The Young Conqueror
Disclaimer: I did not invent Sun Ce or any other major character in this fanfic. Konami is responsible for the general appearance and mannerisms of the characters contained herein. I drew on the game personae for the sake of variety.
Since this is a story about Sun Ce, I've changed a few events to focus more on him. After Guan Yu he's my favourite character in the game and a li'l gratuitous action for the oldest Sun boy can't be a bad thing, right?
Enjoy.
Chapter 21- The Dream
Three nights in a row I dreamed of the marvelous city, and three times it was snatched away from me by the intrusion of the waking world. I was standing atop a mighty palace, surveying that which lay spread out before me.
And it was mine.
All golden lovely it blazed in the sunset, surrounded by mighty walls, dotted with beautiful temples, colonnades and graceful bridges that spanned the rivers. Silvery fountains gave off prismatic sprays of pure, glittering water in broad squares, surrounded by perfumed gardens. Wide streets of carved white stone marched between rows of fruit-laden trees, while urns spilled over with blossoms and great statues guarded the passers-by. Beautiful birds of jewel colours sang and warbled sweetly, delighting all who could hear.
Beyond the mighty walls, up the steep northward slopes, orchards attended by fat, happy farmers and their families filled the vale with the ripe scent of their produce. The markets were gay and festive, with musicians and performers entertaining those who came to buy wares.
It was a vision sent to me by the gods, a fanfare of supernal horns and a clash of immortal cymbals and drums. Joy hung about the city as clouds about a fabulous, unvisited mountain. And as I stood breathless on that balustrade, looking over the unearthly beauty of that wondrous city, I could feel a great pang inside me, a sense of yearning that became almost physically painful.
And each night as I gazed out at this spectral dream, I could feel the bondage of the real world's tyranny, clawing at me and drawing me back. I could never leave that spot, or descend to those luxurious streets, whose walkways and grand squares lay outspread and beckoning to me.
When I awoke that third time, once again robbed of that golden city, I silently made my way to the great shrine of my ancestors, deep within the palace. The hallways were drafty and the torches along the walls guttered and spit fitfully. Reverently I knelt before the shrine, praying fervently for insight or an answer to this mystery. But the gods and my ancestors made no reply, at least, none I could as yet understand. I was, after all, only eight years old.
I had always had vivid dreams, and even waking dreams. They would occur during moments of serenity and often took those around me off-guard. The most poignant memory of these occurrences was to happen soon after my seventh birthday. I was playing Go against my father, and for the first time ever, I was actually winning. It was seemingly out of nowhere that I then heard his voice, calling me.
"Ce? Ce!"
I blinked slowly. "Yes, father?"
My father seemed somewhat confused, more than exasperated. "You have been sitting still for over fifteen minutes, boy, staring at nothing. It is your move."
"I am sorry, father, I was having my vision."
He looked at me oddly. "Your… vision?"
"Yes, my vision." I replied simply.
"What do you mean, son?" he asked.
I frowned, not sure of how to explain myself, and to be honest, rather perplexed by why he was asking at all.
"I… was in my waking dream, I guess." I said rather unsatisfactorily.
"A waking dream."
"Of course."
"Explain what you mean, son…" my father pressed.
"What is to explain?" I queried reasonably. "I was one with the grass, the wind, the rolling waves, the scent of flowers."
I watched him watch me as I explained and it became apparent to me that he had no clue what I was talking about.
It had never occurred to me that this was a trait or ability unique to my own self.
"You… become one with everything?" he asked.
"Well, yes, of course." I answered. "My apologies, father, but is this not a common thing for all people?"
He then did something I did not expect and laughed. "No, Ce," he said, smiling at me. "What you have is a truly wonderful and unique gift. I dare say I know of no others, except perhaps the sages, who could ever make such a claim of serenity and oneness with nature. What is it like?"
This was a remarkably difficult question to answer, since it defied articulation. How could something so simple and natural be put into words?
"I… I will try, father, to make myself understood." I said somewhat uncertainly. "I… it… well…I simply become one with everything around me. I lose my body, I guess, and I merely exist as the trees, as the air, as the ground. There is no me, and everything is me, all at the same time. It… it is… fulfillment. I guess that is the best way to say it."
"And you lose track of time when this happens, my boy?" my father asked.
I shrugged. "There is no time when I am dreaming, father."
I could see that he did not fully comprehend what I was telling him, but I also could see a tint of envy deep within his eyes. It was not jealousy, but obviously I had revealed to him something that I alone could touch upon and commune with. Never would I have guessed that people did not share this wondrous gift.
How could they live without it?
"Son, you have perhaps the greatest gift a mortal has ever been given by the gods, for I believe you see the Tao," he said earnestly. "Cherish it and never let it go."
