Three Kingdoms: Chapter 13

Warm, toasty, and right out of the oven.

I've been sitting here just way too long. If you don't review, well... I'll send you to Zhang Fei.


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Chapter 13



Serious councils ensued day after day at the Huan punitive force headquarters. Nu Zhi stood at the head of the table, the map of Guang Zhong and its surrounding areas spread out before him. A determined look was in his eyes, but his generals seemed disinterested. Nevertheless, he continued.

“It is best to defend this base like the present time,” Nu Zhi said. Pointing to a rocky, narrow passage beyond Guang Zhong, he added, “If we do not reinforce the numbers here, it will be quite alarming. All government troops would be annihilated if this were to be taken.”

While he was explaining away zealously, a guard walked in.

“General, a young soldier named Liu Bei requests to see you,” he said.

“Tell him that I am busy with the council at the moment,” Nu Zhi ordered firmly, his eyes still fixed on the map.

“He is a valiant leader of five hundred men,” the guard insisted and added, “He also brought two others called Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.”

“...?” Nu Zhi paused momentarily. Turning his glance to the guard, he asked, “Then, is he dispatched from another area?” Not heeding the guard's lack of response, he crossed his arms thoughtfully and added, “Liu Bei... I haven't heard of such a name.”

“He says he learned the art of war and literature from Your Honor back in the days of Mulberry,” the guard remarked.

“I taught him when I lingered in Mulberry...” Nu Zhi's brows drew in together, trying to pick up his thin, fuzzy strands of ancient recollections. “Then, could it be Liu Bei who sold straw mats around in the village...?” he asked himself and added, “It's been ten years since I left Mulberry – he must have grown up to become a gallant young man!”

With that remark, he turned to the guard, who was eagerly waiting by. “Understood. Bring him in,” he ordered.

“Yes, sir.” The guard trod off happily in the new hope that the strangers had brought. In the few moments of beholding them, something in their countenance had breathed strange courage and reassurance into him. He led them in.

“I have reported the general, sirs. Come on in; this way.”

While Nu Zhi was eagerly waiting, three figures soon showed up at the doorstep. Liu Bei walked in front, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei followed. It was as if the room beheld sudden, terrible honors. Nu Zhi's face lit up.

“Ahh, Liu Bei, so it really is you!”

“Teacher, have you been well all this time?” Liu Bei paid the greeting. Bowing, he added, “I was happy to hear of your honors from Luoyang.”

“What a noble man you have become!” Nu Zhi did not seem to mind formalities. Patting Liu Bei's shoulders, he added, “So, there must be a purpose for which you came.”

“Yes, sir. I could not just idly sit by and watch the chaotic world,” Liu Bei said. Turning to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he added, “So we three formed a volunteer army. While we were on the road, the number added on to become a five hundred. I wanted to add to your strength, however feeble it may be.”

Nu Zhi smiled as his tired eyes glistened with tears. He firmly grabbed Liu Bei's shoulders and said, “Liu Bei, you are most welcome here.” He closed his eyes as if reminiscing and added, “In such a time, where the country is being swallowed into deeper despair and the people's hearts are drying cold, how noble of you to come, remembering past friends!” He opened his eyes to meet another honest pair of his kind. “Also, I am most glad that I helped raise such a fine young man.” Turning to the two brothers, Nu Zhi welcomed them and said, “Liu Bei, I will gladly accept your offer. The government army have the same hearts that love this land. Let us punish these Huans together.”

“Yes, sir.” The three brothers bowed in unison.

* * *

In such turn of events, Liu Bei's volunteers started fighting together with the government troops, against the strongest army of the Huan league. Unfortunately, the Huans' well-trained regular army was very fierce, being thrice the size of government troops – one-fifty thousand. They fought on and on for two months, but a glimpse of hope seemed distant still.

It was a full moon night. The government soldiers were having quite an amusement under the moonlit beauty, which showered all campgrounds in nostalgia and filled men's hearts with loneliness.

“Come, let us dance!” A fat soldier cried, half-drunk. His comrades sat around as he walked into the middle of the circle, dancing beside the fire. Empty water buckets were handed around to provide rhythms. The merry laughters were ringing throughout the arena, reaching all tents. The tents of volunteer soldiers were no exceptions. Soon several soldiers walked out, rubbing their sleepy eyes. They looked over to the other side of the wooden fence. Familiar tunes rang in their estranged hearts and filled their eyes with the blues. Someone gave out a sharp call to their turned backs. It was none other than Zhang Fei, ever on alert in case of a sudden night attack.

