Bye Bye Beautiful
The summer night felt warm and soothing sending a jovial sentiment throughout the entire city, the air was a bit humid but comforting and tasted of spices. Children were in the streets dancing carefree as the moon acted as their guiding light blessing their innocence and lifting their spirits high. They resembled cherubic angels with their youthful features and the moonlight causing their skin to glow emulating fireflies. Liu Bei stood pondering about what the old master had said earlier in the ceremonial room, with his thumb he nonchalantly rubbed it against the smooth red oakwood pole on the balcony. His black beady eyes glistened as he stared and focused his attention towards a flying kite that one of the little children was setting off against the summer wind. Entered Zhuge Liang prominently walking into Liu Bei's room coming to a graceful halt beside his lord. He kept his focus on the stars as they shone like diamonds, one in particular had twinkled optimistically as if it was trying to send a beneficial message towards the two men. Noticing his lords distress Liang spoke,
"One should not take so whole heartedly of one side and take lightly the other..." Zhuge Liang proceeded to fan himself lightly as he maintained his focus on the winking star. Liu Bei said not a word but just kept his gaze upon the children and their mothers and fathers as they joined in clapping their hands playing with their cheerful progeny.
"Am I so desperate for an army...that I should let the fate of this kingdom and what I fought for fall in vain for the sake of poor decision skills? I feel the people will soon lose hope in me...for I do not have the strength to carry on the deed that the wise master spoke of, yet I know that deep down if I do not take out this mission we cannot become as strong as we had hoped...I am indeed a rustic bumpkin who knows of nothing but to shrivel up and plunge myself into an abyss of darkness and rid myself from this world..."
Zhuge Liang responded with silence still gazing upon the twinkling star that vigorously sparkled, a few moments of endless silence ended when the brilliant strategist vocalized an oppertunity;
"Tomorrow we shall start on our travels to meet up with Zhang Guo, if we leave as soon as the sun should rise we will make it in good time and still have plenty leftover to discuss the stats of Cao Cao's forces."
"Is it the right decision? What of the old master's warning? I trust whole heartedly in what you believe what is best, still I must be reassured...If we recruit these men we shall be faced with new enemies." replied Liu Bei.
"It is something that cannot be helped. If master Zuo Ci had truly thought of it wrong to take out this plan he would never have mentioned the deed to begin with. He knows as well as I do that it is fate that is deciding for us. I merely am here to translate fate and guide you into success, right now your fate is to lead into this direction where this twinkling star leans over to the west, that is the way to Zhang Guo, we won't waste any time.." Zhuge Liang said and in response Liu Bei nodded in an uneasy agreement.
The next morning the sun barely awoke from its hourly slumber when Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang straddled themselves on their horses, Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei both were to lead a company of their own men to escort their lord whereas Guan Yu, the newly acquired Huang Zhong and Wei Yan would stay guard with the other companies to protect the main gates as well as Guan Ping and Xing Cai were to stay behind as well to assist Guan Yu. The three escorts with their lord traveled for three days until they reached the village where Zhang Guo resided in. On the mountain top, massive farmland and crops covered the soil evenly, with a very few huts and homes scattered around. The sceneary was amazing and filled with raging colors of the gardens growing from the spring mountains forestry. On the mountain was built a small manor surrounded by many trees such as plum, peach, lotus blossoms and a waterfall nearby with red crowned cranes roaming around lurking for newly hatched guppies swimming within the crystal reflected water. The weather was warm and fitting for it's tropical surroundings, dozens of unheard wildlife surrounded the scenic area. Indeed the land resembled ideal paradise and it appeared that the lord Zhang Guo cared for his people right and the land was blessed with peace and security.
The four men approached the manor after being greeted by the villagers and guided by two guards to the main entrance. Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei were to wait guard at the main entrance with their companies. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang both were greeted by a dainty housekeeper who led them into an enormous parlor that contained warm wine and a bowl of exotic fruits, some of which Liu Bei never set his eyes on before. They looked like gems with eye popping colors and their exquisite appearance that attained the focus of the lord until his attention was abruptly interrupted by the dainty housekeeper who invited the two men to follow her up stairs, leading them into the main master bedroom. There an elderly man sat by his bedside gazing upon the view through his window, he greeted the two men graciously and seemed rather pleased to receive Liu Bei.
