The Empire Long United Chapter 8
The alliance falls: Xu and Qing join Shu
Cao Li led her troops through the Fan Shui gate. 'This has been too easy. All that talk about Song's great power and they couldn't even stop us!' She thought. 'Lady Cao Li! Another Song army is ahead of us!' A soldier said. 'Nothing to fear. It'll be another slaughter!' She said. 'I'd be wary of this battle milady.' Guo Xun said. 'And why is that?' Cao Li asked. 'I don't know. Something is telling me that this army will not be the same as the others. I sense an ominous presence.' He said. 'Getting nervous because we're so far in enemy territory?' Xiahou Jue asked. 'No. That's not it.' Guo Xun said. 'The Song army! It's here!' Someone yelled. 'Let's go confront them.' Cao Li said. Riding to the front of the army, Cao Li had expected the battle to have begun already. The Song army had stopped dead in its tracks. 'They were able to attack us when we weren't paying attention. Something definitely isn't right.' Guo Xun thought. Cao Li scanned the Song army, looking for a general. 'Let your leader come forward!' She yelled. A group of soldiers parted, and Cao Li gasped. 'Director General! Is that you?' She said, spotting Zima Hui. 'Imperial protector Cao Li. It's good to see you again.' Zima Hui said. Cao Li still couldn't believe her eyes. 'Impossible! Why would Zima Hui surrender to Song?' She thought. 'How could you Zima Hui? How could you betray the Emperor?' Xiahou Jue yelled. Zima Hui just shook his head. 'All units charge!' He said. Zima Hui drew his sword and charged straight towards Cao Li. The two armies collided, and the battle began. 'You traitor. Your disgusting.' Cao Li said to Zima Hui. Zima Hui said nothing, but continued to attack. Locking weapons, the two glared at each other. 'I'm sorry I have to do this.' Zima Hui said. His right foot shoot out and tripped Cao Li. Now on the ground, Cao Li waited to the finishing blow. 'What are you waiting for? Finish me!' She said. Zima Hui turned around and began to walk away. 'Go to Yang and tell the Emperor that I shall return when I get Xiahou Mei back.' He said. Cao Li looked at him for a moment, then nodded. 'Xiahou Jue! Guo Xun! Come on we have to escape!' She said. 'How can we just abandon the men?' Xiahou Jue said. 'We're losing the battle! Most of our men are already dead! It's now or never!' Cao Li said. 'What about the Director General?' Guo Xun asked. 'He's not doing this by choice.' Cao Li said. 'Come on! We're escaping.' Zima Hui watched Cao Li escape. As he men slaughtered the last Yong warriors, a message arrived. 'Lord Ji Jia commands you to head south and take the Yi province, then return to the capital.
Zima Hui watched Yi's approaching forces wih no interest. 'Dammit. They would come.' He thought. 'Halt Chen Fu! I will not allow you to go further!' He yelled. 'Director General! Why do you side with such villany? Have you no shame?' Lu Xi asked. Chen Fu glance at Zima Hui. 'I have known Zima Hui since he was a child. He has the utmost pride in his family and would never betray the dynasty.' He thought. 'Lu Xi, back down. The Director General doesn't fight willingly.' He said. Zima Hui set an arrow to his bow and shot it towards Chen Fu. It hit the ground in front of his horse, causing the beast to rear and nearly throw Chen Fu off. 'How can you say he doesn't battle by his own will? He nearly took your life just now milord!' Lu Xi said, grabbing the reinsof the fear stricken animal. Chen Fu calmly stepped down from his horse and picked up the arrow. It had a note tied to it. Chen Fu read through the message and nodded. 'Lu Xi, I have a task for you. This is my final order to you.' He said. 'What do you mean?' Lu Xi asked. 'I have lived a full life. I've lead the people of Yi into an unprecidented age of prosperity unknow evern since the supreme ancestor Liu Bei founded the grand empire of Shu in these lands. And now, I meet my end. Lu Xi, my last order is for you to take this message to the Emperor in Jian Ye. Make sure he get's it. And tell him I'm sorry that I couldn't do more to assisst him in his time of peril.' Chen Fu said. Lu Xi looked at Chen Fu, analyzing the old man's face. 'Why do you hesitate? Go!' Chen Fu said. Lu Xi nodded, and took off riding. Chen Fu, feeling his years of leadership come back to him, allowed a single tear to escape him. 'Now my people! To battle!' Chen Fu yelled, drawing his sword. As Zima Hui and Chen Fu came face to face, Chen Fu showed no fear. 'The message has been passed on.' Chen Fu said. 'I die with no regrets.'
