Post by Yuan Shao on Mar 25, 2006 21:46:31 GMT -5
Path to Glory
Yuan Shu was busy pouring over maps, in Shou Chun's command center. Around the table stood able Zhou Yu as his advisor, Ji Ling his famed cavalry commander, Sun Ce his head-strong general with a strong following, Han Dang the unflinching, Huang Gai the deceptively intelligent, Cheng Pu the trustworthy, and half a dozen others, like Zhang Hong, Zhu Zhi, Zhang Zhao, Lu Su, and Lu Fan. They were all tense, eyes focused on Yuan Shu, waiting his response to the newly acquired information.
"Perhaps Jiang Dong," he muttered under his breath, not even thinking about it.
Zhou Yu's eyes lit up. "That's across the river, Lord Yuan Shu! It would create logistical nightmare..."
"I can handle that easily," Lu Su said from the opposite side of the room, pouring over scrolls of supply details and terrain. "It's really easy, actually. If we can.. borrow some of Liu Yao's boats, we won't have a problem. And they're docked on this side to stay away from Yan Baihu or any other little, insignificant leader."
"Give me a battalion," Cheng Pu half-shouted, "and I'll give you those boats."
"Do it," Shu said without raising his eyes. "Han Dang will be going, too. He'll lead your cavalry arm, which shouldn't be needed. Ji Ling, Sun Ce, prepare your forces. We cross next week. Lu Su, do what you need to do."
"So, we're going after Yan Baihu?"
"No," said Shu, "we're going to land and crush Liu Yao."
"Liu Yao? I hear he has a great general under him."
"Yes, Lord Ce, he does. That general is named Taishi Ci. He leads Yao's vanguard. He'll be well supplied, more so than I can make us.."
"Don't worry about it, Lord Su. With Sun Ce in charge..."
"I think not," Ji Ling shouted. "I will lead this army, Lord Shu! Give me your armies and I will brush them aside!"
The room went silent and several tense, awkward moments passed. Finally, Zhou Yu broke the tension:
"Why not let Lord Sun Ce command, and Lord Ji Ling lead the vanguard?"
"Hmmm," Shu said. "Ji Ling?"
"I can live with that," Ji Ling responded.
"Then so be it! Lord Sun Ce will command the army, Lord Ji Ling will be his vanguard, lords Han Dang and Cheng Pu will assist Lord Ji Ling. Lord Zhou Yu and Lord Huang Gai will assist Lord Sun Ce. Lord Lu Su will command the camp, along with Lord Zhang Hong. Lord Zhang Zhao, I have a request for you."
"What will you have me do, my lord?"
"I want you to send a message to the Emperor. Tell him that I intend to pacify Jiang Dong in his name. That is all. If there is nothing more, you are dismissed."
~~~~~
Breaking Liu Yao's will
Sun Ce's boat shook violently as Yuan Shu's forces drove towards Jian Ye. Liu Yao's forces were arrayed to butcher Shu's men as they landed. Here, at Jian Ye, where steel and water did collide, the fate of Jiang Dong would be made. Arrows arced out to greet Shu's men as the boats stopped, sending scores to their watery graves in moments. Sun Ce rushed from the boat, sword glinting in the sunlight, Cheng Pu and Han Dang at his side, swords drawn with his. Zhou Yu came racing in from behind, picking up a man who fell into the water and pushing him forward.
"Forward! Onward to Jian Ye!"
Han Dang rushed to aid the left flank and Cheng Pu rushed to aid the right. That left Zhou Yu and Sun Ce to hold and maintain the center. Ji Ling was nowhere to be seen, and Huang Gai was bogged down on the eastern flank, his forces whithering under heavy arrow fire. Zhang Hong and Lu Su were busy disembarking further up the river, and were going to rush west to outflank Liu Yao. Under a storm of arrows and slung stones, Sun Ce and his forces advanced. Casualties were immense, but upon reaching the enemy line, it buckled with little additional pressure.
"Hold the line! Hold it," Zhang Ying shouted as he rushed hither and thither across Yao's line, "or I'll cut you down myself!"
Zhou Yu motioned to the man who ran back and forth, his helmet bobbing almost comically. "That, my friend, is the man who threatened to beat you with a company! A company!"
"So that's him? Well," Sun Ce said, grinning, "I'm going to break him myself!"
Sun Ce charged forward, carving a bloody swath through the troops to his fore. Taishi Ci stood ahead of him, like a tower, bloody spear in hand and a determined look on his face.
"You must be Sun Ce," he called out, almost mockingly as he watched Ce cut down another of his men. "I've heard rumors of your skill! Do you dare face me, Taishi Ci!?"
"I am and I dare!"
"Then let us fight!"
Ce and Ci began to clash, men on both sides stopping to watch in awe as Ce parried and swung, as Ci dodged and thrust. The duel dragged on for so long that Ying eventually came down to investigate it himself, but was unable to gain either combatant's attention.
"What are you waiting for," he cried, "SLAY CE!"
Ce held off on the attack for a moment as Ci turned to tell Ying to shut up, distracting Ying long enough for Ji Ling's forces to arrive. Ji Ling lead the charge, arriving far later than either side anticipated. His forces smashed into Taishi Ci's left flank, throwing both Ci and Ying's forces into disarray. Liu Yao stood upon the battlements of Jian Ye, knocks white as he clutched the cold, hard stone. His eyes were wide with terror for a moment as his forces caved under Ling's assault. He then tried to steady himself and spotted Lu Su's force marching on his right flank. He nearly collapsed from stress, tears flowing from his eyes with the knowledge that he couldn't help his men at all. In moments Lu Su had encircled Zhang Ying and Taishi Ci's forces, which sought to fight even after the knowledge that defeat was inevitable entered their minds.
