Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

At dawn, a crimson sun struggled to break free from the sea of ​​clouds, casting a thousand rays of golden light across the surging river. The shimmering waters intertwined with the biting wind, chilling the soldiers on the shore, making them shiver. Zhou Yu stood by the river, gazing at its far end, his brows knitted into a deep knot, as if locking away all his doubts.

Cheng Pu and Huang Gai stood aside, watching the governor's solemn expression. Cheng Pu was the first to break the silence: "Governor, the cold river wind is strong. Don't let a minor illness delay important matters. Military affairs are important, but your health is the most important thing for Jiangdong. If there is any battle report from the front, we will report it immediately."

Huang Gai also echoed: "Exactly! The governor has been working hard these days, it would be best for him to return home and rest first."

Zhou Yu withdrew his gaze from the distance, shook his head slightly, and there was a hint of fatigue in his voice: "Forget it, Lord Demou, Lord Gongfu, let's go back together." After that, he turned and took a step forward. The soles of his boots touched the bluestone slabs, making a dull sound, as if he had stepped on all his worries.

As the group returned to the mansion, they heard whispers echoing from the courtyard. Zhou Yu looked up and saw Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao sitting opposite each other in the corridor. A cloud of unresolved worry gathered between Da Qiao's brows. Zhou Yu's heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward, clasping his fists and bowing. "Sister-in-law, why are you free today? It's just... I don't see that kid Sun Shao?"

Da Qiao sighed softly, but before she could speak, Xiao Qiao spoke first, "Sister has been feeling restless since yesterday, unable to sit still, and has come to me to help her."

Zhou Yu's heart rang with alarm bells, and an indescribable unease welled up within him. Xiao Qiao continued, "Gongjin, you're out there planning your strategy, and Brother Bofu is leading the troops, commanding all three armies. I think nothing will happen. Didn't they just receive victory news a few days ago, saying they've captured Xiakou, and Liu Biao has agreed to let them pass through. The army must be nearing Xiangyang."

Zhou Yu forced a smile and soothed, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. Everything is going well, and they will return safely." But despite his steady voice, a hint of worry flickered in his eyes. As a veteran of the battlefield, he knew that the situation was ever-changing, and that too much progress could only lead to anxiety.

Da Qiao nodded slightly, her expression easing slightly. "Now that Gongjin has said that, I feel more at ease. But as for Sun Shao, ever since Brother Mengqi passed away, Sister Shalier and Ma Yue have been at the mansion crying all day. Seeing how troubled Sister Shalier was, I often brought Sun Shao with me. He's a clever boy, always able to make them smile. Today, I was feeling uneasy, so I left him with Sister Shalier and came here to find some peace of mind."

In the courtyard, a gentle breeze rustled through the bamboo curtains beneath the veranda, making a subtle rustling sound, but it couldn't mask the tension that permeated the air. Zhou Yu gazed at the lingering worry between Da Qiao's brows, his uneasiness growing stronger, as if a storm was brewing quietly in the shadows, and he didn't know how to respond...

After seeing Da Qiao off, Zhou Yu walked out of the inner courtyard with a solemn expression.

It was already afternoon, and Huang Gai and Cheng Pu had been waiting outside. Seeing Zhou Yu emerge, they immediately stepped forward. Zhou Yu's sharp gaze swept over the two veteran generals, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Two veteran generals, my unease is growing stronger. This seemingly calm river surface always makes me feel like it harbors a hidden danger. You must dispatch more men to monitor the river, and report any signs of trouble immediately to me."

Cheng Pu clasped his fists and replied, "Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief, I will do my best!"

"Also," Zhou Yu paused and continued, "Inform General Han Dang and General Zu Mao to strengthen patrols within the city. Especially keep a close eye on the movements of the aristocratic families. With the army away at war, the city is empty. We must not let those aristocratic families plot behind our backs. It's better to be more prepared than to let them take advantage!"

Huang Gai's eyes flashed, and he saluted, saying, "I understand! We conquered Jiangdong together with the lord, and we will not let those with evil intentions succeed!"

