Chen Rising Chapter 2
Preparing for battle: The new Chen Army
'Lord Zima Shao.' Zhen Xhu stepped out of the shadows of the dark throne room. 'What is it?' Zima Shao asked. Behind Zhen Xhu, several people stood. Though he could only see their silhouettes, he could tell why they were here. 'Are they who I think they are?' Zima Shao asked. 'Yes my lord. They are all ready to serve you and await your command.' Zima Shao Grinned. 'My lord, It would be wise to station these men in Tian Shui. Zhuge Liang of Shu will most likely strike there when he decides to attack us, considering that they can only get to us through Tian Shui.' Someone said. Zima Shao looked and saw yet another person shrouded in shadow. 'Who are you and how did you get the past guards?' Zhen Xhu asked. 'The guards are sleeping. You would too after getting knocked in the head by Dark Wolf.' The man said. 'Dark Wolf? Then that means that you?' The man laughed. 'That's right. I am the Unholy Xiahou. My name is Xiahou Shang. And I have come to serve you.' Xiahou Shang wore blue armor like Xiahou Dun's, but with a black cloak. Zhen Xhu wasn't pleased. 'Who do you think you are? Xiahou or no Xiahou, you can't come waltzing in here.' Xiahou Shang said 'I believe I just did.' Zhen Xhu raged 'I'll have your head fool!' Suddenly, someone from the shadows spoke up. 'Look at you two! Bickering like nimrods! We should be pooling our talents to take over the world!' They turned to the new comer. 'And who are you?' Zhen Xhu asked. 'Niu Kuoang at your service. I suggest that we follow up on Xiahou Shang's plan and defend Tian Shui.' Niu Kuoang wore lightweight, dark red armor. Zima Shao laughed. 'My lord?' Zhen Xhu asked. 'I like this group. They are quite spirited. Move the armies to Tian Shui and prepare for battle.'
Pain. That was all Zima Shi felt as he regained consciousness. He tried to get up, but found himself pinned back down. 'Who?' he said. His voice was hoarse. 'You shouldn't try that again unless you want to hurt yourself even more.' Someone said. 'Huh. Zhao Yun. I should've known.' Zhao Yun nodded. 'Lord Liu Bei and Lord Zhuge Liang commend you on your victory. Now they are trying to decide whether to attack this New Kingdom or not.'
'It would be wise to move against this New Kingdom quickly.' Zhuge Liang said. Liu Bei hadn't reached a decision as to move against the New Kingdom. 'It would indeed be wise, however, with one of our top generals injured, we may not have the strength to compete.' Zhuge Liang was about to argue when a voice said 'My lord, It would be wise to attack quickly.' Liu Bei turned and saw Zima Shi, supported by Zhao Yun. 'Zima Shi! You shouldn't be up.' Zima Shi laughed. 'Forget my injury Lord Liu Bei. We must act against Chen.' A soldier came up to Zhuge Liang and whispered something to him. Zhuge Liang said 'My lord, my latest precautions have been completed.' Zhuge Liang turned towards the entrance to the throne room 'Let him in.' A single man walked in, all dressed for battle. 'Who might this be?' Liu Bei asked. Zhuge Liang said 'This is our newest warrior. Son Ja is a friend of Lord Zima Shi's.' Son Ja wore a red headband and had short black hair. He had red and gold armor and red leather guards and a red and gold sash around his legs. 'I am ready to serve you. Don't hesitate to place me on the front lines.' Son Ja said. Liu Bei got up. 'You have convinced me. To battle!'
The march was long and tedious, with nothing but mountains to see. 'My lord, we are now twenty li from Tian Shui. We shall be there by morning.' A scout said to Liu Bei. 'Thank you.' He turned to Zhuge Liang. 'Has there been any word from the spies?' Zhuge Liang nodded. 'They have garrisoned their entire army in Tian Shui. They are ready for a large battle.' Liu Bei nodded. 'Lord Zima Shi, are you sure you should be in this battle?' Guan Yu asked. 'I'm fine, if we conquer this kingdom, we shall be one step closer to conquering Wei.' Guan Yu nodded. 'Generals, Lord Zhuge sends me to tell you to come to his tent.' A soldier said. The generals all entered Zhuge Liang's tent, where each was given certain instructions to carry out.
