"The third task will be the longest you shall ever take," Jia Xu said. He placed a scroll on the table. "Earn your place."
Ai Xin glanced at the scroll then back at Jia Xu. That was the most vague task, but she had learned to let the strategist's words be. She usually figures out his wisdom by serendipity. She bowed in salute. "Thank you for your teachings, Master Wenhe."
"Feel free to drop by for a game of weiqi if you are bored," Jia Xu said. "As to answer the question of why you are here…"
Ai Xin straightened herself, eager to finally hear the truth from this man.
"I owe it to a friend whom I have lost along the way," the strategist said ruefully.
Ai Xin had moved to a small room in the barracks, along with the other recruits who wished to be a part of Cao Cao's grand army. She appreciated the room even though cramped and small, as she found privacy a rare commodity.
She opened the scroll that Jia Xu had given her. It was the first chapter to the famous Art of War by the great Sun Tzu. Remembering the words of her master, she set the scroll on the table. She would have to make time for her readings on her own.
It was not yet sunrise, the sound of marching drums had the new recruits scramble into formation. It was a first day for many of the newly enlisted men and woman.
Xiahou Dun had pulled his hair back, dressed down in simple training robes. His eye surveyed the scene and scowled.
"For whatever reasons you may have in your heads, you must remember one thing," he said aloud, pacing through the formation. "To be a part of Lord Cao Cao's elite force, you must survive this first day. I am giving you your last opportunity today to back out and return to your families."
His eye fell on the only short individual among the rows of men. Ai Xin could sense that the general was judging her. She pursed her lips and looked straight ahead, trying to focus on today's tasks.
The sun was high when the day's session had ended. Ai Xin leaned against the trunk of a tree, appreciating its shade. If she were asked of her reaction to the first day, she could only describe it with one word.
Hell.
The general was ruthless. The drills were taxing for the entire body, many of the men had given up midway, submitting to the physical limits of exhaustion. She had lost count of how many times they felt nauseated by the stress.
She pushed herself up against the trunk of tree. She had better find some food to eat. The second session on sword handling would be starting later.
"For the second session," Xiahou Dun's voice still loud and clear. "You shall move as one in accordance to the proper sword stance I shall shout."
Ai Xin held the sword that was on her hand. She shuddered when her mind flashbacked on the day fire razed the last village she lived in.
"Raise!"
The woman snapped out of her trance and mimicked the movements of the platoon leader, keeping up with the different stances. Xiahou Dun continued giving out orders. Sometimes, he would let them stay in one position for minutes. The moment a recruit had fallen out of the formation, he was immediately removed.
When the session had ended, Ai Xin pressed her hands on her knees, catching her breath. She couldn't believe it. She had survived the first day.
"From forty hopeful soldiers, I am left with half," Xiahou Dun announced to the remaining recruits. "From this day forward, your days will be more grueling, and there is no turning back."
"However, you must remember that the greatest glory a warrior shall ever seek is death in battle," he said.
Ai Xin was relieved to find the comfort of her bed. She could feel every muscle ache for rest, but at the same time, she felt the need to be in continuous movement.
She pressed her cheek against the pillow, sleepy eyes staring at the scroll on the table. It had been two brutal weeks since she had begun exercises under Xiahou Dun's command. It had been more than two weeks since she had last read the scroll. She let out a long sigh.
What she couldn't figure out was why she felt conflicted with how she held a sword. Xiahou Dun had pitted them into pairs to spar. She would often get the rear end of his reprimands for holding the sword backwards.
When she forced herself to hold the sword in front with two hands, she would find it difficult to attack and would often find herself on the defending end.
"Agh," she groaned in desperation to her pillow. What should I do? She thought.
Cao Cao was taking his afternoon nap on the chair facing the garden. He heard the heavy footsteps of his cousins. "How is Jia Xu's little pet doing?" he inquired.
"Lackluster, Cousin," Xiahou Dun replied. "She has endurance, but she deviates from the proper way to hold a sword."
