Chen Rising Chapter 6
Inner Turmoil: The old Era Ends
*Present Time*
'What are we going to do about this?' Zima Shao asked. 'There is not much we can do my lord. Their betrayal has left us without a home.' Xiahou Shang said. Zima Shao scowled. Half of his forces had betrayed him after the battle of Xin Ye. They said that they didn't think he had the strength to conquer the land. Only Xiahou Shang, Zhen Xhu, Mai Ling, Son Mia, Huan Xong, Kai Mei, and a few thousand troops had followed him. The rest defected to Wei. 'Humph. My dream has died. But there is still hope for us. We may not be able to fulfil my dream, but we can help to fulfil my brother's. Tomorrow we begin our march to Cheng Du!'
*One month ago*
Zima Shao looked over Sun Quan's body. 'That's one down and one to go.' He said. It was then he heard it. 'Say goodbye, King of the Riverlands!' He turned and saw Cao Cao stab Liu Bei with a dagger. 'No!' He yelled. 'I am triumphant! Liu Bei is dead!' Cao Cao said. Suddenly, someone rode by and Cao Cao's head went flying from his shoulders. Zima Shao turned and looked at the rider. It was Zima Shi. 'Brother!' Zima Shao yelled. 'Order a full retreat. Both Shu and Chen!' Zima Shao stood astonished, but acted still. 'All units, retreat!' Many of the Wei generals saw this and began to pursue. Cao Sai stopped them. 'All men retreat.' Cao Sai said calmly. 'Only his Excellency can order a retreat.' Xu Huang said. 'Lord Cao Cao has fallen in battle. As his heir, I am assuming the leadership of Wei, and am ordering a retreat! Any who disobey will be executed on the spot!' The Wei generals complied, and withdrew. At the Shu camp, Liu Bei was in the infirmary, the Shu generals all surrounding him. 'The wound is deep and has punctured some of his vital organs. I'm afraid he doesn't have long to live.' The medic said. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were on the ground. 'Brother! If you die now, how will we be able to fulfil our peach garden oath?' Guan Yu said. 'Brother! We shall fight until our lives end to avenge you!' Zhang Fei said. 'No need.' Zima Shi said, walking in. 'And why not general?' Zhuge Liang asked, though his tone sounded like he already knew why. Zima Shi then held up Cao Cao's severed head. 'The so-called hero of chaos and first emperor of Wei is already dead. That's why the Wei forces retreated.' At the sight of Cao Cao's head, Liu Bei let out a small laugh. 'Looks like my journey to the underworld won't be a lonely one. My only son is a mere infant. Incapable of ruling a kingdom. Until he comes of the age when he can rule and comprehend his responsibilities, I want you, Zima Shi, to rule Shu. These are my final wishes, and I ask all of you obey them.' It was with these words that Liu Bei died. Zima Shi placed Cao Cao's severed head on the ground next to Liu Bei's bed. He turned to Zhuge Liang. 'Begin the burial preparations. The army is to go into mourning. We shall retreat to Cheng Du at first light.' Ma Chao stood up. 'And if Cao Sai pursues? I have heard that he has already taken the Wei throne.' Zima Shi smiled. 'I am sure Master Zhuge can think something up.' Zhuge Liang thought for a minute. 'Yes. I believe I have.' Zhuge Liang walked out of the tent and began his preparations.
*Current Time*
Zima Shi sat upon the throne in Cheng Du's palace. 'Any news of my brother? He asked. Yi Shao shook his head. 'Not a word my lord.' Yi Shao wore a plain steel chestplate on his chest. Armor guards are on his wrists, while cloth ones cover his shin area. A small sash is wrapped around his waist. He had steel-grey eyes and dark brown hair that bordered on black. Zima Shi sighed in agitation. All contact with Chen had been cut off. All that came in were unconfirmed rumors of the Chen generals rebelling against Zima Shao, and Wei taking over Chen's territory. 'Brother. What has happened to you?' He said aloud. 'Why did they betray you?' Zima Shi stood up and exited the throne room. He walked into the courtyard and sat down under a peach blossom tree. 'Ironic.' He thought as he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Meanwhile, Son Ja sat in his chambers, and stranger sitting across from him. 'We need your help. With Lord Liu's death so recent and leadership weighing so heavily of Zima Shi's mind, we need your assistance.' The stranger laughed and downed some wine. 'Is that the only reason? Or is it because you're too weak too help the current Emperor?' Son Ja pulled the Phoenix Sword out of its sheath. 'Don't even try that Fei Shen. You know as well as I do that you can't beat me!' Fei Shen stood up. He wore greenish armor with tan designs and straps, leather wrist and leg guards with standard issue foot wear. He wore on his head a brown bandanna with a green phoenix design. He had brown eyes and short black hair. 'Now you know I was only joking. Don't be so serious all the time!' Fei Shen said with a laugh.
