Three Reconstructions of the Han Dynasty: I Helped Zhuge Liang Perfect the Longzhong Plan

How could he object?

To oppose it would be to disregard the safety of Jingzhou and the overall situation of conquering Shu.

Liu Bei used a strategy of retreat as a means of advancement, and then asked to return in a gesture of righteousness.

With a single helpful word, Lady Sun won over her brother's heart.

He was clearly unwilling, but he couldn't even utter a word of objection.

Zhou Yu looked at Liu Bei with a deep gaze.

There must be a master by his side!

Liu Bei calmly bowed and said, "Thank you, Lord Wu."

As he turned to leave, he straightened his back and walked down the steps of the Wu Hou Mansion step by step.

Outside Nanxu City, a long, strong wind howled.

Deep inside the mansion, Zhou Yu stood under the corridor, watching Liu Bei's departing figure, his fingers slightly clenched.

He won't openly turn against us, much less intercept or kill us.

But he won't give up easily.

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Yu's eyes.

Liu Bei will never return after this journey.

Although we have relaxed restrictions today, we must remain vigilant.

He turned and whispered instructions to his trusted aide beside him:

"Send orders to all wharves and passes along the Nanxu River."

The trusted aide bowed and replied, "What are your orders, Commander?"

"Liu Bei and his party shall not be allowed to pass without a personal order from Lord Wu and my seal!"

Detain them no matter where they go.

His confidant's heart skipped a beat: "Yes!"

……

As Liu Bei emerged from the Wu Hou residence, his steps remained steady, his face showing no sign of urgency. Only his clenched palms were slightly damp, concealing a hint of barely perceptible unease.

Only after returning to his residence and dismissing all other people, leaving only Gu Sulin and Zhao Yun around him, did he finally let out a long sigh of relief, his tense shoulders and back relaxing slightly, but the worry between his brows did not dissipate.

Zhao Yun stepped forward and bowed, asking, "My lord, when shall we depart?"

Liu Bei nodded, gazing at the familiar scenery in the courtyard, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Now that he had hope of returning home, he dared not be careless in the slightest—Zhou Yu's deep, cold gaze, as still as an icy pool, lingered in his mind, refusing to leave.

"Although Lord Wu has personally agreed, Zhou Yu will never let this go so easily." Liu Bei walked slowly down the corridor, his voice low and heavy. "He has always been meticulous and decisive in his actions. For the sake of Jiangdong's hegemony, he never cares about sentiment. Today, due to the greater good, he cannot stop us in court, but he will surely have a backup plan in secret."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Sulin, dressed in a simple blue robe, walked slowly out from the side corridor. His steps were unhurried, and his expression was calm and composed. He had been waiting there for a long time. He bowed slightly to Liu Bei, showing perfect manners. His clear eyes saw through Liu Bei's concerns at a glance, and he said in a calm tone, "What you are worried about, my lord, is exactly right. Zhou Yu will certainly not sit idly by and watch you return to Jingzhou without a trace."

Liu Bei quickly stepped forward and asked anxiously, "Zimao, you are always resourceful, do you know how Zhou Yu will act?"

A glint flashed in Gu Sulin's eyes, and he said with certainty, "My lord, please rest assured. I have already planned this matter. Before I left, Master Kongming gave me three brocade pouches and instructed me to open them in order. Just now, when my lord went to the palace to meet Lord Wu, I opened the third brocade pouch. Master Kongming had already calculated the subsequent changes in Jiangdong very clearly."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes flashed with surprise, which quickly turned into deep admiration: "Kongming, so far away in Jingzhou, was able to foresee this turn of events?"

"Sir, you are a man of brilliant strategy, you know Zhou Yu's character well, and you have seen through the situation in Jiangdong." Gu Sulin said slowly, his tone steady. "It is clearly written in the brocade bag that although Lord Wu will agree to our return to Jingzhou for the sake of the overall situation, Zhou Yu will be unwilling to accept it. He will definitely secretly order all the docks and passes along the Nanxu line to forcibly prevent us from leaving the pass on the grounds that we do not have Lord Wu's handwritten order or the governor's seal, and will never let our lord return to Jingzhou."

