Chapter 25: Order, Duty, Sacrifice
"...And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post." - Colonel Nathan R. Jessup, "A Few Good Men" (Film)
Chang'an, Nan Han
Zhong Yao was dead. Xu Shu was a prisoner. Sima Yi was away in Xuchang.
All three of his 'assistants' were gone.
As his latest 'assistant' Jiang Wei marched out of Chang'an towards the former capital of Luoyang, Yang Yi considered his options.
There was no buffer against Wei, neither Cao Zhang's faction nor the protectorate under Cao Zhi. Jiang Wei might face the full wrath of Cao Zhi's men even if he took Luoyang. Curiously, Sima Yi hadn't been attacked yet, but perhaps Yang Xiu was just biding his time.
Wu was their main enemy, not just because they were the greatest threat to his legitimacy, but because a Wusian victory over Chang'an would destroy the very essence of Han.
The Shu rebels' victory over Nan Han would still maintain Han, and would let Yang Yi leave a legacy. But if Wu took Chang'an, there would be little evidence that Han was still the relevant rulers of China. Without Han, Yang Yi was irrelevant.
He would be forgotten, not even condemned.
And that was something Yang Yi could not accept!
His men, however, saw something else.
Here was a man who claimed to be Zhuge Liang. He claimed to be the man who forged the new Han Dynasty that would rise from the ashes of East Han. Zhuge Liang was the mind who forged Liu Bei's Empire, and thus he should have been able to bring Shu to greater heights.
And yet, this Empire was fading. There was a rebellion, led by none other than Fa Zheng, the strategist who helped build up Shu from a concept in Yizhou to an Empire stretching across the western regions of the known world, of China herself. Zhao Yun, Shu Han's greatest Champion, had joined Fa Zheng's rebellion. Liu Feng, Marquis of Chengdu as per Liu Bei's wishes and foster son to the First Emperor, was their head of state. This rebellion contained so many of Shu's finest that any denial of its significance or claims that it was illegitimate somehow was clearly laughable.
If so many of Shu's champions, champions who clearly believed in the Han cause, could rebel against this Prime Minister then something had to be wrong.
Then there were the rumors, the claims that Zhuge Liang was still among the people of China, but Kongming had pledged his mind to the rebel cause.
And if a man who claimed to be Zhuge Liang was in charge of the faction that apparently Zhuge Liang himself was rebelling against, then obviously something was terribly wrong.
As his men started to leave in droves, Yang Yi ordered his remaining troops to shut the gates of Chang'an. The hundreds of thousands of civilians in the city were rounded up...
And Yang Yi introduced to them the concept of "reeducation": clearly, those who would challenge the greatest Prime Minister Han had ever known had to be corrected in any way possible!
Fortress Chencang
"Gentlemen, our plans are coming to fruition. Large numbers of the False prime minister's troops have begun to desert his lines or have outright defected, revealing themselves near the city of An Ding. Our defenses at An Ding are minor, but our opponents are well aware that drawing troops away from Chang'an in order to attack An Ding is suicide. They'd take a relatively minor city, and in exchange risk losing the western capital itself.
"While Yang Yi debates with himself over such matters, we should strike now. Their armies are in disarray, their forces have been reduced to little more that lone fortress, and they are surrounded by hostile armies. It would be merciful to eliminate them now and ensure that Han will not be led by some deranged madman."
The others stood politely during Fa Zheng's speech, and when he finished Zhuge Liang spoke first.
"My only concern is our ability to project force at the east gate. If we strike, they might flee through there.
"Also, there are reports that several battalions have somehow left the city, as our spies have reported fewer troops in Chang'an's garrison. Even if we take desertions and defections into account, it is unlikely for battalion commanders and other important officers to flee or disappear. Perhaps Yang Yi's forces are not as impotent as we'd like to think."
"Even so, a quick victory over what's left of Yang Yi's men will deter Wei from continuing a southern advance. I'm sure we don't want that army to start gaining momentum, for if Wei begins a lengthy campaign mere words or gold might not dissuade them. We might have ended this conflict only to start a new one. We should march now." Zhou Yu retorted.
Luoyang, East Wu
Because the garrison at Luoyang had held strong for some time, Xu Sheng was reassigned, and Ding Feng took his place.
The Commander was told that while Luoyang was a critical political assignment, it wasn't really a key military one. The city had not been attacked in years, even though it was the western capital of China. Wu's capital was still in Jian Ye, while the Marquis chose to live in Lu Jiang in her family's old estate. Some of his officers joked that perhaps the Empire wished to let the General relax and retire peacefully in one of the greatest cities of China.