Zhou Yu nodded slightly and patted the two men on the shoulders. "Thank you both for your help. This situation is complicated, so we must not take it lightly."

Huang Gai and Cheng Pu took their orders and left, their footsteps gradually fading. Zhou Yu watched them depart, then glanced up at the darkening sky. The uneasiness in his heart grew stronger, like the oppression before a storm, making him breathless.

The setting sun, a blood-red hue, tore Zhou Yu's figure across the bluestone slabs. Less than an hour had passed since he'd deployed the city defenses, and the cold sweat on his palms had already soaked through the military talisman. The copper clock in the courtyard ticked, each sound like a hammer striking his heart. Finally, Zhou Yu abruptly stood up and summoned his trusted confidant, Zhou Shan. "Prepare your horses! Gather your personal guards, and follow me to the river! My heart is pounding like a drum today; something must be amiss!"

As dusk fell, Zhou Yu's galloping horse shattered the setting sun. In the distance, he spotted the figures of Cheng Pu and Huang Gai on the riverbank. He dismounted, his robe rustling in the breeze. "Two generals, something strange is going on on the river tonight. I must be here!" Before he could finish his words, an urgent report came from the watchtower: "A tower ship has been sighted in the southeast, and the flags are indistinct!"

Zhou Yu's pupils constricted, his sword already unsheathed. "All troops, stand guard! Archers, position!" The three of them hurried to the river's edge, a sharp, salty breeze lashing their faces. As the tower ship approached, Cheng Pu breathed a sigh of relief. "It was a false alarm! It's my Jiangdong flag!" Zhou Yu stared intently at the sail—the crimson battle flag, though untouched, had taken on an eerie muted hue in the twilight.

The dull thud of the anchor hitting the water startled jackdaws. The moment the hatch opened, Zhou Yu felt like he was struck by lightning—the officers and soldiers on deck were all dressed in mourning, and Xue Zong stumbled out wearing a white linen scarf. A muffled groan escaped Zhou Yu's throat, and a blinding white light exploded before his eyes, causing him to fall backward. Cheng Pu's arms were as strong as iron, barely supporting his limp body. "General, hold on! Find out the reason before making a decision!"

Zhou Yu clutched Cheng Pu's armor tightly, his knuckles white as frost. As Xue Zong knelt and kowtowed, his sobs mingled with the river's crashing waves. "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief... Our Lord... was shot by an arrow and poisoned, and passed away last night!" These words shattered the night like thunder. The gasps of soldiers on the shore and the crash of the river water instantly turned into a piercing hum. Zhou Yu imagined Sun Ce, spear in hand, laughing. Xiakou, where news of victory had arrived yesterday, had now become a savage battlefield, a mortal realm divided between the living and the dead.

Zhou Yu's vein-riddled fingers dug deeply into Cheng Pu's armor, the iron wrist guards creaking under the weight. His eyes widened in anger, their crimson rims threatening to spit fire. "Xue Zong! Stop your nonsense! Our lord personally led an army of 100,000 men, and according to our itinerary, we'd only just passed through the heart of Jing Province. How could we have met with such an unforeseen disaster?!"

Xue Zong rested his forehead against the bluestone slab, the blood from his knocks mixed with dust and formed dark red scabs in the twilight. His voice was almost broken, and he spoke intermittently with tears in his eyes: "General! After we captured Xiakou, Mr. Zhang Hong sent an urgent letter saying that Liu Biao was willing to negotiate peace and let us pass through. The lord then headed for Jiangxia, but Huang Zu came out to stop him. The lord and Huang Zu fought a fierce battle, and Huang Zu returned defeated. While pursuing the lord, the lord was ambushed and shot by the enemy general, seriously wounded. We brought the lord back, and the lord ordered us to return to Jiangdong to recuperate and fight again later."

A salty breeze blew against Zhou Yu's face, and he seemed to hear the sharp whistles of arrows piercing the air. He stumbled half a step, grasping Cheng Pu's arm to regain his balance. "Since we've already boarded the ship to recuperate, how could..." Before he could finish his words, Xue Zong collapsed to the ground, his robe soaked by the river water. "I was leading the vanguard, clearing the way, when last night I heard wails coming from the direction of the main ship. Mr. Zhang Hong sent a fast boat in pursuit, saying only that the lord had died of poison... He told us to keep the news secret and return to defend Jiangdong!"

