Three Kingdoms: Chapter 11

No Final 16 for Korea = *tear* Lame coordinators at work = *fist shaken* To a dumb referee = *pink slip*

If you read and review, I'll give you a cookie. I wrote a chapter everyday this week. Quite an improvement from my past procrastination. I think you should give me a cookie. *drools*



Chapter 11



All the lieges had been summoned. On the high chair, Zhouzhou's viceroy sat, quite restless. The war with the Huans had been raging on all over the country. Though it had previously been safer from immediate threats, Zhouzhou was not an exception. Random appearances and plundering increased in frequency in rural villages and towns. In response, Zhouzhou closed its castle door in case of a sudden attack. That was only yesterday. Only Heaven knew when they would come, surging against the castle itself. It was only a matter of time.

The eunuch walked up to the viceroy and whispered something. He nodded and said, “Well understood. Bring them in.”

“Yes, sir,” the eunuch said, hurriedly taking off. Light-footed, he soon reached the courtyard where the guests were waiting. He bowed politely. “His Honor will see you gladly. This way, please,” he said. Liu Bei bowed in return and stepped forward. But the eunuch presently stopped him.

“Leave your weapons here, please,” he bowed again politely.

“Then, I leave this with you,” Liu Bei said, handing over the royal sword.

“Here, sirs,” Zhang Fei said, lightly handing over the Octane Serpent Spear to a group of soldiers. Three of them grabbed it instinctively, but they all fell under its weight.

“Oops.”

“Ouch!”

Guan Yu handed over his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, as well as his sword. A soldier struggled as he managed to move two or three steps with the sword.

“This sword also must be at least twice as big as the normal ones,” he muttered as the eunuch happily led the guests in. “This way, please,” he directed.

Meanwhile, three soldiers had narrowly escaped being crushed under Zhang Fei's spear. Even so, the problem persisted, for they could hardly move it a foot.

“How can he carry such a heavy thing as if it's a wooden block?” one of the soldiers complained. The others were too occupied to answer. Finally, getting help from other soldiers, they succeeded in marching to the storage room. Their leader looked towards the viceroy's room and said to himself, “Thank goodness men like them are not our enemies.”

* * *

Three brothers walked in confidently, displaying the same poise that they overawed the townspeople with. Though they were before the very viceroy himself, there wasn't the slightest hint of flattery or unnecessary formality in their presence.

“Look at that young man's dignified figure!” one of the lieges whispered to another, pointing to Liu Bei.

“Yes, really,” the other liege agreed. Three men presently bowed politely to the viceroy.

“Liu Bei at your service,” Liu Bei greeted the viceroy. The other two brothers introduced themselves in the same manner.

“Welcome. Zhouzhou's viceroy, Liu Yan I am,” the viceroy welcomed them and asked, “Young masters gathered together a volunteer army, I hear?”

“Yes, Your Honor. After reading the notice on the street, we assembled a group of law-abiding citizens in the vicinity and formed a volunteer army,” Liu Bei said and added, “The land is in a tangle due to the Huans' wicked vices. We didn't want to stay idle forever in such a time, so we came forth to be a small aid to this country.”

“Mmm,” Liu Yan murmured, clearly touched. “Well said, my friend. If more young men like this army came, the Huans will not be able to linger any longer in this land,” he remarked and added, “Liu Bei, you are most welcome. Pray do fight hard for this land.”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Your Honor, before that, we ask for your favor,” Guan Yu said.

“What is it?”

“Please pardon this Zhang Fei for his misconduct against your soldiers,” Guan Yu asked politely. Viceroy Liu Yan, however, seemed to be stunned by the fact that the rumored giant was standing right before his eyes. Presently, he got up unconsciously and walked up to Zhang Fei.

“Are you the one who killed the soldiers with your bare hands?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“Also, are you the one who abided with the Hongs, given the name of ‘General Eight Hundred Eight’?”

“Yes, sir,” Zhang Fei said, thinking Guan Yu's efforts were futile.

“I see. The fault lies within thinking that you were a Huan. If you promise to work for the country, I will not ask you of your sins,” Liu Yan said generously.

