Chapter 13: A Secret Conversation in the Dead of Night

Hearing Liu Xie’s words, the muscles on Cao Cao’s face involuntarily twitched with reluctance. In his heart, he thought, “For this Guan Yu, I’ve almost knelt down to beg for his help, and now you sit here, talking about executing or killing him left and right—it’s more harm than good.”

Cao Cao’s subtle changes in expression did not escape Liu Xie’s notice, but he was unbothered; this was precisely the effect he sought. Whether feigning wisdom in foolishness, or playing the fool while being wise, so long as the outcome aligned with his intentions, all was well.

“In that case,” Cao Cao continued, “I suggest that, in Your Majesty’s name, we appoint Guan Yu as a General of the Han, so that it will be both reasonable and proper for him to accompany me in the campaign against Yuan Shao.”

The previous night, while exercising, Cao Cao had pondered deeply about Guan Yu. The man indeed had a temper. Although he had temporarily steadied him in the name of the Han, to expect him to serve wholeheartedly like Xu Chu and the others was nearly impossible. For such a talent, as Guo Jia had advised, it was either to be ruthless—eliminate him to avoid future complications—or to proceed patiently, nurturing his allegiance little by little.

When it came to cultivating relationships, Cao Cao believed himself adept. Thus, he resolved not to heed Guo Jia’s advice for the time being regarding Guan Yu.

The rank of General was his first step in drawing Guan Yu closer. Of course, the appointment could not come from himself; it must be from Liu Xie, making it both legitimate and, given Guan Yu’s self-proclaimed loyalty to the Han, impossible for him to refuse.

“As the Grand Minister suggests, tomorrow in court, I shall personally appoint Guan Yu,” Liu Xie replied.

Although Liu Xie had recently made many surprising remarks, he had never opposed Cao Cao’s proposals, which was exactly what Cao Cao wanted. According to Cheng Yu and others’ analysis, Liu Xie’s recent compliance was likely due to the shock he suffered when Dong Cheng nearly implicated him, leaving him unsteady.

After all, since Dong Cheng was imprisoned, his daughter had all but been consigned to oblivion by Liu Xie, who showed her no concern despite her pregnancy.

In Cao Cao’s mind, Liu Xie’s actions boiled down to one thing: fear. He was afraid that Dong Cheng’s plot with the blood-stained edict would end up pinned on him—which was only natural, for although he sat on the throne, the true helm of the Empire was in Cao Cao’s hands.

With Guan Yu’s appointment settled, Cao Cao said nothing more about marching against Yuan Shao, and Liu Xie did not press. Some matters, if inquired about too eagerly, could backfire. The appointment of Guan Yu was not for any other reason—it was to use him as a surprise force against Yuan Shao, and Liu Xie understood this perfectly.

Late at night, in his bedchamber, Liu Xie lounged in his robe. Before him was a pot of warm wine and several fine dishes. Though he had little true power as emperor, in matters of food and drink, Liu Xie still lived as befit his status.

The empress was not present, a rare occurrence. Concealed across from him sat a figure dressed as a servant, hair disheveled, face obscured.

Next to the chamber door, a man sat sweating profusely—Fu Wan. He was tense, ear pressed close to the door, clearly listening for any sounds outside.

It was late, and the eunuchs and maids who usually spied on Liu Xie had all gone to bed. After all, Liu Xie had been here for years without incident; no one could be expected to eavesdrop every single night. Besides, whatever happened in the emperor’s chambers each night left even the youngest maids and seasoned eunuchs uncomfortable, so in recent years, they avoided causing themselves such distress in the late hours.

“Your Majesty, as you instructed in your letter, I returned from Yuzhang and, without going home, went directly to General Fu and then came here,” said the man across from Liu Xie—it was Zhang Hong, newly returned to Xuchang.

Liu Xie had written clearly: after meeting Sun Ce and returning to Xuchang, Zhang Hong was not to go home first, but to let Fu Wan bring him straight to the emperor.

As for secrecy, Liu Xie trusted that with Zhang Hong’s experience, such matters were trivial. Indeed, disguised as Fu Wan’s guard, Zhang Hong had entered the palace smoothly under the pretext of Fu Shou’s sudden illness; to complete the ruse, Fu Shou was still lying in her chamber.

In contrast to Fu Wan’s nervous sweating, Zhang Hong sat composed before Liu Xie. Despite his long journey, he ate and drank heartily, savoring each bite.

Liu Xie watched him in silence, barely moving except to sip his wine—quite unlike his usual demeanor.

After sending letters to Sun Ce, Liu Xie had thought long and hard about what image he should present to the people of Jiangdong.

He finally decided to set aside his mask for now and let those from the South see his true strength. Once Zhang Hong returned with Sun Ce’s reply, his journey to Wu Commandery would be a foregone conclusion; the Southerners would not turn him away simply for not being as muddled as he appeared.

In fact, Liu Xie reasoned, if he arrived in Sun Ce’s territory still playing the helpless puppet, Sun Ce would never respect him—and his status would be no better than it was in Xuchang.

“Since you have returned and come to see me as agreed, I take it Lord Bofu is prepared?” Liu Xie finally asked.

Having long attended court in Xuchang, Zhang Hong was well aware of Liu Xie’s public persona. But sitting here, after this long silence and hearing Liu Xie’s first words, he realized with a surge of emotion that the emperor had been deceiving Cao Cao all along.

To have maintained such a ruse for years proved that this young emperor, not yet twenty, was far from the fool he appeared. He was like a slumbering tiger, biding his time.

Zhang Hong reflected on the imperial edict hidden in the belt, Cao Cao’s imminent campaign against Yuan Shao, and Liu Xie’s plan to send him to Sun Ce. The more he considered, the more complex his feelings grew as he looked at Liu Xie.

His loyalty was to Sun Ce, and he could not predict what would happen once Liu Xie returned to Wu Commandery. Yet for Sun Ce, Liu Xie was the essential stepping stone to the heartland.

With that thought, Zhang Hong nodded and said softly, “Your Majesty, the situation in Jiangdong is far more stable than in the Central Plains. Lord Bofu has subdued the rebels; he should now be in Wu Commandery, awaiting Your Majesty’s arrival.”

Though Liu Xie had expected this, hearing it confirmed by Zhang Hong still brought him a sense of relief. Few knew of this plan, but should it fail, there would be no secrets in the world.