The Young Conqueror
Disclaimer: I did not invent Sun Ce or any other major character in this fanfic. Koei 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.
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu sat in a small chamber, drinking tea and indulging in a strategic gaming exercise over a large map of the Middle Kingdom. The provinces and units of the empire's warlords were represented with as much accuracy as intelligence and scouting would allow. Zhou Yu controlled the units and armies of the Southlands while Ce manoeuvred the forces of the rest of China. The purpose was to see if the notoriously unconventional Sun Ce could punch holes in the tactics of his Grand Strategist, to make sure that all contingencies were accounted for, no matter how unlikely.
From the quelled threat of the Shanyue tribes in the south to the piracy of the eastern seas, from the very real and persistent danger of the Prime Minister's overwhelming armies north of the Great River to unexpected invaders from the west, all scenarios were examined and accounted for, the results recorded by scribes who sat nearby, taking meticulous notes.
"Lookin' pretty good, I think," Ce commented as they paused for a moment to stretch and examine the map with fresh eyes. "We've gone out for the next five years, even thinkin' of the worst-case scenario of Cao Cao ownin' everything except our territories and we might be able to fight him to a standstill if we're right."
"It is a long shot, but plausible if we remain vigilant and disrupt him at every opportunity between now and then," Zhou Yu said quietly, his eyes trailing over the map, searching for anything that he had missed. "Like yourself, though, the Prime Minister is rather unconventional if need be."
"Yeah, but mostly he goes with ruthless," Ce pointed out. "It's his ruthlessness that gets things done so quickly for him. He tries hard to be unstoppable and even when he is defeated, he's usually got another plan in motion, just in case."
Zhou Yu narrowed his eyes, looking at all the little markers that indicated centers of food, industry or storage. With Cao Cao controlling the northern plains and its population, he could in theory generate vast and well-supplied armies. If the Southlands were to maintain even a limited form of parity, then they would have to be superior in all logistical areas and nearly everything must be of superior quality.
As always, Wu's two advantages were its mastery of naval warfare and its traditional warrior culture, both of which Cao Cao was hard-pressed to match. The soldiers of the north were individually no match for a warrior from the south, but sheer numbers could very well-
"Sun Ce!"
"Zhou Yu!"
Both men paused and turned their heads slowly to look at the entrance to the chamber, where their wives now stood, holding their stomachs and looking very angry. They seemed ready to burst.
Had it been nine months already?
Ce and Zhou Yu looked at one another.
"This is all your fault..." they said in unison.
The Young Conqueror, Chapter 53- The Calm Before The Storm
Baifu was celebrating, as indeed were all the Southlands, because both of the Ladies Qiao were giving birth again. The seers had predicted a boy for Da and twins once again for Xiao. Zhou Yu spent several hours in the temple of the goddess of fertility, thanking her for her bounty but also imploring her to slow down on the blessings a little, if it wasn't too much trouble.
As a testament to their eternal and unbreakable bond as sisters, Da and Xiao had somehow managed to go into labour together and decided to claim the White Tiger Pavilion as the birthing place of their children, due to the auspicious location of the structure and also because of its positioning over several natural pools, renowned for their minerals and soothing properties. Ce and Zhou Yu decided to sleep in small rooms in the main palace, close enough to be summoned but far enough away to avoid natal wrath.
Ce's sister Shang Xiang had ridden up from the southern region, not only to make her report about the development of Fujian, but also to be present for the birth of her nieces and nephews. She brought her amazon warriors with her to guard the pavilion and even the mighty barbarian warriors of the White Wolves would have thought twice about approaching the place.
Another person also rode into Baifu and Sun Ce greeted her warmly- Diao Chan had received an invite from Da and came immediately, accompanied by her small personal staff. There was a great love between the two courtesans, who had shared and suffered through so much on an emotional and spiritual level and Diao Chan was eternally grateful to Da Qiao for forgiving her part in the insidious ploys of the imperial court to ensnare the noble Sun Ce.
She walked gracefully into the audience hall of Baifu now, her face serene and not betraying her wonder at her surroundings- she had been a fixture on the imperial palaces of Chang'an as well as Luoyang, so she was used to splendour, but the elegant exultation of martial spirit that manifested itself throughout the palace of Baifu intrigued her. Crimson and gold tapestries and statues of great warriors lined the hall while the dark wood of the structure was cunningly designed with prayers to the gods of the Sun family carved into it. Prayers of victory, valour and ruin of the enemy abounded. As ominous as the threat of the Prime Minister was, she could not imagine these valiant people ever being humbled or destroyed.
Sun Ce sat now upon his throne, waiting patiently while the renowned courtesan approached. To his left stood Zhou Yu and his right Taishi Ci, his personal guard and commander of the Night Tigers. At the foot of the dais lay his daughter's great white tiger, who watched Diao Chan's approach lazily.
She reached the dais and kow-towed low, showing a humility that only the emperor or highest lords of the land could expect. The gesture was not lost on Ce and he thought once again about how lucky he was to have Da Qiao, who had made this possible.
"Welcome to Baifu, Diao Chan," he said cheerfully. "And as long as you stay you're my honoured guest and a member of the Sun family so I expect you to make yourself at home. Got it?"
"As you wish, Lord of the Southlands..." she said in her lilting voice, rising slowly and smiling at everyone in the room. She then moved gracefully over to the white tiger and sat lightly on his back, as if he was meant for this purpose. The huge beast snuffed but did not protest beyond that.
"I imagine you'll be staying in the pavilion with Da and Xiao, so I'll have my people take your goods there immediately. The girls are in labour but the birthing hasn't started just yet. I suggest you grab a bath and get ready for a long night."
"My thoughts exactly, Lord Sun. If you will excuse me..." Diao Chan replied, bowing gracefully and sauntering out of the room, followed by her little entourage. Ce chuckled as he noticed several of his guards staring at her behind on the way out.
"She sure knows how to make an entrance and an exit," Zhou Yu observed. "You might want to check your Night Tigers' loyalties after that little display."
"Hey, we all have a part to play, pal, and she's no different. She's one of the greatest people anywhere in the land, not just because of her position but also because of how blessed she is by the Heavens. We're lucky to have her on our side."
"Another divine courtesan..." the strategist muttered. "Do you worry that the three of them together might be trouble?"
"Well, hopefully Da an' Xiao'll be out of commission for a while an' that means Diao Chan an' my sis'll be lookin' after them. Let's use the time while we can, eh?"
Knowing that all male presence would be banned from Baifu until the time of birth at the very least, Ce and his oath-brother began to enact some of the strategies they had devised, most notably the beginnings of a campaign against He Fei. Located close to the eastern coast, this populous and wealthy region would be instrumental in hemming the Prime Minister to the central plains and allowing for decisive pincer attacks.
"The most logical starting point would be Wuchang," Zhou Yu mused, staring once again at the map. "Under your brother's command, we might be able to muster as many as a hundred thousand men to march north and take the province in a lightning campaign. We will need to stage diversionary attacks elsewhere, then."
"Yeah, but how soon can we be ready to stage an expedition like that?" Ce asked.
"It will be a few seasons at the very least, even if we increase production and our recruitment schedule," Zhou Yu admitted. "The only way to produce an army that large on such short notice would be to divert men away from the civilian jobs and tasks we have created and that would present its own problems for our logistical time table."
