Chapter 39: Meeting the Little Tyrant

Liu Xie felt that it was enough to quietly enjoy this matter in his own heart; at least for now, he could not reveal everything. As for what impact his departure might have on the struggle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, he no longer cared to consider it. Of course, if Yuan Shao could truly seize the opportunity to utterly destroy Cao Cao, Liu Xie would be pleased—after all, when choosing an opponent, it is always better to pick a weaker one, isn’t it?

Wu Commandery was drawing ever closer. Unlike the previous days of disarray, Liu Xie, after these days of slow travel, had managed to restore a measure of his dignified bearing. Moreover, after this period of trekking, he seemed to have regained some of the vigor of his former life. He thought that when he finally met Sun Ce, and if Sun Ce agreed not to ride a horse or use a long weapon, perhaps Sun Ce would not be a match for him. But that was a matter for another time.

As Liu Xie and his entourage traveled toward Wu Commandery, a lone rider sped in the opposite direction not far from them. This rider’s ultimate destination was Guandu, and he rode day and night without rest, finally reaching the encampment of Cao’s army before Liu Xie’s party arrived at Wu Commandery.

He had come to meet Guo Jia.

By the dim candlelight, Guo Jia was perusing an ancient tome when suddenly the door swung open and a figure in black swiftly slipped inside. Few could enter Guo Jia’s quarters in such a manner; even Cao Cao himself would announce his arrival out of respect. The person now before him was undoubtedly one of Guo Jia’s closest confidants—one who answered to him alone.

“Well?” Guo Jia asked.

The man seemed to know exactly what Guo Jia was referring to. With no change in expression, he shook his head and replied, “It appears he was prepared in advance. As for how we were exposed, I cannot fathom it. There were no flaws in the plan.”

His face remained impassive, but his words were certain.

Guo Jia sighed, fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly, “Go and rest. Let this matter end here, and speak of it to no one.”

The man in black sighed softly, then, just as he had come, slipped away with a flicker.

Guo Jia rose, dressed himself, and walked out. Though it was the dead of night, he knew some changes had to be made immediately.

That night, Guo Jia spent several hours with Cao Cao, and was gradually joined by Cao Hong, Xun You, Cheng Yu, and others. Clearly, a significant strategic shift was taking place within Cao’s camp, but the details remained unknown to all but those inside.

It was now May, and the weather was growing hot. Everyone knew the time of Yuan Shao’s fierce assault on Guandu was fast approaching. On Cao Cao’s side, news of Liu Xie’s absence from Xuchang had not yet leaked. What puzzled Cao Cao further was that among the reports from Jiangdong, there was no mention whatsoever of Liu Xie.

At last, near the end of the fifth year of Jian’an, Liu Xie, accompanied by Zhang Hong, arrived in Wu Commandery.

In truth, ever since they had entered Sun Ce’s territory, their party had been quietly shadowed by many protectors, though no one really knew the true identities of those traveling in this group.

Even when Zhang Hong brought Liu Xie into Wu Commandery, his identity was kept secret; aside from Sun Ce, no one knew who had arrived. Zhang Hong even used his own status as a cover, quietly ushering Liu Xie into Sun Ce’s residence.

Liu Xie understood Sun Ce’s caution in this matter, and he knew Sun Ce would surely have something he wished to ask in person. Thus, as he entered Sun Ce’s residence, Liu Xie did so with an easy composure.

“Your Majesty, it would be best if you and Lord Bofu met alone. There are some things that he should explain to Your Majesty personally,” Zhang Hong said as they reached the gates.

Liu Xie understood the implication. If Zhang Hong were present, as emperor he might lose face in front of him. Clearly, Zhang Hong was giving him this privacy out of consideration.

“In that case, I thank you, sir,” Liu Xie replied, and, without further words, strode into the residence under the guidance of Sun Ce’s guards.

Since the matter was still secret, Sun Ce had not arranged a grand welcome. Even the guard who led Liu Xie into Sun Ce’s study was unaware of his true identity, believing him to be some new retainer Sun Ce wished to recruit.

That Sun Ce chose his own study as the meeting place indicated that, in his eyes, this encounter was strictly private.

“My lord has been waiting for you for some time,” the guard said, leading Liu Xie to a quiet chamber deep within the estate, then saluted and withdrew, clearly acting on Sun Ce’s prior instructions. The conversation to follow was meant for no other ears.

After the guard departed, Liu Xie took a deep breath, reached out, and pushed open the door.

The room was spacious, adorned in a classical style, and faintly scented with musk, the same kind used in the palaces of Xuchang to calm the mind. Ancient texts lined the shelves on all sides, and Liu Xie had no doubt they were military treatises and strategies.

Behind a broad desk sat a young man somewhat different from what Liu Xie had imagined. Sun Ce was famed as the Little Conqueror of Jiangdong—a title not easily earned. However many foes he had slain to win it, Liu Xie could only guess, though it was surely not a small number.

Yet the man before him wore a robe of pale blue, his hair loosely tied and falling behind him, his chin unmarked by any beard, his complexion fair, his frame slender, and his face expressionless.

This was, of course, Sun Ce. No one else in Wu Commandery had the right to sit there—at least, until now. With Liu Xie’s arrival, he felt he too had the right to take that seat.

“Your servant, Sun Ce, pays his respects to Your Majesty,” Sun Ce declared, rising and cupping his hands in salute before quickly sitting down again—his movements swift and decisive, giving Liu Xie no chance to speak.

Seeing this, Liu Xie could only nod slightly, take in his surroundings, and seat himself across from Sun Ce, the two separated by a single desk, silently regarding one another.

Sun Ce’s demeanor remained calm and indifferent. With the formalities concluded, he said nothing further, clearly intending to test Liu Xie—this nominal emperor—to see how he would respond.