Chapter 1465: The Madness of Fire

However, outside the story of Gu Yi Feng, there was another hero in the torrent of history, whose name was like thunder, but whose deeds were equally full of legend and tragedy—that was the founding monarch of Eastern Wu, Sun Ce. Unlike Gu Yi, Sun Ce's life was like oil on fire and flowers on brocade, yet as brief as a meteor streaking across the night sky, leaving behind endless glory and regret.

Sun Ce, courtesy name Bofu, from Fuchun, Wu Commandery, was a warlord who occupied the Jiangdong area at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, one of the heroes at the end of the Han Dynasty, and also one of the founders of the Sun Wu regime in the Three Kingdoms period. In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," he is portrayed as a heroic and strategic hero, while in historical records, Sun Ce is equally famous for his extraordinary martial prowess and excellent leadership.

Sun Ce's father, Sun Jian, was a famous general at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, famous for suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion and crusading against Dong Zhuo. However, heroes die young; Sun Jian unfortunately died in a battle, leaving behind the young Sun Ce and his younger brother Sun Quan. Against this background, Sun Ce had to take on the heavy responsibility of the family ahead of time, beginning his own magnificent life.

At the age of only seventeen, Sun Ce, relying on his father's old subordinates and his own heroism, began his conquest in Jiangdong. He successively defeated local forces such as Liu Yao and Wang Lang, occupied vast areas such as Wu Commandery and Kuaiji, and laid the foundation for the Eastern Wu regime. Sun Ce's military talent and bravery won him the reputation of "Little Overlord" at the time. His army was invincible, and no one in the Jiangdong area did not tremble with fear.

However, Sun Ce's rule did not rely solely on force. He knew well that to truly stabilize the Jiangdong foundation, he had to win the hearts of the people. Thus, he recruited talented people and reused capable people, such as Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu, who became his capable assistants during this period. At the same time, he reduced taxes, encouraged farming, and developed the economy, allowing the Jiangdong area to quickly recover its vitality in a short period of time, with people living and working in peace and contentment, presenting a prosperous scene.

However, just as Sun Ce was preparing to further expand his influence and realize his dream of unifying the Jiangnan area, a sudden change fixed the life of this young hero forever at the prime age of twenty-six.

According to "Records of the Three Kingdoms," when Sun Ce went hunting, he encountered an assassination by the retainers of Xu Gong. Xu Gong was originally the Prefect of Wu Commandery and was killed because he was dissatisfied with Sun Ce's rule. His retainers, in order to take revenge, lurked for many years and finally found an opportunity. Sun Ce was shot in the face and was seriously injured. Although he was treated by the disciples of the famous physician Hua Tuo, he ultimately could not be saved and passed away shortly after.

Sun Ce's passing had a profound impact on Jiangdong and even the entire Three Kingdoms situation. His younger brother Sun Quan took over his position, continued to complete his unfinished career, and eventually established the Eastern Wu regime, standing in tripartite confrontation with Cao Wei and Shu Han, forming the situation of the Three Kingdoms. But it cannot be denied that if Sun Ce could have lived longer, the history of the Three Kingdoms might have had more variables.

Sun Ce's life was a hero's life and also a tragic life. With his brief life, he wrote a legend, leaving behind endless reverie and emotion for future generations. His heroism, his wisdom, and his lofty aspirations all became stories praised by later generations. And his unfinished hegemony also became an eternal regret in the long river of history.

Compared with Gu Yi Feng, Sun Ce's life, although brief, was equally brilliant. The two of them, although living in different times and spaces, both interpreted justice, courage, and responsibility in their own ways. Gu Yi Feng took spreading light and hope as his own responsibility, slowly changing this world with his whole life; while Sun Ce, in fire and smoke, opened up a world of his own with iron blood and wisdom. They were both heroes of that era, and both wrote an immortal legend in their own way.

In the long river of history, whether it was Gu Yi Feng's gentleness and persistence, or Sun Ce's boldness and tragedy, they all became eternal stars in the hearts of later generations, illuminating the path forward. They make us believe that no matter how the times change, no matter what difficulties and challenges we face, as long as there is love, justice, and courage in our hearts, we can create our own brilliance and leave an indelible mark on this world.

