Inside the Gong'an county office, Zhuge Liang warmly clasped the hand of a short, broad-shouldered man.
"Qu Jing," Kongming said with genuine familiarity, "it has been many years since we parted in Jing Province. To meet again like this is no small thing."
Qu Jing straightened, clearly uneasy under the strategist's gaze.
"Master Kongming… allow me to introduce someone," he said, gesturing beside him. "This is Wei Yi, personal aide to Governor Wu."
Kongming nodded, invited both men to sit, and ordered tea.
Originally, he had planned to depart for Jiangling that very day. But the sudden arrival of Wu Ju's messengers had changed everything.
Wu Ju had once served under Liu Biao. More importantly, he and Liu Bei shared a deep personal bond. Even after Liu Biao's death and Jing Province's division, correspondence between them had never ceased.
Their sudden visit carried a scent Kongming did not like.
Sure enough, Qu Jing confirmed it.
"…Governor Wu has already led troops to drive Lai Gong away," he said carefully. "The Governor feared that Lai Gong might come here and distort the facts, so he sent us ahead to explain matters clearly."
Kongming slowly shook his head.
"Lai Gong has not come to complain," he said calmly. "But Marquis Sun Quan may still use this incident as an excuse."
Qu Jing and Wei Yi froze.
"This…?" They exchanged looks. Their governor had not instructed them what to do if things escalated.
"And if I am not mistaken," Kongming continued gently, "Marquis Sun likely intends to execute Governor Wu to establish authority."
"What?!" Both men blurted it out at once.
"Governor Wu and Marquis Sun have never even met! Why would it come to that?"
Kongming lifted his teacup, took a sip, and smiled faintly.
"I am merely speaking casually," he said. "You two may listen casually as well."
Then his tone shifted—quiet, explanatory, inevitable.
"Shi Xie of Jiaozhou is a master of survival. Even during the chaos of the realm, he sent tributes to Xuchang every year."
The two nodded. Everyone knew this. Shi Xie's titles—General Who Settles the Borders, Marquis of Longdu Pavilion—were rewards bought with obedience.
"After Red Cliffs," Kongming went on, "Cao the Traitor can no longer reach that far south. Marquis Sun's influence grows daily, yet he cannot move north."
"So what does he do?" Kongming asked rhetorically. "He looks south."
"Shi Xie is pragmatic. Marquis Sun does not need to fight him. He only needs to demonstrate power."
"And how does one demonstrate power?" Kongming set down his cup. "Governor Wu and Lai Gong are already at odds. Governor Wu 'bullied' the Inspector of Jiaozhou—what a convenient charge."
"Execute Governor Wu," Kongming said evenly, "and Shi Xie will surrender immediately."
Qu Jing's back soaked through with cold sweat.
Wei Yi clenched his fists. "Then—then why doesn't Governor Wu simply surrender to Marquis Sun?"
Kongming looked at him.
"Because," he said slowly, "Governor Wu is my Lord's sworn friend."
His eyes sharpened.
"And because of that, we will certainly help him."
"Tell me," Kongming added casually, "have you heard of a man named Zhang Yide, at Changban Slope?"
Qu Jing and Wei Yi went pale.
In that instant, they understood something dreadful.
Jiaozhou's fate… is no longer decided by Governor Wu.
Several days later, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei returned from Jiangling.
That same day, Zhang Fei gathered his troops and merged them with the dozens of light cavalry under Qu Jing and Wei Yi. Without delay, the force marched south toward Jiaozhou.
Before departure, Kongming pulled Zhang Fei aside and whispered his instructions.
At first, Zhang Fei's brows were knotted in confusion.
Then—slowly—they loosened.
Finally, he slapped his chest and laughed.
"Rest easy, Military Counselor! When Old Zhang fights a war, you can sleep in peace!"
Kongming laughed as well.
"I know Yide's methods well," he said. "Bold as thunder, detailed as embroidery. A truly wise general."
"When you return in triumph," he added, "I shall personally host your victory feast."
As the army rode out, Zhang Fei spurred his horse ahead, his voice booming back through the dust.
"Don't forget the Ling Wine! Old Zhang will be back before it turns sour!"
