Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors or Three Kingdoms.
A/N:
Miss Slutty Zhen- They can't get married right away like Cao Pi did with her historically. Yun and Luo are working together to get the nobles of Hei Bei to support Zhao Yun and then…save the Han Emperor. Zhen Ji wants to be viewed a Han loyalist to redeem her clan's past. Don't worry, there are trials they must overcome in order to get tie knot as a couple.
ZhaoyunxZhenj- I'll think about writing another doujin fic besides Empty Beauty Plot.
Guest and Jackson- I think the 'best' fics are the ones with stronger writing composition. I'm just keeping my writing style simple here. I'll take the time to update more than one chapter a week unless I'm not occupied with grinding a 3k webgame.
Alright, time to cover Liu Bei's side of the story. A guy who once had the will of the people and later broke his promise to save the Han and Emperor Xian over avenging Guan Yu and eradicate Jiang Dong. This chapter is about the 'tragic' Xuzhou Liu Bei who is under pressure with the increasing conflict between Cao Cao, Lu Bu, and Yuan Shu. He later got into a dispute with Che Zhou leading to Che Zhou's death. (Including his family which is unintentional). Liu Bei was never a timid guy historically and we know it. Xuzhou Liu Bei was heroic….nobody likes Yiling Liu Bei, the embroilment of his sudden change of attitude after Fa Zheng empowered him.
Warlords of Later Han
Chapter 3: Liu Bei, Hero of Xuzhou
Xuzhou, it was a province contested between the coasts of north and south seas, Yan, Huainan, Qingzhou, and Yuzhou. It's completely backed into the corner of the raging conflict in the central plains. Its labeled 'The Worst Province' and Liu Bei took the opportunity to restore prosperity back to the people of Xuzhou after the massacre.
"Our latest report on the market district is the same as before, Lord Xuande," Mi Zhu gave the report to his lord ensuring they're not getting drowsy over the difficult situation.
"Not like it was before all this ravage begun during the Great Rebellion. The late Governor never been into this kind of drought before," Liu Bei glance at the report stressing over the necessity to increase labor.
"My father is currently inspecting the farms, governor," Chen Deng informed him.
He nodded and took another read on the report, "Xiao Pei is rebuilding, but the town's financial situation is inflexible."
"It is indeed inflexible, so we must petition for talented men that possess skills in civil studies and literature," Sun Qian placed another report on the table for the lord of Xu.
"Where do we find men in a desolated province?" Liu Bei frowned.
Suddenly a soldier stormed into the room where the men became disturbed and all stare at the man who is about to bring the bad news.
"Forgive the intrusion my lord. Our spies have reported that Yuan Shu of Shou Chun declared himself the 'Son of Heaven'" The soldier reported.
Liu Bei's officers felt stunned hearing that someone dared to declare himself emperor while the land is still in chaos. Liu Bei, having stricken the pain of responsibility to his imperial heritage, this crisis must be deal with at once!
"Sun Jian gave the Imperial Seal to Yuan Shu during the coalition. This must be a terrible day for the late Wentai's family," Mi Zhu turned to Liu Bei waiting for his thoughts on the matter.
"Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Liu Biao, if Sun Jian gave the seal to either of them, it'd be no different I believe," Sun Qian blinked.
"It's just a jade artifact now…" Chen Deng uttered.
Liu Bei got up and prepares to get his Swords of Fate, the two swords he rarely used often during his days in the Great Rebellion, "It's not just an artifact. It's the imperial family heirloom that symbolizes the Will of Heaven. We must get it back from Gonglu."
"Forgive me, Xuande, but we're in no position to intiate a military offense. Our daily drafts were insufficient and we're still recovering from the massacre. We can not attack Yuan Shu right now," Sun Qian protested.
"Then what shall I do?! Laid back and watch those lords continue to purge our Han government into decline!? We don't even have the Han emperor with us to officially serve and that bastard takes advantage of it!" Liu Bei had been very frustrated with his situation after Tao Qian's death. Just like Gongsun Zan's situation, no one wants to work with him because of his association with Zan and the province's decrease in wealth and economy in dire shreds thanks to Cao Cao.
