Disclaimer: I don't own DW/3K.
A/N: I change the length of the story to be a 3 part story. There are a few events that will result the outcome of this What If? Scenario. As for my new poll, Cao Zhi leads with Zhao Yun a vote behind. Definitely the obvious outcome. Yes, Cao Zhi was the one there for Zhen Ji . Zhao Yun is still the dream guy….heh. Hmm, Zhang He, Xiahou Dun, and Cao Cao haven't got voted yet. Keep up with those polls and of course I still have a few editing needed on my previous fics. I didn't think I'm that good of a writer at all.
What If Zhao Yun Revives The Coalition? Part 2 of 3
"Without righteousness, there can be no peace."
The next day at Ye….
As the morning rises, Zhao Yun and Zhang He get to work. The castle guards and gate keepers are notify by Zhang He on the plan then he convince Xin Ping to oppose the annexing of Han Fu. At first Xin Ping doesn't want to get involve, but learning about Zhao Yun's defection, he make up his mind and agrees to join. Then the most difficult part is convincing Xin Pi, the younger brother of Xin Ping.
"But Yuan Shao is one of the most distinguishing nobles of the Imperial Court and he lead the Coalition against Dong Zhuo. Why must I join to fight someone who is so powerful and this Zhao Yun appears to be nothing but a mere troublemaker disobeying his superior," Xin Pi frowned.
"Even if that is so, must one who has close ties with the imperial government abandon the cries of the emperor and his people from a tyrant and seek power for himself by plotting against another Han loyalist is the right person to govern this province? He's selling out the coalition allies, brother!" Xin Ping urged.
"I don't see the logic in this opposition. Han Fu is indeed powerless and Yuan Shao will do anything to save the Han even if it means scheming his allies to expand his influence further. That's how the way it works. The Han is already an empty shell and the emperor is nothing but a child," Xin Pi said.
The two brothers stare for a few minutes each have their own opinions on the matter. Xin Pi isn't implying he'll join Yuan Shao. He just don't want to put himself at risk and lay low.
"Very well, remain a cowardly minister. However, I will do anything to save the Empire by staying on the path of righteous. Thinking about Zhao Yun's plan, it's the right thing to do, but a huge risk and the people of Ye will be in turmoil the moment Yuan Shao's army arrives," Xin Ping said. He takes his pike and went to the barracks to notify the troops on Zhao Yun's plan.
Zhao Yun returns to Han Fu to report on the progress. The Governor of Ji zhou is very nervous and afraid to trust anyone, but the unexpected young hero.
"My lord, I'm here to report on the plan. The city guards and gate keepers all have made preparations for Yuan Shao's arrival. Now, the only thing left is Xun Chen and the conspirators," Zhao Yun reported. He was kneeling on his right and bowed to the nervous governor.
"And the Xin brothers?" Han Fu asked.
"Only I, my lord…" Xin Ping's voice echoed.
The two turn to see the older brother walk towards the audience.
"Xin Pi choose to betray me?" Han Fu shockingly panicked.
"Not betraying, he's laying low," Xin Ping explained.
"So that's three of us and there are two conspirators including Qu Yi who is lurking beyond this town," Zhao Yun said.
Suddenly a guard race into the court with the breaking news.
"My lord, Yuan Shao is approaching!" the guard alerted.
"If only someone near me can help me deal with this!" Han Fu whined.
"There's Lord Zhang Yang of Bing," Xin Ping mentioned.
"Zhang Yang is suppose to be dealing with the Xiongnu, so we're short of allies!" Han Fu whined.
"Rest assure, my lord. If we raise a disturbance around Hua Bei, then the lords there will join our aide to penetrate the Yuan fraction," Zhao Yun bowed as he finish speaking.
"We just seal his entire army from occupying Ye and punish Xun Chen and Ju Shou from conspiring right?" Xin Ping looked at Zhao Yun concerned of the success rate of that plan.
