The Empire Long United Chapter 7
Betrayal: Ji Jia's backup plan
Mi Fan's army marched from Guan Du, their armor and weapons glinting in the sun. 'Remember, any pillaging along the way is punishable by execution.' Mi Fan said. They marched all day, until the sin had set. 'My lord! The enemy camp is up ahead. We should camp here for the night.' Tian Wu said. 'Good advice. The men are tired, and want to eat, so we shall camp here.' Mi Fan said. While Mi Fan's forces were setting up camp, the Song Generals were having a meeting. 'What shall we do? Mi Fan's forces are numerous, his supplies ample. We will not win a long drawn out battle.' One of them said. The head general just grinned. 'It is simple. We shall raid their camp tonight.' He said. 'We shall scatter them!' Mi Fan had just lain down in his tent when he heard a commotion. 'An unknown number of enemies are attacking!' Mi Fan drew his sword and left his tent. Around him, flames shot up and began to devour his camp. 'Damn them!' He yelled. 'Your province belongs to Song now!' A voice said. A rider shot by, and Mi Fan fell to the ground, a sword stabbed into him. The warrior grinned, a swing his spear above his head. 'Victory!' A soldier ran up to him. 'My lord, the troops from Bing are approaching. They will be here tomorrow morning.' The general laughed. 'We shall pull back. I have another plan.'
'The Song army has pulled back, and Bai Ma and Yan Jin have been taken. We're preparing for the last thrust. Surviving soldiers from Ji have told us that Mi fan died in the battle.' Dong Zhen said. 'We must strike quickly. If not, Ji Jia's army will overwhelm our own. Send the Vanguard ahead. We shall try to end the battle quickly.' Liu Hong said. The sun set quickly, and when the Vanguard didn't return, Liu Hong began to worry. 'They should've returned by now.' Liu Hong said. 'Mobilise the rest of the army! We're moving out!' Liu Hong ordered. The Bing army began it's march as the moon rose. As they were marching, a flag of Liu Hong's suddenly fell from its post. 'It's an ill omen.' Dong Zhen said. 'What have I to fear?' Liu Hong said. The army marched on, and slowly the scent of death made itself known. Coming upon the battlefield, Liu Hong stared in amazement. There was nothing. No one. 'Impossible! This can't be!' He said. He heard the troops beginning to talk among themselves in scared voices. 'What is that!' Dong Zhen suddenly yelled, pointing towards a group of torches. They were burning green, and surrounded a single warrior. He sat on a horse that was as red as a burning ember. He held a huge halberd in his hand and wore silver armor. Many troops began to yell in fear. 'It's him! The legendary warrior of legends! Lu Bu lives again!' The lone warrior opened his eyes as he looked up, the clouds parting from the moon. The moon's light revealed the field covered in corpses, all wearing the armor of Bing troops. 'So you fools have come seeking death once again.' He said. He lifted his halberd above his head and yelled. From around the Bing army, another army rose and attacked, the same green flames shooting up as the general charged into the crowd of Bing troops.
The blacksmith handed Zima Hui his new sword. Zima Hui examined the sword, and grinned. 'Excellent job.' He said. Instead of having a single blade, the sword had two blades right next to each other. Zima Hui sheathed his new sword, and paid the blacksmith. As he walked onto Jian Ye's streets, he ran into Zima Qi. 'So you actually did it. You paid that blacksmith to make that crazy sword of yours.' Zima Qi said with a laugh. 'Ji Jia won't shatter this sword!' Zima Hui said. 'Anyway, the Emperor sent me to find you. We're moving out to confront Song.' Zima Qi said. 'Well then let's go. I'm itching to settle the score.' Zima Hui said, his grip on his sword's hilt tightening. Zima Hui and Zima Qi mounted their horses and rode back to the palace. They walked into the conference room, where the other generals were waiting. 'Song's main army is advancing towards Jiang Xia. They have 200,000 men, thousands of officers, and Ji Jia himself leading them. The odds are in their favour, but that doesn't guarantee victory!' Sun Liao said. 'My generals, may good fortune visit you in battle. Now we march!' Liu Fan said.
