Lü Bu Subjugation Battle (11)
"I have no intention of entering government service, and even if I did, I certainly wouldn't consider doing so under Lord Liu."
Worried that Zhuge Liang might sharpen her tongue further, I pushed her behind me and stepped forward.
"Isn't it quite the gamble to invite someone affiliated with Cao Cao's forces to join you? If I were to report this to Lord Cao, what do you think would happen to you, Lord Liu?"
"He wouldn't be someone affiliated with Cao Cao's army. Wouldn't he be a very special existence whom Lord Cao has personally permitted to join the campaign?"
Liu Bei was more perceptive than I'd expected.
"At first, I thought you might be 'that person' who had come in disguise."
"...That person?"
"Yes. The one who sits at the highest place in the Central Plains."
"Ha."
Wasn't this a bit too much of an overestimation? His suspicions ran deep.
"If it were that person, surely he'd have at least one terrifying general with him, right?"
"I even thought Lord Cao had that under control. Haha. I realized that wasn't the case, but it only made me more curious about just who you are."
"Like I said—"
"I know. I won't try to persuade you any further. But will you at least hear me out?"
He had no intention of persuading me, yet he wanted me to listen. He planned to sway my heart with his words.
"Master."
"It's fine. If I start to waver, just grab me tight from behind."
Zhuge Liang gripped the collar of my robe fiercely. Her hand was so strong it nearly yanked my clothes backward.
She doesn't need to go this far.
I had no intention of accepting Liu Bei's proposal for any reason.
There's no reason to become Liu Bei's advisor.
This wasn't Yuan Shao making the offer, and what good could come from such a proposal from Liu Bei, whose foundations were this meager? I had no desire to pledge lifelong loyalty to him, he wasn't the one serving the Emperor in Cao Cao's stead and commanding the realm, so why would I bother with Liu Bei? Not to mention, if even I felt that way, which of my disciples would I send to his side?
"Go ahead and speak, then."
"Do you believe Cao Cao will bring peace to the realm?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because he serves the Emperor."
I could list a thousand reasons if pressed. But for one Liu Bei might accept, the Emperor as a shield was the most straightforward.
"I am a subject of Han. Rescuing the Emperor of Han and spreading Han's prestige throughout the land—that is the mark of a true loyalist."
"And if that loyalty is false?"
"Slander in moderation..."
"If it's not loyalty to Han, but using His Majesty to greatly expand his own power?"
"......"
I'd entertained that thought once before. If Han proved impossible to restore, what path would Cao Cao take? Would he seek out another imperial bloodline amid Han's collapse and enthrone them, or open a new era himself? Nations rose and fell, perished and were reborn. The kingdoms before Han had all flourished and crumbled. Han could become an empire that lasted a mere century or endure for hundreds of years.
Once he'd conquered the realm, Cao Cao would have options aplenty. Having met him face-to-face, I couldn't shake the image of the ambition hidden behind that ever-present smile.
But.
"That's a hypothetical that doesn't exist."
"Hah..."
"If there's even a chance of it, that's a matter for the future. Who knows? Lord Cao might be the most loyal soul under heaven, leaving a deathbed will for his children to protect the Emperor even after he's gone."
"He's not the type."
"How can you be so certain? From conversation? His expressions? Did Lord Cao outright say he plans to usurp the throne?"
"......"
Liu Bei fell silent.
"How do you know Cao Cao harbors traitorous intent?"
"...You can just tell by looking—that a valid answer?"
You could tell just by looking. I agreed. Loyalty to Han didn't seem to shine in Cao Cao. Instead, he brimmed with thoughts of how to turn the Emperor to his advantage.
"If you're judging by physiognomy or the like, sure, you could think that."
However.
"That's mere speculation. The future hasn't happened yet, and no one knows the human heart. If Lord Cao truly harbors rebellion, why not offer him your sincere counsel, Lord Liu?"
"......"
"Even if it costs your head, wouldn't remonstrating or submitting a memorial be the act of a true servant of Han? Not that I would."
Liu Bei looked uncomfortable. I pressed him harder.
"You can't, can you? You're afraid Cao Cao might kill you. Worried that without even securing a base, you'd lose everything pointlessly and die."
"Who wouldn't be?"
"True. But if it's for political reasons—and especially tied to the imperial blood in your veins—then it's a different story."
A peasant's life. A scholar's life. An imperial clan's life. Even the same person couldn't live them identically; their goals would differ.
"You stand in the lowlands yet gaze from the heights, Lord Liu. But I intend to live according to my station, however low. They call it the dragon's head and serpent's tail? I'm content with the head of an earthworm."
"...Is there truly no way?"
