Chapter 10: The Siege of Xuzhou
So far, in the years after Huo Lao Gate, all but two of the Confederation's leaders had been heavied by war. Sun Jian met his death at the hands of Liu Biao. Ma Teng and his Xiliang troops hassled Li Jue and Guo Si's supply lines. Xuande came to the aid of Gongsun Zan in his feud with Yuan Shao. Even Yuan Shu was having trouble dealing with remnants of the Yellow Turbans.
Of the two remaining leaders, only Kong Rong stood proudly in his home province of Xuzhou. Proudly, or stupidly, Cao Cao thought. He had avoided conflict by traveling between cities, never staying anywhere for more than a month. With the ready of blades of Xiahou Dun and Xu Zhu always by his side he ran into little trouble. With the coming of spring, Cao Cao yearned to be with his family. He informed his sons of his plans to return, briefly, to Chenliu, but first thought that he would visit his aging father.
As fate would have it, the venerable Cao Song was visiting none other than Kong Rong. Upon receiving word from his son, Cao Song passed along the news to Kong Rong, who as elated. He wanted to feast the Confederation's leader, but Cao Song advised against it.
"My son is keeping a low profile these days. He is far too cautious," Cao Song remarked.
"Both a bad and a good thing I suppose," Kong Rong remarked. "But I see your point. I will arrange a small lunch for the three of us."
When Cao Cao arrived at Kong Rong's residence, Xu Zhu was placed at the front entrance and Xiahou Dun in the back. Cao Cao was then shown to Kong Rong's garden, which at the time was in full bloom. He walked slowly, appreciating the care that had been put into each flower. He missed his home dearly and had already made up his mind that he was done running. He nodded to his father and Kong Rong when they noticed him approaching, but did not increase his pace. His wine was poured before he reached and handed to him before he could even take his seat.
"Welcome, Cao Cao, it has been too long," Kong Rong smiled.
"Yes," Cao Cao replied. He placed his cup on the table and prostrated himself before his father.
"It is good to see you, my son," Cao Song replied, leaning over in his chair and placing his hand on his son's head.
"And you, father," Cao Cao remarked, finally taking his seat and bringing his wine to his lips.
"What brought you so suddenly to Xuzhou?" Kong Rong asked. "If you don't mind me asking"
"I hadn't seen my father in such a long time," Cao Cao replied. "And I was very curious to see how you were living in plain sight of Li Jue and Guo Si."
"I have three daughters and no sons," Kong Rong replied. "Their beauty will shield them from Li Jue and Guo Si's blades and as for my life, it matters not. Meaning no disrespect, I would rather lie dead in Xuzhou than live chained to a horse."
"You should heed Kong Rong's words, my son," Cao Song advised. "How long has it been since you've seen your children?"
"Far too long, father," Cao Cao honestly replied. "You were in Chenliu last month, were you not? How are they?"
"Jie has blossomed into the Han's most beautiful flower. The heads of the most prominent families across the land have come to beg Pi to marry their daughters. Zhi has refined his tongue and mind and even the elders of Chenliu come for the boy's advice. And Master Xu Huang has trained Zhang into a fine soldier, worthy of all titles and ranks."
"Perhaps Pi could marry one of my daughters," Kong Rong mused with a laugh.
"A unison of two of the great houses could be the beginnings of a new Confederation," Cao Song agreed. "And with the true Emperor in your care, restoration of the Han would be within our grasp."
Cao Cao nodded and stroked his beard, turning the proposition over in his head. While his father and host waited for him to speak, Kong Rong thought of something else he had been waiting to ask the Confederation's founder.
"Cao Cao, I have been wondering this for years now," Kong Rong stated, interrupting Cao Cao's train of thought. "What made you rally the Confederation?"
At this question, Cao Cao smiled at his host and then turned his gaze towards Kong Rong's garden. He knew the answer to that question – it was one he carried with him in every step he took. However, he did not answer truthfully. Still starring out at the garden he replied:
"To kill the traitor Dong Zhuo."