"Taishi Ci," cried Sun Ce, "all is lost! Won't you surrender and join us?"
"Why should I!?"
As if in response, Ji Ling charged head-long into Zhang Ying's formation, screaming madly: "YOUR HEAD IS MINE, DOG!"
Zhang Ying turned to take in this new threat, his forces parting like the Red Sea before Ling's thunderous charge. Before Ying could even speak a word of protest or disbelief, he was sprouting a fifth limb in the form of Ling's spear from his chest. He fell to the ground, his lifeblood pouring out of him and turning the dirt red. He went pale, and passed in mere moments. Ci's eyes went wide in disbelief, and his guard sagged.
"Resistance is futile," he muttered. "I surrender."
Ci bowed his head, feeling utterly defeated and demoralized. Ce merely walked up to him, and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"You're a mighty warrior, Taishi Ci. You'll do well under Lord Yuan Shu."
"Onward," cried Ji Ling, "into the city! Take that dog Liu Yao alive, and I'll see you made a rich man! To glory!"
Ji Ling waved his spear about, the soldiers around him cheering and hooting. Liu Yao's gate was cast open, and a single man rode out. He sat upon a white horse in white robes, head bowed and unarmed. After obtaining Ji Ling's attention, he spoke, slowly and solemnly:
"Lords, you have won. I, Liu Yao, yield. You have defeated me and taken Jian Ye. I know nothing more to say, save this: spare those inside. I offer myself in your stead."
Ji Ling glared at him, and Zhou Yu approached with Sun Ce.
"So be it," said Sun Ce, "I am glad this bloodbath is over. Let us both retire and count the dead and wounded, considering this war over and done with."
Liu Yao looked up at Sun Ce, tears welling in his eyes. He shook his head, ever so slowly, his chin dropping to his chest.
"I've seen my greatest of warriors die or turn from me. I... I... I don't know how I can go on."
As he returned to the city, passing just inside the gates, he fell from his horse, and died in a ditch, bereft of honor or lordship, a weak and broken man.
~~~~~
Before Wu
Holding his helmet in one hand, his red cape billowing out behind him in the wind, Han Dang trudged on in the pouring rain. His forces had been training in this horrible weather as a preparation for the assault on Wu. He was tired, and every joint seemed to ache from the stress of the training. He wasn't that young any more, but he wasn't nearly as old as Zhang Zhao, so he endured his pain and followed his orders without question. After all, he was Han Dang, one of Sun Ce's best officers, and a loyal servant to Yuan Shu.
Han Dang's footsteps echoed ever so slightly, his heavy boots feeling like solid stone after such a long period of training. He was sweating, tired, parched, and hungry. Yet, before he could bathe, rest, drink, or eat, he needed to make a report to Sun Ce. Ji Ling was liable to be there, and Han Dang couldn't stand his presence. The man dressed like a slob, and you could tell what he'd eaten for the past week by his own. His hair was extremely greasy and short, and he plain smelled bad.
As Han Dang thought of all those.. unpleasant things, his feet carried him towards Sun Ce's chamber. He arrived there, turned his sword over to a guard, and knocked on the door with his helmet. He was told to enter, and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
"Lord Han Dang!"
"Lord Sun Ce, I'm done."
"Well," said Zhou Yu, who had previously been half-asleep in the corner, "it's good to see you're done. Late, but done."
"Bah! Maybe you shouldn't give me raw recruits."
"Maybe you should start earlier?"
"Maybe. Anyway, we're to march to Wu, correct?"
"Yes," said Sun Ce.
"We crush the Yans then we smash Wang Lang. It's that simple," said Zhou Yu.
"Well," replied Han Dang, "why not give me a battalion? I'll take a gate, and, most likely, the whole city."
"You'd be stretched too thin."
"Lord Zhou Yu, you know as well as I do that that's not true."
"Possibly, but a battalion doesn't have the manpower to beat the armies of both of them."
"Then send Huang Gai along with me."
Zhou Yu and Sun Ce exchanged glances, and Ce leaned back on his desk. He nodded.
"So be it," said Zhou Yu. "But, just in case, I'm going to station Cheng Pu behind you to hold the gate open and reinforce you if need be. Prove that extra assistance worthless, Lord Han Dang, and you'll be viewed much better in Lord Yuan Shu's eyes."
"I will do it."
~~~~~
Han Dang and Yan Baihu
The vast armies of Yuan Shu were now rolling over Jiang Dong, smashing Liu Yao and whatever meagre forces stood between them and Wu. Liu Yao had died of stress, Taishi Ci had surrendered and joined Sun Ce, and Zhang Ying had been slain in combat. Ji Ling's cavalry suffered proportionally larger casualties than the rest of the army, and was still recovering from that. As such, Han Dang and Huang Gai had been tasked with the taking of Wu and the execution of Yan Baihu and Yan Xing.
Han Dang's forces slowly crept along the hills north of Wu, banners low and troops moving ever so slightly. No one rode a horse, and no one carried anything that would shine. Steel was kept covered by something, anything, as they slowly snuck along. Huang Gai didn't bother with stealth, marching in the open, straight towards the west gate. Under his command were rams by the score, and he was reinforced by Zhou Yu's unit. Zhou Yu, however, hung back, and Ji Ling led his unit. Ji Ling would keep Zhou Yu's infantry to hold the gate, while Huang Gai would assault Yan Xing's forces, which were positioned directly opposite the western gate. When Han Dang took the north gate, he'd go straight for Yan Baihu in the center of the city.
