Tiger Owl

Chapter 117 Envoy Xu Jing

Time flies, and it's already late August. The Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, and the weather is gradually turning cooler. After several months of preparation, Gansu and Ningxia are fully prepared.

Gan Ning secretly transferred Taishi Ci's army to Nanchang County and ordered Shen Mi's troops to be stationed in Wan County. Taishi Ci's army began to have a ten-day leave. This was the last step before the battle, allowing the soldiers to go home and have a short reunion with their families.

Large quantities of grain and military supplies had been secretly transported to Yichun County in advance, but they were not brought into the county seat. Instead, they were stored in Niuchuan Town, 30 miles away from the county seat. This was because they were worried that Liu Xin's spies might be in Yichun County and that they might discover the strategic intentions of the Yuzhang Army.

Just then, an unexpected messenger arrived in Nanchang County.

Inside the official residence, Lu Su was reporting to Gan Ning about the envoy: "The envoy's name is Xu Jing, and he is the elder brother of the renowned scholar Xu Shao."

Gan Ning certainly knew who Xu Shao was, the one who described Cao Cao as "a capable minister in times of peace and a cunning hero in times of chaos." Later, Xu Shao followed Liu Yao and helped Liu Yao sweep through four commanderies within a year. After Liu Yao was defeated by Sun Ce, Xu Shao followed Liu Yao to Yuzhang Commandery. He died of illness in Yuzhang Commandery two years ago, and his tomb is still outside Nanchang City.

Gan Ning certainly knew Xu Jing, who later followed Liu Bei in history and was a very capable minister.

"How could Xu Jing be Zhang Yi's subordinate?" Gan Ning asked, puzzled.

“I asked him, and he said that he went south to Yuzhang County to seek refuge with Xu Shao. After Xu Shao died, he went to Jiaozhou to take refuge and was treated with courtesy by Zhang Jin, the governor of Jiaozhou. However, he was not used to the climate of Jiaozhou and was detained by Zhang Yi when he returned north at the beginning of the year.”

"They've got them in custody?"

Gan Ning laughed and said, "Does that mean he wasn't willing?"

"Probably! He said his wife and children are still with Zhang Yi."

Gan Ning was genuinely tempted; he was more interested in Xu Jing than in collaborating with Zhang Yi.

"Military Advisor Lu, Xu Jing is a great talent, we must try to win him over!"

Lu Su nodded, "I understand. This afternoon I will accompany him to sweep the tomb of his brother."

"I understand, let's get down to business!"

"Zhang Yi's idea is that our two families should join forces to deal with Liu Biao, and then divide Changsha Commandery equally, with Linxiang as the boundary, the north belonging to us and the south to him."

Gan Ning said calmly, "I want to know, who owns Linxiang County?"

"That wasn't mentioned. I suspect Zhang Yi means that Linxiang County belongs to him."

Gan Ning sneered, "Dream on! We'll take the lead while he reaps the benefits from behind. Does he think everyone else is a fool?"

"This man's father, Zhang Xian, was originally the governor of Changsha, and was very popular. He felt that he had power in Changsha, which is probably what he meant, but Xu Jing did not think highly of him."

What was Xu Jing's opinion of him?

Xu Jing commented that he was cruel and bloodthirsty, exploited the people, and was unrealistic and impractical.

Gan Ning waved his hand, "Then ignore him and proceed according to our plan. Xu Jing, however, must stay."

When Gan Ning returned to the mansion, he saw Xu Wei and Da Qiao playing chess in the inner hall. Xiao Qiao sat to the side yawning, gently stroking her beloved cat with one hand. Da Qiao understood her best. Xiao Qiao had no patience for anything and was always a whim. Being a female knight-errant was also a whim, and she quickly got bored. Learning fortune-telling from Xu Wei was also a whim, and she lost interest after a few days. She didn't even know where she had lost the three copper coins.

She was quite particular about raising cats, and her two beloved cats grew plump and fat. When she saw Gan Ning return, Xiao Qiao immediately jumped up with joy, ran up and hugged Gan Ning's arm, saying coquettishly, "Gan Lang, I'm so bored, you have to keep me company."

