Chapter 100: Zhou Yu Is Completely Stunned! [Please Subscribe]

“It is said that he has already been slain by Chu Feng!”

He Qi lowered his head, overwhelmed with shame, blaming only themselves for failing to see through Chu Feng’s stratagem.

“Quan... Quan’er is dead??”

Madam Wu, upon hearing this, suddenly felt the world go dark before her eyes and fainted outright, truly overwhelmed by grief and shock.

Zhang Zhao frowned deeply; this was indeed a disaster compounding another.

Zhu Zhi’s face also grew grave. With Sun Quan dead and Sun Ce yet to return, how could the Wu commandery possibly hold firm relying only on their faction?

“Quickly, seal off the city gates and imprison everyone who knows of this matter. Also, spread the rumor that Zhou Yu has arrived in Wuxi; otherwise, Wu County cannot be secured,” Zhu Zhi urged urgently.

“Understood!” the subordinate immediately responded.

“He Qi, Wu Zhong has no great generals yet, and Song Qian still needs to stay with me to defend the city. You must take your troops to Wuxi, guard against Chu Feng’s invasion, and wait quietly for Zhou Yu,” Zhu Zhi added hastily.

“Understood!” He Qi nodded.

At this moment, Zhu Zhi had no time to worry about the fate of his adopted son. Wu County was about to become the main battleground, and if they failed to suppress these powerful noble clans, Chu Feng could easily seize the entire Wu commandery.

———

West of Pilin, within a dense forest.

A scout returned with a report: “Commander, Pilin has fallen.”

“What? How is this possible? Zhu Zhi said Chu Feng’s forces number less than ten thousand; how could he take Pilin?” Zhou Yu’s handsome face showed shock.

But then it darkened.

He had arrived slightly later than Chu Feng expected, because he had been meticulous in managing his troops, knowing that Chu Feng’s army was exhausted from a long journey. Chu Feng was waiting in ambush, and Zhou Yu’s mission was to repel, not to win outright. Therefore, he advanced cautiously, preventing Chu Feng from cutting off reinforcements—a prudent strategy to secure victory.

Yet, who would have thought Pilin would fall?

“I don’t know for certain, but according to the local people, Chu Feng did not attack the city directly. It seemed that at night, the Chu camp’s fires burned fiercely, and faint sounds of shouting and killing could be heard,” the scout explained.

Zhou Yu fell into deep thought. He could not fathom how Chu Feng had taken Pilin, but he knew he had to act or the entire Wu commandery would be unsettled.

“Has the Chu army advanced to Wuxi after taking Pilin?” Zhou Yu asked gravely.

“Not yet.”

“That’s good. Send a messenger with my seal to Wu County, telling them I will advance to station at Wuxi to confront Chu Feng.” Zhou Yu furrowed his brow and commanded fiercely.

“Understood!” the messenger replied.

“Order all scouts to conduct thorough reconnaissance. The entire army will march swiftly to Wuxi to block Chu Feng.” Zhou Yu could no longer sit still; he had to be present in Wuxi.

His presence there was not only to intimidate Chu Feng but also to deter the noble families of Wu commandery. Otherwise, before Sun Ce’s army returned, these factions might capitulate to Chu Feng.

“Understood!” the officers responded.

Zhou Yu’s eyes were profound as he gazed into the distance. He had truly underestimated this Chu Feng, who time and again defied expectations, leaving him frustrated.

Now, face to face, he was eager to see what new tricks Chu Feng would play.

———

Second year of Jian’an, mid-March.

Chu Feng’s forces first took Dantu, then Pilin, advancing straight to Wu County. They even captured Sun Quan and Sun Shangxiang, forcing Sun Ce and Zhou Yu to hastily lead their troops back.

For a time, the warlords of the realm took notice.

Chu Feng’s name echoed through the land for the third time in less than a year. First, he destroyed the Zhong clan, earning widespread acclaim; then he defeated Xiahou and marched into Chen state, becoming a topic of admiration.

