Chapter 648

Chapter 648

News that Sun Ce was attacked by assassins quickly spread throughout Jiangdong. This was shocking due to Sun Ce’s status and strength. How many people would they need if they actually wanted to be successful in killing Sun Ce?

“Governor Zuo. Have you heard? The Lord was attacked by assassins.” At Jiangdong, all of the officials found themselves unable to sit still after such a big event.

“I already heard. I don’t know if it is true or not. Do people actually dare to assassinate the Lord in Jianye? With Jianye’s city defenses, how did the enemy sneak in? How did no one notice such a large movement? They are truly neglecting their duties! We must investigate them carefully!” The governor replied indignantly.

“Governor Zuo. The Lord wasn’t attacked in Jianye but outside the city.” One person said. “I heard that those scoundrels got a chance because the Lord went out to hunt.”

“Sigh the Lord even goes hunting while Jiangdong is weary. This should have been the time to clean up our problems and push to the top.” Governor Zuo said. He was an old and experienced man who have been in Jiangdong for a long time. He got the position because he was a local and thus have a huge popularity.

“The Lord simply went to relieve his boredom.” One middle aged scholar said. He was a civil servant that looked righteous and mature.

Governor Zuo who was old an experienced was naturally stubborn. On top of that, how could he allow some youngster to interrupt and refute him? Though the middle aged man did it by accident, the ancient people did not care.

“Oh. I was thinking who it was. So it is Master Zhuge. You are still at Jiangdong? Why have you not crossed North of the river?” Governor Zuo said mockingly.

“You...!”

“That’s right, Minister Zhuge. We can only give you a position as a minister. But I am sure you can be a governor if you cross the river!”

“You all! Hmph! I, Zhuge Ziyu, have my own personal integrity! I have nothing to say to you. As long as the Lord is here, I, Zhuge Ziyu, will stay loyal.” The man known as Zhuge Jin replied. The reason why the others were telling him to go North is because Zhuge Liang is Zhuge Jin’s brother. In a single battle, Zhuge Liang destroyed Jingzhou and Jiangdong’s navy. His achievements caused Zhuge Jin to feel embarrassed as he was Jiangdong’s official. The foundations of the man he served was wiped out by his little brother.

At the same time, Zhuge Jin cannot do anything about it. He could not even curse Zhuge Liang because the man was his own little brother. To curse Zhuge Liang would be to curse himself.

“Oh! Are you saying that you will condemn Jiangdong if the Lord isn’t around? Good! It would seem that you are a suspect. You must want the Lord to die so that you can leave!” Suddenly Zhuge Jin was implicated and wronged as a suspect.

“I...! You guys...!” Zhuge Jin was a simple man. He is adept in practical things but is not good at things like arguments. He is simply pushed around by the other two.

“That’s enough! All of you speak less!” One person suddenly spoke up as he calmly faced them.

“Gu Yong! Who do you think you are?” Governor Zuo was wondering who stopped them since the man used a rebuking tone. However, he turned only to find Gu Yong who was only a county deputy.

“I am not much. But the Lord is missing and we do not even know if he lives. Yet, you are all here making a racket at his residence! I want to see what you all will say when he finds out about this!” Gu Yong said to the others.

With this, both sides stayed silent. It was true that the people were alarmed because there was no news of Sun Ce. If they continued to make a racket at this moment, both sides will end up being punished.

After a long moment of silence, someone finally spoke up.

“The silence is unbearable. Ambassador Zhang! How is the Lord? Who are the assassins?”

This person was naturally Zhang Zhao Zhang Zibu, one of the top figures of Jiangdong’s civilian court officials.

Zhang Zhao faced the others and solemnly said. “None of the men the Lord took with him had returned. The Lord was also covered in blood.” As Zhang Zhao was also the leader of the nobles in Jiangdong, he knew more than others. He was already informed when Sun Ce had left Jianye. His messengers also said that they did not see Sun Ce and that someone was heavily injured. Also, none of Sun Ce’s soldiers came back.

“What? Who could be so ferocious that they could hurt the Lord especially when our Lord is so powerful?”

Although Zhang Zhao seemed respectful, he was also a little angry because the assassins managed to sneak in without anyone noticing and even learn Sun Ce’s whereabouts. What would happen if these assassins came for them instead?

At the same time, Zhang Zhao was also happy because Zhou Yu wanted their money. If the Lord dies then Sun Quan would become the new Lord. Su Quan would definitely treat them with kindness and grace.

On the other hand, Sun Ce did not trust the nobles. Though he gave them preferential treatment, he still did not trust them. So his troops were mostly the poor. There were a few nobles in his army but they don’t occupy important positions. Zhuge Jin may be a noble but he was not from Jiangdong.

