Chapter 48: Why Not?

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Yizhou, Chengdu.
When Liu Zhang received Cao Cao’s letter, he was truly struck as if by a thunderclap. Was there anyone in the world still willing to oppose Cao Cao?
The answer was: no.
Hebei and the Central Plains had already been pacified.
Ma Teng of Yong and Liang, having sent troops to aid in Cao Cao’s campaign to pacify Hebei and defeated Yuan Shang, had already submitted.
Gongsun Kang of Liaodong, who had slain the two Yuans the year before and pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, had likewise submitted.
Shi Xie was no different; he continuously paid tribute to Xuchang, fearful and naturally inclined to align with Cao Cao.
Now that Jingzhou was pacified, and Liu Bei held a few counties in Jiangxia?
Word had it that many under Sun Quan were also colluding with Cao Cao.
“Sigh, the world is nearly unified…” Liu Zhang sighed deeply, no longer hesitating. He immediately dispatched his envoy, Zhang Song, to Jingzhou, while sending troops from Jiangzhou to assist in battle.

...

Jiaozhou, Longbian.
Shi Xie’s domain was no different.
Everyone’s faces revealed terror.
Shi Hui shouted loudly, “Father, it’s time to send troops to pacify Cangwu, Yulin, and Nanhai.”
Shi Xie glanced at Xu Jing.
Xu Jing looked somewhat perplexed. He disliked Cao Cao’s harshness and had refrained from returning north, but now, seeing Cao Cao close to unifying the realm, it seemed he had no choice but to serve under him.
When asked for his opinion, Xu Jing had no good solution.
Shi Xie stroked the armrest of his grand chancellor’s chair, recalling Zhao Shaojie’s resolute stance, and shook his head: “It’s not yet the time.”
Shi Hui urged anxiously, “How can it not be the time? Must we wait for Cao Cao’s troops to arrive in Jiaozhou first? When Cao Cao pacifies Cangwu and the others, what merit will we have? And how could Cao Cao allow our Shi family to continue governing Jiaozhi and the other territories?”
Shi Xie glanced at Shi Hui coldly: “Even if we help Cao Cao seize Cangwu and the others, he will not let us keep those lands. He may even order us to leave Jiaozhi and take governorships in other provinces!”
Shi Hui was stunned, unable to retort.
The other Shi family members nodded in agreement.
No matter who ruled, they would never again be allowed to dominate all of Jiaozhou as before.
“Let’s postpone the campaign until next year. However, we can conscript troops and conduct drills along the borders of Cangwu and the others as a show of strength!” Shi Xie issued the final command.

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Yangzhou, Chaisang.
After Zhao Shaojie’s arrival, he was not immediately granted an audience with Sun Quan, instead being placed to rest at the guest quarters.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao’s carefully worded letter arrived in Chaisang.
Compared to the letters sent to Shi Xie and Liu Zhang, Cao Cao’s message to Sun Quan was filled with threats.
Eighty thousand troops!
They would hunt in Wu!
...
Sun Quan’s expression was grave as he passed the letter around to his subordinates.
Zhang Zhao and others turned pale with fear, unanimously declaring surrender the only option.
Sun Quan remained noncommittal.
That night, Lu Su met privately with Sun Quan.
Sun Quan asked in astonishment, “How did Liu Bei learn of your strategy for dividing the realm?”
Lu Su shook his head.
Sun Quan’s face darkened; his eyes darted nervously. His rule in Yangzhou was never entirely secure, with some underlings colluding with Cao Cao—it was understandable, given Cao Cao’s power.
But Liu Bei?
Fleeing from north to south, a man on the run.
Was such a man worth following?
“Liu Bei said he would go to Yizhou and Yongliang, while I would go to Xuzhou and Qingzhou?” Sun Quan’s expression soured. Since Lu Su spoke of dividing the realm into two, Sun Quan had fixated on Yizhou. According to intelligence, Liu Zhang was a soft target—easier to conquer than Cao Cao.
He even contemplated sending Lu Su to Jingzhou, where Liu Bei, weakened, would have to submit to him. Then, with Liu Bei and Zhou Yu as vanguards, they could first secure Jingzhou, then Yizhou.
But he never expected such obstinacy from Jingzhou’s side.
Not only did they refuse allegiance, but they outright denied Yangzhou’s troops entry.
Sun Quan pondered and said nothing of his thoughts, instead looking to Lu Su: “What are your thoughts, Zijing?”

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“Your Majesty, in today’s world, only Liu Bei and Your Majesty possess a steadfast will to resist Cao Cao. We must not let Liu Bei lose heart; otherwise, Yangzhou alone will struggle to withstand Cao Cao!” Lu Su spoke quietly but clearly: with just one ally, they could not afford to lose him.
Sun Quan’s face darkened. Jingzhou lay like a delicacy on the table; he was unwilling to forgo even a taste.
“How could I not know?” Sun Quan ground his teeth, eyes cold.
Lu Su whispered, “Your Majesty, do not despair. In my view, the opportunity is not lost. Liu Bei desires to resist Cao Cao alone, but has he ever won against Cao Cao? We should wait until Liu Bei suffers defeat. Then, he will likely request Yangzhou’s troops to enter Jingzhou!”
Sun Quan considered this, nodding: “Indeed, that is true.”
He then produced Cao Cao’s letter and handed it to Lu Su.
After reading, Lu Su smiled faintly: “Your Majesty need not worry. Liu Bei does not even regard Cao Cao’s so-called eighty thousand troops as a threat; why should Your Majesty fear?”
Sun Quan paled. Though inwardly anxious, he said, “It is not fear—Zhang Zhao and others urge surrender…”
“They consider surrender for their own sake. Those who submit to Cao Cao can still hold governorships and command armies. But Your Majesty must think for yourself: would you rather rule as sovereign, or be confined as a wealthy prisoner?” Lu Su knelt earnestly and said, “Since I entered Your Majesty’s service, I have wished to assist in your grand endeavor. Now that the Han dynasty declines beyond revival, those under Liu Bei believe him to be the rightful ruler of the realm. Is Your Majesty truly lesser than Liu Bei?”
Sun Quan was deeply moved. Lu Su was the first minister to show such hope and sincerity. He quickly helped him up, saying, “I understand your heart, Zijing!”
Lu Su resumed his kneeling posture and said again, “Do not doubt. Should Liu Bei fall to Cao Cao, we enter Jingzhou; should Liu Bei resist, we enter Hefei. The future of the realm remains unsettled. Your Majesty can still become ruler of the world!”
Sun Quan’s heart surged with passion, exclaiming, “That is exactly what I desire!”

The next day.
Zhao Shaojie received notice that he could now meet Sun Quan.
In the great hall, Sun Quan’s ruling council was assembled.
Zhao Shaojie saw many renowned figures from history, such as Zhang Zhao and Yu Fan.
“Greetings, General Sun! I am Zhao Hao, Middle Commandant under the Left General!” Zhao Shaojie saluted. He had been promoted by Liu Bei to Middle Commandant upon arrival.
Sun Quan smiled, “No need for formalities, Middle Commandant Zhao.” He then surveyed his subordinates’ attitudes before continuing, “Middle Commandant Zhao comes from Jingzhou. What brings you to instruct me?”
Zhao Shaojie said, “Cao Cao is a rebel. I come under the Left General’s orders to form an alliance with General Sun in Jingzhou.”
At this, Sun Quan responded with an “Oh,” then looked around and asked, “What do you all think?”
Zhang Zhao, loyal to his elder brother’s cause, promptly opposed: “I think it is impossible!”
Zhao Shaojie asked, “Why impossible?”