Chapter 651

Chapter 651

Sun Changhu looked at her acquaintance, Lu Su, and knew that she could not try and fool others anymore. Lu Su was one of Zhou Yu’s good friend and also one of Sun Ce’s advisors. Lu Su frequently had things to do with Sun Quan.

Though Sun Quan was fickle, he still welcomed his little sister with a smile and loved her. That was why Sun Changhu frequently visits Sun Quan, which meant meeting with Lu Su.

As the two have met, there was nothing left to hide.

“You are Sun Shangxiang?” Liu Mang looked at Sun Changhu inquisitively.

“Hm?” Liu Mang’s words caused Yangzhou’s officials to turn and look at him with a smile.

“How do you know my personal name?” Sun Shangxiang looked at Liu Mang with doubt.

Liu Mang immediately realized that he had violated a taboo. In ancient times, women had no name. People like Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, Diao Chan were all addressed differently. Their more well-known names were all personal names only known by family or next of kin. Yet, Liu Mang addressed Sun Shangxiang by her personal name despite not being close to her. This can only mean that Liu Mang was interested in her to the extent that he had even made inquiries of her personal name.

“No, no! I did not investigate you!” Liu Mang quickly tried to explain. However, this action would only make things worse. Even Liu Mang started to find himself suspicious.

“Someone told me that there was a talented woman in Jiangdong with aspirations greater than men.” Liu Mang praised in order to avoid suspicion.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s compliments.” Sun Shangxiang blushed. She knew she could no longer hide her identity so she untied the bun in her hair, allowing her hair to fall freely. With graceful hair, a heroic face and good figure, her appearance was truly Heaven’s gift.

“Second Miss. How about marrying our Lord. That way, we can promote good relations between Jiangdong and Yangzhou.” Zhuge Liang persuaded.

“Marrying His Majesty? As a main wife or a side wife? Does the Lord intend to sideline Lady Lu and Lady Yuan?” Sun Shangxiang asked Liu Mang mockingly.

Of course Liu Mang could not do this. Sun Shangxiang seemed like a successful woman that loathes the idea of three wives and four concubines.

“Their positions cannot be changed but we can still make you a wife.” Zhuge Liang said. Liu Mang was a King. According to the law, he could have one queen, three wives, nine imperial concubines and more1. The queen was naturally Miss Lu. Qiao Yu and Yuan Fang were two of the three wives. Qian Yu may be a barbarian princess

“This subject thanks the King and Official Zhuge for the kindness. However, I am starting to feel homesick so I should take my leave. Please allow this subject to go.” Sun Shangxiang refused.

“Alright.” Liu Mang wanted to let Sun Shangxiang leave. At the same time he felt indignant. He didn’t even want to marry her so why was she refusing?

“Thank you Your Majesty. This subordinate will hand over her tasks to her subordinates before leaving.” Sun Shangxiang did not expect Liu Mang to agree so easily.

“Hm?” Zhuge Liang noticed that Liu Mang was angry and did not persuade Sun Shangxiang to stay. So Sun Shangxiang took her leave.

“Yuanzhi, pass down my orders. Have Lu Xun and the Jiangxia Navy be on standby. Then send a letter to Guangling and have Chen Deng notify Gan Ning to go against the river and wait for my orders before attacking from both sides.” Liu Mang said angrily. It was just an insignificant Jiangdong. So what if he had no status or righteousness? He has money and troops! If Sun Ce was sensible, he would surrender. Otherwise, Liu Mang would remove him by force.

“No Milord!” Lu Su quickly stepped forward to stop Liu Mang. He knew what Sun Ce was like. Sun Ce has high pride. He cannot be persuaded by force. If you try to use force against him, he would fight back with all his might.

However, Zhuge Liang pulled Lu Su back before Lu Su could further object. Liu Mang was angry so any persuasion would be useless.

“Disperse!” Liu Mang said and stormed off angrily.

***

Sun Shangxiang entered the women’s barracks. As all the women in the army were there, there were patrols to ensure men do not enter with bad intentions. It would not be strange if these brutes thought about women all day.

Sun Shangxiang entered her own tent with complicated feelings.

“Master Changhu. The sword you wanted have already been delivered by the Ministry of Works.” A women’s official entered the tent and reported. Even if they were medical personnel, it would be hard to avoid battle. Their own troops might even turn on them. So Sun Shangxiang had made a report to obtain weapons for women. Although the quality of the weapon may not be as good as the ones given to men, it was enough for them to protect themselves. The swords must not be too short, nor could it be too long to the extent it gets in the way of treatment. That was why the Ministry of Works send weapons to Sun Shangxiang for inspection. Sun Shangxiang will test the weapons and then make proposals for the Ministry of Works so that the Ministry of Works can send the appropriate weapons over.

“Put it down first!” Sun Shangxiang said to her subordinate with a smile.

“Put it down?”

“Master Changhu. We are running out of gauzes and charcoal.” Another official came and reported. The gauzes were used to wrap wounds while the charcoal was needed to boil water.

“Hong Xiang. You don’t need to worry about this anymore.” Sun Shangxiang said to the official. These two officials were Sun Shangxiang’s servants that followed her to Yangzhou. The three of them were exceptional and managed to enter Yangzhou’s army without relying on anyone. In Yangzhou, their positions was higher than a general that handles miscellaneous duties.

“Huh? Master Changhu. These are things the army urgently needs. Are we really going to ignore it?” Hong Xiang thought that Sun Shangxiang was angry.