"Of course not." I said, perhaps with a hint of possessiveness. He heard it in my voice and his next question made me uncomfortable.
"Son, gifts can also been taken away. I pray it would never happen, but the ways of the universe of unfathomable, even to the greatest sages. Reveal to none or only to those closest to you that you have this unique gift."
I nodded warily, for the first time ever fearing what might happen.
"What would you do, son, if someone were to take this oneness with everything away from you?" he asked me.
My answer required only a brief pause for thought. "I would kill them."
My father nodded somewhat sadly and then gestured toward the Go board.
I had him beaten with the next thirty-nine moves and never once did I fade out on him.
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Blackness, and then the fabulous city was gone. Ce blinked and sighed at he stared at the ceiling. The dark room was silent and cool. Da Qiao, ever dutiful, sensed her husband waking and turned into him, snuggling her body against his. Her dainty finger traced over his shoulder and neck, caressing him lovingly.
"Your city, my love?" she asked. She felt sorry for him, for she knew that these dreams had haunted him for well over ten years now.
"Yeah," he replied quietly, still looking up into the darkness. "I haven't seen it very much recently, but that only makes it harder when I do."
She nodded and rested her chin against his chest, thinking about the marvelous city he had described to her. "Baifu."
He tilted his head to look down at her. "What?"
"That is its name," she said. "Your city's name is Baifu."
"So certain, are we?" he asked, smiling.
"What else could it possibly be?" she replied. "This great and mighty city is your capital, once you have conquered the realm. I see that as the most likely explanation."
"It might just be a dream to, you know." Ce pointed out.
"No, my lord," Da whispered, her voice serious. "This is no dream. It is a vision that has been with you for years. It is a vision of the shape of the world to come, a world that only you can make come about. The city is Baifu, the great and glorious capital of the Dynasty you will sire."
Ce's hand came up and rested on the back of her head, stroking her luxurious, dark hair. What if Da was right? He had never desired to rule China, at least, not for his own edification. But what if great leadership was never about that to begin with? Were the greatest rulers in history determined to rule so that others could live happily? Was altruism the driving force behind such leadership?
That would certainly agree with the universal principal of the Tao.
Da Qiao smiled gently and looked deep into his eyes. "My lord, why is this the one and only thing you ever balk at? Taking the realm in hand cannot sound odious, your city is proof of what will be. Do you not believe yourself to be a great unifier?"
Ce did not answer her.
"My lord, the people of Jiang Dong love you. Why would the people beyond our borders be any different?"
"Because we have to conquer them." Ce said simply. "People don't take well to being conquered."
"Think about the people of the Hinterlands as you marched through them to attack Liu Biao, my lord…" Da suggested. "Did they not willingly pledge themselves to you?"
"They had no master, Da." Ce countered. "The people of the Southlands do, and they will not accept our suzerainty without a fight."
"Perhaps the petty nobles will fight, but you yourself said the people will welcome you." Da replied, smiling. "And you will make life better for them. When people around the Han hear about you and your benevolence, they will pray for your arrival to liberate them."
"Not all the other rulers in China are despots, Da. Certainly Liu Bei is not, nor would I say that Ma Teng or Kong Rong are." Ce said, sighing. "True, there are many tyrannical rulers, such as Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, but if I am to rule China, I will have to fight them all."
"Perhaps," Da conceded. "But maybe those of virtue will also flock to your banner. I do not see Liu Bei being a man of great personal ambition, I am certain he would pledge his loyalty to you."
"I dunno," Ce said. "He spends a lot of time talking about virtue; virtue in the abstract sense that the vast majority of people wouldn't understand. I think his China, while peaceful, runs by a strict moral code that would have to be enforced. And that's not my vision for China."
"Mmmmmm, I love your vision of China, my lord," Da purred, nestling against him. "It is a land where everyone is happy, from the lowliest peasant or farmer to the wealthiest lord; a land of respect and harmony. What could be wrong with that?"
Ce was silent for a few moments. "There's nothin' wrong with it, Da. But some people just need to impose their personal will on others, even if it's cruel."
Da Qiao nodded. "Nobody who knows you thinks you wage this war for your own aggrandizement, my lord. Those who do not know you shall soon understand that as well. Those who fight you will soon know defeat. No man can own China, my husband, but only one man can rule its people."
Sun Ce smiled down at her. "I know that tone… you're champing at the bit to get back in the field and fight, aren't you?"
Da blushed. "I…"
Ce laughed. "If you're gonna be my warrior-empress, you'd better keep working on your skills, lady. You can't let Huang Gai keep handing your ass to you, he must be almost four times your age, for crying out loud."
