Hu Zong was a trusted minister of Sun Quan, yet he was also a gentleman like Zhuge Jin, with an air of magnanimity among the scholars.
Upon seeing Jiang Yao ask in this manner, Hu Zong hesitated for a moment and replied, "Since Lord Yuan has asked, I will have to consult again with Wu Wang about his health."
"But if I go into the palace, how will I explain to Wu Wang what Lord Yuan's purpose was in coming to Wuchang this time?"
Hu Zong looked at Jiang Wan with a sincere expression: "Gongyan, a few days ago when I came to ask you, you insisted on seeing Wu Wang before you could make your case."
"Mr. Zhuge, what's your thinking? Since we are so familiar, can't you share some insights with me?"
The whole world knows that in Shu Han, Cao Wei, and Dong Wu, it is Mr. Zhuge who makes decisions on state affairs. Hu Zong did not put on any airs and directly asked the question.
Jiang Wan cast a glance around, grabbed Hu Zong's arm, pulled him closer, and whispered in his ear:
"Mr. Zhuge intends to meet with Wu Wang to attack Cao Wei! One on the east and one on the west, so that the little Cao villain is in a panic, and the middle army of Wei is tired out running back and forth, unable to take care of each other!"
Hu Zong remained extremely polite, gently pushed away the hand that Jiang Wan was holding his arm with, stepped back half a step, and asked softly:
"Where is the east? And where is the west?"
Jiang Wan said: "Who does not know that the elder brother of Wei Ze is trusted by Wu Wang? According to the elder brother of Wei Ze's opinion, how is Wanpu and Hefei? Will Wu Wang be willing to attack anywhere?"
Hu Zong's face showed a faint sign of dissatisfaction, and his tone slightly rose: "Gongyan, are you asking me for information? Military and national affairs are so important that even Wu Wang has to be careful, how could a minor official like me have any say in it?"
"Gongyan, please rest in the guesthouse. If you are leisurely, you can also go to the riverbank to relax and enjoy the scenery of the setting sun on the big river and birds flying in the clouds, and look at the hometown scenery."
Jiang Wan is from Lingling, Jingzhou. Since he followed Liu Bei to Shu, he has been away from his hometown for a long time and has not been able to return. Among the ministers of Shu Han, there are not a few who come from Jingzhou.
To mention one's hometown in front of Jiang Wan?
Jiang Wan seemed not to have heard Hu Zong's dissatisfaction and sarcasm. He still smiled: "Thank you for visiting Wu Wang! I'm waiting here for the good news from Brother Wei."
Hu Zong nodded, gave a bow, and then turned and walked away.
In terms of diplomacy of this era, Jiang Wan, who was in charge of Shu Han's interactions with the Eastern Wu, could be considered an experienced and professional diplomat. As long as the goal could be achieved, how could his words affect him?
Pass by.
Hu Zong spurred his horse and rode quickly into Wuchang City, heading directly towards the palace of King Wu.
Last year in early spring, at the advice of the ministers, Wu Palace was fully renovated and upgraded to become Wu Palace.
The palaces and pavilions must be magnificent to demonstrate the might of a ruler. The ministers' reasoning is mostly along these lines.
Although Sun Quan is the King of Wu, he also cannot bear the expectations of the people and has to reluctantly agree to expand the palaces.
As the reliever of troubles and the close confidant of King Wu, Hu Zong did not encounter any obstacles from the palace gate to the innermost.
Not even half an hour had passed since Hu Zong left Jiang Wan, and Sun Quan had already heard Hu Zong recount Jiang Wan's words.
Sun Quan was wearing black and red robes, with a gold crown on his head, a sword at his waist, and his left hand resting behind his back. His right hand gently twiddled with his slightly purple beard.
"Brother Wei, what is Mr. Zhuge's intention? Just with a single sentence, he wants to drive me to send troops for him?"
Hu Zong bowed and said, "In my opinion, Jiang Wan must have other bargaining chips in his hand, but he hasn't been able to reveal them to Your Majesty yet."
"What does Your Majesty think about sending troops?"
