Chapter 170: Zhang Zhao’s Diplomatic Mission
“Strategist, do you think the second type of people is the most numerous? Why?” Sun Quan asked with some unease in his heart.
This question was actually the reason Zhang Zhao found it hard to speak out; he had not wanted to say it explicitly earlier and had hoped to gloss over it, but Sun Quan had still realized it, showing that he knew what was in his heart.
Zhang Zhao sighed inwardly; it seemed some words could not go unsaid.
Zhang Zhao tried to be as tactful as possible: “Marquis of Wu, please forgive this subordinate for speaking bluntly. Sun Ben is essentially still part of the Jiangdong Sun family, so for many Jiangdong officials, being loyal to the Marquis of Wu or loyal to Sun Ben carries no moral impropriety.
But it is different if it is Gan Ning. Surrendering to Gan Ning would not only be morally flawed but, more importantly, would create conflicts of interest. Gan Ning has his own interest group, which would compete with the Jiangdong Group for benefits, whereas Sun Ben basically has no interest group around him.”
Sun Quan sighed and got straight to the point: “In the end, it is because my prestige is insufficient. If it were my elder brother Sun Ce, there would be no such problem.”
Sun Quan had self-awareness; with one sentence, he hit the root of the matter. The root was that Sun Quan’s own prestige was not enough to command universal respect.
Zhang Zhao did not want to delve too deeply into this issue; he immediately changed the subject. “This subordinate just met Chief Clerk Lu. From what he said, he still insists on seeking aid from Gan Ning?”
Sun Quan also shifted back from the unpleasant topic. He nodded and said: “Chief Clerk Lu believes there are several reasons for our defeat. First, the tactics were wrong; we should have launched a naval battle first to annihilate the enemy army warships, then sent out troops. Second, our troop strength was insufficient. But now, it is too late to recruit troops temporarily, so he suggests seeking aid from Gan Ning.”
Zhang Zhao said: “Actually, this subordinate discussed the issue of annihilating the enemy army warships with Governor Zhou. He told this subordinate that the main issue is the special terrain at Niuzhu, with a natural water bay that defends both water and land. If our warships rashly charge in, they will be raided by the enemy army on both shores, especially by fire attack. Once several large ships are burned and destroyed, they will block the water bay, and the warships behind will not be able to enter.
So to destroy the enemy army navy, we must first send troops to capture the shores on both sides, or patiently wait for the enemy army warships to come out on their own. Governor Zhou is currently adopting the latter plan. The enemy army warships will eventually come out of the water bay. As soon as their warships move out, our navy will cut off their retreat and annihilate all the enemy army warships.”
Sun Quan nodded. “Then, does the strategist agree to seeking aid from Gan Ning?”
“This subordinate agrees in principle, but the other side will take the opportunity to capture Lujiang Commandery. Can the Marquis of Wu accept that?”
Sun Quan sighed and said: “Before, I could not accept it, but now I have thought it through. Even if I do not accept it, the other side will still attack Lujiang Commandery, and Lujiang Commandery will still be lost.
It would be better to directly seek aid and request Gan Ning to continue attacking Jiujiang Commandery, forcing Sun Ben to return to aid Jiujiang Commandery. Then we will have an opportunity in Danyang Commandery.”
Zhang Zhao frowned and asked: “Why ask Gan Ning to attack Jiujiang Commandery instead of directly attacking Danyang Commandery? Could we not attack from east and west to thoroughly crush Sun Ben’s army?”
Sun Quan shook his head. “Originally, I considered that too, but Chief Clerk Lu reminded me: it is easy to invite a god but hard to send one away. Once Gan Ning’s army enters Danyang Commandery, it will be hard to make them retreat back to Yuzhang Commandery.”
These words truly made Zhang Zhao feel somewhat ashamed in his heart; he had not even thought of the problem of letting the wolf into the house.
Sun Quan said worriedly again: “Actually, I am also worried about Gan Ning’s army entering Jiujiang Commandery. What if he refuses to withdraw?”
Zhang Zhao needed to make up for his misjudgment regarding Danyang Commandery. He pondered for a moment and said: “Jiujiang Commandery is different from Danyang Commandery. The Cao Army will not interfere in Danyang Commandery, but they will definitely interfere in Jiujiang Commandery, whether through political pressure or military pressure. The Cao Army will put pressure on Gan Ning.”
