As Zhang Fei drew his sword to cut his own throat, Xuande rushed forward and seized him, throwing the blade to the ground. "The ancients said," Liu Bei declared, "'Brothers are like limbs; a wife is like a garment. When a garment tears, it can be mended; but when a limb is severed, how can it be rejoined?' We three swore an oath in the Peach Garden—not to be born on the same day, but to die on the same day. Though we have lost our city and our families, how could I bear to see a brother die before his time? Moreover, this city was never truly ours; and though our households are captured, Lü Bu will not harm them. We can still devise a plan to rescue them. My worthy brother, this was a momentary error—why must you leap to throw away your life?" Having spoken, he wept bitterly. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were both moved to tears.
Now, Yuan Shu learned that Lü Bu had seized Xuzhou and immediately sent a messenger to Lü Bu by forced march, promising fifty thousand bushels of grain, five hundred horses, ten thousand ounces of silver, and a thousand bolts of silk, on the condition that he would launch a pincer attack on Liu Bei. Lü Bu was delighted and ordered Gao Shun to lead fifty thousand troops to strike at Xuande's rear. When Xuande received this news, he took advantage of a heavy rainstorm to break camp, abandoning Xuyi and marching east, intending to attack Guangling. By the time Gao Shun's army arrived, Xuande had already departed. Gao Shun then met with Ji Ling and demanded the promised goods. Ji Ling replied, "General, please return to your camp for now. Allow me to see my lord and discuss this matter." Gao Shun parted from Ji Ling and returned to his camp, reporting Ji Ling's words to Lü Bu. As Lü Bu hesitated, a letter suddenly arrived from Yuan Shu. The letter's meaning was: "Though Gao Shun has come, Liu Bei has not yet been eliminated. Wait until Liu Bei is captured; then the promised goods will be delivered." Lü Bu flew into a rage, cursing Yuan Shu for breaking his word, and wanted to raise an army to attack him. Chen Gong advised, "This cannot be done. Yuan Shu holds Shouchun, with vast troops and abundant grain; he cannot be taken lightly. Instead, we should invite Xuande to return and garrison at Xiaopei, making him our ally and shield. Later, let Xuande serve as our vanguard. We will first take Yuan Shu, then Yuan Shao, and then we can roam the realm unchecked." Lü Bu heeded his words and sent a man with a letter to welcome Xuande back.
Xuande, meanwhile, had led his army east to attack Guangling, but Yuan Shu ambushed his camp, destroying more than half of his forces. On his return, he happened to meet Lü Bu's envoy, who presented the letter. Xuande was overjoyed. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei said, "Lü Bu is a man without honor; he cannot be trusted." Xuande replied, "He has treated me with kindness—why should I doubt him?" So he went to Xuzhou. Fearing Xuande might be suspicious, Lü Bu first sent back his family. Lady Gan and Lady Mi, upon seeing Xuande, recounted how Lü Bu had stationed soldiers at the gates to forbid anyone from entering, yet had constantly sent his concubines with gifts, never neglecting them. Xuande said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "I knew Lü Bu would not harm my family." He then entered the city to thank Lü Bu. Zhang Fei, still hating Lü Bu, refused to accompany him and instead escorted the two sisters-in-law to Xiaopei. Xuande entered, saw Lü Bu, and bowed in thanks. Lü Bu said, "I did not intend to seize your city. It was just that your younger brother Zhang Fei, drunk and violent, was killing people here. I feared trouble, so I came to keep order." Xuande replied, "I have long wished to yield the city to you, elder brother." Lü Bu feigned politeness, still offering the city back to Xuande. Xuande firmly declined and returned to garrison at Xiaopei. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were indignant. Xuande said, "We must bow our heads and bide our time, waiting for Heaven's moment. One cannot struggle against fate." Lü Bu sent grain, rice, and silk. Thus, the two families were reconciled, and for now, no more was said of this matter.
