Into the Fog of the Yangtze - 3
“Urgent report!”
I swallowed hard and stared at the messenger.
The word urgent immediately conjures up the worst possibilities—like an enemy invasion.
The shift from routine phrases like “I report” or “Do you have orders?” to “urgent report” brings a tension that's hard to describe.
“Lord Liu Qi in Macheng has summoned Lady Strategist! He insists on seeing you in person!”
“Phew.”
I let out a sigh of relief, stroking my chest.
“I was planning to head to Jiangxia anyway, so tell him I'll go.”
“Yes, sir!”
It had been a while since I left the office and boarded the carriage.
Soyang had changed dramatically from its barren, African-village-like wasteland.
The rickety wooden buildings were now just sturdy wooden ones. Crowds thronged the streets, rivaling Yangyang's markets, and the occasional sound of scholars reciting classics drifted through the air. It was a proper little city now.
“Why do you think people are flocking to Soyang?”
Zhao Yun answered my question with firm conviction.
“It must be Lady Strategist's wise governance that has won the people's hearts.”
Wise governance? I hadn't majored in politics or anything. I'd just introduced some democratic, capitalist rules.
Pretty much repackaged multi-level marketing to sound noble.
“We can't have unemployment, so I just helped people find work. That's all.”
“And that, I believe, is wise governance.”
Zhao Yun launched into a speech comparing the corruption of the old officials in Shangshan to Soyang's administration, but it didn't really hit home for me.
Sure, those officials were corrupt, but hadn't my boss Liu Bei showered them with bribes for political gain after quelling the Yellow Turbans?
Maybe it felt that way because my management style clashed with the era's norms.
“I wonder why Lord Liu Qi wants to see me.”
That was the real issue. Why had Liu Qi summoned me—urgently?
Zhao Yun's expression suggested he knew something, so I tossed it out casually.
I felt anxious being the only one taking it seriously.
“Probably something military-related. Lord Liu Qi, in the midst of his three-year mourning, wouldn't summon you without cause.”
“Military matters...”
Things could get messy.
Liu Qi had no reason to call me out of the blue. He was deep in mourning, detached from politics and military affairs.
That explained the urgency. But I'd been theorizing about this for a year, prepared for any scenario.
“Soyang's roles are well-divided anyway, so shall we head out worry-free?”
“Indeed.”
The coachman's name—Inma? I bowed my head politely in greeting.
“It's been a while. Take good care of us.”
“I'll get you there safely!”
The carriage rolled off.
Macheng was as quiet as a snowy winter day.
No human sounds at all—it felt eerily still. With the city lord in mourning, the people were showing respect by keeping a low profile.
I entered Macheng and was guided inside.
“Gan Ning here, also known as Hong Pai. I'll escort Lady Strategist.”
“Gan Ning?”
His sharp, triangular face fit the name perfectly. Carrying his sword sheath on his back looked a bit comical, but there was probably a reason for it.
“Is my name unusual? I've served Lord Liu Qi ever since he took me in. Please, come inside.”
...Well, yeah.
Since Huang Zu and Sun Quan never clashed in Jiangxia, Gan Ning must have stayed loyal to Liu Qi.
The Wu generals from Jiangxia I knew were Gan Ning and Zhou Tai.
I signaled Zhao Yun to wait and asked Gan Ning, “What should I call you?”
“Gan Ning is fine.”
No long-winded titles—he seemed straightforward, hating pretense.
So I went straight to the point.
“Do you know why Lord Liu Qi wants to see me?”
“You'll have to go inside first.”
Gan Ning didn't elaborate, but led me into Macheng. The vast open space reminded me of a cozy Western house.
“My daughter!”
Lady Huang Yueying, who had been standing sternly beside Kongming, rushed over and stroked my hair.
Pet, pet, pat-pat.
I felt embarrassed for a split second, but Zhuge Liang's presence here meant one of my predictions had come true. I remembered once suggesting to Liu Bei that he send Zhuge Liang and me to Wu for friendly ties.
The situation was clarifying.
But I had to ask.
“What's going on?”
“Ahem, something important. Shall we catch up first?”
“Pass.”
Huang Yueying was as beautiful as ever, even after so long.
If only she'd tone down the affection.
“My daughter is so cold! Like an ice princess!”
What do I do? This is mortifying—I wanna die.
“Enough, my lady. The situation is urgent; she needs to know.”
Kongming cut in perfectly timed.
His speech about separating public and private had nearly moved me to tears before. Please, seriously.
“The urgency must be why you came all this way too, sir.”
“You distinguish public from private well. Correct. May I get to the point?”
“Please do.”
I had one prediction.
And it hit the mark perfectly.
“You must come with me to Jianye. Intelligence says Cao Cao is raising 800,000 troops aimed at Wu—fire's at our feet.”
I'd foreseen this a year ago.
