Man Zhu could feel his face widen with a grin as Liu Bei entered the camp. He had looked forward to meeting the leader of Shu again, impressed by him after their encounter on the battlefield. He watched the leader dismount his horse, along with his brothers and another man, and make their way towards him. He put down is pack and bowed to them all.
"Lord Man Zhu, I was hoping to find you here." Liu Bei grinned as the young man rose. "I wanted to thank you for everything that you did for me and my men yesterday. We are all most grateful to you and the rebel army."
He grinned and gave a slight bow again. "You are most welcome, Lord Liu Bei." He turned to the other men. "As are you, Lords Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. I apologize, sir, but I am afraid I do not know your name."
"Zhao Yun," the young man answered. "I was with another group that was saved by your army. They were led by Lady Yang Xing. Is she around here somewhere? I would like to thank her myself for her help."
"As would I," Liu Bei said. "I am grateful to her for saving three of my best officers."
Man Zhu began to look around, spotting her by a couple of carts behind him. He began to frown, however, when he saw Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Dian Wei approach her and begin to speak to her. She tensed up, and Zhu sensed that the conversation was not going well for her. "Well, I see her, but it looks like she is already with members of your company."
The other men also frowned when they saw who it was. "I shoulda figured it would be Cao Cao," Zhang Fei grumbled. "That man's got no tact."
"She does not look very happy to be speaking with them, either." Liu Bei grinned and turned to his officers and Man Zhu. "Shall we go and rescue her, then?" The men smiled and hurried over to help the distressed looking Yang Xing.
"I seek no alliance with any other kingdom and it would be foolish to try and convince me otherwise. Now please leave me, as I have a lot of work remaining."
Cao Cao was angry now and made to say something, but turned when he heard approaching footsteps. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and another of the rebel leaders were now standing behind them, all looking rather upset. "My apologies, but she is right, Lord Cao Cao," they young man said. "We all have a lot of work to be doing."
"Besides, there will be a grand feast tonight, during which you can speak to the rebel leaders all you like." Cao Cao did not want to get into a fight with Guan Yu. At least not here and not now. Unable to think of anything to say in response, the three men of Wei turned and left. Yang Xing finally relaxed and punched a nearby bag.
"Ooh, the nerve of that man!" she cried. "I just want to grab his neck and pull him off of his high horse."
Man Zhu laughed. "Which one? Cao Cao or his son?" Yang Xing let out a yell of frustration before noticing the others. She flushed with a slight embarrassment and bowed to them.
"Forgive me, my lords. Cao Cao can be frustrating sometimes." She paused to wipe sweat from her face in an attempt to make herself more presentable. "I apologize that there was no formal greeting when you lords entered the camp. I am afraid that everyone is anxious to be getting home to Jiang."
"We understand, Lady Yang," Liu Bei said with a grin. "We were just curious to see more of the rebel army. We also would like to thank you for your contributions in battle yesterday. Without you and the rest of the leaders, the battle with Zhang Jiao might have taken a turn for the worse."
Yang Xing beamed and bowed to them again. "I thank you, my lords, for such kind words. We are glad that we were able to help you." She turned to Zhao Yun and gave a helpless smile. "And again, I apologize for my behavior on the battlefield. I have heard great things about you and the rest of the officers, and I do not think you weak for retreating. But I would not have been able to forgive myself if anything had happened to Shu."
"Why is that, my lady?" Liu Bei asked curiously.
"Because we, too, believe and fight for the same things that you do, Lord Liu Bei." Zhang Rui, Pang Qui, and Deng Liao had noticed the leader and his officers from their own carts and decided to join them. Rui continued, "Honor, virtue, justice, and peace are what we leaders all should strive for. We can relate to how well a kingdom runs on these principles versus those of, say, Lord Cao Cao."
"My heart is gladdened to hear such things," Liu Bei answered. "I am also glad to hear that those provinces near us can be counted as friends of Shu, if I am not mistaken."
Deng Liao nodded and gave a slight bow. "We try to ally ourselves with those who are trustworthy and good. The Jiang Provinces may be unaligned with any of the kingdoms, but we would be honored to be counted among the friends of Shu." Just then there was a great number of voices shouting, and the group turned to see several of the carts start rolling down one of the roads. Yang Xing, Man Zhu, Pang Qui, and Deng Liao all ran off after the runaway carts, but Zhang Rui lingered a moment.
"I am afraid that my old bones do not make me as fast as I used to be. But I suppose that I should go and help where I can." He turned back to the Shu officers, who all had hints of amusement on their faces. "My lords are welcome to wander around our camp, although I am afraid that there really is nothing much to see. We are a hard working people, and everyone gets their fair share to do, so many will probably not take the time to speak with you. However, if you need assistance, please do not hesitate to ask one of the regional leaders. I shall see you all at the feast this evening." He bowed deeply to them and trotted as fast as his legs would carry him down the path, where the carts had disappeared but shouts could still be heard.
"I rather like this group of rebels," Guan Yu commented. "They seem to generally know what is best for their people and know how to make them happy. Perhaps it would be wise to invite them to join us under Shu."
"Eh, I can't see that happenin'. All they seem to wanna do is go home to Jiang-wherever."
"I agree with Zhang Fei," Zhao Yun said. "They don't seem like the kind of group that aligns themselves with other easily. From what I have heard, they are known for their cunning and ruthlessness. The cunning I believe. Ruthless, I'm not so sure."
Zhang Fei thought for a moment. "Hey, has anybody thought to ask Ma Chao about this?" The group gave him a general quizzical look. "Well, he used to be a member of Jiang Tong, I think, before Cao Cao killed his father and he went on his revenge quest. I don't know who took over his father's province after his death, but I'm sure one of those rebel leaders knows who he is."
"It didn't even occur to me to ask him," Liu Bei admitted. "Ma Chao has been a most trusted officer for so long that I had forgotten. I'm glad he wasn't present at our meeting last night. His short temper along with Cao Cao's presence might have resurrected some painful memories."
"One of us should ask him at the feasting tonight if he remembers any of the leaders. I think Lady Yang is the only one that he has seen, and she looks to be a few years younger than him, so he would not recognize her anyway." Everyone nodded at Guan Yu. Zhao Yun stepped up.
"I shall ask him, since I was with him when Lady Yang and the others overtook the Yellow Turbans. I will mention it to Jiang Wei as well, just so he is aware." The others nodded in agreement, and the four began to make their way deeper into the camp of the Rebels of Jiang.