TKTWC 18

Chapter 18

“Open and Honest with Each Other”

Before long, Young Master Tian came out. He spotted Liu Yi at a glance and said flatly, “Go in,” then walked off without another word.

Liu Yi had almost never dealt with this man directly. She assumed he was just another of Liu He’s lackeys. But his attitude just now wasn’t smug or gloating—it was somehow complicated.

That left her unsure of what they were thinking.

“You’re here?” Liu He didn’t even look up. He gestured to the seat Young Master Tian had just vacated. “Sit.”

There was actually a seat for her. Liu Yi didn’t stand on ceremony and knelt across from Liu He in the traditional Eastern Han manner.

Before she could speak, Liu He wrinkled his face in disgust: “What’s that smell? How long have you gone without washing? You stink.”

“Your subordinate has been tending to the grain day and night, not daring to slack off—hence the poor presentation,” Liu Yi said. “I heard we’ll be entering the mountain roads tomorrow. My suggestion is to change from two carts abreast to single file, to prevent the livestock from being startled or slipping on the treacherous mountain paths.”

Unexpectedly, Liu He laughed heartily: “At a time like this, you’re still fussing over a bit of grain?”

He pushed a letter across the table toward Liu Yi: “Take a look. The realm has already changed hands.”

Liu Yi hadn’t expected him to be so forthcoming. She picked it up and read it directly.

It matched what she had overheard—besides Dong Zhuo deposing the emperor and installing a new one, it also mentioned that many officials in the court opposed him, including names like Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

She quickly feigned surprise: “The emperor has changed? I hadn’t heard.”

Liu He snorted: “By the time news reaches you, it’d be cold.”

He stood up: “Dong Zhuo comes from a despicable background and is brutal by nature. As soon as he took power, he started slaughtering officials and violating imperial concubines. The young emperor is surely suffering under his control.”

“Now the heroes of the realm are all trying to find a way to kill Dong Zhuo and rescue the young emperor. But they’re scattered and leaderless—no real threat.”

He paused and looked at Liu Yi. Not knowing what he was getting at, she simply nodded.

Liu He seemed somewhat dissatisfied with her reaction and continued: “My father is a descendant of Liu Qiang, Prince Gong of Donghai—a true member of the Han imperial clan. Many factions have been secretly contacting him, asking him to step forward and rally the realm to wage a righteous campaign against Dong Zhuo!”

Now Liu Yi understood.

She pretended to be confused and cautiously tested the waters: “Dong Zhuo harbors wolfish ambitions—he’ll surely harm the young emperor in time. Then wouldn’t the Han dynasty have only Lord Liu Yu to rely on?”

Sure enough, Liu He was ecstatic. His eyes gleamed with excitement, and the way he looked at Liu Yi, it was as if he might kiss her.

But he quickly restrained himself: “We shouldn’t say that. We must pray for the young emperor’s safety.”

Now it was “we” this and “we” that.

Liu Yi wanted to roll her eyes. No wonder the late Eastern Han was such a mess—even a character like Liu He could fantasize about being a crown prince or emperor.

All this talk about hoping the young emperor would be safe—in his heart, he was probably hoping Dong Zhuo would finish off the Liu family in Luoyang soon, so his father could naturally take the throne.

“But that being said,” Liu He sat back down, “Dong Zhuo’s Western Liang cavalry is numerous and battle-hardened, and he has the great general Lü Bu at his side—truly hard to overcome.”

“Still, You Province is no pushover either.” He analyzed seriously. “General Gongsun Zan’s ‘White Horse Volunteers’ are fierce and skilled—no worse than the Western Liang cavalry. If we could also get the Wuhuan on our side, that would be the cherry on top.”

Gongsun Zan was indeed a powerful warlord of the late Han in You Province, as recorded in history—and had even been a classmate of Liu Bei’s.

But if Liu Yi remembered correctly, Liu Yu was eventually killed by Gongsun Zan.

That might very well have something to do with Liu He wanting to use Gongsun Zan as a pawn…

“With the military side settled, as for logistics…” Liu He suddenly leaned in. “I have you.”

He’d finally revealed his purpose. Liu Yi felt a chill of disgust run down her spine.

The way he was cozying up to her was a world apart from how he’d threatened her and her family just days ago.

“I’ve already assessed your talents during my time in Yuyang,” Liu He said. “Yuyang is small and has poor climate—the fact that it’s become prosperous in just a few years is almost entirely your doing.”

“Come to Guangyang with me. I’ll recommend you to my father for an official post. The entire province of You will be yours to develop.”

“From now on, you and the Tian family will be my right and left hands—my most trusted people.”

“What do you say?”

Liu Yi looked up at him but didn’t answer immediately.

Of course she wouldn’t work for someone like Liu He—but refusing outright would invite retaliation.

She pretended to think for a moment: “Then I have one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Withdraw all troops monitoring my family in Yuyang,” Liu Yi said.

“Done.” Liu He agreed without hesitation.

“And you can never use my family’s safety to threaten me again. I came out on my own—whatever honors or disgrace I face, they have nothing to do with my family.”

“Agreed. Once we reach Guangyang and the grain is delivered without issue, I’ll immediately withdraw all troops from Yuyang.” A hint of mockery crept into Liu He’s expression, as if he found her request laughable.

He suddenly grabbed Liu Yi’s hand, which was resting on the table.

“Since we’ve agreed, we’re family now. Why would I ever do anything to harm your parents?”

Liu Yi felt a wave of revulsion. She pulled her hand back and cupped her fists in salute: “Since we’ve settled things, your subordinate will take leave now. Tomorrow’s mountain road requires full concentration.”

“No rush.” Liu He’s smile widened. “I’ve enjoyed our talk tonight. Why not stay in my tent and rest? We can share a bed and discuss great matters together.”

“But then again.” He appraised Liu Yi’s body. “You haven’t washed in too long—you’d dirty my bed.”

He called out toward the entrance: “Bring in a bucket of hot water—our transport officer needs to bathe and change!”

As if prepared in advance, two soldiers carried in a wooden tub and poured in steaming hot water.

“The most important thing in cooperation is being ‘open and honest with each other.'” Liu He began to unfasten his outer robe. “Come on.”