Chapter 15: Taishi Ci Fights with the Little Prince; Sun Ce Cuts Short the White Tiger King

Zhang Fei, about to end his life at Xuyi, was stopped by Liu Bei, who snatched away the sword and declared, “Brothers are like hands and feet; wives and children are like clothes. Clothes can be mended, but a lost limb cannot. We swore in the Peach Garden to share life and death. The city is lost, but our journey isn’t over.” Moved, Zhang Fei abandoned his attempt, and the brothers reconciled.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shu, learning of Lu Bu’s capture of Xuzhou, promised him lavish rewards to attack Liu Bei. Lu Bu sent Gao Shun with 50,000 troops, but Liu Bei, forewarned, retreated to Guangling under the cover of bad weather. When Gao Shun sought Yuan Shu’s promised reward, he was refused until Liu Bei was captured. Furious at the betrayal, Lu Bu considered attacking Yuan Shu but was dissuaded by his advisor, Chen Gong, who suggested allying with Liu Bei instead.

Lu Bu invited Liu Bei to Xiaopei and, to gain trust, returned Liu Bei’s family unharmed. Though Guan Yu and Zhang Fei distrusted Lu Bu, Liu Bei accepted the offer. Despite his brothers’ protests, he settled in Xiaopei, where Lu Bu sent gifts and maintained peace.

In Shouchun, Yuan Shu celebrated Sun Ce’s victory over Lu Gang. Sun Ce, resentful of Yuan Shu’s patronizing attitude, lamented his inability to fulfill his late father Sun Jian’s ambitions. Zhu Zhi, an old family ally, advised Sun Ce to seize Dangyang under the guise of aiding his uncle, Wu Jing. Joined by Lu Fan, another strategist, they planned to borrow troops from Yuan Shu, using the Imperial Hereditary Seal as collateral.

Feigning grief, Sun Ce approached Yuan Shu, offering the seal in exchange for troops. Yuan Shu agreed, lending him 3,000 soldiers, 500 horses, and a promotion to General Who Exterminates Brigands. With his father’s generals and new allies Zhu Zhi and Lu Fan, Sun Ce marched on Dangyang.

At Linyang, Sun Ce encountered Zhou Yu, a childhood friend and sworn brother, who pledged his support. Zhou Yu suggested enlisting Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong, two brilliant strategists. After personal visits and generous gifts, Sun Ce convinced them to join his cause as counselors and generals.

The focus shifted to attacking Yangzhou, where Liu Yao, a member of the imperial family, ruled. Forced south by Yuan Shu, Liu Yao now clashed with Wu Jing near Que. Sun Ce prepared to launch his campaign to reclaim Yangzhou and fulfill his father’s legacy.

Learning of the planned attack, Liu Yao summoned his generals for counsel.

General Zhang Ying proposed, “I will entrench at Niuzhu; no army can pass us.”

Taishi Ci, eager for battle, volunteered to lead the van, but Liu Yao dismissed him, saying, “You are too young for such a charge. Stay by my side.” Disappointed, Taishi Ci withdrew.

Zhang Ying marched to Niuzhu to guard its grain stores. When Sun Ce approached, Zhang Ying engaged him near Bullock Rapid. However, an alarm of fire broke out in Zhang Ying’s camp. Sun Ce launched a full assault, forcing Zhang Ying to flee to the hills.

The fire was started by Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai, two former bandit leaders who joined Sun Ce’s ranks, bringing 300 men as an offering. Pleased, Sun Ce rewarded them with rank and enlisted 4,000 surrendered troops before advancing to Shenting.

After his defeat, Zhang Ying returned to Liu Yao, who intended to execute him but relented after counsel. Instead, Zhang Ying was reassigned to Lingling. Liu Yao prepared to face Sun Ce, camping south of the Sacred Hills, while Sun Ce camped on the opposite side.

Sun Ce learned of a nearby temple to Liu Xiu, the Han founder, and decided to pray there despite warnings of ambush. With 12 escorts, he ascended the hills, prayed, and vowed to restore the temple if victorious. Defying caution, he rode along the ridge to scout.

A soldier spotted Sun Ce and alerted Liu Yao. Taishi Ci seized the moment, rallied his men, and pursued Sun Ce with only one companion, as the rest mocked their bravery.

Sun Ce noticed the pursuit, halted his escort, and faced Taishi Ci. “I am Taishi Ci, here to capture Sun Ce!” he declared.

“Then I am Sun Ce!” came the bold reply.

The two clashed fiercely for fifty bouts, neither gaining the upper hand. Taishi Ci feigned retreat, leading Sun Ce into the plains. There, they fought another fifty rounds, eventually grappling on foot after losing their steeds. Their struggle was interrupted as Liu Yao’s troops approached, and both men retreated when reinforcements arrived.

