Priorities of War [Open]

[Guan Yu]

The office of Guan Yu was deadly silent. The shuffling of maps made out of a thick parchment seemed to be the only proof of any activity going on in the room. Guan studied them carefully with a stern look on his face. His jaw clenched forcefully as he lowered the physical map of Jing onto a messy stack of others he had laid out on his desk. Suddenly it wasn't the shuffling of parchment but now it was the simple creaking of his chair as he lent his weight back into it.

A deep sigh parted his lips, Yu looked up towards the ceiling, running his hands through his fairly long hair in an attempt to ease his building frustration. It seemed as if he had just gotten back from his journey to the reconnaissance tower, but in actuality it had been greater than forty eight hours since his return. This prompted him to send a messenger to every corner of Jing, hoping to make a big enough splash to get the attention of some notables.

Today he was dressed in the armor he wore often, a metallic colored plate with a gold outline. He made sure that his armor was buffed and washed, especially before a meeting like this one. He could only hope that those that grace the Jing area knew of him, and his blitzkrieg of the region after opposing forces thought they had it in their grasp.

"It is time." He spoke softly to himself, placing his hands back onto the table and using it as leverage to lift himself from his seat. He opened a drawer and removed his green turban, managing his hair and placing the turban on top of it. Out of the other drawer he lifted out scroll, the contents to be revealed at the meeting should anyone show up. He walked towards the door, stopping for a second to check if his attire was in order and exited the room and into the main council hall.

One step, then another, it didn't take long before a retainer approached Guan Yu, bowing before addressing the man, "Lord General Guan, we have set up the grand table inside of the main council hall as you requested." Guan Yu took a few steps forward and shot his hawk like gaze down the grand hall to his left. "It is such a nice day outside, move the meeting to the council's balcony, not the one with the many hues of brown, but the nice one overlooking the tributaries and wetlands." The retainer stared at Guan Yu blankly for a second then quickly snapped back to reality and scurried down the hallway, yelling out multiple orders to any who were so lazily caught in the main hall.

Guan Yu stood in the middle of the council, stroking his beard and watching the men transfer everything but the grand table. It had always puzzled Yu how the table managed to be brought into the council, and it had become quite apparent that the extremely large table was actually built inside of the council and not brought in. The table was the only thing that remained of the once planned meeting area, which was now on the eastern balcony.

Curiosity got the best of the God of War and he immediately made his way to the balcony, taking a seat at the far corner, his back to the scenery, but he did not take the head seat. No, he reserved this seat for anyone who thought it bold enough to proclaim himself more important than whoever else would answer his requested meeting.

Guan Yu called for another retainer, and one quickly appeared, he had but one request for the young man; "Go put on something nice and inform any guests that we are meeting on this balcony, and have the service bring a jug of your finest and coldest wine, and cups for each seat!" The man ran down the stairs leading into the council hall and his footsteps quickly faded into the distance.

Now it was a waiting game. Yu knew his letters had been out long enough to reach any nearby cities and villages, and this meeting was of great importance to trying to maintain some kind of peace in Jing. If anything it was just here to make sure everyone was on the same page, and if not, if there was anything that could be done to appease any aggressors that threatened to endanger the security of the region.

His eyes were fixed on the entrance to the balcony, like a man possessed. His left hand stroked his beard gently, and he waited.

It would be a long day, but a necessary one. He was eager to find out who would actually show up to such a last minute summons. Regardless, Shu would know of it allies and enemies soon enough.

[Lu Meng]

The clerk of the town is carefully examining some papers. As usual this day of the month, new advertisements from merchants from all over Jing arrive to be read on his desk. Ever since criminal groups have tried to pollute the minds of the people with their crafty advertisements, the new rule for the town was that all ads that would be hung up in and around the town would first be inspected by the clerk. However, this kept him from his main task, which is to receive all mail and distribute it among the offices of the townhall and politely receive all visitors who claim to have business here. Then the door to his office opens and his assistant and personal guard comes in with a uniformed messenger. The clerk raises his head and looks at the two men. The colours of the messenger betray his faction. A man from Shu!

"Welcome! Who are you and what business do you claim to have here?!"

