To let Jing Ke assassinate the King of Qin, Fan Wuqi proffers his heads

During the dark night before General Zhang Ji assault toward Chang An, he called his nephew Zhang Xiu and said.

" Xiu-er, I always regarded you as my true son. Today I ended my life as a coward and departed my life as a hero. "

The young Zhang Xiu did not understand what his uncle tried to imply. "Uncle Zhang is the pride of our clan. I never forgotten how brave Uncle Zhang when assisting Prime Minister Dong to guard the Xiliang and Bing province."

"I see… then, I can left the rest to you. Xiu-er, whatever happened to me, return this troops to the rightful owner. Because she will be able to do it."

Zhang Xiu listened carefully even if he does not understand.

XXX

It was a tale from the Warring state period in the realm of China, This realm was divided in to seven state led by their respective Kings. Among those King has long forgotten the past glory of Zhou dynasty and now are struggling for unification. Among them, one man rise with unbelievable strength and start to devour the six other states.

As the new power who has risen in the Central Plain, the Qin has paved it path starting from the reign of Duke Mu of Qin who remembered as one of the Five Hegemons of Spring Autumn Period. The Qin has advanced alone because of their realization of the importance of talents. Starting from their first existence each one of their sovereign understand the importance of talents regardless of their origins. And many Qin's retainer and officers marked their name beautifully in the History of this land.

It started with Baili Xi, Qian Shu, Zhang Yi, Fan Sui, Li Si Han Fei Zi, Wei Liao, Shang Yang, Bai Qi, Wang Jian, Meng Tian. Those Priceless talents are the source of Qin 's advance. Later, During the day when Qin was ruled by a visionary and charismatic King, The state of Qin started their movement to devour each state one by one.

In the campaign for Qin's unification the state of Zhao become their biggest obstacle, because Zhao is the second mightiest state in the realm , and their alliance with Han and Wei could end the Qin's unification to avail. But then, heavens favored the Qin. And Finally in 228 BC, Qin conquered The state of Zhao's capital Handan and exiled their sovereign, ending the 800 years of Zhao existence. Later, the Qin's movement for unification become unstoppable and all the state realized their threatened positions. Among them is the state of Yan.

The state of Yan, realizing that they are next in line to be conquered sent a diplomatic mission to appease the state of Qin by sending the heir of throne Marquis Dan as diplomatical hostage. The King of Qin did not Marquis Dan well, and one day he escaped and returned to his state during the Qin's campaign against Zhao with the help of one Qin's General Fan Wuqi. Marquis Dan based on his own experience in living in state of Qin realized how fragile his state of Yan position is, as they state of Qin's army draw closer to their border. And so, he creates a plan.

"To save my state, I have to assassinate the King of Qin and create internal chaos in his state!"

The state of Yan has the advantage of their courageous peoples. Marquis Dan realized this and with his contact he was introduced with a perceptive and brave person, she is Jing Ke, a master of Sword and Pen. The Prince of Dan asked her to execute his plan.

"The state of Qin ambition is to conquer the other six states, This lowly I, wished for the brave warrior Jing Ke to depart to Qin as my envoy. Forced him to return the land of the other state that he subjugated or else, kill him."

To succeed this plan, Jing Ke was provided with two gifts to appease the King of Qin. One is the map of Dukang, a fertile land owned by the state of Yan. The other one is the head of Fan Wuqi who deserted and betrayed Qin. In order to let Jing Ke had the audience with King of Qin, Marquis Dan asked Fan Wuqi to give his head as the gift to appease the King of Qin.

Fan Wuqi was a general of Qin who deserted because he can not take the unstoppable Qin's ambition for unification which is now eying the state of Yan, his homeland. After hearing the plan, Fan Wuqi understand the importance of this mission, and he proffers his head for the greater good.

In the state of Qin, hearing the envoy from state of Yan requested audience to hand the sign of surrendering, The King of Qin was overjoyed. The envoy, Jing Ke was received in majestic manner in the Qin's capital of Xianyang. When Jing Ke presented the two gift, King of Qin become less suspicious and let Jing Ke to get nearer to him. As the map of Dukang was rolled down, a dagger was revealed, showing Jing Ke's true intention. The Assassination of King of Qin.

Alas, Heaven is always jealous of talent. With Heaven siding with the Qin's plan for unification, The brave warrior noble plan was foiled. And just like the poem she recited under the tune of Gao Jianli zither….

"The Mourning piercing gale! Freezing river of Yi! The hero fords, and never returned!"

(風瀟瀟兮,易水寒,壮士一去不復返!)

Because… Mankind could only plan, but it was Heaven who decides their destiny. With the brave warrior Jing Ke demise and the King of Qin and his ambitious plan lived, Is not that the will of Heaven?

