Inside the city gates, Sun Ce wore his hood up, the waist tally held in his hand, riding his horse against the snowy winds as he rushed to the gates.
“I’m on important business for the Records Office of the general’s manor,” Sun Ce said, showing the tally. “Has Records Officer Zhou, Zhou-daren already left the city?!”
The city guard replied, “There was indeed an Officer of the Records who left the city.”
“Hurry and open the small gates,” Sun Ce demanded. “I have an urgent letter from General Yuan for the Officer of the Records!”
Sun Ce pulled out an envelope from the general’s manor and brandished it at the city guard. The city guard didn’t dare slow down official business, and he angled his torch to inspect it. It indeed appeared to be a letter originating from Yuan Shao’s manor. He immediately ordered his men to open the small gates.
“Brothers, you’ve worked hard; get a cup of light wine and warm yourselves up!” Sun Ce said, giving them a few broken silver pieces as a reward.
“We’ll keep the city gates open for you, Daren!” the city guard said happily. “Have a good trip! Officer of the Records Zhou can’t be very far!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Zhou Yu sat on his horse, the hand gripping the reins slick with sweat, only to see a small crack open on one of the side gates to Shouchun City. A sliver of light shone through, and a single steed charged out. Zhou Yu’s entire body was about to collapse with relief, while Zhao Yun merely smiled and waved his long whip once.
“Jia!”
“Jia!” Sun Ce’s voice traveled to them from afar. He caught up to the carriage procession, and they set off together in the dark night.
✦ ✦ ✦
The wheels rattled and hoofbeats thundered. It was nearing dawn by the time they arrived at the inn. Zhou Yu dismounted first to address the group of disguised assassins waiting in the inn.
“Everyone’s worked hard; let’s set off right now. We’ll rest tonight.”
The guards rose without speaking as they followed Zhou Yu, escorting the carriage on its way.
Sun Ce had already ducked into the carriage.
The Lady of Wu lifted aside the curtain. “Yu-er, who are these people?”
“My subordinates,” Zhou Yu replied truthfully. “Aunt, please rest assured—they are all members of the Records Office.”
The Lady of Wu nodded. She glanced at their followers, whose faces were plagued with murderous intent, veins bulging on the backs of their hands as they gripped them tightly with complete focus.
✦ ✦ ✦
Every now and then the assassins would glance at Zhao Yun, clearly suspicious of the extra person, so Zhou Yu explained that he was just their carriage driver. By noon, their procession had already traveled almost a hundred miles, and Zhou Yu checked on the carriage several times.
Inside, Zhou Yu spoke quietly. “By now, Yuan Shu has definitely discovered you are no longer in the manor.”
“Not necessarily,” Sun Ce replied. “Last night, he and Yuan Shao drank themselves stupid. The later he wakes today, the more beneficial it is to us.”
“Was anyone keeping surveillance on you after you entered the manor?” Zhou Yu asked.
“Uh-uh,” Sun Ce replied. “Still, we should go faster. If Yuan Shu were to send men in pursuit, I’m worried we might not be able to move fast enough.”
“We can’t go any faster. If we look scared and rush, the assassins will grow suspicious. They’re experts, and there’s over twenty of them. Even if we can defeat them all, I’m not sure whether we can keep everyone safe.”
Zhou Yu glanced at Cao Pi, who tugged at his sleeve, face writ with suffering.
“What’s wrong?” Zhou Yu asked.
“I need to…relieve myself,” Cao Pi said.
Zhou Yu blinked.
“A little one or a big one?” Sun Ce asked.
“A little one,” Cao Pi said.
“Me too,” Sun Quan added.
Zhou Yu sucked in a deep breath. “Wait, let me think of something.”
The group of assassins were probably unaware two children traveled with them, and Zhou Yu couldn’t let them become aware of the fact. As he pondered, he figured it would be best for them to stay in the dark.
“You two, take turns getting out of the carriage to relieve yourselves. Swap your outfits as you do so.” Saying this, Zhou Yu exited the carriage, ordering the group to halt. “Madame Sun needs to rest for a bit; everyone go wait by the side of the road.”
Obeying Zhou Yu’s orders, the assembled party took up position by the roadside, and they waited where they stood since, thankfully, they didn’t dare to get too close to the carriage of the Lady of Wu. Zhao Yun stopped the carriage a little further away, helping the Lady of Wu down.
Cao Pi was wearing Sun Quan’s clothes as he stepped out as well, heading to the grass clumps by the roadside. A moment later, he trotted back to the carriage, and not long after, he tagged Sun Quan, who shot off.
Zhou Yu was putting his utmost effort into speaking with a group of the assassins, but most of them merely nodded, shook their heads, or, if forced, replied only shortly.
Zhou Yu thought, This group of people might be very hard to deal with.
“Sun Quan!” Zhou Yu shouted. “Don’t go too far.”
“Okay!” Sun Quan replied from within the tufts of grass.
A moment later, the Lady of Wu brought Sun Quan back to the carriage, and with Zhao Yun at the reins, the carriage set off again.