Chapter Thirty-One: The Tribunal Tree

Jiang Wen stood at the gates of Xiangyang, where a steady stream of townsfolk passed in and out. The ground was scattered with animal pelts and ceramics, brought in by hunters and traders alike, all haggling over their goods.

Tao’er handed Jiang Wen a water pouch. “Master, have some water.”

Jiang Wen took it and drank two or three mouthfuls. Tao’er gazed into the distance and asked, “Master, you said before that you only wanted to test Lord Sikong’s tolerance. Why then did you end up helping Lord Cai Mao resolve this matter?”

“And since Lord Cai Mao harbors intentions of disloyalty, why not just report him directly to Lord Sikong? Wouldn’t a few executioners be enough to avoid all this trouble?”

Jiang Wen smiled. “But do you know why Cai Mao trusts me so? Why he isn’t worried that, as soon as I leave his residence, I’ll report to Lord Sikong and have him executed just as you suggest?”

Tao’er’s brows furrowed as she pondered, but found no answer. Jiang Wen laughed. “It’s because he understands me. He’s using public opinion to hold me in check. The people in every alley and field know it was Lord Sikong who was at fault, not Cai Mao.”

“Our administration has only just begun; the people’s loyalty is not yet secure. If we did as you suggest, Cai Mao would die, but the ambitious in every region would rally Liu Biao’s troops for a great upheaval. When then could we secure our base? Soldiers are not innocent, but the people only wish for peace and livelihood.”

Tao’er smiled softly. “Yet, Master, your memorial to Lord Sikong was not accepted.”

“That’s because my surname isn’t Sun,” Jiang Wen replied, his expression unchanging as he gazed into the distance. “This is something for the Suns to handle.”

Tao’er nodded, revealing a row of pearly teeth, and said with a teasing smile, “Master, you truly are… cunning and shrewd…”

Jiang Wen only sighed. “It seems the time has come to establish some household rules.”

From afar, several carriages approached. Tao’er tugged at Jiang Wen’s sleeve. “Master, they’ve returned!”

With a smile, Jiang Wen walked forward. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu dismounted and saluted him, and Jiang Wen returned the courtesy. “I trust your journey was fruitful?”

Sun Ce looked satisfied, but Zhou Yu seemed somewhat dejected. “We did not see the Two Qiao sisters on this trip. The bandits of Yan Baihu in Wu Commandery have grown ever more brazen. Many nearby counties have fled to other regions for refuge…”

Jiang Wen glanced at Sun Ce and the carriages behind him, puzzled. “But didn’t you, Brother Bofu, invite me to your residence for a wedding banquet just days ago?”

Sun Ce burst into laughter. “Though Gongjin found no success, I am well satisfied! On our way back, we encountered bandits attacking travelers. With Gongjin’s aid, I led our men to fight them off and rescued a young lady. Guess who she is, Changsou?”

“I couldn’t say…”

“She is Cai Yan, daughter of Master Cai Yong. Not only is she beautiful, she is also extraordinarily talented. A great battle broke out in Chenliu recently, and many fled. When Lady Zhao heard that the Emperor had been rescued by my father and that Lujiang was a land of peace, she set out for Lujiang with her servants, only to fall prey to bandits—whereupon I met her.”

“We are truly kindred spirits. With such a lovely wife, I am overjoyed!”

Cai Wenji? Jiang Wen was stunned. The land really had plunged into chaos—Lü Bu had driven Cao Cao back to Jibei and defeated Ma Teng. Cai Wenji, who by rights should have been captured by the Xiongnu, had left Chenliu early due to Lü Bu’s actions and ended up in Lujiang.

Sun Ce continued, “I’ll call Lady Zhao down to meet you at once.”

“No need,” Jiang Wen replied. “To tell the truth, I am here to discuss urgent matters with you both. As for the wedding banquet, forgive my impertinence, but let’s postpone until after this is settled. Now, if you and Gongjin would come with me to my residence.”

Zhou Yu and Sun Ce’s expressions grew serious. After instructing their servants, they joined Jiang Wen in his carriage and set off for the Jiang residence.

Inside, Jiang Wen set tea before them. “Please, have some tea first.”

Sun Ce sipped and frowned—tea was more medicine than refreshment to them. He set the cup aside and asked, “Changsou, if you’ve summoned us, something important must have happened. What has transpired in the two months we’ve been away?”

Jiang Wen recounted the major events in Xiangyang.

Zhou Yu turned to Sun Ce. “Who is this Sun Zhong?”

“Gongjin, you’ve met him. When our army was stationed in Lujiang, he harassed your family’s servant and I gave him a sound beating.”

“Ah, now I recall. My mother dotes on him like a daughter, and I treat him as a sister,” Zhou Yu sneered. “If not for you stopping me, I would have ended him right then!”

“He is indeed the son of my father’s sworn brother, but I never expected my father would cover for him at the risk of enmity with his own lord!” Sun Ce sighed. “Since you’ve called us here, Changsou, you must already have a plan.”

Jiang Wen replied, “As the son of Lord Sikong, you must not defy filial or official duty. Lord Sikong is ambitious; to achieve his great undertaking, there is one thing he will never betray.”

Sun Ce asked, “What is that?”

Zhou Yu answered from the side, “The will of the people.”

Jiang Wen nodded. “For now, only the Rear General cries out for justice at court, and Lord Sikong can pretend not to hear. But if the people all rise up, he will have no choice.”

…

In the heart of Xiangyang, soldiers erected a wooden platform, drawing the attention of the crowd.

A tall pole was raised with a white flag—“The Censure Pole.” Sun Ce stepped forward and addressed the gathering townsfolk: “I am Sun Ce, son of Lord Sikong, Commandant of the Tiger Guards. Sun Zhong of the Sun clan has acted with wanton arrogance, causing the deaths of five. His crimes are unforgivable. Yet Heaven cherishes life, and the Emperor is wise. I hereby erect this Censure Pole. If Sun Zhong feels any remorse, let him confess here and now. I will report to the Emperor and plead for leniency. I shall wait here until noon.”

In the Jiang household, Zhou Yu placed a white stone on the chessboard fields. “Changsou, if your plan fails, what then?”

Jiang Wen set down a black stone. “I heard from Ziming that Sun Zhong is so timid he’s terrified even to mount a horse. He’d never dare confess, no matter how small the crime. Rest easy, Gongjin.”

As Jiang Wen’s piece landed, Zhou Yu’s face brightened. He placed his own and, with that, Jiang Wen was caught in a deadlock. Jiang Wen studied the board for a moment and sighed. “I concede.”

“Practicing tai chi and drinking tea every day truly leaves one feeling refreshed and sleeping soundly—thanks to you, Changsou,” Zhou Yu said, sipping his tea. “But by helping Bofu stir up public sentiment like this, the one who wins the people’s hearts may not be Lord Sikong…”

“Lord Sikong is a Han minister…” Jiang Wen replied quietly. The two fell silent.

“What time is it?”

“Reporting to the Commandant—it is now the hour of Si. There is still one hour until noon.”