Sun Ce's passing was not only a huge loss for Jiangdong but also had a profound impact on the historical process of the entire Han-Three Kingdoms period. His early death caused the Eastern Wu regime to fall into turmoil and unease for a period of time. Although Sun Quan's succession stabilized the situation, the internal conflicts and external threats in Jiangdong were not completely eliminated because of this.

Sun Ce's passing also let Cao Cao see the opportunity for a southern expedition. When Sun Ce was alive, although Cao Cao had designs on Jiangdong, he was wary of Sun Ce's bravery and strategy and had never dared to act rashly. However, once Sun Ce died, Cao Cao thought the time had come and began to actively plan an attack on Jiangdong. This also led to the outbreak of the famous Battle of Red Cliffs. Sun Quan, with the assistance of Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and others, allied with Liu Bei to jointly resist Cao Cao's army and eventually achieved a brilliant victory, laying the foundation for the Three Kingdoms.

If Sun Ce had not died young, the direction of history might have been different. He might have continued to expand his influence, further unified the Jiangnan area, and might even have triggered a decisive battle with Cao Cao ahead of time. However, history has no assumptions. Sun Ce's passing became an unchangeable fact, and the foundation and legacy he left behind were inherited and carried forward by his younger brother Sun Quan.

After Sun Quan succeeded to the throne, although he faced various difficulties and challenges, he kept Sun Ce's legacy in mind and continued to insist on developing Jiangdong's economic and military strength. He reused talented people and pushed for reforms, allowing the Jiangdong area to gradually stand out in the Three Kingdoms and become a force that could not be ignored. At the same time, he also paid attention to diplomatic strategies, allied with Liu Bei to jointly resist Cao Cao's threat, and laid a solid foundation for the stability and prosperity of the Eastern Wu regime.

Under Sun Quan's rule, the Eastern Wu regime gradually moved toward its heyday. The victory of the Battle of Red Cliffs not only made Sun Quan famous but also greatly enhanced Eastern Wu's military strength. Thereafter, Eastern Wu successively achieved victories in major battles such as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Shi Ting, further consolidating its ruling position in the Jiangnan area.

However, although Sun Quan achieved brilliant achievements, he could never forget Sun Ce's legacy. He knew well that he could have today's achievements because of the solid foundation Sun Ce had laid back then. Therefore, during his rule in Jiangdong, he always upheld Sun Ce's governing philosophy, focusing on developing the economy, reusing talented people, and caring for the people's livelihood, allowing the Jiangdong area to always maintain strong competitiveness in the Three Kingdoms.

As time passed, the Eastern Wu regime gradually moved toward prosperity and stability under Sun Quan's leadership. However, the torrent of history ultimately could not be blocked. In Sun Quan's later years, the Eastern Wu regime also began to face various internal conflicts and external threats. But even so, Sun Quan always held on to his brother's legacy, striving to maintain the rule and prosperity of Eastern Wu.

In reviewing the history of the brothers Sun Ce and Sun Quan, we cannot help but sigh at the wonder of fate and the ruthlessness of history. Sun Ce laid a solid foundation for the Eastern Wu regime with his heroism and strategy, yet died young; while Sun Quan inherited his legacy and pushed the Eastern Wu regime to its heyday. The two of them, although different in personality, both possessed extraordinary leadership and governing talents. They interpreted what a true hero and leader is with their actions.

Compared with Gu Yi Feng, the history of the brothers Sun Ce and Sun Quan is more magnificent and full of legendary color. They lived in troubled times, yet relied on their own wisdom and courage to leave behind one immortal legend after another for future generations. They wrote historical stories with their lives and hot blood, becoming eternal stars in the hearts of later generations.

However, whether it is Gu Yi Feng or the brothers Sun Ce and Sun Quan, they all interpreted justice, courage, and responsibility in their own ways. They proved with their actions that as long as a person has firm belief and the determination to move forward bravely, they can create a brilliant life of their own. Their deeds inspire later generations to constantly move forward and constantly pursue their dreams and ideals. ===== CHAPTER 1466 =====