Deceive Heaven and Cross the River (The Battle of Red Cliff (I) part 2)
During the battle of Red Cliff, everyone shared the same thought that fire attack is the best stratagem for this battle.
And indeed, it will still be easterly wind followed by the blazing fire!
XXX
At the outskirt of Yuzhang, at the Bronze Wall Mountain (Jutieshan)…
Followed by repeated shots of arrow from both sides, the battle to invade Haihun has began. Like it namesake, Jutieshan was a treacherous narrow hill surrounded by forest acting like a giant wall which become obstruction to cavalry troops. The only available terrain for open battle was its swampy muddy ground. But as to the maxim of war, speed is the essence of warfare and information is the greatest weapon available in war is information which decide the army movement (beside food/rations supplies).
Capturing the hill would greatly boosted their army potential, however seizing it first would not be easy as it seems as Taishi Ci's advancing unit has already occupied the frontier hill and set up a simple outpost which gave her troops advantage. On the other hand, Cheng Pu elite troops are already encamped below the hill, which gave it two layer of protection … hence the swampy terrain was their only choice for this battle.
"Here they come! The Sun army is coming! Get ready!" Fei Yao shouted. He is the vanguard of Cao Hong's Tiger Fang cavalry beside Qin Liang who acted as the second division deputy officer. The drumming goes loud, reverberating as Cheng Pu's elite army was not staying put below the Jutieshan's valley. The elite cavalry rides on, pouring into the swampy ground like a deluge.
"Cheng Pu's cavalry forward!" Cheng Pu march, leading her army first with her favored battle staff which is like a steel mace on its own rather than normal fighting staff.
"Here they come." Cao Hong remarked along with hidden cavalries as she noted on their movement. "Tiger Fang cavalry! Charge down and cut them down!" At once the army hidden beneath the forest, narrow hills and slopes came rushing down surrounding from all four direction as Cheng Pu has lead more than half of her cavalry into the swampy ground.
"Fuck." Cheng Pu cursed seeing Cao Hong had deliberately leave Fei Yao division as a bait to lure her and hid her other army as ambush to only make a move on them when Cheng Pu and half of her army entered the swampy terrain where it is hard to fight even if using horse.
"With them down, Chaisang will be ours." Cao Hong remarked in confidence as she galloped, leading her Tiger Fang cavalry toward the entrapped enemy.
XXX
Extracted from Sun Zi's Art of War, chapter 12 on the Attack by Fire;
In attacking with fire, one should be prepared to meet five possible developments:
(1) When fire breaks out inside to enemy's camp, respond at once with an attack from without.
(2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy's soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack.
(3) When the force of the flames has reached its height, follow it up with an attack, if that is practicable; if not, stay where you are.
(4) If it is possible to make an assault with fire from without, do not wait for it to break out within, but deliver your attack at a favorable moment.
(5) When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward.
And, a wind that rises in the daytime lasts long but a night breeze ceased soon.
"Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao." Meirin suddenly spoke as she was observing the on going situation from the deck onward toward the distant river. "Send words to our whole armada… prepare for naval engagement." As they are approaching the distant fire, which acted as their guidance signal "Cao Cao's navy are coming to ambush us." The two beauty was shocked by the sudden announcement but relentless they quickly sent the news to the other. At once the Sun clan's navy were alerted.
Hence, the moment Wen Ping's youting and zouge class ship sailing toward them, they were not taken back by surprised but already prepared to engage them. The moment they came to their firing range, Han Dang quickly ordered her seamen to repel them with their own arrows. Arrows came flying as the other smaller ships came closer under the cover of fire to intercept.
Jumping aboard from their own small ships, Jiang Qin and his Danyang warrior make a forceful entrance for onboard battle on WenPing's intercepting force followed by regular soldiers. …-shaats! Blade were drawn between them, as battle cries resound with the sound of igniting flames behind them. The soldiers all rushed putting their own life on this battle , however as it was evidenced… there is quite discrepancy in the fighting potential. The southerner proven to be better fighter as they can easily fight on the rocking platform with ease and Jiang Qin realize that most soldiers aboard was not in their best condition.
Wen Ping's soldiers noticing that they are losing aboard, gave suspicious signal to the other crew. Jiang Qin was perplexed by their sudden loss will to fight they felt among the enemies. Suddenly, a loud crashing noise can be heard below and while he was loss in wondering the source of that bothering noise, he found that the ships was slanting from its normal position. Everyone was startled except Wen Ping's soldier who shouted among them.
"Abandon ship!" and at once they quickly jumped to the river, ignoring the danger.
Jiang Qin was about to pursue them until he saw that the last soldier leaving the ships are tossing torch down to the inner cargo of the ships. At once he exclaimed.
"SON OF A…!" Jiang Qin quickly made a distressing sign to all his Danyang warriors to also abandon the ships. A combustion quickly occurred. Those who are too late to act was consumed onboard, while those who are have jumped over to the water are not to safe either because.
"SHIT! Swam back ! swam back to our ships!" Jiang Qin exclaimed as those who are at loss of the situation fail to notice the incoming five men crew sampan of Wen Ping fleets coming to their direction. Indeed, it might be fair to think it is a rescue mission to retrieve their fellow soldiers, however Jiang Qin with his experience notice that those ships are also to finish up the soldiers scattering around who are not aligned to their force. He witnessed as the five men crew on the sampan standing on its prow and stern with long spears standing at its tip, thrusting them toward the drowning southerner soldiers who are still recovering after jumping to the water after avoiding the fire. "Damn them! Those intercepting scout ships were also filled with combustible and flammable material to trap us." Quickly he whistled, giving another sign to his friendly force to be cautious in making movement.
Zhou Yu who received this information was taken back for a second although she had not loss her calm. "Impressive. As expected of that Wen Ping…. Indeed Cai Mao was really just a bait to fool us… this Wen Ping is quite a real deal."