When the battle was joined, Huang Gai's archers and rams were laying into Yan Xing's men and gate. The sheer ruthlessness with which they attacked Yan Xing's men shocked them. And when Ji Ling threw up ladders for Huang Gai to go over the gate, that only made things worse. Han Dang bribed a gate guard, and the gates were thrown open to an unsuspecting city. Cheng Du's cavalry rushed in to keep the gates open as Han Dang's forces poured inside.
Yan Xing's army shattered under the assault of Huang Gai, and Xing was captured by Huang Gai's men. He begged and pleaded for his life, until Huang Gai had him taken outside and executed. Yan Baihu didn't fare so well. Han Dang fell upon him with a wrathful vengeance, and Baihu's army couldn't resist his army. After fierce fighting for the palace, Yan Baihu's guards were slain, and only he stood against Han Dang. Rather than back down, he tried to defeat him in a duel, but soon felt the bite of cold steel as Han Dang's sword ripped through his stomach and sheared his innards in half.
Sun Ce calmly walked inside, and, after viewing Han Dang's handiwork, merely said "nice."
~~~~~
Road to Hui Ji
Sun Ce was up late in his tent, pouring over a host of documents and still sending dispatches, despite the fact that the sun had set almost four hours ago. His brow furrowed, his cold stare locked on a single piece of paper detailing the troop strength remaining, which was, quite frankly, far too little to take Wu. Battle hadn't cut into Ce's forces -- garrisons had. What started as an army of tens of thousands to break Jiang Dong had deteriorated from attirtion, battle, and garrisons into something that was a shadow of its former strength. Sun Ce looked around the table, taking in every aspect of the officers with him.
Huang Gai was stroking the new beard he was growing, this one rather large, one that reminded him of the stories he had heard of Guan Yu. Huang Gai sat there, reading a dispatch from Yuan Shu that Sun Ce had covered awhile ago. It barely needed a glance. It said that Shu was pleased immensely at the gains made by Sun Ce and Ji Ling, and that he would be sending along a contingent of soldiers shortly.
Across from Huang Gai sat Taishi Ci, the newest member of Sun Ce's Table of War. He was cool and collected, his thoughts straying to something beyond what lay on the table. To his left, still further down the table, sat Han Dang, busy polishing his sword. Across from him sat Cheng Pu, who was writing a letter to his wife. Zhou Yu sat directly to Sun Ce's side, on his right, and was constantly getting up and rushing to and fro. Ji Ling sat on Sun Ce's left, right next to Ji Ling, and seemed to be muttering something to himself.
"It appears," Sun Ce said, drawing both annoyed and tired looks, "that we don't have enough men to take Hui Ji. It'd be nothing to take it. It's the holding it that worries me. We need men."
Taishi Ci stood up so fast he sent his chair flying out behind him, a gleeful look on his face, and one finger held up.
"I'll do it! Give me a day, Lord Sun Ce, and I'll bring back at least two thousand men who haven't given up yet."
Sun Ce turned to regard him. Sun Ce trusted him, but Cheng Pu and Han Dang shot him distrusting glares. Zhou Yu merely shrugged, and mumbled something about "you've already made your mind up."
Sun Ce barely nodded, and as he began to speak, Taishi Ci shouted that he'd be back by noon. And so, Sun Ce and the rest of Yuan Shu's officers looked at one another in confusion as to exactly what happened. Zhou Yu went outside, pulling his sword from its scabbard. He thrust it into the earth, and turned to regard Sun Ce and the rest of the General Staff:
"When the sun shines directly over my blade, and it casts no shadow, it shall be noon. If Taishi Ci is not back by then..."
Seven long hours dragged on, with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu passing out on the table and Huang Gai spread out across a row of chairs. Han Dang and Cheng Pu retired to their respective tents, and Ji Ling fell asleep in a corner, surrounded by plushies.
"Heigh-ho Silver!"
Sun Ce shot up, a piece of paper sticking to his face. "What the hell was that?"
Zhou Yu waved his arm at Sun Ce as if to tell him to shut up, muttered something half-intelligent, and went back to sleep. Ji Ling rolled over and plopped a rather large tiger plushie on his head and started to snore rather violently. Huang Gai didn't even flinch. The cry came again, and Huang Gai responded by rolling off the chairs to crash on the floor. That still didn't wake him up, but Ji Ling sat up, sending plushies in every direction.
"What the hell is that?"
"I have no idea," Ce responded. "ZHOU YU! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! AT THE READY!"
Zhou Yu bolted up, falling in and saluting the tent flap. He turned to Ce, who was laughing heartily, and gave him a good thwack. Huang Gai's snoring drowned out the sound.
"What is this all about? And what is that ogre doing asleep? Someone wake him."
As if on cue, Han Dang rushed in with a bucket of water and threw it at Huang Gai. He winked at Sun Ce, and ran back towards his tent. Cheng Pu wandered into the tent, wondering what the yelling was about. Just in time to see Huang Gai towering above him, hair matted from the water and as angry as wrath itself.
"Uhh... hello."
"You think that's funny, Pu?"
"Calm down, Gai," Ce said. "It wasn't him. Nor any of us. I think--"
"Heigh-ho Silver!"
