CHAPTER 8
The Battle of Chi Bi
He felt, rather than saw, the first breaths of the south wind as it slowly caressed the tips of the snow white feathers on his war fan. Clutching its gold crested hilt, Zhuge Liang lifted the fan to partially hide his impassive face and slowly walked up the makeshift altar that seemed tiny and insignificant amongst the wall of mountains that entombed the valley. The few guards who were commanded to protect the Shu strategist remained still but alert. Although excited to see the magic of the Sleeping Dragon, they were trained and would never in any way compromise the victory of Shu with an action - any action - that was not ordered beforehand. Eyes downcast, they failed to notice the strangely triumphant expression that wreathed the strategist's face as he lifted his eyes to the twinkling night.
'Ahh…the stars smile down on us. They must favour the alliance tonight.' Closing his eyes just for the tiniest moment, Zhuge Liang prayed, 'Bless us.'
As if answer to his selfless request, the wind blew stronger.
______________________________________________
Cao Cao felt the first prickle of alarm just as the winds breathed harder, rocking the boat ever so turbulently. Somehow, he could not think of how the wind, no matter how strong, could impend his march to victory but he felt fear all the same. A man who relied on his cautious suspicions and an instinctive intuition, he could not erase the sensation of dread, that with time was quickly threatening to overwhelm him.
Widening his eyes at sudden realization, he barked his orders too late just as the first light of fire engulfed the sky and greedily swallowed his fleet. One by one. Quick as lightening.
Soon, the Wei battle ships, too, were a brilliant red-gold.
______________________________________________
The crimson of the sky was like a banner, representing the success of Wu.
Huang Gai nodded, his task accomplished, the responsibility in his hands accounted for. Bowing, he saluted his commander and took leave, bringing with him only his bodyguards.
Zhou Yu lowered his sword and narrowed his eyes to the blaze that was slowing consuming, destroying the Wei fleet. Half in awe, half in hatred, he admitted, "Zhuge Liang…he is a devil."
______________________________________________
In the midst of battle, his attention was drawn away from the slaughter at hand to the fast-growing infant blaze to his right. Between the majestic granite mountains along his left and the equally regal wealth of the battle ships along his right, his area of vision had been temporarily blinded from the Shu plot. With the ready distraction of Lu Xun, whose troops had only been defending and now on the offensive, Zhang He had effectively been severed from the rest of his comrades and especially, his ruler. Cursing fluently, he ducked swiftly and efficiently took out two lowly soldiers with a malicious slash and hurried away from the meaningless battle. Always quick on his feet, he faded amongst the mass of red and blue towards the blazing fire that could already have signified the worst.
Faster, he prompted urgently. Faster.
Wei could never lose.
'Trust in Lord Cao Cao…'
Never.
______________________________________________
Xiahou Dun received the reward of his patience, but too late. The form that was Huang Gai drifted close to his battle position all to late, when he realized the damage that Wei had received, from the obstinance that was his cousin, and the ignorance on his part. Cursing long and fluent, Xiahou Dun gripped his scimitar till his fingers lost all feeling. Then growling angrily, he muttered, "Huang Gai, blame the Gods for your misfortune. You will have the honour of Xiahou Dun's anger!"
______________________________________________
Zhang Liao ran amidst the chaos of the burning flame that was the Wei fleet. Many of his soldiers had died nobly in battle and the few that remain, were the elite of his guards…and a handful of majors - ones who were quickly growing desperate of the unfavourable conditions and feeling the crescendo of fear. Zhang Liao, too, was a soldier. He recognized alarm and desperation and understanding the hopelessness of the situation, he waved for his followers to return to headquarters to protect Lord Cao Cao. Protesting courageously, they stood their ground and pleaded to follow. They would die protecting Lord Zhang Liao, one announced bravely.
His eyes softening for the barest of moments, Zhang Liao smiled, and softly commanded. "Return to Lord Cao Cao, soldiers. Protect our ruler! I will not die so easily…"
Seeing the unmistakable relief in their eyes, concealed almost by the light of the vicious fire, Zhang Liao turned around unhesitatingly and ran to where Xiahou Dun stood, fighting for his kingdom.
Help, worthy of a thousand men, was coming.
______________________________________________
A mighty roar rumbled through the cavernous mountains, shaking the ground with a slight tremble. An endless stream of green - in the form of Shu reinforcements, emerged from behind massive boulders and charged confidently down the mountains. The mighty Tiger General, General Zhang Fei, lead the army in a frightful battle cry to victory.
