Legacy of the Lunar Spear

Chapter 2

Chaos Ensues

Lu Bu sat on Red Hare, gaze fixed on the setting sun. They were fleeing from Luo Yang and the allied army led by Yuan Shao. Dong Zhuo had halted their advance by burning the capital, but it was only momentary. The lords of the land had united against his rule, rallied by Prime Minister Cao Cao, it was only a matter of time before the attacks renewed. Lu Bu remembered his brief encounters with the man when he visited the capital and he never really liked him. Cao Cao was shrewd and intelligent; he would be ready to put in his bid for emperor soon. As competent as the Wei man was, Lu Bu doubted he would receive the unanimous backing of the warlords. Sun Jian in the east seemed to be making quite a name for himself toting the flag of Sun Tzu. What a crock of shit that was. If he was related to Sun Tzu then Red Hare was plow horse. Even though his background was questionable, he still was a fierce fighter and a quick thinker. That brat of his did manage to steal the Qiaos with his friend. Then there was the blueblood Yuan Shao who would try to take over the country boasting about his riches and lineage. That man was worthless, he could tell from the way he handled his allied army at Si Shui and Hu Lao gates. He had no idea how to command, and he only got by because of the people he employed. Sounded a lot like Dong Zhuo, except Yuan was not a pervert. Then there were those three guys he had fought…an interesting trio. The tall one had been the one to kill Hua Xiong at Si Shui, Guan Yu was his name. He had a lot of respect for him, he was an incredible fighter. Then there was the plump one that reeked of booze and the mellow homely guy. He'd have to find out who those two were: they'd cause trouble later if they were running with Guan Yu.

The last of the rear guard moved past him and he saw no signs of the allies pressing them, another stupid decision by Yuan Shao. Now that they were at war, what would Dong Zhuo do? Would he just find another castle to sit his fat ass in while his 'son' destroyed the competitors? Probably. He sighed remembering that he had not reported to him yet. What was he going to do about the loss of the Qiaos? How a man could be so lucky as to have Diao Chan and still seek more women…..

"Ling!" Lu Bu took his long strides away from Hare and approached his daughter. Where the hell had the time gone? Only yesterday it seemed that she was barely able to reach his knee and now he was having to deal with watching everyone talk to her chest. Had he done the right thing by teaching her to fight? The aggressiveness that he had purposely cultivated to make her better in combat was causing problems. As of late he found himself raising his had to her too often and it didn't seem to be having an effect. She was old enough now that maybe it was time to talk this all out….

Liao gave her a sympathetic look; he himself has to endure a few of Lu Bu's lectures and did not envy her. All of China trembled at the mention of Lu Bu yet his own daughter defied him every chance she got. Not that she ever got very far with talking back, no one could hold a stare with the mighty Lu Bu for very long. Ling was becoming more like her daddy everyday and that worried both men. How far would a girl get outside the walls with that kind of attitude? Certainly neither one of them foresaw a need to be worried, but unfortunate events happened and there was no telling when fate would turn it's back on them. Liao had lost his own family ages ago something that still upset him from time to time. Watching the flames die out as his home collapsed in on itself sealing the grave of his wife and three children, he couldn't help but blame himself. Years later he met the great warrior Lu Bu only to be shocked by the man's devotion to his family. Sure Fengxian did not love Lady Chen as he did his own poor little Lian but the woman didn't seem to mind. But Ling Qi, was another matter entirely. The little girl was the center of Lu Bu's world and now was no different. Liao had been fortunate enough to be accepted into the Lu family and Ling had helped ease the pain that still burdened his heart. Young Min would be almost ten now…but there was no use in thinking about that.

"Sir?" Ling was apprehensive. She hated these stupid chats that amounted to a whole lot of nothing. Who was he kidding? All these years studying under him and he thought she's turn out any different.

"Come." He didn't pause, he just kept going.

"Wonderful." Ling mumbled and followed her father, having to run to catch up. She stopped when they were far enough from everyone to be out of earshot.

"You need to listen very carefully, this is important." Lu Bu looked down at her and watched her look back attentive.

"Sir?"

"You have to obey your orders; there is no way around that." He sighed. "There will come a time when I am not able to help you. I may be the mighty Lu Bu, but I will not live forever."

