Tiger Owl

Chapter 33 Alliance with Yu Jin
The important matter that Gan Ning recalled was the incident of the imperial edict hidden in the belt.

It should happen in January next year. This is a political struggle that has lasted for more than a year, in which Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu and others joined forces with the emperor and Cao Cao.

Cao Cao used the offices of the Minister of Works and the General of Chariots and Cavalry to usurp the military and political power of the court. How could court officials like Dong Cheng let this go? They actively fought against Cao Cao, attempting to regain control of the court.

When Cao Cao was trapped in Nanyang, Dong Cheng even seized military power in Xuchang for a time.

Cao Cao was certainly aware that Dong Cheng and others wanted to eliminate him. With a major battle about to break out with Yuan Shao, Cao Cao would definitely strike first to ensure the stability of his rear. He would also naturally suspect that Liu Biao was Dong Cheng's henchman.

This is probably the real reason why Cao Cao did not join forces with Huang Zu to restrain Sun Ce: he was wary of Liu Biao, who was behind Huang Zu.

It is very likely that Cao Cao had known about the imperial edict in the belt for a long time, but had kept it to himself and took advantage of the New Year gathering in January to wipe out Dong Cheng's faction.

Thinking about this, Gan Ning felt that this was also an opportunity to gain favor for free, and he had to seize it.

Gan Ning then whispered to Jia Xu, "Last time at Grand Commandant Yang's residence, I overheard several court officials plotting against Cao Cao. I don't recognize those people. Please tell Cao Cao to be a little more vigilant at the end of the year and the beginning of the new year."

Jia Xu was startled and quickly asked, "What did they say?"

"I only vaguely heard the words 'imperial edict in a belt,' and when they saw me approaching, they immediately fell silent."

Jia Xu was deeply grateful and quickly cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, General. I will write to Lord Cao immediately!"

Gan Ning immediately ordered his men to hand over Yuan Shu's family and Liu Xun to Jia Xu, and sent troops to escort Jia Xu to Pengze County.

Jia Xu took his leave, and Gan Ning stood on the city wall watching Jia Xu's large ship walk away. Just now, Jia Xu actually said that he would write a letter to Cao Cao instead of going back to tell Cao Cao in person.

Gan Ning had a vague intuition that Jia Xu probably had another mission on this trip, and that he was very likely to meet with Sun Ben again.

Gan Ning had already noticed something amiss; Sun Ben's unusually quiet demeanor during the Liu Xun incident was not without reason.

"What is my lord thinking about?" Lu Su asked with a smile from the side.

"I'm thinking about the relationship between Sun Ce and Sun Ben. Will Sun Ce personally lead the troops to destroy Chaisang, or will he entrust Sun Ben to do so?"

Lu Su thought for a moment and said, "Sun Ce is a man who wants to do everything himself. Since he is in Lujiang County, it would be convenient for him to come here from Lujiang County."

"Sir, you are right!"

Gan Ning, with his hands behind his back, gazed at the direction of Lujiang and slowly said, "Sun Ce originally intended to personally lead troops to destroy us. He only decided to use Liu Xun to destroy us after being persuaded by Zhou Yu. He would then take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Lujiang and finally wipe out Chaisang as well, which could be described as killing two birds with one stone. But what if he finds out that the final result is that Cao Cao has created complications and occupied Pengze?"

Lu Su smiled slightly and said, "Therefore, every disadvantage has its advantage. Cao Cao seized Liu Xun's army's money and supplies, but this also attracted Sun Ce's attention and became our shield. Now Sun Ce can't take care of us anymore."

Gan Ning nodded. "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. Once Yu Jin is destroyed, we will hardly survive either. Therefore, we must form an alliance with Yu Jin as soon as possible to deal with Sun Ce together."

Lu Su was truly gratified. His lord, once calmed down, was able to see the situation clearly. This was the mark of someone who could accomplish great things, not caring about temporary gains or losses, but prioritizing the overall situation.

“My lord is right. I will go to Pengze County first thing tomorrow morning to arrange an alliance between you and Yu Jin.”

