My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

At the third quarter of midnight, all was quiet.

Lu Kang stood by the window of the secret room, gazing intently in the direction of Sun Jian's residence in the distance.

Behind him, Gu Yong, Zhang Yun, and Zhu Huan stood with their hands on their swords, their faces solemn.

"The time has come."

Lu Kang turned around, looked around at everyone, and said in a low but firm voice: "Pass down the order to light a fire as a signal."

"promise!"

Three rockets soared into the sky from the Lu family's backyard, drawing three dazzling arcs across the night sky.

In an instant, fires lit up in all directions throughout Wu County.

The Lu family's soldiers poured out of the alley and rushed straight to the city gate.

The Gu family's retainers controlled several key roads, while the Zhang and Zhu families' forces headed straight for the armory and granary.

Chaos erupted in the city, with shouts of battle filling the air.

Taishi Ci stood outside the city gate, watching the firelight rising from the city, a smile appearing on his lips.

He drew his sword and shouted sternly, "Brothers, follow me into the city!"

Three thousand elite cavalrymen surged into Wu County like a tidal wave.

Caught off guard, some of the defenders were disarmed while still asleep, while others offered little resistance before collapsing and fleeing.

In less than an hour, all four gates of Wu County fell into the hands of Taishi Ci.

Before the morning mist had even dissipated, the city of Wu was already in chaos.

Lu Kang stood on the city wall, looking at the massive army, his face calm as still water.

Behind him, Lu Xun stood with his hand on his sword, his young face full of tension.

Beneath the city walls, the private armies of the Lu, Gu, Zhang, and Zhu families, along with the imperial army brought by Taishi Ci, had already taken control of most of Wu County.

Sun Jian's garrison retreated to the inner city and put up a stubborn resistance.

"uncle!"

Lu Xun whispered, "General Taishi's men have breached the city gates, and Sun Jian's garrison has retreated into the governor's mansion, where they are putting up a final resistance."

Lu Kang nodded, his gaze distant: "Sun Jian is finished."

He turned to Lu Xun and asked, "Xun'er, do you know why Sun Jian was defeated?"

Lu Xun was taken aback and shook his head.

Lu Kang said, "Because he doesn't understand Jiangdong. The root of Jiangdong is not swords and spears, but aristocratic families. He thought that by killing Yu Ji and purging the aristocratic families, he could make everyone fear him. But he forgot that those who fear him will not truly submit to him, and only those who submit to him will risk their lives for him."

He paused, then said, "Ji Xuanyuan understood this principle, so he left a way out for the aristocratic families and hope for the common people. Sun Jian did not understand this, so he lost."

Lu Xun nodded thoughtfully.

Below the city, the shouts of battle gradually subsided.

Taishi Ci, dressed in white robes, rode up on horseback. He reined in his horse at the foot of the city wall and looked up at Lu Kang: "Lord Lu, Sun Jian has retreated into the governor's mansion and is putting up a stubborn resistance. I have already sent men to surround him and am waiting for your order."

Lu Kang clasped his hands in a fist and said, "General Taishi, you have worked hard. Please convey to the Prime Minister that the prominent families of Jiangdong are willing to die for the court."

Taishi Ci smiled slightly, clasped his hands in return, and said, "Lord Lu is of noble character; I will certainly report this to the Prime Minister."

He turned his horse around and led his troops straight to the governor's mansion.

Wu Commandery, the governor's office.

Sun Jian stood in the hall, covered in blood, with the Crimson Sky Sword in his hand, his face ashen.

All around, Han Dang, Zu Mao, Huang Gai, and Cheng Pu, along with several hundred personal guards, stood guard at the gate of the mansion.

Outside, Taishi Ci's men had completely surrounded the mansion, with shouts of battle, the sound of arrows, and the crashing of weapons filling the air.

"My lord!"

Han Dang rushed in, his face covered in blood: "We can't hold out! Taishi Ci's men are too many, and our brothers have suffered heavy casualties! Please, my lord, break through through the back door; I will cover the rear!"

Sun Jian gritted his teeth: "Break through? Break through where? Wu Commandery is lost, Kuaiji is lost, Danyang is lost too. Jiangdong, which I have built up over many years, is all gone overnight!"