"This is about what in particular? My comments to Dong Zhuo?"

"That is what got me thinking about it, but this discussion has been a long time coming. You are sixteen now, people will not be as forgiving as they were when you were younger."

"I understand."

"Good. You have to learn, as I have, that there is a time and place for everything."

"As you have?" Ling asked cynically.

"I have learned it; I just choose to ignore it every now and again." He grinned.

"Daddy?"

"Yes?"

Ling crossed her arms and looked up at him. "I am ready to fight….will you let me accompany you?"

Lu Bu hesitated. If he let her come along she might get hurt….well it would be a long shot. However if she stayed behind she would be closer to Dong Zhuo's filthy hands. How times flys…..

"You know I'm good. No one can beat me."

"No one?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Well almost." She smiled. "But I want to fight next to you, not against you."

"Ling…"

"Come on. Let's conquer China together. You and me. The unbeatable Lus." She smiled. "Then you and Diao Chan can have your empire and I can pick a hot husband out of the men who fought well. Sounds like the beginning of a dynasty." She smiled.

"You make it sound so simple." He laughed. "You sound like me."

"Well that's a relief. If I sounded like mom I'd be on a quest for the prettiest silk or the sparklyist diamond. Do I look fat? Are my eyes the same shade of brown they were yesterday? Can you buy me a new shiny necklace to go with this carpet I'm wearing?"

"Don't make fun of your mother." He chuckled.

"Sure, do as you say not as you do." She pushed him. "Where's the fun in that?"

"Hey, watch who you're shoving around!" He grabbed her in a headlock and messed up her hair.

"Ugh…you're such a child!" She pulled away from his hold and fixed her hair.

"You're such a girl." He mess her hair up again and laughed when she got pissed off.

"Well I'd like some male attention other than Dong Zhuo's." She returned her hair to its former state.

"Do you now?" He asked. "Anyone I know?"

"No, this army has nothing but nasty old men. We need to recruit some younger talent." She put her hand on her hip.

"Yes, telling me that will definitely sway my recruiting methods." He sat down on a rock and she plopped down next to him, just as she always had. Perhaps it would be good to have her with him; she was of course his protégé. But there was one thing he still needed to ask. "So how did two little rich kids kick your ass?"

"They didn't kick my ass and if I recall you ran away from the sworn poverty brothers."

"I didn't run away." He put his arm around her shoulder. "It was a tactical retreat."

"And they ask where I get it from."

The officers stood in the great room of the castle quietly waiting their turn to report on the previous battle. Cheng Gong went first, reporting the casualties, captured officers and defectors.

"Those are not pleasant numbers, Chen Gong." Lord Dong said dryly.

"Sir, we were soundly beaten." Gong answered and stood waiting for the man to cleave him in half.

"And why is that?" Zhuo looked around. "I have the mighty Lu Bu and Zhang Liao fighting for me. How is it that I lost?"

"We were heavily outnumbered sir." Gong replied.

"Next." He waved his fat hand and watched Gong step back.

Lu Ling Qi took a deep breath and stepped forward, hands behind her back and head held high. "The two Qiaos were captured."

"Are you telling me, Major Lu, that you could not handle two hapless teenage girls?"

"Sir." Diao Chan stepped up. "They were taken by Sun Ce and Zhou Yu."

"Did I ask you?" Zhuo screamed. "No. So shut up until I call on you! So Major, let me reiterate my question. How is it that you let them escape?"

Lu Bu clenched his hands; the bastard was getting dangerously close to going too far. He looked over to Ling, who was completely unfazed. The truth was she was protecting his lover and fighting two warriors at the same time. But that was not an acceptable answer…..

"I was outmatched." She watched his eyes sparkle as she said it. Figures, he would turn this into a way to get her into his bed. Ewwww….

"Effective immediately you are being demoted back to Guard Captain. Obviously your father's influence has lead to you being promoted before you are ready for it. You are dismissed."

Ling bit her tongue. How dare this wretched pig….."Yes sir."

Lu Bu watched her leave and breathed a sigh of relief. That wasn't as bad as it could have been. He looked over to Chan who was about ready to cry from her previous reprimand.

