Setting Out on the Return Journey

The day after winning the bet against Cao Pi, he immediately announced that the Emperor’s permission had been granted. Of course, that “permission” was likely given by Cao Pi himself rather than the Emperor.

However, the number of people allowed to meet the Emperor was limited to three. After internal discussions, it was decided that I as the chief envoy, Han Dang as the deputy envoy, and Zhao Yun, who had the highest reputation among us, would attend the audience.

And so the audience with the Emperor took place. Though I had some expectations considering the name value of “Emperor,” the actual impression of Emperor Xian when we met was nothing particularly noteworthy.

Whether it was Sima Yi or Cao Pi, they tried to bestow the position of Sanqi Changshi on me, but I declined citing a plausible excuse. The Cao Wei side would probably try to use this as a pretext to undermine our justification, but it couldn’t be helped.

‘I really can’t accept it.’

It wasn’t just an honorary position; Sanqi Changshi was a guard official who closely assisted the Emperor. It would be no different from a nose ring to keep me here in the imperial palace.

Apart from bestowing Sanqi Changshi, Emperor Xian showed quite an interest in me. It seems he found it fascinating that a woman was a general. I answered sincerely to Emperor Xian who expressed his curiosity and asked me various things.

“Do you really have no intention of becoming Sanqi Changshi? I can even grant you the title of Marquis.”

At first it was a ceremonial proposal, made because someone told him to, but now it was Emperor Xian’s own sincere request.

Seeing the supreme Emperor take such a humble attitude, I felt somewhat pitiful. But the answer I could give back was only one.

“I am sorry.”

At my answer, Emperor Xian sighed, openly showing his disappointment. But Emperor Xian also seemed to know his own situation and my position, so he didn’t press further.

The audience concluded like that. There was no separate mention of the King of Hanzhong title that hadn’t received the Emperor’s approval, or Liu Bei’s existing titles of Imperial Uncle and General of the Left. There was an implicit atmosphere of letting it pass.

But just the fact that we met the Emperor strengthens our justification. To put it bluntly, what crazy emperor would formally receive envoys sent by rebel leaders?

It would be somewhat offset by their maneuver to try to bestow an official position on me, but it was still our gain.

After finishing the audience, we started preparing to return. And new companions joined our delegation.

“I’m Liu Ting.”

“I am Liu Hui.”

They were Liu Bei’s two daughters. Since they were used as hostages in the bet, it was right to return them to us after losing.

Moreover, in truth, they had long been abandoned by Liu Bei, so they were practically worthless as hostages.

Perhaps out of some respect for his archenemy, Cao Cao hadn’t separately bestowed them. Even so, they probably wouldn’t be properly treated as Liu Bei’s daughters.

Having grown up in Wei for over 10 years, it was obvious they would be viewed with suspicion even after returning.

The girls, who would have a vague recognition of being Liu Bei’s daughters and were suddenly going to Shu, looked quite confused. They weren’t that old, seeming about my age, so it was understandable.

Modern people would understand how much one’s childhood environment affects the formation of values. I left the preparations for the return journey to others and focused on comforting the two.

I was wary of Cao Pi causing more trouble, but there were no interference operations, perhaps because he had run out of tricks.

Instead, shall we say, visitors came. Most were appropriately turned away by Han Dang, but there were some who couldn’t be.

One of them was Xiahou Ying, who was in front of me now.

“It’s been a long time.”

Though he would be my uncle if counting family relations, Xiahou Ying, who was actually younger than me, used polite speech, perhaps considering my position as an envoy.

Xiahou Ying, who had matured further in the two years since I saw him in Hanzhong, wore a bitter smile instead of the intense hatred from that day. As expected of the genius the Xiahou clan boasted of, he must have realized many things.

At 15 years old, in an era where one had to become an adult at a young age, it wasn’t such a young age.

“Indeed. You’ve grown a lot.”

It wasn’t just empty words; Xiahou Ying had grown a head taller than when I last saw him.

He was still shorter than me, but that’s because I was exceptionally tall at nearly 170cm by this era’s standards. Even Xiahou Ying was close to the average height for adult men.

Xiahou Ying, who made an ambiguous expression as if unsure whether to be happy at the words of his niece-like figure, soon composed his expression and said:

“I’ve thought a lot during this time.”

Xiahou Ying, who began like that, continued:

“Looking back, I don’t know why I hated you so much. Only now do I understand that we were each just doing our duty in our respective positions.”

“…I too regret the death of my maternal uncle.”

“Is that so. Yes, now I can understand. That returning my father’s remains was an expression of condolence towards him.”

Xiahou Ying bowed his head to me.

“Though late, I thank you for your kindness and condolences.”

“You’re too kind. Please raise your head.”

“So I wish to repay your kindness.”

Xiahou Ying whispered a secret very carefully.

“Be wary of Liu Hui.”

“Liu Hui?”

I frowned as the name of Liu Bei’s daughter captured by Cao Cao came up.

“She’s a fake.”

“…How do you know this?”

“I am a secretarial officer under the King of Wei. It’s quite a convenient position for overhearing palace talk.”

Looking at Xiahou Ying’s clear eyes, he didn’t seem to be lying.

