Chapter 127: Sun Ce Coughs Up Blood! [Subscription Requested]

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On horseback, Sun Ce felt a sharp pain seize his chest.

He felt as though his life had suddenly fallen into darkness. Only moments ago, he had been filled with lofty ambition; now, he was overwhelmed by grief. The change had come far too quickly.

Wu County was lost. His entire foundation was lost!

All the fruits of his years of effort had been reduced to ashes!

Why? Why had this happened?

Was Chu Feng not supposed to have returned to defend Shouchun?

“What of my mother and Sun Yi? Did they escape?” Sun Ce lowered his voice. His chest was already tight with suppressed fury as he forced the question out.

“My lord… the Dowager Lady took her own life. General Sun Yi died in battle. The entire Sun clan has been arrested. Their fate is unknown.” The soldier lowered his head, speaking in grief.

When the words fell, Sun Ce stood stunned.

He clenched his steel teeth and tightened his iron fists.

His mother was dead. Both his parents were gone. The Sun clan—the Sun clan was finished!

Rage surged through him.

With bloodshot eyes, Sun Ce threw back his head and roared, “Chu villain! Chu villain! I, Sun Ce, shall never coexist with you under the same sky! I will kill you!”

“Pfft!”

The instant he finished speaking, Sun Ce spat out a mouthful of blood. His entire body sagged, and he fell straight from his warhorse. Clearly, fury had overwhelmed his heart, and he had fainted.

“My lord! My lord!”

All the generals cried out in alarm.

Yet they, too, were lost. Their families were all in Wu County. With the county gone, where could they go?

Should they continue following Sun Ce? If Chu Feng used their families to threaten them, what were they to do? Establishing great deeds and a glorious career was important, but if their wives, children, and elderly parents were gone, what use would such achievements be?

Zhou Yu frowned, his brows drawn tightly together.

The loss of Wu County was fatal to the entire Sun clan. First, there would not be enough provisions for the army. Second, morale would become unstable. Even the various commanders were filled with unease and hesitated to remain loyal to Sun Ce.

The crucial question was: where could they go now?

At that thought, a cruel glint flashed through Zhou Yu’s eyes. Turning toward the soldier who had delivered the news, he said gently, “You have endured a hard journey. Someone, take this brother away to rest. Make certain he is well cared for.”

At his side, Zhou Yu’s guards nodded in understanding.

The guard glanced at the soldier and sighed inwardly. It was a pity that the news he carried was simply too important. If it spread, the army’s morale would collapse. The only choice was to make sure he never spoke again.

The generals exchanged hesitant looks. Zhou Yu clearly intended to seal the news, leaving everyone on edge, uncertain what he would do next.

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“Everyone, none of us wished to see Wu County attacked. However, our army’s morale must not collapse. We shall all await our lord’s awakening and his decision. Until then, no one is permitted to spread reckless rumors. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!”

Zhou Yu looked at the generals and spoke coldly.

The generals all nodded and cupped their fists, yet worry filled every heart.

—

After a long while, within the command tent.

Sun Ce slowly awoke, his expression dim and his body still weak.

“My lord, you are awake!” Zhou Yu stepped forward, looking at the dispirited Sun Ce with concern.

Sun Ce took a moment to recover before finally sitting up. The spirit and confidence he had shown before were gone, replaced by utter despondency. Turning toward the assembled generals, he said feebly:

“Everyone, you may leave. It is because of my incompetence that I have dragged you into this. Return to Wu County and submit to Chu Feng; otherwise, your wives and children will never know peace.”

At these words, the generals were bewildered.

They exchanged glances, uncertain how to respond.

“My lord, we have not yet given up. How can you abandon hope yourself?” Zhou Yu looked at the despondent Sun Ce, his heart breaking with anguish.

“Wu County is lost. Before long, the army will have no grain left. An army without provisions is doomed to defeat. Besides, their families are all settled in Wu County. Chu Feng will certainly use them as leverage.”

“If we continue fighting, there is no meaning left in it.” Sun Ce’s pupils were clouded. He seemed ready to abandon himself to despair. Once, he had been the Little Conqueror of Jiangdong; now, he had been reduced to a man whose family and home lay in ruins.

