Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors or Three Kingdoms and Koei own the games.(Except the ones that aren't)
A/N: And here we get back to the Hero and the Maiden. If I wanted to go back to writing Zhen Ji as a haughty, shady royal tramp, that she's been in half the three kingdoms games that depict EVERY Wei figure as wicked, greedy, rich people, I wouldn't even care about how she's suffering. I'll save that Zhen Ji for comedy. Thank goodness for DW 7 Empires Fame type system. Kind Zhen Ji is historical. By the way, I'm currently trying to get the new 4 star Zhen Ji card that is a different variant to the infamous ROTK 12 one and she's affiliate with Other forces in Sangokushi Special.
Warlords of Later Han
Chapter 4: Beyond the Great Wall
Centuries ago, many tribes from previous world powers kept settling for lands without war. But soon, war makes its existence in the lands of the Far East. This land north from the Han civilization is one of them beyond the Great Wall.
"My Lady, remember what I told you about the savages over there and the women who trained to fight in their wars?" Ziyan had always been babbling about the smallest things for Zhen Ji to worry.
"Of course, Ziyan. We will see some savages that are harmless and peaceful. Maybe I'll get to learn their ways of literature too," Zhen Ji grinned.
Zhen Ji had changed her attire from the usual skimpy autocrat wear to an outdoor type peasant mail with her legs covered, but her erotic buns had showed weight on her tight pants. The color is still purple, her favorite color, but added alittle green this time as a mockery.
"Could Cai Wenji have spent her life training those ways?" Ziyan wondered.
"It's necessary for her to survive. I'm aware the north is far more chaotic than here in the civilization. No ordinary aristocrat would want to settle over there without government security. For once, I'm not wearing skimpy dresses my mother gave me," Zhen Ji checked her entire clothes making sure the clothes she stew herself look complex and attracting enough for the diplomatic mission.
"Bei Ping looks plain compare to Ye. We came here after a few days," Ziyan sat down on the bed that was supposed to be her lady's sleeping bed.
"A few days after Yun and I talked that night, I can't stop thinking about it, the worries, and the misfortune that might befall upon me. Having him around me makes me feel safe. There's a spark of courage in my heart whenever he comforts me," Zhen Ji thought.
"Luo, what will happen if your mother found out you went into the barbarian territory? She doesn't want to see you end up a barbarian's wife like Lady Cai," Ziyan's assumptions started to annoy Zhen Ji.
"Nothing is going to happen to me. Mother is just lingering around the market my brother's working. I am doing something with a hero. Do you doubt Zhao Yun's might, Ziyan?" Zhen Ji finished adjusting and turned to her childhood friend and maid.
"No, my Lady. But I doubt it will change anything between you and your mother," Ziyan sighed.
"Don't worry about my mother. It's time she knows I make my own choices in life. I was able to live alone with my widow sister in law and learned how to take care of myself," Zhen Ji reinforced a smile towards her friend. She's enjoying her free will to see the world outside of the wealthy life.
Zhen Ji still has those images of that night with Zhao Yun. The day after, he made preparations for the journey to the harsh nomadic north. She watched him afar from the public eye in town not wanting to get the attention of the commoners who support the hero of Changshan.
"I'm no longer the little girl he saw with my father. Now we can be more than just two people across the county. He's still a military officer and I'm a noble lady contrary to the social belief. Heaven let this diplomatic mission be a huge success," Zhen Ji let out a deep sigh and once she finished dressing, she began to leave the palace.
Their social status should not hinder their secret relationship. He came that far to be known to all the north as a powerful young man. Before, Zhao Yun was the lonely boy suffering from his clan's despair when one of the Ten Eunuchs were relate to his clan. She learned about it from her late brother. Then that incident during the Great Rebellion; her home was terrorized, outnumbered, almost no one could defend her family and she would have lived whole lot different if it weren't for his coming aid. The lonely boy became a hometown hero as are all the others who volunteered.