"Yes. I don't know why you think so highly of me, but at least not now."
I drew a firm line....
But he is imperial blood.
Just in case, I'd leave one path open.
"That said, on this occasion, allow me to offer Lord Liu a small gift."
"What is it?"
"The greatest value you might gain from this Lü Bu subjugation."
Zhuge Liang had already told me as much. But she still clung to my back, tugging lightly at my clothes to signal her intent.
It's fine to say it now, right?
I took her unspoken permission. This might be her final gift to Liu Bei.
"After subjugating Lü Bu, if Cao Cao invites you to the capital at Heodo, go without fail. Meet the Emperor in person, and as a member of the imperial house, seek his direct acknowledgment."
"...Do you know what happens to an eagle that soars the skies when caged?"
"An eagle that size could eat its fill and shatter the cage, couldn't it?"
"Ha, really..."
Liu Bei still wore a face full of lingering regret.
"It'd be nice to have a crow nearby to share counsel."
"Look well, and you'll find one somewhere."
"......"
Liu Bei finally chuckled softly and shook his head.
"Even when I courted my wife, it wasn't this stubborn."
"Apologies, but I'm already betrothed."
"Joking, joking. Sigh. Truly regrettable."
Liu Bei smacked his lips.
"If you were a woman, would you have come?"
"Do you think I'm refusing because of my gender?"
"Yes."
"......Fine, let's say that."
Playing the materialist was the quickest way to end this.
"I work at the academy. If one day you secure a base like other lords, and a disciple of mine wishes to serve you, I'll write a letter of recommendation then."
"...I see."
Liu Bei still looked wistful, but it was over.
"I'm grateful for that much, teacher."
"Why am I your teacher?"
"You grumbled, yet showed me a path to survival in the end. I must live by that teaching henceforth. Haha, if I end up caged, I'll find my own escape. Just..."
Liu Bei clasped his hands in salute and smiled boldly.
"Someday. If this Liu Xuande gains a force greater than Cao Cao's, gathers more talent than he, serves the Emperor, and surpasses even Yuan Shao in might!"
Liu Bei extended his hand.
"Then, shall we not share the view of the realm from the same skies?"
"......I'd have no reason to refuse such a constructive future."
I took Liu Bei's hand. It was callused, yet quite warm despite the winter chill.
"Thank you. Farewell."
Liu Bei turned and departed. I waved goodbye, then turned to Zhuge Liang, who was still on guard.
"Satisfied now?"
"...He's a pitiable man."
Zhuge Liang shook her head with a wry smile.
"If a man like that became a lord with a force as vast as Yuan Shao's, at least fewer innocents would suffer injustice. But."
"But?"
"Someone else will help him. Since he made me want to."
Zhuge Liang turned to me with a complicated expression.
"But not now. I have my own things I want to protect."
"Things you want to protect? What?"
"Husband."
"...There it is."
I ruffled Zhuge Liang's hair.
"You get serious, tension eases, and boom—'husband.' Come on. Let's pack up and prepare to leave."
"...You're always so serious."
I headed to the tent with Zhuge Liang, who grumbled to the end.
But for some reason, I couldn't tear my eyes from Liu Bei's slumped, departing figure.
It felt like this might be the last time.
"Brother, where have you been?"
"Haha, Yun Chang."
Liu Bei slumped into a chair. His brother, Guan Yu, quickly sat across from him.
"I thought it was a fateful meeting, but it seems I was the only one who felt that way."
"What do you mean?"
"People have this thing called intuition, right? The feeling that with this person, everything will go right from here on. I felt it from that young man."
Liu Bei leaned back against the chair and let out a deep sigh.
"Somehow, just having him around made me feel like I could achieve anything."
"Was that really the only reason?"
"...No."
Liu Bei fiddled with a teacup on the side table.
"Gold Sun, was it? I'd heard Cao Cao's advisors—and Cao Cao himself—were paying him quite a bit of attention this time, so I watched closely. He seems to have exceptional talent. And the girl he seems to have as he has. The child he was raising like a disciple even more so. So I clung desperately, even if it was unbecoming."
"You didn't need to go that far, brother. I'll go drag him here."
"Don't. Don't say that to Yi De either. What can you do if he refuses?"
Liu Bei looked up at the ceiling.
"Our forces are too weak for him to want to join us."
"Th-that...!"
"Haha. No need to worry. Things will change. Let's tuck today's events away in our hearts for some minor revenge later. Who knows? Someday I might be enfeoffed as a king. We'll see what he says then."
Liu Bei's eyes were serious.
"After I've unified the realm and call him to office, won't it be fun to hear what he says? Heh heh."