Zhuge Liang had considered EVERYTHING.
Zhou Yu watched the bold ascend through narrow slits. Fire burned deep in his heart.
In immense anger, he could only utter "Zhuge Liang…" through gritted teeth.
______________________________________________
Both Zhang Liao and Xiahou Dun watched with some degree of satisfaction, the retreating figure of the injured Huang Gai.
"General Xiahou, I take my leave now. Lord Cao Cao awaits…"
Dun nodded. "Fortune be with you, Wenyuan."
Then, Zhang Liao disappeared into the thick smoke to where his lord waited. He swore, Shu would never get the satisfaction…
______________________________________________
Zhou Yu surveyed the damage taken by Wu's lifelong enemy. Though his lips smiled, his beautiful deep-set eyes were devoid of emotion. Wu had succeeded in proving their strength; but it had not been his cunning that had secured the victory.
He felt jealousy. Pure and searing. Balling his fists, he could not stop the wave of anger that strove to break the dam of cool self-control he knew a strategist should always possess. 'Like Zhuge Liang…' whispered his mind. It was an unfair comparison, he knew. All the same, gritting his teeth, he…
"Zhou Yu!"
The clear melodious voice that broke his unhealthy train of thoughts belonged to none other than the beautiful general of Wei. Standing on the mast of the ship, Zhang He looked scornfully down from high above, rage clearly etched at the haughty tilt of a finely sculpted eyebrow and the sardonic twist to his luscious lips. He felt his heart thump wildly.
"General Zhang He…" He gave a mocking bow.
Leaping down gracefully and landing with not a sound, the furious officer advanced on the other - also famed for his boyish beauty - claws drawn slightly back in preparation for battle and gleaming in unreal glow. Fearless, Zhou Yu waited, longing to take a closer look at the face that drew him so.
With a feral snarl, Zhang He rose on the tips of his feet and was soon lost in the swiftness of his movements. Truly a master in his art, he twirled and charged effortlessly, a dancer in his element, his length in perfect accord to his fluid motions. Amazed, Zhou Yu parried and defended valiantly, studying the other's every flawless move and gaped some more. The battle between twin beauties of red and blue was viciously beautiful and not even the fire or the persistent south winds could stop it.
It was striking, in every sense. Like predators hunting prey, both circled each other cautiously, taking calculated risks, and when failing to slaughter, returned to plan the next move; only, none were prey. If Zhang He had often times been compared to the grace of the panther, Zhou Yu could only emerge as his equal - the white wolf. To the dumbfounded bodyguards watching, they were stunned speechless and did not think of taking advantage of the situation, as drilled by their generals, to vanquish the enemy. It was a battle just too rare and too beautiful.
"Worthless. All of you. Hiding behind the walls of deceit, not daring too face Wei in honour."
"Foolish people. Not sensing a trap and rushing readily into it."
"I will claw that pretty smile from your face, tactician. Maybe then you will not be so smug."
"Try me! I will gorge those midnight eyes as payment!"
And so it was that that the fight continued for quite sometime, with no winner, and both growing increasingly fatigued as time wore on.
Finally, a yelled order: "Lord Zhang He! Lord Cao Cao orders the retreat of 'every' general!"
Glaring, annoyed, at messenger, or rather, intruder, he could only obey command and reluctantly jumped back. Running back from where the messenger appeared, Zhang Junyi gave a final glower and hissed, "We will retreat… For now…"
The Wu strategist bowed again and watched the shapely back of the retreating general. They had won the battle that day, but somehow, he felt Zhang He - no…Zhang Junyi - had truly claimed victory.
It didn't matter. Chuckling, then laughing out loud, he shook his head amusedly as he hurried to return to the side of his lord, Sun Quan. Amazingly, the man had succeeded in what he had always failed and had driven away the monsters of insecurity that his heart harboured.
He felt peculiarly…touched. Determined, he vowed:
'We will meet again, Zhang Junyi. And then, true success will be mine…'
~~~~~
And so, the battle ends. Phew…
*giggle* I'm sure you know what's happening here. Zhou Yu's my absolute other favourite character! ^^ And a rendezvous with Junyi is only so appropriate here. *nod nod*
Anyway, I hope you like this new update. It's the closest thing to a plot I have so far.
