This chapter will be a little insight into the deeper feelings that Sun Ce has toward the whole war with Lu Bu. It will also show why he chooses to fight so hard, especially when his enemy is so powerful. Without any delays, let us get straight into the action.


Chapter 8: Sun Ce's Torment

The Wu capital of Jianye was so very still on this could autumn morning. Even in the midst of war, there was very little information to go on, aside from a single envoy from Lu Bu's army. Clad in dark silk robes with a slimy demeanour, he ended up saying very little. Instead, he simply insisted upon handing a scroll to one of the ministers within the castle, and this very same scroll reached the hands of Sun Ce in turn.

Still sleepy at this early time, head of the Sun family sat upon the throne within his audience chamber. With curiosity he slowly unfolded the bamboo scroll. His tired eyes scanned the contents, and in mere moments the patriarch felt his frustration beginning to build….

"Surrender Lu Lingqi, or Heifei castle will fall. You have one month," he said in repetition of the very same words written upon the scroll.

"Summon the war council," Ce demanded with uncharacteristic sternness in his tone of voice.

The patriarch of Wu was conflicted; his mind was clearly ablaze with thought. He knew that no matter how many men he threw at Lu Bu, they would seldom be enough in an open battle. Something needed to be done to address this issue, now.

Alas, it was through that sound judgement that the quiet caslte within Jianye stirred. An hour from the order being given, the three men, the lord Sun Ce, and his faithful advisors, Lu Meng and Lu Su, stood around the strategy table. It was almost as if fate had been tempted because of their boldness in the previous nights.

Debates had started quietly, that was twenty minutes ago, however. Since then a messenger had arrived from Heifei giving details of the violent raid that Lu Bu conducted two nights prior.

The bamboo scroll from Heifei was placed upon the table in the centre of the room for all to see. Lu Su and Sun Ce spoke with raised voices back and forth. Meanwhile, Lu Meng quietly pondered the events that had recently transpired. With a hand upon his chin, he pondered a scheme….

"He attacks us in the night my lord," Lu Su spoke with a bleak expression as his eyes glanced toward the scroll, "It was clearly a warning, something far too diplomatic to be given under the orders of Lu Bu."

"Chen Gong," Sun Ce's expression twisted with venom as those words were spoken from his lips, "It must be the work of that devious snake, the man that Lu Bu names Master Strategist."

Lu Su give a faint nod of approval at his Lord's perceptiveness, "That is indeed correct. I also believe the same, "They intend to move upon the castle we have recently taken if we do not release his daughter from captivity."

That was not an idea that Sun Ce's senior strategist liked. No, if anything, he didn't want that possibility coming to fruition at all, "She is simply too valuable to our cause. There is no guarantee that if we return the girl to her father that Heifei will remain unharmed."

"Ah, I understand," Sun Ce turned his back for a moment as he ran his thoughts, "…I'm of the same mind, Lu Su. If we give her back, Lu Bu might just attack us out of spite, anyway." The Lord of Wu turned back to face his most talented tactician.

His mind still running in overdrive as his mentor Lu Su, and Master Sun Ce spoke, Lu Meng's expression curved into a smile, "Then, my lords, we offer ceasefire to Lu Bu's army in return for his daughter's safe release," Lu Meng declared as he stepped forward into the debate.

"….There is no guarantee that Heifei will remain unharmed UNLESS we return her under that specific condition. Well done, Lu Meng," Lu Su declared his praise aloud with a smile, so that his pupil was more than able to hear it.

Sun Ce's expression perked with a small smile as he stood there, arms folded, "Do you believe that Lu Meng's idea holds some weight?" His question came to his senior strategist with a glimmer of hope in his gaze.

Truth be told, they needed an immediate solution to bring an end to this potentially dangerous situation. Sun Ce knew it well, and his memories remained tied to what happened at Chang 'An as he thought it.

Lu Su, while sceptical when thinking of other potential options, felt some comfort in his heart about that idea that his student suggested. Content at least, he gave Sun Ce a resolute nod, "They would have no choice but to give us at least two months of military ceasefire when having such a valuable prisoner returned to them."

