Chapter 78: Chen Gong's Treacherous Scheme—Sending Bei's Wife to Chu

Late December.

Snow fell in thick flakes, cloaking the ravaged lands of the Han Empire in a robe of purity, making the wounds of war appear pristine and immaculate.

In the rear courtyard of the Lü residence in Xiapi.

Under the pavilion, Lü Bu wore heavy robes, warming himself by a pot of fine wine, with a small cauldron simmering meat nearby. In the distance, Diaochan danced gracefully, her exquisite beauty enhanced by the falling snow. Her almond-shaped eyes were enchanting, and her slender figure moved with elegance, stirring emotions in all who beheld her.

Lü Bu watched the dance and drank, occasionally slicing off pieces of meat to eat, savoring the moment in utter comfort.

Just then, Chen Gong hurried in.

Seeing Lü Bu still indulging in pleasure, Chen Gong, frustrated and full of righteous indignation, said, “My lord, our lives hang by a thread—how can you still find the heart to drink and enjoy yourself?”

He finished his reproach with a sweeping gesture of his sleeve.

“Gongtai, what makes you say such things?” Lü Bu replied with a hint of displeasure. The man disturbed his enjoyment day after day—could he not have a drink on a snowy day?

“My lord, Liu Bei has been appointed Governor of Yuzhou by Cao Cao and now camps at Xiaopei, gathering scattered soldiers. Meanwhile, Cao Cao has reinforced his forces, and it’s said he has nearly ten thousand troops. Are you aware of this?” Chen Gong pressed.

“Gongtai, Liu Bei is but a mere dog. Defeating him is as easy as turning my hand. With the roads blocked by snow, our armies cannot move. When spring comes, I will lead the troops myself and crush him. Do not be anxious,” Lü Bu dismissed, waving his hand.

“Oh, my lord, how can you be so naïve? Liu Bei’s troops and provisions are supplied by Cao Cao, who is hardly pure of heart. He supports Liu Bei only so he can conquer Xuzhou!” Chen Gong was growing agitated, his voice rising as he swept his sleeve.

“Cao Cao is coming?” Lü Bu’s expression faltered, fear flickering across his face. He had faced Cao Cao before and knew the man's cunning—he had been thoroughly cowed by him.

“Cao Cao will lay siege before midsummer!”

“Gongtai, what should we do now?” Lü Bu asked anxiously.

“Form distant alliances and attack nearby enemies!”

“Neither Liu Bei nor Cao Cao are trustworthy. If Liu Bei establishes himself at Xiaopei, next year Cao Cao will use him as a pretext to march straight to Pengcheng and threaten Xiapi.”

“My lord, you must muster all troops. When the snow melts, seize Xiaopei with haste. Also, send envoys to Chu Feng to forge an alliance. Xuyang’s fate is intertwined with ours—if the lips perish, the teeth grow cold. He should understand this well,” Chen Gong declared resolutely.

“But Gongtai, earlier Chu Feng sent envoys to arrange a marriage alliance, and we refused. Now that Cao Cao threatens us, if we go asking for support, will Chu Feng agree?” Lü Bu pursed his lips, questioning.

Chen Gong hesitated, for the earlier refusal had indeed been unwise. In truth, it was as if they’d waited until Chu Feng was established to negotiate, and now, under attack, sought his aid...

“My lord, Chu Feng is no fool. He knows the balance of interests. Besides, all dealings in this world are for gain. He should understand and not refuse,” Chen Gong tried to reassure, though he was uncertain himself.

His reasoning was sound, but with Sun Ce obstructing Chu Feng, whether an alliance could be formed was uncertain; all they could do was try.

“Truly?” Lü Bu’s face brightened with hope.

—

Chen Gong hesitated, pondering for a moment, then said,

“My lord, why not send an envoy to Shouchun, and bring Liu Bei’s wives along? Present them to Chu Feng, explain that they are Liu Bei’s wives, and say you fear for their safety amidst the chaos, so you send them to reside temporarily in Shouchun.”

“If he keeps them, it shows his goodwill, and we can stand together against Cao Cao and Liu Bei!”

“If he refuses, we can make other plans, lest we be caught off guard.”

Having finished, Chen Gong looked to Lü Bu.

To his mind, Liu Bei’s wives were useless and deserved to be treated with courtesy. Better to take the opportunity to send both women to Chu Feng as a test.

First, it could provoke Chu Feng against Liu Bei.

