...
Chen Xi trembled slightly, then realized that he had become somewhat rigid. Looking up at the torrential rain, he suddenly thought of a theory: every person is different, and so the spiritual energy that emerges from the soul also has different effects.
Chen Xi wasn't quite sure which aspect his spiritual energy enhanced, but judging by his feeling, the spiritual energy of the person causing this rain should be enhancing something like mist or water.
It looked like ordinary rain, but with just a little bit of spiritual enhancement, the slight chill could cause the unprepared to react a fraction of a second slower when ambushed—and that fraction could determine the outcome of a battle.
Lu Su also stood at the entrance of the administrative hall, reaching out to catch the raindrops. The coolness seeped into his skin, reminding him that aside from wisdom, this was the one thing he took the most pride in—such a small difference, but enough to disrupt the balance when least expected.
Before long, Liu Bei arrived with Xu Chu and Yu Jin. What Lu Su had told him made Liu Bei's heart grow cold. Just as Taishan had been newly established, someone had already started plotting against it. Is this what the chaotic times are like? The people finally have a place of refuge, and yet so soon, someone wants to shatter this peace. Thinking of this, a flash of anger appeared on Liu Bei's face.
"Zijing, are you sure you can capture everyone alive?" Liu Bei suppressed his anger and asked.
"I discussed this with Ziyang. The buildings that Zichuan specifically constructed when he was developing Fenggao were prepared for this exact moment. We will have no problem capturing them, but Zichuan suggests that Zhongkang should make the first move to ensure a swift victory!" Lu Su explained the current situation in detail.
"Wenze, lead the soldiers to control the shops on either side, enter through the back doors, and have all crossbows at the ready. As soon as Zhongkang strikes down the bandit leader, all those who dare resist will be killed without mercy!" Liu Bei's eyes flashed with cold light. "Back then, I laughed at Zichuan for being overly cautious, not expecting that we'd need his preparations so soon!"
"Brave man, we've arrived at Fenggao City. Could you release us now? As for this fine salt, the Lu family is willing to give it all to you as ransom," Lu Jun said with a bitter smile. What a situation this was. They had just pulled a shipment of salt from Mi Zhu, intending to sell it, only to have it stolen on the Yangtze River. Now, even their personal safety was at risk. If the other party hadn't been somewhat reasonable, Lu Jun figured he might already be dead.
"Ransom?" The burly man sitting outside the carriage, using a large knife to trim his nails, looked up at Lu Jun. "I recall that this salt was originally meant as tribute to Lord Xuande, correct?" The man said bluntly.
"Yes, yes, it was indeed tribute for Lord Xuande. And if you need more in the future, we can arrange to pull another shipment. I, Lu Jun, swear by the Lu family's century-old reputation. If you bring this jade pendant to the Lu family, we will deliver another shipment of fine salt without question," Lu Jun replied with a bitter smile. He couldn't exactly tell this guy that the salt was Liu Bei's private property, as that wouldn't work; after all, the Lu family's reputation was still important!
Gan Ning, trimming his nails with a large knife, also felt a bit helpless. Originally, when he heard that Liu Bei had issued a proclamation inviting talented individuals from all over, regardless of background or ability, Gan Ning had considered joining.
However, Gan Ning then thought about how he was originally a river pirate and had abandoned his official post to become a bandit—surely that wouldn't give a good impression. So he sent someone to investigate and found out that Liu Bei didn't care about such matters as long as the person was capable. Gan Ning's confidence soared instantly! He knew he had the skills!
Without hesitation, Gan Ning gathered his men and went to join Liu Bei. On his way downstream, he encountered a Lu family merchant ship carrying salt. Without a second thought, Gan Ning hijacked it. Salt was a rare strategic resource, and he decided to offer it to Liu Bei as a gift...
What Gan Ning didn't know was that in other places, people weren't refusing him because of his background as a river pirate or his abilities. It was because he still held the official title of Prefect of Shu Commandery. Gan Ning's father was too powerful. Even though his son had abandoned his post to become a river pirate, his father managed to ensure that the Shu Commandery officials turned a blind eye and even kept his position open. Of course, Liu Yan also played a role in this.
This was why Gan Ning wasn't accepted elsewhere despite his abilities. His title as Prefect of Shu Commandery, a position only Liu Yan could revoke, meant that no one dared to recruit him without risking offending Liu Yan. People like Liu Biao, Governor of Jingzhou, and Liu Yao, Inspector of Yangzhou, knew that Gan Ning was a preordained naval commander for Liu Yan. As such, they turned a blind eye to his activities, knowing he wouldn't kill but merely rob the rich to help the poor. They even provided him with supplies during his raids, considering it a favor to Liu Yan.
