Chapter 85: Preparing For A Rainy Day
After Gongsun Zan was destroyed by Yuan Shao last year, Zhao Yun left Youzhou and headed south, which is this year; he will appear in southern Hebei or the Central Plains area.
Historically, Zhao Yun should have pledged loyalty to Liu Bei in Yecheng at this time, which is when Liu Bei was struck by Cao Cao’s surprise attack, his wife left and brothers scattered, Liu Bei fled to seek refuge with Yuan Shao, and Guan Yu surrendered to the Han but not to Cao.
But due to Li Shu fleeing north and changing the course of history, Liu Bei was persuaded by Li Shu to develop in the South, arriving in Xinye a year early, thus missing Zhao Yun.
It is unknown where Zhao Yun will be, whether he will join Cao Cao, or go to Xinye to find Liu Bei.
Gan Ning hopes to intercept Zhao Yun before Liu Bei does.
Wang Xiaoman still shook his head, “This subordinate inquired everywhere in Xuchang, and many people know that Zhao Yun is a fierce general under Gongsun Zan, but no one has seen this great general.”
Gan Ning also knew that in the vast sea of people, it was hard to find him, and they could only rely on chance encounters.
“You go and rest well! In a few days, I will assign you another mission. The matter of Sun Yi must not be told to anyone, not even your elder brother!”
“This subordinate understands. Please rest assured, my lord!”
Wang Xiaoman gave a salute and then took his leave.
……….
After Wang Xiaoman left, Gan Ning pondered Zhao Yun’s whereabouts for a moment but got nowhere, so he temporarily gave up on the idea, and his thoughts returned to Jiangdong.
Gan Ning paced back and forth in the official residence with his hands behind his back. Now things in Jiangdong had temporarily calmed down, and Sun Quan was vigorously consolidating his position, so he would not consider Yuzhang Commandery for several years.
But what was truly worth paying attention to was Sun Ben. With Sun Yi dead, Sun Ben could not possibly have no reaction; sometimes, no reaction itself is a reaction, indicating he was fully focused on doing something.
Gan Ning had a strong intuition that Sun Ben was also actively preparing for war to stir up trouble, not necessarily this year but more likely next year, and not necessarily targeting him, but rather Jiangdong.
Over these two months, Gan Ning had gradually seen through Sun Ben’s layout during the Li Shu rebellion. Sun Ben clearly wanted to use Li Shu’s hand to capture Jiujiang Commandery and Guangling Commandery, then send troops to pacify the Li Shu rebellion, simultaneously seizing Jiujiang Commandery and Guangling Commandery, gaining both fame and profit, and finally swallowing Lujiang Commandery, putting the three commanderies north of the river and Danyang Commandery in his hands.
After failing to seize power directly, Sun Ben switched to another method to seize control of Jiangdong. Once he succeeded, he would occupy four of the six commanderies in Jiangdong, leaving Sun Quan with only Wu Commandery and Kuaiji Commandery.
Unfortunately, plans do not keep up with changes. Sun Ben did not expect Huang Zu to intervene and seize Lujiang Commandery first, nor did he anticipate Sun Quan’s quick reaction, decisively sending troops to Guangling Commandery, swiftly defeating Li Shu, and occupying Guangling Commandery, foiling Sun Ben’s plan to occupy the three commanderies north of the river, and in the end, he only got Jiujiang Commandery.
Gan Ning believed that Sun Ben would absolutely not be content; he would surely continue his plan to nibble away at Jiangdong. It was just unknown where his next attack direction would be—Guangling Commandery or Lujiang Commandery?
Gan Ning actually hoped that Sun Ben’s plan would succeed and that Sun Ben and Sun Quan would completely fall out. That way, he could seize Lujiang Commandery from Sun Ben, and Sun Quan would have nothing to say.
Time reached August, the autumn tiger was nearing its end, and after White Dew, the weather began to cool, with autumn intent growing stronger.
Huang Zu and Gan Ning ultimately reached an agreement, fully accepting the three conditions proposed by Gan Ning: acknowledging Wuchang Commandery, promising never to attack Wuchang Commandery and Xunyang County, and promising not to obstruct normal civilian travel and trade.
Gan Ning also released Huang She and Huang Zu’s family members back to Jiangxia Commandery, temporarily ending the conflict with Huang Zu. Additionally, Liu Biao paid 30,000 guan to redeem Liu Hu; he had no dealings with Gan Ning, so he directly ransomed him with money.
This morning, Jiang Wan and Lu Su were reporting government affairs to Gan Ning. With the war ceased, Gan Ning’s attention gradually shifted to internal administration.
Internal administration mainly concerned the economy: salt and iron, grain, taxes, minting coins—these were the four main aspects. Of course, Gan Ning was also very concerned about the production of tung oil and pine resin oil.
