Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Now Zhang Fei drew his sword to take his own life. Liu Bei rushed forward, threw his arms around him, snatched the sword away, and threw it to the ground. He said, "The ancients have a saying: 'Brothers are like hands and feet; wives and children are but garments. When a garment is torn, it can be mended. But when hands and feet are cut off, how can they can be joined again?' The three of us swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden. Though we could not be born on the same day, we vowed to die together. Now though we have lost the city and our families, how could I bear to see a brother perish along the way? Besides, the city was never truly ours to keep. And though our wives and children have been taken captive, Lü Bu would surely not harm them—we may yet devise a plan to rescue them. A momentary mistake on your part, dear brother—why must you so hastily throw away your life?" When he had finished speaking, he wept bitterly. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were both moved to tears.

Now when Yuan Shu learned that Lü Bu had seized Xuzhou, he sent a courier posthaste to Lü Bu, promising fifty thousand bushels of grain, five hundred horses, ten thousand taels of gold and silver, and one thousand bolts of silk and brocade, if Lü Bu would join him in attacking Liu Bei. Lü Bu was pleased and ordered Gao Shun to lead fifty thousand troops to attack Liu Bei from the rear. Liu Bei, hearing this news, withdrew his forces under cover of rain and abandoned Xuyi, intending to march east and seize Guangling. By the time Gao Shun's army arrived, Liu Bei was already gone. Gao Shun met with Ji Ling and demanded the promised supplies. Ji Ling said, "Return with your army for now. Allow me to consult with my lord and decide." Gao Shun then parted from Ji Ling and returned to his army. He reported to Lü Bu all that Ji Ling had said.

Lü Bu was still deliberating when a letter arrived from Yuan Shu. The letter read: "Although Gao Shun has come, Liu Bei has not yet been destroyed. Wait until Liu Bu is captured, and only then will I send the promised supplies." Lü Bu cursed Yuan Shu for breaking his word and wished to raise an army against him. Chen Gong said, "That cannot be done. Yuan Shu holds Shouchun, with abundant troops and provisions—he is not an enemy to be taken lightly. It would be better to invite Liu Bei to return and garrison Xiaopei, to serve as our wing. In time, we can make Liu Bei our vanguard. Then we can first destroy Yuan Shu, and then Yuan Shao, and so sweep across the land." Lü Bu heeded his counsel and sent a messenger with a letter to welcome Liu Bei back.

Now Liu Bei had led his troops east to seize Guangling when Yuan Shu raided his camp and cut down more than half his forces. On his way back he encountered Lü Bu's messenger, who presented the letter. Liu Bei was overjoyed. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei said, "Lü Bu is a man without honor. He cannot be trusted." Liu Bei replied: "Since he treats me with such good faith, why should I doubt him?" He then proceeded to Xuzhou. Lü Bu, fearing that Liu Bei might harbor suspicions, first sent back his family. Lady Gan and Lady Mi met with Liu Bei and told him how Lü Bu had ordered his soldiers to guard the residence gates and forbid anyone from entering, and how he had constantly sent servant girls to deliver provisions, never once failing to provide what was needed. Liu Bei said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "I knew Lü Bu would not harm my family." He then entered the city to thank Lü Bu. Zhang Fei, nursing his hatred for Lü Bu, refused to accompany him and escorted the two ladies to Xiaopei ahead of him.

Liu Bei entered and bowed to Lü Bu in gratitude. Lü Bu said, "I did not wish to seize the city. It was only that your brother Zhang Fei was drinking and killing people here, and I feared some disaster might occur, so I came to keep order." Liu Bei said, "I have long wished to yield the city to you." Lü Bu made a show of offering the city back to Liu Bei. Liu Bei firmly declined and returned to garrison Xiaopei. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were inwardly aggrieved. Liu Bei said, "One must humble oneself and bide one's time, waiting for Heaven's moment—one cannot struggle against fate." Lü Bu sent him grain, rice, and bolts of silk. From then on the two households were at peace, and no more need be said of this.

Now Yuan Shu held a great feast for his officers and men at Shouchun. A messenger reported that Sun Ce had attacked Lujiang Prefect Lu Kang and returned victorious. Yuan Shu summoned Sun Ce, who bowed below the hall. After offering his congratulations and asking after Sun Ce's welfare, Yuan Shu bade him sit and join the feast. After his father's death, Sun Ce had retired to the lands south of the River, treating scholars and worthy men with great courtesy. Later, because Tao Qian had fallen out with Sun Ce's uncle Wu Jing, the Prefect of Danyang, Sun Ce had moved his mother and household to Qu'a and placed himself under Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu was very fond of him and often sighed, "If I had a son like Sun Ce, what regret would I have in death?" He appointed Sun Ce as Commandant of Righteous Duty and sent him to attack Jingxian, where he defeated Grand Tutor Zuo Lang. Seeing Sun Ce's valor, Yuan Shu sent him again to attack Lu Kang, and he had now returned victorious once more.

