Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors/3Kingdoms
A/N: Chapter 11 of Kingdom Under Fire: Stallion Fury is here…. Oh and I made up Su Yu as an original character just for this chapter. There are a few elements from Chi Bi online here.
Kingdom Under Fire: Stallion Fury
Chapter 11: Prologue to Vengeance Act 3
At Luo Yang....
Ma Dai stayed in the former capital of Eastern Han pacing in a room he borrowed from a local man. The rent wasn't bad, just a few coins he had to hand over to some local who happened to own an apartment, and he wasn't staying for long. As he continues pacing back and forth, he's worried about his uncle. Was it even a good idea for his uncle to meet Cao Cao in person after being recalled? His mind is screaming that it's a trap. Their ties with Cao Cao was farfetched because Zhong Yao once came as an envoy to offer his Uncle an official position as Governor of Liang Zhou and to ensure he'll settle the hostilities with the Qiang to decrease the disadvantages in Cao Cao's war against Yuan Shao at Guan Du.
Ma Chao became a political hostage as an offer to the amicable terms. Here, Ma Chao, Pang De and himself show their abilities to Cao Cao at He Bei and successfully gain imperial recognition. Ma Chao also gets the reputation as "Ma Chao the Splendid" and he is the pride of Xi Liang.
His cousin is the most important member of the Ma clan. He's the successor and the voice of the Qiang tribespeople. His cousin is proud of himself, but within that pride is the reckless loud mouthed attitude. Ma Dai groaned; he remembers his cousin's most embarrassing moment when Yan Xing almost killed him in a duel when Ma Chao was younger. That was before Ma Teng reconcile with Han Shui and joined the rebellion. It was those troublesome moments in his childhood working to be Ma Chao's guidance. His Uncle is counting on him to consult Ma Chao and ensure his son makes the right decisions.
"But, he only listens to his spear, not my consulting…" Ma Dai thought. That troublemaker is incredibly overconfident. Oh well, Ma Dai sat down on the chair and playfully made music sounds knocking the table.
Suddenly, the local man enters the room and he looks exhausted after coming here. What brings him here in such a haste state?
"Young man, I bring you terrible news! The Prime Minister has Ma Teng of Liang arrested and stripped off his governmental position! You must leave before the soldiers get here!" the local man looked terrify at Ma Dai when he inform the news.
Ma Dai paused for a moment and recap the last time Ma Teng was with him and warned that if anything happens to him and his sons, he must go back to Yong Zhou quickly and tell Ma Chao to flee with the rest of the army and defend Liang Zhou from Cao Cao. Cao Cao must not have his way with controlling the Qiang tribe and the Xi Liang cavalry.
"Where are they taking him?" Ma Dai asked.
"Ye, his sons are also arrested," the local man replied.
"Damn, that far where they're unreachable…." Ma Dai muttered.
"The soldiers outside are searching for any other members of Ma Teng's clan, so you must hurry. I'll do my best to distract them while you escape," then the local man leads Ma Dai to the back.
As Ma Dai comes out of the house, he scanned the dark streets filled with little light from the torches. The coast is clear, but his horse is nowhere to be seen. The stable is outside the gate which is going to take some stealth. Sneaking out of Luo Yang isn't easy especially with the guards being next to the gate.
"I have to get the guards out of the gate first," Ma Dai make a whistle sound to distract the guards.
The left guard turn around and didn't see anyone, but wonder who could have made that sound.
"Did you hear that?" The left guard turn to his companion, who is still focusing the field not paying attention to what the other guard said.
"Hear what?" The right guard pretends he's interest in listening to his partner.
"I thought I heard something. That sound…." The left guard rubbed his chin dull fully.
"You've been hearing many sounds. It's just some brats still wandering the dangerous streets at the night. They should be going to bed," The right guard voice grunted and turns to his partner giving a dull stare.
"You know what; I'm so tired of this forced labor. What does the Cao family take us for?" The light guard changed the subject.
