Chapter 25: Make a Statement to Give Lu Su a Little Shock

“No soldier from Jiangdong shall set foot in Jiangxia…”

Liu Bei rose and paced atop the city wall, carefully weighing every word spoken by Xiao He.

After a long moment of contemplation, Liu Bei smiled warmly and said, “Buowen’s advice is indeed wise. We shall follow your plan and firmly hold the line. Not a single soldier from Sun Quan’s forces shall enter Jiangxia!”

With that, Liu Bei took Xiao He’s arm and began to walk.

“My lord, where are we going? I haven’t even tasted the fish yet.”

“Naturally, we are going to meet the envoy from Jiangdong. The fish can wait; I will have Shuzhi and the others catch ten more for us later.”

…

Shortly after, Liu Bei and Xiao He were seated leisurely within the provincial government hall.

A scholar dressed in black entered the hall with composed confidence.

His face bore refined elegance, yet his physique was robust—unlike the typical strategist, he carried the air of both a literati and a warrior.

“I am Lu Su, sent by our General Sun to pay respects to Governor Liu,” he said, stepping forward with a respectful bow, neither servile nor arrogant.

Liu Bei, naturally courteous, exchanged pleasantries before inviting Lu Su to the seat of honor.

“I have long heard of your reputation, Master Zijing. Meeting you today, you truly live up to your name.”

Throughout the ensuing moments, Liu Bei lavished Lu Su with compliments, serving tea and wine, yet never once inquiring about the purpose of his visit.

After a long wait with no question forthcoming, Lu Su could no longer restrain himself. Clearing his throat, he spoke:

“General Sun initially sent me to express condolences to Liu Jingzhou and to pay respects to Governor Liu. Yet upon arriving at Jiangxia, I learned of Cao Cao’s army marching south and the upheaval at Xiangyang.”

“Just as I entered the city, I heard that Cao Cao’s one hundred and fifty thousand troops were watering their horses at the Han River, fiercely assaulting Fancheng.”

“Cao Cao’s tactics are godlike, and his forces outnumber yours tenfold; I fear Fancheng stands on the brink of disaster.”

“If Fancheng falls, then Xiangyang’s fate is surely sealed. May I ask, Governor Liu, what are your plans at this critical juncture?”

Xiao He, listening quietly nearby, smiled faintly.

He had long suspected that Lu Su’s ‘honest man’ persona was a façade.

Lu Su was skillfully coaxing, trying to lure Liu Bei into proposing an alliance with Sun Quan—begging for military aid.

In negotiations between two sides, whoever first asks for help becomes the weaker party.

This Lu Su was truly cunning.

“Zijing, you worry too much. I have recently recruited a general named Huo Jun, styled Zhongmiao, a prodigy in city defense—truly a guardian of the gates!”

“Huo Zhongmiao commands five thousand troops at Fancheng and has repelled Cao’s assaults for ten consecutive days, not allowing a single enemy soldier to scale the walls.”

“With Huo Zhongmiao holding Fancheng, it is as impregnable as a fortress of bronze and iron. I can rest easy here in Xiangyang.”

Fortunately, Liu Bei had anticipated this line of questioning and, with words carefully crafted by Xiao He, deflected Lu Su’s bait.

A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Su’s eyes.

Before entering Xiangyang, he had done his homework and heard rumors about the Fancheng siege.

Knowing that Huo Jun was a relatively obscure figure holding off Cao Cao’s massive army with a mere five thousand men seemed almost too good to be true.

Yet now Liu Bei himself confirmed it.

“Indeed, Jingzhou is a land of heroes and hidden talents, even harboring such a remarkable figure as Huo Jun,” Lu Su thought with admiration.

“Yet how did Liu Xuande discover such a gem, a humble but extraordinary city defender?”

Liu Bei continued, “With Fancheng as firm as a fortress, Cao’s million-strong army is nothing to fear.”

“Zijing, you have journeyed far. As host, I must extend my hospitality and entertain you well. Today, let us drink and not speak of war.”

Liu Bei deliberately shifted the conversation and ordered preparations for a banquet to honor his guest.

Lu Su, reluctant to press further, smiled and acquiesced.

The banquet was laid out.

Liu Bei raised his cup repeatedly, chatting with lighthearted laughter.

Though the topics ranged far and wide, he still avoided mentioning the dire military situation, as if the looming threat of Cao Cao’s vast army was of no concern.

Lu Su drank absentmindedly, his suspicions growing.

Logically, with Cao Cao’s forces pressing from the north, Liu Cong threatening from the south, and Jiangdong’s troops poised to seize Jiangxia to cut off Liu Qi, shouldn’t Liu Bei seek an alliance with this Jiangdong envoy as a top priority?

