Chapter 60: Simply to Make Myself More Comfortable

If Liu Xie had voiced such insights the moment he arrived in Jiangdong, Sun Ce and his men would surely have thought him a fool. But now, the circumstances were different.

It was clear that Liu Xie had already accounted for bringing along this particular person when he planned his escape from Xuchang. This calculation extended even to the two ladies of the Liu Bei household. If they served no purpose, the risk of bringing two extra people would be considerable—something both Sun Ce and Zhou Yu well understood.

“Does Guan Yu truly possess such great talent? So great that if we in Jiangdong could employ him, he could lead our sons to victory wherever we go?” Though he did not fully believe it in his heart, Sun Ce still put the question forth. Clearly, Liu Xie’s opinions now carried significant weight with them.

“That is not the case,” Liu Xie replied. “What I truly mean is this: the matter of Guan Yu placing those two ladies in my palace is something Cao Cao remains unaware of. Before I departed, I set certain arrangements there; once Guan Yu learns of this, he will become a major variable within Cao Cao’s army. As for whether he can be turned to Jiangdong, that will depend on you, Bofu. As for Liu Bei, he is merely enduring hardship within Yuan Shao’s ranks. Once the struggle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao is decided, Liu Bei will surely seize the chaos to carve out his own domain. If you do not wish him to become your future rival, you must keep a close watch on him; the moment he breaks from Yuan Shao, you should strike without delay—better yet, kill him.”

Though his words wound through several matters, everyone present was clever enough to grasp Liu Xie’s meaning and emphasis.

“Your Majesty means that Cao Cao and Liu Bei are our true enemies, and Yuan Shao is not to be feared? But at present, the situation for Cao Cao at Guandu is dire!” Sun Ce understood what Liu Xie was saying, but not why.

Most of Jiangdong’s ministers believed that Yuan Shao would ultimately triumph over Cao Cao, unify the Central Plains, and become Jiangdong’s greatest threat. Many strategists were already urging Sun Ce to quickly form an alliance with Liu Biao for mutual defense; otherwise, should Yuan Shao invade, the enemy’s strength would be overwhelming and difficult to resist.

Yet Liu Xie’s analysis and arrangements focused entirely on weakening Cao Cao and guarding against Liu Bei, with not a single precaution taken against Yuan Shao—a fact that Sun Ce could not comprehend.

By every measure—foundation, military strength, and influence among the Han warlords—Cao Cao currently fell short of Yuan Shao. His sole advantage was his control of the emperor in Xuchang, but now even the emperor was gone.

By all rights, once this news spread, Cao Cao’s army should collapse in an instant. But Liu Xie clearly did not see it that way.

The three pairs of eyes continued to fix upon him, and Liu Xie could not help but sigh inwardly, thinking that if these were three fair maidens, the scene before him would be far more entertaining.

“With Yuan Shao’s abilities, if he truly could defeat Cao Cao, Xuchang would already be his. Despite his overwhelming advantage, Cao Cao has slain both Yan Liang and Wen Chou in succession, which alone proves that Yuan Shao’s camp has serious flaws in strategy. Their edge has nearly been worn away by Cao Cao, and now, with Cao Cao likely knowing of my absence from Xuchang, he will surely strive for a decisive blow against Yuan Shao.”

“But Cao Cao has so few troops—how could he possibly land such a fatal blow against Yuan Shao?” Zhou Yu was clearly unconvinced, feeling that Sun Ce and Zhang Hong had already been led astray by Liu Xie.

“Guo Jia was able, without your knowledge, to place assassins in the vicinity of Wu Commandery and so thoroughly grasp Bofu’s habits. How does Yuan Shao compare to Bofu?”

“Then… by Your Majesty’s reasoning, what point is there in further delaying the announcement of the imperial move?” This time, Zhou Yu had nothing to refute, for Liu Xie spoke only facts, and if the events he feared truly came to pass, it would bring nothing but harm to Jiangdong.

“I have considered this matter as well. Man proposes, heaven disposes. Why not… Three days hence, I will announce the move of the capital. If, by the time the news reaches Yuan Shao’s camp, he has already been defeated, then we can ready ourselves for a contest with Cao Cao. Should Cao Cao fall as a result, then Yuan Shao is not to be feared.”

Liu Xie’s expression did not change after he spoke, but the three men beside him were all plunged into deep thought.

Sun Ce did harbor ambitions of contending for the Central Plains, but until now, the situation there had been too unclear. He had been focusing on quickly pacifying Jiangdong and had no clear plan for how to vie for supremacy.

Yet in these past months, Jiangdong had been settled, the emperor spirited away, and the two greatest powers of the Central Plains had gone to war.

Sun Ce now resembled a fisherman eager to reap the benefits, but found himself momentarily at a loss before the scene unfolding.

Liu Xie, meanwhile, played the part of a guiding light at just the right moment—though he still did not know whether Sun Ce and the Jiangdong leaders would truly heed this outsider’s counsel.

Whether aiding Jiangdong’s rise would actually benefit him as emperor, or to what extent, Liu Xie could not say. Behind his calm demeanor, he had no better options—he simply had to proceed thus.

“Gongjin, what is your opinion of His Majesty’s words?”

When it came time for a decision, Sun Ce placed his trust above all in Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu prided himself on unmatched wisdom, but even he felt somewhat disordered at this moment.

“His Majesty spoke truly: man proposes, heaven disposes. As for the ruler of Jiangdong, I, Zhou Yu, cannot decide—that is for you alone.” Zhou Yu understood well that he could not, out of pride or stubbornness, force an opinion on Sun Ce for the sake of contradicting Liu Xie. Seemingly tossing the difficult question back to Sun Ce, he was in fact signaling to Liu Xie that, no matter what thoughts might run through his mind, Sun Ce was the true master of Jiangdong, and the final decision—right or wrong—rested with him.

Realizing that he could no longer evade the matter, Sun Ce accepted it readily, looked directly at Liu Xie, and declared in a loud voice, “Jiangdong has long been prepared for Your Majesty’s arrival—why wait three days? In one day, the move of the capital may be proclaimed!”

This was quintessential Sun Ce—once a decision was made, even a day’s delay was intolerable to him.

“In that case, I must trouble you, Bofu. After my ascension, Jiangdong remains yours, Sun Bofu. My arrangements are only to make things comfortable for myself, nothing more.”