Chapter Ten: Return My One Thousand Jiangdong Troops

  The happiest days are always the shortest!

  Sun Ce's 'injury' has finally fully recovered. Wu Xing Quan is also gradually practiced to perfection. There is no more reason to delay any further.

  So everyone decided! Set off! Return to Shou Chun, go and see that famous Highway Old Man. Fortunately, it's just a highway, if it were a railway, wouldn't he be a born leader?

  Hua Tuo then went with Hua Wei, escorted by Cheng Pu and his men, to Jiangdu to meet Sun Ce's mother, Lady Wu. They would discuss the marriage arrangements before returning to join Sun Ce.

  Hua Tuo looked confident, it seemed that this old man really had a killer move to deal with Sun Ce's mother, I wonder what kind of trick it would be.

  Sun Ce couldn't help but feel a little curious. He asked Hua Tuo, who said he was keeping it a secret from this young man.

  After crossing the Yangtze River, they reluctantly bid farewell and went their separate ways.

  Five days later, after a hasty journey, Sun Ce and his men finally returned to Shouchun. This was a fairly important city during the late Han period.

  It has to be said that the cooperation between Sun Jian and Yuan Shu back then was perfect, with great strategic vision. Before Sun Jian's army marched into Luoyang, he had already killed Wang Rui, the governor of Jingzhou, and Zhang Zi, the governor of Nanyang, on the way, not only helping Yuan Shu to firmly occupy Nanyang County, which is the northernmost part of Jingzhou, but also almost bringing the entire Jingzhou into his sphere of influence.

  According to the Book of Later Han, Nanyang had 37 cities and 500,000 households, with a total population of over 2.4 million people. Whether it was agriculture, handicrafts or commerce, they were all very developed. It was the largest county in Eastern Han Dynasty. Next to Nanyang County, Ruyang also had 37 cities, with 400,000 households and 2.1 million people, making it the second-largest county after Nanyang.

  Yuan Shu himself occupied Nanyang, and Ru'nan was precisely the hometown of the Yuan family, becoming Yuan Shu's powerful backing without a doubt. Soon after his father went north, the new governor of Jingzhou, Liu Biao, petitioned to the emperor to let Yuan Shu take over as the governor of Nanyang with the title of General, and Yuan Shu also took the opportunity to petition for his father to become the governor of Yuzhou.

  So Sun Ce and others saw such a scene: the family of Yuan Shu was prominent, and in this chaotic world, he could be said to have obtained the heavenly timing; he was delighted to have his old father as the vanguard, and could be said to have someone to help him; spanning three states of Jing, Yu, and Yang, he could be said to have fully obtained geographical advantages. At that time, Yuan Shu had already gained momentum to compete with anyone in the world.

  At this time, the Eastern Han Dynasty was already on the verge of collapse. Only a hollow shell remained, waiting for that final gust of wind to blow it down.

  Sun Ce stood in front of the city gate, secretly sighing: "Fatty meat! Real rich and oily big fatty meat! But it was ruined by Yuan Shu, this prodigal son, in just a few years. By the time Yuan Shu died, this piece of fatty meat had been completely squeezed dry. Coupled with drought and famine, soldiers and civilians were freezing and starving, and people in Jiang and Huai were eating each other to death. The people are not living, this is truly 'the people are not living'!"

  The corruption of a ruler brings suffering to many people. He should be killed! Unfortunately, at present, he is poor and white, and does not have the power to replace Yuan Shu. Can only watch this fertile land being ravaged by this Han Dynasty's elite young master."

  What a pity! What a shame! How pathetic!

  Moreover, they now seem to be unable to enter the city gate. Just because they were wearing some tattered military uniforms, they couldn't help but be suspected and subjected to careful scrutiny. After Lv Fan's negotiation, the city gate guards finally agreed to let them in. It's really strange that this era also has a requirement for prohibiting those who are not dressed properly from entering!

  As soon as I entered the city gate, I felt that the atmosphere was not right. The streets on both sides of the entire city were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, a joyful and festive atmosphere, just like during a holiday.

  Sun Ce thought to himself, "It should be the end of April now, and there are still a few days until the Dragon Boat Festival. Why is it so festive? Has something joyful happened in Shouchun? Ah! In late April 192 AD, wasn't Dong Zhuo killed by his adopted son Lü Bu?"

  Sun He and others were hastily dispatched to ask passersby, and indeed it was so. Just yesterday, a fast horse brought news from Chang'an.

