Rising Stars
Epilogue
Zhang Bao stared upon the allied army that waited for the spark of battle to ignite. The look in there eyes had been one of determination and endless courage. They were young, fresh, and were ready to die as long as they got to take a piece of the "Piss Dragon" to the next life with them.
One of Zhang Bao's officers told him that the man named Liu Xuande was at this battle leading his band of volunteers. Bao remembers the look on his brothers' face when he told them to beware the might of Xuande and his two brothers. They dismissed them as nothing but petty farmers that didn't know their place in this world.
"Your state of mind has lead to our downfall. Remember your words when that "petty farmer" becomes the end of you," said Bao as he left his brothers highly decorated tent.
Zhang Bao's daydream was broken by the words of his faithful follower Xu Huang who he had now promoted to captain.
"Lord Zhang the allied army led by Zhu Jun has assembled their forces again and are preparing their forces for an attack," said Huang.
"Good. Now we shall see if they will get scared of another "magic trick"," said Zhang Bao as he rode out to the front of his forces so the enemy had a clear view of him.
The elite guard that followed Bao everywhere now had run out with him and raised their shields incase the allies decided to send a few volleys at the Rebel leader.
The day before Bao had rode out, like he did today, and began doing strange jesters. What the allies didn't know was that Bao was a fantastic astronomer and he was a very accurate mathematician who could forecast the weather do to some observation towers he had scattered about the territory. A scholar whose job was to observe the weather pattern where he was stationed would then ride to Zhang Bao and give a detailed report on what was happening, what the wind shift was, and various other tidbits. Yesterday, Bao knew that a quick thunderstorm would pass around his area, which also had a useful mountain range perfect for ambushes, so he gave an order for his army to assemble there.
As predicted the storm came and Huang had the great idea to hurl sacks of flour down upon the allies to scare the men into believing that apparitions had fallen from the sky and caused the storm. The plans had worked and the superstitious soldiers refused to fight so the generals called off the attack to do rituals to ease their minds. Later that night, Bao had found out that Xuande was that battalions commander and a smile crossed his face for he had taught the upcomer a lesson in which he could use at a later time. Plus the fact that an old man like him was able to scare the shit out of the kid always brought a guilty pleasure to him.
Today Bao knew that a windstorm was on its way in their direction, a follow up to yesterday's storm. He would do a few hand gestures and once again try to put fear into the enemy while putting courage into his men for they think a magician is on their side. Xuande shouted to his men to charge and they did precisely that. A huge roar echoed throughout the battlefield as Xuande's fiery spirit sparked his men's spirits as they ran towards the rebel army.
The windstorm came a bit ahead of schedule for Bao hadn't even gotten to the middle of his performance. The charging force of Liu Xuande halted when the wind blew a huge screen of sand and stone into their eyes. Any general would know that fighting without your eyes is pointless so Xuande drew his men back and began to flee. Bao saw this as his opportunity to damage the allies and shouted out to charge the fleeting force. Bao led this charge chasing Xuande between a semi large hill when he realized he had just fallen into a trap. Two of Xuande's captains and sworn brothers, the names of which Zhang Bao couldn't think of at the moment, forces had stood atop the peak of the hill and dumped tons of pig intestine and excrement all over the rebels. At the same time the windstorm had begun to cease and the brothers were now moving out to a pincer position.
Bao called his men to fall back immediately but it was too late. Xuande's brothers were faster than expected and each were attacking the rebel's sides. To make matters worse for Bao Xuande's men had grouped with Zhu Jun's forces and were charging from behind. Bao knew he was crushed and that everyone of his men were going to be killed by his mistake. He saw the combined unit of Xuande and his two brothers. The two youngers protected Xuande and they all fought as one. When one swung the other would block for him, when one blocked the other swung. They were three majestic figures whose destiny was being carved with the rebel's blood.
Bao's heart sank with grief for he had failed the only ones he cared about, but to his surprise he had witnessed something he could have never expected. His Yellow Rebels were fighting with all of their heart. No longer were they fat, lazy, bastards but men of honor. Men to be proud of. Each one fought with the fury of a thousand. Men that had previously caused Bao heartache and made him question his existence were now the men that were dying for him. They formed a tight circle around their leader and made sure no sword would get close to him. The faces of the allies were beginning to shake due to their overestimation of the recent image of the slacking rebels. His men were still losing this battle, but they were fighting none the less.