'Yong and Yi's forces were completely demolished milord. Yi's protector, Chen Fu, is dead. Cao Li , however, managed to escape.' Zima Hui said. 'Quite good.That's what I expected.' Ji Jia said. 'My other generals are handling the other interloapers, so now your training shall begin.' Ji Jia snapped his fingers, and two guards grabbed Zima Hui. Zima Hui tried to get out of their grip, but couldn't. 'Dammit! They're too strong!' He thought. 'Take him to the training ground.' Ji Jia said, a smirk plastered on his face. The guards took Zima Hui out, and Ji Jia chuckled. 'That little fool Liu Fan. He truly believed his pathetic alliance could defeat me. With the help of my new champion, his destruction is assured.' He said. 'You give him too much trust brother. He will try and kill you if you give him much more room.' Ji Hua said. 'He won't. Unless he prefers to see his friend in the dungeon killed.' Ji Jia said. 'Once I am finished with him, his strength will be on equal grounds with mine.' Ji Hua shook his head. 'Are you so sure that's such a wise plan brother?' He asked. 'That's not my entire plan little brother. It will all show itself in time.' Ji Jia said.
'So Ji Jia has defeated Yong, Yi, Ji, and Bing and added them to his empire. This isn't looking good for the Emperor.' Qiao Ren said, looking over a map. 'Song now has control of a considerable portion of the land. What can I do to help my emperor? There must be some tactic, some strategem I've overlooked.' he muttered. Qiao Ren slammed his fists down on the table in frustration. 'There must be something!' He yelled. 'You're going to wind up hurting yourself that way.' A voice said. Startled, Qiao Ren turned around and saw Zima Qi. 'Oh, Lord Zima Qi. It's you.' He said. 'So what may I ask if wrong Qiao Ren?' Zima Qi asked, sitting down. 'I'm trying to come up with a plan to stop Song. Their capturing Zima Hui and using him against us wasn't in my original plan. If they hadn't caught him, Yong and Yi wouldn't have fallen and our armies would've retaken the capital.' Qiao Ren said. 'You couldn't have guessed they were planning that. It's not your fault.' Zima Qi said. 'I still feel responsible. Had I not proposed this plan, Yong, Yi, Ji, and Bing wouldn't have fallen.' Qiao Ren said. 'After the battle, Ji Jia would've turned his attention to them either way. Stop beating yourself up about it.' Zima Qi replied. 'Still, there must be some kind of plan I can make.' Qiao Ren sat down, his hands on his head. 'There must be something I've overlooked.' His eyes shot opened. 'I just thought of it! The protector of Xi Liang!' He said. 'Xi Liang? Do you think they'd be able to do it?' Zima Qi asked. 'I'm sure of it! Ji Jia fears the Xi Liang army, otherwise he would've invaded them when Yong was taken.' Qiao Ren said excitedly. He walked back to the table and began writing on the map. 'Xi Liang will retake Yong and Yi, then we'll retake Jing. One of our armies and the Xi Liag army will march north through Jing, while another army heads through Xu and Qing to retake Bing and Ji. Then all at once, we'll surround Xu Chang and defeat Song!' Qiao Ren said. Zima Qi whistled. 'Amazing plan. For a child your age, coming up with that plan is a great feat. I doubt the great Zhuge Liang could have thought of that when he was your age.' Zima Qi said. Qiao Ren blushed at the praise. 'It's nothing really. Anyone could've thought it up.' He said. 'Throughout your life, people will always try and take credit for your accomplishments. Don't take them away from yourself.' He said. Qiao Ren nodded. 'I just thought of the complications though. We'll need someone who can get through Song's territory. They'll have to be able to get through without being caught.' Qiao Ren said. 'Perhaps I could aid you with that young strategist.' A voice said. 