The Mother Who Gives Milk

The armies of Han Xian and Yang Feng, numbering over ten thousand, marched northward. They had behaved themselves while within the borders of Xiapi, but once they entered the Pengcheng state, they bared their fangs.

They began by plundering the counties of Wuyuan and Fuyang, eventually moving northwest into Liuxian.

Initially, Han Xian and Yang Feng only raided villages, but upon reaching the vicinity of Liuxian, they marched directly into the county seat to loot the government storehouses. At this time, Lu Bu's control over the commanderies and counties outside of Xiapi was weak, and his attitude toward the pair's actions was one of tacit approval, rendering the local security forces effectively useless.

There is a greater sense of accomplishment in taking by force than in begging; once the ugly desires of human nature are unleashed, they are difficult to restrain.

The plundered counties and townships were thrown into chaos. People who had only just managed to settle down assumed another massacre was underway, causing men and women, young and old, to flee with their entire households.

In early November, the troops under Yang Feng reached Guangqi County, just a stone's throw from Xiaopei, where Liu Bei was stationed.

Having looted his way across the region, Yang Feng felt that Lu Bu was burning bridges after crossing them, and that the Xu Province he occupied had been seized through treachery. Consequently, he sent envoys to Xiaopei to meet with the "aggrieved party," Liu Bei, intending to join forces with him to attack Lu Bu and seize Xu Province.

At this time, there were many refugees fleeing near Xiaopei, leaving Liu Bei no choice but to order the setting up of porridge stalls to settle the people.

Yang Feng's envoys had spent the entire journey plundering, and their overbearing arrogance had yet to dissipate; they even spoke to Liu Bei with a sense of pride.

Liu Bei possessed a deep, strategic mind; though displeased, he did not change his expression. He settled the envoys in the post house, stating that he needed to consult with his generals before making a decision.

"Big Brother, that scoundrel is so arrogant, why not let me kill him?" Zhang Fei asked indignantly.

Liu Bei frowned and said, "Although Yang Feng has fallen on hard times, his men are battle-hardened veterans, and his forces far outnumber ours. If we turn hostile, Xiaopei will once again be plunged into misery."

"Big Brother, Yang Feng has been plundering the people along the way, causing countless families to be broken and destroyed. Judging by his march route, it seems he has had his sights on our Xiaopei from the start. We cannot afford not to be on guard," Guan Yu analyzed.

"I loathe Yang Feng's character to the core. Now that he has arrived near Xiaopei, I would like nothing more than to eliminate him, but I am worried about the strength of his troops," Liu Bei said with concern.

"Big Brother, why not have Sister-in-law make a trip to Gan Family Village?" Guan Yu suggested.

"Second Brother, you mean..." Liu Bei seemed to grasp his intent.

"Indeed," Guan Yu stroked his beard and nodded.

Zhang Fei looked at the two of them with a blank expression, then scratched his head and asked, "Big Brother, Second Brother, what kind of riddle are you two playing at? Why can't I understand? Are we going to Lan Tian's house to drink again?"

"Third Brother, have someone go to the market to buy some meat. I will have my wife send it to her father's house," Liu Bei instructed.

"We're really going? Then I'll go buy it myself," Zhang Fei said happily.

Liu Bei shook his head and said, "Yang Feng is currently encamped at Guangqi. Second Brother and I must guard Xiaopei, so you shall escort your sister-in-law there."

"You got it."

After Gan Qian left Xiaopei, Mi Zhen found her brother, Mi Zhu, and complained, "Big Brother, the situation is so tense right now, yet she has gone back to Gan Family Village again. I heard Third Uncle even bought wine and meat to take along. Lately, my husband seems to be taking special care of her maternal home."

Mi Zhu laughed, "She is from Gan Family Village, what harm is there in visiting? If our family were also outside the city, I suspect you would want to go home every day."

"Going home is one thing, but why use our wealth to buy wine and meat? It's truly shameless."

Because of Lan Tian, Liu Bei had been quite close to Gan Qian recently, which made Mi Zhen, the primary wife, somewhat uncomfortable.

Mi Zhu understood a woman's heart and comforted her, "I hear that Lady Gan's sworn brother is a man of great talent. Since Yang Feng's envoys are still in the city and the Lord has yet to make a final decision, he likely sent them to seek counsel. How could they go empty-handed?"

