Chapter 132: News From Nanyang
In the afternoon, Gan Ning returned to the rear residence, where only Da Qiao was alone at the residence.
Seeing her husband return, Da Qiao happily threw herself into his arms. Not seeing him for several days, she had missed him every day, and her neck was sore from craning it.
Gan Ning kissed her pretty face and smilingly asked, “Where are Yun Qing and Xiao Qiao?”
“She was dragged off by Xiao Qiao to go shopping, along with Yang Ping’er and Qiao Xingxing. The four of them went together.”
“Why didn’t you go with them?”
Da Qiao shook her head. “I heard husband had returned, so I waited at home!”
Gan Ning was truly smitten with this delicate beauty, gentle as water, thinking of him every moment, unlike Xiao Qiao, who was heartless and only thought of her own fun all day.
Gan Ning held her and went to the study, where the two were intimate for a long time. Unfortunately, Da Qiao was quite traditional and always refused to complete the final step with him in the study, especially during the day, which she could not accept.
“We’re back, Elder Sister! Is there anything to eat? We’re starving!”
Xiao Qiao’s voice came from the courtyard, and Da Qiao hurriedly stood up from her husband’s arms in fright.
Gan Ning smiled and said, “Call those two in. I have something to say to them.”
“Husband, don’t scold them.”
Gan Ning smiled and said, “What are you thinking? I have serious business.”
Da Qiao waved at the doorway. “Come in!”
“Eh! Why is Elder Sister in the study?”
“General must have returned.”
Xiao Qiao was overjoyed and rushed in like a gust of wind. She jumped up, hugged Gan Ning’s neck, and coquettishly said, “When did Gan Lang return? Did you buy any gifts for me?”
Xu Wei followed behind, blushing as she slowly walked in. She had actually grown accustomed to Xiao Qiao’s unrestrained behavior in front of her future husband; she was embarrassed because she had also gone out shopping.
Gan Ning pinched Xiao Qiao’s pretty face and smiled, saying, “Sit properly. I have serious matters to tell you.”
The three all sat down obediently.
“We might have to move!”
Gan Ning’s words left the three women looking at each other. Da Qiao hurriedly asked, “Husband, where are we moving to?”
“Moving back to Chaisang!”
Gan Ning smiled and said, “Not just us—everyone is moving. Chaisang is currently expanding the city and building houses. At the earliest by year’s end, at the latest by March next year, our capital will move from Nanchang County to Chaisang. I’m telling you first so you can prepare calmly.”
Da Qiao immediately went to find her mother Madam Yang and told her about the move. Madam Yang’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly pulled her daughter, saying, “Tell General Gan tonight to have them build a small Buddhist hall for me in the new house in Chaisang.”
“Mother! It’s not good to build a Buddhist hall in the rear residence.”
“I don’t need to live in the rear residence. Build a small Buddhist hall for me in a separate courtyard of the mansion. A Zhu, help Mother speak up!”
Da Qiao also knew her mother had always longed for a small Buddhist hall. If it wasn’t in the rear residence, she could mention it to her husband.
“Alright! I’ll mention it to Mother.”
Madam Yang was overjoyed. “You’re truly my precious daughter. Go quickly! Don’t forget—be sure to mention it tonight.”
“I know!”
At night, after the young couple was lovingly entwined, Da Qiao mentioned her mother’s matter, and Gan Ning agreed immediately.
“It’s a small matter. I’ll set aside the west courtyard for mother-in-law to live in and build her a small Buddhist hall.”
Da Qiao was delighted and hugged her husband’s neck, saying, “Then Yun Qing can also move into the rear residence.”
Gan Ning hesitated a bit. “About that… ask her yourself. I don’t object; she can move in if she wants.”
“No!”
Da Qiao immediately realized, “If she moves into the rear residence, Xiao Qiao will follow.”
Gan Ning smiled and said, “Don’t overthink it. Things will sort themselves out when the time comes.”