Neither Cao Song nor Kong Rong believed that that was Cao Cao's main reason, but neither pressed the issue. Cao Cao sipped on his wine and watched intently as a bee settled on the petal of one of Kong Rong's flowers. The scene was beautiful in its natural simplicity. Cao Cao closed his eyes and remembered the moment he had gained this brand of appreciation.
It had been several years past, just after the birth of Cao Cao's youngest child, Cao Zhang. Cao Cao was in his study, reviewing the quarterly tax reports, a book of Sun Tzu's teachings open on the corner of his desk. It had happened so suddenly and so precisely. Cao Pi was chasing his younger brother, Zhi, across the living room and the boys crashed into a side table, knocking over a vase. The crash of the glass vessel caught Cao Cao's attention, distracting him from his work.
"Pi, what happened?" He called, looking up from his work, but not leaving his desk.
Cao Pi pushed his brother into the study and ran quickly from the blame.
"It… it was my fault father," Zhi stated. "I am sorry."
Zhi bowed his head and Cao Cao smiled widely.
"Thank you for telling me the truth. Go tell one of the maids to clean it up," Cao Cao instructed. Cao Zhi nodded profusely, happy that he wasn't in trouble, and hurried off.
Cao Cao returned to his work, but was again distracted when he heard the scrape of a broom against the ground. He looked up and was shocked to see his wife, Cao Bian, on her hands and knees, sweeping up the glass and soil. She had been a Princess in Yu before she was married to Cao Cao and it amazed him to see her performing such a menial task. He put down his quill and watched intently. As she swept, she took the flower from the pile soil, cut the stem, and then quietly placed it in her hair. She was beautiful, Cao Cao thought. When she noticed him starring, she turned back to the shattered vase and archaically took the flower from her hair and swept it up with the rest of the soil. Never had such a simple act moved Cao Cao so. He wanted to go to her and replace the flower, but didn't. Instead he turned back to his work and thought of a world where his beautiful would never have felt the need to remove it in the first place.
Cao Bian died only months later from a long illness. Cao Cao found the strength to approach her only after it was too late. Instead, he picked up his sword and channeled his new found strength through it.
In Jingzhou, Liu Biao's esteemed guests were becoming welcome residents. Lady Diao brought a certain grace to the manor and all around her were always high of spirit. With Lu Bu and Jia Xu in his debt, Liu Biao was safe from all attack and lived life lavishly. He brought half a dozen women into his home to dote on his handless son and his province flourished.
However, this surreal tranquility was eventually broken. It was not war that came to Jingzhou, but a spy from Chang An. The man met privately with Lady Diao and when he left, he left her in tears. Lu Bu would have killed the messenger had Liu Biao not stayed his hand, so instead he marched immediately to his wife's room.
"My lady, please, it hurts me to see your cheeks wet with tears," Lu Bu remarked, taking her into his strong arms. "Tell me what it is that has troubled you so and I shall dry your tears."
"Li Jue and Guo Si's ravening appetite has reached my home," Diao Chan sobbed. "They have hung my parents for my actions!"
Lu Bu held her even closer and stroked her back. And though his hands were gentle, his heart roared beneath his chest. Li Jue and Guo Si had gone too far. They were killing all those loyal to the Han. Surely their aim was the seat of Heaven itself.
"They have to be stopped!" Lu Bu roared, pounding his fist against Liu Biao's table.
"What would you have me do, Master Lu Bu?" Liu Biao remarked. "March against Chang An?"
"It would be madness," Cai Mao agreed. Lu Bu turned his ferocious stare on the Jingzhou general, who took a few defensive steps back.
"What they say is true, my lord," Jia Xu remarked, quelling Lu Bu's rage.
"We can't do nothing!" Lu Bu demanded.
"We don't have to," Jia Xu replied. "It is not our place."
"Then what? Who are you suggesting?" Lu Bu asked, slowly learning how his strategist thought. Jia Xu only smiled.
"My lords, you have a visitor," one of Kong Rong's attendants informed. "He says he has an interesting proposal."