"Watch your tongue, lad. You know the entire imperial army is controlled by the Xiahous and Caos," The right guard now looks worried of his partner. This is the same topic they've been arguing all night when no one around.
"The Xiahou and Cao family are suppose to be servants to the Liu family?! Why is Cao Cao acting as the ruler of our country when Liu Xie is the Emperor? Why do we have to bow to the Prime Minister when he is NOT even the ruler of the Han Dynasty? Did you know…?" the left guard glared at his partner raising his arm and pointing directly at the east and said, "At the Bronze Pavillion, there was not a single presence of the emperor during the celebration, just a bunch of greedy bastards from the Cao and Xiahou family and within them are their riches, their pride, their egos, and all those gathered who sworn alliegance to the Prime Minister, NOT the Emperor. I'm glad I didn't attend to that threachous celebration. Although, you know who joined, some of the so called Han loyalists even the sons and daughters of the Yellow Turban campaign heroes who joined. You know the daughter of Zhen Yi?"
"Yes, I know her. She's been there as if she's a missionary of peace or a divine maiden, but all in all she's there as a mother of the appointed would be heir's son. What about her?" The right guard crossed his arms and listen to his partner's ranting.
"She went to visit her hometown inspecting the people there. She brought a few troops to come and deal with small bandit raids near the village. It's like, she's doing this for the sake of the Han Empire, but what I really see is that she's doing this just to make her husband Cao Pi more famous because he got the most beautiful woman the world has ever seen. Heaven forbid if Cao Cao had died, that man will be the doom of the state. Just look at Cao Cao's son and compare him to everything the Cao and Xiahou family has done for this country. I sense this empire is coming to an end…." The left guard whimpered.
"What makes you think of that? They've done a great job maintaining order in the imperial government. Why such disliking to the family? I know they're cruel, but no matter what, as long as the Han dynasty last another hundred years or so. My descendants shall keep carrying the Han banner for generations after generation. Emperor Xian should believe that Cao Cao is a good person at heart and cares about the Han and I'm sure his son Cao Pi will feel the same," The right guard give a comforting smile, but the left guard doesn't believe half of that crap.
"Ha, you've never seen Cao Pi in person. That brat, I'm sorry, but THAT BRAT doesn't have the slightest that much other than writing eight column poems like his father and his brother Cao Zhi does. Cao Zhang on the other hand is showing great contribution suppressing the Xiongnu in the northern territories, but compare to his other brothers, from the seed of Cao Cao's mouth, their words are the only thing they contribute. But, Cao Pi, judging by that woman he married, he doesn't have the slightness caring of the Empire, just gathering supporters and meeting with his friends. He has a lot more friends than Cao Zhi does, but there aren't any military accomplishments he contribute compare to his father, farther more, when he met an ugly guy, he scoff at him and treated him wrongly. I've seen it when I stationed myself at Ye. His wife was never around when Cao Pi unleashed his true colors. Most of the other women praise and felt dazzling at his handsomeness and words…this arrogant brat…." The left guard shook his head disappointed.
"But, he's wise that's all that matters and the fact that the majority supports the elderly, he'll succeed his father. Cao Zhi, ha! He's more of a brat than his older brother. He was a drunk for his age too," The right guard said.
"But he's virtuous…that says something. I'm so depressed of my job and everything. The world felt like they're being deceived," the left guard waved his partner and decided to leave.
"You're leaving right now? But we're almost done with our duties," The right guard stopped the left guard from breaking a rule.
"I don't care about my duties anymore! Let those Cao bastards punish me, but my allegiance is to the Liu family! I do my duties for the Emperor! The Emperor! I quit…" The left guard snapped.
"What? Wait! You can't quit! Su Du, your family is still poor and this is the only way to gain money, food and clothes for them!" The right guard shouted.
"But, our taxes get overpaid by those bastards and I'm quitting! This is no longer the Han Empire I serve to my life for the Emperor!" Su Du furiously threw his helmet and stripped the armor and drops it on the ground.
