Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3773 Hidden Strategies Abound, Pine Trees Sway Through the River

Autumn in Jiangdong is already damp and chilly to the bone, and even the pavilions and towers in the city seem to be shrouded in a gray and cold atmosphere, losing their former elegance.

Sun Quan's stirring up trouble these past two days is truly unsettling.

Compared to the seemingly fiery but actually calculating hustle and bustle of the Wu Hou Mansion, the Gu family mansion in the east of the city appears exceptionally quiet and profound.

High walls and deep courtyards isolated them from the outside world, and also protected the heritage and secrets accumulated over generations.

However, tonight, an uninvited guest appeared in the study in the back garden of the Gu residence.

Zhong Yao.

Zhong Yao quietly left Xu County and secretly headed south. Now, he has infiltrated Jiangdong, and instead of going to see Sun Quan first, he went straight to Gu Yong's residence. His purpose in this trip is far from ordinary. Although he is advanced in years, he is still vigorous, and his eyes, when they open and close, still reveal the sharpness and composure of someone who has been through many years in officialdom and understands the ways of the world. Although he is only dressed in ordinary scholar's robes, he possesses an extraordinary air about him.

"Brother Yuan Tan, how have you been?" Zhong Yao smiled slightly, his calm voice breaking the silence in the room. "Several autumns have passed in the vast ocean, and I never expected to meet you again. Brother Yuan Tan, you seem to be leisurely strolling among the mountains and rivers of Wu and Yue, carrying your whisk—truly enviable. The pines and cypresses in the courtyards of Jiangnan are still green, far surpassing the copper brambles and iron thorns of Xu County."

Gu Yong's eyebrows twitched slightly; he understood Zhong Yao's implied meaning. He then cupped his hands and said, "Lord Yuan Chang is too kind. My humble abode is simple and unpretentious, merely possessing the essence of nature. It is you, Lord Yuan Chang, who has traveled a long way with your precious jujube, covered in dust and grime. Perhaps you did not come solely to Jiangnan to admire the scenery?"

His words were polite, but he directly pointed out the other party's identity and the highly sensitive nature of this trip.

Zhong Yao stroked his beard and chuckled, "I have already resigned from my official post and am now nothing more than an idle old man. Yuan Tan, on the other hand, is in a high position in Jiangdong… I have heard that in the past, Zheng Guo's Xian Gao rewarded his troops; was it for profit? Now, seeing the bustling crowds in Wu, I am suddenly reminded of the Zhou Rites' saying, 'Only when the king establishes a state, can he distinguish the directions and establish the positions.' However, General Sun seems to possess the qualities of Chu, yet he has a guest general wielding a halberd… Brother Yuan Tan, do you actually find this enjoyable?"

Gu Yong reached out to pour wine for Zhong Yao and slowly said, "Your words are weighty. In the past, when Guan Zhong shot the arrow with a hook, Bao Shu recommended him; when Baili fed cattle, Duke Mu of Qin recommended him. Lord Liu is a descendant of the imperial family, perfectly fitting the principle of 'honoring the king' in the Spring and Autumn Annals. Moreover, the people of Wu and Yue are skilled in naval warfare, and there is the natural barrier of the Yangtze River; even if there is some turmoil, we can remain safe."

"Jiangdong certainly has the advantage of waterways and boats..." Zhong Yao smiled, "However, during the Spring and Autumn Period, when King Wuling of Zhao adopted the nomadic dress and mounted archery to replace the old system of chariot warfare, many also said that it was nothing special..."

Gu Yong's hand paused slightly, then he smiled and said, "It's just gossip. When the Zhou dynasty moved east, it still relied on the assistance of Jin and Zheng. If we were to emulate Duke Shao's advice to King Li to quell the slander, wouldn't we be failing in our duty to harmonize Yin and Yang?"

"Hahaha, what a wonderful 'harmonizing yin and yang'!" Zhong Yao laughed loudly, picked up his wine bowl, exchanged a glance with Gu Yong, and then drank it all in one gulp.

The mutual probing has come to an end.

