Chapter 23: This Sun Quan dilemma is a ticking time bomb that only you, Bowen, can defuse.

Zhao Yun was not a man prone to second-guessing his superior’s intentions, but he was certainly no stranger to the nuances of human relationships. Observing Liu Bei’s expression and the underlying meaning in his words, Zhao Yun naturally grasped the subtext.

"Yinping is the daughter of a great warrior, and Advisor Xiao is a rare talent of our age. They are a perfect match—a scholar and a beauty. Moreover, Yinping saved Advisor Xiao’s life; it is surely a match ordained by fate."

"I, too, feel they are well-suited for one another," Zhao Yun added. Having voiced Liu Bei’s unspoken sentiment, he then asked, "Listening to your words, my lord, is it your intention to play matchmaker between Yinping and Advisor Xiao?"

Liu Bei stroked his beard and smiled, nodding slightly. "The thought occurred to me quite suddenly. However, such a matter must first be cleared with Yunchang; after all, he is her father. Then there is the girl herself—it must be her wish as well. Given her temperament, even if Yunchang were to agree, it would be to no avail if she refused."

Zhao Yun chuckled. "I am certain Yinping would agree. She is a girl of cold disposition, indifferent to most, yet in these past few days, I have observed that toward Advisor Xiao, she shows a certain… a certain…" Zhao Yun scratched his head, struggling to find the right word.

"Tenderness?" Liu Bei’s eyes lit up, the word slipping out.

"Yes, exactly! That is precisely what I meant," Zhao Yun nodded repeatedly. "Therefore, I believe that since Yinping holds Advisor Xiao in such high regard, if you were to suggest it, she would likely not refuse."

Liu Bei’s face brightened with sudden clarity, and he laughed. "Hearing you say this, Zilon, puts my mind at ease. However, with a great battle looming, this matter must be set aside for now. Let us wait until this campaign is won and we have weathered the current storm."

Zhao Yun nodded in agreement.

Liu Bei set aside the idle chatter and stepped forward, asking with a smile, "Boliang, Yinping, what delicious meal are you enjoying? I smelled the aroma from quite a distance."

The two looked up, only then noticing Liu Bei’s arrival.

"My lord, you have come at the right moment. The perch has just been grilled. Would you like to taste some?" Xiao He smiled and offered the untouched fish.

"Uncle, do not taste it," Guan Yinping quickly stepped forward to block him. "This fish is sprinkled with some kind of chili; it is incredibly spicy. You surely would not be able to handle it."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei recoiled and politely declined. "I am not accustomed to spicy food. In that case, I shall pass."

Xiao He did not insist. He invited Liu Bei to sit and poured him a cup of wine.

***

After downing the cup of wine, Liu Bei’s expression turned solemn. "Cao Cao’s army of over a hundred thousand has been attacking fiercely for ten days, yet not a single soldier has managed to scale the walls of Fancheng."

"Boliang, you are truly a Bo Le of our time. This Huo Zhongmiao you recommended is a genuine genius of city defense! I must toast you with this cup, thanking you for unearthing such a raw piece of jade for me!"

Xiao He accepted the wine but graciously deflected the praise. "My lord, you are too kind. Recommending the talented is merely the duty of a subordinate; I dare not accept your thanks."

The lord and his subject exchanged a smile, the sentiment understood in the wine they shared, and they drained their cups.

"By the way, why have I not seen Strategist Kongming today?" Xiao He noticed the anomaly, as Zhuge Liang was usually inseparable from Liu Bei.

Liu Bei’s smile faded, his expression turning grave. "I was just about to speak to you about this, Boliang. Yide has sent an urgent report from Yicheng. Cai Mao has mobilized all the forces of Jiangling and is marching north. His vanguard is already nearing Dangyang, clearly intending to coordinate with Cao Cao to pin us in Xiangyang."

"Given that Cai Mao has about thirty thousand troops and the veteran Jingzhou general Wen Pin as his vanguard, Kongming and I consulted and feared that Yide might be spread too thin. Thus, Kongming has gone personally to Yicheng to assist Yide in repelling the enemy."

