Chapter Nine: Dong Zhuo Marries Off His Daughter

“I am truly guilty,” Sun Jian sighed lightly, “I have not aided the Son of Heaven in his burdens, but instead let him worry about my family affairs. Yet I do not know what His Majesty intends by this edict?”

“What else could it mean? We are on the verge of war with the traitors; no doubt Dong Zhuo is frightened!”

“An imperial decree, indeed. We all know who truly wrote it. If we accept it, would that not mean colluding with the traitors?”

“Get out! Stay another moment and I’ll kill you myself!”

Li Su, exceedingly humble in demeanor, said, “My lord the Chancellor desires to form a marital alliance with General Sun’s army. If General Sun accepts this edict, our two families will be joined, and together we can divide the realm.”

Sun Jian held the imperial edict in his hand and glanced briefly downward, noticing Jiang Wen standing at the rear of the assembly, head bowed in silent thought, not having uttered a word.

“Attendant Jiang, what thoughts have you on this matter?” he asked.

Jiang Wen lifted his head, stepped out from the ranks, bowed, and said, “General, I have a few small opinions, and if I offend, I beg your forgiveness.”

“Who is this young man?” someone asked.

“I didn’t see him yesterday…”

The old generals looked at Jiang Wen, exchanged glances, and all shook their heads in unfamiliarity. Sun Jing glanced at his elder brother, seeing his serious expression, and grew curious about the youth before them.

Sun Jian smiled. “Speak freely, so long as you know your bounds, say what you will.”

Jiang Wen nodded and spoke slowly, “General Sun, you are a minister of Han and eat the Han’s grain. If you defy the imperial will, you are disobeying the edict and would truly become a traitor…”

“A mere boy who’s barely grown, do you know what you’re saying?!” Cheng Pu roared, startling Jiang Wen with the sudden outburst.

“Cheng Pu, let him finish!” Sun Jian barked at him.

Cheng Pu glared fiercely at Jiang Wen before returning to the ranks, while the other old generals looked on with unconcealed resentment.

Jiang Wen raised an eyebrow, noticing Li Ru secretly sizing him up, but remained calm as he continued, “Before answering, I wish to ask the imperial envoy a few questions.”

Li Su smiled, looking especially sly, and said, “If the Attendant has doubts, ask whatever you wish.”

Facing Li Su, Jiang Wen said, “I have heard that the Chancellor now calls himself ‘Grand Mentor’—that is, the Emperor’s father. Is this so?”

“The Emperor is young and ignorant of state affairs. The Chancellor, to oversee the government, has thus taken the title of Grand Mentor.”

“In that case,” Jiang Wen continued, “if the Chancellor is marrying off his daughter, should not the Emperor attend the banquet?”

“The Chancellor’s daughter is of noble birth. On so joyous an occasion as her marriage, the empire should celebrate together, and naturally, the Emperor will attend.”

“May I ask,” Jiang Wen pressed, “on what auspicious day has the Chancellor set the wedding of his two ladies?”

“The Chancellor has said that if General Sun is willing, the sooner the better—no need to set a date.”

“Then, Envoy, to which young general of the Sun family does the Chancellor wish to give his precious granddaughter?”

“Why, of course, to General Sun’s son, the young Sun Zhongmou!”

“To little Zhongmou? Did I hear that right?”

Laughter erupted. “Has Dong the traitor indulged himself to the point of madness?”

Even Sun Jian himself was amused. Li Su looked around in confusion, not understanding the sudden laughter, nor the unexpected scolding.

Jiang Wen, smiling, continued, “If that is so, my lord Sun is a man of war, used to sleeping under the stars. Since the Chancellor wishes an immediate marriage, we will not delay. Perhaps the envoy could return to inform the Chancellor that we shall host the wedding at Hulao Gate, and invite the Chancellor to escort the Emperor and the loyal ministers of Han to witness the union. What say you?”

Li Su grew troubled, unable to comprehend the youth’s sharp tongue. “Attendant, Hulao Gate is a place of war. To hold a wedding there would be highly improper!”

