Limitless
By
TheWritingKat
Loosely based on historical events, events in novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Koei games. All characters belong to their respective owners.
As always thank you iluvshinjimina, Yue1234, epica89, and LovelyWeather! You guys keep me on my toes I like that. A special tip of the hat to my Beta-Reader DWPrincess29 as well.
Chapter 10 – The Stray Arrow
Of One In The Forbidden City
When the moonlight, reaching a tree by the gate,
Shows her a quiet bird on its nest,
She removes her jade hairpins and sits in the shadow
And puts out a flame where a moth was flying.
By Zhang Hu
In the year 204, five years since the fateful meeting between Liu Bei and Cao Cao in the plum gardens, growing tensions between the two parties had forced the wandering Liu Bei to take refuge with a close kinsman. This of course meant very little to Zhang Chunhua, a daughter of the Henan Province, whose own journey was unknown by most of China. Regardless on that spring morning she awoke not to the sound of birds but to the voices of a familiar woman and a gruff sounding man.
"General Xu Huang has ordered us to pack up. We shall be departing as soon as the site is cleared."
"Understood, we will be ready."
Zhang Chunhua, a girl of fifteen, opened her eyes and sat up from her uncomfortably hard bedding. A dreamless sleep had done nothing to refresh her body or mind. She had thought the morning after would have erased the creeping despair in her heart, but it remained like a stone in her stomach. The anxiety she felt the previous day only increased.
"Good you're up, Mistress Zhang. What are your commands?" The harsh and cold tone was not welcomed by the girl. Her hostile actions towards her maid were suddenly remembered and with it came guilt.
"Bao Shen…I'm sorry…"
For a long time neither of the women spoke, which only helped to increase the teen's anxiety. She began to wonder if the older woman even heard her. Finally Bao Shen let out a heavy sigh and turned to her mistress with a forced smile.
"You should never apologize to me, my lady," the maid replied sadly.
Her tone left a sharp pain in the teen's heart. The guilt she felt was not a feeling she was used to. Whether due to lack of sleep, stress, or both, Chunhua felt uncharacteristically guilt-ridden by her actions. Seeing her obvious struggle, Bao Shen silently forgave her mistress placing a calloused hand on her shoulder.
"Come little one, we should get ready to leave."
Chunhua nodded, repressing an unknown urge to hug her dear maid and cry deeply despite feeling no real sadness, but as always she swallowed such thoughts. Turning once more towards her ward, Bao Shen noticed the silly girl had forgotten to take off her jewelry. Highly improper for a lady to do so, she noted.
"You didn't sleep with your jewelry on did you?" Much to Chunhua's relief her tone came off more teasing than reprimanding.
Chunhua blushed at her mistake and reached up to untangle the hairpin from her hair. Admittedly she was somewhat shocked she hadn't damaged it. Even more so that it managed not to dig into her scalp during the night. This hairpin was obviously built to last much like the jade necklace around her neck.
"I didn't pack anything in the way of hairpins or jewelry but…" Bao Shen reached for the hairpin, but Chunhua shied away.
"I want to wear it today…."
It's like a part of me, she thought to herself, only slightly aware of her obtuse reasoning. Quickly she put it back in its place atop her head. Besides Bao Shen it was her only connection to Henei she had with her.
"We have just enough time to eat I think. I'll fix us up some more rice," Bao Shen declared pleasantly enough. The girl smiled thankful for her friend's acceptance. Unfortunately it wasn't long before she remembered the promise of a certain general.
"Never mind food, Bao Shen. I really must speak with the general before it's too late."
"What are you- Heavens help me you aren't going to-"
The teenager's widening smile gave her the answer. In a flurry, Chunhua hastily dug through her basket of clothing searching for something she could not find. Bao Shen sighed deeply at the sight.
"Where are my silk pants?"
"I didn't pack them," she replied curtly. There was a small amount of sadistic pleasure the old woman took in watching the girl's face turn sour.
"Very well then… I'll just wear robes."
Though Bao Shen knew she should be helping her mistress change, she knew she did not want to encourage her behavior. Moreover, she would have no part in her mistress' desires to learn weaponry under Xu Huang's teaching. Why he even agreed to teach her was questionable and unethical. More reason to distrust the Prime Minister if this was how he ran his army.
"I'm leaving!"
"Wait, don't-"
The elderly woman let out a long repressed sigh as her mistress was out of sight within seconds. She had hoped, in vain, that her mistress would not be so impulsive at least around strangers. In no mood to chase her down, Bao Shen relented on her mistress' ways and set about packing their supplies. Let the girl have one morning to act like an unruly child. Maybe she would learn a lesson from this foolishness.
"Ha! What am I thinking? The blockhead will never learn her lesson.
Stepping outside into the morning light, Zhang Chunhua was immediately struck by the sun's rays. Besides the almost blinding morning light the humidity was at a tolerable level and all around her men were busy tearing down tents or packing assorted supplies efficiently. Surprisingly she could not find Xu Huang amidst them.
"Excuse me."
She hailed a passing solider whose hands were full with canvas cloth and tent sticks. He halted in his work, but she could just briefly see the disgruntled look on his face. As usual it made no difference to her.
"Yes?" The surly tone was not needed.
"Where is Master Xu Huang?"