Sun Quan snorted coldly: "Is sending troops feasible? I am never afraid of using troops, but only look at whether it is worth using them."
"Since Lu Ziheng and Cao Wenlie exchanged letters with each other, the officials of Wei and Wu in the north and south of Jingzhou, as well as in the north and south of Yangzhou, have been sending letters to respond to major events."
"Cao Xiu is dead, and Yangzhou has been replaced by a clueless Chen Qun. Jingzhou has even more old scholars like Zhao Yan and waste like Xiao Yu, the son of the royal family."
"To be honest, I wouldn't worry about Chen Qun and Zhao Yan at all if it weren't for the Wei's middle army and that Cao Rui brat."
Hu Zong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it has been three years since the last battle. The grain reserves and military strength have been accumulated and restored in various places. The total military strength of Great Wu has recovered to 160,000."
"If we want to fight against Wei, we also have the strength to do so."
Sun Quan said: "Let's wait for me to meet Jiang Wan before we discuss it. But, Brother Wei, what conditions will Mr. Zhuge offer to me if he wants me to do such a big thing?"
Hu Zong's mouth curled slightly: "Last year, Mr. Zhuge failed in his attack on Longyou and lost Hanzhong. Last year, he also failed to conquer Taizhong. It's estimated that his attack on Yangping Pass this year will also return without any success."
"What do the officials and subjects of Shu have left besides the title of Han? What can they offer to Your Majesty?"
Hu Zong was so surprised in his heart that he opened his eyes slightly and looked at Sun Quan: "Your Majesty, could it be that..."
Sun Quan asked in a low voice, "Could it be what?"
Hu Zong swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said, "The things that can be given to others in the world are either fame or profit."
"And profit, what tangible benefits can Mr. Zhuge offer to Your Majesty?"
"Your Majesty is already the King of Wu, and you have also received the nine symbols from Luoyang. You are the one who is destined for great things. If the officials and subjects of Shu can help Your Majesty ascend the throne and become an emperor, would you be willing to trade this favor for troops?"
Sun Quan stood with his hands behind his back in the hall and walked a few circles, constantly fluctuating in his thoughts.
After a long time, Sun Quan stopped and stared at Hu Zong: "Brother Wei, go find Jiang Wan again! Test him a bit!"
"I can see him at a later date!"
"I understand, I will go out of the city to see Jiang Wan." Hu Zong bowed and indicated with his hand, then walked out quickly.
Soon after, Hu Zong returned from the outing, but failed to find Jiang Wan in the guesthouse.
Upon learning that Jiang Wan was taking a walk by the river, Hu Zong was slightly taken aback and spurred his horse to go looking for him. After riding for about four miles, he finally found Jiang Wan, who was admiring the view of the river.
"Gongyan, Gongyan, wait a bit!" Hu Zong spurred his horse to catch up, shouting loudly.
Jiang Wan stood still and looked at Hu Zong, who was riding towards him, with a smile: "I thought I wouldn't see Brother Wei again until tomorrow."
"Does King Wu have any instructions?"
Hu Zong dismounted, tied his horse to a small roadside tree, and walked with Jiang Wan as before.
"Gongyan, I have something to ask you and hope Gongyan will answer honestly." Hu Zong asked seriously.
Looking at the river, Jiang Wan replied casually, "If I say something good, will King Wu rest and recover better?"
Hu Zong's face turned slightly red, adjusted his mindset, and asked, "I have already met King Wu. King Wu is just a bit puzzled. For the past three years, various events between Wei and Wu have been known to Gongyan."
"All kinds of things," referring to Cao Rui and Sun Quan's mutual letters, the frequent letters from various officials of Wei and Wu to greet each other, and Wei's addition of a prince who has Sun's bloodline as a successor.
Seeing that Jiang Wan did not respond, Hu Zong continued, "Mr. Zhuge wants King Wu to send troops, and he must have some advantage. What benefits can Mr. Zhuge offer to the kingdom of Wu?"