The next day, Sun Ce displayed Taishi Ci’s captured lance, taunting the enemy. In turn, Liu Yao’s forces hung Sun Ce’s helmet, boasting victory. Taishi Ci challenged Sun Ce to a duel, but Cheng Pu intervened.

As they fought thirty bouts, Liu Yao’s retreat halted the duel. He explained, “Que has fallen to Zhou Yu’s surprise attack. We must regroup at Moling to seek aid from Xue Li and Ze Rong.”

Sun Ce, advised by Zhang Zhao, launched a night raid, routing Liu Yao’s army. Taishi Ci made a brave stand before retreating to Jingxian with ten riders.

Sun Ce gained new followers, including Chen Wu, a fierce-looking but skilled soldier. Chen Wu led a bold charge against Xue Li’s forces, killing dozens. When Liu Yao and Ze Rong attempted to retake Niuzhu, Sun Ce swiftly moved to intercept them.

Sun Ce boldly declared, “I am here! You had better surrender.”

Yu Mi, a general of Liu Yao, stepped forward to accept the challenge. But in their third encounter, Sun Ce captured him and carried him off. Seeing his comrade captured, Fan Neng charged to the rescue, but Sun Ce’s soldiers warned, “Someone’s coming from behind to strike!”

Sun Ce turned and yelled so loudly that Fan Neng, startled, fell from his horse and died. Yu Mi, crushed between Sun Ce and his prisoner, also died. In mere moments, Sun Ce had eliminated two enemies—one from fear, the other from force. He was thereafter known as “The Little Prince.”

Liu Yao suffered a great defeat, with many of his troops surrendering and over ten thousand slain. Liu Yao fled to Yuzhang, seeking refuge with Liu Biao.

Next, Sun Ce attacked Moling. When he reached the moat, he called for Commander Xue Li’s surrender, but an arrow from the wall struck Sun Ce, wounding him severely in the thigh. His men rushed him back to camp, where they treated the wound. To deceive the enemy, Sun Ce spread the word that he had died, and the soldiers mourned. The enemy, believing he was dead, was caught off guard.

As Sun Ce reappeared, his sudden presence caused panic among the enemy, and his soldiers captured their leaders: Zhang Ying, Chen Heng, and Xue Li. Sun Ce gained control of Moling.

Meanwhile, Taishi Ci, a veteran commander of Liu Yao, had gathered troops to avenge his master. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu planned to capture him alive. They launched a three-sided attack on the city, leaving the east gate open for an ambush. When Taishi Ci fled, Sun Ce’s forces pursued and captured him after a long chase.

Sun Ce, impressed by Taishi Ci’s courage, freed him and treated him with honor. Taishi Ci surrendered, offering to gather defectors from Liu Yao’s army. Sun Ce trusted him, and by noon the next day, Taishi Ci returned with a thousand troops.

With this new strength, Sun Ce subdued the southern regions, earning the title “Sun Ce the Bright” for his fair and just rule. His army’s approach no longer struck fear into the hearts of the people, who began to support him.

After settling his family in Que, Sun Ce set off to conquer Wujun, ruled by Yan Baihu, the “White Tiger.” When Yan Yu, sent by Yan Baihu, challenged Sun Ce at Maple Bridge, Sun Ce’s forces defeated him. Sun Ce laid siege to Wujun, and after a tense standoff, Yan Baihu sought peace. However, when his messenger, Yan Yu, was killed, Yan Baihu fled.

Sun Ce quickly captured Jiaxing and Wucheng, securing the region. Yan Baihu’s forces were scattered, and he eventually fled to Kuaiji. Sun Ce pursued him, and after a series of battles, Yan Baihu was defeated. Sun Ce’s forces took Kuaiji, bringing peace to the southeast.

While Sun Ce was away, brigands attacked Xuancheng, where his brother Sun Quan and Zhou Tai were stationed. Despite being wounded, Zhou Tai defended the city and saved Sun Quan. Sun Ce, upon his return, sought the help of Yu Fan, a wise healer, to treat Zhou Tai’s injuries. The famous surgeon Hua Tuo was called in, and within a month, Zhou Tai recovered.

After restoring order, Sun Ce turned his attention to Yuan Shu, who had failed to return the Imperial Hereditary Seal Sun Ce had left as a pledge. Yuan Shu, secretly plotting against Sun Ce, sought advice on how to deal with him. Yang Dajiang suggested first removing Liu Bei, then turning to Sun Ce once Liu Bei was dealt with.