Liu Bei watched his brother's retreating figure for a long time before finally turning away.
"Yide will be fine," Kongming said softly. "But we must also placate General Lai Gong. It would be best to invite him to Gong'an."
Liu Bei nodded, then raised another concern.
"Jiangling is desolate," he said. "I wish to move the Jiang-Huai refugees there. What do you think?"
"It must be done," Kongming agreed. "But we cannot imitate Cao the Traitor's forced migrations. These people have suffered enough. They've only been settled for a year."
"If we force them, unrest will follow."
"Then… gather the soldiers?" Liu Bei suggested. "Explain the benefits? Let them spread the word?"
Kongming's eyes lit up.
"In that case," he said, smiling, "I have a plan."
In-world Scene Narration
Ma Su felt strangely idle lately.
No sand-table deductions.
No urgent tasks from the Lord.
Even Lady Huang no longer dragged him into endless discussions about the paper mill.
Which meant only one thing—
The Hudu River Paper Mill must be running smoothly.
"Good morning, Master Mi!" Ma Su bowed hurriedly.
Mi Zhu's expression looked lighter than before. He waved him closer.
"Youchang," he said, "the Military Counselor has a new task—one that suits you perfectly."
Ma Su's heart ignited.
"Please give your orders!"
Fifteen minutes later, Ma Su stood inside the paper mill, beside massive stone rollers and enormous trip-hammer pestles, clutching a thick stack of notices.
No matter how many times he saw it, he marveled.
The rollers and pestles were five times larger than those used by farmers—far beyond human strength. Lady Huang had linked them to a waterwheel using iron fittings and wooden levers, letting flowing water drive the machines.
Processing grain here cost only twenty percent of the usual price.
Farmers lined up daily.
Some even tried bribing others to hold spots—those Ma Su punished with three days of hard labor washing pulp.
Soon, a crowd gathered.
"What's written on that paper?"
"Read it for us, young master!"
"Is Lady Huang raising prices?!"
Ma Su struck a small brass gong.
"The Governor of Jing Province wishes to rebuild Jiangling City!" he announced loudly.
"There is wild land! This year's rent will be waived! And anyone willing to work may build their own house!"
"Don't ask why it's such a good deal," he added sharply. "Do you distrust the Governor?"
He raised the papers.
"Take one notice each. Anyone who registers for Jiangling with this notice may claim two large flatbreads!"
"Two?!"
The crowd exploded.
Within moments, nearly a thousand notices vanished.
Fifty thousand refugees lived here. Some had settled—but many still lived under broken tiles. Even convincing others earned them bread.
One cake per person was still profit.
Late June
There are too damn many bugs in Jiaozhou.
Zhang Fei smashed a palm-sized insect with his spear shaft. Green fluid splattered across the blade, turning his stomach.
He had been waiting five days.
According to Kongming's orders, Qu Jing had gone ahead to inform Wu Ju. Wei Yi stayed as guide.
Zhang Fei regretted that choice. He should have kept the talkative one.
Wu Ju's reaction, however, had reassured him.
Wu Ju still valued old friendships. He didn't care who ruled Jiaozhou.
Only one thing mattered.
Did Sun Quan intend to use his head to frighten Shi Xie?
So when Bu Zhi arrived claiming the title Inspector of Jiaozhou, Wu Ju treated him with open contempt—attending banquets only to mock him relentlessly.
After repeated humiliation, Bu Zhi finally lost patience.
He invited Wu Ju to Guangxin.
Personal guards sealed the office.
Upstream, thousands of barbarian troops prepared boats.
But the plan collapsed the moment Wu Ju laughed.
"Heh," Wu Ju sneered. "Marquis Sun grows impatient. He sent you to take my head?"
Before Bu Zhi could respond—
WHISTLE—!
The stone floor exploded.
Dust cleared.
A pitch-black long spear stood embedded in stone.
From behind Bu Zhi, slaughter sounds faded—and a voice like thunder roared:
"So—you're the one who wants to kill my Big Brother's friend?"
Bu Zhi turned.
His blood ran cold.
What stood there was not a man—
But a beast.