NOVEL NEXT Chapter 324: Can the Wu Family Defend Alone?
"Jiangdong is just a bunch of cowards, even a thousand years ago they were hiding in a corner, clinging to their small patch of land. When others bully them, they think of paying to avoid disaster rather than compete and resist."
"Now the world is in chaos, yet Jiangdong enjoys peace and tranquility alone. The people of Jiangdong have long been at ease, how would they be willing to take up arms? Liu Ji, your idea to ally with the Wu Family is simply a fool's dream." Diwu Fusheng mocked Liu Ji.
Diwu Fusheng's words were met with agreement from the staff officers.
They weren't siding with Diwu Fusheng.
But rather, the impression the Wu Family gave them was unfamiliar.
The staff officers present from Prince Huai's Mansion all came from famous noble families, connected through various ties, such as marrying daughters from certain families or having parents and ancestors as lifelong friends, always able to establish some relation among them.
When they meet, they can chat for a bit, exchanging some pleasantries.
The Wu Family, however, had no interactions with them, despite being one of the Seven Great Noble Families. The family doesn't wander the world to make friends, instead hiding in Jiangdong, never participating in the disputes of the realm.
Prince Huai raised an eyebrow; last time when he issued a call to support the king, he invited the Wu Family but was refused by them, leaving him with a poor impression of the Wu Family.
"The Wu Family is like a stone in a latrine, both smelly and hard. Liu Ji, do you have a way to persuade the Wu Family?" Prince Huai looked at Liu Ji.
Liu Ji bowed towards Prince Huai, respectfully saying, "Prince, I have a schoolmate friend who is an official in Jiangdong. We occasionally exchange letters, and his wife is a Wu Family girl. Her brother-in-law is in the Wu Family's main battle faction. If he comes forward to explain, perhaps it might succeed."
Prince Huai lightly tapped his fingers on the table, then seriously said, "Good, Liu Ji, listen to my command."
"I am here."
"I send you personally to Jiangdong; if you can persuade the Wu Family to form an alliance, I will credit you with great merit."
"I will certainly fulfill the Prince's trust."
...
Liu Ji's schoolmate friend is named He Wangsheng, from the same sect, and both were candidates in the first year of Xuanhe, both failing the examination.
But He Wangsheng's family is a noble clan from Jiangnan, with marital ties to Jiangdong's noble clan Song Family, which is also distantly related to the Wu Family. After failing the exam, He Sheng returned to Jiangdong's Shuoyang to serve as an official, marrying the current family patriarch's younger daughter, establishing himself firmly in Jiangdong.
Liu Ji disguised himself as a merchant to come to Jiangdong. When He Wangsheng saw Liu Ji, he was initially stunned, unsurely saying, "Brother Liu?"
"Wangsheng." Liu Ji, older by a few years than He Wangsheng, was quite excited to see him again given their good relationship.
The two embraced heavily, and He Wangsheng, holding Liu Ji's hand, reminiscently said, "Brother Liu, since we parted in the first year of Xuanhe, we seldom meet, mostly writing letters. It's been four years since the last reunion, right?"
"I calculated, by this year, it's been four years and one month." Liu Ji said.
He Wangsheng was touched, then chuckled, "Four years of not meeting, today you and I as fellow apprentices must drink heartily."
"Not stopping until drunk." Liu Ji said.
"Not stopping until drunk."
...
In the evening, after a few rounds of drinks, He Wangsheng, not being foolish, knew Liu Ji was visiting for a reason, promptly asked, "In the letter, Brother Liu mentioned working in Prince Huai's Mansion. Why suddenly come to me?"
"Wangsheng, you and I apprenticed together, so I won't hide from you. The prince just defeated the Celestial Master Army, recapturing Fengzhou, boosting morale significantly. The prince, ambitious and aspiring, seeks to support the Great Song, aiming first to stabilize internally amidst the external chaos caused by the Seven Kingdoms and internal ambition-eyed individuals. Clearing the occupation of Qing, Yu, and Lin Three States by Chen Mo's Chen Army is the top priority."
Liu Ji looked at He Wangsheng and continued, "As a staff officer to the prince, I am obliged to assist him. This time visiting Jiangdong is to persuade the Wu Family for an alliance, requesting Wangsheng to introduce me to Wu Yu."
Wu Yu is He Wangsheng's brother-in-law.
He Wangsheng understood Liu Ji's intent, aiming to enlist the Wu Family against Chen Mo.
He Wangsheng said, "Brother Liu, you know, the Wu Family never participates in realm disputes. Visiting now, you might return empty-handed."
"Whether possible or not, only a try will reveal. Please introduce me to them, regardless of success, it won't affect our fraternal bond." Liu Ji said.
"Since Brother Liu asks, I shall try my best."
...
Under He Wangsheng's introduction, Liu Ji met Wu Yu.
In Jiangdong, the Wu Family reigns supreme. The Wu Family has thirty thousand private soldiers, including ten thousand navy and twenty thousand cavalry.
Originally, all thirty thousand were under the practical control of the Wu Family Patriarch, but the current patriarch Wu Yanqing is old and wished to pass the mantle to his eldest son Wu Changlin, whose carefree and unrestrained nature raised concerns about his capability among the family's demands, leading to the navy being handed to his younger brother's eldest legitimate son Wu Yu, appointed as Navy Commander to assist Wu Changlin.
"A guest from afar, please sit down." Wu Yu invited Liu Ji to sit.
Liu Ji didn't stand on ceremony, bowed his hands, then took a seat.
Wu Yu poured tea for Liu Ji and straightforwardly said, "Your purpose, Wangsheng has told me. For a thousand years, the Wu Family never participates in realm disputes. Today is no exception, drink this tea, then leave; we'll pretend we never met."
Liu Ji knew Wu Yu was merely being evasive, if they were truly to refuse, they wouldn't have agreed to meet.
He said, "Before finishing this tea, please let the commander hear me out."
Wu Yu sipped his tea wordlessly.
Liu Ji knew the other was acquiescing, continued speaking, "I know Jiangdong has long enjoyed peace, its people unwilling to take up arms or be dragged into realm disputes. Yet the Wu Family might not want, others surely do."
Wu Yu remained silent.
"The commander might be unaware, before the prince eradicated the Celestial Master Army, Chen Mo threatened the prince through aiding them, extorting thirty hundred thousand taels and a five thousand strong navy. This navy was the Celestial Master Army's remaining elite forces.
Chen Mo, entrenched in the Three States, suddenly requesting a navy, speaks volumes. While according to my understanding, Chen Mo is building a shipyard in Linzhou's Qiantang County, constructing warships, evidently targeting Jiangdong." Liu Ji said slowly.
"Chen Mo acquired a navy from Fengzhou?" Wu Yu finally spoke.
"Indeed, it's said this navy has ties to River Sea's Nangong Family." Liu Ji, seeing Wu Yu's interest, continued, "If Chen Mo's true target is Jiangdong, with his current strength, can the Wu Family stand alone?"