Chapter 267: Courtesy Before Force
Xun You gave a wry smile and said, “Queyue City can be adjusted via water routes at any time. We cannot surround it, but that is not the point of its existence. Its existence is Gan Ning’s warning to us, telling us that he will never give up the north of the river. If we advance into Jiangdong, he will launch a full-scale attack on the north of the river and cut off our retreat. The Central Plains will be left vulnerable for a long time, and Liu Bei and Ma Teng will likely stir again.”
Cao Cao stood with hands behind his back, pondering for a long while before slowly saying, “Does the strategist mean that Sun Quan is unimportant, and Gan Ning is the real confidant threat?”
Xun You nodded. “If we attack Jiangdong, Gan Ning will certainly counterattack with full force. If we attack Gan Ning, Sun Quan dares not move, as there is an agreement tying him down. Besides, Sun Quan can be dealt with by Sun Ben. We should focus all our efforts on dealing with Gan Ning.”
Cao Cao gave a wry smile after a moment. “It seems the agreement Wen He signed with Jiangdong turned out to be a lucky hit.”
“Not entirely. The agreement states seven years without attacking Jiangdong. We need not heed that timeframe. We just need to fully support Sun Ben. Moreover, Sun Ben’s several sons are in our hands, and Deputy General He Qi has secretly defected to the Chancellor. We need not fear Sun Ben harboring disloyal thoughts.”
Cao Cao let out a long sigh. “Let me think it over!”
Xun You added, “This subordinate is willing to make a trip to Chaisang and talk with Gan Ning to see if we can persuade him to withdraw from the north of the river through political means.”
Cao Cao nodded. First courtesy, then troops—it could be implemented.
In the early spring season, despite another major battle erupting at Queyue City, Gan Ning’s attention was on spring plowing. Starting this year, they would trial rice seeds brought back from Lurong County in the southernmost Rinan Commandery. These rice seeds were authentic premium Zhan Cheng Rice, with a short maturation period, strong adaptability, and high yield. After it matured, there would still be time to plant another season of late rice.
The emergence of high-yield double-season rice would completely change the southern landscape. Ten-odd mu of paddy fields could support a family, while northern dry fields required at least a hundred mu to support one.
Its emergence would not only attract large numbers of immigrants from the north but, combined with policies of recuperation and low taxes, would also lead to explosive population growth.
This year was a trial. They specially selected three thousand mu of official fields in the eastern suburbs of Chaisang for the test planting. Starting from last autumn, these three thousand mu of official fields had not been planted with winter wheat; they were deliberately left fallow for the winter, while fertilizing and repairing water conservancy.
After the Lantern Festival, which is mid-to-late February on the solar calendar, they began raising seedlings with the new rice seeds. Now in mid-February on the lunar calendar, the seedlings were growing vigorously and could be transplanted to the fields.
In the official fields, water buffaloes pulled curved shaft plows, repeatedly tilling the paddy fields. In the well-tilled paddy fields, over a hundred farmers with rich experience in planting rice were skillfully transplanting seedlings. They were specially selected by the government office as planting experts, especially skilled in rice, to participate in this trial.
Every farmer was filled with anticipation, devoting themselves fully to this crucial rice trial.
Gan Ning did not participate in transplanting. He stood on the official road, gazing from afar at the busy farmers in the fields. The supervisor of this trial was Agriculture Officer Zhou Jing, a subordinate of Jiang Wan responsible for agriculture. This time, he served as the chief official for the trial, which would last a full year.
“Marquis of Chu, if the summer harvest succeeds, this subordinate plans to trial the same seeds for summer planting on a small scale.”
Gan Ning turned to look. Jiang Wan nodded, indicating his agreement.
Gan Ning then nodded. “Very well!”
He did not casually offer opinions but delegated power and responsibility to experienced subordinates.