Now, Yuan Shu was feasting his officers and men in Shouchun when a report arrived that Sun Ce had attacked and defeated Lu Kang, the Grand Administrator of Lujiang, and was returning victorious. Yuan Shu summoned Sun Ce, who knelt in the hall. After inquiring about his labors and offering comfort, Yuan Shu had him sit and join the feast. It should be known that after his father's death, Sun Ce had retreated to the south of the Yangtze River, treating worthy men with courtesy. Later, due to a conflict between Tao Qian and Sun Ce's maternal uncle, Wu Jing, the Grand Administrator of Danyang, Sun Ce moved his mother and family to Qu'a and went to serve Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu was very fond of him and often sighed, "If I had a son like Sun Ce, I could die without regret!" He appointed Sun Ce as Colonel of the Huaiyi and sent him to attack the great chieftain Zu Lang at Jing County, where he was victorious. Seeing Sun Ce's bravery, Yuan Shu sent him to attack Lu Kang, and he returned victorious again.
When the feast ended that day, Sun Ce returned to his camp. Seeing the haughty manner in which Yuan Shu had treated him at the table, he felt bitter at heart. Walking in the moonlight in his courtyard, he thought of his father Sun Jian, so heroic, and how he himself had fallen to such a low state. Unable to contain himself, he broke down and wept. Suddenly, a man entered from outside, laughing loudly, "Bofu, why are you like this? When your honored father was alive, he often employed me. You have unresolved matters—why not ask me, instead of weeping alone?" Sun Ce looked at him. It was Zhu Zhi, styled Junli, a native of Guzhang in Danyang, a former aide to Sun Jian. Sun Ce dried his tears and invited him to sit, saying, "I weep because I regret that I cannot carry on my father's ambition." Zhu Zhi said, "Why not ask Yuan Shu for troops, under the pretext of rescuing Wu Jing, but in truth to establish a great enterprise in Jiangdong? Why remain trapped under another man's thumb forever?" As they were discussing this, another man suddenly entered, saying, "I know full well what you are plotting. I have a hundred elite men under my command, ready to lend Bofu a hand." Sun Ce looked at him. It was Lü Fan, styled Ziheng, a native of Xiyang in Runan, and a strategist in Yuan Shu's service. Sun Ce was overjoyed and invited him to sit and discuss the matter. Lü Fan said, "I only fear Yuan Shu will not lend you troops." Sun Ce replied, "I have the Imperial Jade Seal, left by my late father, to offer as a pledge." Lü Fan said, "He has coveted that seal for a long time!
With it as a pledge, he will surely agree to send troops." The three settled their plan. The next day, Sun Ce entered to see Yuan Shu, weeping and bowing, "I cannot avenge my father's death. Now my maternal uncle, Wu Jing, is being pressed by Liu Yao, the Provincial Inspector of Yangzhou. My aged mother and family are all in Qu'a and will surely be harmed. I dare to borrow several thousand of your elite troops to cross the river, rescue them, and visit my family. I fear you may not trust me, so I have my late father's Imperial Jade Seal as a temporary pledge." When Yuan Shu heard of the seal, he took it, examined it, and was overjoyed. "I do not want your seal," he said, "but I will keep it here for now. I will lend you three thousand troops and five hundred horses. After you have pacified the region, return quickly. Your rank is low, and you cannot hold great authority. I will recommend you as Colonel of the Zhechong and General Who Destroys Bandits. Choose a day and lead your army forth." Sun Ce bowed in thanks, then led his forces, bringing Zhu Zhi, Lü Fan, and his father's old generals Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang, and set out on the chosen day.
