The Negotiator (Battle of Sishui part 3)
Kazuto was once again busied by the next battle preparation. Sometimes it was regretful that he is winning, because it will entice the enemy to attack them once again, seeing the opponent, the Alliance of warlords under the banner of Anti Dong Zhuo Alliance. But there is another benefit in winning the battle, because their own morale has risen up. But is it really a great merit to win a battle? During the Chu-Han contention, Xiang Yu repeatedly won her campaign against Liu Bang. It was not surprising as Xiang Yu is known to be the greatest military officer in history of China. While Liu Bang in the other hand, his battle always end up losing. But after the critical battle of Gaixia, he emerges as the victor, while Xiang Yu was forced to suicide. So , we can say that to win a war is insignificant, but to end the war is praiseworthy. Kazuto has known this, so he planned to do so. But it seems the plan that he envisioned lack something as he endlessly pondered upon something. As he still pondering his plan, Chen Gong arrived with General Hua Xiong.
"Minister of War Darren, please cease your work. You have forgotten to eat your meal." It was Chen Gong who talked to Kazuto and returned him to reality.
Kazuto tries to answer, "later" but Hua Xiong already take him away from his work, while Chen Gong endlessly lectured him "It was good for me to brought General Hua Xiong. Li Ru Darren is the example of the troops. If he neglected his duty to eat and became ill during the war it would be not funny and it is the highest treason!"
So Kazuto was helplessly taken to the Dining room.
XXX
As the three retainer to Dong Zhuo army; Li Ru, Chen Gong and Hua Xiong ate the meals, Chen Gong raised a conversation.
"Li Ru Darren, please let me offer you my greatest admiration for winning the previous battle."
Kazuto shook his head as he ate "No need. Most of the praise should go to general Hua Xiong and her Xiliang army. I was surprised that the troops that Yue brought when she was a chancellor for Bing province is that valorous. And also half of them should go to you, Chen Gong. You have bravely offered yourself to negotiate peace attempt with the enemies."
"Darren was wrong. This lowly Chen Gong has failed in her predicament, yet Darren still praised this lowly retainer, Chen Gong was ashamed of herself."
"There is nothing shameful in being idealistic. Chen Gong, please continue giving your honest opinions."
"Then, Darren. Let this lowly Chen Gong ask. Is the peace negotiation were really necessary ? this lowly Chen Gong had numerously proffer Li Ru Darren to let a chance to open the dialogue with the Warlords alliance, yet Li Ru Darren closed his ears off. But the first time Li Ru Darren did in taking command in Sishui pass is asking someone to relay the peace negotiation. It is as if Li Ru Darren, already expected their refusal and attacked them when they are less cautious. Is it true?"
Hua Xiong tried to intervene as she thought that this will let things go awry, but Li Ru gives her a sign to let Chen Gong talk.
"It is true. I already predicted they will refuse the peace negotiation."
Chen Gong hit the table. "It is truly uncalled for Darren to lie to his lowly subordinate! Did Darren not putting his faith on his own subordinate and fellow retainer?"
"Because it is necessary." Kazuto shortly answer.
"I accept Darren point. For we have to let the enemy became less cautious. But, Darren… Li Ru Darren is unrivaled in warfare. Why would Darren stoop so lowly by relying on deceit and trickery? Why would Darren made such rumor about Ren sama?"
Kazuto finally get what made Chen Gong or Nenene angry. It is not because he tricked her and used her in his plan. She already understood the risk of being a peace messenger. She is exposed in danger, and also not because the peace attempt was just a ruse. Secrecy ensures victory. But rather because he spread a rumor about the God of War, Lu Bu.
"Why would Li Ru Darren have the heart to spread such wicked rumor about such kind hearted person like Ren sama?"
Kazuto calmed Chen Gong. "I am sorry. I can not talk about it."
"The name of Ren sama will forever be tarnished and shunned! I have misjudged Darren! I thought Darren was compassionate!"
Kazuto can only reply " Please accept my sincere apology. I can not talked about it. But I promised to you. If Ren is exposed to any problems because of my wrong doing… I vowed that I will come to save her."
" I… I don't know Darren. I, Chen Gong has dared to deliver such insolent words to my superior. I will receive any punishment for such disloyal behavior." Chen Gong was not accustomed to see a higher official proffers his apology and even promised her to paid for his mistakes. So she said this word.
But Kazuto merely dismissed her. "There is no need to. Pointing and tried to fix the superior faults is a proof of loyalty. I valued your honesty."
"Yes Darren. Then, let me talk about the upcoming battle."
"What do you think, Chen Gong?"
"Seeing Yuan Shao characteristic that she is such a sore loser, she will surely march the whole alliance to attack this Sishui pass."
"There is no worries, Darren! This Hua Xiong is not afraid of anything!" Hua Xiong proudly exclaimed.
Li Ru on the other hand reminded her. "General, it is not wrong to boast. But do not let that come in to your head. If you underestimate your enemies, they will have the opportunity to defeat you!"
