With his intelligence, he had already guessed why the Son of Heaven had spared their lives: he intended to use them as sacrifices to the war banner.
Now that the capital had moved back to Chang'an, the southern campaign against the rebels would presumably begin soon. That also meant their lives were nearing their end.
So when he saw Lu Su arrive, he naturally thought his dear friend had come to see him off on his final journey.
"How could that be! I came to get you out of here, Gongjin!"
At those words, Lu Su wiped the tears from his face and said excitedly, "His Majesty is preparing to march south against Cao Cao, but Jing Province and Jiangdong are crisscrossed with waterways, while the Imperial Court's soldiers are mostly northerners unfamiliar with naval warfare."
"This is your strength, so I recommended you to His Majesty to train a navy for the Imperial Court."
"Gongjin, your chance to redeem yourself through meritorious service has come!"
Lu Su spoke with boundless delight. If Zhou Yu could earn merit in the war against Cao Cao, not only could he escape execution, but he could also receive rewards!
At this, Zhou Yu's eyes brightened slightly. But when his gaze fell on the figure sitting with his back to him in the opposite cell, that glimmer faded again.
"Forget it, Zijing."
Zhou Yu sighed softly and released Lu Su's hand. "I am a defeated general and a prisoner. How could I shoulder such a heavy responsibility?"
"Forgive me, but I cannot agree."
Lu Su froze, then anger surged involuntarily through his heart. He stood, pointed at Zhou Yu's nose, and berated him. "Zhou Gongjin! It was only one defeat! Has that been enough to strip you of your fighting spirit?"
"The Zhou Gongjin