“I am telling you to not to worry about it anymore. No need to ask so many questions!” Sun Shangxiang replied indignantly.

“Understood.”

“Go to the camp quickly and pack up your things.” Sun Shangxiang added.

“Miss? What...”

“Haha. Our Lord did not have any intentions to stop you. You can leave if you want to!” Zhuge Liang waved his hand.

“Hmph! Then that’s great!” Sun Shangxiang said as he carelessly grabbed a few things. “Hong Xiang, are you done with the preparations? I want to leave!”

“Miss. Are you taking only taking this many things with you?” Hong Xiang went back in after hearing Sun Shangxiang’s words. She saw that Sun Shangxiang had only taken a few things. There were still many things she did not pack up.

“No need. Jiangdong will also have things that Yangzhou has.” Sun Shangxiang said as she avoid looking at Zhuge Liang. Nobody liked to be schemed against.

“Good! Leave quickly and see your two brothers kill each other! How tragic! This family is going to end like this!” Zhuge Liang said again.

Sun Shangxiang immediately stopped and turned to face Zhuge Liang. “Minister Zhuge! I am showing respect to you but do not insult others. Don’t blame me for being impolite if you curse my family again!”

“Curse? Haha. I, Zhuge Kongming, is just an insignificant mortal. I cannot do supernatural things. I am just telling you the truth as it is.”

“What do you mean?” Sun Shangxiang said angrily as she pulled out her sword. “If you don’t give me a good explanation, I will kill you even if I have to sacrifice my life.”

“I simply want to inform Miss Sun that your two brothers are killing each other. If you return now, you will find one dead and the other alive.” Zhuge Liang said.

“You’re lying!”

“Why should I lie to you? Since ancient times, there is no familial affection for kings. Though Marquis Wu is not a king, he is still a feudal lord.” Zhuge Liang explained as he fanned himself.

“Impossible! My second brother...! No! He would not do it!”

“Haha!” Zhuge Liang laughed. He did not even say who was responsible but Sun Shangxiang was already shaking her head, showing that she knew the answer.

“Impossible is it? Come, Zijing. Tell Miss Sun here if I am lying or not!” Zhuge Liang said. He had already dragged Lu Su over earlier. Lu Su also shook his head bitterly at the kind of work he is made to do. Zhuge Liang was really too much. He had already taken the role of the good person while all the bad roles were given to Lu Su.

Lu Su glared at Zhuge Liang for a moment before cupping his fists at Sun Shangxiang. “Miss. Kongming’s words are the truth. Zhongmou... No. The Second Lord has rebelled against Marquis Wu. He sent Xu Gong to assassinate Marquis Wu.”

Lu Su’s words were more effective on Sun Shangxiang. This is because Lu Su was Sun Quan’s friend.

“How is my eldest brother?” Sun Shangxiang was a little panicked.

“Don’t worry. Marquis Wu is alright. Gongjin took an arrow in place of Marquis Wu and is now seriously injured. As for the Second Lord, he is thrown into prison.” There are three intelligence groups in Yangzhou. It can be said that no others could compare to Yangzhou when it comes to gathering information.

“Liar! You are all liars! I know you are all conspiring together!” Sun Shangxiang shouted in distraught. Her thoughts were in disorder due to concern.

“What benefits would we get for lying to you? Both Brother Zijing and I have reached the highest positions as officials. It would be a joke if we need to lie to a silly little girl like you! You might as well leave quickly. The sight of you is making me annoyed.” Zhuge Liang’s expression also changed to disgust.

“I...” Sun Shangxiang wanted to walk away but she was afraid Zhuge Liang’s words were true.

“Zijing. How long can your good friend live?” Zhuge Liang asked teasingly. Lu Su and Sun Quan have already broke off their relationship. They weren’t good friends any more.

“If Gongjin lives, the Second Lord can still live. If Gongjin perishes, so will the Second Lord.” Lu Su said.

“No! No!”

“Zijing. Let us go.” Zhuge Liang said and wanted to leave with Lu Su.

“You cannot leave!” Sun Shangxiang immediately used her sword to stop Zhuge Liang and Lu Su.

“Second Miss. Me and Zhuge Kongming did not offend you did we? The road is over there. Leave if you wish.” Lu Su also started to feel uncomfortable.

“Save my brother. Save Jiangdong.” Sun Shangxiang gritted her teeth and knelt down.

“Second Miss. Why do you ask us to save your two brothers? How can we of Yangzhou save your Jiangdong.” Zhuge Liang pretended to be astonished.

“I know you can!” Sun Shangxiang said firmly. She knew that Zhuge Liang would not bother telling her all this if Zhuge Liang and Lu Su did not have a plan.

“Good. Since you say that, I will no longer keep you in suspense. We do have a way. It only depends on whether you agree to do it.” Zhuge Liang smiled. Sun Shangxiang has taken the bait.

“As long as it is within my abilities, I will even be willing to die to do it.”

“You do not need to sacrifice your life. In fact, it would be a wonderful thing. Once it is successful, the Sun Family would prosper!” Zhuge Liang said patiently. Lu Su rolled his eyes. If he did not know better, he would think that Zhuge Liang was someone in the human trafficking business.

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One 后queen, 3 夫人 wives, 9 嫔Imperial concubines. Then 27 世妇 shi fu and 81 女御 nu yu, etc. Just think of it as different ranks of concubines for the sexually frustrated monarchy.