Ma Dai was surprised by the fortunate events lead in the background of his forces. These men had been used for so long ever since Cao Cao helped Emperor Xian from Li Jue and moved the capital to Xu Chang, now the backlash is engulfing.
"I better hurry to Ma Chao fast. I pit those who still serve that injustice minister," Ma Dai thought.
It can't be helped, but if a situation arises, the opportunity will be granted for those who want to rebel Cao Cao, however, the Cao family are too powerful and the imperial army is strong in their command. There's no way to strike them by a surprise. Not when his uncle is held prisoner. It won't be easy for Ma Chao.
Ma Dai got on his horse and rode through the trail near yellow river which is the guild through the orient.
At Zhong Shan…
Zhen Ji spend the evening at her family's home, but her mother shut herself communicating with her daughter, that made her relationship with her mother worsen. Ever since her brother Zhen Yan died, she decided to carry out her brother's wishes to marry off to the Yuan family, unfortunately the Yuan's fall and she's now married to the Cao family as a sign of betrayal to her own family and her brother. She can't blame herself because she's a woman and Cao Pi is one of those men who will have their way with anyone as beautiful as her. She could have been a widow, but knowing the Cao family's history, Cao Cao gone to war and won, then take the loser's prize. It sickens to no end.
"This is magnificent, Wenji! You speak positional using heartfelt words!" Zhen Ji's only lived brother Zhen Yao praised at Cai Yan's poem.
"The poem may be conversational because it's based on loneliness and sadness that engulfs our hearts because of this warring era," Cai Yan said.
"She likes sad stories," Zhen Ji added.
"And they're popular to commoners," Xin Xianying nodded.
"Yes, I heard you captured Cao Cao's heart when he learned that you were a slave to the Wuwan and gave birth to children there," Zhen Yao continue reading the rest of Cai Yan's poems while Cai Yan recap the good moments being the mother of native children, but those lonely moments were true. She doesn't belong there and the husband who sires her does not deserve her. She was kidnapped, but was treated better as she begins to understand the pains of the tribe people. It's no different to what the people of Han are going through.
"An event that questions his good side from the cruel warmonger he is…" Zhen Ji thought.
"I'm grateful to be exchanged and return to my long lost home, although father died, I reunion with my childhood friends," Cai Yan smiled.
"So, how do you feel about your new family now," Zhen Yao asked.
Cai Yan thought for a moment, she finds her new husband nice and well educated, but she could have wanted more. Cao Cao looked far more talent than her husband, but beyond that man's amazement is his lust and collection of women he had. It's a good thing she's not on Cao Cao's harem, rather than marrying a greedy man, she married an honorable one, but lacks greater influence.
"My new husband and healthy child made me happily overjoyed. I felt at peace for the first time in my entire life," Cai Yan answered with honesty. All she wanted is peace, it's not like she doesn't love her husband as much as other wives does.
"With the expectation of her husband's lack of beauty…ouch!" Xin Xianying gets elbowed by Zhen Ji to not kill the mood.
"All my sisters are now married of to Cao loyalists," Zhen Ji sighed.
"Sister, don't let it bother you anymore. It's not your fault since we learned about your marriage to Cao Pi. Look, at least you're not put to death. That's all we're worrying about," Zhen Yao place his hands on his youngest sister's arm.
"I've betrayed mother, elder brother, and father for this…" Zhen Ji muttered.
"Zhen Ji is far a sadder woman than I am," Cai Yan stated.
"You two surely have something in common as best friends," Xin Xianying slipped her tea lightly after she spoke.
"We're so alike, Xianying," Cai Yan complied.
"Ji, I wish to meet my newly born nephew," Zhen Yao changed the subject.
"He's very healthy just like how I was born. You shall see him when I invite you into a banquet with my husband soon," Zhen Ji placed her cup on the table and it's time to depart, "I should go back to the palace now, Lady Liu wanted to give her regards to my mother, but mother still isn't going to talk with me. It's been a few years since we last spoke."
"I'll let mother know what you wanted to say to her my dear sister. May your journey back be a safe one," Zhen Yao got up and led his sister and companions outside where the soldiers are guarding the area and waiting for their ladyship to prepare her journey back to Ye.
