Disclaimers: Don't ask and tell…do not own. Soi I do
Chapter 9
2nd Day
"Damn!" Cao Pi cursed as he brought his fist down on the table. "Who knew that a little girl can be so smart?"
"She made a fool out of us my lord…" Zhen Ji replied, her arms together.
"Do not worry, this is a minor setback" Sima Yi said, as he waved his fan around. "But their forces are considerably weak. We will crush them easily like bugs!"
"But we can't have an all out assault" Xiahou Yuan countered. "There are the impregnable walls of Wu…"
"Tis easy!" Xu Zhu replied. "Xu Zhu smash gates!"
"My ignorant one, it will not be so easy" Sima Yi impatiently replied. "It may be impregnable but how long will it last against a full scale attack? I have a plan. Let's go!"
Soi saw the army getting ready to mobilize and attack them. She crossed her fingers and threw a Molotov (the bottle with liquor inside and ignited by a piece of cloth) over towards the scattered grass. It instantly burned a protective circle of fire around Wu, instantly immobilizing Wei's march.
"Unexpected…" Sima Yi whispered. "Let's go to the back up plan…men, ready your arrows! We will launch a fire attack instead!"
Soi saw that the army got all of their archers and lit the tip of their bows with fire. She ran and called all the squad leaders.
"Order your men to re-douse the whole area! Make sure every inch is wet! Also have water ready! After they do so, take cover! 1st squad, follow me!"
With that, they got into position on the top of the gates.
"Fire!" Sima Yi ordered, and watched a storm of fire arrows sail over the walls.
"Sima Yi, what is our strategy?"
"A simple fire attack. With our fire arrows, we will set the interior ablaze and smoke them out of their hiding place. We will burn the city from inside"
Cao Cao was sorry to see Wu in flames, but if it was for the best, then he had no qualms about it. They waited for a long time… until they realized that it is not working.
Inside, as soon as the arrows fell, it hit the damp interior of Wu and most of them was immediately extinguished. The one that weren't were put out by the soldiers that were under cover. And thanks to Soi's earlier order about cutting all the grass, the farmlands did not caught fire as Sima Yi planned.
Sima Yi ordered a fire assault on the gate of Wu. As the task force tried to start a fire, Soi, along with the 1st squad, doused on the soldiers and their fire-starting paraphernalia before it even started.
5th day
" What's the plan? The fire attack failed and the rams were destroyed." Cao Pi smirked.
"And the stench of the alcohol is so strong, our horses and soldiers can't go near it!" Zhang He said as he waved a hand around his nose.
"We will launch a full scale attack! Order the men to scale the walls. With our troops, they are helpless" Sima Yi said confidently.
"They will have no where to hide!"
Soi saw the army mobilizing once again. She called out the squad leaders and ordered them to go stand around the walls.
As the Wei army try to place their ladders on the walls, the ladders kept slipping, if it did not, the reserves would 'help' push it away.
"What? The soldiers cannot scale the walls?" Sima Yi bellowed.
"Yes! The ladders won't stay in place my lord!"
"Fools!"
Soi tried her best to dodged the arrows as she pushed the ladders away. She then got her bow and arrow ready. She aimed for the leader of each arrow unit, and shot them one by one on the knee. Seeing their leader fallen, the archers morale sunk lower.
"Fools!" Cao Ren shouted. "How can you let yourself be scared of a measly little girl? Keep firing or I—" an arrow shot by his horse's feet and the animal jumped, startled. The sudden action threw Cao Ren away from his horse and it galloped away. The soldiers thought that Cao Ren was hit, so they ran for their lives.
Soi continued the same process for each officer on a horse, resulting the soldiers either to run away, or lose morale.
Scare tactics successful.
15th Day
"The towers are complete. We will place soldiers inside the tower, maneuver it towards the walls, and let them lay siege to the city! This time, there shall be no escape!" Sima Yi scoffed.
"What about those exploding things?" Zhang He inquired.
"It is not powerful enough to destroy the tower!" Sima Yi replied confidently.
