Chapter 668

Chapter 668

“You want to negotiate for peace?” Sun Ce could not believe his ears. He planned to have the King of Shu attack out of humiliation. Then he planned to abandon most of Jiangdong and move to Jiaozhou where he would rely on the Jiangdong people’s support and the provisions given by Jingzhou to eventually make his return. He did not expect Yangzhou to negotiate for peace instead.

Sun Ce did not dare to believe it but the man in front of him was not an imposter. He was Yang Hong, the head of Yangzhou’s foreign affairs and Yangzhou’s envoy. If Yangzhou wanted to declare war, they would have just dispatched an insignificant person to deliver the message. Yet it was Yang Hong who came.

“Are you really here to negotiate for peace?” Sun Ce asked again.

“Haha. Marquis Wu. This one is truly standing here. What do you think?” Yang Hong’s expression was always a smile regardless of who he was talking to.

“Didn’t that whe… No. Didn’t His Highness the King of Shu order you to send a declaration of war?” Sun Ce had already made preparations for war. He had already made the people hate Yangzhou and conscripted quite a lot of soldiers. He now had an army of thirty thousand. The provisions needed to raise this army was taken from Yangzhou’s New Armies. Amongst these thirty thousand men, he believed it would be a profit if at least three to five thousand of them would survive the following battle. The survivors would also then become elites.

“Marquis Wu should read for yourself and see whether it is really a declaration of war.” Yang Hong said as he took out a letter.

“Oh.” Sun Ce took the letter and read it. The letter first addressed Sun Ce as an older brother. Since Liu Mang had married Sun Shangxiang, it was appropriate to call Sun Ce his older brother.

Liu Mang was polite in his letter, saying that they should meet or write letters to each other more often. Finally, there was talk of the negotiations. Liu Mang wrote that it was a misunderstanding and he was just there to help mediate Sun Ce and Sun Quan’s conflict. There was also Liu Mang’s official seal on it.

Sun Ce’s eyes shone, not at Liu Mang’s phrasing but the statement where Liu Mang had sent twenty thousand provisions for not inviting Marquis Wu to the wedding.

“Did His Highness, did my brother-in-law really sent twenty thousand provisions?” Sun Ce’s eyes glinted. In the past, twenty thousand provisions was something that could attract his attention but he would be willing to let it go. However, it was now different. Not to mention twenty thousand provisions. Sun Ce would even rush to grab two thousand provisions. This can be used to form his army.

So for the twenty thousand provisions, Sun Ce addressed Liu Mang as brother-in-law.

Of course. The twenty thousand provisions is already on the ship. They should be at the Yangtze River right now. They should be within Jiangdong’s borders in two hours.” Yang Hong replied with a smile.

“Oh?” Sun Ce was doubtful but then a messenger quickly run in and reported that multiple ships were spotted along the Yangtze River.

“What ships are they? How many are there?” Sun Ce remained vigilant. He did not want to allow Liu Mang to launch a sneak attack.

“There are about a dozen warships. The rest are merchant ships. The merchant ships seem to be fully loaded with something.” The messenger said. “Huang Gai sent me to ask Milord how to deal with this.”

“Yang Hong. Are these really provisions?” Sun Ce asked again.

“Marquis Wu. If these are not provisions, why would we use merchant ships?” Yang Hong asked back. He knew that Sun Ce was afraid that soldiers were in the ships instead of provisions. But if these were soldiers, they would just use warships since merchant ships could not carry many soldiers.

“Quickly tell Huang Gai to let those ships enter the barracks.” Sun Ce said. He was certain that Huang Gai would investigate as to whether these ships really carried provisions. If the ships carried soldiers instead, then Huang Gai would just close the gates.

“Wait.” Yang Hong stopped Sun Ce. “Marquis Wu. Without one person’s order, these provisions will not enter.”

“What do you mean? Who is this person?” Sun Ce was anxious. He urgently needed the twenty thousand provisions.

“This person is our high official from the Ministry of Appointments, Lu Su.”

“Lu Su?” Sun Ce hesitated as he knew about Lu Su’s talent. Though Lu Su was tricked by Zhou Yu, it was only because he trusted Zhou Yu as a friend. Even then, Lu Su caught on to Zhou Yu’s scheme near the end. Unfortunately, it was too late and was sent to prison by Zhou Yu. Ŕá𝐍ổᛒÊŠ

“Haha. Isn’t Lu Su already back?” Sun Ce laughed. He did not want to return to Lu Su to Yangzhou. Even though he called Liu Mang brother-in-law, he still has not forgotten that they were enemies.

“Haha. Marquis Wu. Let’s not beat around the bush any longer. If Marquis Wu were to return High Official Lu, then Jiangdong and Yangzhou can raise our cups in peace. Otherwise, Marquis Wu cannot blame us for sending people to look for High Official Lu.” Yang Hong smiled as he spoke but Sun Ce’s expression darkened.

“Are you threatening me?” Sun Ce asked as he gave off killing intent.

Had it been any other scholar, they would step back in fear from Sun Ce’s killing intent. However, Yang Hong had been following Yuan Shu since Sun Ce was a toddler. Sun Ce had once even showed Yang Hong the courtesy given towards an older generation. As a result, Sun Ce’s killing intent was not effective at all.

