Now, Sun Ce, having established his dominance east of the Yangtze River, commanded a formidable army with ample provisions. In the fourth year of the Jian’an era (199 AD), he launched a surprise attack on Lujiang, defeated Liu Xun, and sent Yu Fan to deliver an ultimatum to Yuzhang, whose Grand Administrator, Hua Xin, promptly surrendered. With his power and influence thus greatly magnified, Sun Ce dispatched Zhang Hong to Xuchang to present a memorial of his victories to the imperial court. When Cao Cao learned of Sun Ce’s growing strength, he sighed and remarked, “This lion cub is not one to challenge lightly!” To placate him, Cao Cao arranged for a daughter of his cousin Cao Ren to be betrothed to Sun Ce’s younger brother, Sun Kuang, forming a marriage alliance between their houses. Zhang Hong was detained in Xuchang. Sun Ce then petitioned for the title of Grand Marshal, but Cao Cao refused. This enraged Sun Ce, who began to harbor ambitions of launching a campaign against Xuchang itself. Meanwhile, Xu Gong, the Grand Administrator of Wu Commandery, secretly dispatched a messenger to Xuchang with a letter to Cao Cao. The letter read, in essence: “Sun Ce is as fierce and valiant as Xiang Yu of old. The court should outwardly bestow honors upon him but summon him to the capital; he must not be allowed to remain in command of an outer province, lest he become a future threat.” The messenger, carrying the letter, attempted to cross the Yangtze River but was captured by Sun Ce’s river patrol and brought before Sun Ce. Upon reading the letter, Sun Ce flew into a rage, executed the messenger, and then sent a false invitation to Xu Gong to discuss state affairs. When Xu Gong arrived, Sun Ce produced the letter and roared, “You sought to send me to my death!” He ordered his guards to strangle Xu Gong on the spot. Xu Gong’s family fled and scattered. Among his retainers were three men who swore vengeance for their slain master, but they could find no opportunity to act.
One day, Sun Ce led his troops on a hunting expedition in the western hills of Dantu. A large deer was startled, and Sun Ce, spurring his horse, gave chase up the mountain. As he galloped in pursuit, he saw three men standing in the woods, armed with spears and bows. Sun Ce reined in his horse and demanded, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are soldiers under General Han Dang, here to shoot deer.” Just as Sun Ce raised his reins to ride on, one of the men thrust his spear at Sun Ce’s left leg. Startled, Sun Ce swiftly drew his sword to strike from horseback, but the blade suddenly fell from its hilt, leaving him with only the handle in his hand. A second man immediately drew his bow and loosed an arrow, which struck Sun Ce squarely in the cheek. Sun Ce tore the arrow from his face, took up his own bow, and shot back at the archer, who fell with a cry. The remaining two men charged at Sun Ce with their spears, shouting, “We are retainers of Xu Gong, come to avenge our master!” With no other weapon, Sun Ce fended them off with his bow, retreating as he fought. The two men pressed their attack with desperate determination, refusing to withdraw. Sun Ce was pierced by several spears, and his horse was also wounded. At the height of the crisis, Cheng Pu arrived with a few soldiers. Sun Ce cried out, “Kill the assassins!” Cheng Pu and his men charged forward and cut the two retainers to pieces. When they looked at Sun Ce, his face was covered in blood from grievous wounds. They cut strips from his robe to bind his injuries and carried him back to the Wu capital to recover. Of these three retainers,
history records a verse: “Sun Ce’s wisdom and valor once ruled the river’s edge, but while hunting in the hills, he met with deadly peril. Those three retainers of Xu Gong died for their master’s cause, their sacrifice no less noble than that of Yu Rang of ancient days.”