"Da Qiao, sent words to Han Dang to steer away and lead her fleet to strike from their flanks." Meirin spoke as Da Qiao swiftly rushed to inform the communication officer to relay this message with war drums and signal banner. A new maneuver is about to unfold, the second layer is being unfurled… from its complex setting.
The Battle of Red Cliff is fought with fire attack during the easterly wind…
Everyone knows of that but in the end, that just the surface of the scheme.
XXX
In the beginning you want the enemy to know your next move… and that is the trigger to cause a chain of reaction.
In the end, Military Maneuvering is all about who could deceive the other…
"Hot damn…!" Cao Hong gasped. "All these ambush and they are still not showing sign of surrendering!" Cao Hong however on contrary to how she spoke looks exhilarated. "Now that is a veteran general!" With arms of war in her hand, she can't bare to watch any longer and joined the encirclement.
The Sun clan soldiers under the command of Cheng Pu fight really well with teeth and claws against the five direction of ambush which Cao Hong has placed on this swampy ground. Indeed, though Cao Hong's Tiger Fang was not as maneuverable compared to Tiger Leopard Cavalry led by Cao Ren however their experience in battle was not something to be trifled with. In fact due their role as supportive troops, their role can be summarized as the troops with the lowest life expectancy because as other troops with exception of Charger may do well to take withdrawal, only the Tiger Fang is expected to leave last and even to gave covering fire when their other comrade make a retreat.
If one has to guess the reason several factor which made Cheng Pu's troops was able to gave a fight even when they are ambushed, one can be attributed to the swampy ground itself which gave both opposing force an equal expectancy of survival even when element of surprise was conducted during the ambush. Indeed, they was taken back for a moment when Cao Hong launched the ambush, but the swampy ground and the unfamiliarity with terrain characteristic made them unable to strike fast than usual. The advancing unit some were stumbled and fell to the ground because they are too blinded with the killing. Giving enough time and chance for Cheng Pu's troop to recover
Shield raised to protect their position from the hailing arrows Cao Hong's troops shot. 4 division led by the Xiahou siblings who called themselves Xiahou Sentai Xiahou Rangers which consisted of Xiahou Ba, Xiahou Wei, Xiahou Hui and Xiahou He had surrounded them and pressed them on, however there is still unable to break open their defense no matter how exchanges of arrows rained both of them. Testudo acting as rampart while spearman attack near and arrows attack distant… on the other hand the veteran cavalry led by Cheng Pu had hindered each movement the Xiahou Ranger tried to make.
"Crash in!" Cao Hong shouted and at once the division led by Xiahou Ba made another attempt and even this time Cao Shuang's unit were sent to give assistance. Spear and swords clashing each other but there is no sign of them wearing down… hence, Cao Hong ordered them to pull back, "We have successfully lured away the annoying Chen Wu and Song Qian unit… now toward the veteran herself!" Cao Hong rounded up her troops striking directly toward the gleeful veteran Cheng Pu with both arms of war clashing each other.
Another place, not far from where their fight took place, at the foothills of the Jutieshan… another spectator was admiring how their fight is ongoing. Drown in their bloodlust and killer instinct, two frightening warrior lady are staking their lives on it as weapon clashing and battle cries roaring from them both.
"What a hag…. Seems that sister Cao Hong is facing a difficult opponent." The general spoke; he is a fair looking gentleman, said to be the best among his peers of Xiahou's line of ancestry.
"General Xiahou Mao, then should we lend help to assist General Cao Hong?" his loyal lieutenant; Han De who is well fighter with his battle ax (you can see him as both Dozle Zabi and Shin Matsunaga :P)
"The plan must proceed… even if Sister Zilian falls, it is no excuse for failing to smoke out the rats."
XXX
If you are talented, you let him know your next two move.
And, if you are really talented, you let him know your next three moves.
"They think that they can get away?" Xun You remarked seeing the warships led by Han Dang are steering away from its initial course. "Wen Ping, no need to make pursue, stay put… leave them to our friendly unit."
"Aye, Chief Advisor Xun!" Wen Ping saluted as he clasped his hand toward the Chief Advisor Darren.
As Han Dang was pulling away from the main fleet, rounding around and avoiding Wen Ping's main fleet, she was drawn by the river course trying to find opening from its tight rampart. To this, Han Dang noted to herself "Weird, they don't pursue me…?"
As they are pulling a bit far, far away… suddenly.. "Ugh! Damn, the smoke of the fire ships are coming to here!" the wind fanned the fire of Huang Gai's remaining ships at the unexpected moment, lowering her visibility. As they are thinking to steer another way, …
"… nock! Set!" Hidden by the smoke, the chained fleet led by Yu Jin are setting clear from the flanks. "Now fire away!" the barrage of arrows launched from the veil of smoke, Han Dang easily avoided the attack because though the smoke hidden both of the forces position, they also unable to carefully make measurement for firing distance. However, even when report reached Yu Jin's ear, he doesn't feel bothered even the slightest.
"Objective accomplished. We have managed to repel them and lure them to Cai Mao's division." Mao Jie reported to Shiyuan who is overseeing the situation. And the Fledgling Phoenix herself looked satisfied with this outcome.
As Han Dang was trying to figure out the battle formation which the enemy to coordinate the attack, unknowingly another fleet approached her group of warships "Shit, I am distracted!"
"Jingzhou navy attack!" Zhang Yun shout, encouraging his seamen. The Jingzhou's Mengchongs closed in to Sun clan's own fleet of warships. Some ramming them to break apart their naval formation group, another quickly clashed in boarding ship to ship battle. Zhang Yun being quite a capable naval commander ordered his Mengchongs to close in to the enemy fleet where his subordinates also boarding on their ships and engaged in battle. The Mengchong launched it barrages giving supporting fire to quickly suppress the enemy's resistance.
Knowing even her own flagships was facing this situation, Han Dang ordered her soldiers to cut down the life boat and sampans down to the water and ordered them to disengage. The situation has turned them unfavorable. It is better to abandon ships and evacuate… and let the surviving ships to flee and set away with their course. Being the last crew in the ship, Han Dang guided the ship and let it sail with the wind and rammed at groups of gathering Mengchong which kept barraging the ships. Before she herself jumped down to the river, She set her ships with the flame which spread to the other Jingzhou's Mengchongs and bringing them down.
