Chapter 109: Zhou Yu Will Rebel? Who Are You Trying to Fool? [Please Subscribe]

“Sun Jing? What brings him here?”

Chu Feng was somewhat surprised and puzzled.

“Master, you should see him!” Liu Ye chimed in.

“Go, summon him in!”

Chu Feng nodded; it wouldn’t hurt to meet him.

Soon, a man past his fifties strode in briskly. His armor was stained with blood, and his face bore a fierce anger, as if he had just emerged from a fierce battle.

“A defeated general pays respects to General Chu!” Sun Jing said in a low voice.

“Heh heh, General Sun, no need for such formalities. I recall how you served under my father alongside Sun Jian, renowned for your bravery. But I’m curious—what brings you here today...”

Chu Feng chuckled lightly, setting aside his scroll.

“My family’s legacy has been seized. I have no face to meet my elder brother, so I’ve come to surrender to you, General, and ask you to eradicate the rebels!” Sun Jing pounded his chest, his anger barely contained.

“Your legacy seized? Eradicate rebels? What do you mean?”

Chu Feng asked in surprise.

“Bofu was gravely wounded and died without treatment. His chief general, Zhou Yu, concealed the mourning, colluded with other commanders, intending to withdraw the troops and take control of Jiangdong, installing Sun Shao, Sun Ce’s heir, as ruler.”

“Sun Shao is but an infant in swaddling clothes. Zhou Yu seeks to seize my family’s Jiangdong legacy. Many veteran generals have been executed by Zhou Yu. If I hadn’t noticed the signs and fled desperately, I would be a ghost under the blade!”

Sun Jing spoke with burning resentment.

“General Sun, you say Sun Ce is dead? Zhou Yu concealed the death to seize Jiangdong?” Chu Feng said with great disbelief.

To him, it sounded like nonsense. He knew Zhou Yu well—he was Sun Ce’s close confidant. How could he rebel?

Of course, friendship aside, historically, Sun Ce lived only a short time, and after his death, Zhou Yu, as commander, showed no signs of rebellion but actively supported Sun Quan.

Was this not an insult to his intelligence?

If you say Sun Ce died, I might reluctantly believe it, but Zhou Yu’s rebellion is simply unbelievable!

“Indeed. The camp is in chaos. Zhou Yu is consolidating the old generals’ troops. I estimate that within two or three days, he will reorganize the army and march south.”

Sun Jing spoke convincingly.

It sounded all too real!

Hearing this, the generals became eager.

“Master, this is a perfect opportunity! I was wondering why Sun Ce’s camp was so disorderly in broad daylight. Turns out that Zhou Yu has rebelled,”

Gan Ning laughed heartily.

Zhao Fan nodded and said, “Master, if Zhou Yu has rebelled, we should seize the chance to capture Sun Ce’s army. This way, we can take several counties in Jiangdong and lay the foundation for a great enterprise!”

The officers grew excited one by one.

Chu Feng smiled gently, then looked at Sun Jing with amusement. “General Sun, warfare is no child’s play. I cannot simply order troops to march based on your words alone! What would become of the thousands of soldiers under me?”

“Besides, Sun Ce died by my hand, and Sun Ben and Sun He also perished at my hands. The Sun family and I are sworn enemies. How can you expect me to trust you?”

Chu Feng fixed Sun Jing with a questioning gaze.

Sun Jing hesitated.

Inwardly, he cursed Chu Feng as a cunning old fox—no wonder he was cautious. Fortunately, they had prepared well before coming.

“General Chu, you misunderstand. Our enmity is mere military rivalry. For a general, to die on the battlefield wrapped in horsehide is an honor, not a grudge.”

“Moreover, my Sun family once pledged loyalty to the Yuan clan. It was only because of Yuan Gong’s overreach that we severed ties. Now that you command the army, my family is willing to serve you once again!”

Sun Jing’s words fell like thunder.

“But Zhou Yu’s rebellion cannot be tolerated!”

“As for convincing you, I honestly have no way to prove my loyalty. However, before coming, I consulted Taishi Ci. He is loyal to me and can coordinate forces inside and outside.”

Sun Jing looked at Chu Feng, who remained calm and unresponsive, which made Sun Jing anxious.

“If you do not trust me, I shall take my leave!”

With that, Sun Jing swept his sleeve and prepared to leave.

“General Sun, don’t be hasty. This is a grave matter. Let me discuss with my officers first. You must be weary—go rest for now.”

Chu Feng smiled gently, smoothing things over.

Sun Jing frowned but finally nodded in acceptance.

Watching Sun Jing leave, Liu Ye stroked his beard and chuckled softly. “Master, how much of what he said do you think is true? How much can we believe?”

“True? He’s only pretending to surrender—there’s not a word of truth!” Chu Feng sneered, almost certain of it.

His words stirred murmurs among the generals.

“Master, on what grounds do you say that?”

Liu Ye was curious. It felt off—Sun Ce’s death was sudden, and Zhou Yu’s supposed rebellion seemed unlikely. Yet, surely Sun Jing’s visit was not entirely false?

“First, though I struck with full force, Sun Ce blocked the spear, so he would need no more than a fortnight’s recovery—he could not have died. Also, Zhou Yu and Sun Ce were inseparable; he would not rebel.”

“If my guess is correct, this is Zhou Yu’s stratagem: he wants Sun Jing to feign surrender to lure us into attacking the camp.”

Chu Feng explained simply.

Though not exhaustive, it was largely accurate.

“Bah, that old rogue dares deceive you, Master! I’ll lead troops to chop down Sun Jing shortly,” Xu Chu growled furiously.

“No need!” Chu Feng raised a hand to stop him.

“Master, now that we know Sun Jing’s purpose, why keep him? If he learns our dispositions, won’t that be disastrous?” Gan Ning frowned.

Chu Feng smiled and shook his head.

“Master, are you planning to use Sun Jing?” Liu Ye asked, astonished.

“Something like that. Zhou Yu wants to fake surrender to lure us. Why not turn the tables, let him fall into his own trap?”

Chu Feng stroked his chin, plotting silently.

Everyone looked at Chu Feng with suspicion. Liu Ye stroked his beard uncertainly. “Master, you mean...”

“To do the opposite. Zhou Yu and Sun Jing want to lure me into attacking the camp, so we’ll go openly during the day to test them, turning their conspiracy into an overt plan.”

“I want to see what other tricks they have.” Chu Feng’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“Xu Chu, assemble the Tiger Guards, and summon Sun Jing. Tell him to follow me to Sun Ce’s camp immediately!” Chu Feng ordered.

“Yes, sir!” Xu Chu nodded.

—

After a long time, on the way to Sun Ce’s camp.

Sun Jing was restless. Chu Feng’s move completely disrupted their plans. Ideally, Chu Feng should be half-believing, half-doubting, then Zhou Yu would use other means to convince him, luring Chu Feng into a trap.

But now, Chu Feng was bringing him directly to Sun Ce’s camp. What was he up to? Did he intend to expose him outright?

“General Chu, what is the meaning of this?”

Sun Jing finally could not help but ask. It was not the first time he had asked along the way.

“General Sun, since you sincerely submit to me, it is my duty to eliminate Zhou Yu. However, how can I forgive such a treacherous villain as Zhou Yu without causing him disgrace?”

Chu Feng spoke solemnly.

“Disgrace?”