Deceive, and keep on deceiving

Su Ming’s words just now could not have sounded more false. Anyone with a modicum of logical thinking would have noticed the flaws immediately.

Why would Guan Yu, a man famed for wielding a blade, ever need Lü Bu’s halberd? Moreover, Guan Yu spent years at Cao Cao’s side—if Cao Cao had wanted to gift him the halberd, wouldn't he have done so long ago? Why, then, wait until after Guan Yu’s departure and use Su Ming as an excuse to deliver it?

Anyone with sense would have seen through this, yet Lü Lingqi did not.

Su Ming dared to hoodwink Lü Lingqi so brazenly precisely because, just moments before, he had confirmed his suspicions. The old saying goes, “Large-chested, empty-headed.” Lü Lingqi certainly fit the first criterion, and as for the second—well, she believed him entirely after his little performance.

But aside from being somewhat slow-witted, there was another reason Lü Lingqi accepted Su Ming’s story: the mere mention of Guan Yu filled her with indignation.

After all, the Red Hare Stallion beneath Guan Yu had once belonged to her father, Lü Bu! In her heart, she wondered, “What right does Guan Yu have to ride my father’s horse?” And if Guan Yu had already taken her father's prized steed, it seemed not so far-fetched that he might covet his halberd as well. The fact that Guan Yu fought with a blade was conveniently ignored.

With a woman like this, once her mind is set, trying to reason with her is a lost cause. If you ever hope to convince a woman with logic alone, I can only say—you’re a fool.

“That damnable Guan Yu!” she spat. “He took my father’s Red Hare, and now he dares to lay claim to his halberd as well! Sooner or later, I will reclaim everything that belonged to my father!” Lü Lingqi ground out the words, her teeth clenched in fury.

At that moment, Su Ming could feel the murderous intent Lü Lingqi had harbored toward him had faded away.

Hate Guan Yu? Su Ming thought to himself, Don’t just hate Guan Yu! The one you should truly hate is that big-eared scoundrel, Liu Xuande!

Lü Bu, officially, died at Cao Cao’s hands, but in truth, it was Liu Xuande who sealed his fate. When Lü Bu was captured at White Gate Tower, he tried to surrender to Cao Cao. Upon hearing of Lü Bu’s willingness to submit, Cao Cao was delighted—after all, he already had Dian Wei, the unmatched infantryman, in his ranks. If he could add Lü Bu, the unrivaled cavalryman, then with Lü Bu riding Dian Wei into battle, there would be none in the world to oppose them.

Thus, when Lü Bu offered his surrender, Cao Cao was ready to accept. At that crucial moment, Liu Bei stood at his side. Seeing Lü Bu about to join Cao Cao, Liu Bei realized this could not be allowed. Lü Bu was a formidable warrior—when the three brothers joined forces, at best, they could fight him to a standstill. If Lü Bu now joined Cao Cao, then together with Dian Wei, not even the three of them could hope to prevail. With Lü Bu on his side, Cao Cao’s ambitions would be unstoppable, and once his dominance was established, what place would there be for Liu Bei?

There are plenty of good men in the world, but few good outcomes. Malicious intent brewing, Liu Bei slyly said, “My lord, have you forgotten what Lü Bu did to Ding Jianyang and Grand Tutor Dong?”

The implication was clear: “Cao Cao, do you dare accept Lü Bu, after seeing what befell Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo?” Both had fallen at Lü Bu’s hand.

Hearing this, Cao Cao broke into a cold sweat. Lü Bu was a peerless warrior—if he ever turned on him, one thrust of that halberd and Cao Cao’s life would be forfeit. Suspicious by nature, once this thought entered his mind, Cao Cao dared not accept Lü Bu's surrender. Thus, Lü Bu was dragged from White Gate Tower and executed.

Though the order was given by Cao Cao, it was Liu Bei who made it happen. Had he not intervened, Lü Bu might well have survived by submitting to Cao Cao.

Lü Lingqi had tried to assassinate Cao Cao time and again, but never Liu Bei—did she truly not know the truth behind it all? With this thought, Su Ming resolved to test her.

“Ahem,” Su Ming coughed softly, then tentatively asked, “Why must a young woman like you attempt to assassinate the Prime Minister time and again? You must know, your luck will not hold forever. If you are caught, your life will be forfeit.”

As soon as these words left his mouth, Su Ming felt drops of tears fall upon his face.

“She’s crying?” he thought. “After deceiving her like this, I suppose I ought to feel guilty. But for some reason, I don’t feel the least bit sorry…”

“The hatred of a father’s death is irreconcilable,” Lü Lingqi said, her voice choked. “If I could kill the traitor, I would gladly endure a thousand cuts!”

Hearing this, Su Ming knew at once—she had no idea what really happened at White Gate Tower. It made sense: those who knew the truth had either died with Lü Bu, like Gao Shun and Chen Gong, or had surrendered to Cao Cao, like Zhang Liao.

Since Lü Lingqi was ignorant of the real events, it was time for Su Ming to work his magic once more.

Feigning surprise, Su Ming said, “If you seek vengeance for your father, then it’s Liu Xuande, that big-eared villain, whom you should kill!”

“What do you mean by that?” Lü Lingqi asked, confused.

And so, Su Ming recounted the events at White Gate Tower to Lü Lingqi, embellishing and exaggerating as he went. In his version, Cao Cao’s responsibility was minimized, while Liu Bei bore the brunt of the blame—nine parts out of ten.

Cao Cao had intended to accept Lü Bu’s surrender, but was swayed by Liu Bei’s honeyed words, and thus was deceived into executing Lü Bu.

After finishing his tale, Su Ming even helped Lü Lingqi analyze the situation: “I suspect the reason Liu Bei betrayed your father was that your father seized Xuzhou from him. Think about it—Liu Bei had struggled for years to win Xuzhou from Tao Qian, only for your father to snatch it away. After so many years of hardship, Liu Bei finally held Xuzhou and became a lord in his own right. Then, your father took it from him and sent him back to being a dependent. How could he not bear a grudge?”

At first, Lü Lingqi was skeptical of Su Ming’s account of White Gate Tower. But after hearing his analysis, the more she thought about it, the more she believed Liu Bei had a motive to harm her father.

Su Ming was a master of persuasion. To deceive, one must blend truth and falsehood, and best of all, embellish real events with a touch of artifice.

“That big-eared villain Liu Xuande truly deserves death!” Lü Lingqi spat, tears streaming down her face. “He killed my father, and Guan Yu took my father’s prized horse and halberd. Those brothers are both worthy of death!”

Watching Lü Lingqi’s tears fall, Su Ming thought, “So naïve! Please, I beg you, give up being an assassin. You’re making it look like I’m the heartless one here.”

He had to admit, for the first time, Su Ming felt a faint pang of guilt for deceiving Lü Lingqi.