These days, up and down Jiangdong are filled with mournful cries. I don’t know if it’s because of the deep winter. The sky and earth are gray and the world is desolate. Even the bustling downtown has lost the hustle and bustle of the past. How does this scene look like the most peaceful, stable, and prosperous place in the world?
On the battlefield of the Central Plains, Zhou Yu's friend Lu Su, who was from the same country, was appointed at the critical moment to take over Zhou Yu's command. Under Cao Cao's elite troops, he retreated steadily, saving the Jiangdong soldiers and the fruits of victory that Zhou Yu had worked so hard to win.
Of course, although Lu Su could stabilize the morale of the military, he could not stabilize the hearts of the officials and nobles in Jiangdong. Why? Judging from the results, didn't Jiangdong also win a big victory this time? If Zhou Yu dies, it shouldn’t have such a big impact, right?
Why? Just because everyone believed that Zhou Yu was killed by Sun Quan! Well, although there are some Five Pecks of Rice believers who believe that Zhou Yu died from the curse of the Heavenly Lord, they are only a very small number.
Since ancient times, killing heroes has been the easiest way to lose the support of the people. Officials do not talk about their own danger, and it also pours cold water on those talented people who are determined to do great things. Not to mention that there was Sun Ce who was still alive behind Zhou Yu. The shadow of the Sun brothers' impending internal strife had already made Jiangdong breathless.
Therefore, although it is clearly the most powerful party in the contemporary era, the world's confidence in the Sun family's ability to make it to the end has been reduced to the lowest level.
Why is there such a big public opinion crisis for the Sun family this time? In addition to Cao Ying's push, the biggest factor was that the timing of Sun Quan's disappearance was too coincidental. Sun Quan's departure from Jiangdong can only be hidden from ordinary people. Zhang Ning has been reporting Sun Quan's movements back to the Demon Sect. The Demon Sect is a mixed bag. Is there any spy from other forces inside? Until Zhang Ning was overthinking and didn't dare to secretly pass on the news anymore, Sun Quan completely disappeared!
There are obviously clues all the way north, but suddenly disappear, what would a normal person think? They will only think that Sun Quan is trying to attack the east and attack the west! It’s no wonder that for Zhou Yu’s death later, both black and white will be blamed on Sun Quan.
••••••
Early spring, Jianye,
Sun Quan and Zhang Ning were walking on the street, one behind the other. In this street where there were not many pedestrians, it stands to reason that the two of them should be the pair that attracted the most attention. But for some reason, the world only sees the beauty of the woman behind, but ignores the coolness of the man walking in front.
Because Sun Quan was still in the far north when Zhou Yu died, and before leaving, he deliberately left some backup in Wuhuan. So it was not until the winter was over that Sun Quan returned to Jiangdong. Along the way, Sun Quan did not tell anyone or reveal his identity.
Today, Zhou Yu has been buried long ago, but the first place Sun Quan returns to Jiangdong is the Zhou Mansion.
Speaking of which, Zhou Yu's funeral may be considered grand, but because Sun Quan was not present, and many people believed that Zhou Yu was killed by Sun Quan and did not dare to come to pay their respects, it could still be called a deserted one.
At this time, Sun Quan came to the door of Zhou's mansion and unexpectedly saw two familiar faces.
"Dragon King! It's none of my business! I haven't disclosed your whereabouts to anyone!" Zhang Ning was frightened and explained quickly. Yes, normal people would think that these two people were here specifically to wait for Sun Quan after getting the news.
"Don't worry. If they really wait for me, they won't dare to play chess there." Sun Quan waved to Zhang Ning, "You have been running all the way, go back and rest."
"Yes." After receiving the order, Zhang Ning almost fled away, pitiful for what kind of life she had been living recently.
Looking back, Sun Quan looked at the two people playing chess outside the Zhou Mansion. Sun Quan was not surprised that someone was waiting for him. What was strange was the combination of these two people - Zhuge Liang and Pan Zhang.
that side,
"Master Pan, I'm just a sinecure. There are so many things in your army, why do you come here every day?" Zhuge Liang said to Pan Zhang while playing chess.
When it comes to chess skills, Pan Zhang is far from Zhuge Liang's opponent, but Zhuge Liang has to admire Pan Zhang who keeps losing but still plays against him every day. Even if you are looking for entertainment, there is no need to seek abuse, right?
"Why you came, that's why I came." Pan Zhang said with a smile.
"As far as I know, King Wu prefers talented people who do practical things." Zhuge Liang said, implying that Pan Zhang's behavior of abandoning business would not please Sun Quan.
Pan Zhang smiled and shook his head.
"Why are you shaking your head?"
Sun Quan's voice sounded from the side.
Pan Zhang and Zhuge Liang were shocked at the same time. They didn't notice Sun Quan's arrival at all? Playing too seriously? Is it possible? There was no opponent in the game, Zhuge Liang played casually, Pan Zhang also played casually, and both of them were still talking.
Pan Zhang: "Lord! You are finally back!"
