The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 370 Li, Guan, Zhang, Zhao, Chen, who is the most common surname in the world?

Inside Jianye City, the Wu King's Palace was brightly lit.

It was the height of summer, a time that should have been the most pleasant season in Jiangnan, yet the atmosphere inside the main hall was as heavy as the dead of winter.

"Report——"

"A secret message has arrived in Luoyang!"

As the guards hurriedly announced the arrival of the messenger, a travel-worn man strode into the hall and knelt on the ground.

Sun Quan abruptly stood up from his throne, his wide sleeves knocking over a teacup on the table, the brown tea spreading across the bamboo slips.

"Send it over quickly!"

The attendant hurriedly took the secret letter from the messenger and presented it to Sun Quan.

Sun Quan unfolded the bamboo slips, his eyes darting rapidly between the lines, his face gradually turning deathly pale.

He trembled as he handed the bamboo slip to Gu Yong beside him:
"Prime Minister, please take a look."

Gu Yong took the bamboo slip, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

Inside the hall, the officials held their breath, and the only sound was the rustling of bamboo slips turning.

"Ah...this!"

Gu Yong finally put down the bamboo slips, his expression solemn, and said in a very heavy voice:

"According to our spies in Luoyang, Liu Bei has decided to launch a campaign against Wu and may soon send troops south."

what! ?

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.

Many of the veteran officials from Jiangdong staggered and had to grab onto the palace pillars to steady themselves.

However, some people closed their eyes and sighed, as if they had already foreseen this calamity of war.

Sun Quan slumped back onto his throne, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

It's time to come.

Sun Quan had foreseen this day would come when he and Cao Cao had usurped the throne together.

I just never expected that I would be the first one to be operated on.

"The Han dynasty was restored three times, and most of the world had fallen to Liu Bei."

"Now that our Eastern Wu is confined to a corner of the country, how can we withstand their all-out military force?"

Gu Yong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:
"Don't worry, Your Majesty."

"The states of Wu and Wei are as close as lips and teeth; if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold."

"If the state of Wu is destroyed, the state of Wei will not be able to survive alone either."

"Your Majesty, I request that an envoy be sent to Chengdu immediately to request that Cao Pi, the ruler of Wei, send troops to assist us."

Sun Quan shook his head and smiled bitterly:

"Chengdu and Jianye are thousands of miles apart. Even if Cao Pi is willing to send reinforcements, by the time the Wei troops arrive, the Qi army will probably have already crossed the river."

At this moment, Chief Secretary Zhang Zhao stepped forward, leaning on his cane; his white hair shone like snow in the candlelight.

"In my opinion, the most urgent task is to recall General Lu Xun, who is in charge of the Eastern Garrison, to strengthen the defense line along the Yangtze River."

“Lu Boyan is skilled in military strategy. Poyang Lake is not far from here and can be reached within three days.”

A glimmer of hope flashed in Sun Quan's eyes:
“What Master Zhang said is absolutely right.”

"Immediately issue an order to summon Lu Xun back to Jianye for a meeting!"

He turned to the ranks of military officers, saying, "Ding Feng, listen to my order: you are to immediately go to Nanxu and strictly guard all the passes."

"General Han Dang, I entrust the task of deploying defenses along the river to you."

“Understood!!”

Han Dang and Ding Feng responded in unison.

Of the four veteran generals who followed Sun Jian and Sun Ce in establishing Jiangdong, only Han Dang remains today.

Cheng Pu, the highest-ranking Left General, passed away three years ago.

Because Eastern Wu adopted a system of granting troops to soldiers, Cheng Pu's troops were taken back by Sun Quan and divided into three parts.

One copy was given to a member of the Sun clan, and the other to Ding Feng, a rising star in the military.

The final piece was given to Cheng Pu's son, Cheng Zi.

This was also Sun Quan's tactic of checks and balances.

After the defenses along the Yangtze River were completed, Sun Quan ordered the preparation of a state letter.

He dispatched a fast horse to Chengdu overnight to seek help.

Having made the arrangements, he surveyed the assembled officials in the hall, his voice low and deep:
"Gentlemen, this is a critical moment for the survival of Eastern Wu."

"We hope that everyone will work together to overcome this difficult time."

Sun Quan emphasized the phrase "crossing the river together".

Because he knew that the gentry in Jiangdong all had the mentality of working for others.

In any case, whether they work for Boss Liu or Boss Sun, it won't affect their career prospects.

Sun Quan was aware of this, and over the years he had been strengthening his control over power.

I just hope that my colleagues won't all fail me at this crucial moment.

Three days later, Lu Xun rushed back to Jianye, travel-worn and exhausted.

He rushed to the palace without changing his clothes and saw Sun Quan pacing in a side hall, looking haggard.

"Your subject Lu Xun greets Your Majesty."

Lu Xun knelt down and bowed.

Sun Quan hurriedly stepped forward and helped him up.

"Boyan, please don't stand on ceremony!"

"Luoyang intends to attack my Eastern Wu. What should we do?"

Sun Quan cut to the chase and asked anxiously.

Lu Xun remained calm and gently comforted Sun Quan, saying:
"...Don't worry, Your Majesty."

"Although Wu is a small place, it has the natural barrier of the Yangtze River and an elite navy that is enough to defend against the enemy."

"Furthermore, with the Wei Kingdom in Xichuan holding back Liu Bei's Guanzhong army, the Han army is unable to advance eastward with full force."

The Wu Kingdom relied most on the Yangtze River and their Eastern Wu navy.

As mentioned before, Eastern Wu could have advanced into the Central Plains by water alone.

Waterway costs are much lower than land costs.

Therefore, the military science of Eastern Wu was entirely focused on the navy.

In addition, the geographical environment of Jiangdong is suitable for people to learn about water, so most locals know how to surf and play in the water.

With this population base.

Historically, Sun Quan even built a naval fleet of 10,000 men that roamed East Asia.

