Vol 7 Chapter 4 (1/2)
VOLUME 7 CHAPTER 4: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS SUN QUAN’S PREDICAMENT (3)
Liu Bei POV
Because of Bo Fu’s sudden appearance and what she said following her ‘that is to say’, I wasn’t able to immediately understand what they meant.
My gaze s.h.i.+fted from the smiling Sun Quan to Zhang Zhao, and from the displeased Zhang Zhao to the jovial Bo Fu.
After mulling for a long while, I repeated what I just said, “Umm, can you repeat what you said 1 more time?”
“Un? You didn’t hear it?” Bo Fu continued happily with her hands on her hips, “What I mean is that I hope you can join us.”
No no no. I hurriedly shook my head.
“I did hear it but I don’t understand!” I slammed my palms to the ground out of bewilderment and helplessness, as well as panic as I asked, “As I asked, why this all of a sudden?”
She clearly didn’t bring up anything of note these past few days, let alone something as momentous as this, so I found myself at a loss as to how I ought to react.
“Isn’t it good?” Bo Fu frowned and smiled at me as she shrugged, “Jiangdong isn’t fully stable yet and my little sister only just a.s.sumed the role of overall leader so she needs someone to help her. And Xuan De would be the perfect candidate for this role.”
Bo Fu said this as though it was a given but I don’t see how it is as simple as she says it is. If she were asking for some tutoring for a few days or even accompaniment for some matters, perhaps I could oblige but this was a rather tall order.
“Bo Fu, my experience isn’t much more than Lord Sun Quan’s. I myself am still in the midst of studying.”
“Isn’t it good to learn from each other and study together then? Wouldn’t you both be able to understand each other’s predicaments?”
“But no matter what, I’m an outsider. Aren’t you afraid I’ll do something funny with the seal?”
Bo Fu shook her head, “No, not at all. Back when I was surrounded within and without at Wan city, Xuan De didn’t use the tactic of attacking Wei to save Zhao and prioritised saving me instead. This is irrefutable proof of Xuan De’s honour and righteousness. And besides, even if you were to try something, my retainers wouldn’t let you get away with it.”
If that’s the case, then why don’t you just get your retainers to do what you’re asking me to? Or so I complained inside but didn’t verbalise as I realised it wouldn’t work.
I looked at Bo Fu and felt unbelieveably helpless and turned to look at Sun Quan. When Sun Quan and I met each other’s eyes, I trembled and withdrew a little, “Lord Sun Quan, is it really alright?”
Even if Bo Fu were fine with it, it was very possible that Sun Quan was just being forcefully tagged along so I wanted to see if there was a way out through Sun Quan.
“Un, about that,” When Sun Quan saw my ragged expression, she smiled stiffly at first, but her smile gradually became brighter and clearer, “Actually, I’m really hoping that Imperial Uncle can teach me all sorts of things.”
“Lord Sun Quan! Please think carefully, if I have that seal, I could wreak havoc!”
“Eh?” What I said was something very logical but it seemed very difficult to understand for Sun Quan, “If Imperial Uncle takes our family’s seal, it would be to help us build up Jiangdong. How could any havoc come about?”
… I have nothing to say.
I’ve forgotten how honest Sun Quan is. Back when we were shopping, she couldn’t see how something small and dishonest could easily be done because of her sense of values and purity. And because of that, she doesn’t suspect others nor does she understand why others suspect her.
To be honst, the result of having Sun Quan with her level of innocence lead alone, even if it were just a small county and not the whole of Jiangdong, is predictable.
Just as I realised this, I found that Zhang Zhao, who had been silent for a while now, was looking at me with eyes filled with suspicion. Seems like what I was thinking was what she was thinking as well. Clearly, she did not want me to be involved with Jiangdong’s affairs nor is she willing to have me stay in Jiangdong for long. And it’s probably not just her who thinks that way either.
Under such circ.u.mstances, picking either choice will be difficult. Several ideas flashed in my head but nothing was of help in coming to a decision.
But from a personal point of view, the choice was clear from the very beginning.
“I’m really sorry about this.” I said, and pushed the seal aside, “I cannot accept this seal. If you wish to consult me about Jiangdong’s affairs, I am willing to oblige. But if you want me to stay here for the long haul and manage Jiangdong, I’m afraid that is impossible.”