But Hua Xiong did not have any worries "with Li Ru Darren strategies and this Hua Xiong, it will be an ease! Lu Bu and Zhang Liao will not need to be stationed! Jia Xu and Li Ru Darren gave too much credit to the enemies!" and Hua Xiong asked another serving of meal.
Li Ru then continue the explanation with Chen Gong. "it will be bad for us."
"Yes Darren. That is why…"
Before Chen Gong can continue her words, another figure appears before them out of nowhere. This figure is a figure of a girl, who seems to be a skilled warrior.
"Please excuse this rude appearance of mine. My Young master would like to negotiate privately with the Minister of War Darren."
Hua Xiong pointed her blade to the girl, while Chen Gong tried to summon the soldiers. But Kazuto halt them.
"and you are?"
"The lowly name is Jiang Wei. A servant to the Sima Clan."
"…I see. Who will I be talking to?"
"it is Sima Yi gongzi."
XXX
Kazuto then prepares a private room for negotiating. Hua Xiong and Chen Gong was then tasked to keep away and let him do the talking. At first they are being stubborn and insist joining , but because he has convinced them. When he is about to entered the room, he saw that both girls who always be near Sima Yi who called themselves Jiang Wei and Deng Ai has been expelled from the room.
Inside was only he and the girl who called herself Sima Yi Zhong Da.
"It seems the situation has led in to such unprecedented situation, am I not right… The minister of War, Kazuto?"
"What do you care for? You are the merchant. I believe the Sima clan has their hands on the uprising of the warlords."
Zhong Da was dumbfounded. "Huh? What are you talking about? We the sima clan, has nothing to do with this uprising of the warlords. Sure they got their armament and rations from the branch of Sima clan. But it was all purely legit. An honored transaction between a buyer and the seller! And nothing more! They have the money, we got the product… and that is all! Why don't you ask yourself in this matter?"
"… is that so..? then why are you here?"
"I am here to congratulate you and offer my gratitude for leaking the Sima clan such valuable information beforehand. Because of it , we won't lose too many and instead we will profited from it when you really did it. Never before in our clan that there is such an honorable imperial official who kept her end of bargain. That is why I am here."
"I did promised your clan for the legalized Tax Revenue plan, and your clan supported it. I merely leaked that so your clan won't suffer much and we won't lose your support."
"by other means, we the Sima clan is grateful and as an honorable merchant, we can not let the debt unpaid for. We have prevented a big loss because of this war, that is why for our gratitude… I, Zhong Da, will help you."
"Then… I want you to let me talk with two person."
"Accepted. Who?"
"The first is the small warlords that on your support who joined the Anti Dong Zhuo Alliance."
"You mean Cao Cao? as you wish. And?"
"The leader of the Alliance. Yuan Shao of the Yuan Clan."
There is a bit of silence between these two person who negotiate. Then, Zhong Da smiled "Fu… Fu… Fu… I see… no wonder. Not only you are well versed in Wu Zi , but you also planned to act like Zhang Yi."
"So… you understand my plan?"
"Who wouldn't? did you forget the first teaching of Wu Zi, Minister of War Darren?"
"You are really a fearful person, Zhong Da. And I shudder the day when you met someone who can rival your wits."
"I hope so. My whole life is a boredom, if I stopped become merchant, perhaps it will be the day some one able to be equals before me. But for now, I will also assist you for this battle."
It will be the long day, until someone who can equal to Zhong Da appeared. As she will be the one who will awe this bored girl. Their rivalry will determine the fate of the states before them, until the day will come it is. But for now… she is really unrivalled in this field, as she has the insight like Wu Qi, during her audience with Marquis Wen of Wei. Marquis Wen tried to pretend he is not interested. But Wu Qi laughed and said.
"From the visible facts, I can deduce the hidden. From the past, I can discern the future."-Wu Zi, the need of strengthening domestic and external issues.
Really fearful it is this girl named Zhong Da. Kazuto shudder, imagining the time when The Crouching dragon opposed her.
XXX
Mean While, The Anti Dong Zhuo Alliance has received the report of Sun Ce lost, which led Yuan Shao to grow impatient.
"Argh! Forget any complicated strategy! We will shed them off with our whole might!"
And so... the war gong has been sounded. The second attempt on Sishui pass...
Author Note: Sorry for no update recently. it is because the personal computer was shared for two person, and i have no liberty to bother someone who is buy with her final. And also giving a title is such a difficult thing. that is why i got halted.
By the way... i really envied Kosuke from Kamen no Maid Guys ... he has such cute maid like Fubuki. St Rio is not wrong in portraying her like that. what a pity it is not me. Darn it.
Dog Day is such a... why would a plethora of renowned Seiyuu be there? it still has no plot! oh well... let just consider it as Nanoha season 4.
Tiger bunny...? Bandai or sunrise i don't care... please make another Gundam and Code Geass more seriously... if yu have plenty money to wasted on... please wasted in a better thought plot Gundam series and Code Geass... Gundam 00 season 2 is a disappointment. and i have hope in season 1! pure military, not just some toy trying to fight! please don't repeat your folly in Seed and Destiny. those are no better then Hentai material.