Yu Ji's plea for rain leads to tragic consequences for Sun Ce, as supernatural events unfold during a severe drought.
Sun Ce was preparing to cross the river and attack Xuchang, marching alongside Yu Ji. At that time, there was a severe drought, and the places they traveled through were extremely hot. Sun Ce urged his generals and soldiers to quickly pull the boats. One day, he personally got up early to supervise and saw that most of the officers and soldiers were with Yu Ji. Sun Ce was very angry and said, “Is my command not as good as Yu Ji’s? Yet you all seek to follow and attach yourselves to him first.” So he sent someone to seize Yu Ji and questioned him, saying, “It’s a major drought, and it’s difficult to travel due to the challenging road conditions. We cannot cross the river on time, so I get up early every day. But you don’t share my concerns; instead, you sit comfortably on the boat, pretending to be a deity, and disperse the morale of the army. Today, you will be dealt with.” Sun Ce had Yu Ji tied up and exposed to the sun on the ground, instructing him to pray for rain. If he could move heaven, and it rained at noon, he would be forgiven; otherwise, he would be killed. After a while, the clouds rose and gradually gathered; close to noon, heavy rain suddenly poured down, filling the small streams and ditches. The generals and soldiers were very happy, thinking that Yu Ji would surely be forgiven, and they went to congratulate and comfort him. However, Sun Ce killed him. The generals and soldiers were filled with sorrow and regret and buried Yu Ji’s body. That night, suddenly, a cloud rose again and covered the body. The next morning, when they went to see, the body was nowhere to be found. After killing Yu Ji, every time Sun Ce was alone, it was as if he saw Yu Ji beside him. Sun Ce was greatly troubled in his heart, and his nerves became somewhat abnormal. Later, when his wound was just healing, Sun Ce looked in the mirror and saw Yu Ji in it, but when he turned around, he couldn’t find him. This happened repeatedly. Sun Ce threw the mirror and shouted loudly, causing the wound to burst open, and he died shortly afterward.
《于吉请雨》
孙策欲渡江袭许，与于吉俱行。时大旱，所在熇厉。策催诸将士，使速引船。或身自早出督切，见将吏多在吉许。策因此激怒，言：“我为不如吉耶？而先趋附之。”便使收吉至，呵问之曰：“天旱不雨，道路艰涩，不时得过，故自早出。而卿不同忧戚，安坐船中，作鬼物态，败吾部伍。今当相除。”令人缚置地上，暴之，使请雨。若能感天，日中雨者，当原赦；不尔，行诛。俄而云气上蒸，肤寸而合。比至日中，大雨总至，溪涧盈溢。将士喜悦，以为吉必见原，并往庆慰。策遂杀之。将士哀惜，藏其尸。天夜，忽更兴云覆之。明旦往视，不知所在。策既杀吉，每独坐，仿佛见吉在左右。意深恶之，颇有失常。后治疮方差，而引镜自照，见吉在镜中，顾而弗见。如是再三。扑镜大叫，疮皆崩裂，须臾而死。吉，琅邪人，道士。