When the banquet ended that day, Sun Ce returned to his camp. He had noticed the arrogance with which Yuan Shu had treated him during the feast, and his heart was heavy. He walked beneath the moonlight in the courtyard, thinking of his father Sun Jian—so heroic a man—and how he himself had been reduced to such a state. Before he knew it, he burst into loud weeping. Suddenly a man entered from outside and laughed aloud. "Why is this, Bofu? Your honored father made frequent use of me in his time. If you have a matter you cannot resolve, why not ask me instead of weeping by yourself?" Sun Ce looked at him. It was a man from Guzhang in Danyang: Zhu Zhi, style Junli, who had served as an official under Sun Jian. Sun Ce wiped away his tears and invited him to sit. "What I weep for," said Sun Ce, "is that I cannot carry on my father's ambition." Zhu Zhi said, "Why do you not go to Yuan Shu and borrow troops to march on the lands east of the River? You can make the pretext of rescuing Wu Jing, but in truth build a great enterprise. Why remain long beneath another man's heel?"

Even as they were deliberating, another man suddenly entered and said, "I know what you are plotting. I have a hundred sturdy men under my command, and I can lend Bofu a hand." Sun Ce looked at him and recognized Lü Fan, style Ziheng, a counselor to Yuan Shu, born in Xiyang in Runan. Sun Ce was delighted and invited him to sit and join their counsel. Lü Fan said, "I only fear that Yuan Shu may be unwilling to lend troops." Sun Ce replied, "I have my late father's legacy—the Imperial Seal of State. I will pledge it as security." Lü Fan said, "Yuan Shu has long desired this! If you offer it as a pledge, he will surely dispatch an army."

Having settled their plans, the three men put them into action. The next day, Sun Ce went in to see Yuan Shu, weeping and prostrating himself. "I cannot yet avenge my father," he said. "Now my maternal uncle Wu Jing—also written as 'Wu Jing'—has been driven out by Liu Yao, the Inspector of Yangzhou. My aged mother and our household are all in Qu'a and will surely be harmed. I venture to borrow several thousand of your mighty troops to cross the river and rescue my kin. Lest you doubt me, I have my late father's jade seal, which I offer as a pledge."

When Yuan Shu heard of the jade seal, he took it and examined it. Overjoyed, he said, "I do not want your jade seal. For now I shall keep it here in trust. I will lend you three thousand soldiers and five hundred horses. Once you have pacified the region, return with all speed. Your rank is too low to wield great authority. I shall memorialise the court to appoint you as Colonel Who Breaks the Enemy's Charge and General Who Exterminates Brigands. Set out with your troops on an auspicious day."

Sun Ce bowed in thanks and departed. He led his troops and officers—Zhu Zhi, Lü Fan, and the veteran Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang—and chose a day to begin the march. When they reached Liyang, they saw a force approaching. The man in the front was of graceful bearing and handsome countenance; upon seeing Sun Ce, he dismounted and bowed at once. Sun Ce recognised him as a man from Lujiang, Shuchang: Zhou Yu, courtesy name Gongjin. Back when Sun Jian campaigned against Dong Zhuo, his family had moved to Shuchang. Zhou Yu was the same age as Sun Ce, and they had become so close that they had sworn brotherhood. Sun Ce was two months older, and Zhou Yu treated him as an elder brother. Zhou Yu's uncle, Zhou Shang, was the Grand Administrator of Danyang. Zhou Yu had been visiting his uncle when he encountered Sun Ce here.

Sun Ce was overjoyed to see Zhou Yu and told him his whole heart. Zhou Yu said, "I wish to devote my humble strength to our great enterprise together." Sun Ce was delighted. "With Gongjin at my side, our great enterprise will succeed." He then had Zhou Yu meet Zhu Zhi, Lü Fan, and the others. Zhou Yu said to Sun Ce, "My elder brother, since you wish to accomplish great deeds, are you aware of the Two Zhangs of Jiangdong?" Sun Ce asked, "Who are the 'Two Zhangs'?" Zhou Yu replied, "One is Zhang Zhao of Pengcheng, courtesy name Zibu; the other is Zhang Hong of Guangling, courtesy name Zigang. Both possess talents vast enough to span heaven and earth. They have retreated into seclusion here to escape the chaos of the age. Why does my elder brother not invite them to serve?" Sun Ce was pleased and at once sent men bearing gifts to engage them, but both declined. Sun Ce then went to their homes in person. He spoke with them and was greatly delighted, and he pressed them earnestly until both agreed. Sun Ce thereupon appointed Zhang Zhao as Chief Clerk and Concurrent General of the Army Who Pacifies the Troops, and Zhang Hong as Consultant Colonel of the Headquarters. Together they discussed the campaign against Liu Yao.