A bit startled, the clerk tries to hide his nervousness by talking slowly and loudly. After all, he finds his job was to impress the people of the importance and highness of his townhall.

"I am here on behalf of the lord of Jiang Ling, Guan Yu. I carry a message from him for the authorities here."

The clerk raises his right eyebrow as the messenger searches in his pocket and retrieves a letter, which seems to have an official seal. The clerk nods to his assistant, who takes the letter from the messenger and brings it to his boss, who quickly rips it from his hands and examines the seal.

"Hmmmm...."

The assistant walks back to stand next to the messenger and keeps and eye on him. The clerk turns around the letter and turns it back again. The seal certainly seems real and has the signature of this lord Guan Yu. If this was a fraud, the people responsible must not have spared a coin to make it seem real. But on the looks of it all, the letter, the messenger, there was no real reason to distrust anything. Besides, how dangerous can a letter be?

"Yes... Thank you. I will notify the authorities of this town of this message from our lord. Our message is in good hands. You will be escorted outside by my assistant. Good day."

And as the clerk finishes talking, the assistant grabs the messenger by the arms and leads him out. The messenger nods and follows his 'guard'. The clerk raises from his chair and takes one more glance at the letter. As clerk of the town, it is usually him who opens all mail brought to the townhall. However, just recently a general from the Wu army had stopped in the town for inspection. Maybe Heaven's Will was for this man to open the letter. Shrugging, the clerk opens the seal and takes the letter out.

"An invitation for a grand reception at Jiang Ling? But I can't leave my post. I am too important here! Very well, let me go deliver this message to the inspector."

The clerk carefully puts the letter back in the envelop and heads out of his office, to the grand hall.

"A message for our lord!"

The doors of the grand hall slam open as the clerk rushes in. The mayor of the town almost has a heart attack and quickly falls on the chair most close to him. Lu Meng turns his head around to see who the intruder to their talks is. The clerk approaches him with a polite smile, bows to both officials when he is closer to them and then presents the letter to Lu Meng.

"This has just come in. It seems to be a message from this lord, Guan Yu, who resides in Jiang Ling."

"Really? Thank you, kind sir."

Lu Meng takes the letter, opens it and start to read. Meanwhile, the mayor has recovered and looks at the clerk and Lu Meng in curiosity.

"He invites people to discuss the situation of Jing? An interesting move. I know Jing belongs to us by contract, maybe they are finally willing to hand it over."

The mayor nods and seeing the clerk is just standing there, he looks angrily at him and the clerk realizes that's his cue to nod aswell.

"If that is so, I would like to ask you to go as a diplomat in my place. I am the highest official of this town, but in no position to discuss the greater events of our realm. I bid you to accept the invitation."

The clerk raises his right eyebrow to the mayor and then looks at Lu Meng, who strokes his chin. He seems to be in thought and not listening to the mayor at all! Though the mayor is not the clerk's favourite person, he does think a little more respect would be appropriate. Just as the clerk opens his mouth to hint Lu Meng of this, by a subtle remark, Lu Meng starts talking.

"I suppose so. My inspection here is finished anyway. Mayor, you are doing a good job and you can expect a good evaluation from my part. You do not have to fear for your position. I am interested by this invitation and curious to what Guan Yu has to offer. However, I only brought a couple riders with me to your town. They would provide enough protection, but I don't have anyone capable to make reports."

Lu Meng closes the letter and puts it in his pocket. He looks at the clerk, who looks a bit troubled and then looks at the mayor.

"I would like to ask you to let your clerk accompany me to Jiang Ling. I will need his services."

The clerk's mouth fall open and the mayor looks at both men.

"He has an assistant that can look after affairs in his absence. I have no objections to your request."

"Excellent! What is your name? We will leave at once! I suppose you have a horse, no? Really? That's amazing! No matter, you can ride along with one of my riders. No time to waste, this letter took pretty long to get here, we have no time to spare. Follow me, mr ...? What is your name again?"

The clerk is still astonished at the ease of the mayor giving the clerk's services to this man and is paralyzed. Lu Meng grabs the man's shoulder and looks him in the eyes.

"My n-n-name is... Xie Fu, sir."

"Good, Xie Fu. You will be my personal clerk for the upcoming days. Do a good job and I may reward you well. Now let's go! Good day, sir!"