"I have heard of your name lord Liu Bei, I am honored to make your acquaintance. I am Zhang Guo, lord of these small western lands and am not worthy for of your presence, please excuse my inappropriate appearance for you see I am quite old and am not as stealth as I had been many years ago."
Zhang Guo was a man eighty six years of age. During his youth he had been serving under the late emperor as a leading officer until he retired as a warlord within these western areas. He continued his warlord duties and commuted to appease peace within areas nearby with local warlords. Liu Bei went through proper formalities with his host and acted with great respect towards the elderly man. During the obeisance, Liu Bei had meant to maintain eye contact with his gracious host, however, the wide range of paintings hanging on the walls were tasteful and caught Liu Bei's eye. One in particular seemed most well done out of the rest for it's brilliant use of color and theme, it was a woman washing clothes on a lily pond and he had to show his appreciation of the talent.
"One of my older paintings...that was my late sister who passed away when she was still quite young. I became very useful with my talent, many would often praise my artisan skills higher than my military efforts. It is a shame that I am not able to sustain such a gifted talent, I can't remember when was the last time I held a brush in these old hands." Zhang Guo said.
Zhuge Liang bowed low towards the talented warlord and brought up the reason of their visit to discussion. Liu Bei felt a bit uneasy for he felt outlandish within his host's home and asking for his men to service under him so rather bluntly.
"Now that you know our disposition I ask that you lend us your men to service under my lord. We are in terrible need of their service and would be eternally grateful towards you and your sworn brothers, the warlords Meng Qi and Ping Tan." Zhuge ended his request. He received in turn a deep yet dismal expression within the elder man's eyes.
"Nothing would honor me most than to lend you the service of my sworn brothers and my aid...but as you can see I am but an old man whose days are coming to an end so soon. I may give you my men but you may find that my company alone is not enough for what you require, and my sworn brothers knowing them to being kind and well meaning, would refuse to service themselves without my presence along with them, for we have made a pact. I fear that your visit is for nothing and that I feel very terrible."
Zhang Guo bowed his head in shame for not able to do anything for the kind Liu Bei, however, Zhuge Liang continued to persuade the elder man to call in his sworn brothers. Thus Zhang Guo did so and Meng Qi and Ping Tan welcomed themselves in the manor to greet the two travelers. The two sworn brothers were younger from their eldest brother by twenty years worth and thus felt that it was their duty to stay by their elder brother's side and refused Liu Bei's offer. Zhang Guo looked distressed and embarrassed for the limited options he was faced with along with Liu Bei. However, Zhuge Liang did not stop with the persuasion and continued only this time he mentioned a topic about a certain niece. Time stood nearly still for everyone looked up and stayed silent towards the two men. Zhuge Liang spoke once again asking of this particular niece.
"I do have a niece yes..." Zhang Guo nodded slightly smiling, then continued; "Since I have answered your question, I would like you to answer mine. What do you know of my niece and what is it that you hope to gain by bringing her up in this conversation?" Zhang Guo asked kindly but with slight sternness awaiting for Zhuge Liangs answer.
"I have heard the rumors that you and your late wife had taken in a eurasian child years ago, her father was a European officer from a royal army. Nearly twenty years ago he visited China to form agreements with the late emperor concerning a foreign nation trading deal, it was then the young gentleman had met a charming woman, your sister. Unfortunately to your sister's dismay, the young officer's term to stay in China was only one year's worth and was ordered to return to his homeland. Before he departed your sister confessed she was with his child. Your sister gave birth to a girl, they say that the little girl grew and left this land to live with her father and study abroad where she married a foreign warrior and continues to reside overseas."
Zhuge Liang spoke with a leisure tone. Liu Bei only listened intently but was dumbfounded, his strategist never ceases to amaze him with his expanded knowledge. Zhang Guo nodded slightly until he decided to speak with a dissatisfied expression.
"She is an innocent child at heart with a woman's charisma. She is a scholar and a skillful fighter as well as a dancer. A child of extraordinary talents that put my most prized paintings and military accomplishments to shame. She is to me as a daughter to a father. I took her in when she was quite young after her mother had passed away from sickness and I wished nothing but the best for her and had hoped she would gain freedom to live and pursue her happiness but alas I am shameful to say that I had not acted kindly and took that away from her. It had been six years go since that fateful day. My late wife and I went through such hectic times and much refusals for we loved her and had to do our best to protect her. Yes you are right I have a niece...but alas I am shame to say that her life story you have just now recited are just rumors...rumors that spread along to hush and rid her name from this world. She has never left China nor has she ever been married, I have hidden her from the world for her own safety. What is it that you would want from her?"
