Killing the Beast (10): Letters That Spark War
After meeting with Joaman, I spent the day at my estate.
Joaman repeated some meaningful words a few times, but after I brought up marriage, she stuck to ordinary talk. Stories of everyday life. Tales of the advisors in her army as she saw them. And stories of killing Lü Bu—hunting the beast.
She said talking about my marriage held more value than capturing Lü Bu, but hunting him still carried great worth. Removing the instability that Lü Bu's very existence brought. Just having him alive could change so much. So Cao Cao would throw everything into subjugating him.
"I'll relay Geum Gong's strategies to Mother. Thank you."
Joaman decided to organize the plans I'd shared and pass them on to Cao Cao. This was a huge help to her cause, but it was also something done at someone's request. Joaman's. Sun Uk, Xun You, Guo Jia. I'd make requests of everyone I knew. To choose the path that saves Liu Bei.
"The letter's done, Liang. Now go meet him in person."
"Thank you, Master."
Zhuge Liang had asked me to make them choose the path that saves Liu Bei. She couldn't move Cao Cao directly herself, but she had indirect influence—through me. I was the one who, at Zhuge Liang's request, set Cao Cao in motion. Now Cao Cao would save Liu Bei. Unless he caused some other major issue.
"Liang. Do you think Liu Bei is an indispensable figure in this chaotic world?"
"Yes. I believe he's someone we can't do without."
"Why?"
"In a world where every warlord chases their own gain, he's the only one who truly cares for the people."
Zhuge Liang gave high marks to everything Liu Bei had shown so far. That's why she was a bit afraid this time—worried Cao Cao might choose to eliminate Liu Bei alongside Lü Bu.
"Don't we need at least one fool like that in the realm?"
"......Perhaps."
In these chaotic times, those who act humanely win the hearts of the people. In chaos, the hardest things to hold onto aren't loyalty or righteousness? Liu Bei had survived every setback like a natural fool. May light find him. Liu Bei wouldn't die. Not by Cao Cao's army, at least.
"I put it well in the letter, so it should be fine. She won't execute him or anything, even if she doesn't put him to good use right away. Yeah, definitely."
There was a path to kill Liu Bei, but that would make things harder for Cao Cao than even Lü Bu down the line.
"Liang. If we let Liu Bei live, what's his value?"
"We can stably occupy Xuzhou."
Stability in Xuzhou. With Liu Bei alive, no signs of unrest would emerge there. Bandits aside, farmers and even thieves praised his sense of justice and hoped he'd become the prefect. Xuzhou's bandits had even declared they'd acknowledge a governor like Liu Bei and go plunder elsewhere instead—his prestige truly pierced the heavens.
"Liu Bei comes to Xuzhou with Cao Cao. What does that mean?"
"It stops him from being hailed as an idol by the troops like before."
Zhuge Liang viewed Liu Bei's forces with remarkable objectivity.
"If Liu Bei's army joins Cao Cao's to take Xuzhou, many will be confused."
"Exactly. 'How could General Liu Bei ally with the likes of Cao Cao? He deceived us!' Some will be disappointed in his deception. Others furious at his trickery. Just for allying with Cao Cao, Liu Bei's popularity in Xuzhou will plummet. Some might even think: He didn't truly care for Xuzhou's people—he just lusted after the prefect's seat. Attacking with Cao Cao proves he's no different! The absolute support from Xuzhou's masses for Liu Bei will crack. All because he joined Cao Cao."
"Cao Cao isn't some saint. To fully claim Xuzhou as her territory, she'll fight alongside Liu Bei while minimizing his value as an ally."
So no one in Xuzhou praises Liu Bei again. No one misses him again.
"Even so, you'll still choose to save Liu Bei?"
"If he's alive, anything's possible, right?"
"......Yeah, true enough."
As long as he lives, he can scheme for the future.
"The letters we've written will soon head to Xiaopei."
We wrote to many, but the one we poured the most effort into was to Liu Bei. In it...
Near Xiaopei Castle, Lü Bu army encampment.
"Ha, look at this."
Lü Bu smirked at the letter before him.
"That big-eared bastard really can't be trusted."
"What is it?"