Theoretically, this fleet was the strongest fleet of the 3rd century AD.

Because it set new records in both passenger capacity and flight distance.

However, having an online army alone is not enough.

The Han army had previously been fighting in the Central Plains and Hebei, mainly on land.

However, they did not completely abandon online trolls.

Even though the Huainan navy and the Jingzhou navy were somewhat inferior to the Eastern Wu navy.

However, given the national strength of the Han Dynasty, if they really wanted to exert their full strength, they could only manage a naval force.

It will take only a few years to close this gap, or even surpass it.

Therefore, even though the defender usually has the advantage over the attacker, Sun Quan was still uneasy.

He gripped Lu Xun's hands tightly and asked in a deep voice:

"Boyan, how many troops do you think Liu Bei will send to attack?"

Lu Xun pondered for a moment and replied:

“If 100,000 men from Qi come, I will devour them for Your Majesty.”

"If 150,000 men come, I can defend Your Majesty against them."

Sun Quan's expression changed and he asked again:
"What if it were 200,000 people?"

Lu Xun frowned slightly and sighed deeply:
"...This is also what I am worried about."

“Our Eastern Wu can gather at most 100,000 troops. If the Qi army has twice that number, the outcome will be unpredictable.”

He then changed the subject and added:

"However, if Liu Bei has just pacified the Central Plains and sends out an army of 200,000, he will need at least 400,000 laborers."

"Such a number will surely damage the foundation of the nation."

"Furthermore, the transportation of grain and supplies is difficult, and a prolonged war will inevitably lead to the people's hardship."

"With Li Yi's wisdom, he would not allow Liu Bei to use troops in this way."

"Li Yi?"

When Sun Quan heard this name, he felt a chill run down his spine.

His elder brother was completely outmaneuvered by Li Yi back then, and in his own generation, he didn't get any advantage over him either.

Sun Quan thought that he was almost ten years younger than Li Yi, so he could outlive him.

It's just that this old codger, holding so many political positions, is still able to remain active in the political arena.

Heaven truly has no mercy on Wu!
Lu Xun continued speaking.

"Li Yi served as Chancellor of the Han Dynasty, making the greatest contribution to the founding of the dynasty, and his word was law in the court."

"He is a calm and steady person, and he will surely take a steady and pragmatic approach."

Lu Xun analyzed carefully:

"Therefore, I believe that even if the people of Qi have the ambition to attack Wu, they will not launch a large-scale invasion in the short term."

"It must have been carefully planned before they used their troops against Wu."

Upon hearing this, Sun Quan breathed a sigh of relief, his expression softening slightly.
"In that case, Boyan, what do you think we should do now?"

Lu Xun cupped his hands and asked for instructions:

"Your subject requests to lead troops to garrison the river mouth, cultivate land, and train soldiers."

"This way we can store up grain and prepare for war, waiting in comfort for the enemy to tire themselves out."

"good!"

Sun Quan was overjoyed and took off the sword from his waist and gave it to Lu Xun.

"I hereby appoint Boyan as Grand General, and grant him this sword to command all the generals."

"The defense line along the Yangtze River is entirely entrusted to you!"

Lu Xun solemnly accepted the sword and replied loudly:

"I will definitely live up to the king's trust."

……

Meanwhile, after receiving the order, Wu's envoy traveled day and night to reach Chengdu.

He entered the Wei palace to request an audience with Cao Pi.

King Cao Pi of Wei was sitting on his throne, holding a cup of honey water in his hand, looking languid.

Wu's envoy stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said:
"Your Highness, Liu Bei in Luoyang already intends to attack Wu."

"The King of Wu has specially dispatched his ministers to earnestly request the King of Wei to fulfill the alliance."

"Send troops to help us fight against the Qi army!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Pi frowned slightly, put down the honey water, and asked:
"Has the Grand Commandant not returned yet?"

Sanqi Changshiwei Zhen stepped forward and replied:

"Your Majesty, the Grand Commandant crossed the Lu River in May and quelled the rebellion in the south."

"Now there are only a few finishing touches left, and we expect to be able to return home by the end of August."

Cao Pi nodded slightly, feeling somewhat relieved.

But then he thought again and, fearing the strength of the Han army, said to the Wu envoy:
"This matter is of great importance. Please allow me to discuss it with my ministers. Your Majesty, please go and rest for now."

Upon hearing this, Wu Shi was astonished and quickly stepped forward, urgently saying:
"King Wei! The states of Wu and Wei are as close as lips and teeth!"

"If the Kingdom of Wu is destroyed, the Han army will surely take advantage of the situation to advance westward. At that time, how will Your Majesty protect yourself?"

"Only by working together can our two countries overcome this calamity!"

Cao Pi waved his hand and said:

"I understand, but matters of national importance cannot be decided hastily."

The Wu envoy was still not satisfied and said again:
"If Your Majesty is unwilling to send troops directly, you can at least harass Guanzhong from Hanzhong to contain the Qi army's flank."

"To alleviate the pressure on our Wu Kingdom's Yangtze River defense line!"

Cao Pi picked up the honey water, took another big gulp, and said calmly:
"I know."

Seeing Cao Pi's perfunctory attitude, Wu's envoy was filled with anxiety.

But there was nothing he could do but take his leave.

After the Wu envoy withdrew, Cao Pi surveyed the assembled officials in the hall and asked:
"Gentlemen, do you think that our Wei Kingdom should support the Wu Kingdom?"

Before he could finish speaking, local officials from Yizhou stepped forward to object.

"Your Majesty, what do I care about the survival of the Wu Kingdom?"

Why shed blood for them?

"Yes, Liu Bei's campaign against Wu will weaken his forces, so why should we interfere?"

However, the Cao clan members and officials who migrated to Shu from Yingchuan and the Central Plains held different opinions.

"Your Majesty, if the Kingdom of Wu is destroyed, Liu Bei will surely attack us with all his might!"