Tell me what you think. ^^
The Battle of Chi Bi
He felt, rather than saw, the first breaths of the south wind as it slowly caressed the tips of the snow white feathers on his war fan. Clutching its gold crested hilt, Zhuge Liang lifted the fan to partially hide his impassive face and slowly walked up the makeshift altar that seemed tiny and insignificant amongst the wall of mountains that entombed the valley. The few guards who were commanded to protect the Shu strategist remained still but alert. Although excited to see the magic of the Sleeping Dragon, they were trained and would never in any way compromise the victory of Shu with an action - any action - that was not ordered beforehand. Eyes downcast, they failed to notice the strangely triumphant expression that wreathed the strategist's face as he lifted his eyes to the twinkling night.
'Ahh…the stars smile down on us. They must favour the alliance tonight.' Closing his eyes just for the tiniest moment, Zhuge Liang prayed, 'Bless us.'
As if answer to his selfless request, the wind blew stronger.
______________________________________________
Cao Cao felt the first prickle of alarm just as the winds breathed harder, rocking the boat ever so turbulently. Somehow, he could not think of how the wind, no matter how strong, could impend his march to victory but he felt fear all the same. A man who relied on his cautious suspicions and an instinctive intuition, he could not erase the sensation of dread, that with time was quickly threatening to overwhelm him.
Widening his eyes at sudden realization, he barked his orders too late just as the first light of fire engulfed the sky and greedily swallowed his fleet. One by one. Quick as lightening.
Soon, the Wei battle ships, too, were a brilliant red-gold.
______________________________________________
The crimson of the sky was like a banner, representing the success of Wu.
Huang Gai nodded, his task accomplished, the responsibility in his hands accounted for. Bowing, he saluted his commander and took leave, bringing with him only his bodyguards.
Zhou Yu lowered his sword and narrowed his eyes to the blaze that was slowing consuming, destroying the Wei fleet. Half in awe, half in hatred, he admitted, "Zhuge Liang…he is a devil."
______________________________________________
In the midst of battle, his attention was drawn away from the slaughter at hand to the fast-growing infant blaze to his right. Between the majestic granite mountains along his left and the equally regal wealth of the battle ships along his right, his area of vision had been temporarily blinded from the Shu plot. With the ready distraction of Lu Xun, whose troops had only been defending and now on the offensive, Zhang He had effectively been severed from the rest of his comrades and especially, his ruler. Cursing fluently, he ducked swiftly and efficiently took out two lowly soldiers with a malicious slash and hurried away from the meaningless battle. Always quick on his feet, he faded amongst the mass of red and blue towards the blazing fire that could already have signified the worst.
Faster, he prompted urgently. Faster.
Wei could never lose.
'Trust in Lord Cao Cao…'
Never.
______________________________________________
Xiahou Dun received the reward of his patience, but too late. The form that was Huang Gai drifted close to his battle position all to late, when he realized the damage that Wei had received, from the obstinance that was his cousin, and the ignorance on his part. Cursing long and fluent, Xiahou Dun gripped his scimitar till his fingers lost all feeling. Then growling angrily, he muttered, "Huang Gai, blame the Gods for your misfortune. You will have the honour of Xiahou Dun's anger!"
______________________________________________
Zhang Liao ran amidst the chaos of the burning flame that was the Wei fleet. Many of his soldiers had died nobly in battle and the few that remain, were the elite of his guards…and a handful of majors - ones who were quickly growing desperate of the unfavourable conditions and feeling the crescendo of fear. Zhang Liao, too, was a soldier. He recognized alarm and desperation and understanding the hopelessness of the situation, he waved for his followers to return to headquarters to protect Lord Cao Cao. Protesting courageously, they stood their ground and pleaded to follow. They would die protecting Lord Zhang Liao, one announced bravely.
His eyes softening for the barest of moments, Zhang Liao smiled, and softly commanded. "Return to Lord Cao Cao, soldiers. Protect our ruler! I will not die so easily…"
Seeing the unmistakable relief in their eyes, concealed almost by the light of the vicious fire, Zhang Liao turned around unhesitatingly and ran to where Xiahou Dun stood, fighting for his kingdom.
Help, worthy of a thousand men, was coming.
______________________________________________
A mighty roar rumbled through the cavernous mountains, shaking the ground with a slight tremble. An endless stream of green - in the form of Shu reinforcements, emerged from behind massive boulders and charged confidently down the mountains. The mighty Tiger General, General Zhang Fei, lead the army in a frightful battle cry to victory.
