Chen Rising Chapter 5
Battle of Xin Ye Castle: East against West
'Stupid Wei bastards. They have no idea what they're up against.' Fei Long said, looking at the approaching Wei army from the walls of Hong Nong. Fei Long had long brown hair pulled into a ponytail and green eyes. He wore white baggy pants and a blue vest. He kept watching the army as it drew closer. He turned to the man next to him. 'Do it.' He said. The man just nodded. He took a torch and lit a fuse, which burned down the walls and into the fields. All of a sudden, several explosions rocked the Wei army. 'Pull back!' The commander yelled. Fei Long nodded. 'Don't pursue.' The other man looked at him in surprise. 'We were told only to defend. Until Xiahou Shang or Lord Zima Shao say otherwise, we will only defend. If you don't obey, I'll have to execute you. What was your name again?' Fei Long asked. The man turned to Fei Long. 'Just call me Shadow.' Shadow wore a black ninja gi, and a mask covered his face. The only thing that the mask revealed was his blue eyes and a small scar above his left eye. Fei Long shrugged. 'Whatever.' Fei Long said. 'Damn. Where are those reinforcements? We can't hold off here forever.' A soldier rushed up the stairs leading to the balcony. 'A message has arrived. The main force will be here in five days. Shu reinforcements shall also be arriving.' Fei Long laughed. 'So Shu will be joining the party. How fun, an alliance with Shu. Looks like its east versus west.' Shadow laughed. 'Only temporary. Soon, dominance will be ours.' Fei long shrugged. 'Whatever.' He turned to the soldier. 'Tonight at midnight, have half the soldiers dig a series of pits around the city. We have to hold off as long as we can.' The soldier nodded. 'Yes sir!'
'So what is Sun Quan's decision?' Gan Ning asked. 'Still undecided. He's wavering between war with Shu and war with Wei.' Lu Xun said. 'Uh. I wish that he'd make a decision. I'm eager for a fight.' Gan Ning said. Lu Xun didn't reply. 'So this is where you are.' Huang Gai said, walking into the courtyard. 'Lord Sun Quan has decided upon a plan.' Gan Ning immediately stood up. 'Finally! Time for a battle!' As the trio walked into the throne room, they heard Lu Meng say 'Are you sure this is a good idea my lord? Shu has recently allied with Chen. This makes them more formidable that before.' Sun Quan shrugged. 'Then we shall ally with Wei. My brother and father weren't afraid of Liu Bei, and neither am I!' Sun Quan said. He pulled his sword out of his sheath. 'I swore that I would fulfil my brother's dream of uniting the land! I shall become Conqueror where my brother couldn't! Prepare the armies! We march on Jing! All armies are to advance to Xin Ye!' Lu Meng bowed. 'Yes my lord! I shall dispatch an envoy to Xu Chang immediately.'
Cao Cao looked into the mirror. What he saw was no longer the young, proud hero of chaos, but an old warrior past his prime. 'I'm getting too old for this.' Cao Cao said. 'Indeed you are my lord. While heaven may be forgiving, age isn't.' Cao Cao turned and saw a young girl at the entrance to his chamber. 'Ah. Ren Mei. It is good to see you.' Ren Mei wore a bluish vest over a white sash that sort of crosses over the chest and a pair of baggy, white pants tucked into some old, brown boots. She wore an old blue hat and had shoulder length brown hair. 'Considering what is on my mind, I need to talk to someone.' Cao Cao said. Ren Mei nodded. 'You mean about your heir? I thought Cao Pi was to succeed you.' Cao Cao shook his head. 'He was supposed to, but he is too ill to do so. I now have to decide which of my relatives will take my place as Wei Emperor. And that isn't an easy task.' Cao Cao said. Ren Mei shrugged. 'Just find out who your closest relative is.' She said. 'If only it were that simple. Cao Pi is my only competent son, and Tao Qian's men killed the rest of my immediate family1.' Cao Cao bowed his head. 'That was indeed a most unfortunate incident. My father, mother, grandfathers, grandmothers, brothers and sisters. All gone.' Cao Cao gave a sigh. 'What about Cao Sai? Isn't he your closest relative?' Ren Mei asked. Cao Cao laughed. 'I had nearly forgotten! With old age, the memory tends to leave first.' Cao Cao said. 