12dz Chapter 568 Stone City exudes imperial aura! Is the Great Emperor of Eastern Wu here?
Chapter 568 Stone City exudes imperial aura! Is the Great Emperor of Eastern Wu here?
Ten days later, Xu, Sun Quan's first wife, Xu Kun's eldest daughter, and Xu Cai's elder sister, died of illness at Sun Quan's residence.
Just three days after Xu's death, Sun Quan arranged a marriage with Yu Fan's family, taking Yu Fan's daughter, Yu, as his second wife.
This led to a sharp rise in Yu Fan's status.
However, since Yu Fan was from Kuaiji rather than a scholar from Huai and Si, he still could not possibly be the head of the scholars from Huai and Si.
The four traditional aristocratic families of Jiangdong, namely Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang, also had a fixed number of members and would not easily change their positions.
Yu Fan had no choice but to transform himself into a member of Sun Quan's maternal relatives' faction, establishing a new political party called the "Kuaiji Shanyin Party".
However, the Yin Party of Kuaiji Mountain was too weak and could only join forces with the literati of Huai and Si to resist the four great families of Jiangdong.
……
"Oh? Does my lord wish to support Yu Fan?"
Zhang Mansion
Zhang Hong narrowed his eyes slightly.
Since Sun Quan's last visit, Zhang Hong has carefully considered the current relationship between him and Sun Quan.
The issue of military power remains unresolved.
Otherwise, the scholars of Huai and Si would sooner or later become tools in Sun Quan's hands, the kind that would be used and then discarded.
Therefore, Zhang Hong gave Sun Quan several suggestions, hoping that Sun Quan would listen carefully.
One of the most important proposals is:
Rumor has it that Stone City possesses an imperial aura and is suitable to serve as the true capital of Jiangdong.
Sun Quan strongly supported this proposal and issued a document instructing his civil and military officials to pack their belongings as soon as possible, tally up their assets, and move to Stone City with the army.
This caused quite a stir among the civil and military officials of Jiangdong!
The scholars of Huai and Si and the faction of Kuaiji and Shanyin were of no concern to Sun Quan and left it to him.
But the four powerful families of Jiangdong were filled with righteous indignation!
Initially, Sun Ce's administrative center was Chaisang.
Chaisang is close to the front line, making it suitable for Sun Ce to launch an attack on Jingzhou, but it is far from Wu County, which makes the four major families of Jiangdong quite dissatisfied.
Sun Quan moved his capital to Wu Commandery, which was an important sign of cooperation with the four major families of Jiangdong.
Now, Sun Quan wants to move to Stone City. What is he doing?
The four great families didn't even need to consult with each other beforehand; they unanimously rejected the proposal to relocate the capital.
However, what the four great families did not expect was that when Sun Quan convened everyone for a meeting, his attitude was extremely tough, and he made it clear that he was determined to move the capital!
The General of Chariots and Cavalry's Residence (Sun Quan's self-proclaimed title)
Faced with the unanimous rejection of the four powerful families, Sun Quan declared:
"Gentlemen, Stone City possesses the aura of an emperor!"
"This is what Master Zhang said!"
Who is Zhang Gong?
"Don't you even listen to what Master Zhang said?"
The heads of the four great families immediately turned their gazes to Zhang Hong, who was standing to the side.
Alright, alright! So it was you, you old bastard, who was instigating this behind the scenes!
Zhang Hong was dumbfounded.
No... I did make a suggestion here, but I just said it offhand.
It would be best if it could work out, but it's okay if it doesn't.
Shouldn't you four great families unite against Sun Quan? Why are you bullying an old and frail comrade like me?
Unfortunately, the four great families would not give Zhang Hong a chance to explain.
After confirming that Zhang Hong was the mastermind, the heads of the four great families angrily left their seats and went to discuss countermeasures.
In the eyes of the four great families, although Zhang Hong usually appears very arrogant, he always shows a weak side when it comes to many important matters.
Now, Zhang Hong has boldly proposed moving the administrative center.
There must be someone else behind this!
soon.
