Tiger Owl

Chapter 106 Alliance Finalized
Zhang Zhao also received news of Lu Su's arrival and hurriedly went to the Wu Marquis's residence. Before long, Zhang Zhao was led into the Wu Marquis's official room by the guards.

Zhang Zhao asked anxiously, "Has Lord Wu received the news? Lu Su has arrived in Jiangdong under the protection of the navy."

Sun Quan waved his hand, "Strategist, please sit down!"

Wu Hou's attitude puzzled Zhang Zhao. He sat down, and Sun Quan asked calmly, "Is the strategist still against our alliance with Gan Ning?"

No! Zhang Zhao suddenly remembered that Lu Fan and Zhou Yu had met with the Marquis of Wu today, and the Marquis of Wu must know about Lu Su's arrival.

Zhang Zhao immediately realized that he had lost points; Zhou Yu and Lü Fan must have persuaded the Marquis of Wu.

His mind raced, but he explained aloud, "Your Excellency Wu, I have never opposed an alliance with Gan Ning. It is only recently that the opposition has become too strong that I have no choice but to ask Your Excellency Wu to temporarily postpone the alliance to avoid causing a greater rift."

"Now that Lu Su has arrived, what should we do? Should we ask him to go back?"

Sun Quan remained nonchalant, but the anger in his eyes was barely contained.

"Has Lord Wu already decided to form an alliance with Gan Ning?"

"This isn't my problem. I've always wanted Gan Ning to form an alliance. The problem lies with countless opponents, and also with the strategist. He went from staunch support to backing down. I want to know, how much money did Sun Ben actually give the strategist?"

Zhang Zhao's expression changed drastically, and he slowly shook his head, "This humble servant has never taken a single coin from Sun Ben, so why does Lord Wu say such a thing?"

"Because those who oppose my alliance with Gan Ning are all supporters of Sun Ben, and they all speak from Sun Ben's perspective, I completely understand their position. But how do you explain that the strategist is also on their side?"

"Does Lord Wu believe that the opposition to the alliance was instigated by Sun Ben?"

"if not?"

Sun Quan said coldly, "Everyone was in favor of the alliance before, but after Qiao An was intercepted and captured by Sun Ben, they all jumped out to oppose the alliance. Did they all come to their senses at the same time? Is there such a coincidence in the world, or are so many people sharing the same brain?"

Zhang Zhao sighed and said, "This humble servant was indeed not firm enough in his stance. I did not expect that this was instigated by Sun Ben. But in any case, this humble servant has nothing to do with Sun Ben."

Sun Quan knew that Zhang Zhao was not being sincere. As a dignified strategist, how could he not know that Sun Ben was stirring up trouble?
But Sun Quan didn't want to delve into it further, so he slowly said, "I hope that the strategist can stand on my side at crucial moments, just like Lü Fan and Gong Jin."

Zhang Zhao nodded, "This subordinate fully supports the alliance with Gan Ning, and this stance has never changed."

“I apologize for what I said earlier. Now Chief Secretary Lü is waiting for you to go and negotiate with Lu Su to finalize the alliance terms. Then Gan Ning and I will meet and sign them together.”

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Zhang Zhao was reprimanded by Sun Quan, and his back was soaked with sweat. Fortunately, the Marquis of Wu still needed him, otherwise he would have lost his position as strategist.

After Zhang Zhao left, Sun Quan summoned Chen Wu and said to him slowly, "I heard there are two joint petitions against the alliance, one signed by aristocratic families and the other by officials. Go and get me both of these petitions; I need the originals!"

Chen Wu bowed and left in a hurry. Sun Quan sneered to himself, "I want to see just how many people support Sun Ben."

Lu Su spent only half a day on the river outside Jingkou, where he finalized all the details and the final alliance text with Lü Fan and Zhang Zhao.

There are seven clauses and forty-eight articles in total. The last article of the seventh clause is about the meeting between the two lords, who agree to meet on the south bank of the Yangtze River at the border of Pengze County and Danyang County and formally sign the alliance.

Another supplementary clause is marriage. Both parties agree to establish an alliance through marriage, but the specifics of the marriage will be discussed in detail when they meet.

Although marriage and alliance are related, they are not actually the same thing. Marriage is a continuation of the alliance and a deepening of the relationship brought about by the alliance.

In the afternoon, Lu Su's fleet set sail back to Yuzhang County.

The following morning, in the back garden of Dantu Palace, two girls were swinging gently on a swing set. One was Sun Ren, and the other was Xu Wei. Xu Wei was a year older than Sun Ren, and the two had been playmates since childhood. For nearly ten years, they had been best friends.

"Yunqing, you don't even know the meaning behind my mother taking you in as her goddaughter? Are you still grieving the death of my brother?"

Yunqing was Xu Wei's courtesy name, just like Sun Ren's courtesy name was Shangxiang. Her family mostly called her Yunqing.

"Pah! He's your brother, and you're not even sad about it, do you think I'd care?"

Xu Wei had the most relaxed months during this period. Sun Yi died, and even though she became a widow, she was genuinely happy.

But at the same time, her longing for Gan Ning grew stronger every day. If she could find a reason to go to Yuzhang County, she would have run away long ago.

However, when she arrived at Dantu Palace this morning, Madam Wu actually wanted to take her in as her goddaughter, which truly shocked and puzzled her.

Xu Wei glanced at Sun Ren, "You're only halfway through your story! Why did Second Aunt take me in as her goddaughter?"

“Jiangdong wants to form a marriage alliance with Gan Ning. My mother will take you as her goddaughter and then send you to Yuzhang County for the marriage alliance.”

"Ah!" Xu Wei exclaimed in surprise, "How come I had no idea?"

Sun Ren curled his lip. "You're secretly delighted, aren't you? You should be thanking me. If I hadn't firmly disagreed and recommended you, you wouldn't have gotten this opportunity."

Happiness came so suddenly that it almost knocked Xu Wei unconscious. She suppressed her excitement and asked, "Why don't you want to?"

“I don’t like him. I hated him last time at Grand Commandant Yang’s mansion. Do you think I would marry a bandit who forcibly took three hundred wives from his stronghold?”

Xu Wei sighed and said, "You actually believed such a ridiculous rumor?"

"I know it's a ridiculous rumor, but his background as a river bandit isn't fake, is it?"

Xu Wei was speechless. She knew that Shang Xiang had always admired her older brother, Sun Ce, and desperately wanted to marry a hero like him. In fact, Gan Ning perfectly met Shang Xiang's requirements, but...

Shangxiang is influenced by her family and places too much importance on her background. In fact, she looks down on Gan Ning's background. Alas! She will definitely regret it when she grows up and matures.

"Shangxiang, although I am very grateful to you, this is a matter of lifelong importance, please think it over carefully! Don't let prejudice and emotions affect you."

Sun Shangxiang shook her head. "You know what? Some people say he looks a lot like my older brother. I find that really disgusting. My older brother is such a hero. How could he possibly be compared to him? I hate that kind of talk, and I hate that person too."

"Don't blame me for stealing your marriage later."

"No way! You're my best friend. I know you like him, so of course I'd give you the chance. Would I give it to someone else?"

Xu Wei was moved and held Sun Shangxiang's hand, saying, "Shangxiang, thank you!"

Sun Shangxiang nodded gently, "Don't be too happy yet. This matter still needs the Xu family's consent. If the Xu family objects, there will be more twists and turns."

“My father won’t object.”

"Not your father, but the one who truly heads your family!"

Xu Wei also felt uneasy. Last time she ran away from the wedding, her relationship with her grandmother was very strained. Would her grandmother agree to it?

(End of this chapter)