As they marched to Liyang, they saw an army approaching. At the front of the column was a man of elegant bearing and handsome appearance. Seeing Sun Ce, he dismounted and bowed. Sun Ce recognized him as Zhou Yu, styled Gongjin, a native of Shucheng in Lujiang. It should be known that when Sun Jian was campaigning against Dong Zhuo, he had moved his family to Shucheng. Zhou Yu was the same age as Sun Ce, and their friendship was very close; they had sworn brotherhood. Sun Ce was two months older, and Zhou Yu treated him as an elder brother. Zhou Yu's uncle, Zhou Shang, was the Grand Administrator of Danyang. Zhou Yu was on his way to visit him and met Sun Ce here. Sun Ce was overjoyed and poured out his heart to him. Zhou Yu said, "I am willing to offer my humble service to help you achieve your great enterprise." Sun Ce said happily, "With Gongjin, my great task is as good as accomplished!" He then introduced Zhou Yu to Zhu Zhi and Lü Fan. Zhou Yu said to Sun Ce, "Elder brother, if you wish to achieve your great enterprise, do you know of the 'Two Zhangs' of Jiangdong?" Sun Ce asked, "Who are these 'Two Zhangs'?" Zhou Yu replied, "One is Zhang Zhao, styled Zibu, of Pengcheng. The other is Zhang Hong, styled Zigang, of Guangling. Both possess talents that could order heaven and earth. They are living here in seclusion to avoid the chaos. Why does my elder brother not invite them to serve?" Sun Ce was delighted and immediately sent men with gifts to invite them, but both declined to come. Sun Ce then went to their homes in person. After speaking with them, he was greatly pleased and pressed them to accept. They agreed. Sun Ce then appointed Zhang Zhao as Chief Clerk and General of the Household Who Pacifies the Army, and Zhang Hong as Chief of Staff and Colonel of the Zhengyi, and together they discussed plans to attack Liu Yao.
Now, Liu Yao, styled Zhengli, was a native of Mouping in Donglai. He was also a member of the Han imperial clan, a nephew of Liu Chong, the Grand Commandant, and a younger brother of Liu Dai, the Provincial Inspector of Yanzhou. He had formerly been the Provincial Inspector of Yangzhou, stationed at Shouchun, but Yuan Shu had driven him across the river, so he had come to Qu'a. Upon hearing that Sun Ce's army had arrived, he urgently summoned his officers for a council. One of his generals, Zhang Ying, said, "Let me lead an army to garrison at Niuzhu. Even if a million troops come, they cannot get near." Before he had finished speaking, a man from the tent called out loudly, "I wish to be the vanguard of the army!" Everyone looked. It was Taishi Ci, a native of Huang County in Donglai. After lifting the siege of Beihai, Taishi Ci had come to see Liu Yao, who had kept him in his camp. That day, hearing that Sun Ce had arrived, he wished to serve as vanguard. Liu Yao said, "You are still young and cannot be a great general. Stay by my side and await orders." Taishi Ci withdrew, displeased. Zhang Ying led his army to Niuzhu and stored a hundred thousand bushels of grain in the granaries. Sun Ce led his army there, and Zhang Ying came out to meet him. The two armies faced each other on the banks of Niuzhu. Sun Ce rode out, and Zhang Ying cursed him. Huang Gai then rode out to duel Zhang Ying. After only a few exchanges, Zhang Ying's army suddenly fell into chaos. A report came that someone had set fire to the camp. Zhang Ying hurried back to his army. Sun Ce led his forces forward, taking advantage of the confusion to press the attack. Zhang Ying abandoned Niuzhu and fled into the deep mountains. The ones who had set the fire behind the camp were two stalwart warriors: one was Jiang Qin, styled Gongyi, a native of Shouchun in Jiujiang; the other was Zhou Tai, styled Youping, a native of Xiacai in Jiujiang. Both had been driven to banditry by the chaos of the times, robbing and plundering on the Yangtze River. Having long heard that Sun Ce was a hero of Jiangdong who recruited worthy men, they had brought their band of over three hundred followers to join him. Sun Ce was overjoyed and appointed them as Colonels of the Army. He seized the grain, weapons, and over four thousand surrendered soldiers at Niuzhu, then advanced to Shenting.