"The Kingdom of Wu is our eastern flank shield; we must save it!"

These foreign officials knew that if Cao Wei did not help Wu, Wu would be doomed.

These "outsiders" will inevitably be purged by the local forces in Yizhou.

Therefore, no matter what, they must support the Wu Kingdom.

Just as the debate was raging, an urgent report arrived from the south—Sima Yi had sent a messenger with a message!

Cao Pi unfolded Sima Yi's letter and read it carefully.

It turns out that although Sima Yi was suppressing the rebellion in the south, he had been keeping a close eye on the situation in the country.

Upon hearing the news that the Han people intended to launch a military campaign against Wu, he strongly urged Cao Pi in a letter to support the Wu Kingdom.

It also provides a detailed analysis of the strategic significance of the Wu-Wei alliance.

The book states briefly:

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, bow and pay my respects once more."

"Your subject is ordered by the king to lead a southern expedition against the barbarians."

"Thanks to the might and virtue of the King and the bravery of the soldiers, the southern region is now pacified and all the tribes are subdued."

"The barbarian king Meng Huo was unruly and difficult to tame, but through my strategy, I have won his heart."

"Now I appoint him as General Who Pacifies the South, to command the barbarian tribes and use the barbarians to control the barbarians."

"From now on, the southern border will be safe for ten years. I hope Your Majesty will not worry."

"Although I am far away in the southern wilderness, the affairs of the Central Plains have never been out of my mind for a single day."

"I have recently heard that Luoyang intends to attack Wu, and Wu's envoy may be coming to Chengdu to seek help."

“There must be short-sighted ministers in the court who will mislead the king with the idea that ‘the fall of Wu will not be a problem’.”

"These people are mostly selfish, and some may want to wait for Wu to be destroyed so that they can sell out their master for personal gain."

"Using the king as a stepping stone, they seek wealth and honor for themselves."

"If the state of Wu falls, those people will surely persuade Your Majesty to surrender to Qi. At that time, Your Majesty will no longer be able to become the Duke of Anle!"

"In the past, King Cao Cao competed with Liu Bei for control of the Central Plains."

"Despite repeated setbacks, their will never wavered, which led to the establishment of the Shu-Wei dynasty today."

"If we had hesitated even slightly back then, how could we have the land of abundance we have today?"

"The states of Wu and Wei are now like lips and teeth; if Wu survives, Wei will be safe; if Wu perishes, Wei will be in danger."

"May Your Majesty emulate the fortitude of the late king and reject the slanderous words of petty men."

"If the court cannot reach a decision, we can first bestow upon Wu and Shu brocade and frosting sugar as a sign of goodwill."

"I will return to Chengdu by the end of August to devise a strategy for Your Majesty."

"The south is hot and humid. I hope Your Majesty will take good care of your health and not indulge in sweet foods."

"Your subject Yi bows and pays his respects."

After reading it, Cao Pi pondered for a long time, and finally said:

"Let's wait until the Grand Commandant returns to court before discussing specific aid strategies."

Then, following Sima Yi's advice, he ordered someone to present the Wu envoy with Shu brocade and white sugar as a gesture of goodwill.

Although disappointed, Wu's envoy could only express his gratitude and take his leave.

After the Wu envoy left, Cao Pi's mood did not seem to be affected. On the contrary, he enthusiastically ordered someone to serve him rice soaked in syrup.

They then brought out honey water and grapes, and enjoyed a hearty meal.

As he enjoyed his dessert, he smiled at his ministers and said:

"This white sugar is not only delicious, but it can also improve the lives of people in Sichuan."

"You should encourage the people to set up more sugar mills and grow more sugarcane."

However, Minister Zhao Yan was deeply worried and stepped forward to offer his advice:

“Your Majesty, the main sugarcane producing area is Jiaozhou, and Chengdu is not suitable for growing sugarcane.”

"Moreover, Zhuge Liang, the governor of Jiaozhou, is a confidant of Liu Bei."

"If he cuts off the sugarcane supply, wouldn't all the sugar mills in Sichuan be rendered useless?"

Cao Pi didn't take it to heart and laughed:
“Jiaozhou is also developing its sugar industry. If they stop selling sugarcane, their own sugar industry will also suffer.”

"Besides, we have Shu brocade to support us, so our economy should be fine."

After saying that, he scooped up another spoonful of syrup, mixed it into the rice, and ate it with relish.

The ministers looked at each other, but none of them dared to offer any further advice.

……

Huainan, Shouchun.

The mansion of the General Who Conquers the South was brightly lit.

It was the height of summer, and the Jianghuai region was already quite hot and humid.

The generals in the hall, disregarding the heat, all stared intently at the man in the crimson official robe at the head of the table.

Chen Deng stood in front of the sand table in the center of the hall, gazing at the meticulously arranged terrain of Yangzhou.

The governor of Huainan, who was over fifty years old, had a gaunt face, and the fine lines around his eyes reflected the vicissitudes of more than twenty years of fighting.

On the sand table,
Red flags representing the Wu army were planted all over the south bank of the Yangtze River, while black flags representing the Han army were densely distributed at various strategic passes on the north bank.

All the generals below the hall had already arrived, but none of them dared to make a sound to disturb the commander-in-chief's contemplation.

Gan Ning could not tolerate the heat and frequently wiped his forehead with his sleeve.

Xu Sheng stared intently at the sand table, his eyes gleaming.

Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai spoke in hushed tones, glancing occasionally at Chen Deng's retreating figure.

Finally, Chen Deng turned around, his face calm as still as a deep well, only his deep eyes gleaming with an unfathomable light.

"I've kept you all waiting."

Chen Deng spoke in a clear voice and gestured for everyone to take their seats.

Gan Ning, being the most impatient of them all, spoke loudly before even sitting down:

"General, have you summoned us for the campaign against Wu?"

Chen Deng smiled slightly, but did not rush to answer. Instead, he glanced at the generals present.

