Chapter Thirty-Six: Settling in Chushou

Sun Ce pondered for a moment, silent and thoughtful. Beside him, Jiang Qin let out a short, amused laugh. “Even if all Liu Yao’s men are useless and fall for this ruse, how do we take the city then? I simply don’t believe Liu Yao’s generals would lead the entire army out in pursuit!”

“Though the adviser’s plan sounds feasible, can it truly be carried out as intended? I say, rather than waiting for reinforcements to arrive at Juchao, we should seize the moment, clash head-on with Liu Yao’s troops, and take Juchao by force!”

Jiang Wen and Zhou Yu exchanged a glance, sharing a knowing smile. Zhou Yu chuckled softly. “General Jiang Qin, do you really think our intent is merely to lure a portion of their troops out, defeat them, and end it there?”

“Is that not so?” Jiang Qin was taken aback, gazing at the two before quietly returning to his seat.

Zhou Yu turned to Sun Ce, bowing formally. “General, I believe this strategy is sound.”

Seeing both Zhou Yu and Jiang Wen in agreement, Sun Ce did not hesitate and nodded. “Very well, let us act according to the plan. Send orders: Gan Ning will take five thousand men to occupy the western hills; Jiang Qin will lead two thousand light cavalry to guard the valley entrance. The rest will march with me into battle. All generals will follow orders accordingly!”

“Yes, sir!”

As Jiang Wen saluted Jiang Qin, who was about to leave the tent, he added, “General Jiang Qin, when you see the enemy in pursuit tomorrow, meet them head-on with your troops, but I ask that you feign defeat and retreat. It will make our ruse even more convincing.”

Jiang Qin did not linger for further discussion and left directly. Sun Ce and Lü Meng both looked curiously at Jiang Wen and Zhou Yu, eager to ask about the next step, but the two advisers only smiled and gave no answer.

The next day, the army set forth. The Red Turbans challenged the defenders before the walls of Juchao County. The city had already reinforced its tiles, dug moats, and set up barricades, all defenses in place.

Suddenly, a soldier rushed into the main hall, dropping to one knee and reporting, “General Fan Neng, Sun Ce’s army has appeared outside the city gate!”

Fan Neng took up his great blade. “Summon the troops! With me to defend the gate!”

“Beat the drums!”

The thunderous shouts rolled over Juchao like roaring waves. The townsfolk, gripped by terror, barred their doors and windows tight.

Before the city, Sun Ce’s forces swiftly formed battle lines. Fan Neng, Zhang Heng, and Zhang Ying stood atop the gate, scanning the orderly enemy ranks and the faces of their commanders. Zhang Hang puffed his chest out, declaring with pride, “I hear the son of Sun Jian is called the Little Conqueror, famed for his valor!”

Fan Neng snorted disdainfully, his gaze cold as he looked down on the opposing army. “He only earned his name by trailing after his father against Dong Zhuo and capturing that useless Li Jue. To call him the Little Conqueror is the height of absurdity!”

“Watch me behead this brat on the field!” Fan Neng descended from the wall, the gates thrown wide and the barricades pulled aside. He spurred his horse forward with a shout, galloping out, “Boy, how dare you act so brazenly!”

Seeing the lone horseman charging forth, Sun Ce smiled quietly to himself, amused at how little his opponent thought of him.

Fan Neng yanked the reins, steadying himself as his steed halted. “You pack of upstarts, which one of you is Sun Ce? Come out and greet your elder properly!”

Sun Ce’s expression darkened. He spurred his horse forward. “I am Sun Ce, the Little Conqueror! Last night, a mangy cur barked in my dreams, so I kicked it away. I never expected that same dog to appear before me today, yapping once more!”

Fan Neng’s grip on his reins tightened, his face flushing with anger. He sneered, “So you’re the so-called Little Conqueror? All you ever did was ride your father’s coattails. I suppose your old man’s new concubine has made him so doting he’s sent you here to die, hoping we’ll rid him of a bastard son!”

“Old scoundrel! I, Sun Bofu, will take your head!” With a furious roar, Sun Ce hefted his mighty spear and charged.

Fan Neng scoffed at the sight—just as he thought, a mere child, so easily enraged. He raised his great blade and met Sun Ce in combat.

“Kill!” Fan Neng swung his sword in a whirling arc, aiming straight for Sun Ce’s face.

