“Gone?” asks Wenchang.
“Governor Gongsun’s men report he stole a merchant ship. Word’s come in from Qingzhou and Liaodong. He’s been spotted up and down the coast but,” Zibin shrugs, “Liang Ju could be anywhere.”
Zidan clears her throat. “And Hui Qiao?”
Baozi looks at her warily, before scanning the letter. “Reached Nan Pi safely with our escort. Magistrate Hui has quietly annulled his children’s marriages, and will wed the daughter to one of the Governor’s officers. Unnamed.”
“Good luck to the man, he will need it,” Dewang says drily. “So your plan succeeded. What now?”
“Now comes our part,” says Baozi. “Yuan Shao has hurled his entire army at the Governor, leaving Shangdang to its fate. There is no better time. Our forces should march as soon as possible.”
Accordingly, the army gathers at Hangu fortress. Lu Yu and Dong Zhao are called to manage the province in Baozi’s absence. The man in question pores over maps and records before coming to a conclusion.
“We must take Tiankai before Shangdang. It’s the fortified pass to White Wave Valley. If we control that then we prevent Hedong from surrounding us. Otherwise, Han Fu would have a clear path to our supply trains.”
Zhang Yan makes a surprise visit during the busy muster. The ex-bandit boasts about the glorious fight against the rebels and makes a show of narrating the Imperial Commander’s exploits in particular to Zidan who, of course, hangs on every word. When all is said and done he reveals that he has been sent to ask for more soldiers, but Dewang can tell he hopes to stay.
The military leaders at Tiankai, Sui Gu, and Shangdang, Chunyu Qiong, are former colleagues of Zhang Yan, thus Baozi recommends he stay and provide useful inside information which he is only too happy to do. It is not as though they can spare the troops anyway.
The only thing left after that is to discuss the crossing of a tributary of the Yellow River, which cuts off Shangdang from them. Fording is an arduous task, and they risk Tiankai’s assault while crossing and upon landing. The heroes discuss the possibility of going around the mountains, but it is too much for an army of this size. But perhaps, a small force...
“Hmmpf. And if we wished to take an army through the mountains to give Yuan Shao a surprise...”
“Paying a toll fee is only the responsible thing to do,” Senlin grins wickedly, the lamplight playing across her scar. “Gold is always welcome, warrior.”
Dewang volunteers for the parley. He keeps the letter simple and factual.
“We have helped one another out many times, and as you have seen by now, we aren’t averse to working with a few controversial figures. If this goes well, we could very well get you a pardon. And of course, we will pay you."The Bull sends the messenger back with a location and day of crossing. And a message of her own.
“Cross me, and it will be the last mistake you ever make.”
All set, the army marches south till the river. Dewang, Zidan and her Maids peel off there and make for the mountain. Two women wearing hooded cloaks meet them at the point. Neither of them is the Bull, and they offer no explanation, only nod and lead the way. The group hikes through the mountains and Zidan manages to position themselves according to Baozi’s instructions. Dewang thanks the Vixens and pays them.
The taller one nods. “We have helped each other, so it all evens out.” She smirks at Zidan’s questioning look. “Why, Tiankai can’t help Hedong while it itself is in a battle!”
Dewang raises his eyebrows. “So you’re going to harass Han Fu! Well, we will not object to that. I wish you only success.”
The flanking company descends the mountain while the main army fords the river and approaches Tiankai from the other side. Of course, a warning is a matter of formality.
Dewang pens some letters and instructs Feiyan how he is to speak - Sui Gu is more likely to yield if he is given an incentive as well as threats, after all.
Zidan and Zhang Yan are sent to demand surrender. Sui Gu welcomes them in.
“Good day,” Zidan grins. “I’m Lu Bu’s daughter, and I’m exactly like him. Surrender or die.”
Sui Gu gulps.
Feiyan quickly speaks up, "What she means is, we've got you surrounded, we've some serious warrior force here and we've got Mao Xu who engineered a way into Jicheng. If you submit, you won't have to deal with any of that, my friend."
Sui Gu hides his fear poorly, and murmurs something about “certainly considering it” before they leave.
“He’s all but broken,” Zidan asserts, back at the command table.
“I have a plan in case the negotiations fall through,” says Baozi, “but ideally we would have the city without wanton destruction.”
“Especially since it is our state,” Wenchang scratches his beard. “Perhaps a demonstration. Infantry marching in formation?”
“Or just you,” Dewang gestures at his belt. “Go out there and wave your glowy sword.”
Zidan chuckles. “I’d pay to see that.”
