It wasn't so much a prophetic notion that Lü Meng and others were certain of Wei's intentions of going south as it was simply making an observation. The soldiers that had recently enlisted from Wei confirmed as much, bringing not only their families but words of warning of the strength that Lord Cao Cao was accruing in the north. Their victory at Chibi had sent a warning to the Prime Minister and though they utterly defeated his navy, the generals Sun Zicai and Song Hao were quick to confirm that he had no intentions of allowing Wu a second chance to take them unawares. In their earlier victory, they had succeeded in making their future endeavors against Wei a dangerous game as he was certain not to be taken off guard a second time.
What had sparred Wu from earlier assaults had been Lord Zhou Yu's presence, though now that their Chief-Commander had passed, it would only be a matter of time before they marched south again. Perhaps Cao Cao and his men thought that Wu would be too devastated to mount a solid defense or perhaps they thought his successors lacking. Whatever the cause, another confrontation was inevitable.
In a way, Lü Meng welcomed it. It made his lord's decision to spare Gan Ning an easier pill to swallow for most and it served to draw their attention to the real conflict and ground them back into their duty. More men were concerned of the incoming invasion and deflecting it than they were with Gan Ning's horrid actions and it worked to his advantage. It was a carrion comfort but one he welcomed.
War was something he was familiar with. It was something he was trained for, and trained well, as arrogant as that might be to admit, and clearly, his lord and Lu Su felt the same way.
No one openly questioned or argued Zhou Yu decision to proclaim Lu Su as his successor, Lü Meng included. He was knowledgeable of both external and internal affairs (though admittedly his specialty had been diplomatic matters), and no one there knew of Zhou Yu's plans for the two kingdoms better than Lu Su had. It was an obvious solution, though there were a few that were curious why a manner who favored diplomacy and internal matters was given such a high military rank. He heard whispers of his name among such candidates that those officers had favored but he paid it no mind. Flattered as he might have been, he was grateful for Zhou Yu's decision and was willing to let the matter be.
He had his own duties to attend and truly he couldn't be bothered with such distracting minutia, not when Wei posed such a present threat. He had been one of the officers stationed at their border and thus far been holding strong, but news of Sun Quan's and others stationed further south making their march north offered some comfort for his growing list of anxieties.
By the time Sun Quan and the main unit arrived, Lü Meng had gathered several strategies and had them prepared to present to his lord as well as to Lu Su. He hadn't seen much of his teacher and the current Chief-Commander since Zhou Yu's passing and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't excited to run these strategies over with him. He was curious with how Lu Su was coping with Zhou Yu's passing and his own duties, but his own had kept him too busy to send anything his way that wasn't reports and recommendations. It showed in his demeanor how much he looked forward to Lu Su's arrival at Ruxu though it confused his men, which in turn confused him.
Lu Xun, ever his shadow, was the one that enlightened him on the concerns of his men. He used the opportunity that battle preparations presented to address the matter with the young officer and he immediately pinpointed the source of the men's confusion as they marked key locations on the map. "They feel your authority will be overshadowed once Lord Lu Su arrives and you'll be pushed aside."
"Perhaps, but he outranks me and with good reason," Lü Meng said, dismissing any concern over the matter and feeling foolish for his men to be so caught up in such politics. Still, it showed they cared and that was more than what other generals could say for their men and so he reconsidered his words so that Lu Xun wouldn't get the wrong idea. "I understand their concerns, but it's hardly necessary. My input will be looked and and considered, and if he disagrees, then he's seen or know something I don't. It's hardly anything personal."
The young officer seemed convinced for the most part, but he could tell there was still much on his mind. It wasn't that Lü Meng wanted to pass off his curious mind, but considering the reports coming in from the scouts, he didn't want to be caught unawares with the Wei lord's army suddenly arriving at their doors. Their lord and their Chief-Commander would be arriving at any moment and he wanted to make absolutely certain everything was prepared. "Is there anything else you wish to report or discuss before the war council, Lu Xun?"