"So for now we've gotta keep him off balance," the warlord of the Southlands concluded. "It's all we and good to keep him from effectively attacking, but how're we gonna stunt his growth?"
They stared at the map for nearly half an hour without another word- nothing needed to be said, since they were pondering the same problems, arriving at the same conclusions, albeit often from different angles and anticipating one another's answers, extrapolating and drawing new conclusions.
"We could make incursions north, striking hard and then withdrawing," the Grand Strategist suggested. "We have many units that could operate in an independent capacity, wreaking havoc and then returning behind our defences."
Ce nodded. "The Night Tigers, your Swordwind, Lu Xun's Warhawks, sis an' her amazons, Elryk's guys. Gan Ning an' Zhou Tai can tear up the coast or transport small strike forces inland where they won't be expected."
"I am sure it is heresy to suggest it, but... what about an alliance with the Xiongnu?" Zhou Yu posited.
Ce considered, weighing the benefits against the consequences of such a proposal. "I dunno, the Xiongnu ain't exactly the honourable sort, at least by our reckoning. They'd require a princess in marriage an' then make claims to land south of the Wall. Remember what happened the last time the emperor granted the Khan a princess in marriage."
"True, but maybe we can find different negotiating points that do not involve marriage." Zhou Yu said. "Face it, Cao Cao is either going to force them to capitulate or destroy them and they must know this about the Prime Minister by now. They might agree to a military alliance if it means their own survival."
"Well, it's not like we wouldn't have to deal with them one way or another once we pacified the realm anyway." Ce concluded. "We know they thrive on plunder, maybe we can work out an alliance with offerings of goods they need, stuff we have plenty of."
"As long as they don't interpret this as weakness or tribute, that might just work." Zhou Yu agreed, nodding as he looked at the north of the map, beyond the demarcation of the mighty Great Wall, that impossibly long barrier that separated the Middle Kingdom from the barbarian nomads of the merciless steppe.
"We're gonna need more Uyghur scribes," Ce said. "Chinese scribes might make them mad and the Uyghur share some common ancestry with the nomads. See if Lap and Khun can get us some more."
"If you are going to have your sister and her forces attacking Cao Cao, who will you send south?" Zhou Yu asked.
"Cheng Pu, I guess," Ce replied. "I've kept him out of action long enough and it'd be a waste not to let him do what he's good at. He's a solid commander an' he can certainly handle the Shanyue if they get outta control. More than that, he won't interfere with the administrators and merchants, he'll concentrate on defending the region. The ol' guy has always had a crush on my sister, so he'll gladly act as regent in her name."
"Final question, and this one is serious... what about Liu Bei?"
Ce was silent for several moments, knowing what his friend meant. The Scion of the Han could be a potentially valuable and powerful ally against Cao Cao, but also a dangerous rival if he grew too powerful. Ce doubted he would ever pledge loyalty to the Sun family, for he knew loyalty only to the Imperial Liu family and the empire they had built.
"We have to sway him, Ce, we have no choice. He must join us." Zhou Yu said quietly.
"I know," Ce muttered. "I hate sayin' it, but he's got no other options. If he becomes a powerful lord, there'll be hell to pay in a few years."
"Did you watch him when we were in Jing?" Zhou Yu asked. "It was subtle, but he seemed almost envious of our splendour. True, he has warriors and people attending him, but he stared at how well-made our garb was, how keen and polished our blades were. The gold and silver thread of our banners."
"He was a poor mat and sandal weaver before he was a warlord and he's been on the run a long time, now." Ce added. "I'm not surprised if he seems a little jealous of what we've got."
"Should we invite him to Baifu?" Zhou Yu suggested. "Could it be that our splendour and martial glory will seduce him and possibly sway him to our cause?"
"It might be our best shot," Ce said somewhat heavily, not liking the notion of baiting Liu Bei, who was a honest man, but knowing that there was little choice. "Once he's settled and we're sure that Jing is defended, let's try to get him here for a visit."
They stared at the map for a while longer, inverting their perception, not seeing themselves as potentially overwhelmed and besieged by the north but picturing themselves chipping away at Cao Cao's forces, putting him on the defensive, surrounding him on all sides...
"Sun Quan into He Fei... Liu Bei into Hanzhong..." Zhou Yu said quietly, his eyes never leaving the map. "Naval raids on the coast, the Xiongnu from the north... you and I drive straight up the center... Ce, we can do this. Not yet, but we can indeed beat Cao Cao, as long as the timing is right."
Ce nodded. "Mobilize the Warhawks and the White Wolves. I want Gan Ning to take them to Guan Du and Wu Chao. Ol' Cao Cao is still usin' those places as supply depots after the war against Yuan Shao."
"The Prime Minister is nothing of not practical," Zhou Yu observed. "I will send out the orders immediately."
"Let's just hope it's enough." Ce muttered darkly.
He sat now in the Garden of Pure Presence, the place he considered to be the most serene and removed from the world in the entire complex. Sitting cross-legged on the famed Peony Rock, looking out over the Misty Pond, he sought clarity and singularity of purpose. He knew that both Zhou Yu and himself had been trying hard to distract themselves with grand strategy when in fact their minds were back in the White Tiger Pavilion, yearning to be near their wives as they were giving birth.
The moon was full and its silver light glittered through the mist that gave the pond its name, floating as it did above the surface of the water, regardless of the time of year or the weather. The water was obscured by the mist and it was said that anyone who could see clearly in the dappling surface had touched the Tao. Deprived of the Eternal City of his dreams, Ce yearned for such a revelation, but rarely had the peace of mind these days.
He had initially sought to pray in one of the myriad temples available, but every single structure was brimming with priests and priestesses, chanting and saying prayers for the Qiao sisters, beseeching the Heavens for safe and blessed births. Even the Temple of the Celestial Tiger General was too crowded for a proper visitation.
He watched a pond skimmer dart across the water, leaving the faintest of ripples in its wake, noticeable only to someone with as keen an eye as he had. Did the insect have any inkling of the mighty and tumultuous events that raged on around it? Did it care? Unlikely. Whatever the outcome of these dreadful wars, pond skimmers would still cross water and life would go on. The deeds of men meant nothing to them.
Ce sighed and got down from the great rock, strolling about the quiet garden for a few minutes before making his way to the Shrine of the Sun Family, the only holy structure not crowded with people, aside from the Shrine of the God of night, the terrible deity of Elryk's people. Two young Taoist initiates bowed their heads as Ce entered the shrine, leaving him to his contemplations.
The shrine was hallowed but also a testament to the martial glory of the clan. Statues of each patriarch stood proudly within the niches around the central chamber, wherein burned a steady fire that was never allowed to go out. Behind the flame, on a dais, stood an effigy of Sun Jian, Ce's father, mightiest of the lords of the Sun clan since the Great Martial Sage Sun Tzu himself. Sun Jian's hand rested on the hilt of his sword while his peaked helm stood on his noble brow. Two carefully crafted spheres of ebony represented the patriarch's eyes and they seemed now to gaze down upon Ce as he stripped to his loincloth, his tan skin taking on a ruddy hue in the flickering light of the blazing fire.