This was also the moment Zhang Bao knew his friend Xu Huang was destined to survive this battle. He became the star in the dark, cloudy night. The way he swung his family heirloom ax in battle was nothing that Bao had seen before. He wasn't as known as the brothers but his destiny shown as brightly as theirs. While everyone gazed upon the brothers movements only Bao saw the potential in his young friend. Huang could grow as great as anyone that came before as long as he had the rightful ruler to guide him.
Even though the rebels were fighting bravely they were still losing. As Zhang Bao looked at his proud men he saw the form of Liu Xuande pointing a bow at his general direction. The next thing he felt was an intense pain in his left arm. He looked down and saw an arrow protruding from it. Once again Bao had gained another scar, now a physical one, from the young man named Liu Xuande from the region of Bei.
Huang came up to his masters' horse and told the elite guards to escort him out of harms way. Bao resisted but eventually gave in to Huang's request. As he rode away he saw Huang's leg get jabbed by an enemy sword and Huang collapsed to the ground. Huang raised himself up and slayed the man that wounded him, but soon he was overwhelmed by the allies and was captured. Bao tried to see what they were doing to his friend but a crowd of men blocked his view.
"XU HUANG! XU HUANG!" yelled Bao, "Come we must go back and save Xu Huang!"
Looking for his general's safety the elite captain resisted the command and led Zhang Bao away from the enemy.
"You traitors! We can't leave him to be captured!" yelled Bao as he was being dragged away on his horse.
"General, the captain's order was to get you out of here and as your guard I must do what is needed to protect you!" yelled the guard.
"Xu Huang! I am sorry Xu Huang! Forgive me," cried Zhang Bao as tears streamed from his face.
Zhang Bao had safely retreated back to camp but had to quickly evacuate to their next position for the allied army was already upon them. Their new position was a horrible location without anything that could be used as leverage incase of an attack. His force of 80,000 was now barely 30,000 and he had just recently heard the news of his brother's situation.
An allied force, joint led by Huangfu Song and Cao Cao, had attacked the rebel headquarters. When they penetrated the walls they had found his brother Zhang Jue already killed and decomposing. Zhang Liang had been forced out and was later killed in battle running away for his life. The allies had decapitated Jue's corpse and stuck his head ontop of a spear and paraded it around. The rest of the rebel soldiers were either slaughtered or surrendered to be later put to death. The allied generals had been promoted to a high rank and were rewarded appropriately.
Bao knew that Liang had killed Jue over a power struggle. His bloodline couldn't handle power and knew that was their downfall. Now Bao had become the leader of the Yellow Dragon, but he didn't care any longer. His brothers, whom he still cared for despite their faults, were now dead and Xu Huang was now in enemy hands and could become executed for his service in the rebel army.
Zhang Bao was completely overwhelmed. He didn't know what to do from here and didn't care to think about it. His arm was aching in severe pain and had caught a fever from the loss of blood. Bao merely just stayed in his tent and indulged himself in the books that he enjoyed in his childhood. Captain Yan Zheng entered Bao's tent swiftly and quietly. If it wasn't for the crackle of his armor he might have not made a sound at all.
"Captain have you forgotten procedure? You are supposed to ask for permission to enter my quarters. But since I care not any longer just speak your wishes," said Zhang Bao as he turned his attention back to his books.
Yan Zheng said nothing and merely stood behind Bao. Zhang Bao knew what he was planning and did nothing to stop it. His time had run up and he would die a rebel's death.
"On and on the Great River rolls, racing east. Of proud and gallant heroes its white-tops leave no trace, as right and wrong, pride and fall turn all at once unreal. Yet ever the green hills stay to blaze in the west-waning day. Fishers and woodsmen comb the river isles. White-crowned, they've seen enough of spring and autumn tide to make good company over the wine jar, where many a famed event provides their merriment," yelled Bao as he kept his gaze upon his reading.
Yan Zheng wiped the sweat off of his forehead and raised his sword high above his head and brought it back down upon Zhang Bao's neck ending the life of the General of Earth.
