Chapter 38: Target Of The Multitude
The next morning, Sun Ce received his elder brother Sun Ben.
Sun Ben earnestly advised, “Bofu, although you are the lord of Jiangdong, Jiangdong does not belong to you alone. You should consider everyone’s opinions and not act arbitrarily. Everyone opposes the Northern Expedition for a reason. We do not have that much strength yet and are not qualified to contend for the world. Even Lu Bu, who had the world’s finest cavalry, was annihilated by Cao Cao. Although Eastern Wu has fifty to sixty thousand elite soldiers, we only have a little over a thousand cavalry. Can we contend against Cao Cao’s army of over a hundred thousand?”
Founding a base is difficult, but defending it is even harder. It was not easy for us to accumulate this family estate. Zhang Zhao is right. We should accumulate strength and wait for the right moment, rather than squandering this family estate. Bofu, listen to your elder brother’s advice and stop. It is not too late now.”
Sun Ce shook his head, however. “A family estate cannot be preserved merely by a defensive strategy. Liu Yao employed a defensive strategy—did he preserve his family estate? Liu Xun was also very cautious—what is his situation now?
It is like rowing against the current: not advancing means retreating. If Cao Cao were one to employ a defensive strategy, why did he still strike Lu Bu, annihilate Yuan Shu, and attack Zhang Xiu? Any lord with ambition should pursue an aggressive strategy and seize every opportunity available. Even Gan Ning knows to seize every opportunity to strengthen himself. Elder brother, if you had even a little aggressive spirit, Gan Ning would have been annihilated long ago, and I would not have nearly died at his hands. Elder brother, do not advise me anymore. I have made up my mind.”
Sun Ben was truly ashamed. “The matter with Gan Ning was my inadequate response. I apologize to you!”
Sun Ce said indifferently, “I understand elder brother’s position. Gan Ning was promoted by Cao Cao, so elder brother had to give Cao Cao face and thus I had to personally annihilate him.”
Sun Ce’s words pierced Sun Ben’s heart like a needle. Sun Ben immediately flushed red with shame. Sun Ce’s words were tantamount to exposing the true reason Sun Ben opposed the Northern Expedition: because he had connections with Cao Cao.
Sun Ben was silent for a moment, exchanged an imperceptible glance with Sun Quan beside him, then rose and withdrew.
At this time, his second brother Sun Quan, sitting to the side, said softly, “Elder brother, saying that about elder brother—is that a bit too much?”
Sun Ce shook his head. “Our elder brother is too selfish. You do not understand him at all. Back then, it was he who refused to return father’s army to me, forcing me to pawn the Imperial Seal to Yuan Shu to borrow three thousand troops.
The reason he finally acknowledged me was that he was badly defeated by Liu Yao, losing almost all his army. I then defeated Liu Yao and recaptured the army. With no choice, he was forced to acknowledge me as lord.
But I know he has never been convinced deep down and has secretly been in contact with Cao Cao, hoping Cao Cao would support him to replace me. He secretly sent Sun Fu to Xuchang, thinking I did not know?”
Sun Quan hesitated and said, “Perhaps he sent Sun Fu to discuss the matter of his daughter’s marriage.”
Sun Ce sneered, “Even if that is the case!”
Sun Quan said softly again, “But I also think Zhang Zhao has a point. We should accumulate strength and wait for the right moment, build up our strength, and set our strategy on capturing Jing, Yi, and Jiao provinces to unify the South, rather than rushing to the Northern Expedition.”
Sun Ce said displeased, “Even you oppose the Northern Expedition?”
Sun Quan nodded. “I do indeed oppose the Northern Expedition, but I do so out of public principle, without selfish motives.”
Sun Ce sighed and patted his brother’s shoulder. “As long as there is no selfishness, that is good. Go! I will not blame you.”
“Elder brother….”
“Go!” Sun Ce gave Sun Quan no further chance to advise.
Sun Quan was utterly helpless and could only bow and take his leave.
Sun Ce stood with hands behind his back by the window, feeling an indescribable loneliness in his heart.
In the end, surprisingly only Zhou Yu and Taishi Ci supported his Northern Expedition. Even Madam Sun’s brothers were not of one mind with him.
North of Wu County stood a large mansion occupying dozens of mu. This was the residence of the Lu Family, the foremost noble family of Wu Commandery.
Since Patriarch Lu Kang died in Lujiang Commandery, the Lu Family was currently managed by Lu Kang’s elder brother Lu Yu.
In the inner hall, Lu Yu sat on the couch, listening to his grandson Lu Xun’s report on the western journey. Lu Xun’s father Lu Jun had also died in the Battle of Lujiang.
That year, Sun Ce, under orders from Yuan Shu, attacked Lujiang Commandery. The prefect of Lujiang Commandery was precisely Lu Kang. The army besieged Wan County for a year, with countless soldiers and citizens of Wan County killed in battle and innumerable Lu Family members dead or wounded, including Lu Xun’s father Lu Jun, who died in the defense of the city.
Wan County was captured, and Lu Kang died of grief and indignation. From then on, the Lu Family harbored a deep enmity with Sun Ce.
Thus, under Sun Ce’s rule, not a single member of the Lu Family served him.
Although Lu Xun had a kill-father enmity with Sun Ce, he had a good relationship with Sun Quan. There was also Gu Shao. The three were of similar age, fellow students, and had very deep friendship.
