Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3673 The Hall Fire Illuminates the Iron Scroll, the Pavilion Tea Boils with Undercurrents

Inside the hall, the lamplight flickered in the night wind, and even with lampshades, it seemed as if it would be blown out at any moment, swaying a few times before finally brightening up again.

"Great... what a fine 'following established practices'! What a fine 'compliance with regulations'!"

Sun Quan's voice was soft, but it contained a raging fire within it.

All the formalities were 'complete,' and all the transfer orders were 'in accordance with procedures'...

Lü Meng kept his head down.

He felt some regret, and also felt angry at being played.

As the general presiding over the military parade, this slap was not only to Sun Quan's face, but also to his!

I knew earlier...

But it's always better to know things beforehand!

Lu Meng wasn't lacking in effort, but he didn't expect the problem to lie not with the elite Jiangdong naval forces putting on a show, but with those who were just "background figures"!

Lu Meng put in a lot of effort, meticulously planned and even arranged every aspect of the rehearsal, and rehearsed it again and again. But what was the result?
With a simple arrangement by someone else, all his efforts and hard work were thrown into the river!
and……

The only flaw left is "Wu Jing's transfer order"!
But would Lü Meng dare to confront Wu Jing?
Even Sun Quan was dumbfounded when he saw this order from the "General Yangwu," and he couldn't speak for a long time!
Oh, after all that investigation, it turns out it was done by "one of our own"?
Come on, didn't you say you wanted to investigate?

Come on, weren't you going to handle this strictly?
An awkward silence, as if it were a physical weight, pressed down on Sun Quan and Lü Meng.

Sun Quan silently slipped the "General Yangwu" warrant into his sleeve...

After a moment, Sun Quan coughed, breaking the silence.

"This 'routine,' this 'regulation,' is just a show for me, a show for Liu Bei!" Sun Quan gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "He probably saw through it all on the ship today, but pretended not to know and kept praising me! Haha, haha... Is he treating me like a child?"

Sun Quan didn't say whether he was tricked by the mastermind behind the scenes or by Liu Bei; of course, it's more likely that he was tricked by both of them at the same time.

Liu Bei's seemingly sincere praise was perhaps the most skillful disguise and the most biting satire!
An even more serious problem is that Liu Bei not only saw through the true strength and weakness of the Jiangdong navy, but also understood the deep-seated predicament Sun Quan faced in Jiangdong! Even Sun Quan, who wanted to demonstrate his core military power, could not truly control it with ease!
Seeing his lord's fury, Lü Meng immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "This humble general is incompetent! I failed..."

"None of your business!" Sun Quan waved his hand irritably, slumping back onto the couch, his eyes fixed on the files with a sinister glint. "It was I... who underestimated these guys... I didn't expect them to dare to... and I also underestimated Liu Bei..."

Sun Quan's proud display of the Jiangdong navy not only failed to achieve its intended demonstration effect or intimidate Liu Bei, but it also exposed his weaknesses and may have even made Liu Bei more aware of the opportunities that Jiangdong could offer.

"Ziming," Sun Quan's voice carried a hint of weariness, yet also a ruthless edge, "From this day forward, all naval units are under your command! They must be rigorously trained! Weed out the weak and keep the strong! Anyone found lazy, afraid of water, or unable to train, will be dismissed! As for the necessary funds, provisions, and personnel… I will personally go to Zhang Zibu to oversee this… and make sure Gu and Zhu contribute some money!"

Sun Quan decided to use stronger measures, even if it affected the interests of some people, to quickly make up for this exposed weakness.

At the same time, the pressure of preparing the army and training soldiers was also placed on Gu Yong, who controlled the resources, and Zhu Zhi, a local power, as a test of them.

Lu Meng quickly agreed and withdrew.

After much investigation, the trail led back to Wu Jing...

After Madam Wu's death, some subtle changes occurred between the Sun and Wu families.

Although in a sense, the Wu family is still considered the Sun family's "in-laws," but...

Sun Quan's wife's surname is Xu, not Wu!

Xu was not originally intended to marry Sun Quan, but rather the Lu family...

In high-level political circles, feelings are just for show; interests are more important.

Therefore, Lü Meng was also very flustered. If things went wrong, it could lead to a major disaster. So, upon receiving the order, he immediately left the "crime scene," not wanting to get involved in such a big political issue.

Sun Quan removed Lü Meng from his command for several reasons. He needed capable subordinates, and Lü Meng was undoubtedly a better general, at least in terms of leadership, than Zhou Tailai, who only knew how to charge into battle and spent half the year recuperating from injuries…

And Zhu Huan...

