Disclaimer: I don't own them, maybe if I worked with Koei…and time warped.
Author Notes: Sorry about the long delay, been unlocking things in Dynasty Warriors 5. I must say the masou mode needs some more longevity. I can't stick with 5 stages with Zhao Yun and other characters all the time. DW4 Masou mode is better. But, DW3 still king of difficulty. Oh well, lets get back to the next chapter. The battle of Bo Wang Po awaits.
Dynasty Warriors: Kingdom Under Fire- Crimson Tide
Chapter 2: Wild Ambition
Xin Ye Fort…
"Zhao Yun, join me! Fame and glory is an absolute certainly!" mysterious voice said.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Zhao Yun shouted.
A dark figure shows up in the cloudy mist with another figure walking next to him. Everything is dark around the mist. Could this be a dream or a nightmare?
"The dragon child of Chang Shan. Do you honestly think that your dreams show true to that meddling Liu Bei?" mysterious voice questioned.
"Whatever you are, Liu Bei's ambitions finds true to his leadership and I will be the one to prove that honor and virtue is the way of the Han," Zhao Yun said.
"Don't make me laugh. Besides you are certain about who I am. I think you know the other person next to me," mysterious voice said.
The other dark figure reveals the young woman dressed in full blue and green garment with a flute holding.
"Then prove your loyalty to Liu Bei by letting me go," Zhen Ji warned.
Zhao Yun wakes up gasping. That is some dream to him. What really shocks him is the words Zhen Ji warned him. Could Zhen Ji really leave him for good if he stays loyalty with Liu Bei. And that mysterious guy, who is he that demanded Yun to join his side?
"Lady Zhen…" Zhao Yun sighed. Is it true that Zhen Ji left him for another man? Hopefully when the time comes, things will turn out in full detail. Right now, Zhao Yun gets up for the morning training session that will prepare for the threat of Cao Cao's army.
The council hall…
"Our scouts report that Cao Cao's army are marching from Wan to Bo Wang with 75,000 troops at the command of Xiahou Dun with Cao Ren and Li Dian assisting him," Liao Hua said.
"So they want a fight. Brother, lets show them we can defend the border by those numbers!" Zhang Fei said.
"Patient Brother Fei, we must come up with a plan. Master Zhuge Liang, what do you think of the conditions to the enemy?" Liu Bei questioned.
"Due to Cao Cao's expedition in the north, his troops are beginning to show signs of fatigue. While Zhang Fei has higher morale than any of the generals, we must exercise extreme caution," Zhuge Liang said.
"You think Cao Cao is planning a joint force with Xiahou Dun's?" Guan Yu said.
"I hope not. But, Xin Ye and Wan are dangerously close so Cao Cao might leave some reinforcement troops. I do have a plan," Zhuge Liang said.
Zhuge Liang shows the map of Bo Wang Po.
"Over here at the forest side we will set a fire ambush. Liu Feng, this is your job," Zhuge Liang ordered.
"Yes sir," Liu Feng said.
"Next, while around the forest area, enemy will rush to aid with the ambush party. I leave another unit to intercept the enemy's ally during the fire attack. Guan Yu, tell your son he'll be the intercept ambush unit," Zhuge Liang ordered.
"Currently, lord strategist," Guan Yu said.
"And Guan Yu, you will try to attack another unit from in front of him when they're about to aide the other force," Zhuge Liang said as he turns around every other officer, there is one problem.
"This plan will need some adjustment to provoke the enemy of each unit and I already arranged one person who will do the luring…" Zhuge Liang said.
Everyone is looking at him to see who he chooses, but the young strategist leaves the council.
"Follow me," Zhuge Liang smiled.
Outside the training court…
"Had enough, Guan Ping?" Zhao Yun taunted.
"No, I will not give up to prove myself closes to father," Guan Ping said.
"You still need work on your power. That sword doesn't come close with the swords of old and you're holding it backwards and sloppy," Zhao Yun said.
"It's my style," Guan Ping said.
The two continue parrying each other's attacks when Zhuge Liang and company shows up to meet him. All the troops were watching the two young officers sparring.
"They've been sparring like this for hours, Brother Bei," Guan Yu said.
"Ah…" Liu Bei grinned.
"My Lord," Zhao Yun bowed.
"Zhao Yun, our strategist has an important job for you," Liu Bei said.
