Chapter 85: Sun Ce’s Sister

"That's right. I suppose His Majesty must have told Guan Yu about the connection between Liu Bei and Liu Biao. Guan Yu, with only himself and his horse, wants to escort Liu Bei’s two wives to Ye City. The risks are great. If he waits for Liu Bei to arrive before heading to Jingzhou, the danger would be far less."

Zhang Hong relayed the news of Guan Yu moving back into the guesthouse to Sun Ce. Sun Ce nodded slightly, pondering deeply, clearly moved by some unknown thought.

"I never really understood Guan Yu before. These past few days, after discussing with you and others, I’ve discovered that he truly is an excellent general! Since His Majesty has managed to keep him in Wu commandery, why don’t we make an effort to win him over? What do you think?"

Sun Ce was evidently tempted by the thought of recruiting Guan Yu.

Anyone capable of slaying Yan Liang would certainly not be lacking in skill.

Previously, Sun Ce had assumed Guan Yu served both under Liu Bei and sought refuge with Cao Cao, perhaps not the most upright of men. Though Liu Xie spoke highly of him, who could tell whether Guan Yu was simply using Liu Bei’s wives to gain fame?

Sun Ce had been lord of Jiangdong for four or five years now, having seen many such scholarly and martial talents—the usual tactics of feigned indifference or calculated pursuit, all aiming for a favorable position under his command.

Thus, at first, he merely regarded Guan Yu as a tool, intending to follow Liu Xie’s plan.

Yet after meeting Guan Yu, speaking with him, and expressing his own wish to recruit him, Sun Ce realized Guan Yu truly wasn’t seeking fame. He simply wanted to retrieve his two sisters-in-law and leave.

As the saying goes, what one cannot obtain always stirs the heart. Now Sun Ce felt this way about Guan Yu.

"His Majesty mentioned that the time he’s bought is meant for you, Bo Fu, to act—see if you can bring Guan Yu into our fold. He gave only one reminder: Guan Yu responds to kindness, not coercion. Threats will only backfire."

"Naturally. No true warrior can be recruited through threats."

Sun Ce agreed wholeheartedly, and he and Zhang Hong devised several strategies to recruit Guan Yu in his study.

In this era, recruiting someone was a simple matter. If force wouldn’t work, then only temptation remained. Show the candidate how much you value them, and that was enough.

In the first few days after Guan Yu arrived in Wu commandery, he had been assigned an excellent room in the guesthouse free of charge, with all meals covered by Young Lord Sun. Still, the guesthouse had its limitations—daily comings and goings were unavoidable.

On the second day after Guan Yu decided to heed Liu Xie’s advice and remain in Wu commandery, Zhang Hong arrived again at the guesthouse. With courteous manners, he explained that, having heard Guan Yu would stay, Sun Ce had arranged a residence for him near Liu Xie’s palace.

Guan Yu was about to habitually refuse, but Zhang Hong calmly explained it was His Majesty’s suggestion, meant to allow Guan Yu to visit his sisters-in-law from time to time.

Though Guan Yu truly had little to discuss with his two sisters-in-law, upon hearing it was Liu Xie’s advice, he agreed immediately. He couldn't always visit his sisters-in-law in the palace, but seeing Liu Xie was no harm.

Zhang Hong led Guan Yu to the residence, which pleased him greatly. It was not as grand as he had feared—if it had been too large, it would have hinted at ulterior motives. Guan Yu had learned well from his time with Cao Cao that accepting favors comes with strings attached.

The house had two courtyards. Aside from a servant’s quarters, there was a bedroom and a small study, all encircling a modest courtyard with a small tree, several flowers, and a well.

Though small, Guan Yu could see that it had been carefully tended—polished railings, exquisite details. He was content to await news of Liu Bei in such a place.

Yet Guan Yu hadn’t noticed that the sole maid in the house was somewhat unusual—far more beautiful than the maids in other residences, with a striking figure.

"Yunchang, you traveled from Xuchang to Wu commandery, and have endured several days in the guesthouse. Now that you are staying, it must be because you learned of the Emperor’s uncle’s plan to join Liu Biao. Bo Fu will not hinder you. Please rest well here. His Majesty is in Wu commandery, Liu Biao is kin to the Han, and Jiangdong and Liu Biao are as close as lips and teeth. Sooner or later, we will be one family."

Guan Yu was not surprised that Zhang Hong had deduced he knew of Liu Bei’s intention to seek Liu Biao. After all, if Jiangdong’s ministers were incompetent, they could not have helped Sun Ce build such a foundation.

"If Bo Fu is so gracious, I thank him on behalf of the Emperor’s uncle."

Zhang Hong exchanged no further words, taking his leave directly. In his mind, he considered how fierce tonight’s battle might be, then returned to Sun Ce’s residence.

Recruiting talent for Jiangdong was at stake. Though the method was somewhat unsavory, Sun Ce felt they were far more honorable than Cao Cao.

"Sir, is the matter with Guan Yu settled?"

"It is. We’ve placed our people in the neighboring residence as well. By tomorrow, Bo Fu will know how tonight unfolds."

"Ah, a mere beauty will hardly sway him. Even if he notices, and takes the beauty with him when he leaves, he’ll still return to Liu Bei."

Sun Ce nodded, then shook his head, clearly feeling the tactic lacked effectiveness.

"Doesn’t Bo Fu have a martial sister? If—"

"Say no more, sir. My sister is barely in her teens. How could she be handed to Guan Yu as a plaything? Guan Yu is nearly forty—this must never happen!"

Zhang Hong saw at once that he had touched Sun Ce’s sore spot and quickly shifted to another topic.

"No need to worry, Bo Fu. Liu Bei is still under Yuan Shao. It will be at least one or two months before he reaches Jingzhou. If we can’t win over Guan Yu in that time, letting him go is no great loss."

"Indeed. We have done our best. If fate does not favor Jiangdong, there’s naught we can do."

After Zhang Hong departed, Sun Ce’s thoughts returned to his troublesome sister.

"Shangxiang is nearly old enough to be wed, but her temperament... Well, I’ll wait another couple of years!" Sun Ce sighed and shook his head helplessly.