I think I'm catching a cold soon. Blegh. Oh I don't think I ever said thanks for the kind reviews, I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far...and thanks!
Note: I do tend to use the 'zi' names of the generals in dialogue, if it's ever too confusing, please tell me!


Chapter 3: Meeting of Wu

The Kingdom of Wu was in early disruption, generals were being called from their homes to attend an emergency meeting at the throne room. Maids dashed all across the castle estate with pots of water and cleaning towels. The busy cooks were exposed to the radiating heat to prepare breakfast for the hundreds who resided in the castle. There were rumours going around the castle that Sun Quan's tactical advisor, Zhou Yu was in the fritz. He had received a letter earlier in the morning and after reading, he had called the emergency meeting, throwing the kingdom into this messy fray.

There was one man who enjoyed the chaos though. He stood in front of the throne room, watching generals rush off towards the throne and dash up the heavy flight of stairs. It reminded him of the good ol' days, living without a care, only moving when there was a problem. "Hey, what are you standing out here for?" Lu Xun, the young disciple of Lu Meng and Zhou Yu tapped on his shoulder. "You feeling okay Xing Ba?" He was referring to no one other than the great pirate, Gan Ning.

"I'm fine you little twirp." The pirate grabbed his little friend and ruffled his hair much to his dismay. "But have you been in the room? Your Master is in a mood I heard!" he snorted.

"Well he has called the meeting over an hour ago and only a few have shown up." Gan Ning arched an eyebrow.

"Do you know how big this place is?"

"Of course! But everyone has to make an effort, I mean, you did." Gan Ning grabbed his head and put him in a headlock again. "What are you doing?" Lu Xun cried, trying to get out.

"I'm an early riser! Oh Bo Yan, Seeing all these people rush, it's like the good times you know?" he released him and gave him a little shove. "Like when you're all on deck and suddenly you hit a storm! Oh the excitement!"

"You don't even know what the meeting is about, it could be bad." The young man cried, straightening out his clothes and hair.

"That's where it's challenging." Gan Ning grabbed him again. He released him when they turned towards the bottom of the steps and saw someone starting the walk to the throne room. "Oh boy." Gan Ning recognized the scowl of the young man across from him. Lu Xun gave him a tap on the back.

"Not as challenging as this." He tried to hide his smile.

Ling Ting Gong Ji spotted his good friend Lu Xun and gave a wave but it quickly disappeared when he saw the man beside him. It had been five years now since the death of his Father at the hands of no one else then the man standing in front of him. He had only been fourteen when it happened, but the pain never left, the anger never subsided. There was no denial that Ling Tong detested Gan Ning. No, he would even admit he downright hated him, but he was the son of Ling Cao, a man known for his loyalty to Wu and Ling Tong wanted to be known just like his father and stay loyal to Sun Quan. "Hey Gong Ji." Lu Xun greeted when he met up with them.

"Bo Yan." He replied with a head nod.

"Hello General Ling." Gan Ning did a finger wave. Ling Tong shot him a glare before stomping off into the throne room, pulling Lu Xun with him. Ling Tong may have had to serve the same leader as him, but he didn't have to speak to him. "Three years and not a word to me." Gan Ning laughed to himself, "What a kid." He stretched his arms behind his head and followed them into the throne room.


The room was busy with generals, tacticians, scholars and leaders all chatting amongst themselves. Ling Tong and Lu Xun stood among them, listening to all the rumours of why they were called in without notice. "You have to know Bo Yan, he is your master."

"I wasn't even aware of the letter coming in. Master Zhou Yu has been very agitated lately."

"You mean ever since he's met Zhuge Liang?" The men nodded at each other. Zhou Yu was one of the great strategists of Wu, it was due to his excellence along with Sun Ce's bravery that allowed them to capture the land they were residing on. There was no one thought to match the young mans talent until Zhuge Liang was introduced to the world. He was young, tough and smart. All the things that were attributed to Zhou Yu in his younger days, and after his first visit to Wu, Zhou Yu had questioned his own ability ever since.

"I guess it's time to find out." Lu Xun gave him a nudge in the stomach to face the throne.