Sun Ce, wounded, returned home and sent men to seek the famous physician Hua Tuo. But Hua Tuo had already journeyed to the Central Plains, leaving only a disciple in the Wu lands. This disciple was summoned to treat Sun Ce. The disciple said, “The arrowhead was poisoned, and the venom has seeped into the bone. You must rest quietly for a hundred days to avoid further danger. If you are agitated by anger, the wound will be difficult to heal.” Sun Ce, by nature exceedingly impatient, wished to recover immediately. After resting for just over twenty days, he heard that a messenger from Zhang Hong had returned from Xuchang. Sun Ce summoned the messenger and questioned him. The messenger said, “Cao Cao greatly fears you, my lord, and all his strategists respect you—except for Guo Jia.” Sun Ce demanded, “What did Guo Jia say?” The messenger dared not reply. Sun Ce grew angry and pressed him until the messenger was forced to confess: “Guo Jia told Cao Cao that you, my lord, were not to be feared. He said you are reckless and unprepared, quick-tempered and lacking in strategy—merely a man of brute courage who will one day die at the hands of a petty villain.” Upon hearing this, Sun Ce flew into a rage and shouted, “How dare that commoner judge me! I swear I will take Xuchang!” Without waiting for his wound to heal, he began planning a military campaign. Zhang Zhao tried to dissuade him, saying, “The physician warned you to rest for a hundred days. Why would you risk your priceless health over a moment’s anger?”
While they were speaking, a messenger arrived from Yuan Shao, one Chen Zhen, who was granted an audience. Chen Zhen explained that Yuan Shao wished to ally with the eastern Wu forces as a pincer against Cao Cao. Sun Ce was overjoyed and that very day assembled his generals on the city wall tower to feast Chen Zhen. During the feast, Sun Ce noticed his generals whispering among themselves and then descending the tower in groups. Puzzled, he asked what was happening. His attendants replied, “There is a man called the Immortal Yu passing below the tower, and the generals wish to pay their respects.” Sun Ce rose and leaned over the railing to look. He saw a Taoist priest, draped in a crane-feather cloak and leaning on a thornwood staff, standing in the middle of the road. The common people were burning incense and prostrating themselves before him. Sun Ce shouted in anger, “What sorcerer is this? Seize him at once!” His attendants said, “This man is named Yu Ji. He dwells in the east and travels through the Wu lands, dispensing talismans and water that cure all ailments without fail. The people call him an immortal; we dare not treat him lightly.” Sun Ce grew even angrier and thundered, “Seize him now! Anyone who disobeys will be executed!”
His attendants, having no choice, descended the tower and brought Yu Ji before Sun Ce. Sun Ce shouted, “How dare you, a mad priest, stir up the hearts of the people with your lies?” Yu Ji replied, “I am a Taoist from the Langya Temple. During the reign of Emperor Shun, I entered the mountains to gather herbs and received a divine book at the Spring of Yangqu, called the ‘Green Way of Supreme Peace.’ It contains over a hundred chapters, all methods for curing human ailments. I have only sought to spread Heaven’s teachings and save the people, never taking a single coin from anyone. How could I be stirring up hearts?” Sun Ce retorted, “If you take nothing from others, how do you obtain your clothes and food? You are no different from Zhang Jiao of the Yellow Turbans! If I do not kill you now, you will become a future threat!” He ordered his guards to behead Yu Ji. Zhang Zhao pleaded, “This Taoist has lived in Jiangdong for decades without any crime. He should not be killed.” Sun Ce said, “Killing such a charlatan is no different from slaughtering a pig or a dog!” All the officials earnestly begged for Yu Ji’s life, and Chen Zhen also added his voice. Sun Ce’s anger was not yet spent, but he ordered Yu Ji imprisoned instead. The officials dispersed, and Chen Zhen returned to his lodging.
When Sun Ce returned to his residence, a palace attendant had already reported the matter to his mother, Lady Wu. She summoned Sun Ce to her chamber and said, “I heard you have thrown the Immortal Yu into prison. This man has healed many of the sick and is revered by both soldiers and civilians. You must not harm him.” Sun Ce replied, “He is a sorcerer who uses black magic to delude the masses. He must be eliminated!” His mother pleaded with him repeatedly, but Sun Ce said, “Mother, do not listen to the wild talk of others. Your son will handle this himself.” He then summoned the jailer to bring Yu Ji before him. It turned out that the jailers all revered Yu Ji, and while in prison, they had removed his shackles. Only when Sun Ce summoned him did they put them back on. When Sun Ce learned of this, he flew into a rage, had the jailer severely beaten, and ordered Yu Ji bound and chained again. Zhang Zhao and several dozen officials signed a joint petition, begging Sun Ce to spare the Immortal Yu. Sun Ce said, “You are all learned men. Why do you not understand reason? In the past, Zhang Jin, the Provincial Inspector of Jiaozhou, trusted in heretical teachings. He played the zither, burned incense, and always wore a red cloth on his head, claiming it would give him martial power. In the end, he was killed by his enemies. Such things are utterly useless. You simply have not yet seen the truth. I wish to kill Yu Ji precisely to put an end to such delusions.”