"Only allow him in if Xu Zhu thinks it appropriate," Cao Cao instructed.
"Yes, my lord," the attendant replied, bowing his head and taking his leave. Moments later, the hulking figure of Xu Zhu entered, followed by a thin man with hollow eyes. Kong Rong rose from his seat when he saw Jia Xu and his mouth hung open. Cao Cao's mouth turned into a smile and he leaned forward as Jia Xu prostrated himself before Cao Song.
"What are you doing here?" Kong Rong demanded.
"Am I not just as much a traitor as you and Master Cao Cao?" Jia Xu asked.
"No, sir, you are ten times the traitor–"
"And thus ten time the hero," Cao Cao replied. "Kong Rong, if Jia Xu's presence makes you uncomfortable then I'll excuse myself while we talk."
"No… no, it's fine," Kong Rong stammered, stumbling back into his chair and staring at Jia Xu.
"What brings you to Xuzhou?" Cao Cao asked.
"You, my lord," Jia Xu replied.
"Don't flatter me, Xu, you of all people should know that it won't work. State your purpose so I may consider it," Cao Cao replied.
"Li Jue and Guo Si have outstayed their welcome. My lord and I are currently staying with Liu Biao. However, the man has no talent and a pathetic army. I come to you, begging for your assistance. Know that if you march on Chang an, you will have the full support of Lord Lu Bu and all his generals," Jia Xu proposed.
Cao Song clapped his hands and poured Jia Xu a cup of wine.
"Think not of this offer, my son, accept it and place Emperor Bian back on the throne!" Cao Song instructed.
"You have the Emperor?" Jia Xu asked, suppressing his shock.
"Yes," Cao Cao replied. "But I shall honor my father's wishes. Tell Lu Bu to ready his men."
"Thank you, my lord," Jia Xu replied, bowing his head. Cao Song turned to his son and his face seemed more alive than it had in years.
"This is going to be a great day! Let me take a carriage with you back to Chenliu. I want to be with the family when we restore the Han," Cao Song eagerly remarked.
"Father, Jia Xu and I will have to rally my men around the country before heading back to Chenliu. All the travel might be too much for you," Cao Cao advised.
"Don't worry, Cao Cao," Kong Rong remarked. "I will send your father with my finest general ahead to Chenliu. Gather your troops and meet him once you are ready."
"Thank you, Kong Rong, we are in your debt," Cao Song replied, leaping up from his chair.
"I will tell General Hou Cheng to prepare a carriage," Kong Rong replied.
Cao Song's carriage was loaded with gifts and fine clothes. Cao Song wore his best robes and fastened the sword of his ancestors, Blue Blade, around his waist. In mere days, his family's name would be recorded forever in the pages of history and he wanted to look his best.
The carriage moved quickly towards Chenliu and Cao Song could barely contain his excitement. There was a knock on the carriage door and Cao Song leaned his head out to see what was the matter.
"What is it, Hou Cheng?" He asked Kong Rong's general.
"There is a village not far from here. Would you like to stop to rest, my lord?" Hou Cheng asked.
"No, no, that's quite alright," Cao Song remarked. "I want to get to Chenliu as quickly as possible."
Hou Cheng nodded and went to shut the carriage door. As he did he looked in at the lavish gifts of silk and gold. He noted Cao Song's fine attire and the magnificent blade tied around his waist. He grunted and slammed the door shut.
Only minutes later, there was another knock at Cao Song's door. Sighing, he opened it back up. Hou Cheng had a bow aimed at the old man. Cao Song swung the door shut and the arrow stuck in the door. Drawing Blue Blade, Cao Song leapt out of the carriage, but was speared through with one deft thrust of Hou Cheng's spear.
"Pathetic old man," he laughed. The procession came to a halt and Cao Song's carriage was looted for all it was worth. Hou Cheng kept Blue Blade for himself and hurled Cao Song's body back into the carriage. The envoy then turned back towards the village where they planned to lay low until the storm passed.
