Luoyang and Jingzhou 6

Zhuge Jin had been cautious and reserved in his speech since entering Han territory.

At first, it was silence to express condolences and mourn. However, after grasping the political situation in Han during this time, Zhuge Jin continued his previous behavior even after the mourning ended.

Although recognized not just as a simple condolence group but as an envoy and officially given guest quarters, Zhuge Jin’s behavior did not change.

Instead of expressing political views, he only engaged in stereotypical conversations to strengthen friendships, and in public places, he often just laughed and brushed things off.

Zhuge Jin had noticed. That at this rate, even Liu Bei would find it difficult to easily raise an army and invade Wu.

The national policy of the newly established Han under Liu Bei was “The royal enterprise is not at peace.” However, there was still an order of things within that.

Wei, who usurped the throne of Emperor Xian, to whom Liu Bei had given the posthumous title of Filial and Benevolent Emperor, was their mortal enemy.

Moreover, the place where Han faced Wei was none other than Luoyang. Luoyang, the capital of Later Han.

If Han succeeded in occupying Luoyang and performed the ceremony of heaven worship there, Liu Bei’s mandate of heaven would become unshakeable.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Liu Bei would be closer to unifying the world than Cao Cao, who had destroyed the Yuan clan and occupied Hebei with a great victory at the Battle of Guandu.

Therefore, most were swayed by the value of Luoyang, which could put an end to the chaotic era.

Even Guan Yu, who was undisputedly second in rank in Han and the pinnacle of the military, was openly arguing to attack Luoyang, so how much more would others feel?

No matter how much Liu Bei wanted to aim for Jingzhou first rather than attacking Luoyang, he would have to be cautious considering internal opposition.

While Wei was shaking and exposing the wish-fulfilling jewel of Luoyang, to say here that we should attack Wu, a side branch, first?

They would follow due to Liu Bei’s reputation and authority, but there would be, albeit faint, dissatisfaction in their hearts. And people would doubt Liu Bei’s great cause.

After considering various circumstances, Zhuge Jin concluded that he just needed to avoid giving any pretext.

But now, Zhuge Jin’s plan was being shattered.

“Lu Xun… Chancellor’s nephew, no, Wu’s General Who Pacifies the South, are you trying to intimidate me by boasting of that meager strength?”

Addressing him not as the Chancellor’s nephew but by the position of General Who Pacifies the South given by Sun Quan, Liu Bei fully displayed his displeasure.

Although his tone was still gentle, the anger contained within was by no means shallow.

While the aura emanating from Liu Bei’s experience accumulated over sixty years and his position as Emperor would be difficult for ordinary people to withstand, Zhuge Ke was Zhuge Ke.

“How could that be? How could a lowly official of our small country dare to show such a reckless attitude to Your Majesty, the Emperor of Han? I am merely explaining the reason why our country will defeat Wei, and hoping that Your Majesty will know that our country trusts yours. Please, Your Majesty, show your dragon-like brilliance and understand this humble one’s sincerity.”

Liu Bei let out a hollow laugh at Zhuge Ke’s eloquence, which was reminiscent of Su Qin or Zhang Yi.

“How is that trust in our country?”

“Lu Du Du was someone who had marriage talks with your country’s General of the Guards, and was previously in charge of managing Jingzhou. He is also the person with the best military talent in our country. Calling such a Lu Du Du from Jingzhou to Huainan is, internally, to deeply consider the marriage with my lord, and externally, to convey the intention of making peace with your country and defeating Cao Cao, so how is this not trust?”

Zhuge Ke’s tongue moved incessantly, pouring out fluent arguments.

Not a few were nodding to Zhuge Ke’s words, which emphasized why they should attack Luoyang.

The fact that most of them were officials of Han showed that Zhuge Ke’s words had properly scratched their itch.

Zhuge Ke sensed that the atmosphere was shifting towards his argument for rebuilding the Sun-Liu alliance and attacking Luoyang. His voice became increasingly confident as he went on.

However, when another voice resonated through the banquet hall:

“Your Majesty.”

The flow stopped.

“I, Liang, humbly report.”

