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.”

Perhaps there was no need to talk about reason or logic from the very beginning. As I’ve said countless times before, from the moment I became Liu Bei, whether I’m willing to or not, I must bear the burden and finish the mission that Liu Bei has to accomplish in history. Should I agree to this, Shu won’t happen and I will be a failure as Liu Bei.

I don’t actually know if Liu Bei ever entered Jiangdong in this period without anyone knowing and whether Bo Fu ever mentioned such a thing to Liu Bei. But I’m sure that he would not agree to it.

“Lord Liu Bei! Isn’t this a little too foolish of you–”

“Zhang Zhao, it’s fine.”

Zhang Zhao immediately attacked me but was interrupted by another voice. What made me surprised was that it was Bo Fu who spoke.

“But–”

“No, really. It’s fine.” Bo Fu nodded with a look of understanding on her and looked at me, which made me wonder what she was thinking, “I knew it from the start, that Xuan De’s path doesn’t lie here.”

From her tone, I could feel that she was hurt and sad but she had a satisfied look on her.

“… Sorry, and thanks Bo Fu.” No matter what, I ought to apologise first. By right, I ought to have accepted seeing as how she trusted me. Zhang Zhao’s admonishment of me as foolish is really fitting.

As someone who is down and out, I ought to be grateful to meet someone who wholeheartedly offers me refuge.

I looked at Bo Fu but Bo Fu didn’t say any further as she looked back at me. I looked at Zhang Zhao, but she seemed to not care about the outcome, or rather it seemed like she was more satisfied with this. As for Sun Quan, she had a look of bafflement.

“If that’s all then I’ll be…” I said as I got up. At a time like this, it’s best if I just leave first.

I looked at Bo Fu, and she sighed melancholically and nodded.

I felt bad but if I continued to stay, I might cave in.

“Ah, let me send you.” As I made to leave, Sun Quan hurriedly stood up as well. She looked at Bo Fu and they seemed to exchange some words through their eyes and she came over to me.

When I left the room, I found that Feng Xian and the other 2 were missing. I didn’t dare to leave immediately and could only wait awkwardly. Luckily, there was that screen door so Bo Fu and Zhang Zhao couldn’t see me from inside the room.

“Won’t you consider it further?”

“Un?” Sun Quan’s sudden question made me puzzled, and only after a moment’s thought did I realise that she was talking about the matter from before, “Un, I’m really not a suitable candidate. And I even tricked you.”

“I really don’t mind that.” She vehemently refuted that matter.

“But I really think you’re a suitable candidate. Though we don’t know each other a lot yet, but I find that I enjoy talking with you, you don’t put on airs, and you’re caring… Ah! No! I meant as my supporter and aide.” For some reason, she blushed as she said so.

Of course it’s that… What else could it be?

“But why does it have to be me?” When you think about it, the best choice is right there, “Bo Fu is now suffering from her injury but when she recovers, she can help you in far better ways than I possibly can.”

Now that Bo Fu has survived, perhaps there can be dual rule, I thought but after I said those words, the atmosphere became wrong for some reason.

Sun Quan’s face tightened and after a long while, she smiled bitterly, “Perhaps big sister has her own thinking.”

Sun Quan did not continue any further. I could tell that there were other difficulties that prevented her from speaking any further and did not press her,

And so, the entire atmosphere grew more and more awkward, and I began to regret what I said after about 4-5 minutes of silence.