Rise of an Emperor - Chapter 2
"Lu Bu, I have decided to leave you in charge of Xia Pi," Liu Bei said.
"Thank you."
"You're in charge until winter. Then I must ask you to hand over to Zhang Fei."
"OK." Then Lu Bu left to find Diao Chan.
She was in her room (as usual).
"Diao Chan, I have the most wonderful news!"
"What is it my Lord?" she asked.
"We have Xia Pi all to ourselves!" Lu Bu hugged her.
"That's great!"
"We shall gather our possessions immediately, then we can leave at noon." Then Lu Bu left.
"Wow." Lu Bu stared in awe at the grand castle before him. "That is a very nice castle."
"Come on, my lord, let's go inside!" Diao Chan gently pulled Lu Bu's arm.
Lu Bu pushed the big doors open. Inside the walls were a lovely red and the occasional gold character had been painted. The castle may have been big, but Lu Bu found it quite easy to navigate. It was almost as if he had lived here before. Liu Bei had also been kind enough to ensure that maids were ready for their arrival.
"How do you like your new home?" Lu Bu asked.
"I like it very much. I am so glad that it can finally just be you and I," she said. Then Lu Bu stole a kiss.
By winter, Lu Bu and Diao Chan had become extremely comfortable in Xia Pi.
"My Lord, Zhang Fei is demanding that you hand over this castle," a maid informed him.
"Lock all of the entrances," Lu Bu ordered.
"Yes, my lord." The maid ran off. Then Lu Bu went to sort out Zhang Fei. He stood on top of the castle, looking down at Zhang Fei.
"Zhang Fei, this is my castle. Take your men and go home."
"No!" Zhang Fei yelled. "Liu Bei said that from this winter I was to be in control of Xia Pi. Hand it over."
"You will have to kill me if you want it."
"Fine! Liu Bei shall hear about this. I will be back!" Then Zhang Fei turned and marched back.
"PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!!" Lu Bu's voice rang out.
He was readying his army for Liu Bei. A spy had returned, spreading the news of the upcoming battle. Liu Bei was less than a day away.
The troops put on their armour and grabbed their weapons – swords, spears, bows and arrows.
"Lu Bu!" Liu Bei yelled. "Hand over Xia Pi!"
"No!"
"Give up and go home, Fengxian," Liu Bei said.
"This is my home. Stop trying to take it away from me!" Lu Bu said.
"I said until winter, now it is no longer your home. Please, Lu Bu, let's not fight."
"Then go home," Lu Bu said.
"No, I want what's rightfully mine," Liu Bei said.
"Then you'll have to battle for it." Lu Bu took hold of his halberd.
"Fine, then…"
The two men then left to give orders to their armies.
"Lord Lu Bu, I bring news – Cao Cao's army is heading this way," a scout informed him.
"Hmm…perhaps they have formed an alliance… Never mind. Kill all in your way!!!" Lu Bu cried.
A wave of warriors ran forth towards Liu Bei's army.
"CHARGE!" Liu Bei yelled.
The armies clashed and fought. Soon it was a sea of white and green. Swords going everywhere.
"My Lord."
"Diao Chan, I told you to stay inside!" Lu Bu said.
"Please, be careful…" she said.
"I shall, thank you. Now, please stay inside," Lu Bu said. "You will see me again, I promise."
She smiled and hurried back inside. But would he be able to keep his promise, she wondered.
"Go! Join the battle! Take down Lu Bu's men!" Cao Cao ordered. He had only brought 1000 or so men, but why waste more on helping Liu Bei? He needed his other troops for his own battles.
"Ha!" Lu Bu laughed. "Liu Bei needs Cao Cao's help. Well, it's no use! I'm gonna squash them all like bugs!"
The battle was a long and gruelling one. Spears clashing, swords going everywhere, men fighting to their deaths. Bodies, covered in blood, lying motionless.
But who was the victor?
Cao Cao had already left after losing a number of troops and Liu Bei…he gave up with the siege. He'd been so close to defeat, it was just common sense that he withdraw.
So, Lu Bu had won the right to keep Xia Pi.
"Well done, my lord!" Diao Chan greeted the man who was covered in blood. She threw her arms around him despite the fact of his appearance.
So he had been able to keep his promise, now she never wanted to let go of him.
A/N: I hope that you liked this chp, please review because I like to know what you think, even if you think just 'ok' or 'bad'.