Seeing her own ships drown aflame, there is feeling of melancholy on Han Dang's mind however she steeled it as she swam on and approach the sampan. "Report to Gongjin that breaking through that iron wall of defense would not be easy…" She coughed as she came aboard to the sampan which quickly being paddled back to the fleeing remains of her fleet "She better had a well damn of strategy."
XXX
Drown in the frenzy of their duel, the bout between two veteran generals representing their own armies continues. Laughter and sinister smile exchanged followed with battle cries as the weapons they both held are swinging about around the galloping steed they rides.
Several clashes more and only then Cao Hong and Cheng Pu both pulled away from their opponent. "Damn, Sun clan's veteran…. You are really good in killing!" Cao Hong remarked as she lowered her halberd. Several weapon has been replaced between these warriors, that it is hard to judge whether the weapon can not keep up with its master as the bouts going on or whether their opponents are both just too remarkable.
"You yourselves are hard to kill either!" Cheng Pu huffed as she dropped his battle staff and took another new weapon which now are more similar to a mace than a common battle staff she often used.
"Damn Southerner!" "Damn Northerner!" both exchanges gleeful remarked as they finished taking a break and wield another arms of war to decide the outcome. As they both galloped toward each other with arms of war brandished, Now if I know no better I would model Cheng Pu and Han Dang as Patty and Selma Bouvier from the Simpsons… but because that is against all sense of morality and fairness because they are supposed to be HOT MILF (and Han Dang was modeled after Seikirei's Trap Ninja Homura…) so Cheng Pu is modeled after Akiko Minase from Kanon because those 11 volume doujin (so far) would be more perfect if the author dared to add Netorare or at least make Yuuichi once again rape Akiko (and also Nayuki… I love Oyakodon, but not that Japs food… last time I ate, I dunno why it taste disgusting, perhaps the cook idiot :P) Galloping away, and clashing impacting blows of arms of war gnashed each other loudly like a bended metal (dunno what kind of metaphor I am writing, especially when these two are not engaging overly exaggerated pugilist fight… so no need for effort :P)
"Ha..!" Cao Hong decided to aim at Cheng Pu's warhorse feet to make her stumble, and though it did made the warhorse startled and about to fall, Cheng Pu reached a projectile dart hidden in her leather armor and tossed them upward toward Cao Hong. Cao Hong quickly evade them but at the same time this caused her to waste the opportunity to finish her opponent.
"Fuck!" Cao Hong gritted in anger, while Cheng Pu mocked her with an exaggerated finger gesture (well, I dunno if Chinese has the equivalent of middle finger gesture but… let just pretend they did), and swiftly after rotating her body spine like a feral animal (I dunno what the fuck I was thinking, just… pretend I am writing something cool), spun her long heavy staff (aka mace) upward, and tossed them as it was drawn toward Cao Hong.
Cao Hong quickly dropped herself knowing this Cheng Pu was aiming to her, and if those mace hit her… whoa, it could smash and crush her bones and spinal cord. The mace hit the warhorse she was riding (and I don't think I need to describe what kind of fate happened to the horse), but as she was dropping she let her halberd to act as support and using it to hurl herself up and jumped to the air, with intention trying to hurl the halberd into slashing motion toward Cheng Pu who had lost her arm of war.
Cheng Pu was not someone who would wait for her death helplessly, and she kicked the muddy ground upward, splashing the mud toward Cheng Pu to blind her opponent. Cao Hong gasped due to the sudden action. as she landed, with hurled halberd splattering the mud, and covering herself and her opponent with the slushy mud. Both generals stood up, gasping trying to catch their breath, uncaring of the dirt and sweat also splattering bloods which god knows where do they come (maybe from the dead horse, maybe from the unsuspecting bystander who get caught up watching their fight). The only thing came into their mind is to finish this until only one is left standing. … thinking about it, whoa… that is such ugly description to fight for two girls :P I feel bad really.
That is what supposed to be until… "Smokes are rising!" the soldiers suddenly exclaimed and their attention were driven to where the smokes are coming from; below at the foothills of Jutieshan, where Xiahou Mao and his division were left to execute the next plan.
The shrub, bushes, trees were burned and the wind fanned the fire… actually the season was a bit unsuitable for fire attack around Jutieshan due to its damp condition, however the fire was not to burn the forest but rather to smoke the occupying force remain in the outpost above. The moment Sun Clan's troops are marching down the forest, Xiahou Mao thought that the scheme has worked.
"Now they have lost their high grounds."
XXX
More moves revealed, until one of them get lost in follows up and made a mistake…
Forgetting the fundamental reason of executing this scheme!
"Pan Zhang and Zhou Tai's unit sail to intercept the enemy!" Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao ran toward each communication officer to relay the message. This was the new instruction given by Zhou Yu after knowing the attempt made by Han Dang and Jiang Qin failed, uncaring how many casualties has risen and uncaring of how the fire and wind keep on burning to the sly advisor's favor.
"Ah.. they are separating away! Everyone don't let any of them escape!" Wen Ping shouted his instruction seeing that Pan Zhang and Zhou Tai are coming from separated course. But the Zouge, and Youting were sent to intercept them. As they are about to make evasion maneuver, the Youting and Zouge's crewmen already nocked their arbalest and aiming at them. The long bows also pulled back.
"The enemy are sending out their ships! Hang in there!" Pan Zhang shouted. She looked wary on the ongoing situation, and the moment they released the bolts of their arbalest, They can only gave order to raise shield to lower casualties.
"Send order to Xu Huang's Mengchong to get them!" Xun You yelled to her commanding officers. As the enemy movement are once again hindered, Xun You want to finish this quickly. Both Pan Zhang and Zhou Tai both are facing this dilemma, hence thinking that rather than surrender and perished in vain as the two division of Mengchong's led by Xu Huang already ramming through quarter of their armada, sending them to collision and the smaller ships are already capsizing due to the immense structural strength of the Mengchong's build, they are thinking to end this without allowing Xu Huang and Xun You had all the fun.