Da self-consciously ran a hand tenderly over her rib cage, remembering the damage Huang Gai had done to her with a casual swat. True, she'd had it coming, ambushing him like that out of nowhere, but still… ow.
"Don't worry, we'll have a rematch." Da replied darkly.
"Oh, should I be worried as well, then?" Ce asked, smirking.
Da Qiao flushed crimson. "No…" she said hastily. There was no way in the Nine Hells she was repeating that mistake again.
"Aw, too bad." Ce teased. "I kinda enjoyed our little sparring match."
"You would, you pervert," she groused, scowling as she pressed her cheek to his chest and looked away. She may have enjoyed that whole altercation immensely, but that didn't mean she had to admit it to anybody, even her husband.
In the nursery room off to the side, they could hear Kai-ying awake and begin crying. The looked at one another for a moment before Ce shrugged.
"Don't look at me, I ain't feedin' her."
Da Qiao sighed and rose, loosening the top of her robe while she made her way over to their daughter. Ce lay back in the pillows and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
"Father…why do I hold back? What is it that keeps me from reaching out and taking hold of this destiny? Everyone seems to see it so clearly except for me. I am not afraid of battle, I am not daunted by the burden…could it really be as simple as I don't wanna be away from Da or that I'm afraid she'll get herself killed?"
He flushed angrily as he realized what he was saying. He had no business having so little faith in his wife. She may never be the greatest warrior in China, but she had proven repeatedly that she could indeed handle herself admirably. And she had by no means tapped her full potential on the battlefield, not by a long shot.
"So what if you're reluctant? Just start doin' it. Deal with the problems and consequences as they arise, that's how you handle everything else. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Very well. Come the morning, it would begin.
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The herald bowed low before Sun Ce as he stood in front of the dais that held his ornate royal chair. He knew it would have been more correct to greet Yuan Shu's messenger seated, but rules and traditions weren't really his thing. He felt comfortable standing, so he was going to stand.
"Lord Sun Ce of Jiang Dong," began the richly-robed man. Sun Ce could tell by his brown, wrinkled complexion that he was a Uyghur. Long-renowned for their dedication to scholarship, they were considered the most literate people in the empire. "I bring tidings from overlord Yuan Shu, who values you and your people highly. He has been heard to proclaim that if he had a son such as you, he could die without regret."
"I'm honoured," Ce replied, nodding. "Please give my regards to Lord Yuan Shu upon your return. What news do you have for me?"
The messenger bowed again. "He sends word that Dong Zhuo's crimes against the people continue to mount. From his impregnable fortress of Mei in the far west, he continues to be a source of terror and discord."
"Yeah, I heard that too," Ce said, his face grim. "Please inform your lord that I am currently doing everything I can to strengthen and fortify Jiang Dong, in case that purple rat attempts to wrest my lands from me. Please say to him that I advise a similar course for action for all other lords. We shouldn't strike at him again until our own lands are safe."
"He concurs, young lord," the herald said, smiling and spreading his arms. "He commends you, the General Who Cherishes Loyalty, for setting such a fine example for your peers to follow. But he worries that Jiang Dong is not strong enough to withstand Dong Zhuo, my lord, nor will it ever be."
There were mutterings around the throne room as Sun Ce's retainers and generals took exception to the herald's assessment of their battlefield prowess. He could feel Da Qiao stiffen slightly as she stood beside his throne. Only Zhou Yu seemed unmoved.
"But please, my friends," the heralds said. "By this I do not mean to impugn your worth on the field of battle, for surely no people has proven themselves as clearly as the steadfast and doughty warriors of Jiang Dong."
The muttering subsided, at least for now.
"What I mean is that Jiang Dong is but one small territory and no matter how doughty its warriors may be, it cannot sustain them forever, as you well know. It is therefore with my master's blessing that Lord Sun Ce has been given permission to conquer the Southlands, as soon as he can pacify them."
The whispers returned, but they were now tinged with an optimistic excitement. Lord Sun Ce's plans for returning his family to the ancestral homelands of Wu were well-known, but this declaration form Yuan Shu amounted to an Imperial sanction. Sun Ce's conquest of the Southlands would not be seen as the act of a rogue or ruthless state.
Sun Ce bowed deeply at the waist. "Thank your master once again for his consideration, herald. Let him know that the pacification of the lawless Southlands shall begin soon. I have already been preparing my army. We shall soon be so strong that Dong Zhuo and his like would not dare oppose us."
Ce didn't know if the messenger caught his true meaning with the statement but it didn't really matter, either. If Zhou Yu was right and Yuan Shu would also have to be disposed of in the future, Jiang Dong had to be as strong as possible.
"Please, come and enjoy our hospitality," Sun Ce said, smiling and gesturing for the herald to follow him. "I hope you will join me for dinner and we can discuss events of the realm."
