Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

This caused Sun Jian to take several deep breaths, knowing he absolutely couldn't do anything suspicious at this moment.

'Since Liu Xuande invites me, I shall make a trip…'

After making his decision, Sun Jian first had Zu Mao withdraw, then re-wrapped the Imperial Jade Seal and hid it in the secret compartment before walking out.

At this moment, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Zu Mao, the four family generals, were all guarding outside the door.

After Sun Jian came out, the four family generals quickly cupped their fists and bowed to Sun Jian.

Sun Jian pondered for a moment and said, "This time, going to Liu Xuande's residence is a good opportunity to inform Liu Xuande that I plan to lead the army to leave Luoyang and return to Changsha first."

"Gongfu, accompany me. Darong and Yigong, continue to guard this place and do not allow anyone to enter the house. Demou, you go out of the city first to reorganize the army. Once I return, we can set off. It is no longer convenient to stay in Luoyang for long."

"Yes."

The four family generals quickly received their orders.

After Sun Jian made a series of arrangements, he went to Liu Bei's residence, not far away, under the protection of Huang Gai and his personal guards.

Liu Bei showed Sun Jian great respect for his arrival, personally greeting him at the door.

Privately, the two were close friends. Sun Jian entrusted his family to Liu Bei's care, and Liu Bei had not failed Sun Jian's trust.

Publicly, Sun Jian was saved by Liu Bei when his supply lines were cut off, and with Liu Bei's support, he retained a place in the Allied forces. Sun Jian was also Liu Bei's staunch ally in the Allied forces.

After Liu Bei invited Sun Jian to the council hall and they each took their seats, Sun Jian, already somewhat anxious to leave Luoyang and believing that only in this way could he be like a dragon returning to the sea, couldn't be bothered with pleasantries and asked.

"Brother Xuande urgently sent someone to invite me. Has something major happened? If there is anything I can help with, Brother Xuande, please feel free to speak."

Liu Bei hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, then said.

"Brother Wentai, have you noticed any issues with the seal used on the imperial edict?"

As soon as these words came out, Sun Jian's face, who was not good at acting, changed drastically, feeling as if his heart had skipped a beat at that moment.

However, Sun Jian still forced a smile and asked, seemingly not understanding.

"Brother Xuande, what do you mean by this? I don't quite understand."

Unfortunately, Sun Jian's shrewdness was not on the same level as Liu Bei's. His sudden change in expression and forced composure had, in a sense, already revealed the true answer to Liu Bei.

The Imperial Jade Seal, even if it wasn't in Sun Jian's hands, Sun Jian definitely knew the whereabouts of the Imperial Jade Seal.

Liu Bei sighed slightly and said.

"Brother Wentai, you and I met in Julu years ago and immediately hit it off. We can be said to be close friends."

"I ask myself, over the years, I have never let you down in the slightest. I have also treated your wife with courtesy and care, recommended Ce'er to study under Zikun, and taught Quan'er as if he were my own nephew…"

Listening to Liu Bei playing the emotional card with full of emotion, Sun Jian's heart sank completely unconsciously.

Who is it?!

Who leaked the news?

While Sun Jian subconsciously placed the target of his suspicion on the four family generals, he also felt that Liu Bei was preparing to force him to hand over the Imperial Jade Seal.

Seeing Sun Jian's face becoming increasingly ugly, Liu Bei paused and said.

"Brother Wentai, if you happen to have obtained something in the imperial palace, it is appropriate to return this item to the Emperor, for that is the right path. Otherwise, it will inevitably lead to great chaos in the world and even bring disaster upon yourself."

"I have never taken anything from the imperial palace. I don't know what Brother Xuande means by this."

Sun Jian replied in a deep voice, one hand resting on the sword at his waist.

Now that Sun Jian, in a sense, had already confessed without being asked, Liu Bei's voice also became a bit more solemn as he said.

"Brother Wentai, must I really tear away that layer of pretense? The Imperial Jade Seal is not something you should possess. Return this item to the Emperor."

"Or perhaps give it to you? Liu Xuande!"

Sun Jian suddenly stood up and said sharply. "Even if I don't have this item, even if I do have this item in my hand, why should I give it to you?"

Faced with Sun Jian's accusation, Liu Bei frowned, but still maintained considerable patience and said.

"Brother Wentai, among all the lords of the Allied forces, only you have entered and exited the imperial palace multiple times. Now that the Imperial Jade Seal has been stolen, the only possibility is that it has fallen into your hands."

"Moreover, the seal in the imperial edict cannot be hidden for long. Yuan Benchu, Yuan Gonglu, and others who frequently come into contact with the imperial edict will probably notice the abnormality soon and will inevitably suspect you."

"Ask yourself, can Brother Wentai protect the Imperial Jade Seal? Only by returning this item to the Emperor can the disaster of war be avoided."

Liu Bei's sincere words made Sun Jian calm down for a moment, but his reason was completely devoured by greed in an instant.

Even if there was only a one percent chance of keeping the Imperial Jade Seal, Sun Jian would never give it up.

As long as he took the Imperial Jade Seal back to Changsha, back to a place far away from the Central Plains, Sun Jian asked himself, who could do anything to him?

At that time, holding the Imperial Jade Seal in his hands, with a call to arms, followers would flock to him like clouds, and the great cause would be accomplished!

"Accusations without evidence, how laughable!"

Sun Jian sneered and said.

"Just based on this baseless speculation, you conclude that the Imperial Jade Seal is on me? After years of friendship, I didn't expect you to be so blinded by greed as to suspect me like this. It's truly pathetic."