Kneeling before the flame and knotting his fingers into an intricate pattern promoting clarity of thought, Ce closed his eyes and pushed all else from his mind, concentrating on the spirit of his family, knowing that the accumulated wisdom and unequalled valour of his clan encompassed him.
"Father, I feel like events are proceeding so fast. Your grandchildren are to be born and yet I have to concern myself with pacification of the realm. Am I really to be robbed of one of the simplest pleasures a man can ask for?"
"This isn't about you, Ce, it never was. Foolish boy, did you lose your wits when you lost your city of dreams? Your are a man, your purpose is to give your wife children. Your purpose is to create a realm where those children will live in peace and become who they may. You are an engine of war, but through that unmatched physical might you are to lay the foundations of what we seek to create."
"It seems a small favour to ask, to enjoy one's children."
"Irrelevant. Ce, you are greater than I was, and that is something indeed, for I was an unparalleled warlord in our time. For all my prowess and glory, though, I was killed by base treachery. Your complaint about not seeing your children is hardly objective."
"I am not complaining, father, I am just displeased with how quickly time is flying by. I lost something that you might now understand and without it I fear I might make mistakes that cost us all."
"So be it, boy. Success is not guaranteed to you, no matter how deserving you might actually be. You could be the only lord in the realm with clear thought and correct reasoning and still you might be bested and thrown down by lesser men. That is the way of things sometimes. The Heavens do not care for the complexities we create for ourselves, they care nothing for our purposes. It doesn't matter one whit to the sea of stars whether you or Cao Cao is triumphant. Both of you will die, your realms will fade away and you will be replaced."
"You make it all seem pointless."
"Only if you do not follow your principles for their own sake. The only reason to have principles is to make sure your are right in what you do. You do not force things so that whatever you happen to believe is right, you force yourself to accept right principle. It can't be about what you want."
"Am I really arguing objectivism and subjectivism with a dead guy?"
"And doing a poor job of it, I might add. In a universe of great truths, only the small spirit relies on subjectivism, claiming that his perception of things is a valid truth. The sage and the undying seek to realize what creation already knows and form their ideals and actions around what is sung to them."
Ce reflected on what he was hearing. If people stopped seeing colours tomorrow, would there still be such a thing as red? If he changed the name of something, it was still that thing, no matter what he or Elryk called it. Truth defied perception and was always bigger than it.
He reflected on the old riddle 'If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear, does it still make a sound?' They did every time he was near enough to hear it happen, he wasn't arrogant enough to assume that it stopped when he wasn't.
Ce had not been a petty subjectivist before he had lost his gift, he was not about to start now. There were larger truths than himself out there and he intended to find them.
"The assurance of yourself is a good start, boy, but it cannot be that simple."
"But simplicity is the root of all things."
"And out of simplicity comes remarkable and magnificent workings the likes of which even the Celestials cannot fathom wholly, except maybe Shangti. When you rediscover that simplicity, Ce, what do you intend to do with it? Become a serene and detached sage?"
Ce laughed, coming back to his body and feeling the glorious sweat from the heat of the fire on him. Clarity of purpose was so much easier when you had other people to live for.
He bowed low before the fire and the great effigy and strode back through the shrine, nodding deferentially to the patriarchs who had gone on before him. He stood before three unfinished ones, effigies he and Zhou Yu had been secretly working on- Quan, Kuang and Shang Xiang. Quan's was shaped of stone, which Ce felt was appropriate. Kuang's statue was made of marble, an expensive substance that was mined in the mountains. Traditionally it had not seen much use in artwork, but once the trader Dayu-kah had brought busts and statues from Rome, Ce had become enchanted with the medium. Shang Xiang's statues was made of wood and by far the most dynamic. Ce intended for his siblings to take their place in this hall, even if none of them ever ruled the Sun clan, for he was well aware that they represented the mightiest generation that the family had ever known. Even the Great Martial Sage would know the truth in this. It was under his leadership that the family's true purpose and calling would finally be realized.
He exited the shrine via a secret door in the farthest back and navigated a tunnel he had constructed soon after the shrine had been erected. When he exited, the roar of the Dragon Gate Waterfall greeted him and as he pushed through the deluge he came into the Dragon Singing Garden, the most lively of the gardens and menageries that punctuated the palace complex.
The wars were forgotten and Ce's heart pounded in exultation within his chest- he was going to be a father again and he had a family that he would fight the known world for. His wife was the most regal and beautiful woman in the realm, his children the most sacred. There was no universal truth he could not face for such a prize.
Standing atop the Crouching Dragon Bridge, he looked up at the stars and laughed joyfully. Throwing aside his loincloth, he vaulted over the railings and into the cool waters below with a splash. He came to the surface, thrashing around and acting like an idiot, hollering at the moon. Some cranes watched him in mild irritation as he disturbed their serenity. They whooped and flew away when he splashed water at them before diving below the surface. He chased the carp around for a bit before making his way to the shore. Still laughing, Ce lay on the soft turf and looked up at the night sky.
Distantly, echoing through the wooden structures of the palace complex, he heard a cry echo, a birthing pain. Part of him was sad that he could not be there for Da this time, but she was in good hands and he would see his child soon enough. He would be the father that they needed, but clearly that meant he would need to wage war and bring the Middle Kingdom to its knees, making the land safe for them and the other children to grow up in.
Nothing and no one would stop him.
Diao Chan sat in a small antechamber, reading a prayer scroll beseeching the gods for save delivery of children. She was ignoring the grunts, groans and cries of discomfort from the larger room beyond, the entrance obscured by thick, heavy tapestries that muffled some of the noise. Da and Xiao were certainly putting up a fuss; one would have thought they were new mothers the way they were carrying on together.
Perhaps it had been a mistake to let them give birth in the same room, but it was too late now and the sisters had been insistent. How they had managed to go into labour together was beyond everyone to begin with, but when Qiao girls were involved, clearly the common rules did not apply. Her respect for Sun Ce and Zhou Yu grew a little more.
Sitting across from her in another chair, stropping her knife along a belt of tough leather wrapped around her fist, was Fu Chin Ran, the commander of Sun Shang Xiang's amazon guard. Diao Chan had always been impressed and intimidated by the warrior-woman's physique and appearance in general. She was still womanly, but she had muscles, something people were not used to. Certainly Shang Xiang did as well and Diao Chan mused that a physical contest between the princess and her captain would be an epic (and more than a little arousing) match up.
Fu's shoulders had pronounced musculature to them, as did her biceps and her thighs. Her abdominal muscles were segemented and iron-hard, something she expected to see on male warriors like Sun Ce or Taishi Ci. Her tan skin accentuated her physique, drawing attention to it.
But then Fu looked up from the knife she was sharpening and noticed Diao Chan looking at her. She raised an eyebrow and spoke finally.
"See something you like?" she asked. Diao Chan blinked and then coughed, looking away. Her cheeks went red with embarrassment. Where was her composure?
"I... I am sorry, captain..." she said hastily.
"Don't worry about it, it's not like I don't think about it when I see you." Fu said easily, not at all concerned. She had dozens of lovers amongst the troops she commanded. "But Shang Xiang and I have both concluded that neither of us would be a match for you, my dear. Your superb courtesan training would be too much, as with Da or Xiao."