"Brother Wei should have asked earlier like this," Jiang Wan patted Hu Zong's arm: "I will answer honestly, and Brother Wei asks honestly. Han and Wu are originally allied nations, and this is how it should be!"
Hu Zong said: "Alliance should be honest."
Jiang Wan smiled, "That's all there is to it! I'll tell Brother Wei, can Brother Wei have an influence on King Wu?"
Hu Zong nodded seriously, "Can!"
Jiang Wan pointed at the sky with his finger: "Brother Wei is also one of the few scholars in Wu. I have a question to ask Brother Wei. I don't know if Brother Wei dares to answer?"
Hu Zong replied, "Gongyan, please try your best to ask."
Jiang Wan asked: "Why didn't Cao Cao himself become emperor, but instead waited for his son Cao Pi to usurp the Han dynasty?"
The transition from Han to Wei, such a major historical event, had been discussed repeatedly throughout the entire Han area. Within Eastern Wu, opinions on this matter had been agreed upon for a long time.
Hu Zong sighed, "Cao Cao had long been a Han official and received Han's salaries. He did not want to be an emperor named after his position as a Han official."
"In the past, the Minister of Justice Zhao Wen tried to recruit Cao Pi to work in the Ministry of Justice, which angered Cao Cao and led to Zhao Wen's death. Because Cao Pi had to take up a position, he was personally appointed as the Commandant of the Five Offices and Vice Premier."
"Cao Pi held office with such restraint, yet still attracted widespread scorn from the people."
Jiang Wan glanced at Hu Zong and said while walking, "Has King Wu ever been a Han official?"
Hu Zong's face became more serious: "Gongyan, are you joking? Who hasn't been a Han official in this world?"
Jiang Wan continued, "What if one first served as a Han official and then as a Wei official?"
Hu Zong stopped in place, his expression cold and stern as he looked at Jiang Wan. With a clink, the sword at his waist was drawn halfway out.
"Gongyan, if you have something to say, say it. If you continue to act so disrespectfully towards the king, I will now kill you!"
Jiang Wan waved his hand and carelessly laughed, "Brother Wei, don't worry. I am discussing serious matters with you."
"My great emperor, Zhao Lie, is a great-grandson of Emperor Jing. To inherit the Han dynasty's empire is what should be done by right. Although Cao Pi put on a show, he could still follow the ancient ritual of abdication and succession to placate the people."
"If King Wu wants to become an emperor, what should be the basis?"
Hu Zong was taken aback by Jiang Wan's words and stood still, speechless for a long time.
The Sun family has been establishing and consolidating their base in the East China region for thirty years. In these thirty years, as they have witnessed the Cao family replacing the Liu family, Liu Bei becoming an emperor, how could the ministers of Wu not have been moved in their hearts?
It's easy to think about it, but finding a reasonable way is still difficult.
During the Three Kingdoms period of the Later Han Dynasty, the sanctity of emperors and sovereigns was still at a high position.
Who becomes the emperor and which family inherits the imperial title is determined by the will of heaven, not something that human effort can arbitrarily decide.
The so-called "powerful army and strong horse is the emperor" is no longer tenable in today's situation and does not conform to the values of intellectuals throughout the entire Han area.
As Jiang Wan just said, King Wu first served as a Han official and then as a Wei official. What should he base his claim to the throne on?
Hu Zong looked at Jiang Wan and bowed respectfully: "This matter is of great importance, and I hope Gongyan can guide me!"
Jiang Wan's light smile on his lips remained, and he said lightly, "If the Han emperor acknowledges that Han and Wu are two separate countries, wouldn't King Wu's path to becoming an emperor be without any obstacles?"
Hu Zong was shocked: "Gongyan is saying that the Han emperor is willing to let King Wu become an emperor?"
"Is this true or false? Don't deceive me!"
Jiang Wan said seriously, "Brother Wei is a gentleman, and I, Jiang Gongyan, am I not?"
"It's not too late in the evening now, Brother Wei, let's not hesitate. Let's go see King Wu now and spare us the long nights of anxious thinking that burn our hearts!" (End of this chapter)