"Yes, we lure him inside the castle leaving the rest of his men outside the city gates. Zhang He will lead the guards to ambush Yuan Shao from the town while the gate guards keep an eye on Yuan Shao's main army outside of Ye," Zhao Yun said.
"Who else from Yuan Shao's army plotting this besides Qu Yi?" Xin Ping asked.
"Gao Gan. He is with Yuan Shao right now to make a signal for Qu Yi to lead them inside, however, I will deal with Qu Yi. You make sure Yuan Shao is surrounded and disarm his entire army hoping it won't turn out into a siege battle. I'm counting on you and Zhang He," Zhao Yun put a sly grin on his face as a confident expression.
"To be honest, I didn't think it will work. We're facing a 400 year old clan that descend the Han Imperial family. Yuan Shao led the coalition and has the support of the people," Xin Ping said.
"He may have led the coalition and now is taking advantage of a coalition member's position. I did not join Yuan Shao to make him a wannabe tyrant by taking advantage of the peoples needs," Zhao Yun said.
They're within the courtyard leading them into the streets of Ye. Zhang He finished the preparations and joined Zhao Yun and Xin Ping.
"The ambush unit is ready. May I question, why are we even doing this when there's a high possibly that this plan will not work?" Zhang He asked.
"It will work if you trust me enough Jinyi. I know Yuan Shao's weakness. He self proclaim himself as a man of honor, his inability to remain true in himself lead to indecisiveness. He will dare not attack this peaceful city since it was threaten by the Yellow Turbans," Zhao Yun looked at Zhang He with the same grin.
"Lets hope we don't screw this up. I don't want to have to deal with the likes of Wen Chou and Yan Liang," Zhang He sighed.
"Xun Chen and Ju Shou must be lurking around. I shall deal with those two while Junyi returns to the ambush unit until the time comes," Xin Ping walked to the left part of the city in search for the conspirators while Zhang He return to his position. Now the time has come for Zhao Yun to make amends with his greatest enemy.
Later at Jiang Xia…
Sun Jian wasted no time to advance his army across the Chang Jiang. Joining him are his veteran officers and the two young squires Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. Sun Jian's fleet amassed near Xu Kou where Cai He notice the navy and hurried to Jiang Xia to warn Huang Zu.
People of Jing are panicking. Unexpected hostilities swarming the peaceful province and only the Lord of Jing Liu Biao is to blame.
At Xiang Yang Castle…
"My lords, Sun Jian attacks Jiang Xia!" the soldier reported. This brings commotion in the audience.
Liu Biao has a group of scholars who are the Jian An seven. They discuss civil matters with him along with accessing new talent into his ranks. One of his wisest is Kuai Liang.
"I'm aware of the Tiger of Jiang Dong's ridicule because all his men died on the way back to his den. He's a traitor holding that imperial seal on his filthy paws," Liu Biao mocked.
"My lord, allow me to lead the troops and rescue Huang Zu?" Cai Mao requested.
"No need to risk yourself from that animal. Kuai Liang, do you have a plan in mind?" Liu Biao looked at his advisor. Kuai Liang is having a vision and his younger brother Kuai Yue shrug to wonder what he sees.
"Ahhh, the tiger's time has come. We should lure him into a trap by setting it near the woods by nightfall when his army camp near the gates of Xiang Yang," Kuai Liang advised.
"A tiger hunt is the most particular plan to our situation," Liu Biao happily agreed.
"What kind of trap, Liang?" Kuai Yue asked.
"Arrows and Stones," Kuai Liang coldly answered.
"That's rather too violent of an ambush," Yi Ji surprisely terrified and impressed of the plan.
"And that's what we live for," Liu Biao glared.
"Savage man deserves a savage death," Lady Cai nodded.
"By all means my dear, tell me what you think of his wife Wu Guotai?" Liu Biao grinned.
And Liu Biao's ministers along with his wife discuss a lot of things about the Sun family, some are disturbingly insulting.
