Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3670 Ice and Charcoal Burn at Night, Tide Fades Without Wu Qiang

Because everyone knows the world is imperfect, does that mean we can take imperfection for granted?

Because everyone knows the system is flawed, as long as you still have a mouth to eat and can survive, you shouldn't complain, you should be grateful.
This is a question that people with different perspectives will obviously have different opinions on.

It's not that the people of the Han Dynasty didn't give the rulers time; rather, three or four hundred years have passed, and generation after generation has gone by, yet the government's rhetoric in dealing with the people remains the same template. Instead of facing the problems squarely, they blame and suspect those who raise the issues of having ulterior motives.

The common people of the Han Dynasty did try to change things; there were Green Forest bandits, Red Eyebrows, and Yellow Turbans, but they were all suppressed or exploited. Then the gentry of the Han Dynasty pointed fingers and said, "We gave you a chance, but you didn't do it..."

Just as some people think Fei Qian is good, others will think Fei Qian is not as good as Cao Cao.

Those who felt that Fei Qian was inferior to Cao Cao were mostly seasoned and prudent individuals with deep roots, close ties to the Cao family, or conservative and suspicious by nature. They didn't necessarily trust Cheng Yu that much; they simply felt the time wasn't right and didn't agree with revealing their stance now.

For these mature and prudent people, stability is everything.

These powerful clansmen didn't want to change things.

Gang mainly didn't want to change the proportion and structure of the distribution of benefits, didn't want his own interests to decrease while he was still alive, and even felt that the interests of his next generation should not be diminished either.

Foolish! Naive!

Therefore, Shen Rong was furious when he heard that these young people wanted to take action.

Over the years, the Shen family has declined significantly.

The fact that Shen was originally the magistrate of Yecheng, but has now gone to Anyang, is enough to prove this point.

Shen Pei died quietly a few years ago. Perhaps it was due to old age, perhaps it was due to grief, or perhaps it was for some other reason, but the Shen family is now far from what it used to be, and has completely lost the glory it enjoyed during Yuan Shao's time.

Shen Rong, a young man who a few years ago couldn't wait to reach the sky and whose nostrils were always held high, has become cautious, careful, and even a bit neurotic after repeated heavy blows, completely forgetting that he himself was once reckless.

He had now become the very thing he used to despise. He no longer felt that there was anything wrong with the old system or the old aristocracy, but rather that these young men from humble backgrounds who raised the issues and wanted to make changes were extremely annoying and even hateful.

"Cheng Zhongde is Cao Cao's trusted minister, possessing profound wisdom and keen insight! He clearly saw everything from the city walls of Wen County: the camps had smoke but no food, the flags were merely for show, and there were even traitors from Hanoi mixed among them—ironclad evidence of a feint! Those lads from Hanoi are either completely fooled by Fei Qian's double, or they have already secretly defected to the enemy, deliberately spreading false information to lure us into a trap! If we act rashly now and surrender the city, we will likely be met not with the main force of the Flying Cavalry, but with Cao Cao's army! At that time, you will be the ringleaders of the rebellion, and your entire clan will be buried with you for your foolishness!"

Shen Rong jumped up and down, cursing loudly.

He now has a wife and children, and is at the age where he has elderly parents to care for and young children to raise. He can no longer go back to the state where he was content with just himself and his family, nor can he abandon his wife and children to achieve his own goals.

Several members of the Shen family lowered their heads and listened quietly to Shen Rong's angry curses, but their expressions were numb, clearly letting it go in one ear and out the other.

The older generation loves to talk about "my generation," while the younger generation is most averse to "your generation." The older generation forgets that they were just as rebellious back then, while the younger generation only realizes that the older generation had warned them, or even repeatedly shared the lessons and experiences they themselves had learned, after they had been hurt and bruised.

What?
communicate?
Family of origin?