"... actually, yes, if you don't mind?"
Lü Meng fought the urge to huff and kept his gaze on the map below him to spare the young officer from the way he wanted to roll his eyes. "Go on."
"Sir, many of the men, your men, have been questioning Lord Zhou Yu's decision to give the rank of Chief-Commander to Lu Su. They understand the decision and haven't openly argued about it thus far, but with the upcoming fight at Ruxu, they're worried that a more deserving officer will be overlooked."
Lü Meng wasn't too surprised to hear such a proclamation and it showed when he never slowed down in his actions. He could feel Lu Xun's tension from here and paid it little mind- Lu Xun always got nervous before a war council and this concerned Lü Meng some. If he was planning on moving up in the ranks, he'd have to overcome this shyness, he thought to himself. He said nothing and motioned for Lu Xun to continue, missing his expression entirely and leaving him unprepared for what was to come. "They're upset that you weren't considered for the promotion."
Now he stopped from his actions and nearly knocked over a chip that was to represent a wall. He caught it just in time and set it back in place but he couldn't catch his voice before it sprung out. "What?"
"I'm sure they mean no disrespect to Lord Lu Su, but they feel that a more hands on, militaristic general would have been more suited for the title of Chief-Commander." Lu Xun recoiled somewhat. Lü Meng's genuine reaction seemed to entice some courage out of him, though perhaps it was the eye contact that encouraged him? He seemed far bolder than he was moments before after the initial shock. "Of course, their opinions might be skewed since they serve under you, but I've remained in contact with several other officers stationed throughout Wu and their opinions aren't so different."
It was… Lü Meng wasn't sure what it was. He knew some felt that way but he only pegged it to be biases from his own men. To hear that other officers felt this way…
"Lord Lü Meng, if I may be so bold…" Lu Xun's voice was soft, as usual, though the tone was anything but. There was a tinge in it that reminded Lü Meng so much of Zhou Yu though it didn't paint the young officer in a favorable light. He said nothing but stared into him, and Lu Xun, clever man that he was, carried on. "I feel the same. You've already displayed incredibly military prowess and you know the situation going on here far better than Lord Lu Su. Would it not be better for a man of military might to be placed into such a vital role?"
It was a side of Lu Xun he hadn't noticed before and he had mixed feelings about it. His tone was respectful but the way the words carried and what he said were almost devious. Lord Zhou Yu would speak in such a manner when it was clear that he had something up his sleeve and it was him to thank, as it reminded him of just how much he didn't know Lu Xun. Lianshi told him one story, but Zhou Yu another…
"And yet, Lord Zhou Yu's parting words say otherwise, and I am in no position to disagree." After what was a painful silence for both of them, Lü Meng found his voice again and he opted to honesty. "He chose Master Lu Su for his knowledge of his two kingdom plan, as well as keeping in good relations with Lord Liu Bei, something that I think many of my own men forgot. His decision should be respected, regardless if others agree or not."
Lu Xun was not weak. He was shy and he was quick to concede to avoid verbal confrontations, no doubt a trick he learned from his time in the courts. But he wasn't weak, and Lü Meng would be reminded of such it seemed. "But what if Lord Zhou Yu was wrong?"
Lü Meng was nearly sent reeling from such a question and he knew he'd betray this. He was never good at hiding emotions, especially the negative ones, but he surprised himself by not immediately snapping at the younger officer. His initial response might have been denial of such a possibility years ago, but he had known all too well that his teacher wasn't infallible. Zhou Yu, was brilliant as he made himself to be, was flawed, and Lü Meng would have been a fool to think otherwise. The constant displays against Zhuge Liang had reflected this and he couldn't deny it.