Zhong Yao's smile faded, his tone turning calm yet carrying immense weight: "Brother Yuan Tan, I have come here today with the sole purpose of ensuring the future of the Jiangdong gentry."

Zhong Yao stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point: "General Sun... is indeed an outstanding man. It is no easy feat to consolidate Jiangdong on the foundation laid by his father and brother, and to contend with the Prime Minister and General of the Cavalry until now... However, as for his character and methods... Yuan Tan, being in the midst of it all, should understand them better than I do..."

Gu Yong's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard Zhong Yao's words, nor did he make any special response.

But it is precisely this 'silent' attitude that seems to be a kind of 'tacit' response.

The delicate and tense relationship between the Jiangdong gentry and Sun Quan was a symbiotic relationship of interests, and even more so, an endless game of balancing power.

"Now," Zhong Yao continued, his gaze piercing as if trying to see into people's hearts, "what is General Sun's intention in bringing in Lord Liu? Is it truly just for trade? Or is it simply to counter Yu Fei and Cao Cao? Perhaps not... Liu Bei is a hero, his ambitions are far beyond those of a mere guest general. General Yu Fei uses him, and General Sun also wants to use him, but he doesn't realize that though this sword is sharp..."

Zhong Yao paused deliberately, then slowly said, "I'm afraid General Sun also intends to take this opportunity to seize the private armies that your families rely on for their livelihood, bolstering his own forces and further weakening you, right? This is the cunning of an emperor, and there's nothing inherently wrong with it, but for you, isn't it like cutting off your own flesh to feed a tiger?"

Gu Yong's brows finally furrowed slightly.

What Zhong Yao said was precisely the deepest hidden worry in the hearts of these powerful families in Jiangdong.

Land, population, and hereditary political privileges are the foundation of their survival and the lifeblood of their families.

Any move by Sun Quan to strengthen centralized power and weaken local magnates would touch upon their core interests. The idea of ​​achieving this through the help of Liu Bei, an outsider, made them extremely uneasy.

Gu Yong also had dealings with Liu Bei, but Liu Bei's obvious "playing both sides" attitude made Gu Yong very uneasy and unhappy.

"Lord Yuan Chang's words," Gu Yong began slowly, his voice still steady, "are somewhat alarmist. Lord Wu acts according to his own principles."

"Laws?" Zhong Yao shook his head slightly, a hint of mockery in his smile. "Even alliances are trampled upon... let alone laws. Why deceive yourself, Brother Yong? The world is in chaos, but what is truly real? Nothing more than land and people. If one day... Brother Yuan Tan, will you simply hand it over?"

Zhong Yao leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense: "The Northern General, Cao Cao, is no longer the man he once was. He controls Guanzhong, holds sway over Bing and Liang, drove the Chancellor out of Yu and Ji, his power overwhelms the Central Plains, and he even issued that proclamation… his ambitions are far from small! As for Chancellor Cao… alas, though he possesses great talent and strategy, his strength has been severely weakened by successive battles. Now he is trapped in Henan, barely managing to stay afloat. Whether he can even protect himself is uncertain; how can he possibly have the strength to look south?"

Zhong Yao stared into Gu Yong's eyes and asked, word by word, "I ask you, my worthy brother, with the strength of Jiangdong alone, plus the rootless Liu Bei, can you truly contend with the mighty General Huo Qubing? How does Sun Quan's ability compare to Cao Cao's? And how does the Jiangdong army compare to the elite troops of the north at their peak?"

This series of questions struck Gu Yong's heart like a heavy hammer.

The answer is almost obvious...

Even Cao Cao couldn't fully protect the interests of the gentry in Shandong and the Central Plains. Now that he's in such a sorry state, how could Sun Quan possibly do any better?

To expect Sun Quan to protect them against Fei Qian is nothing short of wishful thinking.

A long silence fell over the study.

The charcoal fire occasionally crackled softly.

After a long silence, Gu Yong slowly exhaled, his voice slightly hoarse: "So, Lord Yuanchang, you've come today perhaps as an envoy to persuade the General of the Cavalry?"

"No, no!" Zhong Yao laughed loudly. "The General of the Cavalry wants to seize our land and people. If his policies don't change, he's an enemy, not a friend. How can we possibly lobby for him?"

