STATE OF ZHAO: Chuuzan
CHUN LI POV
He left her again… Chun Li knew it would happen; it was inevitable with the way Sei Chou was, but still… she missed him. But what could she do? Her husband was a General and soon-to-be Great Heaven of Zhao; he represented the military might of Zhao, and that meant he would be away.
"Lord Chou Garyuu and Gyou'un left with him…" She sighed that the two veterans were always pleasant to speak with; never once did they dismiss her or try to shoo her away if she tried to broach a topic with them. Instead, they both seemed to enjoy speaking with her, and they could talk about anything, but the main topic usually revolved around Sei Chou and herself.
Chun Li had noticed early on that the two veterans were nudging her in the direction of Sei Chou, and doing the same to Sei Chou for her. Now, she is married to him. Sei Chou's first official wife was filled with a giddy sense of joy that she was Sei Chou's first wife. One that if she were alone would've had her kicking her feet in the air in happiness, but she resigned to do that at a later time.
"These are the numbers, My Lady." She looked over the numbers as it was passed to her by one of the many servants who had followed Chun Li from Dai. He was an elderly, kind man whom her father vouched for. The man was known for his sums and accounting, as now the second most important person in the House of Jing/Sei. It was down to Chun Li to also pull her own weight; she was prideful and didn't wish to be only a burden on Sei Chou's shoulders.
"Thank you," She started to flick through, making sure to read and double-read each page. Her father had spent years teaching her accounting and money management; now it was her time to use it and use it.
The whole morning was spent looking over the accounts that Sei Chou had been managing before sorting out any discrepancies, then she had a meeting with the mercantile groups linked to Chuuzan and Sei Chou. They needed to know her and her face since her husband (The feeling returned) would be away, and she wanted them to be comfortable with dealing with her.
There were some grumbles, but all in all, they understood that Chun Li knew what she was doing, though she knew that was only the surface. There were probably more than some who wanted to try to step out of line. They would be dealt with the minute they did. Chun Li did not want to jump to any conclusions beforehand; it was only once she got credible information that she would act. There was also the one who watched on in the shadows, the assassin who wanted to kill Sei Chou but, in turn, now serves him. Chun Li was still sceptical about Yuu Sui and just what her motive was. Even though her husband (Chun Li loved calling him that), only smiled understandingly and assured her that it was not a problem.
Both Husband and Wife had discussed the former Chiyou tribe assassin at length, and Chun Li knew the woman was listening to their conversations. It was not that she hated Yuu Sui, but she was still unsure of her. There was something that the two of them needed to air out, that Sei Chou could not be involved in, but that could all wait for tomorrow.
It was midday, and Chun Li had marital training; even with her new duties, she did not slacken one bit in her martial training. Though she had yet to make a decision on whether she would go to the battlefield, Chun Li still felt it prudent that she train.
As she entered the training ground, she saw Yuu Sui, already there as if she were awaiting someone.
"Chun Li." Yuu Sui said.
"Yuu Sui." Chun Li replied.
The two of them stared at one another. Chun Li had tied her hair in a high ponytail adorned with long red silk lace. Across from her, Yuu Sui had her hair down, dressed in her clan's usual attire.
"I didn't expect you here, Yuu Sui." Chun Li said that, because she really did not, this was a first for her to see the assassin woman actually training.
"I can leave if it bothers you?" Yuu Sui said, her voice was even, and Chun Li nearly nodded for her to leave. She only halted when a thought came to her, one that was throwing some caution to the wind. But it could allow her to understand who Yuu Sui actually is.
"No, that would not be necessary. In fact, I need a training partner. Would you mind?" Chun Li asked.
"I am also in need of a training partner as well." Yuu Sui replied with a nod.
"Then let's begin." Chun Li said, as they both took their stances, the air seemed to hold its breath as tension built. Even as she watched Yuu Sui take up one of the training swords, Chun Li readied her fists, resisting the urge to go over to pick up her bow and arrows.
This was only an initial spar; Chun Li wanted to keep the fact that she was an expert marksman a secret from Yuu Sui for a little longer.
….
255 BCE
STATE OF ZHAO:
SEI CHOU POV
The Xiongnu tribes were much faster than I had anticipated, and with Chou Haku's recent message, things seemed to be much grimmer as well. The army I brought from Dai in total was 60,000 strong; there were no conscripts part of this army. For a fair few of the soldiers, this would be their first battle and an experience they were missing.
"Speed is vital in war; the Xiongnu know this very well," I said looking out at the open plains in the distance I could see the various armies of the Xiongnu tribes, were a distance from Dai but there was still a sliver of concern as if… if the Xiongnu did smash my army there would be little holding them back from plunging deep into Zhao.
"Their army is practically made up of all cavalry, and they're masters at the reign. Lord Sei Chou." A voice that I had not heard in some time replied to me, and turning, I was met with the smiling visage of Chou Haku. The veteran had managed the defensive line even when the leader of the Xiongnu had broken through it; there were some deaths, but the number was manageable.
