Chapter 114: News Of Disenrollment
Both sides took their seats as host and guest, and there were subtle differences in the seating arrangement. At Sun Ben’s place, Jia Xu sat face-to-face with Sun Ben in front of the desk, and even Sun Ben had to bow and scrape to Jia Xu.
But it was not like that at Gan Ning’s place. Gan Ning sat in the host’s seat at the head, Jia Xu sat in the seat on the right of the lower head, Lu Su and Jiang Wan sat in the seats on the left of the lower head. The reason Gan Ning was different from Sun Ben was the difference between being a dog and being a man.
Jia Xu cupped his fists and smiled, “First, let me report one thing to General Gan. Sun Ben sent his son Sun An as envoy to Xuchang, hoping Minister of Works Cao would send troops to attack Wan County, but Minister of Works Cao refused. I can represent Minister of Works Cao in promising General Gan that within three years, the Cao Army will not cross the Wanshui River by a single step.”
Gan Ning said indifferently, “So the answer is Changsha Commandery?”
Jia Xu stroked his scorched yellow goatee and smiled faintly, “General Gan is indeed straightforward. That’s exactly right. Minister of Works Cao hopes General Gan will tie down Liu Biao for him. Changsha Commandery is a very good entry point, a place Liu Biao must save. Once General Gan takes Changsha Commandery, it will border Nan Commandery, and Liu Biao will have no mind for the Northern Expedition.”
Gan Ning laughed, “It is said that when Minister of Works Cao and Imperial Uncle Liu were drinking wine made from green plums and evaluating the heroes of the world, he once described Liu Jingsheng as a dog guarding the door. Why is he worried about Liu Biao’s Northern Expedition now?”
Jia Xu gave a wry smile and said, “The problem lies with this Imperial Uncle Liu. He is very good at seizing opportunities. If he were not in Jingzhou, we would not worry about Liu Biao at all. But since he went to Jingzhou, he will persuade Liu Biao to launch the Northern Expedition. Plus, Liu Biao is a man of weak will, easily swayed by others, so Minister of Works Cao is worried that Liu Biao will launch the Northern Expedition under Liu Bei’s instigation.”
Gan Ning nodded, “I understand. But if I tie down Liu Biao for Minister of Works Cao, what benefit do I get?”
Jia Xu smiled faintly, “Same old rules. No matter which commandery General Gan takes, the Imperial Court will recognize it.”
Gan Ning quickly glanced at Lu Su. Lu Su understood and said slowly, “Add one more thing! My lord’s appointments, whether civil or military officials, I hope the Imperial Court will recognize them all.”
Jia Xu thought for a moment and said, “If they are appointments within the normal scope, there should be no big problem, but they need to follow the normal process of providing information to the Imperial Court. Do you understand what I mean? It’s not that General Gan hands over a list and the Imperial Court must comply. It must be handled according to the Imperial Court’s rules.”
Lu Su certainly understood that complete personnel information on the officials needed to be provided. Of course, the Imperial Court would definitely approve, but the Imperial Court wanted this face-saving measure, pretending to review it.
Lu Su nodded, “That’s completely fine!”
Jia Xu rose slightly and said, “If there is nothing else, I hope our cooperation goes well.”
“Let me add one last thing.”
Gan Ning reminded, “I hope Minister of Works Cao can curb Sun Ben’s impulse to attack Wan County, so we have no worries at our back.”
Jia Xu smiled faintly, “Please rest assured, General. I am responsible for being stationed in Jianghuai. I guarantee I will curb his impulse.”
Jia Xu did not stay long and returned to Guangling Commandery by boat that same day. He was stationed in Guangling County, fully responsible for the liaison and arrangements for Cao Cao’s strategy in Jianghuai.
In the evening, Gan Ning also returned to the manor. As soon as he arrived in the manor, Da Qiao came up and said, “The Xu Family sent a letter for husband.”
Gan Ning nodded, “I’ll take a good look at it tonight.”
Da Qiao hesitated and then said, “Husband, go see Younger Sister Xu! She has been crying all afternoon.”
Gan Ning was startled, “What happened to her?”
“I don’t know what the messenger said to her, but as soon as she returned to her room, she burst into tears. I tried to console her, but it was no use.”
“Alright! I’ll go see her.”
