2 vs. All - 2: The Banquet Debate Ignites
The banquet's atmosphere was ripening into something tense.
"I'm Bozel. Aren't you here just to use our Eastern Wu as a shield against Cao Cao's arrows?"
Uncle Gongming dismissed it curtly.
"That's not something for someone who's already scared stiff of Cao Cao to say."
It felt like we were tightrope-walking over thin ice, blades at each other's throats.
"Then let me ask your young lady. Why should our Eastern Wu stand against Cao Cao?"
The backlash came right back at me.
Uncle Gongming chuckled at the sight.
"Heh... Now you're turning the arrows on her? From the mouth that brought up 'arrow shield'? I'm just floored."
I denied it smoothly.
"No, Lord Bozel. You look past my youth and gender, judging only by results—you're thoughtful and sharp. For such a man to humble himself and ask me? The picture of a true gentleman."
Bozel looked displeased, setting down his teacup mid-sip.
"Humble myself? You think you're that great?"
No, I'm not some big deal.
"See? You're just too modest to admit it, but you praise my abilities highly enough."
"That's not what I meant! I was just probing your intentions!"
I felt genuinely sorry for him.
"A true scholar of Wu, never losing the humility to learn... how did you end up advocating surrender? It's tragic."
Bozel's face twisted in fury, like he was half-ready to explode. But this was a formal occasion, so he held back.
"I'm Seol Jong. Then, young lady, what do you think of that Cao Cao fellow?"
Seol Jong stepped in to pinch-hit for Bozel.
"Cao Cao's a traitor. He's imprisoned the Emperor and schemes only to make himself emperor."
"Cao Cao already holds hegemony over the land, with countless people begging to serve under him. Doesn't that mean Heaven itself bids him unify the realm?"
Uncle Gongming flew into a sudden rage at that.
"You scoundrel! How dare you spout such nonsense? A servant of Han, failing in loyalty and filial piety—how can you claim to uphold a minister's duty? You bend the knee to a traitor just to save your own skin?"
Instead of rebuking us, the four of them were getting dressed down. Finally, unable to stand it, one man spoke up quietly.
"Cao Cao's a descendant of Cao Shen, born to nobility. Liu Bei? Just a mat-weaver wandering about. Why should our Eastern Wu ally with the likes of him against Cao Cao?"
"Who are you to spout such drivel?"
"I'm Yuk Jeok, and I don't see it as drivel. Why do you nitpick words like that? Hilarious."
The other pro-surrender officials nodded in agreement.
Uncle Gongming brushed it off casually.
"Cao Cao's lineage may be noble, but he's still a servant of Han. Our lord is true imperial blood, acknowledged as Imperial Uncle by the current Emperor. Shouldn't you speak with facts straight?"
I chimed in.
"Arguing birthright is foolish, isn't it? Look at Gongsun Zan—wrote essays cursing Yuan Shao and ended up ruined. Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang started in a peasant village and founded Han. So what if our lord wove a few mats?"
Then one man raised his hand quietly.
"I'm Eom Jun. Young lady, you don't seem to have read the classics much, so let me ask: which scriptures did you study to act so learned?"
"Sigh..."
As I sighed, Eom Jun's eyebrow twitched up.
"I hate rotten scholars most in this world—the empty pedants who swap flattery with no substance. All show, no real worth."
I followed up sharply. "Did Taigong Wang study the classics? Did Zhang Liang? Geez, unbelievable."
One man snorted.
"You speak fluently enough, but without proper learning, it's all hot air. That's what they mean by 'no substance.' I worry you'll just laugh it off."
Uncle Gongming answered for me.
"Here's someone who can't even distinguish petty men from gentlemen. The gentleman upholds righteousness, filial piety, loyalty, and sets the nation's foundation straight. The petty man buries himself in books like a worm, fretting only for his safety—reciting scriptures by rote, then urging surrender when the country needs him most."
I backed him up.
"No point debating them, sir. How can Wu's finest scholars spout such nonsense?"
"Indeed. Your point is spot on, a hundred times over."
Screeech!
Someone kicked open the banquet hall doors.
I recognized the old warrior at a glance. Huang Gai, Wu's top merit vassal, no doubt.
"What a joke. Inviting guests for pointless squabbles like this? My apologies. Let's move somewhere private and discuss driving out the enemy."
Huang Gai beckoned.
Uncle Gongming rose gracefully.
"Follow me."
I stood without a backward glance.
"Yes."
Sun Quan's officials clammed up, figuring they'd just make more noise if they jumped in. We'd parried every thrust with poise—they were utterly cowed.
*
We met Sun Quan privately with Huang Gai.
"So, speak your strategy. Can our Wu defeat Cao Cao?"
Uncle Gongming replied to Sun Quan's question.
"Yes. Cao Cao can't be pierced, his blade diverted, or the war averted. You face only two paths: fight to the end or surrender."
Sun Quan pondered deeply before responding.
"Well said. Then why shouldn't our Wu surrender and fight?"
Uncle Gongming spoke plainly.
"Our lord is Han blood, a hero—he'd never surrender in such straits. Haven't you heard of Baima? But if you wish, surrender is an option."
Sun Quan's face flushed red.
"I asked why we must fight Cao Cao!"
I jumped into the heated exchange.
"Calm down, General. Sir's intent isn't that. If Shu and Wu join forces to drive out Cao Cao, Wu can claim a third of the realm, just like us."
Sun Quan eyed me with interest.
"Then lay out the strategy. I've only heard rumors of Baima, never saw it—I'll hear you out."
I thought it over and spoke.
"Cao Cao's elites are all cavalry; they'll falter badly on water—first point. With our 30,000 supporting Wu, it's a massive force we can surely hold—second."
"That's it?"
"No. Cao Cao's pacified the north to flaunt his might, but those who surrendered out of fear—will they fight with true heart?"
Sun Quan nodded, seeming to get it.
"Wu's warlords think only of themselves, skimping on troops. I agree. Cao Cao's must be the same. But that's not enough to fight him."
Uncle Gongming said,
"Then surrender. I've heard Cao Cao loves women—every night at camp, he toasts bringing beauties from Wu to enjoy morning and night. Offer them, and he'll be satisfied, leaving Wu alone."
At Zhuge Liang's words, Sun Quan drew his sword in fury.
"You bastard! Those 'beauties' are my brother's wife, Lady Daeqiao, and Zhou Yu's wife, Lady Soqiao! How dare Cao Cao spew such filth?"
I tried to calm the raging Sun Quan.
"General! Please, calm yourself! There's a flaw in sir's words!"
Flustered, both Zhuge Liang and Sun Quan turned to me.
Sun Quan subdued his veins and pressed me.
"What's flawed?"
"Cao Cao likes widows. It's genetic—his son Cao Pi took Lady Zhen, Yuan Shao's widow, didn't he? So 'beauties' is wrong. He won't want Lady Soqiao; only Lady Daeqiao—as a woman, that's my read."
Sun Quan lost it.
"That bastard Cao Cao!!!"
Sun Quan stormed out fuming.
Uncle Gongming gave me a pitiful, exasperated look.
"...Did your mother teach you that?"
"What?"
Uncle Gongming chuckled awkwardly, then sighed like the earth was caving in.
"Haa... Dear wife. What are we going to do with a child raised like this?"