Zhuge Liang bowed his head slightly low in commiseration towards the complexity of his host and what he was enforced to live with for years. He loved his niece as he would of a daughter and yet he was forced to face a tough decision that caused him pain. Zhuge Liang softly spoke and stated the following;
"Illustrous sir, though I have high respects for you I have to state that you are dying and soon will be no longer in this world. And if that isn't enough to cause you worries for the well being of your niece, the only living member of your family, I can see it in your eyes that you aren't trusting enough to anyone, even your sworn brothers. You are uneasy to let them care for your niece for you are afraid she may be harmed since your brothers have acquired many enemies and have been the targets of numerous attempts. And there is no one else you know of that you can gain trust from to care for her thus I propose you let us take her for we will never do her harm. Instead she will experience the freedom and happiness of that of which you spoke of, I can see you clearly only want her to be happy and so I make it my sincere promise to do so in your place for you see she will not only need us but we desperately need her. Without her we cannot have the armies of your sworn brothers for they will not follow us into service unless someone within your bloodline joins our cause...which no one in this world fits that criteria but your niece."
Zhuge Liang spoke with the utmost sincerity that touched the old man's heart and put him at ease for he never heard anyone spoke in such a manner. He knew of Liu Bei's name and how good the man was, moreover the young strategist had proven not only his lord's worth but he spoke with a sensible tongue. Zhang Guo agreed to take the two men to meet his niece and led both men upstairs to the highest floor, despite the halls being somewhat disclosed in secrecy, they were highly well furnished and decorated with such expensive silk wallpaper. Statues of the guardian phoenix were all aligned next to the walls and bunches of peacock feathers ornamented the long hallway in large ceramic vases. Once the three men arrived the end of the long hallway, two doors made of red oak with intricate carvings of two phoenix facing eachother stood facing in front of them. Zhang Guo mentioned that he would stay behind and allow the two men to properly state their reasons and meet his niece on their own. Liu Bei felt a bit outlandish and had proposed that the old lord check on her to make sure she was decent before they should enter. Zhang Guo noticing Liu Bei's anxiety calmed the lord reassuring that there was no treachery or trickery afoot.
Zhang Guo opened the doors and allowed himself in only halfway; "Do not be afraid my friend, come and witness the wonders of an ancient glory, behold...Yang Jia." Zhang Guo stood by as the two youths followed deep within the room. The room was well furnished with silken curtains and wallpaper that were even more expensive than the furnishings in the hallway. There ahead of the two men were a pair of bird cages rimmed with jewels along the corners of the silver borders. Inside the cages were a pair of graceful sweet singing eurasian collared doves, and beside the cages stood a woman at the same height of Liu Bei, he who was at five feet and eight inches in height. She had her back facing towards the two visitors, her locks moved freely with the same level of intensity as the black midnight sky. The woman didn't turn to face the visitors right away, instead she tended to her birds casually humming a sweet melody to them. Zhuge Liang began to speak in a rather quiet tone as to not to alert the woman so out of suddenly.
"My lady, please disregard our rude intrusion for we are in desperate need of your time..." Zhuge Liang stood turning slightly towards Liu Bei. Without saying a word the woman turned around and revealed herself, she gave a slight smile towards her two visitors and greeted them with her whispering salutations. Her voice was so soft and tender it almost seemed possible for her to melt ice with it. She offered them to sit at a large table made of white marble where she sat across from them. Liu Bei was stunned at the woman's exotic features thanks to her eurasian heritage, she was blessed for the heavens had only given her the best of both worlds. Liu Bei studied her striking features just for a moment, among her natural appeal were the shades of blue coloring that coat her eyelids. It looked like pedal dust that the women of the royal house would wear to enhance their facial beauty. However, the lady Yang's blue shadowing had a artistic smokey appearance. Zhuge Liang spoke out ever so leisurely and started to explain their reasons to the maiden thoroughly, she sat so still and waited till the strategist was finished with his words before she decided to speak.