Sun Quan wasn't entirely sure if Zhu Huan would actually replace Zhu Zhi as he wished, since there can't be two Zhus in one stroke.

After pondering for a long time in the hall, Sun Quan summoned the Imperial Secretary and whispered, "Strengthen the security of the post station. Every move Liu Bei and his entourage make must be reported to me! There can be no negligence!"

The school official accepted the order and withdrew.

Liu Bei saw through his weakness, which made him feel a great threat.

If Liu Bei had any inappropriate thoughts and actually colluded with the Jiangdong gentry...

The idea of ​​having Liu Bei die "accidentally" in Jiangdong when necessary came to Sun Quan's mind for the first time with such clarity.

This "troublemaker" seems to be more dangerous and harder to control than Sun Quan had anticipated.

The aftermath of the military parade did not enhance Sun Quan's prestige; instead, it stirred up even deeper ripples among the upper echelons of Jiangdong.

Although Sun Quan kept his thorough inspection of the troops a secret, how well-informed were the eyes and ears of all sides?
When Gu Yong learned that someone was investigating the verification procedures at his prefectural office, he simply smiled and said to his confidant, "Someone's getting impatient."

Huang Gai, far away in Jiangxia, upon hearing the news, simply intensified the training of his troops and waited to see what would happen.

Inside the post station, Liu Bei looked at the suddenly appearing 'guards' and 'vendors' around the station, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Sun Quan intends to intimidate us with his navy, but this only exposes his vulnerability," Liu Bei whispered to Guan Yu. "The ills of Jiangdong are deeply entrenched and beyond cure. Sun Quan desires to act tyrannically but lacks the power, and the Jiangdong gentry have become too powerful to control... The flaws in this situation are already apparent."

Guan Yu nodded. "Brother, what should we do now?"

"Third brother is reckless; I fear he might be targeted by someone with malicious intent..." Liu Bei said in a low voice. "He'll stay by my side... However, the soldiers and ships we brought are still at the dock; we must be careful... Second brother, tomorrow you will return to the dock to join the soldiers and ships..."

Zhang Zhao's night talk was a verbal probe, and the naval parade was a display of military power. However, whether it was words or force, Sun Quan seemed unable to make Liu Bei feel that he truly controlled the entire Jiangdong region. Instead, he made Liu Bei truly touch the seemingly solid but actually cracked foundation of the core of power in Jiangdong.

Guan Yu nodded. "Brother, you're here... and there are many more people around... Brother, you must be careful!"

Liu Bei patted Guan Yu's arm, "With my third brother here, don't worry. Besides... staying here is definitely not a good strategy... Tomorrow, I plan to take my third brother for a walk outside the city..."

The next day.

The sun shines brightly on the outskirts of Wu County.

Under the pretext of "enjoying the spring scenery and visiting historical sites," Liu Bei, accompanied only by Zhang Fei and a dozen or so personal guards, traveled lightly and westward out of the city.

Several skilled spies dispatched by Sun Quan followed closely from a distance.

As you walk to a gentle slope, you see crisscrossing paths below, with newly sprouted seedlings and a delightful green hue.

A pavilion stands gracefully atop the slope, nestled among verdant cypress trees, offering a panoramic view of the river.

As Liu Bei was walking, two scholars in blue robes suddenly appeared from the roadside. They were composed and bowed to Liu Bei. "Is that Liu Zheng Nan ahead?" one of them asked loudly, bowing respectfully.

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, and his hand was already on the hilt of his sword.

Liu Bei gestured that it was alright and nodded, saying, "It is indeed Liu Bei. May I ask who you two are...?"

"I have been waiting here for some time on Lord Gu's orders," the scholar in blue replied. "Lord Gu, seeing that the weather is clear and the air is fresh today, and knowing that General Zheng Nan enjoys nature, has specially prepared some tea at the pavilion ahead, wishing to invite the General to enjoy the river view and discuss philosophy and metaphysics. I wonder if General Zheng Nan would do me the honor of joining us for a chat?"

Although the scholar in blue robes spoke humbly and behaved with proper etiquette, he exuded a subtle arrogance.

The Gu family of Jiangdong.

Historically, Sun Quan controlled Jiangdong for more than fifty years, and during those fifty years, Gu Yong served as prime minister for nineteen years!

Given Emperor Sun's personality, if he hadn't been unable to deal with Gu Yong and had no choice but to rely on Gu Yong, would he have easily given up the position of "Prime Minister" of Jiangdong?