"... that Ci's back."
Ce left the tent, Gai with a puzzled look and Pu staring at him blankly. Yu and Ling followed. Ce saw Ci's gathered forces, tired from the forced march, but Ci himself barely looked phased.
"Well, well, well," Zhou Yu mocked. "It looks like he's on time."
"Brilliant, Lord Bofu!"
"Excellent at reading characters, indeed!"
"We are subject to your knowledge, Lord Bofu!"
Sun Ce shook his head and turned to address Ci directly. "I was right about you. You, my friend, will become a mighty general under myself and Lord Yuan Shu. Are you ready to serve us, and serve us well?"
"I will do as you wish," Ci responded, bowing deeply as he did so.
"Good. Now we're off to Hui Ji."
~~~~~
Blood and Sand at Hui Ji
Wang Lang regarded the sea, so vast and calm, from his morning perch east of Hui Ji. The waves rolled in, lapped hopelessly in attempt to pound the sand into submission, and rolled away, only to strike back against the sand in yet another futile attempt. This is how it was to function, doomed to repeating the same largely useless act. It represented Wang Lang's personality well. When he had the means to annihilate a foe, he took little to no tactical advise, and simply rushed his foe. To the cries out outrage of Zhou Xin and Yu Fan, he would act rashly as he had always done.
Thinking about that, and about his unflinching will in the face of victory, Wang Lang paid no attention to the fleet of warships approaching the shore until they were within mere moments of landing. He rushed back to Zhou Xin, trying to rally the forces.
"Enemies are on the beach! Where are our armies!?"
"I'll throw them back," Xin responded, grinning. "I'll get my cavalry and hurl them into the sea!"
Xing rushed off, and Wang Lang's head sunk as he thought about what would happen if Xin failed. He turned to Yu Fan:
"Guard our rear, Fan. I'm going out with him. Should we fall, you will be our only hope."
"Your will be done," Fan said, bowing.
Lang turned and rushed down the street, shouting "Sound the alarm! Enemies on the beach!" as people rushed to and fro, gathering arms or ushering families into homes for safety. Xin thundered down the street, supported by well over 250 soldiers in gleaming mail. More were rushing along after him, trying to catch up. Lang waved them on, trying to organize the town's militia. He led them out at a parade march, as they knew no other manner. Organizing three waves of soldiers, Lang launched his assault in support of Xin.
Xin's cavalry had penetrated the front line of Ce's forces, throwing parts into disarray. However, his forces were surrounded, and, in attempt to throw the enemy forces into disarray, Xin challenged Cheng Pu to a duel. He couldn't have made a worse choice. After the second pass, Cheng Pu's spear clashed fiercely with Xing's spear. Due to his poor grasp, Xin was thrown backwards off the horse, finding the tip of his spear out of reach and Pu's spear at his throat.
Xin yielded, and, seeing his prime general lost, Land turned to retreat. In a savage assault, Han Dang's infantry and Ji Ling's cavalry enveloped and shattered Lang's forces, routing the largest army Hui Ji had and nearly slaying Lang himself. Xing was dragged before Sun Ce, hands bound behind him and Cheng Pu standing nearby with a contingent of guards.
"Yield, Lord Zhou Xin, should you yield and serve Lord Yuan Shu, we will spare your life," Sun Ce said. "Serve me, and I will make it worthwhile. Defy us, and you will be executed like Yan Baihu and the rest of his defiant scum at Wu."
"I... yield," he said, lowering his head, utterly defeated. Cheng Pu cut his bonds, and said, "Write a letter telling Lord Yu Fan to surrender and shoot it over the wall. Tell him to open a gate and we can march in easily."
Zhou Xin did as he was told, hastily scrawling a note on a piece of parchment and lobbing it over the wall, near where he thought Yu Fan would be stationed. Wang Lang discovered the note and, rather than executing Yu Fan as he normally would have done, went to Sun Ce in person, under a flag of truce.
"Lord Sun Ce," he said, after finally being brought before him, "I yield. I yield on the assumption you will spare my men and people, regardless of what you do to me."
"I accept your surrender," said Sun Ce, standing. "I think you'll be a skilled general under Lord Yuan Shu. It is good to have you, my friend."
~~~~~
Shou Chun: A Test of Loyalty
"So," said Yuan Shu, thinking over all he was told by Sun Ce and Ji Ling upon their return, "you've managed to obtain a great victory for myself and for yourselves. I've also managed to snag part of Cao Cao's land after he was smashed at Guan Du. I've taken Xia Pi and Xiao Pei. Lord Ce, as you did the most to conquer it, why don't you accept the prefectureship of Yangzhou?"
"I thank you for your offer, Lord Shu," Ce responded, bowing, "but I do not think it is my place to govern such a place."
Shu looked up to regard Ce, eyes full of wonder. Wonder which he quickly hid. Here was a man, a capable man, who had little ambition beyond where he was now. He would make a fine general.
"I see...Xuzhou shall be governed by Lord Zhang Hong. And Yangzhou by Lord Zhang Zhao. I have spoken with them, and they would like to do so. Yu Fan, Wang Lang, and Zhou Xin shall serve under Zhang Zhao. Zhang Hong shall have Han Dang, Cheng Pu, and Huang Gai under him. I'll keep Zhou Tai, Ji Ling, Lu Su, Zhu Zhi, and Gan Ning under myself. Lord Sun Ce, you will be my chief general, and, of the remaining officers, you may choose whomever you wish to accompany you. Thank you for everything, Lord Ce and Lord Jing. I look forward to another campaign!"