"Indeed, Master Lu Su," Lu Meng spoke supportively, "In that time we should be able to secure our frontline at Heifei more effectively," he continued.

Much hadn't been covered at this point. Lu Su took a few steps toward the strategy table. He carefully moved the bamboo scroll aside.

Free to gesture now, he pointed toward the battle map, "Lu Meng is correct, Master Sun Ce," the strategist spoke as he brought his finger down upon Heifei's position on the parchment paper, "The reinforcements led by Zhu Ran and Lady Lianshi will have only just arrived at the castle. They will no doubt need to relieve Master Taishi Ci's tired forces before work on bolstering defences can begin."

"We are so short-handed now," Sun Ce said in a quietly aggravated tone, "That is especially true since we lost Huang Gai and Han Dang at Chang 'An, along with Zhou Yu and my brother Quan."

Tension filled the air with Sun Ce's words. Both of the tacticians bowed their heads out of respect for those lost at the battle, "Is it not for those exact same losses that we fight against Lu Bu's army now, my lord?" Lu Meng respectfully asked his question to the man he served, his head still bowed out of curtesy.

All the thoughts of loss took Sun Ce to a dark place. So many that used to stand beside him weren't here now. Regardless of his pain though, he gave a very solemn nod, "That is indeed the case, Lu Meng," he replied with hollow enthusiasm, "We fight so that their souls can find peace."

Lu Su raised his head and gave a bow of respect, "It is for that same reason that I believe that Lu Meng's idea is currently our best option. Please allow me to send an envoy to Lu Bu's camp with terms for his daughter's release."

Sun Ce's were slowly from the darkness that consumed them. With his overactive mind now back on the matter, he gave his usually content little smile of confidence, "Of course I will allow it. Send out the messenger at once."

"Right away, My Lord," Lu Su responded with a bow as he headed toward the door.

Lu Meng was intent on following his master. That was until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned, to see it belonged to Sun Ce, "Do you require something else of me, Lord Sun Ce?"

The patriarch of Wu felt the need to have all of his options covered. If there was ever an emergency he had to be sure that the Sun family name, and the armies of Wu could still fight on.

With those thoughts clearly in mind, Sun Ce gave a nod, "Indeed I do. I wish to discuss a matter with you. Please, take a seat."

Lu Su raised a brow as he began shutting the door, but smiled toward his apprentice all the same, "If our Lord requires your services, be sure not to let me down," the strategist spoke to his protégé with a confident smile….

Once the master strategist had gone, Sun Ce turned to speak to the apprentice, "Okay, Lu Meng. You listen closely. This is very important…."


The same evening….

Sun Ce walked alone through the majestic halls of Jianye castle. From the vast windows his eyes caught glance of the sun beginning to set…. He couldn't think straight. In the eyes of the people of Wu territory, he was a leader, and he had to be strong against the odds. However, his mind grew darker as this long war of attrition with Lu Bu continued.

His footsteps brought him to a secluded corridor at the castle's furthest western side. Huge steel doors barred it shut to prevent entry from those who were not permitted. A vast amount of guards stood watch, a dozen of them, carrying pikes and clad in large battle armour. They were far from the average peasant footman on the frontline. They stood proud and muscular and bore battle hardened expressions.

The Little Conqueror drew closer to this group of veteran soldiers with each passing moment. As he drew nearer and nearer they stood in formation and bowed in complete submission to their master.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Sun Ce spoke calmly to the elite guardsman standing watch, "Please, open the door," he continued, "I wish to go inside."

"As you wish, My Lord," said the captain with a respectful bow," he turned to his men and gave a hand gesture of authority, "Open it, now. His Lordship desires entry to the chamber."

Two of the Captain's peons frowned at the abruptness of their immediate superior, but bowed all the same, "Aye, sir. We're opening it now."

Six of the bulkiest men within the garrison who protected the door hurried to release the locks. The soldiers worked in unison to push open the door with all of their combined might. Slowly, the massive steel doorway was coming open.

"That's right, boys. Heave!" The Captain shouted with absolute authority.

