Chapter Fifty: Alarming News from Wu Pass

Gan Ning guarded the city gate in boredom. Ever since he pledged allegiance to Liu Biao, it seemed as though good days had abandoned him.

Life was stable, with no need to go to war. Yet such tranquility made Gan Ning feel as if death would be preferable. Having roamed the Yangtze River since his teens, living by the blade and the thrill of danger, the past two years left him wondering how he had managed to endure.

The last time he had drawn blood was after rebelling against Liu Zhang. Since then, he had left the familiar waters of the Yangtze and found himself in this strange ancestral land. Occasionally, he would visit the villages of the Gan clan outside the city, yet felt no connection to those people. At most, they shared a common ancestor from a century ago, but beyond that, there was no bond or affection.

Such days had persisted until now.

From afar, Gan Ning saw a vast procession approaching the east city gate—over twenty carriages, surrounded by attendants and servants. It was clearly the entourage of a powerful noble family.

Deng Hong, having spent the New Year with the Cai family at Huangmen Pavilion, was returning home via Caiyang and had stopped to visit his wife's kin. Seeing the couple's affection, his in-laws were delighted. The elders of Huangmen Pavilion had gifted them several cartloads of presents, prompting the Cai family to follow suit, adding another seven or eight carts to the convoy. Altogether, there were now more than twenty carriages.

Gan Ning didn’t know this was Deng Hong’s party. In Ba Commandery, his own family had been among the great clans, and their travels had been even more lavish. So he merely cast a lazy glance and paid no further attention.

But what surprised him was that the convoy, upon reaching the city, didn’t enter immediately. Instead, they moved their vehicles aside to the foot of the wall, and a few people alighted, heading toward the gate.

“General Xingba!” Deng Hong waved and called out from below.

Only then did Gan Ning recognize him as the new Prefecture Official, Deng Hong. They had met several times before, for Deng Hong had been appointed by Liu Biao to promote the Dragon Bone Waterwheel throughout Nanyang, often coming and going through Xiangfan.

Each time Deng Hong passed through, he would bring gifts and pay his respects, engaging in pleasant conversation. They weren’t close friends, but had become quite familiar, forming a solid acquaintance.

Yet before, Deng Hong had always traveled with only two or three companions, including two subordinates from the prefecture. Why this time, Gan Ning wondered, was he accompanied by so many?

He had no idea that Deng Hong had married into the Cai family. The guest list for the wedding had been drawn up by the Cai family, including Gan Ning’s superior, Zhang Yun, but not Gan Ning himself. The Cai family was one of the most prestigious in Jingzhou. As modern parlance would have it, their guests were all elite members of society.

When drafting the guest list, the Cai family invited only high officials and the most prominent noble houses. Gan Ning, to put it bluntly, was a surrendered general—at best, a lower-ranking officer with eight hundred troops. He was not qualified for the guest list.

Deng Hong had wanted to invite him, but the final say rested with the Cai family, and he was powerless.

Hence, Gan Ning remained unaware of Deng Hong’s marriage.

However, Shen Chen had long instructed Deng Hong to cultivate a good relationship with Gan Ning. So upon arriving in Fan City, Deng Hong promptly brought his new wife and Shen Chen to pay a visit.

Gan Ning was puzzled but welcomed his friends, waving back and calling, “Master Youshuo!”

Deng Hong entered the city with Cai and Shen Chen, accompanied by several servants carrying gifts.

Once inside Fan City, Gan Ning descended from the wall to meet them. After exchanging greetings, they set off toward Gan Ning’s residence in the southern part of the city.

It was afternoon; Gan Ning was supposed to be on duty, but his temperament was such that he worked when he pleased and left when he wished. Everyone was used to it by now, and Zhang Yun couldn’t control him.

He led his guests home, where they were seated in the central hall. Deng Hong and his wife shared a seat, Shen Chen sat alone, while Gan Ning took the host’s position.

Seeing the arrangement, Gan Ning grew curious and asked, “Youshuo, are you planning to hold your marriage ceremony soon? Is this an invitation for me?”

He assumed it was an engagement visit. In the Han dynasty, marriage was no trivial affair, involving six formal rites, with the wedding ceremony as the final step. One preceding ritual required the engaged couple to invite guests in person.

