Rebirth of the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao doesn't want to be a widow anymore

Chapter 344 Sincerity will always be her ultimate weapon.
In truth, Liu Bei was somewhat in the wrong in this matter.

"There are over ten thousand soldiers in the army. You alone cannot supply them with the necessary resources." Liu Bei was unwilling to compromise on this matter. If the army continued to rely on Qiao Wei to supply the crossbows, he would be at the mercy of others.

It's hard to discern Qiao Wei's true nature from his demeanor; one can't fathom the extent of his inner turmoil.

"If General Zuo doesn't trust me, that's fine. Just return my anger to me," Qiao Wei said. "There are villains in this army, and I also need to protect myself with a bow and arrow."

"Weapons can easily injure others and also harm oneself. Your health is delicate, so it is best not to get involved in such dangerous matters."

For Liu Bei, a woman's greatest value lies in standing behind a man, not in trying to stand at the same level as him or engaging in a tense standoff.

Qiao Wei's appearance was indeed stunning, but his personality was unpleasant. He was not content with his lot and was as ambitious as Sun Quan, which made him repulsive.

"Last night was just an accident. As long as you behave properly, I can guarantee that your life will be safe." Liu Bei got up and left. Guan Yu narrowed his eyes, his slightly furrowed brows revealing a sharp edge, and his gaze was exceptionally cold.

Huang Zhong hesitated to speak, but ultimately left with the craftsmen.

The negotiations broke down.

Qiao Wei was sent back to the room where he was under house arrest. The wind rustled, carrying the dull thuds of wooden canes striking flesh on the training ground and the man's indistinct groans from not far away.

Qiao Wei knew that Liu Bei was doing it on purpose.

Soon, the man's voice gradually faded until it was just a low sob, and then it disappeared completely.

But the sound of the cane continued until the number of people counted reached fifty.

The tranquility of death concealed the fear and silent sorrow of the onlookers.

Soon, footsteps sounded outside. Liu Bei had deployed new guards. The moment their eyes met, a mixture of amazement, greed, fear, and anger flashed in their eyes.

Qiao Wei disliked those covetous eyes, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, waiting for darkness to descend, for it signifies new danger.

They weren't afraid enough, Qiao Wei knew that very well; she'd seen that look in many people's eyes. It could only be said that in this generation, not being strong enough was the original sin.

But it doesn't matter, Qiao Wei thought, one day she will make them fear her.

The next day, Zhuge Liang came again, this time bringing news...

"General Huang came to see me last night, hoping I could get information from your wife: where are there any other craftsmen who know such techniques besides you?"

Huang Zhong knew very well that the Jiangdong army had already begun to equip itself with Zhennu in large quantities, and there was no way that Qiao Wei was the only craftsman who could assemble crossbows.

Perhaps Qiao Wei did indeed create this crossbow and knew how to make it, but Huang Zhong couldn't place all the risks on Qiao Wei alone.

Qiao Wei nodded, "In Wancheng."

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, warm yellow light spilled onto his brow bone, casting shadows beneath his fine eyelashes. His eyes shimmered with a faint light, carrying a casual yet sincere answer.

Zhuge Liang clearly didn't expect her to actually give an answer. Of course, this answer was also within Huang Zhong and Zhuge Liang's expectations, but Qiao Wei's straightforward and direct attitude made Zhuge Liang unable to figure out what Qiao Wei really meant.

"Didn't Madam say..."

If Liu Bei were to find a craftsman to replace her, would her life be in danger?
To protect himself, he had come prepared not to receive an answer. He had even planned how to subtly smooth things over for her in front of Liu Bei and Huang Zhong.

"Since it was you, sir, who asked, I have nothing to hide." Zhuge Liang wanted to speak, but his voice hesitated between his lips and teeth, unable to utter a word, his heart filled with conflicting emotions.

"As the gentleman said, our friendship is that of gentlemen, and since we are gentlemen, we should be honest with each other."

At the corner, a figure quietly disappeared.

Under such clear and unwavering gaze, Zhuge Liang conceded defeat. "But my lady knows that, being in Xinye, I cannot reciprocate with the same honesty. My lady should not have so easily revealed this answer to me today. Does my lady know..."

Qiao Wei nodded, "I know."

The person hiding in the shadows wasn't particularly clever.

Youxuan had been by his side for quite some time. He was an undercover agent himself, and Qiao Wei had witnessed many of his skills. So, seeing through someone's disguise wasn't a difficult task for him.

“I gave him the answer, but how does he know that what I said is true? Or maybe he simply won’t believe me at all,” Qiao Wei said with a smile. “Actually, whether I tell him today or not is not important.”

But if you don't get an answer from me, General Zuo will be even less likely to trust you.

Even when imprisoned and struggling to survive, he never forgot to sincerely plan for his friends and use his meager strength to protect them.

Compared to her open and honest demeanor, Zhuge Liang felt ashamed of himself.

“Yuanzhi told me that the Left General is planning to bestow you upon one of his men as a concubine. I’ve thought about it and decided I should ask for your opinion, Madam.”

"Madam, would you be willing to temporarily submit to my name and preserve your own safety?"

As Sun Quan's hostage in Xinye, she is now in a precarious situation, hanging by a thread, because Sun Quan refuses to withdraw his troops, and is in danger of being crushed to pieces at any moment.

When Liu Qi came to Xinye, he brought a letter from Liu Biao, which stated that if Jiangdong remained ambitious and refused to withdraw its troops, Xinye would send troops to Changsha to sacrifice Qiao Wei as a sacrifice to the flag.

Xu Shu believed Zhuge Liang's words, thinking that Zhuge Liang had romantic feelings for Qiao Wei, which was why he revealed this information to Zhuge Liang, indicating that Zhuge Liang should take the initiative to ask Liu Bei for help again.

This way, he could be considered to have fulfilled his loyalty and affection for Zhuge Liang as a friend.

If Qiao Wei wanted to gain Liu Bei's trust as quickly as possible, lower his guard, and save his life, this would be the most convenient and direct method.

In doing so, Qiao Wei essentially relinquished her status as Sun Quan's wife in Jiangdong and surrendered to Liu Bei.

Then Liu Bei wouldn't need to worry about her entering the armory.

Furthermore, by becoming Zhuge Liang's concubine, Qiao Wei was considered to be "owned" by others, which prevented incidents like the previous one where guards sneaked into her room.

Qiao Wei understood Zhuge Liang's meaning and knew that he was a virtuous man who was only planning this to protect Qiao Wei.

“I understand your intentions, sir. But you know that I risked my life to enter Deng County to find you, hoping to persuade you to serve Jiangdong.”

If I were to submit to you today, even with only a nominal title, it would create an awkward situation, and you would never be able to enter Jiangdong again.

Besides, is Madam Huang aware of your plans, sir?

"Hearing that the lady is in danger, she is very anxious at home and is urging me to ask General Zuo for help."

Qiao Wei smiled, "Madam is truly kind-hearted, but sir, I am unwilling."