Merged
" I realise that my entrance is abrupt but I needed to ask, were they any changes concerning the strategic positions of the main commandants?"
Zhou Yu's slight delay to show that he noticed the general who had entered the office, was probably received as a sign that he was too busy with another study to heed to the man's request.
" Lord Zhou Yu?"
" I don't recall doing any last-minute adjustments, master Cheng Pu." His comrade answered finally, looking at him. " I have the document here if you want to check it personally for details."
It didn't took the general long to read the notes and Zhou Yu assumed that he didn't spot anything he found troubling or unexpected. When he returned to his previous work, his hand ready to hold the brush and resume writing, a question that became heard prevented the action. " Was Lu Su positioned near the altar from the beginning?"
" Yes."
" I had the impression he was going to guard the stronghold, west of the port."
" That fort's protection has been assigned to Zhou Tai. It is a located in a critical area, blocking a considerable passage that leads directly to our main camp. Because of that, I believe the enemy will struggle with particular zeal to break the defence there, if they manage to proceed that far."
Cheng Pu couldn't withdraw his curiosity, " But, as an appointed commandant of a significant unit, shouldn't Lu Su had been entrusted with more duties? The west flank appears to be in need of additional fortification."
" Warding an ally while he is vulnerable is not an unimportant job. Don't we all expect that Zhuge Liang will do what he promised without failure so we can safely use the key element? If not victory, then the morale of the troops hangs on the successful completion of that scheme. As for the west, trust me, it's not as exposed as it may seems."
" So, it all depend on how the situation and risk level in each step of our action have been calculated."
The sunlight highlighted the change of tensity on Zhou Yu's expression as he began to think that the veteran officer probably was not questioning the propriety of his battle decisions but rather wished that the Wu forces would remain close as a clenched fist, interacting less their moves with Liu Bei's.
" Wu has been willingly involved into an alliance. Some enjoy it, some not. There are others who are speculating about the 'willingly' part." Zhou Yu stood up as he continued, " The point is to work as one team and count on each other when we can, to reach the desired result. I am not saying that if we were by ourselves we wouldn't be capable of defeating Cao Cao. I believe in my army and the lord whom I am serving and I also want to reassure you that my mind is constantly set on the country's interests."
" In that case, it's alright. That is what I wanted to hear."
" It is the truth."
After Cheng Pu's leaving, Zhou Yu did not move away from where he stood, looking as though he was trying to remember if there was something he had missed to do. Then he turned around to the window, scanning the clean view outside. His gaze became distant and rigid while hardly was affected later by the realization of another person's arrival. The warrior felt that person being close to the large table, possibly examining or searching for something, without bothering to check that with his vision.
" So our friend will be watching over my brother's location... Are you sure this doesn't trouble you, considering this might stir Lu Su's devotee side?"
Zhou Yu gave him a blank glance, which didn't really seem to be his response but a passive reaction while he passed by to reach his desk.
" I'm joking. Lu Su doesn't need anyone to boost his courage, he was positive from the start about not surrendering to the threat from the north."
The warrior smiled faintly and his characteristics immediately softened. After his comment and seeing that Zhou Yu began to look less absent-minded, Zhuge Jin proceeded to a search of some documents. " I have been asked to survey the most recent overview of supply distribution among the newly-formed divisions. I think the information was stored in those shelves."
"...I don't know what I would do if one day I returned from battle and didn't find Lu Su waiting for me."
The listener stopped what he was doing for a moment and nodded knowingly. Once he picked the scrolls he needed, he came to his friend. " To love someone deeply but continuously postpone the expression of your feelings. I cannot say if that behaviour help you achieve what you want."
" Actually, I intend to lock all these feelings within me. The established friendship comes first."
" Are you afraid that he would blame you? I don't think he would do. Or is it that you don't want to be rejected?"
" It is not the idea of rejection. It's the audacity of my desire." Zhou Yu explained, lowering his voice unexpectedly. He eyed at the scrolls that Zhuge Jin was holding and said in a more neutral tone, " You have work to attend. I shouldn't occupy you more."
" Something tells me you will find it difficult to concentrate to your job if you don't conclude what you were saying. Audacity; This sounds too rough."
Zhou Yu leaned back to his chair and when he spoke, there was a distinctive ache in the way each word was formed. " Lu Su is an honestly caring person, looking after people quietly and discreetly. He has such a clear perception, not allowing hatred or prejudice to infect his views. For all that he does, he finds reward in him. And I think that inside that heart he could admit the whole world, except me... There are too many weaknesses and passions in me that I still have not vanquish and it is wrong to load them on someone else."
Zhuge Jin was apparently not touched, at least not to the point of be willing to shake his head compassionately or in full agreement. But he listened carefully which allowed him to give his opinion and advice. " Too much generalization is not constructive; It's not like Lu Su is always flawless while you are cursed. And that sense of guilt, I don't see how it can be useful to you. You will need to decide how you will handle or end this, but there is no need to torment yourself, doing unfair comparisons."
The commander stared at him keenly after the last sentence was complete. He couldn't think of any strong argument at the moment, nor he looked for something else to say in addition.
You will need to decide how you will handle or end this.
Of course. Any conflict could be concluded without further expedition if the option of yielding was selected. Conceding to silence and secrecy appeared like that kind of non-aggressive choice... And Lu Su would probably be happy and much less anxious with that.
But Zhou Yu undoubtedly felt a strong pull towards difficult challenges.
He wanted to make sure.
XxX
There was something frighting in the air of that night, not necessarily connected with the manifest smell of coming battle. The sky wore its darkest colour and though a large full moon was present on its highest point, the light was dim, as if ill by some invisible, destructive power brooding in the atmosphere.