And he bows his head to the mayor and rushes out of the room, followed by the clerk who still can't believe his important job was just handed to his incompetent assistant, who was still a boy when it comes to official matters! He runs up to get closer to Lu Meng, who really is determined to get Jiang Ling fast. Just as he almost catches up to him, Lu Meng turns around to face him.

"Get your stuff ready and meet me at the stables. No time to waste!"

And he rushes out of sight. Xie Fu goes to his office and meets his assistant along the way.

"I have some bad news. I'm going to have to leave for a few days and have to leave you in charge of the clerk activities. Remember what I taught you! Don't open any mail, leave it on my desk. Receive all guests and bring them to the mayor. He will have to decide what to do with them. Do not fear, I will be back before you know it."

The personal assistant is curious to what his master is up to, but before he can ask about it, the clerk already has all his stuff gathered and heads out.

At the stables he finds some fifty riders, already on horseback. Seeing no spare horses, he fears the worst.

"A there you are! Dong Fa, take him on your horse, we ride at once!"

And a strong arms grabs Xie Fu from behind and places him with full power on the back of the saddle. Xie Fu, scared as hell, not ever having left his safe town, grabs the man around his waists and closes his eyes. Was this the end of him? Or was worse yet to come?!

---

The group of riders arrive at Jiang Ling, with Wu banners flying. The city walls are closed and the group stops. Lu Meng looks around to see if any Shu guards can be spotted. Seeing no-one and thinking that the host of this city could be impressed by the formidable riders, he shouts out to the walls.

"I am lord Lu Meng, General of Wu, and I have been invited by your lord Guan Yu to a banquet! Here is my invitation!"

His voice echoes along the walls and several helmets appear on top of the walls. Were they really that scared? Or is this a trap? Before having listed all the reasons why this could be a trap, in which he walked straight into if it was so, the gates of the walls open up. He orders his men to follow him and they ride into the city.

They quickly find the main political building of Jiang Ling, decorated by Shu banners and Lu Meng dismounts. The clerk is also thrown off of the horse and kisses the floor. Lu Meng looks at the man and shakes his head. Civil officials... He looks up at the building and admires the architecture. This Guan Yu certainly knows how to impress guests! Seeing Xie Fu has regained his confidence and walks up behind him, he nods to two of his men who also dismount and the four of them proceed to enter the building. Shu guards present eye the visitors, but knowing their lord has arranged a meeting with other lords, they know the have to remain neutral.

Lu Meng's little group is received by a servant.

"I hear you are Lu Meng, general of Wu? Please follow me, my lord is expecting you."

The servant bows deep and leads the men to the room Guan Yu is waiting in. The doors are opened and the servant bows deeply to Guan Yu.

"Lord Lu Meng from Wu, my lord."

The servant steps aside and tries to vanished from the room, as all eyes of the people present are set on Guan Yu and Lu Meng. Lu Meng bows to Guan Yu, followed by the three men that accompany him.

"Greetings, lord Guan Yu, how are you today? I came as soon as I received your letter. I am here on behalf of my lord Sun Ce, who, as you know, is currently too occupied with matters in the north. I hope I haven't missed anything of the meeting yet..."

He looks around the table and finds all seats empty, except the one Guan Yu is sitting on.

"... but at the look of the table I assume I am the first one to arrive. Will your lord Liu Bei also join in the conversation?"

Lu Meng and his followers remain standing at the door opening of the room, waiting for the response of their host.

[Sun Yuan Ci]

~The Brother of Jing~

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The white-and-blue banners of Sun Yuan Ci’s camp twisted and lashed one way and another, whipping as if to reprimand a criminal. The tiger on the white field of the banner was fierce, four legs ready to pounce on a prey, teeth bared. He is as we are: hunters. And few. Zhiyun looked around his shoulders. There were only five tents in his camp. He remembered a day, before the Battle of the Red Cliffs and before three kings fought for his homeland, when they served Cao Cao and followed Liu Bei as he fled, and his camp was at least twenty tents. The grave houses my friends and kin now, and I am the one who sent them home.

