Chapter 38: The Wager

Originally, Zhang Hong’s intention was to gently persuade Liu Xie, hoping that once he arrived in Wu Commandery, he might live with a bit more ease than he did in Xuchang, and thus would not need to subject himself to the same burdens.

Yet Liu Xie’s reply implied that he could make Sun Ce bow before him and call him lord—such a notion left Zhang Hong at a loss for words.

Sun Ce was only in his twenties, but had long since inherited his father’s legacy, and through numerous battles had already proven himself. Even the long-critical elders of Jiangdong now acknowledged Sun Ce’s abilities, believing his military talent surpassed even that of Sun Jian. Having studied military strategy since childhood, Sun Ce’s only real flaw, in their eyes, was his somewhat impatient nature—almost a virtue, for it lent swiftness to his actions. Without such a temperament, he could never have swept through Jiangdong in just a few years.

In contrast, Liu Xie’s foundation seemed far too fragile to Zhang Hong, regardless of whether Liu Xie had truly kept his talents hidden during his years in Xuchang. Save for the imperial title bestowed by Dong Zhuo, Liu Xie had no confidants beyond his empress and father-in-law. How could he possibly survive in such turbulent times?

“Does Your Majesty think that what I said was some sort of joke?”

Zhang Hong had not intended to speak, but Liu Xie seemed to be inviting a rebuke upon himself.

Zhang Hong smiled slightly. “If Your Majesty puts it that way, I have nothing to say in response.”

Seeing Zhang Hong’s reaction, Liu Xie realized he now understood the state of Jiangdong. Whether it was Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, or Sun Ce, their domains and methods of rising to power differed, as did the nature of those who served them.

The reason Liu Xie dared not overstep at all under Cao Cao was that Cao’s followers were willing to lay down their lives for him. If Liu Xie tried to overreach before Cao Cao, innumerable men would be eager to rid themselves of the emperor, accepting the charge of regicide if necessary—knowing full well that, for Cao Cao, it would be of no consequence.

But the ministers of Jiangdong were different. Sun Ce, though bold, was not as unscrupulous as Cao Cao, so the men of Jiangdong observed ritual and order to a degree far surpassing that of Cao’s faction. This was evident in Zhang Hong’s treatment of Liu Xie.

“Well then, would you care to wager with me, sir?”

Clearly, Zhang Hong had given Liu Xie a way to save face for a second time, but Liu Xie once again let it slip by.

“What does Your Majesty wish to wager?”

“When we reach Wu Commandery, you will find that Sun Ce already owes me a significant favor. If he admits as much to you, I ask that you persuade him to fulfill his promise. If there is no such favor, I will continue in Wu Commandery as I did in Xuchang—as emperor in name only.”

Hearing this, Zhang Hong was filled with doubt. Liu Xie had been in Xuchang under Cao Cao’s watchful eye all this time. The only link to Sun Ce was himself. How could Liu Xie have maneuvered such that Sun Ce owed him a considerable favor?

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Zhang Hong.

“Is this favor Your Majesty speaks of perhaps related to the letter I delivered for you?”

“Do not trouble yourself with guessing, sir. Simply tell me—are you willing to accept this wager?”

“Very well! Since Your Majesty has such confidence, I will cooperate. But rest assured, with Bo Fu’s character, if he truly owes Your Majesty a favor, he will surely repay it. Yet Your Majesty must also understand—no matter how great the debt, Bo Fu would never hand over all of Jiangdong for it. That legacy was not won by his own hand alone, but by his father’s sacrifice.”

Zhang Hong’s words carried both an acknowledgment that Liu Xie might have indeed done Sun Ce a good turn, and a warning: minor favors Sun Ce would neither mind nor renege upon, but to expect him to surrender the foundation of Jiangdong was nigh impossible.

“You worry too much, sir. The terms I offered him are simple and have nothing to do with the fate of Jiangdong. It is getting late—why not have some rations, and then we depart?”

This time, it was not Zhang Hong who brought the conversation to a close; Liu Xie, dropping these words, simply turned and returned to his tent.

Watching Liu Xie’s figure, grown lean from days of travel, Zhang Hong felt an unexpected pang of doubt about his own role in escorting Liu Xie back to Wu Commandery. He wondered if Sun Ce would truly be able to control such a man.

Yet, with matters having progressed this far, there was no turning back—the only solution was to deliver Liu Xie safely to Wu Commandery.

Upon learning that Cao Ren had not truly discovered their trail, the group relaxed their pace.

Liu Xie understood that before reaching Wu Commandery, he needed to make some adjustments to himself. At the very least, he could not present himself in such a state upon arrival. Though it might not be the most critical factor, first impressions were still significant.

Zhang Hong, of course, had no idea that at this very moment, Cao Cao was already aware of everything that had transpired in Xuchang, though he had chosen not to reveal it.

Liu Xie, however, had his own thoughts on the matter. He knew that a key reason he had escaped Cao Ren’s pursuit was Guo Jia’s confidence that Sun Ce would be killed—by Liu Xie’s hand.

If he had been merely a man of the late Han, he might never have suspected that Guo Jia’s plan was to use a retainer of Xu Gong to assassinate Sun Ce. After all, Cao Cao was in Xuchang, Sun Ce in Wu—separated by considerable distance and affairs.

But with memories of a past life, Liu Xie knew this was indeed Guo Jia’s scheme. Though there was no direct evidence, he remembered the analyses of prominent historians in his previous world, all agreeing that this plot could only have been Guo Jia’s doing.

Of course, if the truth ever came to light, it would irreparably tarnish Cao Cao’s reputation. Thus, unless absolutely necessary, Guo Jia would never admit it, preferring to let the blame fall on the already dead Xu Gong—a perfect resolution for Guo Jia.

But this time, Liu Xie knew, Guo Jia was not far from being exposed.