Han Dang said urgently, "My lord! As long as we live, we can fight again! As long as you live, we will take it back sooner or later!"

Sun Jian remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

That smile contained bitterness, sorrow, and also a hint of inexplicable relief.

"Lord Yi".

He said softly, "Tell me, did I do something wrong?"

Han Dang was taken aback.

Sun Jian did not wait for his reply and turned to walk towards the back door.

He didn't turn around, but simply said, "Let's go to Lujiang, Ce'er is still there."

Outside Wu County, on the official road.

Sun Jian led several hundred remaining soldiers in a desperate breakout, rushing eastward.

Behind him, Taishi Ci's pursuers were hot on his heels.

Arrows rained down like locusts, and soldiers were constantly struck by arrows and fell from their horses.

Han Dang, Zu Mao, Huang Gai, and Cheng Pu fought desperately to cover Sun Jian's breakout.

"My lord! Run!" Zu Mao, despite being hit by several arrows, gritted his teeth and refused to retreat.

Sun Jian turned around and saw Zu Mao surrounded by pursuers. His heart ached, but he dared not stop. He knew that if he stopped, all the sacrifices would be in vain.

He galloped away on his horse, his tears flying in the wind.

Lujiang County, a border region.

Sun Jian finally shook off his pursuers, leaving him with only a hundred or so remaining soldiers.

He reined in his warhorse, panting heavily, his face ashen.

The old wound in my chest is aching faintly, and it flares up whenever it's cloudy or rainy.

At that moment, the pain was excruciating, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

"My lord!"

Huang Gai rode forward, his face full of worry: "Your injury..."

Sun Jian waved his hand and gritted his teeth, saying, "It's alright, let's go to Lujiang."

Before he could finish speaking, a deafening battle cry suddenly erupted from ahead!

From the forests on both sides, countless ambushers surged out like a tide!

Arrows rained down like locusts, instantly felling several remaining soldiers.

The leading general, clad in white robes and wielding a silver spear, was none other than Taishi Ci!

"Sun Wentai!"

Taishi Ci rode up on his horse, spear tip pointed directly at Sun Jian: "You can't escape!"

Sun Jian's expression changed drastically.

He realized that Taishi Ci wasn't unable to catch him, but rather deliberately let him go, waiting for him to walk into the ambush.

"Protect our lord!"

Huang Gai and Cheng Pu fought desperately, but were surrounded by ambushes and could not move an inch.

Sun Jian gritted his teeth, turned his horse, and fled.

But there were ambushes on all sides, so how could they escape?

An arrow pierced the air and struck him squarely in the back!

Sun Jian groaned and fell off his horse.

"My lord!"

Huang Gai's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He fought his way through the enemy lines and rushed to Sun Jian's side, helping him up.

Sun Jian's face was ashen, and blood gushed from the corner of his mouth.

He looked down at the arrow in his chest and suddenly smiled.

That smile contained resentment, anger, and a hint of relief.

"Lord Yi".

He whispered, "Tell Ce'er...don't...don't seek revenge..."

Huang Gai, tears streaming down his face, cried out, "My lord! Hold on! This humble general will lead you out of here!"

Sun Jian shook his head, his gaze gradually becoming unfocused.

He gazed at the sky, at that hazy expanse, and murmured, "This general..."

Before he could finish speaking, his hand slowly fell to his sides.

The Crimson Sky Sword slipped from his hand and landed on the ground with a crisp sound.

In the autumn of the third year of Jian'an, Sun Jian died in battle in Lujiang County at the age of forty-two.

Lujiang Commandery, Sun Ce's main camp.

When Sun Ce received news of his father's death, he was discussing military affairs with his subordinates.

After reading the letter, he was struck dumb, collapsed onto the couch, and turned ashen-faced.

"Father..." he murmured, tears silently streaming down his face.

Inside the tent, all the generals knelt down, their cries shaking the heavens.

Sun Ce knelt on the ground, holding his father's lost sword, the Crimson Sky Sword, tears streaming down his face.