Xiahou Yuan interjected, "I've seen some of your exercises Dun. She doesn't fit because it seems she learned how to fight elsewhere, you know?"
"I will not alter my standards for a woman," Xiahou Dun insisted. "If she is to live in battle, she must follow my rules."
"Wow don't you sound like Yu Jin." Xiahou Yuan then suggested, "But maybe you can improvise, Dun. She ain't built the same like a man."
"If you are such a wise guy, Yuan, then how about you try?" Xiahou Dun challenged.
"Alright," Xiahou Yuan replied. "I will train her for a good three weeks. If she can beat your best trained swordsman, then… uhm…" the archer found himself at a loss for words.
Cao Cao diplomatically intervened, "If she wins, she will be put up for recruitment by the other generals who will be interested in honing her strength. In addition, she will have the chance to find glory in our campaign against Yuan Shao. If she loses, she returns to the streets."
The warlord glanced at Xiahou Dun. "That is a win-win situation for you, Xiahou Dun. Unless you would be foolhardy enough to take her back into your command."
Xiahou Dun looked away. "Hmph. Don't bet on it," he grumbled.
The next day, Ai Xin sat alone on the training grounds, cleaning her training blade. She was disallowed by Xiahou Dun to participate in the archery exercises as she had not yet reached his passing mark in swordsmanship. Instead, he had ordered her to stay put in the training field for a new instructor.
"I will eventually prove myself," she muttered under her breath.
Xiahou Yuan approached the woman. "Oh hey, there you are Ai Xin," he greeted cheerfully.
Ai Xin looked up and immediately saluted. "General Miaocai," she said.
The general grinned and took his seat next to her. "So, here's the deal. General Yuanrang gave me three weeks to turn you into one lean mean hacking machine. But I can't figure that out unless you show me what you can do."
Contrary to what the general planned the first place, he placed a bow and three arrows on her hands. "Can you shoot?" he asked.
"I think so," the woman replied.
Xiahou Yuan grinned, "Alright. Show me. Go and fire at the nearest wooden post."
Ai Xin held up the bow. It felt natural to her grip. She pulled the string and released the first arrow. They both heard a loud thunk as the arrow had hit square center.
"Alright," Xiahou Yuan said with expectant glee. "Farther."
She aimed for the next wooden post a few yards farther away. She fired and it once more hit the mark.
"Farthest."
She fired the last arrow and it hit the ground, a few centimeters from where the farthest wooden post stood. To Xiahou Yuan, that looked like a good hundred yards away.
Ai Xin lowered her bow when she heard Xiahou Yuan clap his hands.
Xiahou Yuan approached her with a cheerful gait. "You call that an 'I think so'? Being able to shoot that far with precision is not considered as simply talent," he said. "It shows that you've been fighting for quite a long time and you just don't know it."
"It just felt natural, General," Ai Xin replied meekly.
"The way you shoot a bow is the same as any soldier, but I have no doubt you have your own way of holding a sword," the general said. He tossed to the woman her sword. "Come on, show me what you got."
Three weeks had passed. The news of a martial contest with the main highlight being a match between Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan's soldiers had caught the attention of the residents in the castle. What made it more sensational was that Xiahou Yuan's fighter was a former servant girl that was bought from a brothel.
An elaborate platform was set as per Cao Cao's instructions. He had issued an order to his generals to observe the match and ready their propositions of recruitment. He had also invited the Emperor Xian in order to keep the royalty in good spirits.
The remaining recruits that had survived Xiahou Dun's training camp were pitted against each other. They were divided into pairs and made to duel each other until one submits to a loss. The small tournament had earned a crowd. To the common man, many were impressed with display of strength. However, to the generals, they were seeking something more.
It was down to the last pair of fighters. The excitement among the crowd was revived.
"I have heard of stories of female warriors, but never was I given a chance to witness a real one," the Emperor Xian told Cao Cao. "You certainly have an eye for interesting people, Chancellor Cao Cao."
