Dynasty Warriors: Ambition and Temperance
Chapter 14 of my Dynasty Warriors story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Dynasty Warriors and its characters belong to Koei.
Battle of Baidi Castle
Cao-Cao glowered as he prepared to lead the charge for battle; despite his efforts to maintain control over his land, he had noticed two defections of people to Shu. The two were officers that he had always had suspicions about, one for a long time and the other, only recently.
'But they are both here, and they will both pay the price.' He thought angrily.
The whole part of the army he led, along with his most vital officers, made their way forwards, heading towards the main part of the battlefield, going directly towards the castle. Meanwhile The right and left flanks also advanced, all three forces wary as they advanced, knowing full well the enemy were desperate. Sure enough, as Cao-Cao led his forces onwards, he heard the call.
"Now, attack!"
Cai Wenji cried out first. "Quickly, my Lord!"
He reacted at once and fell back. Soon they were all stuck, pinned down by a host of arbalests and ballistae.
"There they are, our enemies." Guo Jia pointed out.
Looking up, Cao-Cao saw them. Standing by the siege weapons were Zhuge Liang and a woman who was likely his wife, Yueying and with Lu Xun of Wu.
"So, they are the cause of this, we need to get past these weapons if we're to stop them."
But he knew it wouldn't be that simple.
Meanwhile, on the right flank Jia Xu and Cao Pi led their allies onwards.
"Any ideas what they'll be planning, Jia Xu?" Cao Pi asked.
Jia Xu shrugged. "It's sadly obvious, backed into a corner like this, they are desperate and not acting to their full potential...so they likely have an ambush planned."
Sure enough, as he had said that, the supposedly empty ships were revealed to be hiding troops and amongst them, several Shu officers who quickly surrounded the Wei forces.
"You're right, an ambush...but not your typical one." the Shu strategist, Fa Zheng, remarked.
It was then they realized just who was leading the forces surrounding them. Zhou Cang, Pang Tong, Huang Zhong, Zhu Ran, the traitor Xu Shu and finally, Zhao Yun. Meanwhile, the left flank was advancing towards their goal, but then Xun Yu called for them to stop.
"I don't like this...too many opportunities for the enemy...so, let's turn it on its head." He remarked. "They certainly have an ambush in mind, so let's turn it to our advantage."
With that they split the army in two and Xu Zhu, Cao Ren and Zhang Liao led their forces onwards, while Xun Yu, Xun You, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan led their forces around a bypath to strike the enemy from behind.
Sure enough, at that moment, the ambush was launched. The children of Guan Yu, his sons, Ping, Xing and Suo, his daughter, Yinping and Suo's wife, Bao Sanniang struck first, clashing with the Wei army almost instantly, then Ma Chao and Ma Dai launched their attack, it was clear the conflict, while only just starting, had escalated incredibly.
Sure enough, Cao-Cao's forces found themselves not only blocked by the weapons, but also suddenly under attack. Liu Shan, Xingcai, Zhang Bao, Meng Huo, Zhurong and the other traitor, Jiang Wei, launched their ambush.
"Argh, curses, they intend to force us into range of the weapons."
"We can overcome this my lord." Guo Jia called. "First we must defeat these enemies here. Li Dian, Yue Jin, Cao Xiu, Man Chong, Xu Huang, quickly."
They raised their weapons and hurried to meet the attacking force. Cao-Cao wasn't going to take this lying down, he, Cai Wenji and Guo Jia joined the attack and fought desperately, meanwhile, Guo Jia called in the catapults to advance from the main camp and begin bombardment.
"Now, quickly, we must show no mercy!"
With that shout the attack grew more vicious and, the bombardment fiercer. In the end those attacking them were killed.
"A pitiful waste." Cao-Cao remarked sadly. "But quickly, we must finish this!"
They all agreed and charged on, the bombardment stopped just in time for this attack and Cao-Cao's forces soon overwhelmed the defenders and, after being forced to kill them when they wouldn't give up, they were forced to charge onwards again, intent on finishing the battle.
Readying themselves for battle, Jia Xu, Cao Pi, Zhenji, Zhang He and Pang De rallied to defend themselves from the attackers.
"Why don't you just surrender already!" Zhou Cang taunted.
Huang Zhong took aim with his bow. "Any last words?"
Jia Xu shook his head. "Zhang He, did you send the signal?"
"But of course, and now, the glorious finale!"
As he said that, the Shu forces were taken aback by a fleet of Wei ships suddenly appearing, led by Wang Yi and Yu Jin and soon the Shu forces themselves were surrounded and soon they were fighting back, desperately pushing the enemy until, in the end, despite trying to force a surrender, the Wei forces had to kill the attacking Shu forces and were forced to charge onwards, lamenting the waste of so much life.
Likewise, the left flank were defending against the attack against them when Xun Yu and his men launched their ambush, taking the enemy by surprise and again, a slaughter ensured.
"There is no need for this, just surrender and..." Xun Yu began.
But was cut off as yet another attack came. Seeing the enemy was desperate and unwilling to surrender, they Wei forces fought back and soon they had once again recovered their forces and charged onwards again; leaving behind the sad deaths of their honourable opponents behind them.
The Wei army reunited as they surrounded the main castle; three people stood outside with their forces.
"This is as far as you're going!" Sun Shangxiang growled.
Guan Yu raised his weapon. "You have slaughtered our people, you will pay with your lives."
Zhang Fei roared. "Now, get ready to die..."
"Enough!" Cao-Cao cried.
Silence fell over everyone as he stepped forwards and planted his blade in the ground.
"Hasn't enough blood been spilled. Everyone who sided with you...except those people here are dead...The land was on the verge of being united, being stronger than it ever was...being at peace!" He called out. "Yet out of misguided emotion, you would shatter that, and for what!?"
Zhang Fei snarled but before he, or anyone else could reply, Cao-Cao continued, revealing who he had been talking too
"Was it all worth it, Liu Bei?"
Liu Bei's response was not heard by Cao-Cao, but after sharing quick words with their troops who swiftly surrendered, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Shangxiang all hurried into the castle, which then closed it's doors tight.
"My Lord, they..."
Cao-Cao sighed sadly. "I know. Everyone, this battle is over, do not continue the attack; there is nothing more we can do...Let us instead focus, on providing what aid we can."
With that he turned away sadly and began to walk back to the main camp, as Baidi castle erupted in flames behind him.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.