After reading the letter, Lu Xun nodded. "Indeed. However, there is still one destabilizing factor."
"Sun Bofu has refused to openly oppose Yuan Gonglu because he was once under his patronage."
Yuan Xi let out a faint scoff. "I once recommended him for an official post before the Emperor. By that logic, I am his patron as well."
"Sun Bofu may be impulsive, even hot-tempered, but he is no fool. He understands the situation clearly—he is merely waiting to name his price."
"I've heard he advanced into Kuaiji Commandery. That campaign should be nearing its end, correct?"
Lu Xun nodded. "That's right. Even before Yuan Gonglu proclaimed himself emperor, Sun Bofu had already mobilized his forces to attack Kuaiji. Judging by the timing, Yan Baihu has likely already been defeated. His next target should be Yuzhang."
To the south of Wu Commandery lay Kuaiji, and to the southwest, Yuzhang. Starting from Lujiang, Sun Ce had carved out a vast clockwise arc across Yangzhou. If he succeeded in taking Yuzhang as well, nearly all of Yangzhou would fall under his control.
Yuan Xi sighed. "Sun Ce still harbors resentment toward Jingzhou."
Lu Xun agreed. Sun Ce's expansion would inevitably lead him there. Part of it was vengeance for his father, Sun Jian, who had died during the campaign against Jingzhou—but strategically, it was also the correct choice.
Yangzhou lay north of Yuan Shu's base in Yuzhou. If Sun Ce were to turn against him openly, he would face moral condemnation. Moreover, the Jianghuai plains were ill-suited for Jiangdong troops, and any territory gained there would be difficult to defend.
Jingzhou, however, was a different matter. Much of it lay south of the Yangtze River and could rely on natural defenses. If Sun Ce could seize Jingzhou, he would effectively control nearly all lands south of the river. In that position, no matter how chaotic the north became, he could simply observe from afar.
Furthermore, Jingzhou was the most vital corridor connecting the Central Plains to the south. Without securing it, Jiangdong itself would remain vulnerable. For both strategic and personal reasons, Sun Ce's focus on Jingzhou was entirely justified.
Yet Jingzhou would not fall easily. Its cities, fortified along the Yangtze, were natural strongholds. Without proper siege equipment, any assault would come at a tremendous cost in lives.
What Yuan Xi truly wanted was for Sun Ce to attack Jingzhou and then push northward, cutting off Yuan Shu's retreat. But it was unlikely Sun Ce would agree—his priority was clearly Yuzhang and Jingzhou.
Lu Xun pondered this. "Yuzhou holds little appeal for Sun Bofu. It will be difficult to persuade him."
After a moment of thought, Yuan Xi said, "The only option is to pressure him with an imperial edict. Since he has accepted a title from the court, he cannot refuse to act entirely."
"Boyan, draft a letter. At the very least, he must restrain Yuan Shu from the rear. Even if it is only for appearances, as long as we can force Shouchun to divert troops, it will be enough."
Lu Xun bowed. "Understood."
Gazing out at the sycamore tree beyond the window, Yuan Xi exhaled. "It seems the lie I told Yang Dao about going to Guangling has become reality."
"Prepare at once. We head south to Guangling to coordinate with Ling County. This must remain secret. Have Zilong continue applying pressure on Xiapi and Tancheng—at the very least, they must not dare move against Guangling."
In Qiao Rui's residence in Wancheng, Lujiang, the sisters Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao sat beneath the eaves, watching rainwater drip steadily into the courtyard.
Xiao Qiao asked gloomily, "Sister, when do you think Father will return from this campaign?"
Qiao Rui had once been imprisoned for offending Yuan Shu, but had recently been reinstated and sent north with Zhang Xun.
Da Qiao glanced at the sky, her expression uneasy. "Have you noticed? Grain prices in the city have risen recently."
Xiao Qiao nodded. "I heard there are locust plagues in parts of Yanzhou and Yuzhou. Our region is near water, so we've been spared. Those merchants must be spreading panic to raise prices—truly despicable."
Da Qiao shook her head slightly. "Not necessarily. Even if Lujiang has grain, other regions do not. They will come here to buy. Once supply tightens, prices will inevitably rise."
Xiao Qiao waved it off. "How high could it go?"
"When demand far exceeds supply, prices can multiply several times over. Haven't you heard? In past famines in Guanzhong, grain prices rose to tens of thousands of coins per shi. People even resorted to cannibalism."
Xiao Qiao frowned. "That must have been corrupt merchants exploiting the situation. Our merchants here wouldn't behave so shamelessly."
"With Father's savings, even if prices rise several times, we can last a year or two. By then, he will surely return."
Da Qiao sighed. "That's not how it works."
She paused before asking, "If grain costs 100 coins per shi now, and suddenly there's only enough food for nine out of ten people, how much do you think the price will rise?"
Xiao Qiao began counting on her fingers, muttering guesses, but quickly grew frustrated. "This is too complicated. I can't figure it out."
Da Qiao asked gently, "If you knew food was scarce, would you share yours?"
Xiao Qiao hesitated. "I… don't know. People might even buy more to store."
"Exactly," Da Qiao said softly. "That fear is what drives prices up."
She continued, "When everyone fears starvation, distrust grows. People hoard grain, pushing prices higher and higher—until eventually, some can no longer afford to eat at all."
Xiao Qiao's face paled. "Then… people will starve?"
Da Qiao nodded. "Only when enough people die will the demand fall—and prices stabilize again."
Silence fell between them.
After a moment, Xiao Qiao asked, "Can't officials control this?"
Da Qiao gave a bitter smile. "Perhaps elsewhere. But under Yuan Gonglu's rule…"
Lowering her voice, she continued, "He lives in excess, and his officials are corrupt. In a crisis, they will hoard grain for themselves first."
A chill ran through Xiao Qiao. "Then… should we store food too?"
Da Qiao nodded. "I already have. I've hidden it in a cellar I dug recently."
She leaned closer. "Only we know. If chaos comes, we will hide there."
Xiao Qiao sighed, her voice trembling. "This world is truly terrifying… when will it ever end?"
Da Qiao said nothing.
In these turbulent times, survival itself was uncertain. As for peace—such a thing felt like a distant dream.
Who would ultimately bring order to this chaos?
The Yuan brothers were locked in struggle, but judging by Yuan Gonglu's conduct, his victory might not be a blessing.
And what of Sun Ce, whom their father once praised so highly?
Or the so-called "fierce tiger"?
Da Qiao recalled the rumors—of his ambition, his ruthlessness… and his appetite for women.
She shook her head faintly.
Whatever the truth, she thought, their paths would likely never cross.