Yuan Shu was busy pouring over maps, in Shou Chun's command center. Around the table stood able Zhou Yu as his advisor, Ji Ling his famed cavalry commander, Sun Ce his head-strong general with a strong following, Han Dang the unflinching, Huang Gai the deceptively intelligent, Cheng Pu the trustworthy, and half a dozen others, like Zhang Hong, Zhu Zhi, Zhang Zhao, Lu Su, and Lu Fan. They were all tense, eyes focused on Yuan Shu, waiting his response to the newly acquired information.
"Perhaps Jiang Dong," he muttered under his breath, not even thinking about it.
Zhou Yu's eyes lit up. "That's across the river, Lord Yuan Shu! It would create logistical nightmare..."
"I can handle that easily," Lu Su said from the opposite side of the room, pouring over scrolls of supply details and terrain. "It's really easy, actually. If we can.. borrow some of Liu Yao's boats, we won't have a problem. And they're docked on this side to stay away from Yan Baihu or any other little, insignificant leader."
"Give me a battalion," Cheng Pu half-shouted, "and I'll give you those boats."
"Do it," Shu said without raising his eyes. "Han Dang will be going, too. He'll lead your cavalry arm, which shouldn't be needed. Ji Ling, Sun Ce, prepare your forces. We cross next week. Lu Su, do what you need to do."
"So, we're going after Yan Baihu?"
"No," said Shu, "we're going to land and crush Liu Yao."
"Liu Yao? I hear he has a great general under him."
"Yes, Lord Ce, he does. That general is named Taishi Ci. He leads Yao's vanguard. He'll be well supplied, more so than I can make us.."
"Don't worry about it, Lord Su. With Sun Ce in charge..."
"I think not," Ji Ling shouted. "I will lead this army, Lord Shu! Give me your armies and I will brush them aside!"
The room went silent and several tense, awkward moments passed. Finally, Zhou Yu broke the tension:
"Why not let Lord Sun Ce command, and Lord Ji Ling lead the vanguard?"
"Hmmm," Shu said. "Ji Ling?"
"I can live with that," Ji Ling responded.
"Then so be it! Lord Sun Ce will command the army, Lord Ji Ling will be his vanguard, lords Han Dang and Cheng Pu will assist Lord Ji Ling. Lord Zhou Yu and Lord Huang Gai will assist Lord Sun Ce. Lord Lu Su will command the camp, along with Lord Zhang Hong. Lord Zhang Zhao, I have a request for you."
"What will you have me do, my lord?"
"I want you to send a message to the Emperor. Tell him that I intend to pacify Jiang Dong in his name. That is all. If there is nothing more, you are dismissed."
~~~~~
Breaking Liu Yao's will
Sun Ce's boat shook violently as Yuan Shu's forces drove towards Jian Ye. Liu Yao's forces were arrayed to butcher Shu's men as they landed. Here, at Jian Ye, where steel and water did collide, the fate of Jiang Dong would be made. Arrows arced out to greet Shu's men as the boats stopped, sending scores to their watery graves in moments. Sun Ce rushed from the boat, sword glinting in the sunlight, Cheng Pu and Han Dang at his side, swords drawn with his. Zhou Yu came racing in from behind, picking up a man who fell into the water and pushing him forward.
"Forward! Onward to Jian Ye!"
Han Dang rushed to aid the left flank and Cheng Pu rushed to aid the right. That left Zhou Yu and Sun Ce to hold and maintain the center. Ji Ling was nowhere to be seen, and Huang Gai was bogged down on the eastern flank, his forces whithering under heavy arrow fire. Zhang Hong and Lu Su were busy disembarking further up the river, and were going to rush west to outflank Liu Yao. Under a storm of arrows and slung stones, Sun Ce and his forces advanced. Casualties were immense, but upon reaching the enemy line, it buckled with little additional pressure.
"Hold the line! Hold it," Zhang Ying shouted as he rushed hither and thither across Yao's line, "or I'll cut you down myself!"
Zhou Yu motioned to the man who ran back and forth, his helmet bobbing almost comically. "That, my friend, is the man who threatened to beat you with a company! A company!"
"So that's him? Well," Sun Ce said, grinning, "I'm going to break him myself!"
Sun Ce charged forward, carving a bloody swath through the troops to his fore. Taishi Ci stood ahead of him, like a tower, bloody spear in hand and a determined look on his face.
"You must be Sun Ce," he called out, almost mockingly as he watched Ce cut down another of his men. "I've heard rumors of your skill! Do you dare face me, Taishi Ci!?"
"I am and I dare!"
"Then let us fight!"
Ce and Ci began to clash, men on both sides stopping to watch in awe as Ce parried and swung, as Ci dodged and thrust. The duel dragged on for so long that Ying eventually came down to investigate it himself, but was unable to gain either combatant's attention.
"What are you waiting for," he cried, "SLAY CE!"
Ce held off on the attack for a moment as Ci turned to tell Ying to shut up, distracting Ying long enough for Ji Ling's forces to arrive. Ji Ling lead the charge, arriving far later than either side anticipated. His forces smashed into Taishi Ci's left flank, throwing both Ci and Ying's forces into disarray. Liu Yao stood upon the battlements of Jian Ye, knocks white as he clutched the cold, hard stone. His eyes were wide with terror for a moment as his forces caved under Ling's assault. He then tried to steady himself and spotted Lu Su's force marching on his right flank. He nearly collapsed from stress, tears flowing from his eyes with the knowledge that he couldn't help his men at all. In moments Lu Su had encircled Zhang Ying and Taishi Ci's forces, which sought to fight even after the knowledge that defeat was inevitable entered their minds.
