The Palace district (Region 3)

[Sun Ce]

*Sweet crimson splashed never so vengefully as this day. Guo Jia had begun to submit, that much was clear, but could Sun Ce find mercy in a torn black heart, which faded only because Guo Jia had killed Sun Jian? He was a tiger, and he was fighting to reign vengeance for the Tiger of Jiang Dong. And once the tiger left it's den, it wouldn't return without the night's meal. Sun Ce would tip his cup to Guo Jia's corpse tonight, and bury his father right before. Sun Ce had stabbed the calf of Gup Jia's right leg. This battle was over, and Jia's fate was sealed. If he did not die, from execution or blood loss, he would never be able to walk normally again. His leg would be amputated to prevent him from catching disease. But Sun Ce would not have the city and the battle won without more blood of this traitor spilt.*

*The flanks fell. Jia's men collapsed, exhausted, losing the will to fight. They were not spared, and the Wu soldiers ripped them limb from limb, killing every last one. Sun Ce kept his gaze on Guo Jia, who fell to the floor, aching in pain. He knelt over, a terribly evil look on his face. He stared into the eyes of his father's killer as he braced for death. A grin crossed his face as he wiped his blade clean of blood. Ce was presented with Sun Jian's sword, the grand Sun Ancestral Blade. Rumor had it this sword was held by the Ancient Horselord of the Sun Family, Sun Ruyi. It is said the sword was sheathed to the belt of Sun Tzu while he wrote the Art of War. Now, at long last, it was in the hands of Sun Ce. It was in the hands of the Little Conqueror. It was, once again, in the hands of Wu's lord. Sun Ce would claim his first kill with his new blade, and with that, he would take the role as Lord of Wu.*

*He reached down, and grabbed Guo Jia's collar with force, picking him up to his knees, ignoring the agonizing cries as his leg moved. He held him suspended up, and allowed the minister his final thoughts.*

"You betrayed Wu, and now you pay. For reasons unknown, you have killed my father, and now you pay. Guo Jia, speak your final words, then meet Death himself!"

*He allowed no such words to be spoken. He released Guo Jia, and he began to fall to the floor again. Sun Ce spun around, brandishing his sword in a striking position at a half spin. As he came around, he slashed at the man he believed to betray his kingdom, and he looked down as he saw Guo Jia's head roll to the ground. The deed was done.*

*But there was one left. Dian Wei fought still with Er Aorong. Without looking back, Sun Ce ordered his spearmen to surround the pair. Aorong was now safe of any danger possessed, and Ce began to slowly enter the circle, to force Dian Wei to his knees. He had fought a long, difficult battle, and he would be remembered for a brave falling. But Ce's executions were not finished, and Dian Wei's head was to fall the same day.*

(I hope you decide to not retaliate, as that would do nothing but extend the time my army is in Xu Chang.)

[Sun Ce]

Dian Wei now has 24 hours to post

[Er Aorong]

(He hasn't responded in three days so...)

The blade met the man's neck without resistance and tore through it with ease. His head jumped off his shoulders as blood spurted out like a fountain. Er turned to the men and told them to not touch the body, he then walked to Sun Ce's side.

"It is done my liege, Dian Wei is dead and Xu Cheng is ours. I did hope to get some information from Guo Jia though, something about all this isn't right. A storm may be on the horizon, and I am here to see it through by your side."

He stepped back from him and saluted by hitting his fist to his chest,

"FOR WU AND LORD SUN CE!!"

He then returned to the body of Dian Wei as he lay in a pool of his own blood. He ordered a few men to pick up the body and to have it ceremoniously wrapped and prepared for travel. The man fought bravely and would be buried in his lands as a hero, they owed him at least as much.

[Sun Ce]

*Sun Ce fell to tears as he walked past the fallen bodies of Wei and Wu soldiers alike, maneuvering past the casualties on his way to the fallen tiger. Bofu dropped to his knees, his hand sliding up to his helmet. He gave out a sigh, sliding the helmet forward, over his eyes, and off his head, letting fly his hair. He embraced his father, once a worthy lord, now nothing more then a respected corpse. Aorong approached, and Ce turned his attention.*

"Er Aorong, I am glad I had you here with me this day. In my rage, I never once looked back. If I had, I know I would have seen you not far behind. I realize now, completely, that you shall see these days with me, and you shall do your best to maintain this kingdom strong. But we are without a leader. Though every man in this palace knows who the next shall be, Wu is vulnerable. My friend, I am promoting you to Grand Commander."

*Ce signaled for Aorong to walk with him, as the young Sun walked to the exit of the palace, looking outside. He saw many dead soldiers through the burning embers. A smile broke through a broken heart and Ce saw the havok that was caused.*

"I must return to Mo Ling. The Sun Family is plenty in the Bronze Spire Castle, and none but me know of the lord's death. I must go and inform Sun Quan, Sun Huan, Sun Liao, and all others. Grave news. I must also brace myself for ascending the Tiger Throne. I am not sure if I have what it takes to rule this kingdom, but I shall do what I can. Commander Aorong, stay here in Xu Chang. You shall govern this city. As your first duty, you must clean this city. Gather the dead, send those from Wei to Ye, those from Wu to Mo Ling. Send Dian Wei to Cao Cao with respect. I shall send a standard garrison of men to help you. Once those duties are complete, you must strengthen this city. You have my trust, and if you need aid, all you need to do is send a letter to Mo Ling addressed to me. When the time comes that I ascend the throne, I shall call for you. Until then, I wish you luck. Farewell, Er Aorong."

*Ce bowed, and turned to leave. He was met by Zhi Liang, the trusty bodyguard that almost never strayed far from Ce in this battle, and Xilai Shao, who secured the retreat. He shed tears as well when he heard of Sun Jian's death, as he was never informed. He was fighting Cao Ang at the time. He gathered the horses, and prepared the army to leave, while Sun Ce prepared a carriage to carry Sun Jian's corpse to the capital. They left Xu Chang victorious, but in truth, they had been ultimately defeated.*

[Er Aorong]

Er standing next to Sun Ce overlooking the carnage of the battle listened to his words. He decided it was best to keep quite, this was a time for Ce to learn some of life's hardest lessons. He had also promoted Er to Grand Commander of the Wu armies as well as prefect of Xu Cheng. He would have quite the task ahead of him in rebuilding this city after they took it as well as gaining the loyalty of its people. Sun Ce began to speak again and to his words this time Er had a response and he put his hand on his shoulder as he spoke,

"Lord Ce, you are now the ruler of this kingdom as the heavens declared it so. The events of today needed to happen and so they did. You will lead this kingdom to glory as your father looks down to you to offer guidance. When you send word I shall be at your side for your crowning. Until then, take care and be safe."

Er Aorong watched as the man left his city with his army and then turned to his men. It was time to rebuild but first he needed to tend to the dead....