*One month ago*
'We're retreating?' Zima Shao asked astonished. 'Yes. With Liu Bei's death, our soldier's morale will plummet. If the soldiers don't want to fight, they will die without trying. Just as Liu Bei cared for his men, so do I. As Sun Tzu said, If you love the soldiers like your own children, they will die with you willingly.' Zima Shao saw the sense in this. 'True, but what about my forces?' He asked. 'You killed Sun Quan, Cao Cao killed Liu Bei, and I killed Cao Cao. None of our forces except for yours and Wei's are able to battle. And upon our retreat to Cheng Du, Wei will pursue. But, a plan has already been made. All that remains to be done is for you to hear the plan and say whether you will help or not.' Zima Shi whispered the plan to Zima Shao, who just smiled. Within minutes, all the Chen Generals heard the plan. Some liked it, while others didn't. 'Regardless of your personal opinions, we are going through with the plan.' The Next day, the Shu forces began retreating to Cheng Du while the Chen forces withdrew to Chang An. 'Cao Sai! The Shu and Chen forces have begun to retreat!' A soldier said, running into the main tent. Cao Sai grinned. 'Prepare to pursue!' As the Shu army withdrew, dust was seen rising behind them. 'Turn the men and execute the plan!' Zima Shi yelled. Then from out of the crowd of Soldiers, riding upon Hex Mark and in full armor, was Liu Bei. 'Liu Bei lives? It was a trick!' Cao Sai said. The Wei forces began to retreat, but from behind the Chen forces charged them. Caught between the two forces, the Wei army suffered a crushing defeat. 'Retreat!' Cao Sai began to flee. Looking back, he muttered 'I'll get you someday.' Riding back into the camp, Zima Shi grinned. The plan had worked flawlessly. He rode up next to Hex Mark. 'Nice impersonation brother. You make a perfect Liu Bei.' Zima Shao, inside Liu Bei's armor, laughed. 'I only had to look the part. I didn't have to speak. Otherwise it wouldn't have worked.'
*Present Time*
'Just what are we going to do my lord?' Runi Fei asked. 'How are we going to deal with Shu?' Kwan Tao said, walking into the throne room. 'I will deal with them when I see fit!' Cao Sai yelled. Many of the former Chen generals shuddered. They still weren't use to their new leader's temper. 'Conquering Shu will not be easy. Since Wu surrendered and Chen was taken, both of our kingdoms have grown exponentially stronger. We must act.' Ren Mei said. Cao Sai swore. 'WE NEED A PLAN!' He yelled. 'Once one of you comes up with a worth while plan, then we shall begin preparations!' Cao Sai calmed down. 'But aside from that, I know that we shall defeat Shu! I have gathered the best commander's in the land. With the late lord Cao Cao's generals weakened by age, I have had no choice but to recruit you all.' Cao Sai said, looking at the group of generals before him. 'And with this army, I shall conquer this land! This is the New Wei Kingdom!'
'My Lord! Zima Shao and several of his generals have arrived!' Yi Shao said. Zima Shi awoke with a start at hearing his brother's name. He rushed to the throne room. 'Brother! What happened?' He asked when he saw Zima Shao. 'Most of my generals have betrayed me and joined Wei. They said that I didn't have the strength to conquer the realm. Only these generals followed me.' He said motioning to Son Mia, Mai Ling, Xiahou Shang, Zhen Xhu, Huan Xong and Kai Mei. 'So your Kingdom is no more? In that case, why not join me brother? Lord Guan and the other generals don't have the strength they used to, and I will need all the help I can get.' Zima Shi said. Zima Shao bowed. 'As you wish my lord.' Zima Shi stood up. 'For the time being, Shu is under my rule. And as long as it is under my rule, I shall not give up trying to subjugate Wei. This land shall be united under the rightful emperor Liu Chan! Prepare to mobilize!'
A/N: I'm so evil. Leaving this chapter off at a cliff-hanger. *Begins laughing evilly* 'OK I'm done. Anyway, I don't normally do this, but I'm gonna give a little preview of the final chapter of my story. I just have to write the idea down or I might forget it! (Yes, I am a baka) While we're on the topic of chapters, I have decided to have chapter 10 be the final chapter. It's not much of an excuse, but I hardly have time during the week to write chapters, me being in my senior year and all. So instead of keeping all of you waiting for weeks and months on end for a new chapter, I'm going to finish this story on chapter 10. If you all are disappointed, I feel very bad. But I'm going to give this ending all I got! So without further ado, here's the preview!
