Hu Zong only became somewhat mysterious, and combined with Wu King's own unpredictable personality, Zhuo Jun and Quan Cong were afraid to ask more questions, so they followed Hu Zong into the side hall.
Besides, Hu Zong is the Assistant Commissioner of the Solution Department, who commands 10,000 troops. Even if his official rank is low, his position as a long-time companion of King Wu requires careful handling from the military commanders outside.
Hu Zong is seated to the west, while Zhuge Jun and Quan Zong are seated to the east. After the three of them had settled, Quan Zong glanced around to make sure there was no one else around and then asked:
"Wei Zé really needs to come to the side hall alone to talk about what?"
"Without the command of the supreme sovereign, I just have something personal to discuss with the two of you separately," Hu Zong didn't beat around the bush either, speaking directly: "When it comes to public affairs, General Zhuge and General Quan are both important ministers of the state. In terms of private friendship, both of you are close confidants of King Wu."
"Now that the sovereign has difficult matters to resolve, I hope both of you, as officers, will fulfill your duty as courtiers."
The expressions of both Zhuge Jun and Quan Cong also became serious, with Zhuge Jun leading the way in bowing and asking, "Wei Zé, what is it that you need to discuss in private?"
Hu Zong paused for a moment and said, "The envoy from Chengdu arrived, saying that Emperor Han is willing to issue an edict to clearly divide Han and Wu into two countries. If this is the case, the supreme sovereign can go even further!"
The two men exchanged a glance and then both stood up to face Hu Zong.
Zhuge Jun bowed and said, "The supreme sovereign should have advanced long ago! This matter is very beneficial!"
Quan Zong also bowed and said, "I concur with General Zhuge's viewpoint as well."
When it comes to the ministers among the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu, it is only the ministers of the Eastern Wu who are the least concerned with their titles and positions.
In the past, Cao Cao still had the position of Premier, and Liu Bei also had the titles of Administrator and Dynasty. When Sun Quan's official position was only as the Administrator of Huizhou, he inherited Eastern Wu, obtained the support of the ministers there, and became its sovereign.
To put it more bluntly, the ministers of Eastern Wu are a group of separatist elements that have co-opted local noble families, and they are on a relentless dash down the path of regional separatism.
If Sun Quan became the Administrator, his subordinates could become governors and generals. If Sun Quan became the King of Wu, his ministers could become governors, generals, and even earls. If Sun Quan became the Emperor, his ministers could even become the Three Excellencies.
When one prospers, they all prosper; when one suffers, they all suffer.
Zhuge Jun had a good relationship with Sun Quan and was well aware of Sun Quan's ambitions. Moreover, Quan Zong was even more so; it was Quan Zong who proposed calling Sun Quan 'The Supreme Sovereign' on the city walls of Wu Chang.
Hu Zong saw that the two of them were clear and determined, so he nodded in satisfaction and led them to look for Sun Quan. It was not that Hu Zong was meddlesome, but rather that he did this for two reasons: one was to communicate in advance, and the other was to be prepared for any unexpected situations.
After seeing Sun Quan, Zhuge Jun and Quan Zong, as both of them were important generals, couldn't help but exchange greetings and pleasantries. Before this, when Jiang Wan first arrived at Wu Chang, Sun Quan learned from Jiang Wan that Zhuge Jun's son had passed away, so he sent an envoy to call him back to Wu Chang and also sent a condolence offering. This was truly considerate and thoughtful.
As they talked, the topic naturally shifted to the matter of becoming an emperor. Of course, it was Hu Zong who led the conversation, as that was his role today in accompanying these few people.
Is Sun Quan not interested in becoming an emperor?
He certainly wants to.
Whether it is out of genuine humility or to disguise his intentions, Sun Quan must put on an appearance of modesty.
Previously, when communicating in a diplomatic setting with Jiang Wan, Sun Quan needed to use clear language to enhance trust and avoid misunderstandings. While Hu Zong was still considered a close confidant of the court, he had to be more discreet when speaking in front of foreign ministers like Zhuge Jun and Quan Zong.
