Chapter Thirteen: Zhou Yu, Whom I Haven't Seen in a Long Time

  Chen Wu was stunned: "Everyone is nice to me, and most are afraid of me."

  "It's hard for me to say this, but I'm actually quite good to everyone."

  Sun Ce smiled at him, until he lowered his head: "It seems that you also have some feelings, not bad. Everyone is afraid of you. And you are also very welcome by some people. Moreover, these are mostly when you and others 'cross swords', the ones who cheer the loudest on the side!"

  Chen Wu nodded involuntarily: "That's right. We're all happy when we're together."

  "Only you and those onlookers are happy! Have you ever thought about the feelings of the person you 'honed' your skills on? Just like at the beginning, I defeated you, and it was a fair fight."

  It's just one defeat in a 'sparring' match, and you still can't accept it. What about those brothers who are often 'sparred' by you? If I were to 'spar' with you once every day in front of everyone, how would you feel?

  "What you don't want for yourself, don't impose on others! Look at you lying there for half a day, and not even one person came to help you up. Do you still think you're right?"

  Chen Wu's face turned pale.

  Sun Ce continued: "If at that time, on the battlefield, in the midst of chaos, what consequences would there be, you should be able to imagine! Just like today, you will meet me, but you won't know if tomorrow you'll meet someone even stronger than me!"

  There is always a stronger opponent in the strong, you can't always win, one person can't defeat all enemies. Only with the help of many people can we truly achieve invincibility! I strongly support normal sparring, but after sparring, you should point out your opponent's shortcomings and sincerely help them improve together with you.

  Only with your true heart can you gain their true heart, that is the real brotherly love. I have great expectations for you, I hope you can become a general who is supported by the army and has the ability to build great achievements, rather than a martial artist who only knows how to fight, bully the weak, and make people fear. A person like that, I don't want either."

  Chen Wu's face flushed with excitement, and he knelt down to kowtow: "Young Master, Zi Lie was wrong! Zi Lie didn't read many books. In the past, these principles were hard to understand."

  I also know that my brothers, although they fear me, do not truly respect me. No one has ever spoken to me with sincerity, let alone having a true confidant among them. I have always found it strange that no matter how courteous I am towards them, the feeling just doesn't penetrate deep down.

  I couldn't understand how it could be like this. But Zi Lie had always heard that the old general and the crown prince loved their soldiers like sons, and used them like gods! The officers and men were all as close as brothers, so they never quite believed it, and joined the army just to see what it was like.

  "Now that he has received the teachings of the great prince, Zilei finally understands! From now on, Zilei is willing to follow the great prince as his master and spend his life following him, willing to work like a dog or horse. He only hopes to be able to often hear the great prince's teachings, so that he can become a true hero like the great prince, standing tall and proud."

  At this time, Lü Meng, who had been listening beside the gate, also came forward and knelt down: "Young Master, I am also often confused! Just now, after hearing Young Master's words, I understood a lot of truth. I am willing to follow Young Master too. Let us serve Young Master as our master, so that we can often hear Young Master's teachings. Young Master, please accept us two!"

  Sun Ce couldn't help but laugh and said: "Zi Ming, get up quickly. What are you coming here to join the commotion for?"

  Lü Meng raised his face and said, "In my family, I've always been pampered and loved. When I did something wrong or caused a big mess, my family would help me deal with the aftermath. Although they might scold or beat me sometimes, no one has ever taught me such profound lessons about being a person. I know that if I miss this opportunity with you, Young Master, I may not be able to achieve great things in this life. Please, Young Master, fulfill my wish to learn from you and move upwards!"

  Looking at the two excited faces in front of him, Sun Ce couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration: "Yes, these two are indeed talented individuals with a strong desire to improve. Their resolute character will enable them to better immerse themselves in their studies, as long as they have suitable guidance and support."

  Instead of drifting along like they are now, they will become pillars that can help hold up the sky of my ideals a few years earlier.

  Sun Ce nodded seriously, raised his hand to help them up: "Since that's the case, I'll temporarily take you two in. Just follow me, but you must be prepared and pay more hardships. Only by eating bitterness can one become a superior person! But remember, if you can't bear hardship, I will also abandon you at any time."

  "Thank you, sir! Zi Lie (Zi Ming) is not afraid of hardship!"

  Sun Ce glanced at them and said, "Alright! That's it for today. Zi Lie, you also go prepare, tomorrow we'll start training troops. You must remember, between people, there will never be unprovoked emotions, whether it's hatred or love."

  What you pay out is what you get. There will be no half-point error. As long as you can tolerate your subordinates, often show them kindness and justice, they will naturally have a good impression of you and eventually repay you! Brothers unite, their interests are cut off by gold! I hope you can train an ultra-strong army with one heart for me."

  "When brothers unite, their power can cut through metal! Well said, Your Excellency! Zi Lie, take note. I will not disappoint your expectations, Your Excellency!" With that, he bowed and left.

  At this time, the only ones left in the military account were Sun Ce and Lv Meng, who was anxious to scratch his ears. Sun Ce looked at him and asked, "Master, Brother Zi Lie has something to do, I don't know what I should do? Why not let them also divide some people for me, and I will go practice my troops!"

  Sun Ce glared at him: "Nonsense, do you think training soldiers is child's play? Soldiers are a matter of life and death. It concerns your life and the lives of your soldiers, the happiness of all soldiers' families, and even the prosperity and stability of a country."

  As a newcomer like you, who doesn't even understand the way of soldiers himself, how can he train and lead them? Look, which good general isn't studying military books and strategies whenever they have time off. You must remember, the art of war is not only acquired from actual combat, but more so from learning from others' experiences through books.