"Lord Zhao Yun, you are to lure each unit into our plot in the battle of Bo Wang," Zhuge Liang ordered.
"Hey, what about me? Did everyone gets a plan for our upcoming battle?" Guan Ping asked.
"Young Ping, you are going to lead a 2nd unit to intercept the enemy unit," Guan Yu said.
"I'm counting on you for this, Zhao Yun. You are the key to our victory," Zhuge Liang said.
"Hmm…very well, I will do my best," Zhao Yun said.
"The rest of you, be ready to charge at any reinforcement units that Cao Cao send from Wan," Zhuge Liang ordered.
Meanwhile at the trail between Xin Ye and Wan…
The three men on horse rode with 75,000 troops to Xin Ye are having a conversation about something.
"First we ally with Liu Bei and then we were ordered to eliminate Liu Bei. What's so special about Liu Bei to cousin Cao?" Cao Ren groaned.
"Cao Cao called him a hero from where I see it hideous," Li Dian said.
"Our Lord is the greatest hero of them all. And there can only be ONE hero to clear the path of chaos and bring order to this country. Do you two understand that?" Xiahou Dun said.
"You're right, but still. If Liu Bei is surely to become a powerful figure then we'll be the ones to defend our lord's right to rule this land," Li Dian said.
"Very well. We will destroy Liu Bei before that even happens," Xiahou Dun said.
"Finish this battle before our lordship arrives? I hope it isn't too chaotic…" Cao Ren sympathized.
"I also forgot to mention, Liu Bei being the legit heirloom to the imperial throne means nothing to me and Cao Cao. The world has enough Lius running mistakes around this country," Xiahou Dun said.
"I can't disagree with that," Li Dian said.
"Lets hurry up now. This battle is already over before it begins. They're a weak force with high morale officers we mustn't underismate," Xiahou Dun ordered.
They harness their cavalry faster to Xin Ye. The soldiers leave their doubts aside for the coming victory in the battle.
A couple of hours later…
Liu Bei's troops march to the battlefield to await the opposing force's arrival. Zhao Yun is on his white horse thinking about the disturbing dream he had last night. Could Zhen Ji be left with someone other than himself? Knowing her, they both are in different environments.
Zhuge Liang watches far from the defending base at Zhao Yun's post. Something bound to happen with the warrior who is closes to his age. Zhuge Liang walks toward Liu Bei to ask him about Zhao Yun.
"Is everyone at the ambush site?" Zhuge Liang told.
"Yes, Guan Yu seems to have alittle doubt hiding in the shadows for minutes to strike at coming infanties," Liu Bei said.
"Haha, it is indeed a hard task," Zhuge Liang said.
The two of them look at Zhao Yun.
"So is there something you want to ask me about him?" Liu Bei said.
"Yes, what's the story about him looking like this?" Zhuge Liang asked.
"Ah, ever since I saw him when he's at age 15 serving as Yuan Shao's scouts, he's been cool and brave with many studies on several plot solutions," Liu Bei said. Knowing Zhao Yun, he was one of the youngest warriors of that time. "Leaving Yuan Shao and serving Gongsun Zan; his former master shows true to its loyalty of the fallen dynasty. Losing Gongsun Zan is like losing the part of Zhao Yun's spirit. There is also this young lady he felt in love when he figure out Yuan Shao's sons plot."
"Sigh, those things remind me why this chaos continues to change ones life for another," Zhuge Liang said.
"Indeed, I was wrong about Cao Cao before till he became cruel with the emperor," Liu Bei said.
"It amaze me that Lord Cao Cao consider himself the Prime Minister when other region lords call him the evil extremist," Zhuge Liang said.
"Looking at his mean face is even more amaze. I can't tell what kind of person looks like that," Liu Bei said.
They continue laughing and telling silly things about Cao Cao when Zhao Yun overheard them and thinks about what is going to happen in this battle. Until then, a soldier runs to the two men to report some alarming news.
"My lord, Cao Cao's Forces are almost here," Scout reported.
"It's time…everyone be prepared and don't leave the enemy alarm," Zhuge Liang said as he turn to Zhao Yun's direction. Zhao Yun nodded and slowly went to confront the enemy by blocking it's way as decoy.