“Hey, all of you, what are you looking at?” he asked, a tone of annoyance in his voice.

“Everyone is enjoying themselves...” one of the former farmers replied, his voice barely audible.

“It's all useless trash; go rest for tomorrow's fight,” Zhang Fei ordered and watched as the bunch broke off to have a short night's sleep before the dawn's battle. He turned around to see Nu Zhi's soldiers partying about. Intoxicated claps and ‘Hoy, hoy’s merrily trotted about the camp fires, their carefree shadows dancing in the dark.

“Psh, can't fight worth crap but they sure can play around like little dumb monkeys,” Zhang Fei grunted. He hardened his face to face the dark and dashed towards Liu Bei's tent. “I can't stand this anymore,” he muttered as the cool night air whistled past his whiskers.

“Brother Liu Bei, are you inside?” he inquired.

“Come on in, Zhang Fei,” Liu Bei's voice answered through the drapes.

“Oh?”

Swishing the drape aside, Zhang Fei found Liu Bei and Guan Yu standing by Liu Bei's desk. An all-knowing smile was on their faces.

“You were here too, Brother Guan Yu?” Zhang Fei asked quizzically.

“Yep,” Guan Yu answered casually and chuckled. “Hah!”

“What?” Zhang Fei asked, his eyes wandering about in confusion.

“A displeased face that ran down here with all its might!” Guan Yu remarked mischievously, shoving his face in Zhang Fei's to examine.

“Yes, you're right,” Zhang Fei crossed his arms in a childlike manner and turned to Liu Bei. “Brother Liu Bei, it's already been two months since we've come. How long do you plan to continue such a fight?” he asked irritably, holding up two fingers as if Liu Bei himself lacked knowledge of the passing day and hour, sitting idly under a tree as carefree as a Buddha.

“What's the matter, Zhang Fei? Do you not want to fight anymore?” Guan Yu asked, serious airs returning to his brow.

“No, that's not it! I just want to fight meaningfully!” Zhang Fei cried, clenching up an impetuous fist. He raised up his hands in the air, motioning towards outside.

“Go out! Look for yourself! Look what those government monkeys are doing! They'd rather bum around than fight. If this continues, our soldiers who gathered to save this land, will be catching the lame influenza as well,” Zhang Fei said, his face fiery red. He was breathing fury.

“I quite agree with you. That's why I am consulting Guan Yu right now,” Liu Bei said calmly. Closing his eyes, he added, “But since I promised General Nu Zhi that I would be of an aid, I can't quite wash my hands of this now.” He looked at Zhang Fei. “After all, we must help him in some way. We can't just leave carefree.”

Zhang Fei frowned. He understood the logic and Liu Bei too well, yet the frustration still built on. “If that's what you say as an elder brother, I should obey, but...” He clenched his two fists and walked deliberately about. The party scenes were still buzzing about his head like wild bees. “But those scoundrels are always just sitting around, binging on drinks like mad dogs...”

Guan Yu tapped him on the shoulder. He said, “Zhang Fei, why don't you have a drink too and freshen up a bit?” In his hand was a good-sized magnum.

“When did you get a drink ready?” Zhang Fei said, smacking his lips with a grin. He received the magnum and added with a childish voice, “But I am different from those monkeys. I'm drinking because I feel like crap.”

“Yes, yes,” Guan Yu nodded with a fatherly smile.

“Heh heh heh, then...” Zhang Fei grinned and pulled the liquor down in a few gulps. “Hmm, exquisite,” he said.

As Zhang Fei wiped his mouth, there came a call from outside.

“Are you in?”

“...?”

Pushing drapes aside, it was none other than General Nu Zhi. Gently smiling, he greeted the three brothers with his usual sincere and reserved manner. Zhang Fei quickly hid his hands behind him.

“Glad to see all three of you are together,” Nu Zhi smiled and continued, “I come with a request and a hope for your good favor.”

“What is it?” Liu Bei asked.

“I am sure you are well aware; but this area has a lot of steep slopes, offering them a tremendously advantageous defense. If we strike them without taking this into consideration, we only victimize ourselves.

