"To put it simply, confusing the issue means using Chen Gong's mouth to mislead the other lords!"
In response to Liu Bei's question, Qin Tian stepped forward again and said leisurely:
"My lord must understand: though I have used an assumed name this time, I may fool others, but I cannot fool old acquaintances!"
"Chen Gong, for instance, has never met me, yet he guessed my identity."
"By that measure, sooner or later, everyone under Heaven will learn that I have been using an assumed name."
"So we can use this matter now to spread the name Wang He!"
He walked to the edge of the tent, then turned and slowly made his way back:
"Just as my lord thought today, Chen Gong recognizes me, and so do Wang Kai, Xu Si, and the others. The moment they see my face, they can recognize who I am."
"So why don't we do the opposite and have someone else take on the name Wang He?"
"My lord can look through the camp for someone who resembles me, then dress him up accordingly."
"Tomorrow, you can ask for provisions again. If Wang Kai asks, bring him back to the camp for a look!"
"Once Wang Kai sees this man's face, he'll know that Wang He isn't Qin Tian. He'll tell Chen Gong, and we can use Chen Gong's mouth to mislead everyone under Heaven!"
"From then on, as long as I don't reveal myself, everyone under Heaven will know only the military adviser Wang He, and not Qin Tian!"
After hearing him out, Liu Bei couldn't help but marvel inwardly:
"Military adviser, this is a fine plan. It'll keep the others from getting a clear picture of our army!"
But halfway through, he sighed again:
"Still, this means you must hide your name and identity. I feel deeply ashamed to put you through this!"
His heart truly felt heavy. If only he were stronger.
If he had the strength of the other lords, why would he need to hide and skulk around, living in fear?
In the end, it all came down to a lack of strength.
His current power didn't live up to Qin Tian's reputation!
But Qin Tian didn't seem to mind. He said:
"The name Wang He is only a temporary convenience. There's no need to dwell on it."
"When the day comes that we take all of Huainan, I can return to my real name. It won't be too late then!"
He didn't care about fame. After all, he'd already done more than enough to build his reputation.
All he needed was to fulfill his ambitions.
Compared with what he wanted to do, the size of his reputation didn't matter.
Listening to Qin Tian, Liu Bei was once again overcome with emotion. Ever since Qin Tian had come out of retirement, he had spared no effort.
Qin Tian might not care about these things, but Liu Bei couldn't ignore them. He stepped forward and clasped Qin Tian's hand, deeply moved:
"Military adviser, how can I ever repay you for treating me this way?"
"Know this, military adviser: no matter what happens in the future, I will never let you down."
Qin Tian's body shuddered when Liu Bei suddenly grabbed his hand.
Old Liu, you're not serious, are you? I'm not into that!
But Liu Bei's grip was firm, and Qin Tian couldn't pull away. All he could do was smile and say:
"My lord needn't do this. I understand."
Old Liu nodded to himself, silently resolving that he had to work harder and not disappoint his military adviser.
With that thought, he let go and said:
"I'll follow your advice, military adviser. I'll go make the arrangements now!"
With that, he strode out of the tent.
At the same time, in the prison at Xiapi.
After two days of getting nowhere, Wang Kai ran out of ideas. He simply went to the prison and told Chen Gong what had happened.
After hearing Wang Kai's account, Chen Gong furrowed his brow:
"So you went to ask again today, but still didn't see this Wang He?"
Wang Kai nodded with a sigh:
"Exactly. Today, I wanted to follow Liu Bei into the camp and take a look, but the man wouldn't agree!"
"If he won't show his face, how are we supposed to investigate?"
Chen Gong only grew more certain:
"The more he conceals himself, the more it proves there's something unusual about his identity!"
"If he weren't Qin Tian, why would he hide away like this?"
"You must investigate again, and quickly!"
"Liu Bei already has troops. Once he gets money and provisions, he can leave while he still has the momentum!"
"If you haven't seen him by tomorrow, go to Liu Bei's camp and investigate yourself!"
Wang Kai thought this made sense. If that brat weren't Qin Tian, there'd be no reason for him to keep to himself so much. He nodded in agreement.
Only after Wang Kai agreed did Chen Gong speak in a low voice:
"Finding out who he is comes first. Have you managed to persuade Marquis Wen to release me?"
Wang Kai hurried to reassure him:
"I've already sent Zishan to persuade Marquis Wen. I hear he's relented, so you should be released soon, Gongtai!"