Gan Ning felt they were old acquaintances; surely Deng Hong would invite him to his wedding. Seeing Deng Hong arrive with a woman, Gan Ning thought this was the formal invitation after the engagement.

“Shameful,” Deng Hong replied.

His words deepened Deng Hong’s embarrassment. He said, “I have come to Fan City today to ask General Xingba’s forgiveness. Last November, I married Ah Wei, and I intended to invite you, but...”

Gan Ning’s expression darkened, clearly displeased.

He had considered Deng Hong a friend, yet the man had married just across the river and failed to invite him. How could he be happy about that?

Just as Gan Ning was about to vent his anger, Cai rose, bowed slightly, and said, “Greetings, Uncle. My husband often spoke of you as his friend. Today we have come to visit you together, and I hope you will forgive us.”

Gan Ning snorted, “If I am truly a friend, why was I not invited to the wedding? What kind of friendship is that?”

Cai replied, “My husband wished to invite you and had your name on the list. It was my father who removed it without consulting us. My husband learned of this only on the day of the wedding. Please know, uncle, that the fault lies with my father, not my husband.”

Gan Ning remained unhappy, still upset.

Cai continued, “I know you are angry, uncle. My husband wanted to send someone to explain, but I persuaded him to come and apologize in person. It is my father’s narrow vision—only inviting noble families, failing to recognize true heroes. My husband always praised you as a great man, broad-minded and generous. I trust you will understand his difficulty.”

Her words were tactful, blaming her own father and praising Gan Ning, which softened his expression. He said, “If your father only wished to invite prominent families, surely he knows his own is noble. Does he not realize that the Gan clan of Ba is also a renowned family of Yizhou?”

Cai bowed again, “Uncle, my father is from the Cai family of Caiyang. But he spends his days at home and does not know the heroes of the world. Apart from his brother, the Governor of Nan Commandery, he sees only the great families of Jingzhou.”

Cai family of Caiyang?

Upon learning her identity, Gan Ning glanced at Deng Hong, seeing his embarrassment, which made Gan Ning feel better and more understanding.

The Cai family was the most powerful clan in Jingzhou after Liu Biao. Cai Mao served as Governor of Nan Commandery and as the strategist for the General Who Guards the South, controlling much of Jingzhou’s troops—hence his arrogance.

Even women’s weddings in such families were attended only by nobles; removing Deng Hong’s friends from the guest list was routine.

Gan Ning himself was of noble birth and knew well the arrogance of these families.

Now he understood why Deng Hong had wanted to invite him but was unable. It was simply impossible.

With this realization, Gan Ning’s dissatisfaction with Deng Hong faded somewhat. He laughed, “So that’s how it is. I misjudged you, Youshuo. Thankfully, your wife has explained, or I might have lost a friend because of this.”

Cai finally smiled and sat.

Deng Hong looked gratefully at his wife, holding her hand in his arms.

Shen Chen had been silent. He worried that Gan Ning, known for his temper, might turn hostile over this matter. To his surprise, Cai proved as virtuous and graceful as rumored, effortlessly resolving the situation.

Perhaps this was the depth and upbringing of a great family.

Han dynasty women were not forbidden to read and write; many noblewomen were talented, though some were willful, like Sun Shangxiang. Most, however, followed the elite education of their class, such as Ban Zhao, Cai Yan, Zhuo Wenjun, and later Xie Daoyun, Zuo Fen, Su Hui in the Wei-Jin and Northern-Southern dynasties.

The Cai family was the top clan in Jingzhou. As the records say, “At the end of Han, the Cai clan flourished.” Their status was clear.

To produce a cultured, gentle, and intelligent woman was expected.

Indeed, Sixth Uncle had struck fortune. Though not beautiful, she was a worthy spouse, like Huang Yueying—surely his official career would prosper.

“Xingba, I have come today to apologize and hope you will forgive my rudeness.”

Deng Hong clapped his hands, and servants brought in gifts. He smiled, “These are specialties from Huangmen Pavilion—dried meat and strong spirits. Xingba, why not taste them?”

