Chapter 62: Cao Cao’s Choice
Inside the study, Xu Zhen read the letter from his nephew Xu Qiu, disbelief showing in his eyes.
“Gan Ning’s recruitment letter actually dares to use the slogan ‘regardless of scholar or commoner, only talent is promoted.’ Isn’t he afraid of offending all the aristocratic families in the world?”
Xu Kun chuckled, “Actually, I understand. If he recruited from aristocratic families, who would pay attention to him? Since he can’t recruit from them, he turns his attention to the poor families. This is also a method. My cousin said he is very practical, and I agree with that.”
Xu Zhen’s heart stirred. He suddenly realized this could also be an opportunity for the Xu family.
He, Xu Zhen, is from an aristocratic family, but not all clansmen named Xu are from aristocratic families. On the contrary, aristocratic families are only a tiny minority; most of the Xu family descendants come from poor families.
What are poor families? Decadent noble families are called poor families. Distant relatives outside the five degrees of mourning of noble families are called commoners. Middle-class people with houses and land are called commoners.
Therefore, the Xu family also has many poor families. Xu Sheng isn’t even from a poor family; he can only be called a commoner. That’s why Xu Sheng was not valued by Sun Ben. After defecting to Gan Ning, he has already been appointed Commandant and Commander of a Detached Unit. This is clearly a good thing, so why am I still unhappy?
Xu Zhen’s only lingering issue was that Xu Sheng defected to Gan Ning without his permission. However, he now understood that if Xu Sheng hadn’t surrendered at that time, he would have died and had no time to ask for his consent.
Once this issue was resolved, Xu Zhen’s thinking became clear. If Gan Ning develops well, the Xu family could also invest in Gan Ning.
“You are right. Have Xu Qiu pay close attention to Gan Ning.”
Noble families are called noble families because they are long-term stable. No matter how the world changes, they remain unmoved. One of their most important methods is to invest wisely. This investment does not refer to financial investment but to investment in talent and hedging bets.
They do not choose between bear paws and fish; they use both fish and bear paws for their own benefit.
Xu Zhen immediately sent people to take Xu Sheng’s mother and elder brother’s wife to Nanchang County. At the same time, he personally wrote a letter to Gan Ning. Xu Sheng can be considered the Xu family’s first investment in Gan Ning.
Cao Cao received Gan Ning’s urgent letter, which explained his reasons for capturing Pengze. The reason was that Chen Lan and Lei Bo were angered by Cao Gong’s broken promise and refused to grant them nobility titles, and they were showing signs of surrendering to Sun Ce.
“To protect himself, Ning had no choice but to send troops to Pengze and eliminate the two rebels. This cannot affect Cao Gong’s grand plan.”
Gan Ning continued in the letter, “Ning heard that the Marquis of Wu is massing his forces at Jingkou, drilling day and night, ready for a Northern Expedition at any time. If Ning had selfish intentions, he could completely wait until the Jiangdong Army launched its Northern Expedition before taking Yuzhang. However, for Cao Gong’s overall strategy, Ning is willing to risk the danger of the Jiangdong Army pressing close to the border and resolutely attack Haihun, marching south towards Nanchang, launching the campaign to capture Yuzhang. This is to stall the Jiangdong Army’s Northern Expedition. Ning’s sincerity is evident, how can you, my lord, turn a blind eye?”
After reading Gan Ning’s letter, Cao Cao truly felt Gan Ning’s sincerity. Although attacking Chen Lan and Lei Bo was clearly an excuse, Cao Cao could also see that despite Chen Lan and Lei Bo’s complaints, they wouldn’t dare surrender to Sun Ce.
However, Gan Ning could have chosen to wait until Sun Ce’s army launched its Northern Expedition before capturing Yuzhang Commandery. But he initiated the campaign to capture Yuzhang Commandery in advance, truly tying down Sun Ce. Cao Cao could appreciate this sincerity in taking risks, and Gan Ning must have been thinking of the greater good.
In fact, Gan Ning was worried that Sun Ce would annihilate him before launching the Northern Expedition to exact revenge. That’s why he took advantage of the winter to capture Yuzhang first.
Gan Ning certainly would not tell Cao Cao the truth, but instead insisted that he was acting for the sake of the overall strategy, and the reasoning was perfectly sound.