Gu Yong frowned slightly, "Then what was it just now, Lord Yuanchang..."

Zhong Yao sat up straight, revealing a confident composure, and smiled, saying, "I have come here not for the sake of the General of the Cavalry, nor for the sake of the Prime Minister… but for our own sake."

"Myself?" Gu Yong frowned even more.

These days, when it comes to talking about the world, about loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness, people can speak frankly and loudly, almost wanting to shout it out louder than anyone else. But when it comes to talking about acting for one's own selfish interests...

I can do it, but I'm too embarrassed to say so!
Zhong Yao shook his head. "My worthy brother, you've misunderstood! The legacy of sages! Isn't it a matter of ensuring the survival of our aristocratic lineage?"

Gu Yong's brows relaxed. "I'd like to hear the details."

Zhong Yao slowly said, "Whether it's Cao Shifei or the Sun family of Jiangdong, their rise and fall are ultimately matters of emperors and generals... As for us gentry, upholding the ways of the sages, what we seek is nothing more than the continuation of classical learning and the orderly arrangement of righteousness!"

Zhong Yao clearly stated his position: he wanted to represent the common interests of the aristocratic class, not any specific regime. "Currently, the General of the Cavalry is powerful, poised to sweep across the land. While his new policies are harsh, their foundations are unstable, and many uncertainties remain… If we were to forcibly confront him, it would be like throwing an egg against a rock, only draining our strength… ultimately making ourselves easy prey for others…"

"Taking advantage of chaos to fish in troubled waters may bring temporary benefits... but it also causes much harm, and is certainly not the act of a gentleman..." Zhong Yao's voice became extremely serious. "The most important task now is... preservation! If we wait until the opportune time arrives, we will already be weak and powerless, and even if we have the will... it will be difficult to achieve anything!"

After a long silence, Gu Yong slowly said, "If we follow Lord Yuan Chang's wishes..."

"Respect the King!" Zhong Yao directly offered this unambiguous answer, then whispered, "Only by respecting the King can we stop the fighting! Those who advocate war under the pretext of the world's chaos and urgent need for restoration are the culprits who bring chaos to the people and harm countless lives… We should proclaim that all the people of the world are loyal to the Han Dynasty, concerned for the safety of the Emperor, and appeal to Heaven and Earth to stop the fighting and welcome His Majesty back to the old capital…"

"An old capital?" Gu Yong astutely grasped the key point Zhong Yao made. "Like the Zhou emperors..."

Zhong Yao nodded slightly. "This is the righteous cause, perfectly justified, and no one can criticize it."

Zhong Yao's schemes were full of cold, realistic calculations.

He cleverly shifted the focus, finding a strategy for the Jiangdong gentry, and indeed for all other gentry in the land, that could both temporarily mitigate risk and secure a future escape route. He claimed to represent the emperor and be loyal to the Han dynasty, but in reality, he was only plotting for his own benefit and that of the entire gentry class behind him.

Zhong Yao also knew that the demands of Gu Yong and other Jiangdong gentry were the same as his own—

In this chaotic world, one must survive and try to preserve the family's power and wealth.

Gu Yong's eyes flashed, clearly indicating that he was rapidly weighing his options.

Zhong Yao's suggestion was undoubtedly extremely bold and risky, but upon closer examination, it was the most pragmatic and best option to protect core interests under the current predicament.

Instead of direct confrontation or provocation, it is far wiser to uphold a moral banner that has a restraining effect on all parties, adopt a defensive approach, and wait for the right opportunity. This is indeed much better than blindly taking risks.

After a long while, Gu Yong raised his head, looking intently at Zhong Yao: "Lord Yuan Chang's plan... is indeed a very mature and strategic one. However, in its execution, the delicate balance is crucial... and it urgently requires the concerted efforts of all the tribes in Jiangdong."

