Chen Gui – Hànyú
Guo Jia – Fèngxiào
Xiahou Dun – Yuánràng
Chen Gong – Gōngtái

Zang Ba – Xuāngāo
Zhang Liao – Wényuǎn
Chen Deng – Yuánlóng
Li Dian – Mànchéng
Xu Huang – Gōngmíng
Xiahou Yuan – Miàocái

Zhao Yun - Zǐlóng
Yue Jin - Wenqian

"Hmm."

"What is it?" Jia walked beside a frowning Jia Xu.

"This doesn't make any sense," Xu replied as he surveyed the combined troops of Liu Bei and Cao Cao as they set up the main camp.

"Why hasn't Lu Bu's forces come to face us? The smart move would have been to attack us before we began setting up camp. He could have forced us to fall back to a further position and caused serious damage."

"You are truly disappointed that Lu Bu didn't attack us? It is talk like that which makes our allies wary of you," Jia replied with a smile.

"I didn't mean it like that," Xu answered as he put a hand to his head.

Unfortunately, Jia's comment had more truth to it than Xu would have liked to admit. The other generals within Cao's army hadn't been shy in voicing their distrust. This battle would be a chance to prove his usefulness to them…or so he has been repeatedly told.

"Oh I know. I just get a thrill out of seeing you flustered," Jia replied with a fox like grin.

Xu gave an exasperated sigh but he wasn't truly angry. At least Jia was comfortable enough with Xu to joke with him. That was more than he could say for most of the army.

"So are you truly that upset that Gong didn't blunder into your ambush?" Jia asked with that same grin.

"Well I did go through the trouble of setting one up. The least he could have done was get caught by it," Xu said as he waved a hand nonchalantly. Jia's teasing got him to see just how silly his complaint really was. He wasn't about to let him know however that he got the point of his needling.

"Still, attacking us before we began setting up camp would have been the ideal move. I thought this Chen Gong was a smart guy."

"He is. There is a chance he got wind of your ambush and stayed back but I find that unlikely. You did a rather good job of hiding it. So that leaves one other alternative. The rift Hànyú has caused between them is quite serious indeed."

"Perhaps," Xu replied as he rubbed his chin in thought. "By the way, was there something you wanted?"

Jia gave him another sly smile. "I couldn't be here just to visit you and see how you are faring?"

"You could, but I doubt you would waste time with such a thing when everyone else is so busy," Xu replied.

"Oh ho ho ho, seems like you got my number rather easy. I'll have to be careful around you," Jia replied with a hint of sarcasm that made Xu roll his eyes.

"I came to tell you that we received another communication from Hànyú."

"What did this communication say?" Xu asked.

"That the rift between Gong and Bu is quite serious indeed."

Xu stared at him in disbelief. Jia, who looked like he could barely hold back his laughter continued. "Gong did try to get Bu to meet our army but his lady Yan was able to dissuade him."

"So you knew all along that Gong wouldn't fall for my ambush?"

"I did," Jia replied, his composure slipping more and more with each passing second, undoubtedly aided by the look of disbelief on Xu's face.

"So you let me waste my time setting up an ambush you knew we would never need," Xu said aloud confirming the facts as they were.

"I did," Jia replied laughing now, his normally calm demeanor completely shattered as he bent over holding his knees.

"I am glad I can be such a source of entertainment for you," Xu replied dryly.

"I am as well," Jia replied through his fit of laughter which soon dissolved into coughs. Xu's face of annoyance soon shifted into one of concern when Jia's coughing fit lasted a bit longer than it should have.

"Are you okay?" Xu asked as he placed a hand on Jia's back.

Jia waved him away and turned his back to him till his coughing fit was over.

"Ahaha, looks like I had a bit too much fun."

Xu gave him a wary eye as if he was not buying the excuse. Jia gave him a demure smile and a pat on the shoulder. "I'm sure you have better things to worry about rather than a little cough, don't you?"

"Hmm, I suppose I do. Very well. This Yan may have ruined my first opportunity to show off my skills but I have much more up my sleeve."

"I have no doubt that you do. Your ingenuity is extraordinary, but in this battle, I want to see more than just your ingenuity. I want to see everything about your nature," Jia replied.

"And I suppose what you find you will report back to Lord Cao?"

"Maybe," Jia replied with a mischievous smile.

"Oh, one more thing. Hànyú also noted that Zang Ba and Hao Meng are dissatisfied with Lu Bu as of late. He believes that with a significant show of power, we can get them over to our side. Currently they have been assigned to guard the armory and the supply depot respectively. Lord Cao wants them on our side. I'll leave it up to you to figure out how to accomplish that."

'So I have to figure out how to get these two men on our side and defeat Lu Bu.' Xu thought as he folded his arms across his chest. 'Cao Cao certainly isn't making this test easy for me.' Xu looked to see that Jia was studying him expectantly. Xu gave a dismissive wave, not liking the sudden scrutiny.

"Whatever Lord Cao wants."

Jia smiled and saluted him. "Very well, I will leave you to your plans."

Xu returned the salute and turned to face the army once more as Jia walked away.

"That was a nasty cough."

Jia looked up to see a frowning Zhuyue not far from him.

"Ah, little sister," he greeted kindly. "Were you looking for me?"

"How long have you had it?" she asked as she moved closer to him.

"Had what?" Jia asked innocently.

"You are too smart of a man to play dumb," Zhuyue replied as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"So fierce today. I do hope your child is more even tempered than its grumpy parents."

"Fèngxiào," Zhuyue said warningly.

"My, my, truly fierce today. You still haven't told me what you needed me for."

"You are adept at dodging."

"Says the woman who still hasn't told her husband that she is with child," Jia remarked.

Zhuyue winced and lowered her head in shame. "Asshole," she mumbled under her breath. Jia however caught wind of her words and gave a good natured chuckle.

"My apologies. You made it too easy. So what did you need me for?"

"Lord Cao is looking for you. He wishes an update…on him," Zhuyue said as she nodded her head towards Jia Xu.

"Ah, I figured he would. I should go se-"

"Not so fast, the cough, how long have you had it?"

