Chapter 86: The Two Suns Divide The Family
Governor Zhou also had to set aside the matter of Taishi Ci and bowed again, saying: “The scouts I dispatched discovered that a few days ago, a large number of military ships fully loaded with supplies arrived at Shouchun, transporting a total of three batches of supplies, each time with over a thousand military ships. Clearly, Cao Cao is supporting Sun Ben.”
“The fleet came from the Central Plains?”
“Exactly!”
Sun Quan’s gaze grew solemn. The dispute with Gan Ning was merely the gain or loss of one city and one land, but if Sun Ben turned against him, it would mean life or death.
“We must take back Danyang Commandery as soon as possible!”
Sun Ben controlling Danyang Commandery had always been Sun Quan’s heart ailment. Danyang Commandery was not like the commanderies north of the river, separated by the Yangtze River. If the commanderies north of the river were Jiangdong’s outer garment, then Danyang Commandery was the flesh and blood of Wu Commandery, seamlessly connected to it. From any place there, one could easily kill into Wu Commandery, leaving Sun Quan completely unable to defend against it.
Governor Zhou suggested: “Reporting to Marquis of Wu, the best approach right now is for us to launch a proactive attack, kill into Danyang Commandery, catch Sun Ben’s army off guard, and thoroughly drive him out of Danyang Commandery. Otherwise, Sun Ben will never voluntarily give up Danyang Commandery.”
Sun Quan also knew that striking first gives the advantage, but he was not yet prepared to completely turn against Sun Ben—or rather, turning against Sun Ben would come at too great a cost, one he could not bear.
After a long pause, Sun Quan said: “Let me think about it some more!”
Governor Zhou sighed inwardly, bowed, and said: “This subordinate bids farewell first!”
At that moment, a guard reported from below the hall: “Reporting to Lord, Strategist Zhang has arrived!”
“Summon him in at once!”
Sun Quan said to Governor Zhou again: “Gongjin, no need to leave in a hurry. Let’s hear the strategist’s opinion.”
Governor Zhou silently stood to one side.
Soon, Zhang Zhao walked in, bowed in salute: “Greetings, Lord!”
Sun Quan said with deep worry: “Earlier, Governor Zhou brought me important news: Cao Cao has sent thousands of ships of money and grain supplies to Sun Ben and begun supporting him. I am now very worried about Danyang Commandery. Governor Zhou advised me to strike first and take Danyang Commandery. What does the strategist think?”
Zhang Zhao said slowly: “Danyang County must be taken, but the timing is not right now.”
Governor Zhou nearby could not help but ask: “What does the strategist mean by the timing not being right?”
Zhang Zhao sighed and said: “Governor Zhou may not know yet: Cao Ren has already led 50,000 army south to Guangling Commandery, and Le Jin has led 5,000 vanguard troops who have arrived at Huaiyin County.”
Governor Zhou’s heart sank. He knew Cao Cao would not sit idly by while they captured Guangling Commandery. Cao Cao had ordered Cao Ren to lead the army to garrison Xuzhou, ready to move south at any time, and now they had indeed come.
Governor Zhou immediately said to Sun Quan: “Marquis of Wu, Guangling Commandery only has Xu Kun’s 20,000 army, which probably cannot hold off the ferocious Cao army.”
Zhang Zhao continued: “The timing not being right is precisely this: With Cao Cao’s army moving south, this is no time to start a civil war. Moreover, there must be a connection between the Cao army moving south and Cao Cao supporting Sun Ben. This subordinate suggests that Marquis of Wu not rush to decide and observe the situation for now.”
Sun Quan nodded and immediately said to Governor Zhou: “Gongjin, you may head to Jingkou at once. If the situation in Guangling Commandery becomes critical, you can bring Xu Kun’s army across the Yangtze River.”
“Understood!” Governor Zhou hurried off.
Watching Governor Zhou leave, Zhang Zhao then said quietly to Sun Quan: “Lord, prepare for the worst: divide the river and rule with Sun Ben.”
Sun Quan was startled: “Is it that serious?”
Zhang Zhao nodded: “Cao Cao won a great victory in the Battle of Guandu, and taking Hebei is just a matter of time. Cao Cao is now starting to move against the south. Sun Ben is part of his plan; he uses Sun Ben to tie us down. His real targets are Liu Bei and Liu Biao to the west. At this time, Lord must focus inward, take Danyang Commandery as soon as possible, so we have iron ore resources to smelt iron and expand the army.”
One very important reason Sun Quan was eager to take back Danyang Commandery was its iron ore. Although Kuaiji Commandery had some iron ore, the quantity was too small; the main iron ore production area was still Danyang Commandery.
“Does the strategist have a way to take back Danyang Commandery?”
Zhang Zhao pondered for a moment and said: “Observe for now! I estimate Cao Cao’s side will soon have arrangements.”
Cao Cao’s 50,000 army advanced unstoppable, and three days later, the vanguard arrived at Gaoyou County. The county chief opened the city gates to welcome the Cao army. Guangling Commandery was originally Cao Cao’s base; Jiangdong had only seized it during Li Shu’s rebellion. Guangling Commandery connected the Yangtze River and the Huai River, directly threatening Xuzhou, so Cao Cao certainly would not give Guangling Commandery to Jiangdong.
