Undercover - In China - Book 7

Part 54 - Lord of the Southland, Sun Quan

The crew rowed all night. It was cold, wet and uncomfortable but we managed to doze intermittently until we arrived at Red Cliffs the next morning and were promptly escorted to a large, gaily decorated tent in the middle of a huge military encampment. The tent was full of advisors all standing in neat rows along both sides of the tent. We watched the conference from the entrance as Licia did her best to translate the oratory. 

 A tall, thin man was telling everyone that Cho Cho, a man of noble ancestry, had already conquered two-thirds of China. Yet Lui Bei Xuande, a mere sandal merchant, who abandoned the city of Xinye and fled to Xiacou for safety, had sent Kongming to ask us to fight and die for him. 

 Kongming stepped forward from the ranks laughing uproariously. 

'The Han Emperor Xian has recognized Lord Lui Bei Xuande as his Imperial Uncle. Cho Cho is a traitor to the Han who holds Emperor Xian hostage. At Xinye, Xuande had only three thousand men, yet he defeated Cho Cho's forces three times. He destroyed Cho Cho's supplies at Bowang, flooded out his vanguard at White River and captured Fan.' 

 'After the Chai clan treacherously surrendered Jingzhou Province, Xuande tried to protect a hundred thousand refugees from a rapacious enemy. In his profound humanity, he would not consider leaving them to their fate and racing ahead to capture Jiangling.'

'But, Xuande cannot hold off Cho Cho's entire army with a few thousand troops.' 

 Kongming paused and looked around at the audience. 'The Southland has a well-trained army, yet you gentlemen cringe before Cho Cho's empty threats. You advocate surrendering to a traitor. Are you so cowardly that you cannot uphold honour and justice?'

There was a murmur of angry disagreement until a large man stormed in.

'Kongming,' he boomed loudly, 'why do you waste your time on these idle scribblers when Cho Cho sits across the river, planning our destruction? I am Huang Gei, the commissariat officer from Dongwu and I have just arrived with Lord Sun Quan and General Zhou Yu. Come with me.'

 We stopped Kongming just as he came out of the tent with Huang Gei, told him about Yin Jia's message and introduced Denny. 

 Kongming shuffled the wooden strips, to verify what Licia had said, and we were about to walk into a large tent when an elderly man caught up with us. He breathlessly reminded Kongming that Sun Quan's advisors had almost convinced Sun Quan to avoid conflict with Cho Cho.

 'Remember,' he told Kongming, 'Don't tell Sun Quan that Cho Cho has one million men whatever you do. This will convince him that his advisors are correct.'

Kongming nodded as a guard announced our arrival. 

 Sun Quan, an imposing man with a purple-black beard and unusual green eyes, strode forward to meet us. He introduced a younger man as General Zhou Yu. After the formal bows, elaborate greetings and ritual apologies, about disturbing each other's tranquillity, Kongming introduced us as his advisors, and we were instantly ignored.

Sun Quan showed Kongming to the guest's seat and his servants directed Chen Ling, Licia, Miguel and me to sit behind him. Huang Gei and the elderly man - whose name was Lu Su - sat facing us. General Zhou Yu sat next to Kongming.

Servants came in with trays of tea, wine and cakes which Chen Ling, Licia, Miguel, and I ate by the handful, we were so hungry. Sun Quan spoke to Kongming while Denny and Licia whispered in Miguel and my ears. Sun Quan had been told of Kongming's career, as a successful military advisor to Xuande, and asked for his advice.