The Empire Long United Chapter 5
Plan to counterattack: The Lords of the realm rally together
'The time has finally arrived for us to attack Song! If we delay, they will send us fleeing again!' Zhen Gong said. 'But what can we do? We have only one province, while Ji Jia has four.' Huan Jian said, looking over the map. 'He has control of the four central most provinces, Yan, Yu, Si, and Jing. That means he has access to the Four Corners of the land.' Son Kai said. 'We have to have a well thought out plan, or we will lose and he will keep expanding to the west.' Son Kai said. 'It won't be that easy to stop him. We need a plan, and we must attack quickly.' Zima Qi said. The entire assembly fell silent, no one general or official being able to offer a plan. 'A head on battle with Ji Jia is inevitable. With our limited forces, however, we won't be able to do much.' Liu Fan thought. A soldier entered the room and whispered something to Sun Liao. 'Then show him in you fool!' He said. The soldier nodded, and rushed out. 'Lord Sun Liao, what was that all about?' Gan Feng asked. 'Someone has come to see the Emperor.' Sun Liao said. 'He is a young boy, but he is one of the sharpest minds in the province.' He said. A young man walked and examined the assembly. 'With such a large amount of well known generals and intelligent advisors, I would've thought one of you could've given his Excellency a worthy strategy.' He said. Li Guo stood up. 'And who are you to ridicule us?' He demanded. 'My name is Qiao Ren, the son of Qiao Shu.' The child said. 'And what could you possibly have thought of that we have missed?' Huan Jian said. 'It is so simple a stratagem that you have overlooked it.' Qiao Ren replied. 'Stop talking in riddles!' Zima Hui said. 'Fine then. I shall enlighten you.' Qiao Ren said, sitting down in front of the map. 'It is indeed true that Ji Jia has taken the four central provinces, giving him ample grain stores, strong troops, riches, and access to the whole of the land. There is however, one fatal flaw with his strategy, and that flaw is that he has access to the whole of the land. His four provinces share borders with eight other provinces, making for an eight sided attack.' Qiao Ren explained. 'Are you saying what I think you are saying?' Liu Fan asked. 'Precisely. Rally the lords of the land under your banner, and attack Ji Jia on all sides.' Qiao Ren said.
'It is because of your efforts that Jing fell to us. Without you, we would've had to carry out a prolonged siege that would've ended in our defeat.' Ji Jia said to Liu Huang. 'Thank you my lord Ji Jia. I was only too glad to betray my weakling father and pathetic cousin.' Liu Huang said. 'And now is the time to finish off your cousin. He has taken refuge in Yang with Sun Liao. I shall give you an army of one million men to attack them and raze Jian Ye!' Ji Jia said. 'One million men? There aren't that many soldiers in our provinces!' Someone said. Ji Jia grinned. 'You forget one thing my friend!' He said, walking out onto the balcony. Before him was the city of Xu Chang, and a wide field. 'The powers of Dark Wolf!' Ji Jia drew Dark Wolf and pointed it in the direction of the field. The sword shot out a bright crimson beam, and a large fog covered the field. 'Before, we only had half that number of troops.' Ji Jia said. When the fog cleared, there now stood many hundreds of thousands of troops. 'However, Dark Wolf has killed so many people over the centuries of it's existence that I can summon the souls of half a million men to do my bidding! Soldiers who neither need sleep or food!' Ji Jia yelled. He turned to Liu Huang. 'Prepare for your march south!' Liu Huang nodded and left. 'You don't really intend to make him emperor do you my lord?' Ji Jia snickered. 'When his worth is gone, then I shall make him ruler. Ruler of the dead! I never intended to give him rule of anything!' Ji Jia said. 'That fool Xiahou Shang. He had all this power, but he chose to throw it away for a woman! A weakling like him could've never fully mastered Dark Wolf's necromantic powers!'