The man bowed again. "It would be my honour, Lord of the Southlands."
Ce smiled and nodded. It was as good a sanction as one could hope for in such turbulent and unpredictable times.
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The Valiant Cavaliers were arrayed in ranks, waiting for the appearance of their commanding officer. They had been informed, to their relief that they were not going to be left out of the upcoming campaign. Several of the men were still nursing grudges about being forced to sit out Sun Jian's assault on Liu Biao. These same men made it quite clear it was because they were now commanded by a woman. Even if she were Lord Sun Ce's wife, the fact that she had recently given birth meant that they were not to see action in Jing.
Eventually the doors of the palace opened and Da Qiao stepped out to face the parade grounds. Led by their sergeants, the Cavaliers snapped to attention as she descended the steps. She noticed, however, that a few of them were less than precise in their movements.
She walked slowly by the front rank, observing their equipment and their posture. For the most part she was very pleased. She felt their eyes on her and she willed herself not to shrink away from the scrutiny. If she was going to command them, she had to be able to look them in the eyes.
She turned to face them and took a breath. She could do this.
"An injustice was done to this brave unit when it was left out of the war against Jing," she began, echoing a sentiment she suspected was quite prevalent in the unit. "It is true you were left behind because I had recently given birth, but I promise you now that the opportunity to prove your worth is soon to arise."
Several of the men nodded in approval, but most were silent, still assessing her. One man in the second rank made no attempt to conceal his yawn. Da Qiao stiffened slightly but let it go. She understood this was going to be a challenge, winning the respect of the tough warriors.
"In my husband's name we go forth to conquer the Southlands and I have requested that we be allowed to spearhead the assault when we cross the Great River."
More nods and looks of approval, but the one man just snorted. Da Qiao ignored the slight yet again and continued with her speech.
"The petty lords of the Southlands will fight hard to keep their holdings from us, but we are stronger and more skilled. Our army is unified and coordinated whereas they-"
She was interrupted once more by the sound of a long, casual burp. Her eyes flashed to the offender, the man in the second row, who didn't even bother to look back at her, but just stared straight ahead in boredom.
"Han Dan!" hissed a man nearby. "This is no way to behave!"
The man, who's name was obviously Han Dan, replied by way of shrugging and then farting loudly. Several men nearby could not suppress a chuckle.
Da Qiao bit her lip, wondering what she should do. She had expected to have difficulties, like the men questioning her orders on the battlefield because she was a woman and a novice to war, but this was blatant disrespect, something she had not anticipated.
What should she do? Other commanders would have the man beheaded on the spot. Could she really do such a thing? Was that how she wanted to establish her authority?
"Do you have a problem with my command, soldier?" she asked levelly.
The man just ignored the question, as if he didn't hear it.
"Lady Da Qiao!" said a man in the front rank, dropping to his knees and bowing. "Forgive me for the swine-like behaviour of my comrade! He-"
"Shut your mouth, fool!" Han Dan spat, shoving his foot into the man's back and sending him sprawling. "You would beg forgiveness from this lanbi when all she will ever do is disgrace us?"
Dozens of the man gasped in shock at Han Dan's language. Da Qiao herself went red in humiliation. Never before had anyone ever used such language in her presence, let alone directed such a horrid epithet at her.
The man who had been kicked down snarled and surged to his feet, prepared to teach Han Dan a lesson. Da Qiao felt paralyzed. What was she to do? Her mind, still reeling for the insult, floundered. She willed herself not to cry.
She thought back to everything command had taught her- every rule and regulation she had ever read about, every precedent.
And yet she could not act.
"This? This is what will lead us to glory?" Han Dan said contemptuously, gesturing to Da Qiao. "She is so frail she cannot abide by a simple insult and yet we are expected to follow her to certain death when she fails to make a sensible decision?"
Nobody responded but she could feel that the sentiments of several of the men lay with Han Dan. They too were shocked by his animosity, but that didn't mean they didn't agree with his assessment of her ability, or lack thereof.
An older warrior finally spoke. "Han Dan, you have doomed yourself. Even if you do not respect her, word of this is sure to reach Huang Gai. He will beat you senseless and then behead you."
"Pah!" Han Dan spat, his features contorted in a snarl. "What of it? Look at my choices- death at the hands of a great warrior like Huang Gai or ignonimous death on the battlefield when the enemy destroys us because of her incompetence. I choose death at my actual commander's hands."
She wanted to run. She wanted to turn and run away. All she wanted to do was escape from this hateful place. She wanted to run into Ce's arms and cry until she fell unconscious.
She saw his smiling face and what he would say to her- exactly what he had said to her when she commanded Sun Shang Xiang's amazons.