Wenchang sighs, but does go out and perform some maneuvers with the Golden Sun Saber. The enemy troops atop the walls shiver as the reflecting rays practically blind everyone.
That evening Sui Gu arrives with a formal letter of surrender. Xin Pi the administrator, along with his guards, flees before the heroes even set foot into the city. No other significant desertions happen, and Zidan takes Sui Gu and his former bandits into employment.
Later they learn Xin Pi has fled to Eyuju where his elder brother is Prefect. There is no time to give chase as they must make haste for Shangdang. They leave Dong Zhao in charge of Tiankai.
“Shangdang won’t be nearly as easy,” warns Baozi. “The walls, help from Eyuju, from Yuan Shao - they have many advantages.”
“Perhaps I can help with the last part.” Dewang sends a letter to the spy Xiao Xiuying, whom he placed in Yuan Shao’s employ. Since the Duke’s advisors are already notoriously fractious, it doesn’t take much to create confusion. A nudge here, a whispered word there, and the reinforcements from Ye are slowed down by three weeks amidst the shouting matches and pleas.
As they lay siege to Shangdang, Baozi pits his wits against Guo Tu, each strategist trying to identify and counter the other’s tactics. At first, everything seems to go in the defender’s favour; naturally, he knows the city and surrounding area best, and he knows how to use it. Baozi struggles to prevent him gaining a decisive advantage. But as the days go on, he begins to get the measure of his adversary and to understand his tactics, until he is able to predict them with confidence.
Dewang, at some point, manages to find a little solitude. Soon a fog covers the earthworks around Shangdang, making it difficult for the enemy to see their position.
Chunyu Qiong leads a sortie outside the city to meet the heroes in battle. “You’re a rebel, Wei Yan!”
“Your master has unlawfully seized our territory,” roars Wenchang. “Who is the rebel?”
Wenchang cuts through the enemy army in a wide arc to meet Chunyu Qiong, whom he assails with such vigour that the man turns tail and runs back inside soon after.
Inside Shangdang city, Guo Tu’s days are increasingly fraught and his nights sleepless as he finds his every move anticipated and accounted for by the besiegers. They seem to exploit every weakness in the city’s defenses, minimising the advantage of the walls. It begins to seem that there’s nothing he can do to defeat the strategies of Mao Xu.
Finally, internal treachery tips the scales. Local Taoists, admirers of Master Du, open the gates for them. Chunyu Qiong rallies at the palace to make a final stand. He is willing to fight, but most of the army isn't. Those from nearby desert, those from further away surrender en masse.
Guo Tu tries to flee the scene entirely. Zidan, of course, gives chase. The strategist has a few clerks and harried guards plus some of his letters with him. He tries to throw the scrolls into the river when the warrior catches up but she easily rescues them, as well as apprehending him.
The letters include Guo Tu’s accounts and other matters of administration as well as a letter from Ju Shou saying there would be no reinforcements at first. The reports from the Xin brothers are there as well stating Han Fu is having difficulties (“Ah, those Vixens!”) and that they can't send a relief army either for at least another twenty days.
Chunyu Qiong does not relent, and is killed by Wenchang. Guo Tu is imprisoned for the time being.
“
Must we treat him as a guest?” Zidan complains.
“He knows if we intended to kill him you already would have,” says Baozi. “Doubtless he will work out our wish to ransom him.”
“Which requires him unharmed and still loyal to his lord,” finishes Dewang. “But that doesn’t mean interrogation is off the table. Just no torture.”
Wenchang nods. “I will talk to him.”
“I will go to Eyuju,” Zidan stands up. She’s tired of talk.
“The city and the surrounding country must be scouted for movement of troops first,” Baozi says. “Perhaps a bird’s viewpoint would help...”
Guo Tu holds warriors in contempt as any scholar, but recognises Wenchang as the leader of their little group, and agrees to speak to him.
“Rebellion will be suitably punished,” he sniffs.
“I am loyal to the central government,” Wenchang says. “Could you say the same? Yuan Shao is a swindler. You took control of Shangdang a year ago, with no intention of handing it back.”
“Of course I am loyal.” Guo Tu smiles wryly, “Every warlord is also a loyal servant of the capital.”
Or must say they are. “As for Shangdang, when my lord serves the Emperor, it is not dishonourable to deceive rebels.”
The warrior shakes his head. “And anybody opposing the duke is of course, a rebel.”
“Ding Yuan has undue influence over the Court. You are allies with him, so you are also rebels of course.”
“Right, the Prime Minister has undue influence. Unless Yuan Shao is Prime Minister, of course.” Wenchang checks himself. Guest. Hospitality. Polite.