"General Xu Huang is training just outside of the encampment." He shifted the weight of his burden and pointed in the direction of where a small pond was.
"He's not bathing is he?" Her question was met with a blank stare.
"No."
"I see. Thank you."
Before she could take a step the soldier cleared his throat and said: "I've been ordered to prevent you from escaping."
Ah, so much for hospitality. Still it made sense as it was no doubt his duty to prevent her from wandering. Perhaps she could negotiate herself safely past him. Of course being of troubled mind she decided against honeyed words and took a more direct approach.
"You may watch me go to Xu Huang if you wish. We are both busy people, you with your packing and me with my own problems."
Chunhua almost missed the gawking look the solider gave her as she stepped past him and out towards the forest. Despite her disrespectful actions he made no move to stop her. There was a sense of pride at her small victory. Perhaps this day wouldn't be as terrible as the last.
"Should you be out of your tent, Lady Zhang?" Chunhua flinched realizing she had lost herself in thought and was now in front of Xu Huang, or rather Xu Huang and his massive axe.
"I, um, sorry, Master Xu Huang."
Her eyes were glued on the axe he had positioned to strike an invisible foe. Seeing her trepidation he lowered the axe and set it against a tree, magically allowing Chunhua to find her words. In an effort to regain some sense of stability and control she did as she would any man.
"You seem to be quite the warrior, Master Xu Huang. You train very hard and take this assignment very seriously even though you are only escorting a charged man's daughter."
Xu Huang's eyes narrowed slightly and appeared insulted by the praises. "You wish something from me, Lady Zhang. Please speak it."
A sharp one, she had almost forgotten he could see right through her. No doubt he was used to the fickle praises of strategists and lords. Truthfully she had planned on asking for training, but some deep curiosity of his unusual character compelled her to ask a more personal question.
"If Lord Cao Cao truly believes Zhang Wang, my father, is a traitor why go through the trouble of safe guarding me?" A deep frown creased the general's lips.
"I thought we addressed this earlier, Lady Zhang."
"R-Right, forgive me then." Nevertheless, the kind general explained.
"I freely volunteered for this assignment just as Master Zhang Liao did. I did so to further myself on the path of a warrior."
How strange, she mused. She never would have pictured a warrior escorting the women of China to and fro. Instead she pictured a darker scene of armor-clad men running each other through with sharp sticks. Why would he volunteer for such a simple task? Surely fighting beside one's lord was more honorable than this?
"Is a warrior not defined by the victories he has claimed?"
"I once thought the same, Lady Zhang, but an old friend taught me differently."
"Who?" Chunhua knew she overstepped herself once more when a pained look crossed the general's face.
"Someone who may no longer consider me a friend."
Accepting the answer, she wished she had not pried and had asked if he meant to keep good on his promise. As fortune would have it he did.
"So perhaps you will tell me now?"
"Excuse me, my lord?"
"Why do you wish to learn the ways of the warrior?"
"Honestly?" Zhang Chunhua paused hugging her body from an unknown chill.
"I see my question makes you uncomfortable let us return to camp."
"N-No, I'm fine. I just…" She dared to look him in the eye.
"I wish to learn the ways of a warrior so I may defend myself without the need of another. I am not so naive that I cannot see the growing chaos in the land. Furthermore, I will not sit idly by as I am made to hide or choose a side."
"I see…" She searched his face for a reaction, but his face was stone-faced and unreadable. Despite the clarity and sincerity of her words she could not stop shaking.
"If that answer offends your sense of honor and duty then I apologize, but that is my reason."
"Well it appears I have little choice then." Xu Huang turned his back on her and walked towards his weapon.
Once more the painful sting of humiliation and rejection overcame her. Her throat tightened and sweat began to form as he reached for his mighty axe and readied it by his side. Were her words really that traitorous?
"I shall teach you what I can in what little time we have left." The breath she had been holding was let out in a pained and relieved exhale.
"You mean you will train me?" Her question came out as little more than a squeak.
"As I promised."
He lowered his weapon and walked over to another nearby tree pulling out a long bamboo stick handing it to her. With shaky hands she took it, swallowing back anxiety, excitement, and shock. Though this was not the first time she had been trained she truly forgot all she had learned in ways of defense at that very moment.
"Now… We shall start off with the basics. I hope you can keep up."
Bao Shen managed to pack and organize their belongings in record time. She made sure to place the baskets in the carriage, with no help from the men, and spend the remainder of the time cleaning their small tent. The gnawing worry for her mistress' behavior hasted her in her cleaning. Truthfully she was at wits ends with the girl and more than ready to try anything to stop her mannish ways.
"Are you done cleaning? We need to pack this tent."
"Of course."
Stepping out of the tent she saw the area once littered with torches, tents, and supplies were gone leaving only their tent, marks in the dirt, and a dead fire as evidence of their stay. These men were efficient though where the majority of the soldiers were was a complete mystery. There was one standing by the horses, one taking down her tent, and three men huddled around what appeared to be a map lying in the center of the camp ground.
"Excuse me, sirs?" As she approached she could not help but overhear broken words.
"We're heading… Over here… Bandits… Sell…" They made various jabs at a certain area of the map. Bao Shen was not amused.
"Excuse me!" At her voice the three men flinched as one hastily withdrew the map to his side.