Meanwhile…
"Lord Zhao Yun, are you seriously going to trust Yan Rou?" Tian Yu started a conversation on their envoy.
"I trust him to handle the Wuwan affairs and that's all. You appear to find him suspicious and I expected that," Zhao Yun explained to his officer.
"He used to aide those nomads into kidnapping Han children and from the look of his mood, he may have interior motives. I will go with you to keep an eye on him," Tian Yu urged.
He thought so, but to ensure this diplomat mission succeed, they must get both the Wuwan and Xianbei to cooperate into threaten the Xiongnu. With the expectation of the Baekje threat at the Bohai Sea where Taishi Ci confirmed, he'll have his hands full with foreign policy. Politics is an entirely different challenge to military.
"Very well, but don't hold any grudges with him. He is an important assets on this diplomatic mission understand?" Zhao Yun makes his order clear to Tian Yu.
"With due respect, General," Tian Yu bowed.
He gladly felt assured. When Gongsun Zan was leading them, Bogu almost never approach their advices and he continue to derail his men for not being good enough compare to Yuan Shao's army. It's not that he mistreated them, but he always been a misunderstanding lord.
"He may have been the wrong lord for me, but he finally allowed my advice and leadership then he died. Now I'm taking advices from Tian Yu and it's an entirely different atmosphere when I was the servant and Bogu was the lord," Zhao Yun thought.
As soon as Tian Yu left to get the men ready, Zhao Yun awaits his ladyship to finish her preparations. His ladyship, all grown up…that night. It was the night he gave his word to her.
"I don't want to use you for power, Luo," Zhao Yun frowned.
"You are not. Your benevolent protects my honorable reputation from the ambition of these region lords. Know what it'd be like if I'm engaged to Cao Cao's family?" Zhen Ji mentioned the man who massacre Xuzhou for revenge on Tao Qian.
Zhao Yun hated to see Zhen Ji being embroiled by sorrow because of the state of war on this land. Men like Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shu interest the nobles of China for greater benefits and use their daughters for their clan's influence.
"Your family struggled to reform for 200 years, Luo after Guangwu's restoration. I will not let those men take you," Zhao Yun slowly held Zhen Ji close to him.
"I'm only bringing you greater burden, Zilong. Because I'm a walking beauty of destruction to the scholars," Zhen Ji muttered.
"Those men were being paranoid, Luo," Zhao Yun grunted.
"Lord Kong Rong, doesn't take my existence well either. So will this Liu Bei you keep talking about," Zhen Ji frowned.
"Don't worry about them and continue being who you wanted to be, my lady. Your filial beauty comes second before your character," Zhao Yun comforted her.
Beauty is the eye of beholder, but what goes beyond that beauty? She's not 'just a woman', but the main gossip around He Bei. Her presence is a double edged sword. Master Kong Rong don't like her, the He Bei nobles scoff at the idea of Lady Zhen becoming 'his' woman, rival lords like Cao Cao who was known for being a womanizer would be interested in her. So, why is this making him worry?
"My lord I apologize for keeping you waiting. Is the envoy ready for departure?" Zhen Ji's voice rang on his mind.
"No apologies needed, my lady. The men will be ready. This is going to be a dangerous journey so they're being well disciplined to watch out for raiders," Zhao Yun said. When he checked what she's wearing, her attire cease from the skimpy aristocrat wear and in turn, she's dressed for survival. A mail designed for women with a small portion of green to mix the purple colors of her clothes. She transform from the noble lady into a low born amazon.(1)
Zhen Ji scanned her whole body Zhao Yun's staring and grinned, "Oh, Ziyan and I went to arrange a trade from one of the Wuwan women who visited. This looks to fit well with me. Oh and you will love what I'm wielding." Zhen Ji showed the young general her shuibo.
"What of your brother Yan's sword?" Zilong still remembers her preference weapon in training. The sword was hard to use, but easy to master opposite his spear.
