All Great Things Truly Begin with Conversation - 1
Guo Jia spat once and crossed his legs as he sat down without permission. It wasn't a pretty sight. But more than that—Guo Jia? Rather than wondering why someone who was supposed to be dead was here, it seemed more likely that this was some impostor using his name.
Of course, that brazen attitude suggested it really was Guo Jia.
"Hah! I heard Shu Han was so short on talent they even used the sick and elderly, and it turns out it's true! Rumors really can't be trusted, can they?"
My team of four had been receiving Guo Jia in my absence.
Shi Dao responded to Guo Jia's mockery.
"Even as an envoy, you must observe proper etiquette."
"I came intending to do so, but seeing this mess, there's no call for etiquette. What kind of disgrace is this?"
Two children and three unfamiliar pale-faced scholars standing around blankly—maybe that irritated Guo Jia.
We were all raw and unpolished, no makeup or anything. We'd been pulling all-nighters until yesterday, after all.
"I'm Chen Soyoung, daughter of the Military Strategist of the Chancellor and Left General's offices. Why have you come here to spit, sir?"
Guo Jia looked down at me with interest.
"Ha... haha! This defies imagination! You're the one running this county? That's ridiculous. Stick to believable stories."
"If you won't believe it, then leave. I'm already sick of watching your antics."
"How could a sparrow comprehend a phoenix's ambitions? Grow a bit, and I'll teach you a thing or two."
Choi Jupyeong burst out laughing. "A phoenix? Wow! A phoenix has deigned to visit this humble backwater!"
"What does a chicken-head know? Hurry up and bring the drinks. Don't you see a noble envoy has arrived?"
Zhao Yun smoothly interjected. "Enough from both sides. So, what brings you here?"
Guo Jia wiped the petty expression off his face and eyed Zhao Yun. "At least one sane person. You're in charge here, right?"
"No. The young lady seated at the head is our commander."
Guo Jia couldn't hide his bewilderment.
He looked up at the sky, then down at the ground, muttering to himself repeatedly.
"Give me a moment to collect my wits. This doesn't make sense. Fine, the commander's whatever, but having just five people handle official business is laughable insanity. No wonder the road here was full of nothing but beggars."
Seeing his attitude, I was convinced he was a fake.
So I said it straight. "You're impersonating Guo Jia, aren't you?"
"Wh-what? What nonsense is this? I'll show you proof that I'm an official envoy. Believe me now?"
"How does this prove you're the real Guo Jia? It doesn't match the reputation I know."
"Reputation...? Pure curiosity—tell me, what is this Guo Jia's reputation?"
"A man of integrity and excellence. Not some thug like you."
"What a pathetic reputation. You seem like you're from some frontier village... If that thug in your mind is Guo Jia, and this unprecedented situation is new to me, just wait a bit."
Guo Jia changed the subject.
No, this impostor didn't even realize he'd been caught and kept brazenly playing Guo Jia.
Fine, whatever.
I gestured to Zhao Yun. "He looks flushed and out of his mind, so lock him up until he calms down, then we'll talk."
"What? Out of my mind? I'm an envoy..."
I cut him off irritably. "Drag him out. I'm going crazy here. We already have a backlog of work, and now this false report makes people come and go? Unbelievable."
"What have you been saying? False report? You think I'm not a real envoy?"
"Then how am I supposed to believe you're legit? Starting with fake letters from your side—you're already a criminal."
Without mincing words, I looked at Zhao Yun rationally. "Throw this shameless Guo Jia impersonator in jail. We'll talk when he's sane again. No food or water."
Zhao Yun nodded. "Understood."
Guo Jia jumped in shock. "Wait! This is a huge mistake. I came risking my life on the Chancellor's orders, and you repay kindness with ingratitude? I'm here to bestow favors upon you!"
"I'm the one bestowing favors right now. Without me, your head would be rolling. Not content with impersonating someone, you cause a scene in an official office?"
"Wait! Let me get to the point."
"Don't wanna hear it. Later."
As soon as I finished, Zhao Yun's guards wrapped Guo Jia in ropes and dragged him away.
