Yue Ying is a cautious woman, almost always aware of her surroundings. Anytime she went anywhere, she kept her staff with her, just in case. Right now, it was on her back. She had her eyes glued to the ground, hand on her chin, lost in thought. She’d been trying to think of new improvements for the Juggernauts. While they may work well at the moment, adding new things to shock your enemy is never a bad idea…to the inventor, at least.
She was, however, surprised when she finally snapped out of her thoughts by a group of Wei soldiers surrounding her. Out of instinct, she reached for her weapon but stopped herself before she grabbed it. If the soldiers really meant her harm, she’d be dead by now. Instead of taking her weapon, she negotiated with the soldiers, requesting an audience with their lord. Yue Ying knew that she could be an asset to Cao Cao’s forces, if he were taking volunteers. And, while she may be sided against Wei eventually, she wouldn’t pass an opportunity to test her skills. Besides, the enemy of my enemy is my friend…especially if they don’t kill you.
Having reached the Wei encampment, she found herself intruding on a conversation between lords and their strategist. She waited by the gate so as not to intrude. Lord Cao Cao and a band of horsemen rode off like a gunshot, leaving the camp quiet. Yue Ying approached the young prince slowly, “Lord Cao Pi?” her voice was quiet, a little nervous seeing as she was technically in an enemy camp, but she strengthened her resolve, “I was found by a group of your soldiers and offered my aid, if you’ll have me.”
Xiahou Dun was in the stables, he fed his black horse, that he called him : “Death King”. He caressed it soft cloak and it mane.
He was worried for his cousin. He has saw him so frustrated, his eyes was so full of wrath, because the battle of Guan Du had been so bloody, violent and long that his lord had been lost too many men. The battle didin’t want to find an end.
Cao Cao had to consider himself very luck for finding an escape route.
Xiahou Dun came out from the stables and saw his young lord, Cao Pi. He was chattering with a young lady, with red hair. He got near them and said. “My lord, I would like to follow you in the battle. Please, allow me to do it”.
Xiahou Dun thought that someone had to protect the son of his leader!
[OCC: sorry if I don’t reblogged the post, but my pc is acting up ç_ç]
After he had escorted Cao Cao for his long transfert to Yuanjin, Zhang Liao saw with a little sigh of relief his personal tent. The travel was so hard, and he had to remain always awake to protect his Lord. He flopped down on his pallet, and started to sleep after a few minutes.
He slept for not many hours: he had to assist at Cao Cao’s tent. Liao was so tired that he slept with all his armour, with the only advantage to be ready for his Lord.
While he was walking in the camp, he saw Xiahou Dun talking to Cao Pi. He stroked his moustache and approached them: “What’s happening there? Aren’t you called up by the Prime Minister?”
“Sure” answered Dun, “but our Young Lord, Cao Pi, has an idea to terminate this battle once for for all. And, thinking well, you too could be important in this plan”.
“Me?” I asked. “In what way?”
“Let’s return to the Prime Minister’s tent. I think that there all would be more clear…”.
Intrigued, I follow the Young Lord and the One-Eyed general.
Battle of Guandu: Withdrawl at Yanjin
The recent news of a battle taking place had been brought to the attention of Zhuge Liang, who wondered just exactly he would do in this situation. The belligerents, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, were both powerful and forceful. The strategist would lend his tactics to the man who would have need of them the most. Cao Cao had more than enough help at his disposal. By aiming to align himself with Yuan Shao and his fighters, perhaps the Sleeping Dragon could even the numbers a little bit.
The man had traveled from his home on horse to the province in which fighting had broken out, hoping to examine the tactics and strategies of both commanders. There had been a few skirmishes and battles along the road Zhuge Liang had been traveling, according to rumor. Indeed, a few stray arrows littered the barren land, and residual bits of broken armor lined more areas. This area, certainly, had seen a bit of conflict recently.
Which direction would a winning set of warriors depart to? And how far would the defeated flee in order to maintain a safe distance away from a surprise attack? Questions like these began to race through the strategist’s mind, still traveling along the path to his destination. The idea was to make it to the nearest city, talk to a few of the citizens about the warfare, where they stood, who they supported and why, and make a decision on that. Instead, however, the man changed his direction, setting the horse off at a brisk pace. There had been word that two other military officers were on their way to his destination, as well. Perhaps the strategist could join those two, and assist with their campaign.
This will be a rather... interesting event, indeed.
Just as he was taking off! Did this vile wench want to make a mockery of him? Tugging at the reins to prevent his horse from trampling the woman in green—the hell was she? She stuck out like a sore thumb within the Wei forces clad in indigo garbs. What did she want and why was she here? The young lord successfully steadied his horse’s haste as the snowy stallion snorted and tapped its hooves against the ground impatiently. Did she not realize who he was? Cao Pi stared down at the woman over the horse’s head and flowing mane, jaw wired tight in irritation. She was getting in the way of his objective.
Hmph. Impudent woman. What use would she be?
“And just who are you?” He nearly spat as his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Surely his father only requested the assistance of men from the south-east whom the Prince of Wei identified to be dressed in plates of crimson… But this… Woman? The battlefield was no place for a woman to roam let alone provide military support. With his posture straight, he waited for an answer from the fiery-haired, tempered woman, though an unexpected commanding voice intervened.
“You are not to take Yanjun alone, my son.” Cao Cao called abruptly, although he made no physical movement to approach him or the delivered woman. A captive, one could almost dub her, however her co-operation was most convenient, and he would take use of it. It was one thing to defeat Yuan Shao’s forces, but another to crush him completely.
“A reliable, intelligent woman you must be,” he Cao Cao nodded, dark eyes pinned on the form of the woman dressed in layers of emerald clothing, “however, as wife of the Sleeping Dragon, I would expect no less.” Sleeping Dragon… So this was Kongming’s wife? Cao Pi’s eyes shifted back to Yueying for a mere moment, giving her a once over in attempt to catch any irregular signs that would assume her disloyalty.
“As you can see, my son is rather reckless. I trust that you will be able to escort him swiftly and safely to complete his objective.” And if not? As in, if she proved to be traitorous? She could always be cut down by none other than Guan Yu himself. Surely Yueying wouldn’t overstay her welcome, nor would she prove to be a disrespectful guest at any point in time, Cao Cao was sure. In response to this, however, Cao Pi’s brow arched in mild irritation, though an awkward grin lifted the corners of his lips. Fine, so perhaps she was worth something… She was capable, but he most definitely did not want her getting in his way.
“Hurry up, will you?” He hissed irritably, “you’re wasting my time.” And speaking of wasting time… A flurry of other voices called out to him. His uncle, Xiahou Dun, and a very capable soldier under his father’s wing, Zhang Liao. Talented, yes, but not necessarily assisting in the fight at the moment. If anyone wanted to join at his side, then fine; mount a horse and follow him into battle, but don’t stand around and talk about it.
“Fine with me.” He spat. With a wrinkled nose in irritation, Cao Pi sighed audibly and tugged at the reins to his white stallion whilst digging his heels towards its stomach again. Kicking off, he deserted the main camp and galloped off towards the destination his father set for him. Withdraw the forces? Fine. That was simple. If Yueying, Xiahou Dun or Zhang Liao decided to stay behind, then so be it. Cao Pi was not going to wait around for the battle to come to them. Instead, he’d go to it.