Xu Sheng was steady and reliable, Jiang Qin was quick-witted, Zhou Tai was brave and fierce, and Gan Ning was ruthless and fierce.

These people were all his trusted and beloved generals whom he had cultivated over many years.

"Xingba, please calm down."

Chen Deng slowly walked to the main seat and sat down. "The court does indeed intend to attack Wu, but this matter involves a wide range of issues and cannot be decided in a short time."

Xu Sheng cupped his hands and said:
"General, it has been six years since His Majesty established the capital in Luoyang."

"Currently, Cao Wei is trapped in Yizhou, while Sun Wu is in a precarious position in Jiangdong. The unification of the world is imminent."

"Our soldiers in Huainan have been ready for battle for many years. Now is the time to make contributions and achieve great things. We must seize the opportunity."

Jiang Qin seized the opportunity to speak:

"Exactly! Exactly!"

"During the naval exercises at the end of last year, our warships were able to sail upstream and reach the city of Jianye."

"If the imperial court grants permission, we will surely be able to wipe out Jiangdong in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals in the hall showed signs of excitement.

Only Chen Deng remained calm, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, producing a dull sound.

"Your ambitions are commendable."

Chen Deng finally spoke slowly.

"...However, the war to destroy Wu was no small matter."

"The Sun family has ruled Jiangdong for three generations, and their foundation is deep."

"Furthermore, the Yangtze River provides a natural barrier, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack."

"The imperial court must carefully select the commander-in-chief to oversee the overall situation."

Zhou Tai slammed his fist on the table and stood up, shouting:
Why should he choose?

"The general has been stationed in Huainan for many years and is familiar with the terrain of Jiangnan. He is proficient in both land and naval warfare tactics."

"Moreover, General, you are a founding hero of our dynasty. Apart from Prime Minister Li, who in the court can compare to you?"

Upon hearing this, the generals all echoed his sentiments.

They had followed Chen Deng for many years and all deeply respected this elder who cared for his subordinates.

Chen Deng shook his head slightly, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

"Youping is mistaken."

Chen Deng sighed softly, "Besides Prime Minister Li, wasn't Duke Hanshou also renowned throughout the world?"

Upon hearing the words "Lord of Hanshou," everyone knew it referred to Guan Yu.

Upon recalling Guan Yu's name, the corners of all the generals present involuntarily twitched at the corners of their mouths.

Thinking back to the Battle of Runan, Guan Yu held the imperial insignia and commanded the armies of Huainan.

Its original intention was to prevent the Huainan army from becoming too powerful and to allow Guan Yu to come and consolidate his military achievements.

Unfortunately, Guan Yu's personality was too rigid at the time, which led to conflicts with the generals of Huainan.

Later, through the mediation of Lu Su, the matter was put to rest.

It's okay to turn the page.

The generals of Huainan will never forget that Guan Yu deliberately parachuted in to steal their thunder.

If it weren't for this attempt to steal credit, they would definitely have been able to secure the main attack opportunity when attacking Jingzhou later.

They definitely wouldn't let Zhuge Liang be the commander-in-chief; the Huainan army would be his deputy.

One wrong step leads to another.

In any case, the feud between the two families was thus established.

This matter remains a thorn in the side of the generals in Huainan to this day.

The hall fell silent instantly.

Gan Ning stared wide-eyed and said:

"Why do you say that, General?"

"Gongjiu was stationed in Jiangnan for a long time and was well-versed in naval warfare. He suppressed Sun Wu for many years and was feared by all in Jianghuai."

"Could the court possibly choose someone else to lead the campaign against Wu?"

It's tough...

Chen Deng sighed, rose, and paced back and forth, his wide robe swaying slightly with his movements.

"Those who have made great contributions and overshadowed their rulers have rarely met a good end."

"I have followed Your Majesty for many years, and with the help of friends like Prime Minister Li in the court, I have been able to hold power in Huainan for more than 20 years."

"It is no exaggeration to say that the Chen family is the largest surname in Jiangnan today."

Generally speaking,
In the past, when warlords were vying for power and warring states were in constant conflict, local authorities could be given a great deal of authority.

The position of governor arose in this context.

Later, as the state was established and the regime gradually stabilized, the local power should theoretically be gradually reclaimed.

At the very least, local officials should not be allowed to stay in one place for too long, lest they develop an excessively powerful faction.

However, in order to compensate Chen Deng, Liu Bei tacitly allowed him to stay and develop in Jiangnan.

Liu Bei did consider keeping Chen Deng in the central government.

Even if you leave your hometown, your network of contacts still exists.

Just like Li Yi, although he became prime minister in Luoyang, he had been operating in Hebei for many years and was the real boss of Hebei.

The network of connections—his students and former associates are all there.

However, Chen Deng insisted on staying in Jiangnan, partly because he couldn't bear to leave his hometown where he had worked for many years.

On the one hand, he was used to the lifestyle in Jiangnan, where he could also eat all kinds of seafood.

Most importantly, Chen Deng's lifelong ambition was to unify the Jiangnan region.

Everything he did in Huainan was preparation for the destruction of Wu.

With Liu Bei's tacit approval and the help of important ministers and friends like Li Yi in the court, he was able to pass the test.

Over the past twenty years, Chen Deng has risen to become one of the top regional officials in the Han Dynasty.

His students and former subordinates have surpassed those of Yuan Shu back then.

He said that his Chen family is currently the largest surname in Jiangnan, and there was no exaggeration in that.

Apart from the Li family, there are almost no other major surnames in the Qi and Han dynasties that can suppress the Chen family.

Both were founding fathers,
Although figures like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun achieved great fame and merit, they did not form cliques or engage in corrupt practices.

This is due to his personality.

Guan Yu couldn't get along with the scholar-officials, and Zhang Fei was rough and unsympathetic to petty people.

Zhao Yun, on the other hand, was of noble character and disliked forming cliques or taking sides.

