Chapter 22: This Land Is Also Han Territory

"Shall we have a chat?" The phrasing was novel, and Shi Xin frowned slightly, murmuring, "You wish to speak with my father in person?"

"That is exactly right!" Zhao Shaojie said with a smile.

Mi Fang and the others, however, were startled and immediately tried to dissuade him.

"Shaojie, this must not happen! Our lord has ordered us to ensure your safety at all costs; you cannot walk into the jaws of danger!" Mi Fang urged anxiously.

"If General Anyuan is willing to come to Bushan, you may speak then," Xu Shu added, also voicing his dissent.

Liu Bei held Zhao Shaojie in the highest regard, having privately instructed Mi Fang and Xu Shu to satisfy any of Zhao Shaojie's requests, provided he did not act recklessly. Consequently, during their journey, when Zhao Shaojie sought out Huang Zhong in two different locations, Mi Fang and Xu Shu had allowed it. However, while they respected his wishes, their primary duty was his protection; they could hardly be expected to consent to him meeting Shi Xie.

Seeing the alarm of Mi Fang and Xu Shu, Shi Xin immediately realized that Zhao Shaojie held a position of considerable importance within Liu Bei’s camp. He couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect, saying, "If the Colonel wishes to see my father, that is certainly possible. However, my father is aged and cannot make the journey to Bushan."

Ignoring the meaningful glances from Mi Fang and Xu Shu, Zhao Shaojie said calmly, "I shall go to Jiaozhi."

Shi Xin’s pupils constricted. He couldn't help but admire Zhao Shaojie’s courage. "Very well. If you are willing to go, that would be for the best. If you explain the plans and intentions of Governor Liu of Yu personally to my father, I believe he will have no further concerns."

The group, originally planning to return to Guangxin, was now in an uproar. Shi Xin, having traveled far, intended to rest for a day before returning. Mi Fang, Xu Shu, and the others surrounded Zhao Shaojie, pressing him to reconsider.

"Brother Shaojie, though Shi Xie is a man of letters, he is, after all, a regional warlord. To enter his den alone is to court disaster..." Mi Fang warned.

Xu Shu added worriedly, "The Lord tasked us with your protection; you cannot put us in such an impossible position!"

Zhao Shaojie knew the character of Shi Xie; as long as he did not act foolishly, he believed Shi Xie would not harm him. "Do not worry," he insisted, "I will be fine."

Despite further entreaties, Zhao Shaojie remained firm. Ma Su, however, was highly impressed by his resolve, exclaiming loudly, "A true righteous man who has braved death in the northern lands! Only such actions reveal the true spirit of a hero!"

In the end, Mi Fang and the others relented, agreeing that Zhao Shaojie could take Wei Yan and one hundred veteran soldiers with him.

...

The seat of Jiaozhi Commandery was in Longbian, in what would later be known as Vietnam. Zhao Shaojie’s journey was, for all intents and purposes, a trip abroad. Along the way, they traveled for a time with Hao Pu, who was heading south.

Given that Hao Pu did not seem particularly bright, Zhao Shaojie made a point to offer some advice: "If you are ever surrounded and told that everyone else has surrendered, leaving only you, you must never believe them. Hold your ground, do you hear me? Persistence is victory!"

Hao Pu did not fully grasp the meaning but agreed with a resigned nod. He had realized by now that this youth, who had been punished with the *kun* (shaving of the hair), was deeply trusted by their lord—had he not seen how Mi Fang and Xu Shu obeyed his every word?

Longbian.

When Shi Xie received the notification, he was stunned. Looking at his attendants, he asked, "Do the people of the world think me so weak? A mere youth under Liu Bei dares to come see me alone after disrupting the stability of Jiaozhou?"

Before anyone else could speak, Shi Hui jumped forward, shouting, "Father, we should simply kill this man and send his head back to Mi Fang! Let him know that in Jiaozhou, those who act recklessly without consulting the Shi family deserve to die!"

Xu Jing raised his hands and said, "Lord Shi, let us see. His intent is not yet clear; he may not necessarily be looking down upon you."

Shi Xie stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "Order the armored guards to line the road, stretching on indefinitely, to welcome him! I wish to see just how much courage this youth from Liu Bei’s camp truly possesses."

