Chapter 152: Escalating Conflict
Zhu Zhi returned to Dantu County, also bringing back a result that Sun Quan found hard to accept. Gan Ning refused Jiangdong’s demands and was unwilling to hand over Huang Zu to Jiangdong. At the same time, Gan Ning demanded that Jiangdong immediately lift the salt source sanctions, otherwise Yuzhang Commandery had the right to abolish the alliance treaty.
This result caught Sun Quan somewhat off guard and also put him in a difficult position. If he swallowed this insult, he wouldn’t be able to explain it to the people inside Jiangdong. But if he didn’t swallow it, the Gan-Sun alliance treaty would face the danger of being abolished. What about Lujiang Commandery?
Helplessly, Sun Quan could only hand the matter over to the group for discussion. Unlike Sun Quan’s dilemma, the opinions within Jiangdong were basically unanimous. Concerning Jiangdong’s dignity, they demanded that the Marquis of Wu must take a tough stance.
In the official residence, Sun Quan summoned Zhang Zhao and Lv Fan again to discuss the matter.
Sun Quan sighed and said, “Actually, I also want to abolish the alliance treaty, but once it’s abolished, Lujiang Commandery will probably not be secure. I’m a bit torn now. Please discuss it with me.”
Zhang Zhao pondered for a moment and said, “This subordinate believes the key here is the salt source. Has Gan Ning really resolved the salt source, or is he bluffing and pretending to be tough? We should investigate it first.”
“Such an investigation isn’t necessary!” Lv Fan said coldly from the side.
“What is Chief Clerk Lu’s opinion?” Sun Quan turned to Lv Fan again.
Lv Fan said indifferently, “Gan Ning simplifies complex matters. If we don’t lift the salt ban, he abolishes the alliance treaty. Yet we’re here beating around the bush, losing direction, complicating a originally simple matter, and even wanting to investigate the opponent’s salt source. By the time the investigation is done, the Marquis of Wu’s reputation will be nearly ruined.”
Zhang Zhao felt a bit embarrassed and said irritably, “Chief Clerk Lu must be responsible for his words!”
“I’m just telling the truth!”
Lv Fan said noncommittally, “The current problem isn’t the salt, but Huang Zu. Strategist Zhang has the wrong direction.”
Lv Fan said to Sun Quan again, “Gan Ning has clearly stated once more that he won’t hand over Huang Zu, and he threatens that if we don’t lift the salt ban, he will abolish the alliance treaty. How straightforward—it’s like slapping us in the face and then kicking us hard.
And what are we doing? We’re discussing how hard the slap was and how vicious the kick was? Marquis of Wu, you must hit back immediately and without hesitation. Any delay is damage to your reputation, making everyone think you are weak.”
“Then what about Lujiang Commandery?” Zhang Zhao retorted.
“Gan Ning can take Lujiang Commandery if he wants. We send troops to snatch it back. When has territory ever been obtained by begging for others’ mercy?”
Lv Fan’s counterquestion left Zhang Zhao speechless.
Sun Quan nodded. “Then no more discussion is needed. Chief Clerk Lu, come up with a plan.”
Lv Fan was very decisive and produced the plan that very afternoon. It didn’t mention the salt matter at all, but instead escalated the issue regarding Huang Zu.
That same day, Sun Quan issued the Marquis of Wu’s order again: Since Yuzhang Commandery has once more refused to hand over Huang Zu, showing no sincerity at all toward Jiangdong’s negotiations and seriously violating the alliance treaty both sides signed, while also trampling on Jiangdong’s dignity, it is hereby announced that Jiangdong suspends execution of the alliance treaty both sides signed. The other side is given two months to correct all errors and offer an apology, otherwise the alliance treaty between both sides will cease to exist.
Lv Fan sent someone to deliver the Marquis of Wu’s order to Yuzhang Commandery’s official liaison point stationed in Dantu County.
Lv Fan’s thinking was also very clear and mature. He didn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach by directly abolishing the alliance treaty, but used escalation tactics. While Zhang Zhao was still considering whether the other side had resolved the salt source, Lv Fan believed the salt was merely a tool, and when that tool failed, a higher-level tool was needed.
That was suspending the alliance treaty, which of course also included the salt ban.