'A report has come in! Ji Jia's army, led by Liu Huang is marching south- east! Rumor has it he's leading an army of one million soldiers!' A soldier yelled. 'One million men! That's impossible!' Sun Liao said. 'Not it's not. This is Dark Wolf's doing' Zima Qi said. 'You speak of this Dark Wolf like it's a god! You tremble at its name and cower at its use! How pathetic.' Gan Feng said. 'You haven't been through what I have. I was killed and resurrected by it. I know what it's capable of.' Zima Qi said. 'You claim you were killed, but here you are standing right infront of us! You have no proof whatsoever!' Gan Feng said. Zima Qi was about ready to draw his sword, when someone stopped him. 'That's enough Gan Feng!' Everyone turned and saw a man standing in the door. He was tall, had black eyes and long black hair. He wore crimson armor and wielded a giant halberd. 'Stay out of this Taishi Yuan! This doesn't concern you!' Gan Feng said. 'It does because as you all sit here bickering, a million man army is marching here hell bent on our deaths!' Taishi Yuan yelled. 'We must work together in order to repel this attack and defeat the rebel Ji Jia!'
Liu Fan lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. 'Father. I wish you were here to guide me.' He thought. He had just finished more training with Yue Mei and was tired both physically and mentally. 'This plan of Qiao Ren's. Would it really work?' He thought. 'Against one million men, I suppose we have no other choice.' He sat up and walked over to his desk. He had made up his mind:
To the rulers of each province, I give my humble call. Though I have only been Emperor a short while and haven't yet gained the people's trust, I ask you, the rulers of our nation, for aid. Recently, the rebel Ji Jia has usurped Shu authority, razing the capital with the result of my wandering first to Jing and then to Yang. I implore to all those still loyal to the empire, mobilize your armies and march to Xu Chang to do away with the traitor. For the preservation of the empire, I beg you all to answer my call.
Location: Yong Province
'What to do about this my lord?' Guo Xun asked. 'We shall assist of course. Though my ancestor attempted to usurp the Han and destroy Shu and Wei, I shall not forget the position I was given by Emperor Liang. Mobilize the army! We march on Si province at dawn!' Cao Li said.
Location: Yi Province
'Lord Chen Fu! A message from the Emperor has arrived!' Fa Tong said. 'Emperor Fan lives? Thank the heavens!' Chen Fu said. He unrolled the scroll and read the message. 'The Emperor mandates that we destroy the traitor Ji Jia! We march east towards Jing!'
Location: Xu Province
Master Liu, a message from Yang has arrived.' Wei Shang said. 'From Yang? What could Sun Liao want?' Liu Jin asked. 'It has the emperor's seal instead of Sun Liao's.' Wei Shang said. 'The emperor's seal! Give me it to me!' Liu Jin read the scroll and drew his sword. 'Prepare for battle! We attack Yan and Yu by the emperor's orders!'
Location: Qing Province
'We have received an order from the Emperor to attack Ji Jia so as to restore Shu rule. The emperor orders it, so it must be done.' Mi Xu said. 'Lord Mi Xu, I must oppose this. We are only one small province with too few troops to oppose Ji Jia.' Kong Fu said. 'Kong Fu, you are my advisor and one of my oldest friends, but you are mistaken for once. The emperor's order must be obeyed. We shall march against Yan immediately.'
Location: Ji Province
'My brother has passed a message onto me that the Emperor has given an order for a general call to arms.' Mi Fan said. 'Since the razing of the capital, the Emperor has escaped first to Jing and now Yang. Now Ji Jia marches south with a million men. We must strike south and attack Yan and Si. If we reclaim the capital, the you shall be a hero lord Mi Fan!' Tian Wu said.
Location: Bing Province
That Ji Jia! His father is granted one of the highest positions possible, and they repay he Emperor by killing him and raising the banners of War!' Liu Hong said. 'So we will obey the emperor?' Dong Zhen said. 'Of course we will! Ji Jia received rank and office from the emperor and in return raised a rebellion! We shall march on Si's borders immediately!'