Although they wield power in the court, their descendants will undoubtedly become a prominent family in the Qi and Han dynasties.

After all, their generation,

They have already done the work, endured the hardships, and exerted the efforts that should have been done for ten generations of their descendants.

It would be difficult for future generations not to receive their blessings.

As long as their descendants continue to receive blessings, they will remain a prominent and influential family.

It just won't develop into a top-tier aristocratic family like Li Yi or Chen Deng.

Chen Deng was a prominent family that developed normally under the circumstances of the late Han Dynasty.

After all, he came from a prominent family in Xuzhou, so he already had a solid foundation.

Li Yi, on the other hand, had too much power and too high a position, and too many people fawned over him.

It's hard to imagine having few disciples or former subordinates.

After all, many positions that seem insignificant to the average person are seen as lucrative and prestigious jobs by others.

Such lucrative positions could often be awarded simply with Li Yi's approval.

There isn't even a need to go through any procedures.

Because from the perspective of important people, these shortcomings are really too small and insignificant.

"General, are you perhaps afraid that the imperial court will take offense?"

Xu Sheng suddenly realized and asked in a low voice.

"It's not out of fear, but because I have no choice but to consider it."

Chen Deng stopped at the window and looked south.

"Your Majesty is a man of great talent and ambition, but the mind of an emperor has always been difficult to fathom."

"I have roamed the Jiangnan region for more than 20 years, and I am no longer the Chen Yuanlong of Xuzhou of the past."

"His Majesty is no longer the shoe seller from Zhuojun, but the supreme ruler who sits on the throne of the world."

"Time changes many things, and I haven't seen His Majesty for many years." "As the saying goes, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. A ruler's heart is hard to fathom, and I don't know what the court's attitude is towards the campaign against Wu."

"That's why I asked Prime Minister Li to reveal some things about the court in the letter."

Gan Ning said angrily:
"What kind of logic is this! The general has risked his life for the Han Dynasty for many years, how can he be doubted because of his merits?"

"If that's the case, what's the point of us soldiers risking our lives and shedding our blood for the Liu family!"

Chen Deng turned around, his face serious, and shouted sternly:

"Xingba, be careful what you say! If such words get out, it will only bring trouble."

Jiang Qin quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying:

"General, Xingba is straightforward and has no other intentions."

"But we soldiers of Huainan truly yearn to continue to make contributions to the country."

"In the past, the pacification of the Central Plains relied heavily on the generals from the north."

"Now is the time for our southern soldiers to fight and give their lives in the campaign against Jiangnan."

Gan Ning immediately chimed in, repeatedly saying:
"Exactly! Exactly!"

"My point of view is very simple: since the war is being fought in Jiangnan, it should be fought by us Jiangnan people."

"It is not right for the northerners to claim credit."

Zhou Tai nodded slightly and said in a deep voice:

“I think what Xingba said makes sense.”

"Wu Jun's navy is not to be underestimated; only our Huainan navy can rival it."

"Moreover, the strong men of Huainan play in the water every day and ride the tide every night."

"Even a three-year-old child can go into the water."

"The greatest credit for this battle belongs to none other than the people of Huainan."

The Han Dynasty had two major naval forces: the Huainan Naval Force and the Jingzhou Naval Force.

However, the Jingzhou navy underwent a political purge after Liu Biao's death and the subsequent upheaval of the regime.

This resulted in the deaths of many outstanding naval commanders, and the development of the navy stagnated due to the impact of the Battle of Red Cliffs.

Later, when Zhuge Liang took charge of Jingzhou and Xiangyang, he was able to revitalize the Jingzhou navy.

Because of the scandal involving Ma Su, Zhuge Liang resigned and went to Jiaozhou to avoid trouble.

The administration of Jingzhou had always been handled by Ma Liang, and without a leader, it was naturally no match for the Huainan navy.

Chen Deng's expression softened slightly. He returned to his seat and said leisurely:
"How could I not know what you gentlemen are thinking?"

"Therefore, I have already written a letter to Prime Minister Li to inquire about the court's movements."

Upon hearing this, all the generals showed joy.

Li Yi and Chen Deng were close friends.

If he intervenes, things will surely take a turn for the better.

Gan Ning hurriedly asked:
"Has Prime Minister Li replied? Has he mentioned the candidate for commander-in-chief in the campaign against Wu?"

Chen Deng shook his head:

"The letter has just been sent, and no reply has been received yet."

"Gentlemen, please wait patiently."

"The plan to attack Wu will not be so easy to finalize."

"Wait? Wait until how long?"

Gan Ning slammed his fist on the table and stood up, "Is there any other choice in this matter?"

"The war in Jiangnan should rightfully be fought by the people of Jiangnan!"

"What do those northern landlubbers know about naval warfare?"

Jiang Qin also echoed:

"Exactly! Northerners may be good at riding horses, but how can they compare to us in boating and rowing?"

"In the Battle of Red Cliffs, wasn't it our Huainan navy that contributed the most?"

Xu Sheng looked worried and suddenly brought up something that no one wanted to talk about.

"I fear that the court will do what it did when it attacked Runan, sending a minister with imperial authority to steal my military merits in Huainan."

The atmosphere in the hall changed abruptly upon hearing this.

Gan Ning's face flushed red, and his hair stood on end in anger:

"If Guan Yu is sent to control us again, I'd rather resign and return to my farm!"

Zhou Tai gave a wry smile and teased him:

"Xingba is saying something in anger again."

"You have served the court for many years, how can you just quit like that?"

Gan Ning snorted coldly:
"The soldiers of Huainan have guarded the border for many years and fought countless bloody battles."

"Now, even when we're trying to conquer the Wu Kingdom, we have to put up with the rudeness of the northerners. I'd rather feign illness and go home to take care of my kids!"

Knowing his temper, the generals realized he was just saying things in anger, so they all tried to reason with him.

