Regarding the news of Zhou Gongjin's impending death revealed by the Light Screen, Liu Bei found himself conflicted.
On one hand, no man could help but admire Zhou Gongjin's brilliance. He had first secured Jiangdong, then triumphed at Red Cliffs. Talent overflowing, elegance unmatched, truly a peerless Zhou Lang.
On the other hand, Zhou Gongjin was undeniably a formidable enemy. From Lu Su's secret letters, Zhou Yu's attitude toward Liu Bei was scarcely different from that of Cao Cao.
Thus, when Liu Bei first learned from the Light Screen that Zhou Gongjin did not have long to live, he had quietly felt a trace of relief that such a great adversary might be claimed by Heaven.
Yet at the same time, there was also regret at seeing a hero of an age fall so young.
It was only after meeting Zhou Yu upon the river two months prior for negotiations that Liu Bei suddenly understood something.
Whether Zhou Gongjin lived or died was never something he could decide.
According to what later generations would say, Zhou Gongjin's condition was likely some kind of severe infection, swift and aggressive. Liu Bei had even privately consulted a physician surnamed Zhang, who said plainly that if the infected flesh had been cut away early and followed by rest, recovery might have been possible. But someone like Zhou Yu, who forced himself onward despite his injuries, had no hope left. He was simply waiting for death.
Moreover, even if this were told to Sun Quan, it would likely be dismissed as slander meant to sow discord. There was no point in speaking of it.
Having understood this, Liu Bei gradually grew more at ease. When he received the letter now, he instead felt that things had merely followed their natural course.
Besides…
If Gongjin did not fall, where would Pang Tong come from?
"Zhou Gongjin is critically ill?" Kongming was visibly surprised.
There were two secret letters. With a quick scan, he grasped the situation in full.
One came from Jiangxia, reporting that during the previous night, a vessel had departed from Jiangling and sailed toward Chaisang.
The other came from Jiangling, noting that the rotation intervals of the city's defenses had grown longer.
"Lu Zijing's efforts have borne fruit. Zhou Yu has gone to Chaisang to recuperate?" Kongming quickly pieced together the general outline.
Combined with what the Light Screen had said, Zhou Yu's journey was partly for recovery and partly to persuade Sun Quan to send troops into Yi Province.
"Congratulations, my lord. Jiangling is ours for the taking." Kongming cupped his hands in salute.
"How should we proceed?" Liu Bei considered for a moment, then decisively abandoned the effort and asked directly.
"My lord may send another letter to Marquis Sun, once again emphasizing Yue Jin's valor. Promise that if Zhou Gongjin marches on Yi Province, we are willing to act as the vanguard, yet out of reluctance to shed the blood of kin, we would prefer to attack Hanzhong independently."
Then, reaching into his sleeve, Kongming produced a prepared letter.
"Secretly instruct Mi Fang to deliver this. Send both letters together, and Jiangling will fall into our hands."
A moment later, Mi Zhu arrived to receive the order. As he took the secret letter from his lord, his emotions were complicated.
There was shame, gratitude, frustration toward his younger brother's failings, and admiration for the Military Advisor's swift wit.
"I will not fail, my lord."
...
Late May, Dantu.
Dust still clinging to him from the road, Lu Su entered and immediately saw Sun Quan in high spirits.
"Come, Zijing. Drain this cup of Nine-Brew Spring with me." Sun Quan's cheeks were faintly flushed, his unusual eyes and beard lending him an even more striking presence.
Lu Su accepted the cup, inhaled its fragrance lightly, and drank it down in one draught. "I thank my lord for the wine."
"What joyful matter calls for such a banquet today?"
Sun Quan snatched the cup back and handed it to an attendant. "Fill it again."
Then he laughed. "This banquet is to send off Zishan. Lai Gong of Jiaozhou has written, complaining of insults from Wu Ju. Zishan volunteered himself, willing to take but a thousand men to govern Jiaozhou."
Lai Gong? Had he not already submitted to Liu Bei? Writing now to complain of Wu Ju?
Was he inclined toward Sun Quan?
Lu Su weighed the thought briefly before discarding it.
Impossible. Neither Lai Gong nor Wu Ju had prior ties with Jiangdong. Sun Quan's interest in Jiaozhou, however, had always been evident.