"I am flattered," Diao Chan said, meaning it. "I would be intrigued to feel the strength of your body."
"I doubt it is anything compared to that of Lu Bu," Fu answered. "And my apologies for such bluntness on the subject, but I am not exactly subtle with words."
"It is alright, captain, your candour is refreshing," Diao Chan said honestly. She realized she had not been bothered or made overly sad by the reference. She reminded herself to thank Da Qiao for that. "True, Lord Lu Bu would have greater physical strength that you, but you are still womanly and the combination of femininity and strength would be intriguing to me to feel and test."
"And I have never made love to a courtesan, so I would consider it a privilege." Fu said, nodding her head.
"Really?" Diao Chan queried, quite surprised. "Not even Da or Xiao?"
"Oh, no," Fu replied, blushing. "No, I... no. Yes, I have indeed thought fondly of such a union, however fleeting, but... no, Sun Ce's bride and Lord Zhou Yu, they have my utter devotion and respect. I could never."
"Oh..." Diao Chan said quietly, remembering back to Da's visit to her shiheyuan earlier that year. Truly did women of the Willow World share an implicit bond, obviously.
"Then, captain, I humbly request your permission to visit your bed some time during my visit and practice my arts upon you," the courtesan said, moving off her chair and bowing before the renowned captain. "You are a mighty warrior and deserving of no less. I understand that you have turned down all titles and enfoeffments offered you, but your heart is noble and it is that which draws me to you."
Fu nodded. "I accept your offer and am honoured, Lady Diao Chan. I will be at your disposal."
Diao Chan smiled radiantly and sat back in her seat, returning her attention to the scroll she had been reading. There were some more cries from the other room and before long, Shang Xiang tromped into the room, looking decidedly pissed off. Her forearms were scratched and cut up, trickles of blood marring her beautiful skin and dripping off her fingers.
She stopped in front of Diao Chan, scowling and pressed a bloody fingertip against the courtesan's forehead.
"Tag. You're it, skinny."
Diao Chan nodded, choosing to ignore the gory fingerprint that no doubt was now her face's prominent feature and rose. She bowed humbly to Shang Xiang and exited to the big chamber, giving Fu Chin Ran a smile as she did so.
Shang Xiang looked at her lover, eyebrow raised. "Oh, you are not keeping that all to yourself, missy. Either I get equal time or we tag-team her."
"I think we're both in trouble, then, love..." Fu breathed.
Diao Chan stepped into the chamber, drawing aside the diaphanous curtains that obscured the birthing beds from sight and just paused- the beds had been pushed together, head to head, forming one long surface. Da and Xiao both knelt on the beds on their knees and elbows, pressing their foreheads together and gripping one another's hands fiercely. Tears streamed down their beautiful faces as they dealt with the agony of birthing, giving one another strength. Over a dozen maids, wet-nurses and other women were scurrying around, making sure the two princesses were cared for.
"Well, there's something you don't see every day," Diao Chan observed before approaching. The two girls heard her voice and looked her way. She stood next to the tables and smiled serenely, laying her hands on top of theirs, still clamped together. "I am here now, ladies. Whatever awaits, we three shall be together for it."
Da nodded while Xiao burst into tears. Diao Chan walked around the tables, observing the unusual birthing position but instantly understanding how it would ease the actual process, even if there were physical strain involved with keeping themselves on all fours.
"You're both getting ready to crown, so hopefully it will not be long now. Listen to your nurses and if you need me I will be here with Lady Sun and Lady Qiao."
Diao Chan then went to a small sitting area off to the side, where Lady Sun sat with her granddaughter Kai-Ying in her lap. Next to her sat Lady Bi Qiao, mother to the remarkable young ladies on whom the entire Southlands now waited. She bowed low, acutely aware that these were two of the greatest women in the entire Middle Kingdom- Lady Sun, wife of the mighty patriarch Sun Jian and mother of Sun Ce, peerless warlord of the Southlands; Bi Qiao, a renowned courtesan herself, betrothed to Duke Qiao Xuan of Wu, her lovely daughters married to Sun Ce and his genius oath-brother Zhou Yu. She doubted that people of the Southlands realized exactly how much they owed these two women.
"My ladies, I am ever your humble servant. I am Diao Chan, unworthy vassal of Lord Sun Ce."
"It is we who are honoured, Lady Diao Chan," Bi Qiao replied, smiling. "Your fame precedes you, as does your devotion to my son-in-law and my daughters. Like a daughter will you be to me."
"And to myself as well," Lady Sun added. "I see much in your eyes, Lady Diao Chan, for only one who has experienced loss such as I have can recognize it in others. Whatever has cast such a darkness over your joy has been forgiven by my lovely Da, and therefore I accept you without reservation and love you as my own."
Tears glistened on Diao Chan's cheeks and she covered her mouth with a dainty hand for a moment before nodding and thanking the matriarch for her kindness. She resolved to forgive herself as well, or the magnanimity and charity of these people meant nothing.
Sun Kai-Ying now held out her hands, obviously expecting to be picked up. Diao Chan laughed and took the striking child into her arms, marvelling at her unreal silver hair and piercing grey eyes. Kai-Ying hugged her and then kissed her on the nose.
"You are so beautiful, Lady Diao Chan," the girl said. "I hope I am as beautiful as you one day."
Diao Chan smiled. "Oh, my love, you will be the most beautiful girl the realm has ever known when you grow up. Prettier by far than your mother, your aunt or I, I promise you. And your father will make this land so pretty that everyone will think that your beauty has blessed the ground you walk on."
"Why is my father not here?" the girl asked.
"Men are not allowed here right now, love." Diao Chan answered. "This is a holy place."
"But no men are allowed? Why?"
Da and Xiao both chose that moment to cry out as they contracted at virtually the same moment, causing all four women to look over at them. Diao Chan smiled.
"Because it is your father's fault that you mother is in such pain," she said finally. "And one day, some boy will do the same thing to you."
Kai-Ying thought about that and scowled. "Men should not be allowed in here. When I am ruler, I will make a law saying that men are not allowed to do to we girls whatever makes that happen. I may just outlaw men. That is what I will do, an empire with no men."
"No men, just lots of fat, happy women." Bi Qiao concluded. Lady Sun broke down giggling.
Diao Chan returned Kai-Ying to her grandmother's lap and went back to Da and Xiao, who were both panting and sweating, foreheads still pressed together, eyes closed as they whispered words of encouragement to one another. A nurse indicated that the contractions had ended for now and she was free to attend them.
She knelt next to them and kissed them both lovingly, knowing how strained and exhausted they must be, especially Xiao, who was smaller than her sister and giving birth to twins yet again. She caressed and massaged their necks, easing the strain with her courtesan touch and decided to distract them.
"So, ladies, do I want to know what got you into this mess?" she asked.
"Too... much... plum wine..." Xiao grunted through gritting teeth.
"Makes sense," Diao Chan replied soothingly. She looked now at Da.
"I... told Ce he was no match for my courtesan arts..." the older Qiao girl hissed.
Everyone in the room stopped and stared incredulously. Even Xiao seemed to pause in giving birth for a moment to look at her sister in amazement. Da blushed, remembering exactly how bad that particular boast had backfired on her.