XXX

The brave and loyal general Zhang Ji has now embarked. Jia Xu accompanied him and creates the best plan she could. During the first battle, Zhang Ji bravely marched and succeeds in pushing Li Jue and Guo Si in to an unfavorable situation. But , the tactics was too effective. Because of this, Li Jue and Guo Si locked themselves up beneath the castle wall of Chang An and refused to battle. Jia Xu become worried of this situation. If this was not be taken care of, their situation will become unfavorable with the depleted provision on their sides. Zhang Ji who also agreed with the development of the situation understand it completely and sent his nephew Zhang Xiu to get more military provision from Wancheng, while Jia Xu depart with some division of soldiers to burn the farming fields and farm silos near Chang An to forced Li Jue and Guo Si to march. It will be a battle of attrition.

Whoever broke down first will lose everything. If Li Jue and Guo Si did not make the next move and position their troops in standby, sooner or latter they will exhaust all the provison in Chang An. While if Zhang Ji did not make the move and quickly subjugating Chang An, their resource will soon depleted and Zhang Ji understand it completely that Zhang Xiu's provision unit will be too late as they arrive.

XXX

Meanwhile, in Cao Cao 's army second troops who was tasked in conquering Runan has succeeded their first phase of mission. Cao Cao get herself another batch of provision by taking over Runan, and also she got herself a division of army and two skillful general who will proven to be invaluable. But the second phase of the mission will be difficult.

Xun Yu proposed to move during dawn. With most of Cao Cao's new division, the Elite Qingzhou Army are now mostly infantrymen it will be quite a hurdle. But because Xun Yu plan in moving during the dawn , they were at least calculably less exhausted. With their departure are during dawn, there will be less heat stroke during their marching.

Yue Jin and Xu Chu showed their knowledge about the geographical standing of Runan. With the Runan now is subjugated, they could easily pass the usual path, the plateau. The plateau proven to be quite a geographical fortress. Cao Cao shuddered a bit in her heart if she insisted in passing through here, with so many hidden gap to hid ambush or trap, which is now deactivated by Yue Jin and Xu Chu. With now the plateau is a safe path, they capable of cutting short the time to reach Chang An efficiently.

As they reached back at Xu Chang, Xiahou Dun asked Cao Cao to let the whole army to stop and get rest. But before Cao Cao can decide to agree or not, Yang XIu ran to her and said…

"My lord, Cao Mengde Darren, I have a letter from my messenger informing that Ma Teng army of Xiliang has almost reached Chang An. It will be a race between us and them whoever reach Chang An and subjugating it."

Cao Cao was surprised by the sudden occurrence. How could Ma Teng of Xiliang reached Chang An? She turned to Xun Yu

"Keifa, how would you suggest me for this whole development?"

"Karin-sama, I predicted that Ma Teng is now camped their troops outskirt of Chang An. If we let them on, tomorrow Chang An could be theirs."

Xiahou Dun insisted. "But, Karin sama, The soldiers are tired! We have to let them rest. Even if we reached Chang An by forcing them, I am sure their morale and stamina are already depleted due to the journey in reaching there!"

"General Xiahou Dun! Should we let Ma Teng to get the credit for all our effort?" Keifa rebuked her opinion, on the contrary Xiahou Yuan also supported her sister opinion

"Xun Yu Darren, Aneja is right. Upon reaching Chang An, all the soldier would not have anymore strength nor will to fight. I Believe we could let Cao Ren Darren , Cao Hong Darren and Yu Jin to hold Li Jue and Guo Si. And we could use this chance to replenish our war supply."

"No! Xun Yu Darren opinion is right. Right now the timing is crucial. With the remaining of Dong Zhuo army led by Zhang Ji is now at war with them, this is our chance to take advantage of their situation and conquer both forces. IF we are too late, General Ma Teng of Xiliang will be benefited. "

Right now, with the situation grow in such manner, Cao Cao was forced to make a decision. With now, most of Warlords are eyeing Chang An, it is now turning in to a rat race between every nearby Warlords. Zhang Ji has made the first move, and Ma Teng draw closer, would she let them by? With the addition of elite Qingzhou army in her military strength, they should be able to defend Chang An from other warlords, and it is foolish not to take this chance.

"I understand. Shunran, Shuuran. This is my final decision. We will march directly to Chang An. No objection I want to hear."

With Cao Cao has set her mind, The Cao Cao army marched directly to Chang An without stopping in Chang An.

XXX

Zhang Ji tried to evaluate his current position. With now both forces at stand still, no one has benefited. He is now pondering, Niu Fu and Dong Yue also housed able General and soldiers compared to Li Jue and Guo Si. He is wondering, what make them failed in retaking Chang An. There is no sign of Xiliang army in their troops. Niu Fu and Dong Yue should be more than suffice in defeating Chang An. Then what make them failed? Is the The battle of attrition which he is fighting now?

Did Lu Jue and Guo Si let their supplies to diminished? He did not believe that. When they marched and invite him to join, he saw that their provision is more than enough to stand for prolonging battle. There must be another factors.

Right now, he had detected the movement of Ma Teng of Xiliang outskirt of Chang An. Due to his past experience which Li Jue and Guo Si betrayed Prime Minister Dong Zhuo, he suspected whether Ma Teng of Xiliang also has some hidden intention, right now he can not trust them as allies.

