The Empire Long United
Chapter 2 Provincial protector Liu Xiong: Jing under Siege
The sun rose slowly, revealing the busy hive that was Shu's temporary camp. In Liu Fan's tent, the generals sat. 'We have to do something. If we stay in a camp like this, we're doomed.' Huan Jian said. 'I agree. We have to retake some territory. Ji Jia's usurpation has caused the provincial protectors to rise up and take power.' Zhen Gong said. 'The closest province is Jing, with Fan castle being 100 li to the south.' Xiahou Mei said. 'Jing is ruled over by my Uncle Liu Xiong. I want to try to talk to him. He may join us.' Liu Fan said, standing up from his seat. 'I may not know him well, but he is still my uncle. There will be no talk of an invasion until I can at least talk to him.' Liu Fan said. 'I will need some volunteers to accompany me to Xiang Yang. The rest will have to wait here.' Zima Hui, Xiahou Mei and Zima Xue volunteered. 'Then let us make haste to Xiang Yang. We don't have much time until Ji Jia sends an army after us.' The generals bowed. Moments later, four horses charged from the camp. 'Let's hope the negotiations go good.' Zhen Gong said.
They rode on all day, knowing the one scenario on their minds could play itself out. And that was if Liu Xiong wouldn't help them. 'Jing province. It's been quite awhile since I was last here.' Liu Fan thought.
*Flashback*
A five-year-old Liu Fan sat in the imperial carriage. 'Where are we going today father?' Liu Fan. 'We're going to Jing to see your uncle, aunt, and cousin.' The Emperor said. 'You haven't met your uncle Xiong, though you remember your cousin Liu Huang?' The Empress said. Liu Fan nodded, many less then pleasant memories flooding his young mind. 'Cousin Huang was really mean to mean when he came to Xu Chang.' Liu Fan thought. Within another hour, they reached the city of Xiang Yang. A group of riders were approaching. The Emperor looked out from the carriage. 'Brother! You have finally arrived!' The head rider shouted. 'It's good to see you again my brother.' The Emperor said. The carriage was escorted into Xiang Yang, and a feast was held that night. In the middle of the feast, Liu Huang approached Liu Fan. 'Hey cousin, I have a really cool secret I want to show you.' Liu Huang said. 'What is it?' Liu Fan asked. 'Come with and see.' Liu Huang said. The two managed to sneak out of the dining hall and into the courtyard. 'So what is the secret?' Liu Fan asked. Liu Huang grinned. 'This is.' Liu Huang snapped his fingers and a few more children came out of hiding and grabbed Liu Fan. 'Cousin, what is the meaning of this?' Liu Fan asked. Liu Huang laughed. 'I should be the heir to the throne, not a weakling like you!' He said. Liu Huang snapped his fingers again and the other children began to hit Liu Fan. 'Cousin, stop this!' Liu Fan said. After a few minutes, Liu Huang again snapped his fingers. 'Tell anyone and you'll get even worse!' Liu Huang walked off, the other children following behind him.