"They're your troops now, Da… you've gotta reward 'em and punish 'em. That's a commander's job, y'know."
She didn't feel she had the authority yet to punish this man for his intolerable impudence, but she was well within her bounds to smack him into next week, wasn't she?
"Well, since you feel that way, soldier," she said quietly, pushing her way through the front ranks to confront him. "Then perhaps I should demonstrate why exactly I have been put in charge around here, shi?"
Han Dan was suddenly at a loss. He hadn't expected this reaction from her at all. Mostly he had expected her to retreat in quiet humiliation, or perhaps to scream, cry and throw a temper tantrum… but this was not at all what he had anticipated.
The tiny girl looked up at him, her body language showing that she was not intimidated by his superior size.
"Is that it?" she pressed, not giving him time to think. "Perhaps you would care to demonstrate to your peers why I am not fit to lead the Valiant Cavaliers? I am right here, waiting."
Han Dan glanced around furtively, unsure of what to do. His fellow warriors were all staring at him, intrigued to see what his response might be. He shifted from one foot to the other, knowing that he was caught.
But Da Qiao was not about to let him off easy. She was not going to take this humiliation lying down, and certainly not be slandered by this punk.
"I stood against Hua Xiong at Si Shui gate… where were you, Han Dan?" she sneered. "Did you show any such daring during the assault? I navigated a treacherous mountain pass with the Lady Sun Shang Xiang and was fighting inside Si Shui before you had even seen the enemy."
Han Dan swallowed nervously. She was forcing his hand.
Da Qiao's voice was soft, almost a whisper, but everyone nearby heard her clearly.
"I have had a child with Lord Sun Ce… have you seen the size of his skull? Imagine what I went through. I am not afraid of you, little boy…"
Han Dan snarled and cursed at Da Qiao, his temper finally getting the better of him.
"Choubiaozi!" he shouted, his face colouring. "I will put you in your place!"
Da Qiao spun on her heel and marched back out in front of her unit. She turned to face Han Dan and waited silently, her arms folded.
"Come then, Hun Dan!" she taunted, deliberately abusing his name to disparage his parentage. "I await your pleasure."
Han Dan stormed forward, drawing his sword. Da Qiao didn't move but waited for him to approach. He pointed the tip of the blade at her, shouting so hatefully the flecks of foam gathered about his lips.
"I may die for what I am about to do, but I would gladly accept such a death over suffering the indignity of being commanded by a mere whore!"
Da Qiao nodded and drew the sword that rested at her side. She held it out on front of herself, feeling how ungainly it seemed in her hand. She had not often practiced with a sword and she was certain that she would be at a disadvantage here.
"Not going to use your fans, bitch?" Han Dan sneered.
"I don't need them to deal with the likes of you, turtle." Da Qiao replied coldly, once again mocking his ancestry.
Han Dan howled in range and lunged at Da Qiao, stabbing at her heart.
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Sun Ce, Zhou Yu and Huang Gai watched from a window high in the palace. The old veteran stiffened and coloured furiously.
"That impudent bastard!" he growled, his great hands flexing. "I will skin him alive for this."
Ce merely put up a hand and shook his head. "Down, big guy," he said, smiling. "Da can handle herself. And she's gotta teach them to respect her. She knew this was gonna be rough."
Huang Gai took a deep breath and calmed himself. Sun Ce was probably right as usual, a trait the old warrior found most irritating.
"Very well, my lord," he said finally. "But what if, Heavens forfend, anything should happen to Lady Da Qiao?"
Ce didn't seem to react for a moment but then just nodded ever so slightly.
"She'll be fine. Trust me."
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Da Qiao ducked a savage swipe of Han Dan's blade and countered with a thrust of her own. The cavalier leapt backward, glaring at his nimble foe. She was proving more difficult to deal with than he would have ever imagined, not because she was skilled with a sword, but because she was quick and agile, with a healthy respect for her own continued existence.
It soon became obvious to him that she was trying to figure out how to use the blade as she fought- what its abilities and limitations were. He opened himself on one side and she darted in, thrusting again with her sword. He glided smoothly to the side and brought the sword around in a quick, lethal arc. Da Qiao yelped and dove out of the way, the point of the sword catching in the fabric of her battle gown and tearing it open.
The men of the unit all gasped as she spun about and held the torn fabric over her chest with one hand, glaring at Han Dan. Her free hand still held the sword but her knuckles were white from clenching it so hard and it trembled in her grip.
"You will pay for that…" she said icily.
"Save it for the dung demons that shall defile your cheap body once I have sent you to hell with the other whores." Han Dan sneered.
