Chapter 2: Change of Plans
Since Liu Bei had no land of his own, he had taken refuge in Xia Kou with officials who wanted to join his cause. The make shift army resided in a large estate surrounded by forests and mountains. It was the perfect place for a camp but things were awkward when you were so close to Wei and Wu territory.
Yue Ting stepped into the large foyer and glanced at her Uncles private study, the doors were closed but she could hear voices rambling inside. She didn't even have a chance to sit down when the doors swung open and two men came out, heading towards her. "Uncle KongMing." Yue Ting greeted them with a bow.
"Perfect timing, Yue Ting." Zhuge Liang hurried her over to their side, "Meet noblemen Chen." She turned and gave him a small bow.
"So you are the young lady that Master Zhuge has been raving about."
"Do not spoil my niece with praise, noblemen Chen. She is still young." He turned to Yue Ting, "Wait in my study, please." And began to usher Chen Zhen towards the front doors again.
Before he closed the door to his study, he looked at the two maids cleaning the floor and dismissed them, banning anyone from entering the home without his permission. Yue Ting looked at her Uncle with curious eyes. "Am I to accompany noblemen Chen to Wu?" she asked.
"You are too bright, Yue Ting." He sat down across from her and poured her a cup of tea. "Chen Zhen is going to turn on us." He said, his words sharp but lifeless. Yue Ting always wondered how her Uncle knew what he knew, but she knew at a young age to never ask or question his genius.
"With Wu?"
"I do not know whom he is conspiring with, but I know that he will turn on us." He leaned forward towards her, "I need you to be my spy." Yue Ting knew the tone in his voice, "Lord Liu Bei does not have a land of his own." He continued, "Wu is our key to obtaining that land."
"You mean?"
"We are going to take Jing Province."
"I have not heard anything about this!"
"Because it can not happen unless you do your part." Yue Ting stayed silent to gather her thoughts.
"Is this why you asked me to come back so quickly?"
"No." His eyes narrowed, "There were reports that the Phoenix Assassin was roaming in the cities near you. I asked you to come back for your safety." She made a low growl in her throat, "You depart in two days."
"So soon?" They were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Whose there?" Zhuge Liang barked, the doors pushed open to a surprised Yue Ying.
"Aunt Yue Ying." Yue Ting greeted.
"Have you already told her, my husband?" He nodded towards her, "Are you okay with this Yue Ting?"
"Of course."
"Well then, you should go get ready for the banquet." They returned a puzzle stare, "Did you not hear? Lord Liu Bei is holding a banquet for you my dear. We are to sit with the Guan family." Yue Ting stumbled on her chair and looked towards her Uncle. Zhuge Liang was trying to keep a straight face but the smile had broken through.
"I owe Lord Liu Bei a favour for allowing you to go to Wu." He tried to explain but was cut off by Yue Ting.
"Does this favour involve my future?" she glared. Yue Ying walked up behind her niece and slowly got her off her seat.
"That does not matter, go. Get ready." When Yue Ting left, she turned to her husband and put her hands to her hips. "Well does it?"
"I did not formally promise anything, my wife." Zhuge Liang got off his chair and approached his wife, taking her two hands. "Yue Ting is like a sister to me. I want her to have the best." He tried to change the subject, "Don't you think she looks more and more like her mother?" Mental head slap.
"Beautiful like her?" Yue Ying frowned. Zhuge Liang took a second before responding,
"Beauty is inherited through her mother, but her intelligence and grace can only be fostered by her loving Aunt." Yue Ying let out a laugh and patted her husbands hands.
"You always know what to say."
"We've been husband and wife for almost ten years, I have to." Her face suddenly grew serious.
"Husband, do you think what we do to Yue Ting is bad for her? I mean she didn't get to grow up like most girls her age."
"I think she enjoys what she does. Do you think we've done her wrong?"
"No." They smiled at each other to show confidence but both felt the guilt running through their hearts.
After the banquet, Zhuge Liang excused himself from the rest of his colleagues and quickly returned to his home. He had received a disturbing letter during the festivities and had tried to hurry through the night to meet his secret visitor. With his wife making sure no one could get into their home, he slipped inside to his study and adjusted his eyes to the darkness. All he could see was a dark figure in the corner of the room, scanning the literature scrolls on the bookshelf. "What have you got for me?" he said to the figure.
"Master Zhuge." The figured bowed, "I assume you had fun?"
"I would have excused myself earlier but this banquet was held in my nieces honour."
"It is all well." The figure said, reaching into his breast pocket for a batch of documents. Zhuge Liang lit a small candle at the table and the two peered at the scrolls.
"Is this all?" Zhuge Liang asked after reading all the information.
"You were right, Master Zhuge." The figure replied, "Noblemen Chen Zhen has been conspiring with Wei ever since Liu Biao's death." He took two scrolls out of the bottom of the pile, "This is a copy of the letter written to Cao Cao about your alliance with Wu."
"And what has Cao Cao done about this?"
"There has been a rally for soldiers, equipment and rations lately. Cao Cao has also strengthened his naval defensives." Zhuge Liang scanned the few letters and nodded. "What will you do, Master Zhuge?"
"I have a plan to deal with Chen Zhen, but I will need your help."
"In anyway possible."
"Return to Wei and gather your men. There are still some neutral cities on the border between Cao Cao and Sun Quan. Spread the rumors of Chen Zhen working with both Wei and Wu."
"What will this accomplish?"
"Belief. I can not simply present this information to either Liu Bei or Sun Quan. It will cause a disruption in our plans. We need to stir up the people first, if there is one thing similar about these two leaders, is that they listen to their people."
"Is that all?" the figure asked, preparing to head for the front door.
"Yes." Zhuge Liang began to burn all the scrolls except the letters. "Hey," he called out to the figure, "You are doing well in Wei. I promise, when we get our own land, you will be welcomed with open arms."
"I dream about that day every night." The figure bowed, escaping through the back windows that led into the gardens. Zhuge Liang blew the candle out and returned to his living room foyer. Yue Ying was sitting at the table with a pot of tea. She stood up at the sight of her husband.
"Were you right?" he nodded sadly. "Will Yue Ting be in danger then?"
"Not if she follows my instructions." He rubbed his forehead, "Have Yue Ting visit me tomorrow morning. I need to rethink my plan."