Chen Deng raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then gently advised Gan Ning:
"...Xingba, don't be annoyed."

"I don't think the court will necessarily send General Guan this time."

Who will be sent?

Gan Ning, still furious, said, "It couldn't be that brute Zhang Fei, could it?"

Chen Deng shook his head:

"It is difficult to predict how the imperial court will arrange things at this time."

"The war to destroy Wu involves the interests of many parties and cannot be decided in a short time."

"but……"

He paused briefly, then said, "If a military supervisor is to be sent with the authority of an emperor, I would prefer that it be Prime Minister Li himself."

Upon hearing this, the generals' expressions immediately softened.

Xu Sheng nodded:
"If it is Prime Minister Li, this humble general will be completely convinced."

"Prime Minister Li is kind and fair in his dealings, unlike some people who are arrogant and rude."

Jiang Qin also smiled and said:
"Exactly! When Li Xiang was the governor of Huainan, he shared weal and woe with the soldiers and was not arrogant at all."

"To associate with them is like drinking fine wine, which is intoxicating."

Even the hot-tempered Gan Ning calmed down slightly upon hearing this, muttering:

"If it is indeed Prime Minister Li who has come, then this humble general will naturally have nothing to say."

"We only hope that the imperial court will take heed and not further chill the hearts of our soldiers in Huainan."

Seeing that everyone's emotions were gradually stabilizing, Chen Deng shook his head and sighed inwardly:
It's not that easy.

As a top-ranking official second only to the emperor, Li Yi bore far more pressure than anyone else.

He preferred to believe that the imperial court would send Guan Yu again to act as an agent.
They also did not believe that the court would allow someone like Li Yi, who had already reached the pinnacle of power, to reap the rewards of conquering and annexing Jiangnan.

After pondering for a while, Chen Deng said seriously:

"Gentlemen, return to camp and prepare for battle."

"No matter what arrangements the imperial court makes, our Huainan army must be fully prepared."

"Remember, military orders are absolute and must not be disobeyed."

The generals solemnly agreed and took their leave one after another.

After everyone left, Chen Deng sat alone in the hall.

His gaze fell once again on the topographical map of Jiangdong on the sand table, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"His merits are so great... that they threaten the emperor's position?"

He murmured to himself, "Ziyu, Ziyu, we've known each other for so many years, how will you help me this time?"

Not long after the generals had left, the steward of the manor hurried in, bowed, and reported:
"Master, representatives from more than ten families, including the Zhu family of Wujun, the Yu family of Kuaiji, the Tao family of Danyang, and the Du family of Jiujiang, have arrived outside the mansion and are requesting an audience with you."

"Oh?"

Chen Deng's eyebrows twitched slightly, and a knowing smile appeared on his lips.

"So it really happened after all?"

"Very well, please come into the flower hall for tea. I will be there shortly."

The steward accepted the order and left.

Chen Deng straightened his clothes, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

These powerful families in Jiangnan have a keen sense of smell, like hunting dogs; they can always detect the slightest movement in the court immediately.

The idea of ​​attacking Wu had just been proposed when they came here to find out the truth.

Inside the flower hall, more than ten elderly men in brocade robes were already seated.

These elderly men came not only from Huainan, but also from Jiangdong.

Without exception, they were all powerful families from Jiangnan.

Upon seeing Chen Deng enter, they all stood up and bowed.

The head of the Zhu clan, Zhu Jun, cupped his hands and smiled, saying:

"Mr. Chen is very busy with many affairs of state. I apologize for disturbing you and hope you will forgive me."

Chen Deng returned the greeting with a bow:

"Gentlemen, you have come from afar. I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me."

The guests and hosts took their seats, and the maids served the newly picked tea leaves.

Amidst the fragrant aroma of tea, Yu Qi, the patriarch of the Yu clan, took a light sip and cut to the chase:
"I've heard that the imperial court intends to attack Wu. I wonder if Lord Chen has received any news about this?"

The hall fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on Chen Deng.

Chen Deng calmly put down his teacup and looked around at everyone:
"...You gentlemen are certainly better informed than I am."

"However, I dare not speak rashly on matters of great importance to the nation and the people without imperial decree."

Tao Shang, the clan chief, laughed and said:

"Mr. Chen is too modest."

"Who doesn't know that the Chen family of Huainan is the most prominent family in Jiangnan, and Lord Chen is a key minister of the imperial court?"

"If we're talking about attacking Wu, how could Lord Chen not know about it?"

Tao Shang was the son of Tao Qian, the former governor of Xuzhou.

Back then, Chen Deng was Tao Qian's subordinate, and he had to address Tao Qian as "Young Master" when he saw him.

Things change every thirty years.

It was already quite remarkable that Tao Shang could even see Chen Deng's back.

"Exactly!"

The head of the Dong clan in Yuyao also took the opportunity to speak.

"We, the esteemed families of Jiangnan, have long awaited the arrival of the royal army in the south."

"If Lord Chen has any orders, how could I not be willing to die for him?"

Chen Deng's gaze was deep as he slowly said:

"...The loyalty of all of you is evident."

"However, war is a matter of great importance to the state, a matter of life and death, and must not be neglected."

"Even if we have the intention to attack Wu, we need to plan this carefully."

Zhu Jun leaned forward and lowered his voice, saying:

"...Chen Gongming is wise."

"We are not here to spy on military secrets, but to make preparations in advance."

"If the royal army marches south, warships, weapons, and provisions will all need to be prepared."

“My Zhu family has three shipyards in Wu County, with more than a thousand craftsmen, and can build dozens of warships every day.”

Yu Qi also said:

"The Yu family of Kuaiji controls three iron mines, hundreds of smelters, and as many swords, spears, and arrows as they need."

Everyone expressed their opinions, and the implication was crystal clear—

They are willing to support the campaign against Wu, but they need a share of the spoils.

Chen Deng knew perfectly well that these powerful families, seemingly righteous and awe-inspiring, were expressing their loyalty to the Han Dynasty and their support for unification.

