Vol 8 Chapter 18 (1/2)
VOLUME 8 CHAPTER 18: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A LATE NIGHT CONVERSATION IN JIANGXIA (1)
Liu Bei POV
After we had dinner at Huang Zu’s– Yes that was dinner, not a banquet– Mine and Liu Qi’s side headed back to our encampment together. I don’t know how it’s like for her side but at least for mine, they had their fill.
Chen Dao and Chen Ging’s stomachs were bulging and Zhou Cang was burping. I was slightly better off then the rest but I still ate a lot more than usual.
From this experience, I finally understand why we always eat such a big meal at night after a long day of marching, and then spend the entire night digesting. This was like the buffet after military training.
(TL: I’ve served in the military before but I don’t recall having buffets after training… Maybe the one in China?)
“By the way, where’s Gan Ning?” I tried to make conversation with this question but the ones behind me didn’t reply at all which kind of hurt.
“Gan Ning seems to be still on patrol duty.” Good thing Wen Ping took the initiative and replied me, or it would have been really awkward.
During this return trip, Gan Ning didn’t lead us. Earlier during dinner, Huang Zu had ordered Gan Ning to go out and patrol. I really couldn’t see what need there was for her to patrol but Huang Zu still sent her.
And before, when the battle ended, Gan Ning’s eyes were very…
“Liu Qi, do you know if there is anything between Huang Zu and Gan Ning? Has there been any conflict between them?”
“Why? Is uncle interested in this sort of thing?” Liu Qi said as she looked at me from the side with a look of despise.
What do you mean by this sort of thing huh… I’m not trying to gossip here.
“I just feel that the Administrator’s treatment of her subordinate is a little lacking.”
“Un… It’s true that it does seem that way, and there is a reason why Huang Zu is being like that to Gan Ning.”
As expected, Liu Qi knows something.
“Gan Ning is…” Liu Qi then cupped her mouth and proceeded to whisper to me but Yi Ji interrupted from behind.
“My lord, is it really alright to say this behind people’s backs?”
“Ahem, this is just some aftermeal discussion. And perhaps uncle might have a way to resolve this predicament.” Liu Qi gave me big shoes to fill all of a sudden, making it difficult for me to admit that I didn’t ask about it because I wanted to resolve it.
When Yi Ji heard this, she didn’t pursue the matter further and merely shrugged.
“Gan Ning didn’t actually rise from the bottom of the Jing state official hierarchy, nor did she pa.s.s any examinations.” She said, and looked at me again, “Gan Ning was once a pirate.”
Ah! Right! Now I remember, Gan Ning was a pirate! I should have recalled such an important setting when I saw how she looked.
“Why does uncle seem like he came to a big realisation? It’s almost as if you knew this already.”
“No, you’re over thinking it.” I hurriedly changed my expression, “Then Liu Biao accepted her fealty then?”
Liu Qi nodded, “Yes. Jing state was chaotic some years back and my father had to deal with many uprisings throughout Jing state and granted amnesty to those who were willing to surrender and serve him. Gan Ning and her pirates were among those who were accepted.”
“Shouldn’t there be no issues since she was granted amnesty?”
It’s not me being naive, I have seen actual examples after all. Back in Jiangdong, I haven’t seen any enmity between Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai and the other Jiangdong generals.
“That depends on who it is. Huang Zu will definitely not treat a former river thief kindly at all.”
River thief huh…
“Why?”
“Based on what I know, Huang Zu’s parents were murdered by pirates.”
“Eh?” I got a shock and a chill ran down my spine when I heard this.
“A group of pirates committed pillage and ma.s.sacred the entire village. Only Huang Zu survived.” Liu Qi continued as though it were something normal, “My father happened to pa.s.s by, and took in Huang Zu. After that, Huang Zu has never agreed with granting amnesty to pirates.”
“Un… I see. But why not separate her and Huang Zu? Gan Ning could hold an administrative role in Jiangxia for instance.”
“I don’t know the specifics, but it’s probably because of Jiangxia’s close proximity to the river so Gan Ning’s expertise is required on naval military matters. Huang Zu has always been guarding Jiangxia so she can’t be moved away.”
Isn’t this quite specific enough…
“Of course, there is definitely enmity between them so it would be great if uncle could solve this issue. We’re fighting together after all, so it will be best if there isn’t any severe discord amongst us.”
“What could I possibly do…”
I know my limits, and what I can and can’t do. And while I haven’t experienced it myself, I can understand the depth of her hatred. It is very likely that this hatred has become an innate part of her.
“The most I can do is make the atmosphere a little more amicable.”
“That’s already impressive enough. Personally speaking, I’m not too good at that sort of thing.”
Un, I can tell.
“Well then, let’s leave things as they are for now. We’ll be heading back to our camp to rest.”
“Un? Ah, we’ve already reached huh.”
I was so engrossed in our conversation along the way that we’d reached our encampment before I knew it.