*End Flashback*
Liu Fan looked up and saw Xiang Yang drawing closer. They stopped at he gate. 'Who goes there?' The guard yelled down. 'The Imperial Emperor Liu Fan comes!' Went the reply. The guards immediately opened the gate. Word spread around quickly, and the people of Xiang Yang crowded along the roads to welcome the young Emperor. Liu Fan waved to them and rode forward. They turned a corner, and there a lone rider occupied the road. 'My dear little cousin. How good it is to see you.' The rider said. Liu Fan's eyes narrowed. 'Liu Huang.' He whispered. Zima Xue heard the contempt in Liu Fan's voice and put her hand on her sword. 'What brings you back to Xiang Yang cousin? Come to collect tribute on behalf of your father?' Liu Huang spat. 'It's no business of yours. Move and let us through to the Palace!' Zima Hui said. Liu Huang looked at Zima Hui. 'And who do you think you are? How dare you speak to a scion of the royal family like that!' Liu Huang said. 'I am Zima Hui! Descent from Zima Shi! We are here on official business! Move or I shall move you!' Zima Hui yelled. 'You are nothing but an army general, and my cousin a prince. I shall not!' Liu Huang yelled back. 'He is a prince no more, but the Emperor! Move or it will be treated as treachery to the Imperial house!' Xiahou Mei said. Liu Huang looked aghast. 'No! You're lying!' Liu Huang pulled his sword out. 'You're lying!' Zima Hui was about to charge out, but Xiahou Mei beat him to it. She pulled her sword out of her sheath, it's blade glinting in the sunlight. 'Is that what I think it is?' Zima Xue said. Zima Hui nodded. 'Xiahou Shang's second sword. The Demon Fang.' Liu Huang also recognized the sword. He raised his own sword to block, but the Demon Fang cut the blade in half. Liu Huang looked at the broken blade. 'Impossible! Demon Fang was supposed to have shattered years ago!' He said. 'It was re-forged and sharpened by the greatest Blacksmith in the country. It's unprecedented.' Xiahou Mei said, holding the sword. 'That's quite enough!' A voice said. Everyone turned and saw a man mounted on a horse, a legion of soldiers behind him. 'Your highness, please call your generals off.' He said. Liu Fan bowed. 'Of course.' He said. 'Xiahou Mei, Zima Hui, put away your weapons.' Zima Hui lowered Geomancer. Xiahou Mei sheathed Demon Fang, but kept a single hand on it just in case. Liu Huang rode up to the rider. 'They tried to kill me! They're after my life!' He said. The rider held his hand up. 'I am no fool. I saw the whole thing. Go back to the palace.' Liu Huang turned and shot a nasty look at Liu Fan, then slowly rode away. The rider approached Liu Fan and the Shu generals. 'I know we haven't met, but surely your father told of your Uncle Xiong.' The Rider said. 'He did. And I am most eager to meet him. I have an urgent matter that must be discussed with him.' Liu Fan said. The Rider bowed. 'My name is Li Guo, and, I am the commander of Jing's military corps. I shall take you to see my lord Liu Xiong.' Li Guo turned his horse around and began to ride to the palace. 'Can we trust him, or is he a flunky of your cousin?' Zima Xue asked to Liu Fan. 'I sensed no dishonesty in his voice. I think we can trust him.' Liu Fan said.
The Palace rose from among the buildings. The four riders dismounted and began to climb the stairs. 'My apologies for Master Liu Huang's behaviour. My lord spoils him badly.' Li Guo said. 'It isn't my uncle's fault. Liu Huang was always bad.' Liu Fan said. The rest of their walk was silent. They came to a pair of large double doors, where Li Guo stopped. 'This is where Lord Liu Xiong spends his time, though he doesn't like being disturbed. I'm sure, however, if you go in, he will not be angry.' Li Guo said. The two doors opened suddenly, and Liu Xiong walked out. 'My nephew! Is it really you?' he asked. Liu Xiong ran forward and embraced Liu Fan. 'I thought that you had died along side you father in the capital's razing.' Liu Xiong said, tears rolling down his face. 'Yes my uncle. I have come to see if you will continue with your support of the Imperial house.' Liu Fan said. Liu Xiong rose and was about to speak when a soldier ran into the hall. 'My lord! The Emperor's under the command of Zhen Gong has arrived seeking shelter!' Liu Fan looked surprised. 'Something must've happened.' He said. The group left the palace and rode to where the army was. 'Zhen Gong! What happened?' Liu Fan asked. 'Ji Jia sent an army out to destroy us and take Fan Castle. And you will never believe who was at the head of the army!' Zhen Gong said. 'Who?' Zima Hui asked. 'It was Zima Qi! He was leading them! And he had Geomancer!' Zima Hui's mouth dropped open. 'That's impossible! I watched my cousin die! And I took Geomancer to avenge him!' Zima Hui said. 'It must be a fake. I shall prove it's a fake!' Zima Hui mounted a horse and charged out of the city alone. 'Brother! Wait!' Zima Xue yelled. 'You can't stop him. He's bent on avenging Zima Qi.' Zhen Gong said. Suddenly, another rider shot past them. 'What now?' Liu Xiong said. No one saw who the other rider was. 'Zima Hui you idiot!' The rider thought.
