Chapter 258: Unexpected News
Cao Cao fell silent for a long time, then he sighed, “You are right, it must be for this reason. I never expected Gan Ning to be so cunning, playing us in the palm of his hand. I underestimated him.”
Cheng Yu said solemnly: “This Gan Ning is an extremely difficult opponent, even surpassing Yuan Shao. Any carelessness on our part will lead to disastrous defeat, whether in tactics or strategy.”
Cao Cao nodded lightly. Cheng Yu was right; he could not afford any more carelessness. He pondered for a moment and asked again: “Then what is Gan Ning’s intention in establishing a stronghold north of the river?”
Xun You said calmly: “It shows he has not given up on the north of the river. He has merely shifted from comprehensive defense to focused defense. Queyue City is located at the mouth of the Han River into the Yangtze River, easy to support by water routes. Additionally, it lies between Jiangxia Commandery and Nan Commandery, indicating that Gan Ning not only intends to recover Jiangxia Commandery but also plans to seize Nan Commandery when the opportunity arises.”
Xun Yu also said: “This Queyue City is key to the Chancellor’s plan to unify north of the river, and the north of the river plan in turn relates to the Chancellor’s army crossing the river for the southern campaign. It is like a poisonous thorn stabbed into our back, giving us no peace. If the Chancellor’s army rashly launches the southern campaign, I believe Queyue City will surely stir up chaos north of the river, forcing our army to withdraw. Therefore, my opinion is that before capturing Queyue City, the army should temporarily not consider the southern campaign.”
Xun Yu’s suggestion was supported by Cheng Yu and Xun You. In fact, Cao Cao also knew that Gan Ning’s purpose in garrisoning north of the river was to tie him down. In fact, Gan Ning had succeeded. Losing twenty-six thousand men in one battle made Cao Cao dare not underestimate Queyue City again.
“But what about this agreement from Jiangdong?” Cao Cao pointed to the agreement on the desk and asked.
All three had read Jiangdong’s agreement and knew the ins and outs.
Cheng Yu smiled faintly: “This agreement is waste paper to us, but it can constrain Jiangdong. Chancellor, sign it without delay.”
Cao Cao nodded. Cheng Yu was right; this agreement was a shackle that could bind Jiangdong but not him.
He signed it immediately and affixed the great seal, ordering Wang Xiu to send it back to Jiangdong overnight.
The news of the great victory at Queyue City was delivered to Chaisang the next day via carrier pigeon message. This news made Gan Ning breathe a long sigh of relief. Annihilating over twenty thousand enemies—this achievement was enough to strike terror into Cao Cao’s heart. He believed that before capturing Queyue City, Cao Cao would not dare act rashly to launch the southern campaign; more likely, he would have Sun Ben invade Jiangdong.
Autumn passed and winter came. After entering November, the weather grew colder day by day. Rivers in the north had all frozen over, and war had hit the pause button. Both sides quietly awaited the arrival of spring.
That afternoon, Gan Ning returned to the mansion and went straight to find Xu Wei.
Entering Xu Wei’s courtyard, it was very quiet. A wintersweet in the corner of the courtyard was in full bloom, emitting a faint fragrance. Several red carp in the fish pond in the courtyard had grown much larger since his last visit, their bodies plump and robust. A Taihu Lake stone also stood particularly rugged and lean.
Gan Ning spotted Xu Wei at once. She was sitting by the window in the study writing something. At that moment, the maidservant saw Gan Ning and hurriedly said: “Second Madam, the Marquis is here!”
Xu Wei was startled. She looked up and saw her husband, her delicate face immediately blooming into a smile. She set down her brush and came out to greet him. “Why has husband come?”
Gan Ning smiled: “I want the artisans to grind more crystal lenses with water crystal, but I forgot the dimensions. I remember you have records.”
“I do, with detailed records. Come with me!”