Xiao He understood the situation immediately. "There is no need to guess. This is likely because Cao Cao hit a wall at Fancheng and, out of desperation, ordered Liu Cong to send troops to attack us from both sides."

Xiao He smiled reassuringly. "Strategist Kongming is a master of divine strategy; one man is worth a million soldiers. Since he has gone to assist General Yide, my lord, you may rest easy."

With Zhang Fei and Zhuge Liang working together, even with fewer troops, they should be more than capable of handling a man like Cai Mao. Xiao He remained calm and poured more wine for Liu Bei.

"I am, of course, at ease with Kongming at Yicheng," Liu Bei said, though he left his cup untouched. He looked at Xiao He with expectant eyes. "Before he left, Kongming said that the military strategy for the Xiang-Fan region must now rest on your shoulders, Boliang. You carry a heavy burden; it will be hard work for you from now on."

Xiao He choked on his drink. He had thought that with Zhuge Liang present, he could just drink, enjoy the breeze, and wait for victory without straining his brain. He hadn't expected Cao Cao’s side-maneuver to force Zhuge Liang to depart for Yicheng. Now, with the Sleeping Dragon gone, all the pressure was on him.

*It seems my days of leisure have come to an end…* Xiao He sighed inwardly, then said helplessly, "I live off the lord’s salary, so I must naturally share his worries. But in truth, I am not particularly skilled in strategy."

Hearing the words "not particularly skilled in strategy," Liu Bei, Zhao Yun, and Guan Yinping exchanged knowing smiles. At a time like this, who didn’t know of Xiao Boliang’s brilliant foresight? He was merely being humble. They would let him be modest, but they certainly didn't believe him.

***

"I have come today because there is one matter upon which I wish to hear your opinion, Boliang," Liu Bei said, brushing aside Xiao He’s modesty. "Before Kongming left today, we received a letter from our nephew, Gongwei, stating that Sun Quan is significantly reinforcing his troops along the line of Chaisang, Xunyang, and Qichun. He clearly intends to take advantage of our predicament to attack Jiangxia again."

"Kongming believes Sun Quan is acting at Cao Cao’s behest to take Xiakou, thereby severing one of our arms and leaving us isolated at Xiang-Fan."

"Jiangxia was devastated by Sun Quan last year, and Gongwei currently has only ten thousand men. I fear he cannot withstand another assault. The situation in Jiangxia is dire." Liu Bei’s face darkened with concern.

Xiao He asked, "And what is Strategist Kongming’s view?"

Liu Bei sighed. "Kongming said the best strategy is to explain to Sun Quan the danger of 'the lips being gone, the teeth are cold,' to persuade him to abandon the attack on Jiangxia and join forces against Cao Cao. However, the Sun family has long coveted Jingzhou; to persuade Sun Quan, Kongming would have to go to Jiangdong personally."

"But with the great battle at Yicheng imminent, Kongming cannot be in two places at once. He must prioritize repelling the enemy at Yicheng, and the mission to Jiangdong must be temporarily shelved. Before he left, he asked me to consult you, saying you might have a perfect plan."

Xiao He smiled bitterly to himself. Zhuge Liang really trusted him, leaving him to deal with the "Sun Quan bomb" before he left. However, that bomb wasn't ready to explode yet, and it wouldn't be too difficult to handle.

After a brief reflection, Xiao He said without hesitation, "Sun Quan is a slippery man; he won't be easily used by Cao Cao. We don't need to send an envoy to him. Sun Quan has likely already taken the initiative to send Lu Su to seek an audience with you."

Liu Bei trembled slightly, a look of shocked surprise flashing in his eyes. He was delighted that Xiao He had deduced Sun Quan would seek an alliance, but shocked that he even knew the name of the envoy!

Zhao Yun and Guan Yinping also exchanged glances, their faces filled with wonder.

"Boliang, that Lu—" Liu Bei began to ask.

Chen Dao hurried up to the watchtower and bowed. "Reporting to my lord! A scholar named Lu Su, claiming to be sent by Sun Quan, has arrived and is waiting at the provincial office!"

Liu Bei’s expression changed instantly. Zhao Yun and Guan Yinping were equally stunned. All three sets of eyes turned sharply toward Xiao He.