"If it does not work, we have the ramps!" he added. "Now, march!"
As the towers and ramps were readied, Soi cursed. She ordered all the Molotov to be taken to her and all gunpowder taken out. She ordered the squads to take up on their positions with their respective boxes of Molotov and gunpowder.
As the Wei army pushed the ramps in place, the Wu reserves poured gunpowder over their heads, in their eyes and on the ramps. They then threw a bottle on the ramp, causing it to blaze, with the soldiers getting on fire.
Soi gave careful instructions to those who will combat the towers along with her. As the towers with the soldiers waiting inside move forward, Soi gave the signal and threw the Molotov over the space between the tower itself, and the will-be bridge. The result is that the Molotov exploded inside the tower, burning the soldiers, making them jump desperately towards the ground, and destroying the tower.
"We did it my lady!" One of the squad leaders shouted. "But will this really work…?"
"Good…" Soi said as she watched them regroup. "As soon as he does not know our real plan, we're cool…I hope…"
"But waiting for their food to run out and for Lord Sun Ce to return…? Such a riskystrategy my lady…"
'We just have to hold up until either of the two happens. If we're lucky, that fat guy over there will eat all their rations…are the people safe?"
"Yes my lady. They are still hidden within the mountains."
"Good."
20th day
"That's it!" Cao Cao shouted as he slammed his fist on the table. "Sima Yi, none of your strategies, so far, worked! Your fire attack, your siege, your rams, your tower, ramps, nothing!"
"But my lord—"
"Silence!" Cao Cao bellowed. He turned to his son. "Cao Pi, what do we do?"
"We have underestimated her…With 5000 men, she was able to defy any strategy Sima Yi had…but, her resistance is futile…Let us wait a while longer."
"But it is not futile, my prince" Sima Yi answered.
"How is it so?"
"We did not bring enough rations with us as we never planned for a long siege…she must be waiting for us to exhaust our supply, which we are doing right now, while we are sitting here, talking. And Sun Ce and his army may be back any time…those bandits that we hired are not as capable as they seem to be."
"So it's brute force then" Cao Pi nodded. "It may take us a while, but I think she has exhausted all the tricks she has. But we will be careful nonetheless."
"I have one more thing my lord…" Sima Yi smiled.
As Soi slept with the soldiers by the walls, they heard a loud crash. As she opened her eyes, she saw a huge boulder on top of a carriage.
"OMFG! Catapults!" she shouted. She got up and ordered all men to retreat and follow her. She led them towards the dungeons and locked the doors.
"MY LADY! OPEN THESE DOORS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"KEEPING YOU ALL SAFE!" Soi said, as she bolted the doors. "I swear on my life, Wu will never be taken and none of you will die today! Not while I'm here!"
"But my lady—"
"Shut up! You're all too young to die! Let me handle this! Don't worry, there's plenty of food in the storage room down there!"
With that, she took her spear, bow and arrows and went out. A barrage of rocks hit some houses randomly as she dodged them.
"Hahahah!" Sima Yi laughed as he looked at the city. "Where is the Falling Star now?"
Cao Pi sat stood as he waited for his soldiers to break the gates open.
"Sir! The gates won't budge sir!"
"Then tear it down!"
Inside, Soi had just rolledtwo large boulders using a plank of wood to reinforce the door and barricaded it with everything she can see and carry.
She then went up and saw that the catapults were too far away with the Molotov. She got the big fireworks, and taking out her lighter, lit the end and aimed it at the catapults.
"What is that?" Zhen Ji asked Sima Yi as she squinted her eyes.
"I don't know, but it looks like…" Xiahou Dun was cut short by a large KABOOM as it hit the catapult. Another colorful light hit the catapult and it was destroyed.
"Scale the walls using the grappling hooks!" Sima Yi hollered.
Uh-oh…Soi thought as the grappling hooks were made of chains instead of ropes. She ran around the walls, tipping hot liquor over the walls, dousing the soldiers. Some of them stayed on the chains, some even tasted it, and some laughed at her. She then lit the wall with her lighter and in seconds, Wu's stone walls were blazing.