Back in Jiang Xia…
Sun Jian occupied Jiang Xia with Huang Zu now in the Tiger's gasps. One down, one more to go. Sun Ce crack his knuckles while Zhou Yu stays calm, but stares at the prisoner.
"Why is Liu Biao's army so slow, pop?" Sun Ce asked.
"A bunch of mediocre officers are the cause of slow building military. Liu Biao's force is just a bunch of scholars that will soon be wetting their pants. I will make him pay for the lives of my men," Sun Jian then turn to his men and chant, "Jing will soon be ours!"
"Yeah!!"
"It's too soon to celebrate, Wentai," Cheng Pu said.
"Indeed, we have one more city before this is over," Zhou Yu nodded.
"Come my tigers, we march to Xiang Yang and Huang Zu will join us as our prisoner," Sun Jian rallied.
"I'm joining with a dead man that is!" Huang Zu scowled.
"You'll be dead first, if your boss don't give me my demands to surrender," Sun Jian scoffed.
"Dead man walking!!" Huang Zu taunted.
"Hahaha, that is funny for the first five minutes," Sun Ce laughed pointing at the disgrace prisoner. It was a rush hour for Sun Jian's army and all the troops of Liu Biao had surrendered.
Back in the north at Ye…
"Lord Yuan Shao, we're approaching the gates. Qu Yi will give the signal to let the guards open it," Shen Pei said.
"I don't take Qu Yi's arrogance. If he fail, he'll be executed," Yuan Shao glared at his closes associate.
"Han Fu is too incompetent. I trust Qu Yi will not fail us, my lord," Gao Gan said.
"Incompetent or arrogance? One of them will signify a potential weakness," Tian Feng thought suspiciously.
"Han Fu is stupider. Qu Yi got Xun Chen and Ju Shou to back up," Feng Ji stated.
"Yet, the guards have not been aware of our presence here. The gates are still shut," Guo Tu said.
At the other side of the gate in Ye, Zhang He got the word from the gate captain that Yuan Shao is near the front side of the gate. Time is essence, hoping this risk of a plan succeed and Junyi will not have to go through ugly consequences.
"Open the gate," Zhang He ordered. The gatekeepers nodded and open the main gate. In the front side of the gate, Yuan Shao's army reacts by the dramatic entrance of their leader.
"Its about time they open the main gate. I'm getting worried about the delay," Yuan Shao kicks his horse and becomes the first to enter the city.
Shen Pei goes second along with Gao Gan. Then Guo Tu and Feng Ji on the next row behind Shen Pei and Gao Gan. Finally, Tian Feng is the last person to enter behind the rest with a couple of troops marching through the main gate.
"Wen Chou, do you find this a little odd with the delay?" Yan Liang turns to his sworn brother Wen Chou.
"It's probably Qu Yi, then again our lord will have his new base of operations once Han Fu surrenders to us. By the way, this been bothering me since we got here. Do you know where the new recruit is? He's supposed to be on my unit at the first row," Wen Chou said.
"That Zhao Yun kid? I have no idea. He'll be punished for not assigning his duty. Zhao Yun is one cocky kid to have made it to the rank of major on the exam," Yan Liang scanned the rear to see if the new guy isn't with them.
"He only joined us a few days ago when we returned from the Coalition. I don't like him, but his passive efforts in the exams says a lot about his talent," Wen Chou grunted.
After a few moments, Zhang He signal the gatekeepers to close the main gate. Quickly, they shut it fast right in front of Yan Liang and Wen Chou.
"What the hell!? Lord Yuan Shao!" Yan Liang alerted his lord who is at the same time confused of the sudden blunder.
Zhang He's ambush units surrounds Yuan Shao and his men who are the only ones inside the city while Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Jiang Yiqu, Gao Lan, and Chunyu Qiong are halt by archers on top of the main gate roof.
"I don't believe it…" Feng Ji choked.
"Lay down your arms, Yuan Shao!" Zhang He warned.