"Oh, now I really need to know." Diao Chan said, her eyes glinting with intrigue. "Tell us, darling."
Da shot her a look. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, very serious, I am afraid..." Diao Chan cooed, gently tracing and massaging her thumb and forefinger along Da's neck and just under hear ear, causing the courtesan to squirm.
"Honestly! I'm... a little busy..." Da panted. "Have you no pity or shame, woman?"
"Oh, shut up and tell us already sis!" Xiao growled, clearly interested in a distraction.
Da tried to best to ignore Diao Chan's merciless fingers and focused past the fact that she felt like she was going to burst, closed her eyes and related the tale.
"I was having a particularly good day..."
Da was squirming up and down, biting her lip and straining. Ce had her hands pinned to their thighs and she was wrestling to get away.
"Ce, no... not fair..." she pleaded through clenched teeth. "You can't... do that..."
"Says you," Ce quipped, smirking and knowing he had her. The two of them loved these contests, seeing who could make the other climax first. "Admit it, Da, you're gonna lose this one."
Da arched her back, straining to hold on. "I... can't... Ce... damn you..."
She shuddered and released herself. Ce, knowing he had beaten her, now allowed himself to climax as well, a hard-earned victory.
But wait... her aura wasn't dancing! The light about her that he always saw when she was climaxing was not there. She had been faking! Desperately he attempted to reign himself in, to pull back, but it was too late. Da Qiao was laughing as she pressed her hips down on him, applying exquisite pressure with the contractions she was an undisputed master of as Ce broke.
"You devil!" he shouted as he surrendered, know that she had outwitted him.
The days since the incident had gone by and they were in their private chambers within White Tiger Pavilion, having just finished a bath. Da was getting a light robe ready for herself while Ce was drying off.
"So have you forgiven me for my little ruse the other day?" she asked cheerfully.
"Hey, what's to forgive?" Ce replied. "If you had to resort to cheating, I don't really see the need for apologies on your end, so my forgiveness is not necessary."
"Oh, really?" Da queried, checking the colour of the robe against her skin, looking at it in a mirror. "I was just trying to spice things up, because winning the normal way becomes so pedestrian after a while."
"You make it sound like you win all the time."
"Well, I will admit to throwing you a few victories now and then," she said, smirking. "I don't want you feeling bad about the disparity in our abilities, after all."
"Izzat so," Ce said, coming over to her and turning her around by the shoulders to look down at her. "So you think your that far ahead of me, eh?"
"Come now, husband," Da reasoned. "I would never claim to be your equal on the battlefield, nor should you claim to be the equal of a courtesan in the bedchamber. You have trained your whole life for war whereas I have been trained to make love. It just stands to reason. I freely admit that I am glad that you came to me trained in the arts of pleasing a woman and you do indeed satisfy me completely, but nothing can compare to a courtesan's art or training."
"Oh, I see how it is," Ce said, his eyes now flashing at her challenge. "Well, Little Miss Everything, it might intrigue you to know that I have been taught many techniques and kept all the best ones in my pocket for just such a sassy occasion. And now seems as good a time as any to prove it. So!"
Without another word he took hold of his wife and flung her overhead, slamming her down into the (thankfully) deep mattresses and pillows of their sleeping frame. Shocked by the suddenness of the move, Da had no time to react before Ce's naked body was in front of her, his hips in her face as she lay on her back.
"First Secret Technique... A Carp Turning!" he announced as he thrust back and forth, not giving her the chance to counter him. She would have protested, but her mouth was rather full.
"Next Secret Technique... Horse Riding Across The Sea!" At this point, Ce scrambled behind her and pinned her behind to his hips, thrusting vigorously while he pulled one of her legs up straight alongside his body. Da moaned loudly, unable to counter and overpowered by his sheer brawn.
"And now, Beating A Mountain!" Ce said, adjusting the position so that he held her legs off the cushions and beside his torso, forcing her down and forward, changing the angle of his penetration. Da almost stopped breathing, managing only a shredded gasp.
"Half A Goose!" he said eagerly, staying in place but squatting now while he turned her on her side and kept her legs scissored. Da shuddered and tried to counter but found she could not, no matter what she did.
"And now, to make sure you don't forget, Thousands of Swords!" he hissed, using the index and middle fingers on each hand to press and massage into points and meridians along her shoulders, spine and finally her buttocks to invigorate her. Da shuddered and wailed, trembling and pressing back as hard as she could, surrendering to whatever mysticism he was inflicting on her.
"Please.. stop, husband..." she panted, sweat already streaming off her body.
"Not a chance, lady." Ce growled. "Toad Climbing A Stone!"
He squatted behind her again, thrusting eagerly while he pinned her hands to her back with one strong hand and with the other pulled her hair, craning her neck back and making her moan almost gutturally.
Da's eyes rolled into her head. How? How had he kept these secret all this time? When would this exquisite torture end?
"Begging Cooking!" he whispered in her ear as he sat and then turned her around in his lap to face away from him, using his powerful arms to make her ride him. Da tried to find her rhythm and fight back, but could not, he was so deep inside her and thrusting so hard...
"Ahhhhh! Damn you, Ce!"
"Frog Hopping Across A River!"
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!"
"Collecting Gold Nibbles!"
"Please, Ce.. I beg of you!"
"Lighting The Lamps At Beside!" he growled while he reached over his wife and flicked his fingers over her nipples, hard, creating a delicious sting. Da wailed in ecstasy, still churning on his lap, helpless.
"How do ya like me now, oh, expert? Tiger Walking Downhill!"
At this point, Ce leapt to his feet, still behind Da and pushed her down so she was supporting herself on her hands. Keeping firm hold of her thighs, he began walking her around the room, thrusting as he did so, almost treating and steering her like a wheelbarrow. Da's elbows almost buckled from the pleasure, but Ce's relentless momentum and strength kept her moving, regardless of how bad she wanted to collapse.
"And now... A Star Dies!" he said loudly, once again using his index and middle fingers, holding them aloft like a rigid symbol before driving them into the soft and plush curves of Da's apex meridian in her hips. Da shook violently as she screamed in pleasure and climaxed, unlike she ever had before. She felt like her conscious mind was splintering as waves of unreal colour washed over her. Everything tingled and she could not feel her limbs. What remained of her sensibilities was somehow worried that she might drown her husband, but at this stage there was nothing she could do about it.
She could barely feel herself being scooped up and carried to the bed, where she was deposited in a puddle of ignonimous defeat. Not that she really had the capacity to care, mind you...
Ce dusted off his hands as he looked down at her and exited the room with a casual wave.
"See you around, if you ever remember how to walk again or your own name..."
Everyone was still looking at her in astonishment, unable to believe she had done anything so idiotic as to challenge Sun Ce about anything, even if she was the most celebrated courtesan in the land.
"And they call me... the stupid one..." Xiao grunted as she squeezed her eyes shut for another set of contractions.
"Admittedly, darling, that was rather daft of you," Diao Chan admitted, stroking Da's hand soothingly. "More's the pity that you keep Lord Sun Ce to yourself, for surely I would like to try these blessed techniques that destroy women utterly."
