Chapter 82: Vowing To Resist Marriage To The Death
Not long after, Jia Xu hurried to the Minister of Works Mansion, and at the same time, Guo Jia also arrived on orders.
After listening to Jia Xu’s report, Cao Cao was truly a bit anxious. He paced back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back. In Cao Cao’s plan, Gan Ning would need at least a few years to contend with Huang Zu, but he had not expected Gan Ning to defeat Huang Zu so quickly.
Guo Jia, however, flipped through the report on Sun Yi’s assassination case with great interest. Cao Cao glanced at him and sighed, “Feng Xiao, set aside the Sun Yi case for now. That case is already quite clear—it was obviously Sun Quan who eliminated the potential threat after securing his position.”
Guo Jia smiled and said, “If it was Sun Quan who did it, he could have simply bribed someone close to Sun Yi to act, since Sun Yi often beat and scolded his subordinates. That would create the illusion of a subordinate seeking revenge on Sun Yi. There was no need for him to send someone else to assassinate him, as that would make everyone think it was him. Sun Quan wouldn’t be so foolish as to ruin his own reputation!”
Although Guo Jia’s words made a lot of sense, Cao Cao was no longer too concerned about Sun Yi’s case. No matter who did it, it would not affect his own interests or cause any major changes to the overall situation.
On the contrary, Gan Ning’s sudden strong rise gave Cao Cao a bit of a headache. In just one year, Gan Ning had defeated Huang Zu—his rise was too fast.
“Feng Xiao, tell me about Gan Ning. I cannot let him grow any stronger; in the future, he will surely become a major threat to me.”
Guo Jia smiled faintly and said, “It is not strange that Gan Ning has developed so quickly. My lord should have noticed that Liu Yao took the four commanderies of Jiangdong in less than a year, Sun Ce swept through the five commanderies of Jiangdong in one year, and Gan Ning took Yuzhang Commandery and half of Jiangxia Commandery in one year. This only shows that their opponents were too weak, which is why they could rise strongly and expand rapidly.
But once Gan Ning develops to a certain extent, he will reach his limit, still because the population and resources in the South cannot compare to the North. So my lord need not worry too much. As for the strategy toward Gan Ning, my lord should try not to change it—one hand pulling and one hand striking is the right approach. This is also what ‘allying with distant states while attacking those nearby’ means.”
Jia Xu also said, “Strategist Guo is right. Gan Ning is a smart man; he will not let himself advance too quickly. This subordinate observed that in his defeat of Huang Zu this time, he could have completely annihilated Huang Zu and captured the entire Jiangxia region in one stroke, but he did not do so. He merely weakened Huang Zu.
Clearly, he is not yet prepared to confront Liu Biao, so he temporarily left Huang Zu as a buffer. Moreover, with Gan Ning’s rise, Liu Biao and Jiangdong should be even more anxious and under greater pressure; they will try every means to annihilate Gan Ning.”
The reassurance from the two strategists slightly eased the anxiety in Cao Cao’s heart. Cao Cao nodded, “I lost my composure. I just defeated Yuan Shao and my momentum is strong, yet I let a small Southern warlord unsettle me—it truly is unbecoming. How should I respond next? Ignore him?”
Guo Jia smiled confidently and said, “Last year, I told my lord that once Gan Ning becomes a bit stronger, we can employ the scheme of Two Peaches Kill Three Officials. We can try it slightly now.”
Cao Cao immediately became interested, “What is Feng Xiao’s plan?”
“First, Sun Ben is a Southern force that can be well utilized. He is ambitious yet shortsighted. My lord can fully support Sun Ben, raise him as my lord’s dog, give him armor, money and grain, help him grow strong north of the River, and let him deal with Gan Ning and Jiangdong.
Second, my lord should have the Imperial Court approve renaming E County to Wuchang County, recognize Wuchang Commandery, and enfeoff Gan Ning as Marquis of Wuchang County. This is just a small peach, but Sun Ben is narrow-minded. He is only a Town Marquis, while Gan Ning is enfeoffed as a County Marquis—he will surely be extremely dissatisfied.
