The Little Conqueror Rises [Closed]

[Sun Ce]

It was rare to get a break, let alone several hours, as was the curse of being the man so many looked up to for leadership. He had only moments ago ordered the attack of Hefei to begin and concluding such business, he withdrew from the war council, for what he said would be an hour or so at most. He required the rest, the strain on his mind constant and he needed to refresh, to refocus, to be the man that would punch a hole through Wei’s defences, put Zhang Liao back in his place.

The Wu ruler’s eyes fluttered as he sat on the chair beside his bed, his head placed peacefully on his right hand, which was held up by his elbow on the arm. Then and there he remembered why he wanted to beat Wei into submission, why he had such a pent up rage against the warrior of Wei that his men fear.

He recalled a moment and a familiar face. He was sat on a chair, not too dissimilar from the one he was daydreaming on. With a smile Sun Ce rose, greeting his former friend and rival, Taishi Ci. They gave a customary salute to one another, before talking about how best to strike at Zhang Liao, who held an important base that Wu once needed to conquer.

It was unlike reality. Suddenly the scene changed and Taishi Ci was no longer there, instead he was at the main camp, speaking with Zhang Zhao and Huang Gai when he was interrupted by a messenger. With a look that shed condolences, he spoke of the tragic death of Ce’s friend, of how Taishi Ci had planned to enter the castle, but found himself in the midst of a trap. He talked of how even with a rescue party; the injuries were far too great.

The shock of losing Taishi Ci hit Bofu hard, perhaps because he stood for what Ce also had. The two shared a bond, professional in its presence, where both would challenge each other to outdo the other in battle and then have a drink afterwards. He was a friend… a damn good friend.

“He was surrounded, before Gan Ning and Ding Feng came to his rescue. Thankfully, whilst shook up, your brother remains safe, but has been forced to pull back his forces.”

It had changed again, his daydream, he found himself elsewhere, still in shock, but it evolved and changed, no longer did he feel the heavy weight of a loss, but instead that of a near catastrophe. He felt the weight of nearly losing his brother, combined with the disbelief and humiliation that his forces would be forced into retreat.

Abruptly he was brought out his deep recollections. A court official bowed, politely requesting confirmation of the grand commander of the expedition into Wei land. Many expected Gan Ning to be named, but the moment of reflection and a returning fire within his heart brought out his surprising words.

“Inform Zhou Yu he is to return to the capital, for I will personally see over our forces at Hefei. Gan Ning will shadow me as 2nd in command and Zhou Tai will finalise the high command over the river.”

His eyes opened and he pushed against the chair, standing up and for a moment it seemed like years shed from his face and body. The Little Conqueror would return to haunt Wei.