Second, it would reveal Chu Feng’s intentions—an excellent strategy.

Lü Bu listened, pondering. There seemed to be merit in this plan—a way to test the waters.

“Gongtai, your plan is good, but Liu Bei prides himself on righteousness. There is a saying: disaster should not befall wives and children. If I send his wives to Shouchun, would not the world condemn me as lacking virtue?” Lü Bu voiced his concern.

Chen Gong: “…”

His lips twitched—here it was again! How could Lü Bu be so self-content, thinking that if he didn’t send the wives, he wouldn’t be blamed? As if the world wouldn’t scold him either way!

“My lord, those who accomplish great deeds do not fuss over trifles. Even Confucius could not silence the world’s gossip—why should you care?” Chen Gong tried to convince him.

“Haha, well said, well said! Very good. My subordinate Qin Yilu once served the Yuan clan—I shall send him as envoy to Chu Feng, to show our intent to ally!” Lü Bu laughed heartily.

“Excellent!” Chen Gong nodded.

“Music and dance, continue!” Lü Bu raised his hand, his mood buoyant, showing no sense of urgency.

Chen Gong glanced at him, his deep eyes betraying a sigh. He and Zhang Miao had sought Lü Bu for his courage and prowess, but after working with him, Chen Gong realized Lü Bu lacked ambition.

He had hoped to use Lü Bu to destroy Cao Cao, but now saw it was nearly impossible. Outside the Lü residence, Chen Gong paused in thought—having chosen this path, he must proceed step by step.

With that, he hurried to another residence.

Before long, he arrived outside the Liu residence.

Though called a mansion, it was only slightly finer than a common thatched house—brick and tile courtyard, hardly luxurious. Here resided Liu Bei’s wives.

“General Chen, what business brings you here?”

At the door, a guard asked.

“By order of my lord, I am here to pay my respects. Step aside!” Chen Gong barked.

The guard hesitated, then complied. Rank outweighed reason, and it was not worth offending Chen Gong over such unimportant matters.

—

Within the inner courtyard,

Mi Zhen played the zither, showing the refined skills of a woman raised in wealth. Gan Qian, meanwhile, was more practical, attending to household chores.

“General Chen, to what do we owe the honor?”

Seeing Chen Gong, the two women rose.

“Ladies, Liu Bei has renewed his attack on Xiaopei, which greatly angers my lord. He has sent envoys to negotiate, offering to return you if Liu Bei withdraws. Yet Liu Bei refuses to retreat and insults my lord, claiming he is devoted to restoring the Han. As for you ladies, he says, 'If they must die, so be it. I will simply marry again.'”

Chen Gong spoke with deep feeling.

Gan Qian’s beautiful eyes trembled, despair flickering within. She knew Liu Bei was capable of such things—last time she was captured by Lü Bu, Liu Bei soon married Mi Zhen. Were it not for the two families reconciling, she might no longer be Liu Bei’s wife.

Mi Zhen was utterly lost.

Gan Qian, choking back emotion, knew she had been wronged, but as a daughter of a farming family, she had already enjoyed blessings beyond her station. Moreover, she understood that, to Liu Bei, wives mattered far less than reputation or brotherhood.

“Is the Marquis planning to execute us?” Gan Qian asked, bowing, her eyes calm yet tinged with sadness.

It was no easy thing to be the wife of a great man.

“Yes,” Chen Gong replied.

Upon hearing this, Gan Qian was not surprised. In the struggles of lords, it was a matter of life and death. Mi Zhen was nervous but helpless.

Born to a merchant family, Mi Zhen was now merely a pawn in a turbulent age, her fate not hers to choose; had it been, she would never have married the nearly forty-year-old Liu Bei.

She was, at best, a product of political necessity. Liu Bei valued her less than Gan Qian, and even shared a bed with her less frequently than with his sworn brothers, Guan and Zhang.

Now, faced with execution!

Just as Gan Qian was about to ask further,

Chen Gong continued, “But rest assured, ladies, I have persuaded my lord not to harm you. With Xuzhou about to descend into chaos, my lord intends to send you both to Shouchun, and you will depart soon.”

“To Shouchun? For what purpose?” Gan Qian raised her brows, questioning.

“You will find out when you arrive. One thing is certain—the Yuan clan and Liu Bei have their grievances. Whether you survive will depend on your own abilities!”

“My words end here. Farewell, ladies!”

With that, Chen Gong strode away. He had said all he needed—there was purpose behind his actions.