"You are like a dog with a bone. Is this what attracted Yuánràng to you? You are oddly adorable when you are angry…," Jia mused as he placed a hand on his hip and cocked his head to the side, his eyes studying Zhuyue.

"Fèngxiào, I swear…"

"So scary and adorable. What is a man to do?" Zhuyue leveled Jia with a glare.

"Ahahaha okay I guess I have riled you up enough. I have only had it for a month or so. The damn thing won't go away. It isn't anything serious so please do not trouble yourself over it."

"I've heard that type of cough before," Zhuyue replied, her anger melting away as quickly as it come and her voice suddenly filled with worry.

Jia looked at her curiously then smiled. "A cough is simply that. There is no reason to look deeper into it. I am fine. I assure you. Now, excuse me little sister, I must go report to our lord on our progress."

Jia gave her a salute and hurried away before she could object. Zhuyue watched him with a frown. She really had heard that type of cough before. It came from a man she despised. She could remember when he coughed with that same wheezing behind it that Jia had. She had asked him if he was okay then too and received a smack for her troubles. She watched that very illness eat away at his body until he could no longer even get out of bed. Zhuyue had remembered the doctor telling her that if her father had sought care earlier, the medicine he was given would have been able to help but as it stands, the illness had progressed too far for the medicine to be of any help. Jia was still young and if he was telling the truth then the illness hadn't progressed very far at all. Unlike her father, she didn't want to see his demise and she would do everything she could to prevent it.

=#=

"Lord Lu Bu, Cao Cao and his forces have finished setting up their main camp. It won't be long before they begin their assault. We need to reinforce our armory and our supply depot. If we lose either, it will severely impact our ability to defend Xiapi."

"As I mention during our last council, I believe Xuāngāo should handle the defense of the armory and Hao Meng should take the supply depot."

Gong took a deep breath before continuing as if preparing himself for disappointment.

"Lord Lu Bu, as you may recall, I also suggested at the last council that you take a force and attack Cao Cao's supply routes. Have you made up your mind about this yet?"

Lu Bu had made up his mind. Initially, he planned on attacking the supply routes just as Gong had suggested but he since had a change of heart. That change of heart came from a conversation with his wife. When he told her of his intention, she tearfully begged him not to go.

"My lord, you are leaving an undamaged city, abandoning your wife and children and going with a paltry force. Should any untoward event happen will your handmaiden and her lord ever meet again? Can Gong truly be trusted?" She said through her sobs.

Lu Bu took her words to heart and decided against going.

"There is no reason for me to leave an undamaged city," Bu replied borrowing from his wife's reasoning. "We will wait for Cao Cao to come to us."

"Big surprise," Gong replied bitterly under his breath. He saluted Lu Bu. "As you say, My Lord," he replied loud enough for Bu to hear.

"My Lord, might I make a suggestion?"

Chen Gui saluted Lu Bu and waited for permission to speak. Lu Bu nodded giving him his silent consent.

"My son and I wish for nothing but your victory in battle. Therefore I ask that you allow us to help defend the armory and the supply depot."

"How suspiciously kind of you," Gong said as he narrowed his eyes at the older man.

"You distrust my intentions, Gōngtái?"

"As a matter of fact I do."

"And what have I done to earn such distrust?"

"Tell me old man. Exactly what do you hope to contribute in battle? You plan on shaking your walking stick at the enemy?"

Chen Gui chuckled. "Old I may be, but I am still able to hold my own in battle."

"I don't think you plan on doing any battling at all."

"What exactly do you mean by that? Speak plainly," Gui asked with a smile.

"Enough," Bu interrupted. Both men fell silent as Bu stood, his massive form bearing down on both men.

"Hànyú I grant you permission you seek. Thank you for the offer, my friend."

"Of course, my lord. As I said before, my son and I only wish for your victory."

Gong grit his teeth in frustration. How blind can Lu Bu be? He had taken a lot in the past few months but he would not stand for it any longer. Though he did not have any definitive proof, he knew that Gui and Deng could not be trusted.

With their defense strategies in place, the meeting ended. Bu moved to return to his quarters and to the arms of his wife. Gong quickly ran after him hoping to talk him out of the mistake he was about to make.

"My lord, a moment?"

Bu halted his steps and looked at Gong in annoyance for having been delayed. He was eager to get back to Yan as she hasn't been feeling well as of late. The pregnancy had been especially hard on her. She hadn't even been able to leave the bed as of late. Gong ignored the steely gaze and made his plea.

"My lord, I implore you, do not trust the Chens. They flatter you to your face but what is in their hearts? If you let them go to the armory and supply depot, you only hasten our defeat."

"Hold your tongue!" Bu roared so fiercely that it made Gong step a few feet back. "You say I should not trust them? Tell me, what proof do you have that they are untrustworthy?"

Gong faltered. He truly did not have any evidence that they were up to anything untoward. They were very careful about not leaving any clues around to their misdeeds. Still Gong had a feeling that they could not be trusted and usually his hunches proved often to be correct. Still he doubted that a simple hunch would be enough to convince Lu Bu.

"I-I have none but-"

"So you slander them with no proof?"

Gong was fidgeting now, he gave a nervous laugh. "On the surface it may seem like that but if you would just-"

"No, enough of your words. You want to harm good men and I will hear none of it. Get out of my sight before I begin to ponder your motives for turning me against loyal men."

Gong was stunned. He watched as Bu stalked away, his words still ringing in his ears.

"Gōngtái…"

Gong snapped his mouth which had been agape in disbelief shut and turned to the sound of the voice. He tried to shake the anger and confusion he was sure was visible on his face but he doubted he was able to do so in time before Zhang Liao, the person who had called him, noticed.

"Wényuǎn, how long have you been here?'

"I heard everything," Liao replied.

Ah honest Zhang Liao; never a man to mince words or hide his intentions. He was one of the few sane people still left in this army.

"In that case, tell me…in your opinion, did it sound as if Master Lu Bu tried to infer that I wasn't loyal?"

"You already know the answer to that. What good would it be for me to confirm it?"

Gong couldn't help but chuckle. Liao was such a blunt and honest man. After what Gong had gone through these past few months, his honesty was refreshing.