"Teacher Jin, we caught someone last night trying to sneak into Xiaopei. He claimed he was just delivering a letter."
"Has the situation worsened?"
"It was meant for Liu Bei. The contents go like this."
Lü Bu snorted and handed the letter to Chen Gong.
"Among the realm's warlords, Lü Bu lacks benevolence and harbors deep murderous intent toward the people—he could slaughter them at any moment. If you truly wish to defeat Lü Bu, join forces with me."
"......A secret letter suspicious enough to point straight to the sender."
Only one person would send Liu Bei such a missive: Cao Cao. Cao Cao had sent Liu Bei a letter of reconciliation. Proposing an alliance to strike Lü Bu while making peace.
"Haha, these cheeky bastards."
Lü Bu gripped his Sky Piercer and gnashed his teeth.
"Not content with stealing my horses, now they're openly plotting with Cao Cao to take me down from behind?"
"General Lü, it's just a letter. No proof Cao Cao sent it."
"Who cares about proof?! The fact it reached my hands is what matters."
Lü Bu rampaged, raising his Sky Piercer high.
"That big-eared fool will try to kill me now. Whether Cao Cao really allies with Liu Bei or not, the situation's already exploded."
Liu Bei's and Lü Bu's forces could no longer tolerate further conflict. Resentments had piled up before, but Zhang Fei's horse theft and this 'letter' incident sent Lü Bu's rage to the heavens.
"Chen Gong! Gather the Eight Generals—I'll assault Xiaopei. Mobilize the troops!"
"Sigh, must we really fight Liu Bei?"
"Of course! Crush Liu Bei first, then Cao Cao next. Heh, perfect timing."
Lü Bu licked his lips.
"They say his wife is a real beauty. Beauties belong with heroes by nature. Too much of a waste for a fool like him."
"......"
Lü Bu had two wives.
"Teacher Jin, this isn't about lusting after women. It's to protect Xuzhou—to repel Liu Bei, who allied with the Cao Cao despised by Xuzhou's people. Understand?"
"Even if I don't, I must. I'm already in the same boat as you, General."
Chen Gong winced as if her head ached.
"Since we're attacking Liu Bei anyway, make it quick and decisive. No need to dawdle here. March out at once."
"Right! Haha, Teacher Jin always gets it!"
Lü Bu clapped Chen Gong's shoulder with a grin.
"You want revenge on Cao Cao too, right?"
"......Not for revenge."
"Then?"
"I just don't want someone like Cao Cao ruling the realm."
"Hahaha! Same difference. Anyway, let's start a war and see who's fit to rule Xuzhou—no, the Central Plains."
Lü Bu pointed his Sky Piercer west.
"Seize Xiaopei, race to Chenliu, strike Heodo, and secure the Emperor."
"Understood. But General Lü, what about threats from the rear?"
"The rear?"
"Yes, the rear. Yuan Shu."
"Ah......"
Lü Bu scratched his cheek with a sour face.
"Dealing with Yuan Shu too is a hassle."
"You must. How much of Yuan Shu's land have we plundered? He'll go berserk when he finds out."
"Why? I'm the one who promised marriage ties with him."
"......Pardon?"
Chen Gong's expression turned subtle.
"We agreed on the betrothal. And it's about a year now, like you said. Time to casually bring it up."
"Are you sane? After plundering his lands like that?"
"It wasn't our troops who plundered! We just dealt with mysterious bandits and took their loot."
Chen Gong could say no more against Lü Bu's outrageousness.
"Send an envoy to Yuan Shu to seal the alliance."
Lü Bu schemes an alliance with Yuan Shu.
At that moment, Xiaopei Castle.
"This beast worse than a dog."
Liu Bei ground his teeth at the encircling soldiers.
"The height of impudence—he's really come to attack us!"
"Big brother! Seeing him rage over the stolen horse, words won't cut it! Let's charge!"
"This time Yide's right. Strike before they form up properly, brother."
"......Not yet."
Liu Bei shook his head at his brothers' suggestions.
"We'll wait for Cao Cao's reinforcements. If the letter truly came from her army, even if it's a trap, someone will come."
"Send the vanguard. Xiahou Dun leads, with the vanguard under his command."
"Your command."