Sun Ce and Zhou Yu turned back. While talking, they walked to a large locust tree with lush foliage. Beside the trunk, stood two majestic war horses, one white and one black. They were extraordinary horses. The Han Dynasty was good at raising horses and mules, even green ones.
In Xu Yangzhou and other places, thousands of traveling horses and mules can be plundered at will, but after all, there is a difference between land and water. No matter in terms of physique, strength, speed, or endurance, they are far inferior to the horses from the frontier. These two black and white horses
The distinct war horses look like they cannot be raised in the Central Plains.
At the beginning of this year, Sun Jian defeated Hu Zhen and Lu Bu's tribe in Beida, Liang County, and captured nearly a thousand horses. Sun Jian knew that his eldest son, Sun Ce, liked horses, so he selected four horses and sent them back.
After Sun Ce took over, he divided the four horses into three categories: upper, middle and lower. The two lower ones were given to his ten-year-old second brother Sun Quan and his eight-year-old third brother Sun Yi. The rest were too young to mention.
Then he gave it to his sworn brother Zhou Yu. Sun Ce followed his advice before he could take refuge. The latter then gave up his residence in the Daonan mansion and went to the hall to worship his mother. If there was any commonality, he gave the good horse to Zhou Yu. Sun Ce was not interested at all.
Feeling distressed.
The two untied the ropes and galloped all the way back to Shu County. They were dressed in bright clothes and had the best looks in the world. They just entered the city gate and immediately became the focus of everyone's attention like magnets. All the men and women in the road looked sideways, especially the girl.*
*, his eyes were shining with light, and he wanted to pull the two of them off the horse and hold them in his arms. From time to time, someone shouted "Zhou Lang", "Sun Lang".
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu looked at each other and smiled, and drove straight to the south of the city. Since Sun Ce lived in the Zhou family's villa, one of the two families was in the north of the road, and the other was in the south of the road, so the two separated in the middle of the road.
Sun Ce jumped off the horse, handed the horse to a guest, and entered the house. This guest was not a guest, but a housekeeper. When Sun Ce was in Shouchun, he ran the business for several years, and at one time he had hundreds of customers.
After moving to Shu, most of them dispersed, and now there are only fifty or sixty people left.
"Brother, you're back..." A boy came towards me. He was Sun Ce's second brother Sun Quan. He was born with big ears, a tall nose and a wide mouth, and his eyes were big, round and bright. This is what ordinary people do.
When Sun Quan was born, Sun Jian was deeply impressed by the majestic appearance and noble appearance mentioned above, and believed that this son would be extraordinary in the future. Sun Quan is ten years old this year. Due to his unusual appearance and height, he is taller than his peers.
He looks one or two years older than he is.
"Yeah." Sun Ce reached out and patted Sun Quan on the head, but the latter avoided it with a playful smile.
Sun Ce missed a hit and shook his head with a smile. Looking at this younger brother who was humble on the outside but proud on the inside, he couldn't help but think of himself back then. In the first year of Zhongping (AD 184), his father Sun Jian was ordered by the court to conquer the Yellow Turban Moth Thieves.
At the age of 10, he independently supported the family in Shouchun, a different place. The ups and downs are hard to explain to outsiders. Now, he wants to follow his father and build a career. Should the ten-year-old Sun Quan be able to support the family? Or even do better than him...
…
Thinking of this, Sun Ce looked solemn and said: "Second brother, I have something to say to you..."
Sun Quan couldn't help but was startled, put away his smile and said: "Brother, please speak."
"Although I am young, I am very talented. I have told you all the details of Yuzhou..."
Sun Quan nodded, did not interrupt, and listened patiently to the follow-up.
Sun Ce's face became more solemn, and he said word by word: "Brother, I want to go to my father's camp with Gong Jin to help my father. After I leave, this family will depend on you."
There was a flash of light in Sun Quan's bright and sharp eyes, and he said: "I will take good care of the family and not let my father and brother be distracted."