Cao Cao and Xiahou rode at the head of their company with Xu Zhu behind them and Jia Xu a few yards back. Xiahou Dun rode close to his cousin and spoke softly.
"Do you think it's wise to trust that man, my lord?" Xiahou Dun asked, looking back over his shoulder at Jia Xu.
"Jia Xu came to me today, not to ask me to fight Li Jue and Guo Si, but to join our ranks," Cao Cao replied.
"But he said nothing of the sort. How could you know this?" Xiahou Dun asked.
"When asking another man for help, you do not come yourself – you send an envoy. Jia Xu's presence means that this was the out he was looking for. He has no intention of returning to Lu Bu," Cao Cao explained. Xiahou Dun contemplated what Cao Cao had said and laughed at his cousin's brilliance.
"He will be a valuable asset," Xiahou Dun remarked. Just then, a cloud of smoke kicked up in the horizon and a horse rode hard towards them. Cao Cao watched as the rider pulled up beside him, completely out of breath.
"Master Cao Cao!" He gasped.
"Catch your breath, soldier," Cao Cao instructed. The solider nodded and then looked into Cao Cao's eyes.
"Your father… he's been murdered by Hou Cheng!" The soldier exclaimed. Cao Cao pulled to an abrupt stop, his horse neighing from the sudden jerk on its reigns. Xiahou Dun looked silently from his cousin to the messenger. For a time it didn't seem like Cao Cao was going to say anything. His procession stopped and none of his men dared approach him. However, Jia Xu was not one of Cao Cao's men.
"What's happened?" He asked.
"Kong Rong has murdered my father," Cao Cao whispered.
"What on earth for?" Jia Xu asked. Cao Cao's grip on his reigns tightened as his knuckles paled white.
"Dun, ride hard to Xia Pi – gather all our men that are stationed there. Xu Zhu, take the route of my father's carriage, bring me Hou Cheng's head and my father's body," Cao Cao barked. His generals nodded and rode immediately away. "Your rescue mission is going to have to wait, Jia Xu. My father begs vengeance and Kong Rong will pay with every last drop of blood in his daughters' veins!"
Cao Cao turned his horse and spurred it back towards Xuzhou. Jia Xu watched the procession chase after their lord and sighed. Perhaps he had been wrong, Jia Xu thought, maybe Cao Cao was just another ego hungry warlord. He turned his horse and rode back to Jingzhou – Lu Bu was not going to be pleased.
Cao Cao mustered up a force at record breaking speed. He had over three thousand men stationed around Xuzhou and was not letting anything in or out of the city. He and Xiahou Dun bided their time, waiting for Kong Rong's supplies to run dry. With his people hungry and morale low, Cao Cao knew that Kong Rong would surrender. Cao Cao planned on accepting that surrender and when the gates were opened his force would unleash hell on Kong Rong's family.
The city had been under siege for almost a week when Xu Zhu finally returned. However, Cao Cao's bodyguard came with only his broadsword in tow.
"I told you to bring me Hou Cheng's head," Cao Cao reminded.
"I brought you something better, my lord," Xu Zhu replied taking a new. Cao Cao watched in awe as a giant of a man appeared in the distance, dragging a cart with a beautiful coffin on it. The man had huge arms and stood even taller than Xu Zhu. His eyes were calm, but his jaw fierce. He dropped the handles to the cart and took a knee before Cao Cao.
"My lord, my name is Dian Wei, a carpenter from the nearby village of Xiaopei. A group of men paraded into our town a few days ago, buying women and drink – hardly being subtle that they were bandits. They had come in a magnificent carriage and while they were out I examined it and found this–" Dian Wei explained, drawing Blue Blade and showing it to Cao Cao. "I know this sword to be your house, my lord. Your father's body was still in the carriage, unburied, still wounded. I was building this coffin for my wife, but realized that it was far too grand for her. I cleaned up your venerable father and placed him in instead. If you wish, please put him in a proper tomb and carry out the rites. Finally, after I finished dressing your lordship's father, I went to the tavern where the bandits were staying and killed them all."
