Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Sun Ce watched his father's receding figure, his expression filled with anxiety and despair. He desperately stretched out his hands, trying to grasp at his father's sleeve, his voice hoarse as he cried, "No, father, no, no!" He strained his strength to reach out, desperate to grasp at his father's sleeve, but his grasp was empty. Sun Ce sat up abruptly, his body trembling with excitement, his hand still grasping for the sleeve, tears streaming down his face like crystal beads from a broken string.

Sun Ce's expression was dejected as he slowly and feebly lowered his hand. It was a long time before he finally woke up, realizing that everything he had just experienced was just an incredibly vivid dream. However, his father's familiar voice, smile, and eyes filled with eager expectation were so clear and real, as if they were actually happening right before his eyes, within reach.

The dim light within the room flickered like a candle in the wind, flickering on and off. Sun Ce gently caressed the ancient ingot blade left behind by his father, his movements so gentle he felt as if he were caressing the most precious, one-of-a-kind treasure in the world. He suddenly and swiftly drew the blade, its blade gleaming with a chilling, cold light in the flickering candlelight. Sun Ce's face was clearly reflected on the ingot blade. He stared intently, until the reflected face, unnoticed, transformed into his father's. Instantly, Sun Ce was overcome with grief, his inner sorrow uncontrollable like a flood. He hugged the sword tightly, as if embracing his father, and burst into tears. His woeful cries echoed through the silent room, filled with endless sorrow and an unwavering determination for revenge.

Sun Ce made up his mind, carefully straightened his robes, and firmly placed his ancient ingot sword at his waist. He then prepared to go out and find his four uncles to discuss how to bid farewell to Ma Chao. He reached out to open the tent and, looking up, found Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Zu Mao standing at the tent door, as erect as statues, their faces gazing eagerly at him. At that moment, Sun Ce finally understood the concern and expectations these four uncle-like generals held for him.

Sun Ce ushered the four generals into the house and said, "Uncle, Bofu was confused before. Now, Bofu has decided to bid farewell to his brother, avenge his father, and build a new foundation." The four generals stepped forward and patted Sun Ce's shoulders affectionately, saying, "Bofu, we all know General Wentai. He is the son of the Jiangdong tiger and is no coward." Huang Gai then said, "My lord, tell us what to do next. We all await your instructions."

Sun Ce seated the four generals one by one and spoke slowly, "We have few soldiers and generals, and these three thousand soldiers have been trained to a full strength. But all of this was recruited by Gongjin, who spent all his family wealth. My brother Gongjin and I have become sworn brothers, and now that my brother treats us with such high standards and courtesy, it is only natural that he would not want to leave with us. How should we explain this to him?"

Cheng Pu said, "General, my lord, I will go and visit Gongjin and hear what he has to say. If he can't bear to leave the splendor and wealth of Xiliang, we don't blame him, but seeing as he's abandoned his family and followed us, he's not that kind of person." Sun Ce also said, "I know Gongjin's character well, but after all, the three of us brothers share a deep bond. If he wants him to abandon his brothers and join me in the Central Plains..."

Zu Mao said impatiently, "My lord, a true man cannot have so many anxieties and scruples when he acts! Even if General Gongjin is unwilling to go with us, with you and these four old fellows fighting tooth and nail, we will surely accomplish something earth-shattering!"

Sun Ce shook the four generals' hands tightly and said with deep emotion, "Four uncles, if it weren't for your great help, I don't know what I would have done when we were defeated outside Changsha." With tears in their eyes, the four generals said fervently, "General, my lord, as long as you have great ambitions, we four veterans will go through fire and water, even to the point of death!"

None of them had any desire to sleep, so they sat there until the east gradually brightened and the first light of dawn appeared. Sun Ce's face was filled with anxiety, and he hurried to Zhou Yu's tent to meet him.

As soon as they met, Zhou Yu raised his lips and said with a hint of teasing, "Ah, brother, you seemed so happy these past few days, but why do you look so frowned and haggard today?" Sun Ce's face flushed with shame, and he lowered his head and said, "Ah, brother, I'm sorry to have embarrassed you." Zhou Yu's eyes flashed with doubt, and he continued, "Are you going out hunting with me today, brother, or are you continuing the feast and entertainment?"