"Brother, I believe you." Sun Ce nodded happily. If he were an ordinary ten-year-old boy, he would have cried bitterly when he heard the news. This time, he did not try to pat his brother's head again, but put his arm around his left shoulder.
Pressed hard.
Then the two of them came to their mother's room together. Wu was only thirty-five years old this year. She had a good figure, a beautiful appearance, and watery eyes. Her whole person exuded a faint bookish atmosphere, which made people sigh that only such a woman with both talent and beauty can do so.
Lock the heart of "Jiangdong Tiger" Sun Jian.
Back then, when the Wu family went on an outing in the spring, Sun Jian only took a quick look at her, but was so shocked that he vowed to marry her. In order to get her, he worked very hard and even made a betrothal gift that the Wu family dared to refuse him.
The idea of leading someone to rob someone.
Sun Jian was an official in a county, and his background was not prominent, and there was nothing that the Wu family liked. However, Sun Jian was cunning and brave, a good boy in the county, and all the knights were happy to follow him. The Wu family was afraid that the family would refuse to marry him.
Encountered a great disaster, he fought against all opinions and committed himself to Sun Jian.
Not long after the two got married, there was a man from Xuchang in Kuaiji who was similar to Zhang Jiao. He used religion to seduce people's hearts and stir up rebellion. He gathered tens of thousands of people and claimed to be emperor. He conquered counties and counties. Sun Jianxiao was famous for his martial arts and was conquered. He followed the governor of Yangzhou, Zang Min, the father of Zang Hong.
After defeating the rebels, he accumulated merit and became the Prime Minister of Yandu. He resigned from the staff and became an official. He was on the right path. It can be said that Zang Min can be regarded as Sun Jian's benefactor.
After Sun Ce and Sun Quan paid homage to Mrs. Wu, they each sat upright, not even daring to turn their eyes around, and abided by etiquette. Compared with their father, who had a cheerful personality and was informal, they were undoubtedly more afraid of their mother, who was knowledgeable and gentle, even though she had never been
I have never beaten them. Usually, as long as Wu gives them a slightly serious look, it is more effective than any stick.
"Mother……"
When Sun Ce opened his mouth, Wu rushed over and said, "Do you want to go find your father?"
Sun Ce was not surprised and nodded in agreement.
"Since you arrived in Shu County, you have been restless. I knew that sooner or later such a day would come..." Wu then sighed: "Alas, you and your father have exactly the same temperament. Once you make up your mind, even nine oxen can't pull it.
When you come back, I won't waste any words to persuade you. However, the sword on the battlefield has no eyes, so don't rely on your martial arts or act arbitrarily. You must always stay with your father..." At this point, Wu quickly stopped talking. Sun Jian was a man who fought every battle.
Isn't it more dangerous for a person who must be the first to let his son stay with him at all times?
Seeing his mother's unconcealed worry, Sun Ce said, "Gong Jin will accompany me on this trip. If my mother doesn't trust me, why don't you trust Gong Jin as well?"
Sure enough, when Wu heard this, she slightly brightened her face and said, "Gong Jin has always been steady and can persuade you. With him here, I feel relieved."
Sun Ce was slightly disgusted. No matter how mature his words and deeds were, he was still just a boy who had just turned seventeen. No boy in the world would like his mother to praise someone else, even if that person is his sworn brother.
Zhou Yu, who was "strongly" jealous of Sun Ce, was sitting with his uncle Zhou Shang at the moment. Zhou Yu's father, Zhou Yi, died of illness four years ago at the age of forty. In today's era, medical care is extremely poor, and it seems that many people die at this age.
Yes, I don’t think it’s strange.
Zhou Shang is less than 50 years old, of medium height and ordinary appearance, which seems to indirectly prove that the Zhou family does not have the genetic gene for handsomeness. It is incredible that Zhou Yu can grow up to look like this.
After Zhou Shang heard his nephew's decision, he was silent for a long time and then said: "Gong Jin, you are smart and talented, and you are my family's great horse. As long as you work hard for a few years, when the situation becomes a little clearer, once you make a move, you will skyrocket to fame.
