Chapter 6: My Name is Zhao Ritian, Courtesy Name Shaojie

"Kongming, write a letter to Gan Ning, Gan Xingba, immediately. Invite him to join us in our grand endeavor. At the same time, send someone to seek out that stuttering brat surnamed Deng." Liu Bei instructed Zhuge Liang earnestly.

Zhuge Liang’s expression stiffened. A myriad of questions raced through his mind: Who are these people? And one of them is a child?! Are you two sure you don’t want to elaborate? Do you realize this makes me look like a fool? Despite his hesitation, he bowed and replied respectfully, "Understood."

Zhao Shaojie nodded slightly, fully immersed in his role as a military advisor. He expected that once he spoke, his lord would listen. He looked at Liu Bei, waiting for him to ask about the prowess of this Gan and Deng, so he could launch into a grand eulogy that would leave Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang marveling in awe. He, Advisor Zhao, would then smile enigmatically—it would be a perfect piece of counsel.

Alas, when he looked at Liu Bei, the lord asked, "As we previously feared, if Cao Cao truly moves south, Liu Jingsheng dies, and Liu Cong surrenders, how are we to handle it?"

Zhao Shaojie was stunned. Historically, Liu Bei had just played it by ear. After all, Liu Cong hadn't even notified Liu Bei of his surrender; Liu Bei only realized it when he was suddenly pincered from both sides. As for what plan he had?

If he truly had a plan, he would have started his own business and become emperor himself. "I don't know," Zhao Shaojie admitted.

...

As the words fell, Liu Bei remained expressionless, showing no sign of surprise.

Zhuge Liang, however, nearly choked. You were just rambling on about how the child was a genius, and now you don't know? Fortunately, he recovered quickly and spoke up, "My Lord, why must we wait for such a critical moment? If we muster our troops now and strike at Jingzhou..."

Liu Bei frowned slightly. If he didn't know that Zhuge Liang was a relative of Liu Biao, he would have truly thought Zhuge Liang held a grudge against him, given how persistently he urged him to attack.

Zhao Shaojie spoke up, "Kongming, you can't exhaust a reputation for integrity twice. If the Lord launches a surprise attack on Liu Biao during a meeting, how will he be able to pull a surprise attack on Liu Zhang during a meeting in the future?"

"Besides, even if a sneak attack succeeded and we took Jingzhou, how could we face Cao Cao with only that territory? Since there is a ready-made history of defeating him, why take a shortcut and invite trouble for ourselves?"

"In my opinion, rather than heading east across the Yangtze..."

"No, that's not it. We should find a place no one cares about, develop quietly and subtly, and then, after defeating Cao Cao, immediately march out to retake Jingzhou. That way, Eastern Wu will have less territory to occupy!"

Zhuge Liang listened, completely bewildered. What was this about not being able to exhaust a reputation twice? Attacking Liu Biao and Liu Zhang during meetings?

But being a man of wisdom, he soon realized that while a sneak attack was possible, it could only be done once. If they struck at Liu Biao now, they couldn't use the same tactic on Liu Zhang later.

The problem, however, was that if they didn't strike at Liu Biao now to secure a base to resist Cao Cao, there would be no "later."

Suddenly, Zhuge Liang murmured in astonishment, "A history of defeating Cao Cao? What do you mean by that? Can he be defeated without occupying Jingzhou? What history are you referring to?"

Liu Bei’s eyes lit up. He nodded and said, "Jingzhou is adjacent to Yizhou, Yangzhou, and Jiaozhou. As it happens, Lai Gong and Wu Ju in Jiaozhou are on good terms with me. If we send an army to establish a foothold in Jiaozhou, and then march north to Jingzhou when the time is right, would that work?"

Zhuge Liang was even more stunned. "When the time is right"? Could it be that he meant the time when Cao Cao is defeated?

...

Zhao Shaojie laughed heartily. "Jiaozhou is basically Guangzhou, right? I know that place. It's a great spot—an international metropolis. My Lord, how about you make me the Duke of Guangzhou in the future?"

Liu Bei’s mouth twitched, and he did not answer.