'Then it is so?' Ren Mei asked. Cao Cao nodded. 'Yes. Cao Sai shall be my heir apparent.' Suddenly, a soldier ran into the chamber. 'My lord! An envoy from Sun Quan has arrived!' Cao Cao rubbed his temples. 'And the plot thickens.' He said, feeling a headache coming on. 'Send him in.' Ren Mei said. Into the room came the messenger. He wore basic armor for soldiers, but with 2 spiked shoulder pads. Beneath them came 2 white capes. 'My name is Nan Si. I come as an envoy for my lord Sun Quan. He desires an alliance with Wei to battle Shu and Chen.' Cao Cao nodded. 'Then it shall be so.' Cao Cao said. Nan Si bowed. 'Then my lord asks that you advance your forces to Xin Ye In preparation to invade Jing. He wishes that it be split between the two of our kingdoms. You will get Xiang Yang, Wan, Lu Kou, and Jiang Ling, While Wu gets Chang Sha, Gui Yang, Wu Ling, and Ling Ling. That is his proposition.' Cao Cao laughed. 'Then that shall do it.' He said. 'For now anyway.' He thought
'This again?' Zima Shi thought as he regained consciousness. 'My luck thus far has sucked entirely.' Sitting up, he saw that he was in a tent. 'Well. This is different.' He said aloud. 'You've been out for a week. In that time, a lot has happened.' Zima Shi turned and saw a group of Shu and Chen generals enter the tent. Among them were Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei, Zima Shao, Mai Ling, Son Mia, and Son Ja. 'Wu and Wei have allied. All their armies have moved to Xin Ye. Our armies are headed there as we speak.' Zhuge Liang said. Zima Shi sighed. 'A four-way battle. Won't this be fun.' Zima Shi said. 'You won't partaking.' Son Ja said. 'Oh, and why not?' Zima Shi asked. Son Mia stepped up. 'Because you're still too weak. That technique nearly killed you.' She said. He snorted. 'And what are you? My girlfriend?' Son Mia blushed and was about to respond, but Zhuge Liang stopped her. 'Allow me to talk with General Zima. I believe I can convince him.' Zhuge said. Within minutes, Zhuge Liang had walked out and said that Zima Shi wasn't going to the battle. 'So what did you say?' Liu Bei asked. 'I'm sorry, but that I cannot reveal.' Zhuge Liang said. 'It's best that we begin to mobilize our forces for the upcoming battle. It will not be an easy battle.'
In the fields surrounding Xin Ye, the four armies faced each other. As if Nature itself sensed the oncoming conflict, a thunderstorm raged on in the distance, growing closer with each passing second. At the head of each army, the generals all prepared for battle. 'This is the end of you traitors!' Liu Bei shouted. 'You're a fool. The Han is dead! The people call for change!' Cao Cao retorted. With his sword drawn, Zima Shao shouted 'It's time to end this! Cao Cao! Sun Quan! Our Kingdoms will never be able to live under the same sun! All units! Charge!' Without any further warning, both Shu and Chen armies charged forward into the opposing lines. The Wei army and Wu army also charged. The four leaders, with their armies behind them, all charged towards their opponent, swords drawn.
Zima Shi sat in his tent, the sounds of battle reaching his ears. 'Zhuge Liang. What exactly were you implying?' He said aloud. He recalled what the strategist said to him. 'The age began by Lord Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan is coming to an end. Two shall thrive, and two shall fall. Lord Liu has no heir. His only son, Liu Shan, is merely an infant. An infant is not capable of ruling a kingdom. None of the Generals under Lord Liu are as young as they used to be.' Zima Shi continued to guess what Zhuge Liang was getting at. 'If he was suggesting that I take the throne is something should happen to Lord Liu Bei, he's mad.' Zima Shi thought. That's when he saw what Zhuge Liang had been getting at. What he meant by the age made by Liu, Sun, and Cao coming to an end. Zhuge Liang knew something was going to happen. Zima Shi leapt up. He yelled to one of the soldiers 'Prepare my horse! I need to get to the battle!' The soldier looked at him. 'But General! You were ordered to remain here!' Zima Shi scowled. 'I don't care! I don't need to explain myself to a soldier! Just do it!' Grabbing his broad swords, Zima Shi leapt onto the horse, hoping he wasn't too late.