"I suppose part of me hoped that I did not hear it correctly. That man…he has no ears for loyal words and we shall suffer for it."

Liao did not reply. Gong let out a sigh.

"Tell me, Wényuǎn, what is your opinion on Chen Gui and Chen Deng?"

"My opinion doesn't matter. Master Lu Bu likes them and trusts them."

"Only because they ply him with gifts and praise," Gong hissed.

"Regardless, he trusts them. Whether I like them or not is irrelevant. Without proof of deceit there is nothing that can be done."

"I suppose not," Gong replied with a frown. "I gather you didn't just come by to console me."

"No. I think your plan was a good one. I volunteer to lead a group to attack Cao Cao's supply lines."

Gong let out a tired sigh. "I appreciate it but no. Unfortunately that is no longer an option."

"I don't understand."

"The plan will no longer work now that Yuánlóng and Hànyú will be in the armory and supply depot. I know that I have no proof that they will betray us, but I know they will. When they do, you won't have a place to fall back to when you attack Cao's supply routes. Cao's forces will easily be able to isolate you. It would be as good as sending you to your death. I do have an equally dangerous task if you are so inclined."

"And what might that be?"

"I need you to guard the floodgates. I do not know if the enemy knows where the controls are but if they find it out and open them, especially with all this snow about-"

"The castle will be flooded easily. We would have to abandon it."

"Exactly. This is an important task and I truly cannot trust it to anyone else. Will you do it? You will probably only be delaying the inevitable though."

"It doesn't seem like you have high hopes of our victory in this battle."

"How can I? We have so much stacked against us. I of course will do my best to achieve victory for my forces but I can only deal with so much stupidity at once."

"Be sure to not utter such things in front of our forces. If our strategist is anticipating defeat our morale will plummet."

"Of course, Wényuǎn, you cannot think me that foolish can you? But tell me oh mighty general, after hearing my words are you dreading battle?"

"No. As always, I will fight with everything I have and if it is my destiny to meet my end on the battlefield then so be it. I will guard the floodgates with my life"

"How very pragmatic of you. Very well I suppose we shall fight to the end together."

Zhang Liao nodded to Gong and both men parted ways.

=#=

Before going back to his home, Gong made a detour to the castle larder. He quickly found the person he was looking for. He gestured to the servant and after making sure that no one was paying attention, she went to his side. The two ducked into a hallway and spoke in hushed whispers.

"How goes our little plan?"

"It goes well, my lord. Today will be the fourth serving. Just as you suggested I put it in her food and her drink."

"And how does she look."

"Frightfully ill. She thinks it is the baby what's causing it."

"Excellent," Gong replied as he rubbed his hands together and grinned. He dug into his robe and pulled out a silver tael. "For your continued service."

The servant's eyes lit up as she clutched the teal in her hands. "Thank you, my lord."

"Now, just be sure to continue to mix her food with the powder I have given you and there will be more of that to come."

"Yes, my lord. I will, my lord," the servant bowed deeply before stuffing the tael into her robe and hurrying back to work.

Gong walked away feeling a bit better at hearing the news. At least one annoyance will be out of his hair soon.

=#=

The attack on Xiapi was poised to begin. Armed with the information given to him from Guo Jia, Jia Xu's first step was to take out the armory and the supply depot. He needed to draw attention away from his true targets and thus set up a faint attack on city itself.

Yue Jin and Cao Anmin volunteered to lead the vanguard and attack the city. Xu was appreciative that they did so as it seemed Cao's generals were hard-pressed to truly risk their lives under his order. He ordered Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei to assist them figuring that if the enemy saw Liu Bei's forces along with Cao's forces, it would make the faint attack all the more believable.

With the diversion set in place, he sent Li Dian, Xun You and Xu Huang's forces to attack the armory. Guan Yu, Xiahou Yuan and Xu Yu were sent to attack the supply depot. The two groups were to send up a signal when they were at their respective targets to signal Yu Jin and the others to press their attack on the city to keep the enemy forces sufficiently distracted.

Xu took a deep breath as he waited for the signals for the two strike teams to go up. Guo Jia slinked up beside him but he wasn't wearing his usual smile. His sharp gaze swept across the battlefield. The very air that swirled around him had a different feeling to it. He was focused. This was the true form of the great strategist Guo Jia.

"You are spreading our forces a bit thin."

"It can't be helped. If the enemy figures out what we are up against, they will send forces to reinforce them which will leave at least one of our strike groups in a bind."

"I wasn't condemning…just noting."

"Do you intend on watching me this entire battle?" Xu asked, his eyes remained focused on the sky for the signal.

"I do. I also come bearing some information our scouts just recovered."

"You plan on helping me? Isn't that cheating?" He asked with a grin.

"It is information you would find out on your own eventually. While this is a test, please keep in mind that we do want to win. I will do everything in my power to ensure that Lord Cao Cao achieves victory, especially in a battle as important as this."

"You really believe in him and all his talk of his ambition don't you?"

"I do. I share his vision and hope that I live long enough to see it come to fruition."

"Huh…I don't know if I am a believer yet but I gotta admit…he is an interesting guy. Far more competent then the last lord I served anyway."

Jia offered him a small smile. "I'm sure he will be pleased with such a glowing compliment."

"Ahaha, I am sure that will go over well. So what is this information you bring to me?"

"Lu Bu has abandoned the city of Xiapi. There is only a paltry force guarding the city. He and the bulk of his forces have decided to stay entrenched within Xiapi castle instead."

"Tch, so he abandons his people in order to save his own neck? Smart. Easier to protect himself rather than defend civilians…still a cowardly move."

"Indeed. You know as well as I that at this point the best move for Lu Bu would be to stay holed up within Xiapi Castle."

"Which means he has faith in the castle defenses…I bet Chen Gong believes he can outlast us…shit…"

Xu clenched his fist in irritation. The battle hadn't even officially begun but he already found himself up against a wall. Digging out an entrenched enemy was one of the most annoying things to do when laying siege to a castle. A smart strategist could outlast even the most tenacious of enemies under these conditions.

"But Xiapi has a very big flaw," Jia continued.