On the other hand, if Sun Quan were to become the Lord, he would use the Jiangdong nobles without restraint to earn their support and wipe out his brother’s image.

At the same time, Zhang Zhao was afraid. If Sun Quan becomes the Lord, there would be a change in power everywhere. Would Zhang Zhao be able to keep his position? After all, he was the head of the civilian court officials.

Sun Quan would be looking after more nobles than just the Zhang Family. If Sun Quan fancied a different family then Zhang Zhao’s position would be threatened.

While Zhang Zhao was hesitating, someone suddenly shouted. “They’re here!”

“They’re here?” Zhang Zhao raised his head. Who arrived? The moment he raised his head, he froze. He rubbed his eyes to find out that he wasn’t mistaken. The person in front of him was Sun Ce Sun Bofu, the Lord of Jiangdong.

“Are you that shocked to see me?” Sun Ce stared at the others with chilling eyes.

“This subject does not dare.” Zhang Zhao lowered his head.

“What do you not dare? Don’t you all feel disappointed when you see me? You all hope I died but I didn’t! Now you are all unhappy because the person you all want to succeed the throne failed!” For the first time, Sun Ce showed an intense killing intent towards the nobles. The nobles in Jiangdong may not be enemies but they weren’t any good either. If Cao Cao’s envoy arrived, the nobles, especially Zhang Zhao who was their leader, would find out. At the very least, he would notice something. Yet Zhang Zhao did not say anything which is how this incident happened.

“Everyone stand!” Sun Ce ordered with a wave.

“I was attacked but I did not die. If Gongjin did not push me away, I would have been the one bedridden today!” Sun Ce looked at everyone with a sharp gaze.

“What? The Grand Governor is injured? Is it serious?” The others were shocked to hear that Zhou Yu was injured. After all, Zhou Yu was second only to Sun Ce in Jiangdong. Zhou Yu was the one in command if Sun Ce was not around. Even the financial support given to the families of the dead was handled by Zhou Yu. This is simply to buy the will of the people. If Zhou Yu was disloyal, Sun Ce would already be dead. Now, Zhou Yu was injured.

“Is the injury serious? Gongjin is now in a coma! You tell me!” Sun Ce almost roared. The anger in his tone leaked out.

Everyone immediately realized that Su nCe was angry. Zhou Yu was Sun Ce’s trusted aide and was like Sun Ce’s arms. Now that Zhou Yu was seriously injured, it was no surprise that Sun Ce became anxious.

“Who is the scoundrel responsible for this? We must punish him severely!”

“Yes! We must dismember him into ten thousand pieces!”

“Good! Remember that you all are the ones to say this!” Sun Ce said sternly. “I will tell you who is responsible for this. The first one is Xu Gong!”

“Xu Gong?” There was an uproar.

“Xu Gong? How could it be?”

“Is it that Xu Gong?” The ones that know Xu Gong were all shocked.

The newcomers like Zhuge Jin who is not from Jiangdong, did not know who Xu Gong was and had to ask. “Who is Xu Gong?”

“Xu Gong is the head of the Xu Family. He was one of Jiangdong’s governors.” Someone explained to Zhuge Jin.

“Milord. Wasn’t Xu Gong dead?” Gu Yong stepped forward and asked. All the nobles knew about Xu Gong’s case. Xu Gong colluded with Cao Cao in an attempt to capture Jiangdong when it is unstable.

If Sun Ce allowed this to happen, Jiangdong would be doomed. That was why the entire Xu Family was executed.

“Xu Gong is dead? Then who did I see? A ghost?” Sun Ce berated sternly.

“This is... Xu Gong’s case...” Someone turned to look at a few Jiangdong nobles. Xu Gong’s case was supposed to be thoroughly investigated by these nobles. They were supposed to make sure that Xu Gong was the one that actually get executed instead of a body double. In that era, even the monarch has body doubles.

At that moment, two nobles immediately knelt down. “Milord! Spare us!” These were the Zhao Family and the Cao Family.

“Milord. I...” Zhang Zhao did not know what to say. In the past he would have a lot of things to say. He believed that he had full grasp on the situation and was indifferent to Sun Quan trying to kill Sun Ce. If Sun Quan were to succeed, they would simply change rulers. If Sun Quan failed, he believed that Sun Ce would still not do anything to himself. Yet here Sun Ce was being ruthless.

“Where is Zhuge Jin!” Sun Ce shouted.

“This subject is here!” Zhuge Jin replied. He had been watching indifferently from the sidelines since it had nothing to do with him. It was initially a group of Jiangdong’s traitors trying to kill Sun Ce then it became a fight between siblings. There wouldn’t be a difference to Zhuge Jin regardless of who won. He did not speak because he was really uninvolved with the whole matter. He did not expect Sun Ce to call him out.

