Tiger Owl

Chapter 323 Liu Bei's Worries
The news that Gan Ning and Cao Cao had formally reached a ceasefire agreement did not reach Liu Bei until a month later. Although Liu Bei had known for some time that Gan Ning and Cao Cao had been negotiating, he thought it was a tactic, a perfunctory gesture. But when he learned that Gan Ning and Cao Cao had indeed reached a ceasefire agreement and even formed a marriage alliance, Liu Bei felt a deep sense of betrayal. Gan Ning had betrayed their alliance and released Cao Cao back to the Central Plains. Anger began to burn in Liu Bei's heart.

At this time, Liu Bei had returned to Chengdu, and he entrusted Hanzhong to his brother Guan Yu.

Liu Bei sat in his office, lost in thought, when a guard at the door announced, "My lord, the strategist has arrived!"

"Please let him in!" Liu Bei's voice was low and weary.

Soon, Zhuge Liang entered the official residence, bowed, and said, "Greetings, my lord!"

Liu Bei sighed deeply, "Gan Ning has truly disappointed me! The ink on our alliance agreement was barely dry when he betrayed it and released Cao Cao back to the Central Plains."

Compared to Liu Bei's dissatisfaction and melancholy, Zhuge Liang appeared very calm, with a sense of composure in his eyes that revealed his understanding of the world.

“Gan Ning and we were never true allies. That alliance was just a contract where each of us got what we wanted. He signed the contract with us so that we could attack Hanzhong without any worries. His real goal was to force Cao Cao’s army back to the Central Plains. If we attacked and occupied Hanzhong, Cao Cao would not be able to stay in the Jianghuai region and would have no choice but to withdraw his troops north. That was his intention and his interest.”

Liu Bei fell silent. The strategist's frankness was like a sharp blade, instantly tearing open his scars and revealing the bloody wounds beneath, causing Liu Bei immense pain, yet he had no choice but to face reality.

"Are you saying, strategist, that our alliance has always been based on mutual exploitation?" Liu Bei asked in a hoarse voice.

“That’s absolutely right. We lack the foundation to build a genuine alliance, and we are even potential enemies.”

"Potential enemies?"

Liu Bei muttered to himself, the dissatisfaction and resentment in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a wariness and sharpness, "Why would you say that?"

"Because of Nanjun!"

Zhuge Liang did not shy away from the topic at all. "Thirty percent of our officials are from Nan Commandery, and thirty percent of our soldiers are from Nan Commandery. Liu Qi is still the governor of Nan Commandery, and there are still a lot of forces in Nan Commandery supporting us. We will fight back sooner or later. But Gan Ning is also keeping an eye on Nan Commandery. I know that his real primary target is Nan Commandery, not Jiangdong. He has used many tricks, including the occupation of Qiupu County, all to make Cao Cao believe that he is going to take over Jiangdong and to make Cao Cao lower his guard against Nan Commandery."

"Why?" Liu Bei was still puzzled. "Why does he value Nan Commandery more than Jiangdong?"

"Because he wanted to capture Xiangyang. Xiangyang was not only the gateway to the south, but also the gateway to the north. By capturing Xiangyang, he could use it as a springboard to advance eastward into the heart of the Central Plains, westward into Hanzhong, and northwestward into Guanzhong. Although the Three Passes of Yiyang were also a passage to the north, they were far less fortified and open than Xiangyang, and far less supported by the waterway of the Han River. It can be said that Xiangyang was the left hand of Gan Ning's Northern Expedition, while Hefei was the right hand. For the next three years, his entire strategic goal would revolve around Xiangyang and Hefei."

Zhuge Liang, with his keen insight, saw through Gan Ning's strategic intentions for the next three years and laid bare the future conflict between the two families to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei finally emerged from the betrayal of the alliance and regained his former composure and shrewdness.

"He used me to force Cao Cao out of the Jianghuai region!" Liu Bei, having regained his composure, hit the nail on the head.

“Yes! But we also used him to tie up Cao Cao’s army in the Jianghuai region and occupy Hanzhong. We also gained benefits. The true intention of this alliance was achieved.” “And then?” Liu Bei asked again.

"As long as we don't completely fall out over the struggle for Nanjun, this alliance can be maintained, and perhaps we still have a chance to cooperate."

"What other opportunities might there be?" Liu Bei wondered, as he couldn't see any further overlap in their interests.

Zhuge Liang said calmly, "Gan Ning's family is still in Ba County. His clansmen and several brothers are still here. Would he really sever all ties completely?"

In terms of understanding human nature, Zhuge Liang was clearly not as insightful as Liu Bei. Liu Bei walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, shook his head, and said, "Gan Ning is already half the ruler of the South, but he still has no connection with his family. This is not estrangement or dissatisfaction, but a complete severance of ties. He has no relation to the Gan family of Ba County anymore."

Zhuge Liang was stunned; he couldn't understand Liu Bei's words.

Liu Bei then slowly said, "Gan Ning's birth mother died when he was very young. His three brothers were all half-brothers and had a bad relationship with him since childhood. His father died when he was sixteen. With no one to control him, he indulged himself and became a Jinfan pirate. Later, he escaped from Bashu. His entire family and his three brothers publicly announced that they were severing ties with him. Therefore, the Gan family of Ba Commandery actually had no relation to Gan Ning."

Liu Bei's words made Zhuge Liang realize that the Gan family of Ba Commandery could no longer be used as a pawn to deal with Gan Ning.

After a long silence, Zhuge Liang slowly said, "Let's put Gan Ning's situation aside for now. We need to concentrate our efforts and resources on defending Hanzhong and preparing for Cao Cao's military intervention!"

In mid-March, Chen Qun arrived in Chaisang again, read out the imperial edict, conferred the title of Duke of Chu upon Gan Ning, promoted him to General Who Guards the South, and added the title of Governor of Jingzhou.

Gan Ning received Chen Qun specially, and Chen Qun smiled and said, "I have another mission in Chaisang this time, which is to initiate a marriage alliance."

Chen Qun took out an envelope and handed it to Gan Ning. "This is Miss Cao's wedding invitation. The Prime Minister said that the betrothal, name-asking, and auspicious date selections are considered complete, and we can proceed directly to the three stages of betrothal, date setting, and wedding ceremony. The Prime Minister is looking forward to your betrothal gifts."

Gan Ning fell silent, setting the wedding invitation aside. After a long pause, he said, “We should all understand that this marriage is not for the principal wife. Although I can give her enough respect, she cannot be treated with the etiquette of a principal wife. That would be overstepping her bounds. If she uses the etiquette of a principal wife, it may seem glamorous, but the consequences will be severe. She will have no place in my family in the future. Our family has its own rules. If Prime Minister Cao cannot accept this, then this marriage cannot be guaranteed.”

Chen Qun chuckled dryly, "I understand! I understand! A betrothal gift isn't necessary, but a dowry should be acceptable!"

"The dowry is a token of the parents' love for their children, and I don't object to it. However, the wedding date and the wedding ceremony should be conducted according to my family's rules, just like my other wives. Everyone should be treated equally."

Chen Qun hesitated for a moment, then said, "Does the Prime Minister mean that Miss Cao should go to Jiangdong to get married, and you should send a boat to pick her up? Is this request too much?"

Gan Ning hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll think about it and give you an answer tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)