Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3671 The hidden edge of the jade cup is cold, the sails of Yi Yun are late.

The ceremonial procession that Sun Quan displayed this time was quite impressive.

A canopy carriage.

Four-colored horse.

Although Liu Bei addressed himself as the Marquis of Wu, he had not actually been granted the title; he was merely a minor marquis.

It's probably like a vice president in later generations, with at most a parenthetical "(in charge of work)".

Throughout the journey, Sun Quan never mentioned anything about official business, but only talked about the scenery of Jiangdong, inquired about his experiences in Jiaozhi, and expressed his admiration for Liu Bei's hard work and achievements in developing Rinan and Yazhou.

Liu Bei responded appropriately, expressing deep gratitude for Fei Qian's "kindness in recognizing his talent." He downplayed the difficulties of developing the southern frontier and humbly declined to acknowledge his achievements, saying only that he "relyed on the prestige of the court and the skillful command of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the bravery of the soldiers," placing himself in a very low position, as if he were a guest general content with the status quo and dutifully fulfilling his duties.

Sun Quan simply smiled and did not expose Liu Bei's performance.

After all, Liu Bei's willingness to come to Jiangdong meant something...

Could it be that Liu Bei is coming to Jiangdong to relax?
The two chatted and laughed, knowing that the canopy car wasn't a good place for conversation, so they kept their conversation brief.

When the car arrived at the Sun residence, a lavish welcome banquet had already been prepared.

After Liu Bei and the others washed up, they went to the banquet hall, where they drank and chatted, accompanied by pleasant music.

Sun Quan sat high in the main seat, chatting and laughing, discussing things that were mutually beneficial. The atmosphere was lively, with everyone smiling and laughing, as if Jiangdong had always been a harmonious place. It seemed that all the people of Jiangdong, whether civil or military officials, were closely united around Sun Quan, working together and living in harmony.

Liu Bei sat in the second seat, and was respectful and polite. He did not refuse any toasts offered to him, but he never said much.

Zhang Fei was seated in the military officers' section. Although he was unhappy, under Guan Yu's stern gaze, he could only drink in silence. However, as he drank, he grew more relaxed and, finding the pouring too slow, snatched the wine pot from the waiter. "Big bowls, please!"

Guan Yu squinted, watching but not stopping Zhang Fei from drinking. Guan Yu himself rarely drank; even when others offered him a toast, he would merely squint, give a half-smile, and then touch his lips to the wine cup. After several rounds of toasts, the wine cup remained completely empty.

Seeing Guan Yu's reaction, the others were disgruntled and stopped offering him drinks. Though they still wore smiles, they were probably cursing him inwardly...

This Chinese culture of toasting actually arose alongside the concept of "covenant".

Bronze inscriptions record that the Zhou emperor bestowing wine was the highest honor, as wine was a scarce resource at that time. The practice of urging others to drink may have originated from a variation of the "blood oath," and in the strictly hierarchical traditional society, the order and manner of toasting implied a hierarchy, establishing the superior-subordinate relationship between two or more parties, and the order of respect and hierarchy among them, thus becoming a ritual to consolidate the power structure.

Later generations went from encouraging drinking to forcing people to drink. Aside from the false proposition that "one's drinking habits reflect one's character," what followed was more like the abuse of power and the collapse of personal boundaries, similar to the game "Werewolf," especially the use of alcohol as a "truth serum" for Muggles...

In fact, the real "truth serum" did exist in later generations, but it was generally unavailable to ordinary people. Compared to cheap and inexpensive alcoholic beverages, it became the first choice for many leaders who lacked self-management skills and had no other means to use, yet still wanted to demonstrate their authority.

Just like Jiangdong right now.

Under Sun Quan's deliberate or unintentional influence, the officials of Jiangdong took turns stepping forward to toast Liu Bei, their words sometimes probing, sometimes flattering, and sometimes subtly witty.

The probing began quietly...

Gu Yong stepped forward, raised his cup to Liu Bei, and spoke calmly yet meaningfully, "Lord Xuande, you have managed the southern border regions and educated the barbarians, your contributions to the state are immense. However, the southern wilderness is hot and humid, rife with miasma and disease. It is truly difficult for you and your troops to be far from the prosperity of the Central Plains. I wonder if you have considered returning north?"

Liu Bei's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Good guy, really good guy.

Liu Bei, still wearing a gentle smile, looked at the elegant Gu Yong and thought to himself, "Is this how the Jiangdong gentry traditionally are? So direct from the start? Not at all like Shandong."

That's really true.

During the Han Dynasty, the Jiangdong area was considered by the gentry in the Central Plains to be a newly "civilized" region, only slightly better than the Longyou and Western Regions where Qiang and Hu people lived together.