"Taishi Ci," cried Sun Ce, "all is lost! Won't you surrender and join us?"
"Why should I!?"
As if in response, Ji Ling charged head-long into Zhang Ying's formation, screaming madly: "YOUR HEAD IS MINE, DOG!"
Zhang Ying turned to take in this new threat, his forces parting like the Red Sea before Ling's thunderous charge. Before Ying could even speak a word of protest or disbelief, he was sprouting a fifth limb in the form of Ling's spear from his chest. He fell to the ground, his lifeblood pouring out of him and turning the dirt red. He went pale, and passed in mere moments. Ci's eyes went wide in disbelief, and his guard sagged.
"Resistance is futile," he muttered. "I surrender."
Ci bowed his head, feeling utterly defeated and demoralized. Ce merely walked up to him, and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"You're a mighty warrior, Taishi Ci. You'll do well under Lord Yuan Shu."
"Onward," cried Ji Ling, "into the city! Take that dog Liu Yao alive, and I'll see you made a rich man! To glory!"
Ji Ling waved his spear about, the soldiers around him cheering and hooting. Liu Yao's gate was cast open, and a single man rode out. He sat upon a white horse in white robes, head bowed and unarmed. After obtaining Ji Ling's attention, he spoke, slowly and solemnly:
"Lords, you have won. I, Liu Yao, yield. You have defeated me and taken Jian Ye. I know nothing more to say, save this: spare those inside. I offer myself in your stead."
Ji Ling glared at him, and Zhou Yu approached with Sun Ce.
"So be it," said Sun Ce, "I am glad this bloodbath is over. Let us both retire and count the dead and wounded, considering this war over and done with."
Liu Yao looked up at Sun Ce, tears welling in his eyes. He shook his head, ever so slowly, his chin dropping to his chest.
"I've seen my greatest of warriors die or turn from me. I... I... I don't know how I can go on."
As he returned to the city, passing just inside the gates, he fell from his horse, and died in a ditch, bereft of honor or lordship, a weak and broken man.
~~~~~
Before Wu
Holding his helmet in one hand, his red cape billowing out behind him in the wind, Han Dang trudged on in the pouring rain. His forces had been training in this horrible weather as a preparation for the assault on Wu. He was tired, and every joint seemed to ache from the stress of the training. He wasn't that young any more, but he wasn't nearly as old as Zhang Zhao, so he endured his pain and followed his orders without question. After all, he was Han Dang, one of Sun Ce's best officers, and a loyal servant to Yuan Shu.
Han Dang's footsteps echoed ever so slightly, his heavy boots feeling like solid stone after such a long period of training. He was sweating, tired, parched, and hungry. Yet, before he could bathe, rest, drink, or eat, he needed to make a report to Sun Ce. Ji Ling was liable to be there, and Han Dang couldn't stand his presence. The man dressed like a slob, and you could tell what he'd eaten for the past week by his own. His hair was extremely greasy and short, and he plain smelled bad.
As Han Dang thought of all those.. unpleasant things, his feet carried him towards Sun Ce's chamber. He arrived there, turned his sword over to a guard, and knocked on the door with his helmet. He was told to enter, and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
"Lord Han Dang!"
"Lord Sun Ce, I'm done."
"Well," said Zhou Yu, who had previously been half-asleep in the corner, "it's good to see you're done. Late, but done."
"Bah! Maybe you shouldn't give me raw recruits."
"Maybe you should start earlier?"
"Maybe. Anyway, we're to march to Wu, correct?"
"Yes," said Sun Ce.
"We crush the Yans then we smash Wang Lang. It's that simple," said Zhou Yu.
"Well," replied Han Dang, "why not give me a battalion? I'll take a gate, and, most likely, the whole city."
"You'd be stretched too thin."
"Lord Zhou Yu, you know as well as I do that that's not true."
"Possibly, but a battalion doesn't have the manpower to beat the armies of both of them."
"Then send Huang Gai along with me."
Zhou Yu and Sun Ce exchanged glances, and Ce leaned back on his desk. He nodded.
"So be it," said Zhou Yu. "But, just in case, I'm going to station Cheng Pu behind you to hold the gate open and reinforce you if need be. Prove that extra assistance worthless, Lord Han Dang, and you'll be viewed much better in Lord Yuan Shu's eyes."
"I will do it."
~~~~~
Han Dang and Yan Baihu
The vast armies of Yuan Shu were now rolling over Jiang Dong, smashing Liu Yao and whatever meagre forces stood between them and Wu. Liu Yao had died of stress, Taishi Ci had surrendered and joined Sun Ce, and Zhang Ying had been slain in combat. Ji Ling's cavalry suffered proportionally larger casualties than the rest of the army, and was still recovering from that. As such, Han Dang and Huang Gai had been tasked with the taking of Wu and the execution of Yan Baihu and Yan Xing.
Han Dang's forces slowly crept along the hills north of Wu, banners low and troops moving ever so slightly. No one rode a horse, and no one carried anything that would shine. Steel was kept covered by something, anything, as they slowly snuck along. Huang Gai didn't bother with stealth, marching in the open, straight towards the west gate. Under his command were rams by the score, and he was reinforced by Zhou Yu's unit. Zhou Yu, however, hung back, and Ji Ling led his unit. Ji Ling would keep Zhou Yu's infantry to hold the gate, while Huang Gai would assault Yan Xing's forces, which were positioned directly opposite the western gate. When Han Dang took the north gate, he'd go straight for Yan Baihu in the center of the city.
