Lü Bu changed his mind at the last minute, leaving Chen Gong unable to save face in front of Han Yin. But he couldn't force his lord to marry off his daughter.
Chen Gong told Han Yin to stay in Xiapi in case anything changed. He also had him send a servant back to report to Yuan Shu, instructing him to follow the proper three letters and six betrothals.
Han Yin was under Lü Bu's roof, and he knew the man was mercurial. He had no choice but to follow the arrangement.
Gao Shun waited outside the gate for nothing. He knew Lü Bu liked his wine, but never wavered when it came to serious matters. Now that the wedding had been postponed, could it be that someone had really come to their aid?
Gao Shun then went into the residence to see Lü Bu. On the way, he ran into Lu Lingqi in the garden. The young woman had apparently heard the news, and when they met, delight showed on both their faces. She guessed that Lan Tian's plan had worked.
"My lord, I heard from Mr. Gongtai that the wedding procession has been postponed?" Gao Shun arrived at the rear hall to find Lü Bu dressing and washing up. After Chen Gong's interruption, most of the wine had already worn off.
"Mm. Go back to camp and resume training. There's no rush on this matter," Lü Bu said coolly.
"Understood. Mr. Gongtai has a good relationship with Han Yin. I'm sure he'll be able to explain things without delaying your plans." Seeing Lü Bu change his tune, Gao Shun drove the point home.
Lü Bu wiped the water from his face and paused for a moment before replying, "Go on. I understand."
Around noon, Chen Deng came again to invite Lü Bu to a banquet. The day before, father and son had used their silver tongues to persuade Lü Bu not to form a marriage alliance with Yuan Shu. Lü Bu's relationship with the Chen family had been growing closer, so he had taken Chen Gui's advice.
Gao Shun's words had clearly carried a hidden meaning. Lü Bu didn't understand the connection and was about to ask Chen Gui for guidance.
After hearing the story, Chen Gui laughed heartily. "Fortunately, you stopped it in time, General. This is a scheme to drive a wedge between close relations."
The phrase made Lü Bu see the light. Chen Gong had been rather too eager in his recent efforts.
Chen Deng also advised, "Cao Mengde serves the Son of Heaven to command those who refuse to submit. He holds the moral high ground and has allied with Yuan Benchu in Hebei. You already have a grudge against Cao Cao. If you form a marriage alliance with Yuan Shu now, you'll plainly make enemies of both men."
"If not for Yuanlong's reminder, I would have nearly brought disaster upon myself. I raise a cup to you, sir." Lü Bu lifted his wine cup.
Seeing his chance, Chen Gui pressed on. "I hear Han Yin is still in Xiapi. Rather than endure his daily visits, why not send him back to Shouchun?"
"Your suggestion is excellent." Lü Bu slapped the table in approval.
The next day, Lü Bu had Chen Gong send Yuan Shu's envoy, Han Yin, on his way.
Gao Shun was overjoyed. He immediately found Lu Lingqi to share the good news. Her face lit up when she heard it. She hadn't expected Lan Tian's plan to be so effective, and her admiration for him grew even more.
Huainan, Shouchun.
After returning and reporting to Yuan Shu, Han Yin felt that Lü Bu's demand wasn't unreasonable. But the old grudge against Liu Bei still had to be settled. He ordered preparations for the three letters and six betrothals while appointing Ji Ling as a general and sending him with thirty thousand troops to attack Xiaopei.
At the end of the eighth month, Ji Ling's mighty army headed straight for Xiaopei.
Yuan Shu's army marching north naturally didn't escape the notice of Xu Province. Lü Bu gathered his generals in Xiapi to discuss what to do.
The valiant general Cheng Lian advised, "My lord took Liu Bei in out of benevolence, but the man has great prestige in Xu Province. Why not use Yuan Shu to destroy him? That way, my lord won't have to bear the name of one who harms worthy men."
Cheng Lian and Zhang Liao had followed Lü Bu in Bing Province, so Lü Bu trusted them deeply. After Cheng Lian spoke, the other generals fell silent.
When Lü Bu saw that no one else would speak, he turned to Chen Gong for advice.
Because of the earlier affair with Han Yin, Chen Gong still harbored resentment. He shook his head and said, "Liu Bei is your personal friend, my lord. I don't think it's appropriate for me to say anything."
Seeing that the man was still nursing a grudge, Lü Bu said coolly, "Then we'll do as Cheng Lian suggests and watch from the sidelines for now."
When Lü Bu made no move, Liu Bei was dumbfounded. Xiaopei had only a few thousand soldiers. How could they possibly stand against Ji Ling?