"Very well, today I, Sun Jian, will swear here that if I obtained the Imperial Jade Seal, what would it matter if I were pierced by ten thousand arrows?"

After speaking, Sun Jian flung his cloak and strode towards the outside of the government office, Huang Gai guarding Sun Jian's back with a bit of nervousness, gripping his weapon.

However, Liu Bei simply watched Sun Jian leave like this, never opening his mouth to stop him.

And after Sun Jian walked out of Liu Bei's residence, it was almost visibly apparent that he was covered in cold sweat…

How could Sun Jian not know the bravery of Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei?

What Sun Jian was most worried about just now was Liu Bei speaking out and forcibly detaining him!

"Fortunately, that Liu Xuande was temporarily intimidated by my oath. He is concerned about his reputation and dare not force me too much…"

Sun Jian quickly whispered in Huang Gai's ear. "Hurry! Otherwise, once that Liu Xuande comes to his senses, I'm afraid we won't be able to leave this city of Luoyang."

Upon hearing this, Huang Gai subconsciously said. "Lord, but the Madam and young master are still within Wu Commandery…"

Before Huang Gai could finish speaking, Sun Jian interrupted without hesitation.

"Those who accomplish great things cannot hesitate due to concern for their wives and children. If that Liu Bei disregards his reputation, then I can only pity my wife and children for their misfortune."

Huang Gai felt a bit unbearable, but seeing Sun Jian's determined look, he didn't dare to advise him further and quickly guarded Sun Jian back to his own residence.

And Liu Bei, who had been watching Sun Jian leave all along, merely sighed leisurely.

Only at this moment did Li Ji, who had been behind the screen at the rear of the council hall, come out and ask.

"Why does my lord sigh?"

Liu Bei said with emotion.

"I sigh because of Sun Wentai. I didn't expect Sun Wentai, a hero of his generation, to have his reason obscured by greed, to the point of being so blinded by self-interest, unable to distinguish the situation, and to do such a foolish thing."

"My lord has tried his best to persuade him, but Sun Wentai has always been strong-willed, preferring to be shattered jade rather than a whole tile, and it is normal that he is unwilling to give up the Imperial Jade Seal."

Li Ji could be said to be not surprised by this.

Sun Jian's character was like this, going his own way and not listening to good advice.

Liu Bei said with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

"Zikun, if I had forcibly detained Sun Wentai just now, perhaps it would not have been a bad strategy, at least it could have prevented Sun Wentai from making mistakes again and again."

Li Ji shook his head and replied.

"Sun Wentai stubbornly insists, even swearing that he does not have the Imperial Jade Seal in his hand. Even if my lord forcibly detains him, what can you do about it?"

"Moreover, if this matter is not handled carefully and causes a stir in Luoyang, it may directly trigger a battle for the Imperial Jade Seal in Luoyang City, and the million people in Luoyang City may be reduced to ashes."

A look of worry appeared on Liu Bei's face as he said.

"This is also what I am concerned about!"

"Therefore, my statement just now was not only to persuade Brother Wentai to return the Jade Seal, but also to remind him to leave Luoyang quickly, so as to avoid the people of Luoyang, who have experienced the ravages of the traitor Dong, from suffering the disaster of war again."

Upon hearing this, Li Ji was slightly surprised. He didn't expect that Liu Bei's letting go of Sun Jian was not just a moment of softheartedness, but that he had already taken into account the people of Luoyang.

Once a "battle for the Jade Seal" broke out in Luoyang City, with two or three hundred thousand soldiers fighting in the city, not to mention who the Jade Seal would eventually fall into, at least a million people in the city would inevitably suffer heavy casualties.

"My lord is benevolent…"

Li Ji cupped his fist and bowed, then asked in a low voice. "Ji dares to ask, does my lord want the Imperial Jade Seal?"

Upon hearing this, a few ripples flashed in Liu Bei's eyes, but they quickly returned to calm.

After a moment, Liu Bei grabbed Li Ji's arm, helped Li Ji up, and replied.

"Even if I were to obtain the Jade Seal at this moment, what use would it be to me, who am still entrenched in a corner? It is better to return it to the Emperor and let the Han Dynasty retain some dignity…"

After a pause, Liu Bei leaned close to Li Ji's ear and continued in a low voice.

"And if I were to finally obtain the world, the Jade Seal would naturally be delivered into my hands by someone eventually, so why rush for a moment."

After listening, Li Ji looked at Liu Bei's eyes with admiration and said.

"My lord is wise, Ji is far inferior."

Immediately, an expression of not knowing whether to laugh or cry clearly appeared on Liu Bei's face as he said.

"Zikun is teasing me again, isn't he? If Zikun were in favor of seizing the Jade Seal at this moment, he would have already taken action."

"Not at all, Ji just thinks that my lord also deeply understands the principle of 'Great Confucians will naturally defend my principles,' and has the demeanor of a wise ruler," Li Ji replied.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei smiled and then asked. "Does Zikun think Sun Wentai can return to Changsha smoothly?"

"What if he can reach Changsha? What if he can't reach Changsha?"

Li Ji countered, asking, "Even if Sun Wentai reaches Changsha, with his military strength, how could he possibly protect the Imperial Jade Seal?"

After a pause, Li Ji changed the subject and said, "However, we should also quickly return to Wu Commandery to make preparations."

Liu Bei nodded in agreement.

"Zikun is right, Luoyang has become a place of turmoil and should not be lingered in for long."

(End of Chapter)