Chapter 15

Chapter 649: Zhang Xi's Bitter Stratagem (1)

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Huangbosong turned away, as if he had said all he needed to say and no longer wished to engage in further conversation. He flicked his fingers at the attendant. The attendant approached him and bowed his head.

"Lord, please give your orders."

"The banner has been torn."

"What is there to worry about, my lord? You will soon be holding the yellow banner, which signifies your claim to the throne."

Huangbosong's stern expression relaxed at the attendant's words. Yellow is the color of the Son of Heaven. To dare make a banner in yellow would imply that Huangbosong was aiming for the throne.

"If I, Huangbosong, become the ruler of the land, I will make Lü Bu a traitor to the realm and ensure he dies a miserable death."

Huangbosong vowed to avenge the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of Lü Bu.

In truth, losing Zhongtian and seven of the ten commanderies was not a significant matter to Huangbosong.

What mattered to him was his reputation and pride.

Lü Bu had tarnished his reputation. Huangbosong had never thought much of Lü Bu.

That was why he had adopted the strategy of the Three Roads to swallow up Hedong.

However, he was caught off guard by an unexpected counterattack. What was supposed to be the Guanxi army gaining Hedong turned into Lü Bu's army invading Guanxi.

Since then, his forces had suffered continuous defeats. It was a significant blow to his pride to be repeatedly defeated by someone he had considered insignificant.

Of course, those who had been defeated by Lü Bu were not his main forces. However, since they were gathered under the name of Huangbosong, it was as if he himself had been defeated.

Moreover, with the banner torn, Huangbosong felt he had suffered a great humiliation.

The attendant seemed to understand his lord's feelings and consoled him.

"Lord, it's merely a change in sequence. You intended to take Hedong to secure funds for conquering the realm, but now you will start with Dongguan."

"Yes, you are right. Once I have the Son of Heaven in my hands, everything will go according to my will."

"Lord, you made the right decision. You avoided a battle with Lü Bu to preserve your main forces. It was a difficult decision, indeed."

As the attendant trailed off, Huangbosong waved his hand dismissively.

"Lü Bu must be clapping his hands in joy, thinking he has driven me away and gained Zhongtian. Perhaps he even believes he has taken Guanxi."

"Perhaps so, my lord."

Huangbosong and the attendant exchanged glances with a peculiar expression.

"Lord, would you scold me if I felt pity for Lü Bu?"

The attendant shook his head slowly with a smile.

"I also feel pity for Lü Bu. Guanxi is not an easy land to obtain, let alone to govern."

"Of course. Guanxi is a land that can only be governed by a hero like you, sent by heaven. Lü Bu will surely have a hard time there."

The attendant's words were not flattery.

Guanxi is different from Zhongyuan.

It is frequently invaded by various warlords, and lawless bandits and rebels run rampant, making it a place where peace is never found.

The attendant had seen both before and after Huangbosong's pacification of Guanxi, a place not much different from a lawless land. He knew how much effort and thought Huangbosong had put into the process, which is why he could say such things.

"Why not? Hahaha! While I was here, Guanxi was quiet under my name. Lü Bu will regret leaving his village and coming here. As soon as we reach Huayin, send a messenger to Han. We need to know how things are progressing in Dongguan."

"Yes, my lord."

* * *

Zhang Xi stood at the city gate, watching the movements of Lü Bu's army.

'Lord Huangbo has abandoned Zhongtian. The invincible lord of Guanxi, Lord Huangbo, has been driven away by Lü Bu.'

Though she knew this fact, Zhang Xi was trying to find something in it.

She was well aware that Huangbosong's main forces were not in Zhongtian. However, the fact that Huangbosong was retreating and showing his back could not be denied.

No one had expected Huangbosong to be defeated to this extent by Lü Bu.

How many troops had he had in the Three Fortresses, and how many in Zhongtian? Losing so many troops and retreating from the ferry of Zhongtian, Huangbosong was clearly a setting sun.

But Zhang Xi had no intention of switching her allegiance from Huangbosong to Lü Bu. She knew how formidable Huangbosong's main forces, which were not in Zhongtian, were.

'If the Red Silk Army and the Jiangyi Army are deployed, even Lü Bu would be powerless. But I know that Lord is aiming for Dongguan and doesn't want to lose any of his main forces in the battle against Lü Bu. If so... '

Zhang Xi covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed silently. Her attendants gathered around her. Zhang Xi spoke first.

"Anxi, Zhenxi. Come closer... "

As she gestured, the two women moved closer. Zhang Xi whispered something to them, and Anxi and Zhenxi were greatly startled.

"Sister!"

"That's too dangerous!"

"Your voice is too loud."

Zhang Xi warned them, and Anxi and Zhenxi clamped their mouths shut. Zhang Xi then looked at each of them and asked.

"Will you do it? Or not?"

"Sister, I'm scared. We don't know what will happen if we go."

"Zhenxi is right. If we are taken to Bingzhou, we might starve to death, or worse... "

Anxi trailed off, but Zhang Xi and Zhenxi knew what she had left unsaid. Zhang Xi's expression became resolute.

"We, of humble birth, must risk our lives many times to become someone of high status. Do you remember that? I don't want to spend my life watching out for someone like Zhongxi. I will rise to the highest position and become someone more precious than anyone else."

It was certainly an attractive proposition. But it also came with significant risks. Deciding whether to take the risk and make a bold move, or to continue living as they were, was up to Anxi and Zhenxi. Zhang Xi seemed to have already made up her mind.

"I'm tired of living by watching out for Zhongxi. If Lord continues on this path, Zhongxi will likely become the mistress of the harem."

