Crossing Spears - Chapter 4
By: Yeu
Well. I have to admit. I haven't even thought about Chapter 4 (I know, shame on me.) Until somebody reminded ever so nicely in their story that they are still waiting. I know, now I feel bad. Yes, you. I'm talking about you, you know who you are. stop playing with my mind like that.
Anyway, any name I use in the story for the sub-sub generals will be that of real people. But historically correct doesn't mean historically accurate. Take Lai Tong for example, Jiang Wei came WAY~~ after Zhang Fei was killed, and Mr. Lai was killed when Mr. Zhang was still alive and drinking. So, in another words, those two would NEVER have met.
If you tell me that by now you still don't know the copyright stuff, may Zhao Yun spear your innards, barbeque you, and Red Hare stomp over your remains. (If you need a hint, go look at chapter 1 & 2, don't worry, I ain't gonna tell.)
Ever write a story at 3 am while pumping yourself full of fish parts. ya, very interesting.
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Jiang Wei sat motionlessly on his gray stallion; his eyes gazed uncaring over the horizon. The sunset was beautiful, too bad that his mind is too occupied to notice it. It was so far away that the youth did not hear one of his sub-generals ride up behind him, and was so startled that he almost fell out of his saddle when his name was called. Thank the Golden Emperor that Ma Chao was not there to see him, otherwise he would never hear the end of it.
"My Lord!" Lai Tong practically shouted in his ear.
Jiang Wei tried but failed to regain his composure and smiled sheepishly at the other man. "Oh. I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
"I'm just pointing out that my lord seems to be. rather out of it lately." Lai Tong paused slightly, "And I'm wondering if there is anything I can help."
Jiang Wei stared at the man, for some reason he had a feeling that 'air- headed' was more of the word the older man wanted to say. "No," He finally replied, giving a light smile. "Just a lot of things on my mind."
"If I might be allowed to express my opinion," His officer said. "In such a case, coming from one with many decades of experience, they will get use to it in time. And a few gifts here and there will help also. However."
"I'm sorry to interrupt." Jiang Wei cut in, "But. I have no idea what the general is talking about."
"Why, all wives get upset and throw their tempers around the first few time you are ordered on a far away march." The older man said in such a lecture tone that the youth wanted to laugh out loud, however impolite that is.
"I think there is an misunderstanding." The young strategist said, still trying to keep his face straight. "I'm not married."
"Really?!" Lai Tong stuttered. "Then who was that regal lady with you when you moved in to the capital?"
"A cousin of mine." The young man finally gives into laughter. "She takes care of my mother when I'm away, although it is not the first time she is mistaken for my wife."
"Oh!" The officer looked quite embarrassed. "I just thought that one with such skill and looks as you must already have one if not many wives."
"My mother has been trying to set up marriages with many ladies of fine families." Jiang Wei admitted. "But I prefer to accomplish as much as I can before setting down with a family."
"Ah, just like General Zhao Yun then!" Lai Tong exclaimed. "He said the same thing back when Governor Zhao Fan tried to set the Commander up with a lady by the name of Lady Fan."
"Yes, I have heard the story, actually, that is where I got my idea from, although my mother doesn't seem very happy about it." The youth can't help but laugh again when he remembers his mother's reaction when he had told her of his decision. "She complained that there might be a chance she will never hold a grandson and our family shall wither away shall I fall in battle."
"There is truth in that." The sub-general nodded. "Yet, that is talk for another time. I had originally come up to report to my lord that our troops are in position and the enemy is sighted. We will engage approximately when the moon hangs high."
The young man nodded. "That won't be long then," He paused. "How many days has it been since we separated from the main force?"
"3 days, my lord."
"So it is time then." Jiang Wei muttered underneath his breath.
After that little argument in the first day of the march, the rest of the way had been quite to the point where is it unnerving. The generals did not gather to enjoy meals as customary, and the only words they exchanged were orders and questions that received one-word answers.
When they had come to the fork in the road where the men under the ex-Wei general were to separate from the main force, nothing was said. The troops simply went their separate ways like water flowing apart.
The two men slowly rode down the hill where they had been talking; Lai Tong studied the back of the young superior who rode before him. Although he had his doubts about being put under someone who is so young, if the Prime Minister trusted the youth, who is he to say anything? Still, no matter how brilliant of a mind Jiang Wei has, it is clearly not all there. The young general had pretty much been out of it lately, and no matter how able you are, that is just asking for disaster to come knocking at your door in such a shape.
The pair arrives back at the camp just as the moon was lighting up the dark landscape. Jiang Wei retreated into his own tent to put on his armor and gather up his gear. As he was about to exit, his eyes fall on a sheathed sword leaning against one of the tent's poles. It is the Blue Blade that Zhao Yun had lend to him the night before their departure, which he had changed the sheath to that of an ordinary army sword to hide it's identity. And at the sight of the weapon, the young man can feel his heart again cringe with pain. As he fingers the sword's cold handle, he wondered if he still has a right to use the mighty weapon now that he had disgraced himself in front of his idol.