"General, aim at different position and let us hope with our sacrifice we can open a path for Grand Commander Zhou!" Pan Zhang shouted.
"Can't be helped!" Zhou Tai turned to all her Danyang soldiers and roused them "Hear it everyone! We are the Danyang!" and the brave Danyang soldiers follow the example and yelled
"""We Are the Danyang!"""
"We live for this moment!" """WE LIVE FOR THIS MOMENT!""" At once all the life boats are cut down uncaring whether they had people on them or not because the most important things are… the fact that they are sailing at high speed toward Wen Ping's fleet which acted like rampart for the floating naval fortress formation.
"Oh…" The sly advisor was stunned for a second seeing another suicidal attack against their formation.
"Advisor Darren!" the officer shouted "The enemy has set their ships with fire and sailing toward us!"
"I can see it, Wen Ping can take care of it." Indeed to what the sly advisor Xun says that before those incoming suicidal attack, The general looked eerily calm. And he did not make any attempt to block even one of those attack rushing toward them, as if very confident that the iron wall of his fleet could hold on the attack. He only gestured with clasping hand as if to give reassurance to his superior chief advisor of the army.
*CRRASSHHH-! *SHUUUU-!
"Holds it, careful! Second wall can't get hold of it anymore!"
The ships rammed and crashed right toward the iron beams, Wen Ping only shouted up instruction to remain calm and assist the troops holding the iron beam acting as the rampart of the suicidal attack. Though even the river rocking the water, it has not breaking through all of the defense and only joining with the ruins of Huang Gai's previous fireships. And the wind kept the fire alighted, smoking everything where eyes could see…
"Hang in there! Sent out sampan to clear out the area!"
The sampan once again done its job, however the debris kept piling making the visual to be harder than before, added with the smokes which hinder them. "They must have become fish feed general! Hahaha!" The Jingzhou navy themselves could not help but feel exhilarated seeing that even the number one navy in the world is helpless before them.
However Wen Ping looked furious.
"IDIOT!" Wen Ping shouted "Don't Feel relieved YET!"
"Our previous opponent are the Danyang and I don't believe they all perished on that suicidal attack! Keep your eyes open you seadogs!" Wen Ping beat as he felt strangely anxious… this calmness is too suspicious.
"Being the number one navy in this realm means that they are full of surprise! Don't be complacent and lower your guard! Watch out for everything!"
The five man sampan unit keep on searching for the surviving troops and even counting the floating bodies after this battle mixed with debris and ruin from this previous naval engagement. As they are looking complacent, Wen Ping took a spear and throw at the moving debris.
*-shaat!
The spear stabbed through the water and some ripples and small bubbles rose up followed by the pool of blood which shocks everyone who seen Wen Ping's feat. And they are quickly keep watchful eyes and stabbed furiously toward anything that looked suspicious even if it was only their shadows.
"The enemy attack was just a beginning!"
On the other hand, after the collision which even sent Xun You's flagship to wobble, there is a bit of commotion. While the guards around her are losing their cautions on watching her, Huang Gai took the opportunity to run into the soldiers and seized a spear and swords. Xun You however looked unfazed even seeing her reckless action because she is confident that the elite soldiers would swiftly react to protect her from any harm or any attempt Huang Gai trying to do to make her a hostage.
And indeed, as expected of the elite soldiers of Cao Cao's handpicked veteran!
Suddenly, Huang Gai was outnumbered and cornered to the edge of the broadside. Xun You came to spoke to her as Huang Gai looked wary and exhausted even she looks as if she had trouble standing. "Don't push yourself General Huang." Xun You spoke calmly "you know that with your condition you will only die meaninglessly."
"Hahaha… If you think that these mere wounds would stop me you are making a dead mistake."
"Oh?" Xun You call with signal, five soldiers are called with armed arbalest on their hand. "Really?" the soldiers swiftly assume their shooting stance.
"Sly advisor of Cao Cao, right? Did you enjoyed Huang Gai's little farce?" Huang Gai sneered as she gritted herself and stand with normal position, showing that she was in okay condition. Thanks to Doctor Kada Hua Tuo's treatment which immediately healed her wound and the rest was a bit of her farce.
"A little…" Xun You sighed "I admit that I was a bit careless." The only thing the soldiers waiting for are Xun You's permission to give the order to shoot.
"Hahaha… watch out, because Mei Zhou Lang's divine fire tactic rival… no! surpass this Huang Gai's little performance…" Sai smirked as she suddenly understand the reason for Zhou Yu's reckless naval maneuver after watching their movement and how Xun You simulated them on her deployment map.
"Hear this Sly advisor! Your ragtags fleet will soon be engulfed by the wrath of divine fire!" Sai shouted and as Xun You decided to give permission to shoot as her hand was lowered, followed by the release of trigger, Sai leaped down from Xun You's flagships down to the river and before the big splash happened, Huang Gai's vengeful scream filled on the serene air above the great Changjiang river.
"BEHOLD! OUR BURNING HATRED!"
XXX
The terrain and location of the battle may have changed from the earlier swampy ground to another location. However, the heat of the battle remain unchanged in Jutieshan, at the border between Yuzhang and Haihun; the last strategic defense of Chaisang.
After successfully smoked out and forced most of Taishi Ci's army occupying at the outpost at the top of the hill of Jutieshan, Xiahou Mao and his expert fighter has the honor of being the front of this frontier battlefield. Cao Hong clacked her tongue, seeing that this best of the best among his peers; the Xiahou warriors looked vexed that he outdone her in this merit.
Due to Xiahou Mao's disturbance of using smoke, piqued Cheng Pu's attention that made her withdraw and galloped back with the remaining troops to the Jutieshan hills to see what is going on. What they are watching are Dong Xi; Sun Clan's capable general leading the vanguard engaging in a duel against Han De; Xiahou Mao's best bud and lieutenant.
