Romance of the Wei VII: True Feelings Blossom in the Midst of Battle
It took both Wei armies three days to get to their destinations and Sha-Chan is within Yu Jin's squadron with Xu Huang as general. The Wei army set a base in front of a deep ravine. Cao Pi's forces crosses the bridge.
Yu Jin extends his arm pointing towards a figure out in the field.
"Look! There is Liu Bei by himself!"
"I'm sure they're using him as bait. We need to capture the bases to retake our territory of Tianshui. Cao Ren's group can head northwest. You and Xu Huang can go northeast. I and the rest will be heading for the Shu camp amd defeat them there!
Let's move!"
The army did as instructed and goes to their assigned locations. Xu Huang gallops next to Yu Jin with a concerned look on his face.
"This is not a very wise plan. Why is he attacking head on? Lord Cao Cao told him to hold out until reinforcements arrive!"
"I know. I'm fearing Zhuge Liang planned on drawing Cao Pi from their base to ambush him! He can be reckless at times!"
Strange thing that the generals have not expect to happen: The solders at the base retreats upon their arrival!
"At least we have the base, Xu Huang!"
"GENERAL! WE'RE BEING ATTACKED FROM BEHIND!"
Xu Huang and Yu Jin turns around and in bewilderment watches as their group fights for their lives. Then the thought comes in: Cao Ren's army who are getting the other base are being ambushed as well, and Lord Cao Pi is in great danger.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao's forces are on their way to Tianshui to assist the Wei prince. They have just spend 5 days of coming to Jing and now, a few more days later, almost to Tianshui. Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan in front, Dian Wei and Zhen Ji beside Cao Cao in the middle, and Zhang Liao and Pang De in rear flank. Their soldiers march on forward not stopping at anywhere because time is very crucial in saving Cao Cao's son.
Thoughts began to rush in Zhang Liao's mind of what just happened that quickly ended the battle with Wu:
The Wei general just escorted Zhen Ji to Cao Cao's main camp and after seeing her hop on her horse to attack the fleeing Wu soldiers, Zhang Liao mounts on his and gallops to the warrior and his scarlet beast.
"LU BU! STOP!"
He drops the frightened officer and faces him.
"TRAITOR! What has Cao Cao done with her?"
Lu Bu charges at him and swung his double halberd. His eyes burn with passion and rage, determined to know the answer about his beloved. Zhang Liao blocks the blow and the pair was held in a death-lock.
"Lu..Bu...we need to talk.."
" You..you turned your back on me and sided with Cao Cao!"
" How do you managed to live?..you were supposed to be executed!"
"Grr...we can talk, Zhang Liao..but where? We have to make it look like we're still fighting!"
The general glanced to his left.
"There is an abandoned garrison. We can go in and talk there."
"Alright. You first."
The two broke off leading Zhang Liao being followed by Lu Bu to deceive both armies so the former comrades wouldn't look suspicious.
The large, wooden doors were closed and locked. Zhang Liao and Lu Bu dismounted their horses and stood face to face inside the small base.
"Lu Bu, what did Sun Quan told you?"
"Hmmph! That Cao Cao has Diao Chan in his harem and if I defeat him for Wu, I can see her again."
Zhang Liao reaches under his armor and pulled out a wooden tablet.
"Sun Quan deceived you, my friend. Here. When I was in Chan'an that evening, she was veiled in commoner clothes and handed me this saying to give it to you."
Lu Bu took the wooden slab and gently graced his fingers on the letters.
"This is Diao Chan's writing."
He read the note and after that, felt relief that Diao Chan was safe in another city waiting on him...and very furious that Sun Quan lied to him to make him a puppet for himself. The fuming warrior hopped back on his steed and stormed out of the garrison to have his vengence. After Cao Cao saw Lu Bu going after the Wu king, he immediately recalled his troops to withdraw and to go en route to Cao Pi's location.
Zhang Liao's flashback ends as they go up a hill. He looks onward towards Lord Cao Cao to get a glance of Zhen Ji. During those past few days, they barely communicate because everyone was focused on the mission. He, as one of the leaders of Cao Cao's vanguard needed to focus to the task at hand, and even now.
Zhen Ji, riding after her father-in-law thinks back to that moment at Jing. She was determined to prove that she's more than just Cao Pi's wife and a pretty face, even if it meant going on a suicide mission of attempting to fight Lu Bu:
Wu was battling the forces of Wei and Cao Cao and his camp were set up North. Zhen Ji picked up a two prong bladed weapon getting ready to battle the great Lu Bu and his huge double halberd, the Sky Scraper. Then she saw him to her left near the Wei camp fighting the blue-claded warriors. Lady Zhen turned from them about to defend Cao Cao but someone behind her took her weapon and put it on the ground beside her.