"You had your chance and you let your conscience get in the way." Da panted, glad that the relating of the tale was over and resuming the task of birthing a child.
"I most certainly did not, it was all your husband's fault." Diao Chan said with mock indignation.
"Are you two... really arguing this?" Xiao keened, unable to believe she was privy to this ridiculous dispute at such a moment.
"Whatever helps, my love," Diao Chan replied, biting her lower lip as both Da and Xiao gripped and squeezed her hands ferociously. "A most unusual way to get pregnant, Da."
"I'll be lucky... if my children aren't born afraid of words like ducks, gold or toads..." Da said, feeling another contraction building, a big one. "Oh gods... I think this is it..."
"Please gather around now, ladies, the moment is upon us..." said the midwife in charge of the whole affair, while a servant ran off to retrieve Shang Xiang and Fu Chin Ran. Lady Sun and Bi Qiao now approached, joining Diao Chan and whispering words of encouragement to the two girls.
The priestesses and diviners around the room began chanting loudly, praying for a safe delivery, for the future of the realm.
Da and Xiao both cried out, wanting only for the pain to end or a husband to punch in the nose...
Ce and Zhou Yu looked at the plans for the vessel, without question the largest ever built within the history of the middle Kingdom. The principal of the lou chuan ('tower ships') had been known for quite some time, but never truly implemented to its fullest scale because the ship was, for all practical purposes, useless in general naval warfare.
However, its utility as a flagship and floating fortress meant that to the true master of naval command, it had immense value. The design they were contemplating was vast beyond most people's conceptions, having at least five decks and over two hundred paces (one thousand feet) in length. So great was the vessel that it supported siege weaponry such as ballistae and traction catapults, weapons that could hurt walls and devastate infantry or simple fortifications. The ship actually housed not only an armoury but also smithing shops and poleturner's shops for making weaponry. The decks were protected by leather hides and hung shields, with countless apertures for crossbow men to shoot through.
This magnificent vessel, meant to be Sun Ce's castle at sea, was tentatively named Fuhaiwang the Tiger King of the Sea. It carried hundreds of troops in its quarters, along with the marines who manned it and could hold dozens of chariots and horses. A small, self-sufficient army could be housed within the floating castle if necessary. They were even spacious and comfortably-appointed apartments for the royal ladies, if they happened to be along.
"How much longer do you think we're gonna have to stare at this stupid thing or any other plans we have before we're called over?"
"I wish I could say," Zhou Yu replied quietly. "They're too well taken care of to justify worrying about it, which makes things worse in a sense, since I have nothing to concentrate on that seems worthwhile."
They left the ship design and now looked at a map of He Fei. Held by Cao Cao now that he had defeated Yuan Shao, the territory was occupied by could hardly be considered to be firmly in his possession. There were maybe twenty-five to thirty-thousand troops in the province. If they went with Zhou Yu's plan, then Sun Quan would lead nearly a hundred thousand troops into the region, giving them a good bridgehead for further incursions into the Prime minister's domain.
Beyond the invasion of He Fei, they also had to figure out how to take Hanzhong or get someone else to do it, presumably Liu Bei, but he was in no condition to do so. The attraction of the idea was that the imperial house originated from Han Zhong, so Liu Bei could, in theory, claim suzerainty there.
"Liu Bei needs to hold the lands beyond the Great River, if he is to ever take Hanzhong," Zhou Yu concluded for them both. "It is the only way he can build his own base of power and effectively help us against Cao Cao in a military capacity."
Ce nodded somewhat absently, looking at Dongting Lake. It the center of the great lake stood a solitary island. His mind was already working.
"That island in the middle of Dongting... that's Junshan, right?"
"Indeed it is," Zhou Yu confirmed. "I see the wheels turning in your head, Ce. What do you have in mind?"
"Well, if memory serves, there's an old Taoist retreat there, been abandoned for decades. The lands around Dongting are fertile when dredged, so if we can reclaim them from the flooding season, we'll have a huge food supply for the region. Better yet, Junshan can serve as a palace in the west, overlooking the region."
Zhou Yu nodded. "With wooden bridges strong enough for caravans but also easy to collapse, it would be easily defensible, especially if a strong fortress was built there and it could house endless supplies. Any army determined to take it would suffer dearly."
"An' if our mentors were right, there's a dragon-king at the bottom of the lake, too." Ce mused, gazing and imagining. The island of Junshan was formed from seventy-two peaks, and any fortress complex that it housed, while complicated and expensive to build, would be a nightmare to attack, if the guardian of the lake could be bypassed. It was also a place of unreal natural beauty, one of the reasons that it was chosen by Taoist priests.
The island was named after the Xiang River Goddess and the name itself meant 'Princesses' Island'. The two warriors arrived at the same conclusion instantly without saying a word.
The palace built there, protected by a dragon-king and the river goddesses, would be built for their wives.
Da and Xiao lay side by side, looking exhausted. Around them on pillows sat Shang Xiang, Diao Chan, Bi Qiao and Lady Sun. They took turn helping the girls drink tea and water to regain their strength. Diao Chan smiled warmly and caressed Da's hand.
"A splendid job, both of you," she said gently. "You made it sound like there were a few times you were going to die, mind you."
"If being married to my brother and his best friend didn't kill them, then squeezing out a few cubs won't." Shang Xiang commented. "But still, there was more screeching than an amateur opera, I will agree with her on that."
"Thank you both for all the support, I'll keep it in mind..." Xiao groaned, her head throbbing. She waited while her mother rubbed a wedge of lime on her forehead, hoping to make the swelling stop. She couldn't effectively remember why she voluntarily did this, even for Zhou Yu. She still wanted to punch him in the nose.
The children had all been born without complication (at least from the nursemaid's point of view, if not the mothers), Da having given birth to a strong boy while Xiao bore a son and a daughter. As agreed with her husband, Da's new child was consecrated Shan while her younger sister had opted for the names Pai (the girl, older by six minutes) and Feng, whom Xiao named after the wind that had blown into the room and soothed her as he was born.
The newborns were asleep now in a side chamber, being watched dutifully by Da's eldest daughter Kai-Ying (who was assisted by nurses and servants, just in case 'she needed any help', so she claimed).
"The nurses say your recovery should be swift and total, daughters," Bi Qiao said cheerfully. "And once you are healed, I promise you, Lady Sun and I will take good care of them for you."
"You make it sound like we will never see our children, mother." Da said warily.
"Of course you shall, silly girl, but may I point out that you two will be needed elsewhere?" replied the eldest Qiao woman sensibly. "Your husbands and the realm you seek to create need you, there will be little time for motherly doting."
"Not to mention various civilian projects you coerced me into with promises of your constant assistance," Diao Chan chided, holding up a chiding finger. "You swore to me that you, Xiao and I would equally share the burden of creating the courtesan academies and the training of the girls and I will not let you renege on that vow, childbirth or no."
"So we will not be raising our own kids?" Xiao protested.
"Welcome to motherhood in the aristocracy, sweetheart." Bi Qiao said somewhat acerbically. "Your are princesses and courtesans to the two greatest men in the realm. Your duty is to bear heirs and stand by your husbands' sides, not suckle their offspring. I promise you that your children will know, love and revere you as all children should their mothers, but your calling is not a simple one."