Zhou Yu was trying to ignore the fact that the specific environmental setting, or rather the impression it created, was making him feel a little uncomfortable, not to mention that in the meantime he had grotesquely associated this state of nature with the image of Zhuge Liang smiling enigmatically and Liu Bei rubbing his hands together as a sign of personal and somewhat malicious contentment.
While pondering a little more over it, the warrior decided that especially in Zhuge Liang's case, there was some sort of connection; The strategist inspired awe with his attitude and talent and was indeed unclear as a person, not revealing much about himself and hiding well any traces or proof of possible, subterannean motives. He also seemed not to be intending becoming a steady ally of Wu even after finding his older brother there, who tried to convince him staying in the South. Zhou Yu had honestly hoped for a long-term union, understanding how valuable this man could become to the kingdom but he foreknew that after the naval battle they would split up.
The warrior breathed out and continued his training at the clearing situated a few meters away from the main camp. The direct and rotary motions of the bo staff, all masterfully executed, helped him deepen his concentration and relieve his mind from thoughts that weren't useful to him at the moment, regarding his homeless allies...
Really, could they ever turn into enemies like Cao Cao later on?
The question came unexpected and was bothersome, intensifying the man's grip on the weapon and charged his following move with added momentum as he performed an outward, sweeping strike. The extended course of that hit was surprisingly cut short by an unnoted, opposite force from his left side, causing Zhou Yu to move back in caution and swiftly link another attack, totally by instinct. Very soon after this, he controlled the impact of the second strike as much as it was possible when he realised whom was there actually. No harm occurred because the other person also reacted with properness and composure to the offencive attempt, deflecting it carefully with a pair of kali sticks.
Their bodies did not move immediately, maintaining the last stance they took. Zhou Yu spoke first. " I bet this was a gesture to show how ready you feel about the upcoming conflict."
The conclusion was flattering, nonetheless Lu Su felt he should reveal a detail he thought as important. " I'll be honest with you. It was purely an attempt to distract you." He confessed, lowering his weapon and so did his comrade. " And yes, I believe I am prepared about the battle." He added more seriously.
Zhou Yu smiled and the subordinate advisor was almost certain that he was going to be asked why he wanted him distracted. Instead of that, the warrior displayed the kind of insight that usually made Lu Su feel exposed under his perception, sometimes pleasantly and sometimes in an awkward manner.
This time he was enjoying it.
" You are going to depart to your station shortly, right? I am glad you came before we separate ourselves... Concerning the fight, I trust that you are will carry out your mission perfectly. I only want to remind you that in case the opposing force's pressure is too much to handle, try to lure them towards your nearest ally to stop them but after you do, make sure not to lose time getting back to your original post. Your first priority is the defence of the altar."
" If they try to advance too close, there will be ambush parties and other surprises which I have personally set earlier. The ground proved very convenient for these sort of operations." Lu Su mentioned.
" Not bad. You really have ensured the safety of your favourite strategist." The commander observed in a indistinctly neutral tone, though it did not hide that he was actually impressed with the action taken.
Lu Su wasn't sure whether his friend's alternative description of Zhuge Liang was unintentional or previously formed in a way so it could elicit a retort from him. But, why would Zhou Yu want such thing anyway?
Although still perplexed and curious, he was about to speak. " Look, I think-"
The listener was not destined to know what Lu Su was thinking on that instant; The vivid talk of a passing group of soldiers carrying supplies, shrouded and interrupted the single voice. Some of these men drew near and addressed to the second in command, requesting specific instructions. Apparently they were people from the advisor's unit, as Zhou Yu noted and who also found the scene unexpectedly interesting... their communication was in admirable harmony, Lu Su was displaying an authentically gracious manner towards them, answering their questions and stating his suggestions with solid confidence. The obligation of a high position was not intimidating to him and he never exhibited signs of willingness to misuse power either.
" He has the makings of a fine leader." The thought occurred naturally but then, an odd sense wrapped him, like a black drape that hides the light completely...
" Zhou Yu?" The discreet voice and pair of eyes that possessed the power to transfix the warrior, filled with gentle concern and incisive tension, brought him back to reality. " It's time for me to go now. Let's teach some people who deserves to be the rightful owner of this land."
The group of soldiers had left and only their leader remained there, waiting to hear something from his companion before he turn around.
" Yes... And if I recall well, wasn't us who believed in that possibility of victory from the beginning and discarded the option of surrendering?" Once he earned a smile as a response, he said then, " Listen, just in case I don't come through after this fight, I have something that I need to tell you..."
Lu Su was dying to know what it could be, but the ominous essence behind the words prompted him to stop his friend immediately, just so the message wouldn't challenge fate in any way. " No. Do what you must in battle, but remember I will be waiting for you to return."
Zhou Yu did not watch him leaving, but paid close attention to the sound of his companion's footsteps, forcing his gaze on the dark waters of the river.
XxX
Note: The weapon that Lu Su uses here is called Kali (alternative names according to my sources are Escrima and Arnis) and is based on traditional Filipino martial arts/weapon style. Kali consists of two hard wood sticks, about 70 cm long. I have been contemplating a lot about what weapon suits him and I decided, 1) Lu Su would possibly dislike weaponry with particularly sharp edges or too heavy. 2) He would prefer to use a weapon which at first glance looks more like a tool for work. The origin of the weapon was not a factor I found inconvenient, besides, in the game, Zhou Tai's sword is non-Chinese and as for Sun Ce's tonfa, experts still argue where it comes from.
Zhuge Jin and Lu Su continue to remain Zhou Yu's closest friends in my fictional universe.