Gan Ning's withdrawal did not immediately bring peace. Instead, like a massive stone cast into a deep pool, it stirred deeper ripples both within and beyond Peach Blossom Spring. For Peach Blossom Spring, this was a major strategic victory: not only had they defused an imminent military threat, but, more importantly, they had established an informal connection with an influential commander within the Happo Navy, opening a crucial crack for their future strategies of "gaining legitimacy" and "putting down deep roots."
However, Chen Yu and Guo Jia both understood that Gan Ning's temporary retreat stemmed more from wariness of Peach Blossom Spring's strength, admiration for the martial prowess of Chen Yu and the others, and dissatisfaction with his own position in the Happo Navy. It was a compromise made after weighing the circumstances, far from wholehearted allegiance. How to turn this fragile shift "from enemies to friends" into a solid alliance, and ultimately bring this fierce general under their command, was the urgent question before them.
The core members gathered once more in the council hall, but the atmosphere was very different from before the battle, less somber and filled with more excitement and reflection.
"Elder brother, Fengxiao, this battle showed our army's might and put us in touch with Gan Ning. A great victory indeed!" Zhang Fei's voice boomed like a bell, his face full of satisfaction. Though his exchange with Gan Ning had been brief, the fight had been thoroughly exhilarating, and he felt considerable mutual appreciation for the formidable warrior.
Guan Yu stroked his beard and nodded, a keen light flashing in his phoenix eyes. "Gan Xingba is highly skilled, and the sailors under his command are no rabble. If we could secure his wholehearted aid, our army would be like a tiger given wings. But he is proud and untamed, hardly a man who will submit easily."
Zhao Yun said steadily, "Gan Ning seemed decisive when he withdrew, but there were still doubts and calculations deep in his eyes. We must strike while the iron is hot and strengthen this connection."
Huang Zhong, seasoned and prudent, added, "We must also guard against him changing his mind once he returns to the navy, whether under pressure from his superiors or tempted by benefits. We cannot relax our coastal vigilance."
Looking pleased, Liu Bei summed up, "This victory was entirely thanks to elder brother's planning, Fengxiao's ingenious strategy, and all our brothers' wholehearted efforts. We have made an excellent start. As for how to consolidate it, we ask elder brother and Fengxiao to decide."
Everyone's eyes turned to Chen Yu and Guo Jia.
Guo Jia still wore his usual languid air, reclining sideways in his chair and lightly tapping its armrest with his fingertips, though his eyes gleamed with insight into human nature. "Gan Ning values loyalty, cares about face, respects the strong, and hates restraint. At present, he respects the martial skills of our lord and the generals, and has heard something of Peach Blossom Spring's reputation for righteousness. But three doubts remain: first, does our strength extend no further than this? Second, are our ambitions truly as we claim? Third, would serving us offer him a bright future?"
He sat a little straighter, a trace of slyness entering his tone. "Therefore, to strengthen our connection, we must appeal to his tastes and dispel his doubts. We can proceed on three fronts:
"First, demonstrate our strength. Not by flaunting military power, but by showing our foundations. We can invite him on a limited tour of Peach Blossom Spring, excluding the core areas, and let him see for himself our orderly troops, rigorous training, popular support, and abundant produce, especially the specialties nurtured by our lord's divine power. Let him understand that we are no ordinary bandits or roaming brigands, but a power with solid foundations and potential."
"Second, give generous gifts and relieve his immediate worries. Gan Ning is marginalized within the navy, so his supplies of provisions, pay, and equipment may not be ample. We can give him a shipment of our local high-quality medicinal herbs, pelts, and even... a small quantity of fine weapons. This would not be a bribe, but a 'gift to a good friend,' helping him strengthen his forces and giving him more confidence within the navy. Help offered in a time of need wins people over most readily."
"Third, speak freely of our ambitions and lay out our vision. My lord can take the opportunity for a lengthy talk with Gan Ning about the state of the world and the balance of power in West Blue, pointing out the corruption of the Flower Country and even the World Government, and outlining a new order upon the seas-the strong would command respect, but must also be guided by benevolence and virtue, protecting the innocent and resisting tyranny together. This ambition must resonate with the heroic spirit suppressed within Gan Ning."
Having listened, Chen Yu agreed wholeheartedly. "You are absolutely right, Fengxiao. Demonstrate our strength, give generous gifts, and speak freely of our ambitions... only then can Gan Ning see our sincerity, potential, and breadth of vision. I will handle this personally."
With their plan settled, Chen Yu immediately wrote a sincere letter in the tone of a friend, inviting Gan Ning to visit Peach Blossom Spring again when he had time. He mentioned that fine wine awaited him and that he wished to speak again of their aspirations, and enclosed a list of gifts. Zhao Yun personally delivered the letter to Gan Ning's fleet at its temporary anchorage.
When Gan Ning received the letter and gift list, he was surprised at first, then broke into a broad laugh. The letter contained none of a victor's arrogance, only respect and appreciation for him. The gifts were practical and thoughtful, particularly the special medicinal herbs said to treat injuries and illnesses common at sea and strengthen the body-exactly what his sailors urgently needed. He already had a favorable impression of Chen Yu and the others; now, finding them even more adept at treating people well, he felt considerably more at ease.
Several days later, Gan Ning indeed returned to Peach Blossom Spring in a small boat, bringing only a few trusted men. This time, Chen Yu accompanied him personally, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei alongside, while Guo Jia remained behind the scenes to observe.