“My lord, a gentleman may wait ten years to avenge a wrong. Even if Chu Feng has seized your foundation, how can you give up?” Zhou Yu pressed him. “I have already ordered the news to be sealed.”

“Chu Feng has most likely blockaded the route south. However, west of Danyang, General Wu Jing still has grain in reserve. It is not far from here. My lord can keep this quiet and lead our forces there.”

Sun Ce shook his head and sighed. “There is no need. We are surrounded on every side. What use would it be to go there?”

“My lord, once we reach Danyang, we can take refuge with Cao Cao and join forces with him to seize Shouchun. Chu Feng will have to travel from Wu Commandery to Shouchun, and the journey will take him a long time. He will certainly be too late.”

“Besides, once Cao Cao learns that Chu Feng has occupied Wu Commandery and that you have placed yourself under his protection, he will do everything in his power to destroy Chu Feng. We can kill with a borrowed blade!”

Zhou Yu immediately presented his strategy.

At present, it was impossible for Sun Ce to establish himself independently. The handful of counties in Danyang could support only a few thousand soldiers at most. How could that force stand against Chu Feng? Their only option was to stake everything on a joint assault against Shouchun.

Gradually, clarity returned to Sun Ce’s eyes.

Kill with a borrowed blade?

He had already believed revenge was impossible. Yet Zhou Yu’s words rekindled his confidence. Though he would be living under another’s roof, he could still wait for an opportunity to avenge himself.

Cao Cao, in particular, was known for recruiting worthy men and making full use of talent. Liu Bei was merely a defeated general, yet Cao Cao had recommended him as Governor of Yu Province, appointed him General of the Left, and entrusted him with command of the army. That alone was proof enough.

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Liu Bei’s abilities were only ordinary, yet Cao Cao had still employed him generously. Sun Ce, who had never lost a battle, would surely not be overlooked. If he placed himself under Cao Cao’s command, he could certainly use Cao Cao’s power to attack Chu Feng and avenge his hatred.

At this thought, fighting spirit once again blazed in Sun Ce’s eyes.

His gaze burned as he looked toward the generals. In a deep voice, he said, “I shall follow Gongjin’s advice. We will go to Danyang and submit to Cao Cao. The loss of Wu County is my fault, and none of you are to blame.”

“If you are willing to follow me and submit to Cao Cao, I, Sun Ce, shall be endlessly grateful.”

“If you are worried about your wives and children and even wish to surrender to Chu Feng, I will not stop you. I ask only that, should we meet on the battlefield in the future, you remember the bond we share today and show me mercy.” Sun Ce’s expression was solemn.

He was frank and upright, a man who kept his word.

Besides, he was the one who had wronged these commanders.

They had risked their lives alongside him, yet in the end, they had gained nothing.

The generals exchanged glances, then all cupped their fists.

“We are willing to follow our lord!”

“There is no need to declare your intentions now. If, after careful consideration, you decide to leave, simply send word of when you intend to depart, and I shall see you off.” Sun Ce’s expression remained solemn.

He understood that some of these generals surely cared deeply for their wives, children, and elderly parents. Forcing them to abandon their families and follow him would serve no purpose.

And the reason they had declared their loyalty now was likely nothing more than fear that he would turn against them.

The generals looked at one another but said nothing.

Some of them truly were wavering. Sun Ce had treated them generously, but sooner or later Chu Feng would use their families as leverage. How could they simply stand by and watch?

“Very well. All of you, go and make your preparations.”

With that, the commanders of the various divisions withdrew one after another.

Zhou Yu remained behind. Once most of the others had left, he hurriedly said, “Bofu, how can you let them decide for themselves whether to stay or leave?”

“If they take their troops and flee, will that not throw the army into chaos—”

Before Zhou Yu could finish, Sun Ce raised a hand.

“Gongjin, I am the one who has wronged them. Since I have promised that they may leave, I will not go back on my word.”

Zhou Yu sighed softly.

At times, Sun Ce was simply too sentimental. If these commanders were allowed to leave, how could the army’s morale not collapse? By then, whether they could even assist Cao Cao would be uncertain.

“This subordinate takes his leave.” Zhou Yu cupped his fists.

He then strode away. He needed to consider Sun Ce’s future. Seeking refuge with Cao Cao was the only option left, but if there was any chance of establishing themselves independently, that would naturally be preferable.

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