A Secret Meeting to Make the Illuminati Fret and Freemasons Panic - 4
I have to answer.
"May I ask what business the general has in seeking out this girl?"
I was in a private audience with Liu Bei.
The sun had long set, stars twinkling in the sky, and the armored man before me slowly lit the candles scattered around the room before opening his mouth.
"I sought the lady to meet with Kongming. To hear his plans for quelling the chaos and righting this turbulent realm."
"Then why not meet him directly, instead of holding audience with a mere girl like me?"
"Master Sima Hui told me that Kongming cherishes a certain child greatly—that child being you, Lady Soyoung—and that if I could win your heart, Kongming would surely follow suit."
Liu Bei was utterly sincere.
Nothing but earnest gravity.
Pure, and desperately so.
Yet to me, he looked like nothing more than a poisoned chalice.
My father served under him, and if Uncle Kongming got tangled up with Liu Bei, his life would be one of endless hardship.
The situation was tangled, but my resolve was firm.
From the start, I had no intention of letting Uncle Kongming serve Liu Bei unconditionally.
I had to block this shining man's path forward.
I had to speak.
"How can the general judge a person's worth on rumors alone? I can't even begin to imagine."
"Master Sima Hui taught me that I lack men skilled in letters to manage the realm's affairs, and that even one of Wolong or Fengchu would suffice to rule all under heaven."
"The general seems to be under a grave misunderstanding. Jingzhou is a place where rumors swell like tumors. Wolong Teacher secluded himself out of shame—how can you declare those two the realm's prodigies?"
Liu Bei widened his eyes and stared straight through me.
"I understand the lady's intent well enough. But as one who bears the blood of the imperial house, I must revive the Han. With no way to soothe my longing, I sought your noble face to calm my heart."
"The general shows me excessive courtesy. Please speak freely, without such formality."
"If that's the lady's wish, so be it. My poor words fail me—I know not how to sway your heart."
Liu Bei was excessively humble.
We'd barely exchanged a few words, yet it was hard to hate him.
Everything about him rang true, with no hidden guile, exuding an aura that moved hearts.
"I grasp the general's noble intent, but my heart cannot be swayed."
"How can you say that?"
"Because private affections and loyalties will one day bring your ruin. You treat this mere child with such utmost courtesy, and in gratitude, I speak plainly—there's not a shred of falsehood here."
Liu Bei's expression didn't shift; he merely gazed steadily.
"Your words ring true, lady. Yet I hold benevolence and righteousness like a lantern in my heart—I can bear that ruin. To lose them is to forsake humanity itself. If reviving the Han and filling the hungry bellies of the people means embracing destruction, why should I fear it?"
"You're misunderstanding me, general. If your sworn brothers fell to Cao Cao or Sun Quan, could you truly contain your fury?"
"You bastard!!!"
Liu Bei drew his sword.
"...And since you cannot contain that fury, the general cannot sway my heart."
The fierce glint in Liu Bei's eyes gradually subsided, crumbling into ruins, then pooling into a serene lake.
"I am a fool, lady. If such a thing came to pass, I'd go mad. They are my life and soul—how could I bear their deaths silently?"
"That is the general's greatest weakness."
"Then how might I avoid such calamity? My heart is in turmoil beyond words."
Liu Bei struggled to maintain a stoic face.
He looked like a man standing on the brink of suicide.
In other words, I felt like the murderer.
The strategist in my heart wore a tragic expression.
"Why not set aside the grand cause? I can't understand why you choose such a thorny path."
"Why do tears fall from the lady's eyes?"
"I'm just a crybaby. Can't you... just let it all go?"
Liu Bei took several deep breaths, then spoke as if unperturbed.
"My foolishness is why I fail to win hearts, unable to sway even yours. Meeting you today is truly my fortune."
"Worst possible outcome. You shouldn't have come to see me. Why has the general, who ought to be in Xinyang, come all this way?"
Liu Bei blinked his conflicted eyes and forced a calm smile.
"I shouldn't say, but I'll tell you, lady. My elder brother, Lord Liu Biao, consulted me on the succession. I said the eldest son, Liu Qi, should inherit, and Lord Liu Biao agreed—but Lady Cai thinks otherwise. He asked me to act as guardian for his sons."
Liu Bei didn't seem to be lying.
This man usually lied at predictable moments anyway.
"Why tell this to me?"
"Because I failed to sway you and lost my temper in disgrace. Might I seek your guidance, lady?"
"From me?"
"If this Liu Bei wishes to revive the Han and bring peace to the people, can you tell me how?"
I drew a firm line.
"My shallow insight cannot provide the general a satisfying answer."
"Then to whom should I make this plea to find one?"
"General, even after my harsh words, why do you persist in trying to sway me?"
Liu Bei brushed back his disheveled hair.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes from overwork in military affairs.
"I've wandered the world for over thirty years, lacking talent to settle anywhere. In seeking guidance across the land, no one ever wept for me. Is that not reason enough?"
"I'm not yet ten, so I can't control my emotions well. With no experience, I dare not offer the general advice, and these tears stem from that alone."
"I know. I was at a loss how to treat you, so young. But conversing with you, gauging your intent—how could I not heed it?"
I took up my teacup and drained it.
Empty in three gulps.
"I cannot fathom the general's intent, but I beg you to abandon the grand cause. Your forces are feeble, your enemies ever stronger—how will you navigate this chaos?"