Dian Wei opened the burlap sack hung over his shoulders and produced the head of Hou Cheng.
"The carriage was destroyed in the fight and I am here to give you my life for this trespass," Dian Wei remarked, bearing his neck. Cao Cao turned to Xiahou Dun who simply smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
"My friend, you have returned honor to my house and for that I should rightly give you my life," Cao Cao remarked, taking a hold of Dian Wei's hands and picking him up to his feet. "Name anything you desire and it shall be yours."
"Two halberds, a horse, and a blacksmith to forge short-handled throwing-axes, my lord," Dian Wei replied without hesitating. "I will need them all in order to serve you."
"Then you shall have each and every one," Cao Cao replied, snapping his fingers.
Kong Rong cut every last piece of meat off the last leg of chicken in his manor. Their food stores were running low and the troops were getting restless. More men joined Cao Cao and the day and with his general Xu Zhu, there would be none that could stop him. Kong Rong knew Cao Cao all to well. Cao Cao thought he had ordered Hou Cheng to kill his father. This was, of course, not the case, but nevertheless there would be no escaping death in this battle. Even if he surrendered, Kong Rong knew that Cao Cao would eradicate his family, starting with his daughters.
A hungry soldier entered Kong Rong's chambers and prostrated himself.
"My lord, one of the people wishes to meet with you," the soldier informed. Kong Rong sighed and nodded. All he could tell his subjects was to keep the faith – that it would all be over soon. They didn't need reassurance; they needed food. However, when the guest was shown in, Kong Rong could see that this was no common villager. He was a young man with eyes as sharp as steel. He had a broad jaw and even broader shoulders. His hands were callused from work and he didn't look famished in the slightest.
"How can I help you, son?" Kong Rong asked.
"My lord, my name is Taishi Ci. My mother and I are from the Southland and are visiting one of her old friends. My mother has taken ill and she needs a doctor. There are none in Xuzhou that know what is wrong with her," the young man remarked.
"I am very sorry, but what do you want me to do? You know our situation," Kong Rong replied.
"I could break through our enemy's lines by myself, but I could not get back through with a doctor in tow," the Taishi Ci explained. "The only way to get my mother the help she needs would to have the doctor escorted back in. Surely there must be someone I could go to plead for assistance."
Kong Rong sat silently in his chair and thought. It didn't take him long to think of just the man for the job.
"There is only one person that can help us. You must tell him the whole truth. Tell him how my city came to be under siege and how Cao Cao's assumptions about the death of his father are false. Upon hearing these words, this man will come to our aid wihou a doubt," Kong Rong explained.
"Where would you have me go?" Taishi Ci asked.
"Go to Baima. When you are there, ask for Xuande."
Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun watch as the gates to Xuzhou cracked open only slightly. A lone warrior rode out spear leveled and a look of conviction on his face.
"You think he's here to surrender?" Xiahou Dun laughed.
"Dian Wei, squash this insect," Cao Cao ordered. Dian Wei took his burlap sack, now filled with throwing axes, off his shoulder and took his halberds beneath his arms. He swung up onto his horse and charged at the fledgling warrior.
"The devil has risen from Xiaopei. Do you really wish to face him?" Dian Wei growled, whirling his halberds around. Taishi Ci lowered his spear into a defensive position and spurred his horse forward. Dian Wei thrust at Taishi Ci who parried and rode by. Both warriors turned and came for another pass. Taishi Ci kept to his defensive stance and let Dian Wei attack again. This time, Cao Cao's general swung twice – the second swing carrying much more power than the first. Taishi Ci felt like his arms were going to be ripped off. There was no need to keep this charade up. He was outclassed. On the next pass, Taishi Ci raised his spear and thrust wildly at Dian Wei. The experienced warrior easily unarmed Taishi Ci with one of his halberds and then thrust with the other. Taishi Ci unsheathed his sword, pushed aside, the attack, and bolted straight past Dian Wei, not bothering to turn for another pass.
He pointed his sword at Cao Cao and charged.