Later, Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, and Li Dian units are almost right in the enemy lines. Looking around the battlefield, the woods are very quiet. Troops are now alerted to detect any ambushes or traps.
"Hm, to be wandering in these quiet woods. This province either has some cowards or worthless twerps," Xiahou Dun groaned.
"This is the kind of place I can enjoy peace without another random battle after battle cousin send us," Cao Ren said.
"I don't like the looks of this place. We should bring the rest of Wan's garrisons here," Li Dian said.
"Right after Liu Bei and Guan Yu get their asses out of hiding. It really makes me sick to see them becoming popular with Xu Chang crowd besides our dear cousin," Xiahou Dun said.
Other troops are unsure of these woods. Who knows what the outcome will be once a battle is about to happen. The three generals stop their march and see a lone figure approaching them.
"Now who the hell is that?" Xiahou Dun said. He pointed out the direction of the person with his Kirin Blade.
Zhao Yun reaches his destination and now starts the first step of the plan of decoy. Provoke your nemesis.
"Lord Xiahou Dun, I, Zhao Yun, the dragon of Chang Shan will like to challenge you in a duel," Zhao Yun said proudly.
All of Cao Cao's officers look at themselves and laugh so hard. Some nobody is asking a challenge.
"You do know who you're talking to eh?" Xiahou Dun assumed.
"Look at him, Dun. Those blue armored digs. Isn't he once from Gongsun Zan?" Li Dian said.
"I don't care what army he was from, one soldier is an other victim to Xiahou Dun!" Xiahou Dun charged at the lone warrior accepts his challenge.
Zhao Yun clashes his spear with Xiahou Dun's scimitar. Cao Cao's forces watch the duel go in each turn. Most of the crowd cheers Xiahou Dun in winning this duel. Zhao Yun must do exactly as Zhuge Liang's plan accord. The thing Zhao Yun didn't want to is pretend to lose the duel and make his opponent of him like a coward.
"Ha, is that all you got tough guy?" Xiahou Dun said. He swings his blade harder at Zhao Yun making his defense stunned. Now it's time to lure this one eye merc at the ambush sites.
"What the…?" Zhao Yun retreats as Xiahou Dun decides to pursuit him. "What are you all waiting for? After that coward!"
Xiahou Dun's unit joins the pursuit as command. Cao Ren and Li Dian both have a bad feeling about this.
"Do you think Lord Xiahou Dun is provoke by that warrior?" Li Dian said.
"I don't know. What do you have in mind?" Cao Ren asked.
"If he retreats from the duel and Xiahou Dun's unit pursuit him through the woods…" Li Dian stops right there and looks at Cao Ren alarmed.
"Oh my gosh! All units hurry and assists Cousin Dun's unit!" Cao Ren commanded.
Near the ambush site…
"He's taking the bait. This Zhao Yun!" Zhuge Liang surprised. "Archers, ready?"
Liu Feng's unit prepares to hide at the woods. Xiahou Dun's unit is closing. They can hear Zhao Yun's horse mounting near.
"Keep running, because that'll be the last memories of your worthless life," Xiahou Dun mocked.
When Xiahou Dun's unit get into the site of the ambush, Liu Feng's unit begins to shoot fire arrows at them and the trees of fires surrounding.
"A…trap? That bastard lures me here! You won't get away, Zhao Yun!" Xiahou Dun scout so loud with hatred fill. He continues to chase Zhao Yun while Yun engage in another duel with him only this time the background of his men being slaughter by Liu Feng's men.
"Oh no! I knew it! General Dun, it's one of Liu Bei's ambushes," Li Dian said.
Zhao Yun stops and retreats to the opposite side of the woods. Hoping Li Dian's unit felt for it.
"Don't let him get away! His head is mine!" Xiahou Dun ordered.
"Cousin, forget about your damn pride and lets retreat before we lose more men!" Cao Ren said.
But, the mean one-eyed General ignores his sibling and acquire Li Dian's unit to follow his pursuit.
"My, General Dun is one to put his emotions with his vicious pride," Zhuge Liang said. He readies the 2nd ambush with Guan Ping's unit hiding near the trees. The woods are still covered with smokes from the fires of Liu Feng's troops.
"Don't panic on ambushes, intercept them!" Xiahou Dun said. However, shouts heard from within the woods that stopped every troops trail. Guan Ping's unit charge behind them with archers and spearmen attacking them in high morale.