"Greetings to our Lord Sun Quan." Everyone turned and went down on their knees to bow. Sun Quan, accompanied by Zhou Yu nodded towards the group, allowing them all to stand again.

"Has everyone eaten?" Sun Quan asked, showing his respect for all the people around him. At only twenty six years of age, Sun Quan had astonished China just like his brother did at his age. Most people thought that Quan did not have the experience or the people to withstand Cao Cao's threat for long but it was his respect and care that attracted many people to join him and allow him to thrive in Jiang Dong for this long.

"We are well," Cheng Pu, one of Sun Jian's most trusted generals and the representative for most in the room spoke. "What emergency has caused us to gather at this time?"

"I will let Zhou Yu explain." The eyes trained towards the handsome strategist.

"As you all know." He began," We are soon to be involved a large battle against Cao Cao's forces with Liu Bei." There were nods and grunts. They had been planning it for a long time and were afraid to hear about changes. "I have received a letter from Liu Bei's strategist, Zhuge Liang about some minor changes." A sudden uproar was heard. Both Sun Quan and Zhou Yu shouted to keep the crowd calm.

"Please listen." Sun Quan pleaded and it was all quiet again.

"He has postponed the attack one week from it's original time." There were mutters and dissatisfied murmurs. "He has also sent another emissary in his place until then."

"What is this Zhuge Liang playing?" a scholar cried.

"He is nothing but a child, foolishly playing with our minds!"

"We are wasting our time!" Someone shouted.

"My friends!" Sun Quan rose again, "Our battle with Cao Cao will continue! We ask all of you for your strength and support, because even with or without Liu Bei, we can succeed in taking down Cao Cao!"

"Our Lord is right!" Cheng Pu raised his fist in the air, "We are battling in our territory, with the water as our guide. We will be the ones victorious!" There was a moment of silence before more and more generals joined in, rallying their cry for victory.


When the meeting disbanded, Zhou Yu called for a selective group of people to remain. There were still some parts of Zhuge Liang's letter that disturbed him and he knew he could only deal with it by entrusting it towards these generals. "Is there something bothering you Master Zhou?" Lu Xun asked him, his eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"I am fine, Bo Yan." He let out a weak smile, not trying to show the pain he suddenly felt in his body. "Everyone is here?" he took a look around and nodded, "I have called you in here today because of a problem I believe we may be having."

"What is it?"

"They are sending noblemen Chen Zhen as their emissary." The generals gasped.

"Do they know of Chen Zhen's relation with us?"

"I do believe Zhuge Liang has had a hunch. Which is why he sent him back to us, if he makes any changes towards the plan, we would not know."

"Is Zhuge Liang going to turn on us then?" Sun Quan crossed his arms.

"He has assured us he would not."

"How can we trust him?" Cheng Pu asked, "He is not coming to Wu himself!"

"He has sent someone in his place." Zhou Yu explained, taking out another scroll from his robe. "This is a contract."

"A contract?"

"Zhuge Liang is sending us his niece, as a promise that he will come to Wu."

"His niece?" Gan Ning raised his eyebrow, "What if he just sends some servant girl?"

"She is to carry the remaining half of the royal seal of the Zhuge family." The men were not swayed, even after seeing the other half of the family treasure. "We will have to wait until Chen Zhen arrives tomorrow morning to confirm her identity. Ling Tong?" he turned to him, "Noblemen Chen Zhen came from the same town as your Father." The room felt a little tense at the mentioning of Ling Cao in front of Gan Ning and Ling Tong, but Zhou Yu pressed on. "You will be in charge of picking up noblemen Chen, his wife and Zhuge's niece at the harbor tomorrow."

"I understand." He bowed, trying to contain his anger. Gan Ning let out a yawn.

"Are we done?" he asked, "I want to go take a nap."

"That is all." Zhou Yu dismissed the crowd but before leaving, Lu Xun asked his master a question.

"Why would Zhuge use his niece as trading bait?" He had thought the idea was silly and was seeking his masters wisdom. Zhou Yu thought long and hard before shrugging.

"He could not send his wife?" They all roared in laughter.


Thanks for reading, comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Have a great day :D!