Chapter 138

Xiang Province, Gong’an City.

That place had now become part of Eastern Wu’s territory, serving as the border between the Han Dynasty and Eastern Wu. Appointed as the Governor of Xiang Province by Sun Quan, Liu Song had made Gong’an City his base.

While busy preparing for Han’s attacks and overseeing military affairs in the Xingnan region, Liu Song couldn’t hide his bewilderment at an unexpected letter.

“Is this really a letter from Shu?”

To Liu Song’s question, his subordinate, Luo Tong, answered without hesitation.

“Yes. The messenger, Zong Yi, claims to be a staff officer under Shu’s Prime Minister, Zhuge Liang. Given that he was previously a deputy under Zhang Fei, it seems credible.”

Luo Tong, who had been promoted to Liu Song’s deputy and General of the Left after his recent exploits, was a trusted talent. If Luo Tong vouched for it, there was no need to doubt the letter’s authenticity.

“Hah, it’s real…”

But if it was real, it was even more absurd. So much so that Liu Song had to ask if it was genuine.

Luo Tong, who hadn’t seen the letter’s contents, expressed curiosity at Liu Song’s reaction.

“What does the letter say that has you so puzzled?”

Liu Song hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should reveal the contents.

But his hesitation was brief. Liu Song handed the letter to Luo Tong.

As soon as Luo Tong received the letter, he quickly skimmed through it.

[Zhang Fei, Marquis of Xixiang and head of the Zhang family, humbly inquires about the well-being of the esteemed Lu clan of Wu Commandery.]

It started with a casual greeting, making it seem like a personal letter. But why would Zhang Fei, not even Guan Yu, reach out?

Luo Tong’s confusion was cleared up by the latter part of the letter.

[Originally, Lujiang was the land of the Lu clan, and in Jiangdong, the Lu clan is the most noble family. I express my condolences for the loss of your family’s patriarch due to the Sun family’s misdeeds.]

‘This is a trick. They’re resorting to such petty tactics because they’re anxious after losing Xiang Province?’

Given that Liu Song had once used a flattering letter to lull them into complacency, it was likely that Zhang Fei’s name was being used.

The bond between Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei was famous throughout the land, so Zhang Fei’s intentions must align with Liu Bei’s.

They probably thought using Guan Yu’s name would be too obvious. That arrogant Guan Yu wouldn’t send a letter to someone who had deceived him. Even borrowing his name would be unacceptable.

‘Still, they’re underestimating us too much. If they were going to do this, they should’ve used Liu Bei’s name directly. That would’ve made us take it more seriously.’

‘But I guess that’s their limit.’

Luo Tong smirked as he finished reading the remaining half of the letter. Feeling he had grasped their scheme, he read on with a lighter heart.

But as his eyes moved further down the letter, the smirk on Luo Tong’s face gradually faded.

[Therefore, I propose to marry my eldest daughter to your eldest son, to strengthen the friendship between our families and bring peace to Xiang Province once more. I await your response with solemn respect.]

“Zhang Fei’s eldest daughter…”

Luo Tong muttered to himself, unable to believe what he was reading. Liu Song, watching him, kindly responded to snap him out of his disbelief.

“Chang-ran. You know her, right?”

“No, how does that make sense? Did Liu Bei approve this?”

“Is my son not good enough?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Liu Song’s blunt remark left Luo Tong stammering and waving his hands in denial.

This was the first time Liu Song had seen Luo Tong, whom he considered a potential successor alongside Zhu Yan and Quan Zong, act like this.

Finally, Liu Song broke into a hearty laugh.

“It’s a joke, a joke. You really thought that, huh?”

“N-no, General. How could I think that about your son…”

“Enough with the empty words. I admit my son has many shortcomings. Compared to Chang-ran, he’s like a firefly before the full moon.”

Liu Song had two sons, but at this time, only his eldest, Lu Yan, was alive, as his second son, Lu Kang, had yet to be born.

Lu Kang, the second son, was a prodigy worthy of the phrase “a tiger father begets a tiger son.” He would later be known as one of Wu’s greatest generals.

But the eldest, Lu Yan, had inherited his father’s sharp mind but not his health.

‘He reminds me of Mi Zhu.’

Liu Song felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Zhou Yu, who had first tried to bring Chang-ran into his family as a daughter-in-law, had emphasized his own son’s frailty to persuade her but failed.

Now, Chang-ran was proposing marriage to Liu Song’s frail son.

“Do they really expect us to believe this?”

It was such an obvious trap that it was almost laughable. If they wanted to be caught, they were being blatant to the point of absurdity.

Liu Song looked away from the letter supposedly written by Zhang Fei and waved his hand dismissively.

“Take it away and burn it. And send the messenger from Shu back.”