Da sighed, knowing that everything she and her sister were being told made sense and was their destiny, one they had accepted a long time ago in their hearts, the first time they laid eyes on Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. Maybe it was just the receding pangs of birthing talking, but it all seemed like a cheat at this very moment.
"Your mother is right, my darlings," Lady Sun now added. "I knew what I was doing when I allowed myself to be married to Sun Jian, may the gods bless him."
Shang Xiang snorted. "Mother, that is complete and utter shit. Da and Xiao go to war constantly, you have barely ever held more than a ceremonial dagger."
"What need have I for such martial skills when I have three mighty sons like Ce, Quan and yourself to protect me?" the matriarch said pointedly. Shang Xiang blushed and stopped speaking, despairing of her mother ever acknowledging any femininity in her. Fu Chin Ran snickered, earning her a withering glare from her lover.
"It is my understanding that even the great lady Diao Chan has fought in a battle or two," Lady Sun continued. "I believe you tangled with Da at the fortress of Xia Pi, correct, my lady?"
"It is as you say," Diao Chan affirmed, the memory of the siege no longer so painful for her. "Da and I fought to a draw, she was a magnificent foe. Then your son arrived and, if I may be so vulgar, completely kicked my ass."
Lady Sun raised an eyebrow. "Ce hit you?"
"No, Shang Xiang did." Diao Chan said blithely.
This time, even Shang Xiang laughed.
Warrior lodges... they will be composed of the greatest soldiers and warriors in our realm, regardless of assignment. They will answer to me and my chosen advisors alone. Their duty will be to inspire others within their regiments and corps to greater heights of bravery and martial valour. Though still subject to their commander, they will also have direct duty to me to let me know of the disposition of my armies. Within the ranks of the lodges, equality, where title means nothing, except for the Masters.
We will foster comradeship and cooperation, not to mention of new and different level of friendly rivalry, not just between regiments and corps, as now exist, but between the lodges themselves. Dedicated to martial excellence in all its forms, they will help me to break the traditions that stifle us while preserving that which makes us mighty.
But it must be structured and still subject to the Tao, as much as to the precepts of the Martial Sage... we shall number only one-hundred and eight at any time, divided into four lodges of twenty-seven. All may aspire, but only the transcendent and inspiration shall have my invitation.
One-hundred and eight tigers, loyal not only to me but to an ideal. Like Zhou Yu's plans for Scholar Lodges to compete with the Eight Geniuses of Jiang-Sha or the Jian-An Seven, they will serve as agents to dispatch missions and duties beyond the scope of normal training.
Their loyalty shall be to the dynasty I create. Their dedication will be legend. They belong to my people, not just to me. Their desire to protect my people will be foremost of their oaths. Humility shall be their shield and they will not display arrogance at having been chosen.
From among their number they pick their Master by vote, with rank meaning nothing. After all, treachery and betrayals within their own regiments must not be fostered by this membership. They are meant to serve the army, not subvert it. They are not parade units, marching separately from their parent companies, though they will be distinguished by a motif they may display throughout their membership.
So many to choose from, they must be selected with care and must be free of the hubris that so often accompanies mere might. I will need recommendations from my commanders.
Warrior lodges that preclude any army or corps rebelling and foster a sense of greater purpose amongst the troops. Exulting in our warrior tradition, it will make us all the stronger.
Though a single night had passed since the births, Ce and Zhou Yu felt as if they had been kept away forever. The two men stood now in the chamber of White Tiger Pavilion, holding the children they had sired while their wives sat in comfortable chairs, looking on. Sun Ce was pleased to feel Shan's strong grip and see the way the boy looked around intently, curious about everything. He even had squirmed and twisted around quizzically when Sun Ce had entered the room and recognized his father's voice.
Quan and Kuang stood nearby, gazing on at their nephews. Lady Sun, Bi Qiao, Shang Xiang, Fu Chin Ran and Diao Chan waited dutifully next to Da and Xiao. It had been a long night for all the ladies and they were relieved to relinquish the sisters into the tender care of their spouses. Only Kai-Ying seemed to have boundless energy, still directing the nurses around the room and instructing her father and uncle to make sure that they did not get too much of their male scent on the babies.
Ce laughed. "Like I didn't have enough reasons to fight for a new dynasty..."
Xiao whined until Zhou Yu gave Pai back to her and she cooed at the girl, making funny noises. Zhou Yu gazed down at Feng, seeing the glint behind his dark eyes, knowing that this was an heir who would carry on his proud legacy as the most loyal vassal of the mighty Sun clan.
This is but a moment of calm before the great storms that loom on our horizon. We must meet them resolutely and without dread, though we wish for peace. Only in carrying forth our convictions can we wrest the land from greedy and ruthless warlords, protect the common folk and show them a better way. Sun Ce knows no trepidation and moves forward with a confidence that even I do not feel.
There is no point in worrying or quailing in fear. We have made our stance known and we will be destroyed if we do not prevail. For the sake of my children and all those within our lands, I will not falter. I will not fail. The future is ours.
Weeks would pass and both Da and Xiao were in fine fighting for again. Da had actually reverted to an old habit almost everyone had forgotten about and she ambushed Ling Tong in the hallways of the palace, determined to try her mettle against his.
Initially the general had panicked, wondering what was happening, but soon enough he had deduced her intent and took the fight to her- to his amazement, Da Qiao was pretty much as fast as he was, though her fans required wider arcs to fight with, whereas his flails were weapons for fighting in close.
At one point he had snared one of her wrists in the chain of his flail, forcing her to drop one of the fans; she had cried out in pain and he had paused in his assault, terrified that he had hurt her. This, however, turned out to be a ruse and she smiled wickedly as she slammed him across the side of his head with her remaining weapon. He reeled back and she pressed in to finish the young warrior off, but he recovered just in time to catch her attack and they wrestled for her fan.
Seconds later, he had slammed her against the wall, pinning her behind the closed fan, wrestling body to body with her as she struggled to escape. His face reddened as he felt the softness of her form pressed to his and he hoped she would think his blushing was just from his exertions.
There was a momentary pause as they became aware of someone watching them. They both slowly turned their heads to see Gan Ning leaning against the corridor wall, observing impassively.
"It's... it's not what you think." Ling Tong said after a very awkward pause.
"It couldn't be," Gan Ning sneered. "She turned me down, what's she gonna see in a skinny little girly-man like you?"
Ling Tong coloured furiously and leapt at the pirate in a rage, his flail aching to wrap itself around Gan Ning's neck. The tattooed warrior grinned wolfishly and his dadao was already out, ready for action.
As the savage brawl receded down the hallway, Da Qiao stomped her foot and huffed.
"I wasn't through with you, Ling Tong! That's right, you'd better run! There's a lot more where that come from! Get back here!"
Men...
"What do you have there, Ce?" Zhou Yu asked as he joined his friend on the parapet of the castle wall. Sun Ce was looking north, his eyes blazing with an anger that Zhou Yu saw only very rarely and prayed no one else ever would.
Without saying anything or even looking away from the evening horizon, Ce held out his hand, in which he held a scroll. Zhou Yu took and unfurled the document, examining the contents. The first thing he noticed was the sigil of the Prime Minister's Office, meaning that it came directly from Cao Cao.