"Yes, what is it?" The old woman's eyes narrowed. She would have to keep a close eye on them.
"Where is Master Xu Huang?"
The men looked at each other in silence before one finally answered: "Near the edge of the forest close to a pond."
"I see…" They continued to avoid looking anywhere near her. Their lack of manners was appalling. Surely their mothers raised them better than this.
"Well I think it would be best if one of you escorted me. That is if you're not too busy."
"O-Of course."
One of the younger looking men stood up and led her towards her desired destination. Before entering the heavily wooded area she looked back one last time and saw the remaining two watching her. A sharp chill ran down her spine as the look they gave her was less than civil.
It looked almost murderous.
"Keep your guard up, Lady Zhang!"
Hearing those words, Bao Shen hastened in her speed until she was in sight to her blockheaded ward blocking an invisible blow with a bamboo stick raised above her head and then at the midriff of her body. There was a cocky unmistakable grin on her face as the general praised her quick reaction. Bao Shen's temper boiled.
Of course her indecent display was not nearly as bad as the sight of the men watching from a distance. To worsen the situation she saw that some of the younger men were making crude jokes behind her mistress' back. The whole thing was absolutely barbaric and she could no longer hide her distaste.
"Master Xu Huang is this really wise teaching a young lady something meant for a man?"
"These are strange times when a man teaches a woman the art of war. However in these chaotic times women are often the target of bandits seeking profit," he paused, turning to face her with a stony look. "Order is hard to keep when men are sent to fight and not to defend their home."
Bao Shen was stunned by the coldness in his voice. Of course he was truthful as the Yellow Turban Rebellion was just one example of bitter and misguided men trying to better their lives. After all with increased taxes, the flood of the Yellow River, and corrupt landowners extorting their workers, it was inevitable there would be an uprising. When they were all but crushed many of these men shattered to the winds, either remaining loyal to the Yellow Turban cause or turning to banditry.
"Tighten your grip! An enemy could easily disarm," Xu Huang declared, snapping the older woman out of her thoughts.
"Yes, Master Xu Huang."
"My lord, I just wish you would not humor her so," Bao Shen voiced, watching her young mistress taking to her orders quite quickly. In fact it shocked her how calm she was to taking orders as the girl was so used to giving them.
"She seeks the path of a warrior – do not grip so tightly!"
The old woman sighed, only just briefly hearing the other men behind her snickering and making off-colored jokes. So much for disciplined soldiers. This was turning into quite a spectacle. She only prayed this would not end up like Chunhua's last training exercise all those years ago.
"Now strike!" Bao Shen watched Chunhua make a thrusting motion with her stick.
The joy on the young woman's face when Xu Huang nodded in approval was undeniable. Despite being a traditional bred woman, even she could not deny her mistress' happiness. Though she could not help but wonder about Chunhua's sudden interest in weapons. Then again Chunhua was an enigma onto herself.
"Now your legs are too wide you'll lose balance." No sooner had Xu Huang said those words did she trip over her robes.
"Ah!" Bao Shen's eyes snapped to her ward's just as her stick fell with a loud clang followed by the girl dropping to her knees.
"Zhang Chunhua!" A few muffled laughs came from the men, but the old woman paid them no mind as she knelt beside her mistress.
"Let me-"
"I'm fine!" Chunhua shot up from the ground, trying in vain to mask her embarrassment.
"There is no shame in a practice error for a warrior. Do not be so prideful that you miss a lesson in defeat."
"Right… I'll do try again then," she answered dejectedly, picking her stick up off the dirt.
You are not limitless in your capabilities she told herself returning to her normal battle stance.
She would prove her worth, not to the General but to herself. Damn anyone who stood in her way. And maybe, though foolish and beyond childish she knew, but maybe she could be limitless.
"General Xu Huang we should be leaving if we are to meet with Master Zhang Liao on time," one of the soldiers remarked.
"Very well. A good start Lady Zhang, remember this is but a stepping-stone on the road of a warrior." He kindly took the stick from her.
Practicing invisible thrusts and footing stance hardly seemed like much of an improvement from what she already knew, but it was nice to be instructed by a man with an unbiased view. She could not imagine the great Xu Huang lying to her. As she was led back to the carriage by her maid she could not help but notice a dark look in some of the men she passed by.
Whatever the reason for their glares she ignored it. If they might ill-will towards her she felt safe knowing Xu Huang was nearby. A shame he could not escort her the whole way. But if Zhang Liao was anything like Xu Huang she knew she would be safe.
How wrong she was.
Between fading into dreamless sleep and waking up confused with a belly full of anxiety, Chunhua could no longer tell how long she had been in that carriage. Every time she looked from the window all she saw was rolling mountains and trees which had long lost their charm. Even looking at the map Xu Huang had given her left her feeling bored and restless. It wasn't until the carriage halted to a stop did she perk up.
Surely with Master Xu Huang it couldn't be bandits. Peering out the window she spied something much worse than bandits. It was none other than the man she caught spying on her in the woods. How dare he show his face and approach them so brazenly! And yet here he was chatting with the general like an old friend.
"No mean to alert you folks, but I find myself quite lost," the man announced quite loudly.
