Chapter 48: My Command of Both Pen and Sword

“Go and find Zhang Hong for me. Tell him that the resident of the palace wishes to see him!”

After returning to the study in the palace, Liu Xie pondered for a moment, then immediately issued this order to the maid waiting outside the door.

Although the maid did not know who he truly was, anyone who could reside in such a palace before Sun Ce himself was certainly no ordinary person. Of course not.

So when Liu Xie gave her this command, she dared not ask a single question and went directly to look for Zhang Hong.

In fact, Liu Xie had always intended to seek out Zhang Hong, just not at this moment. He had planned to indulge himself for a few days first, as another group departing from Xuchang would take another five or six days to arrive in Wu County. They were traveling by carriage and along trade routes, so their pace was naturally much slower.

In that group, aside from the elderly father whom Fu Shou constantly worried about, only Liu Bei’s two wives were of real importance to Liu Xie, for at this stage, he had few bargaining chips at hand.

As for the others in Fu Wan’s household, Liu Xie’s greatest kindness to them was allowing Fu Wan to inform them before his escape, so they could scatter and save themselves as best they could.

Fu Shou could understand this; after all, she and Liu Xie had barely managed to escape themselves. In such extraordinary times, being able to bring her father along was already a blessing, and demanding more might have doomed them both.

As for Zhang Hong, Liu Xie had observed him along the journey in his own way, so the entry point to Jiangdong lay with him.

Less than half an hour later, Zhang Hong arrived at the palace, following the maid who was now drenched in sweat from her hurried run.

Seeing how the maid had gone to such lengths for someone she’d only met a night ago, Liu Xie resolved that, should he have the chance, he would reward her with something delightful for her cherry lips. He then sent her off.

“Your Majesty, are you satisfied with the palace?”

Now back in his own territory, Zhang Hong’s demeanor was markedly different from the cautious manner he’d displayed in Xuchang. The vibrant scholar standing before Liu Xie was clearly the true Zhang Hong.

“This palace is certainly a thoughtful gesture from Bofu. Over these past two days, I assume you’ve learned of the ideas I discussed with him?”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hong realized Liu Xie meant to speak of serious matters. He put away his smile, sat on the bench before Liu Xie as prompted, and began his reply.

“I agree with Your Majesty’s intentions. Zhang Zhao, Cheng Pu, and the other elders of Jiangdong have been persuaded by me; for now, no one will spread news of Your Majesty’s arrival in Wu County. Naturally, Cao Cao will not let this information be leaked either, so whenever Your Majesty and Bofu feel the time is right, it will not be too late to announce the relocation of the capital.”

What caught Liu Xie’s attention most in Zhang Hong’s words was that he placed himself and Sun Ce on equal footing. Clearly, Sun Ce had not concealed Liu Xie’s idea from Zhang Hong, confirming that it was Liu Xie’s own initiative.

“Do you recall, sir, that I once made a wager with you? Now, Bofu and I have settled our accounts. He admits I saved his life, though he may not share the details with you. However, those two beauties of the Qiao family have been delivered to my adjacent chambers—there’s no falsifying that!”

Zhang Hong showed no shock at this revelation, as if he had anticipated Liu Xie’s purpose in seeking him was related to that wager.

Between wise men, there was no need for words to be spelled out. The meaning of the wager between Liu Xie and Zhang Hong was clear: he sought Zhang Hong’s allegiance to himself as Emperor of Han.

But now, as an emperor without real power, Liu Xie could only win over a renowned Jiangdong scholar like Zhang Hong through wit.

His first step had been saving Sun Ce’s life, ensuring Zhang Hong would not reject him. Next, he would have to impress Zhang Hong with intelligence.

Yet, to confront Zhang Hong directly at this stage would be rash. Liu Xie could only settle for outwitting Sun Ce, keeping the true process hidden from Zhang Hong, letting him see only that Sun Ce had gifted two extraordinary women to Liu Xie.

Liu Xie believed Zhang Hong would no longer regard him as merely a puppet.

“This favor, Bofu will surely acknowledge. But let me remind Your Majesty, Bofu is no scholar; his realm was won with the blood of Jiangdong’s sons. He will listen to reason, but may not act as Your Majesty desires.”

Zhang Hong was forthright, immediately offering Liu Xie a wealth of honest counsel.

“You may not fully understand me yet, sir. In that case, I’ll change my approach. Let us set aside the matter of the wager for now—I must trouble you to relay a message to Bofu. Tell him I am most satisfied with this palace, but it still lacks a drill ground. Ask him to build one for me in the coming days. Once it’s ready, I can witness the prowess of Jiangdong’s Young Conqueror, and you may observe as well.”

You say Sun Ce is a man of arms? Very well—let him witness my skills in that field.

This was Liu Xie’s current thought, though he felt uncertain. In his previous life, he had indeed survived life and death, and was skilled in combat, but Sun Ce had earned his abilities on the battlefield, learning the arts of killing.

Moreover, Liu Xie’s eighteen- or nineteen-year-old frame was far less robust than the muscular build he’d honed through a decade of training in his past life.

Still, at his current level, Liu Xie felt he could surprise both Sun Ce and Zhang Hong. An emperor versed in both civil and martial arts would command their respect.

“If Your Majesty wishes it, I shall inform Bofu. However, Bofu’s title is not unearned; Your Majesty must exercise caution and not overexert yourself. Both Your Majesty and Bofu are only around twenty years old—there is no need to rush. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are far more anxious than either of you.”

Zhang Hong made no haste to reveal his stance. With a kind smile, he finished his advice, then left with Liu Xie’s silent permission. Liu Xie understood that his intentions would be conveyed to Sun Ce, and knowing Sun Ce’s character, the matter would not be delayed.

“Ah, I must not indulge myself these next few days—I need to train properly.”

Watching Zhang Hong depart, Liu Xie spoke to himself.