"Flaw?" Xu perked up at hearing this word. While laying siege to a castle was a difficult task, it could be made a lot easier if there was a flaw that could be exploited.

"The control for their flood gates is located outside of the castle…to the northeast to be more accurate."

Jia's words were like sweet music to Xu's ears.

"Fèngxiào, I owe you a drink."

"Ah, that was a mistake on your part. You have no idea just how much I can drink and I intend to take you up on that offer."

Xu flashed him a grin. "That's fine with me. We'll flood those cowards right out of their little hidey holes. I'll lead the attack on this personally."

"Taking to the field personally? My, my aren't you just full of fire…guess I'll have to come along as well if I intend on keeping my eye on you."

Xu was grateful for the backup. He was confident in his skills as a fighter but more help was always better. He doubted that Chen Gong would be dumb enough to leave the floodgates undefended.

"Master Fèngxiào, Wénhé. I am ready to leave whenever you are."

Both men turned to Yu Jin who stood rigidly before them, his arms folded behind his back.

"What's this?" Xu asked Jia who gave him another small smile.

"I thought it would be good to have some back up, just in case. I imagine Chen Gong will assign their toughest warrior to defend the floodgates and that would mean facing off against Lu Bu himself or Zhang Liao. I am confident in my fighting ability but I am no fool."

"Well the more the merrier I suppose."

"Make no mistake, I follow you under the command of Lord Cao Cao and Master Fèngxiào. I do not trust you and the minute you step a toe out of line I will cut it off followed by your head."

With that said, Yu Jin stalked off to wait by the horses he had prepared for the mission.

Xu shrugged indifferently. "Be my guest," he called out to Jin's back. Jin did not reply choosing instead to double check the saddle of his steed.

"Nice guy," Xu said, his voice oozing with sarcasm.

"As cuddly as a tiger. Don't worry, once you get to know him better I'm sure he will threaten you a lot less," Jia said as he gave Xu's shoulder a comforting pat.

"Oh goody, I look forward to that."

=#=

Yue Jin saddled up his horse to prepare for his ride into battle. As usual, he volunteered to lead the vanguard. Many questioned him about his constant need to lead the charge of Cao's forces. They always asked him what he was trying to prove. He would always answer that he had nothing to prove and he only wished to bring victory to his lord but that wasn't completely true. Yue Jin was out to show everyone that despite his smaller stature, he was every bit a warrior as the others in the army.

Even if no one doubted his skill, he still needed to prove to himself that he was worthy of being a general in Cao's army. Despite all the victories he has had in battle, he still wasn't quite convinced and being the perfectionist that he was, he doubted he would be. He would always push himself to be a little better and to fight a little harder.

Jin mounted his horse and was prepared to set out when he was stopped by a man he had seen walking about with Liu Bei and his forces. The man was tall, taller than Jin. This fact made his eye twitch in annoyance. Height was the first thing he noticed when meeting someone new and almost always he was irritated when he realized they were taller than him. Even if it was by a mere inch, it got under his skin.

The man saluted Jin and he respectfully returned the gesture.

"I am Zhao Yun, styled Zǐlóng."

"Yue Jin, styled Wenqian. What do you want?"

"I heard you are to lead the attack. When fighting for my lord, I also usually take up that role. I wish to fight alongside of you if that is alright.

So this man was a kindred spirit in a way? Jin wondered if people always questioned Yun's need to lead the charge as they did with him.

"I have no problem with that but we leave now."

"That's fine. Set out, I will catch up quickly."

Jin nodded and began his charge towards the city. The role of his group was to distract the enemy long enough for the armory and depot strike teams to complete their assault. Once the signals went up, they were to push the enemy as hard as they could to keep them sufficiently distracted. They would get another signal from the main camp when the strikes had been successful. Jin hoped to seize the city before that signal came. It was a lofty dream for sure but one he planned to aim for anyway.

Jin reached the first group of enemies. A patrol group that found exactly what they were suppose to be on the lookout for. Jin steered his horse right into the men, trampling one under hoof while his hook blade managed to find purchase in the mouth of one of the soldiers who was screaming at one of the other men in his unit to get help.

With strength the certainly surprised the man who's mouth had been the unfortunate target, Jin lifted the man's body into the air and with a might swing flung him away. The force of the throw ripped part of the man's jaw off before his limp body slammed heavily into the snowy ground below.

Jin threw up his foot to kick the side of a blade that was coming at him knocking his assailant off balance. Not wasting the opening, Jin's hook blade bit into his throat and ripped out a chuck of flesh leaving the man falling in a bloodied heap at his steed's hooves.

Jin spied a man running away to get reinforcements with some of his men hot on his trail. He called his forces back. It would be to their benefit if the man went and got reinforcements. After all, they were supposed to be providing a distraction. True it would make things harder for them, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

His men made quick work of the rest of the patrol and they gathered around their general. Galloping up behind them was Zhao Yun and his force. He looked around and Jin could see a tinge of disappointment in the man's face.

"Seems we took a bit too long to get prepared," Yun remarked as he looked at the remains of the battle that ended just a few moments ago.

"There should be more soon," Jin replied with a shrug.

No sooner had the words left his mouth that they heard the drums of war being beaten. A large enemy force from the city was coming their way lead by several generals.

Jin and Yun nodded to each other then charged towards their enemies.

=#=

The attack on the armory

Li Dian, Xun You and Xu Huang stopped their forces once the armory was in sight.

"Well, how do you guys want to do this?" Dian asked as he eyed the armory.

"Since I am new here, perhaps it is better if I follow your leads," You replied.

"Unnecessary," Huang replied. "Your cousin spoke highly of your skills as a strategist. If you have some suggestion on how we can take this base please share it with us."

Dian nodded in agreement. "What he said."

"Very well, thank you for the trust. Our instructions were to give them a show of strength to get the general to our side but it wouldn't do if we lose forces while trying to do so. I say we go with a fire attack."

"But we don't-" Dian began.

"Have a fire team?" You finished. "I actually comprised my unit of one just in case you decided to follow my suggestion."

"That's some forethought." Dian said with a laugh.

"I just like to be prepared for all possibilities. Now then, we only need a distraction so my group can get in position."

