That same day. . .
Xu Chang, capitol of Wei
Grey streaks of light cast their gloominess over the capitol city Xu Chang. The largely populated city radiated dimly underneath the even drearier sky blanketed by thick clouds. Nevertheless, the stone paved roads echoed with the rambunctious voices of citizens of the elite class. The curved and elaborate rooftops of first and second story homes reflected the streams of lifeless sunlight.
Lord Cao Cao of Wei looked out at the urbane city contentedly from the high balcony of his imperial palace.
Cao Cao's view of the sophisticated buildings stretched on until reaching the high walls that protected the inner city. Further on, he identified the shabby and mud bricked homes of the lower classes as the city gradually changed to the rural lands of farming. The distant fields went on into the horizon, until finally reaching the outermost stone gates that led into the capitol.
Billowing winds ruffled Cao Cao's robes noisily as he folded his arms, admiring the visual extent of his power.
"Xiahou Dun," he said to his right hand man who stood silently beside him, "Tell me what do you see?"
The raven haired warrior directed his one eye to observe, pausing briefly before speaking, "Success cousin and further on a land of great potential."
An amused smile appeared on the short bearded ruler. "Indeed. Soon the entire land will be ours to rule," a strong hand sweeping over the air, "and our ambition shall be realized at last."
"Call it as you will, as long as I am able to crush those who dare stand against us."
Cao Cao chuckled lightly, "With you on my side Dun, I should have nothing to fear."
Xiahou Dun smirked, the light smile barely softening his fierce features. "And with you leading us forward cousin, a new era will be born."
The peaceful silence between them resumed as they both looked out at the horizon boldly. Only when the soft footsteps sounded behind them did they turn to see their well-honored strategist strolling towards them.
His formal robes glided behind him as he clutched his strategist fan closely against his chest. Halting a few feet in front of Cao Cao, Sima Yi bent low in a bow, "Milord, reports have come in on our military status as you requested." He rose, his sharp eyes catching Dun's in a momentary lock, indicating the need to speak in privacy with their lord.
Dun merely grunted and nodded in response, turning to his cousin, "Cao Cao I shall leave you and your strategist alone to talk of such matters. The day is young and I still have much duties to attend to."
"As you wish," a slight look of disappointment crossing over Cao Cao's face, "but if I am not mistaken, weren't you at the training grounds all this morning Dun?"
The warrior decorated in blue lifted his kirin blade up from the ground, grinning, "You can never be too prepared for a war." Bowing in farewell, he placed the blade over his shoulder and walked out, his long strides moving him soundlessly over the stone floor. Passing Sima Yi, he nodded; his keen eye rested peculiarly on Yi who gave a curt bow at his leave. Returning the gesture he disappeared through the curtained archway that led into the palace.
A menacing silence pressed upon the strategist whose eyes seemed deeply troubled by his own thoughts. However, Yi immediately wiped off his disconcertment before standing beside his lord.
The quiet prolonged; Sima Yi peered above the delicate feathers of his fan, watching pedestrians walking the crowded streets below, their voices carrying loudly across the bitter cold air.
"Now," Cao Cao began, unknowingly startling Sima Yi who had been deep in thought, "I trust that all the regional lords are accounted for and have made the necessary preparations for our next battle?"
Regaining his usual calm, he nodded, "Those who reported in have read their instructions and acted accordingly to them."
"Very well. Next I want the message to be known that we will begin our march into Xi Liang in five days. Have them meet on the southern border and wait for my arrival."
"Consider it done milord."
Cao Cao folded his arms, his eyes preoccupying themselves with the decorated flag hanging from the side of the palace wall, waving proudly in the gentle wind.
"The unfortunate execution of the ruler of Liang will no doubt rekindle our enemy's resolve. But even so, what are our chances in this battle?"
"Due to their inability to make peace with each other–they cannot hope to unite together in time for our attack. The clans are merely a disorganized group of barbarians, they know only one word: fight."
The Wei emperor chuckled viciously, amused at the thought, "I do not in any way fear my enemy here. Their simple lack of cooperating with each other will be their downfall."
"A people who know nothing of strategy or the rules of war..we shall prevail in the end." Sima Yi stated although his eyes averting Cao Cao's as he spoke, a behavior unusual for the highly confident strategist.
"And afterwards we shall head west and make quick work of that fool Zhang Lu! We'll attack more and more until finally the day of our revenge for our humiliating defeat at Chi Bi will be upon us!"
Sima Yi bit firmly down on his lips as he stared blankly ahead, unable to feel his lord's excitement as his thoughts wandered aimlessly. Cao Cao turned, frowning at him for his unresponsiveness. "What is it?"
Letting forth a trembling sigh, Sima Yi blinked and turned on him with a severely grave expression, "Milord, there seems to be a problem."
A coolness hardened in the ruler's eyes that only began to melt instantly by a wave of heated anger, "About?"
Sima Yi nervously turned to face him, knowing all too well of the temper his lord possessed but seeing that problem as inevitable now. "Milord," he began tentatively, "it seems that not all the regional lords have reported in."