Gaoyou County was only over a hundred li from Guangling County. Currently, Guangling County only had Xu Kun’s 20,000 army, unable to resist 50,000 elite Cao army moving south. The situation was critical, so Sun Quan immediately ordered Xu Kun to withdraw his army to Jiangnan.
Guangling Commandery was clearly untenable. Sun Quan did not want to lose 20,000 army as well and could only cut losses in time by abandoning Guangling Commandery.
Xu Kun’s 20,000 army had just withdrawn when Cao Ren led 50,000 army to kill into Guangling County. County Magistrate Song Kuan led the army and citizens to open the city and surrender.
At the same time, Jia Xu arrived at Shouchun and met Sun Ben again.
The two sat in the military yamen main hall. Sun Ben said very humbly: “Cao Gong’s support is engraved on my heart. Please convey to Cao Gong that Sun Ben is willing to go through fire and water for him, without hesitation!”
Jia Xu waved his hand with a smile: “Cao Gong is fully focused on seizing Hebei and Hedong and has no time for Jiangdong for now, so Cao Gong needs to support a force loyal to him. Originally, we considered supporting Gan Ning, but Gan Ning is unruly and has repeatedly disrupted Cao Cao’s overall plans. Cao Gong is disappointed in him; sealing his nobility title was just fulfilling a prior promise—there will be no more in the future.”
“In contrast, General Sun is Cao Gong’s relative by marriage. Cao Gong hopes General Sun can become the lord of Jiangdong. I told you this when I was in Nanchang: now Cao Gong is providing substantial support, but the premise is that General Sun must unswervingly obey Cao Gong’s strategic deployment. Can General Sun do that?”
Sun Ben was deeply moved and said emotionally: “Cao Gong treats me as one of his own; how could I not repay the kindness!”
Jia Xu nodded: “General Cao Ren has already taken Guangling Commandery. Cao Gong has decided to split Guangling Commandery: south of the Huai River remains Guangling Commandery, while north of the Huai River merges with Xiapi County to form Xiapi Commandery. The new Guangling Commandery is given to you.”
Sun Ben was overjoyed. He had wanted Guangling Commandery before but did not get it; now Cao Cao was giving it to him.
“Cao Gong’s great favor—Sun Ben is endlessly grateful!”
Jia Xu said slowly again: “Cao Gong also needs to appease Sun Quan, so Cao Gong considers using Danyang Commandery to exchange Lujiang Commandery for you. Prepare to withdraw your army from Danyang Commandery!”
Sun Ben was truly unwilling in his heart. Danyang Commandery was his old base; as early as Liu Yao’s time, he was Danyang Commandant and controlled Danyang Commandery. Later, he reached an agreement with Sun Ce: Sun Ce exchanged Yuzhang Commandery and Luling Commandery for his Danyang Commandery. It was only because Yuzhang Commandery had a large population and rich resources that Sun Ben reluctantly agreed.
But now, Lujiang Commandery’s population had almost all been looted. Exchanging Danyang Commandery for Lujiang Commandery was simply too unfair to him.
Jia Xu stared at him sharply: “This is Cao Gong’s decision—do you think it’s my idea?”
Helpless, Sun Ben could only sigh and say: “Since it’s Cao Gong’s arrangement, I naturally obey, but I have three small conditions.”
“Speak!”
“First, my son Sun An must return to my side. He no longer needs to be a hostage.”
“Agreed!”
Jia Xu agreed immediately and said: “Continue with the second condition.”
“The second condition is that I hope the Imperial Court can seal me as County Marquis!”
Gan Ning had been sealed as Marquis of Wuchang County in just one year, which greatly dissatisfied Sun Ben. He had struggled until now to be only a Town Marquis, and he felt extremely unbalanced.
“Is the general dissatisfied with Gan Ning being sealed as County Marquis?”
“Exactly right. I have dominated Jianghuai for nearly ten years, yet I am only a Town Marquis, not even a Township Marquis. Why can Gan Ning get sealed as County Marquis in one year? I refuse to accept it!”
Jia Xu said indifferently: “Gan Ning being sealed as County Marquis naturally has its reasons. If General Sun wants to be sealed as County Marquis, you need to show results to let Cao Gong see your ability.”
“What do I need to do?”
“I don’t know, but at least you need to defeat Gan Ning—that’s the minimum requirement. For example, Lujiang Commandery still has a piece of land in Gan Ning’s hands. Cao Gong cannot help you with this; you must resolve it yourself.”
Sun Ben nodded silently.
Jia Xu said again: “Now, your third condition!”
“This subordinate’s third condition is that Lujiang Commandery has too few people. I hope to migrate some population from the north to Lujiang Commandery.”
What a coincidence: Runan Commandery had a great disaster this year, with over 100,000 citizens fleeing to Xuzhou for food, giving Lord a massive headache. Migrating these 100,000 citizens to Lujiang Commandery would be perfect.
Jia Xu nodded: “These two conditions are not too much; I can agree on Lord’s behalf.”
Sun Ben bowed and said: “I await the strategist’s arrangements at any time!”
