The Three Kingdoms: I asked you to save Guan Yu, not to destroy Sun Quan.

Zhuge Ke did not stay at the manor for long. After collecting Gu Mu's body, he rushed to the Zhang family manor to report to the strategist Zhang Zhao.

On the day Zhang Zhao, Sun Shao, and other important officials were driven out of the city, they did not go to Jiangling to join Sun Quan, but instead gathered at Zhang Family Manor, preparing to seize Jianye City when the opportunity arose.

Zhuge Ke came to Gu Mu's rescue on Zhang Zhao's orders. Without Zhang Zhao's authorization, how could a young man who had just come of age possibly borrow troops from the greedy aristocratic clans?

Zhuge Ke rode a fast horse to the Zhang family manor and found that the strategist Zhang Zhao, the chief secretary Sun Shao, the advisor Zhang Wen, and other important figures were all there. He greeted them one by one and reported the situation.

Before Zhuge Ke could finish his report, Zhang Wen stood up in shock and asked incredulously, "What? Gu Mu is dead?"

Although Zhang Zhao and Sun Shao did not stand up, their faces were filled with shock, and their bodies even leaned forward slightly involuntarily.

To be honest, the Jiangdong gentry, including Zhang Zhao and Sun Shao, were not particularly opposed to Guan Yu's occupation of Jianye.

Because they didn't believe Guan Yu could stay in Jianye, this matter would eventually have to return to the negotiating table. At worst, they could return Jingzhou to Liu Bei and restore the Xiang River boundary.

Therefore, when Guan Xing attacked the Gu family manor, they did not take action, but only sent Zhuge Ke to try to drive them away.

In their view, Guan Xing might at most steal some money and grain, so what if he steals? They couldn't afford to offend Guan Yu over such a small matter and affect subsequent negotiations, could they?

But they never dreamed that Guan Xing would dare to kill Gu Mu. With Gu Mu dead, the nature of the matter changed.

Zhang Wen cursed excitedly, "Damn Guan Yu, what exactly does he want to do? Does he think he can annex the six counties of Jiangdong on his own?"

Zhang Zhao stroked his beard and calmly said, "Yuanxun (Zhuge Ke's courtesy name) will continue."

Zhuge Ke recounted everything he had seen and heard at the manor, as well as the information he had gathered from the villagers.

After hearing his story, the usually composed Zhang Zhao couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and angrily questioned, "What do you mean by taking up arms to actively defend one's legitimate rights? What do you mean by all rights belonging to the working people, and that those who do not work shall not eat? What is Guan Anguo trying to do?"

These words are so blasphemous, so heretical, so terrifying.

This is an attempt to overthrow the entire aristocratic class! Who does Guan Anguo think he is, Shang Yang or Wang Mang?

Sun Shao pondered, "It seems that Guan Yu wants to implement reforms in Jiangdong to win the hearts of the people and then annex the six counties of Jiangdong in one fell swoop. Damn Guan Yu, what a big ambition he has. Isn't he afraid of being overwhelmed by it?"

Zhang Wen said excitedly, "Gu Mu's death cannot be left like this. We must teach the Guan family father and son a lesson. Strategist, what do you suggest?"

Zhang Zhao was also enraged by Guan Xing's actions and said angrily, "I will write to Guan Yu right now and ask him if he intends to completely abandon peace talks and the Sun-Liu alliance?"

"Changxu (Sun Shao's courtesy name), Huishu (Zhang Wen's courtesy name), you two go to the Gu family manor immediately and contact the Gu family to hold a funeral for Gu Mu. The funeral must be grand. Invite all the gentry of Jiangdong to come and tell them that Gu Mu was murdered by the Guan family father and son. He died for the gentry and is a hero of our Jiangdong gentry."

"I will use this funeral to put pressure on Guan Yu. If Guan Yu compromises, we can talk again. If he doesn't compromise, I will take the opportunity of the funeral to form a coalition of gentry and wipe out that little bastard Guan Xing, so that Guan Yu will know the pain."

“Yes…” Sun Shao and Zhang Wen stood up, bowed, and went to make preparations.