"Thank you for everything, brother," Zhen Ji bowed.
As the three women got on the carriage, Zhen Yao watched them from the background when the carriage trail through the Zhongshan forest following a troops march.
On the following hour during the journey back, Xin Xianying face turned to Zhen Ji. The older woman is gazing at the night sky out the small window view on the left side of the carriage. Xin Xianying once remember when her father went to Cao Cao as an envoy to inform Cao Cao Yuan Tan's alliance, however the true to her father's deception lead to a fallout with his elder brother. Her uncle didn't join Cao Cao's ranks after Yuan Tan's fall and never looked at her father's face again. She wonders why her uncle hated her father so much, why her sides of the Xin family were labeled traitors and disgrace. It's giving her curious suspicion on her father's activities. Did her father wanted to join hands with Cao Cao just for himself? He's now in a better position with his gains along with imperial recognition, just like the other former Yuan officers who surrender to Cao Cao. Every day with her father, she's curious of the political debacle around the palaces and looking at Zhen Ji's expression made her isolated from her lady.
"My lady, I shall continue to delegate your affairs as long as I can. You're not alone…" Xin Xianying thought.
At Gui Yang…
The Zhao Fan incident did not go left out on Zhao Yun's mind. Lady Fan truly felt in love with him and he rejected the marriage proposal because of Zhao Fan's loyalty to Liu Bei. It's not clear if Zhao Fan is willing to serve the imperial uncle for the restoration of the Han Empire, the most important aspect in Zhao Yun's personality and using the lady as a pawn could jeopardize his reputation. It had nothing to do with how beautiful Lady Fan is….no, beauty does not comprehend loyalty. He's not seeking fame, but to gain imperial recognition, the right guy is the one to serve. But the majority doesn't see Liu Bei that way, so Zhao Fan could possibly defect to Cao Cao making Lady Fan's presence look bad.
"Hmm, are you thinking about that woman again?" Pang Tong put a hilarious smile that woke his pupil up from daydreaming.
"Oh! Sorry Master Shiyuan. I guess we're not getting ahead with my training. Yes, I'm thinking about Lady Fan," Zhao Yun embarrassingly responded.
"Oh don't worry about that. You've done twenty documents correctly. This is all tax lease and city reports my friend," Pang Tong patted the papers treating them like special errands.
"Those look tiring….I barely felt asleep from working on them," Zhao Yun seriously saw politics as a challenge greater than going out in the battlefield slashing his way through crowds.
"These fill a lot of words for the strong minded, and all of them in context on proper writing structure. You read them carefully and know what must be done after analyzing them, deliberate the petition and proceed with great results. Our goal in politics is to stabilize our position…," and before he finishes, Zhao Yun pay more attention to the words of Pang Tong, "…and make people happy."
The last words in the sentence leave him whispering. Make people happy and prosper. That's the most difficult goal in politics, most of time, war made people sad and grief their lost loves, however continuing to stabilize the country will reflect the people's hopes for a satisfying government.
"Your words are conceivable, Master. It's enduring to work hard and make the people happy compare to training hard to become stronger. But….I could never make my own hometown happy, not since the incident between Yuan Shao and myself," Zhao Yun looked down depressed. He's homesick ever since he left his ancestral land.
"Chang Shan, had you once tried working for your own town?" Pang Tong asked.
"I cannot answer you that question, I'm sorry Shiyuan. Thinking about the past keeps making me sadder and it only fuel my desire more to aide Lord Liu Bei's cause," Zhao Yun squeezed his own hands affecting an aura that surprises Pang Tong.
"Ah…I understand that very well. In war, when you lose something precious, you lose yourself entirely. Don't give up your own life, that's why you live to fight another day. Boy my distaste in warfare is making me want to work as your strategist. We'll make a formidable duo in the battlefield ha!" Pang Tong laughed joyfully. It's great to be working with Zhao Yun.
