Chapter 246: Two Envoys
This morning, Strategist Lu hurriedly came to Gan Ning’s official residence. “Marquis of Chu, news came from Pengze that Chief Clerk Lu arrived at Pengze early this morning, resupplied freshwater, and set off. He should arrive in Chaisang around afternoon.”
Chief Clerk Lu resupplying freshwater in Pengze was actually to inform this side of Gan Ning that he was coming soon, giving Gan Ning some time to prepare.
Gan Ning nodded. “Then please have the strategist talk with him this time!”
Strategist Lu hesitated. “Marquis of Chu won’t see him?”
“A perfunctory meeting after the talk is fine, but”
Gan Ning shook his head gently. “They lack sincerity this time!”
Gan Ning had received news that Qiao An’s mission to Jiangdong met with a cold reception—no one welcomed him, no one received him, even Sun Quan refused to see him, and he finally had to pull strings for a private meeting with Chief Clerk Lu.
This attitude said it all—Jiangdong had no sincerity for cooperation between the two sides.
Although the other side lacked sincerity, Gan Ning still wanted to make the greatest effort to promote cooperation, so he had Strategist Lu represent him and handle negotiations with Chief Clerk Lu comprehensively, rather than a reciprocal cold shoulder.
“This subordinate understands!”
Strategist Lu gave a salute and walked away quickly.
Gan Ning stood with hands behind his back by the window, silently gazing at the sky to the north. In history, Jiangdong was also dominated by the surrender faction, but only because Strategist Lu persuaded Sun Quan did Sun Quan finally resolve to resist Cao Cao. But now Sun Quan no longer had Strategist Lu by his side, and Zhou Yu did not hold such a high position either—the surrender faction was even stronger. Could Sun Quan hold out?
Gan Ning was truly worried. What if things didn’t follow the historical trajectory? He had to prepare for the worst.
At noon, Chief Clerk Lu’s ships arrived in Chaisang, and Strategist Lu personally welcomed him at the dock.
“Zijing, it’s been a long time!” Chief Clerk Lu laughed as he disembarked.
“Elder Brother, it’s been a long time.”
When Strategist Lu was in Jiangdong back then, he had a good personal friendship with Chief Clerk Lu. Though they now served different masters, this moment did not involve official business and did not hinder their friendship.
After exchanging pleasantries, the two got into a carriage, which headed into the city, with Chief Clerk Lu’s subordinates following in another carriage behind.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the guest house. Strategist Lu smiled and said, “Elder Brother, rest first today! We’ll discuss official matters tomorrow.”
Chief Clerk Lu pondered and said, “If possible, I’d like to have a simple talk with Strategist Lu today, so both sides can lay their cards on the table first.”
Chief Clerk Lu had already changed his address, directly calling Strategist Lu by his official title, indicating they had entered official business mode.
“Fine!” Strategist Lu readily agreed.
The two sat down in the hall, and attendants served them tea.
Chief Clerk Lu said directly, “There aren’t many in Jiangdong who support resisting Cao Cao. It wasn’t easy for me to come here. I hope we can be frank with each other and avoid misunderstandings.”
Strategist Lu nodded silently.
Chief Clerk Lu took out the document Qiao An had previously delivered, spread it on the desk, and said, “You proposed two plans. I’ll address them one by one. First is the alliance plan. Frankly speaking, for both sides to form a new alliance, the issue of Bu Zhi must be resolved—that is, you must send Bu Zhi back to Jiangdong. Only then is alliance possible. Can you do that?”
Strategist Lu shook his head decisively. “Impossible. Sima Bu has just led troops to capture Jiaozhou and has very high reputation. He is currently the third most important figure in Western Chu. There is absolutely no chance of sending him back to Jiangdong. Jiangdong must give up this idea.”
Chief Clerk Lu sighed. “Then the alliance plan is impossible. No need to discuss impossibilities.”
“Then let’s talk about the cooperation plan!” Strategist Lu did not quibble and directly skipped the alliance plan.
“The cooperation plan is for both sides to establish major barracks, each providing warships, positioned thirty li apart from each other. There are two problems here. First, who is primary and who is secondary?”
“No primary or secondary, only negotiation!”
Strategist Lu said without hesitation, “Both sides establish a liaison group, each sending three high-level members to negotiate various military affairs and operational plans.”