However, the Gu family of Jiangdong rose and fell because of Gu Yong. After Gu Yong, their conservative attitude and unwillingness to innovate led to their gradual decline amidst the subsequent power struggles among the aristocratic families…

At present, Gu Yong is in the prime of his life, and naturally even the servants in blue robes have a hint of arrogance on their faces.

Liu Bei understood immediately, but feigned a perfectly measured surprise. "Oh? It's Yuan Tan who invited me? I've long admired Yuan Tan as a renowned scholar of Jiangdong, known for his refined taste and lofty ideals! Since this opportunity has arisen, how could I refuse? Please, gentlemen, lead the way."

Liu Bei accepted Gu Yong's invitation without hesitation.

His trip to "enjoy the spring" was actually motivated by the idea of ​​"chance encounter" or "being encountered by chance," so seeing Gu Yong send someone over was exactly what he wanted.

Sun Quan's spies, who were following far behind Liu Bei, watched as Liu Bei's party turned off the mountain path, seemed to pause briefly, and prepared to continue up the hillside. The leader frowned, about to lead his men to follow, when suddenly several men dressed as farmers rushed out from the side, blocking their way and shouting incessantly.

"Hey you! Stop right there! You've trampled my crops!"

"Exactly! Look at these footprints! You've trampled all over such good crops!"

"Pay up! Don't even think about leaving without paying! Take him to see the village head!"

Without a word, several men dressed as farmers surrounded the spies and began to pull and shove them, hurling insults at them.

The school's undercover agent was both shocked and furious. He shouted angrily, "Insolence! I am an official! How dare you, you unruly commoners..."

Before he could finish speaking, a lump of mud slapped accurately onto his face, the earthy smell filling his mouth and causing him to choke and gag, unable to utter a word. Someone else took the opportunity to grope around his waist, seemingly trying to snatch the token that proved his identity.

"Governors? Do they think they can trample on crops at will? Is there no law anymore?!"

"They must be imposters!"

"Grab him! Take him to the authorities! Let the village head judge the matter!"

The scene became chaotic.

The school official sighed inwardly. He had only disguised himself to follow Liu Bei and hadn't carried any weapons. Although he had some martial arts skills, the "farmers" who surrounded him were clearly not easy to deal with. Before he could even draw his short blade, mud was smeared on his face, he was ambushed from behind, his arms were entangled, and even the token at his waist was taken away. Unable to escape, he was finally pushed and shoved and dragged to a nearby village pavilion.

On the hillside, inside the pavilion, the stone table is elegant and refined.

Gu Yong was already seated in the main seat, dressed in a plain robe and turban, exuding an air of elegance. Seeing Liu Bei ascend the pavilion, he rose with a smile, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "General Who Conquers the South, your presence is an honor. I have failed to greet you properly; please forgive me."

Liu Bei returned the greeting: "Yuan Tan, you are too kind. You are a pillar of Jiangdong, renowned throughout the land. It is an honor to be invited by you."

The two were seated separately.

Gu Yong had originally invited Zhang Fei to sit down, but there was no wine, only tea, so how could Zhang Fei sit still?
Moreover, Zhang Fei found the classical Chinese phrases annoying, so he simply stood outside the pavilion, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes wide, scanning his surroundings.

Seeing this, Gu Yong dismissed the old servant who was serving tea and personally poured Liu Bei a cup of tea, the aroma of which wafted through the air.

Gu Yong gazed gently at the vast river landscape in the distance, as if chatting casually with Liu Bei, and said, "The spring scenery of Jiangzuo, though not as magnificent as that of the Central Plains, has its own unique charm with its boundless expanse of misty waters. I often think about the creation of heaven and earth, how all things are born and thrive, and how the value lies in orderly circulation. For example, this river flows ceaselessly, nourishing all things, and merchants and boats rely on it for their benefit."

Liu Bei picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and praised, "Excellent tea. Yuan Tan's words are absolutely right. While stationed in Jiaonan, I also deeply felt the importance of waterways. Rinan and Yazhou are isolated overseas; without ships to travel and exchange goods, the army and civilians would be in dire straits."

Gu Yong smiled slightly, his gaze turning to Liu Bei, deep and calm: "General Who Conquers the South, your efforts in managing the southern frontier are commendable. I have heard that although Jiaozhi is remote, it is rich in resources, especially rare and precious overseas treasures such as pearls, kingfisher feathers, fragrant wood, and ivory. If these treasures could be freely traded between Jiangdong and the Central Plains, the profits would be immeasurable. However, the trade routes are long and fraught with danger, and moreover… there are numerous toll booths along the way, creating many obstacles, making it difficult for these rare goods to pass through, and merchants are hesitant to travel, which is truly regrettable."

