This is the final chapter (or at least if there are any new chapters, they will be prequels to this chapter), it may be naff as it probably lacks detail but I wasn't quite sure how to add detail without dragging it out. I hope you enjoy and please leave a review. Thanks

Sun Ce had now taken Huancheng, taking over all of Yuan Shu's 30,000 former troops. After continued effort, Sun Ce finally quelled all rebels in the area and was now in control of Wu, Wu was now finally unified. Cao Cao was now part of the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao's cousin, Cao Rens, daughter was married to Sun Ce's youngest brother Sun Kuang whilst Cao Cao's son Cao Zhang was married to Sun Ben's daughter in order to secure diplomatic relationships between these two fledgling empires.

"Attacking Xuchang is far too risky. We'd be leaving our own capital wide open for someone to do the same to us as we'd be doing to Cao Cao. We need to attack somewhere closer to home, somewhere like Jing." Zhou Yu pointed out.

"I agree, it will hold strategic significance in the years to come." Zhang Zhao clarified.

"I too believe this to be the case. An opportunity to defeat Cao Cao will present itself in due time, right now we need to keep our homeland secure." Zhou Tai inputted.

"We shall head for Jing then seen as everyone's in agreement." Sun Ce reiterated. He was displeased that this was the outcome, his ambition was to now set a reputation among the land that he was the undisputed leader of it. But he didn't want to lose Zhou Yu, to lose Zhou Yu would be to lose his empire. Zhou Yu however, had Ce precisely where he wanted him; in the palm of his hand.

After weeks of preparation, Ce's army had finally crossed the border into Jing and an initial battle had started. On a mid Springs day, with the sun out but with a cool breeze that allowed for hours of intense fighting, Ce was in the midst of the enemy lines, casually fighting the enemy as he did best. Zhou Yu and Sun Quan stood atop a near hill, overlooking Ce. After killing the remaining troops, Ce moved forward to the end of the small valley to which archers ambushed him. Yu and Quan remained still.

"Who are you?" Ce asked the leader of the ambush.

"Yan Baihu, you remember me, don't you?"

"I do." Ce didn't waste another moment, he started running towards Baihu. The archers released, doing their job as accurately as their training had encouraged. Several arrows impaled Ce from all angles. He fell to the ground. The ambush retreated and Ce saw Yu and Quan running towards him before falling unconscious.

Ce awoke to find Yu sat beside him.

"Did we win?" Ce asked.

"We won. You fought valiantly as always." Yu replied. Quan now entered the room.

"Zhao has requested that you drink this as soon as you awake brother, it will ease the pain." Quan walked over to Ce and helped him drink. Ce slowly fell back into unconsciousness.

When Ce finally re-awoke, he was still droopy. Quan and Yu were still sat beside him.

"What happened?" Ce asked.

"You were ambush - "

"I know but you were on that hillside, surely you saw the ambush waiting for me, why didn't you warn me or attempt to run after me? I saw you just waiting there."

"You need rest, you're being delusional."

"I remember precisely what happened. Now tell me before I call my bodyguards and have you arrested." Ce started to perch himself up, Yu looked over to Quan who decided to speak next.

"Ce, you're time is over. You've done what you set out to do, what we wanted you to do."

"What are you talking about?"

"When Yu saved you back in Niuzhu, it was because we wanted you to set up an empire. We planned for you to do this, we could have left you to die back then. We wanted you to believe you were creating this empire, leading it, shaping it when it was really us doing the work. Why do you think Yu left in a tantrum and returned with reinforcements? He went for reinforcements anyway, the tantrum was to get you to listen to him. We set up the ambush, that's why Yu suggested Jing, we knew you would listen to him. Now, it's my turn to be the head of this family and of this empire."

"But I'm not dead yet."

"Oh but you are, that potion Zhao gave you, contained far too much poison to be healthy. You'll be lucky to survive the night. We'll be sure to honour you for your deeds when you die. Tell dad I love him and we'll take China in the Sun families name." Ce tried lunging for Quan but it was no good, surging pain caused him to recoil. It was all over. Ce had been conned, not by his enemies but by his closest friends, family even.

Ce died hours later. Quan inevitably took his position. He genuinely wanted to throw Yu in prison for his treachery but knew his unique skill as a strategist could be of further use. Yu regretted ever plotting against Ce, realising the tyranny Quan had displayed in order to take his brothers position. He couldn't deal with the emotional trauma he was currently experiencing. After producing an overwhelming victoriously calculated strategy to win the famous battle of Chi Bi, Yu disappeared from history. Some presume he hid out of guilt, others believe he killed himself. From the day Ce died, Zhou Tai remained silent, never giving advice through fear that it may lead to another friends death. Now he only spoke when spoken to. Ce also left Tai some money in his will as reward for his service, not knowing how short it would have been. Tai used this money to learn to read and write and later went on to record Ce's life story (which was destroyed by Quan many years later). He was also able to study politics, philosophy and ethics which enabled him to create international relationships for Wu. These relationships continued even when China was finally reunited. Zhang Zhou had no involvement in the poisoning of Sun Ce.