Jiang Wan reported unhurriedly: “Our salt mainly comes from two sources: twenty percent from Bashu well salt, seventy percent from sea salt, mainly from Guangling Commandery, and additionally, our Luling also produces mine salt, currently accounting for ten percent of our market. But that was the situation when Tong Zhi controlled Luling. Now the government office is increasing mine salt production, striving to achieve salt self-sufficiency within three years, so we are not choked by outsiders.”
Gan Ning nodded and said: “Jianghuai sea salt is currently mainly controlled by the Chen family in Xiapi. We have a good relationship with the Chen family through Chen Mu, and they can supply us in full quantity at low prices. But the salt profit is huge, and Cao Cao will absolutely not sit idly by while Guangling Commandery is taken by Jiangdong. I estimate Cao Cao will support Sun Ben to control Guangling Commandery.
And we are beyond our reach. Once Sun Ben controls Guangling Commandery, he will surely seize the salt industry. With Cao Cao’s support behind him, the Chen family’s salt industry will be hard to preserve, and then we will be in trouble. Sun Ben will absolutely not supply us with salt anymore, so we must accelerate our own mine salt production and break free from dependence on Jianghuai sea salt.”
Beside him, Lu Su also said: “My lord’s analysis is very accurate. Once Sun Ben controls Jianghuai salt, he will not only embargo us but also embargo Huang Zu and Liu Biao. At that time, Liu Biao will surely increase purchases of salt from Shuzhong, thereby squeezing out our share. This is a chain reaction of one giving birth to two, two giving birth to three. Increasing salt production is imminent. This subordinate suggests establishing salt households and setting up a Salt Office, specifically responsible for mining mine salt.”
Gan Ning nodded, “Agree to establish the Salt Office and salt households. Additionally, the mines in Xia Zhi County must be restored as soon as possible. Huang Zu will be honest for at most two or three years. If Liu Biao supports him from behind, he might not even need two years to recover his strength. He will not be content to lose the mineral resources of Xia Zhi and will still contend with us.”
Xia Zhi County under Wuchang Commandery is this year’s Daye. Since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it has been rich in gold, silver, and copper and iron, especially copper, which has long been famous.
Gan Ning only later realized the importance of Xia Zhi County; it directly relates to Huang Zu’s rise and fall. How could he possibly give it up?
Jiang Wan hurriedly said: “Mining has already resumed, and miners from various places have been returning one after another.”
Gan Ning said happily: “When I have time, I want to inspect the mining area!”
In the Marquis of Wu’s Manor in Wu Commandery, Sun Quan gazed darkly at the official seal on the table, his face looking extremely unpleasant.
This was the official seal of Taishi Ci sent by the County Chief of Taimo County, along with a letter of resignation from him.
Beside him, Zhou Yu was also quite regretful. He had originally planned to plead for Taishi Ci after some time and transfer him back, but he did not expect Taishi Ci to be personally poached by Gan Ning from Taimo County in despair.
Zhou Yu truly felt heartbroken. Others might not know, but he knew Taishi Ci’s value. However, earlier he had no way to plead for Taishi Ci. Taishi Ci had angered the Jiangdong Group over the Northern Expedition matter and was framed by Sun Ben, bearing the charge of condoning Li Shu’s rebellion.
To appease the Jiangdong Group and Sun Ben, the Marquis of Wu demoted him to County Commandant of Taimo County. It was said that his son also died in Taimo County, so Taishi Ci was so despairing.
Zhou Yu could only sigh deeply in his heart; it could only be said to be Heaven’s Will!
Sun Quan smashed his fist hard on the table, “Gan Ning actually went to Taimo County, and we missed the opportunity to capture him. The Taimo County Chief deserves to die. Pass my order: dismiss County Chief Li Changkuo on the spot and escort him back to Wu County for investigation!”
Zhou Yu was stunned. So the Marquis of Wu was angry not about Taishi Ci’s resignation, but about Gan Ning coming to Kuaiji Commandery without being caught, missing the opportunity.
Zhou Yu shook his head inwardly. People say the Marquis of Wu is good at recognizing talent, but this statement is not entirely correct. At least in the matter of Taishi Ci, the Marquis of Wu lost points.
Sun Quan was the lord; what he considered was not the gain or loss of one great general, but interests from all sides. Compared to Taishi Ci’s martial arts and command ability, the support of the Jiangdong noble families was evidently more important.
How could Sun Quan not know that Sun Ben had framed Taishi Ci? But he still unhesitatingly demoted Taishi Ci to Taimo County. From that moment, he could no longer reuse Taishi Ci.
Historically, Sun Quan kept Taishi Ci on ice in Haihun County for a long time, burying a bright pearl, and only after Taishi Ci died of illness did he hypocritically adopt his son.
Taishi Ci was a beloved general of Sun Ce and an active advocate of the Northern Expedition. How could Sun Quan use him?
Sun Quan waved his hand, “Let Taishi Ci go if he wants to! Ignore him. Governor, continue talking about the matter of Sun Ben.”