But in reality, they each had their own agendas.

For them, attacking Wu was an excellent opportunity to seize land, people, and trade routes.

If the power of the imperial court can be used to eliminate the Sun family, the interests of Jiangnan will be reshuffled.

"I am deeply impressed by your enthusiasm."

Chen Deng nodded slightly, "Just as you gentlemen have said, the imperial court will attack Wu sooner or later."

“Huainan should take precautions.”

His gaze turned to Zhu Jun:
"What Zhu Gong said about the shipyard is very important."

"The key to naval warfare lies first and foremost in warships."

"If the royal army marches south, the number of warships and fighting vessels needed will be as numerous as carp crossing a river. I wonder if Zhu is capable of handling this task?"

Zhu Jun was overjoyed and slammed his hand on the table, saying:

"Rest assured, Lord Chen! As long as the imperial court issues the order, my Zhu family's shipyard will operate day and night."

"I guarantee the warships will be launched into the water like dumplings!"

"it is good!"

Chen Deng then looked at the Yu clan chief.

"Yu Gong's iron-smelting skills were renowned throughout the world."

"If we need to forge weapons and armor in the future, I hope Lord Yu will lend us his full support."

Yu stroked his beard and laughed:

"I will gladly serve Lord Chen's command."

"but……"

He hesitated for a moment, "Iron forging is extremely costly. If the court could grant us a monopoly on salt and iron..."

Chen Deng raised his hand to interrupt:
"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"As long as Lord Yu ensures quality and quantity, the court will be understanding regarding a small profit."

Upon hearing this, all the heads of the families showed joy.

Chen Deng's implication was that he tacitly approved of their profiteering from military production.

The premise is that you have to go all out and produce military equipment.

As long as the quantity is large and the quality is good, it can meet my needs for destroying Wu.

I won't concern myself with the details of the production process.

All you need to do is deliver on your promises.

The atmosphere in the hall immediately became lively, and everyone expressed their willingness to contribute to the campaign against Wu.

Tao Shang suddenly said:
“Lord Chen, although my Tao family has no shipyards or iron mines, we control the canal transport routes.”

"If the royal army marches south, the transport of provisions will surely find a use for me."

"I, Tao, am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse."

The clan head of the Dong family echoed:

“My family owns thousands of acres of fertile land, which can supply the army with rations.”

Chen Deng agreed to everything, but his mind was as clear as a mirror.

These aristocratic families appeared generous on the surface, but in reality, they were all calculating the distribution of spoils after the war.

However, preparations are the priority right now, and some concessions are inevitable.

During the discussion, the Lu clan chief of Lujiang, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up and asked:
"Master Chen, I have a private matter to ask of you, but I'm unsure whether I should speak of it?"

Chen Deng looked up and saw:

"Please speak freely, Lord Lu."

Mr. Lu said somewhat awkwardly:

"I have heard that Lord Chen's beloved daughter has reached marriageable age, while my son is only twenty years old and still unmarried."

"If Lord Chen does not reject me, I would like to form a marriage alliance between Qin and Jin."

The room fell silent immediately upon hearing this.

Everyone's gaze shifted back and forth between Chen Deng and the head of the Lu family.

The Lu family was a prominent clan in Lujiang, while the Chen family was the largest surname in Jiangnan.

If this marriage is successful, the Lu family's status in Jiangnan will surely rise to a higher level.

Chen Deng remained expressionless and slowly sipped his tea:
"I have long heard of Young Master Lu's talent and reputation."

"However, my daughter is unruly and I fear she is not a suitable match for your son."

Patriarch Lu hurriedly said:
"Mr. Chen is too modest! If we were to marry your daughter, the Lu family would be willing to offer a thousand acres of fertile land in Wu County as a dowry."

"Add ten more merchant ships, and one million strings of cash!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked surprised.

Such a generous betrothal gift demonstrates the Lu family's sincerity.

However, given the Chen family's influence in Jiangnan, any sacrifice would be worthwhile if the marriage between the two families were to take place.

Moreover, the Chen family is very likely to take the lead in the future war to destroy Wu.

If they want to catch up with this trend, they need to get in now.

For a moment, several family heads also had their own thoughts and were about to speak.

Chen Deng raised his hand to stop him:
"I appreciate your kind intentions."

"However, my daughter's marriage still needs to be considered carefully."

His tone was gentle but firm: “The military matters we are discussing today are of utmost importance; we can talk about family matters later.”

The heads of the families were all sensible men, and seeing Chen Deng's resolute attitude, they said no more.

Only the head of the Lu family looked disappointed, but he did not dare to insist.

After discussing for a while, Chen Deng served tea to the guests.

The heads of the households tactfully took their leave.

After seeing off the heads of the families, Chen Deng sat alone in his study, gazing absently at the deepening twilight outside the window.

The candlelight on the table flickered, casting his face in shifting light and shadow.

After a long while, he sighed softly, got up and walked to the backyard.

After passing through several courtyards, we arrived at an exquisite embroidered building.

The upstairs was brightly lit, and the faint sound of a zither could be heard.

Chen Deng stopped to listen, and after identifying who was playing the zither, a smile appeared on his lips.

"Has Yao'er not rested yet?"

He asked the maid at the door.

The maidservant hurriedly bowed:

"Master, the young lady is practicing the zither."

Chen Deng nodded and climbed the steps.

Pushing open the door, one sees a beautiful young woman kneeling before a table, her slender fingers gently caressing the strings of a zither.

Hearing the door open, the woman looked up and, seeing it was her father, quickly stood up and bowed.

"I hope my father is well."

Chen Deng smiled:

"Get up."

His gaze fell on his daughter, and he couldn't help but sigh at how quickly time flies.

The baby who was once in swaddling clothes has now grown into a graceful young woman.

Chen Yao inherited her mother Zhao's beautiful appearance, with exquisite features and an elegant temperament.

