Chapter 79: Just as Expected

Liu Bei’s plan was unfolding in an orderly manner. After venting their frustrations on Liu Pi, Cao Ren and Li Dian returned to Xuchang, disgruntled. Cao Cao seemed unsurprised by the outcome; he had once remarked, while drinking with Liu Bei, that Liu Bei was a hero—a statement he had considered mere courtesy at the time, but now, it was proving prophetic.

He understood that the opportunity to kill Liu Bei within Yuan Shao’s army was slipping away. Though he knew that if Liu Bei escaped, he could one day become a formidable enemy, all he could do was his utmost.

In Wu Commandery, it had been more than ten days since Liu Xie, together with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, had settled on the strategy to target Liu Biao in the palace. Now, it was August of the fifth year of Jian’an, the height of summer—a season in which Liu Xie felt most at ease. Whether in Xuchang or Jiangdong, the winter and spring always left him feeling damp and cold; in the Han dynasty, without central heating, there were precious few ways to keep warm besides huddling beneath the covers.

Liu Xie had devised several methods to keep himself comfortable through winter, though he would wait until his position was more secure before implementing them.

During these ten days, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, maintaining utmost secrecy, had been casting their nets over Liu Biao's territory. With Liu Biao unguarded, the information they gathered was bountiful.

Sun Ce couldn’t very well run to Liu Xie’s palace every time to report like a subordinate, yet the reality was that only the three of them knew of the plan, and since it was Liu Xie’s idea, consultation with him was indispensable.

Thus, the task of running errands fell to Zhou Yu.

Yet, the proud gentleman of Jiangdong did not object to this duty; he wished to oversee the plan personally, to see how accurately Liu Xie could grasp the nature of men like Liu Bei and Guan Yu—figures who, even in this age, could be considered notable.

If everything proceeded as Liu Xie foresaw, Zhou Yu thought he would immediately advise Sun Ce to consider eliminating him. Such a person, bearing the title of emperor, would not bode well for Jiangdong.

Despite these thoughts, when discussing strategy with Liu Xie, Zhou Yu had to admit: it was truly compelling.

That day, as the sun was just about to set, Liu Xie was feeding fish beside the lotus pond in the palace with Fu Shou, when a maid approached hurriedly.

“Your Majesty, Zhou Yu requests an audience.”

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“Sigh, I wish to avoid affairs, but alas, they cannot resolve matters themselves!” Leaving this helpless remark behind, and giving Fu Shou a playful squeeze, Liu Xie strode off toward the side hall where he often met with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu.

“Gongjin, have you brought news of Liu Biao?”

“Indeed! Your Majesty’s earlier speculation has already been half-confirmed. Our Jiangdong spies have just learned from Cai Mao, the pampered brother of Lady Cai, that Liu Bei has sent his advisers Jian Yong and Sun Qian, bearing letters, to seek audience with Liu Biao, expressing his intention to submit. Liu Biao has granted his approval.”

With that, Zhou Yu handed Liu Xie a letter containing the detailed intelligence from the Jiangdong spies.

Liu Xie placed the letter on the table, not bothering to read it. Of course, this suited the persona of a puppet emperor whose only interest was in pleasure, and whose scheming was merely a side pursuit.

“No need to read it. Liu Biao is far too confident, thinking that by establishing a good reputation in this chaotic world, he can remain undefeated? How naive!”

Clearly, Liu Xie held Liu Biao in little regard, prompting Zhou Yu to quickly wave his hand, eager to correct this somewhat arrogant impression.

“Your Majesty, you may not know: Liu Biao now commands nearly one hundred fifty thousand soldiers. Neither Cao Cao nor Yuan Shao wishes to provoke a conflict with him. Our move against Liu Biao is truly beyond his expectations!”

“Now that Liu Biao intends to shelter Liu Bei, he will arrive within a month or two. But as the emperor’s uncle, Liu Biao will not allow him deep into his core territory; most likely, he will settle him in some small city on the fringes. This makes our operation all the easier.”

Zhou Yu listened intently, for Liu Xie had not previously explained how Liu Biao might arrange for Liu Bei’s arrival—clearly, even this detail had been foreseen.

“If Guan Yu learns Liu Bei has arrived in Jingzhou, will he not go directly to join him, and thus never come to Wu Commandery?”

This concern had occupied Zhou Yu’s thoughts for days. Guan Yu’s ultimate goal was to reunite with Liu Bei; if their destinations were similar, the reunion would be straightforward, and there would be no reason for him to come to Wu Commandery for the sake of two women.

“That is nothing you or Bofu need worry about. If Guan Yu does not return these two ladies to Liu Bei, he himself will not return to Liu Bei. That is his nature.”

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Zhou Yu was left momentarily speechless at these words, especially Liu Xie’s calm assertion: “That is his nature.”

It was as if Guan Yu had once been his subordinate; the certainty in his voice could not be feigned.

“Bofu believes that if a warrior like Guan Yu could be persuaded to serve Jiangdong, it would greatly aid our quest for supremacy in the Central Plains. Given Jiangdong’s capabilities—and Bofu’s character, which is not as cunning as Cao Cao’s—do you think he could be made to stay?”

Clearly, Zhou Yu was posing Sun Ce’s question. Since Liu Xie understood Guan Yu so well, and since Guan Yu’s title of General of the Left was conferred by Liu Xie himself, not to mention that the two sisters-in-law had been entrusted to Liu Xie’s care—though he had brought them from Xuchang to Jiangdong, they remained untouched, exactly as they were when he delivered them to the palace.

For this alone, Zhou Yu felt that if he were Guan Yu, he too would be grateful to Liu Xie.

So, if Liu Xie could exert some effort when Guan Yu arrived, Sun Ce believed there was a chance, under the emperor’s name, to retain Guan Yu. After all, Cao Cao had managed to keep Guan Yu for quite some time, relying on Liu Xie’s authority.

“Wasn’t our plan to enlist him in our service?” Liu Xie was slightly puzzled by Zhou Yu’s question.

“Bofu’s concern is this: once Guan Yu has retrieved the two sisters-in-law, he may be more inclined to leave. Liu Bei alone cannot amount to much; could we simply keep Guan Yu in Wu Commandery?”

Liu Xie listened as Zhou Yu spoke, his eyes widening with each word. At last, restraining himself until Zhou Yu finished, he answered with a stern face, “And then? Wait a few days only to have him vanish without a trace again?”