The Shu army was a splendid sight. At it's head, Liu Fan rode with Sun Liao, Yue Mei, Zima Hui, Zima Qi, Zima Xue, Son Kai, Huan Jian, Zhen Gong, Xiahou Mei, Li Guo, Taishi Yuan, Gan Feng, and other generals from Yang. 'The Song army is up ahead.' Liu Fan thought, drawing his sword. The two armies faced off, and Ji Jia rode forward. 'Let the little lost Emperor show himself!' Ji Jia yelled. Liu Fan hesitated, then confronted Ji Jia. 'We finally meet face to face Emperor. To think my rival is a child who has never held a sword before!' Ji Jia said. 'You killed my father and betrayed the Empire. You shall pay for your crimes!' Liu Fan said. 'Your generals Zima Hui and Zima Qi killed my father, so I would say we are even.' Ji Jia said. 'However, we did not muster these armies merely to debate ethics.' Ji Jia pulled Dark Wolf out, and pointed it at Liu Fan. 'Now! I shall kill you, and with your death, so will Shu die!' Ji Jia kicked his horse, and the Song army charged. The Shu army, needing no further prompting, charged as well.
Xiahou Mei brought Demon Fang down, cleaving a soldier's skull in half. She turned around and swung again, only to have her sword blocked. 'Finally I have the honor of battling a Shu general.' Her opponent said. 'You will soon have the honor of being killed by a Shu general!' Xiahou Mei retorted, glaring at her opponent. Her eyes widened in fear as she did. Her opponent had long white hair. His armor and cape were as black as the night. She recognized him from Zima Hui and Zima Qi's descriptions. 'Ji Jia!' She mumbled in fright. Her opponent laughed. 'I'm afraid you mistake me for my brother.' He said. 'I am Ji Hua, the younger brother of Ji Jia.' He said. Xiahou Mei looked at his sword and realized he was telling the truth. He didn't hold Dark Wolf. 'And might I know your name?' He asked. 'Xiahou Mei!' She said indignantly. 'Ah then you are the one my brother wants!' He said. Ji Hua leapt over Xiahou Mei. She whirled around and swung her blade where he would land, but she only cut air. 'What?' She said. 'You really should learn your opponent's abilities before you presume anything.' Ji Hua's voice said. She turned around, still not catching sight of him. Suddenly, she felt the wind get knocked out of her. She looked to her side and saw Ji Hua. He had rammed the handle of his sword into her. Xiahou Mei fell to the ground, felling her senses leave her and unconsciousness grip her.
Zima Hui looked around at the twenty or so bodies surrounding him. 'No challenge!' He said with a grin. A soldier ran up to him. 'Lord Zima Hui! The enemy has captured Lady Xiahou Mei!' He said. Zima Hui felt fury building up inside of him, but he managed to calm down. 'Give a message to Zima Qi. Tell him that I've gone to rescue her!' Zima Hui ran towards the main body of Song soldiers and began cutting a path through them. Many soldiers cleared a path in fear of Zima Hui's wrath, but just as many tried to stop him. Suddenly, he came face to face with Ji Jia. 'Well if it isn't Zima Hui. I must say it has been quite awhile since we have seen each other face to face.' Ji Jia said. Zima Hui looked around and saw himself surrounded by Song's troops. 'Maybe charging blindly into this wasn't such a good idea.' He thought. 'Well? Not going to speak? And I thought we were friends.' Ji Jia said. 'We are anything but friends you fiend!' Zima Hui said. 'I have no time to waste dealing with you. Where is Xiahou Mei!' He yelled. 'Xiahou Mei? Oh you mean that lady my brother captured. She's here.' Ji Jia snapped his fingers, and Ji Hua came forward with Xiahou Mei. 'I'll assume this is who you are referring to?' Ji Jia asked. He pulled Dark Wolf out of its sheath and put the blade to her throat. 'Put your sword down.' Ji Jia said. Zima Hui gritted his teeth, then dropped his sword. 'What is it you hope to achieve?' Zima Hui said. 'Simple. Your allegiance.' Ji Jia said. 'You must be stupid. Are you so naïve as to think that I am Shu's strongest general?' Zima Hui said. 'True your cousin Zima Qi is the strongest, but he has reached the full potential of his strength. You, however, have a far greater potential then he does. His potential is at its peak, while you have only walked the base of the mountain.' Ji Jia said. 'Surrender and give you allegiance to me, or I shall first have my way with her, then kill her.' He continued. Zima Hui glared at Ji Jia and Ji Hua for a moment, then fell to his knees and put his hands behind his head. 'Peaceful submission of a rabid dog. You're a genius brother.' Ji Hua said. 'Our objective has been achieved. Pull back to Xiang Yang.' Ji Jia said.
