The ceaseless arguments at the Flower Country's court finally produced a fragile consensus. Amid the Pro-Cleansing Faction's sneers and the Pro-Pacification Faction's anxious gazes, His Majesty adopted a compromise: dispatch a special envoy to "make contact" with Peach Blossom Spring and gauge its strength. Like a probing piece placed on a complicated game board, the decision instantly stirred the undercurrents of the West Blue.
The envoy chosen was Wang Yun, a deputy minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Around fifty, with a lean face, he was renowned for his mastery of elaborate etiquette and his eloquence. But within the Flower Country's power structure, where strength reigned supreme, he was an insignificant outsider, with a measure of timidity in his character and a yearning for merit. The Pro-Pacification Faction nominated him because he was a "safe" choice and a good speaker, suited to serving as a probing pawn; the Pro-Cleansing Faction welcomed the choice, waiting to see this "pedantic scholar" meet with a humiliating rebuff or even inflame the conflict.
With trepidation and a sliver of hope that success in bringing them into the fold without spending a single soldier's life would earn him tremendous merit, Wang Yun took only a handful of attendants aboard an inconspicuous merchant ship and secretly sailed toward the waters controlled by Peach Blossom Spring.
Yet the ship had barely entered Peach Blossom Spring's outer security perimeter before what Wang Yun saw shattered his faint hopes and disdain. The coastal lookout towers were cunningly positioned, the patrolling speedboats were astonishingly fast, and the sailors aboard had sharp eyes and agile movements. They were no disorganized rabble.
After landing, he headed toward the central area under the "escort" of an imposing young general in white robes patterned with clouds (Zhao Yun). The sights along the way made his heart pound even harder: sturdy fortifications, battle cries thundering across the training grounds, and soldiers brimming with vigor. In particular, when he glimpsed from afar a giant with a face the color of dark red dates and a long beard reaching his chest (Guan Yu) casually unleash a fierce Flying Slash with a swing of his blade, while another mighty general like a black tower (Zhang Fei) shook the ground slightly with an angry roar, Wang Yun's legs nearly gave out. He hurriedly grabbed an attendant for support, cold sweat streaming down his face.
Entering the spacious council hall, Wang Yun forcibly suppressed his horror and formally paid his respects to Chen Yu, who sat upright in the seat of honor. Stealing a glance upward, he saw that despite Chen Yu's youth, he possessed an air of authority without needing to show anger. Beside him, a seemingly languid scholar (Guo Jia) had a piercing gaze that seemed to see through everything, while the generals on either side radiated a menacing aura. Wang Yun dared not show any negligence. Respectfully presenting the royal letter, he unfurled the scroll and, in a slightly trembling voice, read out a succession of official platitudes about "His Majesty's benevolence," "admiration for heroes," and "the promise of high office and generous stipends to preserve peace in the West Blue together."
Chen Yu did not answer directly, instead turning his calm gaze toward Guo Jia. Guo Jia yawned lazily, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Envoy Wang, your country's Six Treasures Navy only recently 'arrived uninvited,' and we gave them a 'warm welcome.' Even their Deputy Pillar Atlas couldn't bear to leave and stayed here as our guest. How does the Flower Country's court intend to explain this? Is this what your country calls 'admiration'?"
Cold sweat instantly dripped from Wang Yun's temples, and he hastily explained, "A misunderstanding! A tremendous misunderstanding! It was entirely Deputy Pillar Atlas's own rash advance and underestimation of the enemy, not the court's intention at all! His Majesty sent this humble official here precisely to clear up the misunderstanding and turn conflict into friendship!"
"Friendship?" Guo Jia chuckled, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "And how would that work? Would my lord lay down his arms and submit, waiting for the court to grant him an empty title, or... would it be genuine cooperation?"
"Cooperation, naturally! The court sincerely invites Master Chen and all you heroes to serve the country, receive offices and noble titles, and defend a region..." Wang Yun hurriedly offered the bait.
"Defend a region?" Guo Jia interrupted, a mocking smile curling his lips. "With our meager resources, we're to fend off the West Blue's ravenous pirates and powerful factions on the Flower Country's behalf? Lord Wang, empty words hardly demonstrate sincerity." He stopped beating around the bush and laid his cards on the table:
"If you want cooperation, there are three nonnegotiable conditions:
"First, the Flower Country must formally recognize Peach Blossom Spring's self-governance, delineate our sphere of influence, and sign a mutual nonaggression treaty with us as equals.
"Second, trade routes must be fully opened, allowing Peach Blossom Spring's merchant ships free passage through the Flower Country's ports, with fair tariffs.
"Third, severely punish the corrupt officials in Bluestone Town and elsewhere, and make their crimes public to demonstrate the court's determination to 'reform.'
