孫策

Profile

The "Little Conqueror" who started with a thousand of his father’s veterans and took the entire Southland in a few years. With valor compared to Xiang Yu and a magnetism all his own, he drew people and talent wherever he marched — even turning the enemy champion Taishi Ci into a devoted follower. Struck down by assassins at twenty-six while eyeing Cao Cao’s rear during Guandu, he passed the great work to his brother: "At keeping Jiangdong, you surpass me."

Key events

1. 192

   Death of Sun Jian

   Sun Jian, Tiger of Jiangdong, falls to an ambush while campaigning against Liu Biao. His son Sun Ce takes up his cause.

   Sun JianLiu Biao

2. 195

   Sun Ce Conquers the Southland

   Sun Ce sets out to conquer the Southland with his father’s veterans. After their famous duel at Shenting, he captured Taishi Ci and won him over.

   Taishi CiZhou YuHuang GaiCheng Pu

3. 200

   Sun Ce Dies; Sun Quan Succeeds

   Struck down by assassins, Sun Ce entrusts the Southland to his 19-year-old brother Sun Quan, propped up by Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu.

   Sun QuanZhang ZhaoZhou Yu

History vs. the novelHistoryvsNovel

The novel has him haunted to death by the ghost of the mystic Yu Ji; the histories record simply the assassins’ wounds. On the image of the young conqueror, both agree.