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

Chapter 371 Appearance
After having dinner with Sun Deng and Zhou Xun, Qiao Wei went to bed early.

While I was half asleep, I felt a dent in the side of me, followed by a weight on my forehead.

She forced her eyelids open and saw Sun Quan leaning against the headboard, frowning, his gaze fixed on Qiao Wei. "Your aunt said you didn't eat much for dinner before going to sleep. Is something wrong?"

I just tested my forehead, and it wasn't hot, so it probably didn't get feverish.

Qiao Wei's voice still had a slightly nasal tone, muffled and soft, which made people's hearts soften.

"No, I'm just tired."

Sun Quan sighed, his tone filled with helplessness, "Mr. Zhuge is safe. There are some things we have to do for outsiders to see. Did that frighten you?"

Zhang Zhao was still recuperating at home. Facing the pro-defense faction outside, he needed to make some gestures to avoid the situation becoming too chaotic and affecting the stability of the entire Jiangdong.

He heard everything she said when she came to the study door. Qin Song and the others were discussing matters on the other side of the study. When Xu Yaoniang came to say that she hadn't eaten much dinner after dinner, he became even more anxious.

As soon as Qin Song and the others left, he immediately rushed back to Juxu Pavilion.

“I know.” Two pairs of calloused hands clasped tightly together. “When I heard Yourou and Youxuan’s reply, I was indeed anxious. But when you sent Zhou Yu to see me, I suddenly understood.”

The pro-war faction consisted mostly of soldiers and strategists fighting on the front lines, while the pro-defense faction consisted mostly of officials in charge of domestic affairs.

The deadlock between the two sides can also affect the daily operation of various local affairs. Moreover, in domestic affairs, the mobilization of grain and supplies still relies on the coordination and management of these domestic officials.

Sun Quan gently kissed Qiao Wei's forehead and rubbed his chin against her cheek. "Fortunately, my wife is smart enough not to be fooled by appearances."

"Actually, I just don't quite believe you'll suddenly change your mind, but I'm also afraid you'll believe Guo Jia and Xu Shu's instigation."

I don't want you to make the wrong decision because of me, and jeopardize the overall situation in Jiangdong.

Sun Quan laughed upon hearing this, “Guo Jia and Xu Shu’s letters are indeed convincing, but I have long said that a woman’s chastity is not determined by her skirt.”

Besides, men understand men best. I can see the look in your eyes and Mr. Zhuge's eyes. Even if I don't trust him, I can't help but trust you, right?
Guo Jia didn't need to do anything, but he insisted on writing this letter, which strengthened my resolve to take Jingzhou.

Calculating the time, Qiao Wei asked, "Is it because he's going to die?"

"Yes, it is said that he fell ill last winter and indulged in drinking all day long without restraint. In the winter, the heat from the alcohol made him take off his clothes and sleep naked in the snow."

He caught a cold and was sick for over a month, after which his health deteriorated rapidly.

"What kind of alcohol can cause such a fever that it makes people lose their minds?"

Most of the wines in the Han Dynasty were cloudy, unless aged wine was fermented with grains several times, so the alcohol content was generally not very high.

Even if you drink a lot of warming drinks in winter, you don't need to use winter snow to cool down.

"You guessed it?" Sun Quan made no attempt to hide his disdain for Guo Jia's unrestrained behavior. "It's not just the wine, but also the Five-Stone Powder."

Qiao Wei was no stranger to this term. It was very popular during the Wei and Jin Dynasties, especially among the sons of aristocratic families, who often took pride in it. It was originally a magic elixir presented by alchemists during the Qin and Han Dynasties. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, alchemists such as Li Shaojun presented this formula, which made it known to the public.

After taking this medicine, one may experience a brief period of fever throughout the body, creating a temporary illusion of mental clarity and increased physical strength.

Chunyu Yi, a famous physician in the Han Dynasty, recorded a case of carbuncles caused by taking Wushi Powder. However, this case was not taken seriously, and Wushi Powder was expensive, so most people could not afford to take it. Therefore, it did not become popular among the sons of aristocratic families before the Wei and Jin Dynasties.

"Did Cao Cao know about this? And yet he didn't forbid it?"

Everyone knows that Cao Cao greatly admired Guo Jia.

Five-Stone Powder is a slow-acting poison, but for Guo Jia, whose body was often drunk and weak, it was a potent poison.

"The harm of this substance is still inconclusive. I asked Doctor Hua, and even he dared not give a definitive conclusion." Although Sun Quan was somewhat puzzled as to why Qiao Wei was so certain that Wushi San was a harmful substance, this doubt only flashed through his mind.

"Moreover, such things have been prohibited since the time of Deng, so they would not really be displayed openly. I heard that his illness had been showing signs for some time, so he must have been desperately seeking treatment."

Sun Quan always felt that Guo Jia was like a sharp claw in Cao Cao's hands, and that he would inevitably become a major threat to Jiangdong in the future, as well as a lifelong rival. Although the two were opponents, Sun Quan respected this opponent from the bottom of his heart.

It is both regrettable and disdainful that such an intelligent person would be defeated by wine and women.

A truly wise person is one who can control their desires, neither indulging nor being controlled.

Sun Quan looked down at the lady in his arms. "Guo Jia intends to prevent Jiangdong from taking Jingzhou. I can also play along to prevent Cao Cao from becoming suspicious and turning his attention south to attack Jingzhou first."

You just stay here and take good care of Lady Huang. I have already appointed Meng Gongwei and Cui Boping as Agricultural Commandants to oversee the supplies and provisions for Zhou Yu's northward expedition.

Meng Jian and Cui Jun were both friends of Zhuge Liang, and Sun Quan made this arrangement...

"You're planning to feign an attack while secretly advancing your own?"

Qiao Wei seemed to understand Sun Quan's meaning. If Zhou Yu's army made any moves, Qin Song and others would definitely notice something from the transportation of supplies and provisions.

If Qin Song and his men were to use any means to interfere in matters in the rear, it would be as if they had the Jiangdong army by the throat, and Sun Quan would not tolerate such a thing happening.

Therefore, Meng Jian and Cui Jun were pawns used by Sun Quan to protect Zhou Yu's rear. If Meng Jian and Cui Jun wanted Zhuge Liang to live, they would certainly do their best to maneuver and use all means to withstand the pressure and ensure the supply of food and provisions to Zhou Yu's rear.

Moreover, Meng Jian and Cui Jun have traveled extensively throughout Jingzhou and are well-versed in various affairs of the region, making them valuable assistants to Zhou Yu.

Sun Quan nodded with satisfaction, "My lady is wise and understands everything. Now that this matter has been discussed, the knot in your heart can be untied. Are you hungry? Would you like to get up and have some midnight snack? I'll have someone cook something..."

Qiao Wei shook her head, "My inability to eat is not because of Mr. Zhuge."

She took Sun Quan's hand and placed it on her lower abdomen. The heavy hand on her stomach brought a tingling, warm sensation.

Sun Quan was taken aback at first, then realized what he meant, and his breathing quickened a bit. "Your period is almost half a month late... Have you seen a doctor?"

"seen it already."