Rebirth of the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao doesn't want to be a widow anymore

Chapter 362: Debate with Scholars (2)

Zhang Zhao was most averse to the talk of divination and magic, but Zhou Yu openly brought up the matter of divination of celestial phenomena in the place where the ministers were discussing matters. Zhang Zhao frowned and his opposition intensified.

If everything in the world could be predicted by celestial phenomena, then there would be no need for human effort. Such absurd words are most likely to bewitch people's hearts.

"Your Excellency must not be misled by the theory of deduction, and must remember the lesson of the old lady."

Old Madam Wu believed in the supernatural tales of those sorcerers. How many troubles did this wise old lady cause in the household? Even a minister like Zhang Zhao knew about it.

As a son, Sun Quan was well aware of the true story.

At this moment, Sun Quan, as the ruler, sat in the superior position, his lips pursed in silence.

Lu Su stood up and continued, "Liu Jingsheng is a descendant of the imperial clan. He sent his son to Jiangdong to ask for help. Since Jiangdong is a Han subject, it would be unjust for them to stand idly by."

“Liu Biao and the Sun family have a long-standing feud,” Zhang Zhao stroked his beard, his expression grave. “We must be wary of Liu Qi’s trip. Liu Bei also has the title of a member of the imperial clan. This is a dispute among the Han imperial relatives. As Han officials, we cannot make decisions on our own.”

If Zijing believes that the Han officials bear responsibility, then Your Majesty should write a letter to the Emperor, allowing the Emperor to decide the dispute over Jingzhou; this is the proper course of action.

Qiao Wei rolled his eyes inwardly. Writing a letter and leaving it to the emperor to decide was not as straightforward as simply handing over Jingzhou to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao would certainly have wanted this as well.

Zhou Yu and Lu Su engaged in a heated debate with the Confucian scholars, their robes fluttering in the wind. Xu Xiang's pen, recording their conversation, also danced in mid-air, while the dark circles under his eyes revealed his exhaustion from several sleepless nights.

These people argued for several days, and Xu Xiang had to work overtime for several days to organize the core arguments of their dispute and present them to Sun Quan so that he could think and make a decision more objectively and calmly.

Xu Xiang, whose head was buzzing from the noise, was so resentful that his face was practically tangible. If he could speak, he would definitely yell at them to shut up.

The argument escalated to the point that even Sun Quan couldn't stand it anymore. He got up to change his clothes and told Xu Xiang to continue recording. Xu Xiang's face was practically contorted with rage, but he still had to maintain his diligent and conscientious demeanor.

Not long after Sun Quan left, Yourou came to invite Qiao Wei, and said in a low voice, "The Marquis said he is feeling a little dizzy and asks the lady to take a look."

If someone is really delirious, what good would it do to ask Qiao Wei for help? Qiao Wei doesn't understand pharmacology or medicine, so even if he went, it wouldn't make any difference.

Zhuge Liang chuckled softly, "Madam, please go quickly. The battle between the Commander of the Central Army and Lord Zhang is not going to end anytime soon. The best is yet to come!"

This person… Qiao Wei glared at him reproachfully. She had invited him here to come up with ideas together, but now he seemed to be sitting here watching a show.

Zhuge Liang seemed oblivious to the anger in Qiao Wei's eyes, and calmly picked up the teacup beside him, saying, "This is truly fine tea."

Qiao Wei didn't say anything and left the side hall of the council chamber led by You Rou.

As you walk through the long corridor, a faint fragrance of plum blossoms wafts in from outside. The winter snow has not yet completely melted, hanging loosely on the branches and twigs, mixed with the plum blossoms and scattered stamens. If you don't observe carefully, you will only think that the plum blossoms are in full bloom.

After passing through the long corridor, Sun Quan sat in a room leisurely practicing calligraphy. His face was rosy and he was full of energy, showing no signs of being "dizzy".

Qiao Wei took off his cloak. "I must have been out of my mind to go along with your nonsense." While the civil and military generals in the council hall were still arguing fiercely about the Jingzhou matter, the person in charge was hiding here practicing calligraphy.

"Please, madam, work hard and grind the ingredients."

Sun Quan's lips curled slightly as he dipped his brush in ink and lightly placed it on the paper. The ink was deep but not blurred, and the characters were full and plump with elegant and graceful strokes. He was copying the "Strategic Attack" chapter from "The Art of War".

The best policy in warfare is to preserve the country intact, and the next best is to destroy it; the best policy is to preserve the army intact, and the next best is to destroy it; the best policy is to preserve the brigade intact, and the next best is to destroy it; the best policy is to preserve the battalion intact, and the next best is to destroy it; the best policy is to preserve the squad intact, and the next best is to destroy it.

Therefore, to win a hundred battles is not the best of strategies; to subdue the enemy without fighting is the best of strategies. Thus, the highest form of warfare is to attack the enemy's plans; next is to disrupt their alliances; next is to attack their army; and the worst is to besiege their cities. Besieging cities is a last resort. …Therefore, the skillful commander subdues the enemy's army without fighting, captures their cities without attacking, and destroys their state without prolonged conflict. He strives to win the entire world, thus his army is not exhausted and his gains are complete. This is the method of strategic attack.

The ink used by Sun Quan was pine cone-shaped ink, with a black and smooth surface like lacquer, fine soot and clear glue, and a light and dense feel, making it a top-grade ink block.

The piece in Qiao Wei's hand was likely mixed with some spices. When Sun Quan wrote calligraphy, it was accompanied by a faint fragrance.

For some reason, as the ink gradually dried, Qiao Wei's heart gradually calmed down.

As Sun Quan heard her breathing gradually stabilize, he handed her a pen, saying, "You should also copy a scroll and see if your handwriting has improved recently."

Perhaps because Sun An married and moved to Runan, Sun Quan lost someone to supervise his studies, so he focused all his attention on Qiao Wei, checking Qiao Wei's progress in practicing calligraphy from time to time.

If their handwriting deteriorates, Qiao Wei and Sun Deng will have to tutor them together.

"Practicing calligraphy can calm the mind, and when the mind is calm, some things can be seen clearly."

Qiao Wei was puzzled. Sun Quan pulled back the curtain beside him. Behind the curtain was a specially made window. Looking out of this window, one could see the situation in the council hall from afar, but could not hear any sounds.

Qiao Wei then realized that the long corridor they had just walked through was actually an illusion. Although it felt like they had walked for a long time, they had actually been going in circles the whole time.

This room was not far from the council chamber.

Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and others sat facing Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and others. Their hands moved in the air in sync with the opening and closing of their lips, sometimes pausing, sometimes swinging vigorously. The hems of their robes drew half a map on the ground with each gesture.

Zhang Zhao said something, then suddenly slammed his fist heavily on the table, while his left hand gently waved behind him, as if to reassure the officials behind him.

Lu Ji stood up, facing Zhou Yu with his robe flowing, his steps unhurried, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture upright.

After he finished, Lu Xun also stood up and bowed. It was unclear what he said, but he slowly withdrew after a long while.

The wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner were abruptly dispersed and vanished into thin air as soon as they came near.

Qiao Wei's favorite piece was still "The Peasant," but even after finishing it, the atmosphere in the council hall hadn't dispersed.

"Won't you, Lord, take charge?" Qiao Wei put down his pen. "We've been arguing for days, and there's still no result."

"No result is the result." Sun Quan lowered his eyes and gently closed the curtain. "Zhang Gong is getting old after all."