"If these three conditions are accepted, Peach Blossom Spring can nominally acknowledge the Flower Country's sovereignty and take responsibility for eliminating pirates within our jurisdiction, safeguarding the territory and keeping its people at peace. Otherwise..." Guo Jia glanced at Zhang Fei, who had already begun clenching his fists beside him, and smiled. "We can only ask Lord Wang to return and report. We'll settle who the true heroes are on the battlefield."
Wang Yun listened, dumbstruck. These terms came close to carving out a kingdom. How could a mere deputy minister like him dare agree? He could only stammer that such a major matter required him to return and report to His Majesty, leaving the decision to the court's deliberations.
Only then did Chen Yu speak slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an unquestionable force. "Envoy Wang, please convey this to your king. I gathered these comrades here only to find a place to live in these troubled times and protect the people of this region. If the court treats us sincerely, I will repay that sincerity, and we can keep the West Blue's shipping lanes open together. If it insists on treating us as enemies and recklessly resorts to arms..." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the generals under his command. "Then everyone in Peach Blossom Spring can only give their all and resist to the end."
After they sent off the deathly pale Wang Yun on unsteady legs, the atmosphere in the council hall did not ease.
"Fengxiao, how could the Flower Country's court agree to such harsh terms?" Liu Bei looked worried.
Guo Jia smiled confidently. "Rest assured, Brother Liu Bei. I never expected them to agree outright. This is 'asking an exorbitant price' with the aim of 'bargaining when the opportunity arises.' Putting forward this proposal serves two purposes. First, it demonstrates our strength and resolve so the Flower Country won't underestimate us. Second, it gives the Pro-Pacification Faction at court grounds to say that 'bringing them into the fold is possible,' while giving the Pro-Cleansing Faction ammunition to call us 'arrogant bandits,' intensifying their internal strife. Whatever the outcome, the time they spend endlessly arguing will be a golden opportunity for us to consolidate our foundations and grow stronger."
Chen Yu nodded in agreement, then changed the subject. "However, Wang Yun's visit also brought news we need to be wary of." He looked at everyone, his expression grave. "According to something he inadvertently let slip, the Flower Country's court has secretly contacted a large pirate crew active in the West Blue-the Bloodsail Pirates-to put pressure on us. Their captain, 'Blood Butcher' Balki, has a bounty as high as 58 million Beli. They intend to set a tiger on a wolf, using the pirates to wear down our strength."
"The Bloodsail Fleet?" Zhao Yun's brows knitted tightly. "I've heard those men are savage and brutal. When they plunder merchant ships, they often leave not so much as a chicken or dog alive. They'll be a tough nut to crack."
"The court is secretly colluding with pirates?" Zhang Fei flew into a rage. "Despicable!"
Guan Yu opened his phoenix eyes a fraction, a cold glint flashing through them. "A poisonous scheme. If our forces and the Blood Sail both suffer heavy losses, the court can reap the benefits without lifting a finger."
But Guo Jia's eyes gleamed, a calculating look appearing on his face. "Opportunity lies within danger. The Bloodsail Fleet is infamous, a scourge of the West Blue. If our forces can defeat them, or even annihilate them, we will not only eliminate the threat but greatly enhance Peach Blossom Spring's reputation for 'upholding justice and sheltering the innocent.' Then the Flower Country court's plot will unravel on its own, and the Pro-Pacification Faction will stand on firmer ground. We might even... win the secret sympathy or support of upright generals who loathe pirates, such as Qi Ming, Pillar of the Two Treasures Navy."
Huang Zhong stroked his beloved bow. "But if the court and the pirates strike at the same time, I fear our forces will be stretched too thin."
Chen Yu pondered briefly, then abruptly rose and declared decisively, "Things have come to this, so we can only face the challenge head-on! Fengxiao, keep a close watch on developments at the Flower Country's court and the Bloodsail Fleet's movements. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, step up preparations for battle. The navy in particular must be ready for a decisive engagement against a large pirate fleet at sea! Liu Bei, maintain internal stability and reassure the people. Make sure we have nothing to worry about in the rear. As for the peace talks..." He looked at Guo Jia. "Keep negotiating with them and buy us time. Once we sever the court's underhanded 'Blood Sail' reach, there will still be time to discuss terms!"
Wang Yun's mission was like a quiet move on the West Blue's game board. Although it did not directly change the overall situation, it brought the contest into a more complicated phase. The Flower Country court's sinister tactics instead provided Peach Blossom Spring with an ideal stage on which to break the deadlock and establish its authority. Challenges and opportunities surged together like waves. Under the guidance of Guo Jia, a master strategist, the ship that was Peach Blossom Spring, carrying its gathered heroes, adjusted its rigging, held firm to its course, and sailed without hesitation toward waters soon to be stained red by "Blood Sail," preparing for a bitter battle that would determine its future.
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