Cao Cao had assumed his seat next to the emperor. "A ruler must know the capacities of his people, and must do his best to provide equal opportunity, to man and woman alike."
He looked around the platform and among the crowd. He could see that most of his generals had come out of their usual duties to witness the last display. He smirked at the sight of his newest acquisition, Zhang Liao, standing next to the cheering Li Dian and Yue Jin.
"Oh, there they are!" Emperor Xian said excitedly as he watched as the competitors made their presence known on to the field.
In the middle of the field, Cao Ren was given the duty to referee the match. He looked at both young warriors.
Xiahou Dun's handpicked swordsman, Zi Bo, was a tall and muscular man. From the recruits that had enlisted into the army, he was judged by his fellows to have the most promise in rising the ranks.
"You got this, Ai Xin," Xiahou Yuan encouraged. "You just gotta believe that you are not the typical soldier."
Ai Xin smiled at the awkwardly encouraging words of her trainor. "You have been a diligent teacher, General Miaocai."
"The rules are absolute. The first to disarm his opponent or to force his opponent into submission, will be declared the winner," Cao Ren announced. "Take your stance!"
Zi Bo gripped the handles of his blade tight. "I will prove to you that I am the mightier swordsman," he said.
Ai Xin held her blade with her left hand. Instead of the usual front hold, she had shifted the sharp edge to her back, holding the blade in reverse. Her right hand placed over her chest. "You may be mighty, but I think I am more flexible."
"BEGIN!"
Zi Bo charged towards Ai Xin, and delivered a swift strike. Ai Xin ducked away easily, her body was easily controlled by focusing more on her foot movement. By keeping her center of gravity low, she could see where Zi Bo would attempt to land his strike next. She occasionally raised her blade in defense, but never initiating the first strike.
"I want to hear metal clashing!" yelled a soldier.
"Is this a joke? All the woman does is defend!" another audience member hollered.
In the crowd, Cao Cao's generals had secured a spot on the front row. Li Dian nudged Zhang Liao. "So Wenyuan, what do you think of this match? I'd like to hear your input before I give mine."
Zhang Liao observed the fighters movements. It may seem to most that Zi Bo had the upper hand, but he could tell that the smaller warrior was biding her time. "General Xiahou Dun's swordsman is outmatched," he said. "Brute strength is no match for an efficient and patient swordsman."
Li Dian rubbed the back of his head. "Well, of course that's what I was feeling!" he lied aloud.
Ai Xin had observed enough of her opponent's movements. When Zi Bo returned to the stance of his initial strike, she swung her sword arm and delivered an effective block. The reaction caused Zi Bo to lose balance backward. Ai Xin deftly twirled the handle around her fingers, shifting the body of the sword forward. She returned her grip against the handle and followed-up with a diagonal strike.
Zi Bo was able to regain his footing and block the follow-up attack. However, he had not foreseen an incoming boot to the side of his face. He raised his sword to block the foot, but the momentum was strong and the sword was kicked out of his hand. The woman had launched herself to deliver a butterfly kick and the second leg had contacted his head, sending the man down.
"We have a winner!" Cao Ren announced, raising his hand to Ai Xin's corner.
Cheers erupted from the crowd. It was a stunning finish.
"Such amazing martial arts!" Emperor Xian exclaimed, clapping his hands. "I am certain that such talent will benefit the Han."
Cao Cao leaned back, a smug look on his face. He would enjoy teasing his irritable cousin later.
Ai Xin regained her footing and walked towards the swordsman on the ground. She extended a hand. "You were pretty strong," she complimented him.
Zi Bo sat up and accepted the hand. "Where did you learn to kick like that?" he asked as he pulled himself up.
Ai Xin just shrugged her shoulders. "General Miaocai taught me that," she said. She was amazed at the flexibility of the man despite his stocky build.
Zi Bo laughed, "Well, looks like I'm going to have to work a lot harder. We should spar next time."