“We must bear in our minds that this battle will be prolonged; then something that would be helpful is...” Nu Zhi paused and took out his map that was yellowed with age. He gazed across thoughtfully, pointing to a rather unfrequented area, but now dotted in ravenous black, denoting the daunting enemy camps around it.

“Their chief Zhang Jiao's younger brothers, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang are presently raving about in Yingchuan. Of course, General Huangfu Song and General Zhu Jun are commanding the imperial army there, but they haven't fought to the finish line yet,” Nu Zhi removed his eyes from the map and looked up to Liu Bei's eyes, aged eyes gleaming with a sincere determination. “My friends, would you be willing to fight in Yingchuan?” He did not notice Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's eyes shining with the same hope, as if a sleeping tiger had been roused by the smell of its prey.

“If you mopped off the Huans of Yingchuan, the Huans here would also flee in fear of us intercepting their withdrawal routes. What do you think?”

“Well understood, sir. We will start immediately,” Liu Bei said effortlessly.

“I will awake our men,” Zhang Fei had already rolled up a drape. Impatiently, he rushed out of the tent. An earth-shaking command followed, boisterous enough for all to hear.

“All members, presently rouse and bitt!”

The sleep-bitten soldiers summoned quickly, wondering what wonderful night raid welcomed them. Instead, Zhang Fei simply said, “We presently march to Yingchuan. Hurry!”

The men disassembled and made ready, tiredly but speedily. Some weren't without complaints, but the order brought a new heat of elation. Imperial indulgences were forgotten and hopes to return home were renewed. Soon they grouped in an orderly formation, ready to march. Zhang Fei smiled, satisfied. The sun had not come up yet, but first hints of the morning were already glinting in the serpent's silver apex. Beside him was Liu Bei, wishing health and victory for his mentor. He soon mounted as well.

“We will be back, General,” he said.

“I will wait for the good tidings.”

“Move out!”

The beggar squad set out. Nu Zhi smiled at his little lad under the mulberry tree, ever so amiable but underneath the soft features a quiet strength. He envisioned a valiant warrior rising up with the sun, beating the dust off his sword. The dawn came and the kinglike figure on the white marched into the light.

Nu Zhi was proud.

* * *

Yingchuan.

There lay an ocean-like expanse of wilderness and concealing bands of lakes and swamps, winding in and out of the area.

Along with General Zhu Jun's quarters.

Holding off against the Zhang brothers, monotonous counting of casualties constituted Zhu Jun's daily duties. He was not a strategist. The war had done less damage to Luoyang's villages than his own body, he presumed. Sitting away idly and drinking to depression had contributed to his deteriorating health and mounting belly. Only if the number of deaths would not inflate as his body had done. He watched; and sighed. Day after day. Watched and sighed. Like a child having to count how many soybeans were in a gunnysack by the time sun rolled around in the court.

It is no surprise that Zhu Jun jumped three feet in the air at the news. Metaphorically, for he was too heavy for such a duty.

“Is that true! Guang Zhong's General Nu Zhi sent us reinforcements?” Zhu Jun inquired again, feeling his blood pressure rise, though for good this time. For once.

“Yes, sir,” the soldier gave a disenchanted encore.

Zhu Jun stepped out of his tent in anticipation, his sore muscles biting back at him. He ignored the pain and marched on triumphantly, only to be befuddled at the sight of semi-farmer, pseudo-soldier looks of Liu Bei's soldiers.

“Hmm?” Zhu Jun turned to his scout. “These are our reinforcements?” he asked and felt his expectations failing him. The heaven was cruel to him. Just cruel all through.

“Yes, sir,” his scout seemed bored. He did not bother the young one further and turned to Liu Bei.

“So, are you the leader of these... troops?” he questioned, poking at Liu Bei's chest. Not waiting to hear Liu Bei's answer, he turned to examine candid country faces, blatantly showcasing bitter doubts on his own.

“I am unsure as to what 'valor' you will display – nevertheless, do your best,” he ordered indifferently, emphasizing the word “valor” with all skepticism possible. Then he muttered under his breath for all to hear; “Then after the world has settled down you could farm up some honor in the sticks.”

“General Nu Zhi, too. What does he think I am? Sending me these bums,” he pouted some more and turned to the scout. “Hey, send them to the front lines with as little provisions as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well then; Fight well for the honors, all of you,” Zhu Jun gave one last chuckle at the leaders and walked away.