However, his eyes now held a sharpness unique to the Chen family of Huainan.

"Your piano skills have improved again in just a few months."

Chen Deng sat down beside the desk.

Chen Yao lowered her eyes:

"I was just casually touching it, I hope my father won't laugh at me."

Chen Deng gestured for her to sit down, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly said:
"Yao'er, you're sixteen this year, aren't you?"

Chen Yao's fingers trembled slightly as she pursed her lips and said:

"Yes, I just had my coming-of-age ceremony last month."

"Ah."

Chen Deng's gaze was deep. "After you come of age, it's time to consider marriage."

Have you ever thought about what kind of family you want to marry into?

Chen Yao's ears turned slightly red as she lowered her head and twisted her sash.

"Daughter...Daughter is entirely at her parents' disposal."

Chen Deng observed his daughter's expression and continued:

"If your father were to marry you off to someone in the capital, would you be willing?"

"Capital?"

Chen Yao suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with astonishment.

He immediately rose from his seat and knelt down, his voice already choked with sobs:
"Father! Your daughter... Your daughter has not yet been able to fulfill her filial duties at your side and repay your kindness in raising her, how can she bear to go to the capital?"

"Shouchun is a thousand miles from Luoyang, and I fear I will never see my parents again in this lifetime..."

At this point, tears were already rolling down her cheeks.

Chen Deng frowned slightly:

"Foolish child, a woman will eventually get married, so what difference does it make where she goes?"

"Besides, marrying into the capital will benefit both you and the Chen family."

Chen Yao wiped away her tears and looked up:

"Whom does the father intend to marry his daughter to?"

Chen Deng stroked his beard and said:
Have you ever heard of the young master of the Li family?

"Li Xiang?"

Chen Yao was taken aback. "Father, are you referring to Prime Minister Lee?"

"Exactly."

Chen Deng nodded, "His son, Li Zhi, is about the same age as you."

"He is a man of refined character and considerable talent."

"Furthermore, the Li family holds a prominent position in the court, so you will definitely not suffer if you marry into their family."

This is why Chen Deng refused the marriage proposals from the prominent families of Jiangnan.

Regardless of who he marries, it's all about a prominent family in Jiangnan climbing the social ladder.

This is of no help to the Chen family, as it is already the largest surname in Jiangnan.

But it would be different if you married your daughter off to someone in the capital.

Because Chen Deng doesn't mingle in Beijing's social circles, he doesn't have much influence in the capital.

He only has one daughter.

Therefore, if a marriage alliance were to be formed, he would like to marry his daughter to someone from the capital.

This is because it allows me to expand my network of contacts in Beijing and also provides me with a backup plan for the future.

Chen Yao's eyes were still glistening with tears, but a look of realization had already appeared on her face:
"So Father wanted his daughter to marry into the Li family in order to expand the Chen family's influence in the capital..."

"presumptuous!"

Chen Deng suddenly slammed his hand on the table, his face darkening.

"Who taught you to interpret your father's intentions like that?"

Chen Yao was so frightened that she lay prone on the ground, not daring to raise her head.

Seeing this, Chen Deng softened his tone slightly:
"Do you think it's so easy to get into the Li family?"

"Although my father and Prime Minister Li are sworn brothers, the marriage alliance between our two clans has affected the court and the public."

"How many people will try to sabotage this? It's not as simple as you think."

"Daughter knows she was wrong..." Chen Yao's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

Chen Deng sighed and got up to walk to the window.

"Yao'er, it's not that I don't love you."

With his back to his daughter, he said in a low voice, "It is precisely because I love you that I want to find you a good match."

"Li Zhi was a promising young man from a distinguished family, and he was the husband that many noble ladies dreamed of."

Chen Yao slowly raised her head, gazing at her father's retreating figure:

"The daughter understands her father's good intentions."

"It's just...it's just that I can't bear to leave Shouchun..."

"I can't bear to leave my father and mother."

Chen Deng turned around, his gaze complex.

"How could I bear to part with you? But you will eventually have to get married."

"It's better to marry into a wealthy family in the capital than to marry into a prominent family in Jiangnan."

“If... if anything happens to your father someday, at least you will have someone to rely on in the Li family.”

Chen Yao's expression changed upon hearing this:

"Why did father say this?"

Chen Deng shook his head and remained silent.

The hidden worries of his high achievements overshadowing the emperor, the open and covert attacks in the court—these were things he shouldn't discuss with his daughter.

"All right."

He changed the subject, saying, "This matter is still in the planning stages."

Whether the Li family will agree remains to be seen.

"Keep this in mind, but don't tell anyone else."

Chen Yao nodded obediently, "Your daughter will remember."

Chen Deng approached and gently stroked his daughter's head, just as he had done when she was a child.

"Remember, no matter who you marry, you will always be a daughter of the Chen family."

"The honor and disgrace of the family are closely related to you."

"My daughter understands."

Chen Yao answered solemnly, her eyes no longer showing the hesitation of a young girl, but rather a hint of determination.

Chen Deng nodded with satisfaction:

"It's getting late, go and rest."

After that, he turned and left.

As I walked to the door, I suddenly heard my daughter call out:
"Father!"

Chen Deng turned around and saw Chen Yao standing by the door, the setting sun shining on her beautiful face.

"Daughter...daughter will follow father's arrangements."

Her voice trembled slightly but was firm: "I only hope that Father will take care of his health and not overwork himself for court affairs."

Chen Deng felt a surge of warmth in his heart and nodded, saying:
"it is good."

He then strode away.

After sighing, Chen Yao went to the window.

She was just a girl, and her life was never her own to decide.

Outside the window, the setting sun casts a blood-red glow on the walls of Shouchun.

The waters of the Yangtze River continue to flow eastward in a mighty torrent.

It will carry countless heroic ambitions and political schemes, heading towards an unknowable future.

……

(End of this chapter)