"Is Zhuge Liang as talented as people make him out to be in Jing Zhou?" Zhao Yun asked, changing the subject about himself to the Sleeping Dragon. Zhuge Liang is everywhere and he's the most popular guy in Liu Bei's force.
"He is, honestly my talents doesn't match his practical perfection. He invented many things that I was amaze by how fast he's studying compare to me and Xu Shu. The Jian An knew him long before Cao Cao could know such talent exist in our country. He is the embroilment of Zhang Liang," Pang Tong pictured his scholarly friend as an imagery divinity.
"He's truly talented….not something I am myself," Zhao Yun sighed.
"Eh, everybody has their own established talents for many purposes, Kongming is just focusing the 'impossible'," Pang Tong shrugged.
"Where is my talent? Is it just my spear or something else? I saved the imperial uncle's child…" Zhao Yun said.
"Want to be a bodyguard?" Pang Tong randomly put one of the categories of talents.
Zhao Yun frowned, is that how many see in his abilities? Just be a bodyguard and watch his lord from assassins, not being able to command an army, and gain special access into the royal chambers. It makes him below Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Gan Ning, and even Zhou Yu. Gosh, Zhou Yu is amazing and he wishes to have the same kind of talent as him, but was unfulfilled because of his life in the service of Gongsun Zan whom the majority scoffed.
"Hehehe relax, it appears you can handle this stuff normally compare to Gongsun Zan," Pang Tong chuckled.
"Gongsun Zan had imperial recognition, just like Liu Bei. Those two are well known much like Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu," Zhao Yun got off the chair and turn to the window watching the moonlight.
"But you'll be up there soon, very soon. We have a lot of time to work on your talents; tomorrow we begin the next phrase…cultivation. We'll talk about influence in the morning. Let's go get some rest for the night," Pang Tong got up and put the documents on the shelf.
As a result, Zhao Yun's training is really taking off. But Zilong's self doubting slows the progress seldom.
The next day at An Ding….
Ma Chao didn't get a good night's rest. He crosses his arms leading against the wooden post with his eyes close. He has a cool presence making him look dangerous in front of others. When will his father give him the chance to attack Chang An? He is not the patient guy and hindering his thirst for blood is screaming the native way of the warrior.
"It doesn't matter, whatever Cao Cao has brought against me, and I will penetrate them all! Hear me my ancestors, my kin, my bloodline I'll make you proud to witness the greatness that is Ma Chao, the silver stallion!" Ma Chao thought He once had a dream where his wife, son, and entire family lived happily and the Qiang tribesmen too.
At Han Sui's tent, he wasn't surprised of Yan Xing's decision to leave his side and join Cao Cao. Well, no more screwing with his beautiful daughter, but he'll spear his grandchildren. Almost everyone in his unit is thinking about joining Cao Cao because of how powerful he is.
"Sir, I've been thinking….." Ma Wan spoke out.
"Thinking what?" Han Sui glared at one of his comrades.
"…Well…about Yan Xing, he does have a point. We're no match for Cao Cao…" Ma Wan said it bravely and all the officers in Han Sui's camp murmured.
"You want to go with him. Very well, run to that disgraceful coward I looked upon as a son. I don't care, you all can join hands with Cao Cao because he got all that talent under his finger. But you know what, that never changed, not since Dong Zhuo was controlling the Han government. Join him and it won't make any different. I'm not turning back my long time rival and Qiang kinsmen. What will Cao Cao bring for my tribe? More of the same damned problems since Emperor Ling did nothing to satisfy my clan and Ma Teng's, now look what happened 30 years later," Han Sui got up and scanned at his men who all exchanged shameful expressions. They're turning themselves into cowards, had they lost the very same pride they stood after 30 years?
"Seriously, sir…" Cheng Gongying was cut off by the now paranoid leader.
"If you want to address me 'sir' speak with honesty and courtesy. Didn't you all learn that after 30 years? Do you not trust me anymore? I trusted Ma Teng and we pursuit the same thing since we rebel. Our problem is the way Han is treating our native blood and I doubt Cao Cao shares that kind of vision. Now you look at that guy's accomplishments, his clan, and his position. What does that tell us?" Han Sui snapped. The entire group still has mixed feelings on their leader's decision to remain hostile towards Cao Cao.
