Chapter 3: Could He Really Have a Wider Network Than Zhuge Liang?

Liu Bei was genuinely startled. Even Zhuge Liang’s expression shifted. Having lived as a guest in Jingzhou for many years, Liu Bei had not been idle; during that time, he had befriended numerous renowned scholars and officials from Jing and Xiang, including high-ranking provincial officers. Moreover, with Zhuge Liang as his strategist, who possessed extensive networks in Xiangyang, it was impossible that no one had leaked news of Liu Biao’s death to them.

If even he was unaware, how could this young man, who claimed to have lived reclusively in the mountains without ever leaving, have known?

“We have received no news of Liu Jing’s death, nor have we heard of Liu Cong’s succession,” Liu Bei said.

“Mr. Xiao, on what grounds do you make this assertion?” Zhuge Liang paused his fan’s fluttering, furrowing his brows as he asked on Liu Bei’s behalf.

Xiao He looked at the bewildered Liu Bei and sighed inwardly. This Han Zhaolie Emperor did not yet realize that he was about to face the darkest hours of his life. The people of Jingzhou, who had enjoyed over a decade of peace, would soon endure the trampling of Cao Cao’s iron cavalry. On the retreat southward to Jiangling, the troops Liu Bei had painstakingly gathered would be shattered by the elite tiger and leopard cavalry. Lady Mi would perish amid the chaos. The battle at Changban Slope would be a near-death ordeal, almost costing him his life. The one hundred thousand people of Xiangyang fleeing south with Liu Bei would be slaughtered in rivers of blood by Cao Cao’s cavalry.

Guan Yinping’s rescue of him meant Liu Bei had saved her as well. How could one not repay such a debt? If he could warn Liu Bei in time to avert this calamity, that would be a fitting recompense—besides, as a man without official status and unfamiliar with the land, his only option was to follow Liu Bei for a livelihood.

It would be ungrateful to stand aside when Liu Bei was in peril. Moreover, fleeing south with Liu Bei meant no guarantee that he wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire and meet an untimely death. Both out of principle and self-interest, he had to act.

“I have my own means. How I know this is not something Liu Yu Province needs to question,” Xiao He said.

“I can also tell Liu Yu Province that not only will Cai Kuai and others endorse Liu Cong as the new lord of Jingzhou, they will also persuade Liu Cong to surrender to Cao Cao!”

“Judging from my speculation, within a few days, Liu Cong will send envoys to inform Liu Yu Province of his decision to submit to Cao Cao.”

Xiao He unleashed a bombshell.

The moment his words fell like thunder, the room exploded in disbelief. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei all turned pale. Zhuge Liang’s fan trembled in his hand.

Guan Yinping was so shocked that her face lost all color.

“Mr. Xiao, do you mean to say that my nephew, Liu Cong, would hand over the hard-won legacy of Jingzhou to the traitorous Cao?” Liu Bei asked incredulously, the four characters “unbelievable” written plainly across his face.

Xiao He was not surprised by Liu Bei’s skepticism. Jingzhou had a population of over a million, with a hundred thousand armored soldiers, and fierce generals like Wen Pin and Huang Zhong. Liu Biao had governed Jing and Xiang for a decade, bringing peace and gratitude among the people towards him and his sons. Even with Cao Cao’s great power, there was no need to surrender without a fight, much less lay down arms immediately. Could Liu Cong be so ruinous as to squander everything to this extent? Naturally, Liu Bei found it hard to believe.

Xiao He knew they wouldn’t simply accept his words. The ancients were not fools, especially not a ruler like Liu Bei and a strategist as brilliant as Zhuge Liang. They would not blindly believe a few startling predictions from a stranger.

To convince Liu Bei, facts would have to prove the truth.

“Whether you trust me or not, news will come in these few days. It’s best to wait patiently,” Xiao He said nonchalantly.

Liu Bei, after collecting himself, glanced at Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang understood immediately and cupped his hands respectfully.

“Rest assured, my lord. I will dispatch Yi Jibo at once to swiftly gather intelligence from the provincial authorities.”

Just as Zhuge Liang gave this order, Xiao He’s stomach growled loudly. He had not eaten for days before losing consciousness and had lain idle for most of the day, nearly three days without food, starving nearly to the point of stomach rupture.

“Liu Yu Province, you see, I haven’t eaten all day, cough…” Xiao He smiled awkwardly at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was momentarily taken aback, unable to respond immediately.

“Uncle, he’s hungry. Didn’t you hear his stomach growling?” Guan Yinping, sharp and perceptive despite her bold demeanor, was the first to catch Xiao He’s meaning.

Liu Bei then realized and laughed heartily. He immediately ordered the kitchen to bring the finest wine and most delicious dishes to warmly entertain Xiao He.

Soon, the exquisite feast was served.

“Well then, I won’t be polite,” Xiao He said, taking his chopsticks and devouring the food like a whirlwind, paying no heed to decorum.

Zhuge Liang exchanged a knowing glance with Liu Bei, and the principal figures quietly withdrew. The door was closed behind them.

As soon as they stepped outside, Liu Bei lowered his voice eagerly.

“Strategist Kongming, how much credence do you give to this Xiao Bowen’s prophecy?”

Zhuge Liang slowly fanned himself and replied:

“Since the Yuan clan was wiped out by Cao Cao, Liu Jing has been restless and anxious, constantly fearing when Cao Cao would march south. This worry turned into illness.”

“If he died from fright upon learning of Cao Cao’s advance, it is not impossible.”

Hearing this, Guan Yu sneered coldly:

“When Cao Cao invaded Hebei, I repeatedly urged Liu Biao not to watch idly but to lead troops north to attack Xuchang.”

“But Liu Biao refused, choosing only to defend and watch the Yuan clan perish.”

“Now, Cao Cao has destroyed the Yuan clan and turned to deal with him. He is finally reaping what he sowed.”

Liu Bei raised his hand, signaling Guan Yu not to interrupt Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang paused, then continued:

“Liu Biao always favored his younger son, Liu Cong. Liu Cong married into the Cai family and gained the support of Cai Mao.”

“The Kuai and Cai clans, linked by marriage, have always stood united, advancing and retreating together.”

“It makes sense for Kuai Yue and Cai Mao to support Liu Cong as the new lord of Jingzhou.”

At this point, Zhuge Liang shifted his tone:

“But Xiao He insists that Cai Mao and Kuai Yue would coerce Liu Cong into surrendering to Cao Cao, which I find hard to believe.”

“Even if Liu Jing truly died suddenly, within days, when his body’s warmth remains, would they shamelessly hand over the decade-long legacy to the traitorous Cao? That seems too disloyal and brazen.”

Zhuge Liang’s implication was that he doubted Liu Cong, Cai Mao, and Kuai Yue would be so utterly unscrupulous.

Liu Bei nodded slightly, evidently agreeing with Zhuge Liang’s assessment.

At that moment, Zhang Fei stepped forward, his face dark as iron.

“By the strategist’s account, this Xiao He is not only mysterious in origin but also speaks in ominous riddles and plays tricks.”

“I suspect he harbors ill intent. Could he be a spy sent by Liu Biao to test you, brother?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei tensed instantly, becoming alert.

Guan Yinping narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, gripping her sword hilt and said sharply:

“Uncle, let me go in now and capture him for severe interrogation!”