Chapter 2: If Lu Bu Were to Steal Your House, How Would You Respond?

I am indeed in a difficult position, facing some challenges. Yet, I am nominally the Lord of Xuzhou, officially recognized by the Han court as the General Who Pacifies the East. I still hold actual control over the two commanderies of Xiapi and Pengcheng. And you want me to abandon this hard-won domain, forsake my position as a regional power, and just pack up and flee to Jingzhou? Are you out of your mind?

“My elder brother is the Lord of Xuzhou, commanding tens of thousands of troops, with me and Yide ready to fight to the death by his side!” Guan Yu spoke first, unable to contain his impatience, bluntly refuting the idea. “Even if Yuan and Cao are strong, as long as we brothers stand united, we will surely hold onto Xuzhou!”

“And you want my elder brother to abandon Xuzhou without a fight, to seize Jingzhou instead?” Guan Yu’s tone was sharp. “Xiao Jinglüe, this so-called bright path to restore the Han dynasty you speak of seems not bright at all, but rather a crooked and shady route!”

Liu Bei frowned but spoke gently, “What Master Xiao proposes is indeed a viable option. Yet, as the Governor of Xuzhou, I must do my utmost to protect this land and its people. To abandon Xuzhou out of fear of powerful enemies would betray the dying wishes of Lord Tao and the hopes of the people of this province. Besides, Liu Jingsheng, the Governor of Jingzhou, is a kin of ours; how could I seize his legacy without cause? Master Xiao’s strategy, I fear, is not suitable for me.”

Liu Bei’s temper was far more composed, still courteous to Xiao, but the implication was clear: your plan is unreliable!

Zhuge Liang furrowed his brow. When Xiao had earlier suggested leading Liu Bei to campaign in Jingzhou, he already found the plan overly optimistic. Xuzhou was the fruit of Liu Bei’s lifelong struggle; no one would simply shatter their own livelihood for a mere promise and follow him to snatch food from Liu Biao’s mouth. Liu Bei was no fool.

Zhuge’s gaze shifted to Xiao, wondering how his brother-in-law could possibly persuade Liu Bei under such circumstances.

Amid the skeptical eyes, Xiao remained calm, as if unsurprised by Liu Bei’s polite refusal. Taking a sip of tea, he said deliberately, “There is still one thing I have not mentioned. For Lord Liu, the real threat is Lu Bu, who garrisons at Xiaopei. If my calculations are correct, even as we speak, Lu Bu has already risen in rebellion and successfully launched a surprise attack on Xiapi.”

“Since Xuzhou is no longer yours, why burden yourself with it?”

Xiao dropped a bombshell.

This was also why he chose this moment to persuade Liu Bei. Losing Xuzhou would force Liu Bei to abandon the futile hope of clinging to it. At the same time, Xiao could display his foresight and gain Liu Bei’s trust. This two-pronged approach was his way to win Liu Bei’s full confidence and have him willingly move into Jingzhou.

The room erupted into astonishment. Both Liu Bei and Guan Yu were visibly shaken.

“Master Xiao, are you saying that Lu Bu, ungrateful and treacherous, would stab me in the back by striking Xiaopei while I am locked in confrontation with Yuan Shu?” Liu Bei’s tone was laced with disbelief.

Xiao was not surprised by his reaction. Liu Bei, a chivalrous hero with a strong sense of loyalty, valued righteousness above all. When the Northern Sea was besieged by tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans, and Kong Rong sent Taishi Ci for help, Liu Bei did not hesitate to lead a force of the weak and the old to the rescue. When Guan Yu was slain by Sun Quan’s forces, defying his ministers’ counsel and the weakness of Shu Han, he mobilized the entire nation’s troops to retaliate.

His world was built on loyalty and honor.

If Lu Bu, fallen and desperate, came to him seeking refuge, how could Liu Bei turn him away? In Liu Bei’s worldview, it was inconceivable that someone he sheltered would betray him.

Unlike Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, born political animals steeped in strategy and self-interest, Liu Bei was, at heart, an idealistic and passionate youth.

Hence, Liu Bei greeted Xiao’s prediction with strong skepticism.

Zhuge Liang, too, looked at Xiao curiously, puzzled how his brother-in-law could be so certain that Lu Bu had already breached Xiapi.

“You, Lord Liu, are a man of honor and trust,” Xiao said. “But you must understand, not everyone in this world is a gentleman. In these chaotic times, wise ministers choose their lords; switching allegiance is hardly shameful. Yet Lu Bu killed Ding Yuan and then Dong Zhuo, twice betraying his masters! His fickle, shameless nature is rare even in these troubled times. Such a treacherous and unprincipled wolf—do you truly believe he would remember your kindness?”

Xiao’s words stripped Lu Bu bare.

Liu Bei fell silent.

“Now that you are campaigning afar and Xiapi is short of both troops and loyal hearts, do you think Lu Bu would miss this golden opportunity to strike and seize Xuzhou?”

A chill ran down Liu Bei’s spine.

Though he lacked the cunning of Yuan Shao or Cao Cao, Liu Bei had risen from humble beginnings to his current stature not by naïveté.

After Xiao’s analysis, Liu Bei suddenly realized he might have made a grave mistake.

Guan Yu nodded, saying, “Brother, I agree with Xiao Jinglüe’s words. I have long warned that Lu Bu’s wild ambition makes him unworthy of harbor, lest he become a great threat.”

Liu Bei pondered deeply, then rose and bowed to Xiao, “Master Xiao’s insight into Lu Bu surpasses mine. I concede that my initial decision to shelter Lu Bu was partly out of loyalty and sentiment, but now it seems I invited a wolf into my home.”

Yet Liu Bei added, “Still, Xiaopei is guarded by my brother Yide, aided by Mi Zhu and Sun Qian, with four thousand troops remaining. Even if Lu Bu betrays us and attacks, Yide’s prowess may well repel him.”

Guan Yu brightened and concurred, “Brother speaks truly. Our brother Yide is a hero fit to face ten thousand men—no mere turncoat can easily overcome him. Should Lu Bu strike, I trust Yide will alert us in time to come to his aid.”

Xiao smiled inwardly.

The brothers’ absolute trust in Zhang Fei, their youngest, still made them hopeful. Such trust bred complacency. One round of foreshadowing was insufficient; more revelations were needed.

“General Zhang indeed has the courage of ten thousand men, but holding a city depends on more than personal valor. I know General Zhang has long been at odds with Cao Bao. Now that he holds power in Xiaopei, if he, in drunken anger, lashes out at Cao Bao, provoking him to secretly collude with Lu Bu and lead the Danyang troops to betray us and open the city gates—what then?”

The room went silent in horror at this.

Liu Bei and Guan Yu exchanged glances, drawing a sharp breath.

Zhuge Liang, standing behind, was equally stunned, staring at Xiao in disbelief.

To foresee Lu Bu’s betrayal and the fall of Xiapi at such a young age was remarkable enough. Now, to predict that Zhang Fei’s drunken wrath might trigger Cao Bao’s treachery, allowing Lu Bu to take Xiapi without a fight—that level of detail was chilling.

“Master Xiao, you—this is…” Liu Bei’s eyes were wide with shock, at a loss for how to respond.