The news of Sun Quan scraping his bones to treat the poison spread quickly, causing a sensation in Jianye City and shocking the people. They could not believe that the usually elegant and humble Marquis Wu could have such a passionate and fierce side.
"The Marquis of Wu will surely be able to create another glory like the Little Overlord."
"Everyone in the Sun family is a hero."
"The Sun bloodline has awakened!"
"There are many talented men in Jiangdong, who knows if they will make a comeback!"
…
As the people talked about it, a children's rhyme was sung that night, praising Sun Quan for his talents in both civil and military affairs, and saying that the Sun family had revitalized Jiangdong and swept away the gloom of defeat in Huainan.
There was also joy in the Wu Hou Mansion. Mrs. Wu was in great spirits, and after taking Hua Tuo's medicine, she recovered.
In the bedroom, the Queen Mother dismissed the servants and said to Sun Quan: "I have ordered people to spread this matter in Jiangdong. Let's see who will talk nonsense about my son again in the future."
Sun Quan was filled with gratitude and stood up to pay his respects. "Although I am not your biological child, you have treated me like your own flesh and blood. I have been taken care of since I was young. Even a biological mother would be no better than this. I will remember your kindness in my heart. Even if there were no last words from you, I would serve you wholeheartedly."
The Queen Mother's expression dimmed slightly, and she sighed softly, "General Sun is a hero of the time, and my sister and I serve him. It's a pity that I didn't give birth to an heir, so I treat you as my own. Zhongmou said this, and I have no regrets in this life!"
Sun Quan asked, "Has Liu Qi made any moves recently since arriving in Jianye?"
Wu Guotai said with a smile: "Although this boy has received help from others, he is still just a dandy boy. He has been traveling around these days, playing on pleasure boats, entertaining guests, and writing a few sour poems, which have won the applause of the talented people in Jiangnan. He is in high spirits and has completely forgotten himself."
Sun Quan calmed down a bit and said, "It will be the Mid-Autumn Festival in a few days. My mother wants to keep him here for the festival and will return to Jingzhou after the festival. How can I persuade her to stay?"
Wu Guotai said: "Do you know why I chose Ganlu Temple as the venue for the banquet?"
Sun Quan said, "My late mother always went to Ganlu Temple to chant sutras and pray for my brother during festivals. Recently, state affairs have been busy, and I have not been there for two years. It must be that my mother made special arrangements."
Wu Guotai shook his head slightly and whispered, "It's not because of your brother, it's just because the terrain on the mountain is complicated, which is convenient for assassins to hide. If there is an accident, it is reasonable."
"What?" Sun Quan was horrified, and suddenly straightened his body, grimacing in pain, and said anxiously: "Mother, you must not do this. Zhang Fei and Pang Tong have already arrived in Jiangxia, and tens of thousands of soldiers are waiting covetously. They must be trying to find out Liu Qi's news at all times. If there is an accident, Jiangdong will be in danger!"
"How could I act so rashly?" Wu Guotai patted Sun Quan's arm and said, "This move is just to keep Liu Qi, and it will not harm his life. This is a plan to divert the trouble to the east."
Sun Quan frowned and asked in confusion, "What exactly did mother arrange?"
Wu Guotai smiled and said, "My son is injured and sick, so it is inevitable that his thoughts are confused and he cannot see the mystery: Liu Qi is my son-in-law in Jiangdong. The two families have been in harmony for a long time. Now that we are united in defeating Cao, how could they kill each other? Even if they have such intentions, they will never assassinate Liu Qi in Jiangdong. What's more, you and I are both here, so why would we limit ourselves to a dangerous place?"
Sun Quan was startled for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Mother, do you want to pin the assassination attempt on Cao Pi?"
"That's right!" Wu Guotai nodded and said, "In the past, your brother wanted to take Xuzhou when Yuan and Cao were at Guandu, but unfortunately he was assassinated in Dantu. The man who came claimed to be a retainer of Xu Gong and wanted to seek revenge. Could he really be Xu Gong's retainer?"
"Later, there were rumors that it was Cao Cao who sent assassins to do this. My fourth brother even sent people to secretly investigate the matter, but unfortunately, he fell ill before he could find any clues."
Whenever this matter was mentioned, Sun Quan's face looked unhappy. If he had not led his troops to launch a surprise attack on Guangling and was scared away by Chen Deng, Sun Ce would not have rushed to the front line right after pacifying Lujiang, and the accident would not have happened due to his hasty battle.
