Chapter 41: Her Weakness Was All Too Obvious

“Because he had already seen through your designs on Xuchang. If I am not mistaken, the true instigator behind the Imperial Edict in the Belt was none other than Zhang Hong. Only after Dong Cheng took the lead did Zhang Hong deftly withdraw himself from the matter, thus escaping implication.”

Sun Ce had been pondering Guo Jia’s presumptuous actions when, all of a sudden, Liu Xie brought up the matter of the Edict in the Belt, catching him entirely off guard. This was a secret Jiangdong wished never to see the light of day, yet before Liu Xie, it was evidently no secret at all.

“How do you know Zhang Hong was involved in the Edict in the Belt?”

“It is not only I who know; I fear Guo Jia has already seen through it as well. Had he not long since placed an assassin by your side, and had he not been so confident in that attempt, my journey to Wu Commandery would not have been so smooth. But all in all, both I and Jiangdong have been fortunate.”

Sun Ce, though clever, still took a moment to grasp the intricacies within. He had thought that sending Zhang Hong to Xuchang under the guise of surrendering to Cao Cao, and having him endure years of patient concealment, would allow them either to eliminate Cao Cao through subterfuge, or to seize Xuchang and the Emperor himself during the chaos of war with Yuan Shao. Such plans were subtle indeed. Yet now, it was clear that men like Guo Jia would never be fooled by such devices.

Had Guo Jia not already plotted a decapitation strike behind Cao Cao’s back, Zhang Hong would likely have been apprehended in Xuchang long ago. The mere thought sent a chill down Sun Ce’s spine.

If not for Liu Xie’s timely letter, like rain after a long drought, Jiangdong’s prosperity would have had nothing to do with him—without him, who knew what Jiangdong would become. Sun Ce could barely imagine it.

“Hmph! Since Guo Jia has stooped to such venomous schemes against me, he cannot blame me for retaliation. Your Majesty, what say you: tomorrow we publish a proclamation to the realm, denouncing Cao Cao for holding Your Majesty captive, for coercing you, leaving you no choice but to relocate the capital to Wu Commandery! In this way, Cao Cao will instantly lose all support and suffer defeat at Guandu!”

To repay enmity and exact vengeance is only proper. Sun Ce had nearly been destroyed by Cao Cao’s strategist; a desire for retribution was only natural. The war between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had reached a stalemate, becoming the focus of every warlord under heaven. To announce the capital’s move and issue a proclamation would be a devastating blow to Cao Cao—enough, perhaps, to ruin him completely.

Watching Sun Ce’s handsome face flush with excitement, Liu Xie thought to himself that Sun Ce indeed lacked neither intelligence nor martial prowess; he was simply too impetuous. In modern terms, he acted on impulse, with little forethought.

“Bofu, I can understand your wish to destroy Cao Cao, and if it comes to that, I will cooperate. But have you considered whether, if Yuan Shao so easily eliminates Cao Cao, the situation in the Central Plains will unfold as you desire?”

Sun Ce’s brows twitched as he pondered Liu Xie’s words. Drawn into Liu Xie’s rhythm, he had almost neglected an important point. He had thought Liu Xie was merely a puppet emperor, come to enjoy luxury. Yet on their very first meeting, the emperor had not only claimed the two women he had set his heart on, but was now involving himself in crucial affairs. What kind of puppet was this?

But Sun Ce had no time to dwell on that. His mind raced through the strategic situation between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, weighing what outcome would best serve his interests.

“Your Majesty means… you fear Yuan Shao will grow too powerful?”

“Yuan Shao’s reputation for indecisiveness is known throughout the realm. He has alienated his own advisers before others could poach them. He has granted each of his three sons their own fiefs—quarreling over the inheritance is only a matter of time. He is not to be feared.”

With a single simple sentence, Liu Xie had made clear who was a true enemy and who was but a paper tiger.

“Then, is there anything amiss with the plan I just proposed?”

“What you suggest would indeed bring about Cao Cao’s swift defeat, but it is not the best strategy. Cao Cao must by now have heard of Guo Jia’s failed assassination. He will prepare accordingly, and will anticipate any announcement of the capital’s relocation. It will wound him, but not destroy him. Instead, let us do the opposite—do not announce the relocation for now. Lie in wait like a venomous serpent; strike only when the moment is right. That is how to make Cao Cao truly suffer.”

Sun Ce furrowed his brows again, mulling it over, then nodded mechanically.

“Very well. Since Bofu agrees, let us leave it thus for now. This journey has truly exhausted me. Is my residence prepared?”

“As soon as you and your advisers settle matters, I will make my appearance.”

While Sun Ce remained lost in thought, Liu Xie stood, clearly unwilling to continue the discussion.

“Your Majesty’s residence is ready. I will have guards escort you there. Since this matter has not yet been discussed with the Jiangdong ministers, we ask Your Majesty to enter the palace through the rear and rest there a day or two.”

“Three or four days will suffice. But as for the Qiao sisters…”

Sun Ce was momentarily taken aback, then exhaled heavily and replied in a low voice, “Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will send them to your residence tonight.”

“Heh, in that case, I leave it to you, Bofu.”

With that, Liu Xie departed with a satisfied smile, following the guards to his newly prepared residence.

Watching Liu Xie’s proud and upright figure walk away, Sun Ce felt an unusual sense of confusion. He had brought Liu Xie here to borrow the prestige of the Emperor, yet on the very first day, he found himself repeatedly outmaneuvered. If things continued this way, what would the future hold?

As for the Qiao sisters, Sun Ce regretted his earlier hesitation. If only he had taken them for himself at the start, none of this would have happened.

Yet Liu Xie had brought him much surprise. His earlier analysis was matched by few among all the strategists of Jiangdong. If he could put such a Liu Xie to good use, perhaps he might become a great asset on Sun Ce’s path to supremacy. After all, for all his cleverness, Liu Xie commanded no troops, and his weaknesses—especially his lust—were all too obvious, even more so than Sun Ce’s own. Sun Ce mused on this quietly.