Cao Cao’s Condolences and Cao Pi

The three who betrayed Shu during Sun Quan’s invasion of Jingzhou: Mi Fang, Shi Ren, and Fu Jun. Their fates were greatly twisted, leading to completely different results.

Fu Jun deceived, Shi Ren cooperated, and only Mi Fang betrayed.

So Fu Jun was recognized for his merit and rose to the position of Governor of Jingzhou, Shi Ren received a prefectural governorship. And Mi Fang, who was sent to the central government, was stripped of all his official positions.

It was Liu Bei’s last consideration for a founding contributor who had shared life and death since Xuzhou, and a measure made possible because his betrayal ultimately ended without much damage.

Oh, by the way, Fu Jun’s appointment as Governor of Jingzhou was surprisingly due to Guan Yu’s recommendation.

I had written a memorial asking to appoint Fu Jun as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat like Liu Ba, but Guan Yu, having realized something from this incident, gave up his position as General of the East and Governor of Jingzhou and proposed to raise Fu Jun to Governor of Jingzhou.

Since the position of governor had no military authority, the military power of Jingzhou was divided with Guan Yu holding military authority and Fu Jun holding administrative authority.

According to Fu Jun’s letter, Guan Yu even personally apologized for mistreating him all this time, which was truly surprising.

When Liu Bei heard this story, he was delighted, saying “Yunchang has now surpassed even Lian Po!”

Lian Po, a famous general representing the Warring States period, was displeased that Lian Xiang, who was of humble birth and a civil official, had a higher position than himself, but later realized Lian Xiang’s true worth and reconciled, becoming sworn friends.

The idiom “carrying thorns to ask for punishment” comes from this story.

And it wasn’t just Guan Yu who asked for punishment in this incident.

Mi Zhu also said that his younger brother Mi Fang’s crime was also his fault, and begged for punishment while tying himself up and banging his forehead on the ground.

“No, how can you do this? His Majesty has already said you are not guilty, please raise your head.”

“Although His Majesty has taken pity on me and shown mercy, how could I be innocent? I failed to properly teach my younger brother and ended up hindering the great cause for the country that you two were trying to achieve, so I can only beg for punishment.”

As Mi Fang himself was under house arrest by Liu Bei’s order, it was impossible for him to come out or meet anyone.

The triangle in my heart rotates at the pitiful sight of Mi Zhu going around asking for punishment and seeking forgiveness on behalf of his younger brother.

I knew Mi Fang would betray. Perhaps there might have been a way to completely prevent Mi Fang’s betrayal.

But I chose to abandon Mi Fang. Because I thought it would be more efficient.

“I too.”

I bent my waist deeply and said to Mi Zhu, who was apologizing while bowing:

“I am sorry. I used Lord Mi Fang. Knowing about the betrayal but ignoring it, if General An Han is at fault, then I am too.”

“It was my younger brother who plotted the betrayal. How could I blame the Rear General who used the betrayal?”

As it started to become a competition of who could bow deeper and apologize more earnestly, Pang Tong stepped in to mediate.

“Hahaha, this will never end at this rate. Instead of continuing like this in front of the door, let’s go inside.”

Even Mi Zhu couldn’t refuse the words of the host.

The conversation between us three continued until nightfall.

After roughly wrapping up the matter with Mi Zhu and promising to meet again with Pang Tong, I returned home where Yanyi was waiting for me until late, running out.

My little sister, who used to be so small, had grown tall enough for her head to reach my chest.

Considering my height is about 170cm, Yanyi was also quite tall for a woman of this era.

“Sister!”

“Were you still awake?”

“Come on, look at the time.”

“Where’s Mother?”

“She went to bed first.”

Why did I feel relief at those words? On the day I returned to Chengdu, Mother hugged me tightly.

I could still feel her affection for me in her voice as she asked if I was alright and if I had any injuries.

But the reason I feel relieved every time is probably because I myself carry guilt towards Mother.

Mother, who has become emaciated. Because it was I who made that sorrowful face, because it was my two hands.

“Sister, are you thinking about that again?”

Was I unconsciously making a sad expression again? Yanyi gently placed her hands on my cheeks and made me look into her eyes as she spoke.

“Umm. No. I’m just a little tired. Let’s go in. It’s still cold.”

I pushed my little sister’s back while trying to compose my expression. My face, no longer facing Yanyi’s, was probably wearing the same sad expression as before.

Yanyi, who received her courtesy name (zi) last year, was being mentioned as a subject for a political marriage in my place.

The reason I can freely roam the continent and spread my wings of dreams is probably because it’s supported by the hidden dedication and sacrifice of my family members.