Chen Rising Final Chapter End of an Era: Two become one
Zima Shi and Zima Shao ran into the palace, dressed fully in armor. 'Where's Liu Chan?' Zima Shi asked one of the guards. 'In the nursery with Lady Mai Ling.' the guard responded. Zima Shi sat on the throne, while Zima Shao went to get Mai Ling. Zima Shao burst into the nursery. 'Mai Ling! Zima Shao wants you and Liu Chan in the throne room!' Zima Shao said. Noticing the tone of urgency in his voice, Mai Ling picked up Liu Chan and ran to the throne room. When she reached the Throne Room, she noticed Son Mia and Huan Xong were there also. When she reached the throne, Zima Shi spoke. 'This new enemy has penetrated too deeply into Shu, and I fear the kingdom we have been trying to make will fall. I want you three and Liu Chan to flee. Leave Cheng Du.' Son Mia was the first to protest. 'No way! Are you crazy? Where will we go?' Zima Shao spoke up. 'A home has already been arranged near Wu Zhang Plains. This isn't a matter that you have any say in. This isn't easy, but it must be done.' Mai Ling and Huan Xong nodded, knowing there was no other way. But Son Mia wouldn't back down. 'No way am I going along with this! I'd rather fall in battle!' Zima Shi stood up. He slowly walked down the throne until he stood in front of Son Mia. 'Sorry about this.' He said. He then hit her on the back of her neck, knocking her out. He turned to Mai Ling and Huan Xong. 'Take her and go.' He said. Several guards picked Son Mia up and lead Huan Xong and Mai Ling outside the palace. They came to the palace stable, where Kai Mei sat in a cart. 'Come on! We have to get out of here quick!' Meanwhile, in front of the palace, Zima Shi sat on horseback with Zima Shao and his generals surrounding him. 'Do you believe we have made the right choice?' He asked Zima Shao. 'I believe we have. In order for Liu Chan and the others to live, we had to.' Zima Shao said. Zima Shi nodded. 'Then let's begin this.' So saying, he kicked his horse, prompting it to charge. 'This shall be the final battle! Win or lose, this is the end!'
End Preview
Inner Turmoil: The old Era Ends
*Present Time*
'What are we going to do about this?' Zima Shao asked. 'There is not much we can do my lord. Their betrayal has left us without a home.' Xiahou Shang said. Zima Shao scowled. Half of his forces had betrayed him after the battle of Xin Ye. They said that they didn't think he had the strength to conquer the land. Only Xiahou Shang, Zhen Xhu, Mai Ling, Son Mia, Huan Xong, Kai Mei, and a few thousand troops had followed him. The rest defected to Wei. 'Humph. My dream has died. But there is still hope for us. We may not be able to fulfil my dream, but we can help to fulfil my brother's. Tomorrow we begin our march to Cheng Du!'
*One month ago*
Zima Shao looked over Sun Quan's body. 'That's one down and one to go.' He said. It was then he heard it. 'Say goodbye, King of the Riverlands!' He turned and saw Cao Cao stab Liu Bei with a dagger. 'No!' He yelled. 'I am triumphant! Liu Bei is dead!' Cao Cao said. Suddenly, someone rode by and Cao Cao's head went flying from his shoulders. Zima Shao turned and looked at the rider. It was Zima Shi. 'Brother!' Zima Shao yelled. 'Order a full retreat. Both Shu and Chen!' Zima Shao stood astonished, but acted still. 'All units, retreat!' Many of the Wei generals saw this and began to pursue. Cao Sai stopped them. 'All men retreat.' Cao Sai said calmly. 'Only his Excellency can order a retreat.' Xu Huang said. 'Lord Cao Cao has fallen in battle. As his heir, I am assuming the leadership of Wei, and am ordering a retreat! Any who disobey will be executed on the spot!' The Wei generals complied, and withdrew. At the Shu camp, Liu Bei was in the infirmary, the Shu generals all surrounding him. 'The wound is deep and has punctured some of his vital organs. I'm afraid he doesn't have long to live.' The medic said. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were on the ground. 'Brother! If you die now, how will we be able to fulfil our peach garden oath?' Guan Yu said. 'Brother! We shall fight until our lives end to avenge you!' Zhang Fei said. 'No need.' Zima Shi said, walking in. 'And why not general?' Zhuge Liang asked, though his tone sounded like he already knew why. Zima Shi then held up Cao Cao's severed head. 'The so-called hero of chaos and first emperor of Wei is already dead. That's why the Wei forces retreated.' At the sight of Cao Cao's head, Liu Bei let out a small laugh. 'Looks like my journey to the underworld won't be a lonely one. My only son is a mere infant. Incapable of ruling a kingdom. Until he comes of the age when he can rule and comprehend his responsibilities, I want you, Zima Shi, to rule Shu. These are my final wishes, and I ask all of you obey them.' It was with these words that Liu Bei died. Zima Shi placed Cao Cao's severed head on the ground next to Liu Bei's bed. He turned to Zhuge Liang. 'Begin the burial preparations. The army is to go into mourning. We shall retreat to Cheng Du at first light.' Ma Chao stood up. 'And if Cao Sai pursues? I have heard that he has already taken the Wei throne.' Zima Shi smiled. 'I am sure Master Zhuge can think something up.' Zhuge Liang thought for a minute. 'Yes. I believe I have.' Zhuge Liang walked out of the tent and began his preparations.
