Chapter 45: Another Perspective - The Deng family was deeply involved with the Shanyue people...
As Lü Meng knelt behind Sun Quan, watching the eighteen-year-old lord hold his dying brother's hand, listening to his final words:
"In leading the troops of Jiangdong, making decisive moves between two armies, and contending with the world, you are not as good as me."
In recommending the virtuous and capable, and having everyone give their all to protect Jiangdong, I am no match for you.
Ah Quan, the Sun family is now... in your hands.
Sun Quan nodded repeatedly, tears streaming down his face.
The oppressive atmosphere made Lü Meng feel suffocated; the Sun Ce he remembered shouldn't be so weak.
My thoughts drifted back to that cold spring of the second year of Xingping, when the morning mist shrouded the area around Wanshan Mountain, and their army halted at the foot of the mountain.
This wasn't the first time he had sneaked out without telling his family and secretly followed his brother-in-law Deng Dang into Sun Jun's camp. Right now, he was dressed in Sun Jun's cloth robe in a very proper manner.
His nimble body allowed him to quickly run to a position close to Sun Ce while in formation, waiting for the scouts ahead to report.
Sun Ce was only three years older than him. Compared to his cautious brother-in-law, General Sun's domineering heroic spirit and invincible momentum were far more attractive to him.
The sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the camp, and Deng Dang led three scouts back at full gallop.
"Reporting to the general, a village has been discovered five miles ahead, and something seems amiss!"
"How is it?" Sun Ce raised his head slightly, and Deng Dang immediately dismounted with the scout and knelt on one knee to explain in detail.
When Lü Meng saw Deng Dang approaching, he shrank back.
"There are barricades at the village entrance, watchtowers to the east and west, and armed men patrolling! Judging from their appearance, they don't seem like ordinary farmers, but more like... more like Yue people from the mountains!"
"The Mountain Yue?!" Sun Ce's thick eyebrows twitched, and his eyes gleamed. "Ha, I was just worried about not being able to find these rats that burrow into the mountains, but they're right in front of me!"
"What a coincidence!" A clear voice rang out, and a young man in a blue robe and silver armor stepped out from beside Sun Ce, clapping his hands and praising, "It just so happens that our food supplies are almost running out, and we were just about to go and find a village to get more food."
“Excellent, Gongjin! This saves us trouble. By using these bandits as a sacrificial offering, we can seize their stored grain and weapons and rid the people of a scourge!” Sun Ce’s chest was brimming with a murderous aura, which made Lü Meng somewhat eager to join in.
“However…” Deng Dang looked up and hesitated, “I saw the caravan of the Deng family from Wancheng at the entrance of the village.”
“The Deng family of Wancheng?!” Sun Ce and Zhou Yu exclaimed almost simultaneously, exchanging a glance.
Zhou Yu nodded slightly, "It is the same caravan you saw in Shucheng. They are the largest merchants in Lujiang County. It is said that the head of the family has even taken the caravan to Jizhou."
In the Battle of Juchao years ago, there were rumors that Deng Zhao led the Yue tribes to aid Lu Kang, burning poisonous gold to drive away Hui Qu!
Sun Ce snorted coldly, gripped the hilt of his sword, and roared angrily, "I wondered why the Shanyue attacked us when we were besieging the city. How did the Deng family come to have such wealth? Liu Xun once proposed marriage to them for his son but was refused. It turns out they have deep ties with the Shanyue. Lu Kang tacitly approved of this. They have the confidence to do so! Once we break through Wan City, we will definitely destroy their lair!"
Lu Meng felt a chill run down his spine. The Deng family? He seemed to recall Deng Dang mentioning them.
Sure enough, Deng Dang clasped his hands and said, "General, please calm down. Deng Zhao, the head of the Deng family, has some connection with me. Perhaps I should go to the village to find out the truth. If I can meet Deng Zhao, I might be able to persuade him to surrender and avoid a bloodbath."
Zhou Yu pondered for a moment and then advised, "That's right. The Deng family has extensive trade routes in Jing and Yang provinces and also has connections with Liu Biao. Their influence is far-reaching. If we were to slaughter them, it might provoke a backlash from the local powerful clans, which would be very detrimental to our army's future governance."
If it weren't for the Shanyue people, Sun Ce would have truly hoped to make this happen.
"What use is there in keeping the Deng family alive if they collude with the Yue tribes to deceive the people? The Deng family is acting in this way, and the Yue tribes are widely distributed. If we do not take this opportunity to eliminate them completely, it will only leave future troubles for our army."
Sun Ce suddenly raised his hand, "I have made up my mind about this matter, Gongjin, do not worry. Yuan Gonglu has obtained my imperial seal, his treacherous intentions are obvious, and the day when he usurps the throne and declares himself emperor will not be far off! When that time comes, we will sever ties with him, raise our own army, and move our capital to your Zhou family's Shucheng to consolidate our foundation!"
Hearing this, Zhou Yu felt relieved and resolutely said, "Very well, we will follow Bo Fu's decision!"
Sun Ce laughed and helped Deng Dang up. "Let's first take down the Shanyue stronghold, then enter the city and wipe out the Deng family, ridding the people of this scourge!"
Hearing this, Lü Meng was so excited that he clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Excellent! He has rid the people of a scourge! General Sun is mighty!"
"You brat!" Deng Dang spotted him immediately, grabbed him by the collar, and dragged him out of the ranks, both angry and anxious: "Ameng! How dare you sneak out again?! Is the battlefield a place for child's play? If your mother and sister find out, they will definitely not let you off! You get back right now!"
Lu Meng flung Deng Dang's hand away, his neck stiff as he shouted, "In this chaotic world, there's no way to survive at home! Brother-in-law! I want to follow you and General Sun! General, you are a peerless hero who speaks out for the people, and I, Lu Meng, am willing to follow you to the death!"
His voice trembled with excitement, but the boy's clear eyes were filled with longing.
Sun Ce turned around and laughed loudly, "Good lad, you've got guts! Deng Dang, let him go!"
Lu Meng was overjoyed and scurried back into his ranks, shouting with the entire army, "Exterminate the Shanyue! Establish merit and achieve great deeds!"
Only Heaven has witnessed that the small fortifications remaining in the mountain village are the legacy left by Guo Jia and Deng Jie three years ago when they fought against the Jin Fan bandits to protect the village.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