Zishan was Xu Si's courtesy name.
Only then did Chen Gong nod:
"Make it quick. If Qin Tian really is serving under Liu Bei, he won't stop at this one scheme!"
Knowing that they could only rely on Chen Gong to hold things together, Wang Kai quickly nodded and promised to do so, then left the prison.
After the night passed, Wang Kai knew Liu Bei would come to ask for provisions in the morning, so he simply waited along the road.
By midmorning, Liu Bei finally arrived. Wang Kai hurried over to ask:
"Why have you come, my lord?"
Seeing that Wang Kai had indeed come, Liu Bei smiled and said:
"I came to discuss matters with Marquis Wen, as we agreed yesterday."
Wang Kai stroked his beard and smiled:
"Since you've come to discuss matters, why hasn't your military adviser come with you?"
Liu Bei was prepared and didn't panic:
"Have you forgotten, sir? I told you yesterday that my military adviser had caught a chill. He hasn't recovered today. How could he come?"
Seeing Liu Bei trot out the same excuse again, Wang Kai hurriedly smiled:
"If your military adviser is seriously ill, then I ought to visit him. I wonder if that would be convenient for you, my lord?"
"I didn't realize you thought so highly of my military adviser!"
Seeing this, Liu Bei said:
"Very well. Since you're willing to go, wait until I come out, and we'll go together. How does that sound?"
Liu Bei agreed so readily that Wang Kai was left a little bewildered.
Weren't they supposed to keep hiding things? Why was he being so accommodating?
Could they have misunderstood? Was Wang He not Qin Tian after all?
But thinking that Liu Bei might be trying to fool him, Wang Kai smiled:
"That's exactly what I'd hoped for!"
Seeing that he'd taken the bait, Liu Bei said no more and went straight into the commandery office.
As soon as he entered, he saw Lu Bu seated in the main chair, with Han Xian and Yang Feng on either side.
Seeing this, Liu Bei saluted and took his seat. The moment he sat down, he asked:
"When does Marquis Wen intend to join my army in taking Xiang County?"
"We've won. We should press our advantage and not waste any more time like this!"
Lu Bu shook his head with a smile:
"I know Xuande is eager to win, but after returning yesterday and thinking it over, I realized that since we've already routed Yuan Shu's army, the right course is to march south into Huainan and plunder it."
"Though I promised Xuande I'd help take Xiang County, the affairs of state must come first."
"As for the money and provisions, they've already been counted and should rightfully go to Xuande. But I've thought it over: we'll need provisions and baggage for our march south, and we'll be advancing together."
"Why not leave them with my army for now, then divide them up after we defeat Yuan Shu?"
"If Xuande is willing to march south, we can set out today."
"If Xuande isn't willing, you can go take Xiang County on your own. I'm willing to give you a month's provisions and baggage. If you fail, you can come back and march with us. I'll welcome you with open doors!"
He delivered this high-minded speech, and Han Xian and Yang Feng nodded repeatedly.
A chance to march south and plunder was right up their alley!
Compared to that, it no longer mattered whether they divided the spoils now or later.
Hearing this, Liu Bei furrowed his brow and said nothing.
He'd known Lu Bu would renege, but he hadn't expected him to renege so shamelessly.
Naturally, he couldn't march south and plunder.
Lu Bu was forcing him to decide: either take a month's provisions and leave, or harden his heart and join them in doing evil.
As for what happened to the money and provisions after they took Xiang County, that clearly had nothing to do with him.
Even though he'd been prepared for this, Liu Bei couldn't help thinking that Lu Bu was shameless.
After pondering for a while, Liu Bei shook his head and said:
"I'm unwilling to plunder the common people. I'll take Xiang County on my own!"
This was exactly the answer Lu Bu had expected. He stroked his beard and smiled:
"If that's the case, Xuande should return. I'll have ten thousand shi of grain sent over now!"
He knew Liu Bei had no more than ten thousand troops. At two jin a person per day, a month would require only about five thousand shi, so he simply doubled the amount to shut Liu Bei up.
Liu Bei was unhappy, but didn't argue. He walked straight out of the office.
Wang Kai saw him and hurried over again:
"How did the discussion go, my lord?"
Seeing the look on Wang Kai's face, Liu Bei pretended he didn't want to get involved with him. He shook his head slightly and walked on.
Wang Kai hurried after him and asked what had happened. Only then did Liu Bei sigh:
"Marquis Wen wants to march south and plunder. I'm unwilling to go with him!"