"General Jiang, please hurry!" The young strategist finally snap out of his train of thought when he hears his bodyguard calling from outside the tent. "The troops are ready to be deployed!"
Making up his mind, he grabbed the Blue Blade and ties the weapon to his belt next to his saw-off spear. I will prove myself. He thought firmly and with as much determination as he can possible muster. I will let him see that I'm not just a useless young kid that messes up everything. With one final look around his tent to ensure that he has brought everything he should, he marched out of the tent.
By the light from the burning lamps, the young general could see the troops lining up in an ordering fashion in the courtyard. The officers are all on the horses and by the looks from their faces, they are all eager to get a piece of the action He, however, isn't ready just yet, and he wave the officers over to get one final tactic discussion in before they leave.
"The reports say that we should meet with little resistance." One of the other officers reported. "Their main force should have been attracted by the main camp on the other side of the mountain, so that leaves us a opening to ransack their supplies."
Those words still rang in Jiang Wei's ears as the fire surrounded him and lit up the night sky.
"Damn!" He muttered, how could he have fallen in to a trap, now of all times?
"Gather up the foot soldiers!" He barked an order to a nearby horseman, "Find the weakest spot and gather all the attacking powers there to break though!"
He cursed himself, if he had only been paying more attention to his surroundings, taking a path surrounded by tall grass almost guaranteeing you'll be getting more heat then you would like. Trying not to pay attention to the charred bodies of his fallen company, Jiang Wei directs the gathering of the remaining force. The scorching heat from the fire continues to assault him from all sides, and from inside the armor, the ex- Wei general could almost swear he is being toasted alive. Wiping of the pouring sweat with the back of his bad hand and guided his horse to round up the soldiers with the other. It took a lot of work for him and the other officers to gather enough soldiers who are still in their sane minds to work together, everyone else is either toasted or too far out to listen to logic.
"Officer Sun, take command!" Jiang Wei directed one of the surviving officers, not trusting himself anymore to make any judgment.
The officer nodded and immediately started to supervise the clearing of the burning plants where the fire is less fierce. Still cursing himself, Jiang Wei got off his horse and pulled the Blue Blade to help out with the clearing. It does not matter anymore who is doing the hard work; if they don't cut a way out soon, none will survive. The rumors about the sharpness of the swords edges were more than true, he soon found out, with each sweep with the weapon the path to safety becomes more and more of a reality. The solders cheered when they finally sense that they might escape a fiery death. With renewed hope and strength, the company managed to walk away from the grassy plains, but still, almost half their numbers lay dead on the bloody earth.
The exhausted troops found shelter in the nearby mountainside, with their safety ensured momentarily, they sat down and took a rest. The young man leading then can find no rest, however, as tears of defeat and sadness swell up in his eyes.
"If only I was more aware!" He cried to the officers. "The death of the troops are on my head as I lead them to their death!"
"It is not so." Sun San, who was given the leadership earlier, replied. "The enemy are familiar with the geographical shape of this land, and they had used it to their advantage."
"Yes it is not time right now to discuss such issue." Lai Tong said nervously, scanning the land around them. "Don't you think it is strange that the enemy had us in a trap but yet did not finish us off when they clearly have the chance?"
The crowds immediately grow silent as the shadow of forbidding spread in everyone's heart.
"The only possible reason that they did not pursue us is." Lai Tong continued.
"That we are still in their trap!" Jiang Wei finished off the sentence, and again cursing himself for not seeing it earlier. "Gather up everyone! Return to camp immediately! We can not stay any longer!"
Even as the rest of the troop scattered to prepare their escape, the sound of horse hoofs can be heard far off in the distance, and it only added confusion to an already panicking company.
"Get the injured out NOW!" The leaders were shouting. "Abandon anything that is not essential, save your own lives!"
"General!" Lai Tong shouted at the young strategist, "Please! Hurry and get out of here!"
"I will not leave!" Jiang Wei answered. "Not until everyone else is out! It's all my fault that we ended up here; I will be the one who will clean up. Give my horse to someone who will need it. You are in charge of the retreat. Immediately send message to the main camp when you are safe!"
"But, General!" The officer tried to argue back.
"That is a order!" The young man's heart raced faster and faster as he can feel the ground started to shake. "Leave, NOW!"
Unable to disobey a direct order, Lai Tong shoots one last glance before herding the first of the troops to escape. The minutes ticked by as the messy retreat ensues, and Jiang Wei can faintly make out the pursuing enemy in the dark. He swallow hard, and can feel his left hand aching, but at the same time, he felt excited as he holds his short spear at ready.