Xu Wei took her husband’s hand into the study and retrieved a folder from the bottom of the box. “This is it. Take it!”
Gan Ning smiled: “Keep this copy. Just transcribe some dimensions for me. More details need to remain confidential!”
“Alright, I’ll copy it for you!”
“No need to rush. Tomorrow is fine. Were you writing a letter?”
Gan Ning noticed what seemed to be a half-written letter spread out on the desk.
Xu Wei’s pretty face flushed red. She hurriedly explained: “I’m writing to Shang Xiang again!”
Sun Shangxiang? Gan Ning was stunned for a moment. “You two are still in contact?”
“Of course. We’ve been corresponding all along.”
“How do you send them?” Gan Ning asked, puzzled.
“Isn’t there the postal relay?”
Gan Ning then remembered that they had long established postal relays with Jiangdong. Since the last alliance, it had facilitated official and private correspondence.
Gan Ning simply sat down and smiled: “Writing letters frequently?”
“Usually once a month, but lately more often—every ten days.”
“Why?”
Xu Wei sighed. “Shang Xiang has been in a bad mood lately. Her elder brother has started arranging a marriage for her. She doesn’t want it. Her mother originally supported her, but now is also pressuring her to marry. I’m writing more letters to comfort her.”
“Who does her elder brother want her to marry?”
“It seems to be Liu Bei!”
Gan Ning’s eyes widened instantly. “Marry whom?”
“She wrote that it’s Liu Bei. I hear his wife has passed away.”
This news was momentous. Was Sun Quan planning to ally with Liu Bei?
“When did this happen?”
“About two months ago!”
“I see. This is very important. Thank you for the news.”
Gan Ning rose to leave, but Xu Wei suddenly called: “Husband…”
“What’s wrong?” Gan Ning turned back to look at her.
Xu Wei bit her lip and said softly: “I want to invite Shang Xiang to visit. Do you agree?”
Gan Ning laughed. How could that be? Sun Quan would never allow his younger sister to come to Chaisang.
Gan Ning did not point it out. He smiled and said: “No problem from me. Decide for yourself!”
Xu Wei was overjoyed. After seeing her husband off, she hurriedly sat down again to continue writing to Sun Shangxiang.
In late November, a heavy snow covered the entire land of Jiangnan.
In Dantu County, in a softly lit room in the Marquis of Wu’s Palace, Sun Shangxiang was carefully reading the letter Xu Wei had written her. She and Xu Wei were childhood friends who grew up together, as close as sisters. Although Xu Wei had defied her family’s objections, even breaking ties with them to resolutely marry Gan Ning—a man who could not even make her the main wife—Sun Shangxiang had once thought little of it. The legitimate daughter of the Xu Family, not even becoming the main wife—what meaning was there in such a marriage?
But as Xu Wei’s letters arrived one by one, Sun Shangxiang gradually came to understand Xu Wei’s happiness. That happiness overflowed from the words, that joy danced on the paper, and a trace of envy welled up deep in Sun Shangxiang’s heart.
Especially when her elder brother told her he planned to marry her to the over-fifty Liu Bei, amid her shock and anger, she finally understood some things. A woman’s greatest happiness is marrying the man she loves, not marrying status.
If she married Liu Bei, even gaining the status of main wife, would she be happy? As happy and joyful as Xu Wei?
The answer was obviously no. She did not know what to do. Her elder brother told her that come spring, Liu Bei would send someone to propose marriage. Worry, anxiety, pain—the immense pressure left Sun Shangxiang washing her face with tears all day, not knowing what to do.
But in today’s letter, at the end, Xu Wei invited her to visit Chaisang, saying her husband had agreed.
Sun Shangxiang’s heart leaped. She recalled Xu Wei’s fleeing a marriage back then. Could she also flee? Hide in Chaisang for a year or so, and Liu Bei’s marriage proposal would naturally fall through.
At this moment, Sun Shangxiang’s heart pounded with tension.
