By noon, Zhou Yu and Sun Ce had assimilated into Zhao Yun’s troops. After they each filled in one another on details, Zhao Yun explained he was under the command of the White Horse General, Gongsun Zan. He had come on Yuan Shao’s orders in pursuit of the remnants of Dong Zhuo’s armies but had received secret orders along the way to hold his troops in place. Gongsun Zan wanted him to lie in wait outside Hangu Pass for reinforcements to arrive instead.
“What we don’t know is who took this opportunity to ambush the cart procession,” Zhou Yu said, trying to survey the situation at a high level.
Sun Ce shook his head. “We missed the prime opportunity to ambush them.”
The cart procession had already traveled too far beyond the pass, and since they’d startled Dong Zhuo the first time, Lü Bu had probably put defenses in place.
“I heard Cao Mengde was leading a group of men this way in hopes of rescuing the emperor,” Zhao Yun said. “I’m afraid he may not have succeeded either. The speed which they are traveling at now is not one an army can hope to keep up with. Let’s go.”
The pair followed Zhao Yun’s troops through the pass. After they crossed, they bade each other farewell. Zhou Yu once again tried to express his gratitude, only for Zhao Yun to deflect it. Zhao Yun turned and headed back toward Luoyang.
Sun Ce cheerfully watched Zhao Yun leave. As soon as he was out of earshot, Zhou Yu’s expression immediately tightened.
“Lü Bu is your shifu?!”
“Didn’t you hear him? Lü Bu treated me pretty well; before our two sides started fighting I was thinking of asking him to escort you out of Luoyang.”
“That won’t fly anymore,” Zhou Yu protested, but he was resigned.
Earlier, Zhao Yun had filled them in on how the Battle of the Hulao Pass turned out. They only secured a victory because Sun Jian viciously changed sides, and his men met Lü Bu’s troops head-on, unflinchingly. The Tiger of Jiangdong’s reputation was proven once more. He actually sent Lü Bu’s elite cavalry scurrying away. The only concern now was that Lü Bu would capture Sun Ce and use him as a hostage.
✦ ✦ ✦
In the shadow of Hangu Pass, the weather changed, as if a storm of torrential rain was brewing.
The next day, traveling on separate horses, Sun Ce led Zhou Yu to the market that had been set up at the foot of the pass. He spoke with the guards there, who proceeded to bring out six large carts, four horses, and a group of merchants.
Zhou Yu was dumbstruck.
Sun Ce smiled. “I found your missing horse carts. Hua Xiong originally took them, and I had to lead my men in and give them a good fight before I could snatch them back.”
The merchants came forward, each gratefully thanking Sun Ce. Zhou Yu was at a loss. After searching his thoughts for a long time, he came up with nothing.
“Oh, forget it. Now we can finally head back and hand over our earnings.”
“Don’t be in such a hurry,” Sun Ce protested. “When will you return? Let’s decide on a time and a place, so we can easily meet again.”
“After I return home, unload all the goods, and see each of them home safely, I’ll head your way. I will never be able to repay the debt I owe you, even if I had ten lives to spare. I shall not shortchange you on this contract of servitude.”
Sun Ce laughed loudly and clapped Zhou Yu’s shoulder.