"Sir! It's urgent, Ma Dai has returned from Luo Yang!" A scout reported.
"That fast? Did Ma Teng give us the message?" Han Sui thought. He hurried out of the tent while his cowardly men followed.
Ma Dai dropped on his knees; he's exhausted after a long journey back from Luo Yang. He did his best to give his horse a length of time with water and an hour rest until he continued the fast journey back to An Ding.
Ma Chao stared at his cousin, the only one who had returned from the trip and not his younger brothers Xiu and Tie along with his father. He swallowed hard and stares at the direction east.
"Where are my parents, Dai?" Ma Chao asked with a dark tone in his voice. Ma Yun Lu and his wife Lady Yang hurried to the gathered group noticing the other three have not returned.
"Chao, Uncle, Xiu and Tie had been arrested. Cao Cao sends them to Ye as prisoners. It's too far from our range and they have a large army against ours," Ma Dai answered.
"Father been captured?!" Ma Yun Lu winced.
"So they didn't escape from the capital…" Pang De sighed.
"Uncle argued with the Prime Minister to refrain after he declared the annul and Cao Cao accuse him of war crimes putting him under arrest along with your brothers! I hurried back here because he ordered the entire army to search for those closes to Uncle," Ma Dai keep it slowly and clear so everyone can follow him on his report.
"What did I tell you fools about that?" Han Sui glared at his men after hearing that part.
"They're sending them to Ji Zhou right?" Ma Chao slowly turn around and saw his wife looking concerned.
"Yes, but...." Ma Dai stopped and saw his cousin going to the stable picking up his weapon.
"Then we have our orders! We'll strike Chang An now and then rescue father, Xiu and Tie," Ma Chao respond to his declaration of war.
"Wait, Mengqi, your father said to retreat the army back to Liang Zhou and defend it as soon as Cao Cao comes to take the province. We can't let him take our land! It's only reasonable we know our enemy has the advantage in troop strength, talent, and more resources compare to us. We're far away from home, don't you understand your father's concerns to the future of our clan!" Ma Dai argued.
"And I can't leave my father and brothers out there getting rejected by the hordes of injustice! Cao Cao's deprive has gone too far, making my father and brothers his hostages now and soon will our entire clan! Are you with me everyone!?" Ma Chao called out for those in respond to his crusade.
"I shall fight with you brother!" Ma Yun Lu rallied.
"Perhaps my halberds will be put to test against the might of Cao Cao's army," Pang De stretched his arms and takes his twin halberds.
"What about our land, cousin?" Ma Dai questioned.
"Our land will not be safe as long as that perverted goatee stalks my wife and kid! We'll trample them hard and fast! Our cavalry shall give the best in them! Xi Liang cavalry is the best! I'll prove the world that I am the best after I struck that goatee with my spear!" Ma Chao raised his Silver Stallion proudly.
"Let's go!" Han Sui ordered. His men look confusingly as none had a clue what the hell Ma Chao is talking about. They hurried to their horses following by the rest of the coalition army of Ma Chao and Han Sui.
"Whatever you said cousin….Uncle please forgive me as I'm going to aide Ma Chao on your rescue…" Ma Dai sighed. He get back on his horse now willing to guild Ma Chao to victory hoping to get better with his counseling with his high and mighty cousin.
"Mengqi, can we win?" Lady Yang asked deeply in concern with her husband's decision to declare war on Cao Cao.
"I swear to my heart that we can. I have done my resource when I was working with Cao Cao long ago…trust me my love, we will win no matter what the odds are at stake. I'll never let that bastard take you and my son away from me," Ma Chao brought a smile on his face which his wife returns an affection of believing in her husband's abilities. The Xi Liang cavalry stormed out of the camps riding fast to the old Han capital for vengeance.
Next Chapter: Zhong Yao's Humiliation