Epilogue
Zhang Bao stared upon the allied army that waited for the spark of battle to ignite. The look in there eyes had been one of determination and endless courage. They were young, fresh, and were ready to die as long as they got to take a piece of the "Piss Dragon" to the next life with them.
One of Zhang Bao's officers told him that the man named Liu Xuande was at this battle leading his band of volunteers. Bao remembers the look on his brothers' face when he told them to beware the might of Xuande and his two brothers. They dismissed them as nothing but petty farmers that didn't know their place in this world.
"Your state of mind has lead to our downfall. Remember your words when that "petty farmer" becomes the end of you," said Bao as he left his brothers highly decorated tent.
Zhang Bao's daydream was broken by the words of his faithful follower Xu Huang who he had now promoted to captain.
"Lord Zhang the allied army led by Zhu Jun has assembled their forces again and are preparing their forces for an attack," said Huang.
"Good. Now we shall see if they will get scared of another "magic trick"," said Zhang Bao as he rode out to the front of his forces so the enemy had a clear view of him.
The elite guard that followed Bao everywhere now had run out with him and raised their shields incase the allies decided to send a few volleys at the Rebel leader.
The day before Bao had rode out, like he did today, and began doing strange jesters. What the allies didn't know was that Bao was a fantastic astronomer and he was a very accurate mathematician who could forecast the weather do to some observation towers he had scattered about the territory. A scholar whose job was to observe the weather pattern where he was stationed would then ride to Zhang Bao and give a detailed report on what was happening, what the wind shift was, and various other tidbits. Yesterday, Bao knew that a quick thunderstorm would pass around his area, which also had a useful mountain range perfect for ambushes, so he gave an order for his army to assemble there.
As predicted the storm came and Huang had the great idea to hurl sacks of flour down upon the allies to scare the men into believing that apparitions had fallen from the sky and caused the storm. The plans had worked and the superstitious soldiers refused to fight so the generals called off the attack to do rituals to ease their minds. Later that night, Bao had found out that Xuande was that battalions commander and a smile crossed his face for he had taught the upcomer a lesson in which he could use at a later time. Plus the fact that an old man like him was able to scare the shit out of the kid always brought a guilty pleasure to him.
Today Bao knew that a windstorm was on its way in their direction, a follow up to yesterday's storm. He would do a few hand gestures and once again try to put fear into the enemy while putting courage into his men for they think a magician is on their side. Xuande shouted to his men to charge and they did precisely that. A huge roar echoed throughout the battlefield as Xuande's fiery spirit sparked his men's spirits as they ran towards the rebel army.
The windstorm came a bit ahead of schedule for Bao hadn't even gotten to the middle of his performance. The charging force of Liu Xuande halted when the wind blew a huge screen of sand and stone into their eyes. Any general would know that fighting without your eyes is pointless so Xuande drew his men back and began to flee. Bao saw this as his opportunity to damage the allies and shouted out to charge the fleeting force. Bao led this charge chasing Xuande between a semi large hill when he realized he had just fallen into a trap. Two of Xuande's captains and sworn brothers, the names of which Zhang Bao couldn't think of at the moment, forces had stood atop the peak of the hill and dumped tons of pig intestine and excrement all over the rebels. At the same time the windstorm had begun to cease and the brothers were now moving out to a pincer position.
Bao called his men to fall back immediately but it was too late. Xuande's brothers were faster than expected and each were attacking the rebel's sides. To make matters worse for Bao Xuande's men had grouped with Zhu Jun's forces and were charging from behind. Bao knew he was crushed and that everyone of his men were going to be killed by his mistake. He saw the combined unit of Xuande and his two brothers. The two youngers protected Xuande and they all fought as one. When one swung the other would block for him, when one blocked the other swung. They were three majestic figures whose destiny was being carved with the rebel's blood.
Bao's heart sank with grief for he had failed the only ones he cared about, but to his surprise he had witnessed something he could have never expected. His Yellow Rebels were fighting with all of their heart. No longer were they fat, lazy, bastards but men of honor. Men to be proud of. Each one fought with the fury of a thousand. Men that had previously caused Bao heartache and made him question his existence were now the men that were dying for him. They formed a tight circle around their leader and made sure no sword would get close to him. The faces of the allies were beginning to shake due to their overestimation of the recent image of the slacking rebels. His men were still losing this battle, but they were fighting none the less.
