A lone man

[Zhou Yu]

It was more than just the oath he had sworn that drew the Young strategist to the lands of Wu. Although he owed the Sun family his allegiance and a debt of honer he also desired greatly to see his friend again. Few men shared the bond that bound Zhou Yu and Sun Ce, oath brothers, friends, lord and master. Now the word was that his father Sun Jian the pirating slaying lord and descendant of Sun Tzu would make a play for the land. Although he might have the might and ability to rule the land so did many others among them Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. If he was possibly to succeed in his quest for the land he would need superior strategy's. Zhou Yu did not think himself superior to the strategists of the other lords but he knew without him his friend Sun Ce might just not make it. But how to approach his father? If he asked he knew Sun Ce would be able to get him a court position but thats not what he wanted. Sun Jian would have to see his talent on his own, he wanted to be judged on what he was not what Sun Ce thought of him. A man must stand ultimately alone.

To this end he rode his pale white steed skylight down the well trodden streets of Wu. Although not the strongest base in Jiang Dong it was a starting point which was all a talented man needed. Although it was unfair to say not all men were equal in wealth or in talent, he believed the Sun family even from small beginnings had what it took.

A few people on the street seemed to recognized him and waved to him as he approached. He returned the gesture smiling glad even a few knew him in the coming days he suspected he would not be able to walk these streets without instantly being recognized. Where would this quest he was on lead him, would he lose himself along the way. Power did strange things to people did he have what it took to stay the right path. The land did not need a second Dong Zhou. These were the thought that troubled him as he approached the main gates of the provincial palace. Yet such was his determination even this black mood would not worry him, it was a glad day he would see his friend again and make many more. He split into a smile and ascended the steps of the palace Leaving his find steed stabled below.

"I am Zhou Yu of LuJiang. I am here to see lord Sun Jian, i believe he will remember me he knew my father and i his son." Zhou Yu said smirking faintly as he spreed his arms wide showing he had no weapons. No obvious ones anyway, he always believed the mind was the most deadly weapon.

[Sun Jian]

The guards nodded, "Lord Sun is in the inner chamber. He has just returned from a campaign and may want rest", with a little advice, but those who knew Sun Jian well, would know that even after a campaign, he would not give in to rest just yet, knowing he had a lot more to establish. His power only manifested itself here in Wu, but his fame spread out to the whole of Jiangdong, which should help him in the future.

[Zhou Yu]

"Lord Sun knows that the war is not always won on the field but off of it. I'm sure he will be willing to see me now i have much to offer." Zhou Yu said smiling slightly knowing that Ce was much like his father in this regard. Neither man knew how to relax until everything was sorted. He wondered quickly he would be able to get in to see Sun Jian however, it would depend how many idiotic bureaucrats he had. Still unlike the other lords he suspected that was not lord Sun style. No doubt in the court of Yuan Shao he would have been kept waiting for a week. He entered past the guards at the gate and headed into the palace toward Sun Jians inner chambers, he asked servants for directions on the way never having been here before. Once he reached his destination he took a second to insure he was correctly presentable and turned to one of the servants.


"Would you please announce to your lord that Zhou Yu of LuJiang is here to see him and ask if he would agree see me." He asked as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. Although he would serve Sun Ce in a second he needed to see if his father was even half the man he was. If he served an unjust lord then his considerable talent would be turned to evil.

[Sun Jian]

After settling back into Wu after his campaign, he had Wei Huan return to the Barracks and train the new additions to his army, and the officials had reported that they had followed their orders so volunteers would arrive soon to join him. He needed extra money to afford to make better equipment for his soldiers so that they become stronger, and with Wei Huan's help, they could train the soldiers so they become better.

With the supply line fixed, Wu could once again relax and make sure the foundation was strong. Sun Ce already wanted to go out and fight but fighting was not always the answer, and in an attempt to gain land using the influence that the Sun family had over Jiangdong, he only hoped that War wouldn't be necessary.

After dismissing the Officials, a servant entered the chamber and bowed, "Lord Sun, Zhou Yu of Lu Jiang is requesting an audience with you. Will you accept?"

Sun Jian smiled, "Of course, let him in". Though his army had strong generals who were training thr troops, they would not be good without a perfect strategy. And now Zhou Yu, sworn brother of Sun Ce, had come to visit.....

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu followed the servant into the room stepping toward the center and facing Sun Jian lord of Wu. He paid the man no more attention focusing on the Wu lord. He studied his face carefully like it was him who needed to impress rather than himself. It was one of the many small things Zhou Yu did without thinking to put others off guard. After a while he smiled broadly and bowed fluidly draping his crimson cape out behind him with his left arm as he did so.

