Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Gan Mansion.

Gan Ning, Jiang Qin, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were drinking and the topic they were discussing was that Sun Ce would soon come of age.

Gan Ning was a loyal man and had a very good relationship with Jiang Qin and Sun Ce.

Gan Ning also took into account that Sun Jian had passed away and Sun Ce was now a young boy without anyone to rely on, so he called all his friends over to discuss how to give Sun Ce face at his coming-of-age ceremony.

However, as the third round of drinks was about to pass, Xu Sheng was still missing from the group of people Gan Ning had invited, which made Gan Ning say something to Jiang Zhi who was standing nearby.

"Uncle, why hasn't Xu Wenxiang arrived yet?"

Jiang Zhi, who had originally thought of hiding it, had no choice but to speak up. "General Xu just sent someone to reply to the letter. He is busy with official duties, so he cannot come to the banquet."

Gan Ning paused while drinking and spoke angrily.

"Bullshit, we, the navy generals, don't need to reorganize the county soldiers and promote the military household system like General Zilong and his men do. Apart from training the sailors, where do we get the heavy official duties every day?"

"I think Xu Wenxiang has won a great victory, and he looks down on me, Gan Xingba, and doesn't want to be with me, Gan Xingba?"

Jiang Zhi knew that Gan Ning, who was very concerned about his reputation and loyalty, would have such a reaction, so when he found out that Xu Sheng could not refuse, he deliberately concealed it from him, so as to avoid any conflict due to such a small matter.

Moreover, after Gan Ning drank a few cups of rice wine, his temper was undoubtedly even more irritable.

But before Jiang Zhi could think of a way to calm Gan Ning down, Jiang Qin spoke first.

"Alright, alright. I know Wen Xiang's personality. He has always been reluctant to meet with others in private to avoid the suspicion of forming a clique. I would be surprised if he came."

Gan Ning still said with some indignation.

"What are you afraid of? I am loyal to my lord, and Sun Ce is Mr. Zikun's disciple, so how can there be any suspicion of forming a clique? If anyone dares to be disrespectful to my lord at the party, I will chop off his head and use it as a wine jug."

Upon seeing this, Sun Ce quickly followed suit and spoke to comfort him.

"I know Brother Xingba's good intentions, but General Xu has always been like this. I must not let Brother Xingba and General Xu become enemies because of this. Otherwise, wouldn't it be my fault?"

"Tsk."

Gan Ning smacked his lips, then slammed the table and said, "A gentleman is open and honest, while a villain is always worried. Xu Wenxiang is so cautious and meticulous, it's really annoying."

This remark made everyone present smile bitterly.

It is true that Gan Ning is a straightforward person, but once this word gets out, if it comes to someone with a narrow-minded mind, he might hold a grudge against Gan Ning.

Immediately, after learning that Xu Sheng would not come, Gan Ning stood up with a wine cup, walked in front of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, and spoke.

"I heard that you two will be coming of age soon?"

This matter was no secret in Wu County. With the death of Sun Jian, Sun Ce was now the eldest in the Sun family, so naturally he had to take on the responsibility as soon as he came of age.

Moreover, although Zhou Yu completely grasped the power of the Lujiang Zhou family through various means, he was still not yet of age.

Since the two had become sworn brothers, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu prepared to hold a coming-of-age ceremony together.

"Thank you for your appreciation, teacher. You will personally consecrate me and my younger brother Yu. The invitations are already being prepared. Big brother Xingba, please come early to watch the ceremony."

"I will definitely come. I will definitely come."

Gan Ning replied with a big laugh.

Since they both accompanied Li Ji on the expedition to Yingzhou, Gan Ning and Sun Ce naturally had a very good personal relationship. Moreover, Sun Ce was very young, so Gan Ning took good care of Sun Ce on a daily basis and treated him like his own son or nephew.

The reason why Sun Ce was able to command the ships alone and bring the cavalry led by Gongsun Zan and Zhao Yun back to the vicinity of Jicheng was also because Gan Ning often taught Sun Ce about sailing. Therefore, Sun Ce also respected Gan Ning very much and treated him like a brother and a teacher.

Then, Gan Ning sighed and said.

"I have also heard a little about General Sun Wentai. Now the Sun family relies on you alone to shoulder the heavy burden. You are an orphan and a widow, and you may be bullied by others. We still need to think of a way to support Sun Ce when the time comes. Don't let others look down on you."

Jiang Qin on the side poured cold water on him.

"Xingba, you are worrying too much. Sun Ce is the disciple of the national scholar. Yangzhou is so big that everyone should give Sun Ce some face. Who dares to embarrass Sun Ce? And who dares to embarrass the Sun family?"

"Humph, you only know one side of the story but not the other..."

Gan Ning curled his lips and spoke.

"You are not as clear about the ways of the noble families as I am. You must know that the noble families of Yangzhou are about to be suppressed by the Marquis of Guoshi. The noble families of Yangzhou dare not resist the Marquis of Guoshi, and they dare not even bear a grudge against the Marquis of Guoshi, but they may not dare to vent their anger on Sun Ce, their disciple."

"It's easy to dodge an open attack, but it's hard to guard against an arrow from the dark. If those noble families really use some tricks, even if they don't cause any trouble to Sun Ce, it will be enough to make him worry."

"Therefore, precisely because Sun Ce is a disciple of the Marquis of Guoshi, we need to cheer him up and let those Yangzhou noble families know that Sun Ce not only has the support of the Marquis of Guoshi, but also ours. Only in this way can they be a little wary."

After these words were spoken, Sun Ce and Jiang Qin fell silent, and Zhou Yu looked at Gan Ning with a look that was very different from before.

Gan Ning's reaction just now made Zhou Yu think that he was a straightforward and reckless man.

I didn't expect that under Gan Ning's seemingly straightforward appearance, he actually had such a political sense. He knew that doing so might offend the Yangzhou family, but he did not hesitate at all. He was truly loyal.

"He is truly a talented general!"

While Zhou Yu secretly praised him, he couldn't help but sigh once again that Liu Bei really had a lot of talented people under his command.

Jiang Qin put down his wine cup and asked with a serious look on his face.

"What does Xingba think?"

Gan Ning replied unhappily.

"I'm not a noble. If I knew what to do, would I have to call you to my house? Wouldn't it be better to just send someone to tell you?"

This righteous statement made Sun Ce and Jiang Qin stunned.

Something seemed to be wrong, yet it seemed to make sense.

"Pfft~"

This made Zhou Yu couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Gan Ning looked over, sizing up Zhou Yu's outstanding appearance and temperament, and spoke.

"Do you have any profound ideas?"

Zhou Yu, who was very graceful, stood up to greet him and answered frankly.

"I am not talented, but I do have some ideas. It would be great if I could get help from General Gan and General Jiang."

Since Li Ji was not very old when he became famous, Gan Ning did not look down on Zhou Yu because of his age. Instead, he gave the unknown Zhou Yu a chance.

"Tell me about it." (End of chapter)