Chapter 112: The Emperor's Fate

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Liu Xie didn’t say it outright, but Zhou Yu understood perfectly what he meant. Cao Cao was already advanced in age, yet he could engage in a deadly battle with Yuan Shao at Guandu and ultimately triumph against the stronger opponent. And here was Sun Ce, so young—if he remained timid and hesitant, even if he managed to get past Jingzhou, wouldn’t he be doomed when facing Cao Cao in the future?

Of course, Zhou Yu couldn’t just go back and tell Sun Ce this directly, but the message had to be conveyed clearly: if one is overly cautious and fearful, one won’t become the Little Conqueror who pacifies Jiangdong in just a few years.

“And what of Guan Yu...?”

“Guan Yu is a man of pride and integrity. Such a person will never allow any vague or ambiguous matters to linger in his life. Lady Mi is not Liu Bei’s weakness; she is Guan Yu’s lifeline. He will return, and only when he moves will the events I just spoke of come to pass.”

Whew!

Zhou Yu exhaled deeply. He now felt an urge to sincerely bow in reverence before Liu Xie. He couldn’t understand why some things escaped his imagination, or why he doubted Jiangdong’s strength, yet Liu Xie could unravel strategies with such clarity. A mere Lady Mi could shift the entire power balance between Jiangdong and Jingzhou.

If he were not born in this era, he surely would have been a wise ruler!

This thought arose involuntarily in Zhou Yu’s heart. At least in terms of wisdom, he seemed no match for Liu Xie.

“I shall go immediately and inform Bofu, Your Majesty’s words must be conveyed. If what you say is true, Jiangdong truly must prepare for war!”

“Gongjin, you might explain to Bofu that even with me in your hands, to truly compete with Cao Cao for the Central Plains, we must seize Jingzhou before Cao Cao utterly destroys Yuan Shao and unifies the region. Only then can we advance and defend. Otherwise, Jiangdong will forever remain Jiangdong, a small domain destined to remain sidelined, unable to vie for the empire.”

“I shall remember well!”

Carrying the lingering scent of lamb skewers and the thunderous words of Liu Xie, Zhou Yu left the palace. He did not head straight to Sun Ce’s residence; instead, he felt he had much to digest—some in his mind, some in his heart.

That night, Liu Xie was accompanied by Qiao Feng. She was quite curious about Zhou Yu’s daytime visit, especially since the matter of Lady Mi was orchestrated by her alone.

Though life in the palace had been rather carefree recently, no news from Xiangyang had arrived. Qiao Feng clearly saw the gravity of this: Sun Ce and Zhou Yu merely sought to use Liu Xie’s status and intellect, and once their purpose was served, it was only natural to keep him isolated from news.

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With this in mind, Qiao Feng dared not press Liu Xie further—until today, when Zhou Yu came, she could barely contain her curiosity.

Well past midnight, the two lay side by side, naked, the room finally quiet.

“Your Majesty, Zhou Yu’s visit today means there’s news from Xiangyang, right? Lady Mi has been anxious these days. If there’s word of Liu Huangshu, I must inform her immediately!”

Hearing this, Liu Xie chuckled and pinched a plump spot on her body, causing Qiao Feng to let out a soft cry.

“Lady Mi has surely gained weight these days, spending every day admiring flowers and feeding fish. How did I not see her anxiety? Perhaps I should visit her chambers at this hour to check on her?”

Seeing her little scheme instantly uncovered by Liu Xie, Qiao Feng blushed. Though among the women in the palace she felt her intelligence far surpassed theirs, before Liu Xie she still felt like a child; her thoughts were always transparent to him.

“Your Majesty! Lady Mi has indeed been well, but has our plan succeeded? Didn’t you want Guan Yu or Liu Bei to come and fetch her? What meaning is there in keeping her here otherwise?”

Seeing her first attempt fail, Qiao Feng quickly switched tactics, grasping one of Liu Xie’s ‘little brothers’ and coquettishly pleading.

Sure enough, this move worked wonders.

“She remains here as you say, but the ultimate goal is not only for Jiangdong but for ourselves as well!”

At this, Liu Xie sighed involuntarily.

Before Qiao Feng, Liu Xie would sometimes allow a glimpse of his weariness. After all, she knew some of his background and had chosen to stand with him.

Beyond the physical bond, she could be considered half a confidante. This was not due to weakness in his heart, but because in the long history of the Han dynasty, he had the fortune to meet such a woman.

“Your Majesty is now almost indispensable by Sun Ce’s side. Almost everyone in Jiangdong knows that Sun Ce distrusts the old ministers left by Sun Jian. Even Sun Ce himself is frequently impressed by Your Majesty’s strategies. At least in Jiangdong, Your Majesty is safe.”

Qiao Feng’s analysis was sound, but hearing it only made Liu Xie sigh again.

“What use is safety to me? If I wanted safety, I am already safe enough in Xuchang. There are no shortages of women or food. Why then risk life and limb to come to Wu County?”

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“And what does Your Majesty mean by that?”

Qiao Feng had sensed Liu Xie’s ultimate purpose since the beginning when they first revealed their thoughts to each other, but some words were forbidden in such circumstances, so she dared not speak them aloud.

“I once told you, I am the Emperor of the Great Han, not just an ordinary subject. The common folk have their way of life; the emperor has his destiny.”

“The emperor’s destiny… Your Majesty, the world is in chaos now, nearly everyone with troops harbors rebellious ambitions. How can fulfilling Your Majesty’s will be easy?”

Qiao Feng’s heart was conflicted. She understood Liu Xie’s intentions, but at this point, as long as Liu Xie helped Sun Ce unify the Central Plains and willingly relinquished his position, his outcome would be favorable.

But if Liu Xie went further, crossing Sun Ce’s bottom line, that would be another matter entirely.

The difference between life and death.

“Was it ever easy for me? If you regret this now, take your sister and tell Sun Ce exactly what I have said. At least then, you will remain safe.”

Liu Xie spoke half-jokingly, then fixed his gaze intently on Qiao Feng.

In the end, what he received was Qiao Feng’s resolute eyes and lips swiftly approaching a certain place…

“Hey! Aren’t we talking about serious matters? What are you doing?”

Liu Xie said this, but his expression betrayed otherwise.