It was a strange idea, Ding Feng thought, for wasn't it possible that Wei would strike this very city if given the opportunity? This idea of a long peace was wishful thinking, wasn't it? But as months drew by without a single incident, Ding Feng began to believe.
So when Jiang Wei began his attack, he was dealing with an opponent that had lowered its guard.
Shu's remaining siege engines smashed against the gates of Luoyang. Battering rams and catapults hurled their stones and their weights. Han would retake its sacred capital, the shrine from which Han's light had shone across the known world!
When the first of Shu's artillery struck Luoyang's wall, the defenders scrambled as if rousing from a deep sleep.
There had been years of peace. Their enemies had been distracted elsewhere. How could Luoyang come under attack now?
And thus, much like the sneak attack on Xu Chang, the defenders of Luoyang buckled under what later generations would call a "blitzkrieg."
As Ding Feng's men guided him through the south gate, Jiang Wei marched triumphantly through the west gate. When his scouts began to clamor about Ding Feng's retreat, the victorious Han general simply laughed:
"If I let him live, he'll inform the southerners of their defeat. If I kill him, they will remain ignorant. His life has use, so let him be!"
Xu Zhou, Jurisdiction of the Marquis of Chen Liu Cao Zhi, protectorate of East Wu
Cheng Yu's jaw nearly hit the floor when the Marquis of Wu, Sun Shangxiang herself appeared at the south gate.
Quickly he rose the drawbridge, only for her to yell at him:
"There's no time! Tell your lord Cao Zhi and his advisor Yang Xiu to come here immediately. This is an urgent matter!"
Sweat gathered on Cheng Yu's eyebrows as he quickly shoved her towards the guest house. "Of course, milady. Lord Cao Zhi is enroute. Please wait here until he arrives..."
The glare from her bodyguard Zhou Tai ensured that Cheng Yu would not forget this demand!
Southern boundary of Chang'an district, Disputed Han territory
Three armies marched from Chencang.
One was led by Fa Zheng, the mind who turned Yizhou into a stronghold to be feared, and from that province formed the backbone of what would be Shu Han.
One was led by Zhuge Liang, the man who led a ragtag band of exiles to Yizhou, and with his brilliance took Xi Liang province and Capital Chang'an, ensuring that Han would remain in these chaotic times.
The last represented the Southland. Zhou Yu marched at the head of Wu's delegation. Having ordered their reserves to reinforce Governor He Qi in Wancheng in case of a desperate gambit by Yang Yi or Wei, he marched with all the troops he could gather.
Lu Meng, Zhao Yun, Zhang Yi, Lu Su, these were names on a list of potential successors and champions, but they all referred to those three minds.
"Something's not right." Fa Zheng muttered to his lieutenants as they approached Chang'an.
"Master Fa?"
"We should have been ambushed long ago. If the false Prime Minister hoped to defend this city, he would send everything he could to block our path. Yet we have been marching for weeks and there have been no attacks, no enemy units, no sign of life other than the occasional merchant or farmer."
Sure enough, as they approached Chang'an seemed like any ordinary city. Instead of a feared stronghold, civilians were marching to and fro.
Fa Zheng immediately ordered his men to warn Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu.
"If this is a trap, then surely the hunter would leave some eyes to ensure its success." Gongjin pointed out.
"Perhaps it would be best to send patrols to circle the city. If it is indeed abandoned, we can inform our comrades back in Chengdu and Jingzhou to remain alert while we march on towards Hong Nong."
Fu Qian, one of Kongming's subordinates, snapped to attention. "Prime Minister! I will observe the situation."
Zhuge Liang smiled as his officer charged forward...
Right into the city...
The few moments afterward reminded Zhou Gongjin of the worst moments of his life.
Chang'an burst into flames: the city roared as if Hell itself had opened a chasm beneath it.
Zhuge Liang and Fa Zheng watched Fu Qian scream as the flames engulfed the metropolis.
They saw the people of the western capital cry out their last screams of pain.
And soon, all was silent.
They heard some gasps nearby. Some rustling of feet. A voice:
"Dammit, we triggered it too soon. The enemy is still mostly intact. We've failed our mission, retr-"
And the finest scouts of Shu and Wu descended upon Yang Yi's lackeys.
Luoyang, Imperial Palace, The Empire of Nan Han
On the steps of the former Imperial Palace of East Han, a man stood in fine robes with the scepter of Emperors in his hands.
He bowed before a city that fell silent in anticipation, and perhaps fear.