'Whose there?' Zima Qi said, hefting Geomancer and looking around. 'Don't be so paranoid lord Zima Qi. It's only me.' Gan Feng said, stepping out of the shadows. 'And what do you want?' Zima Qi asked. 'It's simple. I'll deliver the message to Xi Liang.' Gan Feng said. 'Why? What's the catch?' Zoma Qi asked. 'Catch? What are you talking about?' Gan Feng asked. 'You wouldn't do something for us without wanting something in return.' Zima Qi demanded. 'Please. I only have mild distaste for you from the main army. That's all. I don't want to lose to Song either, so get over yourself.' Gan Feng said. Qiao Ren bowed. 'Thank you for volunteering. Let's go now. The Emperor must know of my plan!' Qiao Ren said, leading Gan Feng out. 'Qiao Ren, young genius of the south. He reminds me of myself when I was his age.' Zima Qi thought.
Zima Hui fell down onto his bed. He was out of his armor, and his body was covered in bandages. He coughed, and pain shot through his chest. 'So I can't even cough without it hurting.' He thought. The training had been rough. It had begun with normal soldiers, then groups of resurrected generals, then tigers and wild beasts. He had countless cuts, gashes, and scrapes all over him, but he was still not going to give in. 'Let him think he's weakened me. It'll make freeing Xiahou Mei and escaping much easier. I still need a plan though.' He thought. There was a knock on his door, and several servents walked in. 'The lord know's you're tired, so he had the food sent up here.' The servent said. Zima Hui was too tired to respond. The servents walked out, leaving the steaming tray of food on the table. 'I refuse to eat that food. I won't let Ji Jia get the better of me. If only I wasn't so hungry.' He thought. His stomach growled loudly, and Zima Hui looked at the food hungrily. A huge pile of steamed vegetables, rice, roasted perch, and a cup of plum wine. Finally, he couldn't take it any longer. 'This makes another thing I'll get you for Ji Jia.' Zima Hui said. Sitting down, he picked up the chop sticks and began eating the food hungrily.
'Emperor, Lord Liu Jin of Xu and Lord Mi Xu of Qing have arrived to see you.' An soldier said. 'Allow them in. I wonder why they're here?' Liu Fan said. Mi Xu and Liu Jin walked in with solemn looks on their faces. 'My lord, I have come to report my failure to defeat Song. I have come to answer fo this failure.' Liu Jin said. 'I also have have failed. I wounded the enemy General Fei Daorong, but failed to break through his lines and raech the capital.' Mi Xu continued. 'To answer for these failures, we have come to give up our positions are provincial protectors.' Liu Fan shook his head. 'These petty failures are easily exusable. You two have done splendid jobs ruling your provinces. I cannot allow two great men such as yourselves give up your positions over such minor faults.' Mi Xu and Liu Jin fell to their knees. 'Forgive us your majesty. Your servents have failed you, and as of such we are unfit to protect your provinces. We ask you, nay,we beg you to find ones more capable.' They both said. Liu Fan bowed his head. 'If that is what you truly desire, then you are relieved of your duties.' He said. 'Know though that it is only at your insistance that I do so. I still believe you both to be fully capable.'
Gan Feng watched Xi Liang's protector as they read the message from the emperor. 'Indeed. I was worried when Yong fell. I thought that Ji Jia would've continued on and conquered us as well.' Gan Feng shook his head. 'He fears you more then anyone. You're the only one who can pull this off.' He replied. 'Qiao Ren's plan depends entirely on your charging south.' The protector laughed. 'Well, the Emperor asks for my help, so he shall have it.' The protector stood up. 'Prepare for the march south!'