Contradictions have been two sides of the same coin since the dawn of humanity!
Anyone who talks about elders alone or younger generations alone is being dishonest, and anyone who shifts all the blame to their family of origin is like Liu Bang and Zhang Liang combined!

"I received a secret letter from Ye City long ago, stating that Cao Cao is paying close attention to the northern front, and reinforcements are already on their way! Choosing sides now is a recipe for disaster! Cheng Zhongde's message must have already reached Ye City, and Cao Cao will surely take swift and decisive action! In my opinion, those witnesses from Hanoi and the likes of Cui Gao are the real threat! They are dragging us into a fire pit!"

The members of the Shen family exchanged glances, and their expressions changed slightly...

Shen Rong slammed his fist on the table and cursed, but he also revealed a very important message.

He has a line of communication in Ye City, and Cao Cao's reinforcements will arrive soon!

If Cao Cao's reinforcements arrive faster than the Flying Cavalry, then launching an uprising under such circumstances would be nothing short of a futile act...

However, it was not enough for the Shen family members to restrain themselves, so the Shen family also turned their wary gaze to those other restless individuals.

The Shen family members certainly believed that Shen Rong wouldn't lie to them, but other members influenced by the Cui and Gao families were unlikely to believe the claim that Cao Cao's reinforcements were on their way. Cao Cao's overall situation was dire; moreover, to achieve great things, how could they avoid taking any risks?

The crack is beyond repair.

Although Cui Gao and his group tried their best to keep their plans secret within Anyang City, word eventually leaked out. Especially since they needed to contact the city's defense personnel, their actions couldn't be completely without leaving a trace.

This is quite normal; if things are not handled discreetly, it will obviously lead to a bad start.

"Uncle! Something terrible has happened!"

A member of the Shen family rushed into the Shen residence late at night, urgently reporting in a low voice, "That fellow from the Cui family secretly met with a garrison commander from the West Gate this evening! Afterwards, someone saw people secretly delivering money and cloth to the garrison commander's house! They...they might really be planning a rebellion!"

A cold glint flashed in Shen Rong's eyes, and he abruptly stood up. "Just as I thought! These ignorant fools!"

Shen Rong paced around the hall twice, but gritted his teeth and decided that he could not join the "initiation" now!
The logic is simple: the leaders of the uprising are Cui and Gao. Even if Shen Rong follows, he is just a follower and won't gain any significant benefits. However, Cao Cao's reinforcements are about to arrive. When Cui and Gao see that things are not going well, they can simply run away. But where can Shen Rong run to? After arriving in Anyang from Ye City, is he going to have to flee to the Taihang Mountains?
Shen Rongning preferred to wait until the main force of the Flying Cavalry Army was indeed at the city gates before surrendering, rather than "start an uprising" in advance!
He also had a somewhat hidden idea...

If Cao Cao's reinforcements arrive, there will be some losses, so...

Without further hesitation, he immediately ordered, "Men! Gather the elite guards of the manor! You, immediately take my visiting card and rush to the county government to see the county magistrate. Tell him that a wanted criminal is colluding with foreign enemies and intends to surrender the city! Request that he immediately dispatch the county troops to suppress the rebellion! Also, send men to keep a close watch on Cui Gao and his men, preventing them from escaping the city! Tonight, we must quell the rebellion!"

Betrayal and arrests erupted suddenly in the dead of night!
The rapid hoofbeats and heavy footsteps broke the silence of the night.

Shen Rong, leading dozens of fierce Shen family soldiers, joined forces with the county soldiers who rushed over after receiving the news. They instantly surrounded Cui Yue's residence, illuminating the gates of the mansion as bright as day with torches.

"Cui Yue! You have colluded with the rebels in Hanoi and plotted to surrender the city. Your crimes are unforgivable! Open the gates and surrender immediately!"

Shen Rong's voice sounded particularly harsh and cold in the night sky.

Chaos erupted within the Cui family compound.