"I suggest strengthen our defenses while scouting for personnel, my lord," Chen Deng suggested.
Liu Bei doesn't have the urge to take the wait and see approach, but his advisors are right. He is weak.
"I'm lacking in greater depth into my army. This is far different than I dreamed of to lead a sufficient army with myself on one of the Han chariots…" Liu Bei thought. Ever since he started the volunteer forces with Liu Yan and Zou Jing, he always wanted to do best for his forefathers and now he's struggling. His stubbornness to be an opportunitist led him to the incident with a corrupted official and then put himself into his place with Gongsun Zan.
"I feel terrible about those refugees that moved south. We'll be dealing with the same people who suffered under Cao Cao's rage," Mi Zhu mentioned the Xu refugees that are now in Yuan Shu's hands.
"What's the estimate of Yuan Shu's forces, scout?" Liu Bei asked the soldier who reported the bad news.
"While snooping into Shou Chun's barracks, there are half a million including the refugee he's forcing to add," the soldier answered.
"Despicable!" His voice disturbs the two individuals who arrived had appear frozen by their sworn brother's anger.
"What's going on?" Zhang Fei revealed himself.
Then Jian Yong appears near Sun Qian, "Yuan Shu happened. He has angered the Will of Heavens."
"You mean…" Guan Yu gasped.
"Yes, my brothers. He declared himself the Emperor while the Han Emperor is still captive at the hands of Dong Zhuo's remnants…" Liu Bei nodded.
"That disrespectful dog! We should deploy the men and cut his head!" Zhang Fei showing furious looks in front of the group.
"The situation in Huainan is grim Brother Liu," Guan Yu said.
"We can't make any offense moves against Yuan Shu right now. Xuzhou is still recovering and another war will hinder the building progress," Liu Bei turned to Sun Qian for addition advice, "Do you have a way of petitioning the community in this province?"
"That I can and Minister Mi here can deliberately get the nobles of Xuzhou to support us. We may need their private armies for the upcoming war," Sun Qian nodded.
"We will do what we can for the masses, my Lord," Mi Zhu and Sun Qian bowed to Liu Bei and prepare to leave the governor office.
Liu Bei then took his attention to his lifelong servant, "Are you going to help them, Jian Yong?"
His secretary made a lazy groan and saw Zhang Fei grinned at his lax stubbornness much like Liu Bei. Jian Yong is always stuck doing emissary and letters, then he barely gets much work on the military because those two bruisers exceed him on work experience.
"All I want is to be a real general, Xuande," Jian Yong winced.
"But, that's not how I see you capable of. When I raised an army, you were majorly responsible for the financial flexibility of my men's salary," Liu Bei sighed.
"Boring," Jian Yong groaned. He can hear Zhang Fei snickering; it irritates him to see that brute is more talented than him.
"My force lacks people capable of civil affairs and you are more suitable to duties with Mi Zhu," Liu Bei didn't mean that to look down on his childhood friend, but with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, it makes up more to maintain military.
"But, Yunchang and Yide are just two lowborns who volunteered with no real connection to the imperial army compare to Mi Feng and Cao Bao. I have connections with my father's past fortunes; you often needed my connections to raise that volunteer army with Liu Yan!" Jian Yong protested.
"It's true that I had Jian Yong's help and he also met Tian Yu then. Those days were before that incident…" Liu Bei remise the very first days of his military career thanks to his connections in Zhuo village.
"And your wife Lady Gan, she had people who were visiting her family's tea house to support you," Jian Yong added.
"…She wasn't supposed to get involved," Liu Bei remembered that with a frown.
"Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu had greater connections because of the nobles with ties to the imperial court. That's why their ranks were filled with real imperial officers like Ji Ling, the Xiahou clan, Zhang He, the late Sun Jian and very very clever people like Xun Yu whom his relative still serves the Emperor, Shen Pei who was Yuan Shao's in law, and military strategists like Guo Jia that bastard found! Look at us, Xuande, all we have in the military is bedridden garbage!" Jian Yong pointed his finger at Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.
"You are calling me garbage, Xianhe?" Zhang Fei raised his eyebrow at gaze at him.
"I speak the truth, Yide. A butcher is a butcher. You have no birthright," Jian Yong scoffed.
"I haven't cleared my past criminal record before I met you guys," Guan Yu shrugged.
"You were dealing with a corrupted official, but you lack dignity, Yunchang. I know your behavior with shady nobles who love to frame people, pure say. Once the two of you found my lord, I did my best giving orders to the both of you. Now you're becoming more educated on military affairs if not for my help, hmph" Jian Yong crossed his arms and turns away.
"Xianhe, I understand your frustrations, but I really need you to focus on working with the ministers. Xuzhou needs talent and this province lacks many after the previous war. You can count on Zhang Fei and Guan Yu to continue strength our military," Liu Bei gave his old friend a worried look and Jian Yong didn't feel like he wanted any pity for his position.
"Don't think I'll do much with Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, and Chen Deng," Jian Yong prepares to leave until he muttered, "And they say, I'm the useless officer."
After he left, Liu Bei held a heavy sigh, he's right. His forces are garbage compare to the other lords. Had he regret letting that incident happen years ago? He beaten a corrupted Han official forcing to abandon his imperial post he fought hard to get, now nobody going to acknowledge his imperial ties. Had things been different, he'll be in the same position as Liu Biao, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Yuan Shu, and Gongsun Zan.
"I'm more talented than him now. I can understand men like Jian Yong on how they think and speak. Garbage my arse!" Zhang Fei shook his head looking directly at where Jian Yong had left.
Distrubed by the news about Yuan Shu, Guan Yu speaks, "Brother Liu, the crisis will soon engulf the entire land. What actually made Yuan Shu act so treacherous to commit treason?"
"Yuan Shu a man who sought for positions because of his clan's prestige. He was never a guy who can control hisself like poor Gongsun Zan. Out of the lords in the coalition, I suspected Yuan Shu the most, but now Cao Cao's becoming as treacherous as him," Liu Bei returned to his seat next to the wooden table thinking about what's happening.
"And Lu Bu, I honestly don't trust him, Brother Liu," Zhang Fei uttered.
"Regardless our alliance with Lu Bu, I'm concerned for Diaochan," Guan Yu thought.
"Lu Bu's indeed ambitious, but we must keep an eye on Cao Cao. I don't think Mengde would settle for being on the same position as I. Since the Xuzhou Massacre, something eerie about Cao Cao leave me questioning his idealism," Liu Bei said puzzled.
"Why is the whole land being ruled by a bunch of cretins? I'll never understand people like Yuan Shu, Lu Bu, and Cao Cao governing the people with fear," Zhang Fei snorted.
"That's the best question you could ask, Brother Fei. To the three of them, they're the most influential in the imperial army," Guan Yu rubbed his beard after saying that.
"Especially, Lu Bu. He's just another thug killing Ding Yuan for personal interest," Zhang Fei scoffed.
Meanwhile at Lu Bu's forces in Chenliu…
It's another day of plowing at the farming fields outside the gates. Men are drifting through the dirt looking sidewalks towards the city chattering conversations about hope and when the chaos will end. They all feel like it'll be their last days in life because that's what the majority of people feel during the civil wars.
Those people, they felt a lack of faith and principal because the lord of Yanzhou was a mindless barbarian. Lu Bu didn't break a sweat plowing on one of the fields and he couldn't care less of how those people felt about him. They're weak people. He hates weak people.
"Tch, this is just a waste of time! I thought we have a sufficient amount of food to those pathetic worms!" Lu Bu threw the shovel down the ground glaring at the plantation he worked for hours.
