Poyang Lake, a place historically filled with drama.
Over a thousand years later, Chen Youliang, who rose from a mere soldier to a hegemon in just a few short years, used an iron chain formation to connect his warships, and then… predictably, fell victim to Zhu Yuanzhang’s fire attack, losing a great advantage with a single blaze.
And a thousand years apart, following the original course of history, a great fire was about to be ignited here, a fire… that would burn away Cao Cao’s dream of unifying the realm.
At this moment…
As far as the eye could see, the water rippled.
The lake was a brilliant blue, vast and boundless, as if merging with the miles of blue sky, truly like the later poetic phrase, "Autumn waters merge with the sky, one color."
Countless fishermen toiled here day and night, their laughter echoing with delight whenever they hauled up large, plump fish.
Zhou Yu’s navy also trained here.
The waves of Poyang Lake were closest to the Yangtze River, and by having his subordinates train here for years on end, they had forged the Jiangdong navy, a force capable of fighting tough battles and withstanding the winds and waves.
Of course…
Due to Jiangdong’s unique military system.
The several thousand naval soldiers under Zhou Yu’s command belonged only to Zhou Yu.
While Zhou Yu might obey Sun Quan, these naval forces were essentially Zhou Yu’s private retainers, answering only to him. Even after his death, they would be passed on to his son.
This was Jiangdong’s so-called “Fu Bing System” (Garrison Soldier System)…
Whoever had the soldiers under their command, those soldiers were theirs!
At this moment, Zhou Yu was in his residence, playing the guqin. The melody was vigorous and resonant, seemingly filled with endless grief, indignation, and pent-up emotions. Zhuge Liang, gently fanning himself, listened patiently until the song concluded.
He appeared much more composed.
Ultimately, Zhou Yu’s mind was heavy, and with a powerful stroke, a guqin string snapped, bringing the music to an abrupt halt. Zhou Yu slowly lowered his hands.
“A note out of tune, Zhou Lang looks back…” Zhuge Liang paced, sighing, “I never expected that a string on Zhou Lang’s guqin would snap? Zhou Lang, spare me the words, let me guess, it must be that letter from King Wei, Cao Cao, inviting you to hunt in Wu, with an army of eight hundred thousand. Even the Right Protector of Jiangdong, Duke Zhou Gongjin, must feel quite heavy-hearted?”
Zhou Yu detected the slight mockery in Zhuge Liang’s words, but he did not become angry.
The historical Zhou Yu was an extremely magnanimous person, and also a handsome man comparable to the viewers before the mobile screen!
“Wolong Zhuge, why do you come to see me first? Why not visit Jiangdong’s Left Protector, Lu Boyan? He is the person most trusted by Sun Yi, the lord of Jiangdong, and he wields significant military power.”
Zhou Yu asked the question that concerned him most.
Zhuge Liang did not conceal his intentions. “Because Lu Boyan represents the interests of the four great families of Kuaiji and the four great families of Wu Commandery. These families, whether they pledge allegiance to the Sun family or to King Wei, will remain local influential clans. They will monopolize the local officialdom and resources, and they will not care who the master is!”
“Heh!” Hearing this, Zhou Yu retorted, “Then why are you so sure that I, Zhou Yu, will resist Cao?”
“Because you are of the Huai-Si faction… Your roots are not in Jiangdong. You must maintain the same stance as the Sun family of Jiangdong. This is the helplessness of those of us who are transient residents, isn’t it?”
Hiss…
With that single sentence from Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu’s eyes narrowed, and he no longer dared to underestimate this visitor from north of the river.
“Does Kongming understand the xiao?”
“A little!”
“Then how about we play a duet, you and I, with guqin and xiao?”
“What shall we play?”
“What do you think?”
“Surely not ‘Phoenix Seeking His Mate’?” Zhuge Liang asked with a smile.
Zhou Yu smiled faintly. “’Phoenix Seeking His Mate’ is quite fitting, and seems rather good!”
Indeed…
Few people could think in the same vein as him, Zhou Yu, and see through Jiangdong so clearly.
To be precise… only he, Zhou Yu, and Zhuge Liang.
“—Phoenix, oh phoenix, return to your homeland, soaring through the four seas seeking your mate.
This perfectly fits the situation, does it not?
Zhuge Liang was seeking an “ally,” and was not Zhou Yu also seeking an “ally”?
“The guqin string broke? Can you still play?”
“A broken string can be reattached, and then played again!”
The conversation between Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu was light and airy, not at all like two strangers meeting for the first time, but rather like old friends reuniting, occasionally bickering, and hitting each other playfully!
The music began…
At first listen, it was like the refined elegance of spring snow, lingering and sentimental…
However, it was clear that Zhou Yu did not intend to play it so lightly. He suddenly accelerated his tempo, as if a steady flowing stream had become turbulent due to the terrain.
Zhuge Liang’s xiao melody also quickened considerably…
He was able to perfectly keep pace with Zhou Yu’s guqin.