..........
The turn of events surprised Gan Ning. That very afternoon, Yu Jin personally led over three hundred ships to Chaisang, bringing Gan Ning 100,000 shi of grain and 30,000 guan of cash. Gan Ning was overjoyed and personally went to the dock to welcome Yu Jin.

What Gan Ning could think of, Jia Xu could also think of. When Jia Xu returned to Pengze, he heard the news that Sun Ce had captured Lujiang County, and he realized that a crisis was coming.

Sun Ce's next move was bound to be to take Pengze County. Jia Xu made a decisive move and immediately sent Yu Jin to deliver money and supplies, forming an alliance with Gan Ning to jointly deal with Sun Ce who was about to attack. At the same time, he also set off south to secretly meet with Sun Ben.

Gan Ning clasped his hands in a salute and said with a smile, "I have long admired your illustrious name, General. It is my great honor to meet you today!"

Yu Jin was about thirty years old. He was strong and imposing, with a sharp nose, long and narrow eyes, and a cunning smile.

"Brother Gan is young and promising. He has established a business so quickly, which is truly enviable."

Yu Jin turned back and pointed to the fleet, saying, "This is the money and provisions for my worthy brother, totaling 100,000 shi of grain and 30,000 guan of cash. My worthy brother, please don't think it's too little!"

"Not at all! Not at all! I am grateful beyond words, General Yu, please!"

"Brother Gan, please!"

The two rode into Chaisang City together and arrived at the government office. Gan Ning invited Yu Jin to sit down in the VIP hall and had tea served.

Yu Jin cut to the chase: "We are both military generals, so there's no need for beating around the bush. My purpose in coming to Chaisang is first to form an alliance with General Gan, so that our two families can advance and retreat together and serve Cao Cao's great cause. Secondly, I want to discuss with you, my worthy brother, how to deal with Sun Ce's upcoming attack?"

Yu Jin was a very proud man. He looked down on Gan Ning to the core. However, with Sun Ce's army approaching, he was unable to hold out alone, so he had no choice but to lower himself and personally come to Chaisang to ask Gan Ning for an alliance.

Gan Ning also said sincerely, "What you say is exactly what I think. I was just planning to send my strategist to Pengze tomorrow to form an alliance with you. Now our two families are interdependent, so we must unite sincerely and work together to overcome this difficult time."

Yu Jin was overjoyed and quickly took out the alliance treaty drafted by Jia Xu. "This is the alliance treaty. Please take a look, my worthy brother!"

"What a coincidence, we've also drafted an alliance agreement!"

Gan Ning took the draft of the alliance agreement from Lu Su and placed it in front of Yu Jin. Gan Ning and Yu Jin looked at each other and burst into laughter.

The two compared the two covenants, learned from each other's strengths and weaknesses, and drew up a new covenant. They both tacitly agreed to remove the time limit from the original covenant, meaning that this was an indefinite covenant that could be terminated at any time or extended indefinitely.

The two signed two separate alliance agreements, and then discussed jointly sending troops to defend against Sun Ce. Gan Ning immediately promised that he would send troops as soon as Sun Ce's army attacked.

After Yu Jin took his leave, Gan Ning immediately invited Lu Su to discuss the matter.

Lu Su looked at the alliance treaty and then asked, "How does our lord intend to send troops?"

Gan Ning said, "I estimate that Sun Ce's army will arrive in two or three days. I will lead a surprise force to ambush in Xunyang County. Sun Ce will send scouts to monitor Chaisang. If I launch a surprise attack from Xunyang, I will surely catch Sun Ce off guard."

Lu Su readily agreed, saying, "This plan is brilliant! The wind is blowing from the west, which is extremely unfavorable to Sun Ce's army. My lord, please entrust Chaisang to me. With me here, Chaisang will be safe and sound!"

The two discussed the plan, and Gan Ning immediately led three thousand troops in small boats to Xunyang County to ambush and wait for Sun Ce's army to arrive.

(End of this chapter)