“Shouldn’t we keep the letter, just in case?”

“In case of what? Keeping the letter would only plant seeds of doubt.”

Ignoring Luo Tong’s objection, Liu Song sent him out of the office.

Then, Liu Song suddenly realized there was another figure that gave him a sense of déjà vu besides Zhou Yu.

Sun Quan and Guan Yu.

Sun Quan had formed a marriage alliance with Liu Bei and then proposed another to Guan Yu. Guan Yu, in turn, had responded with shocking rudeness, refusing outright.

Guan Yu’s arrogance played a part, but there was more to it. Guan Yu had seen through the implications of such a marriage.

Marriages have their hierarchies. They are made between equals.

If Liu Bei and Sun Quan were in-laws, and then Guan Yu, a subordinate of Liu Bei, also became Sun Quan’s in-law? This could be seen as Guan Yu trying to elevate himself to Liu Bei’s level.

Even if Liu Bei and Guan Yu trusted and cared for each other, it was hard to expect the same from others. It would sow discord within the faction.

Knowing this, Guan Yu had made his stance clear with harsh words.

‘This isn’t much different.’

Zhang Fei had married his second daughter to Liu Bei’s son, Liu Shan, the Crown Prince of Shu.

But now, marrying his eldest daughter to Liu Song’s son? That was tantamount to treating Liu Song as an equal to Liu Bei. Not as a subordinate of Sun Quan, but as the leader of his own faction.

‘That letter… it mentioned Marquis of Huaiyin.’

At first, Liu Song thought it was mimicking the letter he had sent to Guan Yu.

But upon reflection, it was different.

‘It’s like when Guai Tong urged Han Xin to declare independence.’

It dredged up old grievances with Sun Quan, subtly urging independence by invoking Han Xin. And as a focal point, it proposed a marriage alliance between Chang-ran and Lu Yan.

It was too blatant. If Liu Song fell for it, great; if not, it was meant to sow discord between him and Sun Quan.

Realizing this, Liu Song’s reaction was lukewarm. He was somewhat concerned when he realized how cunning their scheme was, and the involvement of Chang-ran, a significant figure, gave him pause.

But Liu Song firmly believed that his relationship with Sun Quan was stronger than they anticipated.

‘My lord has married me to the daughter of the Marquis of Wu.’

Liu Song, born into a branch of the Lu clan, had lost his father at a young age and was raised by his grandfather, Lu Kang.

And that Lu Kang had been killed by Sun Ce. From Liu Song’s perspective, Sun Ce was his grandfather’s enemy.

But Sun Quan had personally arranged a marriage between Liu Song and Sun Ce’s daughter, opening a path to reconciliation.

When Liu Song accepted the proposal, Sun Quan fully trusted him and supported him wholeheartedly.

Liu Song’s current position as Governor of Xiang Province, with full authority, was possible because of Sun Quan’s trust.

Sun Quan wouldn’t fall for such tricks from Shu and doubt Liu Song. Liu Song believed that. Sun Quan had always shown a magnanimous and heroic demeanor.

But had Liu Song failed to see Sun Quan’s true nature?

Ironically, Liu Song, who prided himself on being unmatched in psychological warfare, had failed to grasp the true intentions of the one he should have been most wary of. Like a monk who can’t shave his own head.

After Liu Song dismissed the letter as a mere trick, events unfolded in a direction he hadn’t anticipated.

Chang-ran’s fame spread the unprecedented news of her marriage at an unimaginable speed.

The rumor that Chang-ran and Lu Yan were to marry reached Sun Quan’s ears in an astonishingly short time.

And Liu Song had to face the envoy sent by Sun Quan.

Recognizing the envoy as Zhu Ju, someone he knew, Liu Song welcomed him calmly. But Zhu Ju’s expression was grave.

“Governor Lu, our lord wishes to know what has transpired.”

“It’s nothing. They’re trying to sow discord.”

“I heard you received a letter. May I see it?”

“I’ve already burned it.”

“…Why did you do that?”

“Why should I keep it? To eliminate any chance of discord, it’s best to cut it off completely.”

Despite Liu Song’s explanation, Zhu Ju’s expression remained stern. Instead, he became more serious.

“You must explain yourself.”

“Explain myself?!”

“Governor Lu, calm down. Lord Zhu is an envoy sent by our lord.”

Luo Tong, standing nearby, intervened, and Liu Song regained his composure.

“…Understood. If my lord summons me, it is my duty as a subject to comply. Who will take over my position?”

“General of the Left will assume the role.”

The General of the Left of Wu was Zhuge Liang’s elder brother, Zhuge Jin.

Hearing the name, Liu Song, though still frustrated, nodded heavily, showing little concern.

“Prepare to head to Jianye.”