002 Zhou Yu’s Decision

For reasons he could not explain, even though Zhou Yu had promised to investigate the cause of Sun Ce’s death, Su Ming’s heart remained deeply uneasy.

From the original host’s memories, the three of them were brothers in both name and sentiment, and Zhou Yu ought to be trustworthy. Still, after much thought, Su Ming decided he couldn’t place all his hopes on Zhou Yu alone.

With this in mind, he secretly penned a letter to Taishi Ci. In the letter, he detailed the events surrounding Sun Ce’s assassination, shared many of his own suspicions, and implored Taishi Ci to bring troops to aid him.

Once the letter was written, Su Ming dispatched his most trusted retainer to deliver it to Taishi Ci at the fastest possible pace. According to his memories, the original host had maintained a fair relationship with Taishi Ci in the army. Moreover, Taishi Ci was known for his upright and unyielding character, not someone easily bought by the aristocratic clans. Most importantly, in Jiangdong, only Sun Ce surpassed Taishi Ci in martial prowess.

If Taishi Ci agreed to help, Su Ming would have a powerful card to play.

To uncover the cause of Sun Ce’s death, it would be necessary to have a coroner examine the body. Su Ming knew perfectly well that if he were to propose this, it would certainly be rejected. This was Wu County, the stronghold of the local Jiangdong gentry. If Taishi Ci believed in him and brought troops to support, then, in the worst-case scenario, Su Ming could seize the body by force.

Of course, resorting to violence was the final, least desirable option. If Zhou Yu was able to make progress, that would be the best outcome.

“Third Brother, Third Brother,” Su Ming sighed, “I hope you won’t disappoint me, nor let our eldest brother down…”

Wu County. The Prefect’s Office.

Sun Ce’s coffin rested in the main hall of the offices. Throughout the day, many officials of Jiangdong came to pay their respects.

Zhou Yu arrived at the office. As soon as he stepped inside, his brow furrowed. The place was swarming with soldiers, most of whom were unfamiliar faces. By rights, even if Sun Ce’s coffin needed protection, it should have been guarded by his personal troops.

At first, Zhou Yu had been too absorbed in grief over his elder brother’s assassination to notice such details. But after Su Ming’s reminder, he began to see the oddities clearly.

Understanding the implications, Zhou Yu became more certain of Su Ming’s words. He hastened his steps, striding toward the coffin in the great hall.

“General!” the soldiers stationed around the hall called out as they saw him.

Zhou Yu’s reputation in Jiangdong was second only to Sun Ce’s. Even senior generals like Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Huang Gai, and Zu Mao were half a head below him in stature. A capable man would find a place for himself wherever he went.

Zhou Yu paused before the coffin, then waved at the soldiers in the courtyard. “All of you, leave. I wish to be alone with my brother for a while.”

The soldiers, however, were under strict orders from Sun Quan not to let anyone approach Sun Ce’s body alone. Their feet seemed rooted to the ground; none moved.

A cultured man seldom loses his temper, but when he does, it is all the more unsettling.

“I told you to leave—did you not hear me?” Zhou Yu’s eyes widened, and his tone was harsh. “Out!”

The squad leader at the front broke into a cold sweat as large as beans.

Caught between deities in battle, mortals always suffer. If they left, they would offend Sun Quan; if they stayed, they would offend Zhou Yu. Neither was someone they could afford to cross.

The squad leader saluted Zhou Yu, his face full of distress. “General Zhou, Second Young Master has given orders that no unauthorized personnel—”

“Sun Quan has not yet inherited the title of Marquis of Wu. What right does he have to command the troops?” Zhou Yu’s gaze was piercing, and he enunciated each word: “I now order you to leave at once. Did you not hear me?”

There was nothing wrong with Zhou Yu’s words. Before dying, Sun Ce had indeed left instructions for Sun Quan to inherit his title, but the ceremony had not yet been held. Sun Quan was not yet the Marquis of Wu, and thus had no authority over the troops.

With things made this clear, the squad leader dared not linger any longer. Helpless, he led his men out of the courtyard.

Once the troublesome witnesses had departed, Zhou Yu approached the coffin.

With a soft sound, he drew a short dagger, took out a water pouch, and gazed at the bloodless Sun Ce inside the coffin.

“Brother, I will take some of your blood and ask the coroner to examine it. If you were poisoned before you were stabbed, I will see justice done for you.”

But just as his blade was about to pierce Sun Ce’s body, a hand suddenly seized his wrist.

“Gongjin, what are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?” At Zhou Yu’s side appeared a young man with green eyes and a purple beard—it was none other than Sun Quan, styled Zhongmou.

Originally, Zhou Yu had intended to quietly take a sample of Sun Ce’s blood and have it examined. Now that Sun Quan had discovered him, he could only confront matters head-on.

Just as Zhou Yu was about to speak, Sun Quan released his grip and, in a grave tone, said, “Gongjin, I know what you intend. But sometimes, it is better for a man to remain in the dark. You, Zhou Gongjin, are a wise man.”

“Now, the realm is in chaos. The mighty contend—Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, tigers at each other’s throats, and Ma Teng, Zhang Lu, Liu Zhang, Liu Biao and others circle like wolves, waiting for a chance.”

“Do you not realize that if you make this cut, the Six Counties of Jiangdong will be lost? The foundation my father and brother built their whole lives will be destroyed.”

After these words, Zhou Yu’s dagger hung motionless in the air. There was no longer any need to ask the coroner for an autopsy. Sun Quan’s speech had all but confessed that Sun Ce had not been killed by assassins sent by Xu Gong, but had fallen victim to a power struggle within Jiangdong.

“Gongjin, the land is in turmoil. If we wish to maintain our foothold in Jiangdong, we must first secure the interests of the local gentry. My brother was too severe—he accepted their food, yet sought to break their pot…” Sun Quan spoke, his green eyes locked on Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu met his gaze, his fingers clenched tightly around the dagger. After a long silence, he spoke at last. “Were you involved in this?”

“No,” Sun Quan replied, meeting Zhou Yu’s eyes with apparent sincerity. “I only learned of it after the fact. Now, I have no choice but to work with them. My brother has just passed; we must keep Jiangdong stable, or the traitor Cao will seize it.”

“Gongjin, help me stabilize Jiangdong. One day, I will give you an answer for my brother’s death. Now is not the time to pursue this matter.”

“You, Zhou Gongjin, are a wise man. Is the brother in the coffin more important, or the millions of people in the Six Counties of Jiangdong? You must weigh this yourself.”

After hearing these words, the dagger slipped from Zhou Yu’s hand and clattered to the ground.