Eventually, he fell back to honesty once more, now more eager to simply bring the topic to a close and return to his duties before Lu Xun threatened to distract him any further. "Even if he was, the decision's been made, and I have no intentions of taking what isn't mine to have. It would serve you and the men that feel this way well to push this matter as far from your minds as possible. Our conflict with Wei here is far more important than any political wars going on."
"General, our lord's arrived and waits to be greeted." A soldier stepped in and it seemed right on time. Lü Meng wasn't sure how much he overheard, if any, but he was wise to not stray from his own task. The tension between the two was thick but blissfully brief, and despite seniority, Lü Meng would be the first one to leave. The soldier bowed and left, leaving Lü Meng to quickly wrap his business and make his way towards the door and it was only after he passed the bowing form of Lu Xun that he reminded himself of the oddity he discovered.
"Lu Xun, did you chose to study under me or did Lord Zhou Yu place you there?"
Because of the bow, he could not see Lu Xun's face and so he wasn't sure what to expect. He did not have long to wait but he made it clear that he wouldn't leave without an answer. Before either could get lost in another antagonizing bout of silence, however, Lu Xun gave in and his response felt true to the waiting general. "It was of my own will, Lord Lü Meng."
He knew he should have pushed the matter further, but he couldn't leave his lord waiting. He accepted the answer for what it was and left his student there, knowing that there was more than he saw but unwilling to distract himself from the threat looming towards them. He'd learn more of his student once they repelled Wei, he told himself. All the more reason to find victory here at Ruxu.
Lu Xun didn't want to admit that he was stumped and nor would he do so freely. Not in front of Zhu Ran especially. The rivalry that existed between the two of them wouldn't allow for such a drop in guard, as well as the situation itself. And yet, the daylight hours were fading away and night would eventually fall upon them, and still there was no sign of this spell relenting.
He scoured the area looking for some kind of source of the spell and he looked for any structural weaknesses but to no avail. Magic wasn't something he or any others he knew were knowledgeable about, especially true magic. Tricks and illusions were one thing, but this clearly wasn't an illusion. The ice left to those that touched it wouldn't allow for that theory.
The most he could come up with was that the five talismans that circled the two fueled the spell though any effort to destroy them was left in vein. Blades did not seem to affect them as they would pass right through them, and there was too much rain to attempt to set them afire. Touching them resulted in the same ice-chilling shock that came from touching the barrier itself. Lu Xun didn't want to admit to anyone, but he was genuinely stumped, and now he was beginning to worry for Lü Meng.
"None of the villagers claim to know anyone that knows magic," Ling Tong said when he returned from his own scouting mission. He brought blankets and food with him and it didn't take long to set up a tent outside the icy shield. Not standing out in this rain alone was almost enough to quell his unease but he could only imagine how miserable their Chief-Commander might be if the rain fell within the shield. Ling Tong drew Lu Xun's attention away from his thoughts, pushing the bowl of rice closer to him when he clearly felt he was neglecting himself. "We could send an envoy out to Wei, but…"
"They're occupied as it is, and we cannot risk one of our messengers being intercepted by the Shu forces," Lu Xun said, quickly shooting down that idea. He couldn't blame Ling Tong for suggesting it but he suspected he knew the risks of it. Zhu Ran had finished his meal early and left to tend to what were meant to be Lü Meng's duties, leaving the two of them and Gan Ning left with the situation. Lu Xun glanced towards the ice shield and couldn't stop the wave of pity that hit him when he spotted Gan Ning sitting outside of it, exposed to the elements and outright refusing their inability to solve this problem. He felt shame that he hadn't thought of a way to reach their Chief-Commander but even greater shame that there seemed to be nothing he could do to comfort the former pirate.
"What about Zhuge Liang?"
Lu Xun pried his eyes away from Gan Ning's distraught form and shot a look to Ling Tong, as if surprised to hear him make such a suggestion. It was a dangerous one and surely Ling Tong knew it, but he was more or less surprised why he thought to ask him about it. He curbed his initial reaction and held onto his calm, however, before shooting that idea down as well. "He never summoned the wind at Chibi. He simply knew the season would produce the winds we needed."