"Lord Xiahou Dun, you fought my father and now I want to test myself against you," Guan Ping said.
"You're not even worth my time right now, kid. Enjoy those childish ambushes…" Xiahou Dun continues to chase after Zhao Yun.
Unlike what happened before, Li Dian's unit tries hard to put themselves together from confusions. It's a mix of infantry and archery, a deadly combination. Some retreated while others help block the enemy's pursuit with their lives.
Zhao Yun turns back to Xiahou Dun and resumes the duel. This time Zhao Yun attacks with all his willpower.
"Coward you called me?" Zhao Yun questioned.
"What's the big deal with two ambush parties? Is Liu Bei's army that weak?" Xiahou Dun said. They continue attack each other only collide their weapons in every strike. It angers Xiahou Dun more.
"Cousin Dun!" It's Cao Ren with his unit getting through the ambush parties hurried up to aide Xiahou Dun's pursuit. This is the right moment for Zhao Yun to break up the duel.
"Lord Xiahou Dun!" the mysterious voice shouted.
Guan Yu appears clashing with Cao Ren's troops.
"Behold the true power of the blue dragon!" Guan Yu said. Guan Yu's unit make quick work with Cao Ren's and this puts Xiahou Dun's behavior more livid. Zhao Yun in big trouble.
"If this is your first year in the service, then I'll make it your very last!" Xiahou Dun charged at Zhao Yun with one of his dash moves and crushed Yun's defense.
"d..damn I better keep up with this aggression before I lose focus," Zhao Yun thought. Xiahou Dun executes another dash at the darling officer and this time it knocks him out feet away.
"This is what happens when any new officer dares to make a joke with Xiahou Dun," Xiahou Dun is about to finish him until Zhao Yun recovers with a wake up air slash that reversed Dun's killing blow. All of sudden, Dun smashed himself against the last remaining troops of Cao Ren's.
"What? Cousin, we must retreat now!" Cao Ren helps Xiahou Dun up and set to order his men to retreat. Xiahou Dun stares at his latest victim. Lucky as he is, that was close.
"I'll remember your face next time. Don't forget it! All units, retreat!" Xiahou Dun said.
Those death threats are serious. This is the battle of Bo Wing Po like never before. One hell of a surprise attack courtesy the Sleeping Dragon with Zhao Yun as the key. Jing will be safe in a few weeks till its army decides to support Liu Bei's band.
Guan Yu walks next to Zhao Yun who is struggling from the last attack Xiahou Dun sent. It's been a long time since he fought someone as dangerous as Xiahou Dun. Zhao Yun remembers how things settled worst when Gongsun Zan summons him in the Wuwan campaign and Qiu Liju.
"You should have let me deal with him. Xiahou Dun is one, if not the most meanest generals of Cao Cao," Guan Yu said.
"I've seen him at the Anti Dong Zhuo Coalition. So the rumors of his attitude is true," Zhao Yun said.
"Never thought you can still stand a chance against him in a duel. That is remarkable, Lord Zhao Yun," Guan Yu said.
The two warriors walk towards where Xiahou Dun's army retreating. Funny, they ignore the countless bodies they wasted on Cao Cao's forces.
After the battle…
"We repel the threat and successfully defend Jing's northern borders. Thanks to all of you for cooperating with me," Zhuge Liang said.
"Master Liang, we've been losing battles because we haven't got a strategist like you back then. Now here I'm thinking if I'm really the one who can stop Cao Cao…" Liu Bei said.
"Cao Cao's army is cake walk, but a million of them mixed with all the talent Cao Cao can buy? Blah! Before that, we were the best and Cao Cao just run away like a wimp. Last time he failed to assassinate Dong Zhuo because he's afraid of Lu Bu…" Zhang Fei rolled his eyes as he said.
The soldiers laugh a bit at those memories however Zhao Yun walks back to his tent and rest. His back was sore from the impact of Xiahou Dun's move. Does Zhen Ji now hang out with the meanest vassals of Cao Cao's? What possibly made her as a position of Cao Cao? The dream yesterday is no fluke. He worries of what becomes of the woman he loves.
Back in Xu Chang…
Cao Cao is walking on his table. Yes, walking on his table thinking about how the outcome of the Jing expedition will fare. Until he stops his thinking exercise, Cao Ren and Li Dian ran quickly to tell their Lord what happened.
