Tiger Owl

Chapter 318 Mediating Conflicts
Cao Cao also formally signed the ceasefire agreement and returned another agreement to Gan Ning.

Once the agreement was finalized, all the terms of the ceasefire agreement were immediately and decisively implemented. The first batch of 100,000 shi of grain was delivered just two days after the agreement was signed. The last few officials of Western Chu stationed in Jiangdong received the 100,000 shi of grain in more than a dozen warehouses in Jingkou, and then waited for Western Chu ships to arrive and transport them all away.

Cao's army withdrew completely from Jiangxia and Lujiang counties, and the Western Chu army and a large number of officials took over the two counties again.

With 230,000 new immigrants entering the two prefectures, the previously desolate prefectures have been revitalized. 600,000 shi of grain is also ready to be shipped. Although Cao Cao firmly denies that it is compensation, but merely grain for the court to settle refugees, everyone in Western Chu clearly understands that the 600,000 shi of grain is war reparations, compensating for the damage done to Jiangxia and Lujiang prefectures for more than a year.

The specific details of the ceasefire agreement were known only to a few high-ranking officials. For the vast majority of officials and the common people, the terms of the agreement were meaningless. The overwhelming public opinion was that Cao Cao's invasion of Western Chu had failed, and that he had betrayed and retreated north. This kind of public opinion and propaganda profoundly influenced everyone's perception. Cao Cao was an evil person, a destroyer, and an invader. This perception not only completely destroyed Cao Cao's credibility and status in the hearts of the scholars and officials of Western Chu, but also greatly consolidated Gan Ning's rule.

On the fourteenth day of the first month, three days after Cao Cao officially signed the ceasefire agreement, he led an army of 250,000 men away from Hefei and retreated north, leaving Cao Ren with 50,000 troops to garrison Hefei.

This time, Cao Cao left in a hurry. He was extremely anxious. Although Gan Ning had great hard power, Gan Ning's soft power was far inferior to his hard power, and his influence could not reach the north.

On the contrary, Liu Bei's soft power far exceeded his hard power, and his influence was enormous. Liu Bei's Northern Expeditions were like a long whip. Every time the whip was lashed out, the residual force from the tip of the whip would cut into the very foundation of his rule. If it was not stopped, his rule would sooner or later collapse. Cao Cao knew perfectly well which was more important, Gan Ning or Liu Bei.

Today is Cao Jie's third day living in the Chu Marquis's mansion. In these three days, Cao Jie has gradually come to appreciate the peace and harmony of this family. She has also begun to try to integrate into it. She quickly learned to play mahjong and took over when Xu Wei was tired during her pregnancy. There was also laughter and conversation at the table.

Cao Jie was particularly close to Xiao Qiao. The two shared common interests, such as making sugar, mixing lotus root starch, and brewing milk tea together. In just two days, they became inseparable friends.

Although Cao Jie and Sun Shangxiang had a good relationship on the surface, the destruction of Jiangdong was an undeniable fact that separated them, making it impossible for their relationship to be as close as that of Xiao Qiao. Their relationship was harmonious and polite, but there was a subtle sense of estrangement and coldness in their politeness. This occasional coldness was like a thorn that would inadvertently hurt Cao Jie.

Da Qiao noticed this and had her maid invite Cao Jie to her room. Cao Jie sat opposite her, laughing and teasing the lively and adorable Bao'er.

"Ah Jie, how did you spend the Lantern Festival in the past?" Da Qiao asked gently.

Cao Jie smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said, "It was just a few sisters going to the lantern festival by carriage!"

"But with so many people at the lantern festival, is it convenient to take a horse-drawn carriage?" Da Qiao asked, puzzled.

Cao Jie lowered his head, too embarrassed to continue. Da Qiao suddenly realized that she was Cao Cao's daughter. Her carriage was surrounded by a large entourage, and the people visiting the lantern festival tried to avoid her.

"I understand, and I get it!"

Da Qiao smiled and continued, "On the Lantern Festival, we'll be gathering and watching the lanterns in a private room at the Xunyang Grand Restaurant. It's safe and comfortable. We'll set off after dinner tonight."