Huang Zu will be even less able to accept Jiangxia territory being granted to Gan Ning. This subordinate believes Huang Zu will definitely join forces with Sun Ben against Gan Ning—this is called one peach provoking three officials. Additionally, we can enfeoff Gan Ning as a Miscellaneous General; on official positions, give what should be given, so he will not break away from the Imperial Court.”
Cao Cao fully accepted supporting Sun Ben; this had always been his plan. Previously, he considered supporting Sun Ben against Sun Ce and even specially sent Jia Xu to Nanchang to meet Sun Ben. Now, supporting Sun Ben against Sun Quan was the same.
It was just that Cao Cao was a bit worried about Huang Zu, “I’m afraid Huang Zu no longer has the strength to fight Gan Ning.”
Guo Jia smiled faintly, “Huang Zu has Liu Biao behind him. My lord need not worry about Huang Zu’s strength. As long as my lord quickly supports Sun Ben, leave the rest to them. My lord can then concentrate his energy on thoroughly defeating Yuan Shao and quickly recovering Hebei.”
Cao Cao suddenly understood; he had forgotten about Liu Biao behind Huang Zu. Cao Cao immediately said to Jia Xu, “Handle Sun Ben’s side, Wen He. Give him military supplies and a base, and quickly prop him up to confront Jiangdong and reduce the pressure on our east.
At the same time, send people to closely surveil Liu Bei’s development in Jingzhou. Once he shows any intention of campaigning north, report to me at once!”
Cao Cao was not worried about Liu Biao; he was worried about Liu Bei. He feared Liu Bei would persuade Liu Biao to campaign north.
Jia Xu hurriedly bowed and saluted, “This subordinate will certainly arrange it properly!”
The next morning, the Imperial Court issued a decree agreeing to establish Wuchang Commandery, approving the renaming of E County to Wuchang County, and appointing Gan Ning to concurrently serve as Prefect of Wuchang Commandery, enfeoffing him as General Who Builds Martial Might and promoting him to Marquis of Wuchang County.
The Imperial Court also approved Sun Quan’s petition, commending Xu Kun for meritorious service in suppressing Li Shu’s rebellion, enfeoffing Xu Kun as Marquis of Guangde County and granting him the title Pacifying the Captives General.
This was the Xu Family’s status in Jiangdong—obtaining the third County Marquis title in Jiangdong.
Madam Sun of the Xu Family returned from the Wu Palace and immediately summoned her husband Xu Zhen.
“Just now, Madam summoned me to the Wu Palace, requesting that we quickly send Xu Wei to Xuchang. We must also go to Xuchang and hold the wedding for them there.”
Xu Zhen frowned, “Holding the wedding in Xuchang is inappropriate! What about the groom’s family?”
Madam Sun widened her almond eyes and glared fiercely at her husband, “You know it’s inappropriate—who made you betray him? Now Sun Yi cannot return either. What do you say we should do?”
Xu Zhen said sheepishly, “That’s not called betrayal; that’s stopping the brothers from killing each other. Didn’t you all understand my good intentions?”
“Understand my foot! I just didn’t want to fall out with you. Did you think I didn’t know your little schemes? You wanted Sun Quan to marry Fen’er as wife to consolidate your Xu Family’s status.”
“Madam, you are also part of the Xu Family. Can you bear to see your own granddaughter widowed?”
Xu Zhen had touched his wife’s sore spot. Madam Sun’s expression softened a bit, and she then said, “Madam’s meaning is to have Sun Jing represent the groom’s side to go to Xuchang and host the wedding.”
“That works too! He is an elder of the Sun Family; he is the most suitable. That solves it, doesn’t it?”
Madam Sun snorted, “There is one big headache—that dead girl may not be willing.”
Just as the words fell, Xu Wei’s voice came from the hall below, “Is Grandmother looking for me?”
Madam Sun and Xu Zhen exchanged a glance. Madam Sun immediately put on a smiling face, “Wei’er, come in quickly. Your grandfather and I were just talking about you!”
Xu Wei walked in and curtsied gracefully, “Wei’er pays respects to Grandfather and Grandmother!”
Xu Wei’s grandfather and grandmother had both passed away. Since her birth mother died of illness when she was very young and her father had no energy to care for her, he entrusted her to Madam Sun to raise. Madam Sun truly doted on her, treating her as her own granddaughter.