Zhuge Liang: "See King Wu."
"I think the No. 1 scholar is as curious as me. Why are you shaking your head?" Sun Quan asked Pan Zhang directly without any greetings.
Pan Zhang blushed, but without much hesitation, he replied,
"My lord is a wise man who pays more attention to doing practical things."
One is to like, the other is to value.
Sun Quan patted Pan Zhang on the shoulder and said,
"I heard that Lu Meng was guarding the front line conscientiously. I wanted to say a few words to you, but it seems that you know better than anyone else."
Lu Meng and Pan Zhang came from the same family, and they were both hard-working Saburos at the beginning. After the two of them accomplished something, Lu Meng was still fighting and practicing, while Pan Zhang became more life-saving, even the short-lived skills of the Demon Sect. I didn’t practice anymore.
Obviously, Pan Zhang also believed that Sun Quan killed Zhou Yu. If he was too powerful, his life would easily be lost. It's not that Pan Zhang has no ambition, but that he doesn't want to touch military power anymore. Pan Zhang only wants to be a favorite, and he doesn't want to be the second Zhou Yu. Everyone has his own ambitions, and Sun Quan would not say anything about Pan Zhang's thoughts.
Then, Sun Quan could also deduce the reason why Pan Zhang appeared here. Pan Zhang believed that when he returned to Jiangdong, he would definitely come to Zhou Yu's mourning hall to put on a show as soon as possible! Those who dare not come to Zhou Mansion because they are afraid of Sun Quan, it is precisely because they do not understand Sun Quan!
Sun Quan looked at Zhuge Liang, did Zhuge Liang think so too?
"I wonder if the King of Wu knows the whereabouts of my senior sister?" Zhuge Liang asked, meeting Sun Quan's gaze.
"She's fine." Sun Quan replied. Of course, he only knew such a simple answer. As for where Diao Chan was specifically, Sun Quan didn't know. The basis for his judgment lies in the system. I know from the system that Zhou Yu is dead, and I know from the system that Diao Chan is not dead.
Zhuge Liang nodded. In fact, even without asking, Zhuge Liang had already guessed the answer from Sun Quan's indifferent attitude. However, there was also a misunderstanding. Sun Quan returned to Jiangdong so late. In Zhuge Liang's view, Sun Quan went to confirm Diao Chan's safety. By some strange combination of circumstances, he developed a fondness for Sun Quan.
Later, Sun Quan took the lead in entering the Zhou Mansion. To Pan Zhang's expectation, Sun Quan did not make a big show of it. In front of the timid Zhou family, he simply paid homage to Zhou Yu and left quickly.
On the way back to Sun's house, Pan Zhang rode the carriage and acted as a pawn himself, while Zhuge Liang was lucky enough to ride in the carriage with Sun Quan.
"From the perspective of others, would you think that I am cold and heartless?" Sun Quan suddenly said to Zhuge Liang.
Not only was he asking Zhuge Liang, but he was also asking himself. Probably due to the influence of Daoxin's demonic mind, Sun Quan recently discovered that his emotions often go to two extremes. When he first found out that Zhou Yu was dead, Sun Quan could hardly control his momentum. Zhang Ning was frightened to death, but once he calmed down, Sun Quan instantly became as calm as water.
Before coming, Sun Quan thought similar to Pan Zhang, not just for show, but that Sun Quan should at least save public opinion and restore his own reputation. Sun Quan did many similar things back then. He was the one who was best at taking advantage of the situation and engaging in public opinion wars.
But when things came to pass, Sun Quan himself didn't expect that he suddenly took it lightly. He came to worship simply to worship and did not take the opportunity to make a fuss. In today's exaggerated era, if you don't recite a few poems like Cao Cao, or squeeze a few tears like Liu Bei, isn't that just callous and ruthless?
"I can feel the sincerity of King Wu. As for others, it's hard to say." Zhuge Liang said, "But why should King Wu worry about this? People who believe in you will naturally believe in you. People who don't believe in you will do what you do to them." I don’t believe it either.”
Sun Quan smiled and said,
"It's good to judge others by yourself, but don't judge others by yourself too much. There are not many people in the world who are as independent-minded as you, and most of them are just outsiders. But you actually believe me, which surprises me."
"To be honest, I'm also surprised." Zhuge Liang said. Although Zhuge Liang did not immediately conclude that Zhou Yu was killed by Sun Quan, Zhuge Liang at least had doubts about this matter. I thought that the final conclusion would depend on evidence, but Zhuge Liang didn't even think of it. He made such a judgment just because he felt the sincerity in Sun Quan's worship. Could it be that this is the charm of Sun Quan? Is this the talent that brought Sun Quan to where he is today?
While pondering, Pan Zhang outside the car suddenly exclaimed,
"There is an assassin! Protect the lord!"
Sun Quan frowned slightly, and after a second, he ordered Pan Zhang outside the car,
"Don't worry about him. Turn around and go to the palace."
"ah?"
Pan Zhang was dumbfounded and ignored him? Are you waiting for someone to kill you?
