That night, there was a heavy snowfall that had not happened in a century, and there was a rustling sound between the sky and the earth. In the middle of the night, the red candle was about to be extinguished, and the sound of the piano came out.
The sound of the piano is eloquent, like a huge painting, unfolding among the mountains and on the earth.
After consummating the house, Sun Ce sat in the room and drank the soup brought by his mother.
The sound of the piano is getting farther and farther away, as if with the meaning of farewell, the sea and the sky are broadening, and it is gradually entering the distance.
Sun Ce hesitated a few times and wanted to get up to leave. Da Qiao asked, "What's the matter?"
Sun Ce thought for a while and asked, "Has the soup been delivered too?"
Da Qiao smiled and said: "Send it, just say what you want to say, I don't think you two can leave for a moment."
"That's all." Sun Ce said, "Before the ceremony, we will be together every day, let's leave him alone and go to sleep."
"Zhou Lang?" Xiao Qiao said softly.
Zhou Yu covered the piano, turned around and said, "Will you accompany me to Danyang?"
Xiao Qiao smiled and replied: "I'm married to you, so I will follow you naturally."
"Your father, sister..." Zhou Yu thought for a while and said.
"Danyang is not far from here." Xiao Qiao said.
Xiao Qiao's voice was beautiful, like a cold spring flowing in the still night, gradually melting the ice and snow in Zhou Yu's heart.
The next day, the birds chirped incessantly, and a thick layer of snow accumulated on the Samuume.
Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao came to see their uncles, but Sun Quan hadn't returned from the battle yet, only Sun Shangxiang received the bride's gift on behalf of the two families, and paid homage to Gaotang.
During breakfast, Zhou Yu said, "I'm going back to Danyang in the next few days."
Sun Ce was startled, his hands holding the chopsticks were frozen in mid-air.
"Once Sun Quan leaves, Lu Meng will be left," Zhou Yu said, "I'm worried."
Sun Ce said: "When I was thinking of sending troops to Jingzhou, I asked you what you mean. Can you leave in a few months?"
The atmosphere was a bit tense. Zhou Yu looked at the two mothers, as if he was asking for Zhou's mother's opinion, but Zhou's mother said, "I'll stay in Wu County. I won't delay the two of you. It's easy to talk with Mrs. Sun."
Zhou Yu nodded, and Sun Ce's face sank again, and he said, "Then go."
Before Zhou Yu had time to set off, Sun Quan came back. On the first day of Sun Ce's wedding, Sun Quan rushed and finally arrived, but missed the wedding date last night. Sun Ce was furious again, and made Sun Quan kneel in the snow-covered yard to teach him a lesson.
Zhou Yu asked someone to pack up his things, put on his official uniform and came out, and glanced at Sun Quan as he passed by the courtyard.
Sun Quan was scared in front of his brother, he hesitated a few times, and looked up at Zhou Yu.
Zhou Yu smiled and said, "I was hurt by you."
Sun Quan said: "Cao Pi's father said...to buy you a drink in the future."
Zhou Yu waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter if you don't drink this wine, but I dare not drink his wine."
Sun Quan laughed. Zhou Yu said: "Come to see your sister-in-law, I'm leaving now, go back to Danyang, follow your brother well, don't make him angry anymore."
Sun Quan got up, exchanged salutes with Xiao Qiao, and Zhou Yu led his army to leave Wu County. When returning to Danyang, he handed over the affairs of the city to Lu Meng. When parting, Zhou Yu repeatedly told him to be cautious in words and deeds when going back.
After returning to Danyang, Zhou Yu suddenly felt relieved when she returned to her own home. No one watched or cared about everything. She played the piano and read books every day. All affairs in the house are well taken care of.
Winter has passed and spring has come, and this year there will be no more famines or war disasters. Everything seems to have passed away. Although Wu County is not far from Danyang, the news seems to be thousands of miles away. Under Zhou Yu's governance, Danyang has a hundred grain warehouses in an orderly manner.
Scholars often came here admiringly, so Zhou Yu held a literary banquet in the mansion on the first and fifteenth day of every month, and talked about major events in the world with the scribes. The medical skills that were abandoned many years ago have gradually been picked up.
The only thing that worries him is the situation in Jingzhou this year. If Jingzhou can be taken down, Cao Cao and Sun Ce will rule the river. Unknowingly, nearly half of the grand wish of that year has gone to now.
Years later, news came from Wu County that Da Qiao was pregnant, and Xiao Qiao was overjoyed. Zhou Yu asked, "Do you want to go back and visit?"
Xiao Qiao said: "Let's wait a while, don't you still have something to do?"
Zhou Yu was trying to send a letter to Kuaiji to win over the Wunan clan. Seeing that it was going to be effective, it would be easy to respond when Sun Ce sent troops. After meeting with the local nobles in Kuaiji, Zhou Yu couldn't leave for a while.
