Tiger Owl

Chapter 114 News of Expulsion
The two sides took their seats as host and guest, and there were subtle differences in the seating arrangements. Jia Xu sat opposite Sun Ben at a table, and Sun Ben even had to bow and scrape to Jia Xu.

But not with Gan Ning. Gan Ning sat in the head seat, while Jia Xu sat to the right of the lower seat, and Lu Su and Jiang Wan sat to the left of the lower seat. The difference between Gan Ning and Sun Ben was the difference between being a dog and being a human.

Jia Xu clasped his hands and smiled, "Let me first inform General Gan of something. Sun Ben sent his son Sun An as an envoy to Xuchang, hoping that Cao Sikong would send troops to Wan County, but Cao Sikong refused. I can promise General Gan on behalf of Cao Sikong that Cao's army will not cross the Wan River within three years."

Gan Ning said calmly, "Is the answer Changsha Prefecture?"

Jia Xu stroked his yellowed goatee and smiled slightly. "General Gan is indeed a man of few words. He is absolutely right. Minister Cao hopes that General Gan will help him contain Liu Biao. Changsha Commandery is a good entry point and a place that Liu Biao must save. Once General Gan takes Changsha Commandery, it will border Nan Commandery, and Liu Biao will have no intention of going north."

Gan Ning laughed and said, "It is said that when Cao Cao and Liu Bei were discussing heroes over green plums and wine, Cao Cao described Liu Biao as a dog guarding a house. Why are you worried about Liu Biao's northern expedition now?"

Jia Xu gave a wry smile and said, "The problem lies with this Liu Bei. He is very good at seizing opportunities. If he were not in Jingzhou, we would not be worried about Liu Biao at all. But since he went to Jingzhou, he will persuade Liu Biao to launch a northern expedition. In addition, Liu Biao is not a firm-willed person and is easily swayed by others. That's why Cao Cao is worried that Liu Biao will launch a northern expedition under Liu Bei's instigation."

Gan Ning nodded. "I understand, but what benefit would I get from helping Cao Cao restrain Liu Biao?"

Jia Xu smiled slightly and said, "The old rule still applies. No matter which prefecture General Gan conquers, the imperial court will recognize it."

Gan Ning glanced quickly at Lu Su, who, sensing his presence, slowly said, "Let's add a little more! My lord's appointments, whether civil or military officials, are hoped to be recognized by the court."

Jia Xu thought for a moment and said, "If it is an appointment within the normal scope, there should be a big problem, but the information needs to be provided to the court according to the normal procedure. Do you understand what I mean? It is not that the court has to follow the list just because General Gan has it. It must be done according to the rules of the court."

Lu Su understood, of course, that it was necessary to provide complete personnel information for the officials. Of course, the court would approve it, but the court wanted to save face, so it just went through the motions of reviewing it.

Lu Su nodded, "Absolutely!"

Jia Xu bowed and said, "If there's nothing else, I hope we can cooperate happily."

"I'd like to add one last thing."

Gan Ning reminded him, "I hope that Minister Cao can restrain Sun Ben's impulse to attack Wan County, so as not to give us any worries about the rear."

Jia Xu smiled slightly and said, "Please rest assured, General, I will be in charge of overseeing the Jianghuai region. I guarantee I will suppress his impulses."

Jia Xu did not stay long and returned to Guangling County by boat that same day. He was stationed in Guangling County and was fully responsible for the liaison and arrangements for Cao Cao's strategy in the Jianghuai region.

As evening fell, Gan Ning returned to his residence. As soon as he arrived, Da Qiao greeted him, saying, "The Xu family has sent a letter to my husband."

Gan Ning nodded. "I'll take a good look at it tonight."

Da Qiao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Husband, go and see Sister Xu! She's been crying all afternoon."

Gan Ning was startled. "What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know what the messenger said to her, but she went back to her room and burst into tears. I tried to comfort her, but it was no use."

"Okay! I'll go check on her."

Gan Ning arrived at the courtyard where Xu Wei lived and saw Qin Yan in the yard. Gan Ning gave her an inquiring look.

