Hey people. Well, about the chapter umm I kill off yet another character sigh ah well, who likes him. Watches fans of this character come after me in a crazy mob. the funeral will be touched on next chapter. Yes, Zhuge Liang is very evil in this chappy.
Hehehehehehehehe
Zhuge Liang: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Erggggggghhh I swear I need to kill you off. Oh well, I can't I love you too much!
Zhuge Liang: mumbles something about annoying fangirls who love him…
Well, on to business.
Zhuge: FINALLY!
Shut up! Okay,
Guan: Well, I don't like Wu all that much I don't know why… Thanks, and I thought that chapter was rather…boring.
Shadowwolf5889: Aww come on… says you! I want more LOYY Ha! I used your abbreviation! feels evil. Well, anyways, kill off Pang Tong, I beg off you Erhhhh I can't stand him!. Oh well, do what you like except letting Pang Tong win. Okay J/k. Gosh, am I in a weird talkative mood…
WindsofEternity: Yes, bows head in shame it was short. I'm too lazy to write long chappys… Oh well, thanks!
Chapter 13: Tested
My happiness abounded. Finally! I was getting rid of Zhen Ji! It seemed that Cao Pi was gravely missing his wife. But if it were me… Oh well. Liu Bei, after strenuous complaints by a few of his officers, consented to return her for 12,000 in gold. I claimed our pain and suffering was worth a lot more, but when did my opinion ever matter. But now, newly March, the flowers were in bloom and everything was orderly again. Zhuge Liang revealed his plan that day to Lord Liu Bei and to me.
It was in a war council held in a renovated sort of throne room. They had brought in 8 chairs. Around the circle I recognized these sitting around me from left to right: Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Wei Yan, and Huang Zhong. I began to note each's mood being as bored as I was. Zhang Fei seemed barely sober and probably suffering from a slight hangover. Liu Bei was sunny as ever, Zhuge Liang as serious. Guan Yu stroked his long black beard that was beginning to show a few strands of gray. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan were arguing as they often did. Xuande asked Zhuge Liang of his plan.
"We shall send Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao to defend Luo Castle for the time being along with Guan Ping who is already stationed there. Your lordship, Guan Yu, Huang Zhong, myself, and the lady will remain in Jing. I will assign you special instructions." Not a one voiced their disapproval, no soul ever had since long ago. His opinion was always revered. He always saw the bigger picture. Liu Bei nodded.
"Yes, indeed, the three bound for Luo shall leave the day beyond the morrow. Zhuge Liang, would you grant us your instructions that morning?"
"Yes, my lord." This came too quickly and we were seeing them off. Liu Bei turned to us.
"Master Kongming, what is your plan to deal with Zhou Yu?"
"All shall be evident in due time. Zhou Yu desires Jing and will fight to the death for it. This is ideal for us. Zhou Yu eagerly desires revenge on me, having realized that I have turned all of his plans against him; he turns to affect Shu and me by harming you. I will not allow this to happen. Zhou Yu is simply an over-eager man bent on revenge whenever he is accidentally brushed by some innocent by passer. He is petty and so are his measures. Furthermore, he was wounded recently in a battle twice, once, of course, by my own account. Worry not My Lord, await the victory herald to come. I shall give my instructions soon." Zhuge Liang went later that day to scout out the river, backed by some 500 archers. After Zhou Yu's last defeat to Master Liang he was roused to much anger against The Sleeping Dragon. Kongming turned to Liu Bei and me, and I stared into his undaunted brown eyes, beauty unto themselves, calming and warm.
"Zhou Yu will be coming for Jing because he will think we've left. So, we'll give him what he's hoping for, or thinks that he is. Guan Yu will be stationed at the east entrance, hidden. Huang Zhong to the northern entrance after Zhou Yu has been lured. Aven Yu to the west, and Wei Yan to the south."
"And what of your plan?"
"First, we will engage in a small battle, Wei Yan will come to fight. Half-way through, we will sound the gong and take down the flag as if to surrender. We must make it look as if the majority of our troops are gone on the campaign for the Riverlands, and that we are all that is left here. You lordship will be placed far away and everyone else concealed. Huang Zhong will lure Zhou Yu in and go out the west gate to return to his post in the north. Wei Yan will make his way to his position in the south. The men will hide in the shadowy places at dusk. Then, Zhou Yu eager to retake Jingzhou will smell the flowers before he checks them for bees. By the time most of his men have entered, we will lay the ambush."
"We all went to our respective positions. I could see little to none from my position, but this what I did catch:
I asked Huang Zhong as he was quickly leaving my gate how things had went. He mumbled a small 'fine' as he continued toward his position. I saw Zhou Yu enter a few minutes later. To his great dismay he finally realized his mistake. I couldn't see his expression, but I could sense the anger within him as he saw Master Liang smile at him wickedly and walk casually beyond the grasp of his pursuit, taunting him to attack. Zhou Yu let out a piercing cry and fought gallantly while just managing to push back through the northern gate.
Later, I finally met up with Master Liang as he reached for a brush and ink from a shelf over his desk.
"Congratulations. Your ever ingenious plan worked anyone who didn't know you as well as I might become jealous."
"Thank you, Lady Yu and it is a letter to Zhou Yu."
"Alas, my mind is an open book to you that I'd rather you didn't read. And why pray tell are you writing to Zhou Yu?"
"Just being mean. No, he will be dead in a matter of hours."
"Do you mind if I'm nosy?"
"Not at all." I leaned over his shoulder and read the following:
My dear friend, Zhou Yu,
I chanced upon meeting you when the esteemed Lu Su petitioned our lord Liu Bei to form an alliance with us. Because of you we grow stronger and I would thank you for it. While visiting in Wu I became amply impressed by your knowledge of warfare and martial arts. I was greatly inspired by the attempts (however ill-fated they were) upon my life and upon my lord's. However, I noticed, having studied a bit of the art of war myself, took it upon myself to ask a few questions:
You chanced to follow, and too quickly, 2 commanders of fierce might into a castle you believed to be abandoned. Did you truly believe I would take the majority of my forces to the Riverlands and leave little to none in Jing? Only curious.
Having been surrounded in my castle, you, had quite a supreme chance of taking a few of us down with you. And with ample courage could have at least destroyed a few of our men (the casualty reports read that you succeeded in destroying 500) before taking your leave. I was wondering why you did not exploit such a handsome opportunity.
I truly wanted to point out that yelling tactic of yours. It did little, but you may have distracted a soldier or two with it. Quite interesting. I must consider employing it. Would you, the man of superior age, teach me this new tactic? I would be most grateful.
After being perhaps mortally wounded you took to the field against me most valiantly. After the whole taunting issue I was afraid we had fallen from amicable terms, but seeing your face made my own brighten in the bitter gloom of the battle the other day. I believe it was most courageous to have taken the field after such a wound. So I was wondering how was it that you healed it so fast to return to battle?
I, after posing my humble questions to Master Gonjin, hope that you will respond to me in a matter most quickly.
In Deepest Regard, You humble friend,
Zhuge Liang styled Kongming.
I had to laugh at his letter, it really refreshed me, and I wondered what news would return…
