Chapter 19: Isn't It Just Moving to a Different Place?

Upon hearing Xu Shu’s words, Wu Ju and Lai Gong’s expressions brightened slightly, looking at Zhao Shaojie with surprise. In such perilous times, it was truly rare for northerners to come south and join Liu Bei.

This time, the two were not in agreement. Lai Gong first spoke to Zhao Shaojie, “Since Captain Zhao is a righteous man, you should know that as the Inspector of Jiaozhou, overseeing the entire province is my duty. But Wu Ju here refuses to obey orders, putting personal interests above public duty, thus ruining the situation in Jiaozhou…”

Wu Ju immediately retorted, “Lai Gong, you slander me with false accusations. It is you who has destroyed Jiaozhou…”

Seeing the two about to quarrel, Mi Fang quickly stepped forward to intervene, speaking sternly, “There is no need for you two to argue. Our lord has sent us south precisely to mediate between you.” He then gave them a deep look. “Why don’t we enter the city first and discuss the matter thoroughly?”

Lai Gong was about to agree.

But Wu Ju shouted, “I will not enter the city. If I do, Lai Gong will surely send assassins after me.”

Lai Gong angrily exclaimed, “Wu Ju, you underestimate me too much!”

Mi Fang frowned, “Very well. If we do not enter the city, we shall camp outside. You two come to my camp to discuss this, how about that?”

Only then did Wu Ju nod, “That would be best!”

Lai Gong agreed as well.

Although the city lay just ahead, they refused to enter, choosing instead to set up camp on the spot.

Before long, simple tents were erected.

At this time, the south was still underdeveloped, with trees abundant and easy to harvest locally.

Inside the camp,

Zhao Shaojie was boiling water while a quarrel had already broken out nearby.

“I intended to consolidate military command, but Wu Ju deliberately opposes me, unwilling to see my control. I came to develop Jiaozhou for Liu Jingzhou, yet he…” Lai Gong began.

Wu Ju interrupted, “I also came to develop Jiaozhou for Liu Jingzhou. This is Cangwu Commandery, where I serve as governor. Why should I hand over military command to you? You’re a scholar, ignorant of battlefield matters. Even if given to you, it would be…”

Lai Gong stood up in anger, “Wu Ju, how do you know I am ignorant of battlefield affairs? You are too much!”

Seeing the two about to come to blows, Mi Fang quickly urged, “Both of you, calm down, please!” He then looked at Xu Shu.

Xu Shu nodded.

Mi Fang continued, “There is no need for you two to quarrel now. Our lord sent us to develop Jiaozhou. What are your thoughts?”

Wu Ju and Lai Gong fell silent, exchanging glances before turning their heads away.

Wu Ju said in a low voice, “I am willing to obey Lord Xuande’s orders, but Lai Gong must not remain in Cangwu Commandery!”

“Guangxin is the seat of the Jiaozhou Inspector. Why can’t I stay in Cangwu Commandery?” Lai Gong loudly replied. “I am also willing to obey Lord Xuande’s orders, but Wu Ju must not stay in Cangwu!”

Mi Fang was frustrated, glancing at Xu Shu.

They had agreed, yet had not truly agreed at all.

Yet the only place they could control in Jiaozhou was Cangwu Commandery.

Zhao Shaojie, having finished boiling water, poured himself a cup, feeling quite pleased. He had initially worried that Wu Ju and Lai Gong would not welcome them, but never expected Liu Bei’s charm to hold such sway, with both men showing some respect for him.

Taking a sip of hot water, he frowned and said, “So Panyu is not yet the provincial seat of Jiaozhou?” After some thought, he stood and said, “Governor Wu, Inspector Lai, please stop quarreling. This matter is quite easy to resolve. Why not simply divide and relocate? I think Panyu is quite suitable. Let us move the provincial seat there so you two won’t be in the same location.”

Wu Ju and Lai Gong were taken aback.

“That might be good, but the Governor of Nanhai, Shi Wu, might not agree. He commands over ten thousand troops willing to fight!” Wu Ju frowned, then his expression darkened. “Moreover, that’s only Shi Wu’s forces. There are also Shi Xie and his sons and brothers. The seven commanderies of Jiaozhou—his family controls four of them. If the Shi family refuses, how can we move the provincial seat to Panyu?”

Lai Gong added, “Wu Ju commands only around two thousand soldiers, I about a thousand. While we could recruit more troops, hastily raising an army would surely not match theirs. The Shi family’s military power far surpasses ours.”

Silence fell again.

Zhao Shaojie also felt at a loss. Shi Xie was the great overlord of Jiaozhou. Even after Sun Quan took control of Jiaozhou later, they did not move against Shi Xie until after his death, only then gradually removing his family’s control.

Just as everyone was silent, Ma Su suddenly spoke, “I think the Shi family is nothing more than overblown chickens and dogs. There’s no need to worry!”

Wei Yan also said, “No matter how many troops they have, I have come to expand our lord’s territory. How could I be intimidated?”

Though arrogant, their words lifted spirits somewhat, and the group’s expressions eased. Zhao Shaojie smiled and said, “Very well. Since the Nanhai Commandery belongs to the Shi family, we shall leave it for now. How about Yulin Commandery? It seems not to belong to the Shi family.”

“The big fish eats the small fish, the small fish eats the shrimp. Let’s first take the soft target. Once we have Yulin Commandery, we can then discuss how to deal with the Shi family.”

Everyone nodded.

Mi Fang also spoke happily, “I command six thousand troops, Governor Wu and Inspector Lai have three thousand combined. With ten thousand men, Yulin Commandery should be within our reach!”

After some discussion, they decided to rest for a few days before marching on Yulin.

...

Jiaozhi.

Shi Xie, governor of Jiaozhi, knelt in the main hall, his face grave as he said, “Gentlemen, Liu Xuande’s subordinate Mi Fang and others have entered Cangwu. How shall we respond?”

Shi Xie’s son, Shi Hui, who already regarded the whole Jiaozhou as his family’s domain, was furious: “Father, that old dog Liu Bei has fled from Youzhou to Jingzhou like a stray hound. Now he comes to Jiaozhou, intending to drag us into war. We cannot sit idly by; we must drive away this disruptive hand!”

The Shi family’s youth echoed his sentiments.

Shi Xie’s expression remained unchanged as he looked at Xu Jing, asking, “Sir Xu, what do you think of Liu Xuande?”

Since Sun Ce seized Yangzhou, Xu Jing had drifted to Jiaozhou and was now treated as a guest by Shi Xie. Upon hearing this, he sighed, “Liu Xuande is a hero of the realm, the only one who can rival Cao Cao. Unfortunately, his fortunes have not favored him, suffering many defeats. Now he reaches into Jiaozhou, it is likely to use Jiaozhou to resist Cao Cao.”

Shi Xie’s face darkened. He disliked war and wished to avoid it. Reluctantly, he said, “Jiaozhou is a peaceful place and must not be engulfed in war.” He then looked at his subordinate and commanded, “Shi Xin, go find Mi Fang and tell him that no matter how they contend, the flames of war must not touch Jiaozhou.”

Shi Xin, also Shi Xie’s son but gentler and more composed than Shi Hui, bowed and replied, “Yes.”

Shi Hui angrily said, “Father, by doing this, you invite Liu Bei’s men to mock us as weak. I believe Mi Fang will surely disdain us!”

Shi Xie roared, “Withdraw!”

Shi Hui left with a resentful glare.