Serves you right for not speaking nicely.
The real Guo Jia wouldn't come to me—he'd go to Liu Bei.
What nonsense.
...Now what? We've locked up Guo Jia.
*
Detaining an envoy—what insolence! Guo Fengxiao of the realm, thrown in jail!
He had staked his life on this mission.
But pulling this stunt means both sides put their necks on the block, right?
Assume this girl really runs the entire county.
The moment Liu Bei hears we've detained his envoy, won't she have to forfeit her life too?
What kind of farce is this?
Everyone values their life.
No exceptions—that's human nature.
Thus, two hypotheses emerge.
First: This is Liu Bei's ploy. They lock me up to gauge the Chancellor's reaction.
Whether he rages or woos, they hold my person either way.
Second: This is truly the girl's doing. She doesn't recognize me as an envoy or is immature enough to judge wrongly.
If the second, it's a real headache. How do you persuade someone unreasonable? How do you extract a scheme to take Jingzhou from them?
"Hey! At least wet my throat!"
"The county magistrate ordered absolutely no provisions."
Damn it.
Dry me out to force a favorable talk? Think I'll bend to this?
*
Our team gathered in the meeting hall to discuss this grave matter.
Guo Jia's arrival spelled danger in multiple ways.
"Honestly? I have no clue what their intentions are."
Actually, I did. Surrender demand or peace proposal—those two.
Meng Jian spoke first, as if he had something to say. "He must have a reason for walking into the tiger's den."
Shi Dao replied. "That's why we're debating his intent now. What do you think, young lady?"
"My guess is surrender demand or peace talks. Given his arrogant attitude, I leaned toward the former and had him detained."
Ma Su said, "But, sister. Since ancient times, laying hands on an envoy is an unbreakable taboo."
"Right. That's why I didn't chop his head off? We're offering him a nice warm bed—tell him not to refuse."
My words must've impressed them; all four looked at me with admiring eyes.
Choi Jupyeong retracted his gaze and spoke. "I thought I was hot-tempered, but you take the cake. If you have a plan, spill it. I'll brainstorm with you."
"I don't?"
"...?"
"No, he's just rude. Spitting inside? Even an envoy should act human for a conversation, right? Whether we talk or not. Wei's doing well, so they slither here acting like this."
No one responded to my perfectly reasonable point.
"Conversation comes after. Starve him a day or two, and his tune will change."
Shi Dao was horrified. "No, young lady! How can you treat an envoy like that? History shows it only leads to disaster!"
"Sound advice. Then just one day without food."
Perfect.
We agreed to starve him a day and talk after.
*
"Water first."
Guo Jia gulped it down.
Thirst must've been killing him—he drank like a hippo at a trough.
"Now I can breathe. I acted rashly and childishly, so forgive my earlier rudeness?"
His attitude had softened. Judging him ready to talk, I played it cool first.
"I heard you wanted to get to the point earlier. Why come to this land instead of Yangyang?"
"...Earlier?"
"Oh? Wasn't it just before?"
"...Let's say so."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because this is the foremost outpost near the capital. So, I come to advise you."
"Advise?"
Guo Jia's expression turned grave.
"Don't you wish to rise in the world, Vice Minister? The Chancellor greatly rewards surrenders and punishes resisters without fail. That's why I'm here."
For someone as high as Guo Jia to personally urge surrender, they must really want this land.
Not knowing his scheme yet, I figured I'd hear him out.
"Suppose I surrender. What can Cao Cao offer me?"
"Two thousand dan of grain annually in salary, a higher office, and full support to let you rule this land for generations."
Amazed at the generous terms, I said, "Wow. What a lousy offer."
Guo Jia's face twisted.
"Then what do you want for surrendering? Considering your subordinates too, there's no better deal."
I looked him in the eye and declared boldly. "Things must be rough in Wei. For a magnanimous soul who calls himself a phoenix to come personally, there must be some scheme afoot."
Guo Jia replied coolly. "Exactly. That's why I'm here. Shall I tell you the eight reasons Shu is doomed and the eight why Wei will triumph?"