The alliance falls: Xu and Qing join Shu
Cao Li led her troops through the Fan Shui gate. 'This has been too easy. All that talk about Song's great power and they couldn't even stop us!' She thought. 'Lady Cao Li! Another Song army is ahead of us!' A soldier said. 'Nothing to fear. It'll be another slaughter!' She said. 'I'd be wary of this battle milady.' Guo Xun said. 'And why is that?' Cao Li asked. 'I don't know. Something is telling me that this army will not be the same as the others. I sense an ominous presence.' He said. 'Getting nervous because we're so far in enemy territory?' Xiahou Jue asked. 'No. That's not it.' Guo Xun said. 'The Song army! It's here!' Someone yelled. 'Let's go confront them.' Cao Li said. Riding to the front of the army, Cao Li had expected the battle to have begun already. The Song army had stopped dead in its tracks. 'They were able to attack us when we weren't paying attention. Something definitely isn't right.' Guo Xun thought. Cao Li scanned the Song army, looking for a general. 'Let your leader come forward!' She yelled. A group of soldiers parted, and Cao Li gasped. 'Director General! Is that you?' She said, spotting Zima Hui. 'Imperial protector Cao Li. It's good to see you again.' Zima Hui said. Cao Li still couldn't believe her eyes. 'Impossible! Why would Zima Hui surrender to Song?' She thought. 'How could you Zima Hui? How could you betray the Emperor?' Xiahou Jue yelled. Zima Hui just shook his head. 'All units charge!' He said. Zima Hui drew his sword and charged straight towards Cao Li. The two armies collided, and the battle began. 'You traitor. Your disgusting.' Cao Li said to Zima Hui. Zima Hui said nothing, but continued to attack. Locking weapons, the two glared at each other. 'I'm sorry I have to do this.' Zima Hui said. His right foot shoot out and tripped Cao Li. Now on the ground, Cao Li waited to the finishing blow. 'What are you waiting for? Finish me!' She said. Zima Hui turned around and began to walk away. 'Go to Yang and tell the Emperor that I shall return when I get Xiahou Mei back.' He said. Cao Li looked at him for a moment, then nodded. 'Xiahou Jue! Guo Xun! Come on we have to escape!' She said. 'How can we just abandon the men?' Xiahou Jue said. 'We're losing the battle! Most of our men are already dead! It's now or never!' Cao Li said. 'What about the Director General?' Guo Xun asked. 'He's not doing this by choice.' Cao Li said. 'Come on! We're escaping.' Zima Hui watched Cao Li escape. As he men slaughtered the last Yong warriors, a message arrived. 'Lord Ji Jia commands you to head south and take the Yi province, then return to the capital.
Zima Hui watched Yi's approaching forces wih no interest. 'Dammit. They would come.' He thought. 'Halt Chen Fu! I will not allow you to go further!' He yelled. 'Director General! Why do you side with such villany? Have you no shame?' Lu Xi asked. Chen Fu glance at Zima Hui. 'I have known Zima Hui since he was a child. He has the utmost pride in his family and would never betray the dynasty.' He thought. 'Lu Xi, back down. The Director General doesn't fight willingly.' He said. Zima Hui set an arrow to his bow and shot it towards Chen Fu. It hit the ground in front of his horse, causing the beast to rear and nearly throw Chen Fu off. 'How can you say he doesn't battle by his own will? He nearly took your life just now milord!' Lu Xi said, grabbing the reinsof the fear stricken animal. Chen Fu calmly stepped down from his horse and picked up the arrow. It had a note tied to it. Chen Fu read through the message and nodded. 'Lu Xi, I have a task for you. This is my final order to you.' He said. 'What do you mean?' Lu Xi asked. 'I have lived a full life. I've lead the people of Yi into an unprecidented age of prosperity unknow evern since the supreme ancestor Liu Bei founded the grand empire of Shu in these lands. And now, I meet my end. Lu Xi, my last order is for you to take this message to the Emperor in Jian Ye. Make sure he get's it. And tell him I'm sorry that I couldn't do more to assisst him in his time of peril.' Chen Fu said. Lu Xi looked at Chen Fu, analyzing the old man's face. 'Why do you hesitate? Go!' Chen Fu said. Lu Xi nodded, and took off riding. Chen Fu, feeling his years of leadership come back to him, allowed a single tear to escape him. 'Now my people! To battle!' Chen Fu yelled, drawing his sword. As Zima Hui and Chen Fu came face to face, Chen Fu showed no fear. 'The message has been passed on.' Chen Fu said. 'I die with no regrets.'