"Zhang He, what is the meaning of this!? I come here as a guest of Lord Han Fu and you dare bring this insolence! Explain yourself!," Yuan Shao raise his Sword of Kings pointing the tip of the blade at Zhang He.
"There has been a change of plans. Lord Han Fu has ordered me to seize you. He'll meet you out here in a moment. I'm quite displeasing to find out this isn't the real reason for you being here, my lord," Zhang He explained.
"What are you talking about? The Lord been invited here by Lord Han Fu!" Guo Tu urged.
"If you make one move, then you'll regret bringing terror upon this peaceful town. Now call your men to lay down their arms!" Zhang He once again warned.
Xin Ping later arrive with his men dragging the conspirators Xun Chen and Ju Shou babbling about.
"Let me go! Let me go you fools!" Xun Chen struggled to break free, but Xin Ping's men restrain him. Ju Shou on the other hand look shocked and can't speak for this surprising turn of events.
"Silence, traitor! You will pay for tricking the governor, Xun Chen. Better hope your brother Xun Yu request you to be pardoned for the crime of deceiving the lord," Xin Ping scolded.
"Xun Chen was caught? Then that means…." Gao Gan looks as shocked as Ju Shou. It was originally his idea to have Han Fu surrender Ji to Yuan Shao and now that plan fail.
"Who could have figure out the plot to annexing Han Fu?" Tian Feng thought.
"Lord Yuan Shao, on behalf of Lord Han Fu, you are no longer welcome here. Call off your army and return to Nan Pi at once," Xin Ping said.
"Xin Ping, let me see Lord Han Fu?" Yuan Shao demanded.
"Lord Han Fu does not wish to speak with a thief now leave!" Xin Ping warned.
"Thief?! Since when do I have petty desires to steal his possessions?" Yuan Shao asked.
"The moment I left you army," anonymous voice echoed.
Zhao Yun along with Han Fu shows up with the head of Qu Yi. Moments ago, Qu Yi was found inside the castle preparing to threaten Han Fu into surrendering to Yuan Shao in order for the plot to carry out, but Zhao Yun found him in time and the two clashed into a duel. It was rather short and his head was brought in front of the conspirators and the Yuan fraction.
"Looking for Qu Yi, Benshu? He was indeed arrogant and I killed him," Zhao Yun raised the head of Qu Yi. Han Fu's face is fill with hot anger and Xun Chen becomes terrified.
"Who in blazes are you!?" Yuan Shao's outburst brings confusion among his officers and troops.
"Why don't you ask one of your officers who recruited me," Zhao Yun grinned.
In the front of the Main Gate…
"We've been set up, Yan Liang!" Wen Chou scanned above the gate where the archers are pointing their arrows at him and his comrades.
"What is going on back there? Lord Yuan Shao inside with the rest of our men," Jiang Yiqu said.
"It's a set up," Yan Liang said.
In the back of the Main Gate…
"I didn't recruit him," Shen Pei denied.
"Me either. Wen Chou had once went to draft some men on our way back," Gao Gan said.
"So, it was you! You dare betray me?" Yuan Shao glares at the person he dislike the most.
"And when I did, what was your intention being here, 'my lord'?" Zhao Yun glared back at his greatest foe.
"That is none of your business traitor!" Yuan Shao boomed. His voice gather the attention of the people who are watching the confusion.
"It's my personal business to deal with corrupted bastards who are manipulating the Imperial Court and the people! That's the main reason I joined you and now your petty ambitions insult me!" Zhao Yun urged back.
"You have no right to speak freely of your superiors! You dare accuse me of manipulating the Imperial Court and the people!" Yuan Shao scolded.
"You have no right to deceive those who depend on your," Zhao Yun expression changed to a dreadful cold one.
"I'm the leader of the coalition! Your point?" Yuan Shao raised his eyebrow awaiting Zhao Yun's reply.
"You betrayed the coalition and have one of Han Fu's men conspire with your men to force him to surrender to you.….that's my point," Zhao Yun replied.
