Taking the Imperial Seal, Yuan Shu established the state name "Cheng," set the era name "Zhongjia," widely appointed a hundred officials, and proclaimed it to the realm.
For a time, the Nine Provinces shook.
Juchao County was located in the Jianghuai region.
It was also one of the vital heavyholds of Yang Province.
Juchao was famed for its abundant products and fertile lands; even within Yang Province, it fully deserved the description of "a land of fish and rice."
At this moment, outside a certain estate within Juchao County.
A carriage slowly came to a halt.
Soon after, a scholar with an elegant appearance jumped down from the carriage, ignoring the steward who had come to welcome him, and hurried headlong into the estate.
"Gongjin! Gongjin--!"
The elegant scholar called out as he ran, his expression anxious.
Deep within the estate, in a tranquil courtyard, a handsome man reading a book heard the far-off voice and slightly lifted his gaze.
"Xiao Qing, go prepare some tea."
The handsome man instructed the beautiful maidservant serving beside him.
The maidservant looked at the man's face, her pretty face blushing slightly. She softly complied and said gently, "Yes, Lord Zhou."
With that, she stood up and returned to the house, while the handsome man once again cast his gaze toward the book in his hand.
Before long, someone broke the tranquility of the courtyard.
"Gongjin--!"
The scholar in a Confucian robe barged into the courtyard. Seeing the man reading his book, he could not help saying, "What time is it, and you still have the leisure to read here?"
"A huge disaster has happened!"
This handsome man's surname was Zhou, given name Yu, and style name Gongjin.
He was none other than the current magistrate of Juchao County.
Hearing the words of the scholar in the Confucian robe, Zhou Yu put down the book in his hand and smiled. "Why be in such a panic? Sit down and drink a cup of tea first before we talk."
At this moment, the maidservant Xiao Qing brought over the prepared tea, pouring a cup for each of the two men.
"I have no time to drink tea! You have no idea what has happened!"
The scholar in the Confucian robe let out a long sigh and said in a deep voice, "Just yesterday, Yuan Shu held a sacrificial ceremony to Heaven at Shou County and officially ascended the throne as emperor!"
He originally thought this news would give Zhou Yu a great shock.
Yet who would have thought that upon hearing it, Zhou Yu's expression remained unchanged. He unhurriedly took a sip of tea, completely calm and composed.
"I know."
The scholar in the Confucian robe was stunned. "What? When did you know?"
This news had only just arrived, and he had only just found out himself; how could Zhou Yu possibly have known earlier than him?
Zhou Yu smiled and said, "Yuan Shu is a man who loves to boast and covets grand achievements; his ambitions are immense, but his vision is shallow. From the very day he obtained the Imperial Seal back then, I anticipated that he would eventually declare himself emperor."
"What's more, for the past few months, Shou County has been forcibly conscripting commoners to build the Altar to Heaven, which only further cemented my guess."
He had not received any news, but he had already foreseen it.
That was why he felt not the slightest surprise at Yuan Shu's ascension.
Hearing this, the scholar in the Confucian robe fell silent for a long time before saying with a hint of grievance, "Since you guessed it, why did you never mention it to me? Have you not been treating me as a friend?"
"No, no, no."
Zhou Yu put down his teacup, shook his head, and sighed. "I simply didn't expect that you, Zijing, wouldn't be able to guess this matter. To be honest, I'm quite surprised."
This scholar in the Confucian robe was surnamed Lu, given name Su, and style name Zijing, and was his close friend.
"Heh."
Lu Su gave a forced smile, twitched his eyebrows, and then rolled up the wide sleeves of his loose robe, revealing arms with massive muscles.
"If Gongjin doesn't know how to speak properly, I also happen to know a thing or two about fists and kicks."
Zhou Yu's expression shifted, and he immediately said with sincerity, "Zijing, we are both scholars. Fists, kicks, and the like are far too vulgar; if you have something to say, let's say it properly."
He was well aware of Lu Su's martial prowess. Beneath his scholarly, refined exterior lay an extraordinary set of martial skills, not inferior to those of an ordinary centurion.
In any case, he could not beat him.
"Hmph."
Lu Su glanced sideways at Zhou Yu, though he did not genuinely intend to throw hands.
After some lighthearted banter, the two men finally broached serious matters.
Lu Su took a sip of tea, then asked directly, "Regarding Yuan Shu's ascension to the throne, what are your views?"
Zhou Yu said calmly, "How does Yuan Shu compare to King Wen? How does the Yuan Clan compare to the Ji Clan? Back then, the Ji Clan held two parts of the realm under heaven, yet they still served the Yin and Zhou; Yuan Shu merely occupies the lands of Yang and Zhou, yet dares to presumptuously declare himself emperor. Truly laughable."
Although Zhou Yu's words were concise, Lu Su understood him. He was using the relationship between the Zhou royal house and the Yin-Shang dynasty as an example, and could not help nodding in agreement. His own thoughts were identical to Zhou Yu's.
"Although the current Han Dynasty is in decline, the Son of Heaven is not cruel and devoid of virtue. Yuan Shu actually dares to overstep his bounds and declare himself emperor; it is truly foolish."
"Acting in such a manner, he will inevitably become the enemy of all regional lords."
Leaving aside whether Yuan Shu had unified the Nine Provinces, even if he had, declaring oneself emperor required proper justification-relying solely on the Imperial Seal was far from enough.