Han De himself is a seasoned general with reliable four offspring which comparable to the Three Black Star of Dam (Mash, Gaia and Ortega) with their reliability in close quarter battle tactics. Five high speed attack with axe was like facing a continuous succession of Jet stream attack; and I suppose if Amuro has not quickly awakened his Newtype ability under the pressure during the Odessa Operation at the black forest of Europe he will die in five succession of jet stream attack formation; or! Like how Rey managed to master the FORCE due to anger seeing Finn being struck down by Kylo Ren, and outfight the injured Kylo Ren … it was a battle decided by sheer mental strength; not really a mary sueness (if this was mary sue; then I had to admit that Camille Bidan in Zeta is Mary Sue when he suddenly master Bio Sensor and out fight Haman Karn seeing Fa shot by Quebeley, Yazan after Emma's Super Gundam was shot by Hambrabi and Scirocco after all is ended.). Anyway… Han De is not that bad even though we all know that Zhao Yun at the age of 70 would later easily …. Oops! Spoiler :P sorry :D
The swinging battle axes of Han De and all his four offspring was not allowed to join because he want to try on this opponent himself. Clashing and colliding against Dong Xi who looks confident on the outcome.
Twisting a bit like in a fight of veteran general, those two pulled and pushed their arms of wars against their opponent without giving the opportunity of the other to have the advantage. On the other hand, Xiahou Mao was overseeing the whole battle situation.
The jutieshan hill was transformed into natural fortress, and their battle could be likened to a siege warfare as Taishi Ci eloquently set up the perimeter and placed archer turrets due to her knowledge on the natural disposition of the surrounding terrain due to her familiarity on this battle ground. This made Xiahou Mao's raid to be slowing down as he was facing one of the three generals comparable to Zhou Gongjin and Sun Bofu herself.
However, Xiahou Mao doesn't show any slight of worry because his beginning move was already correct. If he remain immobile and let Taishi Ci to remain on top, he would uselessly prolong this siege. High ground often acted as natural fortress, this is evidenced from this steep hills, and it is better to force them down even lower to get more opportunity to defeat the occupying force.
Hence, it is fitting that Xiahou Mao's priority is to force them down first to the lower ground … this is the 'Luring the Tiger away from the mountain' Stratagem. Because everyone admit that the Sun Clan's are the Tigers of Jiangdong themselves like the previous Sun Wentai.
And Han De's task was to wear out the vanguard who are entrapped here until Taishi Ci and all her soldiers has expended all their arrows and that is the moment they have to advance!
Amidst the heating battle, Dong Xi shouted as he deliver a heavy strike toward his opponent "We man of Sun clan! Born in the water….and we will only die in the water!" Dong Xi shouted as Han De grunted in defending his relentless attack.
Touché.
XXX
The smoke hasn't dissipated, and thinned out… But there is no remains of the resistance continues as Zhou Yu's fleet has remained immobilized behind the curtain of this smoke. This made both Xun You and Wen Ping looked restless, as they are beginning to impatient what the enemy had next to overcome their stratagem. The commotion from the remains of the battle still here, followed by the shouting of people and the fire rising from the ruins of the battle.
Then, finally from within the veil of smoke the presence of enemy force are coming near… their next attack! The smoke driven out as the ships passing them away, as if preparing the stage with raised curtain for when the main actor made their appearance.
"Ling Tong, don't fail me!" Meirin silently prayed in her heart. And this sentiment seems to reach Ling Tong who are already sailing right before the Wen Ping's fleet at the front. And right now Ling Tong was silently preparing herself for the final attack of this fire stratagem. She was speaking to herself in serene acceptment.
"No worry, Grand Commander Zhou… General Huang has risked her life to pass on the information of villain Cao's whole battle formation… with her blessing, …." Suddenly with eyes opened to their enemies, Ling Tong shouted
"I, Ling Tong will break open the path to that Villain Cao!" and where Ling Tong declared and pointed was indeed where Cao Cao's flagships were located if we strike a straight line; right in front of the centerpiece of the Fleet of Bridge Ships set by Xun You to transfer troops from Wulin to Red Cliff… as the final defensive line... inside the floating naval formation itself….
And what she is left to do is make a forceful entrance and breakthrough!
And this time however, Ling Tong hasn't lit her fleet of warship aflame… perhaps because she consider it as a fire to small to honor the Divine Fire? Nevertheless, her sailing course was right toward the burning ruins of Huang Gai's fire ships and all the suicidal attempt to dent the impenetrable Wen Ping's Iron Wall fleet.
Xun You and Wen Ping was gleefully watching the last minute as Ling Tong's fleet of warship are colliding to the ruin, as nothing happened the moment Ling Tong's fleet of warship breaking through the kernel of debris and burned ruin and nothing happened… beside loud blunt crashing noise.
Until…
XXX
In every army, the five developments connected with fire must be known, the movements of the stars calculated, and a watch kept for the proper days.
Hence, those who use fire as an aid to the attack show intelligence; those who use water as an aid to the attack gain an accession of strength. - Sun Zi's Art of War, chapter 12 on the Attack by Fire
A loud deafening noise suddenly filled the whole area above Changjiang river facing before the banks of the river where Red Cliff is located. Like a rolling thunder and booming sound which transcend every singularity of phenomena everyone living in this era ever witnessed. The sound was indescribable that it is hard to write the proper Sound Effect text to represent the feeling.
Even dead can be awakened by this noise which surpass the thunderous roar sent by heaven followed by the glowing flare born from the booming noise followed by tremendous shockwave which send everything back with enormous power; even breaking apart and bending all those solid and firm iron beam which become the frontline defense of Wen Ping's fleet.
An EXPLOSION! An Explosion filled with fire!
Something that they have never seen before in their life. It happened so fast and so sudden that they are left helpless in shock unable to do anything the moment the exploding fire engulfed and made everything flies away as the collision caused a detonation reaction. Even faster than the speed of sound, sending every object to obliterate. The frightening divine fire unleashed by Zhou Gongjin.