"But I thought you said—"
"–I stated 'those who reported in,' sir. And I meant that. But, there's still one figure who remains silent to my messages."
An uncomfortable silence loomed over the two men as they stared at each other across the distance of only a few feet between them. Sima Yi's trepidation only heighten when hearing his lord's words cut through the quiet, his voice in a dangerously low key.
"Well then?" he asked slowly, "Who is it?"
Gripping his fan tightly he continued looking at Cao Cao with an unfaltering calm; how he managed to maintain such control while in the presence of his angry lord, remaining a mystery to even him. "The Lord Ma Zhun sir, of Tian Shui region."
The leader's eyes narrowed on his strategist before looking outward towards the city. The smell of lush green vegetation and sweet nectar wafted in the air, blowing strongly from the direction of the farmlands.
He dare not speak as he watched Cao Cao's hands grip the wooden railing too tightly, his knuckles becoming white as they shook furiously. "And you're certain of this?"
"Yes, unfortunately."
"And five days before our scheduled attack you decide to tell me this now!" Cao Cao snapped fiercely, the volume of his voice rising considerably.
"The delay seemed only minor milord."
"A minor cause!" Cao Cao exclaimed incredulously, startling the strategist, "An entire region goes deaf and you claim it to be of a minor cause!" His hands shook with evident rage and he clasped on quickly to the railing before losing control and acting out blindly. Silently he stood there, looking out at the city, fuming.
Aware of Cao Cao's untamed temper that knew no bounds, Yi chose his next words carefully, "Even so milord," he uttered softly, "the absence of their army will change nothing in our fight at Liang. Victory is still ensured for us."
No immediate change took place on his lord's creased features; however, the grip on the polished red wood seemed to loosen ever so slightly.
"In the meantime, I will send an envoy to Lord Ma Zhun in order to get answers." Sima Yi continued to reassure him with his plans of actions.
After a long painful silence, Cao Cao let out a frustrated sigh, his anger appearing to leave him with the escaping breath, "Tian Shui," he repeated bitterly, "correct?"
Sima Yi nodded, still refusing to approach his lord any closer than a few feet, "A major place of commerce but otherwise weak in militia. Lord Ma Zhun has yet to build up his army to its fullest. Losing his army in this battle is hardly considered a loss at all."
Finally regaining slight control, Cao Cao directed his cold eyes on Sima Yi who shifted uncomfortably under their gaze, "Any reason to why this happened? Any news at all?"
He shook his head regretfully, "Nothing personal from Lord Ma Zhun. However, we had received a letter from the acting commander whose taken charge there." a pause, "Apparently, Lord Ma Zhun has yet to return from his trip leaving Xu Chang."
Cao Cao's eyes widened considerably at this, the corners of his lips frowning grimly, "He had departed from here nearly two weeks ago. He should've gotten there by now."
"It would seem so, yet the commander also states of losing contact with his lord into the first week."
"So you're simply saying he disappeared off the face of the earth!"
"Not quite milord," Sima Yi quickly cut off, wanting to avoid another outburst, "You must remember that once the storm hit, transportation all over came to a temporary stop. We have no clue as to whether he sought refuge in some remote town or that he merely lost his way."
"Find out." Cao Cao's voice cut through, "Make certain that this is only a misunderstanding. I don't want to extend our troops into Liang to only find out that we've been attacked from behind by Shu or Wu."
Although the very thought had worried Sima Yi, he had long ago abandoned the foolish idea for simply overacting, "Of course milord. But for the Allies to even reach Tian Shui they would need to cross our heavily guarded borders."
Cao Cao nodded, though still unconvinced, "Don't wait. Send that envoy immediately." He ordered, "See what the idiot Ma Zhun is doing and quickly. I will not tolerate for such disobedience among my ranks."
"Yes, right away." Sima Yi bowed and quickly walked from Cao Cao whose attention turned back to the scenic view. Stepping into the throne room, Yi's rapid footsteps followed the narrow olive carpet path that led over the polished tiles. His reflection followed him on the smooth surface, illuminated by the crackling torches scattered about. Two sentries stationed on each side of the open throne doors bowed at his passing while he disappeared into the corridor.
After turning a corner he finally breathed a deep sigh of relief from knowing he had once again avoided Lord Cao Cao's suspicions. While he had told his lord the disturbing information, Sima Yi hadn't told him everything.
The young commander of Tian Shui had also written another paragraph in his letter, one that when reading it, Sima Yi felt burning sickness grow inside.
I feel that I must also admit of another situation that has, unfortunately, been occurring in this region as well. By listening to the stories of the villagers through my men, it has been brought to my attention that we're dealing with another crisis at hand. Apparently, there have been many unusual cases of murders reported in the villages.
People are disappearing. Bodies are discovered. .they are butchered in the most gruesome of manners. The people are terrified.
While I still don't know much, these killings are happening too often for comfort. Though I suspect it's nothing more than the acts of a fugitive. .I cannot simply overlook the fact that it might be some kind of attack from the Allies.