Like a raging lion, Zhou Yu suddenly grabbed Xue Zong's armor and lifted him into the air. Xue Zong's feet stomped in the air, a strangled sob escaping his throat. "With a few casual words, you think you can justify the death of our lord?" Zhou Yu's neck trembled with veins, his eyes bloodshot. "Who will guard the main ship? Who will prepare the medicine? What went wrong?" Warm tears fell on Xue Zong's face, but the violent anger in his eyes burned them back.

Xue Zong's face turned purple from being pinched, and he struggled to utter the following words: "The main... the main ship is guarded by General Wei Yan and his personal guards, and the medicine... was personally served by the Second Young Master..." Before he could finish his words, Zhou Yu had already thrown him heavily onto the deck, the wood creaking under the weight. Xue Zong collapsed in a pool of blood, coughing uncontrollably, his mouth oozing with blood and fine sawdust.

Cheng Pu hurriedly supported the staggering Zhou Yu, only to feel his back tremble violently. The veteran, gazing at the surging waves, asked in a trembling voice, "Could it be that the arrow was poisoned?" Huang Gai, standing nearby, suddenly swung his fist at the boat's pillar, his eyes filled with tears. "We're all brothers on board. If it weren't for the poisoned arrow..." It's a pity that Wen Taigong died young. Bo Fu painstakingly cultivated Jiangdong, and just as his great cause was about to be accomplished, he suddenly... His sobs were shattered by the river wind, transforming into a long, mournful howl.

Zhou Yu's knuckles suddenly turned white against the hilt of his sword. The blade, three inches unsheathed, shone a chill in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he lashed the tears from his eyelashes, a suppressed growl escaping his throat: "Crying and wailing won't save our lord! The most urgent task is to stabilize Jiangdong!" The scabbards clashed with a resounding sound, and he slammed the sword back onto his waist, shaking the bronze animal heads on his armor slightly.

Cheng Pu and Huang Gai exchanged a glance, their hearts stung by the renewed sharpness in Zhou Yu's eyes. "Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, listen to my orders!" Zhou Yu tore open his cloak, the scarlet lining seething like blood in the twilight. "Immediately summon Han Dang and Zu Mao and order them to seal the city gates and triple-check all documents entering and leaving! A nighttime curfew will be imposed, and anyone spreading rumors or lies in the city will be executed!" He suddenly grabbed Cheng Pu's wrist, nearly breaking his bones with such force: "You two will personally lead the Tiger Guard Battalion to garrison the City Lord's Mansion. No one is allowed to enter or leave without my order!"

Zhou Yu turned and looked out at the vast river, his voice shrouded in ice: "When the lord's coffin reaches the shore, we will dig out the truth bit by inch here in the city lord's mansion!" His nails dug deep into his palms, and drops of blood dripped into the cracks in the blue bricks - behind this unexpected change, there was more than just a poison arrow.

The dusk was as dark as ink, casting a heavy shadow over Zhou Yu. He gazed at the surface of the river, his throat rolling twice, suppressing the surging sorrow. He turned abruptly and spoke to Zhou Shan, who was waiting nearby, in a deep voice: "Send a message to Taishi Ci on horseback! Tell him to hand over the camp to Jiang Qin immediately and personally lead three thousand elite troops. They must arrive here within half an hour!"

Zhou Shan, intimidated by the fierce aura gleaming in Zhou Yu's eyes, dared not delay a moment and shouted, "Yes!" He turned and sprinted towards the stables. His hurried footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, startling the shrill cries of night owls beneath the eaves. Zhou Yu gripped the hilt of his sword tightly at his waist, gazing at Zhou Shan's retreating direction, mentally calculating his troop deployments. Taishi Ci was a valiant warrior. With his elite troops at the helm, they could provide a solid defense for Jiangdong amidst these turbulent times and thoroughly investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding their lord's death.