So don't expect these guys from Jiangdong to have any tactful words...

Liu Bei smiled and raised his cup in return, "Lord Gu, you flatter me. It is my duty to be entrusted with the task of developing the southern frontier. Although Jiaozhi is far away, its customs are gradually changing, and its resources are becoming more abundant; it is indeed a happy land. Moreover, being far from the war in the Central Plains, the soldiers and common people can live in peace, which greatly pleases me. As for… returning north? Ahaha, this is not something a subject should presume to discuss."

Liu Bei's answer was perfectly flawless.

In just a few words, he sketched out a kind image of someone who was "duty-bound, content with the status quo, had no intention of returning north, and dared not overstep his bounds."

Gu Yong smiled, nodded, drank a cup of wine, and without lingering, bowed and withdrew. Whether Gu Yong was cursing inwardly, "What a load of crap, I don't believe you," is another matter.

Lu Xun immediately stepped forward, his attitude exceptionally humble. He bowed and offered a toast, but steered the conversation towards military matters: "I've heard that Generals Guan and Zhang under Your Majesty possess unparalleled bravery. Back in Sichuan… well, on the southern campaign, they must have been invincible. I wonder if there are any powerful enemies in Jiaozhi and Rinan who refuse to submit to Your Majesty's rule? Your Majesty's methods of training troops must be exceptional; I humbly request Your Majesty's guidance."

Lu Xun had an innocent expression, as if to say, "I'm a baby, I'm straightforward, I'm curious, and I speak my mind, so don't take it personally." But the questions he asked were not at all like those of a well-behaved child, and they even concealed a trap.

Liu Bei remained composed. "Guan Yu and Yi De are indeed brave, but there are countless heroes in the world. The enemies in Jiaonan rely heavily on the advantages of mountainous terrain, far superior to a well-organized army. We must employ both suppression and appeasement. As for training methods, we merely follow ancient practices, diligently drill, and share the hardships with our soldiers. Compared to the elite Jiangdong navy, they are like fireflies compared to the bright moon—incomparable, utterly incomparable."

Liu Bei, like a devil who hadn't noticed Lu Xun's innocent face, maintained his gentle smile, seemingly wearing a mask that would never fall off, praising Lu Xun as a rising star in Jiangdong.

Lu Xun blushed like a timid wife, dared not accept the drink, and withdrew after taking a sip.

Zhang Wen approached, seemingly emboldened by the wine, and casually asked, "Lord Xuande, the General of the Cavalry and the Prime Minister are currently hunting in the He-Luo region, and the battle is at a stalemate. You command elite troops in the south, and Jiaozhi is rich in resources, while Yazhou is a land where rare treasures from overseas converge—truly a gift from heaven. If… the General of the Cavalry has a need, wouldn't it be possible for you to lead your troops north and achieve unparalleled merit?"

It's unclear whether Zhang Wen's use of the word "need" was genuine or just a figure of speech, but the meaning was crystal clear. It could even be described as blatant encouragement and a test, directly pointing out Liu Bei's military strength and resources, implying that he had an opportunity to make a difference in the battle between Fei and Cao, including but not limited to accumulating military power...

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei put down his wine cup and said solemnly, "Zhang Jun, be careful with your words! I am under the command of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, ordered to defend this territory, and I merely obey orders. Grain, provisions, and taxes are all delivered to the central government on time, without the slightest negligence. As for matters of state and military affairs, those are the plans of the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the officials of the court; how could I, a mere general, presume to discuss them? Such words must not be uttered again, lest they bring disaster upon us."

Zhang Wen was taken aback, then pretended to be tipsy, "Ah, ah, indeed, indeed... I was a bit greedy for wine, a bit greedy for wine... drunken talk, drunken talk... hahaha..."

"Fine wine is good, but don't overindulge and ruin your plans!" Liu Bei went along with it, saying, "After this cup, I cannot drink with Zhang Jun!"

"Fine, fine..." Zhang Wen left dejectedly. Clearly, Zhang Wen hadn't expected Liu Bei's reaction to be so swift and severe. He almost immediately distanced himself from Liu Bei, emphasizing obedience and duty, and even expressing concern about the "potential disaster." He adopted an extremely humble posture, like an honest and hardworking farmer.

During the banquet, Sun Quan appeared to be chatting and laughing with his ministers, but his eyes never left Liu Bei. His little ears were perked up, as if he wanted to hear and remember every word Liu Bei said.

Liu Bei's demeanor, as perfect as his gentle smile, was flawless. His extremely humble, low-key, and law-abiding image aligned with what most people in Jiangdong had heard of him, seemingly suggesting that Liu Bei was truly just a tourist, perhaps only there to briefly sample some Jiangdong soy sauce, the kind that gets exposed to the elements for thirty days…

During the banquet, Liu Bei skillfully defused the overt and covert probing attempts made by the Jiangdong gentry, or he sternly distanced himself from them, always positioning himself as a loyal, dutiful, and content guest general.

