dognovel Chapter 566 A Ruthless Killing of a Veteran Minister? The Supreme Realm of Balance!
Chapter 566 A Ruthless Killing of a Veteran Minister? The Supreme Realm of Balance!
Sometimes, even Sun Quan didn't understand.
He's already so "benevolent," so why are some old folks still not satisfied?
Must one kill until rivers of blood flow, like his elder brother Sun Ce, to be happy?
After the assassination attempt, Sun Quan calmed down and thought it over. He decided not to publicize the incident to the outside world, but only told his trusted confidants Guo Tu and Zhuge Jin.
That afternoon, Sun Quan went to Zhang Hong's residence, ostensibly to visit this highly respected veteran official.
With the New Year fast approaching, let me wish Zhang Hong a Happy New Year in advance.
Unexpectedly, he was turned away by Zhang Hong.
The doorman told Sun Quan that Zhang Hong had gone out to worship his ancestors and would not return for several days.
Sun Quan sneered.
Zhang Hong was from Xuzhou, so where in Jiangdong did he get an ancestor to offer sacrifices to?
If it is a "remote sacrifice", you only need to find an open space outside the city, burn some paper money, and the whole process can be completed in half a day, which does not take several days at all!
This is clearly just an excuse; he's guilty and doesn't want to see Sun Quan.
No problem, Sun Quan has no shortage of patience.
The following day, Sun Quan visited Zhang Hong again, and the doorman gave the same answer.
On the third day, Sun Quan came again, carrying a large pile of gifts.
The doorman looked embarrassed and was about to refuse when Zhang Hong came out of the mansion and said with a forced smile:
"I have just returned from paying respects to my ancestors. I was unaware that you, my lord, have been visiting me these past few days. I apologize for not being able to greet you properly!"
Sun Quan laughed heartily:
"Others may not know what kind of person Zhang Gong is, but surely I, Sun, know?"
“I deeply admire people like Zhang Gong who are extremely filial.”
“Sun has nothing serious to do; he just wanted to visit Zhang Gong and express his gratitude.”
"Seeing that Lord Zhang is well, I am relieved."
Don’t reach out to hit the smiling person.
Zhang Hong was also a man who cared about his reputation.
Sun Quan had been visiting for three days in a row, and finally managed to meet with him.
If we don't invite Sun Quan into our residence, have a cup of tea, and eat some pastries, it won't sound good if word gets out.
So Zhang Hong invited Sun Quan into his residence.
However, after Sun Quan entered the main hall, he did not sit down, but instead cupped his hands to Zhang Hong and said:
"I, Sun, would like to have a look into Lord Zhang's study. Is that permissible?"
Zhang Hong frowned slightly, but considering that Sun Quan always enjoyed reading, he wasn't surprised.
Military treatises, especially those on warfare, were Sun Quan's favorites.
Hmm, I wonder if he still enjoys reading military books after the defeat at Xiaoyao Ford.
Upon entering the study, Sun Quan's gaze was immediately drawn to the sword sheath hanging to the side.
There was no sword in the scabbard!
Sun Quan remembered that this scabbard was originally the one that matched the Zhan Yue sword!
"Master Zhang, there's only a scabbard here, where's the hilt?"
Sun Quan said casually.
"My lord, you mean this sword?"
“My nephews and nieces like it, so I lent it to them to play with.”
"But the scabbard is still here in case he loses it."
Upon hearing this, Sun Quan felt an intense chill in his heart.
This excuse is like trying to fool a child!
Who would be a good person who only wants the sword but not the hilt?
Moreover, Zhan Yue is a well-known sword with a considerable price tag.
However, Sun Quan's acting skills were quite good.
He pretended to look at Zhang Hong's collection of books for a while, then took his leave.
Upon accepting the gifts from Sun Quan, Zhang Hong remarked with emotion:
"Our lord is still a kind man, but that brat Guo Yu misled him and led him astray."
"Once I get rid of Guo Yu, I will surely make our lord see the error of his ways and restore peace and order to Jiangdong!"
Unbeknownst to him, Zhang Hong began to see himself as a savior.
Little did he know that Sun Quan had already moved him from the "checks and balances list" to the "kill list".
As for the vacancy left by Zhang Hong's death, Sun Quan needed an important figure from Zhang Hong's faction to step forward and fill the position.
Otherwise, if his own confidants, such as Zhuge Jin and Guo Tu, were to step forward to replace him, the Jiangdong aristocratic families would not be fools, and the tripartite balance of power would collapse in an instant.
After much deliberation, Sun Quan approached Bu Zhi.
"Zishan, how have you been?"
Sun Quan politely bowed to Bu Zhi.
Bu Zhi didn't have Zhang Hong's audacity to have Sun Quan visit him for three consecutive days.
Therefore, he respectfully welcomed Sun Quan inside.
However, his words were full of defensiveness.
Bu Zhi was from Linhuai, Xuzhou, and belonged to the authentic Huai-Si literati.
Many people believe that the literati of the Huai and Si regions were forced to migrate to Jiangdong because of Cao Cao's massacre of the city, but this is completely incorrect. According to historical records, all the famous literati of the Huai and Si regions during the late Han Dynasty fled south to Jiangdong during Tao Qian's rule of Xuzhou.
This includes the four siblings of Zhuge Jin, as analyzed earlier.
This involved a series of struggles. In short, half of the literati in Xuzhou supported Tao Qian, while the other half opposed him.
Those who supported Tao Qian included Mi Zhu and Chen Deng.
Those who opposed Tao Qian mostly fled when faced with his violent suppression.
These Huai-Si literati who fled later formed the "Jiangdong Huai-Si Literati Faction" headed by Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong.
The most tragic one among them was Zhang Zhao, the "big brother who led the betting."
Historically, he was imprisoned by Tao Qian and used as a model.
And poor him, his fate is even more tragic in this book.
Not long after being released from prison, he was arrested and imprisoned in the Minister's mansion, where he has been forced to serve as a beast of burden for many years! (See Chapter 124 for details)
……
Staring blankly at Sun Quan, Bu Zhi felt a little awkward. He secretly fiddled with the hem of his clothes and mustered his courage to ask:
"May I ask what brings you here today, my lord?"
Sun Quan smiled slightly:
"Zishan, Master Zhang is getting old and a bit senile."
"I don't know where he is. Would you be interested in sitting down for a while?"
Upon hearing this, Bu Zhi's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
He fell silent, he hesitated, and his heart was moved!
……
P.S.: Bonus chapter delivered! Wishing all readers who have followed this far a Happy New Year and all the best for the coming year!