A few days earlier, Sun Quan had come of age at fifteen, marking his formal entry into both family and state affairs. From then on, Sun Ce began bringing him along to councils of strategy and governance, clearly intending to groom him for the future.
Sun Quan bore a square jaw, a broad mouth, and a solid, well-built frame. Though still young, he already stood tall, carrying himself with a composure beyond his years.
Below the hall, Zhou Yu and Lu Su were locked in a heated debate. Recalling Sun Quan's earlier remark, Sun Ce turned to him with interest.
"Zhongmou, why do you say that?"
Sun Quan cupped his hands respectfully."Brother, that 'fierce tiger' harbors great ambition. Even his name clashes with yours—an ill omen. In time, he will surely become a threat."
"On the surface, he speaks of dividing the north and south. But once he secures Yuzhou and takes Jingzhou, Jiangdong will be pressed from both east and west. We would not be able to withstand such pressure."
"Moreover, Liu Bei's whereabouts are unknown. If he regathers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, few in the realm could oppose him. We should act early to eliminate this hidden danger."
Sun Ce listened without interruption, then said calmly, "Let us first hear what Gongjin and Zijing have to say."
By now, the debate below had reached its height.
Though Zhou Yu and Lu Su were close friends—Lu Su having been recommended by Zhou Yu himself—their views on handling the powers north of the Yangtze had long been at odds. What had once been private disagreements had now become an open and irreconcilable dispute, especially with Yuan Xi's secret request for military cooperation laid before them.
Lu Su spoke first."Gongjin, Jiangdong and that 'fierce tiger' currently rely on one another. If they take Xuzhou and Yuzhou, they will block the Central Plains from advancing south, securing our rear. Does this not align with your vision of dividing the realm?"
Zhou Yu let out a cold laugh."The world may indeed be divided—but not with him."
"With Yuan Shao behind him, and judging by his conduct, his ambitions run deep. Who can say he does not intend to replace Yuan Shu and then share the empire with Yuan Shao?"
"And once Yuan Shu falls, who do you think he will turn on next? Jiangdong will be his next target. Where will that leave us?"
Silence fell across the hall.
Zhu Zhi frowned."Gongjin, do you truly consider him such a threat?"
Zhou Yu replied without hesitation."The Yuan brothers are the strongest forces in the realm. Next comes Cao Cao, though he remains nominally subordinate to Yuan Shao. After that—only Bofu."
"If the Yuan brothers determine the realm between them, the victor will dominate the Central Plains. How will Jiangdong stand against that?"
Lu Su seized the opening."Precisely for that reason, we should follow your earlier strategy—secure Yangzhou, advance west into Jingzhou, then push into Yi Province and Hanzhong."
"But Jing and Yi are difficult to conquer. Even with our full strength, success is uncertain. Why not let the 'fierce tiger' block Yuan Shu for us? Would that not be to our advantage?"
Zhou Yu shook his head, a faint sneer on his lips."Zijing, you are thinking too simply."
"To take Jingzhou, we require not only naval strength but strong infantry. Jiangxia borders Nanyang—if we attack, Liu Biao will send Zhang Xiu south to reinforce."
He paused."Do you believe Jiangdong's infantry can withstand them?"
Lu Su fell silent.
Zhang Xiu's troops, remnants of the Liangzhou army, were among the most formidable in the realm. Jiangdong lacked cavalry, and its infantry could not match their strength.
After a long moment, Lu Su spoke reluctantly."Even so, we cannot shrink from battle simply because the enemy is strong. And Yuan Gonglu is no easy foe either."
"Moreover, he remains our nominal superior. To attack him openly would invite condemnation."
Zhou Yu laughed softly."That is precisely why this 'fierce tiger' presents us with an opportunity."
"To divide the realm does not mean merely holding the lands south of the river. We must push several hundred li northward and establish a buffer."
"Otherwise, once the Central Plains are unified, they can station troops along the northern bank, build a navy, and strike south at any time. Jiangdong would never know peace."
"If we must fight, then the battlefield must be in Jiangbei—not here."
At that moment, Zhang Zhao stepped forward.
"Gongjin speaks wisely," he said.
"Jiangdong is the foundation of our strength—the source of our wealth and provisions. If it is ravaged by war, the people will scatter and the land will fall to ruin. How then can we contend for the world?"
"By keeping the enemy beyond the river, even war will not disrupt the livelihoods of our people. This is indeed a sound strategy."
His words drew agreement from many.
Yet unease crept into Lu Su's heart. Were they not using their weakness to strike at the enemy's strength? Jiangdong's troops were ill-suited for large-scale land warfare—so where did this confidence come from?
He sensed deeper meaning in Zhang Zhao's words, but could not grasp it.
Zhou Yu, however, showed no sign of satisfaction. Instead, a trace of wariness flickered in his eyes.
He had never trusted Zhang Zhao and the northern gentry, seeing them as opportunists. Though Zhang Zhao's words appeared supportive, they carried an unspoken edge—as if implying that Jiangdong men feared battle and thus sought to shift the war elsewhere.
Suppressing his irritation, Zhou Yu remained silent.
Above, Sun Ce leaned toward Sun Quan."What do you see?"
Sun Quan studied the hall—the clashing arguments, Zhang Zhao's intervention, the subtle shift in the crowd.
Then understanding dawned.
"The Jiangdong gentry and Jiangbei gentry… cannot truly coexist," he said quietly. "Brother is using them to restrain one another."
Sun Ce paused, then smiled faintly."In time, your understanding will surpass mine."
"When I was your age, I knew only how to fight. Now I see clearly—these gentry are both our strength and our greatest danger."
"They will never truly serve us. To control them, we must weaken one side and elevate the other. Only then will they obey."
He sighed inwardly. Though he felt some regret toward Zhou Yu, he could not afford to rule by sentiment.
Below, Lu Su made one final attempt."Does Gongjin intend to let the 'fierce tiger' exhaust Yuan Gonglu, and then strike from behind?"
Zhou Yu smiled coldly."Why not?"
"Did Yuan Tan not sit idle while Cao Cao crushed Liu Bei, only to seize territory afterward? And when we attacked Xuzhou, did they not use us to divide the spoils?"
"This time, we merely return the favor."
Lu Su's expression tightened."But that would be a betrayal of trust—"
Zhou Yu cut him off sharply."In the struggle for the realm, only victory matters."
"Morality is written by the victor. The defeated have no voice."
Beneath his calm exterior, anger burned fiercely.
By now, Zhou Yu had pieced together much of the truth—there was a strong chance Madam Wu had fallen into that man's hands.
Recalling the 'fierce tiger's' infamous reputation, his chest tightened.
Whether for strategy—or for vengeance—
he was determined to see this enemy destroyed.