"Chou Haku, your message gave me quite the cause for concern, and I can see that it was not too far from the truth." I greeted the man; it had been only a few years since I was under his command, and now the roles had reversed.
"They sure gave me some concern as well, but seeing how they acted and knowing this was not unexpected. I decided things were not as bad as they seemed." Currently, we were lined up in formations, both Gyou'un and Chou Garyuu held my flanks with the Rai'un and Dojaku back under their commands.
At the centre was my own personal army, including Fu Jin, who had returned, and Chou Haku and his army. Our total number reached roughly 90,000 strong. Yet, not all of them would be fielded against the Xiongnu since some had to be placed in our reserves.
"A decision, we were lucky enough to catch them all lumped together, making them easier to deal with. It would be a hassle should they break off into smaller groups and maraud throughout Zhao." I said, knowing that would be a headache and very time-consuming to deal with, especially with the threats both east and west.
"Then I say, we should rid the north of these barbarians. Lord Sei Chou." Chou Haku said disdainfully. I inclined my head at his words. With that, the veteran General of the North set off to take control of his army, since the Chou Haku army had a vital role to play today.
One that their General had personally asked for.
From my saddle, I sat up straight and gestured towards where the Xiongnu were, "Vanguard unit! Forward!" My shout boomed across the battlefield for all soldiers and warriors, whether they be Zhao or Xiongnu, to hear.
A moment later, I saw a person I recognised even from a distance raise his sword high above his head, "All warriors of General Shuu, Hear me!! The barbarian bastards are nothing more than a shell of their former selves!!" His speech was an inspiring one, and I could see the effect it had on the men in his army.
"Onwards, brave warriors! Today, we purge the mighty Zhao of all barbarian filth! And ensure they never dare to lay a hand on Zhao again!!" The vanguard comprised 15,000 troops.
"Hoooaaahhh!!!!" The Shuu unit answered their General with a great war cry. 15.000 voices cheered, shouted and screamed as one.
"Vanguard unit!" General Shuu called out one final time.
"CHARGEEEE!!!!"
"UOOUUU!!!" General Shuu led his troops from the front, and at the same time, so did a Xiongnu leader, both units screaming and shouting war cries as they rushed down the plains before smashing into each other.
From my vantage point, which was on a nearby hill, I could see the entire battlefield and even though my army was severely dwarfed in size. It didn't blunt the opening charge of General Shuu one bit; the man seemed to have improved since the last time I had seen him. Even though I could not see the man with my own two eyes, I could see that the balance was shifting ever so slightly in our favour.
The numbers in each vanguard were equal, even though they nearly tripled our army size.
"Shuu is not doing so bad, My Lord." I heard Fu Jin comment from beside me, as we watched him start to gain some momentum, since the infantry started to catch up and add to the offensive, securing good ground.
"FWOOOOOO!!!" A horn blew before I could reply to Fu Jin. From over the rows of brutal combat, I saw that the Xiongnu centre was sending out another charge. Adding more numbers to the centre, it seemed the commander-in-chief of the Xiongnu knew a thing or two.
"Their commander is certainly not all brawn and no brains," I said, watching the charge race across the plains, before smashing directly into their own army, but pushing those who were stalled by Shuu forwards. The effect was to mount extra pressure on Shuu, who, though he led an initial charge, was now attempting to dig in with his unit.
"My Lord, should I notify Generals Gyou'un and Chou Garyuu to get ready?" Fu Jin asked, but I shook my head.
"No, when on the battlefield, the soldiers need not follow their Lord's actions. Gyou'un and Chou Garyuu know what needs to be done, and will complete the task to the very best of their abilities." Now that I had the two of them at my right and left, I gave them free rein to do as they pleased on the battlefield.
With Gyou'un's instinctual abilities and Chou Garyuu's strategic set-ups, it empowered me and the army.
"UOOOOHHHH!!!"
"The shout is from the right, Lord Gyou'un's flank." Turning, I saw the army of Gyou'un charge out and start fighting earnestly with the Xiongnu across from them.
"UOOOOHHHH!!!" This time, the shout was from the left, a grin came to my face as I thought of just how eager the two veterans were to get back into the thick of fighting once more. Because there was no other feeling than being in a battle, especially in this era.
"As you said, it was unnecessary to even pass on a message to either of them."
"Haha, for two people so experienced, they sure are over-eager. Well, then, it is time we responded to their feelings and made this a quick battle. Fu Jin, tell General Chou Haku to begin." I'd seen enough from the Xiongnu; they were a good whetstone for the experienced ones in my army, but I also wanted them to feel true fear whenever they heard my name.
Chou Haku raised his glaive, and with a warcry, his army set off to reinforce the Zhao centre that was slowly buckling.
….
GYOU'UN POV
Gyou'un felt odd as he watched the opening charge by Shuu of the Chou Haku army; it was a feeling he had not had since he first stepped onto the battlefield beside Lord Rin Shou Jo. There was a nervous excitement running through his veins, even as he kept his face from showing any emotion as he looked out towards the fervent clashing of soldiers. He knew his soldiers' eyes were on him, even if they didn't directly catch his eye or tried to act as if they were not watching him.