“I am most grateful,” Zhang Fei bowed. Turning to his adherents, Liu Yan said, “Come, all of you. What are you waiting for? Make ready for a welcome feast.” Smiling for the first time in a long time, he added, “We can't sit still when such great men willingly come to loyally serve their country.”

Thusly, Zhang Fei's charges were pardoned, and Liu Bei's voluntary army daily received the viceroy's hearty hospitality, waiting eagerly for the battle's day.

* * *

Zhouzhou's scouts were riding through a heavy shower. Their armors were wet to the acton, and the slippery saddles almost threw them off in occasional currents, but they could not rest. Finally, they arrived at the castle, riding in through the doors with the wind's speed. The leader dismounted, dashing to the viceroy's hall. “It's an emergency!” he cried, running through the doorway.

“What's the matter?” Liu Yan asked concernedly.

“The Huans are encamping in the Mountain Da Xing,” he reported. Mountain Da Xing was within a half league from the castle.

“What!” Liu Yan exclaimed in disbelief. A stunned silence enveloped everyone in the room.

“So, how many are they?” Liu Yan asked impatiently.

“It seemed about fifty thousand,” the scout remarked.

“I swear, these Huans... to the very last one...” Liu Yan did not finish his sentence and turned to a general.

“General Qui Zheng!”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Take your soldiers and go destroy the Huans instantly,” Liu Yan ordered.

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Brother, a hearty reception is easy to cool down quick,” Guan Yu whispered to Liu Bei. “Before it be so, it would be good for us to assist in the fighting.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Liu Bei agreed and hailed the viceroy. “Your Honor!”

“Oh, Liu Bei. What's the matter?”

“We would like to participate in that expedition as well,” Liu Bei bowed.

“You would like to go as well?” Liu Yan inquired gladly and added, “All right. Earn your honor in the forefront.”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Hu-hu-hu. Now I get to exhibit some show. My skills have become rather dull from sitting,” Zhang Fei grinned.

* * *

Zhouzhou's army took off towards the Mountain Da Xing. Taking the lead was not Liu Yan's regular army, but Liu Bei's volunteer army of mere five hundred, clad in farmers' clothes with swords and spears. Liu Bei was just setting out upon his first campaign as well. The center followed half a league behind, consisting of General Qui Zheng's five thousand men.

A Huan scout was also riding in a hurry towards their main camp in Mount Da Xing. Hurriedly dismounting, he shouted, “Boss!”

“What is it?” Yuan Di asked, walking out of his tent.

“We just caught a sight of Zhouzhou's army,” the scout reported breathlessly.

“Is that so!” Yuan Di exclaimed mockingly, though he had not expected them to react so speedily. Rubbing his mustache arrogantly, he turned to his general Deng Mo, Second in Command to Chief. “Deng Mo, let us show our skills as much as we like!” Deng Mo grinned knowingly. Both of them went up to the watchtower to observe. A slight sandstorm stirred in distance, screening Zhouzhou's army from their view.

“Ahh, is that them?” Yuan Di asked casually. The sandstorm cleared, bringing Liu Bei's van into the mountain's view.

“...?”

“...!”

“T, that's Zhouzhou's forefront?” a Huan soldier questioned, trying to suppress a laugh.

“Hahahahaha!”

“Bless my belly button!”

“Hehehehehe!”

“A beggar squad, every hand of them!”

“Hey, is that really Zhouzhou's van?” Yuan Di asked the scout, disbelieving his eyes as well.

“Yes, sir,” the scout assured.

Zhouzhou's van presently came to a halt. Liu Bei stood thoughtfully, his white horse glaring towards the Mount Da Xing. The Huan camps, connected side by side on the mountainous hills, formed a great wall along them. A wind stirred slightly in the golden mane, and Liu Bei's eyes shone clearer.

“Brother, how are you going to attack?” Zhang Fei asked.

“I am thinking, since General Qui Zheng will be watching us as well,” Liu Bei replied, gazing towards the Huan camp. “This fight should not last long. If it delays, they will try to contact Huans in other areas and block our withdrawal route to annihilate us.” Turning to Guan Yu, he said, “This fight must conclude before they contact others.”

