Chapter 103: Unexpected Capture
With the support of the Cao Army, Sun Ben formed a suppression over Jiangdong, making everyone in Jiangdong, from the Marquis of Wu down to the soldiers, feel doubly humiliated. A unified voice had already formed within Jiangdong, which was the Northern Expedition to reclaim the three commanderies north of the river.
In this context, Gan Ning’s proposed alliance received unanimous approval within Jiangdong.
Soon, Zhang Zhao replied to Marquis of Wu Sun Quan with the opinions of the hundred officials; everyone unanimously agreed to ally with Gan Ning.
“Reporting to the Marquis of Wu, this time everyone approves of allying with Gan Ning, including the military. Everyone unanimously believes that reclaiming the three commanderies north of the river is our top priority for the next few years. Allying with Gan Ning means we will have no worries on our rear.”
“What is Chief Clerk Lu’s opinion?” Sun Quan asked again.
Zhang Zhao shook his head. “His dissatisfaction with Gan Ning is merely his personal emotion; he cannot bring such personal emotion into state affairs. This time, he also agrees to form an alliance on the basis of the Wanshui River as the boundary. Additionally, Chief Clerk Lu raised an issue regarding the ownership of Wankou.”
Sun Quan said somewhat displeased, “Wankou is on the west bank of the Wanshui River; there is nothing controversial about it. Tell him not to raise extraneous issues.”
“This subordinate thinks the same. Although losing Wankou, we can still build Zongyang County in the future, or establish a new county in Danyang Commandery on the south bank of Wankou; it is actually the same.”
Sun Quan nodded. “That works too. Are there any other opinions?”
“There is also the matter of Yu Fan proposing a marriage alliance.”
“Marriage alliance?”
Sun Quan was stunned for a moment; he had not thought of this issue.
He pondered for a moment and asked, “What are the others’ opinions?”
Zhang Zhao shook his head. “Some approve, some disapprove. Zhou Yu and Gu Yong approve, but Chief Clerk Lu opposes. In fact, this subordinate also opposes the marriage alliance.”
“Why?”
Zhang Zhao said indifferently, “Unless the Marquis of Wu truly gives up on Yuzhang Commandery and completely abandons Jingzhou, then a marriage alliance is possible. If the Marquis of Wu still has great ambitions, I believe it is better not to proceed with the marriage alliance.”
“Does the strategist mean that this alliance is actually just an expedient measure?”
Zhang Zhao nodded. “Whether for us or for Gan Ning, this alliance is actually just an expedient measure. Gan Ning wants to advance westward, and we want the Northern Expedition, so both sides have a need for an alliance. Once we take the three commanderies north of the river, does the Marquis of Wu no longer wish to reclaim Yuzhang Commandery?”
Sun Quan paced a few steps with his hands behind his back. Zhang Zhao further reinforced his view. “This subordinate believes that this alliance is essentially just a temporary alliance of mutual benefit; the two sides will eventually fall out, so a marriage alliance is not advisable.”
Sun Quan nodded lightly. “I understand. I will consider it comprehensively.”
Although Zhang Zhao opposed the marriage alliance, high officials such as Zhou Yu, Yu Fan, and Gu Yong all approved it. Sun Quan also needed to consider the opinions of other high officials and weigh it himself.
Sun Quan immediately said, “Please ask Strategist Zhang to produce a detailed plan and specifics for the alliance. I want to talk with the envoy.”
In the afternoon, Sun Quan received Qiao An. In the Marquis of Wu’s Manor, Sun Quan sat on the upper steps, while Qiao An sat below the steps, forming a superior and subordinate posture that highlighted Sun Quan’s status as ruler of the state.
“On this envoy mission to Jiangdong, does Envoy Sun have authorization to directly reach an alliance agreement with Jiangdong?”
Qiao An shook his head. “I am merely the envoy, putting forward the intention to ally. There are still many details to discuss for the alliance. If possible, the Marquis of Wu could meet with my lord patriarch in person and sit down to talk it over.”
Sun Quan said delightedly, “I look forward to sitting with General Gan to discuss major affairs of the world.”
Qiao An took the opportunity to ask, “May I ask the Marquis of Wu, is it possible for the two sides to reach a marriage alliance?”
Sun Quan smiled faintly. “Is this General Gan’s intention?”
“This is the common expectation of General Gan’s subordinates.”
Sun Quan nodded. “I understand. When I meet with General Gan, we can discuss this in detail.”
After the audience ended, the remaining matter was to settle the meeting place for the two lords.