Chief Clerk Lu nodded. “That plan is feasible, no big issue. But the second problem is a bit tricky.”
“Chief Clerk Lu, please speak directly!”
Chief Clerk Lu said slowly, “Marquis of Wu does not want you to garrison troops in Danyang County.”
“How can that be!”
Strategist Lu said seriously, “The Cao Army will definitely cross the river from Liyang County to Niuzhu. Without garrisoning Niuzhu, how can we jointly resist the Cao Army?”
Chief Clerk Lu was silent for a moment, and Strategist Lu continued, “Although Yuzhang Commandery borders Danyang Commandery closely, we are to the west of Danyang Commandery, while Niuzhu is at the easternmost part of Danyang Commandery, over a thousand li from Yuzhang Commandery. Even at the fastest sailing speed, it takes three or four days. Chief Clerk Lu surely doesn’t expect us to garrison Yuzhang Commandery!”
Chief Clerk Lu sighed. “Of course I know the distance is far, and garrisoning Yuzhang Commandery is unrealistic. But I was wondering if we could negotiate a plan both sides can accept?”
“Chief Clerk Lu must have considered this on the way here. Why not have Chief Clerk Lu tell me a plan?”
Chief Clerk Lu hesitated and said, “There is one plan. I was thinking, can the Western Chu Army capture Ruxu Pass? Ruxu Pass allows northward advance to Hefei and is very close to Niuzhu. Could you consider this plan?”
“Have us camp north of the river?” Strategist Lu suddenly widened his eyes.
Chief Clerk Lu’s face reddened. “I know this request is a bit excessive and risky, but if defenses are done well, it’s not impossible.”
Strategist Lu slowly shook his head. “It’s not just possible or not—it’s fundamentally impossible. Cao Cao is no three-year-old child. Before completely clearing our base north of the river, they absolutely won’t cross the river and leave their rear base to us. Moreover, he will guard against our navy attacking Hefei from Ruxu Water, so they will definitely garrison heavy troops at Ruxu Pass.”
“Or have the navy not disembark?”
Strategist Lu’s face darkened somewhat. He said displeased, “Chief Clerk Lu, our army is going to Danyang Commandery not for sightseeing, but to protect you and counterattack the Cao Army’s crossing at Niuzhu. Logically, you should be begging us for support. Now it’s reversed—we’re begging you, and you’re hemming and hawing, refusing to let us garrison. Chief Clerk Lu, forgive my bluntness, but I see no sincerity from Jiangdong.”
Chief Clerk Lu sighed inwardly. Marquis of Wu truly lacked sincerity!
……
Strategist Lu talked for only half an hour before taking his leave. He hurriedly went to the general’s mansion and met Gan Ning.
Gan Ning invited him to sit and smiled. “How did the talk with Chief Clerk Lu go, strategist?”
Strategist Lu sighed. “As Marquis of Chu expected, Jiangdong truly lacks sincerity!”
“How so?”
Strategist Lu gave a wry smile. “Chief Clerk Lu was very frank. He said Sun Quan is willing to accept the cooperation plan, but won’t allow us to garrison in Danyang Commandery.”
Gan Ning was stunned. “Without garrisoning, how to cooperate?”
“Chief Clerk Lu proposed two plans: one is for us to seize Ruxu Pass north of the river and garrison there; the other is navy not disembarking—that is, allowing warships to dock but soldiers not going ashore.”
Gan Ning said coldly, “The first plan only a three-year-old would think of—don’t mention it again. The second isn’t about disembarking or not; it’s an insult to us. We’re going to help them, not beg them!”
“This subordinate said the same!”
Strategist Lu sighed. “This subordinate has an intuition that Sun Quan hasn’t resolved to resist at all. Sending Chief Clerk Lu to negotiate is futile and meaningless!”
Gan Ning stood with hands behind his back for a moment and said, “I’m afraid things aren’t that simple. I just got news that Jia Xu has arrived in Jiangdong. At this critical moment, Sun Quan sends Chief Clerk Lu to Chaisang, leaving only Zhou Yu as the anti-Cao faction there. He can’t hold out alone!”
Strategist Lu was immediately stunned. Jia Xu had arrived in Jiangdong—what did that mean?