"It's a keepsake, so I'm not letting those nomadic brutes steal that possession from me. And besides, I have my flute to entertain you on rest stops," Zhen Ji came closer to him gazing at his dutiful mood.
"Alright, if you still need reshaping on your abilities, I'll be obliged to help. These raiders were born through violence and oppression. I don't know how Lad Cai gone through her life forced to live that way," Zhao Yun said.
"Loneliness…." Zhen Ji frowned.
"Some people were meant to be saved," Zhao Yun grimly stated.
"Exactly," Zhen Ji looked up back at him with strong emphasizing on his logic.
"Luo?" Zhao Yun is about to ask her a tough question.
"Yes, my lord?" she's been so comfortable with courting him.
"Are you satisfied?" Zhao Yun asked.
She's been taken aback by that question, "Satisfied of what?"
"Of…this with me?" She could tell his face appear worried.
"I see nothing wrong with your attention. I'd be flattered if you say 'Are you happy?' instead of 'Are you satisfied?". Yun, why am I supposed to be satisfied with going on a rescue mission? I wasn't needy with you for requesting this task. If you had refused to save Cai Yan, then I'll take whatever choice you make on your government policy. I know the Han emperor is more important than one woman," Zhen Ji tried not to sound offended.
"I'm sorry for asking…." Zhao Yun sighed.
"No, it's appropriate. For heaven's sake, Zilong; I'm always pleased with you helping the misfortunates that are suffering from these non sensical civil wars. Yuan Shao's the worst for trying to get me married at age 11! It took your victory at Changshan to put a stop to that madness. Honestly, I was NOT satisfied with that marriage. But all in all, I had to abide by it because it's what my mother wanted!" Zhen Ji shouted hysterically and made a chuckled.
"I was angry back then…." Zhao Yun reminded the time after Yuan Shao won public love by antagonizing Gongsun Zan for the death of Liu Yu and then use Zhen Ji's marriage as a tool for propaganda. Zhen Ji's family wouldn't be struggling alone to deal with the famine and Gongsun Zan IGNORED his urge to help the poor then allied with the hated Black Mountain Bandits.
"I'm still betrothed to Yuan Xi…unless mother continues to grow persistent with me supporting you," Zhen Ji shook her head.
"…"
"Can't believe I'm putting the subject on my forced marriage. Right now, I consider myself unwed and am an advisor to you as a friend and as a supporter," Zhen Ji wanted to use the word 'lover', but found it inappropriate at this time.
"Why the heck did I asked her a stupid question….?" Zhao Yun thought.
"Excuse my rudeness my lord and lady, but shall we go now?" Zhen Ji's beloved maid appeared to save them from a now awkward conversation. Ziyan had a glaring look at the two childhood lovers interrupted.
"This forsaken land in chaos wants me as a trophy wife and not a woman of honor…." Zhen Ji thought.
"Yes, I believe it's time we must depart for the journey beyond the Great Wall," Zhao Yun quickly returns to his chivalrous soldering.
"Indeed, let's not keep Lady Cai waiting," Zhen Ji straightens herself back into her elegance self full of grace.
"Well done, Ziyan. You saved your lady from embarrassment. Now I'm going to be her comrade in arms. Hope our sparring helps us stay strong and not become barbarian wives," Ziyan thought. She took a deep breath and followed her lord and lady out of Bei Ping palace.
Meanwhile at Ru nan….
Cao Cao's forces were at war with Yuan Shu and his 'Empire'. An Empire Cao Cao recalls as the joke of the century. Yuan Shu, the emperor, how the Yuan clan had fallen so low, Cao Cao could just write a poem about it.
"Lord Cao Cao!" Xu Zhu's voice hollered.
Cao Cao reluctantly put his attention to his closest warrior, "What is it now? If it's Yu Jin complaining, I don't' want to hear it. He's better than half the garbage Yuan Shu had over there!"