He kicked the ball back to Gan Ning, demanding that within two months the other side must correct all errors and offer an apology.
……
Just as the Gan-Sun alliance faced a trust crisis, Jia Xu quietly arrived in Xiangyang.
At dusk, Cai Mao’s carriage slowly returned to the manor. As soon as he got off the carriage, the butler hurried forward and presented a wax-sealed visiting card to the master.
Cai Mao opened the visiting card and saw a line of words: “Old friend Jia Xu requests to see Lord Cai!”
Cai Mao was startled and quickly asked, “Where is the person who delivered the card?”
“Replying to the master, he is outside the manor gate.”
Cai Mao hurried out of the manor gate and saw a carriage parked across the way. The carriage window slowly opened, revealing the face of a middle-aged scholar. Cai Mao recognized him at a glance as Jia Xu.
Cai Mao quickly instructed the butler, “Quickly invite the carriage across the way into the manor!”
The butler ran over. Soon, the carriage started and slowly entered Cai manor, and the Cai manor gate closed immediately.
Jia Xu had dealt with Cai Mao multiple times before. Back then, when Zhang Xiu borrowed Wancheng, it was Jia Xu and Cai Mao who had settled it.
Cai Mao welcomed Jia Xu to the inner hall, and the two sat down as host and guest.
“It’s been many years since seeing Lord Jia. I heard Lord Jia was stationed in Guangling. How do you have time to come to Xiangyang?”
Jia Xu smiled slightly. “Naturally, I come on the order of Minister of Works Cao.”
At this time, a maidservant came in to serve tea. Jia Xu took out Cao Cao’s personal letter and handed it to Cai Mao. “This is Minister of Works Cao’s personal letter. Please read it, General Cai!”
Cai Mao quickly took the letter and read it carefully. Jia Xu sat to the side, calmly drinking tea.
After Cai Mao finished reading the letter, he sighed and said, “I also know Liu Bei has wolfish ambitions. Keeping him will surely lead to future trouble. I have advised the General Who Pacifies the South multiple times to eliminate Liu Bei, but the General Who Pacifies the South just wouldn’t. Now Liu Bei has occupied Nanyang Commandery, and his troop strength is said to have reached forty thousand. His wings are fully formed, and it will be hard to eliminate him now.”
Jia Xu nodded and said, “We are aware of Liu Bei’s current situation. Minister of Works Cao’s intention is not for General Cai to eliminate Liu Bei, but to prevent him from capturing Nan Commandery.”
“Please rest assured on this, Lord Jia. Unless Liu Bei attacks Xiangyang, he won’t get Nan Commandery.”
Jia Xu took a sip of tea and said indifferently, “That may not be so! Without support from certain forces in Jingxiang, Liu Bei couldn’t have gotten Nanyang Commandery. Even we can see some clues. Surely General Cai can see it too?”
Cai Mao’s expression was somewhat awkward. After a while, he said, “Many noble families in Jingxiang, for self-preservation, like to hedge their bets. That’s a fact. It’s not that they support Liu Bei, but their usual tactic of placing bets on multiple sides. The Liu family and the Kuai family are the same. This leads to Jingxiang always having two factions.”
“How to distinguish these two factions?” Jia Xu asked again.
“It’s actually simple. One is the Eldest Son Liu Qi faction, and the other is the Second Young Master Liu Cong faction.”
“Do you mean the Eldest Son Liu Qi faction supports Liu Bei?”
Cai Mao nodded. “Exactly. For example, Kuai Liang is Liu Qi’s biggest supporter. Liu Bei is an external force and also supports Eldest Son Liu Qi. There are also some in the military who support Liu Qi, like Wen Pin.”
Jia Xu thought for a moment and said, “What is Liu Biao’s condition now?”
Cai Mao gave a wry smile. “Since this year, Liu Biao has aged rapidly and basically has no energy left. The time he spends handling government affairs each day is less than one hour. He lets Liu Qi manage government affairs and Liu Cong manage the army. It looks fair, but in reality, the two brothers don’t even speak when they meet, and they’ve gradually reached the point of falling out.”
Jia Xu pondered for a moment and said, “So you must all be very careful. Liu Bei will likely use Liu Qi as the entry point to capture Nan Commandery.”
