Limped Away Without Even Realizing It

Han Zong tactfully revealed his intentions; he hoped that out of respect for Old General Han's contributions, Sun Quan would grant him his father's personal troops. However, the reality was that while the troops might exist, the funding for them had come from the Jiangdong gentry.

Sun Quan brushed him off, claiming that Old General Han's troops had fallen in battle or were being detained by Lan Tian. He promised that once the prisoner exchange was finalized, he would treat the general's descendants generously based on his merits.

Having dismissed the aggrieved Han Zong, Sun Quan summoned Zhang Zhao once more. Though the man lacked backbone, his insight far surpassed that of martial generals like Zhou Tai or Xu Sheng.

"My Lord, why have you summoned me so late at night?" Zhang Zhao asked, bowing while adjusting his robes.

Sun Quan looked him up and down, asking curiously, "Zibu, did you just get out of bed?"

"Indeed. The generals are busy arranging the mourning hall, and as I had nothing to do, I decided to rest," Zhang Zhao explained with a smile.

"I recall you saying that you sleep little in your old age."

"Yes, yes, quite right. It is just that Chaisang is cold during the first month, and being so close to the Yangtze River, I was simply warming myself on the couch. What did you need, My Lord?" Zhang Zhao awkwardly changed the subject.

Sun Quan frowned and said, "Regarding Old General Han, I believe Gu Li. Lu Meng had no reason to kill him. But the problem is the lack of witnesses. Han Zong is seizing on this to demand his father's troops. Zibu, you understand the situation: we only redeemed ten thousand men, half of whom are Yu Jin's soldiers. The number of troops truly