After investigation by the four major families, an important piece of information was confirmed.
Zhang Hong had secretly colluded with many Yue people!
The Yue tribes were numerous and could not be wiped out in a short time.
Moreover, this is an important experience package in the eyes of the Jiangdong aristocratic families.
Without the Shanyue, what dungeons will the generals from the Jiangdong aristocratic families use to farm battle merits?
As everyone knows, there are actually only two instances that are open year-round in Jiangdong.
One is the Mountain Crossing dungeon, which is a paradise for newbies to level up.
The other is the Hefei dungeon, where there is a very high chance of encountering Shura Zhang Babai, and a small chance of encountering God Zhang Liao!
In comparison, it goes without saying which is easier and which is more difficult.
In order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the Mountain Yue dungeon and to gain more profits, the four great families of Jiangdong decided to launch a "decapitation operation" after discussion!
Sun Quan, of course, cannot die.
Zhang Hong, who was making random suggestions while hiding behind Sun Quan, is now out of luck!
Who told you to be so blind as to suggest that Sun Quan move the capital to Stone City?
Who gave you the audacity to conspire with the Shan Yue to destroy my Jiangdong family's sacred training ground?
Assassination is a despicable method.
However, if successful, the results will be extremely significant.
In the eyes of the Jiangdong gentry today, if Zhang Hong were to die, no one in the Huai-Si literati and the Kuaiji Shanyin School would be as "unruly" as Zhang Hong.
Eliminating Zhang Hong became an inevitable step!
then.
Over the next five days, Zhang Hong survived eight assassination attempts and narrowly escaped death.
Zhang Hong now has the opportunity to experience the "unlimited assassination" mode that Sun Ce experienced back then.
Feeling deeply troubled by the matter, Zhang Hong approached Sun Quan late at night.
"Master Zhang, what are you doing?"
"You are an elder, and I, Sun, cannot accept such a generous gift!"
Sun Quan pretended to help Zhang Hong up.
Zhang Hong flung his hand away, crying as he said:
"My lord, please save this old minister!"
"Those guys are practically trying to kill this old minister!"
Sun Quan's lips curled into a smile.
Zhang Hong is different from people with military power like Zhou Yu, Xu Kun, and Wu Jing.
For example, when Zhou Yu was still alive, if the four great families of Jiangdong wanted to assassinate him, they would have to send people to the Chaisang military region.
Considering the cost and success rate, the cost-effectiveness is quite low.
But dealing with Zhang Hong is a different story.
To put it nicely, Zhang Hong was a man of high moral character and great prestige.
To put it bluntly, Zhang Hong was only good at empty talk.
Faced with wave after wave of assassination attempts, Zhang Hong was already at his breaking point after only a few days!
He went to Sun Quan for help not only to save his life, but also to ask for Sun Quan's protection by surrendering power.
"Master Zhang, please come in quickly."
Sun Quan once again helped Zhang Hong up and led him step by step into the study.
Pushing open the door, one sees the heads of the four great families of Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang in the study, looking at Zhang Hong with smiles in their eyes.
"The four of us thought about it carefully, and Stone City is indeed a good place."
"Moreover, our four great families also have quite a few businesses in Stone City, it's just that they're not as large as those in Wu County."
"But that place is closer to the heart of the Yue region, making it easier to conquer."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hong was stunned into silence.
He turned to look at Sun Quan, who, with a nonchalant air, cupped his hands in greeting to Zhang Hong and said:
"I also want to thank Mr. Zhang for his suggestion."
"But the name Stone City isn't imposing enough. I'd prefer to call it Jinling!"
"Alright, Master Zhang, please set off."
"Jinling has the aura of a king. Lord Zhang, could you go and explore the underground of Jinling for me?"
……
PS: Stone City existed as early as the Warring States period, but its scale was not very large compared to other cities in Jiangdong.
Historically, it was Zhang Hong who proposed moving the administrative center to Stone City, but he died not long afterward.
Sun Quan moved his capital to Stone City, which was equivalent to expanding the city's scale and officially began its life as the capital of six dynasties.