"He gave me ten thousand shi of grain and wants me to take Xiang County on my own. I'll be leaving soon!"
Hearing that Liu Bei was about to leave, Wang Kai grew even more puzzled.
Hadn't Chen Gong said Liu Bei still had a plan?
Why was he leaving already?
This wasn't Qin Tian's style!
If Qin Tian were in charge, with his temperament and schemes, would he let someone get away with owing him something?
He'd skin them alive!
While Wang Kai was puzzling over this, Liu Bei saw his expression and added:
"Didn't you say you wanted to visit my military adviser? We should go now. My army may set out as soon as tomorrow!"
Wang Kai heard this and thought, I'll know whether it's Qin Tian once I see him. He nodded and followed Liu Bei back toward the camp.
They entered the central camp, with Liu Bei leading the way, and stopped in front of a tent. Before they went inside, they heard a fit of coughing.
Hearing it, Liu Bei hurried into the tent and said:
"Military adviser, why have you gotten out of bed? Didn't I tell you to rest properly?"
"If you carry on like this, when will you ever recover?"
Wang Kai followed him in and saw Liu Bei supporting a tall young man, a head taller than Liu Bei himself. The young man had a rather handsome, dignified face.
His complexion was just a little pale, as if he really were sick.
As soon as Wang Kai entered, the young man shook his head and said:
"Cough, cough, cough. Our army has no grain. We can't carry on without provisions from Marquis Wen. My lord, were you able to get them?"
Liu Bei shook his head with a sigh:
"Marquis Wen gave us ten thousand shi of grain. It will tide us over for now!"
"Ah, Marquis Wen is a great general. How could he act this way?"
The young man sighed softly, then looked up at Wang Kai:
"May I ask who this gentleman is?"
Wang Kai studied the young man's face for a while, then sighed inwardly. In the end, Chen Gong had guessed wrong!
How could Liu Bei's military adviser be Qin Tian?
The young man was certainly handsome, but he had none of Qin Tian's bearing!
Before Liu Bei could introduce him, Wang Kai cupped his hands and said:
"I am Wang Kai of Yanzhou, currently serving as an aide under Marquis Wen!"
"I heard that you were from Yanzhou and came especially to meet you. I didn't expect you to be so seriously ill!"
"If I'd known, I wouldn't have come to disturb you!"
The young man smiled slightly:
"I've long heard your name, sir, and wished to meet you. Now that I have, I see your reputation is well deserved."
"Alas, I'm unwell and unable to receive guests. I hope you'll forgive me!"
"Not at all, not at all!"
Since Wang Kai hadn't met the person he'd hoped to see, he'd lost any desire to continue the conversation. He smiled repeatedly:
"If I'd known, I wouldn't have come to disturb you!"
"Very well. Since you're unable to receive guests, I'll take my leave!"
With that, he cupped his hands to Liu Bei and withdrew.
His steps grew lighter, too. Whoever Wang He was, at least he wasn't Qin Tian.
But he had no idea that not long after he left the camp, the young man wiped the powder from his face and smiled at Liu Bei.
"My lord, how did I do just now?"
This man was Xiahou Bo, a young officer under Liu Bei.
After hearing Qin Tian's plan the day before, Liu Bei had searched the army for quite some time. As luck would have it, he came across Xiahou Bo patrolling the camp. The young man was tall and handsome, and not much different in build from Qin Tian.
So Liu Bei had simply entrusted him with the important task of impersonating Qin Tian.
To his surprise, Xiahou Bo had truly captured some of Qin Tian's mannerisms!
Liu Bei smiled with satisfaction.
"Well done. I'll see that you're rewarded for this!"
As he spoke, he glanced around and asked:
"By the way, where is the military adviser?"
Although one danger had now been dealt with, he still had something on his mind and wanted to find Qin Tian to discuss it.
Hearing he'd be rewarded, Xiahou Bo grinned. Then, hearing Liu Bei's question, he hurriedly replied:
"The military adviser is in the main tent, discussing matters with General Zhang and General Qiao!"
"He told me that if you wanted to see him, my lord, you should go to the main tent!"
Hearing that Qin Tian was discussing matters with Zhang Fei and Qiao Rui, Liu Bei couldn't help but grow curious. Qin Tian had once said that Qiao Rui could be useful. Could they be discussing how to seize Xiang County?
Having made up his mind, he hurried toward the main tent.
Before you continue