Dynasty Warriors: Melting the Ice
Chapter 8 of my Dynasty Warriors story, enjoy.
Reviews
ChenChong91: Indeed, glad you liked it, yeah well, those were his biggest failings, politics and strategy.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Dynasty Warriors and its characters belong to Koei.
Chapter 8: Battle of Xiapi
With nearly all of Xu Province secure, thanks to Chen Deng and Chen Gui's plan, Cao-Cao rallied his armies, Liu Bei immediately joined his army with Cao-Cao and together they prepared to end Lu Bu for good. They marched out, ready to battle, Lu Bu meanwhile had gathered his entire army and they holed up in Xiapi. While readying their defences Chen Gong approached Lu Bu.
"We are in a most difficult spot my Lord." He remarked. "But our position is not unsalvagable just yet. Having heard of our plans and what's happened, Yuan Shu has sent some of his forces to aid us. We simply need to hold out until they get here."
"Remain hidden behind our walls like cowards!" Lu Bu snarled. "You think that I..."
Chen Gong shook his head. "This is no time for that my Lord; if you go out to do battle, only death will await. We've seen their trickery, we cannot afford to fall for it again."
Lu Bu grumbled but accepted this and gave orders to focus on the defences. At Diaochan's suggestion, due to concerns the enemy might make use of them, Zang Ba was sent to defend the nearby floodgates.
Meanwhile, as Cao-Cao and Liu Bei's armies came up and made camp, ready to begin their siege, Lu Bu gave strict orders. At each of the three main gates into the city, Hou Cheng, Song Xian and Wei Xu were stationed. Lu Bu took up position at the main keep with Diaochan while Chen Gong guarded the gates to this area.
Finally He had Gao Shun and Zhang Liao also take up positions near the gates, ready to respond at a moment's notice.
Surveying the enemy Cao-Cao shook his head.
"They hold their position well, this will not be easy." He commented. "Jia Xu, this is your chance...prove your worth to me, let us see if you can make up for your previous actions."
Raising an eyebrow Jia Xu replied. "You're relying on me in this battle? Very well then...Hmm, we must be careful of Yuan Shu's movements, our spies report he has troops heading this way...Perhaps..."
There was a moments pause while Jia Xu surveyed the surroundings.
"Of course. While it's obviously defended, we will secure and use the floodgates, it will be the quickest way to bring an end to this battle. Otherwise we face a long siege and an attack by Yuan Shu." He announced at last.
He then gave orders to various officers before he and Guo Jia began leading their units towards the floodgates. Meanwhile, Cao Hong and Yue Jin were sent to block any attempts by Yuan Shu to reach the battlefield. Xu Huang was also instructed to have an ambush unit ready, his instructions had been whispered to him, leaving many perplexed.
Meanwhile, Cao-Cao and Liu Bei led their main armies forward to directly besiege Xiapi, all the while making sure not to get too close. Within the castle, tempers were high. Lu Bu was still irate and, for earlier failures, had taken out his temper on Hou Cheng, this angered the man and, at the same time, brought him sympathy from his friends Song Xian and Wei Xu. All in all, things were threatening to spill over at any moment.
Reaching the flood gates, Jia Xu and Guo Jia were met by Zang Ba who charged out at once to meet them.
"He is reckless, is he not?" Guo Jia commented with a smirk.
Shaking his head, Jia Xu replied. "More like foolish. Don't give him time to respond."
With that he gave the signal and Zang Ba soon realized his mistake, as he was met with a hail of arrows, three of which struck and wounded him. He turned and tried to flee, but was swiftly cut down by Jia Xu's sickle.
"Now, quickly!"
They charged in, decimating Jia Xu's troops until finally they had secured the floodgates and, without further hesitation, opened them. The effect was immediate and panic set in to Lu Bu's forces as the area was flooded, breaking open the gates.
Then, even more panic emerged as, seeing their chance for vengeance, Hou Cheng, Song Xian and Wei Xu defected and began attacking those within the castle. Their vigorous assault led to Chen Gong being captured and Diaochan too when she tried to save him.
Before Lu Bu could go after them, he was met by the attacking forces of Xiahou Yuan, Zhang Fei and Liu Bei, in the meantime, Guan Yu crossed blades with Zhang Liao. Meanwhile Cao Ren had his hands full holding off Yuan Shu who had arrived, until he saw the flood attack.
"There is no point in aiding a lost cause." Yuan Shu announced to his army. "Let us return home."
They turned to left without further battle. But seeing this and, in desperation, seeing it as their only hope, Lu Lingqi pretty much strong armed Gao Shun into joining her in going after them, to convince them to return and aid them.
This soon turned out to be a mistake, as Xu Huang's ambush forces emerged and almost instantly captured Gao Shun, despite the fight he put up.
"My Lady, run!" He cried.
But Lingqi refused. "Never, unhand him!"
She immediately charged at Xu Huang who took down her horse with one swipe of his axe. Recovering Lingqi spun around and attacked with her cross pike. She cut down any soldiers that came near until she was covered in their blood.
But before long, she was stuck. Xu Huang stood before her, she was out of breath, unable to fight anymore.
"There is no need for this...surrender and you will be spared." He tried to convince her.
She simply scoffed. "Surrender and what, become some concubine, become Cao-Cao's prisoner. Never, I have my warrior pride, you of all people should understand that."
With that she threw her weapon at him, forcing him to deflect it. She hesitated briefly however, but then made up her mind. She allowed herself to fall back, heading for the water below where her armour would pull her to her death. But her hesitation cost her and Xu Huang swiftly caught her foot and pulled her back up.
She struggled at once. "No, unhand me, I..."
"There is no pride in senseless death, my lady." He informed her sadly.
Before long she too was bound and taken captive, just as she heard the castle had fallen.
In spite of Lingqi's best efforts, she remained captive, her attempts to goad them into killing her were ignored. She only stopped when Diaochan, also a captive, spoke to her, calming her, although to her shame, tears stung her eyes.
Especially when, reminded of the fate of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo, Cao-Cao ordered Lu Bu's death, rather than have him join his forces. With their refusal to surrender, Gao Shun and Chen Gong met death too. But, Zhang Liao, despite his own refusal and lack of fear of death, was soon convinced to join Cao-Cao's army.
As they returned to Xuchang after restoring order, Cao-Cao noted that another great obstacle had been overcome, but peace was still a long way away.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
