Reborn in the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao Doesn't Want to Be a Widow Anymore

Chapter 364: Debate with Scholars (2)

"My lord need not be so disappointed. Although the faction advocating defense is led by the two chief clerks, in my observation, many of their officials are not necessarily truly committed to defense. They are merely following the crowd because of Zhang and Qin's prestige."

If Zhang and Qin cannot raise their banners in opposition, most of them will simply stand by and watch, ready to switch sides and cheer for their lord at any time.

However, many members of the prominent Jiangdong families, such as the Lu and He families, actually advocated for war. However… most of them were merely minor officials in the counties and prefectures, lacking both seniority and prestige, and therefore likely had little influence.

Lu Su took out a stack of letters from his sleeve; they were all official documents from minor officials.

A quick glance revealed that they were indeed some officials with relatively little experience.

But it doesn't matter. As long as he's given the opportunity, experience can be gradually accumulated.

Sun Quan handed the letter to Qiao Wei and put it away. His tone was full of emotion, "Zijing and Gongjin are my left and right arms. Without Zijing and Gongjin, I would be like a person without hands and legs, unable to take a single step!"
My heart is troubled, but my only son, Jing, can heal it.

"You flatter me, my lord." Lu Su bowed respectfully. "It's just that your illness is still missing one crucial ingredient."

"This medicinal ingredient is hard to find. Have you found it, Zijing?"

Lu Su looked in Qiao Wei's direction and said, "This medicine should be attributed to the lady. Zijing will do his best to find it for you, my lord."
-
The spring chill lingered, and the first rays of dawn appeared.

A thin layer of frost still clung to the tender leaves and branches, and the crisp air carried a chill that seeped into the stomach.

Sun Quan was not yet fully recovered from his illness. Accompanied by Qiao Wei, he forced himself to summon his civil and military officials to the hall for a meeting.

Zhang Zhao and Qin Song remained firmly opposed to Jiangdong sending troops to Jingzhou. "The internal strife in Jingzhou is Liu Biao's family affair. Now Liu Qi has come to Jiangdong seeking help, but he has no good intentions. In my opinion, Your Majesty should detain Liu Qi and send him to Xuchang for the Emperor to decide!"

Qin Song immediately echoed this sentiment, and many of the officials in the hall shared the same idea.

"My lord, you must not be so sentimental at this time. If you do not guard against your greed, the foundation laid by the late Lord Wu must not be destroyed in an instant!"

Zhang Zhao's words were earnest and sorrowful, his voice trembling slightly yet exceptionally firm, his eyes fixed intently on Sun Quan.

Sun Quan avoided Zhang Zhao's gaze and swept his eyes over the assembled officials below the steps. They were all kneeling, each one bowing their heads to the ground, displaying the demeanor of a loyal and courageous remonstrating minister.

It was as if if Sun Quan said something different from their request today, they would immediately be killed on the spot.

Sun Quan sighed and did not immediately express his opinion, while the ministers were still calling out "Lord" with tearful cries, which inadvertently created a great sword hanging over Sun Quan's head.

A silent standoff, a silent confrontation.

The ministers refused to yield, which meant they were waiting for Sun Quan to agree.

"Everyone says that Jiangdong is full of talented people, but I am greatly disappointed to see them today. With you gentlemen by my side, it is truly a disservice to Jiangdong!"

A soft laugh, like a sharp blade slicing through the sky, shattered the damned silence.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, and a tall figure entered. The light slanted across his face, revealing a handsome and elegant figure.

By this time, some people had already recognized the man speaking as Zhuge Liang, Liu Qi's strategist. Therefore, the identity of the person walking in front of Zhuge Liang was not difficult to guess.

"So it is the eldest son of Jingzhou and... the legendary Crouching Dragon!" Qin Song paused for a moment, looked Zhuge Liang up and down, and snorted, "Since he is a guest, how can he take the place of the host?"
"That makes sense, that's always been the upbringing of the people of Jingzhou. I am but a humble man from Jiangdong, but I have long admired the names of the eldest son and you, sir. I've heard that you live a secluded life in Longzhong, yet compare yourself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi. Is this truly the case?"