Gan Ning looked at her hands with disdain. She had just petted the cat and then came to hug her. Xiao Qiao pouted and said, "Ah Huang is very clean, what's the big deal!"

On the surface, Gan Ning is very strict with Xiao Qiao, but in reality he dotes on her. He can satisfy any request Xiao Qiao makes, as long as it's not excessive. Xiao Qiao is also sensitive to this and becomes even more attached to him.

Gan Ning lightly flicked her forehead and laughed, "It's lunchtime now!"

"Ugh!" Xiao Qiao rubbed her forehead and turned around, saying, "Sister, your husband is hungry and wants to eat."

"Okay, what's all the fuss about?"

Da Qiao came out with a smile, "Husband, I'll go arrange dinner, Xiao Qiao will help me!"

Xiao Qiao reluctantly followed her older sister.

Gan Ning slowed down and asked Xu Wei with a smile, "Did you reply to your father?"

A few days ago, Xu Wei finally received a letter from her father. In the letter, her father comforted her and told her not to worry about family matters, saying it was not worth it. He also encouraged her to bravely seek her own happiness. Her father's open-mindedness greatly encouraged Xu Wei, and the gloom that had been weighing on her heart for several months was swept away. She also regained her cheerful personality.

Xu Wei said with a smile, "I've already replied to Father, and I've also written to my brothers."

Gan Ning then laughed and said, "My army will soon be setting out on a campaign. When will you tell my fortune?"

"Okay! I'll start calculating for you once I get a feel for it."

Gan Ning gently took her hand again, and Xu Wei did not refuse. Her pretty eyes were filled with joy. She liked this tender feeling very much, which melted her heart little by little.

As night fell, Gan Ning and Da Qiao's lovemaking ended. Da Qiao nestled in her husband's arms like a cat, still immersed in extreme pleasure, unwilling to open her eyes for a long time.

Gan Ning gently stroked her smooth skin and smiled at her, "I wanted to tell you something today, but I forgot."

Da Qiao slowly opened her jewel-like eyes and looked at her beloved man with a charming gaze, "My husband, do you want to get me pregnant?"

"Didn't Dr. Liu say that the best time for you to get pregnant is another year? She has delivered countless babies, she has experience, we should listen to her."

Da Qiao had always wanted a child, so Gan Ning hired a very famous female doctor to live in their home and become their family doctor.

Dr. Liu gave Da Qiao a comprehensive diagnosis. Although Da Qiao is able to have sex now, she should wait another year or two before giving birth to avoid a difficult delivery.

Da Qiao sighed softly and asked, "What does my husband want to say?"

"I want to find you something to do; I'll hand over my business to you to manage!"

Da Qiao was startled and quickly looked up, saying, "Husband, you overestimate me. How could I possibly know anything about business?"

Gan Ning patted her on the back and laughed, "It's not about letting you do business, it's just about listening to the head steward's report and asking about any unusual situations. It's very simple, just like when you participate in the wheat harvest. You don't actually need to worry about anything, you just need to listen to the report."

"Alright! Then I'll have Yunqing help me, okay?"

“Sure, you two can go together. If Xiao Qiao is interested, she can join too. The three of you can discuss it, and I won’t have to worry about it.”

"How many properties does your husband own?" Da Qiao asked curiously.

"Currently, there are thirteen shops and three restaurants. These shops and restaurants are all managed by a trading company. The company itself also engages in trade, and has a fleet and warehouses. Finally, a manager surnamed Zhuang is in charge of discussing everything for me. You will listen to Manager Zhuang's report once a month, and I will listen to his report every two days. You will just watch from the side, and then you will understand."

Hearing that her husband was going to teach her once, Da Qiao happily said, "My husband will teach me once, and then I'll try it myself."

"Then let's try again!"

Gan Ning chuckled, blew out the lamp, and soon the bed started creaking again.

(End of this chapter)