"Or should I send someone to take you there?" Zhou Yu asked.
Xiao Qiao said, "Waiting for you to go together."
In addition to delivering the letter, Sun Ce also sent a box. Little Qiao was bewildered, and opened the box to see that there was a bundle of thread inside.
"What does that mean?" Xiao Qiao laughed.
Zhou Yu didn't speak, and replied after a while: "Put it away."
"Isn't this the string used for flying kites?" Xiao Qiao said again.
Zhou Yu said: "What he means is that I am the kite hanging in the hall. He is holding the string leading me in his hand. If he tells me to go back, I have to go back."
Xiao Qiao laughed and put away the thread. Zhou Yu sighed again, and wrote back to Sun Ce. There was not a word, and the whole rice paper showed two children flying a kite on a bamboo raft.
Until June, Xiao Qiao was also pregnant. Zhou Yu was overjoyed and wrote a letter immediately. This time it was Lu Su's visit.
Lu Su said solemnly: "I tell you a happy event. Before this, Xiao Qiao was pregnant too?"
Zhou Yu said "Yes", and Lu Su said, "Your mother and the old lady of the Sun family nodded. If there is a man and a woman, they will marry each other with their fingertips."
"Where are the two boys?" Zhou Yu asked.
"Of course you and Bo Fu are like this." Lu Su said.
Zhou Yu smiled and said, "This is not a good day."
Lu Su laughed loudly, and said seriously: "He is going to send troops to attack Jingzhou."
"I can't go now," Zhou Yu said. "I'm afraid there will be floods this year. If the Yangtze River floods, I won't be able to go back."
Lu Su said: "This is what everyone promised last year."
"Look at the rain now," Zhou Yu said, "the rain will never end."
It has been raining heavily for days, and the eaves have been dripping downwards, pattering. Zhou Yu said: "That's not counting. If it really rains, Jingzhou will definitely get news."
"Liu Biao is getting old," Lu Su said, "The lives of his two sons are not as good as pigs and dogs. If they don't take it now, what is the difference between giving it to Cao Cao?"
"Get it now," Zhou Yu said seriously, "you have to get it."
Lu Su and Zhou Yu were silent with each other for a long time, Lu Su said: "You can write to him, no one can persuade him, let alone it has already been agreed."
Zhou Yu said, "That's exactly what I meant."
"I'm going to be a father soon," Lu Su said again, "You have to know what to say and what not to say."
Zhou Yu nodded and wrote back.
This time, Sun Ce's letter was unexpectedly simple, as long as he didn't have to worry about it, and he just had to take care of the rear when the time came.
After Zhou Yu received the letter, he thought to himself what does it mean? Immediately set off for Wu County. At this time, Sun Ce was gathering a group of advisers to study the direction of attacking Jingzhou.
"You're here." Sun Ce smiled.
After not seeing him for nearly half a year, Sun Ce has matured a lot, as if with the calmness of an adult, he is no longer the foolish boy he was back then. With a little beard on the corner of his mouth, he nodded towards Zhou Yu.
"I'm afraid there will be heavy rains in summer this year, just in case the Yangtze River swells..." Zhou Yu said.
Sun Ce waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, I was just about to call you over."
Zhou Yu sat down, and Lu Meng winked at Zhou Yu, signaling him not to speak.
Sun Ce put down the map and said, "When I go out, you will take care of the rear. Xiao Qiao is pregnant, and Da Qiao will be taken care of by our mother. You will be in charge of Wu County and several cities in Danyang. You must ensure the supply of food and grass."
Zhou Yu didn't refute, just nodded.
"Who will lead the navy?" Zhou Yu asked.
"Zhang Zhao, Zhu Zhi, and Lu Su." Sun Ce said, "If the situation on the front line changes, and you send troops to support me, I don't worry about handing over Wu County to anyone. Now it is under the management of Sun Quan, with Lu Meng as the assistant. All changes must be made. I have to go to Danyang to ask for your opinion."
"Take orders." All the generals said.
"Take orders." Zhou Yu replied.
He knew that there was no room for discussion. Sun Ce called him here to give him orders, not to ask for his opinion. The current Sun Ce is no longer the former Sun Ce, and the current self is no longer the former self.
"You have to get used to it."
After the meeting, Lu Su said to Zhou Yu.
"You have to be careful," Zhou Yu said, "this battle is definitely not easy to fight. Although our military strength has an overwhelming advantage, the danger often comes when we are sure of victory."
"I know," Lu Su replied, "but this battle will have to be fought sooner or later. Zhang Zhao suggested last month that I asked you what you think first, and my lord said in front of everyone that you have no ambitions, so I will definitely persuade you. "
Zhou Yu sighed, and replied: "Why don't I want to send troops as soon as possible? It's just that we still have ten years left. If we win this battle, it will directly push us to a confrontation with Cao Cao, and the situation in Wu County is still unclear. ... No more talking, I'm leaving."