Ai Xin simply nodded. She tried to look cheerful, but deep inside, she thought she could feel Xiahou Dun's raging aura of irritation glaring behind her. She shuddered in reaction.
It was evening, and the tournament had concluded. Cao Cao had called for his generals to convene in one of the pavilions.
Guo Jia counted the attendance. "I believe everyone is accounted for, my lord," he said pleasantly. "We may begin."
Cao Cao nodded. He spoke to the gathered men. "Today's main event is nothing but a challenge between Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan to settle their differences, and I believe it has served his purpose," he added a tone that elicited an irritated look on Xiahou Dun's face.
"But this has been the practice I have devised to ensure that talent is nurtured and skills are polished," he continued. The warlord gestured to the table where it had bamboo slabs containing the names of the recruits that had passed Xiahou Dun's recruitment program.
Cao Cao explained, "Xiahou Dun has generously screened the best of this quarter's enlistment. The names on the table are the very same soldiers who have displayed their prowess earlier. Now I shall leave it up to you to take one pick of your soldier and nurture that talent."
Those who had been in Cao Cao's service since the Yellow Turban Rebellion were familiar with this method of selection. They were the first to go through the names on the table, and eventually made their pick. Zhang Liao, being the newest, voluntarily made himself among the last. He had made his decision and reached over to the slab on the farthest right.
It turns out, he was not the only one who was eyeing the same name.
"Well this is unexpected," Guo Jia commented. Being the one who arranged the slabs on the table, he knew what name was written on the bamboo.
"A change of heart, General Xiahou?" Zhang Liao asked quietly. "From what I heard, this particular soldier refuses to follow your standards."
Xiahou Dun, still irked at his loss to Xiahou Yuan's methods, attempted to tug the slab away from Zhang Liao's grip. "I will not allow unorthodox methods ruin the traditional stances of swordsmanship," he growled.
Cao Cao chuckled. His cousin had poor choice of words in saving his face. "Let go, Zhang Liao. Rest assured, we can find a compromise," he said.
Zhang Liao complied to his lord's command. He let go of the slab, and proceeded to select the one next to it. He gave a respectful bow to Cao Cao before returning to his previous position.
"Alright, there are no more slabs on the table, I believe we can wrap this up my lord?" Guo Jia said. After receiving the signal, the strategist turned to the generals. "Your new recruits shall be informed of their new unit assignments. They shall begin under your command after three days."
"You are dismissed," Cao Cao said.
The generals saluted and took their leave, filing out of the room. Guo Jia had also left, leaving only Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun in the room.
"I refuse to be defeated by my own stubbornness, Cousin," Xiahou Dun confessed bitterly, clenching his fist.
Cao Cao observed his cousin's stance. "Adaptability is the key, Yuanrang," he advised. "You may as well keep that in mind lest you blind yourself once more in rage."
Xiahou Dun loosened his grip. His lord always knew what to say to ease him. "Yes, my lord."
Ai Xin had received her notice. She read the scroll and tripped back on a blanket that was on the floor. She landed against a pile of scrolls, causing some of them to fly up and made a lot of crashing sounds.
"Ow…" she groaned, sitting up. Her back spasmed, but her head ached more with the notice.
General Xiahou Dun again, but why, she thought. She had already proven to him that she could fight. Was it because he lost some bet? Will he abuse his position to get back at her? Why can't she have a nicer superior like General Xiahou Yuan or someone level-headed like General Cao Ren?
The woman let out a long sigh. Overthinking will not get her anywhere.
She heard someone knock on her door. "Is everything alright in there, private?"
The woman scrambled back up to her feet. She made her way to the door and slid open just enough to show her head. "I'm alright," she replied with a sheepish grin. Seeing the face of her visitor, she cowered behind her door.
"Ah… General Xiahou Dun... Is it inspection day?"
Crap, she thought.
Xiahou Dun raised an eyebrow. He would regularly conduct a cleanliness check on the barracks. The woman's room was often the last on his list.