The two played faster and faster, as if the stream had merged into a river, its currents instantly becoming even more surging, rushing downstream.
Zhuge Liang felt a touch of concern, wondering if the guqin could withstand Zhou Yu’s rapid playing, whether another string would break. However… the strings did not break, but their hearts, Zhou Yu’s and Zhuge Liang’s, could not calm down for a long time.
Because the rapidly played melody had caused… caused that “river flow” to become uncontrollable, rushing headlong towards the opposite bank, or surging towards the unknown future.
“What will be the outcome?”
The same question arose in the hearts of Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu.
Both of them could not help but frown, their entire bodies tensing.
Finally…
As the guqin music reached its climax, Zhou Yu’s hands suddenly pressed down heavily on all the strings.
Zhuge Liang, meanwhile, lowered his xiao…
—*Dong!*
With a loud clang, the guqin piece ended.
It was as if water reaching a waterfall, rushing down, failure… or self-sacrifice!
And before the eyes of Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, a different scene seemed to unfold.
—On the surging Yangtze River, countless ships were arrayed on both sides, the battle on the verge of eruption… with waters surging or flames engulfing the sky, this battle was destined to be recorded in history!
For several breaths…
The two finally exhaled simultaneously.
Zhou Yu spoke first, “This piece was just reaching its crescendo. If you and I play without strings, I fear we cannot bring it to its conclusion.”
Zhuge Liang smiled faintly, “If everything’s outcome were known, then… what meaning would there be? Is it not the unknown outcome that Duke Zhou is more eager to challenge?”
Heh…
At this moment, Zhou Yu laughed, and as he laughed, he suddenly stood up. Their minds were connected, and from this point on…
They might as well speak their minds directly.
—“Mr. Kongming, how do you plan to deal with the ‘flying ball soldiers’ in the Longxiao Camp?”
—“Mr. Kongming, how do you plan to persuade the four great families of Kuaiji and the four great families of Wu Commandery to join forces against Cao?”
—“Lu Ziyu is skilled in psychological warfare. Does Mr. Kongming have any countermeasures?”
These three questions were what Zhou Yu most wanted to know.
And also…
The key to whether Jiangdong could win the war against Cao!
“Duke Zhou seems to be quite wary of Lu Ziyu?” Zhuge Liang asked, rather than answering.
“Do you not? You said yourself that I enjoy challenging the unknown outcome. Moreover, I was once defeated by this Lu Ziyu. That was in Lujiang, and I lost miserably, but it established the reputation of the Longxiao Camp. This time… I want to reclaim what was lost!”
Whoa…
Zhuge Liang hadn’t considered this aspect.
So, Duke Zhou Gongjin’s resistance against Cao was partly driven by personal grievances.
…
…
Luoyang City, ten miles outside the city, at a roadside tea stall.
At this moment, Sima Yi sat here with a frown, raising his teacup, sipping it gently, and casually scanning his surroundings, as if waiting for someone.
Finally, after drinking his third cup of tea, he finally waited for the person he was meant to meet.
“You’ve finally arrived. It looks like you went to find your master?”
The newcomer was dressed in black, holding a sword, and wearing a bamboo hat, his face obscured.
“If I had gone to find my master, would I still be alive to return?”
“Who exactly are you?”
Sima Yi asked vigilantly, leaning forward, trying to glimpse the newcomer’s face… He desperately wanted to recognize this person’s identity.
Clearly…
This person gave him a familiar feeling, but he couldn’t quite place who it was.
“Who I am is not important. What’s important is… have you thought about who you are?”
“I am myself, who else could I be?” Sima Yi immediately retorted…
“Oh…”
The black-clad swordsman smiled faintly, then placed his sword on the table, and with his hands on his hips, he laughed and said, “Let me ask you then, are you now the second son of the Sima clan of Henei? Or the esteemed disciple of the Marquis of Baima?”
Whoosh…
The black-clad swordsman’s words made Sima Yi understand something instantly.
He decided to go along with the other person’s intention.
“I am naturally first the second son of the Sima family, and then my master’s disciple!”
“Heh heh!” The black-clad swordsman laughed. “Are you still his disciple now? Where was he when the King of Wei wanted to execute your entire family? Where was he when your Sima clan of Henei was annihilated? The Sima family of Henei died a terrible death! I heard that in the great fire, even the bones turned to ashes… leaving only scorched remains scattered on the ground.”
“Who are you?” Sima Yi asked again… “Why are you telling me this?”
“If you want to avenge your entire family, then follow me.” The black-clad swordsman finished his cup of tea, picked up his sword, turned around, and headed down a small path.
Just as he lifted his sword, Sima Yi noticed the sword. It was a sword he was extremely familiar with…
To be precise, he was exceptionally familiar with the dragon pattern marking on that sword.
That was…
That was the Zhongxing Sword, a treasured sword forged by Emperor Ling Liu Hong, the father of the current Emperor Xian Liu Xie…
There were a total of four, named Zhongxing.
At that time, these four swords caused a sensation throughout the Han Empire, but soon… the palace spread word that one of the four swords was lost.