"Now Chan, you may step forward." Zhuo stared at her. "Since you are currently the only asset I have I will assign Lu Ling Qi to your bodyguard command. Hopefully she will be able to protect you better than the Qiaos."

Chan knew what was going through his mind. Now he would have an excuse to keep Ling closer…it was only a matter of time now. "Yes sir."

"Go." He watched her trot out of the room. "Next."

Lu Bu couldn't help but wonder why Chan seemed so upset by Ling's new assignment. Knowing his daughter she was still probably being very hostile towards Chan and his love was easily rattled by those things. "My lord, the allies have stopped their pursuit. We are safe for the moment; I suspect that Yuan Shao will not be able to retain control of the army for much longer."

Zhang Liao cleared his throat. "And we have discovered that Sun Jian has made off with the Imperial seal. He has already begun to pull his forces out of Luo Yang and back to Jian Ye."

"Well this is wonderful." Dong Zhou looked around. "We lost the city, the two Qiaos and the imperial seal."

"Yes sir." Zhang Liao waited.

"Fantastic." He stood and threw the reports at Lu Bu. "You make me so proud." He sneered cynically.

"The general took on three accomplished warriors at once!" Chen Gong said admirably.

"We still lost, that's all that matters." Zhou stared the strategist down.

"Of course."

"You are dismissed." Zhou slammed his fist into the desk. The officers mumbled their 'yes sirs' and began to leave. "Oh and Lu Bu, have your daughter escort Diao Chan to my chambers."

"I'm sure Lady Diao can find the way." Lu Bu didn't turn to look at him.

"It is a large unfamiliar castle, I wouldn't want her to get lost."

Diao Chan watched Lu Bu shatter a glass in his hand. "My lord, please! You'll hurt yourself." She rushed over and used her sash to stem the blood flow.

"If he thinks…."

"Let him try." Lu Ling Qi rested her hand on her sword.

"It is time for him to die."

"No…please." Chan grabbed his face pleading. "I don't want to lose you."

Ling looked away. She felt like she was intruding on their time together. "I will do as you ask, father."

"Go, as he has commanded." Lu Bu said bitterly. Then he kissed Chan's hand. "I will be along shortly."

"Fengxian….please…be careful." Chan pressed her lips to his.

Ling kept her head turned. One day she hoped she could feel so strongly for someone….

"Ah…my two beauties." Dong Zhou greeted them.

"My lord." Chan bowed.

"Sir." Ling nodded. Oh I hope you suffer.

"I do believe that since it is your father's fault that I lost the Qiaos that he should replace them with something of his." Zhou eyed Ling.

"Oh?" She cocked an eyebrow and Chan was amazed how much she looked like her father doing it.

"Chan, perhaps you could lighten the mood. Play something…nice while I inform Ling of her new assignment."

Chan's eyes grew wide. "Uh…yes my lord."

"This is an informal meeting, Captain; perhaps you should remove some of your armor." Zhou waddled over to a small table and poured some wine while Chan began to play her harp.

"I'd prefer not to." Why don't you try and take it off you bastard?

"I don't care what you would prefer." He raised his voice and turned back to her. "I am getting sick of your inability to follow orders. Something I intend to correct."

Chan focused on her harp. Lu Bu where are you? "My lord, Lady Lu is not accustomed to…."

"Shut up." Zhou walked over to Ling. "I gave you an order." He slowly ran his chubby fingers up her arm and tugged on the shoulder plates. "Must I do it myself?"

Chan kept her eyes down; she knew Dong Zhuo was just trying to make Ling vulnerable. If he hit her with her armor on, he would himself be injured. It was a tactic he always employed. But Ling was not one of his typical conquests…so what was it he was going to try?

Ling watched Chan fumble with her harp. Even the dense songstress could tell the obese lord was hiding something. But what? She quickly grabbed his hand and pulled it off her arm. "Touch me again you putrid bastard and I'll break your damned hand."

Zhuo leaned in close enough to let the stench of his last meal permeated the space between them. "I thought you might misbehave…." He spit chunks of meat bun at her as he hissed his 's'. "So let me clarify your predicament. Your father has made the mistake of touching my property, something I have allowed to go unchecked because I wanted something of equal value in return. You."

Chan struck a sour chord and looked up astonished. So he did know about their affair. Dear God, Fengxian, hurry!

