Turning Point (2)
Liu Biao had decided to form an alliance. Jia Xu set off for Wan to deliver the good news.
"How did you convince Liu Biao?"
"I stoked his fears." I'd already heard from Jia Xu about the roots of this situation.
"Xuzhou Massacre."
"Governor Liu. What if Jingzhou ends up like Xuzhou?"
"When Xuzhou fell, Jingzhou stayed silent."
"When Ji Province falls, Jingzhou will do the same."
"Once everyone's gone, there might be no one left to help Jingzhou."
The Xuzhou incident was still the talk of the town. Everyone feared becoming the next Xuzhou, and that anxiety heavily influenced Liu Biao's decision to ally. If Wan crumbled, Jingzhou would be next. Liu Biao had always seen Cao Cao as a lingering threat, and Jia Xu had struck that nerve perfectly to seal the deal.
Liu Biao had secured his position as Jingzhou's governor under the Han imperial banner, but Jingzhou itself was a juicy prize, just like Xuzhou. Who knew when Cao Cao might suddenly decide, "I want Jingzhou," and march her armies in?
"Cao Cao's karma."
By showcasing her filial piety and madness in Xuzhou, she'd lost so much. I'd once told her that losing Xuzhou was the price for gaining the world—by making an example of it, she'd show the realm Cao Cao's brutality.
Strike first, kill if needed. Show that cruelty, and weak lords will bow their heads.
But inevitably, some would grow terrified of her and band together against her. That was because Liu Biao was extremely risk-averse. And another reason: Jingzhou could hold its own against Cao Cao's forces. Naval warfare. Battles on the Yangtze—more sea battle than river, really—but Jingzhou's troops were far more at home on the water.
Of course, that would leave the north bank of the Yangtze, including Suyeon Academy in Xinya County where we were, wide open to enemy seizure. Well, if Liu Biao truly clashed with Cao Cao and Xinya took the hit, I'd adapt accordingly. If they couldn't hold Cao Cao's army, I'd grab everything and run. If they could, I'd lend a hand to fend them off.
No matter how dire things got for those defying Cao Cao, for now, Liu Biao's forces outnumbered and outsupplied hers. Yangyang, Jiangxia, Jiangling, Xinya, Changsha, Wuling, Guiyang, Lingling. Just the major strongholds under Jingzhou—Liu Biao's—influence numbered eight. How could Cao Cao covet Jingzhou lightly?
Right. Unless she brought a million-strong army someday, Jingzhou wouldn't fall easily. Ambitious warlords had eyed it before, but Jingzhou had crushed them handily, maintaining peace for years. Sun Jian. Zhang Ji. Who else would eye Jingzhou and become an unreturning guest?
Jingzhou had cavalry ready in Xinya to rush north at a moment's notice—just a thousand strong, but Mun Bing, fresh off his military merits last time, was prepared to lead them out. Just in case.
But thankfully, it hadn't come to that. Cao Cao had accepted Zhang Su's white flag.
* * *
Wan.
"A wise choice. Haha!"
Cao Cao sat at the head seat, clinking cups with Zhang Su. He couldn't hide his discomfort as he drank, but forced a smile and bowed his head to her.
"Avoiding battle was brilliant. We're all servants of the same Han—why spill blood? Peace is a fine thing."
"General."
Zhang Su drained his cup in one gulp, then knelt on one knee before Cao Cao, offering his empty vessel.
"Zhang Moxi begs you. Spare me, my family, and the Xiliang soldiers."
He showed resolute determination. Cao Cao, mid-pour, slammed her bottle down and rose roughly.
"Begging for your life right now?"
"Yes."
"How can a man kneel so lightly?"
"Knees lighten or weigh down depending on what must be protected."
"...I'm no man, so I wouldn't know."
Cao Cao stepped forward and filled Zhang Su's cup.
"How could I quibble over killing a marquis of Wan who swears loyalty to the throne? No need to worry."
She crouched before him, meeting his gaze.
"I want two things from you. Block anyone coming from west or south—west is all that's left, really."
"I'll do my utmost."
Zhang Su sighed inwardly in relief.
"After my uncle passed, the rough Xiliang troops left Wan. Those remaining just want to settle in new lands."
"Good. I'll appoint you Governor of Wan. Rule the people and your men well."
"...Lord Cao, you're granting me office?"
"......Hahaha, just a figure of speech."
Zhang Su squinted at her laugh, inwardly kicking himself for the needless slip.
"I'll recommend you to the Emperor. Just govern this city well. Or do you want something else? Head to Heodo?"
"I'm content here."
True enough.
"I just want to feed my family, son, and men."
"I'll guarantee that. Zhang Su, you'll be a new general devoted to Han. Hahaha."
Cao Cao's face flushed red.
"Name any rank! I'll pull strings for the highest I can."
As if she controlled the court's appointments single-handedly. Despite his unease, Zhang Su recalled Jia Xu's words from his return after the alliance, steeling himself. No fighting Cao Cao. Respond only if she swings first.
He'd worried it was a trap to kill him, even prepared his own, but so far, Cao Cao showed no odd moves. Of course, he wasn't intimidated by the hulking man behind her. Not scared of her giant bodyguard at all.
"Uh, the gentleman behind you... care for a drink?"
"Huche'er, join us?"
"I don't drink."
"Even on my lord's word?"
"My lord commanded: if someone offers me drink while drinking, it's not Cao Mengde but Cao the Bitch—so follow Cao Mengde's orders."
"He says."
Cao Cao shrugged and topped off Zhang Su's cup.
"Relax. No intent to kill or trap you. Have we fought? Any conflicts?"
"Well, no..."
"Don't overthink. If it bothers you, think of it as surrendering to Han. Easier that way, right? Better even—Zhang Ji's heir submitting to the throne gives those Chang'an bastards a shock."
"......."
Zhang Su drank, calming his surprise. Cao Cao's words echoed Jia Xu's exactly.
If you truly want to live, heed me.
Everything unfolded as Jia Xu predicted. His worst-case fears proved groundless; bending pride a bit led down the safest path, step by step.
"Feels like gaining ten thousand troops and horses. Hahaha."
"Grateful for your kind view."
"Right. Let's get along, as fellow Han servants?"
Clink. They downed their drinks. But as their eyes met, mutual unease flickered.
"......."
"......."
Unspeakable, yet both thought: Is it really going this smoothly?
Cao Cao wanted Zhang Su's surrender. She'd fight if needed, but priority was peacefully absorbing his forces. Zhang Su wanted to keep his intact. Her demands were tolerable, if present. It felt like preset paths converging perfectly at a fork, heading the same way.
"Heh."
"Haha."
They smiled and drank, but the nagging doubt lingered.
"...No trouble, right?"
"......."
Something big felt imminent. Something.
"Is this okay...?"
Only cups tilted in silence.
* * *
"......."
Cao Cao's adopted son, Cao Ang, slipped from the banquet to gaze at the night sky.
"So quiet."
He smiled up at the stars, brighter than banquet lamps—Wan's night sky was stunning.
"Beautiful."
Just one drink, yet his face burned red.
"Must get back to Mother... Huh?"
Heading to the hall, his eyes caught a woman.
"Ah."
She flushed, spotting him. Sober, he'd judge coolly, but blood surged hot.
"The moon's so bright tonight. Honored to meet a noble soul. I am—"
"Cao Mengde's eldest, right?"
She approached with a sly smile.
"Care for a night stroll?"
"Delighted. I'll escort you—it's dangerous."
The next day, news that Zhang Ji's wife and widow, Lady Zhu, had spent the night with Cao Ang turned Wan upside down.