Specialist Winter surveyed the audience. All of them, ready to charge hell with a bucket of water. Yet, few could accomplish…
-"You have a town full of civilians and your current forces are a meager 10.000 strong, your main force, numbering on the 200.000 are far away, several days at forced march at best.
Your scouts spot enemy forces, currently outnumbering you at 120.000 strong, are close, half away.
The enemy is heading towards your location will arrive in a few hours. What would you do?"
Plenty of options were offered by the audience.
-"Surrender." "One last charge." "Burn your own fort." "Flee."
Winter clicked her remote and a corded instrument was displayed on the screen.
-"Or you could make them flee."
The silence was heavy.
One gray-haired Specialist, belonging of an older generation, raised her hand.
It was Winter's aunt, Jacqueline Schnee.
-"Were this question fielded any other day, I would have called for a revision down the foolish instructor who asked it." Many a servicemember of Atlas Military had found the hard way how much influence she had with the Chief of Staff. It was her husband, after all. "But bearing in mind the subject of this study, I ask, how?"
Winter's blue sapphires met verdant jade.
She struggled to maintain her cool under the intense scrutiny of her aunt's gaze.
But this is MY time to shine, dear aunt.
-"With a logically illogical approach. When nary a century had passed after Arabella's children settled down on the far lands of Ann ma, the heiress of Me-his-traal's crown received a gift.
It was from Orlean's and it suggested a possible alliance sealed with a marriage.
And as dowry, they requested that Me-His-Traal's empire cleansed their animal infestation. At the time, Me-His-Traal was under attack by pirates and there was talk about a revolt. Securing that alliance was vital to maintain their dynasty."
Another click and the map of Mistral was on display. The region of Anima was zoomed in.
-"After a decade of engagements with the Royal Commanders, Zhugue Arc had gained infamy for his cunning. Eager to set the matter down quickly and redirect the Royal forces against the piracy on the south, an offer was made.
The crown commissioned a statue made of pure gold. So heavy it was that the cart's axles had to be reinforced and the muddy terrain proved so much of a challenge, that a road was built in advance of the statue.
The statue, which survives till today, was offered to Zhuge Arc in exchange of his pets.
He replied that it was a lovely statue, but his gran promised to take care of them. And an Arc never goes back on their word.
And that is when the expression The word of an Arc is worth its weight in gold was born."
The display now had the Pet's Price from the Mistral Anthropology Museum. The hair was made with braided silver, the eyes made of jade stones. Many a student went slack-jawed.
Having made the trip herself in her research, Winter recalled her first encounter face to face with the statue.
It is far more impressive in person.
-"The wasted time angered the crown, swiftly decapitating the Royal Army General and, promoting his Second in command, Sima Yi.
Sima, having fought alongside Zhugue against the northern barbarians a decade ago, was keenly aware of Zhuge character, his love for music and, unorthodox tactics."
The display changed, now showing the battalions under Sima command following the new road towards An ma.
-"They made record time using the new road. So much that it took Zhuge unawares. He had his main forces transversing a forest to hit on the East port. When Zhuge scouts spotted the Sima gunning straight for the city, his aide and scribe, We Ren, recorded the Arc breaking down in hysterics."
Winter displayed a copy of the Ren Scrolls, a compilation of the scribe's life, with a translation side by side.
...after hearing the news of our imminent demise under Yi's might, my lord started screaming that He knows that Sima knows that he knows!
None of us managed to break him out of that spell. I fear for us, our leader is mad.
Raving mad.
The Arc is raving mad.
Dear Ancestors, we all are going to die...
The Master Sargeant voiced his thoughts.
-"I had the pleasure to work with some of the Ren clan. They can keep their shit together when everything is going to hell. You betcha it gotta be constant exposure to crazy shenanigans."
Winter replied.
-"The Ren clan was gracious to assist in my research. They hold a staggering body of documentation with millennia of …" Winter struggled to find the proper term, but at last, only the vernacular was accurate "... crazy shit."
Her aunt pursed her lips disapprovingly while her husband showed a toothy grin.
Suit yourself, aunty dear.
-"When Zhuge recovered enough to talk again, he instructed everyone to grab a broom and start cleaning the road. Afterward, they would open every single entry to the fort. And hide. He was adamant that not a single soul was to talk. Or they would be put to the blade.
By now, We Ren was certain that some fuckery was afoot."
Now her aunt was openly scowling at the crass language. But Winter was vindicated by the weight of her evidence.
She highlighted the corresponding translation.
...The Arc is mad.
But I have started to think that there is some fuckery afoot.
Dear Ancestors, I fear I may be starting to become mad myself.
I have started to see plans where there are none…
-"When Sima led the assault on An ma himself, they were met by an open fort. The road was clean and there was music on the air.
Zhuge was seated in the middle of the main gates.
Caressing the chords of his guqin.
Plucking notes.
Sime Yi, keenly aware of the estimated number of Arc's forces, got reinforcements and arrived with even more men.
Yet, he couldn't see any of his old friend's forces.
He sent scouts in the city.
They said it was empty.
Sime looked at Zhuge, who only smiled and continued playing notes.
When a string snapped.
Fearing that it was the signal for an ambush, Sime ordered a retreat.
He was more confident taking on pirates than walking into such a blatant and deadly ambush."