Zima Shao looked at the officers all around him. They were either talking to each other or just standing around. 'Quite a crew Zhen Xhu got together.' He said to himself. 'Quite a crew indeed.' Zima Shao turned to see a young lady standing behind him. 'And who might you be?' Zima Shao asked. 'My name is Son Mia.' Son Mia wore black and gold armor and had her hair in a ponytail. Zima Shao smiled. 'You are quite beautiful.' Son Mia bowed. 'Thank you Lord Zima Shao.' Son Mia walked off. She walked into her tent, only to find someone in there. 'Who are you?' The person turned around, revealing it to be a young man. He wore blood stained armor and had shoulder length brown hair. 'I'm sorry. Are you Son Mia? We were assigned to share a tent.' Son Mia nodded. 'So then you must be Huan Xong.' He nodded. 'Well then, nice to meet you.' She held her hand out. He looked at it for a second, then shook it. Elsewhere in the camp, Xiahou Shang was listening to the others. 'Hey. Your Xiahou Shang right?' Xiahou Shang opened his eyes to see a girl in front of him. She wore a red breastplate, light armor for legs in a lighter shade of red and black arm guards and a choker around her neck. 'I'm Kai Mei. What's up?' Xiahou Shang ignored her. 'Hey, did you hear me?' Xiahou Shang said 'Go away.' Kai Mei scowled. 'Well, aren't you charming.' Xiahou Shang walked away and bumped into someone. 'Watch it.' He said. Xiahou Shang suddenly found himself on the ground with a large sword at his throat. 'You got something to say to me?' The man pulled the sword back to kill Xiahou Shang, but stopped when someone said 'Kwan Tao, stop now!' The man turned to see someone wearing a robe similar to Pang Tong's, but with a hood instead of a hat. He held a staff and had blonde hair. There was a string of Kanji symbols on the right side of his face. 'Runi Fei. Stay out of this!' Kwan Tao stood up, revealing black boots, a loose dark purple shirt, and a black male kimono with a dark purple sash holding it together. He had black hair with gray streaks, and his face had many small scars and one large one on the left side of his face. He pulled his sword away from Xiahou Shang and pointed it at Runi Fei 'Leave now.' Runi Fei stood his ground. 'Lord Zima Shao called for you.' Kwan Tao stopped. He turned towards Xiahou Shang. 'You lived this time. Next time, you won't be so lucky.' Runi Fei walked over to Xiahou Shang. 'Sorry about him. He can be rather violent.' Xiahou Shang just shrugged. As he walked off, he saw someone sitting down. He wasn't moving. Xiahou Shang walked up to the guy. 'Stop. I can tell your there.' The man said. 'How?' he said, looking at the scars over the man's eyes. 'Your blind.' Xiahou Shang said. 'I don't need my eyes to know your there. I can tell because I can hear you. I can feel that you're blocking the wind. It's not that hard.' Xiahou Shang laughed. 'Whatever. Who are you anyway?' The man didn't move. 'My name is Fu Qian.' Xiahou Shang nodded and walked away. As night dawned, Zima Shao was in his tent, when a young woman walked in. 'Big Brother!' She said. 'Ah. Mai Ling. What can I do for you?' Mai Ling wore a light blue skirt with a light blue sleeveless shirt. She had a light blue headband, and black shoulder length hair. 'I want to help in this upcoming battle.' Zima Shao's demeanour changed. 'No way! You're the only family I know of! If you die, then that's it!' Mai Ling smiled. 'But I heard you might've found someone else. Zima Shao didn't change his mind. 'I don't know that. But since it appears that you won't change your mind, fine.' She smirked. 'I knew you would.' She walked out of the tent. She walked towards the edge of the camp and looked up at the sky. The night was clear, so she could see all the stars. She sat down under and tree. After a few minutes, she heard something in the tree above her. Someone jumped down. She pulled her swords out and pointed them at the intruder. 'Who goes there?' The man, who had also pulled out two swords and said 'I should ask the same thing.' She stood there, pointing her swords at the stranger. 'I'm Mai Ling, sister to Lord Zima Shao.' The other said 'Huan Xong, Chen General.' Mai Ling lowered her swords. 'Then since we are both with Chen, there is nothing to fear.' She sat down under the tree again. He sat down next to her. 'What were you doing up there?' She asked. 'Looking at the stars. It calms me down.' She nodded. 'Yes. They are beautiful.' He shook his head. 'They are beautiful, but not as beautiful as you.' Mai Ling blushed, but it was so dark he didn't see. From his tent, Zima Shao watched in silent satisfaction. He had already met Huan Xong, and took a liking to the boy. 'Master Zima Shao, more wine?' Zima Shao turned to his servant girl Xu Zhaoning. 'Yes thank you.' Xu Zhaoning wore clothes similar to Diao Chan's, except black and red. 'So master Zima Shao, has our battle plan been decided upon?' Zima Shao nodded. 'Yes. We're going to stick with defense until we can figure out Zhuge Liang's plan.' She nodded. 'I see.'
The Shu army marched at first light towards Tian Shui. The morning was misty, so the army moved unnoticed. Soon, Tian Shui was in sight. 'Lord Zhang Fei, go and carry out your part of the plan.' Zhuge Liang said. 'Right.' Zhang Fei replied. Zhang Fei's unit slipped quietly through the mist to carry out his mission, with Tian Shui growing ever closer.