Zhuge Liang’s clear voice, like the sound of a Buddhist bell said to erase worldly troubles, awakened the minds of those who had been sympathizing with Zhuge Ke’s argument.

Whether it was due to the reputation Zhuge Liang held, or the power contained in that clear voice itself.

Looking down at Zhuge Liang, who had captured the audience with just a few short words, Liu Bei nodded.

“I allow it.”

“Zhuge Ke’s words are nicely packaged, but they harbor evil intentions within, so please do not lend Your Majesty’s ear to them.”

Zhang Ran, who had been quietly listening to Zhuge Ke’s passionate speech and expecting Zhuge Liang’s rebuttal when he stepped forward, swallowed her breath at Zhuge Liang’s word choice, which was more aggressive than expected.

Even in actual history, Zhuge Liang often used quite harsh expressions. The “Correct Interpretation” containing his rebuttal to the letter urging Wang Lang’s surrender was a prime example.

But to openly say “evil intentions” even to his own nephew. Even Zhang Ran, who knew Zhuge Liang’s rough speech, was taken aback.

If Zhang Ran felt that way, Zhuge Ke was bound to be worse. Zhuge Ke raised his voice.

“The Chancellor of Han’s words are too much. Evil intentions? How can you say such things?”

“If not evil intentions, then it must be ignorance.”

Zhuge Liang coldly asserted.

“Our country’s General of the Guards gave you an evaluation of Zigong. This was a warning not to act rashly, recalling Zigong’s actions, yet how can you speak recklessly in front of His Majesty?”

“Perhaps your country’s General of the Guards meant it in a different sense?”

“No. I know the General of the Guards well, having deep friendship with her. The General of the Guards has no habit of speaking indirectly when dealing with people, so it is right to take her words as they are.”

As the topic of conversation shifted to herself, Zhang Ran nodded to express agreement with Zhuge Liang’s words.

However, something about Zhuge Liang’s clear-cut denial bothered Zhang Ran. There wasn’t any particular problem, but something felt off.

While Zhang Ran was tilting her head, Zhuge Liang’s words continued.

“And His Majesty and I already know of your schemes.”

“Schemes?”

Even Zhuge Jin was startled by Zhuge Liang’s words and rose from his seat. Zhuge Liang briefly glanced at his brother, then closed his eyes tightly and opened them again.

“…Bring it.”

As soon as he opened his eyes, Zhuge Liang spoke, and Yi Shou, his subordinate who had been waiting beside him, respectfully presented a memorial.

“This is a report that came up from Li Hui, the Governor of Jianning.”

The Governor of Jianning was a position that managed Nanzhong, the southern part of Yizhou.

The current Governor of Jianning was Li Hui, and he was assisted by Ma Chong and Zhang Yi, known as Zhang Ran’s wings.

“It came up in utmost secrecy, known only to His Majesty and me.”

Zhuge Liang unfolded the report himself. And he began to recite its contents directly.

It was a report stating that he felt something strange about Jiaozhi and upon investigation, confirmed that Wu soldiers were gathering in Jiaozhi, and suggesting the need to carefully observe Wu’s movements.

“…Therefore, please send support to Nanzhong to secure the border. Governor of Jianning, Li Hui, humbly reports.”

After reading the report to the end, Zhuge Liang handed it over to Yi Shou and glared at Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Ke.

“Isn’t it that you intended to disturb our rear while our main army marched to Luoyang? You say our country should capture Luoyang and make its might known to the world, but inwardly, your goal is merely to use our country to easily gain Huainan from Cao Cao while preventing us from taking Luoyang.”

“No! Our country would never plot against your country…”

Zhuge Ke tried to urgently refute towards Liu Bei, but soon stopped upon seeing Liu Bei raise his palm.

“Enough. Chancellor, continue.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Yongnan, bring him in.”

Him? Zhang Ran, who narrowed her eyes at this development she didn’t know about, carefully watched the person entering the banquet hall.

Although it was an unfamiliar face, she could guess where he was from just by his attire.

“Wuling Bay…?”

Someone who had deduced the place of origin like Zhang Ran muttered.

The man in the distinctive attire of Wuling Bay, different from Han clothing, had a youthful face that seemed to have just become an adult, but was covered in wounds and scars all over.