Cui Yue had just finished discussing the details of tomorrow's uprising with a few trusted confidants when he heard this drastic change, and his face turned deathly pale. He rushed to the crack in the door and saw a forest of swords and spears outside, with flames raging. He knew then that his plan had been exposed.

"Shen Rong! You Cao family lackey! You betrayed your friend for personal gain!"

Cui Yue was both shocked and furious, and he shouted angrily.

Betraying friends for personal gain?
The county constable of Anyang immediately glanced at Shen Rong.

Shen Rong's eyes flashed, and without hesitation, he immediately gave the order, "Hmph! Even facing death, you still dare to frame the innocent! Break down the door!"

Heavy battering rams pounded against the gate, sending splinters flying. Inside, Cui Yue's men, knowing there was no point in trying to reason with them, picked up their weapons, preparing for a desperate fight. Desperate cries and the sounds of pounding weapons mingled together in a deafening roar.

With the desperate protection of several trusted confidants, Cui Yue attempted to break through the back door, only to run right into an ambush set up by Shen Rong and his men.

After a fierce close-quarters battle, Cui Yue was stabbed multiple times and pinned to the ground, his clothes stained with blood.

He glared at Shen Rong, his eyes filled with resentment and malice, "You old thief! You...you ruined our...way of survival...The General...will not...let you go..."

"Shut up!"

Shen Rong stepped forward and stomped on Cui Yue's wound, watching him writhe in pain, and sneered, "Where is Gao Shi? Speak up quickly, or you'll be spared physical suffering!"

Cui Yue gave a bitter laugh, spitting out a mouthful of bloody phlegm. "Haha...ha! You'll see when your time comes!"

"We haven't found Gao's whereabouts!" a member of the Shen family reported.

Shen Rong stared at Cui Yue, guessing that Gao Rou was likely hiding outside the city. He kicked Cui Yue hard, shouting, "Take your delusions and go to the Yellow Springs! Tie him up tightly! He'll be executed tomorrow! Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"

That night, fires flickered in Anyang City, and shouts of battle and cries of agony echoed through the streets and alleys.

A crisis of trust triggered by the news of the "real and fake General" eventually escalated into a brutal purge and betrayal within the aristocratic families of southern Ji Province.

The "surrender faction," represented by Cui Yue, suffered a sudden and fatal blow from the "die-hard faction." Key members were arrested, their homes were ransacked, and their uprising plan was aborted.

Cheng Yu's warning of a "feint" and the testimony of the "true identity" of the Hanoi youths were like two invisible blades, tearing the aristocratic families in southern Ji Province apart.

Those arrested were imprisoned, where they faced severe torture and execution for treason.

Shen Rong and his associates, who had successfully suppressed Cui Yue and his group, celebrated their victory and amassed wealth, while secretly casting their worried and wary gazes once again toward Wen County.

Is the Flying Cavalry a real force or a dummy? Is Cheng Yu's judgment necessarily correct?
Did this bloody purge solidify the rear, or...?

The air in Anyang was filled with the stench of blood and a suffocating sense of oppression.

How long can such brutal repression maintain "stability"?
Nobody can say for sure...

……

……

Just as the aristocratic youths in southern Jizhou were hesitant and fearful, even turning against each other, Jiangdong was about to face a major turning point.

The sea breeze, carrying a fishy smell and a damp scent, fluttered the hem of Sun Quan's dark cloak.

On the dock, Jiang Dong's ceremonial guard stood imposingly, their spears and halberds reflecting the cold gleam of the leaden sky.

The pattern on the shield faces the sea.

Facing the sea, one may encounter not only flowers, but also swords and spears.

Sun Quan stood on the dock, calmly watching the fleet approaching from the direction of Jiaozhi.

This fleet was not large, and the ships were not the typical multi-spanning warships common in Jiangdong. Instead, they appeared to be modified, more suited to sailing at sea, with stiff sails. The hulls bore the marks of long voyages and salt stains. Below the waterline, exposed by the rising and falling waves, the exposed hulls were covered with mottled barnacles, like countless eyes, flickering in and out of sight, probing the strength and weakness of Jiangdong.

