Zhang He's revenge.
Part 2
Sorry about any naming errors you may come across in this story, I have a Wade-Giles version of Romance of the three kingdoms and not being able to translate into pinyin myself means most of the time I have to guess! This is where the story gets to the point ok! If the continuity is wrong please remember, it is only a story!
For a time things were good for Zhang He and Gao Lan. They shared lodgings with Zhang Liao and fought in a few small campaigns against Yuan Shao's Children.
In the winter of the year 201, Cao Cao gave Zhang Liao orders to attack a rising warlord, Liu Bei and the Heirs of Liu Biao at Ru-Nan.
Liu Bei was the only man who still held Cao Cao's admiration and respect. Owning no lands of his own, this man had still amassed a great empire and legions of loyal followers.
One day while preparing for his battle, Zhang Liao noticed Zhang He, trying to defend his honour in one of his many arguments with Xiahou Dun, who, despite all Zhang He's loyal service, still did not trust him. Zhang Liao, feeling sorry for Zhang He, went to Cao Cao and suggested that Zhang He and Gao Lan come along to Ru-Nan to escape Xiahou Dun's slander and make a name for themselves. Cao Cao thought this to be a fine idea and Granted Zhang Liao's wish.
So, Zhang Liao, Zhang He, Gao Lan and a company of officers went to Ru-Nan. The battle began as many others in the time, the forces of Cao Cao seeming to be winning. A few hours into the siege, Gao Lan faced off with one of Liu Bei's Officers, Liu Pi and emerged victorious. Zhang He, seeing Gao's victory called to congratulate him, but Disaster struck.
As Gao Lan Turned to acknowledge Zhang He's call, Zhao Yun rode across the field from an eastern road, Spear in hand and cut into Gao Lan's left shoulder and flank, knocking him from his horse. Zhao continued his course west, leaving Gao laying there, bleeding and weak.
Zhang He let out a cry of terror seeing the fall of his friend, abandoned his post and rushed to Gao's side, dismounting his horse and sweeping the bloodied man into his arms. Gao spat blood and tried to speak, tears streaming from his eyes, but Zhang He bade him not speak and held him close, weeping bitterly. As Gao Lan spluttered his last few words and slipped from Zhang He's arms, Zhao Yun stopped his course and turned to survey his word. One of Cao Cao's officers was dead. He smiled at his achievement.
Zhang He, brushing tears from his cheeks let Gao's still body down slowly and turned, only to see Zhao Yun smiling. Burning with rage and grief, Zhang He mounted his horse, took up arms and rode head on towards Zhao Yun, yelling abuse through his tears. Zhao rode out to meet him and the two clashed, claws meeting spear in a flurry of violent strikes.
Many onlookers stood in awe and some fighting even ceased while the two raged on tirelessly. They fought for over thirty bouts with no advantage until Zhang Liao arrived and bade Zhang He return to camp and recover. Zhang He took his advice and retreated. Zhang Liao heard of Gao Lan's death and was wrought with grief that that he had brought the two into the battle. He accompanied Zhang He back to the camp and stayed with him, comforting him as it were.
Zhang He begged to return to the battlefield an exact his revenge but Zhang Liao said that he should wait and find a moment when he was not clouded with rage, and his revenge could be enacted more successfully. So Zhang He stayed from battle and rested, contemplating his 'brother's' last words.
However, Zhang Liao returned to the battlefield with a small company of troops and scoured the plains searching for Gao Lan's body. After a few hours of searching, it was recovered and brought back to camp for an honourable burial amongst the other fallen heroes of Cao Cao's army. Zhang He was very grateful for Zhang Liao's gesture and, as macabre as the situation was, the two became very close friends over it.
So, Zhang He waited, fighting in many small campaigns for his lord. These campaigns earned Zhang He enough Rank that he could bear a banner with his own name on it. Seven years went by and news arrived at Cao Cao's camp that Liu Bei was leading his followers across Chang-Ban. This was the perfect opportunity to exact his revenge Zhang He believed, and he begged Cao Cao to allow him to fight. Permission was granted and The two Zhangs set out and lay an ambush for Liu Bei's forces in the north of Chang-Ban.
Zhang He posted himself on the northern road to cut off the enemy's retreat as Zhang Liao rode down to the centre of the fray to 'chase' Zhao Yun towards Zhang He's Waiting Ambush troops. Zhang He waited in ambush and after a few hours a lone, bloodied figure rode into view. It was Zhao Yun, his breastplate loose, his fighting robe soaked with blood and riding, spear in hand across the road, not knowing that Zhang He was waiting.
When Zhao Yun was within a few meters Zhang He let out a hearty laugh and rode out to meet Zhao. At this a look of panic shot across Zhao Yun's face and he turned his steed to flee but Zhang He was too fast and cut off his retreat. Zhang's men stood aside and allowed the two to fight. As before the two fought spear to claws but Zhao Yun was distracted and not fighting back. He seemed hurried and kept looking down at his breastplate and up to the East road.
After a few Bouts Zhao Yun broke from battle and fled across the east road. Zhang He spat abuse and pursued Zhao Yun. Angered by Zhao's cowardice, rode fast, caught up with Zhao on the side and forced Zhao's horse off the road, sending him toppling into a ditch.
Zhang He quickly dismounted and hurried down the banks to meet his fallen foe. There lay Zhao, his fallen horse crushing his arm and his spear flung far from reach. Zhang grinned as the helpless Zhao struggled to free his arm but to no avail. Zhang raised his claws to strike down the fallen soldier, remarking that he would make Zhao Suffer as Gao Lan had suffered but before he could do so, he became aware of an unusual sound emanating from Zhao's breastplate.
During this time it may be worthy of note that Zhang He's men were looking for their leader, as they were a way behind when Zhao fell and found only Zhang's horse on the road alone. They feared the worst and continued to search for him.
Upon hearing this noise Zhao covered his breast with his free arm and looked up at Zhang He in helpless fear. Confused, Zhang hooked his claws under the leather straps of Zhao's breastplate, cutting them and loosening the heart-protecting plate. Zhao swatted away the claws and tried to protect his breast, but Zhang threw off his claws and raised the plate himself. He saw a small bundle of cloth and upon further inspection, found it to be moving.
Zhang fell back in surprise and asked what the meaning of this was. Zhao held the bundle close and remarked that it was his lord's son. Zhang He's malicious grin suddenly dropped as he realised the atrocity he was about to commit. To take an innocent's life simply for revenge would be a terrible crime and that was what would happen if he slew Zhao at that moment.
Suddenly he could hear his men's voices calling out to him in the distance, so he knew they didn't have much time. He helped Zhao's horse up and bade Zhao flee quickly. Zhao asked why Zhang was letting him live and Zhang Slashed at his robe, letting Zhao know that next time they met, they were enemies again. So, Zhao fled and Zhang returned to his men with a scrap of Zhao's fighting robe matted into his claws.
When the men enquired what happened Zhang said that Zhao's horse had a sudden fit of speed and managed to escape. Later when Zhang Liao arrived and asked if he had managed to defeat Zhao Yun, Zhang He commented that there are more important things than revenge.
The end.
For now.
Zhang He's Fighting career spanned forty years and he outlived and outranked many of the more historically popular characters from the book. Even today Zhang He's reputation as a fierce warrior precedes him.