Chapter 43: Who Is the Tool?

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Zhang Hong spoke in a low voice before his two elder brothers for quite some time, clearly conveying Sun Ce’s intentions. He spoke with great enthusiasm, yet Zhang Zhao and Cheng Pu found themselves increasingly uneasy as they listened.

"Zigang, now that His Majesty has come to Jiangdong, shouldn't we announce the relocation of the capital at once? Though Jiangdong is not in the Central Plains, it is a place easy to defend and hard to attack. Why must we conceal this matter for a time?"

It was evident that Jiangdong was now firmly under Sun Ce's control. Announcing the relocation of the capital would be the crowning touch; both Zhang Zhao and Cheng Pu could not understand why this matter needed secrecy.

"Gentlemen, at present, Cao Cao has already won two consecutive battles against Yuan Shao, lifting the siege of Baima and slaying Yan Liang and Wen Chou. The two armies are now locked in fierce combat. If we reveal the relocation now, it would be tantamount to declaring the outcome of their war. Would you rather see Cao Cao defeated and Yuan Shao unify the Central Plains, or let them both suffer heavy losses so that we might seize the opportunity when the time is ripe?"

After Zhang Hong laid out his reasoning, neither man spoke. They quietly pondered the weight of his words.

"Zigang, after two years apart, your mind has clearly grown more meticulous!" Zhang Zhao, who was often mentioned alongside Zhang Hong, quickly grasped his meaning. He could not help but praise Zhang Hong, for he himself had been too occupied with the emperor’s arrival to think so carefully about the matter.

"This idea is not mine, but Bofu’s. He instructed me to act thus."

"Bofu? Since when has he become so patient and thoughtful about such affairs?"

They all knew Sun Ce’s temperament well. Zhang Hong’s sudden claim that Sun Ce had devised this plan left Zhang Zhao and Cheng Pu momentarily speechless.

"Perhaps someone wise has advised him. Let's not discuss that for now. Regarding the relocation, let us prepare in secret, send more men to observe the battles between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, and at the proper moment, announce the relocation at once!"

This time, both Cheng Pu and Zhang Zhao nodded in agreement, consenting to temporarily settle Liu Xie in the palace and keep the matter secret. Only Sun Ce, the three of them, and Sun Ce’s most trusted advisor, Zhou Yu, would know. The announcement would be made when the time was right.

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They all understood well what constituted the proper moment: if Yuan Shao truly could not defeat Cao Cao, then announcing the relocation just as Yuan Shao was on the brink of defeat would be the best outcome. In this way, both major rivals of the Central Plains would be greatly weakened, and Sun Ce could use this time to prepare his forces in Jiangdong, ready to act when the opportunity arose.

By then, Sun Ce’s enemies would only be Liu Biao, Liu Zhang, Ma Teng, and a handful of minor warlords each holding a single city—none worthy of concern.

In that instant, these three old brothers who had followed Sun Jian could even glimpse the hope of assisting Sun Ce to ascend to the highest position within their lifetimes.

The discussion settled, Cheng Pu and Zhang Zhao each returned to their preparations. Meanwhile, in Sun Ce’s residence, in the same secluded study, the one now seated opposite Sun Ce was someone else.

This man had broad shoulders and a slender waist, a robust yet balanced figure, donned in white robes, his hair neatly arranged, eyes bright, and features handsome—it was Zhou Yu.

At this time, Zhou Yu, who had been appointed Chief of the Guards and concurrently Governor of Jiangxia before Sun Ce’s expedition last year, was unrivaled in Jiangdong. More importantly, he had proven himself, assisting Sun Ce in countless victories. At twenty-four, he was already called “Young Master Zhou” by the leading figures of Jiangdong, the most outstanding among the younger generation.

"His Majesty was secretly brought to Wu County by Zhang Hong? Bofu! Such a great matter, why not speak sooner? The reason Cao Cao can command such power in Xuchang despite limited troops is because he holds the emperor hostage. Now, while he and Yuan Shao are locked in battle at Guandu, we could strike him where it hurts most. Why should Jiangdong fear any great undertaking?"

Zhou Yu was never shy about his talents, nor was he lacking in ability. He did not consider himself inferior to the likes of Guo Jia, Xun You, or Xi Zhicai under Cao Cao. If he was lacking anything, Zhou Yu believed it was merely the opportunity to contend for the Central Plains. Now, with Liu Xie, he held the pass to this grand contest—how could he not be excited?

"At first, I thought the same way. Yet, there are matters I have not spoken to anyone about..."

Zhou Yu saw on Sun Ce’s face an unusual calm and contemplation—quite at odds with his temperament. Zhou Yu knew well that when Sun Ce was in such a state, he must have encountered someone remarkable.

Indeed, Sun Ce soon told Zhou Yu that Liu Xie had not been abducted by Zhang Hong, but had come of his own accord after the Imperial Edict sewn in his belt exploded into the open, seeking out Zhang Hong and requesting to come. Jiangdong, in truth, merely provided Liu Xie with a path.

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Moreover, before his arrival, Liu Xie already knew of the assassination plot against Sun Ce, orchestrated by Guo Jia—perhaps even before Cao Cao himself knew—and sent a warning in advance. According to Sun Ce’s account to Zhou Yu, those three assassins could have easily taken his life.

If all this was not enough, Liu Xie’s actions upon arriving in Wu County—his incisive analysis, and his unhesitating claim upon the two Qiao sisters whom Sun Ce had intended to divide between himself and Zhou Yu—showed that this emperor was very different from the one they had previously heard about.

Hearing these events in full, Zhou Yu too was momentarily at a loss for words.

Indeed, anyone hearing of this would imagine Liu Xie to be a simple tool—a man with no will of his own, directed wherever others wished.

But from Sun Ce’s account, Zhou Yu realized this was not the case; Jiangdong had been moving to Liu Xie’s rhythm all along.

He did not know Liu Xie’s ultimate aim, but Zhou Yu had a premonition that this time, it was Jiangdong that had become Liu Xie’s tool.

Of course, Liu Xie had also saved Sun Ce’s life.

"Whatever else may be said, his suggestions are sound. Rather than shatter Cao Cao’s spirit now, better to let them wear each other down a while longer."

"So, Gongjin, how do you think we should deal with His Majesty? With your intellect, can you subdue him? If not, since hardly anyone knows of his arrival in Jiangdong yet..."