25th day
"Most of our soldiers are wounded, our supplies are gone, and our food and morale has ran low!"
Cao Cao sat down as a headache began to form as he listened to the soldier's report.
"We have no choice but to retre—"
"No!" Cao Cao bellowed. "I will not retreat from a girl with only 5000 men to command and used childish tricks to outwit my army!"
The tent was silent.
"Then we have no choice. I will rush them to break down the walls. Once we do that, everything will be easy." Cao Pi said as he exited the tent.
"Wait my lord, what about food and morale?" Xiahou Dun said as he followed Cao Pi outside.
Cao Pi languidly turned to him and replied, "Either they do as I say or fall by my blade"
As the Cao Pi's unit started a fire in an attempt to destroy the gates, Soi ran. She threw another Molotov at the unit, and as they scrambled, she attempted to douse the gates with water. Yet a rain of fire arrows suddenly showered at her and she ducked in time to avoid them. They hit the ground, and as it dried, some of the houses caught fire.
No! Soi started to stand, yet fatigue won over her. She had not properly eaten nor slept since the siege started and apparently, her body is starting to break down. She closed her eyes.
Please no…I'm so close…
"Please…" she whispered. "Anyone…help me…"
As if an answer to her prayer, she felt something wet on her nose. As she looked at it, it was a droplet of water. She looked up and as if on cue, it started to pour.
"Damn…what rotten luck." Cao Pi muttered.
"It is not advisable to continue due to the visibility…who knows what else she might pull…everyone, fall back!" Sima Yi ordered.
Muttering much, Cao Pi retreated.
Soi smiled as she looked at the heavens. "Someone…must like me up there…"
30th day
"The gates are almost gone. Get ready" Cao Pi said as he eyed the soldiers who were hacking away.
"Finally, to be able to reach the object of utmost beauty!" Zhang He smiled as he eyed the gates.
"I just wish this was over" Zhen Ji said, irritated.
"Although I had to admit, the Falling Star was a worthy opponent" Sima Yi smiled. "But today, her defiance ends!"
Soi threw the last of the used fireworks and ran downstairs.
Sun Ce…Lu Xun...Zhou Yu...where are you?
She checked all the boxes of Molotov. Gone
Zhou Yu…will you be proud?
She got her spear and strapped a new set of arrows on her back.
I will defend Wu for you guys…
She then took a deep breath and hurried on.
I will do my best.
She stood at the entrance, waiting for the gates to give way.
With my bare hands…If I have to.
She thrust her spear on the ground and stood defiantly.
I will leave the rest to you guys
"Come now…" Soi said as she gritted her teeth.
"It will not be long now…" Cao Cao said as he waited patiently. Suddenly, an arrow came towards him and was blocked by Dian Wei in the nick of time.
"What the—"
As he looked at the distance, he saw the Wu army charging towards the battlefield.
"WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Sun Ce shouted as he neared Wei camp. "You guys will pay!"
"They haven't taken the city yet! Now's our chance!" Zhou Yu shouted and the army cheered.
"Don't worry Soi, we're coming!" Xiao Qiao shouted as she galloped beside her husband.
"Gan Ning to the rescue!"
"Shut up you show off!"
"My lord! Wu forces have appeared! They are headed for the main camp!"
"WHAT?" Cao Pi shouted. Damn! And he was so close!
"We have no choice! Retreat!"
Sima Yi looked at Wu. "I will admit defeat today Falling Star…but next time, you won't be so lucky!" with that, he ran along with Cao Pi.
Hearing noise from outside and seeing that Wei had ceased their incessant hacking, Soi smiled.
"Sun Ce, you bastard…you're late…" with that, she bowed her head.
After chasing the Wei army out with their incredibly large force, they knocked on the gates. Yet no one was answering. Worried, Zhou Yu and Lu Meng advised Sun Ce to destroy the gates and he agreed. Finishing what the Wei army had started, it took several hours before they were able to remove all barricades and open the gates. They were surprised at the sight that greeted them.
