Chapter 106: Alliance Finalized
Zhang Zhao also received the news of Lu Su’s arrival and hurriedly headed to the Marquis of Wu’s Manor. Soon, Zhang Zhao was led into the Marquis of Wu’s Official Residence by a guard.
Zhang Zhao said urgently, “Has the Marquis of Wu received the news? Lu Su has arrived in Jiangdong under the protection of the navy.”
Sun Quan waved his hand, “Strategist, please sit!”
The Marquis of Wu’s attitude puzzled Zhang Zhao somewhat. He sat down, and Sun Quan asked indifferently, “Is the strategist still opposing our alliance with Gan Ning?”
No! Zhang Zhao jolted. He suddenly remembered that Lv Fan and Zhou Yu had come to see the Marquis of Wu today, so the Marquis of Wu must have known about Lu Su’s arrival.
Zhang Zhao immediately realized he had lost ground. Zhou Yu and Lv Fan must have persuaded the Marquis of Wu.
His mind raced, but he explained aloud, “To inform the Marquis of Wu, this subordinate has never opposed allying with Gan Ning. It was only because the opposing voices have been too strong recently that this subordinate had no choice but to ask the Marquis of Wu to temporarily hold off on the alliance to avoid greater division.”
“Now that Lu Su is here, what should we do? Send him back?”
Sun Quan remained casual, but the anger in his eyes was almost uncontainable.
“Has the Marquis of Wu already decided to ally with Gan Ning?”
“It’s not my problem now. I’ve always wanted to ally with Gan Ning. Now it’s the problem of the countless opponents, and it’s also the strategist’s problem. From firm support to now retreating, I want to know, how much money did Sun Ben give the strategist?”
Zhang Zhao’s face changed drastically, and he slowly shook his head, “This subordinate has never taken a single wen qian from Sun Ben. Why does the Marquis of Wu say this?”
“Because those opposing my alliance with Gan Ning are all supporters of Sun Ben. They all speak from Sun Ben’s standpoint. I fully understand their position, but how do you explain the strategist standing on the same side as them?”
“Does the Marquis of Wu think the opposition to the alliance was stirred up by Sun Ben?”
“What else?”
Sun Quan said coldly, “They all supported the alliance before, but after Qiao An was intercepted and captured by Sun Ben, one by one they jumped out to oppose the alliance. Did they all suddenly come to their senses at the same time? Is there such a coincidence in the world, or are so many people sharing one brain?”
Zhang Zhao let out a long sigh and said, “This subordinate’s stance was indeed not firm enough. I didn’t expect this to be stirred up by Sun Ben, but in any case, this subordinate has no relation whatsoever to Sun Ben.”
Sun Quan knew Zhang Zhao was not speaking sincerely. How could a grand strategist not know this was Sun Ben stirring trouble?
But Sun Quan did not want to pursue it further and slowly said, “I hope the strategist can stand on my side at key moments, like Lv Fan and Gongjin.”
Zhang Zhao nodded, “This subordinate fully supports allying with Gan Ning. My stance has never changed.”
“I was a bit excessive in my words just now. I also apologize to the strategist. Now Chief Clerk Lu is waiting for the strategist to negotiate with Lu Su together, first finalize the alliance terms, then after I meet with Gan Ning, we will sign them jointly.”
“This subordinate obeys the order!”
After being rebuked by Sun Quan, Zhang Zhao’s back was soaked through. Fortunately, the Marquis of Wu still needed him, or he would lose his position as strategist.
After Zhang Zhao left, Sun Quan summoned Chen Wu and slowly said to him, “I heard there are two joint letters opposing the alliance, one signed by the noble families and one by officials. Go get both joint letters for me. I want the originals!”
Chen Wu saluted and hurriedly left. Sun Quan sneered to himself, “I’ll see just how many people support Sun Ben.”
Lu Su stayed only half a day on the river surface outside Jingkou. He finalized all the details and the final alliance treaty with Lv Fan and Zhang Zhao.