“Zhuge Jin. How long have you been in Jiangdong?” Sun Ce asked. He felt somewhat absentminded as he looked at Zhuge Jin. It was as though he was looking at Zhuge Liang, the man who sent his army swimming in the river. He smiled bitterly hoping that Zhuge Jin was his brother Zhuge Liang.

“Replying to Milord. This subject has been here for about fifteen months.” Zhuge Jin did not know why Sun Ce asked him this but he still lowered his head and replied.

“Fifteen months? So are you familiar with Jiangdong now? How is it compared to Jingzhou?” Sun Ce asked like a Lord being concerned about his subordinate.

“It is alright. There is not much difference besides the fact that Jiangdong is slightly warmer. Both are on the same side of the river.” Zhuge Jin replied. Saying that both are on the same side of the river is his way of telling Sun Ce that he was satisfied. No matter what, Jingzhou and Jiangdong are both on the Southern side of the river.

“That’s good. Zhuge Jin. You have been in Jiangdong for some time now as a Minister of War. It is really a waste of your talent.” Sun Ce said.

“Huh?” Zhuge Jin was stunned. He wasn’t part of Jiangdong for a long time and this position was not small. At the very least, it was an administrative job on the provincial level. He was of the same rank as governors of a province. One of the reasons for Zhuge Jin’s loyalty towards Sun Ce was because he was given a good position right off the bat.

“My Jianye is lacking an Ambassador. If you do not have any objection, come and be my Ambassador.” Sun Ce said to Zhuge Jin.

The others present were all shocked. Zhuge Jin is to become Jiangdong’s ambassador? Jiangdong’s ambassador was different from other places. Ambassadors from other places like Yang Hong from Yangzhou was simply a minister handling diplomacy. This was an important position if they require a lot of diplomacy but an idle position if it does not.

But Jiangdong is different because it actually composed of Jiaozhou and Yangzhou. Yet both places were not under Jiangdong’s control. Jiangdong’s awkward position is why being the Ambassador is equivalent to being the head of the civil servants.

If this goes through Zhuge Jin’s position would shoot up in an instant. The only problem is that the position was actually occupied.

“Milord. Isn’t Lord Zhang the Ambassador?” One official asked referring to Ambassador Zhang. In ancient times, they were supposed to show respect to those of higher position by addressing them with the term ‘Official’. Yet here he said ‘Lord’.

“Lord Zhang? Hahaha. Your Lord Zhang will be accompanying people at Xudou. He will be serving the Han Emperor. Naturally, he would not be an Ambassador anymore. Am I right, Master Zifang?” Sun Ce asked as he narrowed his eyes.

“Marquis Wu. Zhang Zhao cannot thank you enough for the recommendation.” Zhang Zhao changed the way he addressed Sun Ce.

“Alright. Master Zifang must be tired now. Go and take a rest. In a few days, you will be going to Xudou. Men! Escort Master Zifang home.” Sun Ce said.

“Understood!” Several troops immediately moved.

For a moment, Zhang Zhao wanted to object. However, two soldiers suddenly appeared and reported. "Milord. Cao Ying and Zhao Kai have been executed. Here are their severed heads.” Two bloody heads were placed in the hall. Cao Ying and Zhao Kai’s faces were full of dread and pain. Just looking at it frightened the others present as well.

Zhang Zhao saw the heads and knew that there is no other way out.

“Zhang Zhao takes his leave.” Zhang Zhao quickly cupped his fist and left. He had schemed too much and was too greedy. He tried to serve two masters and finally obtained nothing.

“Zhuge Jin. Is something wrong? Do you refuse to take this position? Could it be that my Jiangdong is too small for you?” Sun Ce turned back to Zhuge Jin and asked with a hint of complaint. After all, Zhuge Liang did wipe out his army.

“This subject thanks Milord for his favor.” Zhuge Jin knelt down, accepting his promotion.

Sun Ce nodded while the others were envious of Zhuge Jin’s luck. Just as Zhuge Jin was about to return to his previous spot, he was stopped by Sun Ce.

“No need to withdraw. You are now the head of the civil servants. Just stand in front.”

“Ah.” Zhuge Jin was nervous and excited. He was just a middle aged man. Though he thought highly of his own talent, he never expected to become the head of the civil servants. He nervously went and stand at his rightful spot.

“As for Zhuge Jin’s old position, Gu Yong. You will take over!” Sun Ce said. He continued to clean up Jiangdong by promoting several people and demoting the ones related to Sun Quan. Gu Yong was one such victim. He went from the Deputy of Jianye to a simply county magistrate.

“Come! Tell me how we should punish Sun Quan Sun Zhongmou.” Sun Ce finally asked the most important question.