Zhang Ying, defeated, returned to Liu Yao. Liu Yao, in a rage, wanted to execute him. The strategists Ze Rong and Xue Li dissuaded him, and he ordered Zhang Ying to garrison at Lingling City to resist the enemy. Liu Yao himself led his army to camp south of Shenting Ridge, while Sun Ce camped to the north. Sun Ce asked the locals, "Is there a temple to Emperor Guangwu of Han on the nearby mountain?" The locals replied, "There is a temple on the ridge." Sun Ce said, "Last night I dreamed that Emperor Guangwu summoned me to see him. I should go and pray there." Chief Clerk Zhang Zhao objected, "This cannot be done. South of the ridge is Liu Yao's camp. What if there is an ambush?" Sun Ce replied, "The gods protect me—why should I fear?" He then donned his armor, took up his spear, and mounted his horse. Taking Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, and others, thirteen riders in total, they left the camp, climbed the ridge, and went to the temple to burn incense. After dismounting and paying his respects, Sun Ce knelt before the shrine and prayed, "If Sun Ce can establish his enterprise in Jiangdong and restore my late father's foundation, I will rebuild this temple and offer sacrifices in all four seasons." After his prayer, he left the temple, mounted his horse, and turned to his officers, saying, "I want to cross the ridge and spy on Liu Yao's stockade." All the officers thought it unwise, but Sun Ce would not listen. They all rode to the top of the ridge and looked south over the villages and forests. A scout from an ambush post quickly reported this to Liu Yao. Liu Yao said, "This must be Sun Ce's plan to lure us out. Do not pursue him." Taishi Ci, eager for action, cried out, "If we don't capture Sun Ce now, when will we?" Without waiting for Liu Yao's orders, he donned his armor, mounted his horse, took up his spear, and charged out of the camp, shouting, "Anyone with courage, follow me!" None of the other officers moved. Only one young officer said, "Taishi Ci is a true fierce general! I will help him!" He spurred his horse and followed. The other officers all laughed.
Sun Ce, after surveying the area for some time, finally turned his horse back. As they were crossing the ridge, a shout came from behind: "Sun Ce, do not flee!" Sun Ce turned his head and saw two horses flying down the ridge. Sun Ce arrayed his thirteen riders in a line. He leveled his spear and stood his ground at the foot of the ridge. Taishi Ci called out loudly, "Which one is Sun Ce?" Sun Ce replied, "Who are you?" The answer came: "I am Taishi Ci of Donglai, come specifically to capture Sun Ce!" Sun Ce laughed, "I am the one. If you two come at me together, I am not afraid! If I feared you, I would not be Sun Bofu!" Taishi Ci said, "Even if all your men come, I am not afraid!" He spurred his horse, leveled his spear, and charged straight at Sun Ce. Sun Ce raised his spear to meet him. The two horses crossed, and they fought for fifty rounds without a victor. Cheng Pu and the others secretly marveled. Seeing that Sun Ce's spear technique had not a single flaw, Taishi Ci feigned defeat and fled, luring Sun Ce in pursuit. Taishi Ci did not take the old road back up the ridge but instead turned behind the mountain. Sun Ce gave chase, shouting, "He who flees is no true man!" Taishi Ci thought to himself, "This fellow has twelve followers; I have only one. Even if I capture him alive, they will take him from me. I will lead him a bit further, to a place where he cannot be found, and then I can strike." So he fought and fled. Sun Ce would not let him go and chased him all the way to a flat plain.