It often surprised him how many in Wu didn't know of Zhuge Liang's scheme but it wasn't something to discuss. Not here, anyways. Ling Tong was willing to accept the explanation at least, and he began to scoop another bowl of rice as Lu Xun helped himself to his own bowl. "Well, that makes more sense now I guess. Zhuge Liang playing us for fools seems like it's a fun past time for him."
To that, Lu Xun had no comment. The less they spoke of Zhuge Liang the happier he'd be. Even if Zhuge Liang could summon winds at will, they could not approach him about this, not without exposing their plan. Lu Xun had his reserves still but he kept them locked away in his heart for now. Once they recovered Lü Meng from this trap and once they continued their plan- he snapped to attention when Ling Tong suddenly rose and carried the bowl to Gan Ning and the apprehension he felt in his heart was purely habitual at this point. He tried to stop him, but it was too late.
"Here. You need to eat," Ling Tong said to Gan Ning and if that wasn't enough, he practically shoved the bowl into his line of sight. Gan Ning flinched and leaned away from it, but he didn't accept it. It only prompted Ling Tong to try harder and his voice was unnaturally kind, considering their estranged relationship. "If he comes out of it and sees you wasting away, he's going to be livid and we're all going to have to suffer for it. Now eat it."
Gan Ning could have slapped the bowl away and chased the youth away with a shout, but Lu Xun was amazed by his restraint. He sneered but otherwise kept his hands to himself, turning away from the food offered to him and glaring back at the figure lost behind the icy shield instead. "Get lost, kid."
"Wrong answer." Ling Tong was relentless, only bringing it closer and risking a strike. Lu Xun admired his bravery as well as his stubbornness, though it only reminded him of Lü Meng's own stubbornness and drove his guilt of not finding a solution all the deeper. "Look, I'm only going to leave you alone if you eat, so if you want to get rid of me, you're going to have to just eat up."
"I ain't hungry, and I sure as hell ain't gonna accept food from you." Gan Ning snapped, as Lu Xun suspected he would, and equally so he watched as he slapped the bowl from Ling Tong's hands, dashing the bowl and the rice along the soaked earth. If Lü Meng was conscious and aware of the event, he would have been besides himself with rage to see food wasted, and it was this truth that made Gan Ning's reaction all the more gutting to them. Gan Ning didn't follow up on the strike and he turned away again, leaving Ling Tong to gather the discarded bowl.
Nothing was said between the two and Ling Tong chose the better part of valor, neither snapping back or even uttering a word to the former pirate. He knew as well as Lu Xun did that his concern ran too deep to allow himself food or drink while Lü Meng was in danger. Still, Lu Xun could hardly blame Ling Tong for trying and he admired him all the more for it. He knew Ling Tong was worried but to see him so level headed and calm helped ease his own turmoil in a way.
"Hey, was there something written on this talisman before?"
Ling Tong's question pulled him from his reverie and it wasn't long before Lu Xun came to stand besides the officer that now knelt in front said talisman. It was the one at the north of the shield and Lu Xun looked it over, immediately seeing what Ling Tong had noticed. There were words written on the talisman but it seemed that the ink was running off of it and it was only partially visible.
Gan Ning leaned closer and his confusion was clear to hear and understandable to all present, as they could feel the same confusion circulating through their own minds. "I've been starin' at that thing for hours. There wasn't anything written on it before."
"I noticed it when Gan Ning threw the bowl. But it looks like the ink's running off of it, like someone soaked it in water."
Lu Xun's mind swirled with thoughts and possibilities, but few answers. He grabbed the bowl and held it out, letting the water collect from the rain and once it was filled, he flung the water onto the unsoaked parts of the talisman. Anyone that wrote strategies or any kind of writings would have lost their minds to see another commit to such an act and yet they watched as nothing happened. The water simply seemed to bounce off the paper, not at all too surprising considering the weather around them seemed to have no effect on them before. Ling Tong muttered aloud and motioned for the cup. "That's weird. Let me try."