The banner at the bow of the ship, bearing the inscription "General Liu, Conquering the South of Han," fluttered in the cold wind, announcing the identity of the visitors and piercing Sun Quan's eyes...

Sun Shiwan is currently only the General Who Guards the South...

Of course, Sun Quan's title of "General Who Guards the South" was officially granted by the emperor after Cao Cao reported it to him. As for Liu Bei's title of "General Who Conquers the South," it was granted by Fei Qian and was simply stamped with the seal of the Western Capital Secretariat.

Liu Bei, a guest general under Fei Qian, a loser who was "exiled" to the southern border of the Han Dynasty, yet he seemed to be a hero who carved out a base in the wild land.

Sun Quan took a deep breath of the fried squid.

Standing behind Sun Quan, Lu Su followed Sun Quan's gaze and saw the banner. He stepped forward and subtly tugged at Sun Quan's sleeve, "My lord... Lord Xuande, we're almost there..."

Lu Su's voice carried a hint of caution, which seemed to also contain a subtle reminder.

At this point, forget about the general title and just call him "Lord Xuande"!
Lu Su didn't think Sun Quan's plan was particularly brilliant, but Sun Quan himself thought it was ideal.

Mischievous kids never think they're mischievous.

Most of the time, unruly kids will simply say it's due to their family background, then blame all the problems on their parents for not supporting them in doing this or that, or for being too strict and suffocating, and so on...

Sun Quan was certainly better than a spoiled brat; at least Sun Quan would proactively try to change things...

But what we did...

It is commendable, but also debatable.

Liu Bei was Sun Quan's attempt this time.

Sun Quan glanced at Lu Su, nodded slightly, and his face remained expressionless. In this respect, Sun Quan was already a master; after all, in Jiangdong, keeping his emotions hidden had become second nature to him over the years.

Today, Sun Quan and Liu Bei have lost the bloody camaraderie forged at the Battle of Red Cliffs; their history is one of separate rule and even subtle hostility. However, in some ways, they are remarkably similar.

The story of the Liu family's claim to be the Prince of Zhongshan is well-known, but the fact that the Sun family of Sun Quan directly affiliated themselves with Sun Wu is a poignant and heartbreaking tale.

It could even be said that Cao Cao wasn't a true member of the aristocratic family, but rather the descendant of a eunuch. Therefore, historically, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan were all in similar predicaments. Of course, Cao Cao fared slightly better, then came the one who escaped the net—the Prince of Zhongshan—and finally, at the bottom, was undoubtedly his younger brother, who couldn't even manage to claim a noble title.

The notion that there were no aristocratic clans during the Three Kingdoms period, and that they only emerged during the Wei and Jin dynasties, is a metaphysical theory that separates time and space. While this theory likely has many followers, the actual history of the Three Kingdoms—Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan—is essentially a story of commoners trying to rise in social class through chaos, only to be suppressed by the aristocratic clans. The underlying spirit of resistance, the "Are we born with a special destiny?", is what resonates most strongly with audiences throughout history.

What happened to the descendants of eunuchs?
I can be the King of Wei!

I sleep with your wives, beat your children, and even shit on your heads!
What's wrong with shoe sellers?
I can be the King of Han!

I can seize your businesses, take a share of your wealth, and make you all kneel at my feet!
So Sun Quan raised his arms and shouted, "What's wrong with pirates?"
I'm a man who can become the Pirate King!

Wow, he could be an emperor!

It's bigger than all of yours when you pull it out!

While you're all soft, I'm still hard!
Old Cao looked at Old Liu, "...Hmm...A son should be like Sun Quan..."

So from this perspective, Lao Liu and Xiao Sun actually have some common ground...