"Like father like son i see, perhaps it is the blood or perhaps these war like times just call out the tiger in great men." Zhou Yu said cryptically as he stood straight starring deeply into the eyes of the man he had come to see. He had been very young the last time they had meet but then so had Sun Ce, he wondered if the years weighed heavily on Sun Jian.

"Lord Sun Jian i have seen your city and i have seen your men. They are well lead and have officers of great skill and talent. However as we both know the greatest weapon of victory is the mind. I wonder who in your forces can claim to be a strategist of renowned?" He asked not offering his allegiance yet rather asking if Sun Jian needed someone like himself.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian smiled as Zhou Yu entered seeing how much he had grown since he had last seen him. It made him realise how quickly time passed, and as his sons grew older, so did he. Time was of the essence but he couldn't rush, but take his time. There was alot he had to do accomplish, so he had to make sure everything he does is right, and the only way to make sure it is done right, is by having the right strategy. He needed a strategist to aide him in his course. Though he had many talented officers, he did not want to fall in someone else's trap, rather them following his.

After dwelling on time and the need of strategy, he turned back to Zhou Yu, "You have grown alot since we last met Zhou Yu. You're looking good. Ce has grown too and you'd want to see him later no doubt", as his smile widened, then dropped down to a straight face, as he listened to what Zhou Yu had to say, then answered with a sigh, "It is true that strategy is needed to win these battles that lie ahead of us if we have no choice but to fight, but we do lack and require a renowned strategist". He had many talented officers in his army including Ce but as far as a strategist, he couldn't say much.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu looked away for a moment hiding a slight smile that twisted his lips. It was good that Sun Jian could be honest about the needs and limitations of his forces. Another more arrogant lord might have denied it or pretended one of there current officers had great strategic talent. Of course they both know he would not be wasting either of there time if he had not come here intending to take service with the kingdom of Wu. He would become for them like Sun Tzu of old, the brilliant mind that could shift power in the land with a few words. He knew he could do these things without even drawing his sword, of course Ce would never stand for that. They had sworn to fight together and so they would side by side under his father and later Ce himself one day he hoped.

"Then it is fortunate for you my lord that i have yet to take service with any regional lord, although i have had many instant offers from Yuan Shao. However i could never let my strategies serve such self indulgent evil." Zhou Yu said looking away as he thought warmly of all the strategists serving Shao. The fools had all made a terrible mistake serving such a useless imbecile for people so smart they were a poor judge of character. He was not.

"For the glory of the Sun family i would offer you my service my life and everything i possess to achieve your goals. I will die for your cause if it is my fate, i would be honored to call you my lord." Zhou Yu said all arrogance or pretense vanishing from his domineer. He sank to his knees and offered his life and talents to the Wu warlord.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian smiled as he looked down at Zhou Yu, once known to him as the sworn brother of his son Ce, and now his strategist who would serve the Sun family with all his heart. Having Zhou Yu part of his forces, he now felt relaxed that his goal to unite the land would be in safe hands if he was ever to go. No, this was not the time to dwell on the future, but rather the present.

"I would be honored to have you serve as my strategist", he answered with a smile, then pointed his arm to a seat to his right, "Please, take a seat. You must have some rest after coming from Lu Jiang. How is it there?", he asked, curious about what state his homeplace was in. He had done all he can to ensure the prosperity of Wu where he was born, but now was to find out how other places in Jiangdong were doing.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu stood with dignity and took a seat next to Sun Jian. No doubt there would be much for them to talk about in the coming weeks. It would soon be his duty to provide tactical analysis of the situation and come up with plans to further the aims of Wu. He would look forward to getting to know Sun Jian. he just hoped he did not underestimate him due to his youth.

"Lu Jiang is not the happy place it was when i was a child. Since the death of the emperor no one has imperial authority. The officials ignore the people and fight amongst themselves to no real end. The people are ignored by there leaders and there Provencal army is too busy fighting for each leader that no one is left to protect them. Those with arms become bandits in these desperate times to feed there families and those that are left suffer in destitution and despair. Like much of the land the old ways have failed and invited in chaos and disorder the result is panic and death." Zhou Yu said speaking at length about the situation at his home land. He did not exagerate how bad things were he did not need too. With the emperor gone and so many warlords but none dominate above the others the land had no firm law.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian sighed as he heard Zhou Yu speak of his homeplace. The chaos had begun in the Capital whereas the South were peaceful, but now the whole land was in chaos and needed a strong leader to bind the people together so they may once again live in harmony. Maybe that's why Yan Yu and the Bandits had so many numbers. He just hoped the ones he slain were not villagers, but he had to act quickly to make sure there was no more.