When the battle was joined, Huang Gai's archers and rams were laying into Yan Xing's men and gate. The sheer ruthlessness with which they attacked Yan Xing's men shocked them. And when Ji Ling threw up ladders for Huang Gai to go over the gate, that only made things worse. Han Dang bribed a gate guard, and the gates were thrown open to an unsuspecting city. Cheng Du's cavalry rushed in to keep the gates open as Han Dang's forces poured inside.
Yan Xing's army shattered under the assault of Huang Gai, and Xing was captured by Huang Gai's men. He begged and pleaded for his life, until Huang Gai had him taken outside and executed. Yan Baihu didn't fare so well. Han Dang fell upon him with a wrathful vengeance, and Baihu's army couldn't resist his army. After fierce fighting for the palace, Yan Baihu's guards were slain, and only he stood against Han Dang. Rather than back down, he tried to defeat him in a duel, but soon felt the bite of cold steel as Han Dang's sword ripped through his stomach and sheared his innards in half.
Sun Ce calmly walked inside, and, after viewing Han Dang's handiwork, merely said "nice."
~~~~~
Road to Hui Ji
Sun Ce was up late in his tent, pouring over a host of documents and still sending dispatches, despite the fact that the sun had set almost four hours ago. His brow furrowed, his cold stare locked on a single piece of paper detailing the troop strength remaining, which was, quite frankly, far too little to take Wu. Battle hadn't cut into Ce's forces -- garrisons had. What started as an army of tens of thousands to break Jiang Dong had deteriorated from attirtion, battle, and garrisons into something that was a shadow of its former strength. Sun Ce looked around the table, taking in every aspect of the officers with him.
Huang Gai was stroking the new beard he was growing, this one rather large, one that reminded him of the stories he had heard of Guan Yu. Huang Gai sat there, reading a dispatch from Yuan Shu that Sun Ce had covered awhile ago. It barely needed a glance. It said that Shu was pleased immensely at the gains made by Sun Ce and Ji Ling, and that he would be sending along a contingent of soldiers shortly.
Across from Huang Gai sat Taishi Ci, the newest member of Sun Ce's Table of War. He was cool and collected, his thoughts straying to something beyond what lay on the table. To his left, still further down the table, sat Han Dang, busy polishing his sword. Across from him sat Cheng Pu, who was writing a letter to his wife. Zhou Yu sat directly to Sun Ce's side, on his right, and was constantly getting up and rushing to and fro. Ji Ling sat on Sun Ce's left, right next to Ji Ling, and seemed to be muttering something to himself.
"It appears," Sun Ce said, drawing both annoyed and tired looks, "that we don't have enough men to take Hui Ji. It'd be nothing to take it. It's the holding it that worries me. We need men."
Taishi Ci stood up so fast he sent his chair flying out behind him, a gleeful look on his face, and one finger held up.
"I'll do it! Give me a day, Lord Sun Ce, and I'll bring back at least two thousand men who haven't given up yet."
Sun Ce turned to regard him. Sun Ce trusted him, but Cheng Pu and Han Dang shot him distrusting glares. Zhou Yu merely shrugged, and mumbled something about "you've already made your mind up."
Sun Ce barely nodded, and as he began to speak, Taishi Ci shouted that he'd be back by noon. And so, Sun Ce and the rest of Yuan Shu's officers looked at one another in confusion as to exactly what happened. Zhou Yu went outside, pulling his sword from its scabbard. He thrust it into the earth, and turned to regard Sun Ce and the rest of the General Staff:
"When the sun shines directly over my blade, and it casts no shadow, it shall be noon. If Taishi Ci is not back by then..."
Seven long hours dragged on, with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu passing out on the table and Huang Gai spread out across a row of chairs. Han Dang and Cheng Pu retired to their respective tents, and Ji Ling fell asleep in a corner, surrounded by plushies.
"Heigh-ho Silver!"
Sun Ce shot up, a piece of paper sticking to his face. "What the hell was that?"
Zhou Yu waved his arm at Sun Ce as if to tell him to shut up, muttered something half-intelligent, and went back to sleep. Ji Ling rolled over and plopped a rather large tiger plushie on his head and started to snore rather violently. Huang Gai didn't even flinch. The cry came again, and Huang Gai responded by rolling off the chairs to crash on the floor. That still didn't wake him up, but Ji Ling sat up, sending plushies in every direction.
"What the hell is that?"
"I have no idea," Ce responded. "ZHOU YU! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! AT THE READY!"
Zhou Yu bolted up, falling in and saluting the tent flap. He turned to Ce, who was laughing heartily, and gave him a good thwack. Huang Gai's snoring drowned out the sound.
"What is this all about? And what is that ogre doing asleep? Someone wake him."
As if on cue, Han Dang rushed in with a bucket of water and threw it at Huang Gai. He winked at Sun Ce, and ran back towards his tent. Cheng Pu wandered into the tent, wondering what the yelling was about. Just in time to see Huang Gai towering above him, hair matted from the water and as angry as wrath itself.
"Uhh... hello."
"You think that's funny, Pu?"
"Calm down, Gai," Ce said. "It wasn't him. Nor any of us. I think--"
"Heigh-ho Silver!"
"... that Ci's back."