“I’ll give them a try,” Gan Ning responded, calling his steward to send the gifts to the back courtyard, telling them to cook the food Deng Hong had brought and serve the wine.

The dried meat, known as preserved pork, was a common gift in ancient times. In the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius charged students with such gifts as tuition, and friends often exchanged them.

Soon, the strong spirits were brought out.

The guests poured the wine into cups. Deng Hong warned, “Xingba, this wine is potent. Do not drink it all at once—just a sip.”

“Really? I don’t believe it.”

Gan Ning enjoyed drinking, but no wine had ever fazed him. He poured the cup full and, as usual, downed it in one gulp.

He instantly realized the severity—a fiery sensation burned his throat, the remaining wine stuck in his mouth, unable to swallow or spit it out, leaving his face flushed and embarrassed.

Seeing this, Deng Hong urged, “Xingba, quickly spit it out.”

Gan Ning, stubborn by nature, feared being looked down upon if he complied, so he gulped it all down, finishing the rest of the cup.

He forced himself to appear composed, setting down the cup, “This wine is quite good, has some kick, but it’s still not enough to topple me.”

His words belied the blush creeping across his face.

The Han dynasty used wine goblets called jiu gu, not the later wine bowls. Archaeological finds show varying sizes, but according to ancient texts, a standard jiu gu held two to three sheng.

A sheng in the Han dynasty was about 200 grams, so a cup contained 400 to 600 grams.

Gan Ning had just drunk at least a pound of spirits—equivalent to a whole bottle. For someone unused to strong liquor, it was enough to get tipsy.

Deng Hong praised, “Xingba, truly you have a mighty capacity. I only dare drink a little in winter. I never imagined you could drain the cup in one go.”

“It’s nothing,” Gan Ning replied, forcing himself to remain upright. He glanced around, noticed Shen Chen’s unusual silence, and asked, “Shen, why are you so quiet today?”

Shen Chen, now ten and taller, answered, “Uncle, I felt ashamed when you were not invited to the wedding ceremony.”

“No matter, just a minor misunderstanding.”

Gan Ning waved it off, then, as if recalling something, smiled at Shen Chen, “By the way, last year you said Nanyang would be in chaos at the start of the year. Yet it has been peaceful.”

Shen Chen replied meaningfully, “Yes, last year Guanzhong was in turmoil, and the warlords lacked provisions. They will surely seek supplies in Nanyang. In time, news will come from the direction of Wu Pass.”

“You are always stubborn.”

Gan Ning shook his head, glanced at Cai, and grew more reserved. “Governor Liu now commands strong troops and horses. Who would dare provoke him?”

Shen Chen smiled, “Then, General, consider my words mere jest. Soon, you’ll see if they come true.”

“Come, Xingba, drink!”

Deng Hong urged him on.

They drank and chatted until afternoon. Deng Hong’s servants had arranged boats, loaded the carriages, and prepared to cross the river.

Fan City was close to Xiangyang; crossing the river would bring them home. There was no need to stay overnight.

Gan Ning, after his initial heavy drinking, slowed down, sipping carefully. Though slightly intoxicated, he insisted on accompanying Deng Hong and his party to the city’s edge.

As they parted, Shen Chen said again, “Uncle Xingba, do you remember our agreement?”

Gan Ning thought, smiled, “Of course. If your prediction comes true, I’ll follow your advice.”

Shen Chen flashed a cunning, fox-like smile, nodding, “Just remember, Uncle Xingba—don’t break your word.”

“Rest assured, my promise is worth its weight in gold, like Ji Bu.”

Gan Ning pledged.

The party boarded their boats, waving goodbye from the deck.

After they left, Gan Ning mounted his horse, unsteady from the powerful wine, longing only for a comfortable nap.

But just as he reached the city gate, several of his personal guards rushed out in haste.

Gan Ning was puzzled. He had played hooky to entertain friends, but had ordered his men to maintain strict watch. Why were his subordinates slacking off as well?

The guards knelt and reported, “Sima, there’s trouble.”

Gan Ning, serving under Zhang Yun as assistant commander, frowned, “What’s happened?”

“Wu Pass is in danger. A force of Xiliang soldiers from Guanzhong is attacking fiercely, threatening Xi County.”