Chapter 125: Secret Visit To Cai Mao
The Battle of Dongting Lake has finally ended. Of the enemy army’s 1,200 warships, over 500 were destroyed. Of the remaining warships, besides more than 30 that escaped, all undestroyed warships were captured. They seized hundreds of thousands of shi of grain, over 200,000 guan qian of money, and countless various supplies. They alone captured tens of thousands of fire oil bottles.
The Yuzhang Army killed over 7,000 enemy soldiers and captured over 22,000, including Commander Liu Cong and Deputy General Cai Yan.
Gan Ning immediately ordered 100,000 guan qian in reward money for the officers and soldiers of the three armies, and generously provided pensions for over 2,000 fallen officers and soldiers.
Meritorious generals naturally received heavy rewards as well. Wei Yan rendered great service and was formally promoted to colonel, rewarded with 3,000 guan qian. Wei Yan was extremely excited—he had finally become a colonel himself.
Wei Yan immediately gave all 3,000 guan qian to his 400 subordinates.
The victory in the Battle of Dongting Lake greatly encouraged the Yuzhang Army. The army then marched south to occupy Yiyang County and Luo County, while Xajuan County was simultaneously occupied by the Yuzhang Army.
At this point, in the north of Changsha Commandery, all counties except Linxiang County had been taken by the Yuzhang Army.
Gan Ning certainly knew it would be difficult for him to take Linxiang County, but what did it matter? With Liu Cong and Cai Yan in his hands, how could Liu Biao refuse to submit?
Gan Ning immediately sent Sima Cui Jun and Attendant Yang Miao as envoys to Xiangyang.
……….
The news of the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Dongting Lake also reached Xiangyang at the same time. The whole city was in an uproar. Tens of thousands of navy officers and soldiers’ families gathered at the Governor’s Mansion, demanding that Governor Liu Biao give them an explanation.
Assistant Administrator Liu Xian shouted himself hoarse: “Please everyone do not believe the rumors outside. It was only the 5,000 navy stationed at Dongting Lake that was outnumbered and defeated. Our Jiangling navy has not yet set out, and the navy soldiers are all safe and sound!”
Despite Liu Xian’s desperate explanations that the navy had not been defeated, his explanations were too feeble. The tens of thousands of soldiers’ families simply did not believe him. No one was willing to leave, and they all demanded that the General Who Pacifies the South come out personally to explain.
“We want the General Who Pacifies the South to come out! We want the General Who Pacifies the South to make a statement!”
Tens of thousands of people simply sat in protest. Liu Xian shouted until his voice was hoarse, but to no avail. Helplessly, he could only go back to report.
In the inner hall of the General’s Mansion, Liu Biao was urgently discussing countermeasures with Cai Mao, Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Han Song, and several other high officials.
Kuai Yue saw the anxiety in Liu Biao’s heart and advised him: “My lord need not worry. Previously, when Liu Hu was captured, he was exchanged back. Huang Zu’s family was the same—they were released after negotiations. The Second Young Master and General Cai will be the same. Releasing them will not be a big problem. This is Gan Ning’s consistent practice. This man is not only skilled in war but also in politics—that is what makes him truly formidable.”
Liu Biao nodded and said: “I just don’t know what high price he will demand, which I fear I may not be able to bear!”
“This will require negotiation. Everyone haggle over the price. If this subordinate has not guessed wrong, his subordinates will arrive soon.”
Beside him, Han Song sighed and said: “What the other side wants is probably Changsha Commandery, just like in his negotiations with Huang Zu, where he demanded that Huang Zu abandon Wuchang Commandery.”
Liu Biao fell silent. He had of course guessed the other side’s intention, but to have him publicly state abandonment of Changsha Commandery was something he could not do.
At that moment, Liu Xian walked in, bowed in salute, and said hoarsely: “Reporting to my lord, this subordinate has advised them repeatedly, but the officers and soldiers’ families are emotionally agitated. This subordinate is ashamed—I was unable to persuade them to leave.”
“What exactly do they want?” Liu Biao said, somewhat displeased.
“They want a statement from my lord!” Liu Xian said helplessly.
Liu Biao was silent for a moment, then slowly stood up. “For the negotiation matter, please have Yidu take charge and follow up. It is not urgent for the moment. Let us first go appease the citizens!”
The group walked out the gate. Someone among the citizens who were sitting in protest shouted loudly: “The General Who Pacifies the South has come out!”
The citizens all stood up, emotions running high. Over a thousand soldiers desperately held them back from surging forward. A woman shouted: “General, save our children and bring them back!”