They were camped on the southern bank of the mighty Chang Jiang, so that it was easy enough to follow their path back to their ship. Their one boat, used to sail the river-lands of Jing. Any who was a part of the Cao-Yuan fleet that day would recognize it. It was one of the ships issued by Yuan Shao, who he had built in Korea, and Sun Yuan Ci thought it was likely to be one of the last ships left. The rest were chained together, and the fires took them all to the sea. Zhiyun and his men were of Jing, and even that many years ago they were excellent shipmen and stood a boat just as well as they rode a horse, so they did not need to chain their ship. Good that we did not, otherwise we’d be even less than five tents.

Sun Yuan Ci broke camp at first light, when the glow of the blue sky just barely made a trim of light on the eastern horizon. They rode for Niuzhu, which twenty years ago was where Sun Ce landed his ships with the men he procured in a trade for the Imperial Seal. What an exchange that was; twenty years later and it had created one king and killed another.

Niuzhu was a small county on the northern border of Jiang Xia, far closer to Wei’s lands than Wu’s, but separated by the Chang Jiang, and that was enough to hold back any army. Sun Yuan Ci had heard that lately it was Sun Ce who launched attacks on the northern banks, but each time he was repelled in magnificent fashion. Something about this river makes legendary heroes out of whoever defends its banks.

By the time his party arrived in Niuzhu, the sun was at its peak, as was the day, and the portcullis of the fortress was raised. Sun Yuan Ci spurred his glorious white stallion to approach. He held his shoulders so high from atop his horse, and his silver armor was covered by a large dusty white cloak. He didn’t wear his half-helm, but he wore the hood of his cloak to cover his long, wavy black hair. As he approached the portcullis, a few armed men who wore Wu crests approached.

“Provisions,” Sun Yuan Ci turned back and waved his hand to his company. There were five horses whose saddle held supplies rather than a rider. My camp. Tents and food for twenty men, no more, but these men will be none the wiser. The guard at the gate nodded and turned to walk back to his post as Sun Yuan Ci and his few companions entered the fortress-village.

They knew where they were going. Zhiyun lightly squeezed his horse with his boots, and the stallion quickened his pace. The keep was a few roads down from the entrance, and there would sit a greedy man who had risen above his station. Sun Yuan Ci would put him back down.

As they came into view of the keep, Sun Yuan Ci began to gallop his horse at a running speed. People on the streets turned and leapt out of the way, and others watched with a mix of curiosity and fear. As his horse began climbing the steps to the keep, the guards at the entrance moved to intercept him. With his left hand. Zhiyun opened his cloak and sent it waving back as a cape as his shoulders held it around his chest, but a decorated jian sword became revealed at his waist.

He drew it with his right hand and cut down both guards that meant to stop him without slowing his horse’s gallop at all. He rode his horse into the keep, where the magistrate sat on a throne-like seat at one end, officials surrounding him. Sun Yuan Ci sped his horse once more, charging into the pile of scared men, knocking those who did not flee over. His horse caught the magistrate with a hoof as he charged past, knocking him to the floor. Zhiyun dismounted and walked ghostly over to the man, writhing in pain on the floor.

With his free hand he grabbed the magistrate by the collar and forced him to his feet, throwing him toward the entrance, out into the public. He twisted and fell a few feet in the direction Sun Yuan Ci had thrown him, and the routine continued all the way to the door, the magistrate trying his best to resist, Zhiyun’s golden-hilt jian held menacingly at his side. As they stepped out from the keep and into the light of day, there was a mass grouping of small-folk who gathered to watch what was happening. Beside the keep was the barracks, where Zhiyun’s men had barred shut the door, and stood outside with torches, ready to burn the garrison in a fire.

“People of Jing! Before you I stand. Humble, as a younger brother, contrite, as the deeds I do grow me weary. This man has sworn you to fealty of a man you do not know, and a king’s law he has twisted with his own greed and ambition to take station above you and call him your superior and take what wealth is yours for himself.” Sun Yuan Ci kicked the back of the magistrate’s knee and forced him down, facing the crowd, his back to Zhiyun. He placed the point of his jian between the magistrate’s shoulder blades and thrust forward. “Now, he is dead, and I call you my free brothers.”

