Chapter 281: Unexpected Assassination
After the military and political affairs meeting, Gan Ning invited Lu Su and Bu Zhi to his official residence alone.
Gan Ning asked them to sit down and smiled at them, saying, “I believe not everyone in Jiangdong is willing to surrender to Cao Cao, let alone to Sun Ben. We need to win over the civil and military officials who are willing to surrender to us. First, the military is Zhou Yu, and the civilian is Lv Fan. I am determined to win over these two, and then through them, we can recruit generals who are willing to follow us, such as famous generals like Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Zhou Tai, as well as civil officials like Zhu Zhi and Yan Jun.”
Lu Su pondered for a moment and said, “Zhou Yu is actually difficult to persuade to surrender. Mere sentiment may not move him; we need to find a way.”
Gan Ning smiled slightly and said, “I have already considered it. First, invite him to station in Pengze, then we will join forces to attack Cao Cao’s navy in Pengli Marsh, build friendship, and then discuss his allegiance.”
Bu Zhi happily said, “This method is good. We’ll take it step by step, giving him plenty of face and an easy way out. Once Jiangdong has no hope of restoration, he will surrender to our Lord.”
Lu Su nodded repeatedly, “This method is good. This subordinate will depart tonight to find Gongjin.”
Gan Ning then said to Bu Zhi, “If I recruit Lv Fan, what should I pay attention to?”
Bu Zhi pondered for a moment and said, “Lu Ziheng values his family the most, especially since he has a deep relationship with his wife. This subordinate suggests that after the city falls, he surrender to the Imperial Court to protect his family, and then we can find an opportunity to bring him and his family back.”
Gan Ning happily said, “This method is good. Immediately send a carrier pigeon letter to Song Kuan and have him contact Lv Fan.”
The turn of events in Jiangdong was a great blow to Sun Shangxiang. For several days, she remained silent and her health rapidly deteriorated.
Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, and Xu Wei took turns persuading her, and only then did she slightly cheer up and start to eat something.
“Shangxiang, let’s go for a walk!”
That afternoon, Xu Wei smiled at Sun Shangxiang, “A Yu will also come with us. We’ll ride in a carriage, make milk tea in the carriage, look at the street scenery, and relax!”
Sun Shangxiang’s mood had improved slightly in the past two days, so she nodded, “Alright!”
The three immediately got into the large carriage. Xiao Qiao lit the alcohol stove to make milk tea. The alcohol was a new type of fuel obtained by repeatedly distilling wine under Gan Ning’s guidance at the Fire Oil Research Institute.
However, alcohol was not suitable for military use as it was unstable and volatile. Gan Ning decided to repurpose it for civilian use. It could be used for lighting, providing high brightness and being good for the eyes, as well as for brewing tea, replacing charcoal, which could cause poisoning.
Of course, it was more commonly used for drinking. When used to mix alcoholic beverages, the price increased, which was beneficial for increasing financial revenue.
The alcohol burned vigorously, and soon the milk tea pot began to bubble.
Xiao Qiao extinguished the alcohol stove and happily poured a cup of milk tea for each of them. The three of them drank the rich and sweet milk tea while looking at the street scenery outside the window. The carriage windows were made of crystal glass, and a thin veil was lowered, obscuring the inside from the outside while allowing a clear view of the scenery from within.
Xu Wei gently comforted Sun Shangxiang, “Shangxiang, don’t be sad anymore. Your mother will be fine. Her position is too high, and even if the Cao Army breaches the city, they wouldn’t dare to disrespect her. Moreover, I heard from my husband that the crisis will likely be resolved through negotiation, and there will be no major siege battle.”
Sun Shangxiang’s eyes brightened slightly, “Did General really say that?”
“He told me that yesterday. You can also ask him yourself; he might get some news.”
“Okay! I’ll ask him during dinner.”
After traveling a few miles, the carriage slowly turned around, preparing to return. Just then, two figures in black leaped from a nearby restaurant, landing precisely on the carriage roof. They immediately plunged their swords into the roof, attempting to open the ventilation hatch.