"I see, this is bad news eh?" Cao Cao questioned.
"We were caught in three terrible ambushes, but before that, a man by the name Zhao Yun of Chang Shan provoke General Dun in a duel which turns out to be a trap before we knew it. But, General didn't listen and…" Li Dian was cut off when Cao Cao sees a messenger coming to give him a message from Liu Bei's forces with the initials Z. L. in calligraphy form Cao Cao reads the letter.
"You have witness the first of many things that will come when the fateful day arrives o' King of Traitors. Years before that, the idea of usurpation made by Wang Mang, the last emperor of Western Han has turned down many region lords who sworn to keep true order and respect under the emperor's care today. You know this better than I do and you are the new Wang Mang who will soon fall to the dragon you finally awake."
Yours truly,
The Sleeping Dragon
This letter shocks Cao Cao and he steps back without watching where he's going.
"Who dares wrote this…" Cao Cao argued. "Wang Mang, King of Traitors, the last emperor of Western Han, The Sleeping Dragon!"
The outcry has overheard everyone at the court, Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Xu Shu, Cao Pi, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Hong, Xu Zhu, and Zhen Ji quickly race to their lord.
Cao Cao turns to his audience and shows them the letter while Cao Ren and Li Dian are still keening. "Who dares writes such a letter to ridicule me?"
Cao Cao takes his Sword of Heaven and turns at the table he formerly walks on and slashes it huge even his own men feared the perfection of Cao Cao's swordsmanship. His son Cao Pi just smirks.
Xun Yu reads out the letter with the rest of Cao Cao's advisors.
"The sleeping dragon…." Xun Yu finished.
"I think I heard of him, but if the rumors are true then we're in trouble," Cheng Yu said.
"Sleeping dragon, woah, so there's a guy with the same nickname as me," Xu Zhu said. Yep, he's the Sleeping Tiger, but is no dragon. Cao Pi walks through him and reads the letter for himself.
"Hm, he's good. But, these days we don't give a damn about Wang Mang. So why bother writing such garbage? Hahaha!" Cao Pi said. He drops the letter as it died out. Zhen Ji picks the letter up and reads it. She is puzzled to what happen over Xin Ye, so she walks to speak with Cao Ren and Li Dian about the whole fuss.
"You guys returned in a bad state. Care to explain me everything?" Zhen Ji asked.
"Well, first of all we rode to the woods of Bo Wang only to find a single man who called himself Zhao Yun of Chang Shan…" Cao Ren stopped when Zhen Ji eyes shock.
"Did..did you say Zhao Yun!" Zhen Ji asked.
"You know that man? He gave Xiahou Dun a lot of trouble. It's not very good seeing that Cousin Dun is outside tearing up the training dummies in front of people outside watching him…." Cao Ren said.
Zhen Ji walks outside to find Xiahou Dun after the conversation with Cao Ren. From the looks of it, Dun wrecked the dummy all over the place. Townspeople are terrified of the one-eyed general. The young child even holds his mother's skirt tight.
"huff huff…" Xiahou Dun is exhausted from this outrage and he turns around to see several people watching him. "What the hell are you rats looking at? Get back to your posts!"
Everyone left even the child with his mother.
"Momma, why is that man mad? Do heroes truly act that way?" the child asked.
"Oh don't worry about it. He's sure crazy, but General Dun is honestly brave and heroic," the mother said.
Xiahou Dun doesn't want to start this critique in front of children. Surely his attitude went over the line, but nevertheless he is a hero. Amaze to recover from a loss eye. Right now, he's humiliated and doesn't want to give details to his own cousin. He was the most trusted man in the forces, the right hand man. But, Zhao Yun crushed his half portrayal and now Xiahou Dun loses his cool filled with rage.
"Hmmm….Zhao Yun…finally our fates being accepted…" Zhen Ji said looking at the heavens.
Next up: Sin City, Liu, Cai, and Cao
Sorry about the long delay. Playing Shin Sangoku Masou 4 and 3 Kingdoms 8 gave me so many possible ideas. Enjoy this chapter while I prepare for the latest. By the way, I hate Yi Ling so much that the battle of Tian Shui could have been Zhao Yun's final Masou mode stage. Zhao Yun vs Cao Pi.