Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The Xiandeng camp, armed with heavy crossbows and carrying massive shields, moved swiftly onto the battlefield under Ju Yi's methodical command. They formed into neat formations, and at Ju Yi's command, a volley of heavy crossbows unleashed, their sharp arrows swarming like locusts towards Sun Jian's personal guards. Instantly, Sun Jian's soldiers screamed in agony, suffering heavy casualties.

Seeing that the situation was extremely critical, Sun Ce completely disregarded his own safety. He reached into his armor, took out the jade seal and held it high, shouting: "Mr. Yuan, let my father and I go, and I will give you this thing. Otherwise, I will make sure to smash it, and no one will be able to get it!" Seeing this, Yuan Shao was shocked and quickly shouted to stop, trying to communicate with Sun Ce.

Yuan Shao eagerly declared, "Very well, I will offer this treasure to you. If you give it to me, I will let you and your son escape safely, and provide you with provisions, fodder, weapons, and horses." With this, the generals halted their attack, but they remained under threat from the heavy crossbows of the Xiandeng camp. Sun Ce remained undaunted, proudly declaring, "Lord Yuan is surrounded by a heavy force. How can I give it to you so easily? Once my son and I are safe, I will offer it to you with both hands." Yuan Shao's face darkened at this, and he naturally refused to agree. For a moment, Yuan Shao and Sun Ce remained at a stalemate, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense and solemn.

Yuan Shao said anxiously, "You and I both know what this treasure is. How can we damage it so easily? If something goes wrong, you and I will both be sinners for all eternity! General Sun, don't act impulsively. We can discuss everything." Yuan Shao frowned, veins bulged on his forehead, beads of sweat slid down his cheeks, and his eyes revealed an expression of both anger and fear. He knew very well the importance of the jade seal and would not allow it to be lost.

Sun Ce's eyes were wide open with anger, and he shouted loudly: "Mr. Yuan, don't say any more! Get out of the way quickly!" Sun Ce tightly grasped the spear in his hand, the muscles in his arms were tense with anger, and his eyes seemed to be burning with raging fire, as if he was going to rush forward regardless of everything in the next second.

Although Yuan Shao was extremely reluctant, he was still worried that Sun Ce would destroy the imperial seal. Reluctantly, he waved his hand to signal his men to make way. His hands trembled, his lips quivered slightly, and his face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out.

Led by Sun Ce, Sun Jian and his men rode away at a rapid gallop. Their hooves kicked up clouds of dust, their figures looming in the dust. Tension and vigilance were written across every face, and they dared not slack off even for a moment.

Watching Sun Jian and his son retreat, Yuan Shao gnashed his teeth, unwillingly saying, "Hmph! How could I let you escape so easily!" His voice grew hoarse with anger, and he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the strain. Then, turning his head, he glared at Ju Yi fiercely and sternly shouted, "Ju Yi, lead the vanguard battalion and follow us quickly. We must seize the opportunity to recapture the imperial seal. If we fail, we must not let them escape unscathed." Ju Yi bowed his hand in acceptance and, leading the vanguard battalion, pursued them like a ghost.

Furthermore, Yuan Shao anxiously sent a letter to Liu Biao in Jingzhou, detailing the story of Sun Jian and his son, and urgently asking Liu Biao to send someone to intercept him en route. The messenger galloped as fast as he could, wishing he could grow wings and fly to Jingzhou immediately.

Sun Ce and his son fled, the clatter of their horses' hooves like a torrential downpour. Sun Ce frowned, waving his whip as he turned to ask Sun Jian, "Father, was it really worth it to break with Yuan Shao over this imperial seal, and now our troops have suffered heavy losses?"

Sun Jian laughed heartily, and the laughter sounded particularly harsh in the tense atmosphere: "My son, you don't understand. The value of this jade seal is not as precious as 10 soldiers. You don't understand that my Sun family is going to change the world, and it all depends on this thing!" Sun Jian's eyes were firm, and his bright eyes were full of longing and ambition for the future.

Sun Ce secretly didn't believe it. He pursed his lips and thought to himself: "It's just a piece of stone. Only when I have soldiers and generals in my hands and sufficient food and grass can I feel at ease. My father values ​​this jade seal so much. Could it be that he is blinded by power?" Although he had doubts in his heart, Sun Ce still followed Sun Jian closely and galloped hard to protect his father.

Sun Jian and his son fled, unaware that Ju Yi's pursuers were approaching like hungry wolves, and even less aware that Liu Biao's troops were waiting for them ahead, their fangs bared. At this moment, every moment of tranquility felt like the brief peace before the storm, and every breath was filled with unknown danger. The situation was extremely tense.

