Chapter 11: Ma Su, You Are No Match for Him

The visitor was none other than Liu Qi, the eldest son of Liu Biao, Governor of Jingzhou.

Upon hearing that Liu Bei had arrived in Xiangyang and no longer insisted on supporting his claim to succeed as Governor of Jingzhou—opting instead for the title of Governor of Jiaozhou—Liu Qi was utterly stunned.

Looking across Jingzhou, no notable figure except Liu Bei lent him their support.

As the eldest son of Liu Biao, Liu Qi’s failure was glaring.

Seeing Liu Qi enter, lost and dejected, Liu Bei’s face showed a trace of pity. He stepped forward, steadied Liu Qi, and gently said, “If your brother’s heart is set, what more can I say?”

“If my worthy nephew wishes to revive the Han dynasty, then join hands with your uncle. But if you seek peace and prosperity, you may follow Liu Cong and surrender to Cao Cao.”

“Such is fate!” Liu Qi wept uncontrollably after hearing this.

Why must it all come down to fate?

Why could he not become the lord of Jingzhou?

But his own father did not acknowledge him; he could not urge Liu Bei to help him depose his father and take the position himself.

“Fear not, uncle. I shall never surrender to Cao Cao, even unto death!” Liu Qi lifted his head, eyes bloodshot.

Now, the only person supporting him could no longer do so, and Liu Qi was left helpless.

It was not that he harbored deep hatred for Cao Cao, but rather that he bore profound resentment toward Liu Cong and Liu Biao. You wish to accept the status quo and surrender to Cao Cao?

I, Liu Qi, refuse. I will resist Cao Cao!

…

Liu Bei comforted Liu Qi for a while, and when Liu Qi’s spirits lifted somewhat, they chatted a little longer before Liu Qi took his leave.

Zhao Shaojie’s eyes suddenly brightened. He said, “My lord, I just recalled something—I broke an idiom!”

Liu Bei asked, “What idiom?”

“‘Pulling away the ladder after climbing up.’ Because you always supported Liu Qi, he had the confidence to persist. Thus, Liu Qi’s situation in Xiangyang was never stable; Madam Cai, Cai Mao, and others even contemplated killing him. Liu Qi sought Zhuge Liang’s advice and even tricked Zhuge Liang into coming to the second floor to pull away the ladder. Zhuge Liang then proposed that Liu Qi be appointed Governor of Jiangxia. But now, that is unlikely to happen.”

Zhao Shaojie suddenly added, “By the way, Sun Quan is about to attack Jiangxia. This time, he might break through, capture Huang Zu, and even kill him!”

“My lord, you must dispatch troops swiftly. When Sun Quan attempts to take the people of Jiangxia, we should suddenly strike from behind, like the mantis stalking the cicada while the oriole waits in the shadows—this will rescue the Jiangxia populace and also seize territory.”

…

Liu Bei nodded. “So that’s how Liu Qi became Governor of Jiangxia.”

Zhao Shaojie had previously told him that Liu Qi would rendezvous with Jiangxia troops during his southern retreat, but Liu Bei had been unclear how Liu Qi reached Jiangxia. Now he understood.

“Very well, I see,” Liu Bei thought to himself.

In less than a moment, he agreed.

Though cooperation with Sun Quan lay ahead, Zhao Shaojie’s revelations painted Sun Quan as an unreliable ally.

Creating some friction beforehand would not be a bad thing.

…

The next day, the entire city of Xinye mobilized.

Many civilians, carrying the elderly and children, set out by land and water toward Fancheng, while some moved toward southern Jing.

Watching the endless stream of people, Zhao Shaojie felt a surge of satisfaction. Liu Bei truly had prestige; in just a few months in Fancheng, he had drawn along a hundred thousand civilians, nearly emptying Xinye.

Suddenly, he spotted a familiar face.

“Hey, Ji Chang!” Zhao Shaojie waved to a handsome young man with white eyebrows in the distance.

Ma Liang approached with a few companions.

“Let me introduce you all. This is Zhao Hao, Chief Military Officer under Liu Yuzhou, also known as Zhao Shaojie.”

“And this is my younger brother, Ma Su, Ma Youchang!”

Zhao Shaojie was just about to joke with Ma Liang when he eyed the man beside him and exclaimed, “Ma Su? The contemporary Zhao Kuo? It’s really you?!”

Ma Su’s face flushed red.

Is being called the contemporary Zhao Kuo a compliment?

Have some manners, please!

“You came from Beidi to join Liu Yuzhou, a man of righteousness. Why insult me so upon our first meeting?” Ma Su retorted angrily.

Ma Liang was perplexed. Although Zhao Shaojie spoke casually, he wasn’t someone who insulted others without cause.

Zhao Shaojie realized he had misspoken, but considering Ma Su’s historical record and the possibility of redemption, maybe this would be a lesson to help Ma Su grow.

After all, a prodigy famed since youth, undefeated in military strategy on words alone, even earning Zhuge Liang’s high praise.

…

“Ma Su, don’t talk nonsense. Calling you the contemporary Zhao Kuo isn’t an insult; it’s a fact!” Zhao Shaojie snapped, “You’ve studied the military texts thoroughly and boast unparalleled strategy. Can you refute everyone else?”

“Do you take pride in this and think yourself superior? But in fact, you can only serve as an advisor, not a commanding general. The foremost duty of a soldier is to obey orders. Ask yourself honestly: can you do that?” Zhao Shaojie challenged.

Ma Su glared, indignant. “I have yet to serve officially; how can you say I cannot?”

Zhao Shaojie smirked, as if saying, “You just can’t.”

Ma Su trembled with anger. Despite his annoyance, he had a good impression of Zhao Shaojie, believing him a rare loyalist from Beidi—but now this first encounter was marred by slander.

Just as he was about to explode, Zhuge Liang approached with a mother and her child.

“Shaojie, this must be the Deng Fan you were looking for. What do you suggest we do with him?” Zhuge Liang smiled at Zhao Shaojie.

The child clung timidly to his mother, but his gaze was calm as it met Zhao Shaojie’s.

Zhao Shaojie hesitated. What could Deng Ai do now? After a moment, he said, “Years of war have left countless single-parent and orphaned children. Why not establish a Children’s Camp to care for them all?”

Historically, many renowned generals had origins in such Children’s Camps.

“A Children’s Camp is a good idea,” Zhuge Liang considered. “Since this was Shaojie’s suggestion, why not let him manage the camp?”

Zhao Shaojie was reluctant to become a caretaker. Just as he prepared to decline, Ma Su couldn’t hold back.

“What is this? Am I dead?” he shouted.

“Zhao Shaojie, you are unbearable!” Ma Su angrily accused.

Zhuge Liang, witnessing the quarrel but unaware of its cause, glanced at Ma Liang. Ma Liang quietly explained. Zhuge Liang frowned and scrutinized Ma Su, wondering if this man might bring trouble in the future.

Subtly, Zhuge Liang sensed Zhao Shaojie was not truly from Beidi. Yet, he had given Liu Bei a firm confidence about future possibilities.

Such confidence was absurd.

But Liu Bei believed it!?

Zhuge Liang guessed Zhao Shaojie could deduce past and present, discern talents and futures, though it all seemed incredible.

“When have I been unbearable? Is telling the truth a crime?” Zhao Shaojie retorted, fuming. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Ma Su, you’re just not as good as him!”