Reunion at Jiang Dong
Zhao Yun and Diao Chan took Li and Liu Shan to the docks at Chang Ban but found that Liu Bei had already left. Zhang Fei arrived just after them and they all secured a boat to take them safely across the river to Jiang Dong, capital of Wu.
Sun Quan ruled in Jiang Dong having obtained his lands mainly by virtue of his late brother Sun Ce's conquests. Zhao Yun had seen Sun Ce at Huo Lao Gate and remembered him as a brave leader, if a bit of a hot head. From all accounts Sun Quan was his polar opposite cool and calculating.
Their reunion with Liu Bei had taken place as he was being presented to Sun Quan and his strategist Zhou Yu. After embracing Zhang Fei warmly, the young lord had turned to his two companions.
"Why it's Zhao Yun! I feared you were dead after the defeat of Gongsun Zan."
"I sir, as well as your young son," Zilong opened his cloak revealing Liu Shan. "are unharmed."
"Ah, my boy!" Liu Bei gently took his son from Zhao Yun. "I truly feared the worst."
"They came riding across the Chang Ban Bridge with Cao Cao's monkeys in pursuit!" boomed Zhang Fei. "But I covered their backs as they brought Ah Dou to you brother."
Liu Bei regarded them all with grateful tears shining in his eyes. "You all have my deepest thanks. Would that I could do more for you but we are about to wage war with Cao Cao. I fear you would be in danger. Zhao Yun take your lady and escape. I would hate to reward your kindness with an early death."
Zilong shook his head. "I have traveled this land and have never found another lord of your like. I will not leave. Please accept me as your vassal."
"C'mon brother, we need all the guys we can get!" shouted Zhang Fei.
"I remember this one from Hu Lao Gate." Guan Yu, Liu Bei's other sworn brother stepped forward. "I join in brother Fei's assessment. He would be an asset to our cause."
Liu Bei sighed. "I am outnumbered it would seem. But I do not hesitate because I have any doubts of your worth, Zhao Zilong. I will be forever grateful to have a warrior such as you at my side."
"Not so fast." The overly handsome Zhou Yu stepped down from the dais where he had been standing to the right of Sun Quan. "There is still the matter of this woman."
"This lady?" asked Liu Bei. He peered at Diao Chan who still held the little girl Li. "Hmm, she does seem familiar…"
"She is the songstress Diao Chan. I remember her from when we attacked Hu Lao Gate with the late Sun Jian. She was consort to Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo before him. She is a traitor to the Han."
"Eh! Lu Bu's girl?" broke in Zhang Fei, surprised. "Didn't even recognize her!"
Diao Chan looked down at the floor on shame, but Zhao Yun stood up for her. "She is no traitor! She worked with her father to bring about the ruin of Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu! And she helped me rescue Lord Liu Shan!"
"He is bewitched by her just as the tyrants were." observed Zhou Yu coldly. "We cannot welcome such a woman into Wu. She must be executed or at least banished. The Sun Family will not dirty their hands with a whore." The Wu ministers in attendance nodded their heads in agreement.
"How dare you!" growled Zhao Yun in fury.
Diao Chan quickly grabbed his shoulder. "Do not disgrace yourself over me Lord Yun." Zhao Yun looked at her sadly.
"Hold." A calm voice, soft yet powerful stopped the conflict. A clever looking man with long dark hair and beard, all dressed in white stepped forward with an intelligent and lovely lady at his side. "There is no need to send her away."
"Master Zhuge Liang! Do you know this woman?" asked Liu Bei.
"I have never met her, but I know of her. Through her adoptive father Wang Yun. What Zhao Yun says is true. Her father contacted my master for advice on his honeypot strategy… no offense to you Lady Diao Chan. They indeed overthrew Dong Zhuo with their cunning and later Lu Bu as well."
"Even so we cannot allow such a woman in Wu!" argued Zhou Yu angrily.
"Very well." replied Zhuge Liang. He came forward with his wife Yue Ying at his side. "Then I will charge them with another task. Allow them to attend me in my quarters and I will see them off from Wu tomorrow."
