My head hurts so much!
Cao Cao sat under the lamplight in the north, contemplating life and the past, and worrying about the future.
They also couldn't come to Jiangdong for an on-site inspection.
He admired the brothers Sun Ce and Sun Quan for their combined efforts, working in tandem, one focusing on external affairs and the other on internal matters. He also admired Qiao Jingjing's role in Jiangdong and her assistance to the Sun brothers in developing agriculture and providing agricultural technical support.
Cao Cao was unaware of the immense contributions Qiao Jingjing had made in helping Sun Ce and Sun Quan quell internal strife within the imperial clan, stabilize the family situation, and clear obstacles from within Jiangdong.
If Cao Cao knew about these things, he would be even less envious, jealous, or resentful.
Unfortunately, he missed it, and that was it.
Qiao Jingjing's value lies in the fact that she knows what she is suited for and what she needs.
She loved Jiangnan and knew that agriculture could be developed there.
Qiao Jingjing is even more knowledgeable about the national situation.
Although Cao Cao knew the importance of agriculture to the common people and local government officials, he was bound to be busy fighting Yuan Shao and others for territory within ten years.
Yuan Shao's sons were still alive. Yuan Shang, because of his handsome appearance, was favored by his father Yuan Shao and inherited Yuan Shao's official titles. Yuan Tan occupied Ye City, and Yuan Xi controlled Youzhou.
Unable to succeed to the throne, Yuan Tan proclaimed himself General of Chariots and Cavalry and stationed himself at Liyang. Yuan Shang refused to provide Yuan Tan with troops, and the brothers began to fight amongst themselves.
Even Cao Cao, as an enemy, found it troublesome.
That kind of headache is a headache that extends to others as well as oneself.
The worry of an old father.
Therefore, Cao Cao envied Sun Jian's sons. He envied that Sun Jian died young and died a splendid death, so Sun Jian's sons united as one against external enemies.
Unlike Yuan Shao's family.
Cao Cao didn't have much confidence in himself or in his sons.
After much thought, he concluded that choosing a daughter-in-law was extremely important.
Choosing a good daughter-in-law can bring prosperity to your family for three generations.
He recalled losing Qiao Jingjing, and his legs went limp and his chest heaved, his delirium worsening.
Qiao Jingjing had no idea that her truckload of fruit had caused such a huge disturbance for her Uncle Mengde.
Anyway, Qiao Jingjing is living a good life right now.
The three retainers of Xu Gong who were threatening Sun Ce had already been eliminated by her two years ago.
The mountain bandits within Jiangdong have been wiped out, and because Jiangdong is now stable and peaceful, the agricultural prospects are very good, and many people are willing to farm.
The extra grains, fruits, and even trees grown by the people can be turned into money.
Jiangdong is indeed very stable.
And it is prosperous.
Then there's the Sun clan. Let's not even talk about Sun Kuang's fate; he's still imprisoned. With Sun Ce in charge of Jiangdong and Sun Quan providing high-level assistance, no one with any sense would dare to suggest releasing Sun Kuang.
As for Sun Hao and his third uncle Sun Jing's branch of the family, they are all peacefully studying in their hometown of Fuchun, living the kind of life of wealthy idlers without a single soldier.
Qiao Jingjing truly preserved her peaceful life through her own hands and brain.
Sun Ce could never comprehend the turmoil and anxieties she had endured.
Fortunately, Sun Ce has matured and become more composed.
In addition to Qiao Jingjing repeatedly instructing Sun Ce and Sun Quan to be careful and cautious, not to travel alone, not to be alone, and not to give others an opportunity.
There were also Zhang Zhaoyu, Fan Zhanghong, Lu Su, and others.
Every one of them advised Sun Ce and his brothers: "A tall tree catches the wind, and it's hard to guard against hidden arrows."
And we must be wary!
Because there's a group of people who, even if they have no hatred towards you, will always think about killing you so they can take your place when they see your power growing stronger.
This is a survival rule that exists in the animal kingdom.
It's not a difficult concept to understand.
fine.
As Sun Ce watched his two daughters and son grow up, he changed many of his old habits.
It wasn't just because Qiao Jingjing kept nagging him.
Because he truly valued it, and also because reality wasn't as cruel to him as before, he no longer had to risk his life for his future.
He can gamble slowly and rhythmically.
But Sun Ce still faced the same two problems.
Jiangxia already belongs to Sun Ce. Further west of Jiangxia is Jingzhou, where Liu Biao is still alive.
Further north of Jiangdong lies Cao Cao.
Cao Cao had already defeated Yuan Shao, and obtained Yuan Shao's supplies, books, treasures, and many of his subordinates and troops.
It was only a matter of time before Cao Cao took advantage of the situation to eliminate Yuan Shao's sons, seize Ji and Qing provinces, and pacify the north.
At that time, Cao Cao's power would be even greater.
Just how strong is it? I can't even imagine.
Sun Ce often thought of the map Qiao Jingjing had drawn for him, depicting the trajectory of China from top to bottom.
If Cao Cao were to one day lead a large army south...
Even someone as brave as him, known as the Little Conqueror of Jiangdong, could he possibly resist Cao Cao with the natural barrier of the Yangtze River?
Sun Ce said, touching his conscience.
Disaster.
Even though he had brought peace and stability to Jiangdong for several years, and the people lived in peace and contentment, he still couldn't guarantee how many people in the six counties of Jiangdong around him would defect to Cao Cao when Cao Cao's power was at its peak.
Yes, there are many people in this world who are not steadfast pillars of stability.
He's just a fence-sitter, always switching sides.
He could eat no matter who he followed, so why would he risk his life?
Only those like Sun Ce and his second brother Zhongmou were destined for either victory or defeat.
A single battle can determine the victor between a king or a bandit.
Just like Yuan Shao's three stray dogs, Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang, and Yuan Xi.
Yuan Shang lacked ability. Although he inherited Yuan Shao's family business, he was still no match for his elder brother Yuan Tan and could only surrender to Cao Cao in the end.
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