'Lord Zima Shao.' Zhen Xhu stepped out of the shadows of the dark throne room. 'What is it?' Zima Shao asked. Behind Zhen Xhu, several people stood. Though he could only see their silhouettes, he could tell why they were here. 'Are they who I think they are?' Zima Shao asked. 'Yes my lord. They are all ready to serve you and await your command.' Zima Shao Grinned. 'My lord, It would be wise to station these men in Tian Shui. Zhuge Liang of Shu will most likely strike there when he decides to attack us, considering that they can only get to us through Tian Shui.' Someone said. Zima Shao looked and saw yet another person shrouded in shadow. 'Who are you and how did you get the past guards?' Zhen Xhu asked. 'The guards are sleeping. You would too after getting knocked in the head by Dark Wolf.' The man said. 'Dark Wolf? Then that means that you?' The man laughed. 'That's right. I am the Unholy Xiahou. My name is Xiahou Shang. And I have come to serve you.' Xiahou Shang wore blue armor like Xiahou Dun's, but with a black cloak. Zhen Xhu wasn't pleased. 'Who do you think you are? Xiahou or no Xiahou, you can't come waltzing in here.' Xiahou Shang said 'I believe I just did.' Zhen Xhu raged 'I'll have your head fool!' Suddenly, someone from the shadows spoke up. 'Look at you two! Bickering like nimrods! We should be pooling our talents to take over the world!' They turned to the new comer. 'And who are you?' Zhen Xhu asked. 'Niu Kuoang at your service. I suggest that we follow up on Xiahou Shang's plan and defend Tian Shui.' Niu Kuoang wore lightweight, dark red armor. Zima Shao laughed. 'My lord?' Zhen Xhu asked. 'I like this group. They are quite spirited. Move the armies to Tian Shui and prepare for battle.'
Pain. That was all Zima Shi felt as he regained consciousness. He tried to get up, but found himself pinned back down. 'Who?' he said. His voice was hoarse. 'You shouldn't try that again unless you want to hurt yourself even more.' Someone said. 'Huh. Zhao Yun. I should've known.' Zhao Yun nodded. 'Lord Liu Bei and Lord Zhuge Liang commend you on your victory. Now they are trying to decide whether to attack this New Kingdom or not.'
'It would be wise to move against this New Kingdom quickly.' Zhuge Liang said. Liu Bei hadn't reached a decision as to move against the New Kingdom. 'It would indeed be wise, however, with one of our top generals injured, we may not have the strength to compete.' Zhuge Liang was about to argue when a voice said 'My lord, It would be wise to attack quickly.' Liu Bei turned and saw Zima Shi, supported by Zhao Yun. 'Zima Shi! You shouldn't be up.' Zima Shi laughed. 'Forget my injury Lord Liu Bei. We must act against Chen.' A soldier came up to Zhuge Liang and whispered something to him. Zhuge Liang said 'My lord, my latest precautions have been completed.' Zhuge Liang turned towards the entrance to the throne room 'Let him in.' A single man walked in, all dressed for battle. 'Who might this be?' Liu Bei asked. Zhuge Liang said 'This is our newest warrior. Son Ja is a friend of Lord Zima Shi's.' Son Ja wore a red headband and had short black hair. He had red and gold armor and red leather guards and a red and gold sash around his legs. 'I am ready to serve you. Don't hesitate to place me on the front lines.' Son Ja said. Liu Bei got up. 'You have convinced me. To battle!'
The march was long and tedious, with nothing but mountains to see. 'My lord, we are now twenty li from Tian Shui. We shall be there by morning.' A scout said to Liu Bei. 'Thank you.' He turned to Zhuge Liang. 'Has there been any word from the spies?' Zhuge Liang nodded. 'They have garrisoned their entire army in Tian Shui. They are ready for a large battle.' Liu Bei nodded. 'Lord Zima Shi, are you sure you should be in this battle?' Guan Yu asked. 'I'm fine, if we conquer this kingdom, we shall be one step closer to conquering Wei.' Guan Yu nodded. 'Generals, Lord Zhuge sends me to tell you to come to his tent.' A soldier said. The generals all entered Zhuge Liang's tent, where each was given certain instructions to carry out.