Now, his renown was louder than ever.

Coupled with his civil and military achievements, his respect for talent, and his prestigious status, countless hesitant families began to reconsider their allegiances.

Meanwhile, the noble clans of Wu County also received news but were unprepared when rumors spread that Zhou Yu had already led ten thousand troops to Wuxi to take command, with Sun Ce’s army approaching.

This completely suppressed the fierce ambitions burning within the noble families, forcing them to calm down and watch the situation unfold.

———

Late March.

Sun Ce finally led his army to arrive.

First, he ordered the troops to rest in Wuxi. He personally took his bodyguards and headed to Wu County, following Zhu Zhi’s advice that his presence was necessary to intimidate the various factions.

Outside Wu County.

Under the coordination of Zhang Zhao and Zhu Zhi, officials came forward to warmly welcome Sun Ce’s return—a clear message that Sun Ce was back, and everyone should behave.

The ceremonial entry into the city took considerable time.

Afterward, Sun Ce had no time to speak with Zhang Zhao or Zhu Zhi; he went straight to his residence, having heard that his younger brother’s fate was uncertain and that their mother was bedridden.

Soon, at the Wu residence.

Sun Ce strode in like a dragon and tiger, still clad in his battle armor, and upon reaching the inner courtyard, he called out from afar, his heart filled with worry.

“Mother, are you alright?”

He opened the door to find Xie Shi caring for Madam Wu, though tears marked her exquisite cheeks and her eyes were red from crying.

“Ce... Ce’er!” Madam Wu’s face was pale as she called out.

“Mother, I am sorry for coming late and causing you distress!” Sun Ce knelt on one knee by the bed, full of guilt.

“Ce’er, Quan’er and Xiangxiang...” Madam Wu could hardly speak without breaking down, tears streaming down her face once more.

“Mother, don’t worry. I’ve heard my younger brother and little sister were only captured by Chu Feng. I will find a way to rescue them and serve you at your bedside,” Sun Ce said firmly.

“If, unfortunately, they have been harmed by Chu Feng, I will tear Chu Feng to pieces and avenge them!” His voice was resolute and forceful.

His eyes even held a murderous intent, honed by years of battle.

“Ce’er, Chu Feng is brave and cunning. You must be careful!” Madam Wu’s voice was weak but earnest.

“Hmph, his bravery is no more than rumor within his own ranks. I want to meet him and show him who the true Little Overlord of Jiangdong is,” Sun Ce snorted coldly, clenching his fists.

He was supremely confident in his own strength. Among his generals, only Taishi Ci was his equal; the rest would fall within a few exchanges.

Moreover, Chu Feng’s troops were a motley crew, remnants left behind by Yuan Shu—he knew them well. Except for Ji Ling, the others were hardly formidable.

He did not believe Chu Feng had more than a dozen generals who could match his own.

“Ah, just be careful, my son,” Madam Wu sighed. Sun Quan had gone missing, and she did not want Sun Ce to take unnecessary risks. After all, who else could sustain the Sun family?

“Mother, rest assured. Chu Feng is insignificant; I regard him as a mere cur, and I will break him in an instant!” Sun Ce tried to comfort her.

“When will you set out?” Madam Wu asked, worry etched on her face. A mother’s concern is boundless, especially when her son goes to the battlefield, and the previous one’s fate remains unknown.

“I leave tonight. Chu Feng has entrenched himself in Wu commandery like a sword hanging overhead; I must eliminate him quickly,” Sun Ce said solemnly. If Wu County were stable, he would not have returned at all.

“Very well. Ce’er, you should attend to official matters now. Zhang Zhao, Zhu Zhi, and the others have worked hard. Don’t let these meritorious ministers feel neglected,” Madam Wu said with understanding.

“Understood!” Sun Ce nodded and withdrew.

Just as he was about to leave, Xie Shi rushed out anxiously, calling after him, “General, if Zhong Mou is still alive, please, General, save his life!”

Sun Ce only nodded in response and left without looking back.

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