Lost indeed, he lacked any means of transportation and the only baggage he had on him was a large wooden staff and the clothes on his back. Either he was incredibly stupid or did not possess his full facilities to be stopping a band of armed men and in such an informal way. She watched as Xu Huang gave an answer and pointed opposite their direction.
"Thank you, kind sir!"
He looked in the direction he was given and saw Chunhua staring or rather glaring back at him. The stranger returned a confused look, but walked in the direction given to him. Thankfully Master Xu Huang kept close by riding his horse behind the man. Regardless that did not prevent him from stopping a few feet from her window.
"Excuse me do I know you?" Chunhua bristled at his rudeness. Did he truly not remember spying on her just a day ago? Disgusting cretin!
"I swear I've seen you before-"
"Keep walking, hermit," Xu Huang commanded. The stranger shrugged, but did as he was ordered only stopping once he was just behind the carriage.
"Thanks again for the help, my lord. If you continue along the path you should stop by and visit my old master. He's quite the scholar, just follow the music and you'll be there in no time." *
The stranger's cryptic suggestion was not shared by the general, his men, or Chunhua. Nevertheless, the hermit managed a bow and waddled away. It wasn't until he was completely out of sight that Xu Huang motioned to continue their trek and it wasn't until Bao Shen's sharp voice did the teen return her head back into the carriage.
"Weird man to be traveling alone. I hope he has safe journey." Chunhua scoffed at her maid's words, earning a quizzical look in the process.
"Personally, I hope he gets eaten by tigers… Or shot by bandits…"
"Chunhua! Why would you say such a horrible thing!" Chunhua shook her head before giving her maid a dark smile.
"What? I'm sure he's wronged someone."
Despite her mistress' dark words, the old woman had to admit there was something off about the man. From what she saw of him he certainly seemed like an absent-minded hermit, but there was an unmistakable aura of mystery around him. She tried not to give it much thought. After all what was the chance they would see him again?
After a short chance meeting with the perverse hermit, Chunhua settled back into uncomfortable restlessness wasting time by mauling over the different scenarios she may encounter at the capital. One in which involved being bound in rope and brought before the Prime Minister for execution, much like Lu Bu was rumored to have been. While a less tragic scenario was arriving to find there had been a mistake of identity. After all the Zhang was a common enough surname in the north.
Possible though highly unlikely.
The former of the two scenarios seemed the most likely. There was of course a chance the Prime Minister had yet to return from the northern lands and therefore she and her family would be confined in prison until his arrival home. So many unpleasant thoughts, she might have truly gone mad if not for the carriage slowing down and making a stop.
Peeking her head out the window she saw a single man atop his horse in the middle of their path. He looked nothing like the last stranger and more like a general. Dressed in armor-plated gear and an elegant matching helm he looked the part of a true warrior. His well manicured facial hair in the form of a goatee and a small whisker-like mustache made him look like a nobleman in a way - a gentleman solider.
"General Zhang Liao…" Chunhua heard from a few men. Her throat went dry and heart stopped at the sudden realization.
In front of her staring back at them with an intense gaze was a true man of legend. Zhang Liao – former aide and general to the traitorous Lu Bu – was now in front of her as a general in Prime Minister Cao Cao's army. The amount of knowledge and experience he must have was nearly unfathomable. What an honor she was receiving – despite the circumstances.
"Master Zhang Liao, a pleasure to see you once more," Xu Huang spoke, dismounting his horse and bowing deeply. The small frown on Zhang Liao's face did not fade, but he copied the man's actions and exchanged greetings.
"I am glad to see you made it safely, Master Xu Huang. No problems I take it?"
"None that could not be solved. Are you alone? I thought you would bring more troops?"
"Troops are stretched thin, most were sent elsewhere in case of attack from Liu Bei and Liu Biao."
Chunhua could not help but find it odd they would be talking about their lord's woes in the open. Either they were confident in their ability to repel an attack from the Liu clan or they were being careless. Then again with Cao Cao's control of the Emperor an attack towards him could be seen as an attack towards the Emperor. She found it all quite fascinating.
"Perhaps another time we can go over it in detail," Zhang Liao stated looking over at the day-dreaming teen. "I had hoped to reach the capital by day's end."
Only when the two general's eyes were on her did she break from her thoughts and meekly withdraw her head back inside. She had hoped to have more time with Xu Huang truthfully, and even more she hoped she would not have to face her father so soon or heavens forbid Cao Cao. The severity of situation once more took a toll on her.
Zhang Chunhua was nothing more than the daughter of a charged man, forced to travel under supervision by armed men, leaving behind her homestead in the hands of servants and the only life she had ever known. Control, which she so coveted, was now spiraling into a sea of chaos.
"Little one, you look ill. Perhaps-"
"Lady Zhang, Miss Bao would you like to stretch your legs before you depart?" Xu Huang called out cheerfully. His cheerful tone stung slightly. Perhaps he was happy to be rid of her.
"Come Chunhua, I'll help you out."
Ever the dutiful maid she opened the carriage door and helped her sullen mistress out. Chunhua kept her eyes to the ground stewing in unwanted depression and anxiety. She almost didn't hear Xu Huang approach.
"Lady Zhang are you hurt?" Peering up she saw Xu Huang looking down at her with genuine concern in his eyes.
