Sun Ce sat down as soon as he entered, while Zhou Yu went behind him, kneeling to his back, slightly left. He took the cup the serving girl handed him, brewing tea for Sun Ce.
Zhou Shang hadn’t seen his nephew Zhou Yu for many years. The last time had been a hasty glance, four years ago, when he carried Zhou Yi’s casket. Sun Ce had also been present that day, but seeing that Zhou Yu was Sun Ce’s subordinate surprised him.
Even Sun Ce found it strange, but when he turned back to look, a single glance from Zhou Yu calmed him.
“I heard about what happened to your father a few days ago,” Zhou Shang said, getting to the point. “A letter also came from Shu County. Before the new year, your uncle came by Danyang, and we had a small get-together. When the topic of you standing by and being patient came up, we all agreed it was not easy for you.”
“Zhou-daren is praising me too highly,” Sun Ce said sincerely, with a raise of his eyebrows. “My father passed, and all my ambitions have turned to dust. I simply wish to observe the proper three years of mourning for my father.”
Zhou Shang let out a cold chuckle. “Zhou Yu being so anachronistic is one thing, but you joining him in being so old-fashioned? If, one day, I were to return to the west, I would never force my son to mourn me for three whole years.”
Sun Ce smiled, abashed.
Zhou Shang continued, “Zhou Yu, how is your mother’s health?”
“With your blessing, well.”
The moment Zhou Yu had seen his uncle, his entire demeanor grew still and calm. Though there was still an air of youth about him, his speech and movements became very measured. It was only when he lifted the cup and handed it to Sun Ce that he showed a hint of nervousness.
He continued, “Mother and Lady Sun are staying together. Having a companion can help alleviate grief.”
A civil official bowed and handed Zhou Shang a wooden box. He opened the lid with both hands and revealed a letter inside. Zhou Shang took the letter, placed it to one side, and spoke to Sun Ce.
“Sun Bofu, your father was the Tiger of Jiangdong, and his title was the Polu General. Though he perished on the battlefield and his body was buried on Mount Xian, as of today, his subordinates all turned their backs on you and returned to Shouchun. Do you not have any plans at all?”
“It was this nephew who sent them away,” Sun Ce explained. “Compared to staying in Shu County, it was better for them to find a new path as soon as they possibly could.”
Zhou Shang grunted. “And yourself?”
His words were like the edge of a knife, giving Sun Ce no room for ambivalence. They were not polite, and Sun Ce seemed to have learned his lesson. He didn’t dare look at Zhou Yu, instead studying Zhou Shang’s expression.
Sun Ce said earnestly, “If an opportunity appears, then I will make another attempt at rising.”
“How?” Zhou Shang asked coldly. “You have no troops and no money.”
“If Sun Jian could rise against all odds during the chaos between the heroes,” Sun Ce said, leaning forward slightly, “then I can as well. The paths left behind by my predecessors cannot be traveled again, and Gongjin taught me I must first learn to understand the situation at hand.”
“Ah well,” Zhou Shang said, “I have heard you are whimsical and flippant, but from what I see today, you seem steady. If you restrain your natural inclinations, it is within your ability to lead troops into battle.”
Zhou Yu was silent, focused on grinding tea leaves before soaking them in hot water and sifting out the shreds.
Zhou Shang glanced at him before continuing, “This is a letter of condolence delivered from Chang’an, which was originally supposed to be sent to you through me. However, because of the heavy snow and my busy schedule, I was delayed. Here, read it.”
Zhou Shang’s subordinate handed the letter over. Zhou Yu put down the cup, took the envelope with both hands, pulled it out, and spread it open.
Sun Ce shot Zhou Yu a look, and Zhou Yu began to read. It was written by Lü Bu; he had already entered Chang’an with Dong Zhuo, and Dong Zhuo had taken the city and declared himself emperor. Lü Bu had heard about Sun Jian’s death and was sending his condolences through this letter, in memory of Sun Jian.
As Zhou Yu read the beginning, Sun Ce understood its intent.
“I won’t go to Chang’an,” he declared.
“Why not?” Zhou Shang asked methodically as he drank his tea without concern.
“Those that walk different paths will not be able to make plans together.”
Zhou Shang did not reply for some time.
One stick of incense’s time passed before Zhou Shang said, “Every day that thief Dong is not ousted is one more day spent without peace.”
“The thief Dong Zhuo must be removed,” Sun Ce said in response, “but Yuan Shu of Shouchun is also watching with a wrathful gaze.”
“That’s right,” Zhou Shang said, letting out a long breath. “Chaos abounds, and traitors rise all around. It is difficult.” He shook his head.
Zhou Yu said, “We came to ask for your assistance.”
“What can I even provide?” Zhou Shang asked in reply. “I’m already halfway in the ground.”
“Prefect Zhou has governed Danyang for a long time,” Sun Ce replied, “and whether the people are for or against you, you can tell in a single glance. To pacify Jiangdong, we require the assistance of the prefect, and we came here for it.”
Zhou Shang paused for a moment, mid-sip, but he didn’t look at Sun Ce. Zhou Yu’s palms were clammy. He hadn’t thought Sun Ce would get to the point so quickly and speak his true intentions.
“If I were to hand the Danyang militia over to you,” Zhou Shang said, “and you take them to war, would you be able to bring them back peacefully?”
Sun Ce didn’t reply.
“If Yuan Shu and his men were to ambush us in the coming days, could you protect all the citizens of my Danyang City?”
Sun Ce still didn’t speak.
“If I were to give Danyang over to you, would you treat all the people well?”
After a long silence, Sun Ce opened his mouth and spoke. “Prefect Zhou, destiny determines life and death, and the heavens determine success and failure. Living in a turbulent world is not easy, and Sun Ce cannot promise every single soldier will live. Sun Ce may not be able to protect the entire city’s worth of people, but if anyone wishes to forcefully take Danyang, Sun Ce can only vow he will live and die together with this land.”
Zhou Shang raised his head and narrowed his eyes, studying Sun Ce with a forceful gaze. Zhou Yu acted as if he didn’t hear anything. He set a pot of tea down on the table in front of Sun Ce.