In the middle of the battle, the four leaders duelled among themselves. Liu Bei and Cao Cao fought, while Zima Shao and Sun Quan fought. Zima Shao was on the offensive, and driving Sun Quan back. 'More of an intellectual then a fighter aren't you Sun Quan?' Sun Quan scoffed at him, attempting to fight back. 'You're sort of like my brother. I haven't known him long, but already I can tell he's an intellectual.' Zima Shao said. 'Why are you talking during battle?' Sun Quan asked. Zima Shao shrugged. 'Helps me to find my opponents weakness!' Zima Shao made a final thrust where Sun Quan had let his guard down. The sword cut through Sun Quan's robe and into his skin. Sun Quan felt the blade cut into his side, and he knew it was over. Falling to the ground, Sun Quan whispered 'Brother. I'm sorry. I wasn't able to fulfil your dream.' With a final sigh, Sun Quan the King of the Southland, died. Command of the Wu army transferred to Sun Shang Xiang. Upon hearing of her brother's death, she ordered a full retreat. 'Return to Jian Ye.' She said. The Wu forces began to withdraw. When Cao Cao saw this, he swore. 'Damn them!' He thought. Liu Bei saw this and laughed. 'Your losing Cao Cao. What will you do?' Cao Cao grinned. He made a last thrust and locked swords with Liu Bei. Then, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a small dagger with seven jewels in its hilt. 'What?' Liu Bei said. Cao Cao laughed as he stabbed it into Liu Bei. 'Say goodbye, King of the Riverlands!'
Five men stood on a cliff overlooking the battle. 'Why are we doing this again?' he first one asked. The leader scoffed. 'I already told you. Don't ask again.' The man turned back towards the battle. 'Soon. Very soon, all our plans and preparations shall bear fruit.'
1To understand this, you must have read the Three Kingdoms story. And unless you've played Dynasty Tactics or read the story, you won't know who Tao Qian is.
That's chapter 5. This is a critical turning point of this story. The next chapter will have even more surprises. And, as always, please review!
Battle of Xin Ye Castle: East against West
'Stupid Wei bastards. They have no idea what they're up against.' Fei Long said, looking at the approaching Wei army from the walls of Hong Nong. Fei Long had long brown hair pulled into a ponytail and green eyes. He wore white baggy pants and a blue vest. He kept watching the army as it drew closer. He turned to the man next to him. 'Do it.' He said. The man just nodded. He took a torch and lit a fuse, which burned down the walls and into the fields. All of a sudden, several explosions rocked the Wei army. 'Pull back!' The commander yelled. Fei Long nodded. 'Don't pursue.' The other man looked at him in surprise. 'We were told only to defend. Until Xiahou Shang or Lord Zima Shao say otherwise, we will only defend. If you don't obey, I'll have to execute you. What was your name again?' Fei Long asked. The man turned to Fei Long. 'Just call me Shadow.' Shadow wore a black ninja gi, and a mask covered his face. The only thing that the mask revealed was his blue eyes and a small scar above his left eye. Fei Long shrugged. 'Whatever.' Fei Long said. 'Damn. Where are those reinforcements? We can't hold off here forever.' A soldier rushed up the stairs leading to the balcony. 'A message has arrived. The main force will be here in five days. Shu reinforcements shall also be arriving.' Fei Long laughed. 'So Shu will be joining the party. How fun, an alliance with Shu. Looks like its east versus west.' Shadow laughed. 'Only temporary. Soon, dominance will be ours.' Fei long shrugged. 'Whatever.' He turned to the soldier. 'Tonight at midnight, have half the soldiers dig a series of pits around the city. We have to hold off as long as we can.' The soldier nodded. 'Yes sir!'