Zhong Yao smiled slightly, knowing that Gu Yong was already interested, and cupped his hands, saying, "This naturally requires someone of your high moral character and prestige, my virtuous brother, to mediate and strategize. I am merely a passerby, who happened to be here and offered my humble opinion. Jiangdong is full of outstanding talents, many of whom are keenly aware of the advantages and disadvantages; they will surely know where to go. However… if my virtuous brother has any requests, I, Zhong, will certainly not refuse."

The two looked at each other and said nothing.

They did not enter into any written covenant or make any vows, but an invisible alliance based on shared class interests had already been quietly formed.

The Han Dynasty?

The Emperor? The General of the Cavalry?

Prime Minister?

people?

At this moment, nothing is as important as one's own three-tenths of land.

……

……

Deep within the Jiangdong General's mansion, the night was drawing to a close.

The candlelight flickered as the oil in the bronze sparrow lamp was running low, making Sun Quan's face appear even more unpredictable.

He sat alone at his desk, with a mountain of silk scrolls piled up in front of him.

The servants who had been attending to him had long been dismissed, and only the monotonous ticking of the water clock accompanied him.

Footsteps could be heard coming from the corridor.

Sun Quan put down his pen and looked up.

"General Yangwu has arrived..." a guard in the corridor reported.

"Please come in!" Sun Quan blurted out instinctively, but quickly changed his mind, "No! I will personally go out to greet you!"

Sun Quan rose and walked out of the hall. "Guards, light the lamps and bring wine!"

As he gave the orders, Sun Quan walked forward and soon arrived at the courtyard gate, where he saw Wu Jing dressed in military attire.

When Wu Jing arrived as summoned, he was still wearing his armor and his body was still covered in dust.

Sun Quan immediately adopted an eager expression. Before Wu Jing could even bow, Sun Quan stopped him, explaining that this was not a courtroom and Wu Jing did not need to be so polite. He then personally took Wu Jing's hand and led him to the front of the hall, inviting him to sit down.

Warm wine had already been prepared on the table.

Amidst the fragrant aroma of wine, Sun Quan's gaze was earnest.

"I didn't know my lord had summoned me so late at night..." Wu Jing certainly didn't think Sun Quan was just bored and wanted to have a drink with him. "Please give your orders, my lord."

Sun Quan first offered Wu Jing a cup of wine, then remained silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "Uncle, do you understand the metaphor of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'? Jiangdong may seem peaceful now, but it is fraught with danger. I wish to recruit Liu Bei, but given his ruthless nature, he may not be willing to comply. I suggest you, Uncle, that you serve under the guise of supervising grain supplies, and accompany him. If he truly acts according to the duties of a subject, I will treat him with courtesy; but if he harbors any ill intentions…"

Sun Quan's gaze turned cold, and he lowered his voice, "...then there's no need to ask for orders; strike with lightning speed immediately."

Wu Jing said, "If that's the case, why...use it?"

Sun Quan sighed deeply, "If we don't use him, who will we use? The world is about to descend into chaos; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If we miss this chance... once the north is pacified... how long can our Jiangdong region last? Now, only my uncle can lend me a helping hand; I humbly beg my uncle's mercy!"

Wu Jing, with a stern expression, clasped his hands and replied, "My lord, rest assured, though I am not talented, I understand the principle of kinship between uncle and nephew. If the Liu family dares to make any moves, I will certainly eliminate this threat to Jiangdong!"

Sun Quan nodded, personally poured wine for Wu Jing, and said gently, "With your words, my uncle, I feel very at ease."

Wu Jing arrived in a hurry, and to avoid attracting attention, he did not stay long. After discussing some communication methods and emergency measures with Sun Quan, he left in a hurry.

Sun Quan knew that Liu Bei was a tiger and a wolf, and Wu Jing was the shackles he was preparing to use to restrain the tiger and a wolf. But even so, would this tiger and wolf really obediently follow his plan to tear Jiangling apart?

A moment later, the guard came to report that Zhou Tai had arrived.

"Summon!"

Sun Quan spoke up.

Before long, Zhou Tai entered with an air of arrogance.

Before Zhou Tai could kneel, Sun Quan strode forward, a friendly smile on his face, and gently patted his arm. "Youping, have you fully recovered?"

Zhou Tai was indeed lucky, but he was also incredibly unlucky.