"Not Yu Jin, it's Xun Yu. He wanted to speak to you about an important matter. I don't know what it is and uh, I don't find it interesting right now," Xu Zhu informed.
"Ah, it's probably about those agriculture reforms. You know this of course," Cao Cao got up and went to see what Xun Yu came up with.
"Yeah, agriculture means cultivate more food," Xu Zhu smiled.
"Correct and it's the simplest type of politics. Easily charitable of course," Cao Cao did applause.
When the two met Xun Yu, he was with the other ministers discussing about what he's going to tell Cao Cao of. With the emergence of Yuan Shu's ascend to the throne with the legitimate Imperial Seal there's one situation to counter this crisis.
"Wenruo, what is it you want to discuss with me about?" Cao Cao sat down on the chair and ready to listen to his advisor's proposal.
Xun Yu is here with the newly employed scholar Zhong Yao. When Cao Cao set his eyes on the newcomer, he studied the affluent individual. Zhong Yao's appearance shows his minister hat and robes of a noble man. He doesn't appear to be a military strategist, but Xun Yu recommended him for something.
"Oh, this is Zhong Yao. He's from Xu Chang and is also a student of Cai Yong," Xun Yu presents Zhong Yao to Cao Cao.
"A student of Cai Yong?!" Cao Cao gazed back at the new guy. This must be a surprise because he used to know Cai Yong back in his teen days.
"I'm pleasant to be of acquaintance, my lord," Zhong Yao bowed.
"I want to talk to you about the current state of emergency. With Yuan Shu acting as a pretender, we must get the Han Emperor back from Dong Zhuo's remnants. There's not much time and other lords and the people will lose more faith to the dying nation and order will be severed," Xun Yu's words made Cao Cao pause and hold his breath.
"So it comes to this…" Cao Cao thought. His expression changed after the introduction of Zhong Yao.
"Lord Mengde?" Xun Yu's voice murmuring in Cao Cao's mind when his attention was
Cao Cao turned away from him and glance at Runan's walls. His men were besieging the city while Yuan Shu was rumored to make his move. Cao Cao's numbers pale in comparison to Yuan Shu's, but he got the best fighters in his army.
"It'll be a week's worth on taken it," Cao Cao said as he rubbed his chin.
"With the Han Emperor, we can form a coalition against Yuan Shu," Xun Yu urged.
"The Han Emperor…" Cao Cao frowned. He once never blamed the puppet emperor Dong Zhuo had placed into the throne.
Why would he care now…?
"I've already agreed with Wenruo. Please, send a rescue mission to save Emperor Xian from Li Jue?" Zhong Yao folded both hands and knees in front of Cao Cao.
When Cao Cao gets up from his seat he sat after meeting Xun Yu, he returns his gaze at Xun Yu with concerning looks exchange. There's so much at stake, the country is without order, but there's a beast who took his land plotting to take him out of existence. Things changed, he could no longer afford to restablish his faith in the Empire, not like this.
"Xun Yu, I've gone through so much to keep my family alive after my father's death, must I risk leaving them to save what the whole sees as Dong Zhuo's puppet?" Cao Cao sighed when he said that.
"But, the Emperor has grown into an adult now. He must replenish the authority of the government for order to be restored," Xun Yu argued.
"Why not, he's a grow boy now. Li Jue not cunning, he's just Dong Zhuo's errant boy years ago and a superstitious fanatic. I'll be surprise if he instigates a revolt with just a handful of men loyalty to the emperor himself. It wouldn't be difficult to accomplish and the people will depend on him," Cao Cao rigidly said.
"It's not that simple…he needs stronger military support to back him," Xun Yu refuted.
"So you want my army to babysit him? Sorry, but I have more important things to fight for right now. If you like, you can arrange a band to rescue the Han Emperor," Cao Cao frowned and left the two gentlemen.
"I thought he's loyalty to the Han, Wenruo," Zhong Yao looked at Xun Yu puzzled.