Crown the world. This is by no means a good opportunity. Why rush into the quagmire impatiently? If you make a slight mistake, it will be a doomed situation." Zhou Shang paused and then added: "Gong Jin, I believe you have the patience.
Just wait."
Zhou Yu said sincerely: "My sworn brother has invited me many times, but I cannot refuse. Don't blame me for obeying my father."
Zhou Shang couldn't help but frown. To be honest, he looked down upon Sun Jian. Although Sun Jian was the most powerful man in the world, he used soldiers like a god, and he was loyal to the king, but his shortcomings were equally obvious. He was stubborn, brave and merciless, and violent.
Bloodthirsty. What makes Sun Ce better than his father is that he can make friends with famous people and treat people with courtesy, but his personality is exactly the same.
Besides, Sun Jian was the governor of Yuzhou in name only, but in fact he only had a nice name. The money, food, and appointment power of Yuzhou were all in the hands of Yuan Shu. It may not be appropriate to call him a general under Yuan Shu, but he definitely cannot be called an ally.
Rather than defecting to Sun Jian, it is better to defect to Yuan Shu. The Zhou and Yuan families have been friends for three generations, starting from Zhou Jing and Yuan Tang. Not long ago, Yuan Shu wrote him a sincere handwritten letter, inviting him to come to Wancheng, the southern capital, to conspire.
Zhou Shang was very excited about the big event.
Although Zhou Yu is young, he is very wise. His uncle Zhou Shang usually consults him on everything. Zhou Yu naturally knew about Yuan Shu's invitation. He guessed what his uncle was thinking and said with a smile: "Yuan, the Sun family
, to surrender to Sun is to surrender to Yuan..."
Zhou Shang sighed. It seems that the two of them are a family now, but what about the future? With Sun Jian's character, how could he be willing to be controlled by others for a long time? He must be seeking to be independent. He didn't believe that his nephew, who had always been smart, could not see the fishy nature of this.
He is determined to help the Sun family, risking everything
Zhou Yu bowed his head and said: "We will set off tomorrow. I will go and say goodbye to my mother..."
"..."
--------------------------
Xidu, Chang'an.
On a slightly old but unusually spacious street, a simply decorated carriage drove slowly along the road.
In the carriage, two young men were sitting. One of them was less than six feet tall. In the Han Dynasty, there was a saying that "five feet is a child" and "six feet is a fifteen." This man is fifteen this year, so he is obviously a dwarf.
His skin is slightly dark, and his muzzle, nose, and eyebrows are densely squeezed toward the center. At best, he is unattractive, and at worst, his facial features are short. However, despite his humble appearance, he is full of energy and exudes an astonishing confidence. This kind of person
, must have amazing talent.
The other man was about ten years old, more than seven feet long, with snow-white skin, good appearance and good expression, only half inferior to the likes of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, and on par with Gai Jun's good friend, Chen Yi, a handsome man from Taixue.
This kind of person, just by his appearance, is the center of attention no matter where he is. However, for some reason, he seems to be lackluster, otherwise, it will definitely add a few points to him.
Regardless of appearance or temperament, the two are actually two extremes. If they didn't have something in common, it would be difficult to get along with them.
The ugly man's surname was Wang Can, and his courtesy name was Zhongxuan. He was a descendant of the Wang family in Gaoping, Shanyang County. His great-grandfather, Wang Gongshun, was an official to Taiwei during the reign of Emperor Gongshun, and his grandfather, Wang Changling, was an official to Sikong. His father and son were both the Three Dukes, and it was later passed down as a beautiful talk about Shanyang.
His father, Wang Qian, was also well-known. He once served in the General's Office and was a director of history. Unfortunately, he died early. Wang Can was good at composition, arithmetic, learned and memorized, and had a photographic memory. In addition, he had been friends with Cai Zhonglang and Cai Yong for many years, so he could be called an imperial scholar.
The number one man of the hour.
