuan Shu to offer temporary lodging would not be an issue.
“Oh, Zhou-shizhi!”
Before Zhou Yu even set foot over the threshold, he heard the rich voice of a middle-aged man call out to him from the main hall, and he knew that man was Yuan Shu. Zhou Yu trained his expression and entered, appearing happy and collected. Dirt from the dusty roads sprinkled off his robes as he properly greeted Yuan Shu with a kowtow.
“Young nephew greets Yuan-shibo.”
“Quickly, rise, please rise.” Yuan Shu stepped forward to lift him to his feet.
To one side, there was another middle-aged man who laughed loudly. “As I thought. Nice to see you again.”
Looking over, Zhou Yu realized it was none other than his old acquaintance, Qiao Mao. Zhou Yu and Qiao Mao both sighed upon seeing each other. Qiao Mao’s beard and hair were grizzled, and he was trembling faintly. For a long while, he couldn’t speak.
Finally, he said to Yuan Shu, “In the midst of the sea of flames that was Luoyang, Nephew Zhou gave the single steed we had for this old man to escape. After returning to Yang Province, this old man, clinging onto life, constantly regretted allowing that…”
“All right, all right!” Yuan Shu said, smiling, waving a large hand. “He’s back now, so there’s no need to say more! Come, Zhou Yu, this is Xu Gong, Uncle Xu. Back in the day, he was on good terms with your father.”
Yuan Shu introduced Zhou Yu to another middle-aged man. Knowing that this was the prefect of Wu County, Xu Gong, Zhou Yu greeted him accordingly. Xu Gong nodded his head, and Yuan Shu took Zhou Yu’s hand, showing him to his seat.
Zhou Yu’s forebearers were officials, and his grand-uncle, Zhou Jing, was at one time the Grand Commandant. If Zhou Yu wanted to trace through his family connections, they were related to the Yuan family in that way. As expected, Yuan Shu first brought up his family’s friendship with Zhou Yu’s grand-uncle, and then, in accordance with etiquette, brought up various matters Zhou Yu’s father dealt with while alive.
“As for your father’s passing, I was originally going to visit in person to give my condolences,” Yuan Shu said, “but for some time, I was unable to take my leave…”
“Back then, when the General of the Rear’s envoy visited, my mother was greatly moved,” Zhou Yu hurried to say. “The first thing she wanted me to do when I arrived in Shouchun was to come greet Uncle Yuan.”
Yuan Shu laughed loudly and applauded. “Just now, I heard old Qiao mention what I noticed as well: You’re young, talented, handsome, have the courage to sacrifice yourself to save others, and you managed to escape from Luoyang. You’re an admirable young man!”
Xu Gong and Qiao Mao both started laughing. Zhou Yu hurried to decline such praise, but just as he was about to bring up Sun Ce, he saw a hesitant glance from Qiao Mao. He decided not to mention he came to see Sun Jian.
“Zhou Yu,” Yuan Shu said, delighted. “What plans do you have for the future?”
Zhou Yu, who was sitting at one of the side tables meant for visitors, lifted his eyes to take in Yuan Shu. The man’s features were well-formed and his build burly. He kept his beard elegantly long, and a white jade tablet hung at his waist. With the set of long robes he wore, his demeanor inspired admiration.
“I have no plans right now,” Zhou Yu responded earnestly. “As of today, the emperor is displaced from his throne, and the law has not adequately punished Dong Zhuo. Though the world watches with anticipation for Uncle Yuan to take up this heavy duty, this young nephew came to Shouchun simply hoping to assist in whatever way is possible.”
Yuan Shu sighed. “Your willingness is a rarity these days! You do not shame your deceased father’s name. But there are many conflicts to deal with, and even my Yuan family is powerless in the face of those… Oh well! Let us not speak of such things today. I am pleased you are here: Seeing you is like witnessing your father in the past. Over these next few days, come stay in Uncle’s residence. Come! Set out the wine!”
With that, Zhou Yu relaxed; Yuan Shu had accepted him. After all, though his reputation was middling among the various marquises, Yuan Shu was highly regarded among scholars as someone who appreciated talent and gathered the knowledgeable in his retinue. Anyone who did as he did would be well-known, but this was especially true for large families such as the Yuan.