And what was lost that time was not just the Zhongxing Sword, but also a man known as the “Sword Saint.”
Sima Yi’s father, Sima Fang, often told this story to his sons, even drawing depictions of the “Zhongxing Sword.”
This was why Sima Yi remembered it vividly.
Then…
Was the person before him… was he the owner of the Zhongxing Sword—that man known as the Sword Saint?
But upon second thought, it didn’t feel right.
The current Emperor no longer obsessed over it, so… what was this “Sword Saint” obsessed with?
Immediately…
Sima Yi stopped lingering and quickly caught up to the black-clad man.
“Wait for me, I’ll go with you… I’ll go with you!”
Indeed…
Because of the tragedy of the Sima family, no one would doubt Sima Yi’s stance. After all, in the end, the Han dynasty governed the world with filial piety. Those who killed their fathers were irreconcilable enemies!
“Alright, alright…”
Not far away, two horses were already prepared.
The black-clad swordsman mounted his horse, looked back at Sima Yi, and left only two words:
—“Follow.”
With that, and the neighing of the horses, the two men and two horses disappeared onto the official road.
…
…
Luoyang City, Marquis of Baima’s Residence…
No, to be precise, early this morning, the signage here had changed to “Marquis of Nanshu Residence.”
This was a county marquis… and above that were only the titles of Duke and King.
Of course, this was a double blessing…
Xiahou Juan’s pregnancy came first, followed by the Marquis of Baima’s title change to Marquis of Nanshu. These were all causes for celebration.
The day had been lively.
As night fell, the place quieted down.
Under the faint moonlight, Xiahou Juan, wrapped in a cloak, stood alone outside Cai Zhaoji’s room with a food container. “Sister Zhaoji, it’s me!”
Hearing Xiahou Juan’s voice, Cai Zhaoji gently opened the door.
She had announced to the outside world that she was going into seclusion to compile the “Continued History of the Han Dynasty,” moving all the books in the residence into her courtyard, and forbidding anyone from disturbing her.
She had even stationed several Longxiao Camp guards outside the courtyard, ensuring the security was formidable.
But… Xiahou Juan was an exception. She was the only one in the entire Marquis of Nanshu Residence permitted to bring meals to Sister Zhaoji.
Of course…
Because of her pregnancy, Da Qiao had proactively offered to do this task for her.
But Xiahou Juan insisted on delivering it herself…
She also said that the physician advised that even with pregnancy, walking was good. Of course… this physician was also a trusted disciple of Cai Zhaoji.
During these sensitive times, some things had to be kept secret!
“You’re here?”
Cai Zhaoji glanced behind Xiahou Juan, ensuring no one was present before closing the door, appearing very cautious.
Xiahou Juan quickly opened the food container. Looking at Sister Zhaoji’s gradually bulging belly, she hurried to speak, “This is the crucian carp soup I personally cooked, and also… also grapes and eggs. The physician said eating these is good for the fetus.”
Cai Zhaoji looked at the busy Xiahou Juan, feeling a pang of sympathy.
She spoke gently, “You come to deliver meals three times a day, and you personally cook many of them. It must be difficult for you.”
“It’s nothing. I’ve always enjoyed cooking. Now, pretending to be pregnant… my sisters have sent so many nourishing ingredients. I might as well cook for Sister Zhaoji in my own courtyard’s kitchen… and deliver it when it’s ready. It’s no trouble.”
Xiahou Juan was kind-hearted…
It was precisely because of this that she could understand Sister Zhaoji’s predicament, and that’s why she proposed… doing this!
When Sister Zhaoji gives birth, the switch would be made—the child would be brought to her side, and naturally… the child would have a recognized identity, and Sister Zhaoji would have a proper status, and her husband would not be criticized by the world because of this matter.
In any case, it was her husband’s child…
The kind-hearted Xiahou Juan naturally treated the child as her own, so… everything seemed to fall into place naturally.
“You’ve been wronged… having to pretend to be pregnant during the day. It must be very tiring!” Cai Zhaoji took Xiahou Juan’s delicate hand…
“No wronged,” Xiahou Juan smiled sweetly. “There are still eight months left, and it will pass quickly. In the later months, I… I will also try to go out less, and see fewer of those sisters. In short… everything will go smoothly, Sister Zhaoji, please don’t worry.”
Hearing this…
Cai Zhaoji reached out and gently stroked Xiahou Juan’s hair, leaning back, allowing Xiahou Juan to relax and also trying to relax every part of her body.
After becoming pregnant, her body would always tremble inexplicably, as if very nervous.
However, Cai Zhaoji still opened her mouth to praise Xiahou Juan. “Brother Yu is truly blessed in his third life to have married you.”
In Xiahou Juan’s clear eyes, ripples seemed to stir slightly. She looked up at Cai Zhaoji and said, “Husband is lucky in his tenth life to have a sister like Sister Zhaoji.”
As these words came out…
The two women looked at each other and smiled sweetly.
…
…