However, now that the interaction between the two is missing from the Battle of Red Cliffs, this meeting naturally lacks warmth and is more like a gamble.

Sun Quan's invitation to Liu Bei was a test, a gamble.

If Liu Bei is content with Jiaozhi and does not come to Jiangdong, it means that his ambition has died and he is not worth worrying about, and all his efforts will be in vain; if he comes, it proves that his ambition has not died, but how big is this ambition? Is it controllable? Can it be used for his own purposes? These are the questions churning in Sun Quan's mind at this moment.

Similarly, Liu Bei's arrival was also a gamble...

Liu Bei's ship slowly docked.

The stepping board was lowered, and the figure who stepped down first caused a slight tremor in the hearts of many veteran officials from Jiangdong on the shore.

Although Liu Bei has lost a lot of weight, the weathered and melancholic look between his brows has added to his composure. In particular, his eyes are still deep and profound, and when they sweep across the room, they seem to carry a calmness that comes from having experienced many hardships and an indescribable penetrating power.

He was dressed simply, without any fancy clothes, only wearing a worn leather armor, and the sword at his waist was also of ordinary style.

Sun Quan, dressed in wide-sleeved robes and embroidered fine clothes, seemed to be a completely different style from Sun Quan.

The two men who followed Liu Bei out made everyone in Jiangdong gasp in astonishment...

Zhang Fei, half a step behind Liu Bei, had a bristling beard and piercing eyes; Guan Yu, who came out to bring up the rear, had a face like a red date, phoenix eyes slightly closed, hand on the hilt of his sword, and an aura of profound composure and imposing strength.

These two men, standing behind Liu Bei who was dressed in ordinary clothes, were like two mountains, instantly suppressing the slight noise and disdain on the dock.

"Greetings, Lord Wu!" Liu Bei stepped ashore, his voice booming. He bowed respectfully to Sun Quan from afar, his posture humble yet possessing an air of neither servility nor arrogance. "I am far away in Jiaonan, yet I have been deeply grateful to Lord Wu for summoning me and inquiring about my affairs! I have come to pay my respects!"

As soon as Liu Bei spoke, the atmosphere, which had been suppressed by Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, immediately eased.

Liu Bei did not mention any official titles, and he immediately bowed to the younger Sun Quan, addressing him as "Marquis of Wu," demonstrating a clear "positioning" and exceptionally high emotional intelligence.

He was the guest, and Sun Quan was the host.

No ambiguity, no hesitation!
Sun Quan immediately broke into a warm smile, quickly stepped forward to help Liu Bei up, and said repeatedly, "Lord Xuande, you are too kind! You are a member of the Han imperial family, renowned throughout the land, and a hero who has expanded the territory in the southern wilderness! I have long admired your name and wished I could meet you sooner! Your presence is a great honor to our humble abode in Jiangdong! Please rise!"

Sun Quan also avoided using titles that might cause embarrassment, simply addressing him as "Lord Xuande." After all, there was a twenty-year age difference, so addressing him as "Lord" was perfectly appropriate. At the same time, Sun Quan emphasized Liu Bei's status as a member of the imperial clan and his achievements in expanding the territory, praising him highly as both a sign of courtesy and a way to observe his reaction.

Afterwards, Sun Quan introduced Liu Bei to the people from Jiangdong who were present.

Liu Bei had met some of the people before, and others he hadn't, but he greeted them all with a gentle smile, and seemed to quickly become acquainted and friendly with them from Jiangdong...

Sun Quan watched with a smile, but a glint of something indescribable flashed in the depths of his eyes.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Sun Quan led Liu Bei to his carriage, where the two sat side by side and headed to the Marquis's residence for a welcoming banquet.

The remaining people from Jiangdong exchanged glances and then dispersed...

The wind whipped up clouds, and the Liu-branded flags on the ships and the Sun-branded flags on the shore shone brightly, seemingly foreshadowing something.

(End of this chapter)