“I agree with you,” Guan Yu said and added, “This fight is advantageous for them if we arrange some useless disposition to make it last longer. We must crush them before an outside aid arrives.”

“All right, it's been decided,” Liu Bei said and drew in the reins, commanding, “All charge!”

The volunteer army rushed towards the enemy trenches. The battle cries were almost deafening. The rain of rage seemed to rise up from the ground after a long drought of suppression. The farmers charged forward, straw hats and spears strangely suiting.

“Oh my, they're rushing in right away,” Yuan Di sneered. Descending the guidepost, he said, “What is this business, farmers picking up swords and spears instead of tending their cows?”

“All right, let us take the field as well,” he said, mounting his horse. “Come, follow me!” he commanded. The Huans rushed out of their camp like an enthusiastic ebb tide, for their captains Yuan Di and Deng Mo were great wielders of sword. Little did they know of Liu Bei's shabby army. Yuan Di rode in the lead.

“Hu-hu-hu! Brother Guan Yu, he's ratting out of the camp!” Zhang Fei chuckled.

“They underestimate us; seeing that we're not a regular army,” Guan Yu said.

“Then, I will show him what this Zhang Fei is made of!” Zhang Fei said as he fearlessly rode out to meet the Huans.

“Hey, where is your captain? Did he leave early because he was scared to fight?” Zhang Fei shouted. At such an underrating remark, Yuan Di and Deng Mo halted before him, quite irritated. Yuan Di gave a slight grin.

“Rather harsh with your words, aren't you? I am the head of the Huan army, Yuan Di. I can play with you,” he said, unsheathing his sword.

“I am the second in command, Deng Mo,” Deng Mo said, doing the same.

“Zhang Fei, I will get the second,” Guan Yu said.

“All right,” Zhang Fei nodded and rode out to meet Yuan Di. “Come, you Huan scum!” he challenged.

“Yes, let me see your skills!” Yuan Di answered, no less confident than Zhang Fei. Two horses' hooves drew near, but Zhang Fei was faster than the steeds. Within a blink of an eye, his Octane Serpent Spear flashed. Yuan Di did not even have time to scream, for he presently got cleaved into half, consequently losing the grip on his hilt. On the other side, Deng Mo's dying shriek sounded, being beheaded by Guan Yu's great sword. His horse was left riderless.

“Hah!” a Huan screamed in terror.

“They both lost their necks in no time,” another muttered in disbelief.

“Let's run. It's best to keep away from people like that.” The Huan army stirred in panic and ran. But Zhang Fei was faster.

“What is this! The fight hasn't even begun yet!” he screamed. “Having done everything as you liked until now, there should be no regrets.” He swung his arm, the octane spear flashing all around him. Bodiless heads flew everywhere, creating a chaos. Blood splashed in all corners, forming a river of death. Same situation incurred in very direction that Guan Yu had ridden to. Without chances to scream once, the Huans fell under his horse powerlessly. His sword sung strangely in the air.

“General Qui Zheng, did you see?” a soldier asked. The center with Zhouzhou's five thousand infantrymen had arrived.

“They are great men,” General Qui Zheng replied thoughtfully and added, “The Huans are completely puzzled by those two. We must sweep them away at such time.” Raising his sword, he commanded, “All onrush!”

Liu Yuan's troops came forth, their battle cries confirming the victory and deafening the Huans' ears with despair.

“Ahh!”

“We're done for!”

The Huans shrieked hopelessly. Presently Zhouzhou's well-trained firing squad blocked their retreat path. They fired without hesitation and the arrows whistled in air excitedly. The Huans fell, breathing their last gasp. Successfully discouraging the rest, the troops penetrated through the Huan bunch, slaying every last one of them. Having lost their captains, the Huans had long lost their will to fight. The battle score settled within a blink of an eye.

Around ten thousand Huans were killed, scores of thousands surrendered. The rest had difficultly, difficultly ran away, most of them fatally injured. Mount Da Xing's Huan camps burned away helplessly, a bead string of triumphant beacons in the dusk. For Liu Bei, it was a finale to his meaningful maiden battle.