Dynasty Warriors: Allegiance
Chapter 3
Jiang Wei stood uneasily amongst the Wei soldiers, looking carefully around for a breach in their ranks through which he could escape. But there didn't seem to be one at the moment. The general who had managed to corner him was discussing with his lieutenants, apparently unsure if they should just kill him—this was probably because they had never seen him before since this was his first battle against Wei. He hoped that he could take advantage of their confusion somehow.
Even as Po-yueh readied himself to run for it as soon as he found a gap in the wall of soldiers around him, he heard the sound of an approaching troop coming from the direction of the Wei main camp. A man on a fine black horse wove his way easily towards Xiahou Ba, drawing the eyes of everyone on the path. This should have been Wei's chance to escape, but he froze when he saw the characters written on the fluttering standard of the man's troop. Sima Yi… the commander-in-chief!
It wasn't usual for a commander to go out onto the battlefield so early into the fight—this would have been a perfect opportunity for an ambush. But sadly, Jiang Wei had no way or time to alert any Shu troops to prepare one. The Shu strategist noticed the cold gaze of the enemy commander on him and felt a tinge of sudden fear in his chest. He quickly looked away and tried not to shudder.
"What do we have here?"
As the Wei generals explained to him—Po-yueh noticed that they too were acting somewhat agitated—the young strategist tried to edge discreetly back the way he had come. But the soldiers on that side noticed him and readied their grips on their weapons threateningly, forcing him to stop. His second chance had soon passed as all the other officers turned their attention on him again.
The officers had probably come to a decision that they should try to find out who he was before they decided what to do with him, as one of the lieutenants began to question him. But no matter what the Wei officer said, Jiang Wei kept stubbornly silent. Better to be killed than to have them find out that he was Zhuge Liang's apprentice. But even as Xiahou attempted to pry some answers from him, Wei noticed Sima Yi looking at him with something like recognition. …But that was impossible. The two had never even crossed paths before.
Then, much to the Wei soldiers' surprise, Sima Yi dismounted and headed towards Po-yueh armed only with a black feathered fan, very similar to Liang's white one. The strategist-in-training stiffened, warily watching Yi's approach. Despite the protests of the other officers, Sima Yi continued towards the center of the group of soldiers. The man stopped just out of range of Wei, just in case he tried to attack, but close enough so that only the boy could hear him.
"You are very familiar… You are the son of the Tian Shui soldier Jiang Qiong, are you not?" Yi asked in a low tone ringing with something like fake courtesy. Wei was honestly startled, though he fought to not let it show on his face. Since he had arrived at Shu, K'ung-ming had helped him create a false background portraying him as originally from Liu Bei's kingdom. He doubted any Wei generals knew of his defection, since he hadn't been very well known even in his hometown of Tian Shui. Then how could Sima Yi know…?
"I saw your father once," Yi stated calmly, obviously noticing the flash of affirmation in Jiang Wei's eyes despite the attempt to hide it. "I may not know your name, but if you really are Jiang Qiong's son, that means you were originally of Wei. And I'm sure you know that the penalty of defection is and always has been death." Even at this, Wei realized that he didn't feel too frightened. Dying for his kingdom would be a noble death…
"Of course, that penalty will also extend to any of your direct family members."
These words were seemingly the only things that could have stirred so much fear within Po-yueh. He had been found out—now his mother was in danger! His reaction to finally comprehending the full force of being discovered must have shown, for the Wei strategist then smirked at him. Jiang Wei struggled to keep his panic in check. Even if he himself managed to escape to the safety of Shu now, his mother would never stand a chance…!
"However, I have an alternative for you." Wei looked hesitantly back at the commander, having a bad feeling about what he was going to propose. "Only I know of this. If you decide to return to Wei and serve under me instead, your defection need not be reported to Lord Cao Cao," Sima Yi said, a sly look crossing his face. "I will allow you to leave for now. But if you do not come to the Wei main camp by sunset, I will assume that you have declined my offer. Then your family will be hunted down to suffer the consequence for you." The strategist raised his voice so the soldiers could hear, ordering them out of Po-yueh's way.
Wei felt the weight of overwhelming hopelessness settle over him as he ran to collect his trident and steed before tearing away back down the path. Though he was now free from the cage of Wei soldiers, he knew that he was still in Sima Yi's trap with no way to escape it. Even if he managed to convince his master to let him go to Tian Shui to save his mother, Wei spies were bound to find him out. The message would get to the town far before he did and his mother would be killed. Then again if he did surrender, those of Shu would probably try to get rid of him before he relayed all of Zhuge Liang's teachings into enemy hands. Besides, how could he turn on the first person to have acknowledged and nurtured Wei's talent?
Either way, this was a no-win situation.
As Jiang Wei's horse pounded down the mountain path, its rider was pulled back to the battle some months ago between the defenders of Tian Shui and Shu—the fight wherein Po-yueh had first met Zhuge Liang.
The people of Tian Shui were ecstatic. The villagers had poured into the street almost immediately after the defenders had announced their victory against Shu. Similar celebrations were probably going on in their close neighbors An Ding and Nan An as well.
But Jiang Wei knew better.
The young soldier hurried through the back roads leading to his home, leading his horse behind him, unnoticed by any of his fellow townsfolk. He moved quickly, trying to be discreet and attempting to bandage his arm that had been slashed by that cursed Wei Yan. He gave up, however, as he reached the small house set against Tian Shui castle. Po-yueh quickly tied his chestnut horse outside and entered. He found his mother, one of the only people not out rejoicing in the street, sitting at the table near the door, apparently anxious. Her expression softened when she caught sight of Wei.
"I was worried," she said gently, gesturing her son to sit with her. "The soldiers returned long ago. What took you so long to get back, Po-yueh?" Jiang Wei didn't answer right away as he sat, trying to organize the whirl of events in his head. Finally, as his mother began to bind his injured forearm for him, he managed to relate to her how he had met the enemy commander, Zhuge Liang and how he had been invited to join Shu as an apprentice. Wei's only condition had been for Liang to withdraw the army from Tian Shui—which he had already done. Hehesitated then said with a slightly sad smile, "But I really shouldn't go. I have to stay here and take care of you, mother."
His mother sighed and shook her head as she finished knotting the strip of cloth she had used as a bandage. "Po-yueh, even I know that Master Ma Zun is blind to your talents," she said serenely, and Wei knew she was stating a truth. "If he had listened to your advice for this battle, less people would have died. This is a heaven sent opportunity—you must take advantage of it." She looked at him and smiled, a little tiredly. "Don't worry about me. Go."
Jiang Wei nodded reluctantly and stood. His mother always thought of what was best for him despite herself… He hugged his mother briefly and hurried to collect a few personal items from the house. Just before he left, he paused at the doorway. "Mother… It would be best if you just forgot about me. If anyone asks, I died in the battle. It would be safest for you if no one knows of my leaving Wei." He knew that him leaving was painful enough, but this was the only way to keep his mother safe.
The elderly lady nodded, obviously trying to keep a steady expression, for Po-yueh's sake. With a final farewell, Wei ran outside, tied his satchel of belongings to the saddle and mounted his steed. He urged it into a quick gallop, heading in the direction of the retreating Shu army.