Zhang Zhao continued, "Yuanxun, go to the countryside and find out the details of Guan Xing's grain distribution. Compile Guan Xing's words and actions and the villagers' reactions into a report for me. Remember, I need to know every word Guan Xing said to the villagers."

“Yes…” Zhuge Ke turned and strode away.

Zhang Zhao looked up, his eyes flashing with an unprecedented sharpness as he gazed at Guan Yu's retreating figure. He said in a chilling tone, "Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang, since you want to play, this old man will fight you."

Although he decided to put pressure on Guan Yu, he also knew that Guan Yu was not the type to compromise, and that a fierce battle between Jiangdong and Guan Yu was inevitable.

……

Jianye City.

Guan Yu has been under a lot of pressure lately, as he has to strengthen the city's defenses and train new soldiers. He really doesn't dare to rest for a moment.

That day, Guan Yu was teaching martial arts to new recruits on the training ground when Wang Fu rushed over and said, "My lord, something terrible has happened! The second young master has killed Gu Mu, along with more than two hundred of the village men."

Guan Yu replied dismissively, "Oh..."

This "oh" confused Wang Fu. What kind of reaction is this, my lord?

Back then, Guan Xing killed a child by running over with his horse, and you clamored to uphold justice even at the cost of family ties. Now that Guan Xing has not only slaughtered the entire Gu family manor, but also killed Gu Yong's second son, Gu Mu, how can you remain so calm?

Wang Fu asked, puzzled, "My lord, that is, after all, the second son of the Gu family. Shouldn't you be a little surprised?"

Guan Yu said speechlessly, "Guoshan, we're preparing for reforms, isn't killing Gu Mu perfectly normal?"

"What is reform? Isn't it just taking the wealth and land of the powerful and distributing it to the poor? If the powerful and wealthy are unwilling, won't it lead to a life-or-death struggle?"

"The reform will inevitably involve bloodshed. Gu Mu's death was only a matter of time, so there's no need to be alarmed. However, the Jiangdong gentry will certainly not let this go easily. Go and find out what the gentry are up to."

Wang Fu bowed and said, "I'll go right away."

Since Wu's army hadn't attacked yet, scouts could still leave the city and move around. Wang Fu dispatched a large number of scouts and quickly found out the details.

Returning to Guan Yu's side, Wang Fu bowed and said, "My lord, the scouts report that the Second Young Master held a public trial at the Gu Family Manor, killing all the manor servants who had oppressed the villagers in front of nearly ten thousand villagers, including Gu Mu."

"After killing people, he distributed all the grain in the manor to the villagers. This aroused the public outrage of the gentry. They clamored to hold a grand funeral for Gu Mu and turn him into a hero of the gentry."

"By the way, Zhang Zhao wrote you a letter inviting you to attend."

Zhang Zhao really dared to suggest sending Guan Yu to Gu Mu's funeral.

Guan Yu sneered, "If you believe me, I won't read it. Just throw it away. Wait, all the gentry have gone to Gu Mu's funeral. Will their own manors be empty now?"

Wang Fu's expression changed slightly, and he quickly asked, "What do you intend to do, my lord?"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "The gentry have hidden a considerable amount of grain and weapons in their manors. If we don't take these things, they will become weapons against us."

"Although there is plenty of grain in the city, there are also many people. No one thinks they have too much grain; the more the better, right?"

Wang Fu exclaimed in surprise, "I understand now. Your Excellency intends to take advantage of the gentry's absence while attending Gu Mu's funeral to launch a surprise attack on their manor and seize their grain and weapons?"

Guan Yu snorted coldly, "That's right. With the grain and supplies from the aristocratic manors, we can hold out for a few more months. The longer we hold out, the more time the King will have for his northern expedition."

"The battlefield is ever-changing. Holding out for even one more day can change the outcome of the battle, let alone several months. So we can't afford to waste such a good opportunity."

"You stay and guard Jianye City. I will personally lead the troops to attack the manor and bring back all the grain and supplies from the manor."

Wang Fu said urgently, "How can that be? I'll go and attack the city you're guarding Jianye."

Guan Yu shook his head and said, "No, time is limited. This operation must be swift. First, tell me which manor has the most grain?"