"Master Xu Huang… I…"
Enough of this dreadful self-pity, she told herself forcing a small smile. Come what may when she arrived on the capital, she would face any stressor or fear as she always did: with a composed mind, a capable attitude, and grinning through personal feelings of pain. Just as she had done and would always do.
"I want to thank you for your aid," she voiced with great charm and grace. "Your lessons in strength of weapon and knowing ones humility is something I will always remember."
Of course she only spoke in half-truths. Humility was something, in her opinion, used in certain situations if only to achieve one's goal or to someone clearly more superior.
"True strength lies within Lady Zhang Chunhua. Every warrior must travel his or her own path and each path is different."
"Her?" He smiled at her question.
"My lord's son, Master Cao Pi often goes into battle with his wife, Lady Zhen Ji. I do not believe a woman's only duty is to her father or husband, but to her heart. You have shown me that and perhaps one day you can show the world."
Truly she was touched beyond words. Though almost entirely undeserved she took his kind words to heart and for a moment she felt limitless in her capabilities. Of course the world be damned she wanted strength and self-satisfaction for herself. The world around her had no place for warrior women and if someone meant to change that it would not be her.
"I mean only to prove to myself my full capabilities, Master Xu Huang. But your words are very kind."
By this point Zhang Liao and most of the other men had grown restless with their banter. Even the silent maid, Bao Shen found their exchange to be far too informal. None of them quite understood why he was being so kind.
"Master Xu Huang, we should be going," Zhang Liao injected. It was then Chunhua realized she had an audience and had the decency to look more than a bit sheepish.
"Of course, my apologizes." Xu Huang once more mounted his steed and looked down at Chunhua.
"My lady, before you depart. Take this-"
From his satchel Xu Huang pulled out and handed Chunhua a small well-crafted dagger, no bigger than a kitchen knife. For whatever reason she felt comfort holding it in her hand. Perhaps because the dagger reminded her of simple cooking utensil.
"I pray you will never have need of it, but take it as a token of thanks." She took the blade and held it close to her breasts. Bao Shen did everything in her power not to make a face or a comment. Even some of the soldiers could not contain their shock at such his bold actions.
"Master Xu Huang you honor me too much."
"The roads are not kind to young women. Stay by Master Zhang Liao and obey his orders."
Zhang Chunhua held back the urge to unsheathe the weapon; instead she made sure it was safely hidden inside her robes before bowing deeply to the general. A small pain washed over her body at the thought of his departure. In fact it pained her to think of never seeing the man again. Such thoughts were unwarranted and unwanted.
"Master Xu Huang, before you go… That old friend you mentioned… Where you referring to Lord Guan Yu?"
There was a long stretch of silence that overcame them before he answered with: "I strive to become as strong as Master Guan Yu both in honor and strength."
And with that he stirred his horse and rode off back the way they came. All the while the girl of fifteen and her steadfast maid watched on, both changed by their encounter in some small way. They did not have much time to ponder these changes as the new general Zhang Liao's sudden and abrupt orders brought them out of their stupor.
"Enough waiting. We must continue." With that announcement the men straightened up and even Chunhua and Bao Shen stilled at his voice.
Facing the general she dared to look him in the eye, feeling a cold chill run down her spine as they exchanged looks. Unlike Xu Huang, he seemed to give her a look of contempt. There were no obvious signs of his disdain, only the fact that his jaw had tightened and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. This was not a man to be trifled with.
"We are in your hands now, Master Zhang Liao," Bao Shen declared breaking the uneasy exchange. Composing herself, Chunhua bowed deeply in submission.
"I expect you both to follow my orders just as I follow my own lord's orders. So long as you obey my commands my blade will be yours."
Chunhua did her best to squelch a defiant look as she rose from her bow. The general paced in front of her and her maid as a drill instructor would his troops. She was both terrified and awed by his words.
"I am well aware of the charges against your family but your past actions do not speak for your present and future actions with me. Stray from my orders and I will be forced to deal with you as I would any enemy of my lord's."
He stopped abruptly in his pacing and stared them down. Out of respect and fear the women averted their eyes. Did he honestly expect they would turn murderous? An old woman and young girl? The thought amused her more than it should.
"Is that understood?"
Zhang Chunhua was the first to respond and did so with sudden clarity. "Understood, my lord. We will not disrespect your aid."
Bao Shen frowned at the man's harshness, whereas Chunhua felt herself intrigued by it. A man who made one earn his trust rather than give it freely despite the difference in gender and social standings. An odd man indeed, one in which Chunhua found quite fascinating.
"Then I shall protect you, Lady Zhang. Now please enter the carriage so that we might continue."
With that said, general Zhang Liao called for his horse as Bao Shen ushered her ward into the carriage, more than slightly perturbed by the general's speech. It almost felt as if they personally slighted him. The look in his eyes as he peered down at her mistress was unmistakable.
"There have been reports of heavy bandit movement in this area," Zhang Liao declared. "Keep your heads inside at all times. Do not for any reason get out unless I direct you to."
"Yes, Master-"
"Keep that dagger Master Xu Huang gave you close as well. But turn it against me or my men and I'll make sure you never pick up a blade again."
The respect she once held toward him faded to sadness. She had hoped after his speech he would be less hostile. In a strange way she now knew how her servants probably felt towards her. But she would rise above his hostilities and prove herself capable in following orders. Though staying in carriage hardly seemed like hard order.
