Chapter 117: Envoy Xu Jing
Time flew by, and it was already late August. The Mid-Autumn Festival had passed, and the weather was gradually turning cool. After several months of war preparation, Gan Ning was fully prepared.
Gan Ning secretly transferred Taishi Ci’s army to Nanchang County and ordered Shen Mi’s troops to garrison Wan County. Taishi Ci’s army began a ten-day holiday, the final step before war, allowing the soldiers to take leave and briefly reunite with their families.
Large amounts of grain and fodder and military supplies had been secretly transported in advance to Yichun County, but not into the county town; instead, they were stored in Niuchuan Town thirty li outside the county town. This was out of concern that there might be Liu Xin’s scouts in Yichun County, who could discover the Yuzhang Army’s strategic intentions.
At that moment, an unexpected envoy arrived in Nanchang County.
In the official residence, Strategist Lu was reporting the envoy’s situation to Gan Ning. “The envoy is named Xu Jing, elder brother of the famous scholar Xu Shao.”
Gan Ning naturally knew who Xu Shao was—the one who evaluated Cao Cao as “a capable minister in times of peace, a treacherous hero in chaotic times.” Later, he followed Liu Yao and helped Liu Yao sweep through four commanderies in a year. After Liu Yao was defeated by Sun Ce, Xu Shao followed Liu Yao to Yuzhang Commandery, where he fell ill and died the year before last. His tomb was still outside Nanchang City.
Gan Ning also knew of Xu Jing, who in history later followed Liu Bei and was a very capable minister.
“How could Xu Jing be Zhang Yi’s subordinate?” Gan Ning asked puzzledly.
“This subordinate asked him. He went south to Yuzhang Commandery to seek refuge with Xu Shao. After Xu Shao died of illness, he went to Jiaozhou to seek refuge and was treated with courtesy by Governor of Jiaozhou Zhang Jin, but he was not accustomed to the climate in Jiaozhou. When he returned north at the beginning of the year, he was detained by Zhang Yi.”
“Detained?”
Gan Ning smiled and said, “Meaning he is not there willingly?”
“Probably! He said his wife and children are still with Zhang Yi.”
Gan Ning was genuinely a bit moved. Compared to cooperating with Zhang Yi, he was more interested in Xu Jing.
“Strategist Lu, Xu Jing is a great talent; we must win him over!”
Strategist Lu nodded. “This subordinate understands. This afternoon, this subordinate still needs to accompany him to sweep his brother’s tomb.”
“I know. Let’s talk business!”
“Zhang Yi’s intention is that our two families join forces to deal with Liu Biao, then divide Changsha Commandery with Linxiang County as the boundary— the north goes to us, the south to him.”
Gan Ning said indifferently, “I want to know, who gets Linxiang County?”
“It wasn’t mentioned, but this subordinate estimates that Zhang Yi means Linxiang County goes to him.”
Gan Ning sneered, “He thinks beautifully! We bear the main force, and he picks up the benefits from behind. Does he think everyone else is a fool?”
“This man’s father, Zhang Xian, was originally the Prefect of Changsha and was very popular. He feels he has influence in Changsha Commandery, so that should be his intention, but Xu Jing’s evaluation of him is not good.”
“How does Xu Jing evaluate him?”
“Xu Jing says he is cruel and fond of killing, exploits the people’s resources, is ambitious but unrealistic, and unrealistic.”
Gan Ning waved his hand. “Then ignore him. We act according to our own plan. But Xu Jing must be kept here.”
Gan Ning returned to the mansion, only to see Xu Wei and Da Qiao sitting in the inner hall playing chess. Xiao Qiao sat beside them yawning, one hand gently stroking her beloved cat. Da Qiao understood her well—Xiao Qiao lacked patience in everything she did; it was all a passing fad. Even being a heroine was a passing fad; she quickly grew bored. Learning fortune telling from Xu Wei was also a passing fad; a few days later she lost interest, and the three copper coins were nowhere to be found.