"Allow me," Huang said. "My men and I will give you the time you need to prepare your attack."

Without another word, Huang signaled his men forward. With a mighty cry, they charged straight for the armory.

"Well then, Mànchéng. Would you be as so kind as to light the signal for our other forces? We are suppose to be fighting simultaneously after all. Once done, please join Gōngmíng in his assault."

"Gotcha," Dian replied.

Once Xu Huang and his forces were in clear view of the enemy, he looked boldly forward. He jabbed the hilt of his massive axe into the snow next to him. The axe standing erect next to him gave you the impression of how truly large it was.

"The man that stands before you is Xu Huang, styled Gōngmíng. I will give you this one chance and this one chance only to surrender yourselves. If you refuse, we will attack."

The gatekeepers looked at each other uncertainly wondering if this man was mad. Did he truly think they would surrender? When they failed to answer, Huang picked up his axe.

"Your silence will serve as your answer then. Men! It is time to show them the results of our training! Attack!"

With a mighty cry, his men rushed forward to clash with the enemy. Not to be left behind, Huang charged in right along with them. His target was the gate captain. The captain caught wind of Huang's intentions and braced for the attack.

Huang rushed in, his hands gripping his axe tightly before him. The closer Huang got the more the gate captain realized just how truly big the blade on his axe was. From his previous distance, it was easy to mistake what the actual size was but as Huang got closer and closer, he got a frightening view of its massive size. The captain realized that blocking was not an option. He took a step back but found that his back hit the gate he was meant to protect. Fear flooded his mind as he tried to ponder the best course of action to take.

Too late, Huang was on him now. He did the only thing he could think of and attempted to block. Huang's massive axe crashed into his spear and easily splintered the wood. As Huang's massive blade bit into his shoulder he realized that blocking was probably not the best decision.

Huang's powerful strike pinned the captain into the gate. The man looked up at him with pitiful eyes. Huang felt no sorrow for taking the man's life. He gave him the chance to surrender. He forcefully ripped his axe out of the man's shoulder, splintering a bit of the wood on the gate as he did so. No longer pinned to the gate, the gate captain, nearly split in two fell in a heap to the ground. Not missing a beat, Huang turned his attention to the rest of the enemy forces.

"The gate captain is down! Open the gate! Help us!" the soldiers started as they abandoned the fight in favor of banging on the massive wooden gate.

"Do you not hear them? We must open the gates!" Chen Gui implored as he made his way to Zang Ba's side.

Ba closed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest as he pondered their situation. He opened his eyes and looked up to one of the men on the watch tower who had been unsuccessfully firing on the enemy forces below.

"How many generals and ground troops stand against us?"

"Two! Two generals that I can see. One of them is decimating our forces. They are almost all dea-"

"Ground troops. How many?" Ba interrupted, forcefully steering the man back onto the topic.

"I-I don't know. I can't tell. More than us!"

"Damnit," Ba cursed. He looked at Gui. "We cannot open the gates. If we do, we are as good as dead. We are outnumbered."

"So we sit here and wait for them to break in and kill us? I rather fight them on our terms rather than theirs," Gui replied.

"Sir, there is strange sm-aaargh," the archer's words were cut off abruptly. He soon fell from his tower to the snow covered ground below. His crimson blood soon seeped from the arrow wound in his throat staining the white snow.

"Someone get up there and take his place!"

The men looked uncertainly at each other.

"Now!" Ba commanded.

This snapped them to attention and one of the soldiers took the bow from his fallen ally and slung it over his shoulder before climbing up to the now vacant tower.

"Master Xuāngāo, there is smoke coming from behind the enemy forces. It looks red. Also the enemy has reinforcements. They nearly have the armory surrounded."

'Red smoke?' Ba thought to himself.

"It must be some sort of signal," he mused aloud. "There is nothing we can do about it now. We have to hold this base."

"You will not open the gate and attack?" Gui asked again.

"Did you not hear him? We are surrounded. What good would opening the gate do now?" Ba replied.

"You are a foo-wait…do you smell smoke?" Gui asked as he turned his nose up to the air and sniffed.

Ba looked at him curiously before mimicking the gesture. Gui was right, there was a distinct odor of smoke in the air. Could it be from the signal and was carried downwind?

"Fire!" One of the archers cried. Ba spun around just in time to see fire arrows raining down from the sky behind them. Whipping his spear in front of him, he quickly cut down two arrows heading for him and Gui. Two more archers fell from their towers. One died instantly while the other screamed in pain while tried to roll around in the snow to douse the flames that began to eat away at the exposed clothing he wore under his armor.

Another hail of arrows came over the gate. Some harmlessly imbedded into the ground, their flames put out by the snow. Others found their targets in the wooden structures within the armory.

"Damnit," Ba spat as he cut down a few more arrows that came too close to him and Gui.

The fire was already spreading.

"Put those flames out immediately!"

The soldiers hurried to fulfill the order but more arrows came over the wall. Some striking the soldiers, others hitting more of the structures. The soldiers were running around like mad men as they tried to put out all of the flames. Their attention so focused on the arrows, all the occupants within the armory failed to notice the large fire brewing in the back of the base until it was a raging flame.

"We have to abandon the base! We won't be able to put out all of these fires in time. I rather die with a sword in my hand than perish in flames!" said Gui.

"Damnit," Ba said again. Gui was right. If it was just the arrows, it would be manageable but the large fire the enemy had set on their blindside was a major problem.

"Open the gates, we die like warriors!" Ba declared.

The gates were thrown open. Gui had moved to the front to seemingly lead the charge. Ba took his place next to him. The enemy stood before them in an opposing horizontal line. There would be no chance for them to flee.

The pristine white snow was tarnished with the blood and bodies of their comrades. The two men that stood slightly in front of the line of men both held bloodied large weapons in their hands. One held a massive axe, the other some large odd wheeled weapon that Ba had never seen before.

He gripped his spear tightly in his hands and brought it to bear in front of him. Those two men looked formidable but he would be damned if he goes down without taking at least one of them with him.

"We surrender!"

Ba's head snapped to the side where Gui stood. The old man had dropped his weapon to the ground and was bowing his head to the enemy, his hand folded in salute in front of him.