Zhang Zhao came along the corridor, Zhou Yu and Lu Su stood up straight and saluted him, Zhang Zhao returned the salute.
"Brother Zibu," Zhou Yu said.
Lu Su winked repeatedly, but Zhou Yu pretended not to see it. Zhang Zhao exchanged some greetings, and Zhou Yu said again: "Is there no room for negotiation in this dispatch of troops?"
Zhang Zhao thought for a while, then said helplessly, "We have no position to speak."
Zhou Yu said: "I have something to ask, brother Zibu, please speak for me in front of the lord."
Zhang Zhao was silent for a long time, and finally nodded.
Zhou Yu didn't stop, and was going back to Danyang that day, but as soon as he left the city gate, he caught up with him on a fast horse. Zhou Yu turned his head and saw that it was Sun Ce.
There was light rain falling in the sky, and the two galloped side by side. Zhou Yu kept going along the official road without stopping for a moment.
"Hi!" Sun Ce shouted with a smile.
Zhou Yu braved the rain and looked back.
Sun Ce said, "Are you cursing me for being a bad student? Gong Jin!"
"No!" Zhou Yu said, finally slowing down the horse. Sun Ce said again, "You haven't wished me victory yet!"
"I wish the lord the victory in flying the flag!" Zhou Yu said loudly, "Be careful at every step and advance!"
Sun Ce smiled and stopped in the rain. Zhou Yu turned the horse's head and looked at Sun Ce with a serious expression.
"It's still the same." Sun Ce said with a smile, "Nagging, mother-in-law, can you be happier?"
Zhou Yu nodded and said, "I hope you will come back victorious, don't be greedy for merit."
Sun Ce said, "Forget it! I'll leave immediately after I get a good word from you!"
Sun Ce disappeared into the rain. Zhou Yu stared blankly at his back for a long time, unable to move away after being drenched in the rain for an hour.
A few days later, when Zhou Yu returned to Danyang, Sun Ce led 10,000 sailors, 40,000 cavalry, and 10,000 infantry to conquer Jingzhou in person, and military reports were sent in a steady stream, directly to Zhou Yu's mansion. After Zhou Yu read it, he made instructions first, and then handed it over to Wu County for execution. The four rounds of messengers rushed back and forth between the two places.
Zhou Yu knew that this battle was of great importance, and would even affect the situation of the whole world, so he often stayed up for two or three nights and coughed continuously.
In the middle of the night, Zhou Yu felt dizzy and coughed a few times. Xiao Qiao came over to put on his coat for him and patted him on the back.
"Zhou Lang, how long have you been up?" Xiao Qiao frowned, "If this continues, you will fall ill before Sun Lang returns from the battle."
"It's okay." Zhou Yu coughed a few more times, drank the medicinal soup, and said, "I will go to bed after I finish watching the military situation. Coughing is the root cause of the old disease. After this battle is over, I will be able to recuperate for a few months."
The weather gradually cooled down, and it rained a few more times. Xiao Qiao said: "I heard from the messenger that the upper reaches of the Yangtze River are flooded this time."
Zhou Yu said "hmm" and frowned deeply, and replied, "I'm afraid I'm going to return in vain."
It's fine to return for nothing, but the most fearful thing is that Sun Ce will be trapped in Jingzhou. Zhou Yu was instinctively afraid of Sun Jian's last march, for fear that both father and son would encounter the same predicament. However, three days later, the military news came, this time it was Fei Yu who brought the letter and stopped directly in front of the case.
The situation was more serious than Zhou Yu had imagined—the river in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River swelled, causing mountain torrents, and the roads were muddy and rugged. Sun Ce suffered an unprecedented defeat in his life outside Jiangling City. When the river broke out, Cai Mao's navy and Lu Su fought. The two sides were at a stalemate. In the last battle, a landslide trapped Sun Ce's infantry and cavalry.
Zhou Yu immediately went to Wu County in person and sent Lu Meng to meet and support. However, the river became more and more turbulent, and finally Sun Ce had to withdraw.
When Da Qiao was about to give birth, Sun Ce was defeated and returned to Wu County with the defeated soldiers.
On the day Sun Ce withdrew his troops, thunder and lightning passed across the sky, and it rained cats and dogs. After returning home, no one was seen, and all the counselors were shut out.
Zhou Yu was drenched all over, stood outside the door and knocked three times.
"Come out for a drink?" Zhou Yu asked.
There was no answer, Zhou Yu said again: "Victory or defeat is a common matter in military affairs, why can't we see through it until now?"