Zhuge Liang stared at Zhao Shaojie in shock. *Does this kid not see our current situation?*

*We have a single county, Xinye!!!*

*And you want to be made a Duke?*

*The last person to be a Duke was Wang Mang. Do you know who Wang Mang is?*

*Shouldn't Liu Bei be furious at such a brazen request for a dukedom?*

Zhuge Liang felt a belly full of questions, but after looking closely at the two men, he buried them all. Instead, he went along with the conversation, saying, "This matter would require the consent of Liu Jingsheng."

Liu Bei sighed and said calmly, "Our army expanded yesterday. The news will surely reach Xiangyang soon. Liu Jingsheng will certainly invite me to visit, and I shall broach the subject then..."

Zhuge Liang sighed as well.

Zhao Shaojie, however, said indifferently, "It doesn't matter. He’s going to die soon anyway. Just endure him for a few more days."

...

Once the meeting concluded, Liu Bei went to inspect the refugee camps and the military barracks to understand the recruitment situation. He instructed Zhuge Liang to assist Zhao Shaojie in carrying out his duties as a Scientific Colonel.

Zhao Shaojie wanted to chat more with Zhuge Liang—after all, he was an idol of sorts—and he could tell that Zhuge Liang had many questions about his interactions with Liu Bei. He wanted to see how long Zhuge Liang could hold back from asking.

Alas, after waiting for a long time, even after Zhuge Liang had finished writing the letter to Gan Ning and sent it off, he hadn't asked a single question.

"He can actually hold it in?" Zhao Shaojie clicked his tongue in disbelief.

Zhuge Liang, seemingly untroubled, finished his tasks and smiled. "Shao Jie, do you have a courtesy name?"

Zhao Shaojie paused for a moment and said casually, "My name is Zhao Ritian, and my courtesy name is Shao Jie?"

Zhuge Liang was stunned.

Zhao Shaojie thought for a moment. To save himself trouble in the future, he smiled and said, "Zhao Hao, courtesy name Shao Jie."

...

Zhuge Liang was stunned again. Names and courtesy names are supposed to be related; how do you explain this one?

Zhao Shaojie didn't care. Since Zhuge Liang wasn't asking him questions, he decided to ask Zhuge Liang instead: "Kongming, the Lord asked you to help me with my work. But given our current situation, we lack a stable base and sufficient supplies, so my work is hard to start. How about this: find me some carpenters; I want to make some tables and chairs."

Zhuge Liang frowned. "Is this also science?"

"Of course. Science is any knowledge that can be replicated. Don't underestimate furniture; if done well, it can be a leading industry! Of course, I'm making furniture right now just to be comfortable," Zhao Shaojie said candidly.

Zhuge Liang remained unconvinced.

Zhao Shaojie couldn't explain further. After all, the fact that he was a transmigrator was known only to Liu Bei, and since Liu Bei hadn't told Zhuge Liang, he certainly couldn't say it himself. He understood at least that much.

...

Meanwhile, in Xiangyang.

Cai Mao said urgently, "Governor, Liu Bei is forging weapons and recruiting soldiers on a large scale. I fear he has ulterior motives."

Liu Biao, looking sickly, frowned. "Is that true?"

"It is absolutely certain, Governor!" Cai Mao shouted.

Liu Biao sighed. "Perhaps it is because Cao Cao is about to pacify the north, and Xuande is simply worried about Cao Cao moving south and is making preparations in advance."

"But why didn't he report this to you? He definitely has ill intentions!" Cai Mao insisted.

Liu Biao was silent for a while before saying, "In a few days, I will invite Xuande here and ask him in person."

"What good will asking do? He will surely claim it is to defend against Cao Cao. It would be better to arrest Liu Bei and send him to Cao Cao. That way, Cao Cao will certainly not invade our Jingzhou!" Cai Mao suggested.

Liu Biao shook his head. "If I send Xuande to him, will Cao Cao truly spare my Jingzhou? Can you guarantee that?"

Cai Mao was left speechless.

Liu Biao waved his hand. "Enough. I am tired. You may leave."