"It may be a constant waste of time, Fengxian. But, soon it'll be the harvest and our efforts to feed these people will affect our forces," Gao Shun explained.
"Are you still questioning the chief advisor, Lu Bu?" Zhang Liao gave his lord a serious stare as he won't take Lu Bu's complaining for grant.
"I'm just tired of waiting you guys!" Lu Bu echoed out the farm fields giving attention to the people and Diaochan who was packing some growing vegetables that were harvested.
"I agree with my father, Lady Wang," Lu Lingqi was with Diaochan carrying another sack of vegetables that had more weight for her to carry due to her physical strength compare to her more womanly companion.
"Please, just call me Diaochan, Lingqi," Diaochan gave a nervous smile and they continue walking back into the city.
"But some day, I will have to call you mother. Doesn't that sound odd?" Lu Lingqi shuddered.
"No…., but your mother will be jealous if you refer to me as your mother," Diaochan was honest because she deeply cared for Lingqi like her father.
"Yeah, that's my mother being declared as 'Lu Bu's true love' because she knows what my father always wanted. Gong Gong been taking much of Lu Bu's attention away from her and she despise it," Lu Lingqi and Diao Chan finally reach the gates of Chenliu after the conversation.
"Lingqi, I want to talk to your mother about Chen Gong. His plans consider caution for Lu Bu's chances of surviving," Diaochan and Lingqi stopped near way to the granary and look at each other thinking their own point of views on Chen Gong.
"And she complains about making my father wait too long to show the land his true might. Seriously, is now a good time to go out there and fight or continue waiting by leaving our enemies coward behind those walls?" Lu Lingqi said.
Before she could answer, a sound of chuckling could be heard ahead of them. Chen Gong appears with the cheesiest pose that embarrasses the two ladies.
"Lady Yan doesn't have to complain anymore. The time for action is now. Where's Lu Bu?" Chen Gong commented.
"He's…complaining," Diaochan sighed.
"Ever the predictable beast he is. Lingqi, call everyone here so I can arrange a council. This will be worth your father's time," Chen Gong grinned.
Two hours later, Lu Bu's forces gathered at the council. Chen Gong stood with Sima Lang and Mao Jie, both who were working with him tireless to furnish Yan province's wealth. Lu Bu stood amongst his strongest warriors Gao Shun and Zhang Liao impatiently want the news from Gongtai. Diao Chan and Lu Lingqi were standing to the right side between the two other groups.
"Now is the time to make our move, Lord Lu Bu. According to my spy from Shou Chun, Yuan Shu had declared himself the Emperor with the Imperial Seal Sun Jian had years ago," Chen Gong informed.
"I don't give a damn about who is the Emperor! I will crush them! Can I start by getting the head of Cao Mengde?" Lu Bu barked.
"You will and we start by marching from Qiao to Runan. Cao Cao will act to counter Yuan Shu's massive army there and take complete control of all Yuzhou. If this happens, he'll get people from Yuan Shu's army to defect to him. This must never happen. We must never give Cao Cao any hope of reviving his ambitions," Chen Gong showed them the map of his plans on the table.
"Ru Nan borders between Jingzhou, Jiangdong, and Yan. I worry we might cross swords with Sun Ce and Liu Biao at the same time," Gao Shun said.
"Your concerns are valid. Cao Cao will ask Liu Biao for aid in this battle, but that also brings Sun Ce here to intact revenge for the death of his father," Chen Gong points at Ru Nan castle, "Runan is a farm town so taking this will give us a strategic advantage against Cao Cao."
"Very well, we march tonight," Lu Bu commanded, not wanting to waste more time for coordinations. He wants to fight.
But Chen Gong hurried to his way blocking him, "Wait, we'll march after Cao Cao attacks Yuan Shu."
"Are you saying, I'll let Cao Cao have all the fun while I wait?!" Lu Bu snared at the face of a calm Chen Gong.