Now Liu Yao, courtesy name Zhengli, was from Mouping in Donglai. He too was of the imperial clan of Han, the nephew of Grand Marshal Liu Chong and the brother of Liu Dai, Inspector of Yanzhou. He had formerly been Inspector of Yangzhou, stationed at Shouchun, but Yuan Shu had driven him east of the Yangtze, and so he had come to Qu'a. When he learned that Sun Ce's army had arrived, he hastily assembled his officers to deliberate. His lieutenant Zhang Ying said, "I will lead a force to garrison at Niuzhu. Even if they come with a million men, they cannot get close." Before he had finished speaking, a man from among those below the command tent cried out, "I volunteer to be the vanguard!" All eyes turned to him—it was Taishi Ci from Huang County in Donglai. After lifting the siege of Beihai, Taishi Ci had come to see Liu Yao, who had kept him on his staff. That day, upon learning that Sun Ce had arrived, he offered to serve as the vanguard. Liu Yao said, "You are still young; you cannot yet be a great general. Remain at my side and await orders." Taishi Ci left displeased.

Zhang Ying led his troops to Niuzhu and stored a hundred thousand bushels of grain in the granaries. When Sun Ce arrived with his army, Zhang Ying came out to meet him. The two armies confronted each other on the Niuzhu flats. Sun Ce rode forward; Zhang Ying showered him with curses. Huang Gai rode out to engage Zhang Ying in combat. After only a few exchanges, suddenly there was great disorder in Zhang Ying's army. A report came that someone had set fire to the camp. Zhang Ying hastily withdrew his forces. Sun Ce's army pursued and fell upon them with the advantage. Zhang Ying abandoned Niuzhu and fled into the deep mountains.

Now the men who had set fire to the camp from behind were two stalwart warriors: one was Jiang Qin, courtesy name Gongyi, from Shouchun in Jiujiang; the other was Zhou Tai, courtesy name Youping, from Xiagai in Jiujiang. Both had been driven by the chaos of the age to gather men and make their living by plundering on the Yangtze River. They had long heard that Sun Ce was a champion of Jiangdong who could attract worthy men, so they had brought their band of over three hundred men and come to offer their service. Sun Ce was overjoyed and appointed them as Colonels of the Vanguard. He seized the grain and weapons from the Niuzhu granaries, along with over four thousand surrendered soldiers, and advanced to Shenting.

When Zhang Ying returned in defeat to Liu Yao, Liu Yao was furious and wished to execute him. His advisors Ze Rong and Xue Li persuaded him to spare Zhang Ying, and they stationed him at Lingling City to resist the enemy. Liu Yao himself led his troops and made camp south of Shenting Ridge. Sun Ce made camp north of the ridge. Sun Ce asked the local people, "Is there a temple to Emperor Guangwu of Han near the ridge?" The locals said, "There is a temple on the ridge." Sun Ce said, "Last night I dreamed that Emperor Guangwu summoned me to meet him. I should go and pray there." His Chief Clerk Zhang Zhao said, "You must not. South of the ridge is Liu Yao's camp. What if there are ambushes?" Sun Ce replied, "The spirits will protect me. What have I to fear?" He donned his armour, took his spear, mounted his horse, and led Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, and a party of thirteen horsemen out of the camp, up the ridge, to the temple, where they burned incense. Having dismounted and completed his obeisance, Sun Ce knelt forward and prayed, "If I, Sun Ce, can establish my enterprise in Jiangdong and restore the foundation my father laid, then I shall rebuild this temple and offer sacrifices in all four seasons."

When the prayer was finished, he left the temple and mounted his horse. Turning to his officers, he said, "I wish to cross the ridge and observe Liu Yao's camp." All the officers thought this unwise. Sun Ce would not listen. They all rode up the ridge together and looked south toward the villages and woodlands. A scout quickly galloped to report to Liu Yao. Liu Yao said, "This must be Sun Ce's stratagem to lure us into a trap. Do not pursue him." But Taishi Ci leapt forward eagerly. "If we do not seize Sun Ce now, when shall we?" Without waiting for Liu Yao's orders, he donned his armour, took his spear, rode out of the camp, and shouted, "Let all who have courage follow me!" None of the other officers moved. Only a young lieutenant said, "Taishi Ci is a true fierce warrior! I will go to his aid!" He spurred his horse and rode out together with him. The other officers all laughed.