Lü Fan then said, “I have long known that this Taoist can pray for wind and rain. Now that we are in a drought, why not order him to pray for rain to atone for his crimes?” Sun Ce said, “Let us see what this sorcerer can do.” He ordered Yu Ji brought from the prison, freed from his chains, and commanded to ascend an altar to pray for rain. Yu Ji accepted the order, bathed, changed his robes, and then bound himself with ropes in the scorching sun. The common people flocked to watch, filling the streets and lanes. Yu Ji said to the crowd, “I will pray for three feet of sweet rain to save the people, but I know I will not escape death.” The people said, “If your prayers are answered, the lord will surely respect you.” Yu Ji replied, “Fate has decreed this; I cannot escape it.” Shortly after, Sun Ce himself arrived at the altar and issued an order: “If it does not rain by noon, burn Yu Ji alive.” He had dry firewood piled up in preparation. As noon approached, a fierce wind suddenly arose. After the wind passed, dark clouds gathered on all sides. Sun Ce said, “It is nearly noon. There are clouds but no rain—this is the work of a sorcerer!” He ordered his guards to carry Yu Ji onto the woodpile and set it ablaze. The flames leaped up with the wind. Suddenly, a black column of smoke shot into the sky, followed by a great clap of thunder and a flash of lightning. Rain poured down in torrents. In an instant, the streets became rivers, and the streams and gullies overflowed, with a full three feet of sweet rain. Yu Ji lay on his back on the woodpile and gave a great shout. The clouds parted, the rain stopped, and the sun reappeared. The officials and common people rushed to help Yu Ji down from the woodpile, untied his ropes, and bowed in thanks. When Sun Ce saw the officials and people all kneeling in the water, heedless of their clothes, he flew into an uncontrollable rage. He shouted, “Sun and rain are the fixed order of Heaven! This sorcerer merely took advantage of a coincidence! How dare you be so deluded!” He drew his sword and ordered his guards to behead Yu Ji immediately. The officials pleaded with all their might, but Sun Ce roared, “Do you all wish to rebel with Yu Ji?” The officials dared not speak again. Sun Ce ordered the executioner to strike, and Yu Ji’s head was severed with a single blow. A wisp of blue vapor was seen drifting away to the northeast. Sun Ce ordered Yu Ji’s corpse displayed in the marketplace as a warning against sorcery and heresy.
That night, a storm of wind and rain raged. By dawn, Yu Ji’s corpse had vanished. The soldiers guarding the body reported this to Sun Ce. Enraged, Sun Ce was about to have them executed when he saw a figure slowly approaching from the front of the hall. Looking closely, it was Yu Ji. Sun Ce flew into a rage and reached for his sword to strike, but suddenly collapsed to the ground in a faint. His attendants rushed him inside to his bedchamber, where it took him half an hour to regain consciousness. Lady Wu came to see him and said, “My son, you wrongfully killed an immortal, and now you have brought this calamity upon yourself.” Sun Ce laughed and said, “Since childhood, I have followed my father on campaigns and killed men like hemp. How could this be a calamity? By killing a sorcerer, I have averted a great disaster. How could it become a disaster for me?” His mother replied, “Because you refused to believe, this has happened. Now you should perform good deeds to avert the evil.” Sun Ce said, “My fate is in Heaven’s hands. A sorcerer cannot bring me harm. Why should I perform rituals?” His mother knew she could not persuade him, so she secretly ordered her attendants to perform good deeds and prayers on his behalf.