Normally, the answer would be to execute him. After all, he was a traitor that aimed for the Lord’s life and even caused Zhou Yu to be severely injured. Yet no one dared to say anything because the traitor in question was Sun Ce’s own little brother Sun Quan.

The silence was broken by Sun Quan himself.

“If you want to kill me then just do it! Sun Ce Sun Bofu! Since when have you become so indecisive?” Sun Quan said mockingly. “Didn’t you just kill Xu Gong like this? Why don’t you kill me the same way? Death by a thousand cuts! Hahaha! Lu Meng! Do not make me disappointed in your skills!”

“Sun Zhongmou! Do you really think I will not kill you?” Sun Ce asked back coldly as he glared at Sun Quan with killing intent. Sun Quan lost his father at a young age so Sun Quan was both Sun Ce’s little brother and his son. Sun Ce would not kill Sun Quan. However, things changed when Zhou Yu got injured as a result of Sun Quan’s actions. His friendship with Zhou Yu was deeper than his familial bond with Sun Quan.

“Kill me! Why won’t you kill me? The winner is the King! The loser is the villain! This is your right! I only feel regret that idiot Xu Gong could not kill you and allowed you to escape! I regret that Zhou Yu was able to find out about this! I regret not killing you when I had the chance! Otherwise, I would not be kneeling here before you!” Sun Quan shouted at Sun Ce malevolently.

“Why do you still refuse to accept this?” Sun Ce stared unwaveringly.

“I cannot accept this! If it wasn’t for that dog Zhou Yu, you would have died a long time ago! If it was not because of that dog Zhou Yu, I would have been the ruler of Jiangdong!” Sun Quan laughed savagely.

“Shut up!” Sun Ce shouted as he immediately slapped Sun Quan.

Sun Quan fell to the ground with his face quickly turning red. Sun Quan then coughed out blood and spat out a tooth. “You hit me? You hit me?” Sun Quan asked as he looked at Sun Ce.

“You...!” Sun Ce’s heart tightened as he saw his little brother cough out blood. He was still struggling to accept it since he did not have a son and was the one who raised Sun Quan. His feeling towards Sun Quan was genuine. However, Sun Ce quickly killed his heart because he had another little brother who had sacrificed everything for him and was now severely injured.

“You still refuse to give up! You are thinking that without Zhou Yu, you could have killed me! Fine, I did not want to say this at first but I will tell you! I will make you properly give up!” Sun Ce replied sternly.

Sun Quan simply harrumphed in disdain.

“Let me tell you! You thought your plan was flawless. You thought that you managed to hide the existence of Cao Cao’s envoy. You thought no one would notice you trying to become allies with Jingzhou! Let me tell you! You are wrong!” Sun Ce said coldly.

“Did you know, before you even started to act, I received a message saying that you want to kill me!” Sun Ce said to Sun Quan.

“You knew? Hahaha! What a joke! If you knew, that Zhou Yu would not be like this!” Sun Quan initially wanted to call Zhou Yu a dog again but a single glare from Sun Ce made him stop.

“I did not expect Gongjin to show up. I also did not expect Xu Gong to act that way.” Sun Ce said bitterly. If only he had killed Xu Gong first. If only he did not become so disheartened. Otherwise, Zhou Yu would not have gotten injured.

“I know you won’t believe me. It is a message I received about half a month ago.”

“Who would send you a letter? What a joke! Half a month ago, I haven’t even planned to kill you yet!” Sun Quan still did not believe it.

“You want to know? The letter came from the Northern side of the Yangtze River!”

“Northern side of the Yangtze River? Yangzhou?” Sun Quan could not believe it. Liu Mang was an enemy so why would he inform Sun Ce about an assassination attempt?

“Enemy? Hahaha! You think too highly of your brother! You think Jiangdong can still be called an enemy?” Sun Ce laughed bitterly. They had lost their elites and no money to expand the army. How can they be qualified to be Yangzhou’s enemy.

“You want to rebuild Jiangdong with Jingzhou’s wealth. That way, Jiangdong can compete against Yangzhou. However, that is where you lost!” Sun Ce continued. If it was not because of Cao Cao’s plan to have Jingzhou and Jiangdong become allies, Liu Mang would not have found out about the assassination. This is because Sun Ce valued his own reputation. He would definitely not ally himself with his father’s killer.

This can only mean that the Jiangdong was going to change Lords. Sun Quan was naturally chosen because Sun Quan had been scheming for a while now. Otherwise, Xu Gong would not have been spared. Liu Mang knew from history that Xu Gong killed Sun Ce. He also knew that Sun Quan was ambitious yet Sun Ce was too excellent.

Based on his own information regarding the actual history and Lu Su’s information, he arrived at the conclusion that Sun Quan wanted Sun Ce dead. So Liu Mang sent a letter to Sun Ce.