A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-[ ]
-Cain
-Jacob Mooe
-Varun Madhu
-Mp Gaming
-Paul Panzer
-Austin Levy
-TylerD
You can read 50 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Originally, Yuan Shu had intended to host Fei Qian and Yi Ji's delegation according to the standard protocol for ordinary envoys.
In the Han Dynasty, private banquets were one thing—depending on the guests, they could either follow strict etiquette or be quite casual if the hosts and guests were familiar with each other. However, official banquets, such as those for diplomatic envoys, had many tiers and rigid rules.
One simple example was the number of dishes served, which often indicated the rank of the banquet.
For instance, the "Book of Rites" clearly recorded: "The Son of Heaven (Emperor) may have twenty-six dishes, dukes sixteen, feudal lords twelve, senior ministers eight, and junior ministers six."
Here, the word "dou" (豆) did not refer to beans but to a type of container—a tall-footed plate with a rim. In other words, the Emperor could have twenty-six dishes, dukes sixteen, feudal lords twelve, senior ministers eight, and junior ministers six.
Exceeding the number allowed for one's rank was called "usurpation"—a punishable offense.
For this banquet hosting Fei Qian and Yi Ji's delegation, the standard protocol for ordinary envoys was followed: each guest's table was set with a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup, a plate of leek and eggs, a plate of sliced meat, a "dou" of pickles, and a "dou" of fruit.
These dishes were all quite ordinary, but after Yuan Shu hinted to Yang Hong, a grand addition was made to the banquet hall—a "yang ding peng" (a bronze cauldron for boiling mutton).
Well, it was essentially just a bronze cauldron used to boil mutton in plain water.
However, the use of a "ding" (a ritual bronze vessel) carried a vastly different symbolic meaning. In ancient times, bronze was used to cast coins, so placing a large bronze "ding" in the banquet hall to cook food was akin to using a priceless white jade bowl worth hundreds of thousands to eat rice in modern times. The taste of the rice might not differ much, but the extravagance was the point—it was all about flaunting wealth.
Naturally, such a high-standard banquet left both host and guests satisfied. Yet after the banquet concluded, Yi Ji, who had a secret mission, felt uneasy.
Yi Ji knew very well that Yuan Shu had elevated the banquet's standard not for his sake but likely because of Fei Qian.
Though the banquet conversation had been limited to trivial topics like scenery, poetry, and local customs, Yi Ji sensed from Yuan Shu's attitude that the warlord seemed to hold Fei Qian in special regard.
This realization troubled Yi Ji.
As someone who had followed Liu Biao for many years, Yi Ji was well acquainted with Liu Biao's temperament. Initially, when Yi Ji heard that Fei Qian had resigned from his position as "Bie Jia" (a high-ranking advisor), he hadn't thought much of it. But now, witnessing Yuan Shu's treatment of Fei Qian, Yi Ji suddenly felt that Liu Biao's decision might have been somewhat rash.
From Liu Biao's perspective, Yi Ji could understand the reasoning. Originally, Liu Biao had appointed Fei Qian as "Bie Jia" to serve as a symbol of recruiting talents. However, as Fei Qian's influence grew, Liu Biao eventually found the weight of this "symbol" too burdensome. Thus, when Fei Qian offered his resignation, Liu Biao quickly approved it.
But was this truly the right choice?
Not necessarily.
Judging by Yuan Shu's demeanor at today's banquet—though he hadn't explicitly stated it—Yi Ji sensed that Yuan Shu seemed to hold Fei Qian in high regard.
Regarding the broader strategic layout in Jing Province, Yi Ji agreed with Liu Biao's next-phase plan: first secure southern Jing Province to establish a stable rear before seeking further expansion. But was the current situation in Nan Commandery truly secure? With the Kuai family's support, could Liu Biao truly counterbalance the Cai family, let alone the Pang and Huang families?
Yi Ji touched the letter hidden against his chest, hesitating. Though he hadn't read its contents, he could guess some of it.