That night, during the second watch, Sun Ce lay resting in his inner chamber when a chill wind suddenly arose, extinguishing the lamp. It flared back to life, and in the lamplight, Sun Ce saw Yu Ji standing before his bed. Sun Ce shouted, “I have sworn to destroy all sorcerers and heretics to pacify the realm! You are now a ghost—how dare you approach me!” He grabbed his sword from the bedside and hurled it, but Yu Ji vanished. When Lady Wu heard of this, she grew even more anxious. Sun Ce forced himself to rise and walk to comfort his mother. His mother said to him, “The sage said, ‘How abundant are the powers of the spirits and gods!’ He also said, ‘Pray to the gods above and below.’ The matter of spirits cannot be disbelieved. You wrongfully killed Master Yu—how can there be no retribution? I have already ordered a purification ceremony at the Jade Purity Temple in the commandery. You must go there yourself to pray and make amends. That will surely bring peace.”
Sun Ce dared not disobey his mother, so he reluctantly took a sedan chair to the Jade Purity Temple. The Taoist priests received him and invited him to burn incense. Sun Ce burned the incense but did not bow in thanks. Suddenly, the smoke from the incense burner rose and did not disperse, forming a canopy in which Yu Ji was seated. Sun Ce grew angry, spat curses at the apparition, and fled the hall. At the temple gate, he saw Yu Ji standing there, glaring at him. Sun Ce turned to his attendants and asked, “Do you see the demon?” They all said they saw nothing. Sun Ce grew even angrier, drew his sword, and hurled it at Yu Ji. The sword struck a man, who fell. When they looked, it was the soldier who had beheaded Yu Ji. The sword had split his skull, and blood gushed from his seven orifices, killing him instantly. Sun Ce ordered the body carried out and buried. As he left the temple, he saw Yu Ji walking back through the gate. Sun Ce said, “This temple is also a den of sorcery!” He sat down before the temple and ordered five hundred soldiers to tear it down. As the soldiers climbed onto the roof to remove the tiles, they saw Yu Ji standing there, hurling tiles to the ground. Sun Ce flew into a rage and ordered the Taoist priests driven out and the temple set ablaze. As the flames rose, he saw Yu Ji standing in the fire.
Sun Ce returned home in a fury, only to see Yu Ji standing before his residence. He did not enter but instead mustered his army and set up camp outside the city. He summoned his generals to discuss launching a campaign to aid Yuan Shao in attacking Cao Cao. The generals all said, “Your body is not yet healed, my lord. You should not act rashly. Wait until you are fully recovered before marching.” That night, Sun Ce slept in his camp, but Yu Ji appeared again, with disheveled hair. Sun Ce shouted curses at him from within his tent. The next day, Lady Wu sent orders for Sun Ce to return home. He went to see his mother, who, seeing his haggard appearance, wept and said, “My son, you have lost all your vitality!” Sun Ce took a mirror and looked at himself. He was shocked to see how thin and worn he had become. He turned to his attendants and said, “How have I come to this?” Before he had finished speaking, he saw Yu Ji’s reflection in the mirror. Sun Ce struck the mirror with a great cry, his arrow wound burst open, and he fell to the ground in a dead faint. His mother ordered him carried to his bedchamber. He soon regained consciousness and sighed, “I cannot live much longer.”
He summoned Zhang Zhao and his other officials, along with his younger brother, Sun Quan, to his bedside. He gave his final instructions: “The realm is in chaos. With the strength of the Wu and Yue lands and the natural defenses of the Three Rivers, much can be accomplished. Zibu (Zhang Zhao) and the others, I trust you will assist my brother well.” He then took his seal of office and presented it to Sun Quan, saying, “If it is a matter of leading the armies of Jiangdong into battle, deciding victory or defeat on the field, and contending with the realm—I surpass you. But if it is a matter of promoting the worthy and employing the capable, so that each man gives his utmost to defend Jiangdong—I am not your equal. You must remember the hardships your father and I endured in building this enterprise, and plan wisely for the future!” Sun Quan wept bitterly, bowed, and received the seal. Sun Ce then addressed his mother: “My allotted years are at an end. I can no longer serve you, Mother. I now entrust the seal to my brother. I hope you will instruct him daily. Do not be negligent or disrespectful to the old retainers of our father and brother.” His mother wept and said, “I fear your brother is too young to bear such a heavy responsibility. What then?” Sun Ce replied, “My brother’s talent is ten times greater than mine. He is fully capable of bearing this great duty. If internal affairs are in doubt, consult Zhang Zhao; if external affairs are in doubt, consult Zhou Yu. It is a pity that Zhou Yu is not here, so I cannot give him my final instructions in person.” He then called his other younger brothers and said, “After I die, you must all assist Zhongmou (Sun Quan). If any member of our clan dares to harbor treacherous thoughts, you must all unite to destroy him. Even if a brother turns rebel, he shall not be buried in the ancestral tomb.” His brothers wept and accepted the command. Finally, he called his wife, Lady Qiao, and said to her, “It is our misfortune to part midway in life. You must serve our mother with filial devotion. When your sister comes to visit, tell her to relay my words to Zhou Yu: that he must give his whole heart to assisting my brother, and not fail the deep friendship we have shared.” Having spoken these words, he closed his eyes and passed away, at the age of only twenty-six.