Sun Kuang, under the identity of Cao Ren's son-in-law, sent people to Xuchang many times to conduct secret investigations, but he never expected that they would die at a young age.
Wu Guotai sighed, "All the sons and daughters have suffered misfortune, but fortunately, God has not destroyed the Sun family, and Zhongmou has turned the tide and inherited the great cause. You must take care of your health in the future and never show off your abilities again."
"My son, I'll remember this!" Sun Quan saw that Wu Guotai had tears in her eyes, so he tried to comfort her. He then asked, "If we stab Liu Qi, he might rush back to Jingzhou to recuperate. Wouldn't that be counterproductive?"
Wu Guotai also calmed down and said, "Don't forget that Shangxiang is pregnant. If Liu Qi is assassinated, Shangxiang will be anxious. At that time, the fetus will be disturbed and she will have unbearable abdominal pain and will not be able to leave. At this time, my son can leave Liu Qi in the mansion to recuperate. With Hua Tuo taking care of him, they will feel relieved and put the blame on Cao Pi. Zhang Fei will definitely go to the Central Plains to fight for revenge, and the danger in Jiangdong will be solved."
"Mother, that's a good idea!" Sun Quan was delighted. If Zhang Fei retreated from Jiangxia, Sun Fu in Yuzhang would be able to seize the opportunity. He then said, "With Hua Tuo's ability, I'm afraid he can cure Liu Qi's injury in a month. What do you think?"
Wu Guotai laughed and said, "Zhongmou only remembers the state affairs, but forgets to care about Shangxiang. Shangxiang is already more than five months pregnant. If she delays for another two months, she will be in labor. How can she bear the pain of the boat? The first lady only gave birth to a daughter for Liu Qi. Liu Qi must value the child in Shangxiang's belly very much and keep her for another half a year."
"So that's how it is!" Sun Quan was more impressed by Wu Guotai's wisdom and said, "My mother has always helped me solve problems since I was young. If I were a boy, I would be many times better than Gongjin. I would have achieved great success in Jiangdong long ago!"
Wu Guotai was in a trance, and shook her head gently, saying, "I owed most of these strategies to your father. When he was away at the battlefield, and my sister was raising the children, I had no choice but to read books for entertainment. I occasionally read a book called Guiguzi, but I only knew the basics."
Sun Quan had read this book before, and he didn't think it was too surprising. Seeing that Wu Guotai had already made arrangements for the matter before the New Year, he heaved a sigh of relief and asked, "Do you want me to make arrangements for the assassination?"
Wu Guotai shook her head and said, "This matter is of great importance. It is best if you do not interfere. Although I have never interfered in government affairs, I have several confidants who are capable of handling this matter."
Sun Quan also knew that Sun Jian had arranged a group of trusted confidants for Wu Guotai a long time ago, including forty or fifty men and women, to take care of her and provide her with comprehensive protection. They were all trusted veterans of the Sun family and were trustworthy.
Seeing Sun Quan frowning, Wu Guotai advised: "My son's injury has not healed yet, so I will make more plans for you. You must rest assured to recover from your injury and take over the affairs of Jingzhou with all your heart."
Sun Quan nodded slightly, and suddenly remembered something, saying: "Yizhou Governor Liu Pan is Liu Qi's cousin, he is a tough guy, I am afraid he will not obey my orders."
Wu Guotai sneered, "I am just trying to make Liu Pan raise an army and establish himself, so that Guan and Zhang will be alienated. When Liu Qi hears the news, he will be so angry that he will vomit blood and die. This matter will have nothing to do with you and me."
Sun Quan was stunned and asked, "How did mother know that Liu Qi would vomit blood and die?"
"Anyone who is angry and frustrated is like this!" Wu Guotai told Sun Quan to rest and recuperate, and went to arrange the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
Sun Quan had not been lying down for long when he suddenly felt a little uneasy. Ever since the death of the Taifu, the Second Madam had often been giving advice, and the matter of Liu Qi was part of the overall plan. He felt like a chess piece, being manipulated by others in the game.
Thinking of this, he suddenly opened his eyes, and then shook his head fiercely. The old lady and he shared the same mind and were as close as family members. Everything she did was for the great cause of Jiangdong, and she would never harm him.