Zima Hui looked at the enemy's camp. He saw a banner among the tents that read 'Lord of Chen Liu, Zima Qi' Zima Hui frowned. 'It must be a fake.' He muttered. 'You idiot! Why'd you take off like that?' A voice said. Zima Hui turned and saw Xiahou Mei on a horse. 'I am going to kill that impersonator! He's tarnishing my cousin's name!' Zima Hui yelled. Xiahou Mei dismounted. 'Are you crazy? They have an army of ten thousand! What can you, one soldier, possibly do?' She asked. 'I don't give a damn if I die! All I want to do is kill that impostor and Ji Jia!' Zima Hui yelled. Suddenly, he felt pain erupt across his face as his head jerked to the side. He looked at Xiahou Mei. She had slapped him! 'Listen to yourself you fool! Do you really think you're avenging your cousin by going off on some foolhardy venture? Do you really think dying in battle against ten thousand soldiers will avenge his death? Don't be an idiot!' She yelled. Zima Hui didn't respond. He slowly looked towards the ground, tears beginning to fall down his face. 'My cousin. I shall avenge you, but not now.' He silently resolved. Zima Hui wiped some tears from his eyes and looked up. 'You're right.' He said. This wasn't really the answer Xiahou Mei had been expecting. 'You're right. I reacted on my emotions. I shouldn't have done this.' He said. The sound of hooves was heard, and the two turned and saw a few of Ji Jia's troops charging at them. 'Guess they heard us.' Zima Hui said. He mounted his horse. 'You just going to stand there and get killed?' He asked. Xiahou Mei snapped out of her shock. 'Yeah right.' She jumped onto her horse. 'What say we show then how quick we are?' Zima Hui said. Xiahou Mei grinned. 'Let's.' The two rode off at full speed, heading back to Xiang Yang.
Chapter 2 Provincial protector Liu Xiong: Jing under Siege
The sun rose slowly, revealing the busy hive that was Shu's temporary camp. In Liu Fan's tent, the generals sat. 'We have to do something. If we stay in a camp like this, we're doomed.' Huan Jian said. 'I agree. We have to retake some territory. Ji Jia's usurpation has caused the provincial protectors to rise up and take power.' Zhen Gong said. 'The closest province is Jing, with Fan castle being 100 li to the south.' Xiahou Mei said. 'Jing is ruled over by my Uncle Liu Xiong. I want to try to talk to him. He may join us.' Liu Fan said, standing up from his seat. 'I may not know him well, but he is still my uncle. There will be no talk of an invasion until I can at least talk to him.' Liu Fan said. 'I will need some volunteers to accompany me to Xiang Yang. The rest will have to wait here.' Zima Hui, Xiahou Mei and Zima Xue volunteered. 'Then let us make haste to Xiang Yang. We don't have much time until Ji Jia sends an army after us.' The generals bowed. Moments later, four horses charged from the camp. 'Let's hope the negotiations go good.' Zhen Gong said.
They rode on all day, knowing the one scenario on their minds could play itself out. And that was if Liu Xiong wouldn't help them. 'Jing province. It's been quite awhile since I was last here.' Liu Fan thought.
