With a personality like yours, you are bound to suffer greatly in the future.

Court Hall of the Government Office.

Under Liu Bei’s command stood his civil officials such as Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, and Jian Yong, alongside his military generals Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun—all assembled together.

The gathering was solemn as Liu Bei spoke gravely, “Gentlemen, what say you? If Cao Cao leads his army southward, and by chance Liu Jingzhou passes away, leaving the governorship of Jingzhou to Liu Cong, who then surrenders to Cao Cao, how shall our forces respond?”

Though it was the biting cold of midwinter, his words sent a chill deeper than the frost through the assembly.

Sun Qian bowed and replied, “My lord, Liu Jingzhou was well aware that Yuan Benchu’s downfall came from abandoning the eldest for the youngest. How then would he allow Liu Cong to inherit the governorship? Even if Liu Cong did succeed him, would he so readily hand over his father’s legacy?”

“Indeed,” another voice added, “Cao Cao is uncertain if he has fully pacified Hebei. Even if he has, it would take a year or two to consolidate power. How could he march south so soon? And though Liu Jingzhou’s health is frail, it is not so dire...”

Others, including Mi Zhu and his brother, joined in offering their views.

Zhuge Liang, however, remained silent. At present, he was among Liu Bei’s more aggressive faction, constantly urging the lord to seize Jingzhou and strike against Liu Biao.

Not because he foresaw these events precisely, but because he believed the lands Liu Bei could claim were limited, and Jingzhou was the most strategically viable.

After a brief murmur of discussion, Zhuge Liang finally spoke slowly, “My lord, would you be willing to seize Jingzhou and prepare early?”

Before Liu Bei could answer, Xu Shu quickly interjected, “My lord, though you have allied with many noble families in Jingzhou, the great houses of Cai and Kuai remain hostile. Our forces number only a few thousand; a hasty uprising would likely result in more defeat than victory.”

“Besides, with our base in Xinye and relying heavily on Liu Jingzhou’s support, such an act would invite scorn from the world.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei growled angrily, “Let them talk! Jingzhou commands a hundred thousand troops. If we do not march against the Cao villain, while he pacifies Hebei, doing nothing but occupying a position without purpose is no better than letting him sit in Jingzhou to revive the Han dynasty!”

Guan Yu’s gaze remained fixed on Liu Bei. Though the lord’s expressions were inscrutable, years of service revealed a deep, buried sorrow in his brow—as if he were certain this grim scenario would unfold.

Just as Guan Yu was about to speak, Liu Bei looked around and commanded, “Kongming, Yuanzhi, you two should thoroughly analyze whether the death of Liu Jingzhou, Cao Cao’s southward advance, and Liu Cong’s surrender might all occur together. If so, how should our forces respond?”

He then turned to Mi Zhu and Mi Fang, “Brothers Zizhong, prepare ample provisions!”

Finally, he looked at Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others: “From now on, begin recruiting troops—no limit on numbers, the more the better!”

The assembly grew more perplexed. Why did Liu Bei envision such a bleak future? Yet they all took their orders and dispersed.

Soon, the government hall was left with only Liu Bei, who knelt quietly behind a desk, his mind restless with Zhao Shaojie’s words.

The great Han would ultimately fall.

Yet he would not accept fate passively. He would fight.

Yes, he must fight!

Outside the building, Xu Shu sighed, “Kongming, if what the lord fears is true, where would we find footing? Cao Cao in the north, Liu Cong in the south—we would have no escape.”

Zhuge Liang’s eyes gleamed sharply as he smiled, “That is not certain!” Though inwardly, he too felt a twinge of anxiety.

Outside, Guan Yu and the others mounted their horses. Zhang Fei muttered, “What’s with the lord? He seems troubled.”

“Yi De has noticed as well?” Guan Yu nodded. “It seems the lord has received some news, but it sounds more like conjecture than fact. How could all these misfortunes happen simultaneously?” He glanced at those nearby. “Zilong, Shuzhi, have you heard anything?”

Both Zhao Yun and Chen Dao shook their heads.

In the back quarters,

Zhao Shaojie had just bathed and changed into clothes brought by a maid, then began to eat ravenously.

He had been starved these past few days; the food at the refugee camp was little better than torture for someone from the future.

“The taste is dreadful. This calls for a geographical discovery!” he joked as he ate.

Suddenly, a refined lady approached, smiling warmly. “I heard you are a relative of the lord’s close friend, journeying south all this way. You must have suffered much!”

Zhao Shaojie looked up cautiously, noting her demeanor and tone. “Lady Gan? Lady Mi?”

Wei Yan stood silently by the door, his voice firm: “Lady Gan oversees the inner household.”

Zhao Shaojie nodded, realizing she was the Empress Dowager. Pale indeed.

He rose and bowed, “Greetings, aunt!”

Lady Gan smiled gently, asking, “May I inquire your name? And when did your father meet with the lord?”

Zhao Shaojie paused, then quickly replied, “My name is Zhao Shaojie. As for when my father became acquainted with Lord Liu, I am unsure.”

That question was better left to Liu Bei to answer; after all, these people had followed Liu Bei for years or decades, and a careless answer might reveal too much.

Lady Gan smiled kindly and continued, “Young Master Shaojie must have fled south due to Cao’s persecution. Yet since you are connected to the lord, he will protect you. Once your hair has grown, you may venture out without others suspecting you have been punished.”

Zhao Shaojie grinned, unconcerned about his short hair being mistaken for punishment, but said, “Your care is much appreciated, aunt.”

Lady Gan was about to speak further when a young girl suddenly ran in, shouting, “Mother, A Dou has awakened. The wet nurse can’t soothe him. Please come see.”

The girl glanced at Zhao Shaojie, then at Lady Gan.

Lady Gan smiled warmly. “This is the lord’s eldest daughter, Liu Ming. Come, greet Brother Zhao.”

Liu Ming bowed, “Greetings, Brother Zhao.”

Zhao Shaojie waved his hand, “Hello, hello.”

Liu Ming hesitated briefly. Lady Gan also paused, surprised at the sudden informality after her earlier formality, but quickly smiled, “If you have any other needs, Zhao Gongzi, please have someone tell me.” With that, she turned and left.

Liu Ming lingered, casting another glance at Zhao Shaojie.

He paid no mind, simply disliking formalities and preferring to forgo unnecessary bows.

Resuming his seat, he continued eating.

After a few bites, he noticed Wei Yan still there and beckoned, “Wenchang, come sit and talk.”

Wei Yan frowned briefly but entered cautiously, eyes sharp on Zhao Shaojie.

“Tell me, how many troops do we have?” Zhao Shaojie asked, bored.

Wei Yan immediately glared, snorting coldly.

Sighing, Zhao Shaojie said, “Wenchang, think about it. If I were a spy, would I need to be inside the lord’s inner quarters gathering intelligence? The lord’s troops are confined to Xinye alone; Cao Cao could easily send someone to scout.”

Wei Yan scoffed.

Zhao Shaojie shrugged and added, “Not sitting down?”

Wei Yan snorted again.

Speechless, Zhao Shaojie muttered, “Your temper will cause you great trouble one day, you know that?”

Wei Yan merely chuckled disdainfully.