However, in the past two years, the relationship between Madam Sun and Xu Wei had been a bit strained, mainly over Xu Wei’s marriage. Betrothing Xu Wei to her nephew Sun Yi had been Madam Sun’s doing, and the Xu Family naturally agreed—it was a marriage alliance with the Sun Family, in line with Xu Family tradition.
But Xu Wei herself was unwilling. From childhood, she had seen Sun Yi’s domineering and brutish ways; he often bullied his two younger brothers Sun Kuang and Sun Lang, and beating and scolding subordinates was commonplace. So she had disliked Sun Yi since childhood, and yet Grandmother betrothed her to the Sun Yi she hated most, which grieved her deeply.
This time, Xu Wei had run off to Nanchang to find Gan Ning on her own, truly enraging Madam Sun. After capturing Xu Wei and bringing her back, Madam Sun confined her for a full month.
Xu Wei’s character was outwardly soft but inwardly strong. She neither begged for mercy nor explained herself; she shut herself in her room for a month, silently protesting. Madam Sun finally learned the situation from Qin Yan. Although Qin Yan was vague, Madam Sun vaguely guessed that Xu Wei might like Gan Ning.
This would never do; she must marry her off quickly. Madam Sun resolved to send Xu Wei to Xuchang as soon as possible and conceal from the Sun Family the matter of Xu Wei going to Yuzhang Commandery.
Madam Sun smiled and said, “This morning I went to the Wu Palace; I should have taken you along. Madam misses you very much.”
Xu Wei curtsied and said, “Grandmother, I want to go to Kuaiji Commandery to accompany Father. Please grant permission, Grandmother!”
Madam Sun’s expression changed, and she flatly refused, “No! You are to go to Xuchang and set out tomorrow.”
“What to do in Xuchang?”
“You know full well. Your wedding date is set for the beginning of next month, so you must set out tomorrow.”
Xu Wei was struck as if by thunderbolt; tears surged out at once, “No! I won’t go! I refuse!”
Madam Sun slammed the table heavily, “Whether you want to or not, you are going! Marriage is not up to you!”
“I’m not going—you might as well kill me!”
Xu Wei cried out loudly, sobbing as she burst into tears, then turned and ran.
Xu Zhen felt pity in his heart and said to his wife, “Speak nicely to her; you’ve scared the child!”
Madam Sun turned back and glared angrily at her husband. Xu Zhen had feared his wife all his life; he dared not make a sound.
Xu Wei ran back to her room and threw herself on the bed, sobbing loudly. She viciously threw away the three copper coins on the pillow—they were not accurate at all, saying she would have no marriage within three years. What nonsense!
Xu Wei cried extremely sadly. Suddenly, she made up her mind: even if the King of Heaven himself forced her, she would not marry Sun Yi.
Xu Wei immediately sat up, wiped away her tears, and began quickly packing her clothes. She would go to Kuaiji Commandery right now—anyway, she would not marry, so let them do as they pleased.
Xu Wei packed a small bundle with all her savings. She hesitated but still picked up the three copper coins— these were given to her by Master; she could not throw them away.
There were several sturdy women guarding the front gate, so Xu Wei climbed out the back window. But she unexpectedly saw three sturdy women holding wooden sticks lying by the flower bed, and the usually tightly locked back door was actually open.
Xu Wei was stunned for a moment, with no time to think deeply. She rushed out the back courtyard side door and ran in one breath to the mansion’s side door, where Qin Yan appeared before her, “Miss, you can only stop here!”
Tears surged from Xu Wei’s eyes again, “Sister Yan, please let me go! Begging you! Tomorrow they will send me to Xuchang. I must leave; I do not wish to marry him.”
Qin Yan gazed at Xu Wei for a moment, then sighed softly, “Let the Xu Family punish me however they want! I’ll go with you.”
Qin Yan slightly stepped aside. Xu Wei was overjoyed and immediately ran out the side door. Qin Yan quickly followed. The two escaped from the Xu Residence’s side door and directly rented a boat to head to Kuaiji Commandery.
An hour after Xu Wei and Qin Yan escaped, Xu Kun brought back major news: Sun Yi had been assassinated and killed in Xuchang.