'Yong and Yi's forces were completely demolished milord. Yi's protector, Chen Fu, is dead. Cao Li , however, managed to escape.' Zima Hui said. 'Quite good.That's what I expected.' Ji Jia said. 'My other generals are handling the other interloapers, so now your training shall begin.' Ji Jia snapped his fingers, and two guards grabbed Zima Hui. Zima Hui tried to get out of their grip, but couldn't. 'Dammit! They're too strong!' He thought. 'Take him to the training ground.' Ji Jia said, a smirk plastered on his face. The guards took Zima Hui out, and Ji Jia chuckled. 'That little fool Liu Fan. He truly believed his pathetic alliance could defeat me. With the help of my new champion, his destruction is assured.' He said. 'You give him too much trust brother. He will try and kill you if you give him much more room.' Ji Hua said. 'He won't. Unless he prefers to see his friend in the dungeon killed.' Ji Jia said. 'Once I am finished with him, his strength will be on equal grounds with mine.' Ji Hua shook his head. 'Are you so sure that's such a wise plan brother?' He asked. 'That's not my entire plan little brother. It will all show itself in time.' Ji Jia said.
'So Ji Jia has defeated Yong, Yi, Ji, and Bing and added them to his empire. This isn't looking good for the Emperor.' Qiao Ren said, looking over a map. 'Song now has control of a considerable portion of the land. What can I do to help my emperor? There must be some tactic, some strategem I've overlooked.' he muttered. Qiao Ren slammed his fists down on the table in frustration. 'There must be something!' He yelled. 'You're going to wind up hurting yourself that way.' A voice said. Startled, Qiao Ren turned around and saw Zima Qi. 'Oh, Lord Zima Qi. It's you.' He said. 'So what may I ask if wrong Qiao Ren?' Zima Qi asked, sitting down. 'I'm trying to come up with a plan to stop Song. Their capturing Zima Hui and using him against us wasn't in my original plan. If they hadn't caught him, Yong and Yi wouldn't have fallen and our armies would've retaken the capital.' Qiao Ren said. 'You couldn't have guessed they were planning that. It's not your fault.' Zima Qi said. 'I still feel responsible. Had I not proposed this plan, Yong, Yi, Ji, and Bing wouldn't have fallen.' Qiao Ren said. 'After the battle, Ji Jia would've turned his attention to them either way. Stop beating yourself up about it.' Zima Qi replied. 'Still, there must be some kind of plan I can make.' Qiao Ren sat down, his hands on his head. 'There must be something I've overlooked.' His eyes shot opened. 'I just thought of it! The protector of Xi Liang!' He said. 'Xi Liang? Do you think they'd be able to do it?' Zima Qi asked. 'I'm sure of it! Ji Jia fears the Xi Liang army, otherwise he would've invaded them when Yong was taken.' Qiao Ren said excitedly. He walked back to the table and began writing on the map. 'Xi Liang will retake Yong and Yi, then we'll retake Jing. One of our armies and the Xi Liag army will march north through Jing, while another army heads through Xu and Qing to retake Bing and Ji. Then all at once, we'll surround Xu Chang and defeat Song!' Qiao Ren said. Zima Qi whistled. 'Amazing plan. For a child your age, coming up with that plan is a great feat. I doubt the great Zhuge Liang could have thought of that when he was your age.' Zima Qi said. Qiao Ren blushed at the praise. 'It's nothing really. Anyone could've thought it up.' He said. 'Throughout your life, people will always try and take credit for your accomplishments. Don't take them away from yourself.' He said. Qiao Ren nodded. 'I just thought of the complications though. We'll need someone who can get through Song's territory. They'll have to be able to get through without being caught.' Qiao Ren said. 'Perhaps I could aid you with that young strategist.' A voice said. 