As it turned out sitting silently in a carriage without being able to see outside was more challenging than Zhang Chunhua originally thought. In the few times she tried to entertain herself by speaking with Bao Shen it ended with awkward silence as neither cared much for the others chosen subject. Had Sima Yi been there she may have questioned him on the current political climate. Zhou Yu of Wu was said to be quite the brilliant strategist or Xu Shu who served with Liu Bei.
It didn't matter. Bao Shen was not Sima Yi and she was not sitting with him at her home in Henei. In reality she was currently confined in a small horse-drawn carriage awaiting her arrival to Xuchang to see her sick father who is accused of treason against Cao Cao. The more she thought about that fact the more it ate away at her. She had no plan and any attempts to form one ended in failure. There just wasn't enough information to go on.
"Chunhua! Calm down!" Chunhua flinched at her maid's loud words.
"What?"
"You're cutting into your hand, you blockhead!"
Looking down she saw that her maid was indeed correct. So lost in thought she hadn't realized the once sheathed knife had slipped out and was now cutting against her palm. Small droplets of blood had already begun to form against the broken folds of skin. It slightly stung and only began to hurt when Bao Shen grabbed it to put a ripped sheet of cloth from her robe over and on the damaged area.
"Squeeze the cloth, Chunhua."
She obeyed and applied pressure to the wound only releasing when Bao Shen managed to make more sheets of cloth she used for bandaging and wrapped it many times around the length of her hand. It was completely idiotic how she sliced her hand in such a way she admitted.
"I can't believe Master Xu Huang gave you that knife! What did he think would happen?"
"It's only a scratch, Bao Shen. Beside it's my fault not his," she responded meekly, embarrassed by her stupidity.
"A man can tell a lot about a woman from her hands. And somehow you managed to screw that up." Her sharp tone irked the young teen as well as her logic.
"What do you mean? It's only a scratch it's not like I mutilated it."
"Soft hands were about the only thing going for you, Chunhua. Your pretty looks can only get you so far and your attitude is enough to ruin that."
Chunhua felt her cheeks redden under such hostile words. She felt completely and unjustly attacked as well as deeply insulted. How dare she talk down to her like a common servant? Her behavior was not acceptable or forgivable. Ripping her wounded hand away, Chunhua made her anger apparent.
"How dare you talk to me like that! I admit I provoked our last fight, but this time you overstep yourself completely!" Unlike before the older woman did not apologize and back down.
"I have been with the Zhang family for most of my adult life and with you all your life! But your recent actions have beyond disturbed me!"
Chunhua was dumbfounded by her sudden boldness. So shaken in fact she could not form a reply so Bao Shen continued.
"For fifteen long years I have raised you like my own daughter only to watch you grow into a woman who wants to play war games and act like a man. You're not a man you're a young immature woman who thinks she knows better. I cannot continue to watch you destroy your happiness."
Something within the teen snapped. Unneeded pressure was being used to her cut hand.
"My happiness! What happiness, Bao Shen! Married to some fat cow while I wait until the end of days? Do you think I'm happy now forced to leave behind everything I have ever known to see a father who can't stand the sight of me!"
Bao Shen flinched and Chunhua's hand began to bleed more.
"I have tried my damnedest to make sure the Zhang household does not fall in total ruin! Balancing the food, the money, the upkeep, and the servants! Who do you think will take care of that if I choose to fill my head with music and dance? Zhang Wang, my father, your master would let his ancestral home burn like the ashes of Luoyang!"
Chunhua's hand bled much more profusely.
"We are nothing to him and frankly I do not care! If I am not to be thanked for my continual struggle to keep your life, the life of the servants, and my own afloat then so be it. Heavens forbid I act out and choose to learn to better defend myself!"
By now the bandages were soaked in blood and clear to all within the regular radius this conversion was much more than two women tired of each other's presence.
"So what do you really know of my happiness, Bao Shen? What do you think will happen to you or the servants if I stop paying the Emperor's taxes or let the house fall into ruin? There is a war out there Bao Shen and it is only getting worse. I will not allow all I have worked for to be taken from me by rebellions, my father, or the Emperor himself."
She really hoped she was not crying, but her face was too hot to tell. She didn't even notice the droplets of blood trickling down from the pressure she had been unconsciously applying to her hand. Her mind however, felt a bit more at ease at the long repressed rage.
"Chunhua…"
"Please, spare me the excuses or other nonsense. I just want to be alone with my thoughts for awhile."
Unfortunately through some twisted plot by the gods, ancestors, or fate, Zhang Chunhua would not get the peace she so desired. For in her argument with Bao Shen they both failed to notice the carriage had stopped and their journey had come to an end.
"Lady Zhang, get out of the carriage."
The voice was not Zhang Liao's.
"Are we at Xuchang already? I thought at least another few hours," Bao Shen mused, daring to peek out the window.
"I apologize for my words. Just the hysterias of a woman," Chunhua covered up, fearing they meant to punish her for her slander against the Emperor.
Bao Shen had to be right there was no way they could have arrived at the capital at the pace they were going. Much as she liked to think otherwise, since meeting with Zhang Liao they couldn't have been traveling for more than an hour. There was another question as well. Why was Zhang Liao not the one addressing them?