Taishi Ci wheeled his horse and fought again, another fifty rounds. Sun Ce thrust his spear at him; Taishi Ci dodged and grabbed it. Taishi Ci thrust his spear at Sun Ce; Sun Ce dodged and grabbed it. The two pulled with all their might and both tumbled from their horses. Their horses ran off, no one knew where. Abandoning their spears, they grappled and wrestled, tearing each other's war robes to shreds. Sun Ce, quicker, snatched the short halberd from Taishi Ci's back. Taishi Ci snatched the helmet from Sun Ce's head. Sun Ce stabbed at Taishi Ci with the halberd; Taishi Ci parried with the helmet. Suddenly, shouts arose from behind. Liu Yao's relief force had arrived, about a thousand strong. Sun Ce was in a panic when Cheng Pu and the other twelve riders charged in. Sun Ce and Taishi Ci then let go. Taishi Ci found a horse among the troops, retrieved his spear, mounted, and came again. Sun Ce's horse had been recovered by Cheng Pu, and Sun Ce also took his spear and mounted. Liu Yao's thousand-odd troops and Cheng Pu's twelve riders fought in a chaotic melee, which eventually spread to the foot of Shenting Ridge. Amid the shouting, Zhou Yu's army arrived. Liu Yao himself led a large force down from the ridge. Dusk was approaching, and a sudden storm of wind and rain broke out. Both sides sounded the retreat.
The next day, Sun Ce led his army to Liu Yao's camp, and Liu Yao led his forces out to meet him. The two armies drew up in formation. Sun Ce held up Taishi Ci's short halberd on his spear before the lines and ordered his soldiers to shout, "If Taishi Ci hadn't fled quickly, he would have been stabbed to death!" Taishi Ci, in turn, held up Sun Ce's helmet on his spear and ordered his soldiers to shout, "Sun Ce's head is already here!" The two armies roared, one side boasting of victory, the other claiming superiority. Taishi Ci rode out, wanting to settle the matter with Sun Ce. Sun Ce was about to go out when Cheng Pu said, "You need not exert yourself, my lord. I will capture him myself." Cheng Pu rode out to the front of the lines. Taishi Ci said, "You are no match for me. Only Sun Ce can come out!" Cheng Pu was furious and, leveling his spear, charged at Taishi Ci. Their horses met, and they fought for thirty rounds. Liu Yao urgently sounded the gong to recall his troops. Taishi Ci said, "I was just about to capture that rebel general! Why did you recall the troops?" Liu Yao replied, "A report says that Zhou Yu has led an army to attack Qu'a, and Chen Wu, styled Zilie, a native of Songzi in Lujiang, has joined Zhou Yu and entered the city. Our foundation is lost; we cannot stay here long. We must hurry to Moling to join forces with Xue Li and Ze Rong and come to the rescue." Taishi Ci followed Liu Yao as he withdrew. Sun Ce did not pursue but recalled his men. Chief Clerk Zhang Zhao said, "The enemy troops have no heart for battle, now that Zhou Yu has taken Qu'a. Tonight would be an excellent time to raid their camp." Sun Ce agreed. That night, he divided his forces into five columns and drove deep into the enemy camp. Liu Yao's army was utterly defeated, and his men scattered in all directions. Taishi Ci, unable to withstand the assault alone, led a dozen riders and fled through the night to Jing County.
Sun Ce now gained Chen Wu as an ally. Chen Wu was seven feet tall, with a yellow face and red eyes, and a strange appearance. Sun Ce respected and loved him greatly, appointing him as a Colonel and making him the vanguard to attack Xue Li. Chen Wu led a dozen riders charging into the enemy formation, beheading over fifty men. Xue Li shut his gates and dared not come out. As Sun Ce was besieging the city, a report came that Liu Yao had joined forces with Ze Rong to attack Niuzhu. Sun Ce was furious and led his main army straight to Niuzhu. Liu Yao and Ze Rong rode out to meet him. Sun Ce said, "I am here now. Why do you not surrender?" A general behind Liu Yao, Yu Mi, leveled his spear and rode out. He fought Sun Ce for less than three rounds when Sun Ce captured him alive, wheeled his horse, and returned to his formation. Another of Liu Yao's generals, Fan Neng, seeing Yu Mi captured, leveled his spear and gave chase. Just as his spear was about to stab Sun Ce in the back, soldiers in Sun Ce's formation shouted, "Someone is attacking you from behind!" Sun Ce turned his head and, seeing Fan Neng's horse upon him, let out a roar like a clap of thunder. Fan Neng was so terrified that he fell backward off his horse, cracking his skull and dying. Sun Ce rode to his camp gate and threw Yu Mi down—he had already been crushed to death. In an instant, he had crushed one general to death and roared another to death. From then on, everyone called Sun Ce "the Little Overlord."