"Even if my path is thorns, halting now would be slaying the thousands who trust me with my own hands. I have no choice but to press on with greater vigor."
The strategist in my heart sealed my lips.
'The general will rage at his brothers' deaths and doom the state—abandon your ambitions.'
A silhouette flickered in the candlelight.
With a rustle, a man intruded on our secret meeting.
He held a white feather fan, his face serene as an immortal without a care.
"I am the scholar Kongming. It seems my daughter has greatly offended you, general—I apologize."
"Kongming!"
Liu Bei's face lit up.
Mine crumpled. I stared at Uncle Kongming, clueless.
"Why has Master Kongming come to Sima Hui's abode?"
"The hour for returning home passed long ago, with no word—I grew worried."
Uncle Kongming pulled back the chair I'd been sitting in.
He lifted me, sat down, and placed me on his knee.
"Did my daughter please you, general?"
"Her vessel belies her ten years—how could I not listen? Seeing how Wolong cherishes her, I see she must emulate her father in diligence."
"I treasure this child. That's why she sits here facing you now."
My face burned.
"Today is truly blessed. Your great name echoes through every corner of Jingzhou—my longing knows no bounds. Grant me your guidance."
Liu Bei remained utterly sincere.
He treated Uncle Kongming with the same courtesy as me.
"First, allow me a question, general."
The strategist's grave expression sharpened his counsel.
"Jingzhou is bounded north by the river, south by the sea, west touching Shu, east Wu. Its master lies ill, unable to rule—do you intend to seize it?"
Liu Bei pondered long before replying.
"My elder brother treats me as kin and elevates me—how could I betray that? I cannot."
Liu Bei sighed.
Uncle Kongming met his stoicism with stoicism.
Like prophesying the future, he stated the obvious as counsel.
"I sent a letter to Governor Liu Qi of Jiangxia. This child is my foster daughter, her father serves under you—a fierce man who fought alongside Yuan Shao. You know full well the eldest must inherit after Lord Liu Biao's passing, do you not?"
"My foolishness grasps only the shadow of your words, master."
"Seize Jingzhou, general. Lady Cai's tyranny worsens by the day—this is heaven's will for you to take it. I've arranged a private meeting between you and Liu Qi."
"I dare not even guess your intent, master."
The feather fan stirred a breeze, tousling my hair.
"Seize Jingzhou, and you will achieve great things. Do you harbor such intent? If you do, this Kongming will light the path."
The strategist's foresight laid the stones, drawing the tiger's mouth—and Liu Bei, in checkmate, pondered deeply.
The strategist instructed.
Place a stone.
Link Xinyang's stone to Jingzhou.
"Lord Liu Biao named you successor to his sons—follow his will, seize Jingzhou with Liu Qi. Use it as a base to take Yizhou and Hanzhong, ally with Wu, oppose Cao Cao, embrace the Qiang tribes in the west, pacify the southern barbarians—and your great cause is assured."
Liu Bei shook his head.
"No."
The strategist pressed.
With utter conviction, he bore down on Liu Bei.
"You must, general. We've confirmed Cai Mo's secret dealings with Cao Cao, spies rampant—Liu Zong will commit great filial impiety. Fail to right the root, and you shirk duty; unification remains but a dream."
Liu Bei remained impassive, but an enigmatic light flickered in his eyes.
"Then... I'll meet with Liu Qi."
The strategist softened, a faint smile breaking through.
"You're his uncle—speak freely with him. Lord Liu Biao is suspicious and distrusts you greatly—be wary."
In the suffocating tension, I slowly regained my composure.
I watched the endless sparks of their stratagems clash.
Fires kindling and dying, like the earth gaining life—Liu Bei's eyes gradually regained their spark.
"General, put on a divine act. I considered visiting you but hesitated. Yet with Cai Mo scheming to yield Jingzhou to Cao Cao, how can I let this land my wife's clan has ruled slip away so easily?"
"......"
"General! You can achieve greatness. I've already aligned the words. Move, and Liu Qi will see you as benefactor. Seize Jingzhou. Plan for the future."
Liu Bei's impassivity slowly regained color. Rosy cheeks, a faint smile dawning.
"I shall follow Master Kongming's will."
Was the answer surprisingly simple?
'You can do it. No need to hesitate.'
Maybe that's all Liu Bei wanted to hear.
"Just don't run away... and it'll be fine."
Liu Bei shot me a glare.
"How can the lady say such a thing?"
Gasp. Tension released, and words slipped out unbidden.
Uncle Kongming gripped my shoulder firmly and brushed back his hair.
"She's still a child, so she's troubled you, general. I'll discipline her—as her father, I apologize."
The two began chatting idly.
Something about Yizhou's vast lands...
"So it ended up like this after all."
Interrupting the adults drew their gazes to me.
The plan went awry. Uncle Kongming ad-libbed right into my script.
Saying "I knew it'd end this way" feels too hindsight, doesn't it?
'History flows its natural course.'
As that thought crystallized, a butterfly appeared in my heart.
Frantically flapping, urging me into the storm.
"General, value Master Kongming highly. May I also offer counsel on your path forward?"
The two laughed. Not mocking.
"Have I won the lady's heart?"
"No. But... maybe a little."
Time to rewrite the script for Liu Bei. Make him command the world.
I knew it all along. Long before, my heart had been telling me to help this man—I just lacked faith.