Chapter 73: A Verbal Onslaught

Liu Xie had just admitted that he was little more than an empty title, and what he said was nothing but the truth. Zhou Yu quickly leaned forward, adopting a respectful tone to seek guidance. Before coming here, Zhou Yu had indeed offered Sun Ce several strategies, but he knew well that these were merely remedial measures after the original plans had failed. Yet, seeing Liu Xie’s earnest demeanor, intent on dissecting the matter, Zhou Yu found himself compelled to discuss it further with him.

“Whether Cao Cao grows stronger or not matters little to our Eastern Wu for now. As he devours Yuan Shao’s power and territory, we can draw those who once sided with him for imperial authority to our own ranks. In the coming period, every Han warlord will be gathering strength. When the time is ripe, the power structure of the Central Plains will swiftly realign. There are too many fence-sitters now, whether it’s you, Bofu, or Cao Cao—no matter how capable you are, none should dream of seizing the Central Plains quickly. This process will take at least ten years, perhaps several decades.”

Sun Ce’s brows knitted tightly as he listened. Zhou Yu lowered his head, staring at his own lapels in silent contemplation.

This was exactly the sort of talk Sun Ce could not tolerate. Having unified the Southlands, welcomed Liu Xie, and commanded a formidable army, his ambition to unify the Central Plains burned fierce and uncontrollable. Now Liu Xie told him it would take ten years at the very least, and naturally, Sun Ce bristled.

He stood up abruptly, fixing a deep gaze on Liu Xie, who showed not the slightest hint of jest, and declared, “The sons of Eastern Wu have long awaited their turn to vie for the Central Plains. Now, among the warlords, Cao Cao has just earned infamy for betraying his lord, Yuan Shao has lost his four famed generals and his fate is unknown. Aside from them, only Liu Biao in Jingzhou, Liu Zhang in Yizhou, Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, and Ma Teng in Xiliang possess some ability. Why should it take ten years?”

Liu Xie saw Sun Ce was getting agitated and knew that if he wanted his plans to take root, he had to convince this man first. Zhou Yu’s subtle gestures told Liu Xie that he agreed with him, but Sun Ce would not, and Zhou Yu had no desire to provoke Sun Ce himself; he left it to the emperor to see if he could sway the warlord.

“Cao Cao’s annexation of Yuan Shao is inevitable. The sons of Eastern Wu are indeed fierce, but if you wish to check Cao Cao and gather the Central Plains, you must control the nine counties of Jingzhou. Otherwise, Liu Biao will surely stab you in the back. Let me ask you, leaving aside other concerns, how long would it take, Bofu, to subdue Liu Biao?”

“This…”

Liu Xie had thrown Liu Biao into the equation, and Sun Ce was momentarily at a loss for words.

Liu Xie understood the situation. Liu Biao now held the southern lands of Lingling and Guiyang, the northern Han River, commanding thousands of miles and over a hundred thousand armored soldiers. In terms of sheer strength, he surpassed Sun Ce, though Liu Biao was capable but unwilling to wield his power. He had turned his territory into a sanctuary for Han literati and gentry, adopting a strategy of non-intervention between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, content to keep his own lands secure, spending his days in warmth with Lady Cai.

“The death of your father, Bofu, was indeed at the hands of Huang Zu, and you have avenged him. Yet, surely you haven’t forgotten that it was Liu Biao who sent Huang Zu in the first place? If you truly have such ability, you wouldn’t need me to point this out.”

Sun Ce opened his mouth, ready to retort, but found himself without words.

In Eastern Wu, no one dared speak to him thus; everyone knew his temper and avoided provoking him. The only one who ever dared pour cold water on him was Zhang Zhao, but even he never went this far.

Sun Ce felt tempted to stride forward and kick Liu Xie to vent his frustration, but Liu Xie’s status made that impossible. More importantly, Sun Ce feared a repeat of the events at the martial arena.

“Your Majesty, Bofu has not forgotten his feud with Liu Biao, yet Liu Biao and Eastern Wu share a mutual dependence; with him standing guard, the Central Plains powers would struggle to breach our gates. Thus, Bofu has prioritized the greater good and allied with Liu Biao these past years.”

Seeing Sun Ce on the verge of an outburst, Zhou Yu knew he could not play the passive observer any longer; if these two started fighting, it would benefit no one.

Originally, Zhou Yu thought that after he smoothed things over, Liu Xie would let the matter rest, but events took an unexpected turn.

“If everyone in Eastern Wu thinks this way, not ten years, but fifty would not suffice to enter the Central Plains or claim the throne. What is mutual dependence worth? If all these lands were ours, would we need to speak of such things? Bofu, it’s not that I belittle you, but you are lofty in ambition and fragile in fate. If you dare not even challenge Liu Biao, how can you speak of conquering the Central Plains?”

Sun Ce was nearly driven to spit blood by Liu Xie’s words; his chest ached as he rose, then sat down again, his face pale with a hint of darkness.

Liu Xie did not press his advantage, but settled back into his seat, quietly watching Sun Ce.

Zhou Yu, at first, had turned toward Liu Xie with a glare, for his brother had been lambasted, and as brother and subordinate he had to step forward. Yet, seeing Liu Xie’s calm face and unwavering gaze upon Sun Ce, Zhou Yu suddenly realized something. He ceased his agitation and joined Liu Xie in silently observing Sun Ce.

Immersed in anger and pain, Sun Ce had no mind to notice their attentions. Liu Xie’s words had struck his heart, leaving him furious but unable to retort.

All his vaunted titles—the Little Conqueror of Eastern Wu, the scourge of the South—amounted to nothing more than picking the easy battles and avoiding hardship, sweeping up the weak and the helpless.

Liu Xie’s words were harsh, but every line rang true.

Sun Ce wanted to resist, but the facts compelled him to submit; a puppet emperor, imprisoned for years in the palace at Xuchang and several years his junior, could see what he, who prided himself as a hero of the realm, had blinded himself to.

This moment was later described by Sun Ce as his second rebirth since the death of his father, Sun Jian.

After a long pause, Sun Ce raised his head; his eyes were still red, but much clearer.