"Then I'll get ready as soon as possible."

Da Qiao changed the subject and asked, "Are you and Shang Xiang alright?"

"Sister Shangxiang is very good to me." Cao Jie nodded gently.

Da Qiao continued, "Shangxiang is straightforward and guileless. She doesn't hide her dissatisfaction or hatred and expresses her emotions directly without concealment. There are some grudges between your families. I know that Shangxiang has some feelings towards you because of the destruction of Jiangdong, and I believe you have also felt it."

Cao Jie nodded silently. She didn't deny that she had sensed Sun Shangxiang's distance from her these past two days, sometimes even a hint of coldness. Da Qiao glanced at her expression and continued, "I called you here to talk not to take sides, but simply to tell you that Shangxiang's dissatisfaction or hatred towards you is written all over her face. She doesn't keep it bottled up inside. What you see now is her greatest grudge against you, and it won't deepen any further. Moreover, as time goes by, she will gradually let it go. A-Jie, do you understand what I mean?"

Da Qiao was essentially making things clear to Cao Jie: it's normal for Sun Shangxiang to have feelings for her, but they're just a little bit on her face, and she doesn't harbor any hatred in her heart. This was to reassure Cao Jie so she wouldn't feel guilty.

Cao Jie, being exceptionally intelligent, immediately understood her elder sister's meaning. Her sister wasn't showing favoritism towards Sun Shangxiang, but rather worried that she might misunderstand and, for the sake of pride, escalate the conflict. What started as a slight misunderstanding between them had ultimately blossomed into deep-seated hatred.

Cao Jie took a deep breath. "Big sister, I understand what you mean. I completely understand Shangxiang's feelings. I won't take any of her emotions towards me to heart."

Da Qiao said with relief, "It's good that you understand. I'll talk to Shang Xiang about it later. You go ahead! We'll go see the lanterns together tonight."

Cao Jie bowed and left.

After a moment of contemplation, Da Qiao went to her husband's study.

After the ceasefire agreement took effect, Gan Ning also ordered the cancellation of the wartime status and the restoration of normal status. The city gate checks were no longer strict, and every boat on the river was no longer checked. The checkpoints in various places were also canceled, the nighttime curfew was lifted, and the city gates resumed their normal opening and closing times. Especially during the Lantern Festival these days, the city gates were left open all night, allowing the people to celebrate.

Another major change in the return to normalcy is that holidays and rest days are now back to normal, allowing officials to reunite and rest with their families.

Today is the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, the first day of the three-day Lantern Festival holiday, and Gan Ning is naturally resting at home.

He was reading when his wife brought tea into the study. She placed the teacup on the table but sat down opposite him. Gan Ning glanced at her hesitant expression and raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter?"

Da Qiao nodded. "Shang Xiang seems to be somewhat hostile towards A Jie."

Gan Ning put down his book and said, "It's normal to be hostile, after all, the country is destroyed and the family is ruined! But didn't they talk during the meal?"

“Shangxiang restrained herself in front of you, but she told me that every time she saw Ajie, she would think of the Sun family being placed under house arrest in Yecheng, and she felt very pained.”

Gan Ning pondered for a moment and said, "I will talk to Shangxiang when I have the chance. You should also try to persuade Ajie to understand Shangxiang's pain."

“I talked to her today, and I will try my best to ease the conflict between them. Right now, the only thing I can think of is to let time resolve the grudges between them. I really can’t think of any other way.”

"Time can be used, but it won't solve the fundamental problem."

Gan Ning pondered for a moment and said, "When you have the chance, tell Cao Jie that it was my idea, and ask her to do her best to get rid of her political marriage. Once she breaks off her political ties with the Cao family, Shangxiang will no longer resent her sisters."

Gan Ning saw things more clearly. Cao Jie had the aura of a political marriage, and to some extent, she was also a representative of the Cao family. Sun Shangxiang's resentment was not towards Cao Jie herself, but towards the power of the Cao family behind her.

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[Something came up at home, so I'll be taking a break for one chapter. Updates will resume as normal this afternoon.]

(End of this chapter)