'Lord Ji Jia, a most unexpected twist has occurred. Liu Fan has called for the provincial rulers to attack our borders and we now face an eight-sided attack. Ji Jia grinned. 'Well then. This was most unseen.' He said with a laugh. 'Fine then. We shall have to split our forces.' Ji Jia pulled Dark Wolf out of it's sheath. 'But Lord Ji Jia! We haven't enough generals!' Ji Jia laughed again. 'You should know me better by now.' Ji Jia said. Six crimson beams shot out from Dark Wolf. 'Six more trapped souls shall lead my armies against my enemies. Recall Liu Huang. His new assignment is to attack Yi Province with one hundred thousand troops.' Ji Jia said. He turned to the six resurrected generals before him and began giving out their assignments.
Liu Fan looked from the deck to the Chang Jiang River. Sitting down at a table were Sun Liao and Qiao Ren, as well as Yue Mei. 'Ji Jia has recalled all but two hundred thousand troops and is coming to lead the battle personally. We have an army of one hundred and fifty thousand, with many able generals, making up for our lack of numbers. In all honesty, we have a very equal battle on our hands.' Qiao Ren said to Liu Fan. 'Our plan for an eight-sided strike has succeeded. I shall lead the army into battle and take vengeance for my father!' Liu Fan said. 'Are you sure that's a good idea? You're still a trainee, even if you do show a great amount of promise.' Yue Mei said. 'Then why don't you be his body guard my daughter? There is no one better to guard his majesty then his teacher.' Sun Liao said. Yue Mei looked down, hiding a light blush. 'Do I have to?' She said. 'As your father, I am asking you, but as your lord, I am ordering you.' Sun Liao replied. Liu Fan stood up and drew his sword. 'Until now, we have been dealt defeat after defeat. But now, our Counterattack begins!'
For anyone who hasn't seen a map of Han China, go to
Plan to counterattack: The Lords of the realm rally together
'The time has finally arrived for us to attack Song! If we delay, they will send us fleeing again!' Zhen Gong said. 'But what can we do? We have only one province, while Ji Jia has four.' Huan Jian said, looking over the map. 'He has control of the four central most provinces, Yan, Yu, Si, and Jing. That means he has access to the Four Corners of the land.' Son Kai said. 'We have to have a well thought out plan, or we will lose and he will keep expanding to the west.' Son Kai said. 'It won't be that easy to stop him. We need a plan, and we must attack quickly.' Zima Qi said. The entire assembly fell silent, no one general or official being able to offer a plan. 'A head on battle with Ji Jia is inevitable. With our limited forces, however, we won't be able to do much.' Liu Fan thought. A soldier entered the room and whispered something to Sun Liao. 'Then show him in you fool!' He said. The soldier nodded, and rushed out. 'Lord Sun Liao, what was that all about?' Gan Feng asked. 'Someone has come to see the Emperor.' Sun Liao said. 'He is a young boy, but he is one of the sharpest minds in the province.' He said. A young man walked and examined the assembly. 'With such a large amount of well known generals and intelligent advisors, I would've thought one of you could've given his Excellency a worthy strategy.' He said. Li Guo stood up. 'And who are you to ridicule us?' He demanded. 'My name is Qiao Ren, the son of Qiao Shu.' The child said. 'And what could you possibly have thought of that we have missed?' Huan Jian said. 'It is so simple a stratagem that you have overlooked it.' Qiao Ren replied. 'Stop talking in riddles!' Zima Hui said. 'Fine then. I shall enlighten you.' Qiao Ren said, sitting down in front of the map. 'It is indeed true that Ji Jia has taken the four central provinces, giving him ample grain stores, strong troops, riches, and access to the whole of the land. There is however, one fatal flaw with his strategy, and that flaw is that he has access to the whole of the land. His four provinces share borders with eight other provinces, making for an eight sided attack.' Qiao Ren explained. 'Are you saying what I think you are saying?' Liu Fan asked. 'Precisely. Rally the lords of the land under your banner, and attack Ji Jia on all sides.' Qiao Ren said.