"That's not true! We're just welcoming him to borrow resources from our lord!" Ju Shou lied.
"And why did Qu Yi tried to threat me you fool?!" Han Fu throw something at Ju Shou to keep his mouth shut.
"Qu Yi is an idiot," Yuan Shao excused.
"You can keep coming up with excuses, Benshu. But it's pathetic the way your true colors show," Zhao Yun said.
"….."
"Oh my, this is becoming an interesting battle of words," Zhang He chuckled.
"Zhang He, open the gate and keep our men armed and ready whenever Yuan Shao's army dares to resist," Zhao Yun commanded.
Zhang He nods and summon the gatekeepers to open the main gate. Upon opening the gate, Yan Liang and Wen Chou witness the mastermind behind the blunder and the traitor.
"I knew it!" Wen Chou stares at Zhao Yun.
"Zhang He?" Gao Lan thought as he look shocked of what happened.
"Ah, hello Gao Lan. Forgive me, but don't take this personal," Zhang He said.
"You know him!?" Yan Liang glared at Gao Lan, but the latter didn't say another word.
"You're making a big mistake, Han Fu. I'll be back with the whole army to bring down your useless presence in the face of this land," Yuan Shao said turning his horse directly out of the city.
"You should have decided that from the very beginning you numbskull!" Han Fu shouted. The entire Yuan fraction retreat back to Nan Pi.
"You traitor, after we employ you into our ranks!" Wen Chou shouted at Zhao Yun.
"Guess we won't be sparring until then," Zhao Yun threw the head of Qu Yi at Wen Chou and then crossed his arms.
"Brat!" Wen Chou barked.
Tian Feng, before he join with the rest of the Yuan fraction, he gets one more look at the man who stopped the annexation. Who is Zhao Yun? Is he more than just a mere local boy? Tian Feng wonder if he knew about his father, but have no clear evidence on that.
"Sigh, you're safe for now, my lord. They won't try to relinquish Ye as long as I remain as a guest officer of your ranks," Zhao Yun bowed.
"What amaze me is how your plan works. Tell me, Zhao Yun, who is your teacher? Did you study under any scholar?" Xin Ping asked.
"It's a secret. Forgive me, but I can't reveal that," Zhao Yun grinned.
"Why do you always have to be so secretive of your personal occupation? Really…, Zhao Yun always a man of mystery," Zhang He glared at the squire.
"For a squire, you have the talent of an extraordinary general," Han Fu praised.
"And now for those two…" Xin Ping turn face to the conspirators.
Xun Chen and Ju Shou gulped and watch the enraging lord glare at them for their treachery. One way to escape is begging for forgiveness.
"Mercy! We just wanted Lord Yuan Shao to invite a banquet and borrow resources, my lord!" Xun Chen begged.
"It does include robbing my position as Governor of Ji Zhou...Guards, get them out of my town!" Han Fu ordered.
"No! We beg you!" Ju Shou begged. But there is no answer and the people exchange glares at the two conspirators and they are finally thrown out of Ye. They hurried to join Yuan Shao at Nan Pi in order to redeem themselves.
A day later…
Xin Pi been laying low after yesterday's incident. He is standing at the audience along with him is a newly recruited Cui Yan who decided to work for Han Fu after learning about yesterday's incident. Two new officers recruit by Xin Ping, Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang also joins Han Fu's army.
Today, Han Fu is about to make an announcement. Zhao Yun is still a guest, but that is about to change.
"Today, I summon you here on a special announcement. We have survived the worst yesterday and now my force has three new recruits and among our ranks is Zhao Yun the guest officer who is still a ronin. Zhao Yun, what is the main reason you joined Yuan Shao?" Han Fu asked.
Zhao Yun walk in front of the throne and bowed to the governor.
"My reasons is to join the Coalition against Dong Zhuo. It's my only reason involving the chaos that purge our land and the troublesome conspiracy within the Imperial Court," Zhao Yun's words brought gossips around the audience.