Sun Ce had watched the scene for quite a while before he finally turned his horse to ride back. Just as he was passing along the ridge, a voice shouted from above: "Sun Ce, do not flee!" Ce turned his head and saw two horses charging down the ridge. Ce and his thirteen riders spread out in formation. Halting his horse at the foot of the ridge, he leveled his spear and waited. Taishi Ci called out loudly: "Which one of you is Sun Ce?" Ce replied: "And who are you?" The answer came: "I am Taishi Ci of Donglai, and I have come specifically to capture Sun Ce!" Ce laughed and said: "I am the very one. Even if you two attack me together, I am not afraid of you! If I feared you, I would not be Sun Bofu!" Taishi Ci said: "Even if you bring all your men, I am not afraid either!" He spurred his horse and leveled his spear, charging straight at Sun Ce. Ce raised his spear to meet the challenge. The two horses crossed paths, and they fought fifty bouts without either gaining the advantage. Cheng Pu and the others secretly marveled at this.

Taishi Ci saw that Sun Ce's spear technique had no openings whatsoever, so he feigned defeat and fled, luring Sun Ce to give chase. But instead of taking the old path up the ridge, Ci led him around to the far side of the mountain. Ce pursued him and shouted: "One who flees is no true hero!" Ci thought to himself: "This fellow has twelve followers, and I am alone. Even if I capture him alive, his men will take him back from me. I will lead him a bit further, until this fellow has nowhere to turn, and then I will make my move." So he fought as he retreated. Ce was not about to let him go, and pursued him all the way to a flat plain. Ci wheeled his horse around and fought again, and they clashed for another fifty bouts. Ce thrust his spear at Ci, but Ci dodged it and seized the spear shaft. Ci also thrust his spear at Ce, and Ce dodged it in the same way, seizing Ci's spear as well. Both men pulled with all their strength, and they tumbled from their horses together. The horses, no one knew where, had galloped off. Both men threw aside their spears and grappled with each other, tearing their battle robes to shreds. Ce was the quicker—he snatched the short halberd from Taishi Ci's back, while Ci snatched the helmet from Ce's head. Ce thrust the halberd at Ci, and Ci used the helmet to fend it off.

Suddenly shouts arose from behind—Liu Yao's relief force had arrived, about a thousand strong. Sun Ce was in a desperate situation when Cheng Pu and the twelve riders charged in as well, and only then did Ce and Ci let go of each other. Ci obtained a horse from the ranks, took up a spear, and mounted to come back. Sun Ce's horse had been recovered by Cheng Pu, and Ce also took up a spear and mounted. Liu Yao's thousand or so troops and Cheng Pu's twelve riders fell into a chaotic melee, fighting their way along until they reached the foot of Shen Ting Ridge. Where the shouting arose, Zhou Yu arrived leading an army. Liu Yao himself led his main force down from the ridge. By now it was near dusk, and a violent storm of wind and rain descended. Both sides withdrew their armies for the time being.

The next day, Sun Ce led his army to Liu Yao's camp, and Liu Yao led his troops out to meet them. When the two battle lines had formed into circles, Sun Ce had Taishi Ci's short halberd stuck on the tip of his spear and paraded it before the ranks, ordering his soldiers to shout: "If Taishi Ci had not fled quickly, he would have been stabbed to death!" Taishi Ci likewise had Sun Ce's helmet stuck on his spear and paraded it before his ranks, ordering his soldiers to shout: "Sun Ce's head is here!"

Both armies roared with cheers—one side boasting of victory, the other declaring their strength. Taishi Ci rode out, seeking to settle the contest with Sun Ce once and for all, and Ce was about to go forth when Cheng Pu said: "There is no need for you to trouble yourself, my lord. I will capture him myself." Cheng Pu rode out to the front of the ranks, and Taishi Ci said: "You are no match for me—send Sun Ce out on his horse!" Cheng Pu flew into a rage and leveled his spear to charge straight at Taishi Ci. Their horses crossed paths and they fought thirty bouts, when Liu Yao hastily ordered the recall by sounding the bronze. Taishi Ci said: "I was just about to capture the enemy commander—why are you recalling the troops?" Liu Yao said: "I have received word that Zhou Yu is leading an army to attack Qu'e, and a man from Songzi in Lujiang, Chen Wu courtesy name Zilie, has gone to meet Zhou Yu and let him in. Our base is lost—we cannot linger here. We must hurry to Molling to join the forces of Xue Li and Ze Rong, who are coming to our aid as quickly as possible."