"Yes, it is inspection day," he reiterated.
Ai Xin gulped. She was so absorbed with her readings during the rest days that she had not had the time to return most of them in the castle library. "I must apologize, I have not been tidy with my quarters, sir," she said, attempting a measly excuse to skip inspection. "Maybe you can pass by again later in the afternoon, after I… Eeeek!" She squealed and moved away when Xiahou Dun forced her door open.
Xiahou Dun took one sweeping glance into the lady's room. To him, it looked like a scholar's mess than a soldier's. Although he had visited the study of strategists such as Guo Jia and Xun Yu, this was shallow compared to the mess they can create. Her living space was already small, and the mess made it difficult to inhabit. There were open scrolls and tomes everywhere, even on the woman's bed. He ran a hand down his face. This is unacceptable to him. He bent over and picked up the nearest scroll. It was one of the many war journals that Cao Cao had written.
There was no indication for a woman to do so much reading. It made him wonder why she was so interested in learning strategy. He had no doubt that Jia Xu had a hand at her continuous accessibility to the castle library.
"The state of your room reflects your attitude towards your work, private," Xiahou Dun said sternly. "You are a soldier. And these scrolls are to stay in the library, not in your room."
He rolled the scroll and placed it on the table. "On your toes. We clean now."
"Y-Yes sir!" Ai Xin replied loudly with a stiff bow. She was taken aback by the sudden generosity of her commander.
Embarrassed at her own mess, Ai Xin was grateful at the same time to have Xiahou Dun help her. They worked their way through the piles of scrolls, sorting and rolling. If he could understand that she had no clue of past and recent events, maybe he would be more lenient?
"Were you surprised when you received the notice?" Xiahou Dun asked, breaking the awkward silence of their work.
Ai Xin nodded, while sorting war journals from battle reports. "Yes, sir. But it is not my place to question the decisions of the higher ups. I will continue to persevere for as long as it will help me survive this chaos," she said quickly.
Or at least survive his military training, she wanted to say aloud.
Xiahou Dun grunted, "I was wrong to have underestimated your capabilities."
Ai Xin nearly dropped a scroll. The statement came to her as a surprise. It was known to many that Xiahou Dun was not one to admit his mistakes openly. But if this was his attempt at cleaning the slate of the rocky start to their relationship as superior to subordinate, she may as well accept it.
"Don't judge a scroll by its cord, so they say," she said cheekily. She immediately hunched her shoulders when he glared at her.
"Don't test me either, private," he hissed back.
It probably took them two hours to put everything in order on the table. Ai Xin sat on her heels as she stowed her writing paraphernalia in a chest. Then she sat up and turned around to face Xiahou Dun, who had looked away at the right moment.
"I am grateful for your kindness, sir," she said with a bow. "I vow to become a cleaner and more organized individual."
"A soldier's discipline is reflected on his superior's capabilities," he muttered. Xiahou Dun made his way towards her door and stood at the exit. "And how do you intend to return those scrolls?" he asked. He could see that if the scrolls were placed on top of each other, would equal the height of the woman.
Ai Xin straightened up. "I will carry them to the library. It will take a few return trips, but I can handle it." She walked over to the table and grabbed a pile just enough for her to still see her way.
"You will begin your training on formations with the rest of my unit tomorrow at dawn," Xiahou Dun reminded her. "However, you must be prepared for any sudden changes to your assignment."
"Yes sir," she said with a nod. She had heard of the rumor of the pavilion, which added more complexity to her situation. The mood had shifted to one of seriousness. She would have to try her best to do whatever it takes to stay in the castle The last thing she would want to happen was a good kick back into the horrible brothel.
She made her way towards the door, but was not mindful of her left knee suddenly buckling. She tripped on her feet and fell, crashing forward to the floor.
"I'm okay…" she groaned, muffled by the scrolls.
Xiahou Dun sighed, "Private…" Now he is more concerned with making sure she does not fall accidentally into trenches.