Lu Xun surrendered it without fuss and Ling Tong tested it himself, only to come to the same results. They looked at one another and then down to Gan Ning, and once again the bowl was being thrusted into the former pirate's hands. "Well, go on."
"I'm not an idiot. I saw what it did with the two of you tryin' it," Gan Ning said in protest, refusing the cup but not knocking it aside again.
"But it might produce different results if you're the one to do it." Lu Xun all but pleaded with him and with both of them pressing him, Gan Ning had little choice but to oblige. Too impatient to catch the rainwater, he scooped it from the nearest puddle, the same that the bowl was thrown into, and threw it at the talisman. They watched as the ink spread from the already soaked parts to the freshly soaked and the character written was clear to read even in this low light. Lu Xun spoke it aloud and felt mystified. "Water."
The other two were just as startled as he was and who better to speak their mind than the former pirate? "Now what the hell is that all about?"
"I'm… not sure. But at least we have something…" Lu Xun didn't want to admit that he wasn't sure, and with Zhu Ran now approaching, he would have to overcome that fear soon. This wasn't something he was meant to solve on his own, clearly, and the one he would have sought counsel from laid trapped behind that shield.
Lü Meng tried to will himself to be perfectly still and poised, the perfect example of a statue, but it was a hard task. Today had been filled with surprises and he was still reeling from both Lu Xun's behavior and now the war council. He had expected not only his lord and several officers to be in attendance, but for Master Lu Su to be present as well. But the Chief-Commander's absence surprised him, though not nearly as much as the responsibilities of this upcoming battle being placed upon his shoulders.
Lu Su was attending to pressing internal affairs and dealing with their allies in the west, Sun Quan told him when Lü Meng dared himself to question the Chief-Commander's absence. He was quick to inform him of this and assured him that Lu Su had the utmost confidence in Lü Meng and the generals attending Ruxu. In a roundabout way, Lü Meng realized that he had been given considerable control over the proceeding war council and the upcoming fight, and how he managed to stop his nerves from getting the best of him after such a revelation was nothing short of a miracle coming from him.
In a way, Lu Xun's badgering had prepared him for this or so he rationalized to himself. It did not take long for him to carry on with his duties, however, as not even the idea of having such control over his armies could distract him from the approaching threat. No, absolutely no time was wasted in boosting his own ego, as the thought of nearly four hundred thousand Wei officers marching towards Ruxu was hardly the time to stroke his ego.
In all honesty, he was terrified but dared not show it. He couldn't afford to show it, especially now with all eyes upon him, including that of his lord's. He focused solely on the approaching threat and the ways they could stand against it, and little by little, his nerves began to untangle itself and he found it easier to push his own suggestions through, even when they conflicted their lord's desires.
Lord Quan wanted to erect walls along the border, a good start, but Lü Meng pushed for fortresses instead, despite its longer construction time. Walls would be a decent enough deterrent, but walls could be scaled or destroyed, whereas a fortress could be better maintained and defended for years to come. It would also aid them in having a safe haven to fall back to, should any future offensive endeavors fall through, as they could hole up in a fortress instead of having to flee further into Wu lines. With that reasoning, it didn't take much convincing to bring his lord and others on board with that idea, especially after he added how much easier it'd be to defend from atop a fortress.
Crossbows were added to the table and was immediately accepted. It was clear that the upcoming battle would be far more defensive than some of the officers had anticipated though they were wise not to express any disappointment in that matter. After the scouts threw such a large number on the table, there were few generals there that were eager to rush out into a full offensive and Lü Meng was grateful that those that did favor such an attack held their silence. Perhaps none of them wanted to appear bloodthirsty, but none of them openly argued his call for such a strict defense.