Cao Cao decided to fulfill his promise and arrange for the Imperial Court to appoint Gan Ning as the Prefect of Yuzhang. However, just then, Cao Cao received a memorial from Sun Quan. Sun Quan was willing to pledge allegiance to the Imperial Court and promised never to launch a Northern Expedition, but he hoped the Imperial Court would appoint him as the Governor of Yangzhou, governing the six commanderies of Jiangdong.
Cao Cao hesitated. Sun Quan’s promise of never launching a Northern Expedition held great appeal for him, and Sun Quan’s willingness to pledge allegiance would also allow him to intervene in Jiangdong.
In comparison, Gan Ning’s sincerity seemed rather weak. Cao Cao immediately withheld the imperial edict appointing Gan Ning as the Prefect of Yuzhang Commandery.
Cao Cao immediately summoned Guo Jia and Jia Xu to discuss countermeasures.
Guo Jia smiled slightly, “Sun Ce has recently died, and Sun Quan’s position as Marquis of Wu is not stable. At this time, he is naturally unable to launch a Northern Expedition. In reality, he has no intention of launching a Northern Expedition; he is merely using it as leverage to bargain with the Minister of Works. You, my lord, do not need to take Sun Quan’s promise of never launching a Northern Expedition too seriously.”
Jia Xu also said, “Your subordinate guesses that he is unwilling to legitimize Gan Ning’s occupation of Yuzhang, so he submitted this memorial at this time precisely to prevent our lord from appointing Gan Ning as the Prefect of Yuzhang Commandery.”
Cao Cao nodded, “What you both say makes sense. However, in my heart, Sun Quan is far more important than Gan Ning. I would rather sacrifice Gan Ning to win over Sun Quan.”
At this moment, a personal guard reported at the door, “Reporting to the Minister of Works, the Second Young Master requests an audience!”
Cao Cao knew very well that Cao Pi must be coming on behalf of Gan Ning. He smiled and nodded, “Let him in!”
A moment later, Cao Pi hurried in and knelt to perform a grand salute to his father, “This son pays his respects to Father!”
“Speak! What is your matter?”
Cao Pi rose and said, “This son heard that Father has withheld Gan Ning’s appointment edict and is anxious. Gan Ning considered the greater good, stalled Sun Ce for Father, and has rendered service to Father. Moreover, he presented the Imperial Seal to Father, and Father had promised to support him. I implore Father to issue the edict as soon as possible, so as not to leave those who have rendered meritorious service unrewarded and those who are loyal disheartened!”
Cao Cao said faintly, “It seems my son values old friendships greatly!”
“No! This son values Father’s reputation more. This son hopes Father will keep his word.”
Cao Cao sighed inwardly. His son was still too naive and did not understand political tactics at all.
At this moment, Guo Jia smiled and said, “Your subordinate has a plan that can achieve the best of both worlds.”
Cao Cao’s eyes lit up, “Strategist Guo, please speak!”
Guo Jia smiled slightly, “You can appoint Sun Quan as the Governor of Yangzhou, and at the same time, the Imperial Court can appoint Gan Ning as the Prefect of Yuzhang Commandery. These two appointments do not conflict at all! Furthermore, Sun Quan’s offered terms are too meager. He wants to recommend the Prefects of each commandery in Yangzhou, so he must show greater sincerity, such as sending his brother to Xuchang as a hostage. Only then can we believe his promise of never launching a Northern Expedition. In reality, once he seizes an opportunity, he will launch a Northern Expedition to capture Guangling Commandery.”
Jia Xu also said, “Our lord is not using Gan Ning merely to stall Sun Ce’s Northern Expedition. More importantly, he needs Gan Ning to tie down Jiangdong and Jingzhou. Gan Ning’s ability to capture Yuzhang Commandery in half a year shows he is useful to our lord. Therefore, our lord appointing Gan Ning as the Prefect of Yuzhang is still to continue supporting Gan Ning in stalling Jiangdong and Liu Biao, just as our lord supported Zhang Jin in Jiaozhou.”
Cao Cao suddenly realized and nodded, “You are right to remind me, I almost made a mistake!”
Cao Cao then smiled at Cao Pi, “I also thank my son for the reminder. Your father has decided to keep his word and will not only appoint Gan Ning as the Prefect of Yuzhang but also promote him to General of the Middle Army, and grant him the title of Marquis Within the Passes, with a fief of three hundred households.”
Cao Pi was overjoyed, “Many thanks to Father for your favor!”
The next day, Cao Cao sent an envoy to Wu Commandery to continue negotiating with Sun Quan, demanding that Sun Quan send his brother as a hostage to Xuchang.