"At once!" the others replied.

...

As Zhao Shaojie and his party entered Longbian, they saw armored guards standing on both sides of the road like a dense forest. Shi Xin nodded proudly, glancing at Zhao Shaojie. To his surprise, Zhao Shaojie showed no fear; instead, he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

Wei Yan’s expression was grim. He leaned in and whispered, "Shaojie, this trip may not be easy."

Zhao Shaojie laughed heartily. "Do not worry. General Anyuan enjoys this sort of display, does he not?" He turned to Shi Xin and asked, "I have heard that whenever General Anyuan travels, he is accompanied by countless armored guards, his carriages block the roads, gongs and drums sound, and disciples of the Buddhist temples follow with incense. The local barbarians must kneel to welcome him—is that not so?"

Shi Xin was taken aback. His father’s extravagant displays were usually reserved for the barbarians of Jiaozhi; how did an outsider know of this? "I am impressed, Colonel Zhao, at how well-versed you are in the affairs of Jiaozhi," he replied with a forced smile.

Zhao Shaojie had specifically researched Shi Xie. After all, the man was a regional warlord. He learned that Shi Xie was a great scholar who loved peace, relying on displays of majesty to awe the barbarians rather than resorting to war.

"I actually hold General Anyuan in high regard, and there are matters I wish to seek his counsel on," Zhao Shaojie said with a smile. Shi Xin offered a faint smile but said nothing.

...

Before long, the group arrived at the Prefectural Office. Shi Xin entered first, while Zhao Shaojie and his men waited for an invitation.

"He knows of my traveling arrangements? And says he wishes to seek my counsel?" Shi Xie was stunned. His curiosity piqued, he said, "Let him enter."

The attendants relayed the order. Zhao Shaojie and Wei Yan entered the great hall. The office was magnificent, rivaling the residence of Liu Biao. While waiting outside, Zhao Shaojie had jokingly told Wei Yan that one day he, too, would build such a residence.

"Scientific Colonel Zhao Shaojie pays his respects to General Anyuan!" Zhao Shaojie bowed.

Shi Xie remained expressionless, his demeanor heavy with authority. "Governor Liu of Yu does not respect the Imperial Court, privately declaring himself the Governor of Jiaozhou and raising an army in our lands. Is this the conduct of a loyal minister of Han?"

Zhao Shaojie found the topic rather tedious—why did every conversation return to this? Yet, he suppressed his impatience and replied with a smile, "Cao Cao bullies the Emperor and his father; is that the conduct of a loyal minister of Han?"

Shi Xie replied, "The world is in chaos. Lord Cao has pacified the north and south, reintegrating the Han into one. In extraordinary times, one must take extraordinary measures!"

Zhao Shaojie countered, "The Emperor has come of age; why not return the power to him? In the Han realm, why must a subject be the one to 'pacify' it?"

Shi Xie sighed. This was the crux of the issue: on one hand, the legitimate Emperor of Han held no power; on the other, his subordinates were arrogant and monopolized authority. After a pause, Shi Xie continued, "Why does the Governor of Yu seek to disturb the peace of my Jiaozhou?"

"This, too, is the land of the Han!" Zhao Shaojie replied.

Shi Xie took a deep breath and looked toward his companion. "How does Master Xu view this?"

Master Xu?

Zhao Shaojie looked toward the side. A handsome, elderly man with a refined appearance, dressed in the robes of a Confucian scholar, was kneeling at the side. Zhao Shaojie couldn't help but ask, "Is that Master Xu Jing, Xu Wenxiu?"

Xu Jing, about to speak, looked at Zhao Shaojie and said softly, "It is indeed I."

Zhao Shaojie had long been curious about Xu Jing. He was a strange man—if one called him cowardly, he was always the last to leave in times of danger; if one called him loyal, he had scaled a wall to surrender when his lord had not.

Zhao Shaojie smiled. "I have long heard of your name, Master Xu. My lord has also held you in high esteem for a long time. Upon learning you were in Jiaozhou, he specifically instructed me to invite you to serve as the libationer of the Jiaozhou Academy!"