'So what is Sun Quan's decision?' Gan Ning asked. 'Still undecided. He's wavering between war with Shu and war with Wei.' Lu Xun said. 'Uh. I wish that he'd make a decision. I'm eager for a fight.' Gan Ning said. Lu Xun didn't reply. 'So this is where you are.' Huang Gai said, walking into the courtyard. 'Lord Sun Quan has decided upon a plan.' Gan Ning immediately stood up. 'Finally! Time for a battle!' As the trio walked into the throne room, they heard Lu Meng say 'Are you sure this is a good idea my lord? Shu has recently allied with Chen. This makes them more formidable that before.' Sun Quan shrugged. 'Then we shall ally with Wei. My brother and father weren't afraid of Liu Bei, and neither am I!' Sun Quan said. He pulled his sword out of his sheath. 'I swore that I would fulfil my brother's dream of uniting the land! I shall become Conqueror where my brother couldn't! Prepare the armies! We march on Jing! All armies are to advance to Xin Ye!' Lu Meng bowed. 'Yes my lord! I shall dispatch an envoy to Xu Chang immediately.'
Cao Cao looked into the mirror. What he saw was no longer the young, proud hero of chaos, but an old warrior past his prime. 'I'm getting too old for this.' Cao Cao said. 'Indeed you are my lord. While heaven may be forgiving, age isn't.' Cao Cao turned and saw a young girl at the entrance to his chamber. 'Ah. Ren Mei. It is good to see you.' Ren Mei wore a bluish vest over a white sash that sort of crosses over the chest and a pair of baggy, white pants tucked into some old, brown boots. She wore an old blue hat and had shoulder length brown hair. 'Considering what is on my mind, I need to talk to someone.' Cao Cao said. Ren Mei nodded. 'You mean about your heir? I thought Cao Pi was to succeed you.' Cao Cao shook his head. 'He was supposed to, but he is too ill to do so. I now have to decide which of my relatives will take my place as Wei Emperor. And that isn't an easy task.' Cao Cao said. Ren Mei shrugged. 'Just find out who your closest relative is.' She said. 'If only it were that simple. Cao Pi is my only competent son, and Tao Qian's men killed the rest of my immediate family1.' Cao Cao bowed his head. 'That was indeed a most unfortunate incident. My father, mother, grandfathers, grandmothers, brothers and sisters. All gone.' Cao Cao gave a sigh. 'What about Cao Sai? Isn't he your closest relative?' Ren Mei asked. Cao Cao laughed. 'I had nearly forgotten! With old age, the memory tends to leave first.' Cao Cao said. 'Then it is so?' Ren Mei asked. Cao Cao nodded. 'Yes. Cao Sai shall be my heir apparent.' Suddenly, a soldier ran into the chamber. 'My lord! An envoy from Sun Quan has arrived!' Cao Cao rubbed his temples. 'And the plot thickens.' He said, feeling a headache coming on. 'Send him in.' Ren Mei said. Into the room came the messenger. He wore basic armor for soldiers, but with 2 spiked shoulder pads. Beneath them came 2 white capes. 'My name is Nan Si. I come as an envoy for my lord Sun Quan. He desires an alliance with Wei to battle Shu and Chen.' Cao Cao nodded. 'Then it shall be so.' Cao Cao said. Nan Si bowed. 'Then my lord asks that you advance your forces to Xin Ye In preparation to invade Jing. He wishes that it be split between the two of our kingdoms. You will get Xiang Yang, Wan, Lu Kou, and Jiang Ling, While Wu gets Chang Sha, Gui Yang, Wu Ling, and Ling Ling. That is his proposition.' Cao Cao laughed. 'Then that shall do it.' He said. 'For now anyway.' He thought
'This again?' Zima Shi thought as he regained consciousness. 'My luck thus far has sucked entirely.' Sitting up, he saw that he was in a tent. 'Well. This is different.' He said aloud. 'You've been out for a week. In that time, a lot has happened.' Zima Shi turned and saw a group of Shu and Chen generals enter the tent. Among them were Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei, Zima Shao, Mai Ling, Son Mia, and Son Ja. 'Wu and Wei have allied. All their armies have moved to Xin Ye. Our armies are headed there as we speak.' Zhuge Liang said. Zima Shi sighed. 'A four-way battle. Won't this be fun.' Zima Shi said. 'You won't partaking.' Son Ja said. 'Oh, and why not?' Zima Shi asked. Son Mia stepped up. 'Because you're still too weak. That technique nearly killed you.' She said. He snorted. 'And what are you? My girlfriend?' Son Mia blushed and was about to respond, but Zhuge Liang stopped her. 'Allow me to talk with General Zima. I believe I can convince him.' Zhuge said. Within minutes, Zhuge Liang had walked out and said that Zima Shi wasn't going to the battle. 'So what did you say?' Liu Bei asked. 'I'm sorry, but that I cannot reveal.' Zhuge Liang said. 'It's best that we begin to mobilize our forces for the upcoming battle. It will not be an easy battle.'