Seeing the bitterness on Liu Bei's face, Zhang Fei said, "Elder brother, when soldiers come, we'll meet them; when water comes, we'll hold it back with earth. Once Ji Ling arrives, I'll fight him for three hundred rounds."
"Third brother is brave, but most of Xiaopei's troops are newly recruited. Elder brother, we'll have to think of another way," Guan Yu sighed.
"What other way? Are we supposed to beg that petty man Lü Bu?" Zhang Fei asked.
Liu Bei nodded slightly. "Third brother's suggestion isn't without merit. I'll write a letter and send it to Xiapi."
Ji Ling was attacking Xiaopei, and the people in the city were all terrified.
Gan Qian used the excuse of visiting her father to return to Gan Family Village. There, she found Lan Tian and said, "Little brother, I heard Lü Bu has severed ties with Yuan Shu. Your old plan has worked. Now Xuande is troubled by Ji Ling. Could you come up with a plan for your elder sister, too?"
"Elder sister, if you interfere in military and political affairs, I'm afraid Liu Xuande will only take offense," Lan Tian sighed.
"Little brother, if Xiaopei falls, we'll be like lips without teeth. What will become of me, Xuande, and even Gan Family Village?" Gan Qian asked.
"Very well. I'll help you this once." Lan Tian nodded.
After speaking, Lan Tian took out a bamboo slip and used a small knife to carve a dozen characters into it. It read: If Shu attacks Bei, link with the generals north of Mount Tai. Bu is surrounded by Shu; you can save him.
When he was done, he found a bamboo basket, placed the slip at the bottom, and covered it with several layers of grape leaves. Finally, he put several bunches of ripe grapes into the basket.
Lan Tian then called over Li Yang, a young servant from the village, and instructed him, "Go to Xiapi at once and deliver these grapes to General Gao Shun."
Li Yang had originally been a refugee from the capital, Luo. He had nearly starved to death amid the chaos caused by Cao the Rebel's troops. Later, with Lan Tian's guidance at Gan Family Village, his whole family had found enough to eat. His family also owned a mule for carrying goods, which could serve as his mount.
Li Yang treated Lan Tian's words as imperial orders and promised he would carry out the task well.
After Li Yang left, Gan Qian asked doubtfully, "Will General Gao Shun speak up for you?"
"Don't worry, elder sister. If Gao Shun won't, Lu Lingqi will."
"Then I'll head back to Xiaopei first."
"Take some grapes with you to quench your thirst, elder sister." The grapes on the trellis were ripe, and the next year's crop would taste even better. Lan Tian picked a great many for Gan Qian to take home.
Thinking she could bring them back for Liu Bei to taste, Gan Qian happily accepted them.
When she returned to Xiaopei, Liu Bei was discussing how to repel the enemy with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Gan Qian washed some grapes and set them on the table. "Husband, uncles, please try some. My sworn younger brother grew them."
With such a disparity in troop numbers, there was little point in discussing it.
Zhang Fei plucked a grape and bit down. It burst with sweet, juicy flesh. His eyes widened, and he pointed at the plate. "Elder and second brother, try them! These grapes sister-in-law brought are truly delicious."
Liu Bei and Guan Yu hadn't felt like eating, but Zhang Fei was making such a show of it, popping one grape after another into his mouth, that they both tried some. They were indeed delicious, just as Zhang Fei had said.
"Madam, you've gone to the trouble of visiting your family and still brought us this delicacy to enjoy," Liu Bei said.
"Husband, there's no need to be so formal. Ziyu grew them. I only brought them along."
Zhang Fei suddenly asked, "Lan Ziyu? I heard second brother mention him before. Is he good at farming?"
"He's quite knowledgeable," Gan Qian replied.
"Elder brother, why not give him a position as an agricultural official? He's a talent, after all," Zhang Fei suggested.
"I once invited him to serve as a clerk under elder brother, but Lan Ziyu turned me down. The boy said he liked farming," Guan Yu added.
Seeing this, Gan Qian tried to explain, "Ziyu doesn't just know how to farm. He's also especially skilled at devising stratagems. Husband, why not—"
"Madam, you've had a tiring journey. You should go home and rest early. We'll discuss everything else after we've driven Ji Ling back." Liu Bei cut her off before she could finish.
Liu Bei had traveled the realm for many years. Though Gan Qian hadn't finished speaking, he already knew what was coming: she wanted to secure Lan Tian a good position. He had put Mi Zhu to good use, but that was because Mi Zhu had tangibly contributed men and provisions.
What could the Gan family contribute? Their mouths?
A child of seventeen or eighteen, devising stratagems? Did she take Liu Bei for a fool?
Lan Tian wanted to use his ties through marriage to get ahead. Liu Bei could only say there was no chance of that now.
Before you continue