We're taking the necessary precautions here. I ask that you also do the same and keep watch out for any suspicious activity. It is imperative that you do not let this news be made public, already hysteria is spreading here–people claiming this to do with something of that curse.
I'd like to think of this as merely a coincidence but I cannot say. Just be cautious.
Yours respectfully,
Jiang Wei
He approached the East Grand Hall, the windows lined against the stone walls. Screens placed over them glowed ominously as they captured the light, allowing only pale streaks to pass through their geometric designs.
Staring at them, he again began pondering Zuo Ci's dying words silently to himself.
-8 8 8-
The more he thought, the more his blood boiled with an uncontrollable rage that he knew not how to soothe. Cao Cao forced himself to look again at the land, his heart pulsing madly.So one fool decides to not answer him, oh well. He had dealt with countless of those sniveling idiots before and he had no problems with executing another.
Somehow a brief calm settled over him, the sudden remembrance of Zuo Ci's body lying in the river giving him a sense of accomplishment. The eccentricity of the old man only caused him more trouble when alive, reappearing and disappearing to his own appeal. The simple magic act became tiresome fairly quick, along with the cryptic words he always uttered without end.
"What is it that you will do to lead this world out of the chaos?"
Cao Cao's dark eyes narrowed, remembering the question far too well for comfort. The mocking words had never stopped after he heard them. Killing Zuo Ci, he had believed himself free from their influence. If anything, they only grew louder, stronger–excited with each passing day as though foreboding something awful would soon happen.
"I'll be waiting for your answer."
He folded his arms, leveling his eyes on the distant mountains on the horizon, their composure bleak against the fog that settled over them.
"Fight chaos with chaos. That is my answer." He whispered to himself–to the words of an enemy who still haunted his mind.
"This land is rightfully mine," he spoke aloud, more confidently as his gaze redirected towards the dark skies, "And no one will take it away from me. Not even you."
"Don't be so sure Cao Cao."
The familiar voice pierced through the calm, a cold realization suddenly seizing the air. Cao Cao spun around, right hand already pulling out the imperial sword on his belt, the blade scraping loudly against its sheath. Pivoting, he swung the tip out and over towards the presence he suddenly sensed coming up behind him. His right arm stopped short, the sharp edge of his blade coming only within centimeters of its target.
The man barely flinched, as he stopped abruptly in his tracks, as though expecting for the act to occur. Cool, brown eyes directed themselves down to the deadly tip that pressed ever so lightly upon his long neck. A light chuckle came from his throat, amused, in spite of the fact that having done only the slightest error would've caused decapitation.
"Next time try aiming for the side without the artery," Cao Pi stated calmly as he brought his fingers up and lowered the blade down, "it's less of a mess that way."
Cao Cao blinked, realizing his mistake and immediately placing his sword back, "Cao Pi, you startled me."
Cao Pi's blue cloak waved noisily in the gentle wind that caressed them, smiling faintly, "Careful, or you may actually cause me to use force the next time."
"Why is it that you've come my son?"
"We've just debriefed the scouts that have returned back from Liang. They wish to discuss their findings with you."
"Very well," he began to turn around until noticing the slight hesitancy in Cao Pi's eyes, "Something else?"
Cao Pi's dark eyes narrowed, reflecting an ambition that outmatched even his father's. "Father I would like to know why I must stay behind for this battle. I am more than capable to handle these clansmen myself."
"There will be plenty of battles for you to fight in the future." Slight annoyance detected in his tone. "In the meantime, I want you here, watching over for me while I'm gone."
"Father my place is on the battlefield."
"I know Cao Pi," he said more gently, "but in order for you to assume my role as emperor, you must train and learn how to be one."
A frown appeared, creasing his son's features. Upset with the answer, he merely nodded reluctantly, remaining as silent as always. "As you wish." He whispered softly and bowing, "I shall send for the scouts."
Cao Cao watched him leave, a mixture of pride and disappointment rushing together at once. Undoubtedly he knew his son would become a far greater leader than him; however, his arrogance had become a problem lately. Ever since experiencing his first battle, his son had tasted power, spilled blood, and embraced the feeling.
And now he wanted to fight again. Perhaps a bit too eagerly...
Shaking the thought away, he forced himself to listen to the city life below him. The laughter of children mixed in with the eager gossiping of women, only overpowered by the confident deep voices of men.
A warmth settled within him, being able to listen to people who knew happiness, and not the painful cries of terror that he heard on the battlefield was a pleasant change.
"What is it that you will do to lead this world out of the chaos?"
Cao Cao ignored the words, feeling a painful headache beginning to start.
"Hear now your future shall end. And the time of the dead shall begin."
Lies, a pathetic attempt to show courage before meeting with death. But even as he repeated those thoughts, the grey streaks of sunlight began thinning as the clouds overhead closed together. A shadow began falling.
And somehow, he thought he heard someone giggling quietly behind him, its ominous melody singing of bad times to come.