Sun Ce's voice was indifferent, and he replied: "So before the battle, the governor of Zhou knew that the battle would be lost?"
The counselors were stunned, they all knew that Sun Ce might come back from a defeat, and he might have someone to kill him, but they didn't expect that it would be Zhou Yu who was the least likely to be held accountable. Zhou Yu took it for granted, as if he knew that he was responsible for this, he made a gesture, and the advisers dispersed.
Kneeling alone in the rain, Zhou Yu said in a deep voice, "I heard that when Yuan Shao led his army to fight for Guandu, the only person who stopped him from fighting Cao Cao was his closest adviser, Tian Feng."
The room was silent.
It was raining heavily, Zhou Yu's hair was draped, his official uniform was covered with water, and he knelt in the rain dripping wet.
"As a result, before Yuan Shao went to the battle," Zhou Yu said again, "he put Tian Feng in prison and asked him to wait for him to return after winning."
"When he heard the news of the defeat from the front line, the jailer congratulated Tian Feng and said that you have done everything possible. The lord was indeed defeated. This time when he comes back, he will treat you well, but Tian Feng cried a lot and said, "I My life is over! Do you think that a man like the lord will spare my life when he comes back from a defeated battle?'"
"'If the lord wins, maybe he will invite me out of the cell, taunt me a few words, and still let me serve. Now that he is defeated, the first thing he will do when he comes back is to kill me.'"
Zhou Yu brushed away the misty water in front of his eyes, and said: "I was the one who lost before the battle, so it doesn't matter if I beheaded."
"But the lord can't learn from Yuan Shao." Zhou Yu said again, "Only by listening to advice can we avoid defeat. I'm very happy that the lord lost. After all, it's not like Xiang Yu, the overlord of Chu in the past. , It is also the time of death. Now that the battle of Jingzhou has returned without success, the lord can take a breather and re-plan. The battle across the river with Cao Cao is bound to be postponed until at least ten years later."
"This is a good thing." Zhou Yu was trembling from the heavy rain, panting, "If the lord hates me, please give me death, my child will still be raised by the lord in the future... After the Zhou family has already existed, Zhou Gongjin's Life, as long as it is in Sun Bofu's hands, it doesn't matter how you die, it doesn't matter when you take it away."
"As long as you are happy." Zhou Yu finally said.
Worrying about getting tired for days, worrying about writing paperwork, and exhausting all his energy, kneeling in the cold pouring rain this night has pushed Zhou Yu to his limit. When Zhou Yu came back from Hangu Pass after parting with Sun Ce, Zhou Yu was injured, and when he left Shu County for Shouchun, he was even sicker.
At this moment, Zhou Yu's body finally couldn't bear the pain anymore. He coughed violently in the rain, panting so hard that he was about to die in the courtyard in the next moment, and finally vomited a mouthful of blood and passed out on the ground.
Sun Ce heard the noise, opened the door and came out.
"Gongjin!" Sun Ce exclaimed in shock, "Wake up!"
A few days later, Zhou Yu woke up, but he was in Danyang. Sun Ce invited a famous doctor to take care of him. He wanted to stay Zhou Yu in Wu County to recuperate, but Xiao Qiao was worried. Xiao Qiao was pregnant, and Da Qiao sent Zhou Yu back to Danyang for fear that she would be overly worried and the car would be jolted, causing a miscarriage.
"Your illness is serious, but it's not serious." The doctor said, "However, your heart and lungs are damaged, and you will be troublesome in the future."
Zhou Yu nodded. He was also a medical student, so he couldn't tell what his health was like. The doctor said again: "You must take good care of yourself, otherwise you will only have more and more troubles after you reach the age of forty."
Xiao Qiao said: "Zhou Lang just thinks too much, it's time to go back to Shu County for recuperation."
The doctor said: "Don't be emotionally depressed, exhaust your energy, criticize official business less, be less happy, less sad, and remember."
Zhou Yu agreed, and the doctor took Xiao Qiao's pulse and predicted the next delivery date, so he packed the medicine box and left. After a few days, Zhou Yu was able to walk. Every day, she would sit in the hall wearing a robe, not playing the piano, and staring out of the hall.
"What will our child's name be tomorrow?" Xiao Qiao asked.
"Let your mother name it." Zhou Yu said, "Or ask Bofu."
Xiao Qiao said with a smile: "There is a post over there, let you see if there is any suitable one, you can choose one first."
Zhou Yu said "hmm" and asked again: "How is Wu County?"
"There was a commotion over there," Xiao Qiao replied, "and I took a rest for a while. Lu Zijing came to see him and said that he would not send troops again years ago, but Sun Lang was so depressed that he asked someone to accompany him to go shopping and do something. Relief. Mother said that after the baby is born, we will go back together for confinement.”
"Okay." Zhou Yu said.