Lu Xun was seventeen this year and had finished studying at the county school. Two months ago, he had traveled with his friend Gu Shao to Lujiang Commandery and Yuzhang Commandery, on one hand to pay respects at his father’s cenotaph, and on the other to broaden his knowledge.
“Grandfather, we went as far as Xunyang County in Lujiang Commandery, only to discover it was unexpectedly Gan Ning’s base. The great banners on the city wall also bore the character ‘Gan’. We were truly puzzled. Since Sun Ce captured Lujiang Commandery, how did he miss Xunyang County?”
Lu Yu snorted. “His mind has already flown to Xuchang—how could he pay attention to a small Xunyang County? Never mind it. Tell me more about Chaisang. What of that Gan Ning?”
“Reporting to Grandfather, Chaisang’s commerce is very prosperous, and the citizens live peacefully and happily. The dock by the Yangtze River is very large. Gan Ning has also built many warehouses. Your grandson was not very concerned with these. Your grandson specially went to the barracks and circled the perimeter. The barracks were very clean and orderly, neat and disciplined.
Additionally, there was a detail: there was not a single vendor stall opposite the barracks gate. I specially asked about it. Gan Ning runs a strict military. On rest days, soldiers may go into the streets, but normally soldiers cannot leave the barracks even one step. The surrounding citizens are also very satisfied, with no incidents of soldiers harassing citizens.
From these details, it can be seen that this Gan Ning is indeed a remarkable person who also values reputation. If he had not been annihilated by Sun Ce, your grandson believes he would have made great further progress.”
Lu Yu nodded lightly. “One who can command Lu Zijing’s loyalty is certainly no mediocrity. Grandfather suggests you go to Yuzhang Commandery to continue your advanced studies. That way, you will have the opportunity to keep an eye on this Gan Ning.”
“Does Grandfather mean for your grandson to serve Gan Ning?”
“Not necessarily. It depends on Gan Ning’s future development. But one thing is certain: our Lu Family absolutely cannot hang itself on a single rope.”
“Your grandson understands!”
Lu Xun bowed and withdrew.
At this time, Lu Yu’s nephew Lu Ji said from the doorway, “Patriarch, Uncle Gu has come with important matters!”
“Quickly invite him in!”
Lu Yu hurriedly rose and went to the courtyard gate to receive the Gu Family patriarch.
Gu Xiang was the patriarch of the renowned Gu Family of Wu Commandery. Gu Xiang had long served as magistrate of Wu County, and his son was Gu Yong.
Soon, Gu Xiang, led by Lu Ji, strode in and bowed to Lu Yu, who had come out to receive him, at the courtyard gate. “I am disturbing you, younger brother!”
“Elder brother need not stand on ceremony. Please come in!”
The two entered the inner hall and sat down. Lu Yu had maidservants serve tea. Gu Xiang gave Lu Yu a look, and Lu Yu understood, waving his hand to dismiss the maidservants and Lu Ji.
With only Gu Xiang and Lu Yu left in the inner hall, Gu Xiang then lowered his voice and said, “Sun Ben just told me that Sun Ce, disregarding everyone’s opposition, has decided on the Northern Expedition.”
Lu Yu was furious. “Are the sons of Jiangdong to be his stepping stones? With him acting so arbitrarily, if he suffers a disastrous defeat and returns, how many families will be shattered? Jiangdong’s money and grain supply his Northern Expedition, yet in the end the northern aristocracy reaps the benefits. He never considers the interests of us Jiangdong aristocracy!”
“Everyone is very disappointed in him. Even his elder brother Sun Ben believes Sun Ce is no longer suitable to lead Jiangdong. Many officials think that if we change to a new lord, things might be better.”
“Is there any plan?”
Gu Xiang took out a secret resolution document and handed it to Lu Yu. “Younger brother, take a look. If the Lu Family supports it, just state so directly. If not, please keep it strictly confidential.”
Lu Yu quickly finished reading the secret resolution and asked, “Do I need to sign it?”
Gu Xiang shook his head. “An oral statement is enough—no need to sign!”
Lu Yu read the resolution carefully once more, then slowly said, “I represent the Lu Family of Eastern Wu in fully supporting this resolution!”
In the afternoon, Great General Chen Wu returned to his manor worried and distraught. These past two days, his mother’s condition had worsened severely, leaving him unable to eat or sleep. He had invited the renowned physician Wang Ming to treat her. Physician Wang said it was due to long-term deficiency, but there was hope for recovery if some precious medicines were used.
The most crucial was a thousand-year-old ginseng, which left him frantic. He had searched every apothecary in Wu County, finding at most century-old ginseng. Many apothecaries had never even seen thousand-year-old ginseng—where could he find it?
Seeing his mother’s condition worsening, Chen Wu was near despair.
He had just entered the door when his wife ran up joyfully. “Husband, Mother is saved!”
Chen Wu was stunned. “What happened?”
His wife said excitedly, “The Second Young Master sent someone with a thousand-year-old ginseng. Now Mother is saved!”
“Ah!”
Chen Wu rushed to the inner hall, where a brocade box sat on the table. Opening it revealed a thick ginseng root, its thousand years etched deeply into every wrinkle of the tendrils.
Chen Wu’s nose stung with emotion. He knelt and kowtowed three times heavily. “The Second Young Master’s life-saving grace—Chen Wu will remember it forever!”
