Chapter 55: A Perfect Opportunity to Vent

In this era, interior decoration was nothing like the complexity of later generations, especially for a martial training ground, which required little attention to detail. The craftsmen from Wu County did not disappoint; though they were given only five days, they managed to arrange the martial training ground perfectly within that time.

When Liu Xie saw the spacious platform, he was reminded of the playgrounds from his previous life, and was overcome with mixed emotions. Driven by these feelings, he executed a full set of military boxing routines atop the martial ground. By the time he finished, sweat streamed down his face.

He failed to notice that as he practiced his military boxing, Qiao Feng was passing by a corridor not far from the training ground. She stopped and watched him from afar for a long while before leaving, her face riddled with confusion.

“How did he learn such martial skills after being imprisoned for so many years by Cao Cao in the palace at Xuchang? Everyone says he is too weak to even truss a chicken,” she wondered. Yet, her doubts did not linger long. They were soon overshadowed by a more pressing worry: what if, one day, his animal instincts took over and he barged into their rooms, forcing himself upon her and her sister?

After finishing his military boxing, Liu Xie gazed at the racks of weapons surrounding the training ground and fell into deep thought. He understood that his unarmed combat skills and grappling techniques would be considered masterful in this era, but warfare here did not revolve around such abilities.

The generals of this time favored long weapons wielded from horseback, the heavier the better. The reason was simple: heavier and longer weapons not only had greater reach but were nightmares for infantry. Take Guan Yu’s massive blade, for example—when swung, it could strike down more than one foot soldier in a single stroke.

These martial generals might not be particularly adept at intricate techniques, but they possessed immense strength and stamina, making them tireless killing machines on the battlefield and boosting the morale of their troops. Sun Ce was known as the Little Overlord of Jiangdong; his prowess in this domain went without saying.

Yet, when it came to technical finesse or one-on-one combat, Liu Xie did not believe Sun Ce was especially formidable. If he truly had been, he would not have succumbed to three assassins in just a few moves, as history had recorded. Thus, Liu Xie reckoned that he had a fair chance in their upcoming bout.

A vision of Sun Ce flashed through Liu Xie’s mind as he pondered how to approach their duel. News of the completed training ground reached Sun Ce just as he and Zhou Yu were discussing the ongoing war between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

“Gongjin, His Majesty wishes to build a martial training ground in the palace, and after it’s finished, he wants to spar with me. I’ve set the date for tomorrow. You and Zhang Hong should come to witness,” Sun Ce said, as if it were a trivial matter. Clearly, he did not take Liu Xie seriously, viewing him merely as an impetuous youth. He was convinced Liu Xie had never set foot on the battlefield and had no experience facing an opponent; in the eyes of this seasoned veteran, Liu Xie was little more than a child.

“A witness? Bofu, you may have agreed to this a bit rashly. He is the emperor—whether you win or lose, it won’t reflect well on you,” Zhou Yu remarked. Though young himself, Zhou Yu saw the situation clearly: even if Liu Xie lost, it would not be shameful, but for Sun Ce, either outcome would be problematic.

“It’s of no consequence. The matter is not as serious as you imagine. Only you and Zhang Hong need be present. His Majesty has his own ideas, and since he is here in Wu County, I must convince him, both in heart and words! Besides, the Qiao sisters were meant to be divided between us, and now he has taken them. If I don’t teach him a lesson, how can I vent my frustration?” Sun Ce explained. Zhou Yu immediately understood his intent, and with a look of mild amusement, agreed and returned home.

Zhou Yu was well aware of Sun Ce’s combat prowess. To him, Liu Xie was a clever fellow, but far too self-confident. He firmly believed his good friend Sun Ce would ensure the young emperor paid a price.

Since the completion of Liu Xie’s palace, Sun Ce had yet to visit, mostly because the sight of it irritated him. Clearly, such a fine residence should have been his, but because Liu Xie bore the title of emperor, Sun Ce had to yield this prime location. The injustice gnawed at him.

That morning, Sun Ce arrived at the palace, his irritation mounting with each step, determined to show Liu Xie why the flowers bloom so red. He brought Zhou Yu and Zhang Hong with him, and before entering Liu Xie’s sleeping quarters, the attendants had already notified the emperor.

Sun Ce was clearly prepared for the duel. He wore not the long robe befitting his rank but a short, fitted outfit. Years of campaigning had given Sun Ce a formidable physique—though clad in simple garb, he still radiated an imposing presence.

“Your subjects pay their respects, Your Majesty!”

Liu Xie, also dressed in short attire, was already waiting in the hall. Upon meeting, Sun Ce and his companions bowed, but did not kneel, plainly indicating that Liu Xie had not yet earned that degree of respect.

“The man behind Bofu must be the famed Zhou Gongjin. Today, I finally meet you—a truly impressive figure! With Bofu’s two Zhangs, Cheng Pu and Huang Gai, and now Gongjin among the talented, what is there to fear for great undertakings? My journey to Wu County has indeed been worthwhile!”

“I am Zhou Yu, but just a young man from Jiangdong—hardly worthy of Your Majesty’s praise,” Zhou Yu replied. He was, in truth, a gentleman: tall, dignified, and noble in appearance. Liu Xie could see at once that the Zhou Yu of the historical novels had been misrepresented; not only was he not driven to death by Zhuge Liang, but his temperament was nothing like that portrayal.

“Gongjin, you are too modest. Your grand-uncle Zhou Jing and uncle Zhou Zhong both served as Grand Commandant of the Han dynasty, and your father Zhou Yi was magistrate of Luoyang. Even compared to those Yuan brothers who constantly boast of their four generations of high office, you are not to be outdone!”

This praise left Zhou Yu a bit speechless. He thought to himself: as one of Sun Ce’s confidants, how does the emperor know so much about my family background? What would Sun Ce make of this?

So Zhou Yu could only stand behind Sun Ce with a silent smile.

“Your Majesty, since you wish to spar with me, are you prepared?”