“What reason?”
“Marquis of Wu, once Gan Ning occupies Jiujiang Commandery, it will break the southern balance that Cao Cao has always maintained. Cao Cao will definitely interfere, and Gan Ning will absolutely not risk a military conflict with Cao Cao so early, letting us and Liu Biao reap the benefits as fishermen.”
“But if Gan Ning does not attack Jiujiang Commandery, how will we resolve the crisis in Danyang Commandery?”
Zhang Zhao said confidently: “As long as Gan Ning proposes withdrawal from Jiujiang Commandery as a condition, I think Jia Xu will certainly agree. He will put pressure on Sun Ben in Cao Cao’s name.”
Sun Quan paced a few steps with his hands behind his back and said: “Could I trouble the strategist to personally go to Chaisang?”
These past few days, Gan Ning had specially come to Wan County in Lujiang Commandery to inspect war preparations. He toured the grain and supplies warehouse, reviewed the troops’ morale, and finally climbed to the city wall, standing there gazing toward Sun Ben’s army barracks more than ten li to the east across the Wanshui River.
Gan Ning asked Xu Shu beside him again: “How many people are in the enemy camp?”
“Around six thousand!”
Gan Ning nodded. At this moment, a personal guard came forward and presented a carrier pigeon letter to Gan Ning. “General, this was just received.”
Gan Ning opened the carrier pigeon letter and read it. It was from Lu Su. He had just received news from the Jiangdong liaison station that Zhang Zhao was representing the Marquis of Wu on a mission to Chaisang.
They had indeed come. Gan Ning already knew that the Jiangdong Army and Sun Ben’s Army had fought a battle at Jiangcheng County. On the surface, it looked like a draw between both sides, but later the Jiangdong Army had hastily abandoned Jiangcheng County and retreated, meaning the Jiangdong Army had actually been defeated.
It seemed the pressure on Jiangdong was too great, and Sun Quan had still decided to seek his help.
Xu Shu beside him asked: “General, everything is prepared. We can strike at any time. As soon as you give the order, this subordinate guarantees we will annihilate the six thousand enemy troops across the river today.”
Gan Ning smiled and said: “We just received a carrier pigeon letter. Zhang Zhao is on a mission to Chaisang, probably to seek aid. Wait a little longer for now. Once I talk things over with Zhang Zhao, we will send out troops. Wait patiently for my news.”
Zhang Zhao arrived quickly. Ten days later, Zhang Zhao reached the dock at Chaisang County, and Lu Su personally came to the dock to welcome Zhang Zhao’s arrival.
When Lu Su was in Jiangdong back then, he and Zhang Zhao both belonged to the Huai Si Group, and the two had a good relationship.
Zhang Zhao rode in a carriage into the city accompanied by Lu Su.
Although this was Zhang Zhao’s first time in Chaisang, he had no mind to view the street scenes. Zhang Zhao said to Lu Su with worry: “Sun Ben sneak attacked and occupied Danyang Commandery. You should know about that, right?”
“We know a little, but not the details. I heard the Jiangdong Army hastily withdrew from Jiangcheng County. Why?”
“Ran out of grain!”
Zhang Zhao gave a wry smile and explained: “The generals all firmly demanded to send out troops, including Governor Zhou. Chief Clerk Lu and I opposed hasty action because supplies were not prepared, but the generals all said we could directly supply Jiangcheng County from the Yangtze River. The Marquis of Wu got heated for a moment and agreed to send out troops.”
Lu Su nodded. “Supplying from the Yangtze River sounds simple, but it is hard to implement.”
“Who says otherwise? Sun Ben is no fool; would he let us supply grain? His warships kept coming to harass, causing the supplies to fail time and again. In the end, with no way to supply, we had to retreat. This failure dealt a heavy blow to the Jiangdong Army’s morale. The Marquis of Wu had no choice but to send me to seek aid from your army. Zijing, you must help me with this.”
Lu Su nodded. “Let us talk it over properly first, then I will report to General Gan. As for what Strategist Zhang said, I will certainly do my utmost!”
He addressed Zhang Zhao by his official title, also implying that his utmost would be handled officially and impartially.