But unlike those who would crack under the unseen pressure that knowing all the men under their commander looked to them… Gyou'un was different. He relished under pressure, thrived and basked in it. And there was no greater pressure than fighting under the flag of your master. For Gyou'un, his master had changed; he had grieved Lord Rin Shou Jo with all his heart and more, but there was still more to look to.
'Was it not Lord Rin Shou Jo who predicted Sei Chou would take both he and Chou Garyuu to heights they'd never been to?' A memory came to the forefront of his mind; it was after a gruesome battle against Qin's Monstrous Bird Ouki. Gyou'un and Chou Garyuu had stood behind their Lord as he spoke, looking up to the heavens with an arm stretched as if the heavens were all in his hand.
'That boy Sei Chou… His era is coming… It is up to you to support him.' That was the will of Lord Rin Shou Jo, the Greatest of the Three Great Heavens(Yes, Gyou'un is biased!)The will of his master, the man who had taught him strategy and helped cultivate the abilities that Gyou'un was so adept at using now.
'How could I dare to dismiss such a person's words…' But it was not only due to the word of Lord Rin Shou Jo as to why Gyou'un followed Sei Chou so fervently and wholeheartedly. He had seen Sei Chou grow into the General he had become, and what a magnificent General Sei Chou now was.
'Oh, how proud you would be, Lord Rin Shou Jo.' Gyou'un said to the sky, feeling the heated sun on his face as a single wet cool line fell from his eye. Even without asking, the first of Rin Shou Jo's ten heroes knew his brother on the opposite wing shared his sentiment.
'I must see Sei Chou achieve his goals!' His Lord spoke of his ambition, and it was such a grand ambition that Gyou'un could not help but feel his blood flame with drive and ambition.
It was with that fire in his blood that Gyou'un decided the eyesores before him would be cleared from his view.
"DON'T LET THE CHOU HAKU ARMY STEAL ALL THE THUNDER RAIUN UNIT GOO!!!" Gyou'un bellowed as his horse reared, and he lifted his glaive.
"HOOAHH!!!" The Raiun answered his words with a war cry.
As Gyou'un raced forward towards the oncoming barbarians, the sound of thundering hooves didn't reach his ears, as all he could hear was the cry of joy coming from his glaive. His eyes saw the various barbarians charging at him with determined eyes, some even looking upon him as if he were mere prey to be hunted.
With all the strength he could muster, Gyou'un swung his blade with deadly precision. The impact was devastating; six barbarians had come to face him. The result of their clash was their insides flying into the air as blood sprayed before soaking the ground below.
Glancing up, he saw the shocked expression on those just behind the barbarians' vanguard, but soon enough his Raiun were falling upon them. Cutting, slicing and butchering every barbarian in sight.
"STAIN THE GROUNDS WITH THEIR BLOOD!!" His men didn't need motivation, Gyou'un knew, but still he encouraged them.
….
3RD PERSON POV
Half a second after Gyou'un's devastating charge…
"DON'T YOU LET THE RAIUN AND GYOU'UN SHOW US UP!!! MEN OF THE DOJAKU GOOOOO!!!!" Chou Garyuu roared with bloodlust.
He felt the same as he knew Gyou'un did; they'd fought alongside one another for so long and had known each other for even longer. Even though this was not the usual style of Chou Garyuu, he could not help but send a shock to these barbarians who dared to step into Zhao land.
The same barbarians who had been turned back by Lord Rin Shou Jo, for Chou Garyuu, this was unforgivable. The mere fact that they decided to raise their heads too high was unsightly, even being so bold as to gather an army.
'They dare test Sei Chou!' Chou Garyuu said in his mind. He could not believe the curs would be so brazen and not know their place, so before his Lord entered the scene. Chou Garyu wanted to strike fear deep into the hearts of the barbarians; his Dojaku unit, which he had not led into battle for so long, answered his call with a mighty war cry.
As if it were a carbon copy of Gyou'un's own charge, the army under Chou Garyuu's command slammed hard into the Xiongnu. So, that their vanguard broke in a gory, visceral mess of limbs, blood and organs. There was no letting up from Chou Garyuu's side nor Gyou'un's side, and seeing this, the Xiongnu Commander in Chief decided to play his own card of his own.
"Send for Rozo and his men; these Zhao are really trying to test us." The Commander in Chief of the Xiongnu said to the messenger who quickly headed off to relay his words to Rozo.
Still, his tactic was not enough because Rozo could not be in two places at once. And with both wings gaining momentum and making serious ground to pincering the Xiongnu main camp, the leader decided to push through the weakest point.
The place where the Zhao forces' numbers were fewest… Directly towards where the Sei Chou was perceived to be. The Zhao centre… It seemed both sides wanted to end the battle as quickly as possible.
CHAPTER DONE