*Flashback*
A five-year-old Liu Fan sat in the imperial carriage. 'Where are we going today father?' Liu Fan. 'We're going to Jing to see your uncle, aunt, and cousin.' The Emperor said. 'You haven't met your uncle Xiong, though you remember your cousin Liu Huang?' The Empress said. Liu Fan nodded, many less then pleasant memories flooding his young mind. 'Cousin Huang was really mean to mean when he came to Xu Chang.' Liu Fan thought. Within another hour, they reached the city of Xiang Yang. A group of riders were approaching. The Emperor looked out from the carriage. 'Brother! You have finally arrived!' The head rider shouted. 'It's good to see you again my brother.' The Emperor said. The carriage was escorted into Xiang Yang, and a feast was held that night. In the middle of the feast, Liu Huang approached Liu Fan. 'Hey cousin, I have a really cool secret I want to show you.' Liu Huang said. 'What is it?' Liu Fan asked. 'Come with and see.' Liu Huang said. The two managed to sneak out of the dining hall and into the courtyard. 'So what is the secret?' Liu Fan asked. Liu Huang grinned. 'This is.' Liu Huang snapped his fingers and a few more children came out of hiding and grabbed Liu Fan. 'Cousin, what is the meaning of this?' Liu Fan asked. Liu Huang laughed. 'I should be the heir to the throne, not a weakling like you!' He said. Liu Huang snapped his fingers again and the other children began to hit Liu Fan. 'Cousin, stop this!' Liu Fan said. After a few minutes, Liu Huang again snapped his fingers. 'Tell anyone and you'll get even worse!' Liu Huang walked off, the other children following behind him.
*End Flashback*
Liu Fan looked up and saw Xiang Yang drawing closer. They stopped at he gate. 'Who goes there?' The guard yelled down. 'The Imperial Emperor Liu Fan comes!' Went the reply. The guards immediately opened the gate. Word spread around quickly, and the people of Xiang Yang crowded along the roads to welcome the young Emperor. Liu Fan waved to them and rode forward. They turned a corner, and there a lone rider occupied the road. 'My dear little cousin. How good it is to see you.' The rider said. Liu Fan's eyes narrowed. 'Liu Huang.' He whispered. Zima Xue heard the contempt in Liu Fan's voice and put her hand on her sword. 'What brings you back to Xiang Yang cousin? Come to collect tribute on behalf of your father?' Liu Huang spat. 'It's no business of yours. Move and let us through to the Palace!' Zima Hui said. Liu Huang looked at Zima Hui. 'And who do you think you are? How dare you speak to a scion of the royal family like that!' Liu Huang said. 'I am Zima Hui! Descent from Zima Shi! We are here on official business! Move or I shall move you!' Zima Hui yelled. 'You are nothing but an army general, and my cousin a prince. I shall not!' Liu Huang yelled back. 'He is a prince no more, but the Emperor! Move or it will be treated as treachery to the Imperial house!' Xiahou Mei said. Liu Huang looked aghast. 'No! You're lying!' Liu Huang pulled his sword out. 'You're lying!' Zima Hui was about to charge out, but Xiahou Mei beat him to it. She pulled her sword out of her sheath, it's blade glinting in the sunlight. 'Is that what I think it is?' Zima Xue said. Zima Hui nodded. 'Xiahou Shang's second sword. The Demon Fang.' Liu Huang also recognized the sword. He raised his own sword to block, but the Demon Fang cut the blade in half. Liu Huang looked at the broken blade. 'Impossible! Demon Fang was supposed to have shattered years ago!' He said. 'It was re-forged and sharpened by the greatest Blacksmith in the country. It's unprecedented.' Xiahou Mei said, holding the sword. 'That's quite enough!' A voice said. Everyone turned and saw a man mounted on a horse, a legion of soldiers behind him. 'Your highness, please call your generals off.' He said. Liu Fan bowed. 'Of course.' He said. 'Xiahou Mei, Zima Hui, put away your weapons.' Zima Hui lowered Geomancer. Xiahou Mei sheathed Demon Fang, but kept a single hand on it just in case. Liu Huang rode up to the rider. 'They tried to kill me! They're after my life!' He said. The rider held his hand up. 'I am no fool. I saw the whole thing. Go back to the palace.' Liu Huang turned and shot a nasty look at Liu Fan, then slowly rode away. The rider approached Liu Fan and the Shu generals. 'I know we haven't met, but surely your father told of your Uncle Xiong.' The Rider said. 'He did. And I am most eager to meet him. I have an urgent matter that must be discussed with him.' Liu Fan said. The Rider bowed. 'My name is Li Guo, and, I am the commander of Jing's military corps. I shall take you to see my lord Liu Xiong.' Li Guo turned his horse around and began to ride to the palace. 'Can we trust him, or is he a flunky of your cousin?' Zima Xue asked to Liu Fan. 'I sensed no dishonesty in his voice. I think we can trust him.' Liu Fan said.