Liu Fan looked around, bewildered. 'They're retreating?' He said. 'Something's not right.' Yue Mei said. Zima Qi rode up to Liu Fan, panting for breath. 'Ji Jia captured Xiahou Mei! Zima Hui went after her!' He said. 'Just great. We can't afford to lose to generals of their calibre.' Liu Fan said. 'Scouts report! Zima Hui was seen surrendering to Ji Jia!' Son Kai said. 'Zima Hui would never betray us!' Zima Qi said. 'That's where Xiahou Mei comes in. With her life in danger, Zima Hui will do anything. I'll bet that was what this whole battle was about.' Zima Xue said. 'We have to plan a way to get them back.' Zhen Gong said.
Zima Hui stood there as Ji Jia's men fit the suit of midnight black armor on him. 'That Roman armor is of an inferior quality to this new iron armor.' Ji Jia said. Zima Hui said nothing. 'Acknowledge when your sovereign talks to you!' Ji Hua said. 'He isn't my sovereign. I do not serve a traitor by choice.' Zima Hui said. 'What he says is true.' Ji Jia said. 'Just remember Zima Hui. Any hesitation to carry out my orders will result in your friend's death.' Ji Jia said, as he and his men walked out of the room. When they were gone, Zima Hui turned and punched the wall. 'That bastard!' He said. 'I swear that I shall rescue Xiahou Mei and escape back to Shu!' He said. Hearing this through the door, Ji Jia grinned. 'Have the girl moved to another cell. That will further ensure that he won't disobey me.'
Betrayal: Ji Jia's backup plan
Mi Fan's army marched from Guan Du, their armor and weapons glinting in the sun. 'Remember, any pillaging along the way is punishable by execution.' Mi Fan said. They marched all day, until the sin had set. 'My lord! The enemy camp is up ahead. We should camp here for the night.' Tian Wu said. 'Good advice. The men are tired, and want to eat, so we shall camp here.' Mi Fan said. While Mi Fan's forces were setting up camp, the Song Generals were having a meeting. 'What shall we do? Mi Fan's forces are numerous, his supplies ample. We will not win a long drawn out battle.' One of them said. The head general just grinned. 'It is simple. We shall raid their camp tonight.' He said. 'We shall scatter them!' Mi Fan had just lain down in his tent when he heard a commotion. 'An unknown number of enemies are attacking!' Mi Fan drew his sword and left his tent. Around him, flames shot up and began to devour his camp. 'Damn them!' He yelled. 'Your province belongs to Song now!' A voice said. A rider shot by, and Mi Fan fell to the ground, a sword stabbed into him. The warrior grinned, a swing his spear above his head. 'Victory!' A soldier ran up to him. 'My lord, the troops from Bing are approaching. They will be here tomorrow morning.' The general laughed. 'We shall pull back. I have another plan.'