Taishi Ci followed Liu Yao in retreating, and Ce did not pursue; he gathered his men instead. Chief Clerk Zhang Zhao said: "The enemy army has had Qu'e taken by Zhou Yu—they have no heart for a prolonged fight. Tonight would be an ideal time to raid their camp." Sun Ce agreed. That night he divided his army into five columns and advanced with great force. Liu Yao's army suffered a crushing defeat, its soldiers scattering in all directions. Taishi Ci, unable to hold out alone, led a dozen or so riders by night to flee to Jing County.

Now it happened that Sun Ce gained Chen Wu as an aide. This man was seven feet tall, with a sallow face and red eyes, and a strange appearance. Ce treated him with great respect and affection, appointed him a Commandant, and sent him to serve as vanguard in the attack on Xue Li. Wu led a dozen or so riders to charge into the enemy formation, cutting off more than fifty heads. Xue Li shut his gates and dared not come out.

While Ce was pressing the siege of the city, a messenger suddenly reported that Liu Yao had joined forces with Ze Rong to attack Niu Zhu. Sun Ce flew into a rage and personally led his main army straight to Niu Zhu. Liu Yao and Ze Rong rode out to meet him. Sun Ce said: "Now that I have arrived here, why do not you surrender?" From behind Liu Yao, a man leveled his spear and rode out—it was his officer Yu Mi. He fought with Ce for fewer than three bouts before Ce captured him alive and rode back to his own lines. Liu Yao's general Fan Neng, seeing that Yu Mi had been seized, leveled his spear and gave chase. The spear had just reached the small of Ce's back when soldiers in Ce's ranks shouted: "Someone is ambushing you from behind!" Ce turned his head and suddenly saw Fan Neng's horse upon him. He let out a great shout, loud as a thunderclap. Fan Neng was so terrified that he tumbled backward off his horse and fell dead with a shattered head. Ce rode to the gate banner and threw down Yu Mi—he had already been crushed to death. In the span of a moment, one general had been crushed to death and another frightened to death. From that day forward, everyone called Sun Ce the "Little Overlord."

That day Liu Yao's army was utterly defeated, and the greater part of his men and horses surrendered to Ce. Ce had over ten thousand heads cut off. Liu Yao and Ze Rong fled to Yuzhang to seek refuge with Liu Biao. Sun Ce returned his forces and again attacked Molling in person. He went to the edge of the moat and called up to Xue Li to surrender. From the city wall, a stray arrow was secretly released, striking Sun Ce full in his left thigh, and he toppled from his horse. His generals rushed to his aid and carried him back to camp, where the arrow was extracted and a medicinal plaster for wounds was applied. Ce ordered the army to spread the false report that the commander-in-chief had been struck by an arrow and died. The army went into mourning, and the camp was struck and the army set in motion.

When Xue Li learned that Sun Ce had died, he immediately mobilized the troops within the city, and together with the valiant generals Zhang Ying and Chen Heng, they charged out of the city in pursuit. Suddenly, ambush forces rose up on all sides. Sun Ce rode out at the forefront, shouting loudly: "Sun Lang is here!" The soldiers were all terrified, throwing down their spears and swords, and prostrating themselves on the ground. Ce ordered that no one be killed. Zhang Ying turned his horse to flee, but Chen Wu pierced him with a spear, killing him. Chen Heng was shot dead by an arrow from Jiang Qin. Xue Li perished in the chaos of battle. Ce entered Moling, pacified the residents, and moved his troops to Jing County to capture Tai Shici.

Now, Tai Shici had recruited over two thousand sturdy men, along with his own troops, and was just about to come to take revenge for Liu Yao. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu discussed a plan to capture Tai Shici alive. Zhou Yu ordered an assault on three sides of the county, leaving only the East Gate open for escape. Twenty-five li from the city, each of the three routes had an ambush force stationed. When Tai Shici reached that place, his men and horses would be exhausted, and he would certainly be captured. Now, most of the soldiers Tai Shici had recruited were mountain folk, unfamiliar with military discipline. The walls of Jing County were by no means very high. That night, Sun Ce ordered Chen Wu, wearing short clothes and carrying a sword, to be the first to climb the wall and set fires. When Tai Shici saw the fires rising on the walls, he mounted his horse and fled through the East Gate, with Sun Ce leading the army in pursuit from behind.