Jiaozhou was vast and sparsely populated. It would be better to win over Shi Xie than to launch a campaign. This move seemed more like a display of force.
Bu Zhi approached with a cup to greet Lu Su.
"And Zishan's new post?" Lu Su asked.
"He is now Inspector of Jiaozhou." Sun Quan patted Bu Zhi's shoulder with clear favor.
"And furthermore." Sun Quan raised his cup again and drank. "Liu Bei has written, saying that if Gongjin attacks Yi Province, he will strike Hanzhong instead. He even feigns reluctance to harm kin of the Liu clan. Hah."
He drank again and let out a small belch. "Such petty tricks are obvious. He wishes to seize Hanzhong as he did the four commanderies of Jing. Does he think himself Emperor Gaozu reborn?"
Lu Su glanced at Bu Zhi, who tactfully excused himself and withdrew.
Stepping closer, Lu Su lowered his voice. "The Grand Commander recently received a secret letter from Gong'an. It claims Liu Bei has grown overconfident, even boasting to his people that Guan Yunchang is unmatched under Heaven and that the four commanderies of Jing are impregnable."
"Previously, Cao Cao stationed Yue Jin at Xiangfan. This man is known for leading from the front. I fear that after the seventh month, he will take the initiative to attack Jiangling."
"In my opinion, we should hand Jiangling over to Liu Bei and observe whether Yue Jin or Guan Yu proves the greater general."
Sun Quan's gaze cleared as he considered carefully. "Where did Gongjin's secret letter come from?"
"From Mi Zhu's younger brother. He is fond of indulgence. Mi Zhu redirected his family wealth to fill Liu Bei's coffers, and the man has grown resentful."
"Is he reliable?" Sun Quan asked.
Lu Su shifted the topic. "Lady Sun's attendants previously reported that a papermaking workshop has been established in Gong'an."
Sun Quan remained silent, gesturing for him to continue as they walked from the main hall into the study.
"It is said Mi Zhu spent heavily to obtain the method from Cao Cao's territory, capable of producing Zuo Bo paper. Liu Bei intends to use it to fund his armies."
"However, the man claims he has stolen part of the method and wishes to sell it to the Grand Commander for three hundred gold."
"Three hundred gold?" Sun Quan's hand trembled, ruining a sheet of fine Zuo Bo paper. He felt both pained and shocked. "Has he gone mad? One hundred… no, ten gold. If he refuses, send the letter to Liu Bei."
"The Grand Commander has already completed the transaction," Lu Su said awkwardly. "He believes the fragment can test the man's reliability, and leaving a record will bind him more tightly for future intelligence."
"So be it… what a petty villain." Sun Quan scowled. "Has the method been verified?"
"In Chaisang, craftsmen examined it. Most believe it to be genuine, though reproducing Zuo Bo paper will take time and expense."
"No matter." Sun Quan made his decision. "Order Liu Bei to move into Jiangling. When Gongjin recovers and marches on Yi Province, we will compel Liu Bei to serve as vanguard. Everything in Gong'an will fall into my hands."
"When the time comes, find that wretch who took three hundred gold and execute him."
"What does Zijing think?"
Lu Su showed a satisfied expression. "My lord's decision is excellent."
...
"So this is Jiangling?" Zhang Fei's face was full of disappointment. "This is supposed to be a fortress famed under Heaven?"
"Come now, Yide." Huang Zhong rode up beside him with a smile. "If Jiangling is to become such a fortress, it will depend on Yunchang governance. For now, it is only a major city of Nan Commandery."
Riding ahead, Guan Yu said nothing. He observed the city with interest, yet beneath that calm gaze lay a trace of ambition.
In this life, the Jiangling he would build with his own hands should shake the world under his command.
To make its name under another man would be a regret.
Further ahead rode Liu Bei, alone.
"Elder Brother, why is Kongming not here?" Guan Yu asked.
He fully understood and admired the strategy. Imitating Mi Fang's handwriting, manipulating Sun Quan and Zhou Yu's thinking, even extracting a sum of gold in the process.
They had secured Jiangling a full year earlier than in the Light Screen.
Such merit was immense. Why was Kongming absent?
"Kongming…" Liu Bei's voice lowered, carrying a hint of concern. "A messenger has arrived from Wu Ziqing. There may be trouble in Jiaozhou."