Chapter 48

Chapter 682: Enemy in the Boat (1)

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Yiyang City, Ji Province.

Jin Yilu managed to arrange a private meeting with Lady Liu after several requests, even though it cost him several pieces of precious jade.

‘Even though she is the daughter of the King of Hanyan and Yuan Shao’s concubine, she couldn’t resist the temptation of the jade.’

Jin Yilu had to offer several pieces of jade, which were hard to come by even if one paid a fortune, to secure this meeting. Eventually, she, who had ignored his requests several times, gave her consent.

Perhaps she didn’t receive the jade to make jewelry but to contribute to the military funds, as the King of Hanyan had led a large army into battle.

Whether for trinkets or military funds, Lady Liu couldn’t resist the lure of wealth.

Jin Yilu finally met Lady Liu after a long wait. He was greeted by her fragrance even before he saw her.

Jin Yilu quietly stood up and bowed toward the door, even though Lady Liu had not yet appeared.

After a brief moment, Lady Liu appeared with a graceful demeanor, unaccompanied.

“This humble one, Jin Yilu, pays respects to the Lady.”

“Rise.”

Lady Liu waited for Jin Yilu to lift his head and then gestured with her chin.

Although he took a seat, Jin Yilu instead clasped his hands together toward her.

“Lady, I have come to meet you because I have something urgent to discuss.”

Lady Liu leaned back in her chair, pausing before speaking.

“I am curious as to why you would offer such valuable jade to see me. You are a merchant; you wouldn’t give away such wealth without expecting something in return.”

“You are correct. What moves me is not the will of heaven or righteousness, but only profit.”

Jin Yilu was perfectly portrayed as a money-chasing merchant.

“I accepted the jade on the condition that I would meet you. So, it seems the price has been paid.”

“Once you hear my story, I believe you will gain something far more valuable than the jade.”

“Hmph! Are you trying to play word games with me, a dirty merchant?”

“How could I dare to have such despicable thoughts? I am a man who values my life.”

Jin Yilu’s jest brought a smile to Lady Liu’s face, though it was unclear whether it was a sneer or a genuine smile.

“You are truly amusing and intriguing. Having someone like you in Yiyang City, where only stuffy people abound, might not be so bad.”

“I am deeply grateful for your kind words.”

“Very well. Let’s hear what you have to say. What is this story that you claim is more valuable than the jade?”

* * *

This time, Jin Yilu played hard to get. He prolonged his introduction, making Lady Liu anxious.

“A few days ago, I received a letter from General Lü Bu.”

“Surely, you are not a spy for Lü Bu in Yiyang City?”

“I am hurt. Please do not see me as merely a spy.”

“Then why did you receive a letter from Lü Bu?”

Jin Yilu replied with a troubled expression.

“I am a merchant. War is my business. I can sell goods to any side. I had been supplying goods to Lü Bu, but he wants to end our business relationship.”

“Your goods must not have been good enough.”

“I would have accepted it without a word if that were the case.”

“Did you try to make a huge profit?”

Jin Yilu shook his head.

“The Lu Yu Trading Company sold information to Lü Bu. In exchange, Lu Yu secured exclusive supply contracts with Lü Bu, leaving me in a precarious position.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Lady Liu tilted her head, as if something had just occurred to her.

“Oh! You are trying to sell me information about Lü Bu and use it to drive Lu Yu out of the Guandong army?”

“Merchants have their own code of ethics. We can sell goods, but not information. The unspoken rule among us is to take secrets to the grave.”

“I don’t understand. Aren’t you merchants willing to do anything for profit? I’ve heard you even betray your own kin.”

“Profit is why such a rule exists. Who would do business with a merchant who sells secrets to the enemy?”

Lady Liu nodded.

“That makes sense. To sell goods, you pretend not to see what you’ve seen and not to hear what you’ve heard. Your desire for wealth is truly remarkable.”

“But Yu Zihui of the Lu Yu Trading Company broke this rule.”

“Even so, it’s a matter between you merchants. It’s not my place to intervene.”

“What if the information Yu Zihui sold pertains to the Hanyan army?”

Jin Yilu’s decisive blow. Lady Liu’s eyes widened in shock.

“Surely, you are not saying that the Lu Yu Trading Company informed Lü Bu about the Hanyan army’s deployment?”

“And more.”

“More? Hmm...!”

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to expose Yu Zihui’s reckless actions. He not only informed Lü Bu about the Hanyan army’s deployment but also about their plan to attack Shangshan. Additionally, he revealed the size of the army and the amount of supplies received from the Guandong army.”

Of course, it was a lie. But since it came from Jin Yilu, Lady Liu would likely believe it to be true.

He had already set up the circumstantial evidence to make the lie seem real.

“Why did he inform Lü Bu of these things?”

“Didn’t I already tell you? If he could secure exclusive supply contracts with Lü Bu, he would make a huge profit. And...”

“There’s more to it, isn’t there? Tell me.”

“Think about who would benefit the most if the Hanyan Kingdom falls.”

Anyone could see that Yuan Tan would benefit the most if the Hanyan Kingdom fell. The King of Hanyan is Yuan Shang’s maternal grandfather, and the Ji Province forces, who support Yuan Shang’s succession to Yuan Shao’s power, are led by him.