Guo Tu calmly changes the subject. “To business, perhaps.”
Wenchang sets down his teacup. “Very well. Here is our offer: Bingzhou is ours. Including the south. Leave. Do not come back unless you are hungry for death.”
“With what face would I go back to my lord? Better to die here!” Guo Tu says, hand on his heart. “Grant safe passage to the Xin brothers and the army in Eyuju, and we will leave in peace.”
“Lu Lingqi is cutting up said army as we speak. Unfortunately too late to send word now.” Wenchang’s smile is steely. “You can have what’s left after she is finished.”
“...Very well. You shall have complete control over Shangdang and Eyuju, and-”
“
And Hedong.”
Guo Tu pauses. “I cannot speak for Hedong. Take it up with Han Fu.”
“Han Fu will soon be headless!” thunders Wenchang. “But Yuan Shao must give up his claim to the city right now.”
The scholar is silent for a moment. “He will, for a price.”
Wenchang snarls, but Guo Tu holds a hand up. “Your loyalty.”
“What?”
“Come work for the Duke, and you could be lord of any province you wish.”
Wenchang tries not to sneer. Polite, polite. “Thank you, but I must regrettably decline."
Guo Tu is expressionless. “Then I suppose gold and horses will suffice.”
They both sign the peace treaty a day later.
Falconzi scouts Eyuju and reports back. The city has six brigades of regular troops and three of conscripts. They had the troops from Shangdang before the siege and have drawn up the militia since then. Of course, they only have one horse brigade.
With this information, Zidan links up their mounted scouts with her own Maids and thus, with two brigades of her own to match the enemy cavalry and then some, sets out.
Out in the country, Zidan commandeers a few army supplies from mounted patrols: grain, beans and pack animals, recouping at least a quarter of what Wenchang paid for Hedong. She hits hard and fast, and gets out just as quickly. Eyuju sends stronger reinforcements to drive her out, but she is already gone. She leaves no trace of her identity behind, leaving them scratching their heads.
Spy reports come in. Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zhao are in a bloody stalemate. Ju Shou left a small force at Ye and sent the majority to help his master at Nan Pi. Thus, the Duke has the advantage of numbers, but can’t compete in the open against the northern cavalry. Liu Bei has come to help the Governor as well.
The Bull fought with Han Fu for a while before taking over and securing White Wave Valley.
In the capital Yuan Shao has sent envoys to try and score a political victory. Ding Yuan isn't about to let him off the hook as easily, but distractions abound as the Imperial Army is faring badly against the rebels in Qing and Yan.
The worst news is reserved for last: Dong Zhuo has reached a truce with Ma Teng and has amassed an army across the river from Hedong.
Ding Yuan is eager for any excuse to fight Dong Zhuo, and assures our heroes of help. Lu Bu hands over the Imperial Army to a delighted Cao Cao and starts for Bingzhou at his father’s behest.
Dewang takes his two chief followers and makes for Luoyang. Whatever is happening there, he and his brothers want to know and preferably influence.
Wenchang, Baozi and Zidan rush to Hedong, thankfully arriving before Dong Zhuo has even crossed the river. Han Fu promptly shuts the gates of the city, calling them rebels. Sigh.
Zidan and her maids ride out, scouting the country and chasing down as many as they can of the messengers Han Fu has sent to ask for aid. She returns, with several captured messages and a grin fit to split her face.
“I think a few might have got through, but listen, who do you suppose Han Fu asked for help to defeat us?”
“Yuan Shao for sure,” Wenchang says, “and probably Dong Zhuo as well.”
“Yes, both of them,” Zidan says impatiently, “and… Ding Yuan!”
Wenchang laughs with her, “We should ride up to the walls and say that we’re the help Lord Ding has sent.”
But Baozi looks thoughtful. “It might even work; there is another army approaching after all. We would need to commit ourselves not to harm Han Fu, even politically, but if he accepted it, we could be defending the city walls by the time Dong Zhuo gets here, without any cost in blood.”
Wenchang looks black at the idea of leaving Han Fu, if not in control of Hedong then at least in a post not obviously less. But the advantages are too great to be ignored. After some deliberation, Zhang He is selected to negotiate. Armed with a copy of their agreement with Yuan Shao, as well as Han Fu’s request to Ding Yuan, he rides up to the city under a flag of parley. And returns later, bearing Han Fu’s agreement.
The gates are opened for the Bingzhou army to be welcomed in as defenders, and Han Fu remains in notional control for now, on the understanding that he will focus on civil affairs, leaving the military command to Baozi and Wenchang.