Chapter 693

Yuzhang Commandery,

Sun Ce also received the news of Su Xuan's deployment to Jiangdong and was shocked: "So fast?"

"It is not surprising!"

Zhou Yu, who was on the side, analyzed the recent situation in the world and said with some realization: "Prince Qian is likely deliberately helping Cao Cao, allowing him to focus all his efforts on dealing with Yuan Shao's crusade;"

"In this way, he can reap the benefits! What a calculation!"

"Furthermore, taking Jiangdong is also a good thing for him;"

"In this way, he can take the entire Jiangnan region, sit on the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, and stand in an invincible position!"

Zhou Yu felt there must be deeper meaning, but he had too little information to analyze it for the moment.

"Is that so?"

Sun Ce pondered for a moment and then slapped the table, deciding: "In that case, I will send someone to Xiangyang to convey my willingness to challenge Prince Qian to a three-battle decisive victory! What do you think, Gongjin?"

If he drags it out any longer, he will be crushed by Su Xuan.

Once that happens, he will have no bargaining chips to obtain enough guarantees for his family's interests from Su Xuan!

Since it is destined that he cannot control the world, then taking a step back, bringing honor to his ancestors, and ensuring the long-term existence of his family is his duty as the eldest son of the Sun family!

Likewise, he must be responsible for the future of the soldiers and officials who are loyal to him.

He cannot lead them into a pit.

This naturally includes Zhou Yu.

"Hmm!"

Zhou Yu nodded affirmatively: "This is the right time!"

"Good! Then I will send someone!"

Sun Ce immediately sent someone to Su Xuan's side, and the envoy successfully met Su Xuan before Su Xuan launched his full-scale war.

He stated the purpose of his visit.

"Oh?"

Su Xuan raised an eyebrow and said: "Since Bofu has such an intention, based on the principle of reducing war and minimizing bloodshed, I agree!"

"Then let us have the competition in Chaisang, how about that?"

"No problem at all! Then we will await your arrival in Chaisang, Prince Qian!"

The envoy immediately accepted happily.

This was much better than he had expected!

Chaisang is his Lord Sun Ce's territory; having the competition there would make people feel more at ease.

Of course, he actually already knew that his Lord essentially intended to submit to Prince Qian.

The so-called competition was just a way to give himself a graceful exit.

But the envoy himself was from a small Jiangdong gentry family, so he naturally had no objections to Sun Ce's idea; in fact, he was hoping for it.

Anyone with eyes could see that following Su Xuan was far more promising than following Sun Ce.

Of course, many local Jiangdong gentry members under Sun Ce did not know this news yet.

Because Sun Ce was worried that these people would care about their family interests and sabotage this competition and submission ceremony.

After all, Su Xuan's new policies were famous for suppressing the gentry, especially the large gentry families.

If these people got the news in advance, Sun Ce could not ensure they wouldn't cause trouble.

Although Sun Ce had tried his best to purge the gentry and powerful families within Jiangdong in the past.

But he couldn't just kill every gentry member he saw!

He could only target those gentry who had committed crimes, had clear evidence against them, and were hostile to him.

Otherwise, his subordinates would have been in chaos long ago!

Killing is not something to be done indiscriminately.

3 days later,

Outside Chaisang City,

Su Xuan's massive army arrived.

After Su Xuan's army was stationed, Sun Ce personally came out of the city to invite Su Xuan for a talk.

Su Xuan naturally did not refuse and brought Xu Chu and a few others to a place 2 miles outside the city to meet Sun Ce.

"Bofu! Long time no see! You have become even more valiant! Very good! I believe if Brother Wentai knew of your achievements today, he would certainly be very comforted in the afterlife, right?"

"It is just a pity for Brother Wentai, a hero for a lifetime, only to be assassinated by a villain in the end! It is truly a pity!"

"In the end, it was all caused by that Imperial Jade Seal!"

"Back then, I even advised Brother Wentai, saying the Imperial Jade Seal is just a stone; holding it is a curse, not a blessing. Unfortunately, Brother Wentai didn't listen;"

"Otherwise, he might not have met such an end! Sigh! What a pity!"

Of course, these were just polite words.

If he really felt it was a pity, he wouldn't have manufactured a fake Imperial Jade Seal back then.

In the end, in Su Xuan's eyes, Sun Jian was indeed a heroic figure, but his ambition was too great, and he was ultimately impossible to subdue and control.

Such a person only has utility value, not the value of being subdued.

"Your Majesty's praise is too much! My achievements are not worth mentioning before you!"

Sun Ce immediately cupped his hands politely and replied.

As for his father?

This was a great pain in Sun Ce's heart.

It is true! If his father hadn't been harmed by a villain back then, wouldn't they be in a much better situation now?

Perhaps they would have already taken the entire Jiangdong, and even gone on to take Xuzhou and more territory.

Becoming a truly great warlord.

If that were the case, perhaps he wouldn't have had to make this choice now.

Although he truly admired Su Xuan, if he had a choice, he would naturally still hope to achieve a great hegemony.

"As for my father and the Imperial Jade Seal!"

Sun Ce continued: "I can only say that fortune was not on our side; of course, it is also the fault of those two thieves, Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao!"

"If it weren't for their secret instigation, my father might not have met such an end!"

"Also, speaking of the Imperial Jade Seal, Your Majesty, I must state in advance that it is no longer in my hands!"

"I offered it to Yuan Shu back then to exchange for his trust and support, and obtained quite a few troops from him; that is how I came to be where I am today!"

"I understand!"

Su Xuan smiled and said: "I have long been aware of this!"