“Liu Hui will try to frame you as a turncoat internally. Even if it fails, there’s much to gain by planting a spy inside. It doesn’t matter if the spy is exposed. Then they can slander you by saying you cooperated in planting the spy, and that’s that.”

True to his reputation for being brilliant since the young age of 7, Xiahou Ying fluently explained what benefits Wei could gain just from Liu Hui being a spy, and what damage it could inflict on me and Shu.

“Why are you telling me this?”

If discovered, it wouldn’t end with just Xiahou Ying. It was a matter that could lead to charges of treason and extermination of the entire clan.

“Do you remember the Gong Marquis?”

The Gong Marquis was the posthumous title Cao Cao gave to Cao Hong. How could I forget, being the one who killed him?

As I nodded heavily, Xiahou Ying furrowed his brow and spoke in an angry voice:

“The Gong Marquis was a meritorious official and blood relative of the Cao clan. Even the late king shed tears. But the King of Wei was different.”

“Surely not…”

“Yes, he rejoiced. He even held a feast drinking wine on the anniversary of the Gong Marquis’s death. It was something that should not be done as a ruler of a country or as the head of a family. How could I stay silent when such a person tries to harm his blood relatives again?”

Cao Pi hated Cao Hong. The reason was absurd. Because Cao Hong didn’t lend him money. To be precise, was it silk?

However, Cao Pi already had a history of borrowing money and not paying it back. With his credit at rock bottom, Cao Hong probably didn’t want to lend anymore.

Harboring a grudge over this, Cao Pi really tried to kill Cao Hong despite everyone around him trying to stop him.

It ended with just dismissal from office after Empress Wu and Empress Guo, Cao Pi’s wife, desperately opposed it, but this alone shows how insane Cao Pi was and how much he disliked Cao Hong.

To think he would go so far as to desecrate the dead this time. He truly was a madman beyond expectations.

“I think this repays the kindness of saving my life and returning my father’s remains.”

They say kindness should be repaid twofold, but Xiahou Ying had truly repaid it several times over.

As I acknowledged Xiahou Ying’s words, he smiled faintly, clasped his hands together and bowed at the waist.

It was a greeting to announce his withdrawal and a farewell to send me off.

“Return safely. It seems I won’t be able to see you at the farewell ceremony, so let this be my farewell.”

Not long after meeting with Xiahou Ying, I passed through Ye’s city gates.

§

Tianshui Commandery, once the edge of the world but now a frontier region drawing the attention of many.

Tianshui Commandery was currently divided into two forces. South of the Wei River was governed by Liu Bei, while the north was under Cao Wei rule.

While Guan Yu was writing the history of Huazhajindong, Ma Chao had attacked Tianshui Commandery as a feint operation. Ma Chao’s offensive was fierce, but thanks to Yang Fu’s efforts, Wei was able to stop Ma Chao’s advance along the Wei River.

Truly, Ma Chao and Yang Fu were a bitter nemesis to each other, and it would be no exaggeration to call them mortal enemies.

Ma Chao vented his frustration at Yang Fu who repeatedly blocked his path, but occupying Qizhou, where Tianshui’s administrative center was located, was an encouraging achievement.

Pleased with securing a stronghold that would be of great help in the future Northern Expedition, Liu Bei appointed Wang Si, who had shown outstanding ability under Zhang Ran, as Governor of Tianshui.

Ma Chao’s influence over the Qiang people and Wang Si’s inclusiveness towards ethnic minorities.

Strength and gentleness, carrot and stick, dignity and trust. Thanks to the synergy created by the two, Tianshui was surprisingly stable despite being a border region between Wei and Shu where Han Chinese and ethnic minorities lived mixed together.

For ordinary people, this was a blessing and happiness, but for those who dreamed of grand ambitions and longed to play an active role in the conflict between Wei and Shu, it was a somewhat disappointing result.

But knowing that desiring war and causing chaos was an act only the worst of humanity would do, they quietly waited for their time.

And here was one young man waiting for such a time.

“Chief! They say the condolence delegation has set out on their return journey. I heard they’ve come near Luoyang?”

“Is that so?”

The young man called “Chief” tidied up the bamboo slips he was reading and stood up from his seat.

A tall stature of 8 chi (184cm) and a firm body that hadn’t neglected training, a handsome appearance exuding manliness while being proper. He was the very embodiment of a fine man.

The young man looked at a map that was crude but had all the major points marked. The map he had made himself covered the lands of Ongyang, Sili, and Guanzhong.

“Finally, the typhoon approaches.”

Like a great roc soaring on the storm, the young man waited for the wind.

The name of that wind was Zhang Ran. The ideal of many young people, said to have an eye for talent comparable to Liu Bei, and boldness in employing young talents like Emperor Wu of Han who promoted Huo Guang.

“But will she come to Tianshui? She could just go down to Jingzhou and be done with it.”

“When does a typhoon blow only as desired? If it heads elsewhere, we must draw it here.”

The young man was confident. He believed in his own abilities and qualities.

Because Zhang Ran would recognize the grand ambition (yuanzhi) he harbored.

The young man raised his body that had been crouching, ready to shout his existence to the world.

From now on, the world would know of his existence.

They would remember his name.

The name Jiang Wei.