That day, Liu Yao's army was utterly defeated, and most of his men surrendered to Sun Ce. Sun Ce beheaded over ten thousand men. Liu Yao and Ze Rong fled to Yuzhang to join Liu Biao. Sun Ce returned his army to attack Moling. He personally approached the city moat and called on Xue Li to surrender. From the city wall, someone shot a hidden arrow, striking Sun Ce in the left leg. He tumbled from his horse, and his officers hurriedly rescued him and carried him back to camp. They pulled out the arrow and applied ointment for the wound. Sun Ce ordered the army to spread a false report that the commander had been hit by an arrow and died. The army held a funeral. They broke camp and withdrew. When Xue Li heard that Sun Ce was dead, he led his entire force out of the city that night, along with the fierce generals Zhang Ying and Chen Heng, to pursue them. Suddenly, an ambush sprang up from all sides. Sun Ce rode out at the front, shouting loudly, "Sun Ce is here!" All the enemy troops were terrified. They threw down their weapons and knelt on the ground. Sun Ce ordered that not a single man be killed. Zhang Ying wheeled his horse to flee, but Chen Wu stabbed him to death with a spear. Chen Heng was shot dead by an arrow from Jiang Qin. Xue Li died in the chaos. Sun Ce entered Moling, pacified the people, then moved his army to Jing County to capture Taishi Ci.
Taishi Ci had recruited over two thousand stalwart men, and together with his original troops, he was preparing to avenge Liu Yao. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu discussed a plan to capture Taishi Ci alive. Zhou Yu ordered an attack on the county from three sides, leaving only the east gate open as a route of escape. Twenty-five li from the city, three ambush forces were stationed. When Taishi Ci reached that point, exhausted and with spent horses, he would surely be captured. It so happened that most of Taishi Ci's newly recruited men were mountain folk, unfamiliar with military discipline. The walls of Jing County were not very high. That night, Sun Ce ordered Chen Wu, wearing short clothes and carrying a sword, to be the first to climb the wall and set fires. When Taishi Ci saw the fires in the city, he mounted his horse and fled through the east gate, with Sun Ce leading a pursuit from behind. Taishi Ci fled, and the pursuers chased him for thirty li, then stopped. Taishi Ci ran for fifty li, his men exhausted and his horses spent. Suddenly, shouts erupted from the reeds. As Taishi Ci tried to flee, trip-ropes sprang up from both sides, tripping his horse. He was captured alive and taken to the main camp. When Sun Ce learned that Taishi Ci had been brought in, he personally came out of the camp, dispersed the soldiers, and untied the ropes with his own hands. He draped his own brocade robe over Taishi Ci and invited him into the camp, saying, "I know that Ziyi is a true man. Liu Yao was a fool who could not use a great general like you, and that is why he suffered this defeat." Taishi Ci, seeing how generously Sun Ce treated him, asked to surrender.