"Have you no honor, villain?" Taishi Ci cried. "Kong Rong has done you no harm!"
Xiahou Dun charged forward and swung his saber for Taishi Ci's neck. Taishi Ci swatted the blade aside and continued his charge, pointing once again at Cao Cao – his eyes growling angrily. Xu Zhu grabbed his master and pulled him out of Taishi Ci's grasping blade's reach. Xu Zhu then heaved up his broadsword to fight, but Taishi Ci was already gone, cutting his way through Cao Cao's barricade.
"Don't let him get away," Cao Cao ordered. Xiahou Dun nodded and took after Taishi Ci. However, he lost the boy's trail in the forest and had to report back empty handed.
"So you say Kong Rong had nothing to do with his father's death?" Fa Zheng asked, sitting back in his chair and digesting Taishi Ci's story.
"Have you tried explaining all this to him?" Gongsun Zan asked.
"Cao Cao is a man of no reason. He is blinded by his anger," Taishi Ci replied.
"Xuande, there is no reason to anger Cao Cao. This is not your fight," Gongsun Zan remarked.
"Neither is yours with Yuan Shao," Lord Guan threateningly reminded.
"Guan Yu," Xuande reprimanded.
"Sorry, brother," Guan Yu replied, bowing his head. Xuande then turned to Taishi Ci.
"Though it pains me to see a war fought for as vile a vice as revenge, I cannot help you. I have already pledged my service to Lord Gongsun Zan," Xuande replied.
"Brother, if it is your venerable host's safety you are worried about, then take our men but let Zhang Fei and I stay here," Lord Guan suggested. Zhang Fei grumbled under his breath and rested his spear back against the wall.
"Would this be acceptable?" Xuande asked Gongsun Zan, who still seemed hesitant.
"Master Zan, my brother and I are each ten Yan Liang's and 10 Wen Chou's. You have nothing to fear," Lord Guan promised.
"Fine…" Gongsun Zan sighed. "Of course."
"Thank you, my lord," Taishi Ci remarked, prostrating himself.
"I will fetch a doctor to take with you," Fa Zheng added.
Xuande, Liao Hua, and Taishi Ci had lead their squad of some five-hundred soldiers only a mile or two outside the walls of Baima, when a lone rider could be seen quickly approaching them, spear swung up over his shoulder. Xuande rolled his eyes and chuckled as Zhang Fei hollered at them.
"Hey, wait up!" He cried. When his horse pulled up next to Liao Hua's, he slowed his pace and trotted along, trying hard to breathe normally, as if he had been with them the whole time. His brother and comrade stared at him with smiles on their faces.
"What?" He growled. "I've been locked up in that fucking place for almost a year! A tiger's got to spread his claws! Cao Cao's got a few entertaining officers, doesn't he?"
"I'm sure you'll be able to take a few off his hands," Liao Hua chuckled.
"Come on, let's get this show on the road!" Zhang Fei hollered, spurring his horse forward. His friends and soldiers grinned widely and chased after their wide-eyed general.
"Unidentified forces, approaching from the rear!" One of Cao Cao's soldiers wailed. Cao Cao swung his horse around and saw the young man that had broken through his forces, retuning with an army in tow.
"Cao Cao, we have come for your head!" Taishi Ci yelled.
"Dun," Cao Cao flatly replied. Xiahou Dun raised a battle horn to his lips and the sound caused the earth to shake. Xuande's horses brayed and kicked as the earth before them literally split open. Hundreds of arrows rained out from the earth and flew down at Xuande's troops like locust.
Cao Cao knew that Taishi Ci's only intention in breaking through the siege alone would be to call for reinforcements and had immediately ordered the digging of a long trench from where his archers could wreck whatever aid came to his father's murderer.