This was not the first time that their opponents intended on coming after them with such overwhelming numbers and immediately everyone's minds thought of Chibi. Lü Meng would have been lying if his mind didn't jump to that grand battle, and if anything it only served to help remind him of another concern. Their station near the river would undoubtedly entice Cao Cao to construct a navy (though Lü Meng was certain that he'd learn his lesson from the last time) and the annual floods would only aid said navy. Finding a solution for this problem was simple enough- he suggested they construct docks on both sides of the river for easy access for their own vessels. The annual floods would bring in Cao Cao's ships but they could block them with their own, and there was no debate as to which army would succeed in the upcoming naval battle.
The war council had gone relatively smooth with few disagreements or conflicting plans. If any wanted a more offensive approach, they were either immediately swayed to stick to Lü Meng's more defensive approach or were not willing to argue. Lü Meng could tell that some left the council feeling perturbed but he didn't push to see what had distressed them so much. All that mattered now was getting the fortresses and docks built and no doubt that'd fall into his hands. Just as well, he figured. He was the one that pushed such strategies and who better to see to them than him?
And yet, before he could roll up his maps and depart, Lord Quan requested he remain behind to discuss matters further and he had little choice but to obey. He strived to keep his wits about him as the rest of the generals left and before too long it was just him and his lord.
Lord Quan remained seated, looking over the map that Lü Meng left on the table before him. He was not requested to seat and truly he couldn't bring himself to. He might faint! None of this anxiety showed on the exterior, however, though why it even existed at all bothered him more than it really should have. His lord didn't leave him in the dark for long, however, and his smile did little to ease his rampant anxieties. "Lü Meng, I must admit, I'm impressed with your strategies today. When Lu Su suggested you to take a commanding role here, I wasn't sure what to expect from you, strategy wise."
What else could Lü Meng do but accept the compliment for what it was? He bowed his head, hoping to hide anything that would have given away his unease and thus shatter any confidence his lord had in him. He did not wish to dismiss his lord's compliment, but he truly had no idea what to say. Of all the things that Zhou Yu and Lu Su taught him, accepting such pleasantries wasn't one of them as he scarcely heard them coming from either man. "I aim to please, my lord."
"And you have, so relax, please. It worries me to see you so high strung like you are." There was no harshness to his voice nor did it take a commanding tone, but for Lü Meng it may as well have. He almost wished Sun Quan had just made it an order so then he could follow it without second guessing himself. He failed to hide this from Sun Quan and his voice took a softer tone, meant to sooth him though not having the immediate effect that he wanted. "I understand this isn't something you're used to, with those who taught you, but it's alright. Please, have a seat."
It was still much too informal for Lü Meng's tastes but he obliged without question. Sitting had actually helped more than he thought it would though some of it still lingered. It was manageable, however, and he forced his gaze onto his lord's face, surprised by just how genuine his mirth seemed. It wasn't a mask like Zhou Yu or Lu Su wore, though if it was present then it was nearly seamless, and that was enough to put the edge off of him for the moment.
"When I pushed you to study, I hadn't expected you to take it so seriously nor to go as far as you have. And it was wrong of me to think that." Lü Meng was quick to try and dismiss such a notion, but Sun Quan was quicker than him. "It showed that I myself had not taken you and your resolve to better yourself seriously enough and for that I apologize. I've underestimated you, but I have no intentions of doing that again."
It was something to hear his lord make such an honest confession and he couldn't ignore the warming sensation in his gut that came from it. He wasn't sure if he was meant to be flattered, insulted, or perhaps both, but it was an odd and welcoming sensation all the same. He forced himself to speak in something stronger than a mumble. How embarrassing for him, to be able to use his voice to issue orders and strategies but to be rendered a step above a bumbling idiot when before his lord? "No harm done, my lord. Truly."