Zhou Yu did not care, and said, "This matter is not something we should concern ourselves with. The most urgent task for us now is to plan our retreat. Juchao is not a place to linger for long."
"What plans does Zijing have?"
He was currently the magistrate of Juchao, which counted as serving under Yuan Shu's command.
Now that Yuan Shu had declared himself emperor, he would inevitably become an enemy to all under heaven in days to come. If he continued to stay here, it truly would not be a wise course of action.
"Me?"
Lu Su was taken aback by the question, frowning in thought for a moment before finally shaking his head and saying, "To not keep it from Gongjin, I do not know where to go either at present."
His home was right here in Juchao. With the world in turmoil today, once he left Juchao, where could he go? More importantly, though he harbored boundless ambitions, he did not know where to go to display them.
Zhou Yu smiled. "Since that is the case, why not come with me to Jiangdong and pledge allegiance to Sun Ce? With Zijing's talent, you will surely shine brilliantly."
"Jiangdong? Sun Ce?"
Hearing this, Lu Su could not help raising his head to look at Zhou Yu, his face revealing astonishment. "You speak of that Little Conqueror Sun Ce? Gongjin actually knows him?"
Who throughout the realm was unaware of the moniker of the Little Conqueror Sun Ce?
This was the first he had heard that Zhou Yu and Sun Ce were acquainted.
Zhou Yu laughed ruefully. "More than just acquainted. I went to his house, ascended the hall to pay respects to his mother, and we address each other as brothers. Our private friendship is deeply close."
"When Yuan Shu previously wished to have me stay in Shouchun to take up an official post, the reason I came to Juchao instead was precisely because this place is not far from Kuaiji, and I could cross over at any time."
Hearing this, Lu Su was extremely shocked.
Ascending the hall to pay respects to the mother was an extremely solemn etiquette, representing amity between two families and also signifying the forming of a sworn bond.
In short, the relationship between the Sun and Zhou Families was of no ordinary significance!
And Zhou Yu coming to Juchao to take office was actually something he had planned long ago, intending to abandon Yuan Shu and go throw in his lot with Sun Ce!
Chapter 43: Sun Ce of Jiangdong
Facing the invitation sent by Zhou Yu, Lu Su felt quite stirred in his heart.
The Little Conqueror of Jiangdong, Sun Ce, was currently renowned across the realm and was a peerless, valiant general. Moreover, unlike ordinary fierce generals, he possessed both the talent to command troops in battle and the wisdom and magnanimity to recognize and utilize talent while treating people generously. On top of that, he governed his army with strict discipline and enjoyed an exceptional reputation among the common people.
With Zhou Yu as an introducer, coupled with his own talent, pledging allegiance to Sun Ce might well prove to be a fine path forward.
Seeing that Lu Su was somewhat tempted, Zhou Yu continued to persuade him: "Zijing, you possess the Talent of Guan and Bao. To stoop to serving in a tiny Juchao is truly a waste."
"Now we chance upon troubled times, and troubled times invariably give rise to heroes. My brother Sun Ce harbors the world in his breast and is versed in both civil and martial arts. He is a hero among men, far surpassing the likes of Yuan Shu."
"If we obtain the two of us to assist him, then his hegemony can be plotted, and the two of us can also leave our names in the annals of history!"
Leaving one's name in the annals of history was the lifelong pursuit of all scholars.
Even Lu Su was no exception.
Hearing these words, and feeling Zhou Yu's fervent and sincere gaze, the last trace of hesitation in Lu Su's heart finally vanished. His expression turned resolute, and he firmly grasped Zhou Yu's outstretched right hand.
"Then... let us plot hegemony together with you!"
Just as Lu Su and Zhou Yu were discussing heading to Jiangdong to pledge allegiance to Sun Ce, Sun Ce, who was far away in Kuaiji Commandery, likewise received the news of Yuan Shu's ascension.
Kuaiji Commandery, Prefectural Mansion.
A tall youth with a resolute appearance and heroic vigor between his brows finished reading the confidential report in his hand detailing Yuan Shu's ascension to the throne, and could not help letting out a sigh.
"This fool has gone and declared himself emperor after all."
This youth was none other than the man known as the Little Conqueror, Sun Ce.
Ever since Wang Lang was defeated, he had officially entered Kuaiji, taking up the post of Kuaiji Prefect himself, and had also established Luling Commandery, which, together with Danyang and Yuzhang Commanderies, were collectively called the Four Commanderies of Jiangdong.
By now, nearly half of all Yang Province had fallen under his control.
Several people were still standing within the main hall: Zhang Zhao from Pengcheng, Zhang Hong from Guangling, as well as Qin Song and Chen Duan-all of them strategists under Sun Ce's command.
Hearing Sun Ce's words, they successively revealed expressions of shock.
Chen Duan could not help frowning and asking, "But General, haven't you already written a letter to him? Could it be that he refuses to listen even to your admonishments?"
Previously, Yan Xiang had sent a letter hoping that Sun Ce would write a letter to remonstrate with Yuan Shu.
Sun Ce had spoken to them about this matter, and after discussing it together, they all felt that the act of declaring oneself emperor was truly foolish, and thus they had given a very clear reply.
As long as Yuan Shu dared to declare himself emperor, they would immediately make a complete break with him!
Yet who could have imagined that today, the news of Yuan Shu's imperial ascension would arrive nonetheless.
Before you continue