Liu Biao waved his hand. “Everyone, please be quiet! Listen to me.”
The tens of thousands of citizens gradually quieted down. Only then did Liu Biao say loudly: “War did indeed break out at Dongting Lake. We were not able to win, and many soldiers were captured by the enemy army, but the exact numbers are not yet known. We are negotiating with the other side. I guarantee to everyone that I will exert every effort to bring everyone’s relatives back. Please go home and wait patiently. In any case, I will give everyone an explanation.”
Liu Biao’s words carried far more weight than Liu Xian’s. Since the governor had already made a statement, there was no point in gathering any longer. The citizens began to disperse.
At this moment, Liu Biao suddenly felt immense pressure on his shoulders. What if the captured soldiers could not be ransomed back?
……….
Cai Mao was under great pressure too. Today he was unusually low-key, a complete reversal of his usual activity. He had basically remained silent today.
With Liu Cong captured, he bore undeniable responsibility. It was he who repeatedly advised Liu Biao to have Liu Cong stationed in Jiangling, and it was he who arbitrarily made Liu Cong the commander of the reinforcing army to go on a campaign, ultimately leading to Liu Cong and his brother Cai Yan being captured.
For Cai Mao, it was less a matter of inner shame and more one of fear. If Liu Cong did not return, how could he account to Liu Biao? And if his own brother died, how could he account to the family?
Returning to the Cai Family mansion, the butler came forward and said in a low voice: “There is a messenger from Changsha Commandery who says he has a letter from Gan Ning for the master. He insists on delivering the letter to the master personally!”
Cai Mao was startled and immediately said: “Where is the messenger?”
“Waiting in the guest hall!”
Cai Mao nodded. “Tell him I will come right away.”
Cai Mao went to change clothes and organize his thoughts at the same time. Why did Gan Ning write to him? Why not send it directly to the governor?
There was only one possibility: this was not formal negotiation, but rather a secret transaction with him.
Having figured this out, Cai Mao hurried to the outer guest hall. In the guest hall sat a man around thirty years old. Seeing Cai Mao enter, he stood and saluted: “This official is Attendant Yang Miao from the Marquis of Wuchang’s account, sent to deliver a letter to Military Advisor Cai.”
With that, he presented a letter. Cai Mao took it, sat down, and asked: “How is my brother?”
“Your brother was hit by an arrow, but it was only a flesh wound with no serious issue.”
“And the Second Young Master?” Cai Mao pressed.
“Liu Cong is safe and sound. He and your brother are held separately and treated very well.”
Only then did Cai Mao open Gan Ning’s letter and read it carefully. Sure enough, it was a transaction. Gan Ning demanded that he facilitate a deal between the two families. If the negotiations between both sides could be smoothly completed, Liu Cong would be smoothly returned.
Gan Ning’s exchange terms were three. First, exchange Liu Cong for Linxiang County, requiring Linxiang County’s garrison to immediately leave Linxiang County, after which the Yuzhang Army would courteously escort them back to Nan Commandery. Second, Liu Biao acknowledges Changsha Commandery as belonging to the Yuzhang Army; as a condition, the Yuzhang Army can release 10,000 prisoners of war. Third, Liu Biao must allow families of surrendered prisoners of war to come to Changsha Commandery.
The other side’s first and third terms were not big problems—Liu Biao should be able to accept them. The key was the second term: exchanging 10,000 prisoners of war for acknowledgment of Changsha Commandery would likely be troublesome. Liu Biao was a very face-conscious man; he might not agree to publicly acknowledge Changsha Commandery as belonging to Gan Ning.
But the above were conditions for formal negotiations. There was also a private transaction with Cai Mao.
It required Cai Mao to confine Huang Zhong’s family members and prevent Huang Zhong from returning to Nan Commandery. In return, the other side would send Cai Yan back along with Liu Cong and promise to ensure that the Cai Family’s interests in Changsha Commandery suffered no loss.
The Cai Family’s interests in Changsha Commandery were substantial. Cai Mao unhesitatingly agreed to the other side’s transaction.
Cai Mao already hated Huang Zhong greatly. Dealing with Huang Zhong was a piece of cake for him.
Cai Mao nodded and asked: “When will your negotiation envoy arrive?”
“Probably around the day after tomorrow in Xiangyang.”
Cai Mao pondered and said: “In a few days, I will hand over Huang Zhong’s family to you and let you smoothly return to Xiakou.”
“Military Advisor Cai, you must also ensure Huang Zhong cannot return to Nan Commandery.”
“No need to worry. I know what to do!”