However, Sun Quan's doubts about Liu Bei's behavior did not disappear; on the contrary, they deepened.

The perfect mask?
Liu Bei's responses were so appropriate, as if he had rehearsed them with these gentry youths of Jiangdong. Each exchange was perfectly timed and appropriate, leaving no room for criticism.

Is someone who can rise again and again in chaotic times, compete with Fei Qian in Sichuan, and expand his territory in the wilderness really so content with mediocrity?

Is this humble demeanor the best disguise for his ambition?
Sun Quan did not believe it.

Sun Quan had tasted the "sweetness" of power.

Is it like, after opening your eyes to the world, you might still treasure a domestic boxer whose training period starts in three years and can be terminated at any time?

Therefore, Sun Quan did not believe that Liu Bei was prepared to be a "General Who Conquers the South" for the rest of his life!
Liu Bei was getting old and had reached the point where he was due for promotion. If he didn't move up to the "management level" soon, he would be "optimized" at the age of thirty-five and sent out as a talented individual into society!
Clearly, Liu Bei is now over thirty-five, so anyone who continues to lie low is definitely not a true brother...

As for Liu Bei's strength in Jiaozhi, although Liu Bei either evaded these sensitive questions or gave irrelevant answers, never mentioning specific figures and only emphasizing the difficulty of developing Lingnan, adopting an attitude of staying away from war and not wanting to get involved in conflicts, Sun Quan's intelligence showed that Liu Bei was recruiting refugees, training soldiers, and developing trade in Jiaozhou, and his strength should not be underestimated. The more low-key he was, the more unfathomable Sun Quan felt he was.

As for Liu Bei's constant talk of loyalty to Fei Qian and righteousness to the Han Dynasty...

As long as everyone is happy.

Even if Liu Bei was truly "loyal and filial," could the General of Chariots and Cavalry really fully trust this warlord who had once fought with him for control of Sichuan and now held considerable military power and lived in a corner of the country?

How much of Liu Bei's "gratitude" towards Fei Qian was genuine?
However, a single banquet was clearly insufficient to resolve so many questions. Sun Quan also had no intention of finalizing any deal with Liu Bei the moment he disembarked. So, while the atmosphere was still relatively warm and no friction had yet arisen, he raised his cup again to deliver a concluding speech, still only discussing matters of friendship and romance. Liu Bei respectfully returned the toast.

After the banquet, Sun Quan kept Lu Su alone in his study.

"Zijing, what do you think of this boy?"

Sun Quan's voice carried a hint of weariness and solemnity.

Lu Su pondered for a moment, then said, "Lord Xuande... is impeccably discreet. His words and actions are both in accordance with the proper conduct of a subject, beyond reproach. However, being too impeccably discreet makes him seem deliberate."

"What Zijing says is quite true..." Sun Quan walked to the window, gazing at the deep night. "Liu Xuande... truly extraordinary... In my eyes, this man is like a deep well, calm on the surface, but beneath... who knows what lies hidden... To say he has no ambition, he would never have come to Jiangdong; to say he has ambition, yet he hides it so deeply... What is he waiting for? Or rather, what is he afraid of?"

Lu Su pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Perhaps he's waiting for the lord to give clear instructions... or perhaps he's observing how deep the waters are in Jiangdong... What he fears is being exposed too early, becoming a target of everyone, and being devoured by the wolves of Jiangdong... or sending out some news too early... arousing the suspicion of the General of the Cavalry... At that time, he would lose both Jiangdong and Jiaozhi... Therefore, his trip is both at the lord's invitation and to test Jiangdong..."

A cold glint flashed in Sun Quan's eyes. "Zijing, do you think... it's possible to... pass the message to the General of Chariots and Cavalry...?"

Lu Su shook his head and said, "My lord, you mustn't do that. This is too deliberate. If... it will be counterproductive."

Sun Quan took a sip of West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce and immediately felt uncomfortable. After pondering for a long time, he dismissed this easily exposed idea—a self-defeating notion that might benefit no one—and said, "One banquet won't reveal his true character… In two days, I will personally take him to inspect the naval exercises! Let him see the strength of Jiangdong, and also see if he can remain so calm in the face of a truly powerful army! Then… I will have a heart-to-heart talk with him about the 'banditry'…"

Lu Su bowed and agreed, indicating that he would return to the Dajiang Water Fortress first and wait for Sun Quan to arrive.