'It is because of your efforts that Jing fell to us. Without you, we would've had to carry out a prolonged siege that would've ended in our defeat.' Ji Jia said to Liu Huang. 'Thank you my lord Ji Jia. I was only too glad to betray my weakling father and pathetic cousin.' Liu Huang said. 'And now is the time to finish off your cousin. He has taken refuge in Yang with Sun Liao. I shall give you an army of one million men to attack them and raze Jian Ye!' Ji Jia said. 'One million men? There aren't that many soldiers in our provinces!' Someone said. Ji Jia grinned. 'You forget one thing my friend!' He said, walking out onto the balcony. Before him was the city of Xu Chang, and a wide field. 'The powers of Dark Wolf!' Ji Jia drew Dark Wolf and pointed it in the direction of the field. The sword shot out a bright crimson beam, and a large fog covered the field. 'Before, we only had half that number of troops.' Ji Jia said. When the fog cleared, there now stood many hundreds of thousands of troops. 'However, Dark Wolf has killed so many people over the centuries of it's existence that I can summon the souls of half a million men to do my bidding! Soldiers who neither need sleep or food!' Ji Jia yelled. He turned to Liu Huang. 'Prepare for your march south!' Liu Huang nodded and left. 'You don't really intend to make him emperor do you my lord?' Ji Jia snickered. 'When his worth is gone, then I shall make him ruler. Ruler of the dead! I never intended to give him rule of anything!' Ji Jia said. 'That fool Xiahou Shang. He had all this power, but he chose to throw it away for a woman! A weakling like him could've never fully mastered Dark Wolf's necromantic powers!'
'A report has come in! Ji Jia's army, led by Liu Huang is marching south- east! Rumor has it he's leading an army of one million soldiers!' A soldier yelled. 'One million men! That's impossible!' Sun Liao said. 'Not it's not. This is Dark Wolf's doing' Zima Qi said. 'You speak of this Dark Wolf like it's a god! You tremble at its name and cower at its use! How pathetic.' Gan Feng said. 'You haven't been through what I have. I was killed and resurrected by it. I know what it's capable of.' Zima Qi said. 'You claim you were killed, but here you are standing right infront of us! You have no proof whatsoever!' Gan Feng said. Zima Qi was about ready to draw his sword, when someone stopped him. 'That's enough Gan Feng!' Everyone turned and saw a man standing in the door. He was tall, had black eyes and long black hair. He wore crimson armor and wielded a giant halberd. 'Stay out of this Taishi Yuan! This doesn't concern you!' Gan Feng said. 'It does because as you all sit here bickering, a million man army is marching here hell bent on our deaths!' Taishi Yuan yelled. 'We must work together in order to repel this attack and defeat the rebel Ji Jia!'
Liu Fan lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. 'Father. I wish you were here to guide me.' He thought. He had just finished more training with Yue Mei and was tired both physically and mentally. 'This plan of Qiao Ren's. Would it really work?' He thought. 'Against one million men, I suppose we have no other choice.' He sat up and walked over to his desk. He had made up his mind:
To the rulers of each province, I give my humble call. Though I have only been Emperor a short while and haven't yet gained the people's trust, I ask you, the rulers of our nation, for aid. Recently, the rebel Ji Jia has usurped Shu authority, razing the capital with the result of my wandering first to Jing and then to Yang. I implore to all those still loyal to the empire, mobilize your armies and march to Xu Chang to do away with the traitor. For the preservation of the empire, I beg you all to answer my call.