Unable to shoot back at the archers, Xuande's battalion split up, but still, many were slaughtered in the assault. As they scattered and attempted to reach Cao Cao's troops, Dian Wei approached the trench and reached into his burlap sack. From his vantage point behind the archers, he hurled battle axe after battle axe into oncoming enemy troops – some of his targets were nearly one hundred yards away. To make matters worse, Xu Zhu had been dressed in the heaviest armor Xuande had ever seen. It covered every part of his body in thick steel and would have crushed an ordinary man. Unable to ride a horse in this armor, Xu Zhu lumbered out past the archer trenches, broadsword in hand. The armor kept him safe from his own archers and the wide arcing swing of his broadsword cleaved down both men and mounts.
Swatting an arrow from the sky, Zhang Fei roared furiously. Their numbers had nearly been cut in half and he had enough. His eyes widened as he charged down at Xu Zhu and he swung Dragon Venom viciously at the steel titan. However, when his spear hit, it went no farther. Zhang Fei felt a pang in his arms and he was ripped from his saddle. His horse ran madly away and Xu Zhu advanced on Zhang Fei. He raised his broadsword above his head and swung straight down. Zhang Fei rolled out of the way, just as Xu Zhu's sword split the earth. The goliath's armor was impervious to Zhang Fei's strikes and even the hot-blooded general was beginning to see retreat as his only option.
Meanwhile, Liao Hua danced through the enemy fire and broke forward. He pointed his sword at Dian Wei and let out a sharp battle cry.
"Are you a man or demon?" Liao Hua asked. "I want to know which for when I tell the tale of your defeat."
Dian Wei replied by hurling a battle axe at the former Yellow Turban. Liao Hua ducked under the axe and quickened his pace. However, he made a sharp turn well before the trench and, instead of leaping over it, he leapt straight into it. Cao Cao's archers screeched as Liao Hua viciously cut through their ranks. He was on them before they could turn to shoot him down.
"Destroy that general!" Cao Cao bellowed. Dian Wei turned and raised a battle axe, aiming for Liao Hua's back. He released the weapon, but the axe never made it to its mark. Taishi Ci had forced his horse over the trench with perfect timing and the axe found itself in his mount's gut instead of Liao Hua's spine.
Taishi Ci's horse crashed to the ground on the other side of the trench and he rolled into a deep stance: spear in one hand, saber in the other. Cao Cao's men hemmed in on the warrior, but Dian Wei held his hand up, keeping them at bay. His halberds with thrown to him and he spun at Taishi Ci with the fury of a tornado. Taishi Ci swatted the demon's attacks to the side, but it only spurred Dian Wei on. He became more ferocious and more relentless with every strike. Taishi Ci was out of his league.
Just when all seemed lost, a horse soared over the heads of the circled Chenliu soldiers and landed in the midst of the duel. Zhang Fei had broken off his fight with the impenetrable Xu Zhu and claimed a horse. He roared from the bottom of his lungs and vibrated the very air such that the soldiers in front of him were struck with awe. Not giving them time to regain their senses, Zhang Fei pulled Taishi Ci onto the back of his horse and Dragon Venom cut a path to Xuzhou where Xuande, Liao Hua, the doctor, and the men that had survived Cao Cao's ambush were already waiting.
As Xuande and Zhang Fei approached Kong Rong, the governor dropped to his knees and raised a sword up above his head.
"Xuande, please forgive me. I knew that Cao Cao had dug those trenches, but not a single of my riders could get word to you. I have brought great suffering on you and your men. Please, do me the honor of ending my life," Kong Rong begged. Xuande raised his hand when Zhang Fei reached for the handle and knelt down next to Kong Rong.
"It was not your fault, my lord. You did all that you could. And now that my brother and I are here, we can help you push back this villain."
"But how, so many of your men have died," Kong Rong sobbed.
"It doesn't take numbers to win a fight," Zhang Fei remarked. Kong Rong looks up at Xuande who nodded his agreement. Kong Rong then turned to Zhang Fei and also remembered the stories of Lord Guan's achievements at Si Shui Gate. There was something extraordinary about these brothers. They were destined for far more than he. Kong Rong bowed even lower and removed the Governor's insignia from his pocket.