On the contrary, she was persistent about raising cats, keeping her two beloved cats fat and plump. Seeing Gan Ning return, Xiao Qiao immediately jumped up joyfully, ran over, hugged Gan Ning’s arm, and coquettishly said, “Gan Lang, I’m so bored. You have to keep me company.”
Gan Ning disgustedly looked at her hand—she had just stroked the cat and now was hugging him. Xiao Qiao pouted, “A Huang is very clean; what’s the problem!”
On the surface, Gan Ning was strict with Xiao Qiao, but in reality, he doted on her greatly. As long as Xiao Qiao’s requests were not excessive, he would satisfy them. Xiao Qiao sensitively noticed this and became even more clingy with him.
Gan Ning gently flicked her forehead and smiled, “It’s mealtime now!”
“Hate you!”
Xiao Qiao rubbed her forehead and turned back to say, “Elder Sister, my husband is hungry and wants to eat.”
“Got it. What are you making a fuss about?”
Da Qiao smiled and walked out. “Husband, I’ll go arrange dinner. Xiao Qiao, come help me!”
Xiao Qiao reluctantly followed her elder sister.
Gan Ning slowed his steps and smiled at Xu Wei, asking, “Have you replied to your father’s letter?”
Xu Wei had finally received a letter from her father a few days ago. In the letter, her father comforted her not to worry about family matters, saying it wasn’t worth it, and encouraged her to bravely seek her own happiness. Her father’s open-mindedness greatly inspired Xu Wei, sweeping away the gloom in her heart from the past few months, and she regained her cheerful personality.
Xu Wei smiled sweetly and said, “I’ve already replied to Father. I also wrote letters to my several elder brothers.”
Gan Ning smiled again. “My army will soon go on a campaign. When will you do a reading for me?”
“Sure! I’ll do it for you once I get the feeling.”
Gan Ning gently held her hand again. Xu Wei did not refuse; her beautiful eyes were filled with joy. She loved this tender and affectionate feeling, which little by little melted her heart.
At night, after Gan Ning and Da Qiao finished their sexual intercourse, Da Qiao nestled in her husband’s arms like a cat, still immersed in extreme pleasure, unwilling to open her eyes for a long time.
Gan Ning gently stroked her smooth skin and smiled at her. “I wanted to talk to you about something today, but I forgot.”
Da Qiao slowly opened her gem-like beautiful eyes and gazed charmingly at her beloved man. “Husband, do you want to get me pregnant?”
“Didn’t Doctor Liu say it’s best to wait another year for your pregnancy? She has delivered countless babies; she has experience. We should listen to her.”
Da Qiao had always wanted a child, so Gan Ning invited a very famous female physician to live with them, becoming the family’s full-time doctor.
Doctor Liu gave Da Qiao a comprehensive diagnosis. Although Da Qiao could now engage in sexual intercourse, it was still best to wait another one or two years before having a child to avoid difficult childbirth.
Da Qiao sighed faintly and asked, “Then what did Husband want to say?”
“I want to give you something to do. I’ll hand the industries over to you to manage!”
Da Qiao was startled and quickly looked up. “Husband, you think too highly of me. How could I do business?”
Gan Ning patted her back and smiled. “I’m not asking you to do business. Just listen to the chief steward’s reports and ask about any unusual situations. It’s very simple—like participating in harvesting wheat. You actually don’t have to manage anything; you just listen to the reports.”
“Alright! Then can I have Yun Qing help me?”
“Yes, you two together. If Xiao Qiao is interested, she can join too. You three discuss it, and I won’t have to manage so much.”
“How many industries does Husband have?” Da Qiao asked curiously.
“Currently, there are thirteen shops and three restaurants. These shops and restaurants are managed by one trading company. The trading company itself also does trade, with a fleet and warehouse, all overseen by a chief steward surnamed Zhuang who handles everything for me. You listen to Chief Steward Zhuang’s report once a month; in two days I’ll listen to a report, and you can watch from the side. Then you’ll know how.”
Hearing that her husband would teach her once, Da Qiao said joyfully, “Husband, take me once, and I’ll try it myself.”
“Then give it a try!”
Gan Ning chuckled, blew out the lamp, and soon the bed creaked again.
