Chapter 77: The Thousand-Mile Eye

“First, there’s a rumor that Zhang Jiao practices sorcery. His inability to speak and his unremarkable demeanor might be due to the effects of his magical arts. If that’s truly the case, my lord ought to be cautious. As for the second possibility, as you mentioned, Zhang Jiao is gravely ill, perhaps already dead. The figure seen atop the city walls is merely a double, which explains why he dares not open his mouth for fear of exposure,” Guo Jia said, shaking his head.

Liu Yao frowned at these words, thinking to himself, “This Zhang Jiao seems to be the disciple of that so-called Immortal Nan Hua, who obtained the ‘Book of Peace.’ If Zhang Jiao truly possesses any sorcery, it could spell trouble.” Yet, deep down, Liu Yao did not believe in the existence of magic. He believed that men could use formations to trap armies, could observe the stars and the land to annihilate thousands—but tales of sorcery were nothing but nonsense, mere tricks to deceive the eye.

He turned to Guo Jia and asked, “Fengxiao, which possibility do you deem more likely?”

Guo Jia smiled and replied, “My lord, you are letting your concern cloud your judgment. Leaving aside whether magic exists in this world, if Zhang Jiao truly possessed such powers, how could he have suffered defeat at the hands of General Lu Zhi? Why would he now cower within Guangzong City, not daring to stir? Therefore, I believe the Zhang Jiao on the wall is most likely a fake. It is unfortunate, however, that the distance is so great. If only I could see more clearly, I would surely spot some clues.”

Liu Yao nodded in agreement, sharing Guo Jia’s view, though he felt the need to be certain. If Zhang Jiao truly wielded magic, there would be nowhere left to mourn his fate.

Liu Yao cast a mysterious smile at Guo Jia. “If you wish to see farther and clearer, I have a method.”

Guo Jia was taken aback, curiosity piqued. “My lord, what method is this?”

“Ha, no need to ask. You will know soon enough,” Liu Yao replied with a smile, then turned to his personal guard. “Pass on my order: sound the gong to withdraw the troops.”

Guo Jia rolled his eyes at Liu Yao’s words—something only Guo Jia dared to do in front of Liu Yao.

At the sound of clanging metal, Sun Jian heard the call to withdraw and, though reluctant, ordered his men to retreat.

Sun Jian brought his men before Liu Yao, dismounted, and knelt to plead, “I have failed to accomplish your task, Your Highness. Please forgive me.”

“No need,” Liu Yao leapt from his horse, raising Sun Jian up. “Wentai, there’s no need for this. Your challenge today revealed something to me. Within three days, I will have a strategy to break the enemy.”

Everyone was astonished at Liu Yao’s words. Sun Jian had accomplished nothing, so none knew what Liu Yao had discovered to inspire such confidence.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Sun Jian said, clasping his fists.

“Second brother, look—the Han army is retreating,” Zhang Liang said atop the city wall, pointing at Sun Jian.

“Hmph! If not for our own troubles, how could that brat Sun Jian act so brazenly?” Zhang Bao said bitterly, glancing at Zhang Jiao before striding toward the city’s interior. Zhang Liang shook his head helplessly and followed Zhang Bao with Zhang Jiao in tow.

After a day of fruitless effort, the group returned to camp, all eagerly awaiting Liu Yao’s plan to break the enemy in three days.

Inside Liu Yao’s main tent, he had already dismissed everyone, leaving himself alone. A faint tattoo shimmered, and an ancient tome appeared in Liu Yao’s hands.

“Ancient tome, is the design for the single-lens telescope priced at three lottery chances?” Liu Yao silently asked. His purpose this time was precisely the telescope blueprint, which he’d glimpsed by chance while reviewing the list; the price was three lottery draws, which he had.

“Yes, host. Would you like to exchange for the single-lens telescope blueprint?”

“Exchange,” Liu Yao responded inwardly.

In a flash of green light, he obtained the blueprint. The most critical aspect of the telescope was the grinding of several lenses of different specifications, which explained its modest price.

Though glass did not yet exist in this era, and Liu Yao lacked the lottery chances to exchange for it, he could use crystal instead. It would be costly, but that was no concern.

“Shi Ah,” Liu Yao called to his guard outside.

“My lord, what is your command?” Shi Ah entered the tent, bowing respectfully.

Liu Yao handed him the blueprint. “Shi Ah, seek out the most skilled craftsmen yourself. Make sure they forge what I desire within three days. Remember, let each component be made by a different person. Do you understand?” The grinding of the lenses was no trivial matter, and Liu Yao did not want the secret to leak.

Shi Ah glanced at the blueprint, quickly stowed it, answered with a firm nod, and left the tent.

Three days later, Shi Ah returned, sporting dark circles under his eyes, holding the object Liu Yao had ordered—a straight wooden rod, about one foot long, hollow inside, fitted with several sparkling pieces.

Liu Yao took the single-lens telescope and asked, “Shi Ah, did you follow my instructions?”

“My lord, I traveled through the night. Each lens was crafted by a different artisan, and the final assembly was done by others. No one could possibly know the secret,” Shi Ah replied confidently.

Liu Yao nodded with satisfaction, then strode outside, raised the telescope to his eye, and instantly, the movements within Huangfu Song’s camp seven or eight miles away were laid bare before him.

“Excellent, Shi Ah. You’ve done wonderfully,” Liu Yao said with excitement.

“Thank you, my lord,” Shi Ah replied, neither arrogant nor humble. To him, it was simply his duty.

Liu Yao then turned to his guards and said casually, “Go summon Fengxiao, Han Sheng, and the others.”

“Yes, my lord.” The four guards hurried off in different directions to deliver the orders.

Before long, Guo Jia arrived at the head of the group, with Zhang Fei and the others trailing behind.

“Heh heh, my lord, the three days are up. You promised a method last time—do you have it now?” Guo Jia approached with a playful grin.

“Of course,” Liu Yao replied with a smile. He preferred the company of Guo Jia and Zhang Fei, so free of formality, unlike Tian Feng and the others, who were too constrained.

Liu Yao drew the telescope from his sleeve and said with a smile, “Here it is.”

Guo Jia stared wide-eyed at the wooden rod in curiosity. “My lord, what is this?”

“It is called the ‘Thousand-Mile Eye.’ As the name suggests, place it before your eye and see places a thousand miles distant as if they were right before you. To be sure, a thousand miles may be an exaggeration, but seeing seven or eight miles is no trouble at all,” Liu Yao replied, smiling.

“What! Such a thing exists?” The group was astonished, but soon attributed its origin to a dream sent by the founder emperor to their lord.

“My lord, let me have a look!” Guo Jia’s playful spirit took over, and he snatched the Thousand-Mile Eye from Liu Yao, mimicking his instructions and looking toward the camp.

Suddenly, the face of a Han soldier, hideously scarred, filled Guo Jia’s vision.

“Ah!” Guo Jia cried in terror, his hand shaking as he flung the Thousand-Mile Eye away.