On their desperate flight, Sun Jian and his son, Sun Ce, were completely unable to experience the New Year's atmosphere. In the chilly night breeze, they sat exhausted before a campfire, its light flickering in the darkness. Sun Jian and Sun Ce chewed their rations, slightly charred by the fire, with difficulty. All around them was a desolate landscape, overgrown with weeds and howling winds.

Sun Jian's gaze was resolute yet tinged with a hint of enthusiasm as he spoke incessantly about a bright future for Sun Ce. The seal seemed to radiate a strange light, blinding Sun Jian's mind. His words were filled with a lust for power and glory. Sun Ce's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with worry and resignation. He tried to dissuade his once wise and powerful father, but every time he opened his mouth, he was harshly interrupted. Sun Ce stared at his father's stubborn expression, feeling a mixture of emotions, unsure what to do.

The gears of fate are still turning, and an unknown fate awaits the father and son.

Amidst the tense and charged atmosphere of all factions, New Year's Eve of that year arrived quietly. Even in his desperate escape, Dong Zhuo maintained his extravagant display. His vast tent was ablaze with lights, its walls draped with silk and satin. Dong Zhuo congratulated all his civil and military officials on the New Year's Eve. His puppet emperor sat trembling in the main seat, his frail frame trembling like a leaf in the autumn wind at Dong Zhuo's mere words. The officials below, like dogs, pigs, and sheep awaiting slaughter, stared at Dong Zhuo with impassive expressions. Dong Zhuo's face was thick with flesh, his eyes wide, and veins bulged in his forehead. He paced back and forth in the tent, waving his massive arms, venting the rage and discontent that raged within him like a volcanic eruption.

Lü Bu, along with his generals Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, was also inside the tent, watching Dong Zhuo's crazy actions with a bitter taste in his mouth. Lü Bu's brows were furrowed, a complex expression in his eyes.

Seeing Lü Bu in this state, Wang Yun quietly approached him. He leaned forward, a flattering smile on his face, and whispered a plan with Lü Bu. Lü Bu and Wang Yun had already hit it off. Lü Bu had long been captivated by Diao Chan's stunning beauty, her delicate features haunting him. Wang Yun seized the opportunity to win Lü Bu over, his eyes sly, his calculations shrewd: if such a formidable general could obey his orders, he would have unwavering confidence no matter where he led his army.

Their conversation was filled with pessimistic speculation about Dong Zhuo's future, a bleak picture. Lü Bu's confidence in Dong Zhuo grew increasingly weak. Thinking of Dong Zhuo's actions, he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

Li Jue and Guo Si's troops dared not confront Dong Zhuo. The deputy general they sent to the camp was stunned by Dong Zhuo's thunderous, stern scolding upon entering the tent. "You useless bunch! If you don't quickly capture Chang'an, bring me your heads!" Terrified, the deputy general dropped to his knees, sweat pouring down his face. Niu Fu and Li Ru gazed at the nearly frantic Dong Zhuo, attempting to offer their advice, but were rudely interrupted by Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo had become impassive, his once wise gaze now shrouded in madness and paranoia. Repeated crushing defeats, like relentless hammers, had driven him to extremes. His former strategic composure and composure were gone, replaced only by endless rage and frenzy. Like a wounded beast, he bared his teeth, desperately seeking to strike back, yet powerless in the face of his present predicament.

In stark contrast to the despair on Dong Zhuo's side, the coalition's camp was bustling with activity. After Sun Jian and his son fled, Yuan Shao quickly dispatched troops to pursue them, and soon after, he also caught up with the coalition forces, continuing his pursuit of Dong Zhuo without stopping.

On New Year's Eve, Yuan Shao prepared a sumptuous feast in his battle tent, a dazzling array of fine wines and delicacies. He symbolically invited the Emperor, several officials, and the three brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang Fei. Yuan Shao, flattered by the crowd's flattery, was already feeling overwhelmed. He didn't even reserve a high seat for the Emperor, but instead took a separate seat for himself, sharing the same seat with him. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's glares widened, unable to tolerate Yuan Shao's arrogance. They secretly clenched their weapons, veins bulging in their arms.

Behind Yuan Shao, Generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou also tightened their weapons. Yuan Shao seemed oblivious, unconcerned, continuing his cheerful conversation. The atmosphere at the banquet took on a solemnity, like frozen ice. Gongsun Zan, seated at the first table to the emperor's left, taunted Yuan Shao mercilessly, "You, Yuan Benchu, are so arrogant now! You even dare to sit at the same table with the emperor. What are you trying to do?" His words were as sharp as arrows. Han Fu and Kong Rong rushed to Yuan Benchu's defense, citing classic texts and defending him, claiming that this was not an act of usurpation. For a moment, everyone at the banquet was preoccupied with their own thoughts, and the atmosphere grew tense.