This was also the moment Zhang Bao knew his friend Xu Huang was destined to survive this battle. He became the star in the dark, cloudy night. The way he swung his family heirloom ax in battle was nothing that Bao had seen before. He wasn't as known as the brothers but his destiny shown as brightly as theirs. While everyone gazed upon the brothers movements only Bao saw the potential in his young friend. Huang could grow as great as anyone that came before as long as he had the rightful ruler to guide him.
Even though the rebels were fighting bravely they were still losing. As Zhang Bao looked at his proud men he saw the form of Liu Xuande pointing a bow at his general direction. The next thing he felt was an intense pain in his left arm. He looked down and saw an arrow protruding from it. Once again Bao had gained another scar, now a physical one, from the young man named Liu Xuande from the region of Bei.
Huang came up to his masters' horse and told the elite guards to escort him out of harms way. Bao resisted but eventually gave in to Huang's request. As he rode away he saw Huang's leg get jabbed by an enemy sword and Huang collapsed to the ground. Huang raised himself up and slayed the man that wounded him, but soon he was overwhelmed by the allies and was captured. Bao tried to see what they were doing to his friend but a crowd of men blocked his view.
"XU HUANG! XU HUANG!" yelled Bao, "Come we must go back and save Xu Huang!"
Looking for his general's safety the elite captain resisted the command and led Zhang Bao away from the enemy.
"You traitors! We can't leave him to be captured!" yelled Bao as he was being dragged away on his horse.
"General, the captain's order was to get you out of here and as your guard I must do what is needed to protect you!" yelled the guard.
"Xu Huang! I am sorry Xu Huang! Forgive me," cried Zhang Bao as tears streamed from his face.
Zhang Bao had safely retreated back to camp but had to quickly evacuate to their next position for the allied army was already upon them. Their new position was a horrible location without anything that could be used as leverage incase of an attack. His force of 80,000 was now barely 30,000 and he had just recently heard the news of his brother's situation.
An allied force, joint led by Huangfu Song and Cao Cao, had attacked the rebel headquarters. When they penetrated the walls they had found his brother Zhang Jue already killed and decomposing. Zhang Liang had been forced out and was later killed in battle running away for his life. The allies had decapitated Jue's corpse and stuck his head ontop of a spear and paraded it around. The rest of the rebel soldiers were either slaughtered or surrendered to be later put to death. The allied generals had been promoted to a high rank and were rewarded appropriately.
Bao knew that Liang had killed Jue over a power struggle. His bloodline couldn't handle power and knew that was their downfall. Now Bao had become the leader of the Yellow Dragon, but he didn't care any longer. His brothers, whom he still cared for despite their faults, were now dead and Xu Huang was now in enemy hands and could become executed for his service in the rebel army.
Zhang Bao was completely overwhelmed. He didn't know what to do from here and didn't care to think about it. His arm was aching in severe pain and had caught a fever from the loss of blood. Bao merely just stayed in his tent and indulged himself in the books that he enjoyed in his childhood. Captain Yan Zheng entered Bao's tent swiftly and quietly. If it wasn't for the crackle of his armor he might have not made a sound at all.
"Captain have you forgotten procedure? You are supposed to ask for permission to enter my quarters. But since I care not any longer just speak your wishes," said Zhang Bao as he turned his attention back to his books.
Yan Zheng said nothing and merely stood behind Bao. Zhang Bao knew what he was planning and did nothing to stop it. His time had run up and he would die a rebel's death.
"On and on the Great River rolls, racing east. Of proud and gallant heroes its white-tops leave no trace, as right and wrong, pride and fall turn all at once unreal. Yet ever the green hills stay to blaze in the west-waning day. Fishers and woodsmen comb the river isles. White-crowned, they've seen enough of spring and autumn tide to make good company over the wine jar, where many a famed event provides their merriment," yelled Bao as he kept his gaze upon his reading.
Yan Zheng wiped the sweat off of his forehead and raised his sword high above his head and brought it back down upon Zhang Bao's neck ending the life of the General of Earth.