Chapter 8: An introduction with Cao Cao

The battle is now finally over and though the fighting was hard, not least with how the Turban rebels refused to surrender, Cao Cao's forces were victorious. But despite their victory they have lost much of their forces. Although all of Cao Cao's officers are in one piece, they are completely exhausted and drained from the combat, but none the less they feel proud as they have won their first battle together. Though it frustrates them to know the enemy leader has fled, they have at least captured a base as they celebrate within the crumpled walls.

They sit together next to a crumpled old building that would have stood as the leader's residence. They're all exhausted, struggling to get their breath back as they look around, to find there is not much to this place but buildings that are flimsy and are in decay. The streets have their stones missing from time, and they look to see flags that are ripped up and their colours fading away.

The ladies themselves are perhaps the most exhausted, as they are not used to this. They find themselves wondering whether they are of any benefit to Cao Cao. They know they have performed well in battle being able to kill numerous enemies without an injury, but those are just peasants which make them feel a lot less easy, especially how they dislike killing innocent people even if they're enemy soldiers. What also stresses them out is they don't see how they've improved the outcome of this battle, as their target Zhang Bao has fled. But eventually they decide to speak to their leader about this.

"On behalf of my friends I wish to beg for forgiveness my Lord Cao Cao. We could not capture Zhang Bao like you wanted to, and we didn't manage to avoid as many casualties as we promised we would." Blanc bowed as if to beg for forgiveness and sounding quite upset.

"There is no need for such talk Blanc. With the available forces we had I never expected to capture Zhang Bao, unless he didn't flee. And as for casualties, well that was down to the few troops. Do not doubt your own abilities Blanc as you and your friends have done well for your first battle. We must not forget that we have won this battle and though Zhang Bao has fled, it is a setback for our enemy and our victory will inspire our forces." The leader smiled.

"I thank you for your kindness Lord Cao Cao. But there is the matter of sending a message to our main camp, informing them of our success." Blanc bowed in appreciation, showing signs of happiness that she's forgiven.

After which Rom then stands up rather bravely.

"I'll happily deliver the message for you Blanc. I don't mind." Rom proposed.

"Are you sure Rom, it's quite a long way and I'm concerned with how exhausted we're all are." Blanc asks her. Her body language showing signs of genuine concern.

"I know but I want to prove to you I'm not a useless youngster." Rom explained.

Rom then looks at Blanc in quite a distinctive manner, almost as though her eyes are begging her older sister. After which Blanc stands up and places both of her hands on Rom's shoulders.

"You've already proved that many times and I'm proud to have you as my younger sister. Very well but I would prefer for you to be with your sister Ram as well. Give them the message that we have captured this base. We request reinforcements and provisions to be brought here." Blanc spoke calmly and in a friendly manner.

"Thank you very much. Lord Cao Cao." Rom bowed before waiting for Ram to join her.

They both head out leaving the rest of them to sit down and discuss different topics.

"If you don't me asking, when we've secured this area with reinforcements, what do you propose our next course of action should be in taking down this Yellow Turban Rebellion?" Uni asked with much curiosity.

The question causes the older sisters and their lord to think for a while, before Uni's own older sister comes up with an answer.

"Zhang Bao has probably fled to reunite with his brother Zhang Jiao. Our next course of action should be to attack Zhang Liang at Wan Castle, which should decrease the morale of their forces even more I hope. With this said I propose we attack with an even bigger force and with more capable officers. Hopefully with this victory we had today, more of them will be convinced to join our cause." Noire proposed.

"Hmmm do you know of such individuals who would be interested in joining our cause?" Cao Cao thought aloud.

"That's a very good point you make my lord. While lots of talented and ambitious officers join you throughout your life, I don't think there has ever been any during this time. With this said there is one person I know to have been fighting the Yellow Turbans at this time: Liu Bei. At this time he would have sworn an oath of brothers with Zhang Fei and Guan Yu." The twin tailed lady explains.

"Hmmm Liu Bei? Isn't he the one who is Lord Cao Cao's main rival? I know you both will have worked together, but haven't you both got conflicting methods in uniting the land? Do you think he would be willing to serve our lord? I am concerned he might try and assassinate you." Uni spoke out with concern.

"That's very true but if we can convince him to join us then he can be a powerful ally, as we know that people will be drawn to him due to his beliefs of benevolence. It could potentially mean that Liu Bei won't create Shu, or assist Wu in Chibi which I believe is the turning point that lengthened the chaos.

Besides I have reason to believe that Liu Bei turned against our lord for two reasons: firstly when it came to face Lu Bu at Xia Pi, you performed a flood attack which sadly killed some innocent people. Though we understand it's necessary to defeat Lu Bu, and we understand how the end justifies the means, I can understand Liu Bei's objection to the killing of innocent lives. And if you don't mind me saying my lord, I don't want the blood of innocent on our hands and I don't think you do either. Secondly is when the emperor ordered Liu Bei to assassinate you, and how he doesn't approve of you being against the emperor, even if he does nothing to quell the chaos.

If he is to join us we need to convince him why we're fit to rule the land, and show signs of kindness to the people, As well as to avoid any civilian casualties from our own strategies.