After exchanging greetings with Sun Quan, Zhuge Liang slowly rose and said, "If these words are true, I also consider myself comparable to him in my own life."

Everyone laughed upon hearing this, and Qin Song continued, "You haven't entered officialdom yet, nor have you achieved any great deeds, but you speak with such arrogance."

"Liang compared himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, daring to admit it and speak his mind, and acting with composure and without hindrance."

Unlike Qin Changshi, who, despite holding a high position in Jiangdong and daring to intimidate his lord, insisted on claiming to be a nobody.

It is evident that Chief Clerk Qin was hypocritical, dishonest, a vegetarian, blind, and deaf, and incapable of understanding the lofty aspirations of his followers.

Upon hearing this, Qin Song chuckled, “Sir, what nonsense are you spouting? What lofty ambition do you have? Do you mean the lofty ambition of seeking help from the eldest son to seize a prefecture where you can settle down and live a peaceful life?”

Before you left the mountain, my eldest son was still under your father's protection in Jingzhou. But after you came to me, my eldest son had no choice but to leave his homeland and seek protection from my old enemy in Jiangdong.
If you have such achievements, and you dare to compare yourself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, then wouldn't our Jiangdong region be overflowing with talents fit to be kings' advisors?

“Jiangdong is indeed full of talents capable of assisting kings.” Zhuge Liang’s gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally landing on Zhang Zhao. “Since I entered Jiangdong, I have met many talented people there, including the Central Protector General and Mr. Lu, as well as the Lu brothers, General He, and General Lü.”

They are all broad-minded and far-sighted, each possessing unique talents; they are indeed all capable of assisting a king. However, the officials before us are unable to discern the truth of current affairs, cannot heed wise counsel on governing the world, cannot gather a million soldiers, and their thoughts and concerns are not suited to relieving the worries and difficulties of their lord. Are they not misleading Jiangdong and misleading their lord?

"So utterly useless, how can you possibly call yourselves subjects of Jiangdong!"

Qin Song was one of Sun Ce's chief strategists in his early years, but after Sun Quan took control of Jiangdong, he relied on Zhang Zhao more than him. Although he served as Chief Clerk in recent years, he has not made any significant achievements.

He hated nothing more than others saying he was useless, and now Zhuge Liang's words struck a chord with him.

His face flushed red, and he raised his voice, saying, "Kongming is arrogant and so disrespectful! We are loyal to Jiangdong, how could we mislead Jiangdong and our lord?"

Zhuge Liang continued in a cold voice, "You are all obstructing our lord's expedition to Jingzhou. How can you not harm Jiangdong?"

Now, Jingzhou is in turmoil, and Cai Mao and Liu Bei are facing off in Xiangyang. One claims to have an order from the governor, while the other claims to have a handwritten letter from the governor. However, the two have different versions of events, and ultimately, their claims are unsubstantiated.

However, the Jiangdong army was led by the eldest son, so their expedition was justified and had the great cause of saving the Han imperial family.

Moreover, the governor has an old feud with the Sun family. If you, my lord, are willing to send troops to rescue them, you will gain a reputation for benevolence and righteousness. How could any loyalist to the Han dynasty not respect and admire you?

In terms of timing, spring is gradually warming up, and the frozen river waters will thaw. In terms of location, the Jiangdong navy can take advantage of the waterways to head west towards Xiangyang, reaching the outskirts of the city within a few days.

Both Cai Mao and Guan Yu had naval forces of only ten thousand men, which was a small force compared to that of Jiangdong.

In terms of popular support, the eldest son can serve as an inside agent for Jiangdong. Wherever he goes, a single call to action can subdue the hearts of the people.

For over a decade, Jingzhou has enjoyed favorable weather, efficient governance, and harmonious relations. Your Excellency is determined to restore the Han Dynasty, yet you gentlemen seem to be living in a drunken stupor, seeking only to maintain a secluded corner of the land. Are you not misleading Your Excellency?