“... imperial dog!” Zhang Fei clenched up his fist, ready-made for a good blow. He had been sweating off the rage during what Zhu Jun called a “comradely analysis.” Liu Bei stopped him.

“No.”

“We did not come here to fight with the officials,” Guan Yu's firm arm stood between him and Zhu Jun.

Zhang Fei's temper resigned for the day.

Liu Bei's army was fully stationed in the forefront by dusk, directly facing the strongest detachment of the enemy.

* * *

“Brother Liu Bei, what is the object of your keenness there?” Zhang Fei shouted. Liu Bei turned away from his grassy shreds, finishing up his scrutinization under the moonlight.

“This grass would catch fire well.”

“...?”

“The Huans in this area are well-trained. Consequently, this moves them to play ebb and flow with the official army,” Liu Bei explained and added a grin. “Therefore, the best way to attack is through an ambush.”

“Then, what device would we use for an ambush?” Zhang Fei asked excitedly, rubbing his hands.

“Let each soldier hold ten torches; Stage a surprise raid when they are sleeping. The Huans wouldn't guess that it's a mere five hundred, but conclude that it is an all-out attack by the government forces – chaos follows.”

“Indeed! When did you acquire such tactics, brother?” Zhang Fei marveled, cackling triumphantly. “Hu hu hu, this will be fun.” He looked towards Zhu Jun's camp. “Imperial bastards, watch carefully. Your noses will be put out of joints soon.”

“Come, rouse and bitt, all!” Zhang Fei clapped. The soldiers arose, tired from the day's march and humiliation. What could be next? They walked out to behold an impelling operation under development.

“Everyone, tie up ten torches on your back,” Zhang Fei commanded and the order was soon carried out. They lined up in their usual drill formation.

“Hold your heads low so that the enemy does not see you; and march!” Liu Bei ordered. The soldiers crept towards the enemy camp, tall grassy plains concealing their shadows. Stealth breaths only deepened the tense thrill; their blood had already begun to ferment. They came upon the Huan camp at a quiet still.

“Brother, we can see the enemy camp now,” Zhang Fei stated the obvious.

“All right; Light the torches,” Liu Bei instructed. The bundles of wax and paper were lit, inducing intimidation on the physiognomies of unschooled naivety. They marched forward, urgent waves of impending danger across the grassland.

“Raise your gongs! All onrush!”

The merry gongs resounded throughout the night prairie at Liu Bei's command call, a victorious overture to the patriotic army and an unpleasant wake-up all to the Huans. Rubbing bloodshot eyes, they stepped out to see what was approaching from the fields.

“Look at that!”

“!”

The Huans beheld countless strings of torches accompanied with clashing gongs, a festival of lights across the plain.

“An ambush of the government forces; at least five thousand of them here,” a Huan said to himself, wishing it was a dream. His comrades were running in various directions to retrieve their spears.

“Throw the torches!” Liu Bei commanded, Zhang Fei grinning beside him. Zhang Fei threw the first torch, others followed. The Huan camp was being rained on with brilliancy across the night sky. The fire met the grassland that surrounded the encampment, gladly doing away with the suffocating dark and overlaying with red fumes. It happily trapped the Huans inside their own camp, creating an utter chaos.

“Ahh, we are going to roast alive!”

“Eek!”

Weapons were in their hands, but courage had already escaped them. Perhaps it was roaming the air hopelessly in various directions just like the army itself. In the meanwhile, Liu Bei's soldiers reached the camp.

“Come, attack!” Liu Bei commanded, holding aloft his princely twin swords. Silver edge gleamed against the shades of red and gold, restless for the battle. The roars of his army must have shaken the wilderness for miles. Zhang Fei and Guan Yu ran beside him in the lead, slicing in half and beheading all who came their way. The sky and earth burned in disorderly red, the creased ground and the night clouds contributing to an unseemly scene. The Huans fell away like rotten fig trees, spreading the word – panic. The conscious ones regained spirit... to run away.

“Behold, it's a great success! There isn't a single Huan who is willing to fight!” Liu Bei exclaimed joyously, his eyes twinkling with newly lit fires. His irises presently widened however, taking in the stranger and the army into view. They weren't Zhu Jun's forces.