  One day, when you are leading an army on your own, you can avoid taking many detours. Go and get that book of General Han's military strategies from the table, stand at the door and read it once more before speaking. After you finish reading, I will test you."

  Lü Meng's face turned sour as he weakly asked: "My lord, I don't recognize the characters. Can I ask you?"

  "Go ask your senior brother Zi Lie, I will be very busy for the next few days. You can also go ask your sister's husband, as long as you are sincere in learning, I think whoever it is will be happy to teach you."

  Just as Lü Meng was about to leave, a guard came in and reported: "Report, Young Master, there are several people outside the main camp gate who claim to be your old friend Zhou Yu come to see you."

  Sun Ce was taken aback for a moment: "This Zhou Yu, I just got back and he's already here. What a coincidence, worthy of being my good friend and brother since childhood."

  It's really fate, this fateful person can be met anywhere. Since leaving Shu County with my father two years ago, I haven't seen him for a long time, and I really miss him! As soon as I think of him, he arrives. It's really telepathic!

  Sun Ce called out to Lü Meng, who hastily put down the military book in his hand and followed Sun Ce as he rushed towards the camp gate. When the two of them ran to the entrance of the large camp, they saw him among a few people wearing casual clothes at a glance.

  Tall and straight, at least 185 cm, with a handsome facial curve, not particularly dense eyebrows, set off by a pair of exceptionally bright eyes that seem to hold a deep pool of water, in combination with the high and straight nose bridge, making it look so visually pleasing.

  This is the second handsome man Sun Ce has seen besides himself. No wonder they say that birds of a feather flock together and people gather with their own kind.

  Without a doubt, the one who stood out among the crowd was Zhou Yu, Sun Ce's best brother for life. The closest relative who could give him the most important help at the beginning of his weakness.

  Sun Ce rushed in front of him. Without saying a word, he heavily hugged Zhou Yu and patted his back heavily.

  After embracing for a while, Sun Ce said: "Gong Jian, you're here!"

  "Bo Fu, I'm here."

  No more unnecessary words, no more redundant courtesy, no more hypocritical politeness towards ordinary people.

  This is the tacit understanding that the two have cultivated since they first met at the age of twelve. It gives people a feeling of unparalleled ease and closeness, as if they were two people copied from the same mold. Like having a spiritual connection, the two exchanged a smile, turned around at the same time, and walked towards the big camp together.

  At the same time Sun Ce was hugging Zhou Yu, in the general's mansion of Shouchun City. Yuan Pu was sitting in a large armchair in his study, holding a cup of fragrant tea that had just been served by an attendant and sipping it leisurely.

  On the ground in front of the desk, standing were several of his trusted subordinates, General Ji Ling and General Liu Xun. The long history Yang Hong, the main thin Yan Xiang, and another attendant standing beside Yuan Pu was Zhang Xun who had just returned from the military camp.

  Everyone has arrived, let's discuss the recent events. The other day, an urgent report from Chang'an said that Dong bandit was killed by Wang and others, which is considered as avenging a deep blood feud for my Yuan family! It's really delightful. I have ordered the whole city to celebrate for three days.

  Everyone congratulated in unison.

  Yuan Shu continued, "Now that Chang'an has been pacified. I worry about what will happen next, whether Wang and others will clean up the imperial court and take back military power from the regions. What do you all think, where should we go from here?"

  The following people looked at each other. Yang Hong stepped forward and said, "General, don't worry. Now the emperor is young and cannot rule in person, and many of the powers in the court have fallen into the hands of various officials. They are still busy fighting for power and profit on the court, how can they dare to easily offend the outer vassals who have heavy troops?"

  "Even if they want to make a move, they need to have the actual power to do so. But looking at the current imperial court, even with all the patchwork, there are only tens of thousands of soldiers, and the generals are just a handful of people like Lü Bu, which is barely enough for self-preservation, let alone sending troops to conquer the world. I think their next step should be to fight for actual power within, and form alliances with powerful warlords outside."

  "The general only needs to sit and guard Yu, Yang, and two states. With a strong army in hand, he can gaze at Jingzhou and Xuzhou, waiting for the opportunity to swallow them up. In this way, the general will possess the fertile land of the world, with a strong army and abundant food. Then, by borrowing the name of the four generations of three dukes, he can widely gather the hearts of scholars from all over the world. As for the rest, just wait patiently for the opportunity, and when the opportunity comes, why worry that the general's hegemony will not be established."

  Yuan Shu laughed with satisfaction: "Haha... Ah! Zhang Shao's words are very reasonable. Looking at the world today, we have the largest territory under heaven, the most soldiers, the most abundant grain and fodder, and the richest people.

  It's just a matter of waiting for the right moment now. Alright, alright! After saying that, I can rest assured, it's just that everyone still needs to work hard! Haha.

  The following people responded in unison: "We respectfully wish for the early completion of your great cause, sir! We are willing to die for your great cause and will not refuse!"

  Yuan Shu laughed complacently for a while, then continued: "Gongsun Yangyu sent a letter the other day, saying 'My brother's death was all caused by Yuan Shao'. He wants to avenge Gongsun Yue's death on Yuan Shao. Now he has already dispatched troops to Ping River and obtained the assistance of his cousin Gongsun Fan, with the help of Bohai soldiers, and swept away the remnants of the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou and Xuzhou.

  "Now he is getting stronger by the day, waiting for us and Tao Gongzu to join forces and attack Yuan Shao and Cao Cao together. You discuss it and see what's better, whether to send troops or wait for an opportunity."