He decided that he had to quickly marched and ended this battle all for once.

XXX

During the march of Cao Cao army to Chang An, The time is now at noon. With the sun is at top of them, the ground started to heat, and burdening the troops. Cao Cao realized this development. Xun Yu also sensed this and tried to think what should she done. If they let the soldiers to be more thirsty and exhausted this situation will led to desertion.

But, Cao Cao and Xun Yu know that with The camp of their first troop which was guarded by Cao Ren, Cao Hong and Yu Jin almost near, they can not let to stop and rest. The time draws near. As they were also Zhang Ji's army, Ma Teng army and Li Jue and Guo Si army. This is the time when the leader of Army showed her charisma and upheld her peoples.

Yang Xiu suddenly asked to scout the field ahead. "My Lord, please let this Yang XIu march ahead and give you the information."

Cao Cao who still worried about all his exhausted soldiers let him march ahead. Yang XIu quickly straddle his horse and marched to scout the field.

Cao Cao know that at least she should set an example and not complain. If the general showed any weakness, her authority will fall. She has to hide her own tiredness and let them think that this is not a hindrance for her.

Sometime later, Yang Xiu returned from his scouting. He straddling back joyously. From the top of his horse, he shouted

"My Lord, There is Lemonade forest ahed! We can quench our thirst with the luscious tasty Lemon! "

Cao Cao heard this and She become encouraged. How fortunate they are! If they could just stop and get some of those fruits, it would be more than enough to support their current conditions.

"All troops! Did you hear his word! Ahead of us! Just more steps ahead, we can satisfy our thirst! Let us not fall here and marched ahead! Because those Lemonade are waiting for us!"

Hearing that order, The soldier lost their thirst and raced ahead to get to the lemonade forest. They are now become motivated.

As they quickly marched to get the forest, they did not realized that they had seen Chang An ahead and are now entering Cao Cao's first troop (Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Yu Jin) encampment. Cao Cao was surprised in seeing this. Xun Yu understand at once. That man has done it. He spread the news about the lemonade forest to make the soldiers become motivated. Cao Cao become a bit annoyed because she is being lied but also at the same time amazed because of some words, he had successfully motivated and returned the Soldiers morale. If he did not done it, she was considering to executed her men who are unable to march.

Lao Zi states that :

The soft absorbed the hard, The shapeless penetrated the flawless wall. I know the benefit of no action, The value of those taught without word and action without act seldom to be unrivalled. The softest thing could penetrate the hardest thing. The shapeless power could penetrated the flawless barrier. The softest and most vulnerable thing in the universe is a droplet of water. But in the period of time, a droplet of water could pierce even the hardest rock beneath it. - Dao De Jing,chapter 43, Section Ode.

With the soldiers are exhausted, while the order could not be rescinded. What should a general do? With their objection is a bit more, but there is no energy remained to executed it, what shall he do? Should he do it with all cost even sacrificing anything? Or should he given up and get drifted by the situation even if that will make him fail?

In Japan, during the Sengoku Jidai (Sengoku Era), There is a personality test involving three renowned Shogun of this period. If a skylark (or any insert singing bird that you know) does not want to sing, what would you do? Oda Nobunaga said, killed him. Toyotomi Hideyoshi said make him sing. While Ieyasu Tokugawa said wait until he sing. Those answer indicate each of those Shogun's personality. There is no right answer or wrong answer in this reality. If it's succeed then, whatever answer you picked the correct one. But if it did not succeed then, you picked the wrong answer.

Kazuto Hongo, or Yang Xiu know that with the condition of the army is already tired with the long distance journey, they should not forced them needlessly, but they are not allowed to stop. With this, He used the artifact, Three Strategies of Huang Shigong to solve this problem. Reading the timing of when their loyalty almost diminished , he came up with this plan.

Military Pronoucement states:"If one can be soft and hard, the future of his state will be increasing bright! If one can be weak and strong, his state will be increasing prosperous! If purely soft or purely weak, his state will inevitably decline. If purely hard and purely strong, his state will inevitably be destroyed. –Art of Governing, The Upper Strategy, in Being Resolute and Flexible.

But the time to admire his strategy is not now, because as Cao Cao reached her first troops encampment, she will get two important news.

The first news is about Zhang Ji who has been assassinated by Li Jue and Guo Si's assassin, Hu Chi Er. Because of this change in situation, Jia Xu and Zhang Xiu was forced to make full withdrawal to outskirt of Chang An, and negotiated with Cao Cao in joint attack. This meant that Yang Xiu and Cao Cao's plan to Trouble the Water to catch the fish has failed.

The second news is, a letter from Sima Clan, warning her to be prepared in receiving the Heavens blessing In her next battle.


Author Note:

Sunday is good for appreciating the beauty of H. By the way why is Shinken Red is not Shiba Kaoru-sama? i am fed up with Male Red