"If you want to attack now, we will lose the element of surprise. Coincidently it will bring greater alarm from two armies. Cao Cao's scouts mustn't know we're moving troops from Qiao," Chen Gong warned.
"Fine, you better make this surprise worth my time. Men, get our troops prepare for war!" Lu Bu heads out of the council follow by Zhang Liao and Gao Shun.
Sima Lang decided to ask Chen Gong, "Chen Gong, until when Cao Cao attacks Yuan Shu?"
"Cao Cao's army has to cross the Zhongmou Hiills towards Runan in 2 days and Yuan Shu will have one of his men in charge of Runan's defenses, I'm certain of this," Chen Gong said. He then analyzes Cao Cao's movements on the map and placed the pieces of Lu Bu's army moving to Qiao the day after Cao Cao invades Yuan Shu's territory.
"Getting both armies to muddle in one place and surprise them both is an effective strategy," Diao Chan scanned at the map.
"But, will it work?" Lu Lingqi glared.
"You don't know how hard I've been working to make this plan reliable…" Chen Gong sighed.
"Other than making my father wait and plowing the farms," Lu Lingqi reminded him of her father's impatience.
"Yes yes and now people of Yan are getting different opinions about your father. So everything went fascinating," Chen Gong did his satisfying pose.
"Hmph, he doesn't care about what other people think of him. He's Lu Bu, the Strongest Man under Heaven," Lu Lingqi soon left the council.
"People needed his trust, Lingqi no matter what Lu Bu thinks of himself," Diao Chan thought.
Chen Gong notices something troubling Diaochan, "Is there a problem, daughter of Wang Yun?"
"Yes, it concerns our alliance with Liu Bei. A part of me value it," Diao Chan stresses her nerves when there will be a time to make enemies with Guan Yu.
"Ah Liu Bei, of course Yuan Shu will send his main forces at Xuzhou. Well, Lady Wang I'm sorry you feel that way. Lu Bu is a very ambitious man of no question," Chen Gong folds the battle map and resumes his attention on Diao Chan.
"It's not just Fengxian's ambitions I'm worrying about. If we start making enemies with Liu Bei…" Diao Chan sighed.
"I rather make enemies with Cao Cao than make enemies with Liu Bei," Chen Gong shrugged.
"But they say, beware the nice ones," Mao Jie grinned.
"He's nice, but to make enemies with him, I can't imagine Liu Bei a pacifist," Sima Lang chuckled.
"He's reluctant, that's what makes him a guy who takes hard choices in life. A dangerous man behind that 'nice' guy routine," Chen Gong crossed his arms.
"He makes hard choices, like succeeding Tao Qian's position and work towards rebuilding Xuzhou. Why must we make enemies with such a man like him?" Diaochan winced.
"…"
After a brief silence, Sima Lang and Mao Jie decided to go outside and inspect the markets leaving just Diao Chan and Chen Gong.
"The bigger question would be, why did Liu Bei even get involved in the chaos the first place?" Chen Gong said as he thought harder about Liu Bei's influence.
This makes Diao Chan cringe. She doesn't question Guan Yu's motive into serving Liu Bei, but now Liu Bei a prominent figure in the central plains after he hold off Cao Cao at Xuzhou.
"I don't know how to convince Lu Bu into trusting Liu Bei," Diao Chan slowly felt her hand on her forehead while looking down upon the floor stressing.
"Lu Bu trusting Liu Bei or Liu Bei trusting Lu Bu?" Chen Gong eyebrow twitched.
At Shou Chun…
Yuan Shu didn't waste time to get his military gear on him. They forged a special armor suitable for emperors like him. There was a beautiful woman standing to the right who watched her majesty dressed for battle.
"My flower, you are witnessing the next great unifier," Yuan Shu cooed at the woman giggling.
"Please, your majesty. I'm blushing…" the woman said.
"My Feng, there's no one as beautiful as you. Not even my late wife can match your petals," Yuan Shu smiled.