To convince Yuan Shu that Liu Biao truly harbored no hostility, there were two key approaches:
1. Withdraw troops from Wancheng and, if necessary, cede the city to make Yuan Shu feel less threatened from the south.
2. Acknowledge Yuan Shu's de facto control over Nanyang Commandery.
Beyond these, neither treasures nor provisions would demonstrate Liu Biao's sincerity as effectively.
Recognizing Yuan Shu's control over Nanyang Commandery would involve two steps:
1. Formally petitioning the court to appoint Yuan Shu as Governor of Nanyang.
2. Accepting Yuan Shu's authority over Nanyang's finances and grain distribution.
However, doing so would extend Yuan Shu's sphere of influence directly to Wancheng and possibly even as far as Xinye. This would place the Huang family, located south of the Mian River, in an extremely awkward position.
The Huang family's estate was situated south of the Mian River, between Wancheng to the north and Xiangyang to the south. If Yuan Shu took control of Wancheng, the Huang family's lands would effectively become a buffer zone between Yuan Shu and Liu Biao's forces.
The Huang family, once in a secure position, would suddenly find themselves on the frontlines of potential conflict—a scenario they would neither welcome nor accept. This was likely why Liu Biao had deliberately kept Fei Qian in the dark and entrusted Yi Ji with handling the matter.
As for the contents of Liu Biao's letter to Yuan Shao, Yi Ji couldn't fully decipher them, but he assumed Liu Biao had other arrangements. Moreover, both letters might have been influenced by the Kuai brothers' advice.
After all, the Kuai family had suffered a minor humiliation recently and lost face. Using this opportunity to strike at the Huang family was likely something they'd welcome.
'Ah, the Kuai family…'
Yi Ji didn't deny that the Kuai family had contributed greatly when Liu Biao first entered Xiangyang. But was this really necessary? Even if the Pang and Huang families posed potential threats, couldn't they have been negotiated with? Why resort to such measures?
Yi Ji was deeply concerned. Delivering this letter to Yuan Shu might greatly assist Liu Biao's campaign in southern Jing Province, but it could also plant seeds of resentment among Jing Province's gentry clans toward Liu Biao.
'Ah, Lord Liu…'
Yi Ji could guess Liu Biao's reasoning. As a descendant of Prince Gong of Lu, Liu Biao was a legitimate scion of the imperial Liu family. In his mind, the gentry clans were all subjects of the Liu dynasty—mere pieces on his board. Today, he could use the Kuai family to suppress other clans; tomorrow, he could sacrifice the Kuai family to appease others' anger…
But would things really proceed as smoothly as Liu Biao envisioned?
'Ah, unlikely…'
The world was no longer what it once was…
Yi Ji was torn. Should he present the letter or not?
Yet, as someone who had followed Liu Biao for so long, Yi Ji genuinely hoped Liu Biao could achieve great things. Only then would his own efforts hold value. Yi Ji was sincerely considering Liu Biao's interests—an ordinary subordinate would simply follow orders without such deliberation.
Pacing back and forth in his guest room, Yi Ji wrestled with the decision for a long time. In the end, he resolved to carry out Liu Biao's plan. As for the potential fallout with Fei Qian and the Huang family, he would discuss it with Liu Biao after completing this mission.
*
T/N: 🔥 Unlock Chapters in Advance – Join the \$12 Patreon Tier! 🔥
Support the stories you love and get exclusive early access to over 200 chapters across all ongoing series! Right now, enjoy a massive 45% discount using code "BEAR" — limited time only!
For just \$12/month, you'll receive:
📘 30 Chapters in Advance for each of the following:
-System to Dominate Football
-Douluo Dalu: Unlock the Body's Secrets, Rise as the Immortal
-I Am Uchiha Sasuke's Uncle
-Naruto: Saving the Uchiha
-Naruto: Starting as a Defector in the Hidden Mist Village
⚔️ 50 Chapters in Advance for:
-Cunning Three Kingdoms
👉 Join now, use code "BEAR" at checkout, and grab your 45% off while it lasts. Stay chapters ahead of everyone else!