Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1643: Chapter 1584: Sunx Ce’s Magnanimity

Jia Kui squinted his eyes in the direction of Sun Ce. He was now somewhat doubting whether Sun Ce was truly brainless or feigned ignorance, as the current stance displayed by all three parties indicated conflicts among them, yet Sun Ce seemed entirely unaware as he tried to ease the situation.

”General Sun, what do you think of this situation?” Jia Kui rode his horse beside Sun Ce, pointing towards Liu Ye’s direction, and then cast a glance at the Cao Army, which had partly withdrawn, leaving only Ma Chao behind.

Sun Ce scratched the back of his head, not understanding Jia Kui’s implication, and said frankly, ”This single army is so formidable, I have underestimated the heroes of the world.”

Hearing this, Jia Kui’s pupils shrank abruptly, naturally recalling Mencius’s words, ’A nation without an enemy state will face peril,’ and he couldn’t help but look at Sun Ce with newfound respect.

”Then how does the General believe we can fully exert our strength?” Jia Kui asked Sun Ce, wanting to hear Sun Ce’s insightful opinion as well.

”These three routes?” Sun Ce retorted.

”Yes, these three routes.” Jia Kui nodded, though clearly, Sun Ce’s and Jia Kui’s interpretation of the three were completely different, like talking past each other.

”As before.” Sun Ce said without much thought, while Jia Kui understood it as someone like Sun Ce unifying the nation in a grand gesture.

Watching Sun Ce, Jia Kui no longer underestimated him and nodded, saying, ”General Sun, do you lack a secretarial officer? I am willing to recommend myself.”

”I always thought you were my strategist!” Sun Ce was taken aback by this, unbelievingly gazing at Jia Kui.

Though Sun Ce was unclear of this person’s true capabilities whom he had unintentionally saved, relying on a beast-like intuition, he had positioned Jia Kui as someone adept in both political and military strategy akin to Zhou Yu’s arm, using him always as a strategist till now.

Now, beholding Jia Kui saying he wished to be a secretarial officer, Sun Ce questioned if he knew he was meant to be a strategist.

”...” Jia Kui was left speechless, remaining silent for a while, ”I will not disappoint the Lord’s trust.”

”Did you actually not consider me one of your own before? I thought you were here to pledge allegiance to me.” Sun Ce looked at Jia Kui, incredulous.

[Suddenly, he seems like a different person, but it’s reassuring to speak frankly, better than mutual apprehensions that prevent communication, for conflicts are resolved and trust built through dialogue.] Jia Kui thought to himself silently.

As Jia Kui pondered, Sun Ce patted his shoulder, ”Well, do a good job, I’m counting on you for this journey. Right now, it’s just me and Jun Yi, with Niu Jin and Qidong as deputy generals, and there are three civil officials. Relying on you to strengthen us.”

Jia Kui’s lips twitched. The important task given by Sun Ce moved him greatly, though with just a few people, the strength indeed was too weak, and in such conditions, growing stronger was a heavy burden for Jia Kui.

”Nevertheless, compared to the past, the situation now is much better. At least there are two Inner Qi Manifestation Generals, and each has legion talents. Back then, when it was just me and Gongjin, there were no elite soldiers, only three thousand navy. We sailed the Yangtze River, defeating Huang Zu, and quickly swept through the south.” Sun Ce recounted his accomplishments with a hearty laugh.

Jia Kui felt an increased pressure, believing Sun Ce to be wise yet seemingly foolish. Naturally, he interpreted Sun Ce’s words as a challenge, considering how complicated and weak Sun Ce’s position was during his rise, yet he managed with Zhou Yu...

”I’ll do my best.” Jia Kui said quietly to himself. [Whether I can handle this matter seems like it will affect my future position and trust with Sun Ce; I need to showcase some real skills, otherwise, I’ll truly be in a tight spot.]

”Lord, I’ll go greet them.” Jia Kui calculatedly said while thinking. At just over twenty years old, Jia Kui had unique insights in both political and military strategy, and by integrating them, he could maneuver and manipulate situations.

”Oh, you go ahead.” Sun Ce patted Jia Kui’s shoulder, saying, then rode over to converse with Zhang He. Since Liu Bei’s Army appeared, Zhang He had shown some issues on his mind that couldn’t be ignored, though priorities needed distinguishing.

”Jun Yi, are you still thinking about the past?” Sun Ce asked, carrying a long spear.

Zhang He silently withdrew his gaze from Liu Ye and the others, looking at Sun Ce without replying. His decision to ally with Sun Ce partly lay in the thin lineage connection between Sun Ce and the Yuan Family.

For Zhang He, now entwined in hatred, that thin lineage was not much lighter than a lifeline in water, at least providing a spiritual refuge.

”I still want to take down Cao Cao.” Sun Ce stated boldly, ”But not now. At least under the current situation, I may not face Cao Cao pleasantly, but if he’s gravely injured on the battlefield, I’ll save him.”

Zhang He looked at Sun Ce in shock, while Sun Ce proudly looked at Zhang He, ”My vow as Sun Ce can only be fulfilled through my own power. Beyond the nation, when we cleanse the north under the pretext of guarding the borders, I, Sun Ce, will never use the enemy’s hand to fulfill my vow!”

”I won’t shoot from the dark, nor will I watch idly as an ally dies. If it’s for the nation, like my father, I’ll armor up and fight on the front lines, unless various schemes use the nation’s name to steal national power, then I won’t be an ideologue!” Sun Ce’s firm words left Zhang He without doubt about Sun Ce’s enforceability someday.

”If Liu Jingsheng were still around, serving to guard the nation, could you guarantee not to act?” Zhang He, after a long silence, posed a heart-slaining question. ”The Book of Rites once said, ’A father’s vengeance isn’t forgotten.’

Sun Ce was silent for a moment, looking at Zhang He, left hand on his chest, ”I thought for a moment, finally certain, if Liu Biao were here today, guarding the nation, I definitely would not act.”

”Even the Gongyang Commentary asks, ’Can revenge be sought after nine generations? Even a hundred.’ Compared to that, individual grievances over five generations indeed can be set aside.” At this moment, Sun Ce’s eyes were incredibly serene, as he asserted. He could do it.

Though straightforward and not fond of reading, due to a substantial came heritage, he knew all the necessary books.

”Is that so?” Zhang He looked into Sun Ce’s crystal-clear eyes, sighed and nodded, affirmed Sun Ce. Nothing convinces better than leading by example.

”After the national war, if you want revenge, I can help you, but not now.” Seeing Zhang He’s eyes calm down considerably, Sun Ce felt reassured. With Inner Qi’s will, nothing couldn’t be suppressed, it was a question of willingness.