Chapter Ninety-Three: The Hongmen Banquet-Peerless Strategist of the Three Kingdoms(Lonely Grass)

Xiangyang.

Sun Ce arrived with a retinue of generals, and behind him surged a vast force of one hundred and fifty thousand troops. The terrifying spectacle made all under heaven tremble.

“Sun Ce has returned!” On the dragon throne, Liu Xie clenched his fists, his bold and handsome brows set in solemn resolve.

Beside Liu Xie stood a richly adorned imperial consort, voluptuous and lovely, the daughter of Dong Cheng. She now held the rank of a noble lady.

The Lady Dong took Liu Xie’s hand and said, “Your Majesty, the ministers are already dressed in mourning clothes and have gone to the city gate of Xiangyang to welcome the Chancellor. My father also asked that Your Majesty deign to attend in person.”

“Yes. Go and prepare me a set of mourning robes as well. I shall offer the Chancellor proper consolation.”

At the city gate of Xiangyang, Yang Biao came to stand beside Dong Cheng and asked in a calm voice, “Has the General made all preparations?”

Dong Cheng shook his head. “I never expected Sun Ce to break Yuan Shu so quickly. The plan is still under discussion.”

Yang Biao’s eyes narrowed, his tone turning stern. “The Son of Heaven urgently needs us old ministers. Was not this stratagem already laid? Why is it still unfinished?”

Dong Cheng’s gaze flicked quickly about them. “Grand Commandant, do not grow anxious. To restore the Han house and rid the realm of a rebel like Sun Ce is no easy task. Our plan still lacks the right moment. I have already trained many assassins.”

“Is that so...” Yang Biao drew a deep breath.

Dong Cheng glanced ahead and murmured, “They are here.”

Heavy footsteps shook the earth, and dust rose faintly from the ground. This was an army of one hundred and fifty thousand men.

The loyal old ministers of the Han watched the man at the head of the procession, anger simmering within them, though not a trace showed on their faces.

The rest of the ministers all wore expressions of deference.

The moment Sun Ce entered the city, loud cries rang out, resounding and long.

“We, your servants, congratulate the Chancellor on his great victory and triumphant return, and on cleansing Great Han of the false emperor Yuan Shu!”

“May the Chancellor enjoy endless glory!”

...

Mounted, Sun Ce looked down upon the gathered officials. Dong Cheng and the Han ministers stood in the left column at the very front by the gate, while the other members of the Sun clan stood on the right.

All the officials were dressed in plain mourning garb, each wearing a look of respect. The people of Xiangyang had also crowded both sides of the street.

They wished to catch a glimpse of the young Chancellor. The men admired his martial bearing; the women were all enthralled by his handsome splendor.

“This great victory of the Chancellor’s fills all the ministers with joy,” Dong Cheng said as he stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Sun Ce glanced at Dong Cheng, smiled faintly, and said to Cheng Pu, “Go and order the army to camp outside the city. After the rewards are distributed, have them return to their respective garrisons.”

Dong Cheng could never have imagined that the imperial summons hidden in the sash and the plot he had devised with the ministers had already been exposed without leaving the slightest flaw. Jiang Wen and Sun Ce knew everything.

And Sun Ce already knew of Liu Xie’s hidden edict.

Though many among the Han ministers had taken part, he knew only a few of them. If he wanted to draw out the bigger fish, he could not yet tear off the veil.

“The General of the Guard has defended Xiangyang in my absence and protected the Son of Heaven with loyalty and devotion. He has been true and diligent toward Great Han as well. He, too, has suffered much.”

“This servant thanks the Chancellor for his kind words.”

“The Son of Heaven arrives!”

Sun Ce dismounted. The ministers all dropped to their knees. “We, your servants, respectfully welcome Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!”

Liu Xie came in his dragon carriage and phoenix palanquin, dressed in plain robes, and approached Sun Ce. Sun Ce bowed. “This minister welcomes Your Majesty. I never imagined that I would disturb the sacred presence and bring Your Majesty here in person. It is my crime.”

“My dear minister has labored through this campaign to remove the harm of Yuan Shu, that false emperor. What guilt is there? I am simply delighted,” Liu Xie said, taking Sun Ce’s hand with an intimacy like that of family. Then he smiled and continued, “It is only a pity for the former Chancellor, Minister Sun. I have already buried him with the rites of a state funeral and bestowed upon him the title Marquis Guanwu, with ten thousand households.”

“This minister thanks Your Majesty for your great grace!”

“Your Majesty, I would like to go and pay respects to my father.”

“My dear minister has been wearied by these days of service. I shall not detain you. Please go.”

“All of you ministers may also rise.”

“We thank Your Majesty!”

Zhou Yu gave Liu Xie a brief, appraising look before withdrawing his gaze and following Sun Ce away.

Sun Ce’s residence.

“Husband has won such great merit this time, yet why do you return with such a troubled brow? Has something displeased you?”

The woman’s features were delicate and refined, every smile and glance filled with quiet grace, like a cup of tea in summer, plain and mellow, soothing the heart.

Cai Zhaoji massaged Sun Ce’s shoulders, and his expression eased noticeably. Taking her hand, he asked, “Has Mother been well in my absence?”