Deafening the ears and blinding eyes like a hellish scenery, that men may burn themselves the moment they tried to gaze straightly at them, and even those who are at distance was stunned and losing their strength seeing everything blown to smithereens. Xun You was shocked even more Wen Ping as they realized the reason the previous foolishly suicidal maneuver made by Zhou Yu was prepared for this very moment.
She realized it the moment bodies and debris flying toward their direction like a burned shrapnel causing collateral damage burning their ships, and the ship interlinked to create the rampart only become their coffin because they can not hastily detach from each other.
What was that!? She looked bewildered. She never saw that kind of fire tactics like before.
Who is this Zhou Yu!? How can she does such thing that is beyond her comprehension!? This feeling seems eerily familiar and nostalgic… it is as if she has experienced it once before… the same feeling when she was very sure of her victory with 12 attempt of Siege attack toward Guandu, only to be suddenly stopped by one very person…!
This fire tactics even surpassed everything before their era! Something only possible for someone who had the divine knowledge surpassing the technological limitation of this era! Something transcended their current knowledge!
Fouls stench of burning bodies and people running about shouting and splashing to the river water, uncaring whether they can swim or not because they rather see the water as their refugee from this burning hell!
The igniter ball which was recorded from Wujing Zongyao and Huolongjing; created by using the concoction formula from mixed potassium nitrate/saltpeter, sulfur and carbons… in modern tongue it is explosive device; which comparable to the detonation strength of IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and what is more frightening the reason for those burned suicidal ship which all the Sun clan naval general sacrificed their ships are for this very reason; to create burning debris which will later acted as burning shrapnel for additional explosive effect which in the end flies directly toward Cao Cao's surrounding naval fleet around the explosive perimeter and burned them all!
Right now, as Zhou Yu deduced from seeing how Wen Ping doesn't gave slight worry to burned their own captured fleet and how fast it burned… it is reasonable to predict that both Zhou Yu and Cao Cao's naval fleets are filled with combustible and flammable material like sulfur and dried weed for use of fire tactics or to be burned to kept them from being hijacked as the final measure… This however backfire on their cause as the fire swiftly spread to the other ships!
Using fire attacks to break through the metal steel beam protruding from Wen Ping's Iron Wall Fleet are indeed impossible as iron's melting point are at least 1534'C, on the other hand using explosive device gave additional impact which bended and broke the steel beam causing its weight to dislocate and caused the front ships to easily sunk due to imbalance of its weight spread.
With loud splash, those which directly influenced by the impact of explosion quickly sunk, revealing a wide gap right at the front of the defensive line of the floating naval fortress.
"Shit. I never thought they have this kind of trick against us…" Xun You gritted feeling frustrated. As she was reinforcing order and kept her soldiers in line, so did what Wen Ping is doing with his own situation, suddenly…
"Advisor, the are presence of ships sailing directly to our flank!" this report made Xun You looked distraught.
Xun You looked panicked. Having seen the previous fire tactics which Zhou Yu used, she looked frightened. "Damn it! Intercept! Any fleet intercept them!" this order was a bit impossible on it own due to the distressing situation that they haven't recovered from the exploding fire Zhou Yu used earlier and with the frontline ships are sunk, they will break the formation.
"But it is impossible! We are stuck against each other! We can't easily move in this situation!" Indeed, the fire, the disorder caused by the explosion, the unfavorable situation are getting them..
"…. Order Wen Ping to detach his Mengchong and sail to stop them! We can't afford another explosion!" Xun You losing her temper shouted. "Damn! For them to force me use this final measure!"
On contrary to what people believe, Xun You was crazily prepared. Many people might thought that the ships interlinked together acting as ramped was permanently stuck. However, Xun You made final preparation that with a single cut on the rope joining the chain, the ship will easily free from each other as singular unit once again. Beside the arrangement three ships as one was the probable calculation which is the safest when the worst situation occurred.
Wen Ping admitting that though this is beyond his control relent to this order. He had seen it himself of the previous exploding fire… wouldn't want to fall for that again! That kind of think honestly made him shudder because it was like the Wildfyre during the Blackwater (actually I meant the role as bomb, not as greek fire).
Three Mengchong easily detached from each other and hurriedly stopped the incoming fleet with at all cost uncaring even if they had to be sacrificed.
But strangely, contrary to what they expected…. The ships was easily stopped as it was vacant and not being crewed, and there is nothing inside the cargo either. It was let sail and loose without anyone aboard… This situation was immediately reported at haste.
And it was also made Xun You confused… the previous fire was so great and if they used it again, they might lose it…. Might though…. There is sense of pride when she said it to assure herself and calm her frightened heart. But suddenly she understand it at once.
Indeed, the exploding fire tactic is so great, and it is weird if they will not repeat it except….
Except because it is impossible to repeat such great feat for more than once!
That fire tactic was so great that it is only for one use! For whatever reason, it must have been impossible for the Divine Fire to use it again. Either from material and ingredient used or the cost of using that kind of attack! They only have it one and they already expended it!
Divine Fire! You are indeed great! No Failure in Fire Tactics indeed!
"But…. This battle is mine!" Xun You smirked as she come to the realization as though the damage and casualties from the exploding fire are high, they still have many fleets remain intact… "Time to finish them off" Xun You remarked challenging the Divine Fire Mei Zhou Lang aboard her flagship hidden within the curtain of smoke and fire.
"Advisor! Terrible news!" as Xun You was about to finish them off having detached most of the Mengchong and sent them directly toward Zhou Yu for final attack order.
"WHAT!?" Xun You getting impatient for she was once again robbed of her pleasure.
"T..They got us….! Scout reported that…. Those ships are feint to distract us! The …The group of numerous soldiers of Sun Clan have reached to the shore from underwater!"
"They are making an amphibious landing! From the direction they are moving….they are targeting our base at Wulin!"