"Indeed, the land is in chaos. What better reason to end it than gathering the lords together to oppose Dong Zhuo's tyranny. Unfortunately, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shu no longer decide to continue fighting. Gongsun Zan, Tao Qian, Liu Biao, and Sun Jian were busy with their own personal problems. Kong Rong, Liu Bei, and Ma Teng are the only minor lords who were left with little resolve," Han Fu sighed.
"But we can bring them back together by writing another imperial edict," Zhao Yun suggested.
"I agree!" Xin Ping nodded.
Xin Pi on the other hand finds this worrisome, "I doubt the lords will answer the call of arms."
"I know Yuan Shu and Cao Cao will not answer since they already giving up the cause. Cao Cao, I'm not very sure, but Yuan Shu on the other hand is having disputes with Liu Biao," Han Fu rubbed his chin.
"Lord Han Fu, I've met Liu Bei before joining here. He seems more edgar to rejoin if the coalition is revive," Cui Yan said.
"Really?! Then that's one person we shall contact! Any other suggestions?" Han Fu happily asked.
"We're still finding new talent into the ranks. There were rumors of the Zhen family at Zhongshan. Unfortunately, Zhen Yun, Zhen Xi, Zhen Shuo, and Zhen De 1 are rumor to be joining Yuan Shao," Zhang He inveiled.
"Damn, we can't let the late Lord Zhen Yi's family join Yuan Shao," Han Fu cringed.
"……." Zhao Yun frowned. He knew it will come to this unless the only option now is to defeat Yuan Shao before the coalition can be revive.
"I will go as an envoy to Liu Bei and request an alliance along with rejoining the newly formed Coalition," Cui Yan requested.
"By all means, go and give my regards to Liu Bei," Han Fu nodded.
Cui Yan went ahead to do his duty.
"I shall continue gathering talent," Xin Pi bowed and left.
Xin Ping, Zhang He, Lu Xiang, Lu Kuang, and Zhao Yun are the only ones left in the audience.
"Xin Ping, the four of you shall drill the troops for preparations against Yuan Shao," Han Fu assigned.
"Certainly, my lord," Xin Ping bowed. Zhang He and the Lu boys assign their duties at the barracks.
With no officers left to assign, Han Fu gets off his seat and walk towards his guest. He's lucky to have a guest officer capable of defending his city now that Zhao Yun save his life. There's one thing left in Han Fu's mind. He wish this man will accept this outrageous offer.
"Zhao Yun, I can't thank you enough for yesterday so in order to repay you for your kindness…" Han Fu's words cut off as Zhao Yun speaks.
"No need to thank me. I do what I believe is righteous. Yuan Shao had insulted me and I made the decision to turn against him even if it's a single evil flaw on their part," Zhao Yun modestly said.
"I believe you're doing the right thing. If you didn't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life living a lie…." Han Fu looked at his guest with a grim face.
"….."
"Don't let it bother you anymore. He insulted those who look up to him as the former leader of the coalition. Now, before we go to war against Yuan Shao, I will like to entrust you this offer. Please, I beg you ...entrust the seal of office as Governor of Ji Zhou on my behalf," Han Fu gracefully bowed to the unexpected hero.
Zhao Yun eyes widen, he can't believe this. Han Fu is giving away his position that was entrusted by the Han Emperor to a mere peasant. Is this the will of heaven? Or is this a petty bribe? What if he accept? Will Han Fu's officers obey the new lord?
"I…I…But…" Zhao Yun struggle to get an answer.
"Because you saved my life, I will serve you as a minister and guide you to your duty to restore the Han Dynasty. Please accept this offer and I will inform my officers to serve you as your officers," Han Fu again requested.
To be concluded
1. Zhen De, Zhen Shuo, and Zhen Xi are Zhen Ji's relatives who serve the Han historically. If you like any information on Zhen Ji's family, PM me!