"Zhou Yu", as he turned back to him and asked with a riddle, "The chaos is the disease, a cure is needed, but what components do I need to ensure the cure will work?", as he waited for a response.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu sat back a moment to think a smile splitting across his face like ice breaking under pressure. He was glad that Sun Jian would seek his advice on this matter quickly for time was not of the essence. However there was also no simple answer to this question and those he would give would be some times contradictory to the given situation.

"This disease is like a cancer my lord that prays on the innocence worsening there situation until they too cause evil. The cure should strike quickly at these cancers and remove them before the body is beyond cure. At the same time it may be necessary to remove some healthy tissue but such sacrifice will i fear be necessary. The disease can only be finally cured once only one force alone stands in power under the emperor." Zhou Yu responded finally speaking his mind and giving the first advice of many he would make to his lord. His lord would have to act quickly on it and establish himself in Jiang Dong before the other lords brought too much destruction down on the land.

"My lord if i may say as much. Your current policy in Jiang Dong is not aggressive enough. The other lord only respect power and respect without fear is not a potent weapon. We should take decisive action against neighboring province to bring them into your fold if they will not accept your law willingly." Zhou Yu suggested looking carefully at his new lord to see what he thought of this suggestion.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian nodded slowly as he acknowledged everything Zhou Yu was saying. Though he was young, he was indeed intelligent, the most intelligent man he had come across in the whole of Jiangdong, and he was glad he had decided to join him.

He listened to all he had to say, then after thinking about what he said, he then answered, "Your words are wise indeed Zhou Yu", as a smile appeared on his face, seeing that he too desired not to always use conflict, except when needed. Though Wu was an established region, it was not an established Kingdom to quell the chaos round Wu that would grow worse if not cured.

He then asked, "So you are saying, to gain the hearts of the people throughout Jiangdong, we must show them strength and fear....", he stopped, hoping for some clarification what Zhou Yu could offer. He could show the people strength by protecting them from any enemies as he was the Tiger of Jiangdong and could strike fear in the hearts of the enemt, but how to put fear in the hearts of the people, the ingredient to make them submit, how was it done.


(Sorry for late response as was round Nanna's this wk with no net, so been on and off, but back to normal now)

[Zhou Yu]

"Indeed my lord but at the same time we act with an honest heart and treat the people well." Zhou Yu answered guessing that Sun Jian wished him to explain in more detail what he meant. Which was good it was the reason he was here otherwise his council would not be needed. Zhou Yu leaned further back into his chair thinking how best to explain things.

"What we need my lord are clear and generous rewards for people who exceed this will inspire them to fight well. At the same time we must as there leaders show humility and suffer everything they do show we are willing to do any task we might set them. We will then show strength and inspire fear by having strict punishments for crimes or failure which should be implemented immediately." Zhou Yu said explaining the principals of a military government as efficient as he could imagine. Using ideals set down long before by men such as Sun Tzu and Lu Shang. He finished his explanation sitting crossed legged and relaxed as he waited for his lord to digest what he had said.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian smiled and nodded as Zhou Yu explained to him his thoughts on how to improve the current policy of Jiangdong. In the current world of chaos, support of the people was needed, and to gain that, trust and respect needed to be earnt, but as Zhou Yu had said, fear is also needed aswell as strength, so all he needed to do enact the stricter laws. Everything Zhou Yu had said made perfect sense, and he was pleased that he was with him, "Consider it done. I thank you for your wise advice", and the advice to come in the future he thought to himself. Though Zhou Yu was young, he was talented and wise indeed.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu nodded glad to have found a lord that valued wise council when it was given. He had seen too many foolish lord like the Yuans who refused wise council and ultimately it would lead to there end he was sure. Wu on the other hand would prosper as long as they welcomed people of talent and refused the service of self serving treacherous people.

"Your words do me Honor my lord. If it would please you i will make some reform to your army training and supply system as well as add my own men to your forces. Some of my family and clan troops will join me in serving you." Zhou Yu said knowing as he spoke that he would be very busy the next few weeks making small improvements to the city and its army. It would be up to Sun Jian and Sun Ce in the mean time to attract worthy and Honorable people to serve Wu as there generals.