"People of Luoyang, today you have finally been liberated. I, Zhuge Liang, proclaim myself Emperor of Nan Han. I shall continue the legacy begun by our great Emperor Liu Bang and upheld by the great Emperor Liu Xiu. I, Zhuge Liang, shall guide the glory of Han against traitors and bandits. None shall evade our wrath! No one can possibly stand against the will of the Divine! Together, we shall exterminate rebels and traitors and bring peace to the world once more! Join me, and glory will be ours!"
"Long Live the Emperor!"
"Long Live the Emperor!"
"Long Live the Emperor!"
A few scattered cries pierced the silence as Yang Yi's men rejoiced at his ascension.
But the ashes of Chang'an had not yet finished cooling.
Chang'an, Charred remains of the Imperial Palace, Shu Han
There was a corpse, fairly burnt but retaining certain facial features that most of Shu's commanders could recognize.
Marquis Liu Feng held the corpse as tears flowed freely from his eyes.
"Brother... Your death was not in vain. All is not lost! You will be avenged!"
Zhuge Liang and Fa Zheng hung their heads in shame. If they could not protect the Emperor, then what use were these strategists of Han?
Xu Chang, Governor's Office
A man waved a black fan rather meekly as he read a lengthy report.
After finishing, he slowly put down the stack of papers, and stared at a wall for some time.
"Master Sima, is everything well?" One of Sima Zhongda's aides asked.
Sima Yi glanced at his assistant as though all energy, all life had left his body. "No... All is not well. I have been the playthings of tyrants and abominations for decades, and only now I realize how much of a fool I've been."
The assistant shivered. News had already come from Emperor "Zhuge Liang" regarding the "victory" at Chang'an.
"But I cannot give this city to Zhou Yu, or to Fa Zheng, or to Yang Xiu. If these men are truly committed to order, then they must face a final gauntlet. If that monster in Luoyang asks for reinforcements, inform him that Generals Guo Huai and Zhang Liao of Cao Zhi's army have conducted raids on our stores and have thus kept us pinned in this citadel. If any of you lift a finger to help that bastard, I will personally slash your throats."
Sima Yi's subordinates bowed low. Clearly, anyone who would help such a beast would not deserve to live.
Hong Nong, Formerly of Nan Han
When Zhuge Liang and Fa Zheng approached Hong Nong, planning to level the city to the ground if it swore allegiance to the other "Zhuge Liang," they found a white flag waving merrily.
Below that white flag, a single man knelt on the ground. His well-embroidered robes brushed against the ground, and as Fa Zheng and Zhuge Liang stepped closer, the man kowtowed and smacked his head against the dirt once more.
"Forgive me! That man promised us fame and fortune, and even I succumbed to his siren song."
"Mi Zhu? This can't be happening... Were all of Shu's old guard seduced by that impostor?"
"Kongming... Why did you appear now? Why didn't you reveal yourself earlier? Your impostor promised us the world. He promised that he would guide Shu to victory against our foes and restore Han to its former glory. None of us could have foreseen this turn of events."
"How many men have joined your rebellion?"
"Zhou Cang and Liao Hua led most of the remnants of that monster's armies. They pledge allegiance to you, Master Fa. However about three legions worth of madmen remain. They are led by one Jiang Wei of Tianshui."
Fa Zheng and Zhuge Liang glanced at each other, but Zhou Yu's eyes narrowed.
"I remember that name."
"It may also be good to know that most of the tyrant's remaining troops are former Wei soldiers who served under Cao Pi rather than Cao Zhi or Cao Zhang. After you slew Cao Pi, they pledged to serve anyone who would avenge their late lord. Jiang Wei took it upon himself to represent that faction, and it seems that he has been richly rewarded. The monster mentioned something about making him Regent Marshal."
Zhou Yu scoffed. "We shall see how qualified he is for such a renowned rank."
Shang Dang, Maximum Security Prison, Wei
As news flowed in regarding the events in Chang'an and the ascension of Emperor Zhuge Liang, a man in tattered green and white robes stood on a chair in a small cell.
He had requested a scarf: the nights were cold in Shang Dang and the kind warden seemed unwilling to refuse him.
Xu Shu bound one end of the scarf to a pipe that carried water deeper into the facility.
As he tied the other end around his neck like a noose, he considered what "Zhuge Liang" had said to him:
Kongming claimed something about fighting for the people and saving them from the horrors of rebels, bandits, and traitors.
He said something about preserving peace and order, and enriching their lives under the light of Han.
Perhaps that light was so bright that Chang'an had to burn as a consequence?
Xu Shu kicked the chair out from under him. Such a thought... Was... Unbearable...
And then, there was only silence and darkness.
Luoyang, West Gate, Nan Han
As the traitorous army of bandits and rebels approached, Regent Marshal Jiang Wei stood ready for them.