In any case I hope he can join us as I consider you both to have many things in common." Blanc explained.

She shows concerns of upsetting Cao Cao because she believes to have stepped out of line regarding civilians, as well as speaking concerns about Liu Bei joining.

"I completely understand with what you mean. Though Liu Bei may betray me and fight against me in the future, he'll no doubt do so anyway. And as for the civilians that die in the battles we choose to fight, well I can only hope that with you ladies from the future on my side, perhaps we can reduce civilian casualties. Do any of you ladies know where Liu Bei is?" The leader Cao Cao asks them.

The ladies try and think about where he could be at this moment in time, but they have no idea. Noire decides to answer on their behalf.

"Unfortunately we do not know of where he is, though my gut tells me that perhaps we'll find him after the battle with Zhang Liang. I do know that he and his sworn brothers fought Zhang Jiao, and I reckon that Zhang Liang will flee to him when he's defeated." The twin tailed teenager explains.

"Hmmmm. It would definitely be interesting to meet this Liu Bei, and with luck he can join our cause. It would be nice to see him become a hero who I will always ally with, as opposed to a hero who I'll always be at war with. Yes, speaking of which I understand you are leaders from the future are you not?" Cao Cao spoke calmly.

"Yes we are." Noire nods.

"I have many questions I wish to ask you, who are you leaders of exactly?" He asks them.

The ladies are more than keen to answer his question as it brings back positive memories for them.

"I am the leader of a very large empire. In fact it's the largest in the world, it's so big that the sun never sets, and covers over a quarter of the world and contains over a fifth of the world's population. To be honest I'm not sure you'd know what the countries I ruled over are called." Noire answers him; her facial expression suggests how much she relishes that fact, and how proud she is to be ruler of such land.

"I also happen to be leader of a large empire with a massive population, which includes all of this country as well as its neighbours such as Japan, Korea, Mongolia and the rest of south East Asia except for India, the Philippines and Indonesia which is ruled by Noire." Blanc explains.

"How did you get to rule such a vast amount of land that has a large population, compared to that of the world?" Cao Cao asks with much fascination and bewilderment.

Again both older sisters are eager to answer their lord's question.

"That is a very good question Lord Cao Cao. It's because we're both very good leaders overall. None of our empire has been gained by conquest. As a matter of fact the majority of the people from the countries we then ruled wanted to join our empire. So they can gain the same benefits that our home countries have. Interestingly enough the countries we rule are the same ones our home countries once ruled before we were born, so we're both privileged to be ruling over them again, only hopefully it's better than before overall." Noire explains speaking with happiness and pride as she is able to recall her days before coming here.

"I must say for you both to rule so many countries from the methods that you say. It does tell me that you're both very good leaders. So what it's like ruling?" Cao Cao asks while he's stunned with amazement.

"Well I can only assume it's the same for Noire but for me the work is alright, it's just the matter of making sure we do the right things, ensuring we go for the correct policies. Though I must admit it isn't easy doing the right things. It doesn't help when there are points to doing things in different ways, and how I rarely have the complete support on one idea. But I enjoy it, making a difference for the people." Blanc explains while smiling

"Oh yeah it definitely is its hard work but fun. I hope you enjoy being leader of a kingdom, it will be the biggest in China today, I can assure you." Noire adds in agreement.

This causes the future leader to chuckle loudly for a bit.

"I'm sure it will be. What's it like in this future of yours?" He asks them.

"We have more advanced technology, we have the means to travel across land and sea quicker thanks to various vehicles, one of them that many people own and can travel on land are called cars. We even have the means to travel in the air by flying machines called airplanes.

We also have the means to communicate to people who are vast distances away, by means of telephones and even mobile phones.

We also have more advanced weapons as well, which require a lot less time to be efficient with. In fact a soldier from our time can be trained in a couple of weeks compared to years.

But the main thing I'd say is that in my opinion at least it's more peaceful, there are fewer wars, especially civil ones. The thing is if we could show you what our future is like we would, as it's more ideal for you to be able to see it for yourselves." Blanc answers her leader with much enthusiasm.

"I'm sure your future is a rather enjoyable place. It is nice how there is peace from where you come from, and I can only hope that there will be peace here much sooner now that you ladies are on my side. It has been a rather fun discussion; we'll have to continue this over dinner. Though speaking of which we will need to see if we can get our hands on supplies of food and hopefully wine. It will be nice if we can celebrate our first victory together tonight." Cao Cao responds, his body language suggesting how happy he truly is.

With what their leader says they agree to search for food and drink in their newly acquired base. They hope that they can find their dinner soon as they are getting hungry, and are eager to celebrate their victory. The ladies themselves feel more relaxed in the knowledge that they appear to have made the future leader of Wei proud and they are optimistic in the knowledge that they'll win the next battles that lie ahead, and that they will complete the goal of defeating the Yellow Turbans once and for all.

Though they realise they'll be battling Zhang Liang, they're hopeful that they'll have a larger army as their main camp will be more encouraged to help Cao Cao, as he has brought a significant victory over Zhang Bao despite being outnumbered.