'What the hell are you doing old man? What happened to dying as warriors? Was surrender the plan he had all along?' Ba thought to himself in anger. He was confused now. What should he do? They had more forces than they did and it was clear that if he fought this battle, he would die.

"Surrender Xuāngāo," said Gui. The man was now looking at him with sincerity in his eyes.

"Is Lu Bu truly worth dying for?" The old man continued.

Was he? That was an easy question the answer. No. No he wasn't. Ba hadn't been happy with Bu's leadership for awhile now. He even toyed with the idea of leaving a few times before but stayed because he had built friendships with Zhang Liao, Gao Shun and a few others. This battle was already lost. There was truly no point in fighting any longer but surrendering didn't necessarily mean that Cao Cao would take him into his army. He could be exchanging a death now for a death in the very near future. With a heavy sigh, Ba threw his spear to the ground.

"Damnit," he exclaimed under his breath as dropped to his knees and put his hands behind his back to be bound.

He could hear his men following suit, not wanting to die for Lu Bu's cause either. The man with the wheeled weapon and messy hair came to his side.

"No need for all that. We want to work with you. Defect to our side and fight against Lu Bu."

"You expect me to believe that?" Ba asked with an incredulous snort.

"Why not?" Huang said stepping forward.

"Not very long ago, I was in the same position you were and I was given the same chance. Here I stand today, proud to fight for Lord Cao Cao."

"That so?" Ba replied suspiciously. His eyes shifted from Dian and Huang to Gui. The man looked a little too comfortable to be a prisoner of war.

"So you've been working for Cao Cao all this time? Gōngtái was right?" Ba asked the elderly man.

"Yes. I told Lord Cao Cao about you. I told him that you were a man of integrity and skill who was languishing under Lu Bu's rule," Gui replied.

"Well, I don't want to make a liar out of you. I have no love for Lu Bu."

Ba stood and picked up his spear.

"My blade serves Cao-I mean Lord Cao Cao now."

=#=

The attack on the supply depot

"Alright men step it up. The attack on the armory is already going down. We are behind. You," Yuan pointed to a soldier who straightened up once he realized he was the one being addressed."

"Light our signal so they know we aren't falling behind."

The soldier saluted and prepared to run off to accomplish the given task.

"A moment," Yu said as he caught the young soldier by the arm. The solider bowed awkwardly, confused as to why he was stopped so suddenly.

"You need this," Yu said as he handed over a pouch of strong smelling herbs to the soldier.

"Regular smoke won't do. This will give it the same red color as the signal from the armory. Hurry along now."

The soldier saluted and ran off with the pouch in hand.

Yuan tsked in annoyance as he looked up to the signal from the armory once more. It hadn't been too long since the armory's signal went up but it was far too long to Yuan. Despite his carefree attitude, Yuan actually took his role as general seriously. He hated behind left behind.

"We wouldn't be so far behind if we didn't take that detour," Yuan remarked angrily as he turned back to the others.

"I thought it was prudent that we avoid any patrols. The point of this excursion is to surprise the enemy, is it not?" Yu replied.

"Killing them could have kept them quiet and avoided a detour," Yuan replied.

"The detour was truly not that long Miàocái and we did not expend any men or strength. I understand you were eager to get into the fray but the safety of our troops should be paramount."

"Our troops are not so weak as to get winded by such a minor skirmish!"

"Of course I am not saying that they are. I am merely saying that it would be best to avoid combat when possible to minimize losses."

"What about culling the enemy forces so our men have an easier time? Did you think about that or does your cowardly nature only think about how you can best can avoid keeping yourself from harms way?"

"Are you calling me cowardly? You dare accuse me of such? Master Guan Yu can attest to my courage for it was I who ran into battle to save Lord Liu Bei when he was surrounded!" Yu retorted angrily.

"Yeah I bet you would risk life and limb to save him and since when is he your lord?" Yuan spat back just as angry.

The two men went back and forth to the point where Guan Yu believed they would come to blows. What kind of army was this when two of its generals would go at each other's throats on the battlefield? He couldn't even understand what they were arguing about. He was about to intervene when he noticed a commotion in the supply depot. The three generals were so engrossed in the argument that none realized that thick black smoke wafted from the wooden structure.

Soon the gates were thrown open and the soldiers were running out in fear of their lives. This promptly ended the argument between Yuan and Yu who immediately put their differences aside to deal with the new situation that has arisen.

"Fire from within?" Guan Yu asked puzzled as he watched the chaos unfold.

Soldiers were tripping over each other as they tried to flee from the burning structure, black smoke and flames licking at their backs as they fled. None of their men had moved to attack the supply depot so what was going on?

"Do we attack, Miàocái?" Yu asked. Yuan was named the lead on the depot attack and he decided to defer to him in this decision rather than act on his own as he did before. Things were already tense for him within the army and he had no desire to stir up issues any further.

"We move to surround them and ask for their surrender. We only attack if they provoke us," Yuan replied.

Yu nodded pleased with the answer. It was the best response he could hope for in this situation.

On Yuan's word their men moved out to surround the fleeing men. Many were winded, doubled over with soot covered faces as they sucked in desperate breathes of fresh air. The few that managed to get out of the depot fairly quickly were alert. They grabbed their weapons and held it at the ready as they wearily eyed the forces that surrounded them. They were uncertain on how to proceed and looked to each other for guidance. No one man knew the answer; it would be up to their general to make the decision for them.

"We were betrayed! I want to know who it was!"came the loud voice of a man who emerged from the depot. He was speaking to the man that was currently supporting him. Said man seemed to be a bit annoyed at being yelled at when in such close range.

"Please refrain from shouting in my ear Master Meng. I can hear you quite well."

"Screw what you can hear. We need to find out who-," the man paused realizing that they were surrounded. "Damnit," he spat the taste of ash from his mouth as he pushed the man who had been holding him up away so he could stand on his own two feet to greet his enemies.

"I know this was a plot by our enemies. Tell me this before you slaughter us at least. Who was it that betrayed us?"

"I'll tell you," Deng replied as he stepped past Meng and went to stand on the side of Yuan and the others. The saluted them.

