During the night, the snow stopped, and the eaves began to drip with water.
Zhou Yu knocked on the door to Sun Ce’s room. A call of “Come in” sounded from inside, yet Zhou Yu didn’t enter.
“I know the main goal is important.” Sun Ce’s shadow moved back and forth inside as he smiled. “But Gongjin, think about it. If I don’t get revenge, how will I stand firm in Jiangdong?”
“Only by enduring temporary hardship can you accomplish great things. Even Han Xin32 endured humiliation between another’s legs. I’m not telling you to endure for your entire life. Just a few years.”
“Gongjin, come in,” Sun Ce said. “Come in and talk.”
“Whatever,” Zhou Yu replied. “You’re the Zhugong; you’re the one with the ideas.”
“That’s right,” Sun Ce said. “I had an idea, and to tell you the truth, I knew as soon as I brought it up, you’d get angry, so I didn’t dare say it.”
Could “angry” adequately describe Zhou Yu’s feelings? He was burning with so much violent rage, he wanted to beat Sun Ce up. Finally, he couldn’t hold it back.
“Why are you so eager to get revenge?!”
“I’m not just doing it for revenge!”
Sun Ce pushed the door open and walked forward.
“Think about it, just think about it! My dad died to Huang Zu’s arrows; if I don’t get revenge, how will I gather an army? How will I build up my own authority?! You saw today the people we recruited all came because of debts of gratitude they owed my father. Do they even know who I am?
“You said you owe Hua Xiong a debt of blood as well, but that’s different!” Sun Ce said. “You are not leading the troops; you are not relying on the resources of a single city to gain independence. If I was assisting you instead, I would say what you’ve said. I have no accomplishments, no trade to follow, and no reputation. I only have this single title, son of the prefect of Changsha.
“Aside from that,” Sun Ce continued, disheartened, “no one recognizes me, and no one knows of me. Even the troops supposedly under my command—Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Zhu Zhi—none truly pledged to me.”
Zhou Yu sucked in a deep breath, seeing Sun Ce’s half-packed belongings behind him.
“If you attack Jing Province—putting aside if you’ll be able to conquer it or not,” Zhou Yu said, “do you have enough troops, and what is your plan after you conquer it? Jing Province is historically a land of contention between military families. As soon as you send your troops, the forces on all sides will immediately grow wary. You are not mature enough, and to take such an action at such a time is exceedingly foolish.”
“This is the first step in the plan,” Sun Ce replied. “You are not to ask about this anymore, because from now on, I am in charge of external affairs. You’re in charge of internal affairs. You’ll be in charge of the home front, while I’ll be in charge of the front lines…”
These words left Zhou Yu livid.
He roared, “Sun Bofu!”
“I’ve thought it all through!” Sun Ce yelled back. “I thought about this the entire winter! If I want to make a comeback, this step must be taken!”
They were silent for a moment, and Zhou Yu looked at the clothes that were rolled up, ready to be packed, on the bed.
“As you wish,” Zhou Yu said.
Sun Ce sighed. Zhou Yu slammed the door and left.
“Every time, it’s always me listening to you,” Sun Ce said, opening it and standing in the corridor. “Can’t you listen to me for once? There is nothing more important than avenging my father…”
Zhou Yu turned the corner and disappeared.
Sun Ce was so crushed he stopped packing, choosing instead to lie down, fully clothed, on the bed. His eyes wouldn’t close, and he stared at the ceiling for a long while, only managing to fall asleep late into the night.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next morning, Zhou Yu kicked the door open.
Sun Ce was startled awake. His head split with pain. “What time is it?”
Zhou Yu came to pack his belongings for him. Ever since they started their journey together, Zhou Yu arranged Sun Ce’s clothes, food, lodgings, and travels. After Zhou Yu left, Sun Ce couldn’t even find where he put his most commonly used objects. Zhou Yu was quicker than him and finished packing like a whirlwind.
“Gongjin, listen to me,” Sun Ce said.
“I’m done,” Zhou Yu said. “Everything is packed. You have three days’ worth of clothes, and I’ve prepared dried rations for you as well. Don’t catch a cold. There’s medicine in the backpack. You can stew it yourself…”
Zhou Yu dragged Sun Ce up by the armpits, pulling him to his feet.
“Get up, get up.”
Sun Ce wasn’t fully awake. Zhou Yu placed a large bundle wrapped in a bedsheet on Sun Ce’s back, tightened it around his waist and shoulder, and tied a knot in front of his chest.
Sun Ce could only boggle as Zhou Yu nudged him once more.
“Go, set off.”
With that, Zhou Yu walked out of the room.
Sun Ce replied, “You’re screwing with me!”
Zhou Yu didn’t respond, as he’d simply vanished. Sun Ce wanted to search for him but couldn’t find him, so he assumed Zhou Yu went to the prefect’s manor. The main gates were closed, and though Sun Ce wanted to wait, he didn’t have enough time; he was not willing to put off his departure for another day. He sat for a while in the courtyard, resembling a turtle with a huge shell. He glanced in the mirror; he looked like a fool.
In the end, he left Zhou Yu a letter, saddled his horse, and set off.
✦ ✦ ✦
There were several times Sun Ce wanted to turn around. He felt like Zhou Yu didn’t really want to let him leave. Leaving after their argument also left a feeling of trepidation in his heart. He wanted to go back but also didn’t, so with every step he took, he looked back three times.
He had only traveled twenty miles by noon.
✦ ✦ ✦
It was a snowy day, and the roads were slippery. In the end, Sun Ce made up his mind. Whatever. After I get back, I’ll apologize to Zhou Yu, but first, I need to get to Liyang.
After another five miles, he saw a large, dark mass of people before him, numbering over a thousand.
Zhou Yu was leading these troops along the road, all waiting on Sun Ce who carried a bag on his back like he was fleeing. He grinned.