*Current Time*
Zima Shi sat upon the throne in Cheng Du's palace. 'Any news of my brother? He asked. Yi Shao shook his head. 'Not a word my lord.' Yi Shao wore a plain steel chestplate on his chest. Armor guards are on his wrists, while cloth ones cover his shin area. A small sash is wrapped around his waist. He had steel-grey eyes and dark brown hair that bordered on black. Zima Shi sighed in agitation. All contact with Chen had been cut off. All that came in were unconfirmed rumors of the Chen generals rebelling against Zima Shao, and Wei taking over Chen's territory. 'Brother. What has happened to you?' He said aloud. 'Why did they betray you?' Zima Shi stood up and exited the throne room. He walked into the courtyard and sat down under a peach blossom tree. 'Ironic.' He thought as he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Meanwhile, Son Ja sat in his chambers, and stranger sitting across from him. 'We need your help. With Lord Liu's death so recent and leadership weighing so heavily of Zima Shi's mind, we need your assistance.' The stranger laughed and downed some wine. 'Is that the only reason? Or is it because you're too weak too help the current Emperor?' Son Ja pulled the Phoenix Sword out of its sheath. 'Don't even try that Fei Shen. You know as well as I do that you can't beat me!' Fei Shen stood up. He wore greenish armor with tan designs and straps, leather wrist and leg guards with standard issue foot wear. He wore on his head a brown bandanna with a green phoenix design. He had brown eyes and short black hair. 'Now you know I was only joking. Don't be so serious all the time!' Fei Shen said with a laugh.
*One month ago*
'We're retreating?' Zima Shao asked astonished. 'Yes. With Liu Bei's death, our soldier's morale will plummet. If the soldiers don't want to fight, they will die without trying. Just as Liu Bei cared for his men, so do I. As Sun Tzu said, If you love the soldiers like your own children, they will die with you willingly.' Zima Shao saw the sense in this. 'True, but what about my forces?' He asked. 'You killed Sun Quan, Cao Cao killed Liu Bei, and I killed Cao Cao. None of our forces except for yours and Wei's are able to battle. And upon our retreat to Cheng Du, Wei will pursue. But, a plan has already been made. All that remains to be done is for you to hear the plan and say whether you will help or not.' Zima Shi whispered the plan to Zima Shao, who just smiled. Within minutes, all the Chen Generals heard the plan. Some liked it, while others didn't. 'Regardless of your personal opinions, we are going through with the plan.' The Next day, the Shu forces began retreating to Cheng Du while the Chen forces withdrew to Chang An. 'Cao Sai! The Shu and Chen forces have begun to retreat!' A soldier said, running into the main tent. Cao Sai grinned. 'Prepare to pursue!' As the Shu army withdrew, dust was seen rising behind them. 'Turn the men and execute the plan!' Zima Shi yelled. Then from out of the crowd of Soldiers, riding upon Hex Mark and in full armor, was Liu Bei. 'Liu Bei lives? It was a trick!' Cao Sai said. The Wei forces began to retreat, but from behind the Chen forces charged them. Caught between the two forces, the Wei army suffered a crushing defeat. 'Retreat!' Cao Sai began to flee. Looking back, he muttered 'I'll get you someday.' Riding back into the camp, Zima Shi grinned. The plan had worked flawlessly. He rode up next to Hex Mark. 'Nice impersonation brother. You make a perfect Liu Bei.' Zima Shao, inside Liu Bei's armor, laughed. 'I only had to look the part. I didn't have to speak. Otherwise it wouldn't have worked.'
