A Small Snowball Triggers an Avalanche - 2
"I figured since Brother called us, it must be something big..."
Guan Yu trailed off as he looked at me.
A man with a beard so long they called him the "Beautiful Beard Duke."
And huge—like, ridiculously tall.
The two of them exchanged silent nods with Zhao Yun.
"I'm Chen Soyoung, daughter of Kongming. It's an honor to meet you generals."
Zhang Fei started scratching his head awkwardly.
"The kid's sharp, alright. That Xu Shu guy..."
"You heard that, huh?"
"With all that racket, how could I not?"
Zhang Fei.
Doesn't look it, but he really likes scholars.
Put simply, he's a guy who loves smart people.
"So, miss, what brings you to see this old soldier?"
If there's "strong against the strong, weak against the weak," that's him.
The story of him escorting Lady Cai and Lady Mi back to Liu Bei is famous.
They say he treated them with utmost care, so he's being gentle with me—someone with two "weak" traits.
If I'd been some bigshot like Lü Bu, he'd be picking fights with every word out of my mouth.
"I asked to see you generals for one reason. It's a scheme of mine concerning the greater cause—one you all need to hear. Will you listen?"
Liu Bei glanced around, then encouraged me.
"Speak freely. I know my girl here is clever."
A man with soft charisma.
But the toughest type to persuade.
"You three generals must undertake great tasks. Have you heard from Master Kongming about the Wuzhang Forces?"
Liu Bei shifted in his seat and nodded knowingly.
"Wuzhang Forces? If it's about the Three Kingdoms Division, I've heard. That's why I trust and rely on Kongming."
Liu Bei still used formal speech throughout. Pure curiosity made me ask,
"Do the other generals know as well?"
Zhang Fei answered.
"That pale-faced scholar? Xu Shu said if he's a firefly, Kongming's the full moon, so I've been keeping an eye out. Dude's got no eye for people. Tsk."
Seriously, Xu Shu's nickname.
Yeah, Uncle Kongming hasn't made his mark yet.
"To the point: For Master Kongming's Three Kingdoms Division, Lord Liu Bei must seize Jingzhou."
Guan Yu spoke gently.
"Miss, if that's why you called us, military duties await. We'll be going. Brother decides, and we follow."
"You two need to hear this. If even one of you three here dies, the Three Kingdoms Division crumbles."
The mood sank in an instant.
In the heavy silence, Guan Yu cleared his throat.
"Miss, mind your words. Be grateful my Green Dragon Crescent Blade doesn't cut women or children."
"I understand Lord Guan's feelings a hundredfold. But my intent in saying this lies elsewhere. When we spoke before, didn't General Liu Bei say he'd gladly accept ruin? Is that truly so?"
My gaze was fixed not on Guan Yu, but Liu Bei.
Liu Bei replied crystal clear.
"I cannot bear it."
I nodded as if I understood.
"Then let me explain why Lord Liu Bei must abandon Xinyang and take Jingzhou. Xinyang is too close to Xu Chang—Cao Cao will see troops here as a provocation."
"True. From what Kongming told me, Lord Liu Biao placed me here for that reason, and I know it well."
"Knowing that, you still hesitate? Lord Liu Bei, you're the supreme commander here before you're a Han imperial descendant. You know your decisions alone move everyone."
Zhang Fei, who'd been listening silently, snapped irritably.
"Spit it out, kid!"
I looked calmly at Zhang Fei and said,
"For you two to survive, seize Jingzhou now. This is the only chance."
Zhang Fei and Guan Yu looked uncomfortable.
Zhao Yun gripped his spear and stepped forward protectively.
I pressed on regardless.
"I beg you, stake your lives: If Liu Qi raises troops, respond. Lord Liu Bei's benevolence must not shatter here."
I love happy endings.
What's the point of a sad one?
If the first button's wrong, Shu Han heads straight to a bad end.
Following my gut, I calmly continued my plea.
"General, you can take Jingzhou without a single battle. Is it loyalty to Lord Liu Biao? Then you must accept this."