A poet of the time lamented: “Alone he fought across the southeastern lands, and men called him the Little Tyrant. In strategy, he was like a crouching tiger; in decision, like a soaring hawk. His might secured the Three Rivers, and his fame filled the four seas. At the hour of his death, his final charge was to Zhou Yu alone.”
With Sun Ce dead, Sun Quan collapsed in tears before the bed. Zhang Zhao said, “This is not the time for tears, General. You must attend to the funeral while also managing the affairs of state and the military.” Sun Quan dried his tears. Zhang Zhao ordered Sun Jing to handle the funeral arrangements and invited Sun Quan to come forth and receive the homage of all the civil and military officials. Sun Quan was born with a square jaw, a large mouth, blue eyes, and a purple beard. In the past, when the Han emissary Liu Biao came to Wu, he observed the Sun brothers and said to others, “I have seen all of the Sun brothers. Though each has talent and brilliance, none will enjoy a long life or a lasting legacy. Only Zhongmou has a remarkable appearance and an extraordinary bone structure. He bears the mark of great nobility and will enjoy a long life. None of the others can compare.”
Now Sun Quan, having inherited Sun Ce’s command, took control of the affairs of Jiangdong. Before he could fully settle matters, a report arrived that Zhou Yu was returning from Baqiu with his troops. Sun Quan said, “Gongjin has returned. I have no more worries.” It turned out that Zhou Yu, who was stationed at Baqiu, had heard that Sun Ce had been struck by an arrow and was returning to visit him. As he approached the Wu capital, he learned of Sun Ce’s death and came at full speed to mourn. When he arrived, Zhou Yu wept and prostrated himself before Sun Ce’s spirit tablet. Lady Wu came out and told him of Sun Ce’s dying words. Zhou Yu bowed to the ground and said, “How dare I not serve with the strength of a horse or a dog, even unto death?” Shortly after, Sun Quan entered. After Zhou Yu had paid his respects, Sun Quan said, “I hope you will not forget my elder brother’s final instructions.” Zhou Yu kowtowed and said, “I am willing to offer my liver and brains to repay the grace of my understanding friend.” Sun Quan asked, “Now that I have inherited my father and brother’s enterprise, what strategy should I use to defend it?” Zhou Yu replied, “From ancient times, he who wins men shall flourish, and he who loses them shall perish. For the present, you must seek men of high vision and far-reaching insight to assist you. Only then can Jiangdong be secured.” Sun Quan said, “My elder brother’s dying words entrusted internal affairs to Zibu and external affairs entirely to you, Gongjin.” Zhou Yu said, “Zibu is a wise and accomplished man, fully capable of bearing great responsibility.
But I am untalented and fear I may fail in the heavy trust placed in me. I wish to recommend a man to assist you, General.” Sun Quan asked who. Zhou Yu replied, “His surname is Lu, his given name Su, his style name Zijing. He is a man of Dongchuan in Linhuai. This man has strategy in his breast and cunning in his heart. He lost his father early and serves his mother with great filial devotion. His family is extremely wealthy, and he has often distributed his wealth to relieve the poor. When I was magistrate of Juchao, I led several hundred men through Linhuai. Running short of food, I heard that Lu Su’s family had two granaries, each containing three thousand hu of grain. I went to ask for help, and Lu Su pointed to one granary and gave it to me. Such is his generosity. He has always loved fencing, archery, and horsemanship. He now lives in Qu’e. His grandmother died, and he returned to Dongcheng for her burial. His friend Liu Ziyang wanted to persuade him to join Zheng Bao at Chaohu, but he is still undecided. My lord, you should summon him quickly.” Sun Quan was overjoyed and ordered Zhou Yu to go and recruit him.