“Yuan Tan... Did he orchestrate this?”

“Did you really not know?”

It was common knowledge in Yiyang City that Yu Zihui of the Lu Yu Trading Company was a backer of Yuan Tan and a financier of the Ye Province forces.

Lady Liu changed the subject instead of answering.

“Does Lord Yuan know about this?”

“What does it matter?”

“If Yuan Tan had a scheme, I believed Lord Yuan would have filtered it out. The deployment order, I mean.”

Jin Yilu clasped his hands together toward her again.

“I will share my humble strategy if you do not blame me.”

“Speak freely.”

“Lord Yuan must already know about this.”

“Did you inform Lord Yuan as you did me?”

Lady Liu thought Jin Yilu had already rushed to Yuan Shao to tell him the same story. But Jin Yilu waved his hands.

“I am not that foolish. My words are true, but the issue is my position.”

“Position? What position?”

“I am known as a man of Lord Yi. Think about it. If I rushed to Lord Yuan to inform him, wouldn’t it seem like I’m hoping for the First and Third Lords to fight and kill each other?”

“Why are you telling me this secret, then?”

Lady Liu was curious why Jin Yilu was telling her this and not Yuan Shao.

* * *

“Because I don’t want to see tears in your eyes.”

Jin Yilu’s words made Lady Liu snort.

“Stop your nonsense and tell me what you really want. What is your true intention?”

“Lord Yi has been kind to me. He made a mere merchant like me a strategist and allowed me to play in the big pond. I should repay him.”

“Surely, Xi is not plotting to seize power?”

“Of course not. It’s hard enough to seize power, let alone to keep it. Lord Yuan has achieved what he has because he is Lord Yuan. Lord Yi is not capable of that.”

Jin Yilu indirectly reaffirmed his support for Yuan Shang. After a brief pause, he continued.

“I am a lover of beauty. I wish for you to always smile. Seeing sorrow on your face would be like splashing ink on a beautifully painted flower.”

“You are amusing. Do you not know the price of flattering me?”

“If praising a beautiful person is a crime, then I, Jin Yilu, will gladly accept the punishment. Having a merchant like me leave my name in the Grand Historian’s records for flattering you would be quite meaningful.”

“Your silver tongue truly amuses me.”

Lady Liu was pleased with Jin Yilu’s eloquence.

In Yiyang City, as well as anywhere else, her surroundings were filled with people who only flattered her.

Although Jin Yilu’s words were also flattery, he was the first to do so with such boldness.

Flattery is for high status and wealth. If one loses their life, it’s all for nothing. Jin Yilu was essentially risking his life to flatter her.

“If I can make you happy, even for a moment, I will be satisfied.”

Lady Liu propped her chin on her hand and looked at Jin Yilu askance.

“Since you are flattering me so much, you must have some other motive.”

“I only wish to continue seeing the beautiful Lady.”

“What do you gain by praising my face? Are you trying to switch your allegiance from Xi to Shang?”

“I would rather serve under you, Lady, if I could. But I will only make such a request after I have fulfilled my duty to Lord Yi.”

Lady Liu tilted her head.

“What can you do for a woman confined to the inner chambers?”

“There is no one more beautiful than you in the world. It would be the greatest honor to serve you closely.”

Lady Liu smiled bitterly.

“I appreciate your words, but I am just a withering flower who has already given birth. Where in the world is there a flower that lasts ten days?”

Every woman might feel the same, but Lady Liu was particularly afraid of aging and losing her beauty.

“You are still beautiful. No one would guess that you have a grown son.”

“Do I really look that way?”

Jin Yilu raised his arms high and said.

“Heaven, if there is any falsehood in my words, strike me down with lightning immediately.”

Although Jin Yilu was a habitual liar, his words about Lady Liu’s beauty were true.

“Having you around would certainly prevent boredom. But you must have some other use. If you can provide a strategy for this situation, I will consider keeping you close.”

“The best strategy is to withdraw the troops.”

Jin Yilu’s suggestion made Lady Liu suddenly angry.

“That’s impossible! A drawn sword must be used. Once the troops have been deployed, they must fight.”

“A defeat would bring even greater punishment. But I knew you would say that we cannot withdraw.”

“Do you have a second strategy?”

“Advise the King of Hanyan to delay the attack. Avoid direct conflict and just hold your position. Attacking a prepared enemy is difficult to win, and even if you do win, the losses will be enormous. Then, the First Lord will be the only one to celebrate.”

Jin Yilu’s strategy was met with a lukewarm response.

“I wish there were another plan.”

“I have one. Negotiate with Lü Bu to buy a victory.”

Lady Liu’s eyes widened in surprise at Jin Yilu’s proposal.

“Buy a victory?”

“Yes, it’s possible. You know how vast Lü Bu’s territory is. If you give him some useless land in exchange for grain, it would be a win-win deal for both sides.”

Lady Liu still seemed reluctant.

“The undefeated Lü Bu would not accept such a proposal. Even if I am just a woman, I know that much. And if the negotiations succeed, Lord Yuan might expel me if he finds out.”

“You don’t like this plan, nor the other. Then how about this?”