"Get out now or we'll drag you out!"
"Excuse-"
Before she could say another word the carriage door swung open and one of the men yanked her from the seat causing her to fall to the dirt below. The sheer force knocked her hairpin lose sending it skidding into the dirt. She hardly noticed.
"Chunhua!"
Dazed and more than a bit confused, the teen looked up to see one of the men leering down at her with a smirk. Outraged and looking for support, she was greeted by the sight of at least three of her entourage not but a few feet from her bleeding out. There were no arrows sticking from their corpses but deep sword wounds were evident in their backs. Where the rest were was a mystery. There was definitely foul-play.
In seconds she witnessed her maid jump out to her aid only to be held back by three of the traitorous men. With growing dread she caught a glimpse of movement in the trees and saw there were several armed men fitting arrows into their bowstring. It was possible her missing entourage had joined their ranks.
Fear for the young teen had completely taken over - this was a planned ambush.
"Where's Zhang Liao?"
Instead of answering one of three betrayers made a move towards her. Adrenaline induced fear forced her to crawl back until her hand hit back the dead body of a slain man. His blood melded with her already bloody hand. Thankfully she had not eaten that morning and in choked fear let forth a loud shrilled scream.
"Shut your mouth!"
In an instant the man grabbed her, hoisting her up to standing position only to slap her down to the ground effectively silencing her. Such an action caused roaring laughter from the bandits in the trees and a loud scream from Bao Shen who was immediately slapped and gagged.
The blow caused her eardrums to ring. Chunhua hissed through the pain letting out choked swear. Indignation flooded her senses as well as her words.
"You fucking swine!" Laughter from the men was the only response heard.
Where in the heavens was her supposed protector? Was he the ringleader of this takeover?
"Ha! I'm not the one rolling in the dirt!"
"Where is Zhang Liao? Why are you doing this?" Her emotions were going haywire. Tears began to roll down her cheeks.
"Zhang Liao went to scout ahead for bandits." At the word 'bandit' there was a string of laughter. "He won't be back for a very long time."
How had so much gone so wrong?
"Oh, but don't cry after we're done with you, you'll go to a good home as some nobleman's bitch."
This was beyond sick. Even in complete fear she could not find the words to beg for her life or the life of her maid. Instead she just then realized she had one very small advantage against the man in front of her.
"Now just sit there all pretty while we have a little fun, ok?" He moved towards her once more yanking her up, uncaring that he was further damaging her hand.
Just as their faces were inches apart she used her free hand to brandish the dagger from the inside of her sleeve and sliced his face in a wild rage. The effects were instant. His hold faded as both his hands went to his face.
"You fucking bitch!" Over and over he cried those words.
For the first time in a long time Zhang Chunhua felt accomplished. Of course as with all things in her life recently, it ended far too quickly and was replaced by pain. Only this pain came in the form of two men wrestling the knife from her hand. In doing so it allowed Bao Shen to become unattended and free.
"Bao-"
Once more she found herself knocked to the ground with the small blade knocked itches away. Just as she made a grab for it an arrow came whizzing past her closing the gap between her and the knife. Such a shot stunned her long enough for one of the men to kick it away.
Her only hope rested in Bao Shen's escape and before she could sit up to see large hands encased her throat and necklace. Gazing up at her torturer she saw it was the man she stabbed. There was a deep diagonal cut going from the corner of his mouth to the left side of his cheek. Blood was pouring profusely from the wound.
"Fucking bitch!"
His hands tightened around her throat using her necklace to cut off any obtainable oxygen. No amount of clawing or struggling loosened his hold. He sat there on her chest slowly choking the life out of her.
"That's enough!"
He began to grow blurry in her eyes.
"Stop it!"
Darkness seeped into her vision like oil.
"I said stop it!"
All at once the grip slacked and oxygen began slowly coming back. The weight on her body was suddenly removed causing a deep inhale of air followed by choked coughs. As her vision began to clear she saw the body of her attacker slumped over, face first with an arrow embedded deep within his back.
"Get up!"
Having no choice in the matter she was pulled up and was pressed against the bandit. Beyond him she saw Bao Shen confined by a few men. Their last attempt at escape was lost with her capture. It was a hasty ill-formed plan doomed from the start.
"Please… let us go…" All her body weight rested on her would-be rapist.
"You and your maid have caused more than enough trouble!" Her body was pushed away into the arms of the second man who quickly bound and gagged her.
Everything hurt far too much to struggle and when she tried one last time the man in front of her slapped her so hard she felt her ears ring. If they truly meant to sell her off they would have to wait until the bruises faded. Perhaps they didn't care and would kill her. She could only hope.
"Now you're going to be a good little girl and follow my orders!"
Blinking away tears she nodded. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the knife on the ground glinting in the sunlight – mocking her. So this was to be her end.
"Now start walk-"
A loud gagged groan was heard followed by more shouts of panic.
"What the f-"
Looking around she and her two attackers watched as a figure shadowed by trees wielding two large axes slashed the bandits' bellies or completely decapitated them. The two men by Bao Shen rushed their comrades' aids only to be struck down easily. Entrails oozed out like a freshly cut pigs.
"It's Zhang Li-"
From out of the shadows stepped Zhang Liao, his twin axes stained with blood. In blind panic the man not restraining her lunged forward saber drawn. The result was the same as the others. He was very nearly sliced in two by Zhang Liao's blades.