If it weren’t for Yanyi, I wouldn’t have been able to avoid the life of Empress Jing’ai, and because I entered the military to pursue the revival of Shu Han, I gave up the path of saving Xiahou Yuan.

It might be my overreaction.

Maybe it’s a way of life that people living in this era, this world, would naturally accept.

But in my heart, the guilt towards them wouldn’t wash away.

“Yana.”

“Yes?”

“Shall we go sightseeing in the market together tomorrow?”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“I want to go!”

Yanyi poured out words chirpily like the swallow her name means, asking what to wear and when we’re going out.

At her cute behavior, I stroked Yanyi’s fluffy hair. A faint smile like dim moonlight was drawn.

‘I guess I’m looking forward to it too.’

§

A few days later, a court session was held.

I, who had been spending almost all my time with Yanyi these days, took out my official robes after a long time. Since I’m not a civil official, I usually don’t have occasions to wear them.

Of course, I have the authority to establish a military department, but with Wang Ping, Ma Chao, Gu Bu, Liu Yin, and Wang Si having become independent, there’s nothing to set up.

Still, it’s fortunate that Zhang E, Ma Dai, and Fu Qian remain. I can entrust military affairs to Zhang E, cavalry to Ma Dai, and infantry to Fu Qian. I’ll have to recruit new talents to make up for the shortage.

Anyway, the officials gathered in the palace hall for the court session were exchanging small opinions about what decision Liu Bei might have made.

“His Majesty the King of Hanzhong enters!”

As Liu Bei entered, all the officials including myself offered greetings.

“Gentlemen, raise your heads. Let the court session begin.”

Currently, three main issues were being discussed in the palace hall meetings.

First was the issue of selecting a crown princess for the crown prince. In the original history, this matter passed without much problem because there was a predetermined candidate, namely me.

But this time, it had continued until now with me not only simply refusing but also rising to the position of Rear General in the military.

Upon ascending to King of Hanzhong, Liu Bei appointed Liu Shan as crown prince, but because he hadn’t given up his lingering attachment to me at the time, he left the position of crown princess vacant, but now that too was difficult.

As Liu Bei is also getting on in years, from the officials’ perspective, it must be unsettling that the crown prince, the successor, is not married.

But Liu Bei was forcibly postponing this issue by exercising his authority.

Among the officials, the majority opinion was to bring in my younger sister as the crown princess, but Liu Bei, who usually listens well to his officials, was acting deaf at times like this.

This is a part where Liu Bei’s persistent obsession, which had made Zhuge Liang and Liu Ba his people, can be felt.

The second was internal affairs to fill the empty granaries and rectify the devastated people’s livelihood in earnest now that the war was over.

The repair of the Dujangyan irrigation system could be considered representative of this, and Zhuge Liang’s true value was being demonstrated here.

Under his direct command, each official was fulfilling their duties, so most of the court session proceeded in a reporting format, with only a few going through the process of receiving Liu Bei’s approval.

And the third and last was the issue of the condolence delegation for Cao Cao, which has been most prominent recently.

Towards the end of the court session. Finally, the content about the condolence delegation flowed from Liu Bei’s mouth.

“The death of the traitor Cao Cao is certainly something to welcome and rejoice about with both hands raised. However, although he at least maintained the pretense of assisting His Majesty the Emperor, his son Cao Pi has a vicious and violent personality, so we cannot help but worry about His Majesty’s sacred body. Therefore, I wish to send a delegation under the name of a condolence mission to observe, and I hope you all understand that the intention is not to mourn Cao Cao’s death but to have an audience with His Majesty.”

Although he added various explanations, looking at just the result, it meant he would send a condolence delegation.

However, with the authority given by repeated victories and the past that Liu Bei had built up so far, no one dared to oppose.

“Military Advisor Han Dang, listen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I am issuing silk and linen along with a letter, take these and convey the intention of a visit to Cao Pi.”

“I humbly accept the order.”

After Liu Bei made his decision, all state affairs flowed smoothly.

An excellent founding monarch, capable ministers, stable borders. It was an exquisite harmony created by these three elements.

As days continued where everything seemed to be going well, a report came back from Han Dang, who was staying in Shangyong waiting for Cao Pi’s reply. Along with Cao Pi’s response.

And the content contained in that reply once again turned Chengdu’s palace hall upside down.

Whether he was trying to show off his excellent literary talent, Cao Pi’s reply was written with flowery phrases, but the main point could be briefly summarized:

[I hear that girl Zhang Ran is so pretty? Let me see her face once, and I’ll receive the condolences if she comes.]

As expected of Cao Pi.

He’s crazy.