Chapter 36: The Two Qiao Enter The Residence
Gan Ning has two official residences, one in the barracks, which is his Colonel of the Chongsai Army military yamen.
The other is the Chaisang County yamen, where he is the county chief.
Currently, Gan Ning controls three counties: one Chaisang County, one Xunyang County, and one Liling County.
Liling County is south of Mount Lu. Gan Ning ordered Zhang Xi to lead five hundred men to garrison there. If Taishi Ci leads troops to attack, Zhang Xi will abandon it and withdraw north, but interestingly, Taishi Ci has never attacked Liling County, effectively acquiescing to Gan Ning’s occupation of Liling County.
As for Xunyang County, after Sun Ce was injured, no officials were sent there, as if this smallest county in the western part of Lujiang Commandery had been forgotten.
Of course, this is not Jiangdong forgetting, just temporarily unable to attend to it.
Although shooting Sun Ce forced Jiangdong to withdraw its army and temporarily resolved the crisis in Chaisang, Gan Ning has not been too happy these past two days.
It was mainly because an unpleasant incident occurred: Yuan Shu’s retainer troops’ Zhang Xun fled with his family, or more accurately, abandoned his post and fled. Gan Ning had previously appointed Zhang Xun as Liling County county assistant, with Gan Ning himself concurrently serving as county chief, so Zhang Xun was effectively the real county chief of Liling County, and Gan Ning had treated him well.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Xun felt the position Gan Ning gave him was too low and actually fled to Jiangdong with his family the day before yesterday.
This infuriated Gan Ning, who immediately ordered Lu Su to investigate.
At this time, Gan Ning was listening to Lu Su’s investigation report.
“Reporting to my lord, this subordinate has investigated clearly. It was people from Jiangdong who persuaded Zhang Xun, promising him a high official position and generous salary. Unable to resist the temptation, Zhang Xun left without a word.”
Gan Ning stood with hands behind his back by the window, his face very grim. This was the first time he had encountered betrayal by a subordinate.
Lu Su advised, “My lord need not worry about this. Even birds know to perch on good trees, let alone people. Zhang Xun was originally Yuan Shu’s subordinate and lacked loyalty to my lord. It is human nature for him to seek a higher branch. The key is for us to grow stronger ourselves, take all of Yuzhang, and naturally good ministers will come to serve. So my lord need not worry about lacking good strategists.”
Gan Ning sighed softly, “Sir is right. The key is that I myself am not strong enough yet. Fine, let them go! But I estimate Jiangdong’s people are still in Chaisang. We must catch them and not let them poach my people so brazenly.”
“This subordinate obeys the order and will go arrange for people to search for Jiangdong spies.”
Lu Su gave a salute and hurried away.
Gan Ning then asked his personal guard Han Gui, who was standing in the courtyard, “Did something happen?”
Han Gui hurriedly said, “Reporting to my lord, this afternoon a merchant visited Madam Yang. I don’t know what they said, but this subordinate saw the merchant throw a ingot of silver into the courtyard when he left.”
To appease the Qiao family, Gan Ning specially appointed Qiao An as Xunyang County county commandant and found a one-acre small residence for Madam Yang and her daughters, providing them with five guan qian monthly for living expenses. For this reason, Madam Yang and her daughters were able to settle down peacefully.
Mainly because Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao are still young, Gan Ning planned to take them into his residence after they grow a bit older. At the same time, he arranged his personal guard Han Gui in the grocery store across from the Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao home to protect them and prevent the mother and daughters from being harassed.
Gan Ning was secretly startled. This must be Sun Ce not giving up on Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao. He had been careless. No! They cannot be left outside.
Gan Ning immediately ordered his personal guard, “Go invite Chief Clerk Yang!”
Yang Jing’s official residence is also in the county yamen, very close. Soon, the personal guard reported at the door, “General, Chief Clerk Yang is here!”
“Invite him in!”
Yang Jing entered the official residence, bowed, and saluted, “This subordinate pays respects to my lord!”
“What has Chief Clerk Yang been busy with lately?” Gan Ning asked with a smile.
“Reporting to my lord, year-end is tax collection season. This subordinate has recently been assisting Chief Clerk Lu in verifying household registrations.”