  On April 23, the treacherous Dong Zhuo was secretly plotted and killed by Wang Yun, Minister of Works, Shangshu Bishou Sun Rui, and Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo's adopted son. After Dong Zhuo's death, all civil and military officials in the court cheered for long life! The people of Chang'an were overjoyed, singing and dancing in the streets to celebrate the execution of the traitor.

  It is said that after Dong Zhuo's death, his body was exposed in the eastern market. The officer guarding the corpse inserted a burning torch into Dong Zhuo's navel, lighting up the sky lantern. Because Dong Zhuo was fat and thick-skinned, "the light shone brightly until dawn, as if it had been accumulating for days".

  Looking at the jubilant crowd, Sun Ce couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly. Dong Zhuo was dead, but the real chaotic era was about to begin. Did these celebrating civilians know that perhaps tomorrow, their property would be plundered, their families killed, and their homes destroyed? Whether it was by Yuan Shu or the rioting army.

  In a chaotic world, human life is indeed as cheap as grass! My current strength is too weak, and every time Sun Ce can only watch these, completely powerless!

  Sun Ce's chest was filled with indignation, and he really wanted to shout loudly towards the sky. He needed strength, great, sweeping away all the corrupt powers. Break this old cage, give these good people a truly happy and peaceful life.

  At this time, a team of guards came walking from the front of the road. It seemed to be the patrol team in the city. In the middle of the road, a leader-like person was sitting on horseback, lazily following the team. As they approached, it turned out that the one on horseback was Zhang Heng, the school lieutenant. Coincidentally, he shared the same name as the commander-in-chief of the Queue Army in the late Qing dynasty. But at this time, he was just a lieutenant-level military officer.

  But Sun Ce knew that he would soon be greatly promoted, having been the commander of Yuan Shu's guards. Moreover, he eventually became a great general. In the following years, it can be said that his official career was smooth and successful.

  When Sun Ce first came to Shouchun, among the people who had been close to his father that year, only he and Qiao Rui still cherished the friendship of old friends. They were relatively straightforward soldiers who took good care of him, and Sun Ce also had a good impression of them.

  Qiao Feng had heard that Sun Ce, in his first battle at Yangren, had defeated Hua Xiong three times. The first time he met him, he was also shocked and patted his left shoulder, saying: "Good! Good! Good! A hero emerges in his youth!"

  Zhang Yun also heavily patted Sun Ce's right shoulder and said: "Well done! A tiger father has no dog son!"

  He was so embarrassed that he almost blushed.

  Seeing Sun Ce and his group of people dressed as beggars standing by the road, Zhang Yun was about to come over to question them. Suddenly he saw Sun Ce and Lv Fan. He was shocked and exclaimed: "Zi Heng! Bo Fu, didn't you two go to Danyang to recruit soldiers together? What's going on with you two? How did you end up in such a sorry state?"

  Sun Ce and Lü Fan stepped forward, bowing their hands in greeting. Lü Fan replied, "General Zhang! It's hard to say it all in one word! On our way back with the new recruits, we were ambushed by the bandits of Zong County, and under the sudden attack, we almost suffered a complete defeat."

  Only by fighting our way out with our lives can we escape. We almost didn't make it back, and now the young master is going to report back to General Hou.

  Zhang Heng hastily said: "General Hou is currently in the mansion, I'll take you there."

  After finishing, he ordered his deputy to lead the soldiers to continue patrolling the city. He turned around and walked with them towards the General's Mansion in the city.

  Before long, everyone arrived in front of the magnificent General's Mansion. This was indeed the largest and best building in all of Shouchun City, truly a masterpiece with intricate carvings and grandeur.

  Zhang Xun went to report and came out after a while: "The general lets you go in to see him."

  Lowering his voice, he said to Sun Ce: "Now, General, you are in high spirits. If you have anything to say, just say it. And Yang Hong and the others are not here."

  She winked at him after finishing speaking.

  Sun Ce nodded slightly and thanked him lightly. It seemed that Yang Hong's attempt to stop Yuan Shu from returning his father's troops had also reached Zhang Yun's ears.

  Lü Fan and Sun He were informed and waited outside the mansion. Sun Ce then went with Zhang Yun to see Yuan Pu to report back on the situation.

  Walk through the gate and bypass the huge screen wall in front of the door. Walk along a carved flower corridor. After walking for a while, you will arrive at the general's mansion reception hall.

  Yuan Shu, the de facto ruler of both Yu and Yang provinces at present, the person Sun Ce has to rely on for now. He sat high up in his seat, leisurely sipping tea with a self-satisfied smile occasionally flashing across his obviously well-fed round face, seemingly lost in thought.