Sun Ce took Taishi Ci's hand and laughed, "When we fought at Shenting, if you had captured me, would you have harmed me?" Taishi Ci laughed in return, "That is hard to say." Sun Ce laughed heartily and invited him into his tent, seating him in the place of honor and holding a feast in his honor. Taishi Ci said, "Lord Liu has just been defeated, and his men are demoralized. I wish to go and gather the remnants of his army to help you, my lord. I wonder if you can trust me?" Sun Ce rose and thanked him, "This is truly what I desire. I make this pact with you: return by noon tomorrow." Taishi Ci agreed and left. The officers all said, "Taishi Ci will surely not return." Sun Ce replied, "Ziyi is a man of honor and faith; he will not betray me." None of them believed it. The next day, a pole was set up at the camp gate to mark the shadow of the sun. Just as noon approached, Taishi Ci led over a thousand men to the camp. Sun Ce was overjoyed. All the officers were impressed by Sun Ce's ability to judge men. Thus, Sun Ce gathered several tens of thousands of troops, descended on Jiangdong, pacified the people, and showed generosity to the multitudes. Countless men flocked to him. The people of Jiangdong all called Sun Ce "Sun Lang." Whenever they heard that Sun Lang's army was coming, they would flee in terror. But when Sun Ce's army arrived, he did not permit a single act of plunder. Not a chicken was disturbed, not a dog was startled. The people were delighted and brought cattle and wine to the camp to reward the troops. Sun Ce repaid them with gold and silk, and cheers filled the countryside. Of Liu Yao's former soldiers, those who wished to join the army were allowed to do so; those who did not wish to serve were given rewards and sent home to farm. The people south of the Yangtze River all praised him. Thus, his military power grew greatly. Sun Ce then welcomed his mother, uncles, and brothers back to Qu'a. He ordered his younger brother Sun Quan and Zhou Tai to guard Xuancheng. Sun Ce himself led his army south to take Wu Commandery.
At that time, there was a man named Yan Baihu, who styled himself the "Virtuous King of Eastern Wu." He held Wu Commandery and had stationed his generals to defend Wucheng and Jiaxing. When Yan Baihu heard that Sun Ce's army had arrived, he ordered his younger brother Yan Yu to go out and meet him at Maple Bridge. Yan Yu, holding a sword, stood his horse on the bridge. A report reached Sun Ce's headquarters, and Sun Ce was about to go out himself. Zhang Hong advised, "The commander is the lifeblood of the entire army and should not treat a petty bandit lightly. I beg you, General, to be cautious." Sun Ce thanked him, "Your words are like metal and stone. But I fear that if I do not personally face the arrows and stones, the officers and men will not give their all." He then sent Han Dang to do battle. By the time Han Dang reached the bridge, Jiang Qin and Chen Wu had already crossed the river in small boats from the bank and attacked from behind the bridge. They shot down the soldiers on the bank with a volley of arrows, then leaped ashore and began cutting down the enemy. Yan Yu retreated. Han Dang led his troops straight to the Changmen Gate, and the bandits retreated into the city.
Sun Ce divided his forces, advancing by both water and land, and besieged Wu City. After three days of siege, no one came out to fight. Sun Ce led his officers to the Changmen Gate and called on the city to surrender. A deputy general on the city wall, bracing his left hand against the parapet, pointed down at Sun Ce with his right hand and cursed him loudly. Taishi Ci, from his horse, took up his bow and fitted an arrow. He turned to the officers and soldiers, saying, "Watch me hit this fellow's left hand!" Before the words had died away, the bowstring twanged, and the arrow struck true, piercing the general's left hand and pinning it firmly to the parapet. Everyone on the wall and below cheered. The men rescued the general and brought him down from the wall. Yan Baihu was greatly alarmed and said, "If their army has men like this, how can we possibly resist?" He then discussed suing for peace. The next day, he sent Yan Yu out of the city to see Sun Ce. Sun Ce invited Yan Yu into his tent and offered him wine. When they were both tipsy, Sun Ce asked Yan Yu, "What does your elder brother intend?" Yan Yu replied, "He wants to divide Jiangdong with you, General." Sun Ce flew into a rage and shouted, "How dare a rat like you compare yourself to me!" He ordered Yan Yu executed. Yan Yu drew his sword and rose, but Sun Ce threw his sword, cutting him down with a single stroke. He cut off Yan Yu's head and sent it into the city. Yan Baihu, knowing he could not prevail, abandoned the city and fled.
