Liu Bei POV
“Ah… Tonight’s moon is not bad.” Liu Biao said as he looked up to the moonlit sky and sighed. I too raised my head and found that it wasn’t just ‘not bad’, it was pretty damn bright. But perhaps to people of this era, this sight is not much.
“Ah, about what happened before, I did indeed suspect you.” Liu Biao said as he looked at the moon beside me. At this time, his expression was completely different from before and he looked more relaxed and jovial.
But at these words, I was rendered speechless and could only wait silently and see if he had anything else to say. As expected, he continued after a sigh.
“I don’t like that word ‘seize’ as it’s too uncouth. So if blood brother truly wishes to have Jing state for himself, please wait for a while more yet. Should the Son of Heaven feel that blood brother can succeed me, and issues a decree granting you governorship of Jing state, then I will willingly stand aside. But, for the sake of us sharing the same royal blood and our personal ties, please do not do something to disgrace me.”
“I understand. I won’t.” I hurriedly replied in the affirmative. It was clear that he was still apprehensive about me though he no longer views me as a threat. I just hope he will forget about this soon.
“Jing state will always be Liu Biao’s, don’t worry about it, elder brother.”
Of course, I know that this is impossible. In the near future, blood will be spilt for the sake of conquering Jing state and at the end of it all, the one who controls it will not be Liu Biao nor will it be one of his lineage.
“Un…” Liu Biao nodded and remained in silence for a moment before he began sniggering, “Aiya, I have really acted unlike myself today. I truly apologise. By right, it ought to be a joyous affair to have a true royal relative come to visit. Look at us now, we have ended up like the royal relatives of ages past, fighting and squabbling. It really is a little ironic that things have ended up like this.”
“Yes, it even got a little dangerous at one point.” I nodded as I said so. If it weren’t for Liao Hua, and of course my stupid mouth, things wouldn’t have become like they have now.
“Ah, by the way, I have a question for blood brother which I hope blood brother will answer honestly.”
Just as I was enjoying the moonlight shining down on me, Liu Biao asked me yet another question.
“Alright, go ahead and ask elder brother.”
I wasn’t as nervous as before as the appetiser and main dish have been served so all that’s left is probably dessert or soup.
“Tell me honestly, blood brother, do you have any ambitions?”
“Eh?”
*Badump* The moment I heard his question, my heart shook.
I never expected such a straight question to come from Liu Biao. Even if he really was curious about it, he ought to have worded it a little better…
“Umm… Why this question all of a sudden?”
I was a little lost as to how to answer it and decided to punt it back to buy some time.
“Aiya, just answer it, will you?” Liu Biao didn’t buy it and just bade me to answer his question.
“Of course, ambition might be a bit too strong of a word. So why don’t you tell me what your dreams are?”
Ah… To be honest, I haven’t considered this before. Even though I’ve always gone along with the answer of reviving the Great Han while assuming the identity of Liu Bei, I don’t really have any dreams of my own. Or at least, I’ve never actually considered this.
But now that he’s asked me, I can’t possibly give an answer without thinking or he will see through me immediately. The usual answer, to revive the great Han, would definitely not satisfy Liu Biao either.
“Give me some time to think about how I ought to answer.”
“Un… Sure but no lies.” Liu Biao reluctantly agreed with a very inquisitive expression. He was clearly very keen on hearing my answer.
But now that I think about it, I should indeed consider this question at length. Back when I was in Xuchang, I’d begun to think where my path should lie. Now, after going through many turns, like at Guandu and the discussion with Sun Ce in Jiangdong, there were many choices I could have made along the way.
It’s not like any of the previous choices I had were suitable for me and I’ve always felt that as Liu Bei, I ought to strike out on my own which is why I never took them.
But that is my answer as Liu Bei, what about as myself?
As myself, how do I wish to continue on in this era?
— My own wish.
Just then, Han Fu’s face floated up in my mind, followed by Meng De’s and Yun Chang and the rest. There was also that brat Emperor Xian of Han as well. At the same time, I also saw the various commoners I’d met as well as my own face the night I escaped from Xu state that wintry night.
…
“Ah…”
“Un? What is it?”
Liu Biao hurriedly came over and softly asked me when he saw me speak. As for myself, I was rather shocked at the answer that came to me.
Is that really my own wish? I asked myself in disbelief.
“Umm… I did indeed think about it and I have an answer of sorts, I guess.”
“Oh? Good, let me ask you once more then.” Liu Biao lightly coughed, “Blood brother, do you have an ambition or a dream?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, what is it?” Liu Biao followed up. I took a deep breath and steadied myself as I prepared to give my reply in as normal a voice as I could.
“It’s probably, to save the world.”
“… Are you serious?”
“An, un.”
“…”
“Umm… Elder brother, please say something.” I said as I looked at the silent Liu Biao, who was looking at me from the side with his mouth slightly open, his face shocked.
Ah… I just knew what I said was weird.
But no matter what, this was the answer I arrived at. That said, I believe I am ill, in the head. So Liu Biao, if you must laugh, please go ahead, I can take it.
“Hahaha, interesting.” As expected, Liu Biao laughed, but it wasn’t the sort of mocking laughter that I was expecting.
“Why does blood brother have this sort of wish?” Liu Biao asked after laughing for a bit.
“Un… I’m not too sure myself.” I couldn’t help but to laugh as well and continued without thinking too much about it, “Perhaps I’ve seen too many people and things. Some have become regrets, others have become my past while the rest have become my present. I’m rather satisfied with where I’m at and what I have now but if I wanted to maintain the status quo, or improve things, then what do I need to do?”
“… So you wish to save the world?” Liu Biao replied with a question and slowly nodded.
I nodded in response.