'The Song army has pulled back, and Bai Ma and Yan Jin have been taken. We're preparing for the last thrust. Surviving soldiers from Ji have told us that Mi fan died in the battle.' Dong Zhen said. 'We must strike quickly. If not, Ji Jia's army will overwhelm our own. Send the Vanguard ahead. We shall try to end the battle quickly.' Liu Hong said. The sun set quickly, and when the Vanguard didn't return, Liu Hong began to worry. 'They should've returned by now.' Liu Hong said. 'Mobilise the rest of the army! We're moving out!' Liu Hong ordered. The Bing army began it's march as the moon rose. As they were marching, a flag of Liu Hong's suddenly fell from its post. 'It's an ill omen.' Dong Zhen said. 'What have I to fear?' Liu Hong said. The army marched on, and slowly the scent of death made itself known. Coming upon the battlefield, Liu Hong stared in amazement. There was nothing. No one. 'Impossible! This can't be!' He said. He heard the troops beginning to talk among themselves in scared voices. 'What is that!' Dong Zhen suddenly yelled, pointing towards a group of torches. They were burning green, and surrounded a single warrior. He sat on a horse that was as red as a burning ember. He held a huge halberd in his hand and wore silver armor. Many troops began to yell in fear. 'It's him! The legendary warrior of legends! Lu Bu lives again!' The lone warrior opened his eyes as he looked up, the clouds parting from the moon. The moon's light revealed the field covered in corpses, all wearing the armor of Bing troops. 'So you fools have come seeking death once again.' He said. He lifted his halberd above his head and yelled. From around the Bing army, another army rose and attacked, the same green flames shooting up as the general charged into the crowd of Bing troops.
The blacksmith handed Zima Hui his new sword. Zima Hui examined the sword, and grinned. 'Excellent job.' He said. Instead of having a single blade, the sword had two blades right next to each other. Zima Hui sheathed his new sword, and paid the blacksmith. As he walked onto Jian Ye's streets, he ran into Zima Qi. 'So you actually did it. You paid that blacksmith to make that crazy sword of yours.' Zima Qi said with a laugh. 'Ji Jia won't shatter this sword!' Zima Hui said. 'Anyway, the Emperor sent me to find you. We're moving out to confront Song.' Zima Qi said. 'Well then let's go. I'm itching to settle the score.' Zima Hui said, his grip on his sword's hilt tightening. Zima Hui and Zima Qi mounted their horses and rode back to the palace. They walked into the conference room, where the other generals were waiting. 'Song's main army is advancing towards Jiang Xia. They have 200,000 men, thousands of officers, and Ji Jia himself leading them. The odds are in their favour, but that doesn't guarantee victory!' Sun Liao said. 'My generals, may good fortune visit you in battle. Now we march!' Liu Fan said.
The Shu army was a splendid sight. At it's head, Liu Fan rode with Sun Liao, Yue Mei, Zima Hui, Zima Qi, Zima Xue, Son Kai, Huan Jian, Zhen Gong, Xiahou Mei, Li Guo, Taishi Yuan, Gan Feng, and other generals from Yang. 'The Song army is up ahead.' Liu Fan thought, drawing his sword. The two armies faced off, and Ji Jia rode forward. 'Let the little lost Emperor show himself!' Ji Jia yelled. Liu Fan hesitated, then confronted Ji Jia. 'We finally meet face to face Emperor. To think my rival is a child who has never held a sword before!' Ji Jia said. 'You killed my father and betrayed the Empire. You shall pay for your crimes!' Liu Fan said. 'Your generals Zima Hui and Zima Qi killed my father, so I would say we are even.' Ji Jia said. 'However, we did not muster these armies merely to debate ethics.' Ji Jia pulled Dark Wolf out, and pointed it at Liu Fan. 'Now! I shall kill you, and with your death, so will Shu die!' Ji Jia kicked his horse, and the Song army charged. The Shu army, needing no further prompting, charged as well.
Xiahou Mei brought Demon Fang down, cleaving a soldier's skull in half. She turned around and swung again, only to have her sword blocked. 'Finally I have the honor of battling a Shu general.' Her opponent said. 'You will soon have the honor of being killed by a Shu general!' Xiahou Mei retorted, glaring at her opponent. Her eyes widened in fear as she did. Her opponent had long white hair. His armor and cape were as black as the night. She recognized him from Zima Hui and Zima Qi's descriptions. 'Ji Jia!' She mumbled in fright. Her opponent laughed. 'I'm afraid you mistake me for my brother.' He said. 'I am Ji Hua, the younger brother of Ji Jia.' He said. Xiahou Mei looked at his sword and realized he was telling the truth. He didn't hold Dark Wolf. 'And might I know your name?' He asked. 'Xiahou Mei!' She said indignantly. 'Ah then you are the one my brother wants!' He said. Ji Hua leapt over Xiahou Mei. She whirled around and swung her blade where he would land, but she only cut air. 'What?' She said. 'You really should learn your opponent's abilities before you presume anything.' Ji Hua's voice said. She turned around, still not catching sight of him. Suddenly, she felt the wind get knocked out of her. She looked to her side and saw Ji Hua. He had rammed the handle of his sword into her. Xiahou Mei fell to the ground, felling her senses leave her and unconsciousness grip her.