The beautiful man's surname was Wei, whose name was Zhongdao, and he was a son of the Wei family in Anyi, Hedong. Coincidentally, he was the younger brother of Wei Boru, the great Cao Wei of Hedong County under the rule of Gai Jun. As mentioned before, this Wei family was not a Han Dynasty. General Wei Qing's lineage was originally from Yan (Youzhou). Their great-grandfather Wei Song learned from the north and was summoned by Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty. He died in Anyi, Hedong. Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty mourned his misfortune and gave his descendants land and property. The Song family then settled in Anyi. The Wei family had a strict family tradition and a strong academic style. They were famous for three generations, and they became a prominent family in Hedong. Wei Jian showed extraordinary talent since he was a child, and he and his brother Wei Jian were famous in Hedong. When he traveled to Kyoto and entered Imperial College, everyone admired him.
Wang Can looked at Wei Zhongdao leaning against the wall of the car, his eyes dull, as if he hadn't woken up. He smiled and scolded: "Zhongdao, do you know that you are going to see him soon, but the famous Marquis of Gaoyang Township?" Confucian Cai Bojie? Huh?"
Wei Zhongdao yawned lazily and said absently: "Zhongxuan, lower your voice, lower your voice... My body is weak, don't break my bones."
"Alas -" Wang Can said helplessly: "When can you cheer up?"
"I'm very tired." Wei Zhongdao said softly, and then looked at the toes of the other party absently.
It took more than a moment to arrive at Cai Mansion. Wang Can didn't want to remain silent like this and asked: "Zhongdao, what do you think of Sun Yuzhou's withdrawal this time?"
Wei Zhongdao's eyes became slightly more focused. Although it was limited, his attention was finally drawn back and he said: "How else can we look at it? The two Yuans are fighting for the Central Plains. Don't have any hope for their King Qin anymore." Wei Zhongdao paused and said, He added: "They will probably follow the king's path in the future."
That is to say, there is kingship, and there is also domineering. The so-called domineering person is one who respects the emperor above, cooperates with the princes below, and crusades against his subordinates. Dong Zhuo is the same. However, he did not do very well. He was defeated repeatedly in battles and retreated to Guanzhong, which was difficult to achieve. And the so-called domineering person Those who are kings take the names of princes, call them benevolence and righteousness internally, and unite the powerful externally, so as to dominate the world and replace them with the emperor of Han Dynasty.
Wang Can's already narrow eyes narrowed and almost disappeared. This coincided with his judgment. He snorted coldly: "How dare you do this when the Yuan family has been so favored?"
Wei Zhongdao said in a calm tone: "What are they afraid of? If Dong Zhuo is allowed to fiddle with it for a few more years, the Han Dynasty will surely perish."
"Where is Gai Huqi?" Wang Can asked again. He and Cai Yong had become friends for many years, and it was said that they were the most beautiful people in Beijing. But he was not the first one. The first person he asked was Cai Yong's beloved son-in-law. , the hussar general led Bingzhou Mu, Meiyanghou Gaijun Gaiying.
Wei Zhongdao's eyes became more focused, and he slowly shook his head and said: "I can't see through it, I can't see through it... Judging from his behavior, from the time when he was a long history in the north to when Dong Zhuo entered Beijing and led his troops south to capture Bingzhou Mu, he has always been a He was decisive and decisive, and he conquered the world bravely. He was regarded as an outstanding person among outstanding people. Then, his situation worsened, giving people the impression of being indecisive. Are you satisfied with the status of a prince? No, without making a move, all three rivers were in the palm of your hand. Although Sanhe is rich, it is in a sensitive place. Only those with great ambition and perseverance would not dare to take it. Do you want to sit back and watch the success or failure of Kanto and Kansai? That’s not right... Well, the more I think about it, the more I get a headache..."
Wang Can's head also hurt badly. Obviously, he couldn't figure it out either.
Gai Jun's movements are like an antelope hanging its horns, leaving no trace. This is not a compliment, because it means that Gai Jun's strategy is in chaos and contradiction...