Da Qiao knew she was not ready to beat a skilled swordsman with a blade, at least not yet. Her only advantage thus far was her agility and speed. She had to create openings and opportunities for herself, cause him to get careless and make mistakes.
She darted in again and he spun around her thrust, his sword sweeping up and nearly opening her back. But Da Qiao was ready and whirled about, her own blade flashing through the air at her foe's midriff. Han Dan barely caught the counterstrike on his sword, swearing as he did so. Da Qiao then pressed her attack, getting inside his longer reach and unleashing a flurry of ill-disciplined by blindingly fast thrusts and slashes. Han Dan back up, cursing, baffled by her speed and determination; could she really be giving him this much trouble? He was considered one of the best swordsmen in the entire company, no small feat.
Da Qiao wheezed as Han Dan's fist rammed into her stomach and she doubled over and fell backwards. He glared at her and raised his sword in the air for a final stroke.
"In sacrificing myself I will save my unit from certain death and your hands, bitch!"
He was about to strike when Da Qiao's foot found its mark, slamming into his groin. Han Dan grunted and staggered backward. Da surged to her feet and stormed toward him, unleashing a furious assault on her stunned opponent.
"Don't… call… me… bitch!" she shouted as she struck repeatedly.
Han Dan barely managed to ward off her attacks, but was growing weaker. His vision swam and his stomach felt like ice. The pain between his legs was searing and hideous.
He struck at her but she caught the blade on her own and made a wide, sweeping arc, sending Han Dan's blade sailing into the air. As he watched his weapon spiral off, she slammed the pommel of her sword into the side of his head, sending him to the ground. Dozens of men shouted in shock at this turn of events, although whether it was in surprise, disgust or delight she did not know.
She also didn't care at this very moment.
She stood over Han Dan, her legs on either side of his chest and pointed the sword down at him, pressing the tip against his throat. He seemed to come back to himself a few seconds later and goggled up at her, victorious and avenged for his treatment of her.
Da Qiao said nothing but inwardly she begged with him to let this all go.
"Han Dan, please… it does not have to be this way…"
His eyes hardened and a look of wild hatred flashed in them. His body tensed as he prepared to surge up and attack once again.
Da Qiao thrust the sword down, through Han Dan's throat and pinning him to the ground.
The courtyard was deadly silent but for the screech of nearby birds. Da Qiao could hear nothing but the pounding of her heart.
She had just coldly executed a man.
"Do not cry… show no weakness… if you break down now then you will not have their respect and this poor, stupid man will have died for nothing…"
Da Qiao slowly pulled her blade out of Han Dan's throat, horrified by the way the neck sagged and moved with her sword as she withdrew it. Han Dan's eyes were wide but sightless. Crimson blood glistened on the tip of the hateful weapon.
Slowly she turned and faced her men. With all the control she could muster she twirled the sword about, flicking the blood off the blade. She stared at them all, awaiting their next move.
One by one they dropped to their knees and kow-towed, murmuring oaths of obedience and unwavering loyalty.
Da Qiao let out a trembling sigh of relief. She sheathed her sword and put her hands on her hips, her eyes hard as she assessed her new command.
"Arise!" she said in a clear voice. The men leapt to their feet, awaiting their leader's orders, whatever they may be.
"Who among you agreed with this dog's point of view about me? Answer me?"
Nearly twenty men timidly raised their hand.
She nodded solemnly. "I spare you lives, because you have sworn to serve me, but your insubordination with not go unanswered. Report to General Huang Gai and tell him you are each to receive ten lashes for your crimes."
Several of the men went pale but they all nodded, accepting their punishment dutifully. She then took a small bag from her belt and shook it. Inside, ingots of gold clinked and jingled.
"I had planned to give this to the man you each deemed most worthy in your unit's service, but…"
She now gestured down at Han Dan. "Did this man have any family?"
One man bowed and nodded. "Yes, my lady! He has a wife and daughter in Ni Jiu."
Da Qiao sighed and tossed the bag on Han Dan's chest somewhat carelessly. "I will not see them suffer for his foolishness. Once his body is buried, choose one of your number to bring this gold to them, with my condolences. Make sure they knew exactly what happened here today."
The men all kow-towed again, murmuring their obedience.
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Ce laughed. "Wow, is she hard-core or what?"
Huang Gai just shook his head. "She has a toughness to her the likes of which even you would be hard-pressed to equal, my lord."
"Nah, I ain't her match," Ce said dismissively, waving the comment off. "Da's in a class all by herself, you know."
Zhou Yu nodded sagely, saying nothing.
"C'mon, let's go find a drink, guys." Ce prompted. "Looks like the fun is done with here."