“Of course she has. In the first few days she scarcely ate anything, but she has improved now. Zhongmou keeps her company often,” Cai Yan replied.

Sun Ce pulled Cai Yan into his arms. “That is good. I was unable to mourn my father. Did Mother blame me?”

“No. Mother understands the reasons. Besides, this is the world your father won only with great difficulty. If you had ruined his foundation by rushing off to mourn, that would have truly broken Mother’s heart.”

Sun Ce smiled. “You are always like this, always so good at comforting people.”

Cai Yan smiled as she rose from his embrace. “I composed a tune today. Would you like to hear it?”

“Can it ease my worries?”

“Of course.”

At Lu Meng’s estate, Zhou Yu took a small sip of fine wine, lifted the zither beside him, and began to pluck it lightly. The notes were clear and pleasing to the ear. Lu Meng, meanwhile, drank cup after cup and kept glancing toward the two empty seats at the table, looking somewhat ill at ease.

“Why is Ziming troubled in his heart?” Zhou Yu stopped playing and asked.

Lu Meng set down his cup and sighed. “It just feels a bit empty. In the past, whenever we won a great victory, the four of us would gather to drink and make merry. You would play the zither, Changsu would write poetry, and Bo Fu would occasionally sing along. But now it feels rather hollow.”

Zhou Yu’s eyes were calm. “Bo Fu has now become Chancellor. There are many great affairs in court that still need dealing with, so naturally he has no spare time. I fear he will have little time even in the future. As for Changsu, perhaps after some days Bo Fu will call him back.”

Lu Meng shook his head and laughed softly. “In those days, the four of us swore an oath together. Each of us had our own desire in heart. We thought we could walk side by side toward our ideals, companions for life, confidants for life. But now it seems that was too much to hope for.”

Zhou Yu rose, a distant look in his eyes. “It is precisely because each of us has his own wish that matters have come to this. Bo Fu did not become a Grand General, but instead became Chancellor. You and I have today become important ministers in the court as well, no longer the ignorant youths we once were.”

“Confidants are forged over time. True friends are never estranged by distance, nor by difference in rank. Take Crown Prince Dan and Jing Ke, for example. One was a prince, the other a man of plain birth, yet their friendship was enough to move Jing Ke to sacrifice his life for righteousness.”

Lu Meng, feeling somewhat more at ease, drank again. “As for that letter, have you and Bo Fu found a plan?”

Zhou Yu nodded. “Every scheme has its flaw. There is no perfect plan in this world. The ones who set up this hidden edict are the very people trapped within the trap.”

“Stop talking in circles. You’re giving me a headache,” Lu Meng said with a frown. “Just tell me plainly what we are to do.”

Zhou Yu looked at him but said nothing. Lu Meng raised his brows. “Hey, you don’t have to hide it from me too, do you?”

“It is not that,” Zhou Yu said. “We shall set a feast and invite the guest into the urn.”

The Chancellor’s residence.

Sun Ce was reviewing memorials. “You say the Son of Heaven wants to hold a celebration banquet for me?”

“Yes, Chancellor. Your deed in destroying Yuan Shu has shaken the court and the realm. Many ministers once looked down on you because of your youth, but after this battle, they feel nothing but admiration.”

Sun Ce set the memorial aside. “Where does the Son of Heaven intend to hold this banquet for me?”

Yang Biao replied respectfully, “I report to the Chancellor: in recent days, mountain folk near Fragrant Water River have seen a auspicious beast appear there, bearing a seven-colored spring. Now that summer is drawing near, the clear waters there flow gently, and the dense woods are cool and refreshing. It is a place of fine beauty.”

“And on what day is the banquet?”

“To display the Chancellor’s prestige, the Son of Heaven suggested that it be held as soon as possible, within the next few days.”

Cheng Pu stepped from the ranks and said, “Chancellor, Marquis Guanwu has not yet been dead for three years. With such a grand feast, the Chancellor should observe filial duty and decline the Son of Heaven’s kindness.”

Zu Mao said, “General Cheng Pu is right. If the Chancellor holds a lavish banquet during the mourning period for his father, the world will surely accuse him of disloyalty and unfilial conduct.”

Sun Ce turned to Yang Biao. “As the generals have said, I fear I can only disappoint the Son of Heaven’s good intentions this time.”

Yang Biao frowned slightly. Behind him, Sima Fang stepped forward and said, “I report to the Chancellor: in ancient times there was the saying that one may preserve both filial duty and loyalty. For this banquet, the Son of Heaven need only arrange things in a simple manner and invite only a few ministers from court. In this way, filial duty is not violated, and loyalty is not violated either.”

Yang Biao glanced back and gave Sima Fang a subtle nod. Sima Fang merely bowed to Sun Ce with an ordinary expression.

“According to Sir Sima’s words, I indeed should not disappoint either the Son of Heaven or my late father.”

Gu Yong then said, “Sima Fang, Yang Biao, I simply do not understand. In the past, when Marquis Guanwu was alive and we discussed matters, you two often took the opposing side. Why are you both so attentive to the Chancellor today?”