"I, just as anyone would be glad to help cease this chaos and spread peace throughout the land...and you say your lord is a man of great virtue and has the legacy bloodline of the royal Han...that is all well but how do I know I can take you upon your word?" Yang Jia spoke.
Zhuge Liang proceeded with praises of his lord and his ideals for the land. Liu Bei contributed to the conversation by stating how important her aid would be to their Kingdom. However, Yang Jia was completely convinced to avoid any unnecessary rough situations and besides, she was content staying by her uncles side. However, Zhuge Liang remained ever so tenacious, suddenly Zhang Guo entered the room hurriedly and knelt down by his niece. He took her hand into his and this is what he said,
"My dear Yang Jia, words cannot express my dear love for you and how it means to me that you care for me so...even though I have been shameful the last six years...you were always such a good child, and that is exactly what you are dear Yang Jia...a good child who always followed requests without a voice of protest. I told you to stay hidden and to never let anyone touch, speak, or look upon you and after all these years you still remain ever so pure and content with following those orders. Nineteen years of age, a virgin, an innocent being...please forgive me for holding your life at a long pause. But now, I feel I can make up for my shameful act...lord Liu Bei is a wonderful man who can restore peace throughout the land and has the path ahead of him...he only needs light...you must be the guiding light for Shu and help it prevail. I bid you to go as my last request for I will be rid of this world soon. Please allow me to feel at peace by doing this for me."
Yang Jia stared into her unlce's eyes sadly but nodded. She could never find the words to allow her uncle to understand her side of the situation, always being happy because of his own happiness. She always felt content to see her uncle flashing a smile and safe within his own home, and it was her who should ask for forgiveness for she provided to be a burden towards her only immediate family. Liu Bei quietly stood up and spoke words that inspired Yang Jia.
"Lord Zhang Guo, I thank you for what you are trying to do...but I cannot be content with your niece having to be forced to service my kingdom alongside my men when she has made up her mind...she has every right to stick with the decision she has made for I have been tricked and betrayed many times. Perhaps we may request that she spend a day to think of her decision and possibly reconsider...but never could I force anyone to service under me especially being hidden in a room for six years and restrained from going to the outside world...please forgive us Yang Jia...Zhang Guo..." Liu Bei bowed and remained as such for he felt unsure of what to do...he never felt so lost. Suddenly Yang Jia stood and request Liu Bei to lift his head. He did so and looked directly at her, he stared at her perfectly shaped eyes she spoke and elated the lords feelings.
"I am inexperienced in many areas and cannot recall the last time I have ever last spoken to another person other than my uncle and his household keepers who devoted their affection and time to me greatly and keeping me sane within this room. I do not have any regrets, the love for my uncle and his safety has kept me living in happiness for each time I saw him smiled, I knew i was doing the right duty as a grateful member of his family. My uncle is the only one I have in my life, I have lost my mother at the age of seven and I do not know who nor where my father resides or whether if he is still living or passed on. My uncle means more to me than anything and I wish to carry out his final wish and allow me to join your cause before him so that he may have no worries. If my dearest family member claims you to be a good man, I would never go against my uncle's judgement and will lend you all my strength and efforts. With me as his only living legacy, though distant our bloodline happens to be, I still am carrying the blood of him, my mother and their family name. With that you can rest assure that I will lead his sworn brothers Meng Qi and Ping Tan along with the three full companies of men to your success. Please let us service under you."
Zhuge Liang bowed in contentment for they have succeeded the deed that will help escalate Shu's success and his lords righteous values. Enough time had been spent, now was the time for Yang Jia to bid farewell to her uncle one last time. Though she had tears in her eyes as she tried her best to withstand the saddened wave of emotions, her uncle reminded her to be strong and to think of him in heaven smiling down for he was now content and at peace.
Preparations took effect and the companies along with Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and the two officers Meng Qi and Ping Tan with their own companies and lord Zhang Guo's company being led by Yang Jia. Everyone marched and journeyed out to take their three day trip back to Shu. By the time she had spent her second week adjusting to her new accommodations in Shu, she received word that her uncle had passed. Zhuge Liang looked over Zhang Guo's will in which he preserved within his own quarters and would wait for the right time to allow Yang Jia to receive the document for he felt she needed time to keep her emotions intact for he had a divine plan setup for the defeat of Cao Cao