Sun Quan was born and raised in Eastern Wu, so even if he was not familiar with the rituals of Luoyang, the basic principles of modestly refusing something three times were clear to him.
As soon as Hu Zong finished speaking, Sun Quan furrowed his brow and sighed with a tone of reproach, "Even though the Sun family has resided in Eastern Wu for three generations, even if the sacred vessel is without a master and heaven's order is tilted, it is enough for me to be a King of Wu. How could I have the virtue to become an emperor?"
Hu Zong stood up and bowed his hands, saying to Sun Quan, "Reporting to Your Highness, the question of whether one is virtuous or not is not something that can be determined by oneself."
Sun Quan and Hu Zong had only some basic understanding and agreement between them, but not every sentence had been rehearsed in advance. This particular statement was beyond Sun Quan's expectations.
Sun Quan raised an eyebrow and looked at Hu Zong, his index finger pointing to his own chest with a slightly rising tone: "Are you suggesting that my virtue is something I cannot decide for myself?"
Hu Zong became even more into his role: "Of course not!"
"The virtue of the supreme sovereign must be decided by the heavens. If the supreme sovereign is the one whom fate has chosen, then they will naturally achieve the imperial business!"
Sun Quan nodded slightly, "Your words have merit. Regardless of my own situation, let's just talk about this concept of heaven's will. How should we view this?"
Zhuge Jun coughed lightly and joined the conversation, following along with the topic and praising Sun Quan: "Your words are very wise, Wei Zé. He has always been very talented. Please say more about how we should view this concept of heaven's will."
Today seems to be Hu Zong's stage.
Hu Zong looked up at the beams with a resolute expression, his tone solemn and filled with reflection: "To understand the will of heaven, it is all about three aspects: prophecies and omens, the people's hearts, and auspicious signs."
Quan Zong slightly looked curious and asked, "Wei Zé, do you have any predictions or omens?"
Hu Zong nodded: "General Quan has been in the military for a long time and is not aware of some things. As early as the year 14 of Xingping during the Western Han Dynasty, there was already a saying that read 'A golden chariot with a pair of blue earflaps, opening the gate of heavenly gates, comes out a sovereign.'"
Quan Zong hesitated for a moment: "The Kaiqiang Gate, isn't that the Western Gate of Wu County? The sovereign is the King of Wu, which aligns perfectly with this omen!"
Hu Zong smiled and said, "The matters of prophecies and omens are very mysterious, and there's no need for just one place."
"I have heard that during the east tour of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, a fortune-teller said, 'Five hundred years later, there will be an emperor in the East of the Yangtze River. The capital city of Jinling has a grand posture fitting for a king.' Thus, Emperor Qin Shi Huang changed Jinling to Maling and excavated Mount Beishan to eliminate its imperial aura."
"There was also a saying during the Han dynasty, 'A yellow banner and a purple canopy seen between the Dipper and the Ox, indicating that there is an emperor's aura in Eastern Wu.'"
Prophecies and omens in this era are still very popular and can often be used as a rational basis.
The prophecies and omens of the Cao family's 'the successor of the Han dynasty will be high in power' are well-known. Liu Bei, when he ascended to the throne in Chengdu, also had prophecies such as 'Red Three Days of Deity and prosperity, Nine generations to wait for Beipi, meet for a divine era,' 'The imperial way is complete with heavenly degree and virtue; united by the covenant, it will succeed one hundred times without defeat,' and 'Who enables the sovereign to come in sublime darkness?'"
It's just that today, all the prophecies Hu Zong mentioned in the royal court were ones that Quan Zong had never heard of. Both Quan Zong and Zhuge Jun exchanged a glance with each other, and from Zhuge Jun's bewildered and astonished eyes, it seemed he hadn't heard them either.
However, both of the important officials were not foolish people. Since they had never heard of them, following with surprised and praising them was all right!
Sun Quan had certainly heard of these prophecies and omens, but he also sighed, "The matters of prophecies and omens are truly very mysterious, and I must admit that I am somewhat confused by them."
"How do we explain the people's hearts and auspicious signs?"