Casually tossed out. Tense as hell, but playing it cool. Keep dragging it out till they give in. Lay out all my info, state my position.
"Liu Zong will offer Jingzhou to Cao Cao. Cai Mao's colluding with him. What of Zhang Lu? He surrendered with Jia Xu. General, you have two paths: surrender to Cao Cao or take Jingzhou."
And that was the mic drop.
"Do you think yielding Xinyang is bowing to Cao Cao? I stake my life to beg: Fulfill the greater cause."
Liu Bei remained expressionless.
Same words. Again. Again. Again. I'm about to lose it.
I'm pissed. At my rhetoric sucking this bad. At being too weak to sway this iron man.
"I cannot give a firm answer, miss."
His blank face was starting to scare me now.
Were my words even worth anything?
"Will you two just follow Lord Liu Bei's lead?"
They nodded without a word. I tried pulling them in to pressure Liu Bei. But they're not biting my pace—can't persuade with words. Fine... drag it out.
"If that's your will, I won't force it. But Lord Liu Bei, you must ponder deeply."
No point pushing more; it'd just hurt my mouth. This isn't over. Opportunity will come. Last, my personal request, then bow out.
"I think that's enough. Girl has one more favor to ask."
Liu Bei, who'd been dead serious, switched casually.
"Speak, miss. Want something?"
"I'd like to meet Mi Zhu."
Liu Bei looked purely curious.
"Why him?"
"I've been granted Soyang as acting magistrate temporarily—to prepare it."
"I told my girl to inspect it. Related?"
"Yes. Didn't Lord Liu Bei command me to govern that land you suffered in?"
Liu Bei brightened with a smile.
"You're really going to govern that place?"
"It's an order. That's why I came all this way."
Impressed by my answer, Liu Bei seemed thoughtful.
"I see your resolve runs deeper than I thought, miss."
Guan Yu, who'd been quiet, cut in.
"Brother, shall we arrange it?"
"That was my plan. Your words don't ring hollow."
???
Unaware of my confusion, Liu Bei swiftly changed topics.
"Want to meet Mi Zhu? I'll make the meeting."
"Arrange it how?"
"I have my thoughts too. Stay out of it, miss."
Liu Bei seemed scheming.
"Enough of that. How's management there?"
Cutting me off abruptly, Liu Bei grabbed a bamboo slip from the tent table piled high with them. A quick peek: terrain maps of Jingzhou area.
I didn't catch his intent but got he wanted to dodge.
"Didn't Lord Liu Bei entrust the land's management to me? Don't you know the situation?"
"True. But I didn't expect such seriousness. I was just thinking your heart is truly beautiful."
Zhang Fei slapped my shoulder roughly.
"All that talk after calling us? Total letdown. Hey, you little brat—guessing Brother's mind on your own?"
"No firm answer."
Liu Bei stopped Zhang Fei, looking at me worriedly.
"Yide's hot-tempered but chivalrous—not threatening you. Asking why no firm answer?"
I answered honestly.
"Yes. No progress—I'm anxious."
"Deciding means taking responsibility. I've learned from experience not to flap my mouth lightly when above others."
"I don't get it. My words..."
Liu Bei cut me off firmly.
"Enough, miss. Take good care of that fierce oath. I'll arrange with Mi Zhu separately—go now."
...Totally dragged into Liu Bei's pace.
I turned to leave silently when a frantic soldier burst in.
"Urgent dispatch from Wan! Cao Cao's raised troops! General: Cao Ren! Heading here—to Xinyang!"
Liu Bei startled, asked back.
"That's truly so?"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked grave and dashed out.
...Huh?
War's broken out?
At the same moment, another soldier rushed in, bowing low.
"Urgent dispatch! Cao Cao's raised troops from Xu Chang! General: Xiahou Dun! Heading to Xinyang!"
...What?
No Xu Shu to scheme...?
As Liu Bei floundered, my mind went blank too.
"That sly fox finally moved! Gather everyone, quick!"
The messenger trembled, shouting,
"Yes, sir!!!"