East of the River: Home of the Sun Clan sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne

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“And I, the same,” Sun Jian said. “When the world is rid of such people, only then will we know peace, because the lone villains will be unarmed and easily purged.”
“…Still, while men like you continue to fight for the right causes, there is always hope, and perhaps that is where we should leave that conversation!” Lu Kang suggested. “I will always greet you when you come this way, though goodness knows, you shouldn’t have to do so again for any other reason than to visit friends! Surely the court will sanction you to challenge the problems south of the Great River, closer to your home. There are enough northerners to defend the north, I think.”
Sun Jian bowed slightly and said, “Heaven, let that be true.”
“And I know that the outcome of that campaign disturbs you, but rest assured that everyone that matters knows that you are a hero of the age, Mister Sun,” Lu Kang continued. “Your greatest day is yet to come.”
“You are too kind,” Sun Jian replied humbly.

Administrator Lu Kang’s words were welcome, but they did little to improve Sun Jian’s true mood. He was no less melancholy when the group left Huancheng City and resumed their travels, and both Cheng Pu and Zu Mao were determined to find some positive rhetoric to support their lord and friend.
“Be glad of one thing… no, in fact, three things,” Cheng Pu suggested as the journey neared its end and the Yangtze River was within sight.
“And they are…?” Sun Jian said wearily.
“Firstly, you were not burdened with military expectation, so Zhou Shen is the loser here, not you,” Cheng Pu explained. “Secondly, Dong Zhuo was too busy gaining merit to seek revenge for your complaints against him; we are safely home now, and whatever rewards he gains will ensure that he has no time to settle petty debts.”
“And thirdly…?” Sun Jian prompted.
“We’re all alive, we all survived it,” Zu Mao supposed. “Is that it, Mister Cheng…?”

“It is, pretty much,” Cheng Pu confirmed. “That’s most important of all.”

Regardless of the relatively minimal consequences of the Liang Province campaign, Sun Jian was still angry and frustrated, and that was no clearer than when he entered his home days later and bellowed, “Where is everyone???
“Father, what is it?” Sun Ce asked worriedly.
“It… sorry, I shouldn’t shout,” Sun Jian said wearily. “But why was I not greeted properly…? Why were you not-”
Husband!” Lady Wu cried as she entered the room. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I… well, my pride is very badly battered, but otherwise, I am your husband,” Sun Jian replied honestly. “We were made to look like fools: I’ve been dismissed, technically, though I don’t think I’ll be punished, since it was all that-”
“You lost a battle…?” Sun Ce said with surprise and disappointment.
“I… yes, my son, I lost a battle,” Sun Jian conceded. “I cannot always win.”
“But… but it wasn’t your fault, though, right?” Sun Ce prompted.
“…You’re right, it wasn’t,” Sun Jian replied confidently. “It was the man they put in charge of me, who had me there as an adviser, and then refused to listen to me.”
“What a complete waste of your time,” Lady Wu scoffed. “The court should be ashamed, dear husband, dragging you all that way and misusing you.”

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