Location: Yong Province
'What to do about this my lord?' Guo Xun asked. 'We shall assist of course. Though my ancestor attempted to usurp the Han and destroy Shu and Wei, I shall not forget the position I was given by Emperor Liang. Mobilize the army! We march on Si province at dawn!' Cao Li said.
Location: Yi Province
'Lord Chen Fu! A message from the Emperor has arrived!' Fa Tong said. 'Emperor Fan lives? Thank the heavens!' Chen Fu said. He unrolled the scroll and read the message. 'The Emperor mandates that we destroy the traitor Ji Jia! We march east towards Jing!'
Location: Xu Province
Master Liu, a message from Yang has arrived.' Wei Shang said. 'From Yang? What could Sun Liao want?' Liu Jin asked. 'It has the emperor's seal instead of Sun Liao's.' Wei Shang said. 'The emperor's seal! Give me it to me!' Liu Jin read the scroll and drew his sword. 'Prepare for battle! We attack Yan and Yu by the emperor's orders!'
Location: Qing Province
'We have received an order from the Emperor to attack Ji Jia so as to restore Shu rule. The emperor orders it, so it must be done.' Mi Xu said. 'Lord Mi Xu, I must oppose this. We are only one small province with too few troops to oppose Ji Jia.' Kong Fu said. 'Kong Fu, you are my advisor and one of my oldest friends, but you are mistaken for once. The emperor's order must be obeyed. We shall march against Yan immediately.'
Location: Ji Province
'My brother has passed a message onto me that the Emperor has given an order for a general call to arms.' Mi Fan said. 'Since the razing of the capital, the Emperor has escaped first to Jing and now Yang. Now Ji Jia marches south with a million men. We must strike south and attack Yan and Si. If we reclaim the capital, the you shall be a hero lord Mi Fan!' Tian Wu said.
Location: Bing Province
That Ji Jia! His father is granted one of the highest positions possible, and they repay he Emperor by killing him and raising the banners of War!' Liu Hong said. 'So we will obey the emperor?' Dong Zhen said. 'Of course we will! Ji Jia received rank and office from the emperor and in return raised a rebellion! We shall march on Si's borders immediately!'
'Lord Ji Jia, a most unexpected twist has occurred. Liu Fan has called for the provincial rulers to attack our borders and we now face an eight-sided attack. Ji Jia grinned. 'Well then. This was most unseen.' He said with a laugh. 'Fine then. We shall have to split our forces.' Ji Jia pulled Dark Wolf out of it's sheath. 'But Lord Ji Jia! We haven't enough generals!' Ji Jia laughed again. 'You should know me better by now.' Ji Jia said. Six crimson beams shot out from Dark Wolf. 'Six more trapped souls shall lead my armies against my enemies. Recall Liu Huang. His new assignment is to attack Yi Province with one hundred thousand troops.' Ji Jia said. He turned to the six resurrected generals before him and began giving out their assignments.
Liu Fan looked from the deck to the Chang Jiang River. Sitting down at a table were Sun Liao and Qiao Ren, as well as Yue Mei. 'Ji Jia has recalled all but two hundred thousand troops and is coming to lead the battle personally. We have an army of one hundred and fifty thousand, with many able generals, making up for our lack of numbers. In all honesty, we have a very equal battle on our hands.' Qiao Ren said to Liu Fan. 'Our plan for an eight-sided strike has succeeded. I shall lead the army into battle and take vengeance for my father!' Liu Fan said. 'Are you sure that's a good idea? You're still a trainee, even if you do show a great amount of promise.' Yue Mei said. 'Then why don't you be his body guard my daughter? There is no one better to guard his majesty then his teacher.' Sun Liao said. Yue Mei looked down, hiding a light blush. 'Do I have to?' She said. 'As your father, I am asking you, but as your lord, I am ordering you.' Sun Liao replied. Liu Fan stood up and drew his sword. 'Until now, we have been dealt defeat after defeat. But now, our Counterattack begins!'
For anyone who hasn't seen a map of Han China, go to