Quan Zong and Zhuge Jun had already snapped out of their trance, understanding the current thoughts and intentions of the Wu King. Quan Zong spoke even faster, trying to beat Zhuge Jun to the punch:
"Reporting to Your Highness, the will of the people should be determined by the support of all the people in the world, and the appearance of auspicious signs should be carefully investigated in various places."
"Now that Your Highness has summoned us and General Zhuge to Wu Chang, why not let us carefully investigate in our respective territories? If we find any auspicious signs or if the people submit memorials, we can then report back to Your Highness."
Zhuge Jun naturally wouldn't want to miss this opportunity to advise for promotion.
"Reporting to Your Highness, in Nanjing, the southern region, I heard someone who saw a white deer and a qilin. At that time, I was busy with military affairs and did not investigate carefully. This time when I return, I will definitely look into it carefully."
Sun Quan stood up, feigning reprimand as he said, "Ziyu, Zizhuang, both of you are important ministers of the state. How can you spend so much time on such matters?"
"I summon you both back to Wu Chang today actually has something serious to discuss. I have agreed with Zhuge Liang to simultaneously launch an attack on Wei territory. I want you to lead the army and take the city of Heluo, making it difficult for Wei forces to concentrate on either side."
"I think attacking Xiangyang is better than Heluo. What do you two think?"
While Sun Quan was busy discussing military affairs with his ministers, his thoughts wandered to the prophecies and omens that Hu Zong had just mentioned.
Coincidentally, before Zhuge Jun and Quan Zong had even left Wu Chang, on the morning of March 1st, there were several people who let out exclamations near the docks and inns to the north of Wu Chang City.
Upon hearing the cries of the dock officials and inn officials, many people came to investigate, but they found nothing.
This incident naturally caught the attention of the Wu King, Sun Quan. He sent Chao Ji to investigate, and the testimonies of the ten or so officials were all consistent: they saw yellow dragons and phoenixes on the river in front of Wu Chang City to the north in the early morning.
On March 1st at noon, an urgent report was received from General Sun Huan in Xia Kou. Also on the same morning, many soldiers in Xia Kou's artificial lake had seen yellow dragons and phoenixes.
For a time, rumors spread throughout Wu Chang City, with people speculating about what this was a sign of.
...
While Sun Quan is busy with constructing public opinion, Cao Ren is leading 20,000 mounted soldiers and moving westward through Jingsheng Pass toward Taiyuan.
At this moment, in the Khitans' royal court in Guoyunzhong Commandery, Ke Binian was sitting cross-legged in the tent, drinking horse milk wine while staring fixedly at the flames. He was daydreaming.
The crackling sound of burning wood inside the tent was undoubtedly a rare luxury in the woodless grasslands. Ordinary Xianbei pastoralists were already fortunate to have dried cow dung as fuel.
Just as Ke Binian was deep in thought, his son-in-law He Qibu entered from outside the tent: "My lord, the envoy from Tian Gong has just come again to urge us, and his words have become more fierce."
Ke Binian glanced at his new son-in-law, shook his head slightly, but did not respond.
Among the Xianbei people, talent is rare. It was only Yu Ju, who had died three years ago, that could transcend ordinary people and had the ability to lead troops. However, he was killed by Ku Qianjian in Qimen Commandery three years ago.
The death of Yu Ju was but a passing affair. There were plenty of people among the Xianbei, so Ke Binian's daughter could not live in mourning for long. It would also be beneficial to find another husband who could aid him.
The person Ke Binian chose, He Qibu, was already a rare person of intelligence, and he represented the complete opposite of Yu Ju.
Ke Binian spoke lightly, "What did the envoy say that was so fierce?"
He Qibu imitated the Han customs by bowing his hands: "The envoy says that either you must kill him or let him lead your troops to Xianmen Pass for battle."
Ke Binian sighed, "Both the Han dynasty and the state have become Wei, and Han envoys have become Wei envoys. Why are their words still so fierce?"
"He Qibu, you go and tell that envoy that I will send you to lead three thousand riders in the campaign. If there are any more matters, have Tian Gong write to me personally."
"I can read Chinese characters."
(The end of this chapter)