The poem inscribed on the delicate paper amounted to no less than a declaration of war:
A pleasant promenade beside His Majesty:
They mount the tiered tower, delight their spirits,
And view the teeming richness of the realm,
The sphere his sagely virtue rules.
These gates he built pierce the mid-sky;
The double pylons float to the crystalline.
Splendid viewing rooms sit suspended there,
Linked chambers seem to hang above the western wall.
They peer down on the ever-flowing Zhang,
Whose gardens give promise of teeming glory.
Aloft on either side, twin towers—
Left, Jade Dragon; right, Golden Phoenix—
To hold his brides, the Southland daughters Qiao,
With whom he will take his pleasure, morning, evening,
Look down on the royal city's spacious elegance;
Behold the shimmering tints of distant clouds.
Rejoice in the confluence of many talents;
Auspicious dreams of aid will be fulfilled.
Look up! The gentle solemnity of spring;
And hear! The lovelorn cries of every bird.
May those proud towers stand till Heaven's end.
Our house has gained a twin fulfillment.
Our benevolent influence spreads across the realm,
Winning universal homage for our capital.
Even the splendor of Huan and Wu, ancient hegemons,
Pales beside his sagely grace and wisdom.
Most blessed! Most marvelous!
His generous favor, extending far and wide.
Lend the sovereign house your aid.
That unto the four corners peace may reign.
Our king is on a scale with Heaven and earth,
Radiant as the light of sun or moon,
Ever honored as the ultimate principle,
Immortal as the sky's sovereign star.
Driving the dragon banners round the royal circuit.
Guiding the phoenix chariot round the realm:
His clement influence bathes the kingdom's corners;
Prize offerings to him heap high—the people prosper.
May these towers stand firm for all time.
For pleasure never failing and without end.
Zhou Yu rolled the scroll back up and gazed out at the nightfall with Ce. So that is why he had heard rumours that a massive army from the north was redeploying along the Great River. Cao Cao was coming to make Da and Xiao his wives.
The warlord could hear the wrath of his friend's soul, the rage that made the normally aloof strategist a merciless killer on the battlefield.
"Ce, I beg you," Zhou Yu said quietly, his fury barely contained. "Please, allow me to burn this abomination."
"Not a chance, pal," Ce said, his voice hard as iron. "Cao Cao wants to make this personal, eh? You can't burn it because I'm gonna use that poem as his death mask once I've killed him."
Angry as he was, Zhou Yu shuddered at the tone in his friend's voice. It was almost... murderous.
Ce turned to look at Zhou Yu now. His eyes flashed and his expression was so fell that the raven-haired warrior almost took a step back.
"So, Cao Cao wants our wives, is that it? He's willing to risk the lives of millions for the sake of two girls, eh? Well so am I."
Alright, Cao Cao. You want Da that badly? Try and take her from me...
And there was war under Heaven.
Author's Notes: As always, lots of ground covered, though I am pleased to see I managed to keep the chapter to around 11k words.
Sorry if I got a little meta or preachy on occasion in this chapter, I recently had a long and drawn out discussion with a philosophical and political rival about objectivism and subjectivism. 'Me and my perceptions first' attitudes that are key to subjectivism irk me and I took it out on the fic. The person I was discoursing with claimed that Ayn Rand was indeed objective, as she once attested. One need but read her works or listen to one of her vitriolic and hysterical tirades to know that she was nothing if not subjective, to a level that only spoiled brat children could reach.
I stepped back from the story , thinking about the whole objectivism\subjectivism controversy for a moment and realized that Sun Ce in the video games could very well qualify as a subjectivist and Zhou Yu would have been his cricket conscience. The Sun Ce that I have evolved and written, on the other hand, has progressed beyond such juvenile perceptions and knows the Tao, so there is no contradiction (outside of me writing Sun Ce as I choose to see him, a subjectivist failing).
Oddly enough, both Cao Cao and Liu Bei, of all people, would qualify as the objectivists. Go figure, eh?
I'm not saying subjectivism is a bad thing, but I put forth that subjectivism has no place in universal truth. Objectivism at its most macro scale simply accepts that the universe/God/the gods/whatever are not changing for us, no matter what spin we put on them and if we are wrong and can't admit it, they don't really care. Subjectivism states 'then why does that matter to me?' and insofar as the movement of the stars is unlikely to affect your personal life or decision that day, it is a tiny truth. We're just too infinitesimal for physics and universal truths to waste time on us.
Gah, changing subject.
Don't worry, I don't intend to have Sun Ce running to commune with his father whenever he is conflicted, I HATE that cliché in writing. I promise you, Sun Jian will not be making regular disembodied appearances within the fic. He is not Obi-wan Kenobi, nor is he the Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock *clap clap*
I think I am done with Da having kids. I need her elsewhere and having her knocked up and inactive for nearly a year at a time is hard on the storyline. As you can see, great events approacheth and frankly I need her back.
The whole 'secret sex techniques' vignette was really fun to write without getting too graphic, once again. Trying to describe them while not violating the host's fiction ratings is always interesting and I may do it a little more for the sheer fun of it. I published some full-out lemons over on the sister site that allows for such material.
Concerning Junshan Island, there is actually a site called the 'Tomb of the Two Concubines' and it just suited me to start associating with Da and Xiao, given the lovely scenery of the place.
It seemed a little daft to recall Shang Xiang from the South so soon, but I also need her, one of my more daring commanders. She is about to have her own storyline (I can't begin to tell you how close I came to starting a spinoff fic about her, I still might, meaning you'd need to read both to keep up). In any event, Cheng Pu heads south to Fujian and SSX will be around again. I know these are sudden changes and not necessarily thought out too far ahead, but I promise you, Gore Verbinsky is not co-writing for me, I did this on my own.
For you Shu loyalists, fear not- your boy scouts are going to be involved a lot more in the storyline now, I promise you.
The poem Cao Cao wrote about the Qiaos (supposedly, unless you give credence to the theory that Kongming did it to enrage Zhou Yu) has finally made its appearance. Ultimately I decided that it had to be genuine, so the Sun Ce and Zhou Yu I have written would never fall for such a ploy. Also, if it had been a forgery, this would create a dreadful moral dilemma for me, since Sun Ce clearly states that he will risk everything and everyone for Da, without blinking an eye, and therefore the threat had to be real. Ce and Zhou Yu now have a private war with Cao Cao and the lord of the Southlands wants the Prime Minister dead. I mean Clint Eastwood/Sylvester Stallone revenge movie dead. All bets are off now.
A friend of mine who has been reading the fic for a long time did me the disservice of comparing the three realms involved to different Marvel superhero teams- Wei was the Avengers (overwhelming and not to be messed with), Wu got to be the X-Men (dangerous and prone to doing their own thing) and poor ol' Shu was Alpha Flight (great potential but always underrated and at a disadvantage). Ow, said my wounded Canadian heart.
Enough for now, I have more writing to do. Best of the season to everyone!
Q: 'How many subjectivists does it take to change a light bulb?'
A: 'That's not the light bulb I want to change.'
Q: How many objectivists does it take to change a light bulb?'
A: 'Yes, that is indisputably the actual light bulb. Now what?'