Sun Quan hurried to Dantu Palace to see his mother Lady Wu. Sun Quan was making two preparations; if a marriage alliance was truly necessary, he needed to make the decision on the spot, so he must first obtain his mother’s consent.
The marriage alliance would naturally be Sun Quan’s younger sister Sun Ren. Although Sun Ren was only twelve years old, they could become betrothed first and marry when she reached the age.
Just like the marriage alliance between Sun Ben and Cao Cao: when the two sides decided on the marriage alliance, Cao Zhang was only nine, and Sun Ben’s daughter was only six; marriage was of course not feasible then, so they became betrothed first and married later.
Hearing her son’s intention, Lady Wu sighed and said, “I asked your younger sister, and she does not like Gan Ning; she is firmly unwilling to marry Gan Ning.”
Sun Quan was stunned. “Has Shang Xiang met Gan Ning?”
“She met Gan Ning once at Grand Commandant Yang’s Manor in Xuchang. She has a very poor impression of Gan Ning. She said that Xu Wei quite likes Gan Ning. Quan’er, you should consider it! If possible, let Xu Wei go in Shang Xiang’s place for the marriage alliance.”
Lady Wu doted extremely on her daughter and would absolutely not marry her daughter to a man she disliked, even if he were a prince.
Since her daughter had mentioned Xu Wei, and the Xu Family had extremely deep ties with the Sun Family, Lady Wu naturally thought of having Xu Wei stand in for her daughter in the marriage alliance.
Sun Quan felt a stir in his heart. If they used a daughter of the Xu Family for the marriage alliance, then in the future when he tore up the alliance treaty to attack Yuzhang Commandery, there would be far less trouble, without needing to consider his younger sister’s feelings. This was indeed a perfect solution.
Moreover, if examined closely, it was not impossible. Han Dynasty princesses sent in marriage were almost all daughters of imperial relatives; the Son of Heaven could simply bestow the title of princess upon her.
“This son understands. The main point is that this son considers a marriage alliance a necessary means for the two states allying, besides signing the alliance treaty. This son came to see Mother to solicit Mother’s opinion. If Mother decides to have Xu Wei for the marriage alliance, then this son beseeches Mother to recognize Xu Wei as an adopted daughter, so that it would be legally proper.”
Lady Wu nodded. “If we truly decide on the marriage alliance, I can take her as an adopted daughter.”
Xu Wei was not the biological granddaughter of Xu Zhen’s wife Madam Sun. Despite the difference in seniority, as long as there was no blood relation, it was not improper for Lady Wu to recognize her as an adopted daughter.
Next was to decide the meeting place for the two lords. Before Qiao An came, Gan Ning had also agreed to a meeting between the two lords; only the meeting place needed to be negotiated.
Zhang Zhao proposed a plan: to meet on the Yangtze River at the border between Yuzhang Commandery and Danyang Commandery.
Zhang Zhao also drafted an alliance draft based on both sides’ respective demands.
Qiao An of course could not make the decision himself, so he took the alliance terms drafted by Jiangdong back to Yuzhang Commandery.
A thousand-stone passenger ship was sailing on the river surface, followed by a mengchong warship—this was a Yuzhang Commandery warship escorting Qiao An back.
Qiao An stood at the bow, tensely watching the northern river surface. He could see more than a dozen doujian closely watching him from the north; those were Sun Ben’s warships.
“Lord Qiao, there are also Sun Ben’s warships to the south!” a subordinate shouted.
Qiao An turned his head and saw more than a dozen mengchong warships appearing to the south, flying Sun Ben’s banners.
Qiao An’s face turned ghastly pale. Every move he made in Jiangdong was known to Sun Ben, who had already lain in ambush here waiting for him.
Qiao An turned and returned to the cabin, stuffing Jiangdong’s alliance draft and Sun Quan’s personal letter into a sharkskin bag, and handed it to one of his subordinates who was an excellent swimmer.
“Jump into the water and escape immediately. You must deliver this bag to the lord.”
The subordinate hurriedly took off his outer clothes, put on water armor, and tucked the bag securely against his body.
“Lord Qiao, our ship is fighting with theirs.” The boatman shouted from outside.
“Go quickly!”
The subordinate ran to the stern and slipped into the water from the edge of the cabin.
Qiao An watched his subordinate disappear into the southern waves. It seemed the enemy had not noticed anyone escaping, and he breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The fierce battle behind stopped. The Yuzhang Army’s escort warships were captured by the enemy army. At this time, more than a dozen mengchong warships surrounded Qiao An’s ship.
Qiao An instructed the boatman, “Do not resist; do as they demand!”
The boatman had no choice but to turn the bow and head toward Liyang County under the escort of more than a dozen mengchong warships.