The tip of Sun Ce’s spear met the blade. His hand trembled and his expression faltered. After one exchange, the two horses circled each other as their riders pulled their mounts around.

Fan Neng burst into mocking laughter. “So this is the so-called Little Conqueror? What a joke!”

His horse neighed and charged again, mane flying and hooves thundering.

Fan Neng’s blade crashed down; Sun Ce raised his spear to parry, his arm quaking with the force. Suddenly, Sun Ce’s left hand slipped, and the blade slid down the shaft, slashing toward Sun Ce’s mount.

Sun Ce’s eyes flashed. With a secret effort, he made his horse leap left, narrowly avoiding the blow. He feigned panic, snatching up his spear and shouting, “All troops, retreat!” The war drums ceased, flags abandoned. The men broke into utter disorder, fleeing in chaos.

Fan Neng would not let such an opportunity slip by.

“All forces, pursue! Bring me Sun Ce’s head as a trophy for Sun Jian!” he bellowed.

Zhang Heng grew anxious. “General, beware a trap!” he shouted.

But Fan Neng paid him no mind. Elite cavalry surged out from the city, chasing Sun Ce’s retreating army.

Twenty li southwest of Juchao, on a hill.

Jiang Wen and Zhou Yu watched from above. Zhou Yu sighed, “For an ambush, this spot is perfect. How did you discover it, Changsu?”

“Idle fishing trips and leisurely strolls led me here,” Jiang Wen replied.

Gan Ning stood behind them. Though he’d once been a pirate and was no stranger to banditry, he held scholars in great respect and had even planned to serve Liu Biao—until Sun Jian defeated him first. Hearing of a strategist of great renown, he was eager to meet him.

“General Gan Ning, do you have doubts?” Jiang Wen asked, noting Gan Ning’s distracted air.

Gan Ning shook his head and remained silent.

In the distance, the sound of galloping hooves grew. At the valley’s mouth, Jiang Qin shouted and led the light cavalry in a charge! Fan Neng, wild-eyed and bloodthirsty, swung his great blade, splitting open the skulls of fleeing soldiers, blood and brain scattering in the air.

“Kill!” The roar went up. Fan Neng’s bloodlust cooled and caution returned as he saw a small force of light cavalry approaching. His worries melted into contempt. “Another band of ants, thinking to stop a chariot! Cut them down!”

“Prepare to die, villain!” shouted Jiang Qin, clashing with Fan Neng. After ten rounds, Jiang Qin deliberately exposed a weakness. Fan Neng knocked Jiang Qin’s saber aside, and Jiang Qin quickly wheeled his horse around and fled.

“Retreat!”

Fan Neng, emboldened, pressed the pursuit. “Do not let a single one escape!”

Gan Ning looked on as the eight thousand elite riders drew near. He gestured to his men. “Archers, ready!”

Fan Neng advanced, suddenly sensing unease as he glanced around, and saw arrows raining from the sky.

Zhang Heng peered at the darkening sky. Night was falling, yet Fan Neng had not returned.

“General Zhang Heng! General, General Fan Neng is trapped in the ravine ahead—he sent me to request reinforcements!”

Sweat trickled down Mao Li’s brow; a sword pressed to his side—one wrong word could cost him his life.

“Come closer! You’re Mao Li, General Fan Neng’s trusted man, are you not?” Zhang Heng studied him and recognized him at last. Seeing the small band of a hundred men with him, Zhang Heng ground his teeth. “That Sun Ce boy is cunning indeed!”

“Open the gates! We ride to the rescue!”

“Open the gates!”

The city gates swung open as Zhang Heng mounted his horse. Suddenly, the thunder of hooves resounded outside. Sun Ce, at the forefront, brandished his spear—thrusting, slashing, sweeping—a storm of lethal skill, cutting down the defenders before him.

“All forces, charge with me, Sun Bofu!”

As thousands of elite riders surged for the gates, Zhang Heng was struck with terror. “Close the gates, quickly!”

But Sun Ce’s force swept into the city. The gate guards fell swiftly to his spear, and the hundred soldiers with him seized control of the entrance, throwing the gates wide for the army to pour into Juchao.

Spurring his horse, Sun Ce leveled his mighty spear, driving it straight through Zhang Heng’s body and hoisting him up on the spearhead.