The Grudge Between Yuan and Chen

"Younger brother, that Yuan Shu and Liu Xuande have clashed in battle several times. If he were to form a marriage alliance with Lu Bu, then Xiaopei would be in grave danger," Gan Qian said with concern.

"Qian'er is right. I know you have never been fond of Liu Xuande, but he is, after all, your sister's husband. When the nest is overturned, are there any unbroken eggs left? Do not act on impulse and go giving that young lady advice recklessly," Gan Ji added.

Lan Tian was stunned to hear this. Was his dislike for Liu Bei that obvious? Even his foster father had noticed?

"Foster father, sister, please rest assured. I am certain this marriage alliance with Yuan Shu will not come to pass," Lan Tian said with conviction.

Gan Qian furrowed her delicate brows. "Do not play the mystic in front of your own family. If you do not give me a clear and logical explanation, my heart will truly find no peace."

To put Gan Qian's mind at ease, Lan Tian sifted through the history he knew in his mind and then said, "Sister, since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the world has been in chaos and warlords have risen everywhere. Why do you think Liu Xuande was able to become the Governor of Xuzhou?"

"Naturally, it is because my husband's benevolence is spread throughout the four seas, and he also saved Xuzhou, which is why Tao Gongzu sincerely ceded the position to him," Gan Qian replied.

At this, Lan Tian shook his head abruptly, leaving Gan Qian looking puzzled. "Could it be that is not the case?"

"It is, but not entirely. Tao Gongzu was originally from Danyang Commandery. To win the hearts of the people after coming to serve as the Inspector of Xuzhou, he had to rely on the local powerful clans. The other warlords in the world, like Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, are all the same. The powerful clans of Xuzhou are the Chen Family of Xiapi and the Mi Family of Donghai. If Tao Qian had not ceded it to Liu Bei, Xuzhou would surely have fallen into chaos," Lan Tian explained.

The Eastern Han dynasty stipulated that locals could not serve as officials in their home regions; this was especially true for provincial inspectors and commandery governors. While this system curbed the growth of local power, it forced many officials arriving at a new post to rely on local great clans to maintain their rule. The consequence was that inspectors or governors had to share power with the local gentry and powerful families.

Upon hearing this, Gan Qian felt it made a lot of sense. Liu Bei had been on good terms with Chen Gui, the Chancellor of Pei, while he was in Xiaopei. Could it be that the Chen Family had been supporting her husband from behind the scenes?

"Younger brother, you have drifted too far. Even if my husband 'picked up' the governorship of Xuzhou, what does that have to do with Lu Bu and Yuan Shu?" Gan Qian continued to ask.

"The Mi Family has already publicly supported General Liu, so there is no need to mention them; their influence in Xuzhou would never allow Lu Bu to grow too powerful. Furthermore, that Chen Family of Xiapi is the crucial force behind this matter."

"You mean Chen Gui and his kin? Although the Chen Family has old ties with Liu Xuande, after Xuzhou changed hands, they could have chosen Lu Bu, could they not?"

Lan Tian shook his head, thinking to himself, Sister Qian, you are thinking too simply. He then explained slowly, "The Chen Family is not only a prominent clan in Xiapi, but they also hold significant influence in both Xuzhou and Yangzhou. Chen Gui's cousin, Chen Yu, was once a man of Yuan Shu."

"Ah? Then does that mean the Chen Family will do their utmost to facilitate this marriage?" Gan Ji interjected.

"Rest assured, foster father. It is precisely because of this man that the Chen Family will never collude with Yuan Shu. In the fourth year of Chuping, the Inspector of Yangzhou, Chen Wen, died. Yuan Shu appointed Chen Yu as the Inspector of Yangzhou, intending to first seize Yangzhou as a foundation for his ambitions."

"Later, after Yuan Shu was heavily defeated by Cao Cao and Yuan Shao at Kuangting, he wanted to flee to Yangzhou but was betrayed by Chen Yu. Yuan Shu had no choice but to concentrate his forces to attack Shouchun. At that time, seeing that Yuan Shu's strength remained formidable, Chen Yu sent people to sue for peace, but was rejected by Yuan Shu."

"Fearing that Yuan Shu would launch an attack, Chen Yu had no choice but to go to Xiapi and defect to Chen Gui," Lan Tian said, piecing together the fragmented history in his mind.

Gan Qian realized the truth after hearing this and sighed to herself, "The situation behind the scenes is actually this complex."

Seeing that Gan Qian seemed to understand, Lan Tian finally let out a long sigh of relief. "Now you should believe that I wasn't just talking nonsense, right?"