"I believe he is, but with the situation going between him and Lu Bu and the emerging of Yuan Shu's false ascend, the survival of his family's position comes first," Xun Yu sighed.
They watch as Cao Cao begin instructing his men on the skirmish of Runan and then slowly went away to find some volunteers.
Beyond the Great Wall, the day after…
As Zhao Yun's forces trail outside Han civilization, the cold humid began to affect their journey. Zhen Ji's wearing her winter cape along with Ziyan. Her new attire helps her warm the rest of her body saving just the pale skin of her upper chest. This female soldier appearance makes her feel fond of wearing it despite being a ladylike person.
"In the future, I wish many women would wear manly attire," Zhen Ji told Ziyan.
"Will the governor ministers allow it? Men make laws on what women must wear, my lady," Ziyan said as the two rode behind where Zhao Yun and Yan Rou are in front of them.
Tian Yu is watching 3 rows back while soldiers are marching near them. Only a couple of other officers joining the envoy are the newly employed clerk Xu Miao who's just drinking his time chattering nonsense with Shan Jing, the Lu brothers Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang both decided to leave Yuan Shao for profit in Zhao Yun's army.
"Brother, do you think we're going to be well paid for serving Zhao Yun over Yuan Shao?" Lu Kuang asked his brother with worried looks.
"More than we were being paid on staying in Bingzhou doing nothing. Yuan Shao does not know what to do anymore and his advisors keep arguing. Do you think I want to go back to watching that all day?" Lu Xiang answered.
"You are right. It's boring serving Yuan Shao now. Zhao Yun is where the money's at!"Lu Kuang proudly gloated.
The two brothers continue chatting and Zhao Yun kept his gaze on the road to the Xiongnu tribe's villiage. Yan Rou remained quiet during the travel from the Great Wall so Zhao Yun begin to ask a question about the Wuwan.
"Yan Rou, how did the people of Wuwan live?" Zhao Yun asked.
Yan Rou took the question by a surprise. He was in an odd mood during his silence so he answered back as sincerely as he can, "They enjoyed farming on the grass fields and raise their cattle like the Han people. But, they speak in rough tongue which judges them as simplicity. They're always foreign to civilization."
"And that's because common folk called them barbarians. Does it offend you though?" Zhao Yun frowned.
He looked back at the road in deep thought. Those people took him from his real family and lived to experience savagery. If they were truly a peaceful tribe, he wouldn't even be here aiding Zhao Yun as an envoy.
"No…" Yan Rou answered quietly.
"No, huh," Zhao Yun thought.
Zhen Ji carefully eavesdrop Yun's conversation with Yan Rou. She could see there's something suspicious about Yan Rou. A few Xianbei and Wuwan troops jointed with Zhao Yun's army to show the strength in numbers towards the Xiongnu threat, but there's something else behind this jointed task.
"Ziyan?" Zhen Ji called her servant.
"Hmm?" Ziyan's been scanning the uninhibited fields thinking as she returned her sense back to her lady.
"Last I've studied, the Xianbei and Wuwan were rivals…" Zhen Ji told her without raising her voice loud.
"And?" Ziyan murmured.
"I don't recall two of them ever deciding to ally with one another. They're always completing each other like the warlords around the middle kingdom," Zhen Ji stated.
"Barbarians are always completing over nothing. They just kill, kill, kill, and kill my lady," Ziyan scoffed.
"How could the women live like this..?" Zhen Ji gave a disgusted look.
"They say humans are mammals. Those high drifters are more like monsters than animals," Ziyan looked at the Wuwan rider staring at her like he wanted to court with her and she glared away.
Zhen Ji looked at the Wuwan man and giggled, "I think he likes you."
"He lacks so much to be my type," Ziyan shot back at Zhen Ji.