As soon as he entered the banquet hall, he first bowed to Liu Bei on the highest seat.

“Emperor of Han, Your Majesty! I am Shi Ye, son of Guan Sidou!”

Although his Han language still showed traces of awkwardness, the meaning was conveyed. Guan Sidou. It was the term referring to Shi Maga, the king of the barbarians who led Wuling Bay.

The youth’s identity was none other than the son of that Shi Maga, who had helped Pang Tong recover Gong’an and later lost his life to Lu Xun’s fire attack.

“Now our Wuling Bay is suffering such a crisis that it’s difficult to continue our lineage due to Sun Quan’s oppression! Please, Your Majesty, bestow your holy grace and look after your pitiful ally!”

The real card Zhuge Liang had prepared.

Inducing vigilance with Jiaozhi’s troops aiming for Nanzhong, and delivering the finishing blow with Shi Maga’s son Shi Ye.

Why did Feng Xu choose to go out of the city and fight against Lu Xun?

It was because everyone argued that keeping faith with those of Wuling Bay was the righteous thing to do.

And Liu Bei and Han had erected a memorial stone to honor Feng Xu’s loyalty and the sacrifice of the soldiers. They had certified that they were right.

With Shi Maga’s son surviving and prostrating himself before Liu Bei and Han, earnestly seeking help, ignoring this would be tantamount to fading the meaning of the memorial stone.

‘It’s over.’

Now Liu Bei would help Wuling Bay and advance to Jingzhou under the pretext of stabilizing the rear.

Zhuge Jin, sinking into dejection, took in Zhuge Liang who had created this situation.

The building of justification proceeded so quickly and seamlessly. Zhuge Liang had been preparing.

‘Even if Ke hadn’t stepped forward, it would have ended up like this anyway. Liu Bei and Liang had already made up their minds to attack our Wu…’

Zhang Ran was dumbfounded by Zhuge Liang’s ruthlessness, openly criticizing and revealing the justification for attack in front of his own brother and nephew.

Although she knew he was a severe person who could even drive his lord’s adopted son to death if necessary, to see him being so merciless even to his own blood relatives. It was so consistent that she didn’t even think to criticize.

‘He’s cold, so cold.’

Zhuge Liang’s mindset of prioritizing national interests and great cause over his own blood relatives was a part that Zhang Ran found difficult to understand.

The atmosphere had completely shifted from Zhuge Ke to Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang continued with this atmosphere. Bowing to Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang spoke in an earnest voice:

“Raising an army while leaving enemies in the rear would be violating the art of war, and ignoring the difficulties of an ally who fought as a comrade would be violating etiquette. Your Majesty, please make a decision.”

Following Zhuge Liang’s words, the civil and military officials of Han, who had risen at some point, shouted in unison:

“Please make a decision!”

Following the request of his ministers, Liu Bei stood up and took a few steps forward.

Standing tall on the high platform, Liu Bei had his hand on the sword at his waist rather than a wine cup.

“The envoys of Sun Quan, come forward.”

At Liu Bei’s command, Zhuge Jin wanted to close his eyes tightly. It was devastating. The thought of turning Liu Bei’s heart back had long since disappeared.

As Wu’s envoy group gathered in the center of the banquet hall without a word, Liu Bei shouted, emanating an aura that had not weakened despite his old age:

“If you truly wish to discuss great virtue and argue for heavenly principle, what should have come first from your mouths should have been mourning and remembrance for the dead souls.

The Wuling Bay people, whom you despised as barbarians and annihilated, were people we should have embraced, and the tens of thousands of soldiers you killed, deceived by Cao Cao, were the lifeblood forming the foundation of our country.

You came under the pretext of condolences, merely acting out mourning for show, not knowing who to truly mourn sorrowfully.

I, the Son of Heaven, will personally tell you the heavenly principle on behalf of Heaven.”

Swoosh.

The sword was drawn.

The dazzling light of the sun hanging in the middle of the sky shattered and scattered at the tip of the sword Liu Bei raised.

And Liu Bei’s sword slashed down through the air.

“It is war!”