Liu Bei's heart sank. This was exactly what he had been thinking. Zhou Yu was adept at such covert schemes, achieving his own goals without disobeying Sun Quan's orders—truly cunning and ruthless. He quickly pressed, "Then, sir, do you have a way to break this deadlock?"

"I'll go with you!"

Liu Bei looked up at the sound and was slightly taken aback: "Madam?"

Lady Sun stopped before even reaching the corridor, her gaze fixed on Liu Bei, her eyes clear and resolute: "My husband, I will go to Jingzhou with you."

Liu Bei was startled: "My lady, you mustn't!"

Gu Sulin frowned slightly and advised in a deep voice, "Madam, you must not be rash. Although the Jiangdong passes can be passed through because of the princess's name, the entire route is within the sphere of Zhou Yu's confidants. Putting aside the safety of our lord, the princess's trip may put the Jiangdong family affairs at a disadvantage."

Did he really not want Madam Sun to go back with him?

Of course not, it's just that they still have to put on a show.

Madam Sun gently shook her head, her tone firm and clear: "I have made my decision."

She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the two people under the corridor, and slowly said, "Zhou Yu has been dragging this out for half a year, and finally, due to the delay caused by his illness, he hastily resorted to a desperate measure, attempting to imprison you under house arrest. Such actions have not only lost the overall situation in Jiangdong, but also betrayed what I hold dear."

As a princess, I cannot stand by and watch you be imprisoned in Nanxu, nor can I bear to see a hero like you of our time be completely worn down by your own selfish desires.

Your return to Jingzhou is a return to your ambition and a return to your freedom.

I will accompany you, both to ensure your safety along the way and to clear my own mind.

She spoke frankly and calmly, without a trace of affectation:

"If I don't go, even if you can leave the city, the soldiers along the way can still harass you and make you live in constant fear."

If I go with you, I can use the princess's authority to subdue the generals and ensure your smooth journey.

Zhou Yu can obstruct you, he can obstruct the officials of Jiangdong, but he can't obstruct me.

Liu Bei's heart was filled with emotion: "My lady... the journey ahead is fraught with danger, and Zhou Yu will surely be unwilling to give up. I do not wish to implicate you."

Lady Sun smiled faintly, a gentle smile that revealed a hint of fearlessness: "Having made my decision, I have no fear. You, Liu Bei, have wandered for half your life, facing a hundred times more dangers than I have, yet you have remained safe. Do you think I should be afraid?"

She looked at Gu Sulin, her tone resolute:

"Since Mr. Zimao has already anticipated that Zhou Yu will be stuck, then my accompanying him is the best way to break the deadlock."

"You just follow the plan, I will accompany you, and none of the generals dare to move."

Gu Sulin's eyes brightened slightly, and he bowed deeply: "Madam's actions not only ensure the Lord's safe return but also stabilize the overall situation."

Looking at Lady Sun, Liu Bei felt a thousand unspoken words culminate in a heavy sigh:

"Madam... Gao Yi."

Madam Sun nodded slightly: "My husband is too kind. We will set off early tomorrow morning, and I will travel with you."

Hearing Madam Sun's firm stance, Gu Sulin knew that the matter was settled.

He immediately began making arrangements: "General Zilong."

"Your subordinate is here."

"Deploy immediately." Gu Sulin's expression was solemn as he carefully instructed, "Prepare three light carriages tonight, carrying only dry rations, water bags, and essential military equipment. Wait quietly at the back gate of the mansion, and depart tomorrow morning. You will personally make the arrangements and ensure everyone's safety."

Zhao Yun nodded heavily and said in a deep voice, "This subordinate obeys." After saying that, he turned and left quickly.

Gu Sulin gazed at the setting sun as dusk deepened, his eyes calm and undisturbed—everything was in place, and he awaited tomorrow to lead Liu Bei and Lady Sun out of this cage that had imprisoned them for half a year and return to Jingzhou.