No way! Xun You gasped with widened eye. That is impossible! No one could have crossed the river before our watchful eye! They must have been mistaken! Could it be…. Could it be!?
"Bad news advisor Xun…" Wen Ping sailed to her ship and reported with pale look. "The scouts is right… just now, while we are distracted by those empty ships sailing toward us…. There is report that soldiers led by Han Dang's elite , Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai's Danyang, Pan Zhang's unit, Ling Tong's and even men of Huang Gai's force are rising from the surface of water, approaching the banks of shore around Wulin…"
They saw through our schemes for Red Cliff long ago…
That could only means that they have already prepared themselves…
Then, the fire of Red Cliff is a false alarm!
And, those soldiers are the supposedly perished soldiers who should have died because of Zhou Yu's reckless fire maneuver !? How could they have survived and crossed a great as wide as Changjiang!? The hell are they!? A fish!?
"Damn it… we are too late, and here began the second move of their attack." Wen Ping prepared himself as he quickly recover for battle station. And indeed, Zhou Yu's main fleet are sailing toward them.
Aboard her flagship, sailing directly passing through the gap Wen Ping made because the disordered fleet because of the false flag operation she made with empty ships and the gap caused by her exploding fire…. Zhou Yu fanned herself looking confident and satisfied with this smooth sailing right toward the core for Cao Cao's naval formation.
Cao Cao's naval fleet can only stare helplessly at this situation because they are stuck to each other and paralyzed. The disorder caused by the sudden change of formation and the sudden intrusion of flooding Zhou Yu fleet made them unable to reach consensus on how this situation should be taken care on.
Xun You herself was undecided how she should decide on this situation. Intercepting the soldier making amphibious landing and marching toward Wulin which she believed will cause arson attack or Zhou Yu who had brazenly enter her formation and sailing right toward her lord; Prime Minister Cao Cao.
"Hahaha… how naïve, Cao Cao's sly advisor…!" Meirin exclaimed as she gleefully led the main fleet inside the formation "Have you forgotten what we, the southerner are the best at!?" as the fool who still dares to intrude the passing of the Divine Fire, prepare to be engulfed by her wrath as fire bombardment came from Lu Meng and Gan Ning's fleet protecting Meirin's flagships and fleets.
As she fixed her dropping spectacle due to her excitement and feeling of relief having seen the scheme all succeed, she remarked "It was naval battle, hence the word 'Southern Boats'!" And being all capable seamen worthy of number one navy in the world, swimming in this cold water for long time without hypothermia is their expertise.
Another wave of her plumed fan to cool herself from the fiery hot air from the tense battlefield continued with her grimaced expression and Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao standing beside her admiring the blazing fire and rising smoke which acted as her welcoming red carpet. They looked amused and pleased, some aboard the ships are expressing their rejoice as they passing by unstoppable.
"Burn this scenery deep in your mind the next time you want to challenge the Sun clan in the future for another round of naval battle,…. newbie."
Chattering and joking about between them, contrasting to the horrifying horror of this battlefield. So, as the poem says;
The Great River flows and surges to the east, drowning away the traces of past living heroes.
The ancient rampart and here, there is the Red Cliff of Three Kingdom period where Zhou Yu set her enemies aflame and won her early fame!
Piled rock stabbing the sky, huge waves tearing the riverbanks apart...churning the frothy foam like thousands drifting snow.
A scenery fair like a masterpiece!
Reminiscing those countless brave heroes who have come and passed...
Suddenly, I was taken back by a nostalgic feeling to the day when Marshal Zhou Yu just married the fair younger sister of Qiao;
Dashing and debonair, silk capped with feathered plume fan.
Talking and laughing with ease surrounded by the frightened enemy fleet amidst burning fire and flying ashes
In fancy of those ancient scene, my heart was overflowing with joy;
Surely an interesting fellow!
Time passes and so did a man become gray too soon!
Indeed, Life is like a fleeting dream!
So let me lift my cup, to honor the moon reflected on this river!
- Memories of Past at the Red Cliff / the Charm of a Singer Maiden (Nian Nu Jiao), Su Shi with alias Dongpo.
But it hasn't ended yet; Zhou Yu admitted. Hence she made the declaration before her whole sailing fleet.
"Gan Ning Fleets, Lu Meng Fleets!" Zhou Yu called and both Ashe and Shishun swiftly respond to the call. Zhou Yu smiled sinisterly as she know what before them at front…. The thing waiting for them as the final obstacle.
With the single wave of her plume fan and the gaze filled with attentive gaze from both Qiao daughter who had assisted Zhou Yu during this battle, she make declaration before the whole fleet she brought for this decisive battle.
"Listen up!" The rejoiced encouraged battle cries swiftly stopped the moment Zhou Yu make the call. "First we will eliminate Xun You!" and change her direction toward where Cao Cao's flagship is located with smirk surfacing on her face.
"Then we kill Cao Cao!"
Finally; if you are really, really talented… perhaps even Heaven will be fooled and fall into your mercy!
XXX
Meanwhile, aboard at Cao Cao's flagship at the end of floating fortress formation, in the center of the last line of defense for the line of bridge ships…
Cao Cao who had impatiently waiting and observing for the ongoing situation of this decisive battle was engaged in small talk with some of her close retainers.
"Being well versed in strategies is just a starting prerequisite when one is being appointed as military strategist. How one react and adapt to the changing situation is what makes a military strategist roles become important in the deployment of an army." Guo Jia started the conversation as she notes that the situation has become unfavorable after the exploding fire tactic Zhou Yu used.
"Indeed, with a situation is often ever changing and unpredictable in war, one can not just rely on intuition and single surefire stratagem. That is because only God can foresee every act and course of the future." Cao Cao admitted this point of view brought by Rin (Guo Jia) and continued on her own "But there is a simple way to take advantage of that may even fool Heaven itself by using one tricky way; By allowing them to know you next move."