"Yes, she will probably torment us, making our lives miserable."

"Then you two will join me in this, right?"

At Zhang Xi's words, Anxi and Zhenxi nodded with determined expressions.

"I will inform Lord before we reach Huayin. If all goes well, we might have to turn back. Be prepared."

* * *

It was deep into the night.

Huangbosong's ship was sailing south along the Luo River, approaching Linzhen.

The military advisor stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the scenery of the Luo River illuminated by the faint moonlight. Soon, several bodyguards approached and bowed.

"Advisor, everything you ordered is prepared."

"Thank you. Where is the Lord...?"

"Zhang Xi has prepared a feast for him."

The advisor nodded and then looked at the bodyguards with a stern gaze.

"The wind has changed direction. Prepare yourselves!"

As soon as the advisor gave the order, the bodyguards bowed silently and quietly retreated. The advisor then slowly walked towards the cabin.

Inside the cabin.

Huangbosong was receiving the feast prepared by Zhang Xi and was already filling his wine cup before she even entered.

Zhang Xi saw this and quickly sat next to him, taking the wine bottle from his hand.

"My lord, I will offer you a cup of wine."

"Fill it to the brim. I intend to get thoroughly drunk tonight."

"Lü Bu might pursue us. He could have set an ambush."

At Zhang Xi's words, Huangbosong emptied his cup with a bitter smile. As he placed the empty cup on the table, Zhang Xi stood up.

She was not leaving his side but was about to make a request to carry out something she had been preparing for a long time.

She gathered her hands at her right waist and slightly bent her knees in a respectful bow. Huangbosong reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"I have something urgent to tell you, my lord."

"Is that so? Then let's hear it. How could I not listen to what you have to say?"

Normally, Zhongxi would be in his arms, but she had already left on another ship. Now, Zhang Xi, who was willing to risk her life for him, was in front of him.

Huangbosong's gaze on her was different from before. He seemed quite impressed by what had happened at the ferry.

But if he met Zhongxi again, he would not look at Zhang Xi the same way. This was Zhang Xi's only chance to speak to Huangbosong like this.

"I have been thinking about what I can do for you, my lord, and I have finally found it."

"Zhang Xi, I am grateful for your concern. But how can a delicate woman like you help me in any way?"

"No, my lord. You are destined to be the ruler of the land. Now that your great cause is within reach, you cannot be held back by Lü Bu."

At Zhang Xi's words, Huangbosong shook his head.

"Now that I have abandoned Zhongtian, I can go my own way. I no longer need to worry about Lü Bu."

"Is that really so? Although I am not well-versed in military affairs, I know that the Red Silk Army and the Jiangyi Army are your main forces. If Lü Bu continues to harass you as you lead your troops to Dongguan... "

Huangbosong patted her back.

"I didn't know you were also knowledgeable in military strategy. You are right. If Lü Bu causes trouble in the rear, I cannot guarantee that I can focus all my efforts."

"That's why I am stepping forward."

"How can you help me?"

"Send me to Lü Bu. I will be your sword to strike him down."

Huangbosong's eyes widened at Zhang Xi's words.

"Send you to Lü Bu?"

"I will be your sword to pierce Lü Bu."

Huangbosong shook his head.

"You may be skilled with a sword, but you cannot stand up to even one of my bodyguards, let alone Lü Bu. Sending you would only result in a wasted and precious life."

"If I can help you achieve your great cause, this life is not precious at all."

"Zhang Xi, you truly care for me."

"I live for you, my lord. It is my duty to do what I must. Although my martial arts are not great, I will certainly... even if I must defile my chastity in his arms."

What Zhang Xi intended to do was a bitter stratagem, or rather, a chain stratagem that included a beauty trap.

'Must I, a proud and upright man, resort to such a scheme?'

Huangbosong felt a moment of self-loathing. But he quickly changed his mind.

'If I ascend to the throne, today's events will not be remembered by future generations. History is written by the victors.'

Huangbosong's gaze swept over Zhang Xi, and he became confident.

'Zhang Xi's beauty will surely work. He has never seen such a beauty in Bingzhou.'

Zhang Xi could be considered a rare beauty. She had not received as much favor as Zhongxi because Huangbosong's tastes were closer to Zhongxi's.

After all, Huangbosong had gathered these beauties to make them his concubines once he ascended to the throne. This meant that their beauty was not inferior to that of the current emperor's concubines.

Among these beauties, Zhang Xi was one of the most beautiful. Huangbosong believed that Lü Bu would fall in love with her at first sight.

But the situation was urgent.

'I doubt Zhang Xi can kill Lü Bu. If she fails, Lü Bu will surely attack me with all his forces. It won't be difficult to deal with Lü Bu alone, but I cannot afford to damage my main forces in this battle.'

Huangbosong believed that Zhang Xi could charm Lü Bu, but he was not confident that she could kill him.

"I understand your intentions. I will discuss it with Advisor Si and give you an answer. For now, I just want to finish this bottle of wine."

"I will call Advisor Si, my lord."

Zhang Xi took a few steps back and then opened the door. Advisor Si stood there, palm outstretched.

"It's dangerous now. Stay here for a moment."

As soon as Advisor Si finished speaking, bodyguards entered from behind him, holding lanterns and surrounding Huangbosong. Huangbosong raised his wine cup and drank, then spoke as if talking about someone else.

"Is it starting now? There's still plenty of wine left... "

"Lord, enjoy yourself. I will handle the trivial matters."

"Very well."

As Huangbosong refilled his cup, the ship was passing near Linzhen. Suddenly, torches lit up the surroundings, making it as bright as day.