Zima Hui looked around at the twenty or so bodies surrounding him. 'No challenge!' He said with a grin. A soldier ran up to him. 'Lord Zima Hui! The enemy has captured Lady Xiahou Mei!' He said. Zima Hui felt fury building up inside of him, but he managed to calm down. 'Give a message to Zima Qi. Tell him that I've gone to rescue her!' Zima Hui ran towards the main body of Song soldiers and began cutting a path through them. Many soldiers cleared a path in fear of Zima Hui's wrath, but just as many tried to stop him. Suddenly, he came face to face with Ji Jia. 'Well if it isn't Zima Hui. I must say it has been quite awhile since we have seen each other face to face.' Ji Jia said. Zima Hui looked around and saw himself surrounded by Song's troops. 'Maybe charging blindly into this wasn't such a good idea.' He thought. 'Well? Not going to speak? And I thought we were friends.' Ji Jia said. 'We are anything but friends you fiend!' Zima Hui said. 'I have no time to waste dealing with you. Where is Xiahou Mei!' He yelled. 'Xiahou Mei? Oh you mean that lady my brother captured. She's here.' Ji Jia snapped his fingers, and Ji Hua came forward with Xiahou Mei. 'I'll assume this is who you are referring to?' Ji Jia asked. He pulled Dark Wolf out of its sheath and put the blade to her throat. 'Put your sword down.' Ji Jia said. Zima Hui gritted his teeth, then dropped his sword. 'What is it you hope to achieve?' Zima Hui said. 'Simple. Your allegiance.' Ji Jia said. 'You must be stupid. Are you so naïve as to think that I am Shu's strongest general?' Zima Hui said. 'True your cousin Zima Qi is the strongest, but he has reached the full potential of his strength. You, however, have a far greater potential then he does. His potential is at its peak, while you have only walked the base of the mountain.' Ji Jia said. 'Surrender and give you allegiance to me, or I shall first have my way with her, then kill her.' He continued. Zima Hui glared at Ji Jia and Ji Hua for a moment, then fell to his knees and put his hands behind his head. 'Peaceful submission of a rabid dog. You're a genius brother.' Ji Hua said. 'Our objective has been achieved. Pull back to Xiang Yang.' Ji Jia said.
Liu Fan looked around, bewildered. 'They're retreating?' He said. 'Something's not right.' Yue Mei said. Zima Qi rode up to Liu Fan, panting for breath. 'Ji Jia captured Xiahou Mei! Zima Hui went after her!' He said. 'Just great. We can't afford to lose to generals of their calibre.' Liu Fan said. 'Scouts report! Zima Hui was seen surrendering to Ji Jia!' Son Kai said. 'Zima Hui would never betray us!' Zima Qi said. 'That's where Xiahou Mei comes in. With her life in danger, Zima Hui will do anything. I'll bet that was what this whole battle was about.' Zima Xue said. 'We have to plan a way to get them back.' Zhen Gong said.
Zima Hui stood there as Ji Jia's men fit the suit of midnight black armor on him. 'That Roman armor is of an inferior quality to this new iron armor.' Ji Jia said. Zima Hui said nothing. 'Acknowledge when your sovereign talks to you!' Ji Hua said. 'He isn't my sovereign. I do not serve a traitor by choice.' Zima Hui said. 'What he says is true.' Ji Jia said. 'Just remember Zima Hui. Any hesitation to carry out my orders will result in your friend's death.' Ji Jia said, as he and his men walked out of the room. When they were gone, Zima Hui turned and punched the wall. 'That bastard!' He said. 'I swear that I shall rescue Xiahou Mei and escape back to Shu!' He said. Hearing this through the door, Ji Jia grinned. 'Have the girl moved to another cell. That will further ensure that he won't disobey me.'