The men put in all they had, and moments later the door came all the way open. Sun Ce gave a nod of gratitude before walking inside. Once he was safely within the chamber of which he sought access, the guards closed the mighty door behind him.

Sun Ce's eyes were met with near darkness. He stood in a huge and luxurious chamber that was carpeted with velvet and fined with the best furs and ornaments that gold could buy. His eyes required time to adjust, and while they did so, he began walking toward the closest source of light, a dimly lit collection of candles around a luxurious bed.

As he continued toward the bed, a handmaiden of an age around thirty or so; clad in velvet robes rushed over to greet him nervously, "My Lord," she spoke softly at a near whisper.

"How is she?" Sun Ce asked this question with great unease, his voice half hopeful and half cracked with nerves.

The handmaiden escorted Sun Ce to the bedside, and looked down sadly open the young woman laid within, "There is no change, My Lord."

Sun Ce, unable to control the full extent of his emotions, shook his head in sadness as he gazed down upon the young lady. His beautiful younger sister, Sun Shangxiang laid there quietly and did not move.

"….Dear sister, I do hope you will wake from your slumber," Sun Ce said gently as he reached down to touch her hand. His eyes, he closed them to prevent a showing of extreme emotion in the presence of the handmaiden.

However, the handmaiden was more than understanding of his plight and closed her eyes too, in a showing of respect to her lady, "Her wounds heal well. She no longer has the fever, but… she still does not wake, My Lord."

Sun Ce opened his eyes slowly and drew his hand away from his comatose sister, "She is a hero…. No other woman in this land could stand her ground against Lu Bu for twenty passes and still live. She may slumber, but I'm thankful she is alive."

A weak smile curved the lips of the handmaiden, "It has been many moons now since the battle of Chang 'An, my lord. The doctor says that she will likely awaken soon, especially since many months have passed."

That same uneasy smile was returned to the handmaiden by the Little Conqueror, "Quan gave his life so me and Xiangxang could escape. Please be sure that you alert me to any change in her condition.

The handmaiden felt a pang of sadness and worry in her heart for the lady she served, but gave a respectful bow to the Lord of Wu, "I will, my Lord. I am here to serve."

Sun Ce was genuinely grateful for the care that this head handmaiden and her assistants gave to his sister in her time of need. He gave a thankful smile, "Thank you, and I do hope your daughter is well, Ling."

The lady couldn't help but smile at the mention of her name. Many lords and generals within the castle did not often treat the common ladies respectfully. "She is indeed," Ling said with a soft smile. "Ai writes to me often, and she tells me that the foreign warrior treats her with respect and kindness."

"I imagine so," Sun Ce said assuredly, "That man of green eyes and light hair is naïve, but he is certainly a loyal warrior. He will treat her well as his attendant, I should hope."

"Thank you for your kind words, My Lord," Ling said with gratitude.

Ce turned his back and gave a resolute nod to Ling, "I'll take my leave now, but I'll return tomorrow to check upon my sister. Please care for her well."

"I certainly will, My Lord," the handmaiden replied with kindness in her voice.

With little time to spare before the sun left the sky for the evening, Sun Ce left Xiangxang's chamber. As he left however, his mind became clouded with emotion. The sight of his dearest sister being in such a slumber, it made him feel both pain and anger beyond anything he had felt before. This war against Lu Bu, it was changing him, making him grow from a happy go lucky young man, into a hardened leader….

"Lu Bu, you shall pay for what you have done to the people of Wu," Sun Ce uttered under his breath. His eyes, they burned flames. His gaze had the intensity of a predatory tiger.

End of Chapter 8


So, that brings this chapter to a close. Your support has been truly overwhelming. It's nice to see that people enjoy reading this as much as I do writing it.

I also have a new side story up called Purest Love. It's an alternate ending to the events of the forth chapter of this story. I had a bit of extra time on my hands, so I put it up for fun.

The next chapter will be coming soon! As always, please feel free to leave some feedback if you would like to. All of your opinions are valued and welcome. Thanks again to all the people who read this for your continued support.