Standing there, right in front of them, was Soi, with a bow in one hand and a spear in the other, standing like the goddess of war. Yet something was wrong…
"Soi!" Da and Shang Xiang shouted as they ran over to her.
Lu Xun sighed in relief as he saw that she was still in one piece.
"Wait…" Da stopped as she looked at Soi. "Soi…?"
Soi didn't answer. She kept her head bowed.
"Hey Soi, we're here!" Shang Xiang answered. "Are you still angry at us…?"
Xiao Qiao screamed as she went near Soi. "No way…no way…"
Sun Ce immediately went to here and placed his ear on her chest and face. "NO, she's just fainted! Get a doctor, quick!"
Fire…people…screaming….blood…
If only you weren't alive!
No…
I'm so proud of you…
No…
Why?
No…
Do me a favor and die…Soi…
What…?
Soi……..
Soi……
Soi…
Soi.
SOI!
Soi opened her eyes that weighed a ton and instantly saw a pair of big, worried, brown eyes.
"She's awake!" Sun Ce screamed as Da Qiao wiped her eyes. Shang Xiang and Xiao Qiao jumped for joy while Lu Xun looked like he was about to faint from happiness. Lu Meng, on the other hand, patted his back while brandishing a wide grin.
Zhou Yu hovered over her while smiling. "How are you feeling, my lady?"
"Like the sky fell over me…" she replied weakly. Yet she felt her heart beat faster as she saw those beautiful brown eyes staring at her, worried.
"Soi!" Xiao shouted as she wrapped her arms around Soi's figure. "We thought you were dead!"
"Yes…you were out for 6 days…we thought you will…" Da Qiao said with tears in her eyes.
"Yeah! Defending Wu from the entire Wei army single-handedly for 30 days! What were you THINKING?" Sun Ce scolded as he crossed his arms and looked at her.
"I wasn't thinking." Soi refuted as she smiled weakly.
"That's alright…because that was SUPER TOTALLY AWESOME! YOU DID THAT ALL BY YOURSELF!" Ce added, obviously delighted.
Zhou Yu nodded. "Yes. If you want to know, the people were relocated back to their homes…you are a hero."
Soi blushed at the compliment. Now she can die.
"A legend is more like it!" Lu Meng added, a glint in his eyes. "Your strategies…you have to tell me! They were so different…so different yet so original!"
Lu Xun knelt beside Soi and took her hand. "Lady Soi…" He looked at her, worry mixed with relief.
She smiled at him. He had the most honest eyes…she loved it. "Hey Cotton candy Boy…"
Lu Xun wanted to go down on his knees and thank the gods right then and there. Soi was alive and well…and Wei was unsuccessful…nothing but…
"A miracle…" Lu Xun whispered as he held on Soi's hand.
Lu Meng smiled and patted Lu Xun on the back. "It was a miracle indeed…that Lord Sun Ce's unorthodox idea of 'screaming at her until she wakes up' worked!"
Soi laughed weakly and her eyes scanned the area. They were all so happy…
"Ahem…thank you"
Soi saw that Sun Ce was by the window, staring at the sky.
"Guys…I want to-"
"Hush." Zhou Yu gently reprimanded. "You're still weak from the ordeal…you need to rest."
"But-"
"You don't have to say anything." Ce responded as he looked at her. "What you can do…" he walked over to her and slammed his hand on the table beside her. "Is to rest, get your energy back, and join us at our strategy meetings…" he smiled and winked at her, before walking towards the door. "Don't be late!" he shouted back as he waved his hand.
Soi watched his retreating form and slowly placed her hand over her eyes. Sun Shang Xiang saw her smiling.
"What is it?" She smiled yet she was also startled as she saw tears falling down.
"Nothing…" Soi replied as she smiled.
TBC
Author's notes: Sorry it took so long! Classes already started and I almost got confined in the hospital! Soi and the others are okay but what about Wei? And when will Shu make their move? Comments, suggestions are a must! Please? nn