Huang Gai is on the front lines at the Yangtze River, while Lu Su has taken the time to return. The attack on the Sichuan army in Jiangling can also be seen as a test of Liu Bei's strength...

From the moment Liu Bei landed—no, even from the moment he agreed to come to Jiangdong—Sun Quan's probing of Liu Bei unfolded step by step, escalating little by little. Sun Quan wanted to use this method, demonstrating his strength and presenting more concrete "cooperation demands," to pressure Liu Bei, forcing him to reveal his true intentions, and then, based on Liu Bei's needs, either cooperate or…

Meanwhile, Liu Bei, upon returning to the inn, dismissed all his attendants, leaving only Guan Yu and Zhang Fei behind.

"Brother, this awful banquet is driving me crazy! That brat Sun and his men always beat around the bush; not a single word they say is true!"

Zhang Fei gulped down a large mouthful of water and complained, "This Jiangdong wine is so weak! It's so sour and bland, one piss and it's all gone, not even as good as mare's milk wine! Didn't they stock up on some Guanzhong wine? What a disappointment!"

Guan Yu ignored Zhang Fei's complaints about the wine, instead slowly stroking his beard, his phoenix eyes half-closed, "Brother, the people of Jiangdong are testing us quite a bit. The Gu family is steady, the Lu family is quick-witted, and the Zhang family… seems to be trying to instigate us…"

Sitting under the lamp, Liu Bei's humble and gentle demeanor from the banquet had vanished, replaced by a calm sharpness. "They want to know how ambitious I am. Sun Quan wants to use me, but fears he can't control me. The Jiangdong gentry fear I'll muddy their waters, or perhaps they want to see if they can use me to deal with those they want to deal with..."

"The Gu family ostensibly talks about returning north, but in reality, they're discussing trade with Jiaozhi... or to put it more subtly, they're only interested in 'trade'... As for that young man from the Lu family, he's so calculating at such a young age, and his verbal provocations are mostly to show that the Lu family wants to distance themselves from us and stay out of it... After all, the Lu family isn't very prosperous now, unlike the Gu family... which is understandable..."

Liu Bei stroked his beard and said slowly, "And then there's Zhang Huishu... It's said he's quite close to Sun Quan... Perhaps his question is the very question Sun Quan wanted him to ask..."

Guan Yu nodded silently.

Liu Bei chuckled lightly, "It's alright, it's alright! The more obedient I appear, the more uneasy they'll become, and the more they'll try to test me. Sun Quan certainly won't give up so easily; he'll continue to test us brothers. He wants to see how the three of us react, and of course, I also want to see what he'll say... Anyway, since we're already here, let's see just how many hidden reefs lie beneath the surface of Jiangdong, and how dangerous they really are..."

Liu Bei's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. "Living under someone else's roof, confined to the southern wilderness—is this a long-term solution? Fei Ziyuan is a man of great talent and strategy, but his focus is in the north, beyond his reach. Sun Zhongmou lured me into this mess, nothing more than wanting to use one tiger to devour another… But then again, once a tiger enters the mountains, will it still obey orders? Jiangdong… the Sun-Cao alliance is fragile, riddled with internal strife—is this not a godsend?"

Guan Yu said in a low voice, "Jiaozhi is a remote and difficult place to communicate... However, after landing, I did hear some things..."

Guan Yu told Liu Bei some fragments of conversation he had overheard about the relationship between Fei and Cao, as well as between Jiangdong and Sichuan.

Liu Bei nodded, "In that case... the time is indeed not yet ripe."

Liu Bei stood up, went to the window, looked up at the night sky over Wu County, and said in a low but firm voice, "Now, I am the 'Liu Zheng Nan' who only wants to live out the rest of my life peacefully in Jiaozhi... As for the rest, let Sun Quan guess, let the Jiangdong gentry try... We must see every face clearly, remember every word... No matter what the choice is, it will be our decision!"

Liu Bei said quietly, "Though the wind and waves are fierce, the skill of a boatman lies in knowing when to advance and retreat, and even more importantly... in waiting for the right moment to act!"

The lights inside the inn illuminated Liu Bei's deep eyes.

There was no trace of the drunkenness from the banquet in his eyes, only a cold and clear-headed calculation.

If Liu Bei hadn't harbored great ambitions, he wouldn't have been thinking about vying for supremacy when he was in his forties or fifties. Liu Bei respected the emperor, admired Fei Qian, and even thought Cao Cao was remarkable, but this didn't contradict his own ambitions.

Ultimately, people are meant to strive for upward mobility.

He felt that now was an opportunity, an opportunity he had been waiting for a long time.

With Liu Bei's arrival, the chess game in Jiangdong saw its first unpredictable move made. Everyone thinks they are a player, but who truly knows who is ahead or behind whom?
(End of this chapter)