Zhiyun pulled his sword from the chest of the dead man, and his limp body fell down the stairs to the crowd below. Some cheered, some looked disgusted, but none of them said a word against Sun Yuan Ci. No love was won, but they will learn to cheer when they see the righteousness of my cause. He turned and walked toward the barracks, where the many independent men who made up the garrison were batting on the walls and screaming, fearing for their life. Sun Yuan Ci looked over to his companion, who held a torch, and ordered him to hand it over.

Zhiyun, holding the torch, opened the door, and let the men out. They looked at him, confused, as he put out the torch in the ground.

“You live some hundred men in one prison, slaves to your service. Your king would call you servants, and house you cheaply. I would call you brother, and give you my own tent. You bend your knee and bow before a king who you do not know, whose law you may not approve. I ask you to stand beside me.”

The men each wore a sword, though nobody reached to draw one. It seemed as if somebody looked to drop to a knee and bow before Sun Yuan Ci, but he picked him up immediately. “No,” He said, “Formalities are ill business for brothers and sisters. I would have you stand, not kneel.”

And so they stood, and when Sun Yuan Ci turned around to walk, they followed.

Three days had passed, and Sun Yuan Ci had quelled the unease of the people who had watched him slay their magistrate. He went on to conduct the daily business of running a small settlement, but when the people asked if he meant to rule them, he denied any desire to do so. He claimed he was serving them, as any noble man would do when slaying a magistrate, until a new one would be appointed. Despite the ordeal of executing a wealthy man in broad daylight in front of a crowd, Zhiyun was actually quite popular among the people since taking over. The garrison of the Eastern Wu army also renounced their fealty to Sun Ce, and swore to follow him.

On the fourth day, a rider approached waving the white-and-blue tiger banner from his saddle, and Zhiyun let him in. As he walked down the steps of the keep to greet him, he smiled, shouting “Tian Li!” and embracing him when they met. “It has been far too long, my old friend.”

“Indeed it has,” Replied a man of Yuan Ci’s age exact. “As much as I’d like to catch up, much has happened since I rode out with your brother.”

“Come in and sit, and we will discuss everything, over wine. I can hardly remember the last time you and I got drunk together, but there in may lie the reason.” Tian Li broke a smile and followed him in. He was from Sun Yuan Ci’s village, back when they were both sons of fishermen and not soldiers.

Tian Li and Sun Yuan Ci sat at a table to the site of the main hall and wine was brought to them. They lifted their cups and each took down nearly its entire volume in one swig. “What news of my brothers?” Zhiyun asked. His heart stopped beating for a moment. Please do not tell me I sent them to their graves as well.

“They live.” Tian Li said, and it felt like a hundred demons were forced out of Sun Yuan Ci’s heart. He could have stood up and screamed for joy. “Each has taken a small fortress and employed the garrison to pledge themselves to your banners. For Jing.”

“For Jing.” He replied. “How many?”

Tian Li frowned, taking a moment to reply. That did not sit well with Yuan Ci. “Xiong held Ruxu for the first half of a fortnight until Cao Ren’s men received word. When he sent men to reclaim it, Xiong was well gone, soldiers and people together. They made for Changli, where Tung welcomed him. Its walls are small and the space within tight enough as was, but we’ve made do. Four hundred trained men who ride beneath the Banner of Jing, two thousand and more people who call your cause just, and wish to follow you to salvation and peace. Of the soldiers, most are shit with a bow and ride slow, but they can hold a sword well enough. Fifty horses, few.”

“That is well,” Yuan Ci replied, taking a large drink from the cup before filling it back to the brim. “We have nearly two hundred here, thirty horses trained to fight, ten more who we can teach. Fifteen hundred people, not all I’m sure would follow me if I asked.

“They would follow you, I’m sure.” Tian Li drank the fill of his cup and held it out as Sun filled it back. “You always underestimated your charisma.” Sun Yuan Ci said nothing, but drank from his cup. Tian Li shot his hand into a fold in his robe, and produced a scroll. “I almost forgot! This letter was intercepted two days ago.”

Sun Yuan Ci placed his cup aside and unrolled the parchment, his eyes read the person it was intended to reach and lit up, looking back to Tian Li, who wore a smile. “Zhou Yu?” Zhiyun asked. “You have intercepted an invitation intended for Zhou Yu?” Tian Li laughed and nodded. “I assume Zhou Yu would be upset with me already, seeing as I took his fortress. I have no friendship to lose by stealing his invitation, now do I?”