Sun Ce advanced in pursuit. Huang Gai captured Jiaxing, and Taishi Ci captured Wucheng. Several provinces were pacified. Yan Baihu fled to Yuhang, plundering along the way, but was defeated by a local man named Ling Cao, who led the villagers against him. Yan Baihu then fled to Kuaiji. Ling Cao and his son came to join Sun Ce, who appointed Ling Cao as a Colonel of the Expeditionary Force. They then crossed the river together. Yan Baihu gathered his bandits and deployed them at the Xijin Ferry. Cheng Pu engaged them and defeated them again, pursuing them all the way to Kuaiji.
Wang Lang, the Grand Administrator of Kuaiji, wanted to lead troops to rescue Yan Baihu. Suddenly, a man stepped forward and said, "This cannot be done. Sun Ce leads an army of righteousness and benevolence, while Yan Baihu is a violent and cruel rabble. It would be better to capture Yan Baihu and present him to Sun Ce." Wang Lang looked at him. It was Yu Fan, styled Zhongxiang, a native of Yuyao in Kuaiji, then serving as a local clerk. Wang Lang rebuked him angrily. Yu Fan sighed deeply and withdrew.
Wang Lang then led his army to join Yan Baihu, and they arrayed their forces on the plains of Shanyin. The two armies drew up in formation. Sun Ce rode out and said to Wang Lang, "I have raised an army of righteousness to pacify the land south of the Yangtze. Why do you help a bandit?" Wang Lang cursed him, "You are insatiable! You have already taken Wu Commandery, and now you forcibly encroach upon my territory! Today, I will avenge the Yan family!" Sun Ce was furious and was about to do battle when Taishi Ci rode out ahead. Wang Lang spurred his horse, brandished his sword, and fought with Taishi Ci for only a few rounds. Wang Lang's general, Zhou Xin, rode out to help him. From Sun Ce's formation, Huang Gai flew out on his horse to engage Zhou Xin. The drums thundered, and the two sides fought fiercely. Suddenly, Wang Lang's rear lines fell into chaos. A detachment of troops struck from behind. Wang Lang was greatly alarmed and turned his horse back to meet them. It was Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu, who had led their troops in a flanking attack, striking from front and rear. Wang Lang, outnumbered, fought his way out with Yan Baihu and Zhou Xin, cutting a bloody path into the city. They raised the drawbridge and tightly closed the city gates. Sun Ce's main army took advantage and pressed up to the city walls. He deployed his forces to attack all four gates.
Wang Lang, seeing Sun Ce's fierce assault on the city, wanted to lead his troops out for a decisive battle. Yan Baihu said, "Sun Ce's army is very powerful. You should dig deep moats and raise high walls, and hold firm without coming out. Within a month, their army will run out of grain and naturally retreat. Then we can take advantage of their exhaustion and attack, defeating them without a fight." Wang Lang followed this advice and held Kuaiji City, refusing to come out. Sun Ce attacked for several days without success. He gathered his officers for a council. Sun Jing said, "Wang Lang relies on his strong defenses and will be hard to dislodge quickly. Most of Kuaiji's grain and wealth is stored at Zhadu, which is several tens of li from here. It would be better to send troops to seize that place first. This is what is called 'attacking where the enemy is unprepared, and striking where they least expect it.'" Sun Ce was overjoyed and said, "Uncle's brilliant plan will surely break these bandits!" He immediately ordered fires to be lit at all gates, set up false banners as decoys, and that night lifted the siege and marched south. Zhou Yu said, "My lord, once your main army moves, Wang Lang will surely come out to pursue. We can use a surprise force to defeat him." Sun Ce replied, "I have already prepared for this. Taking the city will happen tonight." He then ordered the army to march.
Not seeking to hunt tigers and leopards in the lands east of the river, he instead came to the commandery of Xu to battle dragons and serpents. If you wish to know the outcome of his plan, you must listen to the explanation in the next chapter.