"I am Chen Deng, styled Yuánlóng. I trust you know of me?"

"We do," Yuan replied. "So this was your work?"

"It was. I had an opportunity to strike so I did. I wanted to try to lessen the burden for our allied forces as much as possible."

"Yuánlóng! You bastard it was you?" Meng asked stunned.

"Yes. And as we speak, the armory is going down as well. Lu Bu will not live to see another day. You have the opportunity to ensure that you do not follow his fate. You only need to swear loyalty to Lord Cao Cao."

"Ahh, this kid is stealing my thunder," Yuan muttered with the shake of his head.

"He is a bit forceful isn't he?" Yu remarked as he watched the proceedings in surprise.

"Fine," Meng replied stunning everyone around them. He gave a nonchalant shrug at the surprised looks he was getting from his men and his enemies alike.

"I have no love for Lu Bu. He is a fool and I refused to die for a fool. Besides, I heard Cao Cao pays better. So which one of you guys am I following?"

"Well that was disappointingly easy to resolve," Yuan said.

"I must admit, I thought there would be somewhat more resistant but I guess it is better this way," Deng replied. "We are yours to command, what will you have us do?"

"Since this was resolved so quickly, I wish to join the attack on the front," said Guan Yu.

"Sounds like a good idea to me. Let's go. With both of our signals up, they should be making a hard push into the city. I'll be damned if this battle ends without me killing something," Yuan replied.

With their new goal in mind the group made their way to the battle on the front which was already underway.

=#=

"The signals for both the armory and the supply depot have been spotted. We should be able to get to the floodgates with no issue."

Jia nodded in agreement to Xu's words.

"Then let's not waste any more time. Remember, we need to get to the floodgates as soon as possible. If we run into any forces in our path take them out as quickly as possible so we can move on."

"Hmph, we can handle ourselves. Just make sure you don't fall behind," Yu Jin said before spurring his horse forward.

"This is going to be a pleasant trip," Xu replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he gave his horse a light kick to get it moving.

"Just think about the good things," Jia replied as he rode up to his side. "Your plan, so far is going off without a hitch."

"So far, yes but I imagine that the real trouble will be when Lu Bu is forced out of Xiapi. He will be like a wild animal backed into a corner which is to say at his most dangerous."

"I agree. I look forward to seeing how you handle this."

"Ha, well I'll be sure to not disappoint," Xu replied as he gave his horse another kick to spur it on faster.

Jia smiled and followed suit.

Despite having the main team drawing off attention from them, Xu's group did indeed face their fare share of enemies. The first of their enemies was at a gate blocking the road leading towards the floodgates. It seems Chen Gong was indeed aware of his flaw and did put up some blocks to protect it. Xu was confident that they could beat their foes and still reach the floodgates with minimal issues.

The general standing in charge of the first gate drew his sword and pointed it Xu and his forces.

"I am Zhang Hu! I swear on my life that you will not pass this gate."

Yu Jin moved to dismount his horse and faced the man in battle when he was stopped by Jia Xu.

"Let me handle this one," said Xu.

"You said this needed to be done quickly. I would be the better choice," Jin replied.

Xu ignored the thinly veiled insult and dismounted his horse. Once on the ground, he unhooked the chain and sickle he kept at his side.

"This is true, but I also believe we need to keep you well rested in case we run into a more difficult enemy. Can't trust frail little ol' me to handle much more than a guy like this."

"Hmph," was Jin's reply but he did not move to dismount again.

Jia stepped forward towards the man, weapon in hand.

"What say we settle this in a duel, hmm? It would make things quicker for both of us."

"Very well, will you tell me your name?"

"No need to tell my name to the dead," Xu replied as he began to twirl the chain around. The metal ball at the end of the chain made a loud whooping noise as he whipped it through the air in large circles.

"Tch, very well. I only asked so I know what family to send your remains to."

"How thoughtful," Xu replied as he began move slowly in a wide circle around the man.

Hu instructed his soldiers to stay out of the battle and then he too began to move in a circle, away from Xu. The two men eyed each other, waiting for the first one to make a move. It was Xu who moved out first. He threw the chain out, the ball made a loud whoosh as it sailed past Hu's head. Hu saw this as an opening for Xu and charged forward. With a loud cry, he brought his sword down in a slash, blocked by Xu's sickle.

Xu jerked the chain back. Hu, underestimating or just completely forgetting about the second part of his weapon paid no heed to this. He attempted to do a forward thrust which Xu managed to easily parry. Before Hu could attack again an unimaginable pain overtook him as the heavy metal ball cracked his skull from behind. Hu staggered on his feet and with a shaky hand reached out to the back of his head.

Before he could make contact, Xu's sickle had dug into his throat and cut through cleanly. The man looked up with unfocused eyes at the man who killed him before falling dead at his feet.

Xu looked at the rest of Hu's forces.

"Now, will you honor your master's will or do we have to kill you all as well?"

Morale lost, they began to toss their weapons to the snow.

"Good choice, gate please?"

Begrudgingly, they pushed the gate open, allowing them passage. Xu mounted his horse once more and lead their forces through. Though Jin did not comment to him aloud, he was mildly impressed with the display.

They proceeded on their way towards the floodgates. They met further resistance but as per Xu's instructions, he and Jia handled the bulk of the fighting leaving Jin rested for whatever lay in wait at the floodgates.

Their first real challenge came at the final barrier between them and the floodgates. Standing before the gate holding a great sword in hand was Gao Shun. The men that stood at his side looked equally fierce. This would not be an easy battle.

Yu Jin moved to dismount but found himself stopped by Jia Xu once more.

"You kept me out of battle for a foe like this yet you stop me once more. Explain yourself!" Jin demanded.

He was annoyed at being denied the right to battle. He begrudgingly understood the reason for doing so but now that they were faced with a difficult foe he couldn't grasp why he was still being denied.

"Gao Shun is a well known general under Lu Bu. If he is here, the last checkpoint before the floodgates, that would mean that someone even stronger than he is at the floodgates. Do you honestly believe you can fight in grueling battles back to back without any repercussions?"