"Ah? If my husband values this person so much, then what about you, Big Brother?" Mi Zhen asked worriedly.

Mi Zhu shook his head and smiled, "I have observed Xuande's character; he will certainly not fail me, otherwise why would I have poured out my family's wealth to assist him?"

Seeing Mi Zhen hesitate, Mi Zhu continued to advise, "Little Sister, you are the Lord's primary wife; you should have the magnanimity of a mistress and not obsess over competing for favor with a concubine."

"I understand," Mi Zhen said, lowering her head.

Zhang Fei escorted Gan Qian back to the village, where the fields were almost entirely deserted.

"Sister-in-law, it was always busy when we came here before. Why is there not even a dog barking today?" Zhang Fei asked, puzzled.

Gan Qian shook her head and said, "Perhaps the refugees from Liuxian and Guangqi brought news. The people in the village must have all hidden in the Sanctuary. Look, these crops haven't even been tended to."

"What kind of protection can that cellar offer? It would be better to pick up blades and spears and fight them to the death," Zhang Fei said, his eyes bulging.

"If those farmers had the courage of Uncle, they naturally wouldn't need to hide in the Sanctuary. This is all a last resort," Gan Qian sighed.

As the two walked and talked, they inadvertently arrived at the front door. Lan Tian was idle, reading a book in the courtyard. The weather had turned cold, and he was already wearing thick winter clothes; his round, bundled-up appearance made even Zhang Fei chuckle.

"Lan Ziyu, old Zhang has come to drink with you again. You just don't drink enough; look at me, I'm not afraid of the cold at all," Zhang Fei said, patting his chest.

The terrain of Xu Province was flat, and because there were no hills to block the cold air, it was exceptionally cold once winter arrived.

Lan Tian had few social interactions, so he had no qualms about his attire; he simply wore whatever was comfortable.

"Where did Father go?" Gan Qian asked.

"He saw the villagers hiding, so he went to hide in the Sanctuary as well. No matter how I tried to persuade him, he wouldn't listen," Lan Tian said helplessly.

"Oh dear, how cold must it be down there?" Gan Qian said with concern.

Lan Tian shook his head and said, "I couldn't talk him out of it, but he took several quilts down. You can go try to persuade him in a while."

"Alright, let's make a meal first, and we'll call him when it's ready," Gan Qian said.

"Alright, I'll go start the fire," Lan Tian said, then turned and went into the house.

Seeing Gan Qian about to follow, Zhang Fei quickly said, "Sister-in-law, do you have any of those broad beans to go with the wine? I'll have two bowls to warm up first."

"Uncle, please wait a moment, I'll go get them."

With wine and food, one is as carefree as an immortal.

Zhang Fei knew Gan Qian had a task to complete, so he did not enter the kitchen to disturb her.

Lan Tian kindled a fire in the hearth while Gan Qian washed and sliced the meat; the two siblings seemed to have returned to that year when they relied solely on each other for survival.

"Little Brother, the bandit troops of Yang Feng are heading this way. If they reach the estate, it will be troublesome. Everyone has only just managed to catch their breath," Gan Qian said, seemingly casual yet intentional.

"If it truly comes to that, everyone can hide in the Sanctuary. To safely evade the ravages of war, some losses are inevitable," Lan Tian sighed.

"Yang Feng has already sent men to find Xuande, proposing they join forces to attack Lu Bu. Xuande deeply loathes the man's character and intends to use a ruse to eliminate him, but he is worried about the arrogant soldiers and fierce generals under his command, so he has been hesitant to make a decision," Gan Qian said.

"Did he ask you to come and consult me?" Lan Tian asked.

"This man brings disaster to the countryside. Ziyu, you should just consider it ridding the people of a scourge," Gan Qian urged.

Lan Tian had already built the fire and was adding water to the pot to parboil the meat and remove the gamey smell. He pondered for a moment before saying, "Since General Liu has a plan to eliminate the bandit, he should just go ahead and do it. Why be so timid and indecisive?"

"If Yang Feng dies, what if his ten thousand arrogant soldiers take advantage of the situation to revolt? Xuande currently only has three thousand men," Gan Qian pressed.

Lan Tian smiled faintly and said, "Sister, have you ever heard the saying? Those who provide the milk are the mothers."

Gan Qian: ???

Thanks to Di Wubian for the tip, and thanks to all the friends who voted.