Tiger Owl

Chapter 304 Negotiations Resume
After an afternoon of discussion, the military and political authorities finally reached an agreement to reach a short-term ceasefire agreement with Cao Cao, lasting about six months or a year, on the condition that the two counties north of the Yangtze River be restored.

The negotiations were still conducted by Lu Su on behalf of Western Chu, who met with Chen Qun. After the military and political discussions, Gan Ning invited Lü Fan to his office.

Gan Ning had met with Lü Fan several times, but this was the first time they had discussed military and political affairs.

Standing before the sand table, Gan Ning smiled slightly and said, "Military Advisor Lü should also know that our goal is to take over Jiangdong within three years. I wonder if Military Advisor Lü supports this?"

Lü Fan nodded, "I fully understand the Marquis of Chu's thoughts and fully agree with the three-year plan. I will fully support the Marquis of Chu, both for public and private reasons."

Lu Fan spoke frankly. He was now the deputy military advisor of Western Chu, and supporting Western Chu's eastern expedition was an official matter, so he had to take a clear stance. However, Cao Cao's army had destroyed the Eastern Wu regime, and he secretly harbored hatred for Cao Cao's army and wanted to avenge the Eastern Wu regime. This was his personal motive, which is why he spoke of both public and private matters.

Gan Ning smiled and said, "I'd like to know, if we were to attack by land, could we launch an eastern expedition?"

Lu Fan shook his head. "The towering mountains that lie between Danyang and Yuzhang counties not only make the western expedition difficult, but the eastern expedition is just as difficult. Unless the enemy is unprepared, we can send an army to launch a surprise attack on their city, just like the Western Chu army attacked Liling County in Changsha County back then. But the Cao army can't be unprepared. As far as I know, Xun You has just implemented a denunciation policy in Jiangdong. Anyone who promptly denounces a suspicious person to the government can be rewarded. Three or more young men traveling together are considered suspicious. This is to prevent collusion between insiders and outsiders to seize a city. This method is very effective."

Gan Ning had no choice but to abandon the idea of ​​a land attack, and said with a wry smile, "It seems that the only option is indeed to attack by water!"

"There are actually many ways to attack by water."

Lu Fan took the wooden pole and pointed to the south bank of the Yangtze River, saying, "The Western Chu army can take advantage of its navy to seize the counties or important towns along the river, as well as the islands in the middle of the Yangtze River, such as Qiupu County and Wuhu Town. There are also several other important islands in the middle of the river, such as Danglikou and Guazhou. Among them, Wuhu Town is the most important. Warships can enter from the mouth of the Lishui River and directly reach Taihu Lake. There are many large islands in Taihu Lake, which can be used as logistics bases. It can easily cut off the Jiangnan Canal. Therefore, controlling Taihu Lake is basically controlling most of Wu County. In addition, it can also infiltrate the hinterland of Danyang County through the Qingge River and reach Wanling County through the Lengshui River. These are all advantages of the navy, which can be fully utilized."

As expected of the most important figure in Jiangdong, he pointed out the way to take over Jiangdong in just a few words.

Gan Ning pondered for a moment, then asked, "Won't the major aristocratic families of Jiangnan become the biggest obstacle for us to take over Jiangdong in the future?"

Lu Fan sneered, “If these aristocratic families had even a shred of loyalty, Eastern Wu would not have been destroyed. They claim to be loyal to the court, but in reality, it's all for their own family's benefit. Their talk of centuries of heritage is just another way of saying how to attach themselves to the powerful. When the Marquis of Chu takes over Jiangdong in the future, you will never hear any of these aristocratic families say that they are loyal to the court.”

Gan Ning nodded slightly, "I have learned a lot from Lord Lü's wise words!"

The next morning, Lu Su, representing Western Chu, began negotiations with Cao Cao's special envoy Chen Qun. Chen Qun was a very serious person, meticulous in every detail. Accompanied by his deputies Mao Jie and Wang Lang, he solemnly sat in the council hall, facing Lu Su and his two negotiation deputies, Yin Mo and Zhuge Jin.

The negotiations were initiated by Cao Cao, and Chen Qun spoke first, "First of all, let me make it clear that we are serious about this negotiation with your side. It is a dialogue based on strength and also a sign of our respect for the strong."

Chen Qun was well aware that the 'seven-year agreement' had severely damaged their credibility, and he had to formally state that they were serious.

Lu Su smiled faintly, "So-called negotiations are nothing more than both sides getting what they want. With the lessons of the seven-year agreement as a precedent, it shows that there is no morality in agreements. We will not be bound by a mere piece of paper. You can tear up the bilateral agreement at any time, and so can we. As for whether the agreement can be maintained and for how long, that depends on how long the benefits in the agreement can bring about an effect. If the benefits are so great that we don't want to tear up the agreement, then..."

Lu Su was also quite frank; they didn't trust Cao Cao. Since Cao Cao could break the seven-year agreement, they wouldn't abide by any agreement reached with Caohe. They only cared about interests; only interests could maintain the existence of an agreement. Chen Qun's eyes dimmed. The seven-year agreement with Jiangdong had indeed greatly damaged the Prime Minister's credibility. Chen Qun couldn't help but secretly resent Jia Xu's shortsightedness and unscrupulous methods.

There was nothing he could do; since others had caught him red-handed, Chen Qun had no choice but to lower himself and say, "To show our sincerity, my Prime Minister is very willing to form a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Chu and will no longer demand the position of principal wife."

Lu Su paused for a moment, then nodded and smiled, “Whether or not I agree to the marriage alliance is not something I can decide. I will report to the Marquis of Chu. However, I believe you are sincere, so let’s get straight to the point.”

Chen Qun pondered for a moment and said, "The ceasefire agreement between the two sides hopes that we can cease hostilities and maintain peace within two to three years, and lift the state of war."

"And what about your concessions and compromises?" Lu Su asked directly.

"Concessions and compromises?"

Chen Qun was taken aback. "Isn't a ceasefire just about maintaining the status quo? What concessions or compromises are needed?"

Lu Su shook his head. "Then there's nothing to talk about. We need to take back our land, reclaim the money, grain, and people you've plundered. For us, the war has only just begun. I can tell Military Advisor Chen what we plan to do next. We will take back Jiangxia County and Lujiang County, completely sever all personnel and material connections between Jiangnan and Jiangbei, and gradually seize Jiangdong and Jiujiang County. One day, Prime Minister Cao will spend a fortune to ransom his son."

Chen Qun's face turned pale instantly. At this moment, his deputy Wang Lang whispered, "Military Advisor Chen, anyone can say such things. Whether they can actually do it is another matter. They are just putting pressure on us and trying to extract benefits."

Chen Qun's complexion improved slightly, and he softened his tone, saying, "Since we have proposed a ceasefire, we will naturally make some concessions. In addition to the marriage alliance we just mentioned, we are also willing to return Jiangxia County to your side."

Jiangxia Commandery had become a complete liability due to the existence of Queyue City, so Cao Cao used it as a bargaining chip.

Lu Su still shook his head, "The first step in a ceasefire is to discuss the demarcation of the borders. Only after the borders are demarcated can we discuss interests."

"Returning Jiangxia County to you is already the greatest benefit we can offer," Chen Qun said solemnly.

Lu Su said calmly, "Jiangxia Prefecture has only defined the borders; even that is far from enough!"

"If there's anything else you'd like to ask, please feel free to say so."

Lu Su smiled and said, "Need I say more? Of course, there's also Lujiang County, which was originally our territory."

(End of this chapter)