  Two or three attendants were waiting on either side. Seeing Sun Ce come in, he waved his hand and said, "You can go down first."

  He turned his head and said to me: "Bo Fu, aren't you going to Danyang? How did you end up like this?"

  "Uncle, I'm so miserable!" Thinking of the experiences of these days and the difficulties he was about to face, Sun Ce couldn't help but feel a surge of sorrow. He added fuel to the fire, pouring out his grievances to Yuan Shu in tears. Finally, he said: "Please, Uncle, for the sake of my late father, help me this time!"

  Yuan Shu listened to his lament, and thought to himself: "Bo Fu is indeed brave! But he's still too young and inexperienced. A little setback and he can't take it. It seems that he's not a man of great talent after all. Compared to his father, he's far inferior. Such a person, even if given an army, won't be able to achieve anything. That settles it."

  Yuan Shu asked Zhang Yun: "Zi Yuan, what do you think should be done?"

  "General, you are wise and powerful, you must have already made a clear decision!"

  He leaned in close to Yuan Shu's ear and whispered, "I remember that in the rear camp of the large camp in the north of the city, there are more than a thousand miscellaneous soldiers who were formerly under the command of the defeated general, managing grain supplies. For now, they have no other arrangements. We have many troops and generals, so we won't miss those few men, let's give them to Bo Fu."

  One thing can collect one's mind.

  There is also a story about General Yue Fei's defeat of the barbarian army.

  Three things are also the most important, can let the world know, the general is kind and tolerant of others. Not forgetting old friends, promoting newcomers. In this way, abandoning thousands of miscellaneous soldiers to make one arrow three eagles, is indeed what a wise lord does. The heroes of the world will hear about it, and they will surely come in droves to join him."

  Yuan Shu's face lit up with joy, nodding repeatedly, and then comforted me: "Bo Fu, don't be sad anymore, stop being so petty! It's just 500 new soldiers! Your father's old subordinates are not many here either, some have died, some have dispersed.

  The majority of the remaining troops were taken by your cousin Sun Ben to attack Jiujiang Zhou Ang, and now they have also gone to your uncle Wu Jing's place in Danyang. There are still about a thousand old soldiers left here. As it is still early, I will give Zhang Huan my token to take you to the barracks, and you can bring them back. This way, I will have fulfilled my obligation to the Wen Tai brothers. Alright, you all should go now!

  Sun Ce was delighted in his heart, but didn't dare show it on his face. He continued to pretend to be moved and spoke a lot of grateful words to Yuan Shu. Only then did he follow Zhang Yun out of the general's mansion and reunite with the crowd.

  Sun Ce grasped Zhang Yun's hand: "General Zhang, I'm deeply grateful for your assistance today. Thank you so much! If there's anything I can do for you in the future, I'll do my best to repay you!"

  Zhang Heng said with a smile: "These are trivial matters, just a trifle. Don't mind it, Bohu. Bohu, I have a very close relationship with Qiao Rui and your father."

  Alas, heaven does not favor heroes! I lament the early passing of Brother Wentai. For this, Qiao Rui and I once got drunk together! Before he left for the front lines, he entrusted me to take good care of you. Let's not say these unnecessary words anymore. I am willing to genuinely help you because I see that you will also be a great figure in the future. Come on, let's go to the northern city barracks.

  Sun Ce hastily said, "So be it! The two uncles' friendship will be forever remembered by Bo Zhou! Let's go!"

  "Ah! This is indeed a timely help in time of need! Only when you are in the most difficult situation, can you see who is willing to help you wholeheartedly without expecting anything in return. These people are the ones you should be most grateful for! Their help may not be great, but they have already done their best with what they have. Just this kind intention alone can make someone in a predicament feel endlessly grateful."

  Everyone understands the principle of seeing true feelings in adversity, but how many people can actually do it? Such a person should be firmly remembered in their heart, and when they have the ability one day, they must sincerely repay them.

  As for someone like Yang Hong, he's just doing his own thing. He can be considered loyal to Yuan Shu, and it's not wrong for him to attack me. However, unless he serves me, I'll take the opportunity to strike back at him. Hmph, I'm a man who distinguishes between gratitude and resentment!

  At last, Sun Ce and his anxious party arrived at the great camp in the north of the city. Zhang Yun took out Yuan Shu's order and made arrangements with the officer on duty in the camp. As he still had to be on guard, he took leave first.

  Sun Ce thanked him again and watched him leave before entering the military camp with the company of the school lieutenant.

  He finally saw it.

  That group of elite soldiers from Jiangdong who were almost invincible under their old leader.