Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Sun's mother sat upright in the main seat. Seeing Sun Quan enter, she half-closed her eyes and said coldly, "Since you have ascended the throne of Wu, why do you need to come to see an old woman like me? If you have any questions, just ask your teachers Zhang Hong and Zhang Zhao. Cheng Pu and the other four veteran generals are here to help you. What else do you need that you have to come to me?"

Sun Quan fell to his knees with a thud, his face filled with fear. He cried, "Mother, you haven't seen me in this whole year. I miss you day and night, and I can't sleep or eat."

Sun's mother opened her eyes slightly, staring at Sun Quan with a sharp gaze. She asked coldly, "Jiangdong is in such a state now. Do you have a specific explanation for your brother's death? I don't want to care about these mundane matters anymore."

Sun Quan's heart trembled, and he quickly knelt down, pleading bitterly, "Mother, since I inherited my brother's throne, I have deeply understood the difficulties involved. Although I am not very talented or knowledgeable, I work hard day and night, wholeheartedly, to protect the Sun family's foundation. Those powerful families, relying on their family influence, always want to control me and hinder me in everything I do. Zhou Yu, because of his brother's affairs, also opposed me and refused to help. Liu Biao of Jingzhou is even more covetous, always thinking of invading Jiangdong. I am in such a difficult situation, and it is difficult for me to move forward. Mother, if you don't help me, Jiangdong may fall into an irretrievable situation."

Mother Sun snorted coldly and said, "Humph, aren't these what you wanted so hard in the beginning?"

Seeing his mother still speaking to him in such apathetic manner, Sun Quan grew anxious. He kowtowed repeatedly, a red mark soon appearing on his forehead. He then knelt to his mother's side, grasped her legs, and tearfully said, "Mother, you haven't seen me this year, and I've missed you so much. Seeing you today, your hair has turned so gray. It breaks my heart. I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have done such a foolish thing. I hope you can understand my difficulties, give me another chance, help me, and save Jiangdong."

Mother Sun was slightly startled, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. She couldn't help but ask, "What is the current situation in Jiangdong? How can there be any talk of instability? Although Zhou Lang hasn't been completely loyal to you, as far as I know, he only occupies half of the Wu army's territory. On a daily basis, he also controls his subordinates and the Shanyue people, and hasn't caused you too much trouble. When you said that Zhou Lang was plotting to seize the throne, I believed you and forced Zhou Lang to do something. But what happened? Zhou Lang didn't covet power at all. Instead, he took in your brother Bo Fu's son, my grandson Sun Shao, to raise him, which shows his noble character. You prevented the investigation of the true culprit of your brother's death, but made things difficult for Zhou Lang. Now you come to ask me, an old woman, to save Jiangdong. How can I do that?"

Sun Quan's face was filled with sorrow. He kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Mother, Mother! Jiangdong was in chaos at the time, with various forces ready to make a move. If the situation could not be stabilized quickly, powerful enemies would seize the opportunity to invade, and Jiangdong would be gone in an instant. I am not very talented and learned, and I have no desire for the position of Marquis of Wu. But my brother entrusted me with his care before his death, and how could I fail him? My father and brother went through untold hardships to build this Jiangdong empire. I cannot bear to see it destroyed. And my nephew is too young to bear such a heavy burden. I only want to protect my nephew's safe growth and the well-being of our Sun family. I have no selfish motives, mother."

Sun Quan's voice became increasingly choked with sobs as he spoke. "Ever since I inherited the throne of Wu, I've lost my appetite and sleepless nights. Countless times, I've thought of giving up this position and returning to my mother's side to serve you until the end of your days. But every time I wake up in the middle of the night, I see the tragic deaths of my father and brother. The scene is so vivid in my mind, how can I sleep peacefully? My nephew is still young and cannot withstand the conspiracy and sniping of others. I am truly worried."

Seeing Sun Quan like this, Mother Sun couldn't help but feel a little pity in her heart, but her expression remained serious. She said, "If you knew this, why did you join Zhang Zhao and others in ostracizing Zhou Lang?"

Sun Quan looked around with a solemn expression, and motioned for the maids to withdraw. He then earnestly asked Sun Shangxiang to stand guard outside the door. Sun Shangxiang was puzzled for a moment, but seeing Sun Quan's seriousness, she didn't ask any further questions. Curious, Sun's mother, eager to understand what Sun Quan was about to say, nodded to Sun Shangxiang. Sun Shangxiang obeyed and stood guard outside the door.

Seeing this, Sun Quan approached his mother and whispered, "Mother, my brother's sudden death must have been due to some conspiracy. I suspect it was either Zhou Yu or the Jiangdong nobles who were behind this. At that time, Tao Qian of Xuzhou and Liu Biao of Jingzhou were both eyeing Jiangdong. If either Zhou Yu or the Jiangdong nobles had provoked trouble, Jiangdong would have immediately fallen into civil strife. With powerful enemies lurking outside and strife brewing within, how could our Sun family survive in such a chaotic world? Zhou Yu and my brother were sworn brothers. Even if I had offended him often, I wouldn't have destroyed the foundation that my brother had worked so hard to build."