Tai Shici was fleeing when the pursuing army caught up within thirty li, then stopped chasing. When Tai Shici had traveled fifty li, his men and horses were exhausted, and suddenly shouting arose from among the reeds. Ci was about to flee when tethering ropes flew in from both sides, tripping his horse and bringing it down. Tai Shici was captured alive and delivered to the main camp. When Ce learned that Tai Shici had been brought in, he personally came out of the camp, ordered the soldiers to disperse, and himself removed the bindings, draping his own brocade robe over him and inviting him into the camp. Ce said: "I know that Ziyi is a true man. Liu Yao was a fool who could not employ you as a great general, which led to this defeat."

Ci saw that Ce treated him with great generosity, and so he offered to surrender. Ce took Ci's hand and smiled, saying: "At the Battle of Sheting, if you had captured me, would you have harmed me?" Ci smiled and said: "That cannot be known." Ce laughed heartily and invited him into the tent, seating him in the highest position, and held a banquet in his honor. Ci said: "Lord Liu has just been defeated, and his soldiers' hearts are divided. I wish to go myself and gather the remaining troops to assist you, General. I do not know whether you will trust me." Ce rose and said gratefully: "This is truly my wish. Now I make this covenant with you: tomorrow at noon, I hope you will return." Ci assented and departed. The generals said: "Tai Shici will certainly not return." Ce said: "Ziyi is a man of honor and faithfulness; he will certainly not betray me." None of them believed him.

The next day, they set up a pole at the camp gate to watch for the shadow of the sun. Just as noon approached, Tai Shici led over a thousand troops to the camp. Sun Ce was overjoyed. All admired Ce's ability to judge character. Thereupon Sun Ce gathered tens of thousands of troops, descended upon Jiangdong, pacified the people and showed kindness to all, and those who came to join him were countless. The people of Jiangdong all called Ce "Sun Lang." When they heard that Sun Lang's army had arrived, they all fled in terror. When Ce's army arrived, they were forbidden from plundering even a single person—not a single chicken or dog was disturbed. The people were all delighted, bringing cattle and wine to the camp to reward the troops. Ce rewarded them with gold and silk, and sounds of joy spread across the land. Those former soldiers of Liu Yao who wished to join the army were permitted to do so; those who did not wish to serve were given rewards and sent back to farming. The people of Jiangnan praised him universally. From this point, his military strength grew greatly. Ce then welcomed his mother, uncle, and younger brothers back to Qu'a, and had his younger brother Sun Quan and Zhou Tai defend Xuancheng. Ce led his army south to take Wu Commandery.

At this time there was Yan Baihu, who styled himself the Virtuous King of Eastern Wu and occupied Wu Commandery, sending his subordinate generals to guard Wucheng and Jiaxing. That day, when Baihu heard that Ce's army had arrived, he ordered his younger brother Yan Yu to lead troops out to meet them at Fengqiao. Yan Yu stood with his sword drawn and his horse at the ready on the bridge. Someone reported this to the central army, and Ce was about to go out himself. Zhang Hong remonstrated: "The commander-in-chief is upon whom the fate of the entire army depends. He should not lightly engage a minor foe. I hope the General will value himself." Ce thanked him, saying: "Your words are like gold and stone. But I fear that if I do not personally face arrows and stones, the officers and soldiers will not fight with all their strength." He then sent Han Dang forth on horseback.

By the time Han Dang reached the bridge, Jiang Qin and Chen Wu had already sailed small boats from the riverbank and attacked across the bridge, raining arrows down on the soldiers on shore. The two men flew onto the bank and cut down the enemy, and Yan Yu retreated. Han Dang led his army in a direct assault to Changmen Gate, and the rebels retreated into the city. Ce divided his forces to advance by both land and water, besieging Wu City. After three days of siege, no one came out to fight. Ce led his army outside Changmen Gate to call for their surrender. On the wall, a junior general, holding a roof beam steady with his left hand, pointed down at the soldiers below and cursed loudly. Tai Shici, from horseback, drew his bow and took an arrow, saying to the officers: "Watch me hit this wretch's left hand!"

Before he had finished speaking, the bowstring sounded, and the arrow struck true, piercing through that general's left hand and pinning it firmly to the roof beam. All who saw it on the wall and below could not help but cheer.

The others helped the man down from the wall. Baihu was greatly alarmed, saying: "If their army has such a man, how can we oppose them?" He then discussed seeking peace. The next day, he sent Yan Yu out of the city to meet Sun Ce. Ce invited Yu into the tent to drink wine. When the wine had flowed freely, Ce asked Yu: "What does your elder brother intend?" Yu said: "He wishes to divide Jiangdong equally with you, General." Ce flew into a rage, saying: "How dare such a rat consider himself my equal!" He ordered Yan Yu to be executed. Yu drew his sword and rose to his feet. Ce flew his sword and struck, and Yu fell instantly. Ce cut off his head and ordered it sent into the city. Baihu realized he could not match his enemy and abandoned the city to flee.