Jiang Wen shook his head and smiled, “You may not know this, Envoy, but once Laozi left Hangu Pass, leaving the words ‘Purple Qi from the East’—an omen of good fortune. Luoyang is the gathering place of imperial dragon energy, and Hulao Gate lies to the east of Luoyang, also a place of auspice.”

“Consider also the terrain: Hulao Gate connects to Mount Song in the south, the Yellow River to the north, surrounded by mountains and water, absorbing the essence of sun and moon, gathering auspicious energy day and night. The dragon vein lies to the west—surely the best place for a wedding!”

Li Su was left speechless. Without waiting for Li Ru to respond, Jiang Wen turned and bowed to Sun Jian. “General, since the imperial envoy proposes marrying to young Sun Zhongmou, perhaps he would like to see if he is satisfied.”

Sun Jian laughed heartily. “Very well, fetch my Quan’er at once.”

When an eight-year-old boy entered, calling for his father, Li Ru’s face turned ashen. “I had no idea General Sun’s son was so young. I must take my leave for today!”

“What a lad, Sun Jian! Where did you find such a treasure?”

“Berfu and Ziming recommended him to me,” Sun Jian replied with satisfaction, nodding at Jiang Wen. “Everyone, take your rest for the day.”

In Hua Xiong’s camp.

Hua Xiong sprang to his feet, eyes wide with fury. “Did that brat Sun Jian truly insult the Chancellor so?”

“Every word is true, but I beg General Hua Xiong to restrain your anger…” Li Su bowed. “I must hasten to report back. Please take care, General.”

The more Hua Xiong thought, the angrier he grew. He sat upon the command dais. “Summon Generals Guo Si and Li Que!”

“We are here!”

“You two will march with me tomorrow, thirty thousand strong, to attack Hulao Gate!”

“Yes, sir!”

The war drums thundered, their booming echoing across Hulao Gate.

“General! Hua Xiong leads thirty thousand troops, camped thirty li outside Hulao Gate!”

Sun Jian laughed. “So there are still some in this land who do not fear my army! Hua Xiong is indeed a reckless brute!”

The assembled generals laughed as well. “It is time the traitor Dong Zhuo learned the might of our forces!”

“My blade has not tasted blood in far too long!”

Upon the command platform, Sun Jian’s gaze was keen and his presence awe-inspiring. “All officers, hear my command! I shall lead five thousand elite cavalry, with eight thousand foot as vanguard!”

“Cheng Pu, you are appointed Left Vanguard, Huang Gai the Right. Each take fifteen hundred cavalry and six thousand infantry.”

“Sun Ce and Sun Jing, you two will command two thousand infantry as the reserve.”

“The whole army will advance with me!”

The three armies, armored and armed, assembled on the open ground. Weapons gleamed with a chilling light, cold and menacing. Sun Jian swiftly arranged his forces in well-ordered formations; thirty thousand troops, awe-inspiring in their might.

On the city tower, Jiang Wen watched as the armies faced each other across the field.

Hua Xiong rode out alone before his host. His horse, strong and red-maned, looked fierce and imposing, its neigh resounding thunderously—a fine steed indeed.

Hua Xiong shouted, “Sun Jian, you brat! You have insulted my lord the Chancellor. If you offer your head today, I will spare your army!”

“Dong Zhuo, the traitor, holds the Emperor hostage! To save the realm from chaos, I, Sun Wentai, scorn the traitor Dong Zhuo. What can you brats do to me?”

“Sun Jian, you wretch! You enrage me!” Hua Xiong’s eyes were bloodshot as, with a furious swing, he brought his massive blade—over a hundred catties—crashing to the ground, sending stones flying.

“I, Hua Xiong, challenge you here and now! Dare you face me, Sun Jian?”

“You are but a petty villain! I, Sun Wentai, Prefect of Changsha, accept your challenge!” Drawing his ancient saber, Sun Jian spurred his white steed—swift as the wind—charging forth with a single cry.