Dynasty Warriors: A Love Worth Fighting For

Chapter 4 of my Dynasty Warriors story, enjoy.

Reviews

Diao Lover: Thanks, yeah, he's made a big mistake.
kkman57: Yup, that's just the way he is.
KaiAbelinda: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it, go and read Dynasty Warriors Fight for True Love first, that will reveal why Cao-Cao joined Dong Zhuo, but this chapter will reveal why he still works with him (not serve, works with him).

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Dynasty Warriors belongs to Koei.

Chapter 4: Battle of Guan Du

Soon news reached Yuan Shao about the failure of his officers and, in a rage he ordered an all out attack. Leading his army himself he prepared to attack Guan Du. However he soon found that Cao-Cao's army was firmly entrenched in the castle and had no intentions on coming out. Following the advice of Shen Pei however he erected several large archer towers and began to rain arrows down into the castle. Cao-Cao however was ready for this and countered using his catapults to demolish the towers. So Shen Pei tried a different plan, he ordered men to dig a tunnel and tunnel their way under the walls and into the castle. However Jia Xu and Guo Jia saw the digging and correctly guessed the plan, they countered by having the men dig a deep moat around the castle and so the tunnel was useless and the diggers killed in a hail of arrows. These setbacks annoyed Yuan Shao and when the strategist Xu You suggested a plan to attack Cao-Cao's supply convoys Yuan Shao was unreasonable.

"You think Cao-Cao a fool. He will have his convoys securely guarded, now enough, get out of my sight."

Xu You left the tent, sighing.

'I give honest advice, for indeed my spies report the convoy is only lightly guarded.' He thought bitterly, 'He responds with rudeness, what good will it do me to stay on the losing side.'

So that night he slipped out of the Yuan camp and into Cao-Cao's where he requested an audience with Cao-Cao who consented.

Xu You bowed to Cao-Cao and took his seat.

"So, what brings you here?" He asked. Xu You replied at once.

"Yuan Shao neglected my council and was rather rude to me, I have heard you appreciate men of ability and have come to offer my services."

Cao-Cao smiled for he knew well of Xu You's quick tongue and sharp wits.

"I am tempted but what do you have to offer?"

Xu You smirked. "I can tell you where the Yuan Army stores its supplies." He smiled, "Even better the man guarding the supplies, Chunyu Qiong, is a drunkard. There are also others who would defect to you, they are dissatisfied and if you prove you can win, they will join you."

"Cao-Cao laughed and took this news with glee, he at once set up a unit to go and attack the storehouse while another unit was to defend the castle. The tactician Cheng Yu however remonstrated with his lord.

"You cannot trust this Xu You." He stated, "What if this is another trick from one of the Yuan strategists?"

"I have been given an opportunity and I can't miss it." Cao-Cao replied, "You will see just what happens."

So with that he sent Cao Pi, Jia Xu, Zhang Liao, Li Dian, Cao Zhen and Cao Hong to attack the supply depot at Wuchao, the remaining men stayed to defend the camp.

It was nightfall when Cao's army arrived at Wuchao, Chunyu Qiong had been partaking in a strong bought of drinking and was lying in his bed, semi-conscious. Suddenly however he heard great shouts and screams. He struggled to get out of bed, getting entangled in the bed clothes. Before he could free himself a group of soldiers rushed in and quickly bound him. At the same time the attack force burned the supply depot to the ground. Feeling that their job was accomplished they fled, taking Chunyu Qiong with them. By the time reinforcements arrived it was too late. Yuan Shao had sent a force to attack Guan Du but now they were trapped between two fires as the supply depot forces were returning to attack in the rear. The officers in charge of the force, Zhang He, Gao Lan, Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang all conversed together and decided to surrender. The only other commander of the unit, Lu Weihuang had already been killed. So they surrendered and Cao-Cao was victorious. Chunyu Qiong was shamed and sent back to his lord who executed him. Then came the news that Ju Shou and Tian Feng had died in prison as well as the deserted of Xin Ping and Xin Pi who now joined Cao-Cao. Yuan Shao was devastated by this news and soon fell gravely ill. His forces fled and Yuan Xi was killed manning the rear guard. Yuan Shao died soon afterwards and Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang began fighting amongst themselves. Cao-Cao decided to let them destroy each other and soon enough Yuan Tan was killed, Cao-Cao then swept in and killed Yuan Shang and took over the Yuan's former territory.

Following his victory Cao-Cao sent a report to Dong Zhuo although he neglected to mention he was holding Shangxiang prisoner. Dong Zhuo and Cao-Cao now held the Northlands under their control, with Emperor Xian being nothing more than a puppet for Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo controlled the provinces of Sili, Liang, Bing and Ji. Cao-Cao controlled Yan, Xu, Yu, Qing and You. Taking into account the size of each province and the available resources they both became equal in strength. Dong Zhuo, fearful that Cao-Cao would betray him, memorialized the throne to get Cao-Cao a promotion in rank. The Emperor consented and Cao-Cao accepted the promotion. However unbeknownst to Dong Zhuo Cao-Cao was and had always been plotting to destroy him by pretending to be an ally. He was now biding his time, recruiting more men and waiting for a chance to make his move. Meanwhile Dong Zhuo sent a letter to Li Ru stationed in Wan in the northernmost point of Jing Province. The letter contained orders to eliminate Liu Bei at once while he was still weak and to bring Liu Shan back to the capital alive to face execution. Li Ru consented to these orders and gathered his army before marching on Xin Ye.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.