This was why, although Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin were no less powerful than Gan Ning, it was Gan Ning who swaggered about on the Yangtze, even hanging a bell to announce his presence without fear of being attacked. While other pirates would flee to the reeds at the sight of Cai Mao's Jingzhou navy, Gan Ning would not. He even dared to confront them head-on, not because he was fearless but because he was still an official—specifically, the Prefect of Shu Commandery!
As an official of that rank, unless Liu Yan personally dealt with him or there was a central order, no one could touch him. Even if he broke the law, arresting him without orders would be an overreach of authority, which would cause more trouble than Gan Ning's crimes. So, with the higher-ups turning a blind eye, all Cai Mao could do was pretend not to see Gan Ning, even as a regular army unit had to avoid the man...
Gan Ning, of course, was oblivious to all this. He thought he was simply invincible on the Yangtze, untouchable by anyone, doing whatever he pleased, unaware that it was all due to the strong backing he had.
Liu Bei's call for talented people was right up Gan Ning's alley. The reason he had left Shu was because there, people only talked about the Gan family's achievements, never about him, Gan Ning. Feeling he was a force to be reckoned with, Gan Ning resented this and would rather become a river pirate than stay in Sichuan. He wanted to carve out his own path with his hands. With this mindset, Gan Ning became a river pirate and enjoyed his unchallenged rule on the Yangtze.
But that was all he could be—a river pirate ruling the Yangtze. As for finding a wise and powerful lord to help him conquer the
Chapter 86: It's Not About Ability, It's About Having a Powerful Father!
August 12
...
Chen Xi trembled slightly, then realized that he had become somewhat rigid. Looking up at the torrential rain, he suddenly thought of a theory: every person is different, and so the spiritual energy that emerges from the soul also has different effects.
Chen Xi wasn't quite sure which aspect his spiritual energy enhanced, but judging by his feeling, the spiritual energy of the person causing this rain should be enhancing something like mist or water.
It looked like ordinary rain, but with just a little bit of spiritual enhancement, the slight chill could cause the unprepared to react a fraction of a second slower when ambushed—and that fraction could determine the outcome of a battle.
Lu Su also stood at the entrance of the administrative hall, reaching out to catch the raindrops. The coolness seeped into his skin, reminding him that aside from wisdom, this was the one thing he took the most pride in—such a small difference, but enough to disrupt the balance when least expected.
Before long, Liu Bei arrived with Xu Chu and Yu Jin. What Lu Su had told him made Liu Bei's heart grow cold. Just as Taishan had been newly established, someone had already started plotting against it. Is this what the chaotic times are like? The people finally have a place of refuge, and yet so soon, someone wants to shatter this peace. Thinking of this, a flash of anger appeared on Liu Bei's face.
"Zijing, are you sure you can capture everyone alive?" Liu Bei suppressed his anger and asked.
"I discussed this with Ziyang. The buildings that Zichuan specifically constructed when he was developing Fenggao were prepared for this exact moment. We will have no problem capturing them, but Zichuan suggests that Zhongkang should make the first move to ensure a swift victory!" Lu Su explained the current situation in detail.
"Wenze, lead the soldiers to control the shops on either side, enter through the back doors, and have all crossbows at the ready. As soon as Zhongkang strikes down the bandit leader, all those who dare resist will be killed without mercy!" Liu Bei's eyes flashed with cold light. "Back then, I laughed at Zichuan for being overly cautious, not expecting that we'd need his preparations so soon!"
"Brave man, we've arrived at Fenggao City. Could you release us now? As for this fine salt, the Lu family is willing to give it all to you as ransom," Lu Jun said with a bitter smile. What a situation this was. They had just pulled a shipment of salt from Mi Zhu, intending to sell it, only to have it stolen on the Yangtze River. Now, even their personal safety was at risk. If the other party hadn't been somewhat reasonable, Lu Jun figured he might already be dead.
"Ransom?" The burly man sitting outside the carriage, using a large knife to trim his nails, looked up at Lu Jun. "I recall that this salt was originally meant as tribute to Lord Xuande, correct?" The man said bluntly.