Like death himself, Zhang Liao stepped forth to claim his last victim.
"Chunhua run!"
Like a slap on the cheek, she broke from her stupor, running to the safety of her maid. The old woman embraced her ward and held onto to her tightly. The sound of pained screams was the only thing she heard.
A smile formed on her lips at the thought of his death.
"Lady Zhang, Miss Bao we must take our leave!" It was then Chunhua realized the horses were gone from the carriage.
"Where will we go! Where were you! Why were you not here!" Chunhua peeled off her dear friend and faced Zhang Liao, silently agreeing with her. Her heart could not stop beating.
"Lady Zhang, Lady Bao my words will never be able to convey my sorrow. I have failed both you, my honor, and my duty. When we reach the capital I promise to write Cao Cao and explain my crimes. Until then please follow me."
"Yes, ok…" She muttered numbly. He nodded and bowed deeply before her. Had things not turned out as they had she may have been deeply touched by the gesture.
"I-I trust you…" Everything was happening too fast.
Suddenly Chunhua felt a heavy weight on her left shoulder, the same side as her wounded hand. Looking down she saw the reason behind the sudden weight in the form of an arrow embedded inside the flesh. Intense burning pain followed this realization.
"Chunhua!"
"It w-was meant for h-him!" Came a choked voice.
In a state of shock the teen fell to her knees hyperventilating. She just vaguely heard Zhang Liao let out a roar and go charging towards the man. It was beyond bearable to breathe.
From the corner of her eye she saw her hairpin and knife, now next to each other, both shining in the sun. Both so very beautiful to look. So inviting. But only one was truly practical. The answer was clear.
"Now you die!" She heard Zhang Liao say.
"Wait!" Like a woman possessed Chunhua grabbed the knife from the ground and sprang to her feet in blind rage.
At her command the general halted in step allowing her to pass him and charge her attacker, bringing the knife down into his gut with a sickening strike. What followed shocked even the war veteran Zhang Liao.
"I'll end your pitiful existence!"
Over and over the blade found home in his stomach. Blood hitting her cheeks painted her a twisted and lovely shade of red. It wasn't until she was forcibly removed by Zhang Liao did she stop.
The madness did not go away.
"There's an arrow… in my…" A manic laugh from her lips interrupted her thought.
"Chunhua!" Bao Shen took her ward from Zhang Liao. Zhang Chunhua had finally done it.
"Z-Zhang Liao…" She looked up at him with blurred vision.
It felt so good and she could not stop laughing.
But why was everything so warm? It didn't matter. She just continued to laugh. It was almost certain she pissed herself. As her body was either wet with tears, blood, or piss. A truly dreadful state she was in, but for once she did not care.
Her vision blurred as spots of black began to grow bigger. Intense pain coupled with raging emotions riddled her senses until she felt distant hands grab at her body as she felt her body press against something cold metallic. Perhaps armor?
"I'll carry… safety… hold… Lady"
She smiled in a delusional haze. Everything in her body hurt. But her mind felt euphoric.
"Heh, I did it…"
The voices and images became lost, but just before the darkness engulfed her senses Chunhua could almost swear she heard the notes of a lute wafting beautifully through the air. But that could have been nothing more than the imaginings of a crazed young woman.
Author's Note:
Shit just got real! A few things I want to point out are how common characters in the RoTK and Dynasty Warrior series end up dying from an arrow wound: Zhou Yu, Sun Ce, Pang Tong, Sima Shi, the list goes on. Also it's fairly common, as seen by Guan Yu escorting Liu Bei's two wives, for someone to scout ahead for bandit attacks. In all fairness I do acknowledge it may seem cliché, but Cai Wenji, a Wei officer in DW7 was kidnapped and sold off to be a wife to Liu Bao (not Liu Biao) before Cao Cao saved her. Even Guo Huai's wife gets kidnapped by thugs for a short a time. There is no proof of Zhang Chunhua ever being captured though. So is it cliché for a bandit attack? Yes. Is it possible Chunhua got attacked at some point in her life? Yes.
There's my madness to method…. And no, not the other way around. Anyways more Sima Yi in the next chapter. More so than the last few chapter. And for the love of god or whatever if I make a historical error, fiction or otherwise please, Please, PLEASE tell me and what it is. Go Anon if you want. I rather be annoyed by someone pointing out my silly mistake in research than ignorant of my many mistakes.
1. Liu Bei, in 204, was under the service of Liu Biao, a kinsman during that time. Together with his sworn brothers and Zhao Yun they put down rebellions. In later years Liu Bei urged Liu Biao to attack Cao Cao, but the latter refuses. Eventually due to the jealousy of Liu Biao's officials and his wife there is a plot against Liu Bei forcing him to flee. He then goes on to search for a strategist which he finds in Zhuge Liang.
2. Pong Tong was not a member of Liu Bei's group at this time. He was sort of a wandering hermit searching for a master which he eventually found in Sun Quan who disliked him due to his outward appearance. In the RoTK novel he plays a big role in the Battle of Chibi by convincing Cao Cao to tie his ships' masts together thus helping to spread the fire. After this he joins up with his buddy Zhuge Liang and joins Shu.