Ce left the tent, Gai with a puzzled look and Pu staring at him blankly. Yu and Ling followed. Ce saw Ci's gathered forces, tired from the forced march, but Ci himself barely looked phased.
"Well, well, well," Zhou Yu mocked. "It looks like he's on time."
"Brilliant, Lord Bofu!"
"Excellent at reading characters, indeed!"
"We are subject to your knowledge, Lord Bofu!"
Sun Ce shook his head and turned to address Ci directly. "I was right about you. You, my friend, will become a mighty general under myself and Lord Yuan Shu. Are you ready to serve us, and serve us well?"
"I will do as you wish," Ci responded, bowing deeply as he did so.
"Good. Now we're off to Hui Ji."
~~~~~
Blood and Sand at Hui Ji
Wang Lang regarded the sea, so vast and calm, from his morning perch east of Hui Ji. The waves rolled in, lapped hopelessly in attempt to pound the sand into submission, and rolled away, only to strike back against the sand in yet another futile attempt. This is how it was to function, doomed to repeating the same largely useless act. It represented Wang Lang's personality well. When he had the means to annihilate a foe, he took little to no tactical advise, and simply rushed his foe. To the cries out outrage of Zhou Xin and Yu Fan, he would act rashly as he had always done.
Thinking about that, and about his unflinching will in the face of victory, Wang Lang paid no attention to the fleet of warships approaching the shore until they were within mere moments of landing. He rushed back to Zhou Xin, trying to rally the forces.
"Enemies are on the beach! Where are our armies!?"
"I'll throw them back," Xin responded, grinning. "I'll get my cavalry and hurl them into the sea!"
Xing rushed off, and Wang Lang's head sunk as he thought about what would happen if Xin failed. He turned to Yu Fan:
"Guard our rear, Fan. I'm going out with him. Should we fall, you will be our only hope."
"Your will be done," Fan said, bowing.
Lang turned and rushed down the street, shouting "Sound the alarm! Enemies on the beach!" as people rushed to and fro, gathering arms or ushering families into homes for safety. Xin thundered down the street, supported by well over 250 soldiers in gleaming mail. More were rushing along after him, trying to catch up. Lang waved them on, trying to organize the town's militia. He led them out at a parade march, as they knew no other manner. Organizing three waves of soldiers, Lang launched his assault in support of Xin.
Xin's cavalry had penetrated the front line of Ce's forces, throwing parts into disarray. However, his forces were surrounded, and, in attempt to throw the enemy forces into disarray, Xin challenged Cheng Pu to a duel. He couldn't have made a worse choice. After the second pass, Cheng Pu's spear clashed fiercely with Xing's spear. Due to his poor grasp, Xin was thrown backwards off the horse, finding the tip of his spear out of reach and Pu's spear at his throat.
Xin yielded, and, seeing his prime general lost, Land turned to retreat. In a savage assault, Han Dang's infantry and Ji Ling's cavalry enveloped and shattered Lang's forces, routing the largest army Hui Ji had and nearly slaying Lang himself. Xing was dragged before Sun Ce, hands bound behind him and Cheng Pu standing nearby with a contingent of guards.
"Yield, Lord Zhou Xin, should you yield and serve Lord Yuan Shu, we will spare your life," Sun Ce said. "Serve me, and I will make it worthwhile. Defy us, and you will be executed like Yan Baihu and the rest of his defiant scum at Wu."
"I... yield," he said, lowering his head, utterly defeated. Cheng Pu cut his bonds, and said, "Write a letter telling Lord Yu Fan to surrender and shoot it over the wall. Tell him to open a gate and we can march in easily."
Zhou Xin did as he was told, hastily scrawling a note on a piece of parchment and lobbing it over the wall, near where he thought Yu Fan would be stationed. Wang Lang discovered the note and, rather than executing Yu Fan as he normally would have done, went to Sun Ce in person, under a flag of truce.
"Lord Sun Ce," he said, after finally being brought before him, "I yield. I yield on the assumption you will spare my men and people, regardless of what you do to me."
"I accept your surrender," said Sun Ce, standing. "I think you'll be a skilled general under Lord Yuan Shu. It is good to have you, my friend."
~~~~~
Shou Chun: A Test of Loyalty
"So," said Yuan Shu, thinking over all he was told by Sun Ce and Ji Ling upon their return, "you've managed to obtain a great victory for myself and for yourselves. I've also managed to snag part of Cao Cao's land after he was smashed at Guan Du. I've taken Xia Pi and Xiao Pei. Lord Ce, as you did the most to conquer it, why don't you accept the prefectureship of Yangzhou?"
"I thank you for your offer, Lord Shu," Ce responded, bowing, "but I do not think it is my place to govern such a place."
Shu looked up to regard Ce, eyes full of wonder. Wonder which he quickly hid. Here was a man, a capable man, who had little ambition beyond where he was now. He would make a fine general.
"I see...Xuzhou shall be governed by Lord Zhang Hong. And Yangzhou by Lord Zhang Zhao. I have spoken with them, and they would like to do so. Yu Fan, Wang Lang, and Zhou Xin shall serve under Zhang Zhao. Zhang Hong shall have Han Dang, Cheng Pu, and Huang Gai under him. I'll keep Zhou Tai, Ji Ling, Lu Su, Zhu Zhi, and Gan Ning under myself. Lord Sun Ce, you will be my chief general, and, of the remaining officers, you may choose whomever you wish to accompany you. Thank you for everything, Lord Ce and Lord Jing. I look forward to another campaign!"