Normally, carriages have a hatch on the roof for ventilation, and opening it would allow someone to jump inside. However, this was no ordinary carriage. It was specially built to prevent assassins, with the walls, roof, and floor made of two layers of thick, specially treated Qinggang wood, with a thin iron plate sandwiched in between. Even a close-range shot from a Great Yellow Crossbow could not penetrate it, let alone ordinary swords.
Furthermore, there was no ventilation hatch on the roof, only one window, and the carriage was divided into two compartments, an outer and an inner. Three female guards sat in the outer compartment, and the inner compartment had a door that, once locked from the inside, could not be opened from the outside.
As the two figures in black landed on the carriage roof, the surrounding guards were greatly alarmed and immediately thrust their spears towards the intruders, shouting, “Assassin!”
The inner door was violently pushed open, and Qin Yan entered with a flip, immediately locking the door and drawing her long sword while staring at the roof. The three women, pale with fright, huddled in a corner.
The two figures in black, unable to access the carriage interior, immediately sensed trouble. One of them swung his sword towards the carriage window. “Clang!” The long sword struck the crystal glass, which was exceptionally strong, leaving only a slight white mark.
The two figures in black realized they could not open the carriage. Just as they were about to flee, it was too late. Both were pierced by more than a dozen spears almost simultaneously, falling from the carriage roof with screams.
Inside the restaurant, their companions attempted to escape but were ensnared by a large net thrown by the internal guards. The net tightened, capturing them alive.
News of the attack on his family immediately reached Gan Ning, who was greatly alarmed and rushed back to his manor.
The carriage had already returned to the manor and was parked inside. The three women were cautiously emerging from the carriage, with Da Qiao asking Qin Yan about the situation.
“Are you alright?” Gan Ning strode in.
Xu Wei quickly shook her head, “Husband, we are fine, just… a little startled!”
Gan Ning breathed a sigh of relief, “It was wise of you to travel by carriage. These times are dangerous, so try not to go out. If you absolutely must go out, you must travel by carriage. Do not take a boat, and certainly not walk. Do you understand?”
Gan Ning had not told his family about Cao Cao sending assassins to Chaisang, fearing they would worry. He hadn’t expected them to encounter such an incident.
At this moment, the butler reported, “General Wang Xiaoman requests an audience!”
Gan Ning gestured for Da Qiao to take the three women back to the rear residence. Shortly after, Wang Xiaoman entered and bowed, saying, “The captured assassins confessed. They were sent from Jiangdong and belong to Jiangdong’s Wu Jian.”
Gan Ning was startled and confused, “Assassins sent from Jiangdong?”
“They are not actually assassins, but were ordered by Sun Quan to forcibly take Miss Sun back to Jiangdong. They had been ambushing outside the manor for many days, waiting for an opportunity, and had already decided to give up. However, yesterday they received an urgent order from Sun Ben, instructing them to take Miss Sun back to Jiangdong immediately. Today, they seized the opportunity and acted.”
“Sun Ben?” Gan Ning was taken aback.
“Yes, they have now pledged allegiance to Sun Ben.”
“Were they all captured?”
“Three are still at large and should still be within the city. This subordinate will definitely catch them!”
Gan Ning nodded, “I understand. The situation is grave recently, so we must strengthen the sentry posts outside the manor and not be careless in the slightest.”
“This subordinate understands!”
Wang Xiaoman bowed and withdrew.
Seeing that it was getting late, Gan Ning did not return to his official residence but went directly to the study.
Before long, Xu Wei entered with Sun Shangxiang.
“Husband, Shangxiang wishes to understand the situation in Jiangdong. Could you tell her about it?”
After a pause, she added in a small voice, “I want to know too!”
This silly girl, although she publicly disowned the Xu family, in her heart… she still couldn’t forget the Xu family.
Gan Ning nodded gently and gestured, “You two, please sit down!”