"Yes, yes, it was indeed tribute for Lord Xuande. And if you need more in the future, we can arrange to pull another shipment. I, Lu Jun, swear by the Lu family's century-old reputation. If you bring this jade pendant to the Lu family, we will deliver another shipment of fine salt without question," Lu Jun replied with a bitter smile. He couldn't exactly tell this guy that the salt was Liu Bei's private property, as that wouldn't work; after all, the Lu family's reputation was still important!
Gan Ning, trimming his nails with a large knife, also felt a bit helpless. Originally, when he heard that Liu Bei had issued a proclamation inviting talented individuals from all over, regardless of background or ability, Gan Ning had considered joining.
However, Gan Ning then thought about how he was originally a river pirate and had abandoned his official post to become a bandit—surely that wouldn't give a good impression. So he sent someone to investigate and found out that Liu Bei didn't care about such matters as long as the person was capable. Gan Ning's confidence soared instantly! He knew he had the skills!
Without hesitation, Gan Ning gathered his men and went to join Liu Bei. On his way downstream, he encountered a Lu family merchant ship carrying salt. Without a second thought, Gan Ning hijacked it. Salt was a rare strategic resource, and he decided to offer it to Liu Bei as a gift...
What Gan Ning didn't know was that in other places, people weren't refusing him because of his background as a river pirate or his abilities. It was because he still held the official title of Prefect of Shu Commandery. Gan Ning's father was too powerful. Even though his son had abandoned his post to become a river pirate, his father managed to ensure that the Shu Commandery officials turned a blind eye and even kept his position open. Of course, Liu Yan also played a role in this.
This was why Gan Ning wasn't accepted elsewhere despite his abilities. His title as Prefect of Shu Commandery, a position only Liu Yan could revoke, meant that no one dared to recruit him without risking offending Liu Yan. People like Liu Biao, Governor of Jingzhou, and Liu Yao, Inspector of Yangzhou, knew that Gan Ning was a preordained naval commander for Liu Yan. As such, they turned a blind eye to his activities, knowing he wouldn't kill but merely rob the rich to help the poor. They even provided him with supplies during his raids, considering it a favor to Liu Yan.
This was why, although Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin were no less powerful than Gan Ning, it was Gan Ning who swaggered about on the Yangtze, even hanging a bell to announce his presence without fear of being attacked. While other pirates would flee to the reeds at the sight of Cai Mao's Jingzhou navy, Gan Ning would not. He even dared to confront them head-on, not because he was fearless but because he was still an official—specifically, the Prefect of Shu Commandery!
As an official of that rank, unless Liu Yan personally dealt with him or there was a central order, no one could touch him. Even if he broke the law, arresting him without orders would be an overreach of authority, which would cause more trouble than Gan Ning's crimes. So, with the higher-ups turning a blind eye, all Cai Mao could do was pretend not to see Gan Ning, even as a regular army unit had to avoid the man...
Gan Ning, of course, was oblivious to all this. He thought he was simply invincible on the Yangtze, untouchable by anyone, doing whatever he pleased, unaware that it was all due to the strong backing he had.
Liu Bei's call for talented people was right up Gan Ning's alley. The reason he had left Shu was because there, people only talked about the Gan family's achievements, never about him, Gan Ning. Feeling he was a force to be reckoned with, Gan Ning resented this and would rather become a river pirate than stay in Sichuan. He wanted to carve out his own path with his hands. With this mindset, Gan Ning became a river pirate and enjoyed his unchallenged rule on the Yangtze.
But that was all he could be—a river pirate ruling the Yangtze. As for finding a wise and powerful lord to help him conquer the world, that dream seemed as distant as ever.
How could he prove his abilities, make those fools understand that he could succeed without relying on his family? Gan Ning had been pondering this since he began his rule on the Yangtze but realized it was like a tiger trying to eat the sky—he had the power to slay a dragon, but no dragon to slay!
Should he return to Shu? As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Gan Ning dismissed it. He'd rather die than return to that miserable place. It was all about who had the better father there. What was the point of competing over that? Whoever had the stronger father got the higher official position—what was the meaning of life if it was all about that?
world, that dream seemed as distant as ever.
How could he prove his abilities, make those fools understand that he could succeed without relying on his family? Gan Ning had been pondering this since he began his rule on the Yangtze but realized it was like a tiger trying to eat the sky—he had the power to slay a dragon, but no dragon to slay!
Should he return to Shu? As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Gan Ning dismissed it. He'd rather die than return to that miserable place. It was all about who had the better father there. What was the point of competing over that? Whoever had the stronger father got the higher official position—what was the meaning of life if it was all about that?