Gan Ji, whose mind worked a bit slower, scratched his head and asked, "One moment it's Chen Gui, the next it's Chen Yu—what does any of this have to do with Lu Bu marrying off his daughter?"

Seeing this, Gan Qian smiled gently. "Father, in short, the Chen Family of Xiapi has a grudge against Yuan Shu. If Lu Bu and Yuan Shu truly form a marriage alliance, they will inevitably be purged by Yuan Shu. Therefore, the Chen Family will certainly prevent Lu Bu from marrying off his daughter."

"Is that so? Then I can rest easy," Gan Ji said, half-understanding.

"Younger brother, how do you know all these things?" Gan Qian asked, suddenly realizing.

"Cough, cough. It's all from reading books," Lan Tian said, not expecting his foster sister to be so sharp.

Gan Qian looked puzzled. "I remember my uncle once gave you a set of the Spring and Autumn Annals, but those are stories from the Zhou Dynasty. How could they possibly record the events of the fourth year of Chuping?"

"The Spring and Autumn Annals is a historical text that teaches one to be sensible and understand principles. As for the affairs of these powerful clans in Xuzhou, I learned of them from listening to others' idle chatter at the manor. Of course, I also have my own understanding."

Gan Qian did not doubt him further after hearing this. "Others read books just to read, but you, younger brother, can actually glean other things from them. You are truly remarkable."

Gan Ji stroked his beard and nodded. "I have said it before: Tian'er is no ordinary child. He will definitely not be a creature of the pond."

"Father, I am worried about Liu Xuande's daily life, so I plan to return to Xiaopei tomorrow," Gan Qian said.

"Can you not stay a few more days? Liu Xuande has taken a new wife; what is there to worry about regarding his daily life?" Gan Ji said unhurriedly.

Gan Qian blushed. "The young lady of the Mi Family comes from a wealthy background; how would she know how to serve a man and attend to his needs?"

The next day, Gan Qian returned to Xiaopei, bringing back the Spring and Autumn Annals that Guan Yu had given to Lan Tian.

Upon seeing the bamboo slips, Guan Yu asked in confusion, "Sister-in-law, what is the meaning of this? Things that Guan has given away have never been taken back."

"Do not be angry, uncle. My younger brother has finished reading it, so he asked me to return it to you," Gan Qian said.

With Liu Bei present, Guan Yu found it difficult to voice his opinion. After Gan Qian left, he shook his head and sighed, "I originally thought that Lan Tian was a promising sprout, but he has disappointed me greatly."

"Second brother, why do you say that? Has he not already finished reading the Spring and Autumn Annals?" Liu Bei asked, puzzled.

Guan Yu stroked his long beard and said, "Can the great principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals be grasped in such a short time? I have followed the eldest brother through thick and thin for many years, and you should know that I still read it often; every time I look at it, I gain new insights."

Liu Bei laughed. "Lan Tian is still a child. His character is surely not yet settled. How could he possibly understand the profound, subtle meanings of Master Zuo?"

"That child is quite clever, but what a pity."

"He was merely glancing at the flowers while riding a horse. Why do you need to sigh, second brother?"

Guan Yu nodded after hearing this and said, "I understand that. However, I observe that sister-in-law has the demeanor of a primary wife; eldest brother should not neglect her too much."

"Very well, I shall sleep in her quarters tonight," Liu Bei said.

At night, after Liu Bei finished handling military affairs, he went to Gan Qian's room to sleep. Seeing her sitting by the bed in deep thought, he asked, "My lady, you have stayed at the manor for a long time. Could it be that you resent me for taking a new wife?"

"What are you saying, husband? How could this lowly wife be such a jealous woman? It is just that my father missed his homeland, so I stayed a few extra days to keep him company," Gan Qian explained.

"If it is to fulfill filial piety, then it is only right. I am a bit tired; let us rest early," Liu Bei said, removing his armor alone and lying down on the bed first.

"Husband, have you heard that Yuan Shu of Huainan recently went to Xiapi to seek a marriage alliance with Lu Bu?" Gan Qian looked at Liu Bei on the bed and said softly.

"Where did you hear this news?" Liu Bei's drowsiness vanished instantly, and he sat straight up.

"A servant from the manor arrived from Xiapi yesterday. It is said that it is already the talk of the town over there," Gan Qian lied.

After hearing this, Liu Bei had no heart left for sleep. He put on a thin robe and prepared to go out again.

"Husband, it is late now. Where are you going?" Gan Qian chased after him to ask.

"I have urgent matters to discuss with Yunchang. If you are tired, my lady, please sleep first." Before Liu Bei had finished speaking, he had already disappeared at the doorway.

"Then I shall wait for you."