"Please Lord Liu Bei, it would not be honorable for me to rule this Province of Xuzhou, knowing that there stands right before me and abler man," Kong Rong stated. Xuande took the Governor's hands, and closed his fingers around the seal.
"The fact that you would give your province to another to ensure its security means that you are in fact its rightful ruler," Xuande replied with a smile. "Come we have much to attend to."
Xiahou Dun entered his cousin's tent and waited impatiently for him to acknowledge him. When Cao Cao didn't so much as look up from his book, Xiahou Dun cleared his throat.
"I saw you, cousin," Cao Cao replied. "But I can only assume that you are here to tell me that the men are getting restless. Fortunately, Sun Tzu finds that no physical harm can be inflicted by such an ailment. If they start to go hungry, like Kong Rong's men, then I will address you when you enter my tent."
"But–"
"Xuande came with 300 men, 200 of which are dead. He has only provided more mouths to feed and thus accelerated the date of our attack," Cao Cao flatly interjected.
"And when will that be?" Xiahou Dun asked.
"While you were busy gossiping with the commanders, I already commissioned Dian Wei to begin construction of the siege weapons."
"I… I'm sorry, my lord," Xiahou Dun sheepishly replied, bowing his head.
"Don't be Dun. If you had anything to be sorry for, I would not have assigned you any important rank," Cao Cao informed. Xiahou Dun nodded, and awkwardly left Cao Cao's tent.
"Cao Cao has surely measured the days you have until your stores run dry," Xuande explained. "It is only then that he will try to force entry into Xuzhou. If he breaks the gates while we are still in here, all will be lost."
"What do you propose we do?" Kong Rong asked.
"We wait until your stores run dry. Before Cao Cao advances his siege weapons, we'll send an officer out to distract him–"
"That's me," Zhang Fei remarked, in case anyone was unsure.
"While Master Fei holds their attention, I will sneak out the back entrance with a crack force armed with fire arrows," Liao Hua explained. "The only hope of victory in this situation is to bring nature to our side."
"It's a risky plan, my lord," Xuande cautioned. "Your family should leave through the back as well and ride hard until it is safe to return."
Kong Rong was taken aback by Xuande's generosity. How and why this man had left Luoyang seemed irrelevant, all that Kong Rong knew was that if Xuande had kept his title that the eunuchs would have never thrown the Han into its current state.
As Zhang Fei and Liao Hua went over their plans again, Kong Rong's eldest daughter, entered with tea. She bowed before each of the generals as they took their cups from her tray. However, when she reached Xuande, her eyes couldn't help but wander up into his gentle smile. Xuande nodded at the girl and took his drink. When she noticed her father's stare, Kong Mi, hastily averted her gaze and hurried out of the room. Kong Rong sat back in his chair and sipped his tea, watching Xuande intently as he turned to help his generals.
"Preparations are ready, my lord," Dian Wei reported, entering the commander's tent and bowing his head.
"Excellent, move in the siege weapons," Cao Cao ordered. Dian Wei nodded, however, before the general could leave the tent, the clapping of hooves pounded towards them. Dian Wei drew his spears in an instant and dropped into a deep stance as a horse as black a night burst into the tent, kicking and braying. It had glimmering red eyes and Cao Cao recognized it at once as Shadow Mare, the Chenliu stable's prized horse. The rider was bloodied by blade and arrows and wore the colors of Chenliu. He slipped out of the saddle and tumbled into Dian Wei's arms.
"Zhang!" Cao Cao cried, rushing to his youngest son's side and cradling his head. "Are you alright!" Dian Wei, call a doctor!"
Cao Zhang grabbed a hold of his father's robes and pulled his ears down close to his lips.
"Chenliu… attacked…" Cao Zhang groaned, gulping in air.
"What? By who?" Cao Cao asked, keeping his voice low.
"Lu… Bu…" Cao Zhang groaned. The doctors rushed in and pried the boy from Cao Cao's grip and left the speechless father on his knees.
White flags were raised across Cao Cao's camp and Kong Rong and Xuande watched as his army pulled out of Xuzhou.