"And you suspect I'll give in to your demands to save my father."

"Absolutely. You will not only please me tonight and every night, but you will keep it quiet. Along with Chan. I wouldn't want your father to be suddenly executed. Who would win then? I lose a general, her a lover and you your daddy. So little girl what will it be?"

"I like the option where we execute you." She slammed her fist into his chin and watched him fall over onto his bed.

"You little bitch; I'll make you regret that."

"I think not." She smiled as she saw her father appear in the doorway.

"Lu Bu…I…." Zhuo backed up as his 'son' lunged at him with his halberd.

"Worthless scum…"

Chan closed her eyes as the Lunar Spear fell. She winced as she heard the thud of a head hitting the floor. She opened her eyes to see the same satisfied look on the faces of Lu Bu and Lu Ling Qi. It gave her a chill. Then her eyes darted down to the twitching body on the floor and she backed away….it was horrible. How could they be so happy with such a gruesome scene?

"At your service my lord." Ling bowed to her father.

Lu Bu strode down the hall, Dong Zhuo's head in one hand and Lunar Spear in the other. Behind him was a trail of blood, a proud Lu Ling Qi and a slightly bewildered Diao Chan. He entered the main dining hall where the officers were having drinks together and threw the head across the floor. "Considering our lord's failure at Luo Yang, I relieved him of his duties. Anyone who will not accept me as their new lord will end up following him to hell. Any questions?"

Zhang Liao looked over at the bleeding head on the floor. Dong Zhuo's face was frozen in a shocked silent scream. As Liao's eyes wandered around the still room, it was not the only shocked expression he saw. Now the question entered his head: Could Lu Bu rule over these people with shear force and terror? Certainly no one would oppose him now…but later? "My lord." Liao stood and bowed, hoping his fellow officers would follow his example.

"My lord." The men stood and quietly mumbled.

Ling glanced over the men in the room, trying to distinguish who was not wholeheartedly devoted to following her father. Her eyes found no one stupid enough to betray any thoughts of discontent. She had a feeling that somewhere amongst these men lay a traitor. She would weed him out and personally see to his execution. But that was for later, now it was time to celebrate her father's new status. She looked over at him and saw Diao Chan's dopey smile; her eyes focused on her one and only lover. Perhaps she wouldn't be sharing his triumph with him tonight….she owed him that much. Let him enjoy his new life with her, she could keep an eye on the men with Liao. Without a word she went over to her father's friend and smiled, taking the seat next to him. Lu Bu's eyes looked straight at her and they silently communicated the situation. She watched a small smile touch his lips, yes he did deserve it.

"So that demotion didn't sit well with you, hmmm?" Liao whispered.

"This is the beginning of something great Liao." She looked over and grinned.

"I think this is the beginning of a very long war, Ling."

"I live for battle." She poured herself some wine.

"Where have I heard that before?" Liao rolled his eyes. If she only knew how very horrible it could be….

Chen Gong sighed heavily before trying to argue his point again. "Please, General…er. Lord Lu Bu, we must formulate a strategy before we seize territory."

"And I'm sure you have a recommendation?"

"Yes….I believe we should take Xia Pi. It is easily defended and already highly fortified. It would be an excellent base of operations." Gong looked over at Zhang Liao who looked like he had something to add.

"I know you want something a bit more….uh prestigious." Liao watched Lu Bu's eyes drift across the map. "However, if we continue as planned we'll only be using Xia Pi briefly. We will eventually capture something more respectable. I think it is a good start."

"Unless you're getting old and you really want a lavish castle to rest in." Ling sat down between the two officers. "I'm sure these two would understand."

Lu Bu laughed. "Yes leave the fancy shit for Yuan Shao, let us take Xia Pi. We are soldiers, we do not need luxury."

"Sir." Chen Gong looked up at him "I don't know where you got the idea from, but Xia Pi is not an unpleasant place. It's actually very nice. The river runs through the city and the palace sits overlooking it. A small, but very nice town."

"Alright then, let's take it. At the very least I won't have to hear anymore about it." Lu Bu crossed his arms and looked down at the three of them. He had to end this debate soon, he missed Chan. She'd want to play something for him before lunch. He never thought life could be this good.