Ce advanced his army in pursuit. Huang Gai attacked and took Jiaxing, and Tai Shici attacked and took Wucheng—all the prefectures were pacified. Baihu fled to Yuhuo, plundering along the way, but was defeated by the local man Ling Cao leading his fellow villagers, and fled toward Kuaiji. Ling Cao and his son came to join Sun Ce, and Ce appointed them as Attendant Colonels for the campaign. They then led their troops across the river together. Yan Baihu gathered his bandits and deployed them at the Xijin fording point. Cheng Pu engaged them in battle and routed them again, pursuing them all the way to Kuaiji through the night.

Wang Lang, the Grand Administrator of Kuaiji, was about to lead his troops to rescue Baihu. Suddenly, a man stepped forward and said, "That would not be wise. Sun Ce leads an army of benevolence and righteousness, while Baihu commands a force of tyrants and oppressors. We should instead capture Baihu and present him to Sun Ce." Wang Lang looked at the speaker and recognized him as a native of Yuyao in Kuaiji: his name was Yu Fan, courtesy name Zhongxiang, currently serving as a clerk in the commandery. Wang Lang angrily rebuked him. Yu Fan let out a long sigh and departed. Wang Lang then led his troops to join forces with Baihu, and together they drew up their battle lines in the fields outside Shanyin.

When the two armies faced each other, Sun Ce rode forward and said to Wang Lang, "I have raised this army of benevolence and righteousness to bring peace to Zhejiang. Why do you aid a bandit?" Wang Lang cursed him, "Are you still not satisfied with your greed? You have already seized Wu Commandery, and now you forcibly encroach upon my territory! Today I shall avenge the Yan clan!"

Sun Ce flew into a rage and was about to engage when Tai Shici rode out ahead of him. Wang Lang spurred his horse forward and wielded his blade, fighting Tai Shici. After only a few exchanges, Zhou Xin, one of Wang Lang's generals, charged out to join the battle. From Sun Ce's ranks, Huang Gai galloped forth to meet Zhou Xin. The drums on both sides thundered mightily as the armies clashed fiercely. Suddenly, disorder broke out in the rear of Wang Lang's formation as a body of troops swept in from behind. Wang Lang was greatly alarmed and wheeled his horse around to face them—it was Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu, leading a force that struck diagonally into his flank, attacking from both front and rear. Wang Lang, outnumbered, fought a bloody path through the encirclement with Baihu and Zhou Xin, retreating into the city. They raised the drawbridge and firmly barred the city gates.

Sun Ce's great army pressed the attack and reached the walls, deploying troops to assault all four gates. Inside the city, Wang Lang saw that Sun Ce's siege was intensifying and wanted to lead another sortie for a decisive battle. Yan Baihu said, "Sun Ce's forces are vast in strength. Your Excellency would do better to dig deep moats and raise high ramparts, holding fast behind strong walls and not sallying forth. In less than a month, his army's provisions will be exhausted, and they will naturally withdraw. Then we can strike them when they are vulnerable—we can defeat them without a battle." Wang Lang followed this counsel and fortified Kuaiji, refusing to engage.

Sun Ce attacked for several consecutive days but could not take the city. He then conferred with his generals. Sun Jing said, "Wang Lang relies on his strong defenses; the city cannot be taken quickly. The bulk of Kuaiji's grain and supplies are stored at Chadu, some tens of li from here. We should seize that place first with our troops: this is the strategy of striking where the enemy is unprepared and doing what he does not expect." Sun Ce was delighted and said, "My uncle's brilliant stratagem will surely crush the bandits!" He immediately ordered fires to be lit at each gate and banners displayed in abundance to create the illusion of a large force, then lifted the siege under cover of night and marched south. Zhou Yu stepped forward and said, "Once Your Lordship's army sets out, Wang Lang will certainly sally forth in pursuit. We can defeat him with an ambush." Sun Ce replied, "I have already made preparations. The city will fall tonight." He then ordered the troops to move out.

Now, when Wang Lang received word that Sun Ce's army had withdrawn, he went personally to the watchtower with his officers to observe. He saw fires rising beneath the city walls and banners arrayed in orderly fashion, and his heart was filled with doubt. Zhou Xin said, "Sun Ce has fled. He has merely set this ruse to deceive us. We should send troops to attack him." Yan Baihu said, "Could Sun Ce be heading for Chadu? I will send my troops with General Zhou in pursuit." Wang Lang said, "Chadu is where I store my grain; it must indeed be defended. Take your troops ahead, and I will follow in support." Baihu and Zhou Xin led five thousand soldiers out of the city in pursuit. As the first watch of the night approached and they were some twenty li from the city, suddenly a drum sounded from a dense thicket and torches blazed all at once. Baihu was terrified and reined his horse around to flee. A general blocked his path, and by the firelight he saw that it was Sun Ce. Zhou Xin wielded his blade to meet him, but Sun Ce pierced him with a single thrust of his spear, killing him. The rest of the soldiers all surrendered. Baihu fought his way through and fled toward Yuhang.