Throughout the year, at least a third of the time is spent recuperating, and just when the injury has healed a little, it will be injured again...

Zhou Tai patted his chest, indicating that he had fully recovered. "Thanks to Your Majesty's concern, I am fully healed! I will go through fire and water for any order!"

"Good, good!" Sun Quan nodded and invited Zhou Tai to sit down, then served him wine.

After drinking one or two rounds of wine, Sun Quan put down his wine bowl.

Zhou Tai also put down his wine bowl at the same time.

"You have risked your life to protect me time and again, and all your wounds are for my sake. This kindness and affection are etched in my heart and I will never forget them." Sun Quan took Zhou Tai's rough hand, patted it twice, and said with deep emotion, "However, now we are surrounded by powerful enemies from the outside, and from within... people's hearts are unpredictable. My safety and the well-being of Jiangdong rest entirely on your shoulders. The palace guards, regardless of kinship, must be strictly inspected. If anyone is suspicious, it is better to incriminate them than to let them go free! You should be my Fan Kuai, guarding this palace gate and preventing even a single traitor from spying on us."

Zhou Tai immediately stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and roared in agreement, "Though I am lowly and unworthy, I dare not fail to serve you to the death! Anyone who violates this law will surely have to step over my dead body!"

Sun Quan also stood up, patted Zhou Tai's shoulder affectionately, and gestured as if everything was understood without words, so that Zhou Tai could take the token and go to take up his post.

Watching Zhou Tai stride away, Sun Quan felt a little relieved, but another layer of worry arose—

A loyal person like Zhou Tai can defend against open attacks, but could he also defend against hidden arrows?

How could brute force alone detect the scheming hidden beneath smiling faces and the whispers at banquets?
He rubbed his temples and sat back down at the desk, only to find that the wick of the bronze sparrow lamp was charred black and crackling.

Sun Quan casually picked up a pair of silver scissors to trim his fingers, and sparks from the lamp wick splashed onto his fingertips, causing a slight stinging sensation.

The slight pain sobered Sun Quan up a bit...

Yes, and there are also those deeply entrenched Jiangdong gentry...

"Guards!" Sun Quan ordered, "Summon General Ziming."

When Lü Meng arrived quickly upon being summoned, his clothes still smelled of night dew.

Sun Quan deliberately made him stand still for a moment below the steps, while he pretended to review documents.

Yu Guangzhong observed Sun Quan as this general, who came from humble beginnings but was ambitious.

Lu Meng stood ramrod straight, and although he was summoned late at night, his attitude showed no impatience whatsoever.

Sun Quan put down his book, dismissed his attendants, and let Lü Meng come closer, looking directly into Lü Meng's eyes.

"Ziming," Sun Quan said, "do you know that many of the clans in Jiangdong are secretly resentful of your promotion? They are arrogant about their lineage and look down on the poor and humble. If things were to go according to their wishes, even if you possess the talents of Sun Wu, you would still end up in the army." Sun Quan paused slightly, pleased to see the resentment flash in Lü Meng's eyes, and continued, "Now I wish to appoint you as the General Commander of the city's defenses, ostensibly as a patrol officer, to oversee the movements of the various clans. If they commit any misconduct, you may report it directly to me… This is not only for my own benefit, but also for all the talented but humble scholars in the land!"

Lü Meng bowed deeply: "I rose from humble beginnings to be fortunate to meet a wise ruler, for whom I will never forget his kindness. I will obey your command, even unto death! I will ensure that even the most despicable and corrupt officials have nowhere to hide!"

Sun Quan clapped his hands and laughed: "With Ziming here, I have no worries."

However, after Lü Meng's figure disappeared behind the pillars, the smile on Sun Quan's lips turned into a solemn expression.

Poor family background.

Wouldn't people from humble backgrounds make peace with aristocratic families?
This is a hungry wolf eager to prove itself.

Whether this wolf will turn on you in the future remains to be seen.

We need to find someone else to keep an eye on things...

Sun Quan pondered for a moment, then turned his head and saw that the east was already faintly bright.

"Someone! Go and fetch Zijing here..."