Zhuge Liang had considered EVERYTHING.
Zhou Yu watched the bold ascend through narrow slits. Fire burned deep in his heart.
In immense anger, he could only utter "Zhuge Liang…" through gritted teeth.
______________________________________________
Both Zhang Liao and Xiahou Dun watched with some degree of satisfaction, the retreating figure of the injured Huang Gai.
"General Xiahou, I take my leave now. Lord Cao Cao awaits…"
Dun nodded. "Fortune be with you, Wenyuan."
Then, Zhang Liao disappeared into the thick smoke to where his lord waited. He swore, Shu would never get the satisfaction…
______________________________________________
Zhou Yu surveyed the damage taken by Wu's lifelong enemy. Though his lips smiled, his beautiful deep-set eyes were devoid of emotion. Wu had succeeded in proving their strength; but it had not been his cunning that had secured the victory.
He felt jealousy. Pure and searing. Balling his fists, he could not stop the wave of anger that strove to break the dam of cool self-control he knew a strategist should always possess. 'Like Zhuge Liang…' whispered his mind. It was an unfair comparison, he knew. All the same, gritting his teeth, he…
"Zhou Yu!"
The clear melodious voice that broke his unhealthy train of thoughts belonged to none other than the beautiful general of Wei. Standing on the mast of the ship, Zhang He looked scornfully down from high above, rage clearly etched at the haughty tilt of a finely sculpted eyebrow and the sardonic twist to his luscious lips. He felt his heart thump wildly.
"General Zhang He…" He gave a mocking bow.
Leaping down gracefully and landing with not a sound, the furious officer advanced on the other - also famed for his boyish beauty - claws drawn slightly back in preparation for battle and gleaming in unreal glow. Fearless, Zhou Yu waited, longing to take a closer look at the face that drew him so.
With a feral snarl, Zhang He rose on the tips of his feet and was soon lost in the swiftness of his movements. Truly a master in his art, he twirled and charged effortlessly, a dancer in his element, his length in perfect accord to his fluid motions. Amazed, Zhou Yu parried and defended valiantly, studying the other's every flawless move and gaped some more. The battle between twin beauties of red and blue was viciously beautiful and not even the fire or the persistent south winds could stop it.
It was striking, in every sense. Like predators hunting prey, both circled each other cautiously, taking calculated risks, and when failing to slaughter, returned to plan the next move; only, none were prey. If Zhang He had often times been compared to the grace of the panther, Zhou Yu could only emerge as his equal - the white wolf. To the dumbfounded bodyguards watching, they were stunned speechless and did not think of taking advantage of the situation, as drilled by their generals, to vanquish the enemy. It was a battle just too rare and too beautiful.
"Worthless. All of you. Hiding behind the walls of deceit, not daring too face Wei in honour."
"Foolish people. Not sensing a trap and rushing readily into it."
"I will claw that pretty smile from your face, tactician. Maybe then you will not be so smug."
"Try me! I will gorge those midnight eyes as payment!"
And so it was that that the fight continued for quite sometime, with no winner, and both growing increasingly fatigued as time wore on.
Finally, a yelled order: "Lord Zhang He! Lord Cao Cao orders the retreat of 'every' general!"
Glaring, annoyed, at messenger, or rather, intruder, he could only obey command and reluctantly jumped back. Running back from where the messenger appeared, Zhang Junyi gave a final glower and hissed, "We will retreat… For now…"
The Wu strategist bowed again and watched the shapely back of the retreating general. They had won the battle that day, but somehow, he felt Zhang He - no…Zhang Junyi - had truly claimed victory.
It didn't matter. Chuckling, then laughing out loud, he shook his head amusedly as he hurried to return to the side of his lord, Sun Quan. Amazingly, the man had succeeded in what he had always failed and had driven away the monsters of insecurity that his heart harboured.
He felt peculiarly…touched. Determined, he vowed:
'We will meet again, Zhang Junyi. And then, true success will be mine…'
~~~~~
And so, the battle ends. Phew…
*giggle* I'm sure you know what's happening here. Zhou Yu's my absolute other favourite character! ^^ And a rendezvous with Junyi is only so appropriate here. *nod nod*
Anyway, I hope you like this new update. It's the closest thing to a plot I have so far.
Tell me what you think. ^^