Although Zhang Yun had failed to reach an agreement, he did manage to bring Zhou Lian’s body back from Lujiang City. This mission was not entirely in vain.
Lujiang City was littered with white bones, but it was not because Zhou Lian’s body was difficult to identify; rather, it was because even at the moment of his death, Zhou Lian had kept a death grip on the precious sword that Sun Zhongran had bestowed upon him.
Upon seeing the remains, Sun Zhongran wept like a child, his grief a mixture of helplessness and remorse. After Sun Qu passed away, Sun Zhongran had ascended to the throne during a time of political instability and waning public support. Had it not been for Zhou Lian’s unwavering backing and his efforts to stabilize the government, Sun Zhongran’s position would have been far from secure. Consequently, Sun Zhongran held the same affection for Zhou Lian as one would for a father or an older brother.
Chapter 823