Lady Feng sighed as he's a sight for sure eyes. Earlier, Yuan Shu wanted to make Lady Feng his empress. The majority of consorts were furious and plotted to frame her, however, Yuan Shu forseen it and made her empress intermediately and ordered the consorts to leave his palace, stripped of their consort status.
Together they're a royal couple. Yuan Shu hopes this impact all the famous couples of the era into shame. After finishing his armor, he got up and embraced his wife with a kiss.
"My childhood rivals are struggling while I have succeeded my ambitions. My dear, are Yuan Shao and Cao Cao even compared to me as the one who will rule the entire realm?" Yuan Shu asked.
"Both of them are inferior to you, your majesty!" Lady Feng answered to his delight.
"Hahaha! They're inferior! I couldn't stand them both long ago when they act so above me all day. Look what's happening to them both. They loss to a bunch of nobodies while I was able to secure my position properly," Yuan Shu then escorted himself with his wife outside.
"My husband, you gave me everything I wanted. All I could ever dream of. These exquisite wear, my noble status, and the best of all….I'll have your heir," Lady Feng's last words whispered on Yuan Shu's ear.
"Oooh, are you pregnant?! Someone get the psychian!" Yuan Shu hipping into joy as his empress calmed him.
"Your majesty, please, let's keep it a secret? I want to make this announcement once you defeat that lowly Liu Bei," Lady Feng grinned.
The name Liu Bei soon turned Yuan Shu's happiness into downpour grimace. He's sick of the name Liu Bei.
"Ji Ling!? Marshal the men, we're going to war!" Yuan Shu shouted out the palace.
Ji Ling was about to meet the royal couple and when his lord shouted, he bowed, "At once, your excellence."
"I want that loser out of Xuzhou as soon as possible. After taking Xuzhou, I'll have my large army trample the rest of Zhongyuan and even have Lu Bu bow before me. But, Cao Cao, I'm going to make Cao Cao wish he wasn't born. I know Cao Cao's true heritage. He got no business being in power and his sons; I can't wait to see the look of his sons. They'll cry knowing that their birthright was a lie. He picked a whore from Cao Teng's maidens and sealed it," Yuan Shu laughed after he commented.
"Thank heavens, I wasn't from a eunuch's whore house," Lady Feng smirked.
Hours later….
Yuan Shu was on his steed in front of a hundred thousands of troops amass the fields outside of Shou Chun. The latter next to him was his best general Ji Ling looking stoic like a deadly warrior and Zhang Xun to Yuan Shu's right look proud to be amongst his majesty's elite.
"So, will he succeed, Yang Hong?" Yan Xiang asked.
"That is for heaven to decide…." Yang Hong sighed. The two ministers watched as the self proclaimed Emperor leads the march to Xuzhou just a day and a half ride.
"I see Sun Ce's relatives are also taking part in the campaign. Heaven have mercy on the Sun family," Yan Xiang shook his head gazing at the two relatives of Sun Ce.
Lady Feng was standing on the castle walls roof watching her husband leave. She finally achieved her dreams of great fortune. But, there's one more thing to settle.
"Perhaps, I'll pay a visit to Lady Wu's…." Lady Feng's dark intentions clouded her face with greed.
At Longzhong….
The entire journey to Jing left Cao Zhi a depressed little boy. Even in Guo Jia's presence, it didn't change how he feels about his family now. Days ago, his brother Pi gave him a white silk as his way of saying good bye. Is he just cloth to his father now?
"Don't resent your family just because you weren't looked at as a person who will one day do great things. I had my own childhood problems. Me, being the top of my class until I met your father a few years ago," Guo Jia said still trying to cheer the boy up.
They're already in Jingzhou and now they stopped at the ridge that afternoon waiting for someone from Liu Biao to come pick Cao Zhi up. Jingzhou is peaceful compare to the hell in the central plains.
"Mister Guo Jia…?" Cao Zhi brought Guo Jia's attention.
"Yes?" Guo Jia will give any advice to the boy as his young master.