"No, perhaps not. I dare think that your unassuming nature might aid us here. There's no doubt that Lord Cao Cao's taking advantage of Zhou Yu's death to make his march south again, and though he would be expecting Lu Su, he might drop his guard entirely when he sees you at the helm." Sun Quan's face lit up with a rather dubious smile and Lü Meng immediately caught on to what his lord was suggesting. "As far as I know, no one in Wei is aware of the depths of your involvement at Nanjun and the absence of Lu Su would cause them to drop their guard."
"Then let's hope they don't know much about me to predict our strategy here," Lü Meng said, feeling his stomach constricting with turmoil but keeping a hopeful smile plastered to his face. It pleased him to see his lord so pleased and made anything he'd have to do worth while. He would build the fortresses and docks with his own hands if he thought it would help Lord Quan, though he didn't want to sabotage their own chances. He would supervise, but better to leave it to the engineers who perfected their craft.
"I'm afraid that after this battle that they will." The young Sun lord sounded confident about that and Lü Meng longed to siphon a fraction of that confidence his lord felt in him. Never once did he think that Sun Quan was building him up though he would never put that against him. A good leader inspired the best out of an individual and that alone justified whatever confidence that his lord was instilling in him. "I have absolutely no doubt that we'll succeed here, and when we do, I suspect that Wei will learn that Zhou Yu left Wu in the best hands possible."
And yet, as much as Sun Quan's words filled him with confidence, he could not ignore the smallest of naggings that arose from his own mind though never once would it break out into the physical realm. He wanted to feel nothing but strength and confidence from his lord's fiery words as they threatened to rend him asunder from within. He wanted to leave the tent knowing that he did Zhou Yu proud, despite everything, and that might give his soul some peace in the next life. He wanted to feel as though he could take on the entirety of Wei himself. But he couldn't help but catch what Sun Quan tried to hide beneath that flowery speech.
He noted how Sun Quan had implied that Zhou Yu's success wasn't Lu Su but in fact him, and suddenly, those claims that Lu Xun had made earlier in the day had a basis. Other officers could have felt this way and Lü Meng could have brushed it off, but if his own lord felt that way, then what could that possibly mean?
Perhaps if Lu Xun had not addressed the matter so openly with him before the war council, he might have missed it. Again, he had Lu Xun to thank though he wasn't sure if it was even the younger officer's intentions. In a way, he almost wished Lu Xun hadn't mentioned it. It made accepting Lord Quan's compliment difficult, and his mind kept shifting back to Lu Su back at Lukou. Had he truly been so busy dealing with their neighbors in Jing, or did Lord Quan not request his aid simply because he found favor in Lü Meng instead?
He wanted to shut his mind off from the matter and focus only on the words spoken and not what they implied, but Zhou Yu's ghost would haunt him if he threw all of his teachings to waste. He opened that door and Lü Meng would not dishonor his teacher by slamming it shut. He could, however, throw a veil over that door and tend to it later. For all he knew, he could be thinking too deeply into the matter thanks to Lu Xun's prodding.
"My lord, thank you for your faith in me. I will endeavor to make sure none of that faith goes to waste here at Ruxu." Lü Meng eventually gave in and accepted the compliment, throwing a smokescreen his own turbulent thoughts with the intent of digging through them later. Perhaps once they had the fortresses prepared and they repelled the four hundred thousand strong army heading their way. To think about anything else besides that would be insulting to his lord's confidence and that was something he had absolutely no intentions of committing to. "I will not let you down."
"No. I know you won't, Lü Meng. Now, do not let me distract you from your duties any longer. You're dismissed."
He was relieved for the chance and wasted little time. It wasn't the note that Lü Meng wished to leave his lord on, but it would simply have to do. The storm clouds that were gathering over the horizon served as both a reminder of the limited time they'd have to prepare for the incoming invasion, as well as standing as the perfect manifestation of how he felt on the inside. It was a storm he would simply have to prepare for. Like his fortresses, he would have to weather the storm and endure.