Liu Bei put down his teacup and said sincerely, "Yuan Tan (Liu Bei's courtesy name) is keenly aware of the current problems. I, too, deeply lament them. If trade routes are disrupted, the people will suffer, and the army will lack provisions. However, I have been appointed General of the Cavalry to guard the southern frontier. My duty is simply to protect the borders and ensure the safety of the people, facilitate trade, and collect taxes according to the law. As for the tax system of Jiangdong… that is Wu Hou's internal affair; how dare I interfere?"

Gu Yong stroked his beard, his tone still calm, yet each word clear: "General Who Conquers the South need not be so modest. Your achievements in expanding our territory will be recorded in history and your name will be remembered for eternity! Moreover, the profits from these trade routes are related to the people's livelihood and military supplies, not merely a private matter for one place. As the saying goes, 'Law and reason are inseparable from human sentiment,' and rules must also be understood for things to succeed."

Gu Yong leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, "I am but a humble man, with some connections in Jiangdong and a smattering of knowledge about commerce. If General Zheng Nan is interested… perhaps we could find a mutually beneficial arrangement between Jiangdong and Jiaozhi… For example, taxes on Jiangdong merchant ships transiting Jiaozhi could be levied leniently… and Jiangdong could also assist Jiaozhi with its needs for rice, ironware, cloth, and even… skilled craftsmen adept at building ships… This would be a mutually beneficial arrangement, greatly benefiting both the public and private sectors, the military and the people. I wonder what General Zheng Nan thinks?"

Liu Bei couldn't help but take a sip of the Taihu silver fish.

Gu Yong had clearly identified the key issue and even put forward a specific transaction plan.

The Jiangdong merchant ships, of course, belonged to the Gu family. They could obtain preferential tax rates in Jiaozhi, and might even bypass some of Sun Quan's tax exploitation. In exchange, Gu Yong could provide Liu Bei with urgently needed supplies, including grain, military supplies, and key technical personnel. Even shipbuilding craftsmen could be negotiated...

This was undoubtedly a huge support for Liu Bei's independent development of power in Jiaozhi!

A surge of emotions welled up in Liu Bei's heart.

The conditions offered by Gu Yong were extremely tempting and hit the nail on the head regarding his development of Jiaozhi and accumulation of strength!

He especially longed to be a shipbuilder...

Gu Yong, that old fox, truly understands the essence of 'compromise,' and his offer is precise and ruthless.

Liu Bei pondered for a long time, as if weighing the pros and cons. Gu Yong was not in a hurry and slowly drank his tea.

The pavilion fell silent for a moment, with only the rustling of the river breeze through the pines and cypresses.

Finally, Liu Bei raised his head, his gaze meeting Gu Yong's, a deep, resolute expression on his face. He didn't directly answer yes or no, nor did he bargain. Instead, in an extremely vague yet undeniably certain manner, he slowly said: "Yuan Tan's wisdom and foresight are profound; all his thoughts and considerations are for the sake of the country and its people. I… deeply admire him. Jiangdong and Jiaozhi, though separated by the sea, can be considered as lips and teeth, truly interdependent. Smooth trade benefits the military and civilians; this is… the way of Heaven and the will of the people, and I naturally will not obstruct it. As for the mutually beneficial method mentioned by Lord Yuan Tan…"

Liu Bei paused slightly, picked up his teacup, and gestured to Gu Yong, "The intricacies and complexities involved require... careful consideration and gradual planning. However, I... fully understand your painstaking efforts."

After saying a lot, it all boils down to just a few words: "Agree in principle."

There was no written promise, no specific terms, but a simple "I understand" and a gesture of offering tea were enough to convey a crystal-clear answer to a seasoned politician like Gu Yong!
This indicates that Liu Bei accepted the framework of the deal "in principle" and was willing to conduct further, more secret negotiations on the specific details.

A glint flashed in Gu Yong's eyes, but his smile deepened. He raised his teacup as well. "General Zheng Nan is wholeheartedly devoted to the country and spreads benevolence. I deeply admire him… Such matters, which benefit the nation and its people, should be considered carefully and implemented gradually. Meeting you today has been like a breath of fresh air. If the opportunity arises in the future, I look forward to discussing philosophy with you over tea."

Gu Yong responded in a similarly vague yet affirmative manner, hinting at future contact.

The two looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.

(End of this chapter)