*Present Time*
'Just what are we going to do my lord?' Runi Fei asked. 'How are we going to deal with Shu?' Kwan Tao said, walking into the throne room. 'I will deal with them when I see fit!' Cao Sai yelled. Many of the former Chen generals shuddered. They still weren't use to their new leader's temper. 'Conquering Shu will not be easy. Since Wu surrendered and Chen was taken, both of our kingdoms have grown exponentially stronger. We must act.' Ren Mei said. Cao Sai swore. 'WE NEED A PLAN!' He yelled. 'Once one of you comes up with a worth while plan, then we shall begin preparations!' Cao Sai calmed down. 'But aside from that, I know that we shall defeat Shu! I have gathered the best commander's in the land. With the late lord Cao Cao's generals weakened by age, I have had no choice but to recruit you all.' Cao Sai said, looking at the group of generals before him. 'And with this army, I shall conquer this land! This is the New Wei Kingdom!'
'My Lord! Zima Shao and several of his generals have arrived!' Yi Shao said. Zima Shi awoke with a start at hearing his brother's name. He rushed to the throne room. 'Brother! What happened?' He asked when he saw Zima Shao. 'Most of my generals have betrayed me and joined Wei. They said that I didn't have the strength to conquer the realm. Only these generals followed me.' He said motioning to Son Mia, Mai Ling, Xiahou Shang, Zhen Xhu, Huan Xong and Kai Mei. 'So your Kingdom is no more? In that case, why not join me brother? Lord Guan and the other generals don't have the strength they used to, and I will need all the help I can get.' Zima Shi said. Zima Shao bowed. 'As you wish my lord.' Zima Shi stood up. 'For the time being, Shu is under my rule. And as long as it is under my rule, I shall not give up trying to subjugate Wei. This land shall be united under the rightful emperor Liu Chan! Prepare to mobilize!'
A/N: I'm so evil. Leaving this chapter off at a cliff-hanger. *Begins laughing evilly* 'OK I'm done. Anyway, I don't normally do this, but I'm gonna give a little preview of the final chapter of my story. I just have to write the idea down or I might forget it! (Yes, I am a baka) While we're on the topic of chapters, I have decided to have chapter 10 be the final chapter. It's not much of an excuse, but I hardly have time during the week to write chapters, me being in my senior year and all. So instead of keeping all of you waiting for weeks and months on end for a new chapter, I'm going to finish this story on chapter 10. If you all are disappointed, I feel very bad. But I'm going to give this ending all I got! So without further ado, here's the preview!
Chen Rising Final Chapter End of an Era: Two become one
Zima Shi and Zima Shao ran into the palace, dressed fully in armor. 'Where's Liu Chan?' Zima Shi asked one of the guards. 'In the nursery with Lady Mai Ling.' the guard responded. Zima Shi sat on the throne, while Zima Shao went to get Mai Ling. Zima Shao burst into the nursery. 'Mai Ling! Zima Shao wants you and Liu Chan in the throne room!' Zima Shao said. Noticing the tone of urgency in his voice, Mai Ling picked up Liu Chan and ran to the throne room. When she reached the Throne Room, she noticed Son Mia and Huan Xong were there also. When she reached the throne, Zima Shi spoke. 'This new enemy has penetrated too deeply into Shu, and I fear the kingdom we have been trying to make will fall. I want you three and Liu Chan to flee. Leave Cheng Du.' Son Mia was the first to protest. 'No way! Are you crazy? Where will we go?' Zima Shao spoke up. 'A home has already been arranged near Wu Zhang Plains. This isn't a matter that you have any say in. This isn't easy, but it must be done.' Mai Ling and Huan Xong nodded, knowing there was no other way. But Son Mia wouldn't back down. 'No way am I going along with this! I'd rather fall in battle!' Zima Shi stood up. He slowly walked down the throne until he stood in front of Son Mia. 'Sorry about this.' He said. He then hit her on the back of her neck, knocking her out. He turned to Mai Ling and Huan Xong. 'Take her and go.' He said. Several guards picked Son Mia up and lead Huan Xong and Mai Ling outside the palace. They came to the palace stable, where Kai Mei sat in a cart. 'Come on! We have to get out of here quick!' Meanwhile, in front of the palace, Zima Shi sat on horseback with Zima Shao and his generals surrounding him. 'Do you believe we have made the right choice?' He asked Zima Shao. 'I believe we have. In order for Liu Chan and the others to live, we had to.' Zima Shao said. Zima Shi nodded. 'Then let's begin this.' So saying, he kicked his horse, prompting it to charge. 'This shall be the final battle! Win or lose, this is the end!'
End Preview