Chapter 120: Arrival in Jiaozhi

Indeed, historically, that was the case. Sun Ce had not yet launched a military campaign against Jiaozhou, but had merely sent men to take control of the region. At that time, Shi Xie did not resist; instead, he submitted naturally. It was as if, now that he had proclaimed himself emperor, he felt compelled to take possession of other cities. In a world dominated by warlords, who would willingly submit to another? Yet, Shi Xie had done just that—when Sun Ce’s men arrived, he surrendered to them without a struggle.

Liu Xie understood that if he arrived even a step too late and the men from Jiangdong met with Shi Xie first, there was a real chance Shi Xie would submit to Jiangdong. By then, he and his forces would be deep within Jiaozhou, and given that Jiangdong was already at odds with him, if Jiangdong ordered Shi Xie to raise an army to suppress them, the situation would become perilous.

"Does anyone know who Sun Ce sent?" Liu Xie asked Zhuge Liang.

"Reporting to the Young Master, it is the veteran general of Jiangdong, Cheng Pu. They have already reached Jiaozhou. However, according to our travel schedule, we will arrive in Jiaozhi before them," Zhuge Liang reported.

Liu Xie nodded slightly, lost in thought. "Since that is the case, let them arrive first, and we shall follow closely behind," Liu Xie said with a cold expression.

"But, Young Master, what if Shi Xie truly submits to Jiangdong? Then what of us?" Zhuge Liang asked with concern.

"It matters not. I said we would arrive after them, but not by much. We shall head to Jiaozhi and take lodging as close to the Inspector's Mansion as possible, watching Cheng Pu enter."

With that, Liu Xie and his party resumed their journey. After three more days of travel, they finally reached Jiaozhi, the administrative seat of Jiaozhou, and took up residence in an inn nearest to the Inspector's Mansion. On the second day of their arrival, Cheng Pu led his Jiangdong contingent into the mansion.

"Young Master, Cheng Pu and his men entered the Inspector's Mansion half an hour ago. How should we proceed?" Zhuge Liang asked, looking worried.

"Oh? They have already gone in? Good. Then we shall go as well. Go, send word to Shi Xie: tell him that the Emperor has arrived."

Inside the Inspector's Mansion, Shi Xie had already welcomed Cheng Pu and his men. "General Cheng, I know not what brings you here. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome," Shi Xie said, his demeanor humble and even slightly anxious. He had received news from Jingzhou that an envoy would be arriving within days, and now, Cheng Pu from Jiangdong had appeared as well.

Shi Xie was no fool; he understood why both Jingzhou and Jiangdong had sent men. His Jiaozhou held significant strategic importance for both sides. He realized that both the emissaries from Jingzhou and the man before him, Cheng Pu, were there to seize control of his territory.

"Lord Shi, there is no need for such formalities. I am here by the order of my lord to take charge of Jiaozhou," Cheng Pu stated. As Liu Xie had anticipated, he had indeed come to take command.

"Take... charge?" Shi Xie feigned confusion, unsure how to respond.

"Indeed. Our Jiangdong is in a period of development, and in order to provide a better life for the people in more regions, my lord has decided to incorporate Jiaozhou under the governance of Jiangdong." Cheng Pu was blunt. The intent was clear: Jiaozhou was to become Jiangdong's territory, and Shi Xie would henceforth have to obey Sun Ce's orders.

Shi Xie felt uneasy. He knew that the Jingzhou envoy would arrive with the same intent, and if he yielded to Jiangdong, he would inevitably offend Liu Xie of Jingzhou. He was well aware of the extent of Liu Xie's power and knew he could not afford to provoke him. He pondered many things, but one thing he never considered was taking up arms against either Jiangdong or Liu Xie. He was not a warlord at heart, and more importantly, he lacked the strength to fight them.

"What is it, Lord Shi? Do you have reservations? Or perhaps you do not wish to be under the governance of Jiangdong?" Though Cheng Pu’s words sounded polite, they were laden with thinly veiled threats. Shi Xie was growing flustered, unsure of how to reply.

"Report!" A soldier rushed in. "My Lord, the envoy from Jingzhou has arrived!"

"Oh? Quickly, invite them in!" He had no time to ask who the envoy was. In his view, let Jingzhou and Jiangdong fight it out themselves.

When Cheng Pu heard that an envoy from Jingzhou had arrived, his expression darkened. "Lord Shi, what is the meaning of this? Why is there an envoy from Jingzhou? What are they doing here?"

Shi Xie swallowed hard. "General Cheng, how could I know? I received word some time ago that an envoy from Jingzhou would come, but I have no idea why. Since they have come, I cannot refuse them." He feigned total ignorance before Cheng Pu. Cheng Pu could say nothing more; it was not his place to dictate whom Shi Xie received.

Soon, led by the soldier, Liu Xie and Zhuge Liang entered, accompanied by Zhao Yun. Gao Shun remained outside with his Shadow Wolves, ready to provide support at the first sign of trouble.

"Ah, I did not know the envoy from Jingzhou would be arriving in person. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome," Shi Xie said, stepping forward respectfully. Then, as he looked closely at Liu Xie's face, he froze. He had known an envoy was coming, but he had not expected Liu Xie himself. As the Inspector of Jiaozhou, he had met Liu Xie back when the capital was in Luoyang. He recognized him instantly as the Emperor.

His involuntary exclamation of "Your Majesty" caused Cheng Pu, standing to the side, to look displeased. The title felt too much like an act of obeisance.

"Lord Shi, it has been some time since we last met," Liu Xie said. "I have traveled all the way from Jingzhou, and I must say, Jiaozhou under your governance is truly impressive. The people are living in peace and contentment, and all matters are managed in an orderly fashion. You are truly a virtuous guardian of this land. Excellent, simply excellent."