Gan Ning arrived at the small courtyard where Xu Wei lived and saw Qin Yan in the courtyard. Gan Ning gave her an inquiring look with his eyes.
Qin Yan whispered to Gan Ning, “The Old Madam went too far. She actually expelled Miss from the family.”
So that’s how it was. Gan Ning understood, no wonder she was so upset.
He came to the door of Xu Wei’s living room and saw Xu Wei with red eyes, sitting in front of the window in a daze.
At this moment, Xu Wei saw Gan Ning. She suddenly rushed over, threw herself into his arms, hugged him tightly, and tears silently flowed out again.
Gan Ning gently held her. The historical Madam Xu was very strong and resourceful. After Sun Yi’s death, she single-handedly eliminated the bandit gang that coveted her beauty.
She was at most seventeen or eighteen years old then!
“Grandmother removed me… removed me from the family register.” Xu Wei sobbed.
“It doesn’t matter. The sky won’t fall. I was driven out of the family long ago, but I’m living just fine, aren’t I?”
Xu Wei looked up, her eyes red and swollen like peaches, and sobbed, “General was also expelled from the family?”
Gan Ning nodded, “That was a few years ago. I participated in the rebellion against Liu Zhang. The rebellion failed, I was wanted by the government office, and the family publicly announced that they drove me out of the Gan family. My parents and brothers cut ties with me.”
“But… why is Grandmother so heartless? She always loved me so much.”
“This is just her way of forcing you to go back and admit your mistake. As long as you go back, kowtow and admit your wrong, and promise not to elope again, and agree to their arranged marriage, you can re-enter the family.”
Xu Wei thought for a moment and gently shook her head, “If that’s the case, I won’t do it. I’d rather not be the Xu Family’s daughter.”
“You’re wrong. You are your father’s daughter. The Xu Family can expel you from the family register, but they can’t sever your father-daughter relationship. I believe your father is equally dissatisfied.”
“General is right. Father would never abandon me.”
Although Xu Wei had calmed down, she still nestled in Gan Ning’s arms. Gan Ning lowered his head and gently kissed her smooth forehead. She suddenly realized, immediately shy beyond measure and tried to pull away, but Gan Ning did not let go.
Xu Wei’s bright big eyes secretly glanced at Gan Ning. Her heart was like a little deer pounding, but she finally mustered the courage to gently press her pretty face to his chest again, continuing to nestle in his arms, unwilling to leave. At this moment, her beloved man’s broad chest gave her so much support.
“Feeling better now?” Gan Ning laughed.
Xu Wei nodded gently, “Mm, much better!”
At this time, Da Qiao called from the courtyard gate, “Husband, Yun Qing, time to eat.”
“You call her Yun Qing?”
“Yes! Her courtesy name is Yun Qing. Didn’t you know?”
“This is the first time I’ve heard it. I thought women only have names and no courtesy names.”
Xu Wei gave him a white look, “Who said that? Sun Ren and Sun Shangxiang, don’t you know them!”
“Oh! I forgot about her.”
Gan Ning took her hand and laughed, “Let’s go eat.”
Xu Wei did not pull her hand away from Gan Ning’s and followed him, but before entering the dining hall, she quietly drew her hand out. She temporarily did not want the Qiao sisters to see, especially Xiao Qiao, who would be angry.
Xu Wei sat down in the dining hall. Xiao Qiao sat beside her and comforted, “What’s the big deal! We only sacrifice to father for ancestor worship, never inquire about other ancestors, and have never sacrificed to them. Elder Sister, right?”
Da Qiao had also learned the situation from Qin Yan earlier. She smiled, “Yun Qing, Xiao Qiao is right. Once we women marry, the family removes our names. It’s just a matter of early or late.”
“Thank you, Xiao Qiao. Thank you, Elder Sister. I’m fine now. I’ve thought it through. The family doesn’t want me, but as long as father does, that’s enough.”
Da Qiao laughed, “Exactly! Your father won’t abandon you. Think positively. Let’s eat first!”
Xu Wei began to eat silently. Gan Ning and the Qiao sisters’ concern for her made her feel the warmth of home. The family expulsion that had caused her extreme pain that afternoon suddenly felt distant, as if it was no big deal. That night, she would write a letter to her father asking for his support.