Qin Yan whispered to Gan Ning, "The old lady has gone too far; she actually expelled the young lady from the family."

"So that's how it is," Gan Ning realized. "No wonder she was so sad."

He arrived at the door of Xu Wei's living room and saw Xu Wei sitting by the window, her eyes red and in a daze.

At that moment, Xu Wei saw Gan Ning. She suddenly rushed over, threw herself into Gan Ning's arms, hugged him tightly, and tears welled up silently again.

Gan Ning gently embraced her. The historical Lady Xu was incredibly strong and resourceful. After Sun Yi's death, she single-handedly eliminated the bandits who coveted her beauty. She was only seventeen or eighteen at most then!
“My grandmother removed me from the clan,” Xu Wei said, choking back tears.

"It doesn't matter. The sky won't fall. I was kicked out of the family a long time ago, but I'm still doing just fine, aren't I?"

Xu Wei raised her head, her eyes red and swollen like peaches, and asked in a choked voice, "The general has also been expelled from his family?"

Gan Ning nodded. "That was a few years ago. I participated in a rebellion against Liu Zhang. The rebellion failed, and I was wanted by the government. My family then publicly announced that they would expel me from the Gan family, and my parents and brothers severed ties with me."

"But why is Grandmother so cruel? She has always loved me so much."

"This is just her way of forcing you to go back and admit your mistakes. As long as you go back, kowtow, admit your mistakes, promise not to run away again, and agree to their arranged marriage, you can rejoin the family."

Xu Wei pondered for a long time, then gently shook her head, "If that's the case, I won't do it. I'd rather not be a daughter of the Xu family."

“You’re wrong. You are your father’s daughter. The Xu family can remove you from the clan, but they can’t remove your father-daughter relationship. I believe your father is equally dissatisfied.”

"The general is right, my father will never abandon me."

Although Xu Wei had calmed down, she still nestled in Gan Ning's arms. Gan Ning lowered his head and gently kissed her smooth forehead. Only then did she realize what was happening and, overcome with embarrassment, tried to leave, but Gan Ning did not let go of her.

Xu Wei stole a glance at Gan Ning with her bright eyes, her heart pounding like a deer's. But she finally mustered her courage and gently pressed her pretty face against his chest, continuing to snuggle in his arms, reluctant to leave. At this moment, the broad chest of her beloved man gave her so much support.

"Are you feeling better now?" Gan Ning said with a smile.

Xu Wei nodded gently, "Yes, much better!"

At this moment, Da Qiao called out from the courtyard gate: "Husband, Yun Qing, dinner is ready."

"Your name is Yun Qing?"

"Yes! Zi Yunqing, don't you know her?"

"This is the first time I've heard of this. I thought women only had given names and no courtesy names."

Xu Wei rolled her eyes at him. "Who said that? Sun Ren and Sun Shangxiang, don't you know them?"

"Oh dear! I forgot about her."

Gan Ning took her hand and said with a smile, "Let's go eat."

Xu Wei did not break free from Gan Ning's hand and followed him. However, before entering the dining hall, she quietly pulled her hand away. She did not want the Qiao sisters to see it yet, especially Xiao Qiao, because she would be angry.

Xu Wei sat down in the dining room, and Xiao Qiao sat down next to her to comfort her, "What does it matter! We only worship our father when we pay respects to our ancestors. We never ask about or worship the other ancestors, right, sister?"

Da Qiao had just learned about the situation from Qin Yan, and she smiled and said, "Yun Qing, Xiao Qiao is right. Once we women get married, our families have to remove us from their records. It's just a matter of sooner or later."

"Thank you, Xiao Qiao, thank you, elder sister. I'm alright now. I've come to terms with it. My family may not want me, but my father still wants me, and that's enough for me."

Da Qiao laughed and said, "That's right! Your father won't abandon you. Think positively, let's eat first!"

Xu Wei began to eat quietly. The care and concern shown to her by Gan Ning and the Qiao sisters made her feel the warmth of home. The family expulsion that had caused her so much pain that afternoon suddenly seemed distant and not such a big deal. She would write a letter to her father that night to ask for his support.

(End of this chapter)