"I want to see mother…" Cao Zhi pouted.
"I know and you can see her from the stars at night. She'll look at the same star like she's watching you asleep," Guo Jia told him.
"….."
"Someone from Liu Biao should be here right now. And besides…who could have lived in a place call Longzhong. The sleeping dragon ridge, the name of it gives me dabbles," Guo Jia scanned around the ridge.
"What's a sleeping dragon?" Cao Zhi asked.
"I don't recall dragons sleep. They're supposed to be sleepless mythical creatures. If someone calls himself a sleeping dragon, then he might be someone who'd awaken the heavens," Guo Jia tried his best explanation on the superstitious question.
"This place was once where legends of Qin, Chu, and Han lie," a young male's voice chanted. Guo Jia and Cao Zhi turns to where the voice's been heard. Slow footsteps approaching the other side of the road southeast.
"You know the war of the 18 states? Who are you?" Guo Jia demanded the voice's presence.
"Who I am is why I lived here. Are you one of Cao Cao's envoys to bring his son to Liu Biao?" the voice reveals itself as an older teen wearing white robes with a light blue scholar cap that counts for a court minister's wear.
"Are you from Liu Biao? I have his son Cao Zhi with me," Guo Jia stares at the young man cautiously.
"My uncle is and I'm here to bring the boy to my uncle. He looks like a cute little boy," the scholarly boy smiled.
"Indeed, filled with his mother's compassion. Now, I'm certain you didn't answer my question as to who you are," Guo Jia said.
"I'm Zhuge Liang, formerly from Xuzhou. You appeared handsome for someone from Cao Cao. I presume you are Guo Jia of Yuzhou," Zhuge Liang shot a stern look at Guo Jia with small hostility.
"You're from Xuzhou? It can't be!" Guo Jia gasped.
"Yes, you are the handsome strategist of Cao Cao who will do anything, even by the cruelest measures of your own lord. For a few years after moving here, I've waited till the day I cross with one of Cao Cao's wisest," Zhuge Liang then looked at the little boy, "I pity him…"
Cao Zhi let out a frown which Guo Jia looked at Zhi and then stare back at Zhuge Liang. So this is why Zhuge Liang's uncle proposal the hostage situation.
"No matter what Cao Cao did at Xuzhou, he's a great parent to Zhi," Guo Jia firmly stated.
"Hahaha, a great father dividing his children by favoritism! Picking his youngest son over the ones that share his ambitious nature," Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan.
"Scholar, what is Liu Biao going to do with Cao Zhi?" Guo Jia promptly asked with a threaten look.
"You can rest assure, that the boy will be in good hands with me. I am to be his tutor," Zhuge Liang gave the duo the brightest smile for assurants.
"Well young lord, you got yourself a new friend now…" Guo Jia sighed.
"….." Cao Zhi slowly made his way to Zhuge Liang and the two quietly greeted.
"For a young lad like you to be his tutor, you must be highly gifted in studies. I'm not much old as Cheng Yu who is the senior advisor to Cao Cao," Guo Jia grinned.
"Still at your twenties, Master Guo Jia," Zhuge Liang grinned.
"Oh, you'll get there, Master Zhuge Liang," Guo Jia took it as a compliment.
"Well, we shall get going now," Zhuge Liang said.
"Yes at least, Cao Zhi will be fine here," Guo Jia muttered. When the two take their leave, Cao Zhi gave one last look at Guo Jia still watching them. If Lady Bian were with him, she would drop on the ground weeping while he comforts her.
"Perhaps, it's the price of ruthlessness at Xuzhou," Guo Jia said to himself. A chilly hollow engulf the Sleeping Dragon Ridge. He noticed Zhuge Liang's wisdom and such a young man that exist brings more uncertainty on Fengxiao. If they were enemies, Zhuge Liang would surely have wanted to avenge the massacre of Xuzhou. He could be Cao Cao's greatest enemy at anytime.
Next Chapter: Beyond The Great Wall