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The twenty Valiant Cavaliers had reported to Huang Gai's headquarters the following day. The adjutant already knew the circumstances and was ready to say that Lady Qiao's orders were carried out. The men were all stripped to their loincloths and braced against stout trees or strong beams with their hands tied around the trunk.
Nearby, the other members of the company watched silently, witness to the justice that would be administered.
All twenty men were waiting silently as the corps' discipline officers readied their whips. The whips were cunningly designed, made of straps of leather twined about the supple green boughs of sapling trees. The resulting instrument could cause great pain and even death if applied often enough. Fortunately, this was not to be the case today.
Huang Gai towered over the proceedings. As the corps' commander, he often was present at discharges of corporal or capital punishment. There was thankfully little of the latter necessary in Jiang Dong's army, since discipline was high, often due to the application of the former.
He was about to give the order to begin when Da Qiao stepped into the circle. Everyone present froze in wonder, uncertain of what she was doing there.
Huang Gai bowed. "Lady Qiao, there is no need for you to witness this, I assure you I will see that the punishment is-"
"I am not here to see that these men are punished, general," she said slowly, her features somewhat drawn and pale. "I am here to receive my punishment alongside them."
The assembly gasped in astonishment. What could she possibly mean?
Da Qiao turned to address her unit, facing those who were tied to the trees. "It is true you have been insubordinate and for that you must be punished. But am I not to blame for this as well? I have failed you as a commander, just as surely as rebelled. I too shall suffer, then."
Huang Gai was pale with horror. "My lady! You cannot be serious!"
"I am in deadly earnest, Huang Gai, I assure you." Da replied quietly.
"I cannot and will not authorize this, commander!" the old warrior said angrily, trying to pull rank on his captain.
Da Qiao's eyes were glassy as she replied. "Huang Gai, my friend, it must be this way. How am I to earn the respect of these men if I do not suffer at their side through every trial they face?"
Da Qiao then walked over toward an unoccupied tree trunk and stripped her top off. Those assembled gasped in shock as she took a piece of rope and wound it around the tree, symbolically tying herself to it, like her men were.
She looked at the old, weather-beaten trunk and spoke loud enough for them all to hear. "I am not a perfect commander… in fact, I am far from it. But whatever skills I may lack, whatever shortcomings I may have, I vow to you all that I shall never falter. I shall endure unto death for you. That is what a commander must do."
She slowly looked over at a nearby officer, still holding a whip. "This is an order from the Lady of Jiang Dong and it cannot be overruled- you are to lash me each and every time one of these men is struck…"
The officer was white with fright, but bowed. "My… my lady…"
One of the Valiant Cavaliers observing dropped to his knees. "My lady, no! That is over two hundred lashes! You will die!"
"I will endure!" Da said harshly, steeling herself for the hideous pain she would feel. "Officer! You are to begin!"
"But… my lady…" he protested in terror.
"Do it!" she shouted, her eyes welling with tears.
This exchange drew shouts and howls of protest from her men, both the observers and those bound to the trees. The free Cavaliers dashed forward while those restrained twisted and struggled wildly to escape their bonds and race to their commander's side.
One of the older veterans of the unit threw himself in front of her, his arms outstretched, glaring balefully at any officer who seemed to close.
"You will not harm our commander!" he growled. "I shall receive this punishment in her place!"
"As shall I!" declared another.
"My lady!" called out a bound man. "Please! Increase my punishment ten-fold if you must, but do not do this to yourself!"
The headquarters had become a mob scene of frantic, shouting men when Huang Gai finally bellowed so loud that everyone stopped dead, scared to even move. He stormed over to Da Qiao's position and grabbed the whip away from the officer standing nearby. He then turned and railed at them all.
"All of you, get out of my sight!" he thundered, brandishing the whip menacingly. He then shouted to his officers.
"Untie those men at once! And some one get that lunatic woman out of my headquarters! Punishment has been suspended until I review the facts personally!"
A great cheer went up as the Cavaliers unbound their comrades and then mobbed Da Qiao. She was hoisted into their air and ridden around the camp on their shoulders for several riotous minutes before Huang Gai threatened to use a fuse bomb to disperse them.
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Sun Ce was sitting in a reading room of Baifu, perusing a tactical manual when raucous cheering reached his ears. Moderately intrigued, he put down the parchments and wandered over to a window to look out.
He saw all one hundred Valiant Cavaliers whooping joyously and parading through the square, several of them wearing nothing but loincloths.
Da Qiao was sitting on their shoulders, wearing no top, her breasts bouncing freely as she tried to maintain her balance.
Ce just stared.
"What is all that ruckus?" Zhou Yu asked from his chair in the corner.