Yet Liu Bei had said nothing, treating the Jiangdong threat as insignificant.

This was utterly unorthodox…

After much pondering, Lu Su finally broke the silence.

“Governor Liu, General Sun has long admired you. Hearing of Cao Cao’s massive assault, he wishes to join forces with you to repel the enemy.”

“What say you to this proposal?”

Liu Bei glanced at Xiao He.

As expected, Lu Su had come expressly to propose an alliance.

This confirmed Xiao He’s analysis that Sun Quan, given the present circumstances, had no intention of invading Jingzhou; his priority was to repel Cao Cao.

Since Lu Su had first suggested the alliance, Jiangdong was the party in need.

The initiative was now Liu Bei’s.

“General Sun is young yet has firmly grasped Jiangdong. I have long respected him,” Liu Bei said smoothly.

“Since General Sun is loyal to the Han and wishes to join me in resisting Cao’s forces, I welcome this alliance eagerly.”

With the initiative firmly in hand, Liu Bei readily accepted Sun Quan’s offer.

Lu Su, fearing refusal, now breathed a silent sigh of relief.

“If we stand together against Cao, how could General Sun leave Governor Liu to face a hundred thousand enemies alone?”

“Therefore, General Sun wishes to send Zhou Gongjin with troops to garrison Jiangxia—not only to assist Liu Qi’s defense but also to be ready to reinforce Xiangyang and to threaten Liu Cong by advancing westward to Jiangling.”

“May I ask if Governor Liu could instruct Liu Qi to grant our Jiangdong navy access to Jiangxia?”

Liu Bei lifted his wine cup and cast a glance at Xiao He with admiration.

“Buowen truly sees through the heart of Sun Zhongmou—indeed, that blue-eyed fellow intends to station troops in Jiangxia…”

Silently praising Xiao He’s insight, Liu Bei gently declined:

“I appreciate General Sun’s goodwill, but with Huo Zhongmiao, Fancheng is as solid as a fortress. Even if Cao Cao commands a million troops, they are nothing to fear.”

“As for Liu Cong, I have already ordered strategist Kong Ming to Yicheng ahead, assisting Yide in blocking his advance. I am confident the defense is secure.”

“Rather than wasting troops in Jiangxia, it would be better for General Sun to march on Hefei, seize Huainan, and thereby divide Cao Cao’s forces more effectively.”

Lu Su furrowed his brow.

He had advised Sun Quan to ally with Liu Bei primarily to fend off Cao Cao, and secondarily to extend Jiangdong’s influence into Jiangxia—preparing for further control over Jingzhou once Cao was repelled.

If Liu Bei refused Jiangdong’s entry into Jiangxia, that second goal would be dashed.

How could he explain that to Sun Quan?

“Although General Huo is a capable defender, Cao Cao still commands one hundred fifty thousand troops. Governor Liu must not underestimate the threat.”

“If Fancheng falls, Jingzhou will surely be swallowed by Cao Cao, and Jiangdong will be imperiled as well.”

“To be safe, I believe it best for Jiangdong forces to garrison Jiangxia, ready to come to your aid at any moment.”

Lu Su was not so easily deterred, insisting on extending Sun Quan’s reach into Jiangxia.

Liu Bei smiled confidently and nodded toward Xiao He.

“With Xiao He and Xiao Buowen at my side, we can hold against a million enemies. Cao’s forces will not cross the Han River, not even a single soldier.”

“Please convey my assurances to General Sun—he need not worry.”

Xiao He?

Lu Su cast a questioning glance at the young strategist quietly sipping wine.

He had heard that Zhuge Wolong was absent from Xiangyang and had wondered who this advisor was.

Now knowing his name, Lu Su was utterly baffled.

“Xiao He? Xiao Buowen?”

“From Liu Xuande’s tone, this man seems extraordinarily clever, capable of holding off Cao Cao’s million-strong army?”

“But within Jingzhou, I’ve never heard of such a figure.”

A flood of questions filled Lu Su’s mind as he appraised Xiao He with curiosity and doubt.

Xiao He understood perfectly—Lu Su was questioning his capability, suspicious of this unknown newcomer whom Liu Bei so highly praised.

One draws attention when one stands tall among trees. Originally, Xiao He wished to remain low-key.

But under the current circumstances, modesty would not suffice.

“I am but a humble recluse from the mountains. Brother Zijing naturally would not know my name,” Xiao He said with a self-deprecating smile, then shifted his tone.

“However, I have long admired you, Brother Zijing. The brilliant strategy you offered General Sun—the ‘couch strategy’—was truly a masterpiece that commands my utmost respect.”

The words “couch strategy” caused Lu Su’s face to turn pale with shock.