When Wang Lang learned that his vanguard had been defeated, he did not dare enter the city. He led his subordinates and fled toward the seashore. Sun Ce brought his army back and seized the city by momentum, bringing peace to the people. Before a day had passed, a man arrived at Sun Ce's camp bearing the severed head of Yan Baihu to present as tribute. Sun Ce observed the man: he stood eight chi tall, with a square face and broad mouth. Sun Ce asked his name, and learned he was a native of Yuyao in Kuaiji: Dong Xi, courtesy name Yuanda. Sun Ce was pleased and appointed him as a Separate Division Commandant. From this point, the eastern regions were pacified. He ordered his uncle Sun Jing to hold the territory and appointed Zhu Zhi as Grand Administrator of Wu Commandery, then led his army back to Jiangdong.

Meanwhile, Sun Quan and Zhou Tai were defending Xuancheng when mountain bandits rose up suddenly and attacked from all sides. It was the middle of the night, and there was no time to mount a defense. Zhou Tai lifted Sun Quan onto his horse. The bandits hacked at them with blades. Zhou Tai fought on foot, stripped to the waist, wielding his sword and killing bandits, slaying more than ten of them. Then one bandit leaped onto a horse and leveled a spear straight at Zhou Tai. Zhou Tai seized the spear, dragged the man from his horse, seized his horse and weapons, and fought a bloody path out, rescuing Sun Quan. The remaining bandits fled far away. Zhou Tai had been pierced by twelve spear wounds, his injuries swelled terribly, and his life hung by a thread.

When Sun Ce heard this, he was greatly alarmed. Dong Xi, one of his officers, said, "I once fought against pirates and was struck by several spears. A worthy clerk of Kuaiji, Yu Fan, recommended a physician who cured me within half a month." Sun Ce said, "Could Yu Fan be Yu Zhongxiang?" Dong Xi said, "Yes." Sun Ce said, "This is a man of great talent—I must employ him." He ordered Zhang Zhao and Dong Xi to go together to invite Yu Fan. When Yu Fan arrived, Sun Ce treated him with the highest courtesy and appointed him as Palace Attendant, then broached the subject of finding a physician. Yu Fan said, "This man is a native of Qiao Commandery in Pei: Hua Tuo, courtesy name Yuanhua. He is truly a divine physician of this age. I will bring him to see you."

Within a few days, he arrived. Sun Ce beheld a man with the complexion of youth and hair like a crane's plumage, who possessed an air of one who had transcended the mortal world. Sun Ce received him as an honored guest and asked him to examine Zhou Tai's wounds. Hua Tuo said, "This is a simple matter." He applied his medicine, and within a month Zhou Tai was healed. Sun Ce was overjoyed and richly rewarded Hua Tuo. He then advanced his troops to destroy the mountain bandits. All of Jiangnan was pacified. Sun Ce distributed his officers and soldiers to guard the various strategic passes. At the same time, he wrote a memorial to present to the imperial court, cultivated relations with Cao Cao, and sent an envoy with a letter to Yuan Shu demanding the return of the Imperial Seal.

Now Yuan Shu harbored a secret ambition to declare himself emperor, and so he wrote a reply making excuses and refusing to return the imperial seal. He hastily gathered his Chief Clerk Yang Dajiang, his commanders Zhang Xun, Ji Ling, Qiao Rui, and his senior generals Lei Bo and Chen Lan, along with some thirty others, and consulted them, saying: "Sun Ce used our army to launch his enterprise, and today he has seized all of the Jiangdong territories. Yet he does not consider repaying his debts of gratitude and instead comes demanding the imperial seal—this is truly presumptuous. What strategy should we adopt to deal with him?"

The Chief Clerk Yang Dajiang said: "Sun Ce commands the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, with seasoned troops and abundant provisions—he cannot be attacked at present. We should first attack Liu Bei to avenge the grudge from his unprovoked assault on us the other day, and only then turn to deal with Sun Ce without delay. I have a stratement to offer that will bring about Liu Bei's capture this very day."

Indeed:

They would not go to Jiangdong to scheme against the tiger and the leopard,

But instead came to Xu Province to struggle with the dragon and the serpent.

What this stratagem was will be revealed in the next chapter.