The stranger was clad in a scarlet red coat of mail. His dark stallion seemed well-fed, its hazel mane glowing burgundy in fiery air. An elite general he seemed, with a great sword and a controlled grip on the bridle. The narrow eyes were dark and intelligent, penetrating into a person's heart. He wore a subtle but self-assured smile across the tight thin lips.

“And just who may you be? The imperial army? Or the Huans?” Zhang Fei called out breathlessly, already at Liu Bei's side. His panting did not lessen the magnitude with which the call was sent out. It might have thrown a pompous lord off his horse, but the stranger did not blink an eye.

“That would be my question. These are five thousand imperial riders from Luoyang that have come south,” he answered Zhang Fei's question, his tone no less commanding than his aura.

“The imperial riders?” Liu Bei heard himself say.

“We are partisans under the supervision of General Zhu Jun,” Guan Yu and Zhang Fei replied in unison.

“We have done you a discourtesy due to the tumult within these perimeters,” Liu Bei apologized and continued politely. “We are a volunteer army formed for the country's service and I am the leader. My name is Liu Bei, zi is Xuande.”

“Is that so, my name is Cao Cao, zi is Mengde. Under the imperial command, I am chartered to the title of the commanding officer of these five thousand riders,” Cao Cao presented himself solidly and grinned. “In any case, it was a praiseworthy fire stratagem. We could slay the fleeing Huans without much effort, thanks to you.”

The passionate blaze behind him suited Cao Cao. Flaring billows flushed a half of his complexion; tactical shadows masked the other half. A reserved hand anchored the bridle.

“We are battling for the materialization of peace in all lands;” Cao remarked and suggested, “How about we, together for the same cause, celebrate our victory here?”

“Surely. Then you deliver first, Master Cao Cao,” Liu Bei yielded.

“No, that cannot be. This night's victory is all owing to Master Liu Bei's design. Hence it is right that you deliver first,” Cao Cao disproved.

“Then let us deliver together,” Liu Bei said.

“That would be just as well.” Liu Bei and Cao Cao raised their swords to the skies.

“We are victorious!” Liu Bei exclaimed.

“Raise the triumphant shouts to the stars!” Cao Cao proclaimed alongside him. The conquering chants transcended above the fires, perhaps reaching the apex of true elysium beyond the ink stained clouds. Joy vanquished the heat and the hearts sang in unison, the army and the riders alike. Contagious exultations smeared across the blood-stained faces, perspiring profusely before the fire.

“What a gem it would be, if all people united such as this to fight for the peace in all lands,” Cao Cao said.

“Indeed, sir.” Liu Bei agreed sincerely.

“But if you will pardon us, we cannot cease to move according to the imperial orders,” Cao Cao bowed and turned to his riders.

“All in formation!”

Like well-trained dancers, the riders instantly formed in lines at one call.

“Move out!” Cao Cao ordered and turned to Liu Bei for a final farewell. “Master Liu Bei, a day will come when we will meet again. Until then, I wish you many fortunes of war.”

Liu Bei did not say anything, but bowed politely. In still silence, he watched the riders move out. Beside him, Zhang Fei gave a satisfactory grin.

“Hu hu hu, I thought all imperial children were blasted ears of wheat. Guess there are some solid ones too,” he said.

“Then, let us withdraw as well,” Liu Bei said to Guan Yu.

“Pull out!” Guan Yu commanded. The soldiers moved out in the dark, facing the coming signs of the dawn. The early morning was quiet save for the bustling of Liu Bei's men in the burnt grass, and some occasional clang of metals. Zhang Fei approached their camp, whistling casually. That's when he had noticed the grave look on Liu Bei's face. His pensive eyes were gazing into the distance, as if to calculate the exact parameters on which the sun would rise.

“Brother, you performed miraculously with a mere five hundred; why are you thinking so deeply?” Zhang Fei inquired, startling Liu Bei. His brother looked at him then turned to examine the horizon once more, stating dreamily: “That man Cao Cao wears on his young shoulders great scholarship and well-ripen arts of war. I forebode that he will become a figure of great influence on this country in the future.”

As Liu Bei returned in triumph, Cao Cao's face lingered in his mind, an impression wedged in firmly. A picture of the accomplished premonition formed in his mind as Cao Cao came to exercise a great influence over China's realm, co-existing with Liu Bei as his greatest rival.

A wind stirred and Liu Bei stared yonder. The sun had begun to rise.