Sun Ce pulled Zhou Yu to sit down beside the table without further ado. His expression was solemn, his brows furrowed, and his lips pursed. He said, "My dear brother, I have something to say, but I'm too embarrassed to tell you." Zhou Yu frowned slightly, his eyes full of concern. He immediately noticed Sun Ce's strangeness. He grasped Sun Ce's hand tightly with both hands and said with a firm gaze, "Brother, what do you want to say? Between brothers, is there anything that cannot be told to each other?"

Sun Ce took a deep breath, solemnly straightened his clothes, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply to Zhou Yu. His face was filled with determination. He said, "My dear brother, we are now with my elder brother, and he has been so kind to us. However, I cannot indulge in leisure here. Last night, I dreamed of my father, his face full of anger, scolding me for enjoying myself without avenging our blood feud. Thinking of my mother and my younger siblings, I am heartbroken and have come to realize that even if everything is going well for my elder brother in Xiliang, it is not the place for me to settle down. I wish to take my leave and have come to ask for your opinion. Will you leave with me, or stay with me and offer you advice?"

Without waiting for Zhou Yu to answer, Sun Ce said with a little uneasiness: "It's good for you to stay with your elder brother. He now has many soldiers and generals. It's the time for a good man to display his ambition. But I have a request. Please lend me the 3,000 soldiers you recruited before, so that I can return to the Central Plains and avenge my previous defeat." As he spoke, a trace of uneasiness appeared on Sun Ce's face. He stared at Zhou Yu closely, and his hands trembled slightly unconsciously.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu was stunned at first, then he burst into laughter. He grabbed Sun Ce's raised hand with one hand and said with a smile: "Bofu, Bofu, I have been waiting for you to say this for a long time! I spent all my family wealth to go with you, and came to my brother's place just to find a temporary shelter and to train soldiers. Otherwise, how could we deal with the enemy with only these 3,000 new recruits? It goes without saying that my brother has been very kind to us. I want to persuade you every day, but seeing that you are immersed in it, and thinking that you have suddenly encountered a disaster, I really don't want to hurt your heart. Today you have come to your senses, and we will say goodbye to my brother together. A good man should gallop on the battlefield and create a family business. How can he be trapped in comfort?" Zhou Yu laughed as he spoke, his face full of heroism and joy.

Sun Ce excitedly hugged Zhou Yu's arm and said loudly: "Brother, you are really my good brother!" The two looked at each other and smiled. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu laughed loudly, and their laughter was full of ambition and longing for the future.

The two men fell into deep thought, pondering the matter carefully. Sun Ce slowly and carefully pulled out an object from his bosom, which he had carefully and tightly wrapped in soft silk. Sun Ce solemnly said to Zhou Yu, "My dear brother, although we are about to leave, we must repay the great kindness you have shown us. I have something to offer you, brother, that may be able to repay this great kindness." Zhou Yu's interest was piqued upon hearing this, his eyes instantly lighting up, and he couldn't wait to ask, "Oh? What is it?"

Sun Ce's expression was solemn. With extremely cautious hands, he unwrapped the silken package. A jade seal gleamed in the light, dazzling and dazzling. Zhou Yu took it with trembling hands, his lips trembling as he said, "This... could it be... could it be..." Zhou Yu's words were incoherent, his eyes wide with disbelief. Sun Ce gently flipped open the base, revealing eight large, ancient seal characters clearly and strikingly before him: "Mandate from Heaven, long life and everlasting prosperity." Zhou Yu couldn't contain his astonishment and exclaimed, "This... this... this... isn't this the legendary imperial seal?"

Zhou Yu's face was filled with shock, his hands trembling even more violently, his entire body swaying slightly from the extreme shock. Sun Ce nodded gently, his voice low and slow, "Yes, it is the Imperial Seal." Zhou Yu, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged him tightly, and eagerly asked, "Brother, where did you get this?" A deep sadness flashed in Sun Ce's eyes, and he sighed deeply. "During the campaign against Dong Zhuo, my father and I were in charge of searching in Luoyang, and by chance we came across this treasure." Zhou Yu was astonished, "Such a rare and precious treasure, and you are willing to give it to me?"

Sun Ce looked desolate and sorrowful, and said sadly, "Although this treasure is priceless and precious, it is just a cold and useless stone to me. My father sacrificed his life for this stone, and I have lost my family because of it. My mother and siblings are still missing, and their whereabouts are unknown. If I can use this jade seal to present to my brother, it will be a way of repaying his great kindness to us."