“Chief Clerk Yang has worked hard during this time.”
Gan Ning smiled, pondered for a moment, and said, “Today someone went to see your sister. Who was he?”
Yang Jing did not dare conceal it and hurriedly said, “My sister did not know the visitor either. He claimed to be a subordinate of the Marquis of Wu and wanted to take the mother and daughters to Wu Commandery.”
As expected, it was someone sent by Sun Ce. Gan Ning asked again, “Was this the first time this person contacted your sister?”
“It was the first time. My sister was a bit scared and came specially to discuss it with me.”
Gan Ning said slowly, “Recently, quite a few Jiangdong spies have come to Chaisang. The visitors are not friendly, and it is unsafe for them, a widow and orphans, to live outside. How about this: my mansion’s west courtyard is empty. Let the mother and daughters move in, and I can protect them.”
“My lord, how about letting Da Qiao enter the residence first!”
How could Gan Ning leave Xiao Qiao outside, where she might be abducted if not careful.
Gan Ning shook his head, “I have no other intentions. The sisters are still young, not yet of marriageable age, and without a father to protect them, they are easily bullied. Have them move in today!”
Yang Jing had no choice but to agree, “I will go tell them now!”
………
Gan Ning only treated them with propriety, but that did not mean his will could be resisted. That afternoon, Madam Yang brought her two daughters and moved into Gan Ning’s mansion.
Gan Ning’s mansion is the county yamen’s rear residence, covering about five acres, divided into front, middle, and rear sections. The west courtyard is part of the rear residence, actually intended for concubines.
But now Gan Ning is single, with no wife or concubines, not even maidservants or servants. The empty five-acre mansion has only him living there.
Madam Yang is rather timid. Her brother Yang Jing scared her, saying the merchant who visited her that afternoon was of unknown identity and had accomplices, possibly human traffickers.
The other side gave silver, and if they did not leave, they would come at night to carry off her two daughters. This frightened Madam Yang badly. She did not dare wait until tomorrow, hastily packed, and moved into the county residence with her two daughters.
Madam Yang was tidying up in the room, while Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao held hands and walked around the rear residence. They were very surprised that such a large residence had no one in it.
Soon, they arrived at the rear residence garden. The back garden is not large but elegantly built: a small bamboo grove, next to an octagonal pavilion with upturned eaves, a small fish pond by the pavilion where one can sit inside to feed the fish, with two rockeries by the fish pond, and a nursery flower bed not far away.
Although it was November now, the Gregorian calendar would be December, it was not very cold. The fish pond had no ice, and there were still over a dozen carp swimming in the water.
“Older sister, look quickly, there’s a red carp over there!” Xiao Qiao pointed at the water in surprise.
“Oh! We forgot to bring some fish food.” Da Qiao said regretfully.
“I have some here!” A man’s voice came from behind.
The sisters turned back in fright. Behind them stood a young, tall man—it was Gan Ning.
He held a bag of fish food and smilingly handed it to the two sisters, “I was just coming to feed the fish. Please do it for me!”
After a month apart, the two little beauties looked much healthier, no longer as frail as before. Not only were they radiant, their skin was fair and rosy, crystalline and delicate. Though dressed simply, their peerless beauty was already evident.
Da Qiao was shy to take the fish food bag and passed it to her younger sister. Da Qiao gave a curtsy and said, “Thank you, Young Master, for bringing us here and protecting us from being abducted by bad people.”
The two sisters were very innocent and completely believed their uncle’s words that they had been targeted by human traffickers.
Gan Ning smiled, “Later, Xunyang Restaurant will deliver meals. Tomorrow two cooks will arrive, and I have also hired a butler. He will bring daily necessities. Tell him whatever you need.”
“Thank you, Young Master, for your care!”
Gan Ning said gently, “I have some matters and will return late. You eat first, don’t wait for me!”
“I understand!”
Da Qiao was more sensible and bowed to see Gan Ning off, while Xiao Qiao excitedly fed the fish on the side. She was not yet at the age of understanding.
Da Qiao watched Gan Ning’s figure recede into the distance, gently bit her lip. Eating and living for free, with five guan qian every month—this won’t do. She was the older sister and must do something.