It was Zhang Liao!
"My Lady, it's too dangerous for you."
His hand was on her right shoulder while on his left held her left wrist as he escorted Zhen Ji to the Wei ruler. The other generals circled around him as Cao Cao was pouring drops of water on what it seemed like a wooden board.
Xiahou Dun announced: "The Lord wants everyone here!"
"I must go out and defend the camp!" She said trying to get away from Zhang Liao's grip.
"No! You must stay here, we must prepare for Tianshui before we get there." commanded Cao Cao.
The next thing Lady Zhen knew, Zhang Liao put her fingertips on his lips and leaned even closer behind her. She tried to break free but he still wouldn't let go and felt a light blush on her cheeks.
"I will deal with Lu Bu, my Lady," he whispered.
Her eyes narrowed, "hmm! I can chase those cowardly Wu soldier boys and get rid of plenty of them along the way."
After the warlord is finished with his plan, Zhang Liao released Zhen Ji as she ran to her horse and dashes with Xiahou Dun to slay the fleeing Wu forces.
Zhen Ji turns to glance at the general who bound her. As she looks at his face, she is reminded of his gentleness from that last battle.
Cao Pi on his white horse dashes toward the Shu main camp breaking through enemy lines of attack, but he didn't see a rope that the soldiers stretched out, which cause his momentum to knock him off his horse onto the ground. He fights the slight dizzyness and slowly gets up. The animal is gone and now he is completely surrounded. Cao Pi picks up his swords and begins to fight. Xu Huang's coup manages to fight through Shu soldiers out of the garrison. Sha-chan fights her way through with her broad
sword.
She slays the last peon and suddenly down the hill:
"Oh no! Lord Cao Pi's in trouble!"
She watches in horror as the Wei prince fights with vigor completely surrounded by Shu officers. Sha-chan see a white horse just sitting there by a wooden fence without its rider. She hurries and hops on her white steed and fly through the field to save her young lord.
The white maned horse leaps in the air over spikes and fences to rescue him. Sha-chan launches a Musou attack to clear the enemies out of the way.
She dashes towards him.
"Lord Cao Pi take my hand!"
He grabs it and swoop on the horse behind the young brave warrior.
"We must go back to the main base. My father says that we cannot attack until we get reinforcements." He commanded.
"Yes sir!"
On their way, the Shu generals and Liu Bei's sworn brothers, the mighty Guan Yu and Zhang Fei spots the pair trying to retreat the field.
Sha-chan mourned, "oh crap! They're after us!"
Cao Pi glances over his shoulder. "Yes. It's unfortunate that Guan Yu have his Red Hare horse with him. He can easily catch us."
Shan-chan drives the horse to run as fast as its four legs can.
Up ahead is a ravine...but the bridge is out!
"Looks like the enemy is trying to trap us from escaping. Not bad planning..but not good enough," the Wei sub-commander observed.
The burly Shu general Zhang Fei shouted, "You mind as well surrender! We gotcha cornered! So give up! HAHAH!"
"Don't listen to him, soldier. Jump over the ravine." Sha-chan did as commanded and the white steed leaps over to the other side like a kite and landed on its hooves with finesse. They made it to the Wei main camp. Sha-chan sigh a breath of relief of saving Lord Cao Cao's son from danger and defeat.
"It appears we're the first ones here. Good job soldier."
Cao Pi looks around and notices there are just a handful who are watching the camp. The young Wei prince holds Sha-chan closer to his chest making her blush.
His soft lips brushes on her ear.
"Thank you for saving my life."
"You're...no problem, my lord."
"What's your name? I want to tell my father about his brave warrior."
"Sha...Sha-chan."
"Sha-chan," he whispers huskingly. "What a lovely name." Cao Pi kisses her soft warm neck. She can feel her heart pounding in her chest like a drum.
"Lord Cao P-"
"I want to show you my gratitude," he said brushing back her flying stray strands of hair to her ponytail.
"My Lord! Lord Cao Cao and his army are approaching!" A lieutenant announces.
Cao Pi hops off the white horse and walks toward the tent to greet his father and the other generals who are mounting up the hill to reach the base.
Sha-chan still sits on her horse in shock of what just happened.
"He was going to kiss me if I was to turn around towards him!"