There were seven clauses and forty-eight articles in total, with the last article of the seventh clause being that the lords of both sides would meet on the south bank of the Yangtze River at the border between Pengze County and Danyang Commandery, where the lords would meet and formally sign the alliance treaty.
There was also a supplementary clause on the marriage alliance. Both sides agreed to establish the alliance through marriage, but the specifics would be discussed in detail at the meeting.
Because although the marriage alliance and the alliance treaty were related, they were not actually the same thing. The marriage alliance was a continuation of the alliance, a deepening of relations brought by the alliance.
In the afternoon, Lu Su’s fleet set off back to Yuzhang Commandery.
The next morning, in the back garden of Dantu Palace, two girls were swinging leisurely on a swing frame. One was Sun Ren, the other was Xu Wei.
Xu Wei was one year older than Sun Ren. They had been playmates in their childhood, and for nearly ten years, they had been best friends.
“Yun Qing, you really don’t know what my mother means by taking you as her adopted daughter? Are you still immersed in the grief of my elder brother’s death?”
Yun Qing was Xu Wei’s style name, just like Sun Ren’s style name Shang Xiang. Family mostly called her Yun Qing.
“Pah! He’s your elder brother. You’re not sad, so you think I’d care?”
Xu Wei had spent the most relaxed months of this period. Sun Yi was dead. Even if she became a widow awaiting remarriage, she was genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart.
But at the same time, her longing for Gan Ning grew day by day. If not for lacking a reason to go to Yuzhang Commandery, she would have run off long ago.
However, early this morning, when she came to Dantu Palace, Lady Wu actually wanted to take her as her adopted daughter, which truly shocked and puzzled her.
Xu Wei glanced at Sun Ren, “You’re only telling half! Why does Second Madam want to take me as her adopted daughter?”
“Jiangdong is going to marry into an alliance with Gan Ning. My mother is taking you as her adopted daughter, then sending you to Yuzhang Commandery for the marriage.”
“Ah!” Xu Wei was greatly startled, “How do I not know anything about this.”
Sun Ren pursed her lips, “You’re very pleasantly surprised, aren’t you? You should thank me. If I hadn’t firmly refused and recommended you, it wouldn’t have been your turn.”
Unexpectedly, happiness came so suddenly that it nearly stunned Xu Wei. She suppressed her inner excitement and asked, “Why are you unwilling?”
“I don’t like him. Last time at Grand Commandant Yang’s Manor, I hated him. Do you think I’d marry a river bandit who forcibly took three hundred camp wives?”
Xu Wei sighed, “You actually took that absurd rumor seriously?”
“I know it’s an absurd rumor, but his river bandit background isn’t fake, is it!”
Xu Wei was speechless. She knew Shang Xiang had admired her eldest brother Sun Ce the most since childhood. She wanted to marry a hero like her eldest brother, and Gan Ning actually fit Shang Xiang’s requirements perfectly, but…
Influenced by the family, Shang Xiang placed too much emphasis on background. She actually looked down on Gan Ning’s origins. Alas! She would surely regret it once she matured.
“Shang Xiang, although I’m very grateful to you, this concerns my lifelong matter. Think it over carefully again! Don’t let prejudice and emotion influence you.”
Sun Shangxiang shook her head, “Do you know? Someone said he’s very much like my eldest brother, and I felt particularly repulsed. My eldest brother was such a hero—how does he deserve to be mentioned in the same breath? I hate that statement, and I hate this person.”
“Don’t blame me later for taking your marriage fate.”
“No way! You’re my best friend. I know you like him, so of course I’d give the opportunity to you. Should I give it to someone else?”
Xu Wei was moved and held Sun Shangxiang’s hand, saying, “Shang Xiang, thank you!”
Sun Shangxiang nodded lightly, “Don’t get too happy too soon. This still needs your Xu Family’s agreement. If your Xu Family opposes, there will still be twists.”
“My father won’t oppose.”
“Not your father, but the one who truly holds power in your family!”
Xu Wei also felt some unease in her heart. Last time she fled the marriage, her relationship with her grandmother had become very tense. Would grandmother agree?