To Be Continued.
By: Yeu
Well. I have to admit. I haven't even thought about Chapter 4 (I know, shame on me.) Until somebody reminded ever so nicely in their story that they are still waiting. I know, now I feel bad. Yes, you. I'm talking about you, you know who you are. stop playing with my mind like that.
Anyway, any name I use in the story for the sub-sub generals will be that of real people. But historically correct doesn't mean historically accurate. Take Lai Tong for example, Jiang Wei came WAY~~ after Zhang Fei was killed, and Mr. Lai was killed when Mr. Zhang was still alive and drinking. So, in another words, those two would NEVER have met.
If you tell me that by now you still don't know the copyright stuff, may Zhao Yun spear your innards, barbeque you, and Red Hare stomp over your remains. (If you need a hint, go look at chapter 1 & 2, don't worry, I ain't gonna tell.)
Ever write a story at 3 am while pumping yourself full of fish parts. ya, very interesting.
----------
Jiang Wei sat motionlessly on his gray stallion; his eyes gazed uncaring over the horizon. The sunset was beautiful, too bad that his mind is too occupied to notice it. It was so far away that the youth did not hear one of his sub-generals ride up behind him, and was so startled that he almost fell out of his saddle when his name was called. Thank the Golden Emperor that Ma Chao was not there to see him, otherwise he would never hear the end of it.
"My Lord!" Lai Tong practically shouted in his ear.
Jiang Wei tried but failed to regain his composure and smiled sheepishly at the other man. "Oh. I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
"I'm just pointing out that my lord seems to be. rather out of it lately." Lai Tong paused slightly, "And I'm wondering if there is anything I can help."
Jiang Wei stared at the man, for some reason he had a feeling that 'air- headed' was more of the word the older man wanted to say. "No," He finally replied, giving a light smile. "Just a lot of things on my mind."
"If I might be allowed to express my opinion," His officer said. "In such a case, coming from one with many decades of experience, they will get use to it in time. And a few gifts here and there will help also. However."
"I'm sorry to interrupt." Jiang Wei cut in, "But. I have no idea what the general is talking about."
"Why, all wives get upset and throw their tempers around the first few time you are ordered on a far away march." The older man said in such a lecture tone that the youth wanted to laugh out loud, however impolite that is.
"I think there is an misunderstanding." The young strategist said, still trying to keep his face straight. "I'm not married."
"Really?!" Lai Tong stuttered. "Then who was that regal lady with you when you moved in to the capital?"
"A cousin of mine." The young man finally gives into laughter. "She takes care of my mother when I'm away, although it is not the first time she is mistaken for my wife."
"Oh!" The officer looked quite embarrassed. "I just thought that one with such skill and looks as you must already have one if not many wives."
"My mother has been trying to set up marriages with many ladies of fine families." Jiang Wei admitted. "But I prefer to accomplish as much as I can before setting down with a family."
"Ah, just like General Zhao Yun then!" Lai Tong exclaimed. "He said the same thing back when Governor Zhao Fan tried to set the Commander up with a lady by the name of Lady Fan."
"Yes, I have heard the story, actually, that is where I got my idea from, although my mother doesn't seem very happy about it." The youth can't help but laugh again when he remembers his mother's reaction when he had told her of his decision. "She complained that there might be a chance she will never hold a grandson and our family shall wither away shall I fall in battle."
"There is truth in that." The sub-general nodded. "Yet, that is talk for another time. I had originally come up to report to my lord that our troops are in position and the enemy is sighted. We will engage approximately when the moon hangs high."
The young man nodded. "That won't be long then," He paused. "How many days has it been since we separated from the main force?"
"3 days, my lord."
"So it is time then." Jiang Wei muttered underneath his breath.
After that little argument in the first day of the march, the rest of the way had been quite to the point where is it unnerving. The generals did not gather to enjoy meals as customary, and the only words they exchanged were orders and questions that received one-word answers.
When they had come to the fork in the road where the men under the ex-Wei general were to separate from the main force, nothing was said. The troops simply went their separate ways like water flowing apart.
The two men slowly rode down the hill where they had been talking; Lai Tong studied the back of the young superior who rode before him. Although he had his doubts about being put under someone who is so young, if the Prime Minister trusted the youth, who is he to say anything? Still, no matter how brilliant of a mind Jiang Wei has, it is clearly not all there. The young general had pretty much been out of it lately, and no matter how able you are, that is just asking for disaster to come knocking at your door in such a shape.
The pair arrives back at the camp just as the moon was lighting up the dark landscape. Jiang Wei retreated into his own tent to put on his armor and gather up his gear. As he was about to exit, his eyes fall on a sheathed sword leaning against one of the tent's poles. It is the Blue Blade that Zhao Yun had lend to him the night before their departure, which he had changed the sheath to that of an ordinary army sword to hide it's identity. And at the sight of the weapon, the young man can feel his heart again cringe with pain. As he fingers the sword's cold handle, he wondered if he still has a right to use the mighty weapon now that he had disgraced himself in front of his idol.