Zhou Yu went in person to see Lu Su. After exchanging courtesies, he explained Sun Quan’s admiration and desire to employ him. Lu Su said, “Recently, Liu Ziyang invited me to join him at Chaohu. I was about to go.” Zhou Yu replied, “In ancient times, Ma Yuan said to Emperor Guangwu: ‘In this age, it is not only the ruler who chooses his minister, but also the minister who chooses his ruler.’ Now our General Sun Quan honors the worthy and treats scholars with courtesy. He accepts the extraordinary and the gifted. This is rare in the world. You need not consider other plans. Come with me to serve the eastern Wu.” Lu Su agreed and went with Zhou Yu to see Sun Quan. Sun Quan treated him with great respect and talked with him all day without tiring. One day, after all the officials had left, Sun Quan kept Lu Su behind for a private dinner. They drank together and, late into the night, shared the same bed. In the middle of the night, Sun Quan asked Lu Su, “Now the Han dynasty is tottering, and chaos reigns on all sides. I have inherited the enterprise of my father and brother. I wish to achieve the deeds of Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin. What advice do you have for me?” Lu Su replied, “In the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han wished to serve the Righteous Emperor but could not, because Xiang Yu was a threat. Now Cao Cao can be compared to Xiang Yu. How can you, General, achieve the deeds of Duke Huan and Duke Wen? In my humble opinion, the Han dynasty cannot be restored, and Cao Cao cannot be eliminated quickly. My plan for you, General, is to establish yourself in Jiangdong and watch for the cracks in the realm. Now that the north is occupied with troubles, you should eliminate Huang Zu, then attack Liu Biao, and occupy the entire length of the Yangtze River. After that, you can proclaim yourself emperor and plan to take the whole realm. This is the enterprise of Emperor Gaozu of Han.” Sun Quan was overjoyed. He threw on his clothes and rose to thank Lu Su. The next day, he bestowed rich gifts on Lu Su and also gave clothes, curtains, and other items to Lu Su’s mother.
Lu Su then recommended another man to Sun Quan: a man of great learning and talent, who served his mother with filial devotion. His compound surname was Zhuge, his given name Jin, his style name Ziyu. He was a man of Langya and Nanyang. Sun Quan received him as an honored guest. Zhuge Jin advised Sun Quan not to ally with Yuan Shao but to submit to Cao Cao for the time being, and then to watch for an opportunity to act. Sun Quan followed this advice, sent Chen Zhen back to Yuan Shao with a letter severing their alliance.
When Cao Cao heard that Sun Ce had died, he wished to launch a campaign against the lands south of the Yangtze. The Imperial Secretary Zhang Hong advised against it, saying, “To attack a man during his mourning is neither righteous nor honorable. And if we fail, we will turn a friend into an enemy. It is better to treat him well.” Cao Cao agreed and petitioned the emperor to appoint Sun Quan as a general and concurrently as Grand Administrator of Kuaiji. He then appointed Zhang Hong as Chief Commandant of Kuaiji and sent him with the seal to Jiangdong. Sun Quan was overjoyed. With Zhang Hong’s return to Wu, he ordered him to assist Zhang Zhao in managing state affairs. Zhang Hong then recommended another man to Sun Quan: a man named Gu Yong, styled Yuan Tan, a disciple of Cai Yong, the Court Gentleman. Gu Yong was a man of few words, who did not drink wine, and was stern, upright, and just. Sun Quan appointed him as his deputy to handle the duties of Grand Administrator. From that time on, Sun Quan’s authority and prestige spread across Jiangdong, and he won the deep affection of the people.
Meanwhile, Chen Zhen returned to Yuan Shao and reported: “Sun Ce is dead. Sun Quan has succeeded him. Cao Cao has appointed him general and made him an ally.” Yuan Shao flew into a rage and mustered over 700,000 men from the provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing, preparing to march once again on Xuchang.
Truly, the fires of war had barely cooled south of the Yangtze before the drums of battle began to beat again north of the Yellow River. Whether victory or defeat would follow, you must listen to the next chapter to find out.