"However as simple as it sound it would not be as easy as it looks like. Because the more simple a thing is a deeper the meaning reside within. First you let them know your first next move, from then on you carefully predict every bits of possible move available for him. The more move you let him know, also the more you can grasp the possible of outcome…" Zhang Liao suddenly joined this conversation. Having tutored and drilled by many capable learned scholar of Cao Cao like Jia Xu, Xun Yu and other; Shia seems to make improvement as capable general. No trace of her hooliganism remains.
"Precisely" Cao Cao clapped her hand, looking astonished with Shia's improvement "More moves means the enemy will more likely trip over themselves until they all lost themselves in the heat of the battle… finally forgetting the fundamental reason of using this despicable trick… am I right, Guo Jia ?" Cao Cao then turned to Guo Jia.
On the other hand, the fellow themselves only gave a smile to confirm this answer.
"So here is a little quiz." Cao Cao calmly remarked.
"As both conflicting party are drowning themselves in the heat during the exchanging invisible blows of schemes…. Due to the excitement of this battle, there will be a single penultimate moment where one of the party slipped out as they become careless and relaxed their guard… a fatal moves which equates to the most dangerous moment." Cao Cao continues as she judged how all her close retainer would responded for this problem
"Having followed me through countless battles over the year, Who can tell me what is this so called fatal weakness which may endanger this whole campaign and made us suffer a total loss on this battle of Red Cliff?" There is no answer only perplexed look from Zhang Liao, and empty expression from Xu Chu … seeing no one answered her question, she turned around again, asking them "Nobody?"
Even Guo Jia was silenced because there is few possibilities that may happens like the whole bridge ships itself as their weakness, their landing point in Red Cliff which may prompted to two prong attack to Cao Hong's expeditionary troops, the lessening effective force due to the endemic disease, the immobilized Wen Ping's fleet, the chained ship of Yu Jin which act only as the last resort and even Cai Mao's unreliable command in this naval warfare. But from how Karin was calmly accepting the reasoning… seems that she already got inclination where the Sun clan would target the most as first priority of attack to ensure their total loss. There are numerous possibility but Karin seems so confident that her prediction is head on.
"It is easy, Karin" Sima Yi… Erika suddenly joined this nifty conversation between them in the cabin. She continued, uncaring of the bewildered look of both Zhang Liao and Xu Chu, and even Guo Jia who receive her with quiet expression. "Back then it was Yuan Shao during the battle of Guandu and today is us during the battle of Red Cliff." She welcomed herself on this small banquet and pour the tea for herself before continuing her word
"All preparation and deployment seems to cover most aspect but in the end still missed great fatal flaw… the reason why we had to fill the whole great river of Changjiang from the Sun clan to ensure the flows of supply… and the Sun clan must have only one target in mind…" as she emptied her cup, she raised her cup as if inviting her close friend; Karin for a toast.
"Our key ration depot in the naval fortress at Wulin!" This unexpected answer made everyone looked shocked. But as they change their looks on Karin who remain composed and even admiring her answer with her silent nod. They know that Erika's answer matched Karin's own prediction.
Sighing for a moment, she spoke "Indeed, It might be less of our worries if the battle of Red Cliff was just a decisive battle between me (Cao Cao) and the Sun Clan (Sun Quan)…" she emptied the cup and pour another one and spoke "But only now that I realized that there is a deeper meaning in this battle of Red Cliff."
"At least we both think alike …. Wulin is in good hands." Erika smirked as she toast Karin's cup. Congratulating her…. But Karin still has a sour expression as if being worried. "A toast for this battle."
"You seems very calm, Erika… but let me tell you." Karin reached out her own cup and returned the gesture for a toast. "In Xiakou, there is a single opponent who had kept her watchful eyes on both parties movement while preserving her own strength before making a move. Our last opponent in this battle of Red Cliff… -that shameless wily old fox of Imperial Sister…. Liu Bei!" This last single worry was finally spilled from Karin's lip
Truthfully, I didn't expect to see this match to turn into triangular conflict between us.
Sun, Liu and Cao… in the end who will prevail?
XXX
But even if you can cover your own eyes and ears while feigning ignorance…
How can you, Mortal think that it is possible make scheme to deceive Heaven?
Meanwhile, at the shores… the Sun clan's army who had successfully crossed the Changjiang River and made an amphibious landing after swimming for long distance under the cold water had reached the end of shores. They gasped feeling exhausted… for a second due to sense of relief that they successfully entered the other end of the river where Cao Cao's naval base Wulin is located. What they are left to do are to infiltrated the base and commit arson attack on their supplies and camp to make them fall into disarray and disorder due to the chaotic situation occurred thereafter.
As they are marching forward with Wulin at their mind, they was unknowingly fallen to the lure of Cao Cao's last advisor who remained at the higher grounds of the hills of Wulin with numerous trebuchet behind her.
"Hear my instruction." Cheng Yu declared as the enemies are closing by to their line of firing distance area "Lure the enemy to the shore, and hit them hard."
"Yes Advisor Cheng!" Li Dian clasped her hand, accepting orders… the trebuchet are moved as the defensive turret to bombard the enemy, aiming to the unsuspecting prey who are getting closer the more step they took.
"First eliminate Zhou Yu…" Cheng Yu calmly remark without any expression, as she made the first call to launch the bombardier attack on the enemy position, like a call of artillery barrage.
"Then kill Sun Quan."
Author Note:
Answer review…
Tsun (18/1) : Okay. I admit! I have no idea how to write Red Cliff battle. My original idea was to set colossal homer simpson who will unleash toxic gas from his butt where Meirin would use it to burn the enemy ship. But, because it is too hard…. Well I changed it into normal sending ship and set them to fire. Sorry :P I know that you all also expect something happens, sorry nothing is happening :P
Everyone knows that something is happening, but it depend how they would respond to it which will decide the outcome.
Oh her… she is not that bad, but the problem is she is barely relevant. That is why I rather have Mayumi and her two sister and also that American chick.
Well… me have no found one too… hence I was drown in to agony.
Summer halation? Wait I seems to read it back then… but why don't it impress me too much I forgot :P thanks anyway.