Even with the Prime Minister's brilliant trap, set against both a populace that held no love or eagerness to protect Han and an army of traitors who threatened to extinguish Han's light forever, the traitor Fa Zheng and the monster Zhou Yu were still alive.
He remembered hearing that Zhou Yu killed Lord Cao Pi.
He remembered that the great Emperor of Wei had died because Zhou Yu, Fa Zheng, Zhuge Liang, Jia Xu, and Yang Xiu had taken advantage of the panic and discord in Wei and surrounded the great capital.
As he saw his foes draw closer, he remembered that, even as Cao Pi's Wei was about to end, he was that nation's champion.
Just like he was the current Champion of Nan Han.
He raised his spear, and, when he saw the silhouette of his nemesis Fa Zheng, he...
He...
The corpse of Jiang Wei hit the floor as an arrow was lodged in its throat.
And Wang Ping, former commander of Wei, had tears run from his eyes as he considered what this all meant: the trusted general of Cao Cao's heir was a madman, as was most of those who still fought for Cao Pi during his last moments.
Was... Was Wei itself just a sham? An asylum for the truly depraved? A cesspool of scum and villainy that had revealed itself bit by bit?
Xiahou Yuan... Cao Pi... Jiang Wei...
These were names of Wei's finest, and perhaps reflections of Wei's true nature.
Three Heroes of the Great River entered Great Luoyang.
The Doppelganger who held the Scepter stood before them.
Han's Champion could not control himself as he railed at the man who assumed HIS Existence.
"Hold, you Bastard! Your nightmarish reign has shattered the essence of Han. Why have you done this?!"
"Because with these achievements I have proven that I am far greater than you ever were." Nan Han's Emperor Sneered.
The other great mind of Han shrugged his shoulders, and asked the 'Emperor' as one would ask an irritatingly disobedient five year old child. "And how, exactly, are you greater than Kongming?"
Nan Han's Gaozu growled at his opponent. "I AM THE EMPEROR! I hold the scepter, and stand before the throne of Han. I tore the Northlands asunder and assassinated Han's most dangerous traitor. I even outwitted the Sleeping Dragon and took the symbols of his prescience and wisdom and with them everyone realizes that it is I, and not YOU, who deserve that title. I have become the greatest of China, and you should all beg for forgiveness and bow before me."
Emperor Gaozu of Nan Han waved his white feather fan, and smiled at the three who stood before him.
"He is mad, this one, so warped in his mind that there is nothing we can do to dissuade him from this path." The Star of the Southland turned to his allies.
"He wouldn't deserve it, anyway." Chengdu's greatest mind turned his back on Emperor Gaozu of Nan Han, and made for the door.
"How dare you?! You cannot leave my throne room, for I..."
At this point Shu Han's Prime Minister darted forward and seized Emperor Gaozu by the throat.
"You've Ruined Everything!"
His former aide smiled through the pain.
"Now... Who... Is... The Crazy One?"
And while the Sleeping Dragon let go, Emperor Gaozu howled with laughter.
And the rest of the army burst into the room to take their most valuable prisoner yet.
As Zhuge Liang knelt before the throne of Han, staring at both the scepter and his feather fan that were confiscated from the mad Emperor, Fa Zheng and Zhou Yu rallied their armies for the final push.
They approached Xu Chang from the west. But as they drew closer a rider suddenly appeared.
"Report!"
Strangely enough, this rider did not wear Wu's colors, but the traditional colors of Cao Zhi's force.
"Aye?" Zhou Yu stammered as he stared at the report that was thrust in his face.
Actually, the entire document was penned in his wife's handwriting.
And soon the truth would be revealed.
Xu Chang, Governor's Office
North of the Yellow River was Wei territory, and just like before Wang Lang seemed content to let his army sit on its rear now that Xu Shu had been captured.
Even so, that was the only direction from which he was not being attacked, and Sima Yi knew that Wang Lang would not welcome such a competitor.
Even Sima Wang couldn't save his uncle from what Wei would do.
From the east, Guo Huai.
From the south, Sun Shangxiang herself, and Zhang Liao.
From the west, Zhou Yu and Fa Zheng.
Victory was impossible, but essential. And this time he could not back down!
For hours they crashed against the fortress' walls.
For hours, Sima Yi's men held firm.
But wooden doors and brick walls give way to sharp and massive rams, and mighty catapults, and as his defenses crumbled his enemies began pouring into the city.
The soldiers who stood by him fought to the bloody end.
One by one, they were cut down.
And as the clamor of armies and battle reached the doors of his office, he laughed.