Chen Yu led Gan Ning through some of the non-core areas: orderly barracks, training grounds bustling with activity, and flourishing fields and medicinal gardens. At the sight of those spirited, well-trained youths and the crops and medicinal herbs of far better than ordinary quality, Gan Ning could not hide the surprise in his eyes. Having spent years at sea, he understood the importance of logistics, and Peach Blossom Spring's orderliness and abundance far exceeded his expectations.
The banquet was laid beside a clear stream in the valley. Though the fine wine and dishes were not extravagant, they had a distinctive flavor, consisting mostly of wild delicacies and Peach Blossom Spring's own produce. After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew increasingly warm.
Zhang Fei drew Gan Ning into a drinking contest, and the two drank heartily and talked freely, finding themselves very much in tune. Though Guan Yu spoke little, his bearing inspired admiration. Chen Yu, meanwhile, chatted with Gan Ning about the sights and customs of the sea and the various powers. His words revealed a broad perspective, and his analysis of West Blue's situation often cut straight to the heart of the matter, earning Gan Ning's quiet admiration.
Flushed with drink, Gan Ning slapped the table and sighed. "Brother Chen, I won't hide it from you. Life in the Happo Navy has been damned stifling! Those fools only know how to fight for power and profit and skim our pay. When it's time for a real battle, their balls shrivel up! How can that compare to drinking great bowls of wine with your brothers and killing enemies to your heart's content?"
Chen Yu took the opening and raised his cup, his gaze bright. "Brother Xingba, you are a hero of our age. Why stay beneath others and swallow that humiliation? This vast sea is precisely where men like us should make our mark! Peach Blossom Spring may be small, but we aspire to cleanse the world, protect the people of this land, and befriend heroes everywhere. If you would be willing, Brother Xingba, would it not be a joy to undertake great things together when the opportunity comes?" He did not directly recruit him, but instead painted a shared vision.
Holding his cup, Gan Ning looked at the spirited Chen Yu before him, then at the bold Zhang Fei and the composed Guan Yu. Thinking again of Peach Blossom Spring's orderliness, his heart surged. He fell silent for a moment, then abruptly drained his wine and set the cup down heavily, a flicker of resolve crossing his eyes. "Brother Chen, you're a man destined to accomplish great things! And these brothers of yours suit my temper too! All right! That's enough talk for today. Let me drink to you! From now on, if there's anything in West Blue you need me... need Gan Xingba to help with, just say the word! As for the Happo Navy... hmph, I know how to handle that!"
[Gan Ning's favorability increased significantly. Current status: highly friendly (85/100), inclined toward cooperation]
At this point, though Gan Ning had not explicitly pledged his service, his attitude was clear. He had become an extremely important potential ally and source of intelligence for Peach Blossom Spring within the Flower Country's official establishment.
After seeing Gan Ning off, Peach Blossom Spring threw itself back into intensive development. Following this battle, external pressure had temporarily eased, while internal cohesion had reached an unprecedented height. Chen Yu seized the opportunity to accelerate their various plans:
Militarily: they reviewed their experience confronting Gan Ning's navy and strengthened coastal early warning measures and defensive fortifications. Zhao Yun's naval combat squad began adaptation training in coastal waters using captured boats. Huang Zhong's sniper squad focused on practicing long-range attacks against moving targets at sea.
In trade: with the help of their initially favorable relationship with Gan Ning, their trade channels became smoother. Through his connections, Peach Blossom Spring's specialties-medicinal herbs, animal hides, and high-quality fruit and vegetables-began flowing into broader markets in small quantities, bringing back more urgently needed salt, iron, cloth, and intelligence.
In internal administration: the administrative system overseen by Liu Bei grew increasingly comprehensive. The population gradually increased, with displaced people fleeing unbearable oppression arriving to join them, and systems for education, medical care, and production were steadily established. Guo Jia's intelligence network also began infiltrating the upper ranks of the Flower Country and the surrounding waters.
One day, Guo Jia came to Chen Yu with a confidential report, a faintly amused smile on his face. "My lord, some interesting news. The Black Tide Pirates seem to have set their sights on the trade route we use with Gan Ning."
Chen Yu raised an eyebrow. "The Black Tide Pirates? How strong are they?"
"They're a sizable group. Their leader, 'Black Tide' Fraser, has a bounty of thirty-seven million Beli. He's a ruthless character. They seem to think we're easy pickings," Guo Jia said languidly. "Perhaps... this is an opportunity."
"An opportunity?" Chen Yu looked thoughtful.
"Yes." A calculating gleam flashed in Guo Jia's eyes. "First, we can give our soldiers some practice and test our newly formed navy-Zhao Yun's squad. Second, there may be some 'good things' in the Black Tide Pirates' lair. Third... if we help Gan Ning 'clear away' this nuisance, wouldn't that give him more influence within the navy? That would be a very tangible favor."
Chen Yu smiled. "Fengxiao, oh, Fengxiao... you mean to bind Gan Ning firmly to our ship. Good! Then let this 'Black Tide' become the first whetstone on which Peach Blossom Spring's navy makes its name, and a generous gift for Brother Xingba!"
A new storm was already brewing at sea. This time, Peach Blossom Spring would no longer defend passively, but take the initiative and make its name across West Blue! Only amid raging seas did heroes show their true mettle. Peach Blossom Spring's naval banner would soon fly in the wind over this vast blue sea!
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