During the battle for Niuzhu . . .
It was a hot summers day, the sun was high in the sky. The sandy plains were covered in soldiers of both yellow and grey uniform. Sun Ce, the leader of a newly found army, the grey army, was encircled and surrounded by soldiers in yellow outfits.
A soldier came at him with his spear, foolishly aiming for Ce's stomach. One of Ce's Tonfa's soon pushed it away whilst the second reached the jaw of the soldier. Unknown to Ce, an enemy was rapidly approaching from behind. It was only when a groan sounded as a broadsword slashed at the enemies back, did Ce turn to see the soldier falling on his front.
"Sun Ce, you're too far out. When will you ever learn?" Zhou Yu pronounced. The two men now facing back to back to better protect one another.
"Sorry." Ce replied with a hint of youthful sarcasm.
"Well, it's not like anyone could push you back." Yu continued.
"Well, come on, let's go!" Ce rallied forward. Even in tight spots, Ce could always find something enthusiastic to say. The two men charged in opposite directions but never strayed far from each other. Time seemed to slow down whilst fighting, it was as if they were in their prime when in the midst of battle.
"What do you say you and I create our own empire, Zhou Yu, our empire!" Ce announced. Zhou Yu didn't reply. He wasn't sure how to reply. Our empire? As in a empire with both of them at the head? Or Ce's empire with Yu being just another adviser?
That night . . .
Some of the servants led Ce's men to the palace of Niuzhu. This was now their land, it was only small but enough to build upon.
Ce decided to throw a party in the grand hall of his new palace and invited all his new generals and advisers to drink the night away. He and Yu sat together.
"So what do you think about setting up this empire of ours?" Ce asked.
"When you say empire of ours, what do you mean?" Yu replied.
"An empire based on our beliefs. I want to achieve what my late Father didn't have the chance to do. I want to build an empire where everyone has the chance at success, everyone is free to do as they wish, so long as it's righteous and beneficial to all it involves. We of course will need to make sure no-one takes advantage of this freedom and of the people. We won't have to take orders from other people."
"It's the 'we' that I'm more concerned with, by we, do you mean you? Will I be merely another adviser at your disposal? Because if that's the case, why should I serve you above all else?"
"You could never be a mere adviser, you will always be my brother. Whilst I would take the advice of several men, I would follow you to the depths of hell. I admit, I will be at the head of this empire, if it be successful, but you will be the bow from which I shoot my arrows, the shield that accompanies my sword, the saddle in which I sit. If you do not wish to further this idea, I shall leave it by the roadside as I cannot do it without you. I will give you time to decide."
"There's no need, I shall join you in your cause. I'm sorry if I offended you with doubt of your intentions. With that, I think I shall call it a night." Yu announced. Ce smiled and Yu left. Zhou Tai, one of Ce's newly recruited generals walked over to Ce.
"May I?" Zhou Tai asked.
"Certainly, it's Zhou Tai isn't it?" Sun Ce asked, Tai sat down and nodded. "What do you fight for?"
"Peace, without peace there will never be a better tomorrow. A better tomorrow so that our children don't have to go through what we have to. A world in which our children can do things that we couldn't possibly imagine." Tai stated. Ce was impressed with this response.
"That's what I like to hear but may I ask as to why you would join me, of all the leaders that you could have joined?"
"You are not just an ordinary leader, you have a vision, a vision that is aligned with my own. It is my honour to serve such a leader and for that you have my loyalty." Ce nodded at this reply. He left it a while before continuing the conversation, he just had to get to know this quiet character that little bit more.
"Do you have a family?"
"I have no-one. Old age, illness or this fighting has taken them. Do you have anyone?"
"I have a younger brother, Sun Quan and a younger sister, Sun Shang Xiang and bond brother, Zhou Yu who just left before you sat down ... do you have any interests at home?"
"I like music but cannot play it, I like art but cannot produce it, I like words but cannot read nor write them. War is all I have known and all I will know. What do you enjoy?"
"The same except I can read and write. I also enjoy observing people." Ce's response was the last response. Most of the people had left the party and it was now quite late. Ce finished his drink and left. On his way back to his room, he passed Yu's room. There was still light coming from inside the doorway. Ce entered. Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao were talking whilst overlooking a document on top a modest wooden table. They didn't notice Ce's presence. Ce pondered, so modestly whilst revelling in two great minds working so hard together. He knew that his dream of an empire was more than just a dream, it would one day be a reality.
Then in the corner of Ce's eye, he saw a new presence, the presence of someone in the shadow of the room, the presence of someone with a blade.