With slippers on those feet, 800,000 troops weren't such a big deal.
“But why Jianye specifically?”
This was odd.
I held my breath for Kongming's answer.
“We must persuade Sun Quan not to surrender. Cao Cao's 800,000 is bluff—likely under 200,000. Wu's 50,000 can hold if they focus on defense.”
Red Cliffs? Zhuge Liang was laying the first stitch.
“How's the discussion going?”
A man in white mourning robes approached.
He grabbed my hand suddenly, grinning like an old friend. Smiling in mourning garb felt off-putting.
“Without your scheme, I wouldn't be here. I told my uncle I'd introduce Lady Strategist separately, but here we are.”
Liu Qi bowed deeply.
“Thank you again.”
“No need. What did I even do? The Cai family self-destructed; I did nothing.”
“Too modest. Shall we continue military matters? Where were we?”
This was Liu Qi, pivoting quickly but genuinely grateful.
He looked haggard from poor eating during mourning, but his eyes burned bright.
“I'll assign my favorite, Gan Ning. Uncle's orders: go to Jianye.”
Wu's capital was Jianye.
“Your uncle... Lord Liu Bei issued this order?”
“Yes. Military Strategist advised it; Xu Shu agreed. Some Jingzhou forces will stabilize chaotic Yizhou and advance to Chengdu. After much deliberation, uncle decided a direct meeting with Liu Zhang is needed.”
Liu Bei had made a big decision.
Moving troops—but only some.
“Why would Lord Liu Bei decide that? I don't get it.”
Liu Bei's nature felt conservative to me.
...Ah. That's why. With Cao Cao's invasion of Wu confirmed.
“It's clear now. Please continue.”
As I calmed, Kongming, who had been silent, sipped tea and eyed me.
“Xu Shu and I persuaded Lord Liu Bei. The Emperor commanded it—following imperial law, he can revive the Han.”
???
“...That makes sense?”
“Why wouldn't it?”
The emperor's confined; he can't issue commands.
Kongming straightened up.
“Yu Yin was trusted by the Emperor. He secretly contacted him to restore the Han. But after his father died, Liu Zhang betrayed that duty. That's the justification—Lord Liu Bei mobilized.”
Was it?
Isn't this just copy-pasting my old advice...?
“The Emperor's confined. How was the command delivered?”
Yeah, that's the weirdest part.
“Strange that Emperor Xian allied with bandits. No known leader, just underlings loyal to a shadow. Even Cao Cao's desperate to find the mastermind.”
...Ah?
I'll take Zhang Lian's the leader to my grave.
“I see. So we go to Jianye?”
“We couldn't trust the bandits fully, but used it as pretext to convince Lord Liu Bei. While he and Xu Shu pacify Shu, you and I meet Sun Quan in Jianye.”
Huang Yueying crept up behind me cautiously.
“Mother's coming too—no worries. Ahem.”
That worries me more.
“Got it. To sum up: Cao Cao's mobilizing, Sun Quan's debating fight or surrender.”
Why Cao Cao, failing to take Jingzhou, was forcing a Red Cliffs-like battle.
Realpolitik.
Sure-win strategy, ignoring Shu to declare war on Wu.
I thought of Guo Jia, then suggested one possibility.
“Maybe Cao Cao's moving assuming we'll attack Shu. He never gambles.”
Clues in Jianye?
Why's Lady Yueying tagging along?
Gan Ning and Zhao Yun as escorts—Jianye that dangerous?
Kongming's face was serene, belittling my worries.
“Prepare and leave tomorrow. Rest well today—or shall we catch up?”
“I'll rest. Good night.”
I bolted.
Well then...
We sailed for days—I lost track.
Seasickness hit hard; I wasn't used to it.
As everyone suffered, Gan Ning thrived like a fish in water, checking on folks. Proudly admitting past piracy made me wonder what kind of guy he was.
Is piracy a proud profession in late Han?
Arriving in Jianye, greeters awaited. Kongming couldn't hide his joy.
“Brother!”
“Kongming! Long journey.”
It was Zhuge Jin.
After quick greetings, they dove into business—true brothers.
Lagging behind, I caught the eye of a man with Zhuge Jin, who spoke amiably.
“Heard much about you. Lord Liu Bei values you highly, but you're smaller than expected.”
“Hello. May I have your name?”
“Lu Su. I'll guide you.”
Lu Su didn't seem old.
He led us to a grand residence. Gilded beams hinted at the occupant's status.
“Cough, cough—welcome. Regret introducing from my sickbed. Call me Zhou Yu.”
Zhou Yu lay ill, coughing blood. Words came haltingly.
“This is my sworn brother.”
Cough, cough—
His coughs sounded agonizing, like a dying man's death rattles. It hurt to listen.
“Lu Meng. That sick friend there? World's top genius, despite looks.”