Harmony Between Zither and Lute Breeds Life

Launching an expedition to the Linyi Kingdom in the second month to recover the Rinan Commandery of the Han Dynasty was a plan Lan Ziyu had set in advance. While not publicly announced, a small circle of trusted civil and military officials were aware of it.

Seeing that those around him were his own people, Lan Ziyu smiled and replied, "The Linyi Kingdom refuses to submit to royal authority and has rebelled after murdering imperial officials. Since I have accepted the post of Governor of Jiao Province, it is my duty to reclaim this territory for the King of Hanzhong."

Xu Shu frowned upon hearing this. He was not against the expedition itself, but he felt that launching it now was not worth the cost.

"Ziyu, let us speak aside." Not wanting to embarrass Lan Ziyu, Xu Shu gestured for him to walk to the edge of the courtyard to talk.

Lan Ziyu followed him with curiosity. Xu Shu looked at him with a grave expression, "Ziyu, you have always been cautious and would never engage in a losing business. But is it not too hasty to launch an expedition to recover Rinan now?"

"The King of Linyi has encroached upon the merchant ships of Jiao Province and imprisoned the managers of the Guangzhou trading houses. If we do not send troops to display our national might, they will only become more brazen. Had Sun Quan not ambushed Jing Province, I would have already launched this campaign last year," Lan Ziyu explained.

Xu Shu looked around cautiously before advising, "Although you are the Governor of Jiao Province, the southern part of the province is still controlled by the Shi Clan. If you can tolerate Shi Xie, why not tolerate those barbarians a little longer? Now that trade with Jiangdong has