Zima Shao looked at the officers all around him. They were either talking to each other or just standing around. 'Quite a crew Zhen Xhu got together.' He said to himself. 'Quite a crew indeed.' Zima Shao turned to see a young lady standing behind him. 'And who might you be?' Zima Shao asked. 'My name is Son Mia.' Son Mia wore black and gold armor and had her hair in a ponytail. Zima Shao smiled. 'You are quite beautiful.' Son Mia bowed. 'Thank you Lord Zima Shao.' Son Mia walked off. She walked into her tent, only to find someone in there. 'Who are you?' The person turned around, revealing it to be a young man. He wore blood stained armor and had shoulder length brown hair. 'I'm sorry. Are you Son Mia? We were assigned to share a tent.' Son Mia nodded. 'So then you must be Huan Xong.' He nodded. 'Well then, nice to meet you.' She held her hand out. He looked at it for a second, then shook it. Elsewhere in the camp, Xiahou Shang was listening to the others. 'Hey. Your Xiahou Shang right?' Xiahou Shang opened his eyes to see a girl in front of him. She wore a red breastplate, light armor for legs in a lighter shade of red and black arm guards and a choker around her neck. 'I'm Kai Mei. What's up?' Xiahou Shang ignored her. 'Hey, did you hear me?' Xiahou Shang said 'Go away.' Kai Mei scowled. 'Well, aren't you charming.' Xiahou Shang walked away and bumped into someone. 'Watch it.' He said. Xiahou Shang suddenly found himself on the ground with a large sword at his throat. 'You got something to say to me?' The man pulled the sword back to kill Xiahou Shang, but stopped when someone said 'Kwan Tao, stop now!' The man turned to see someone wearing a robe similar to Pang Tong's, but with a hood instead of a hat. He held a staff and had blonde hair. There was a string of Kanji symbols on the right side of his face. 'Runi Fei. Stay out of this!' Kwan Tao stood up, revealing black boots, a loose dark purple shirt, and a black male kimono with a dark purple sash holding it together. He had black hair with gray streaks, and his face had many small scars and one large one on the left side of his face. He pulled his sword away from Xiahou Shang and pointed it at Runi Fei 'Leave now.' Runi Fei stood his ground. 'Lord Zima Shao called for you.' Kwan Tao stopped. He turned towards Xiahou Shang. 'You lived this time. Next time, you won't be so lucky.' Runi Fei walked over to Xiahou Shang. 'Sorry about him. He can be rather violent.' Xiahou Shang just shrugged. As he walked off, he saw someone sitting down. He wasn't moving. Xiahou Shang walked up to the guy. 'Stop. I can tell your there.' The man said. 'How?' he said, looking at the scars over the man's eyes. 'Your blind.' Xiahou Shang said. 'I don't need my eyes to know your there. I can tell because I can hear you. I can feel that you're blocking the wind. It's not that hard.' Xiahou Shang laughed. 'Whatever. Who are you anyway?' The man didn't move. 'My name is Fu Qian.' Xiahou Shang nodded and walked away. As night dawned, Zima Shao was in his tent, when a young woman walked in. 'Big Brother!' She said. 'Ah. Mai Ling. What can I do for you?' Mai Ling wore a light blue skirt with a light blue sleeveless shirt. She had a light blue headband, and black shoulder length hair. 'I want to help in this upcoming battle.' Zima Shao's demeanour changed. 'No way! You're the only family I know of! If you die, then that's it!' Mai Ling smiled. 'But I heard you might've found someone else. Zima Shao didn't change his mind. 'I don't know that. But since it appears that you won't change your mind, fine.' She smirked. 'I knew you would.' She walked out of the tent. She walked towards the edge of the camp and looked up at the sky. The night was clear, so she could see all the stars. She sat down under and tree. After a few minutes, she heard something in the tree above her. Someone jumped down. She pulled her swords out and pointed them at the intruder. 'Who goes there?' The man, who had also pulled out two swords and said 'I should ask the same thing.' She stood there, pointing her swords at the stranger. 'I'm Mai Ling, sister to Lord Zima Shao.' The other said 'Huan Xong, Chen General.' Mai Ling lowered her swords. 'Then since we are both with Chen, there is nothing to fear.' She sat down under the tree again. He sat down next to her. 'What were you doing up there?' She asked. 'Looking at the stars. It calms me down.' She nodded. 'Yes. They are beautiful.' He shook his head. 'They are beautiful, but not as beautiful as you.' Mai Ling blushed, but it was so dark he didn't see. From his tent, Zima Shao watched in silent satisfaction. He had already met Huan Xong, and took a liking to the boy. 'Master Zima Shao, more wine?' Zima Shao turned to his servant girl Xu Zhaoning. 'Yes thank you.' Xu Zhaoning wore clothes similar to Diao Chan's, except black and red. 'So master Zima Shao, has our battle plan been decided upon?' Zima Shao nodded. 'Yes. We're going to stick with defense until we can figure out Zhuge Liang's plan.' She nodded. 'I see.'
The Shu army marched at first light towards Tian Shui. The morning was misty, so the army moved unnoticed. Soon, Tian Shui was in sight. 'Lord Zhang Fei, go and carry out your part of the plan.' Zhuge Liang said. 'Right.' Zhang Fei replied. Zhang Fei's unit slipped quietly through the mist to carry out his mission, with Tian Shui growing ever closer.