“This one doesn’t dare. This one is just informing you of the facts. Marquis Wu’s good friend, Grand Governor Zhou, would also know that High Official Lu would only be an idler if left here. You would even need to feed him! However, if you hand him over to us, you can gain all these provisions. Aren’t you lacking provisions the most right now?” Yang Hong advised.

“Can’t I just grab the provisions myself?” Sun Ce asked back, threatening to just send out his navy to rob the provisions.

“Haha. Marquis Wu. Even the average merchant know to employ someone to escort them at the Yangtze River. Do you think there would be no escorts for the twenty thousand provisions? If Marquis Wu thinks that General Lu Xun is incompetent, then go ahead and attack.” Yang Hong replied, informing Sun Ce that Lu Xun was escorting the merchant ships. Lu Xun was one of the few who disgraced Sun Ce in the past. So now that Jiangdong has no elites, they really could not stand up against Lu Xun.

“Don’t your Lord know Lu Su’s worth? Fifty thousand provisions! Not a single coin less than that!” Sun Ce said.

“Twenty thousand provisions.” Yang Hong replied.

“Fourty thousand! It cannot go any lower!”

“Twenty thousand.”

“Thirty thousand!” Sun Ce gnashed his teeth. Sun Ce wanted to ‘keep’ this idler around because then Lu Su would not be a problem. If Lu Su goes back to Yangzhou, then Yangzhou would grow stronger.

“I still say twenty thousand.” Yang Hong was steadfast.

“Twenty thousand? Is a High Official from the Ministry of Appointments only worth twenty thousand?” Sun Ce ridiculed. Lu Su’s yearly salary was five thousand. If Liu Mang doesn’t reward Lu Su at all, it was an amount Lu Su could earn in four years.

“Marquis Wu, you have misunderstood. The twenty thousand provisions is not only for High Official Lu but all of the eight thousand imprisoned soldiers, including the few messengers by Lu Su’s side.” Yang Hong said with a warm smile.

Sun Ce flew into a rage. He wanted to haggle for more stuff but now he was not only told that haggling was impossible. He even had to give away freebies.

These eight thousand troops were elites. Sun Ce really wanted them to serve him but all of them refused. Sun Ce was very uncomfortable at this but decided to slowly persuade them. Yet, Yangzhou already came looking for them.

“If Marquis Wu is hospitable, you can let these soldiers stay. But Milord would want to have a discussion with you if they are injured in any way.” Yang Hong said, reminding Sun Ce about the lack of food. These people were not tools that could just be kept away. They needed to be fed but how was Sun Ce supposed to do that when he could barely feed his own people?

Yang Hong had already said. If Sun Ce could get them to defect to his side, he could even take all eight thousand men. But since Sun Ce could not get them change sides or kill them. He could only starve them. But if such a disagreeable thing is done, then there is no need for negotiations.

“Fine! I will hand over all of them to you! The eight thousand soldiers of the New Armies, Lu Su, and his men. I will even add in Yangzhou’s general, Dai Yun! But I want to see the twenty thousand provisions immediately. They must be in Jiangdong by today!” Sun Ce was afraid of staying poor. He would want even these twenty thousand provisions. Lu Su and the others can go back. Staying there would just be a waste of food.

“Dai Yun?” Yang Hong was astounded. Everyone in Yangzhou thought that he was dead. However, Yang Hong kept his surprise hidden.

“Do not worry, Marquis Wu. The ships are already here. As long as High Official Lu and the others return, so would the provisions reach Jianye’s harbor.” Yang Hong nodded.

“Alright. I will go and arrange things. It is already getting late. You should go back and rest.” Sun Ce said as he chased away guests.

“In that case, farewell.” Yang Hong nodded and left.

***

“Twenty thousand provisions! Zijing. It seems that you are only worth twenty thousand provisions to your Lord!” Zhou Yu laughed as he said to Lu Su who was drinking.

“Gongjin. Is there any meaning to saying this now?” Lu Su ignored Zhou Yu’s remarks. He knew Zhou Yu wanted to make Lu Su bear a grudge against Liu Mang.

“Haha. I am just trying to seek justice for you. Zijing is so talented but only worth twenty thousand provisions to His Highness the King of Shu!” Zhou Yu shook his head as he drank from his cup.

“Haha, in that case, how much am I worth to Marquis Wu and Gongjin?” Lu Su laughed.

“Of course, you are priceless.” Zhou Yu replied.

“Then why does Marquis Wu agree to the exchange? Aren’t I priceless? Marquis Wu is making a loss here!” Lu Su mocked.

Zhou Yu was also embarrassed at this but he quickly collected himself. “Alright, there is no need for you to be like this, Zijing. This is my fault. But know this, I have no intentions of harming you.” Zhou Yu said sincerely. He even asked Sun Ce to leave a position for Lu Su. If it was someone else instead of Lu Su, that person would have already been killed or be thrown into prison. Lu Su was only under house arrest.

“Gongjin. You may not have the intentions to hurt me but you still heartlessly schemed against me. Though you have no intentions, you still ended up harming me.” Lu Su smiled bitterly. Zhou Yu had already told Lu Su about the negotiations between Yangzhou and Jiangdong. Lu Su also knew that the initial plan was to attack Jianye. Yet now, they were forced to withdraw. Lu Su blamed himself for this. If he had not let his emotions affect his decisions and trusted Zhou Yu too much, this situation would not have come about.

“Milord. Zijing is too ashamed to see you.”

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