'Whose there?' Zima Qi said, hefting Geomancer and looking around. 'Don't be so paranoid lord Zima Qi. It's only me.' Gan Feng said, stepping out of the shadows. 'And what do you want?' Zima Qi asked. 'It's simple. I'll deliver the message to Xi Liang.' Gan Feng said. 'Why? What's the catch?' Zoma Qi asked. 'Catch? What are you talking about?' Gan Feng asked. 'You wouldn't do something for us without wanting something in return.' Zima Qi demanded. 'Please. I only have mild distaste for you from the main army. That's all. I don't want to lose to Song either, so get over yourself.' Gan Feng said. Qiao Ren bowed. 'Thank you for volunteering. Let's go now. The Emperor must know of my plan!' Qiao Ren said, leading Gan Feng out. 'Qiao Ren, young genius of the south. He reminds me of myself when I was his age.' Zima Qi thought.
Zima Hui fell down onto his bed. He was out of his armor, and his body was covered in bandages. He coughed, and pain shot through his chest. 'So I can't even cough without it hurting.' He thought. The training had been rough. It had begun with normal soldiers, then groups of resurrected generals, then tigers and wild beasts. He had countless cuts, gashes, and scrapes all over him, but he was still not going to give in. 'Let him think he's weakened me. It'll make freeing Xiahou Mei and escaping much easier. I still need a plan though.' He thought. There was a knock on his door, and several servents walked in. 'The lord know's you're tired, so he had the food sent up here.' The servent said. Zima Hui was too tired to respond. The servents walked out, leaving the steaming tray of food on the table. 'I refuse to eat that food. I won't let Ji Jia get the better of me. If only I wasn't so hungry.' He thought. His stomach growled loudly, and Zima Hui looked at the food hungrily. A huge pile of steamed vegetables, rice, roasted perch, and a cup of plum wine. Finally, he couldn't take it any longer. 'This makes another thing I'll get you for Ji Jia.' Zima Hui said. Sitting down, he picked up the chop sticks and began eating the food hungrily.
'Emperor, Lord Liu Jin of Xu and Lord Mi Xu of Qing have arrived to see you.' An soldier said. 'Allow them in. I wonder why they're here?' Liu Fan said. Mi Xu and Liu Jin walked in with solemn looks on their faces. 'My lord, I have come to report my failure to defeat Song. I have come to answer fo this failure.' Liu Jin said. 'I also have have failed. I wounded the enemy General Fei Daorong, but failed to break through his lines and raech the capital.' Mi Xu continued. 'To answer for these failures, we have come to give up our positions are provincial protectors.' Liu Fan shook his head. 'These petty failures are easily exusable. You two have done splendid jobs ruling your provinces. I cannot allow two great men such as yourselves give up your positions over such minor faults.' Mi Xu and Liu Jin fell to their knees. 'Forgive us your majesty. Your servents have failed you, and as of such we are unfit to protect your provinces. We ask you, nay,we beg you to find ones more capable.' They both said. Liu Fan bowed his head. 'If that is what you truly desire, then you are relieved of your duties.' He said. 'Know though that it is only at your insistance that I do so. I still believe you both to be fully capable.'
Gan Feng watched Xi Liang's protector as they read the message from the emperor. 'Indeed. I was worried when Yong fell. I thought that Ji Jia would've continued on and conquered us as well.' Gan Feng shook his head. 'He fears you more then anyone. You're the only one who can pull this off.' He replied. 'Qiao Ren's plan depends entirely on your charging south.' The protector laughed. 'Well, the Emperor asks for my help, so he shall have it.' The protector stood up. 'Prepare for the march south!'