“He probably wouldn’t even like you, anyway!” Tian Li cheered, and Sun Yuan Ci roared and the two lifted their cups and toasted to the success of their next mission, giving the rest of this night to getting “I don’t even know my own name” wasted.

[Cao Ren]

It was a calm sunlit morning in Xinye, Cao Ren stretched his arms out from his body as he walked towards the lands edge to gaze across the river towards Xiang Yang. He let out a sigh, he had failed to hold the city from Shu. He thought about how much he would rather be waking up in Xiang Yang than Xinye. Xinye was a small and quiet town but was still important to the safety of the greater Wei cities. Xinye gave routes into Wan and Xuchang, this was the only reason a top general like Cao Ren was commissioned with its defence. But the war had been stalemate recently, Ren however wanted to launch a counter-offensive and take the city they had lost back and claim the rest of Jing. Once Jing was in Wei's control it would only be a matter of time before Wu and Shu would collapse.

He let out one final sigh and the turned back towards the town. It was early morning so not many people were about, a few farmers and a few traders had already began work but for most people they were still tucked up in bed, such was the life Ren had longed for. To be able to relax and sleep in, to read and to hold down a normal job without the weight of expectation thrust upon him. However this would not be, unless somehow the land became peaceful and all the kingdoms joined together in harmony but alas, the world of war would forever hold Cao Ren until the day he draws his last breathe. He had hope for his son, Cao Tai, that he could one day live the life that he is unable to. Tai was young, he had already worked on a farm in his youth, which would give him vital experience for later on in life, should he settle down and purchase land. As he was thinking and walking he heard a man cry out.
"Cao Ren, sir! A letter of great importance." A guards man shouted as he approached.
Ren took the letter out of the man's hand and smacked him across the head.
"Why have you not let the messenger deliver it to me!?" He exclaimed.
The guard began to panic and tremble
"Its from Shu! The messenger feared for his life."
Cao Ren acknowledged what he had said but did no respond to his comment, instead he looked over the letter. It was an invitation to join Guan Yu in a discussion about the fate of Jing. This should be interesting he thought to himself as he smirked. He ordered the guard who delivered the message to ready group of 12 riders for the trip to Jiang Ling. Whilst he was doing this, Ren was making his way towards his barracks to don his battle armour. He couldn't take any chances, he couldn't screw up again... He and his contingent soon left Xinye by boat to Jiang Ling's port and then by horse to the city. The guards recognised their blue colours and quickly became hostile towards them, mocking them and being disrespectful but it would be Ren would will have the last laugh when he leads the great Wei armies into their cities. He showed them the letter from Master Yu and he was escorted to the dining hall where the meeting was taking place.

[Lu Meng]

Lu Meng and his party are being completely ignored by this 'great' Guan Yu. Lu Meng realizes this is becoming to look more and more like a trap to kill off some high officials from other kingdoms than Shu and so he looks at his own guards and nod. Just as they start moving towards the table, more guests were arriving. "SHIT!", is what Lu Meng thoughts as soon as he hears footsteps and he moves his hand to signal his party to stop. Behind them, a Shu servant brings in a Wei officer and some guards of his faction. Lu Meng turns around to face him. A Wei officer?!

"Greetings, man of Wei. It seems this meeting is starting to get more interesting now that all three leading factions are being represented."

He bows his head in politeness and goes to site opposite of Guan Yu, with his newly acquired clerk sitting on his right side and the other two guards standing behind them. Lu Meng realizes his impulsive thought could have gotten hi and his men killed. After all, they are residing within the lion's den at the moment. Even though Guan Yu looks unarmed, unprotected and ready for the kill, his entire army is just outside, waiting for their leader. Even with this newly arrived Wei officer's help, Lu Meng could never escape.

"Who do we have the pleasure with from Wei? And why does lord Guan Yu keep ignoring me? If you just invited me over to mock me, I will have no more of this!"

Lu Meng looks directly at Guan Yu's face as he says the last sentence, hoping to get any reaction of this man. If he would continue to ignore this situation, Lu Meng is afraid of what his lack of patience can do to the long beard.