He recalled how his father taught him to ride horses and shoot arrows, to teach him military strategy, and to teach him the principles of being a good person.

He recalled his father's boundless pride when he made a solemn oath with Ji Xuanyuan, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei in Luoyang.

He remembered his father's dying words to him: "Do not seek revenge."

Don't you want revenge?

Sun Ce gripped the Crimson Sky Sword tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, but no longer filled with tears.

"Pass down the order!"

He spoke, his voice hoarse but firm: "All troops assemble, prepare to break out."

The lieutenant was taken aback: "General, which way should we break out?"

Sun Ce looked north, his gaze icy: "Go to Yanzhou and seek refuge with Cao Cao."

Lujiang County, Cao Cao's army camp.

When Cao Cao received Sun Ce's letter requesting aid, he was playing chess with Xi Zhicai.

After reading the letter, he remained silent for a long time before handing it to Xi Zhicai.

"Zhicai, look! Sun Ce is coming to join me."

Xi Zhicai took the letter, read it once, and frowned slightly: "My lord, Sun Ce is the son of Sun Jian and has a blood feud with Ji Xuanyuan for killing his father. If he comes to join us, he must want to use your power to avenge his father. If you take him in, you will be making an enemy of Ji Xuanyuan."

Cao Cao stood up, walked to the map, and traced the map's outline with his finger: "Zhicai, do you think that if I don't take in Sun Ce, Ji Xuanyuan won't turn against me?"

Xi Zhicai was taken aback.

Cao Cao turned around, looked at him with a profound gaze: "Ji Xuanyuan's power is great, and he will march south sooner or later. If I want to protect myself, I must have sufficient strength. Sun Ce is brave and still has tens of thousands of remnants of his army. If I can subdue him, it will be like adding wings to a tiger. As for the revenge for my father's death..."

He paused, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "That's Sun Ce's grudge, not mine. I took him in not to make an enemy of Ji Xuanyuan, but to make him owe me a favor. If Ji Xuanyuan really marches south in the future, Sun Ce will be a bargaining chip for me."

Xi Zhicai pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded: "My lord is far-sighted, but... Sun Ce is an unruly man, and I'm afraid he won't be willing to be subordinate to anyone."

Cao Cao smiled slightly: "I don't expect him to be subordinate to anyone. What I want is for him to fight on the front lines for me. As for whether he will rebel in the future..."

He gazed into the distance: "That's a matter for later."

Several days later, in Changyi, Yanzhou.

Sun Ce led his remaining troops, traveling day and night, and finally arrived at Changyi.

Cao Cao personally went out of the city to greet him, took his hand and sighed, "Bo Fu, I am deeply saddened by what happened to your father. Please stay here in peace, I will certainly treat you well."

Sun Ce knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Lord Cao's great kindness is something I will never forget! I am willing to serve Lord Cao with utmost loyalty, and I only ask that Lord Cao help me avenge my family one day!"

Cao Cao helped him up and said gently, "Bo Fu, rest assured. Although I am not very talented, I know the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.' Ji Xuanyuan is powerful, and I will fight him to the death sooner or later. When that happens, it will be time for me to take revenge."

A look of gratitude flashed in Sun Ce's eyes, and he bowed deeply.

Shuntian, Tiance Prefecture.

Ji Xuanyuan sat in his study, with a secret report from Jiangdong spread out in front of him.

After reading it, he remained silent for a long time before handing the secret report to Guo Jia.

"Fengxiao, Sun Jian is dead."

Guo Jia took it, read it once, and nodded, saying, "With Sun Jian dead and Jiangdong pacified, it's time to deal with Sun Ce."

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head: "No rush. Sun Ce has surrendered to Cao Cao, so we can't touch him for now."

He stood up, walked to the map, and traced the location of Yanzhou with his finger: "Cao Cao's taking in Sun Ce is just adding another pawn to his game. If I were to attack Cao Cao now, Sun Ce would surely fight to the death. It would be better to put him aside for now and wait for the right opportunity to wipe him out in one fell swoop."

Guo Jia nodded: "My lord is right, so what's next..."

Ji Xuanyuan looked south, his gaze distant: "Next, it's time to deal with Liu Bei."