"Hahaha, at least you were born lowly. I'm stuck with a fiancé I had little in common with and he's lacking more compare to Zhao Yun. Oh, why can't I convince my mother to accept my divorce? Born in a wealthy clan doesn't give me much freedom," Zhen Ji looked to Zhao Yun's position and reflect that same moment at Ye.
"You worry too much about your marriage. Yuan Xi might already arrange a divorce when he visits your mother," Ziyan assured her ladyship that her marriage was already over.
"I don't know. I really don't know if it'll happen. Oh, how things would have been had father and Yan did not die," Zhen Ji thought.
Zhao Yun turns to see how Zhen Ji was doing back there. Thankfully, the harsh environment in the far north didn't cause her to get any illness. This isn't a place for an aristocrat young lady like Luo.
"If only I had chosen to rise my own army instead of serving Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan that time…." Zhao Yun thought.
Flashback begins…
While Dong Zhuo held absolute authority over the central government, region lords were already plotting their own interests, some cut ties with the Han government, others joined the Anti Dong Zhuo coalition and nobles have their private armies remain on hold till they could be deploy with one of the region lords of the provinces.
"Yuan Shao and Cao Cao banded together with other supporters, I'm still unsure if it's a good idea to join them or remain neutral. I wished not to make our family go through the same mistakes as 200 years ago," Zhen Yan said as he stood where the gentry in Zhongshan stationed.
"I heard Gongsun Zan is joining, but no word of Liu Yu," Zhao Yun crossed his arms as they continue the conversation.
"Liu Yu won't go if Gongsun Zan's joining. They're still on bad terms since the war with Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju. Zilong…do you remember that time?" Zhen Yan mentioned what happened three years ago.
"Indeed I do remember, Master Zhen Yan. Zhang Chun planned a revolt; he was the lord of Zhongshan after your father. Not to mention the Wuwan being lead by Qin Liju allying with them," Zhao Yun nodded. It was another chaotic event after the Great Rebellion.
"Yun, what am I going to do with the Zhen family? With father gone, I have no idea where we would stand to survive in the chaos. These ambitious men would come into my clan's estate asking for my sisters in marriages!" Zhen Yan winced.
Zhao Yun grunted; this is a transition to power in form of getting both clans into the same side. To him, it's despicable.
"You ought to stay neutral, Yan," Zhao Yun said. He then motion himself towards his horse preparing to join the coalition without Zhen Yan's support.
"Maybe that's what my father would have wanted it if he's still alive…" Zhen Yan formed a bow to Zhao Yun until a girl's voice shouted.
"Brother, I want to read another book," Zhen Ji rushed into her brother's scholar robes.
"My baby sister still wants to read and not enjoy hanging out with other noble girls," Zhen Yan chuckled.
Zhao Yun watched the siblings passionately. This girl getting mature for her young age, she would become an intelligent woman.
Zhen Ji noted the older boy soldier on the white horse and Zhen Yan explained her about his guest, "Zhao Yun and I were having a chat, my baby sister."
"Is it about bandits again?" Zhen Ji said with wondered expression.
"No, it's something more important than that. Go ahead and get yourself another book on my shelf," Zhen Yan chuckled.
Before she went back into her home, she peek her eye at the sight of the older boy. He continue to smile at her and she turned away facing towards the way to her house.
Zhao Yun watched her head back into the house and Zhen Yan spoke, "You haven't rose into a colonel yet, Zilong. If you involved yourself in the Zhang Ju war with Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu, you'll be promoted higher and maybe become the prefect."
"I'm not worrying about my position, Yan. I'm more worried about the will of the people," Zhao Yun sighed.
"But, if you were the Prefect of Zhongshan…." Zhen Yan said until Zilong countered.
"I'm selfless, Yan. And so is your little sister," Zhao Yun words strike Zhen Yan hard enough with a look of great concernment.
Flashback ends
Zhao Yun spent his early life as a selfless boy and Zhen Ji shares that same behavior too.
Next Chapter: Poetess of the Wind