Chapter 47: Venturing Alone to the Southlands

Xu Shu devised two strategies in succession to ensure Su Ming’s safety in Jiangdong.

Zhang Zhao, meanwhile, dispatched two forces, intent on taking Su Ming’s life.

Both Xu Shu and Zhang Zhao were first-rate strategists.

This was a contest between two of the finest minds.

Who would prove stronger, who weaker, would be determined by whether Su Ming lived or died.

If Su Ming were to perish, it would naturally show Zhang Zhao’s superiority.

But if Su Ming survived, it would mean Xu Shu’s skill had surpassed his rival’s.

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

Xu Shu’s arrangements were already bearing fruit: all the people of Jiangdong knew Su Ming would soon arrive, bringing Huang Zu with him.

Moreover, the invitation Xu Shu sent specified the exact date of Su Ming’s arrival.

Upon the Han River, a great ship sailed south with the current.

This time, Su Ming was accompanied by only a small group.

Onboard were merely a thousand marines led by Gan Ning; aside from this, there were no other troops.

Su Ming was headed for Jiangdong, the territory of Sun Quan.

Once within another’s domain, whether you brought a thousand or ten thousand soldiers made little difference.

“General Su, spare me!”

“I am willing to surrender, I am willing to surrender!”

“I can train the navy, I can still fight!” Ever since he learned Su Ming intended to deliver him to Jiangdong, Huang Zu had been scared out of his wits.

Though bound tightly, he knelt on the ground, pleading incessantly, banging his head until blood flowed.

Years ago, Huang Zu had heeded Liu Biao’s advice, ambushed at Xianshan, and killed Sun Jian with an arrow.

Whether among the people of Jiangdong or the Sun family, hatred for Huang Zu was bone-deep.

Huang Zu could well imagine the fate that awaited him in Jiangdong’s hands.

Before Su Ming could reply, Sun Shangxiang stepped forward and kicked Huang Zu aside, then delivered several more blows, leaving him battered and bruised. She ordered the guards, “Gag his mouth. He’s wailed the entire journey; it’s infuriating.”

Sun Shangxiang was annoyed.

She was no longer young. When her eldest brother died, she was too grief-stricken to think deeply.

But after all these days, Sun Shangxiang had come to understand: her brother’s death was likely connected to her second brother.

Even if Sun Quan hadn’t committed the act himself, it was the work of the Jiangdong gentry, and Sun Quan surely knew.

Through these days together, Sun Shangxiang had grown attached to Su Ming.

Now, Su Ming was her whole world.

Sun Shangxiang knew Su Ming’s trip to Jiangdong was fraught with peril.

Whether her second brother or the Jiangdong gentry, all would wish to see Su Ming dead.

Her eldest brother was gone; she could not bear to lose Su Ming as well.

Though strategist Xu Shu assured her repeatedly that Su Ming was in no real danger, Sun Shangxiang remained deeply concerned.

Beyond worrying for Su Ming’s safety, she also pondered how she would face her second brother Sun Quan upon arrival.

Already troubled, Sun Shangxiang found Huang Zu’s incessant cries the perfect outlet for her frustration.

With the current, the ship soon reached the riverbank.

“Lord, let me accompany you into the city!” Gan Ning bowed to Su Ming, requesting permission.

Gan Ning felt Su Ming’s journey into the heart of Jiangdong, alone, was far too dangerous.

If he could guard Su Ming, he would lay down his life if necessary to ensure his lord’s safety.

Su Ming shook his head, jesting, “Xingba, you mustn’t come with me.”

“This ship is our escape route; you must guard it. If it falls into enemy hands, we’ll be swimming back to Jiangxia.”

The ship was crucial. If it were taken, they would truly be trapped in Jiangdong.

Moreover, Su Ming’s martial prowess surpassed even Gan Ning’s; once inside Jiangdong, bringing Gan Ning made little difference.

Gan Ning understood Su Ming’s reasoning and the ship’s importance.

He patted his chest and promised, “Rest assured, my lord. With Gan Ning here, no one will seize this vessel.”

Gan Ning was, without doubt, the foremost naval commander of the entire Three Kingdoms era.

With Gan Ning guarding the ship, Su Ming felt reassured.

After instructing Gan Ning to hold the ship, Su Ming took only a hundred elite soldiers as his escort.

With Huang Zu in custody, he set out for Wuchang County within Jiangdong.

Outside Wuchang County at this moment,

Sun Quan, accompanied by Jiangdong’s ministers—Zhang Zhao, Zhou Yu, Gu Yong, and others—had come three miles out of the city to greet him.

When the emperor arrives, the welcome extends ten miles beyond the city.

When an imperial envoy comes, the welcome extends three miles.

Sun Quan’s arrangements were flawless, leaving no room for criticism.

“My lord, he’s here!” Zhang Zhao pointed to the approaching party.

Soon, Su Ming appeared before Sun Quan, riding a Thunder Panther.

Even though he tried to steady his emotions, Sun Quan’s teeth clenched with rage at the sight of Su Ming.

Yet anger aside, Su Ming was now the imperial envoy; whatever his temper, Sun Quan had to keep it in check.

“Let it go!”

“Let it go; why quibble with a dead man?” Sun Quan consoled himself, then led the ministers forward to greet their guest.

“Oh, what virtue or ability have I, Su Ming, to warrant the Marquis of Wu himself leading Jiangdong’s ministers three miles out for my arrival?”

“This is far too much honor for me; how could I possibly accept it?” Su Ming spoke humbly, but made no move to dismount.

Why didn’t Su Ming dismount?

There was a reason: by remaining mounted, he was waiting for Sun Quan to take the reins before he dismounted.

This was, from the very start, a display meant to cow Sun Quan.

Sun Quan understood Su Ming’s intentions, but feigned ignorance.

When Sun Ce was made Marquis of Wu by the emperor, upon his death Sun Quan inherited the title.

Sun Quan thought, “I, the dignified Marquis of Wu, cannot take your reins. Even if you are an imperial envoy—even if the emperor himself were here—I would not hold your horse!”

“If I did, how could I ever fulfill my ambitions? Afterwards, people would call me ‘Sun Quan the horse-holder.’”

Sun Quan refused to take the reins; Su Ming refused to dismount.

Ah!

The two were thus locked in a stalemate, the atmosphere growing awkward.

“Ah!” Zhang Zhao sighed, thinking this deadlock couldn’t continue.

His lord Sun Quan certainly couldn’t take the horse; so he decided to step forward himself.

Just as Zhang Zhao moved to take the reins, a figure in white emerged from among the ministers and took hold of Su Ming’s bridle.

“Second Brother, dismount!” The newcomer was Zhou Yu, who called out to Su Ming with an apologetic tone.

Seeing Zhou Yu, Su Ming felt a surge of anger—he never thought Zhou Yu would so wholeheartedly serve Sun Quan.

No matter Zhou Yu’s reasons, or how much he spoke of righteousness and duty, Su Ming found him unforgivable.

“Hmph!” Su Ming snorted, displeased. “I am not your second brother; I am Su Ming, imperial envoy.”

Zhou Yu’s face darkened. Braving the moment, he addressed him, “General Su, please dismount.”

(End of this chapter)