"General Jiang, please hurry!" The young strategist finally snap out of his train of thought when he hears his bodyguard calling from outside the tent. "The troops are ready to be deployed!"
Making up his mind, he grabbed the Blue Blade and ties the weapon to his belt next to his saw-off spear. I will prove myself. He thought firmly and with as much determination as he can possible muster. I will let him see that I'm not just a useless young kid that messes up everything. With one final look around his tent to ensure that he has brought everything he should, he marched out of the tent.
By the light from the burning lamps, the young general could see the troops lining up in an ordering fashion in the courtyard. The officers are all on the horses and by the looks from their faces, they are all eager to get a piece of the action He, however, isn't ready just yet, and he wave the officers over to get one final tactic discussion in before they leave.
"The reports say that we should meet with little resistance." One of the other officers reported. "Their main force should have been attracted by the main camp on the other side of the mountain, so that leaves us a opening to ransack their supplies."
Those words still rang in Jiang Wei's ears as the fire surrounded him and lit up the night sky.
"Damn!" He muttered, how could he have fallen in to a trap, now of all times?
"Gather up the foot soldiers!" He barked an order to a nearby horseman, "Find the weakest spot and gather all the attacking powers there to break though!"
He cursed himself, if he had only been paying more attention to his surroundings, taking a path surrounded by tall grass almost guaranteeing you'll be getting more heat then you would like. Trying not to pay attention to the charred bodies of his fallen company, Jiang Wei directs the gathering of the remaining force. The scorching heat from the fire continues to assault him from all sides, and from inside the armor, the ex- Wei general could almost swear he is being toasted alive. Wiping of the pouring sweat with the back of his bad hand and guided his horse to round up the soldiers with the other. It took a lot of work for him and the other officers to gather enough soldiers who are still in their sane minds to work together, everyone else is either toasted or too far out to listen to logic.
"Officer Sun, take command!" Jiang Wei directed one of the surviving officers, not trusting himself anymore to make any judgment.
The officer nodded and immediately started to supervise the clearing of the burning plants where the fire is less fierce. Still cursing himself, Jiang Wei got off his horse and pulled the Blue Blade to help out with the clearing. It does not matter anymore who is doing the hard work; if they don't cut a way out soon, none will survive. The rumors about the sharpness of the swords edges were more than true, he soon found out, with each sweep with the weapon the path to safety becomes more and more of a reality. The solders cheered when they finally sense that they might escape a fiery death. With renewed hope and strength, the company managed to walk away from the grassy plains, but still, almost half their numbers lay dead on the bloody earth.
The exhausted troops found shelter in the nearby mountainside, with their safety ensured momentarily, they sat down and took a rest. The young man leading then can find no rest, however, as tears of defeat and sadness swell up in his eyes.
"If only I was more aware!" He cried to the officers. "The death of the troops are on my head as I lead them to their death!"
"It is not so." Sun San, who was given the leadership earlier, replied. "The enemy are familiar with the geographical shape of this land, and they had used it to their advantage."
"Yes it is not time right now to discuss such issue." Lai Tong said nervously, scanning the land around them. "Don't you think it is strange that the enemy had us in a trap but yet did not finish us off when they clearly have the chance?"
The crowds immediately grow silent as the shadow of forbidding spread in everyone's heart.
"The only possible reason that they did not pursue us is." Lai Tong continued.
"That we are still in their trap!" Jiang Wei finished off the sentence, and again cursing himself for not seeing it earlier. "Gather up everyone! Return to camp immediately! We can not stay any longer!"
Even as the rest of the troop scattered to prepare their escape, the sound of horse hoofs can be heard far off in the distance, and it only added confusion to an already panicking company.
"Get the injured out NOW!" The leaders were shouting. "Abandon anything that is not essential, save your own lives!"
"General!" Lai Tong shouted at the young strategist, "Please! Hurry and get out of here!"
"I will not leave!" Jiang Wei answered. "Not until everyone else is out! It's all my fault that we ended up here; I will be the one who will clean up. Give my horse to someone who will need it. You are in charge of the retreat. Immediately send message to the main camp when you are safe!"
"But, General!" The officer tried to argue back.
"That is a order!" The young man's heart raced faster and faster as he can feel the ground started to shake. "Leave, NOW!"
Unable to disobey a direct order, Lai Tong shoots one last glance before herding the first of the troops to escape. The minutes ticked by as the messy retreat ensues, and Jiang Wei can faintly make out the pursuing enemy in the dark. He swallow hard, and can feel his left hand aching, but at the same time, he felt excited as he holds his short spear at ready.
To Be Continued.