In the fields surrounding Xin Ye, the four armies faced each other. As if Nature itself sensed the oncoming conflict, a thunderstorm raged on in the distance, growing closer with each passing second. At the head of each army, the generals all prepared for battle. 'This is the end of you traitors!' Liu Bei shouted. 'You're a fool. The Han is dead! The people call for change!' Cao Cao retorted. With his sword drawn, Zima Shao shouted 'It's time to end this! Cao Cao! Sun Quan! Our Kingdoms will never be able to live under the same sun! All units! Charge!' Without any further warning, both Shu and Chen armies charged forward into the opposing lines. The Wei army and Wu army also charged. The four leaders, with their armies behind them, all charged towards their opponent, swords drawn.
Zima Shi sat in his tent, the sounds of battle reaching his ears. 'Zhuge Liang. What exactly were you implying?' He said aloud. He recalled what the strategist said to him. 'The age began by Lord Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan is coming to an end. Two shall thrive, and two shall fall. Lord Liu has no heir. His only son, Liu Shan, is merely an infant. An infant is not capable of ruling a kingdom. None of the Generals under Lord Liu are as young as they used to be.' Zima Shi continued to guess what Zhuge Liang was getting at. 'If he was suggesting that I take the throne is something should happen to Lord Liu Bei, he's mad.' Zima Shi thought. That's when he saw what Zhuge Liang had been getting at. What he meant by the age made by Liu, Sun, and Cao coming to an end. Zhuge Liang knew something was going to happen. Zima Shi leapt up. He yelled to one of the soldiers 'Prepare my horse! I need to get to the battle!' The soldier looked at him. 'But General! You were ordered to remain here!' Zima Shi scowled. 'I don't care! I don't need to explain myself to a soldier! Just do it!' Grabbing his broad swords, Zima Shi leapt onto the horse, hoping he wasn't too late.
In the middle of the battle, the four leaders duelled among themselves. Liu Bei and Cao Cao fought, while Zima Shao and Sun Quan fought. Zima Shao was on the offensive, and driving Sun Quan back. 'More of an intellectual then a fighter aren't you Sun Quan?' Sun Quan scoffed at him, attempting to fight back. 'You're sort of like my brother. I haven't known him long, but already I can tell he's an intellectual.' Zima Shao said. 'Why are you talking during battle?' Sun Quan asked. Zima Shao shrugged. 'Helps me to find my opponents weakness!' Zima Shao made a final thrust where Sun Quan had let his guard down. The sword cut through Sun Quan's robe and into his skin. Sun Quan felt the blade cut into his side, and he knew it was over. Falling to the ground, Sun Quan whispered 'Brother. I'm sorry. I wasn't able to fulfil your dream.' With a final sigh, Sun Quan the King of the Southland, died. Command of the Wu army transferred to Sun Shang Xiang. Upon hearing of her brother's death, she ordered a full retreat. 'Return to Jian Ye.' She said. The Wu forces began to withdraw. When Cao Cao saw this, he swore. 'Damn them!' He thought. Liu Bei saw this and laughed. 'Your losing Cao Cao. What will you do?' Cao Cao grinned. He made a last thrust and locked swords with Liu Bei. Then, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a small dagger with seven jewels in its hilt. 'What?' Liu Bei said. Cao Cao laughed as he stabbed it into Liu Bei. 'Say goodbye, King of the Riverlands!'
Five men stood on a cliff overlooking the battle. 'Why are we doing this again?' he first one asked. The leader scoffed. 'I already told you. Don't ask again.' The man turned back towards the battle. 'Soon. Very soon, all our plans and preparations shall bear fruit.'
1To understand this, you must have read the Three Kingdoms story. And unless you've played Dynasty Tactics or read the story, you won't know who Tao Qian is.
That's chapter 5. This is a critical turning point of this story. The next chapter will have even more surprises. And, as always, please review!