At this moment, urgent hoofbeats came from afar. Soon, a messenger dismounted and bowed to Gan Ning. “Reporting to Marquis of Chu, the strategist requests your return. An envoy from Cao Cao has arrived!”
Gan Ning was taken aback and nodded. “Let us return!”
Everyone mounted their horses, loosened the reins, and headed straight back to Chaisang City.
Gan Ning had never expected the visitor to be not Jia Xu, but Xun You, one of the top strategists of the Three Kingdoms. This was his first time meeting him.
Xun You was in his early fifties, with fair skin, a lean face, and a long beard under his chin. His gaze was calm yet shrewd.
Seated before the desk, Xun You lightly stroked his long beard, impassively sizing up Gan Ning. Gan Ning was tall, with a straight posture. Though not yet thirty, he exuded an irresistible authority of one in power, especially with his profound gaze. Even with Xun You’s rich life experience, he could not read or fathom him.
Xun You suddenly understood: this was the Chancellor’s greatest enemy, far surpassing Yuan Shao and Liu Bei, because he was young—youth being his greatest strength.
Xun You stood and exchanged courtesies. After a brief exchange, Gan Ning invited him to sit, with Lu Su at the side. Xun You wanted to talk directly with Gan Ning, not through Lu Su. He was not here to negotiate but to deliver an ultimatum.
“General Gan is busy with myriad affairs, so I will not beat around the bush. He comes on orders from Chancellor Cao to speak face-to-face with General Gan. The Chancellor hopes the general can exercise restraint and not intervene when we attack Jiangdong. In return, the Chancellor promises to leave the general and his descendants a life of wealth and honor.”
Gan Ning smiled faintly. “Did you not sign a seven-year no-war agreement with Jiangdong? Are you tearing it up so soon?”
Xun You gazed sharply at Gan Ning. “Does the general believe in this agreement?”
Gan Ning shook his head. “You simply do not want Sun Quan to ally with me. But this agreement has a loophole—you have not noticed it?”
“What loophole?”
Gan Ning lightly tapped the table. “You underestimate Sun Quan and the heroes of Jiangdong. As soon as you prepare to attack Jiangdong, Sun Quan will awaken. He will unhesitatingly beg me to send troops and offer me his utmost sincerity. Perhaps for the sake of his sincerity, I will send troops to save him. My mengchong warship army can reach the river surface at Liyang County in three days. Have you calculated this time difference?”
Xun You was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Let us take a step back! The Chancellor hopes General Gan can withdraw from Queyue City. The terms can be negotiated.”
Before Gan Ning could reply, Xun You continued, “Actually, we all understand that Queyue City is merely a symbol, just to show your presence. You can attack the north of the river from Chaisang, from Pengze, from Chu County, or from anywhere else—you do not need Queyue City as a springboard.”
While calmly listening to Xun You, Gan Ning quickly gauged his intentions. He found Xun You’s negotiation hollow and unrealistic. There could only be one explanation: pre-war posturing, that is, courtesy before troops.
“If so, then you need not concern yourselves with Queyue City. Why insist on taking it?”
“Because of face!”
Xun You said without reservation, “The existence of Queyue City means the failure of the Chancellor’s north-of-the-river strategy and that General Cao Ren can never hold his head high again. The Chancellor cannot afford to lose this face, so he wants to talk with you about what terms can make you withdraw from Queyue City.”
Gan Ning smiled faintly. “Chancellor Cao wants face, and I, Gan Ning, want face too. How about your army withdraws from Jiangxia Commandery, and I retain the minimal garrison at Queyue City, letting it exist merely as a symbol.”
“Is there no room for compromise?” Xun You probed one last time.
Gan Ning straightened his back. “Then allow me to speak bluntly. We can talk, but only if the Cao Army completely withdraws from Jianghuai. On that basis, we can discuss how to get along. Without that foundation, there is no room for negotiation.”
Gan Ning’s firm stance left Xun You truly helpless. He could only take his leave. Since the other side refused courtesy, only troops remained.