"But Master Liang! They have ridden far and are surely tired!" protested Liu Bei, feeling helpless at the shoddy treatment his son's saviors were receiving.
"They will rest tonight. Surely even Zhou Yu would not argue that they are entitled to at least that." He bowed to the Wu strategist who glared at him but made no reply. "Attend us tonight my lord Liu Bei, and we will all say our farewells."
Liu Bei sighed as he gave in. "As you wish Zhuge Liang."
WS
Zhao Yun and Diao Chan rode to the province of Jing upon Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang's orders. Though rejected by the Sun Family and unable to participate in the planned naval battle with Cao Cao, they were allowed to take part in Zhuge Liang's second strategy, the conquest of the Jing Province. The plan was to take the province back from the Wei garrison stationed there while their main forces were in the southlands.
Liu Bei had not wished to send his friends away, but as always he saw the wisdom in Kongming's plans. He had embraced both Zhao Yun and Diao Chan warmly before they left, proving Zilong's words about his virtue as true. Still Diao Chan felt guilty for taking Zhao Yun away from the true battle because of her past. But with no other choice she left Li with Yue Ying and joined her partner on the mission.
Zhang Fei traveled with them and the two felt a strong camaraderie with him despite his gruff manners. With his help they believed it would be possible to take Jing. After Liu Biao's death his son had foolishly surrendered the province, his sole reward being an untimely death. Now in the northern part of the province Wei ruled from their stronghold at Fan Castle. The south was held by their puppet Han Xuan, a mighty warlord. He had two renowned warriors at his command, Huang Zhong and Wei Yan. Zhuge Liang hoped they could defeat Han Xuan by beckoning Huang Zhong to their side, but he was skeptical about Wei Yan.
The assault on Jiang Ling, capital of Han Xuan began. Zhang Fei took the low road to the capital with his troops to capture Ling Ling Fortress. Zhao Yun and Diao Chan went high to swing around and make a surprise assault on the capital.
They encountered fierce resistance from Huang Zhong, but Diao Chan managed to wound him with an arrow shot. This impressed the old warrior, and he agreed to defect from Han Xuan who had little liking for, sending a message to Wei Yan to do the same. Soon Han Xuan was surrounded and fled from his capital, which then fell to Liu Bei's forces.
There was no time for celebration, however, for it became known to them that Cao Ren had reinforced Fan Castle in the Wei controlled part of Jing. Liu Bei's forces now had a decision to make, should they continue their attack towards Fan, or wait for news from the southlands. In the end they decided to take what they could of Jing, but leave Cao Ren and Fan Castle for another day. With the Wei forces helpless to counter after news of the defeat at Chi Bi reached them, they were able to conquer almost all of Jing. They returned to Jiang Ling to celebrate their triumph.
Zhao Yun and Diao Chan sat under a cherry grove near the lord's manor. They looked up at the stars and enjoyed each others' company.
"We have gained many victories Diao Chan." Zhao Yun said with a smile.
"Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang will be pleased."
"Yes. And with news of Cao Cao's defeat in Wu, I believe we will one day prevail."
"I believe it too." Diao Chan smiled at the thought of peace. "And Li will be with Yue Ying and Zhuge Liang when they arrive tomorrow. I cannot wait to see her."
"Nor I." He turned to Diao Chan, admiring her beauty in the moonlight. "You know, I care about you and the little girl very much."
Diao Chan smiled shyly. "We care about you as well Zhao Zilong."
Zhao Yun hesitantly moved towards her and kissed her gently. Diao Chan responded for only a second, but the pulled back and shook her head.
"Lord Zhao Yun, you must not do that."
Zilong sighed. "I am not trying to disgrace you. But when you are at my side… please Lady Diao Chan, allow me to tell you how I feel!"
"No Zhao Yun, do not say it!" She stood and turned away from him. "You must not think of me in this way. We are comrades, nothing more. I will not allow you to shame yourself over what cannot be."
Zhao Yun reddened, embarrassed. "I am sorry. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. Please let us forget this moment." He quickly stood and walked off not wishing her to see him blush.
Diao Chan turned and watched him walk away, her expression sad. "I am sorry Lord Zhao Zilong… please do not hate me…" she whispered to the heavens.