Yang Biao said, “The Chancellor has destroyed Yuan Shu, the false emperor, for His Majesty and achieved such illustrious merit that we are sincerely convinced. What is wrong with praising the Chancellor?”

Zhu Zhi sneered. “I suspect there is something here that cannot be spoken of before outsiders.”

Zhou Yu, standing at the very front of the ministers in court attire with a tablet in hand, had not spoken all this time. Sun Ce glanced at him, and Zhou Yu gave him a tacit nod.

Understanding at once, Sun Ce nodded and said, “Enough. Since the Son of Heaven has invited me to a banquet, it is an honor to this servant. Since His Majesty has shown such thought, how could I fail to return his kindness?”

“Please tell the Grand Commandant that the banquet will be held the day after tomorrow.”

“I obey.”

Dong Cheng’s residence.

Dong Cheng looked at Yang Biao with excitement. “He truly intends to attend the banquet arranged by the Son of Heaven?”

Yang Biao nodded. “Sun Ce has already agreed, and said that he will go with the Son of Heaven to Fragrant Water River the day after tomorrow.”

“Excellent! The forests by Fragrant Water River are dense and overgrown. Even if we hide many blade-and-axe men there, they will not be easily discovered. With that, our great undertaking is within reach!” Wang Zifu said eagerly.

Sima Fang frowned and pondered. “But Sun Ce is extraordinary in martial strength, and he has no shortage of strategists at his side. If he detects anything amiss, will he not take precautions?”

Wu Shuo shook his head. “We have arranged this trap for a long time. Ordinary men could never know of it, and this move at Fragrant Water River is merely the feint.”

“A feint?” someone asked.

Dong Cheng nodded. “Fragrant Water River is suited for assassination; anyone can see that. Even if Sun Ce is not certain it is a banquet of ambush, he will certainly bring the generals he trusts. If we fail, the consequences will be disastrous.”

Yang Biao looked at Dong Cheng. Dong Cheng continued, “But we still have the main strike. If the assassination at Fragrant Water River fails and Sun Ce has us seized, where do you think he will go then?”

“To the palace, to demand an explanation from the Son of Heaven,” Yang Biao said with a frown. “In that case, if we fail, His Majesty may well be in mortal danger.”

“Grand Commandant Yang worries too much,” Dong Cheng said with a smile. “When Sun Ce enters the palace, that is when the true strike begins.”

“How so? Is General Dong planning to place the Son of Heaven in danger?”

With complete confidence, Dong Cheng said, “If our assassination at Fragrant Water River succeeds, that is naturally best. But if Sun Ce sees through it, he will surely believe our action has failed. Then he will lose his vigilance, and by that time I will already have laid an ambush of heavy troops along the route into the palace.”

“So long as Sun Ce enters the palace, the hidden troops will shoot him dead the instant his guard is down!”

Sun Ce’s residence.

“Just as Gongjin said, without a doubt this is a banquet of the Hong Gate kind,” Sun Ce said indifferently.

Zhou Yu nodded expressionlessly. “Which men will you bring tomorrow?”

“Does Gongjin have any recommendations?”

“Gan Ning and Zhou Tai,” Zhou Yu said. “Gan Ning is bold and decisive. If anything truly happens, he will strike at once without needing a reminder. Zhou Tai is steady and composed. Changsu once said this man is excellent at protecting his lord, and may be of use to the Chancellor.”

Sun Ce nodded.

Zhou Yu then asked, “When does the Chancellor plan to summon Changsu back to Xiangyang?”

Sun Ce’s expression flickered slightly. “Once I have thought it through, I will naturally arrange for Changsu to return to Xiangyang. Gongjin need not ask further.”

Fuchun, the homeland of Jiang Wen, was a place whose local customs he knew all too well.

In a small mountain village, the village chief happily arranged a banquet and repeatedly praised Jiang Wen, though he had not even known what Jiang Wen looked like before.

“My lady, this place really is no place for human beings!” Xiao Shu said, staring at the red welt on her hand. “Look, I’ve been bitten again!”

Diao Chan smiled brightly. “If you dislike it, take my sachet. If you keep it on you, the mosquitoes won’t bother you.”

“How could that work? You’re a young lady of noble birth. If a mosquito bites you, it would be taking advantage of them for nothing!” Xiao Shu walked into the courtyard. “This house is worlds apart from the one we lived in at Xiangyang. The yard isn’t even as big as our room was!”

Diao Chan’s white teeth showed faintly as her charming eyes held a comforting warmth. “You should have adapted sooner. Since you came here with Master, then stop complaining.”

“Yes, yes, yes. As long as the Master has you, my lady, that’s all that matters. I’d almost rather stay beside Master every single day.”

“Xiao Shu!” Diao Chan blushed, a little shy. Her beautiful eyes showed a trace of fluster, her whole bearing becoming all the more alluring.

Xiao Shu sighed. “My lady, although your relationship with Master really has improved a little, our Master is not someone who is especially fond of women. If you keep this up, I’m afraid you’ll waste the best years of your life.”

“Ah, then what am I supposed to do?”

Please vote, please vote!