But these Jiangdong aristocratic families are different. When my brother pacified Jiangdong, he massacred some of them, which has long made them wary. Now that my brother is gone, if I join forces with Zhou Yu to fight these aristocratic families, once they rebel, internal and external troubles will erupt simultaneously, and the situation in Jiangdong will collapse in an instant. What will happen to my Sun family? Although my brother pacified Jiangdong, the Jiangdong aristocratic families have already placed people in various important positions. The generals promoted by the Jiangdong aristocratic family system are powerful enough to compete with the four veteran generals such as Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu, or even surpass them. Add to that the aristocratic families behind the scenes and Jiangdong will surely be in chaos. I really have no choice but to resort to this desperate measure.

After hearing what Sun Quan said, Sun's mother looked thoughtful. She frowned and wondered in her heart how credible Sun Quan's words were.

Sun Quan hugged his mother's legs tightly and said anxiously, "Mother, I dare not tell a lie! I was in such a complicated situation at that time. What else could I do? Zhou Yu was determined to find out the real culprit of my brother's death, but those noble families also had many soldiers and generals, and they were all ready to make a move. I can't just watch Jiangdong fall into chaos! If chaos really broke out, my third brother, my poor nephew Sun Shao, and I would all be assassinated. This makes me extremely anxious!"

I only thought about how to protect the Sun family's bloodline. Just then, the aristocratic families put pressure on Zhou Yu, and Zhou Yu offered to give up power to raise his brother's son, Sun Shao, to adulthood. I took this opportunity to ask Zhou Yu to protect my nephew away from the center of this conspiracy. After all, I trust Zhou Yu's character and the deep friendship he has with my brother. He will definitely do his best for Shao'er.

I know full well that no matter how much he suspects or hates me, he will not personally destroy the foundation laid by my brother. Only in this way can we temporarily stabilize the situation in Jiangdong. Mother, since I inherited the throne, I have lived in fear every day, struggling to navigate between these various factions. Can you understand the pain in my heart?

"I was originally unwilling to inherit the throne of Wu Hou, but Shao'er is too young. If I don't support him, my Sun family's bloodline may not survive. How can I wait for him to grow up, avenge my father, and protect this legacy?"

As Sun Quan's mother listened to his confession, her expression gradually became moved, and her words became gentler: "All of this is for Shao'er..."

Sun Quan's eyes were bloodshot, tears welling up in them. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Mother, mother! You know my temper. I'm not one to be so eager to take charge. But the situation was so critical then. If I didn't step forward, how could I possibly be worthy of my brother's dying wish? Don't worry, mother. As long as the situation in Jiangdong stabilizes, when Shao'er is a little older, I will hand over the throne to him and support him with all my strength. Let him carry on his brother's legacy and avenge our father."

Sun's mother carefully examined Sun Quan. His face was thin, his cheekbones slightly raised, and his once bright eyes were now bloodshot, as if he hadn't rested for days. Although he was dressed in finery, he looked sickly, devoid of his former spirit. A wave of pity welled up in Sun's mother's heart. After all, Sun Quan was her own flesh and blood, so how could she not feel sorry for him?

She had always thought of Sun Quan as a calm and peaceful person, and she was unwilling to believe that Sun Quan was behind Sun Ce's death. But after listening to Sun Quan's words, which were logically sound and flawless, she gradually began to believe them.

Thinking of how Sun Quan had endured all this alone for over a year, struggling to survive amidst the various forces, Sun's mother was overcome with grief. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn't help but embrace Sun Quan in her arms, saying, tears streaming down her face, "My son, you harbor so much pain in your heart. Our Sun family is in such a difficult situation right now, and it's all thanks to you, my son, who is struggling to support us all."

Sun Quan could no longer suppress the grievance and pain in his heart. He hugged his mother tightly like a child and burst into tears. His tears flowed freely, soaking his mother's clothes. At this moment, all the pressure, fear and helplessness were vented with these tears.

In his mother's arms, Sun Quan unleashed his inner fear and grievance. Though his mother saw his grief, she was unaware of his deeper anxieties. Ever since Sun Quan learned that Ma Chao was still alive, fear had been a constant presence. He knew that if Ma Chao learned the details of Sun Ce's death, his position as Marquis of Wu would be in jeopardy, and perhaps even his life. This fear was genuine; in front of his mother, he could no longer suppress it, revealing his true feelings.

Seeing Sun Quan weeping so bitterly, Sun's mother imagined he must be feeling extremely wronged. She gently stroked his back and soothed him tenderly, "Son, don't cry. You must be as responsible as your father and brothers, and support the cause of Jiangdong. You mentioned earlier that Jiangdong is in danger. Where exactly is it? Tell me in detail, and I'll see how I can help you."

Sun Quan, upon hearing his mother's question, quickly composed himself and spoke, "Mother, Jiangdong is facing numerous crises. First, the aristocratic families and Zhou Yu are at odds with each other. The aristocratic families are powerful and have always sought to control more power in Jiangdong, while Zhou Yu commands a large army. Neither side is willing to yield, causing numerous internal conflicts in Jiangdong. Second, Liu Biao of Jingzhou is eyeing us covetously, constantly plotting to invade Jiangdong and expand his sphere of influence. Third, those aristocratic families harbor ulterior motives. While ostensibly honoring me as the Marquis of Wu, they are actually attempting to govern themselves independently, completely disregarding the overall interests of Jiangdong. If these problems are not properly resolved, Jiangdong will be in imminent danger, mother!"