Chapter 104: A Double Blessing for Liu Bei

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Naturally, Qiao Feng immediately informed Liu Xie of this important matter. She hurriedly left her own chamber and went straight to Liu Xie.

“Your Majesty, Lady Mi just came to my chamber to see me and has already agreed to this matter!”

Upon entering Liu Xie’s room, Qiao Feng could no longer contain her excitement; even her voice changed tone.

However, Liu Xie showed no sign of surprise, as if he had long anticipated Lady Mi’s decision.

“Your Majesty?”

“Don’t panic. Have you forgotten the story I told you about walls having ears? Go find some maids and have the room on the north side of your chamber prepared for Lady Mi to move into. For the next few days, do not let her meet Lady Gan. As for the rest, you need not concern yourself for now. Just treat Lady Mi well, provide her with good food and drink. There won’t be many more chances to use her.”

Liu Xie said this casually, leaving Qiao Feng confused.

After all, she had been focusing most of her energy on Lady Mi recently. Now hearing that Lady Mi’s usefulness was limited puzzled her.

“Why won’t she be of much use? Does Your Majesty believe Liu Bei won’t send someone to take her back?”

“You don’t understand Liu Bei, you don’t understand Liu Biao, and you certainly don’t understand Guan Yu, so you don’t comprehend my true intentions. I won’t tell you now. After some time, you’ll understand.”

Qiao Feng could only nod vaguely, then calmly left Liu Xie’s chamber.

Liu Xie looked up at the map on the wall, especially at the location of Xiangyang. He knew that in the short term, he had done all he could. What effect it would have depended on whether Liu Bei and the others were as he imagined.

Although Liu Xie, as the strategist, appeared at ease planning within this palace, the era of iron and horses had arrived. Naturally, he also wished to personally ride into battle. What he was doing now was preparation for that day.

Liu Xie knew that whether Lady Mi followed him or not, Guan Yu would leave with Lady Gan in two days.

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Lady Mi’s unwillingness to go had nothing to do with Guan Yu.

For a man wholly devoted to following Liu Bei, this woman was not important in his eyes—she was only significant because she was Liu Bei’s wife.

Indeed, reality unfolded just as Liu Xie had imagined.

Guan Yu left Wu Commandery with Lady Gan. Although Liu Xie saw a trace of helplessness on Guan Yu’s face when bidding farewell, if Guan Yu could not return to Liu Bei now, he might never have the chance again.

Outside Xiangyang, Liu Bei led the way on horseback, followed by Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei. Behind them rode Mi Zhu and others. The group had already sighted the city gates.

“Liu Biao invited us to Xiangyang. Could it be a trap? The main army is already stationed in Xinye. Brother, you must be cautious!” Zhang Fei said anxiously, eyeing the city.

For Liu Bei, gaining the small city of Xinye was both expected and unexpected. He felt neither joy nor sorrow.

Having experienced the intrigues of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, Liu Bei was unwilling to remain under Liu Biao’s watchful eye in Xiangyang. Although Liu Biao had a reputation for respecting talent, Liu Bei’s own calculations were known only to himself.

Xinye lay north of Xiangyang; arriving there was akin to becoming Liu Biao’s northern vassal. Though still subordinate, in Xinye, Liu Bei was in charge.

Yet Xinye’s drawback was obvious—it was too small to hide many troops, and there was little surrounding land to recruit soldiers or acquire horses.

For now, Liu Bei had no time to dwell on this; he urgently needed to stabilize his position.

Smiling, Liu Bei shook his head at Zhang Fei’s doubts. “The reason Liu Biao has maintained his foothold and kept Jingzhou stable is because he stays out of Central Plains affairs and never harms any capable men. He let me station my troops in Xinye and brought you all here just as a welcome. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed you to follow me. With you and Zilong by my side, who in this world could threaten me?”

Liu Bei’s confidence brought a sigh from Zhang Fei.

“If only Yunchang were here,” he said softly.

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Liu Bei sighed as well, though his expression remained unchanged. What he was thinking, no one knew.

When they arrived at Xiangyang, Liu Biao and his trusted men had been waiting at the mansion, and a welcoming banquet was already prepared.

It was clear that Liu Biao was warmly hospitable to his younger relative.

This was typical of Liu Biao’s treatment of noble guests seeking refuge. Even if they did not intend to serve under him, he would still honor them with a banquet.

Though it might seem ineffectual, Liu Biao knew that over the past decade, this great tolerance toward talent had been key to Xiangyang and Jingzhou’s development.

“Xuande, your arrival truly brings glory to Jingzhou. The people of the nine counties eagerly await your presence!” Liu Biao exclaimed, gripping Liu Bei’s hand tightly, his excitement evident.

Feeling warmly welcomed by such a good elder brother, Liu Bei humbly performed the customary triple kowtow, and both men indulged each other’s regard.

In truth, Liu Bei did not intend to stay long in Xiangyang. He planned to attend the banquet, then remain for only two or three days.

His foremost priority was to return to Xinye and develop its potential, seeing how far he could expand his power.

However, after several rounds of wine at the banquet, Liu Biao revealed news that shocked Liu Bei profoundly.

“Xuande, I wonder if you’ve heard—the two ladies you were captured with by Cao Cao are now in Wu Commandery with Guan Yu. Upon hearing you were coming to Xiangyang, Guan Yu entrusted Sun Ce to send word here. He and your two wives have already set out from Wu Commandery to find you!”

At these words, the chopsticks nearly slipped from Liu Bei’s hand.