Da Qiao shyly whispered something in her husband’s ear, and Gan Ning burst out laughing, immediately flipping over to pin her down.
“Things will sort themselves out when they reach the Qiao tip. What are you thinking? Let’s see if this Qiao tip sorts itself out?”
In the blink of an eye, it was November. The south entered early winter, while the north entered full winter.
In the official residence, Lu Su was reporting the latest northern war situation to Gan Ning. “Cao Cao has withdrawn his army from Hebei to Baima. Gao Gan has also withdrawn to Taiyuan, and the Xiongnu have pulled back too. Both eastern and western battlefields have quieted down.”
Gan Ning pondered and said, “Gao Gan and the Xiongnu had to withdraw because of winter; otherwise, their logistics couldn’t keep up. As for Cao Cao’s southern withdrawal, he must have realized that letting the two brothers kill each other would allow him to reap the fisherman’s benefit. His early intervention only united the two brothers.”
“Lord is right. Cao Cao’s southern withdrawal was the wise move.”
“How is Liu Bei’s Northern Expedition going?” Gan Ning asked again.
“Liu Bei’s army encountered an interception by 50,000 troops under Cao Army great generals Xiahou Dun, Yu Jin, and Li Dian at Yecheng. It’s said Liu Bei used fire oil bottles to set fire to Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin, annihilating several thousand enemies and winning two battles. Liu Bei has now withdrawn south, and the Cao Army has returned to Xuchang.”
Gan Ning nodded. Liu Bei’s victory was the Battle of Bowang Slope.
“Where did Liu Bei withdraw south to?” Gan Ning asked again.
“Withdrew to Wancheng!”
As expected, Liu Bei had captured Nanyang Commandery, and the real show was about to begin.
Gan Ning paced with hands behind his back. He suddenly felt he might have misunderstood—Liu Bei’s true purpose in the Northern Expedition was likely to seize Liu Biao’s army by taking advantage of the situation. He couldn’t stay peacefully in Xinye, so how could Liu Biao allow Liu Bei to stay long-term in Xinye?
This Northern Expedition saw Liu Bei defeat the Cao Army, showing Liu Biao his value. Liu Biao was very likely to compromise with Liu Bei, lending him Nanyang Commandery just as he had lent Wancheng to Zhang Xiu.
This way, on one hand, Liu Bei would serve as a barrier against the Cao Army, and on the other, his relationship with Liu Biao might reconcile, allowing Liu Bei to gradually scheme for Liu Biao’s domain. Hadn’t he later seized Liu Qi’s army and base, proving exactly this?
In this light, Liu Bei was truly a warlord, not to be underestimated.
Lu Su continued, “Cao Cao’s energy is focused on Hebei; he likely won’t have leisure for us these few years. This is our golden opportunity to expand.”
“Is Strategist referring to the Jingnan Three Commanderies or Huang Zu?”
Lu Su shook his head. “The Jingnan Three Commanderies have low value. Leave them for now to block Jiaozhou forces from advancing north. This subordinate suggests taking down Huang Zu next year, ideally wiping out Sun Ben and capturing Lujiang Commandery and Jiujiang Commandery.”
Gan Ning smiled faintly. “No need to consider Jiangdong’s feelings?”
Lu Su sighed. “Jiangdong refused the marriage alliance with Sun Quan’s sister; all their reasons are excuses. The root cause is they can’t let go of Yuzhang Commandery. This alliance treaty is just a temporary measure for them. We needn’t abandon our own vital interests for it.”
Lu Su’s words truly comforted Gan Ning. He had always thought Lu Su pushed hard for the Gan-Sun alliance out of old ties to Jiangdong, but now it proved Lu Su prioritized Yuzhang Commandery.
Thinking of this, Gan Ning smiled and said, “If we can’t move the capital by year’s end, we’ll do it next spring!”
Lu Su said apologetically, “Mainly because the official residence won’t be ready in time. By the end of January next year, it should be about done.”
Gan Ning nodded. “Then we’ll move the capital after spring begins in February.”