I don't know…" Ce said finally, his voice betraying his utter bewilderment. "C'mon, I need another drink…"
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Sun Ce walked slowly in as he inspected the Valiant Cavaliers. They were all standing rigidly at attention, their scarlet tunics spotless and weapons gleaming in the morning sun. Their battle banner fluttered overhead and he smiled as he noted Da Qiao's name had been threaded in gold characters at the bottom.
The commander of the Valiant Cavaliers bowed low as he approached, her hands flat on the ground and her forehead pressed to it.
"Lord of Jiang Dong," she said in a voice that was both humble and proud. "The Valiant Cavaliers await your orders."
Sun Ce nodded and Da Qiao rose slowly. She looked up at him finally and smiled.
"I like the outfit," Ce said casually, observing her new attire. "Even if the skirt's a little unconventional."
She nodded. "Sometimes one must obey the physics of being a girl," she replied cheerfully. "Pants restrict my range of motion."
"I'm also glad to see your new uniform includes a top." Ce commented blithely.
Da Qiao blushed furiously while a few of her men chuckled. Ce turned to face them all, nodding in respect to this venerable unit.
"I'm warnin' you guys now, she can be a handful." Ce said in a teasing tone. "She's a lousy drunk and she fights with fans."
The men laughed. "My lord, we will happily endure her. She is a worthy commander!" said the old veteran who had saved her from the lash.
"Glad to hear it." Ce replied, nodding. "The Valiant Cavaliers are gonna go ashore with me at Ox Landing when we cross the Great River. You're spearheading our thrust into the Southlands."
The men all bowed low, grateful for this singular honour.
"Our first opponent is gonna be a guy named Liu Yao. His holdings are large but his forces are scattered, so we shouldn't have too hard a time of it. I'm countin' on your guys to be my mobile strike force once we're ashore."
A cheer arose from the men, their spear blades thrust in the air. Ce nodded and began to wander off, but at the last second he paused and turned to face them.
"One last thing, boys," he said, his tone casual. "Just so you know… Da has this weird habit of getting naked. You guys are gonna answer to me for each and every article of clothing my wife loses…"
The men were silent, as was Da Qiao. Sun Ce turned and strode off.
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"That wasn't very nice of you, you know." Da Qiao said, poking her husband in the chest as they lay in one another's arms. Around them, Baifu pavilion was quiet, the only sound being the rustle of the wind through the gossamer curtains that covered the archway out to the balcony.
Sun Ce smiled and shrugged. "Eh, it's good for 'em. I don't want those guys thinkin' they can take too many liberties with my wife, just because she's their commander."
She frowned. "What makes you think they're allowed to take any liberties with me?"
"I'm a guy, I know how guys think is all." Ce replied, shrugging. "Besides, I think you're in for more than you understand, Da."
"Oh? How so?" she asked.
"Well, if you're gonna be campaigning in the field, sooner of later you're gonna have to take a bath, right?" he pointed out. "And traditionally, commanders bathe with their men."
Da Qiao was silent for several seconds. "Oh. What… what should I do?"
"I guess you're gonna have to bathe with them." Ce answered.
"But… they'll be looking at me." Da said, the notion obviously worrying or repulsing her.
"Did it bother you when my sister's girls were staring at you?" Ce asked.
"Well, not after a while," Da admitted. "They were girls, after all."
"And each and every one of them would have gladly taken a roll in the wheat field with you," Ce pointed out, grinning. "You yourself said there wasn't a single day during the campaign against Dong Zhuo that you didn't get molested one way or another."
Da Qiao scowled. "You're not helping, you know."
"Take it easy, Da." Ce said cheerfully, hugging her to him. "It's not like any of these guys're gonna try anything with you. You're their commander and they respect you. That was quite a show you put on for them the other day."
"What show?" she asked.
"Oh, the whole lashes thing." Ce mused. "That was amazing theatre, Da. You've gotta be the best courtesan in the land, because you're a hell of an actor."
Da Qiao was silent again for several moments. "I wasn't pretending, Ce. I was determined to receive that punishment alongside them."
"I know that," Ce said, stroking her cheek. "It's weird and wonderful stunts like that one that keep me comin' back, yanno?"
"Thanks, I think." Da Qiao said uncertainly. "Glad to know it's not only my boobs."
"I think those belong to everyone now," Ce said casually, stretching. "At least, that's the impression I'm getting."
"You really are a smug bastard, you know that?" Da Qiao said.
"Yeah, ain't it great?"
"Good night, my lord. Tomorrow we begin the great task of conquering the realm." Da Qiao said, snuggling in and closing her eyes.
"Tomorrow's just another day, Da," he replied, stroking her silken hair and closing his own eyes. "As long as I've got you, I have everything I need…"
The great and glorious city dominated his dreams, but this time there was someone standing beside him atop the palace, holding his hand.
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