Jin hmphed in annoyance. Xu's logic was sound. He was confident in his abilities as a warrior but he also knew that some of Lu Bu's generals were incredibly strong. If Zhang Liao or Lu Bu himself waited at the floodgates, he wouldn't fare well after coming from a battle with Gao Shun.

Xu took Jin's silence as acceptance of the situation. He dismounted and Jia dismounted as well.

"You weren't intending on facing this foe alone were you?" Jia asked as he walked to his side.

"With a bit of effort I probably could but I prefer to work smarter, not harder. Your help is appreciated."

Both men walked towards Gao Shun. Shun, a man who usually preferred to remain silent did not waste any words. He signaled for his forces to advance. With a cry they charged forward.

Xu met the enemy first. His chain lashed out like a whip wrapping itself around the neck of a soldier. The soldier struggled to pull it off but found himself being yanked forward. He stumbled forwards towards his assailant whom had just sliced through a fellow soldier. The soldier tried to right his footing but Xu's attention was now on him. His sickle bit into his stomach. The man felt a burning pain in his stomach that only intensified as Xu quickly yanked the sickle to the right, ripping it out of him. The man fuitily put his hands to his stomach in a vain effort to keep his blood and intestines inside before falling to the ground dead.

With another yank, Xu snatched the chain from his neck and threw it towards another enemy. This time the metal ball at the end of the chain smacked into the face of a soldier, breaking his nose. The man immediately cried out in pain and tried to stop the flow of blood gushing from his nose. He was out of the battle for now. Xu yanked the chain back and with and tossed it at yet another enemy.

Xu kept up his assault until he heard Jia shout at him.

"Down!"

Xu did as Jia commanded and ducked just in time to see him jump in the air with several orbs of pure energy spread out before him. Jia smacked at the orbs in one stroke with his scepter sending them flying towards the enemy. The ones unfortunate enough to get directly by the orbs died instantly as the orbs released their power upon contact sending a bolt of thunder surging through its target, burning them to a crisp leaving naught but ashes behind. The ones that managed to dodge didn't fare much better. The chi Jia had infused in those orbs caused anyone caught near it to be badly seared.

Jia's attack left charged bodies and ashes in its wake. He looked at the battlefield satisfied with the results.

"Don't think you went a little overboard with that attack? Do you have anything left in you?" Xu asked as he surveyed the battlefield.

"I still have a bit in me but I plan on letting you take the lead in the fight with Gao Shun," Jia replied with a smile.

"How kind of you," Xu said. With a sigh he rolled his shoulders and prepared to face the general who was already walking towards them. Shun's slow walk slowly began to shift into a full on run, ending with him leaping into the air. He came down right on top of them, his blade coming down like a deadly guillotine.

Both men dodged out of the way. Xu threw his chain as he did so, hoping to wrap it around his leg. This worked momentarily distracting Shun and Jia seeing the success in Xu's attack wasted no time in rolling to his feet and thrusting the tip of his scepter into Shun's stomach. Shun grunted in pain from the attack and brought his blade back up in a crescent arc causing both men to dodge backwards from the strike.

Xu tried to pull on the chain to pull Shun off balance but the man's stance remained firm. In a surprising move, he shuffled his foot back and tried to pull Xu off balance. Not expecting this, Xu stumbled forward towards Shun. Shun did a forward thrust which Xu attempted to parry with his sickle but was just a few seconds slow. Shun' great sword scraped against the metal of Xu's sickle and sliced into Xu's side. He hissed in pain and hopped back. He was at a disadvantage as long as his chain stayed wrapped around Shun's foot and Shun knew it.

The wound wasn't that bad but it hurt like hell. He wouldn't have any time to address the injury as Shun was attempting to yank him forward once more. Prepared this time, Xu pulled the chain back on his end. It became a tug-of-war between the two men, neither willing to relent. This was interrupted by Jia who came with a quick thrust of his scepter into Shun. Shun managed to block the attack but his momentary distraction gave Xu the advantage he needed to win the tug-of-war.

Xu yanked hard, forcing Shun into an awkward split. Shun tried to react quickly but found himself suddenly struck in the side of the head with a blunt object. It took him a few seconds to realize it was Jia who followed up the strike with more in quick succession. He took two more blows but managed to block the final one. His head was ringing from the pain and he sloppily slashed at Jia to make him back off but froze when he felt a sharp stinging pain in his side. He looked to his side to see that Xu had changed up his tactic. While Shun was distracted with Jia, Xu had used the remainder of the chain he held to swing the sickle into his side.

Shun pulled the sickle out, letting it drop to the snowy ground blow and with his free hand he tried to staunch the warm blood that flowed out of him. He was at a great disadvantage now but at least now only one of them had a weapon. He got to his feet just as Jia rushed at him again. Shun tried to counter the attack but he was markedly slower. Jia dodged right past him and with the tip of his scepter, attacked the wound that Xu had made only moments before.

Shun gave a howl in pain as Jia thrust his scepter into the wound once more, this time shoving the tip of the scepter inside of it. Shun's bloodied hand gripped the scepter and tried to force it out but he had lost a lot of blood by this point and he was much weaker than he had been earlier leaving his hand slick with blood to slip harmlessly on the weapon. Jia kept pushing the scepter inside of the wound, forcing it to open wider and wider. Shun was forced to his knees. He swiped his sword wildly, hearing the whistle as it sliced through the air but not finding its target.

A familiar pain burned through him. He dully realized that it was coming from his neck. Dumbly, his hand touched the cold metal jutting from his throat and he realized that it was the sickle. While he was distracted, the other man had recovered his weapon. He wouldn't survive this battle. He wouldn't see Yan again. He wouldn't see his unborn child. He felt nothing but regret as Xu tugged the chain pulling the sickle and forcing it to tear through his throat, completely decapitating him. Xu caught the bloodied sickle in his hand, breathing hard.

"Well that was fun," Jia said with his trademark smile.

"I beg to differ," Xu replied as he held a hand to the wound at his side.

"Will you be okay? Shall we go on without you?"

"No, it's just a flesh wound. I'll live much to the disappointment of many, I'm sure. Come, we must go. The floodgates are next.