The Palace rose from among the buildings. The four riders dismounted and began to climb the stairs. 'My apologies for Master Liu Huang's behaviour. My lord spoils him badly.' Li Guo said. 'It isn't my uncle's fault. Liu Huang was always bad.' Liu Fan said. The rest of their walk was silent. They came to a pair of large double doors, where Li Guo stopped. 'This is where Lord Liu Xiong spends his time, though he doesn't like being disturbed. I'm sure, however, if you go in, he will not be angry.' Li Guo said. The two doors opened suddenly, and Liu Xiong walked out. 'My nephew! Is it really you?' he asked. Liu Xiong ran forward and embraced Liu Fan. 'I thought that you had died along side you father in the capital's razing.' Liu Xiong said, tears rolling down his face. 'Yes my uncle. I have come to see if you will continue with your support of the Imperial house.' Liu Fan said. Liu Xiong rose and was about to speak when a soldier ran into the hall. 'My lord! The Emperor's under the command of Zhen Gong has arrived seeking shelter!' Liu Fan looked surprised. 'Something must've happened.' He said. The group left the palace and rode to where the army was. 'Zhen Gong! What happened?' Liu Fan asked. 'Ji Jia sent an army out to destroy us and take Fan Castle. And you will never believe who was at the head of the army!' Zhen Gong said. 'Who?' Zima Hui asked. 'It was Zima Qi! He was leading them! And he had Geomancer!' Zima Hui's mouth dropped open. 'That's impossible! I watched my cousin die! And I took Geomancer to avenge him!' Zima Hui said. 'It must be a fake. I shall prove it's a fake!' Zima Hui mounted a horse and charged out of the city alone. 'Brother! Wait!' Zima Xue yelled. 'You can't stop him. He's bent on avenging Zima Qi.' Zhen Gong said. Suddenly, another rider shot past them. 'What now?' Liu Xiong said. No one saw who the other rider was. 'Zima Hui you idiot!' The rider thought.
Zima Hui looked at the enemy's camp. He saw a banner among the tents that read 'Lord of Chen Liu, Zima Qi' Zima Hui frowned. 'It must be a fake.' He muttered. 'You idiot! Why'd you take off like that?' A voice said. Zima Hui turned and saw Xiahou Mei on a horse. 'I am going to kill that impersonator! He's tarnishing my cousin's name!' Zima Hui yelled. Xiahou Mei dismounted. 'Are you crazy? They have an army of ten thousand! What can you, one soldier, possibly do?' She asked. 'I don't give a damn if I die! All I want to do is kill that impostor and Ji Jia!' Zima Hui yelled. Suddenly, he felt pain erupt across his face as his head jerked to the side. He looked at Xiahou Mei. She had slapped him! 'Listen to yourself you fool! Do you really think you're avenging your cousin by going off on some foolhardy venture? Do you really think dying in battle against ten thousand soldiers will avenge his death? Don't be an idiot!' She yelled. Zima Hui didn't respond. He slowly looked towards the ground, tears beginning to fall down his face. 'My cousin. I shall avenge you, but not now.' He silently resolved. Zima Hui wiped some tears from his eyes and looked up. 'You're right.' He said. This wasn't really the answer Xiahou Mei had been expecting. 'You're right. I reacted on my emotions. I shouldn't have done this.' He said. The sound of hooves was heard, and the two turned and saw a few of Ji Jia's troops charging at them. 'Guess they heard us.' Zima Hui said. He mounted his horse. 'You just going to stand there and get killed?' He asked. Xiahou Mei snapped out of her shock. 'Yeah right.' She jumped onto her horse. 'What say we show then how quick we are?' Zima Hui said. Xiahou Mei grinned. 'Let's.' The two rode off at full speed, heading back to Xiang Yang.