For now, he could finally be free.
An old crane stood before an old wolf. Caged and beaten, the wolf still bared his fangs. He was hardly dead, and his spirit would eagerly fight on if he wasn't in a cage. Still, the crane came not to peck his quarry, but to speak instead:
"You once called me a fool for being unwilling to do whatever it took to fulfill my goals. Well, I must say that it was my goal from the start to minimize casualties and restore peace to the world. Granted, at Xiangyang I betrayed myself, and there is little I can do to make amends for that sin, but you, a constant sinner, have shown that it was your intention to ensure that the chaos would never continue all along. You stood against us in Xu Chang even when we were at our full strength and pounding at your gates not because you were a fool clinging onto the last pieces of your resistance, but because you wanted to test our resolve, to see if we were willing to do whatever it took to restore order and ensure peace. That is why you surrendered when you realized that we finally won, right? You are as pragmatic as they come... But it seems that your motivations are in the right direction."
The wolf smiled.
"I never thought an old foe of mine would speak so highly of me. Were you not disgusted by my methods? I expected to be executed for failing in my purpose... So many people are weak, unwilling to do what is horrible and cruel even if the result of that bloodshed is peace and prosperity. The weak who have oppressed so many innocents must be destroyed. Han failed us all, and yet it insisted on staying its course. It insisted on spreading incompetence, disgrace, and famine, all in some deluded sense of glory and "honor." Honor in what? In starvation, in suffering? I spit on Han's supposed honor!
"For all of Yang Yi's madness, for all of his atrocities, he is a good demonstration of what happens when you become too cruel, when you forget the very purpose of what you are fighting for. Yes, I have wronged. I have sinned, and frankly my actions caused great pain and suffering, but those were times where rapists and the greedy stood tall over the rest of us. If we were unwilling to tear their legs off, they'd take us down first. I did what I had to do, and I regret nothing. Even though my enemies are the victors today, your goals are not that different than mine, and thus I can die without regrets... The world I saw unfolding before me will spring forth on a lighter note, and as long as there are those strong enough to keep it from twisting upon itself, I can die in peace."
Zhou Yu's eyes narrowed.
"How irresponsible of you."
Sima Yi raised an eyebrow.
"You speak of death at the moment a nation depends upon your wisdom. Yes, you are a pragmatist. You committed horrible deeds along the path you chose. No one can deny that. Yet your heart was not made of ice. For the most part, those who faced your fangs either deserved their bloody end or, at least, stood in the way of a better future. Yes, innocents were lost, but the innocent were not your targets. Collateral damage sometimes happens, and often that damage was unavoidable. Much of the innocents who lost their lives by your hands found themselves suffering from that cruel fate not out of spite, but frankly out of bad luck. No one will condone your actions, but in letting yourself die now you spit on their graves.
"You are a strategist of the highest order, a man with a great mind. Is it not your duty to do whatever it takes for the good of the people? If not to atone for your sins, then to, at least, do some good before death takes you? To have death carry you away prematurely is to ignore the fact that you are still more than capable of doing much good in this world, this world that we have all built with our sweat and with the lives of so many brave souls. You, Sima Zhongda, are still alive. Your mind still runs and your heart still beats. Use very last bit of strength in that body to serve the people! Fulfill that goal you claim to have fought for! If you want a better world, you must toil beside the rest of us to achieve it! The ruins of war won't restore themselves, and frankly we caused much of that destruction, so it is our duty to mend those wounds and toil on. Stop hiding from your duties. Stop evading your responsibilities! The Sima Zhongda I know would never have backed down from any of his tasks."
The wolf shivered before the crane's cry. His eyes, wide to the point where the moon reflected on their lenses, suddenly focused upon the crane. Finally, they hardened, and he spoke.
"I... Spent my life hoping that the chaos would end, but it seems that it would continue as long as their remains one chance for it to spread out and infest the lands we have worked so hard to purify. Very well. Sima Zhongda is indeed alive, and he will do whatever it takes to set things on the proper course. I will join you, Zhou Yu of Lujiang. Foes we have been, but perhaps we can work together as colleagues, or..."
For a moment the wolf glanced at the crane with uncertainty. Would he be accepted into this new pack? This pack which hunted the wicked and the depraved? This pack which fought not only for the good of its members, but for the good of the entire ecosystem?
"Friends..." Zhou Yu smiled. "Perhaps, but only if you don't stray from this course."
Sima Yi smiled back. "The wolf never turns his back on his pack. Sima Zhongda never stood against his goals, and he never will!"
AN: WHEW! Now comes the second part of the Epilogue. Thanks for reading.