Crouching Dragon: The Journey of Zhuge Liang sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne

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5

Months passed, and things continued to change at a relentless pace. Yuan Shao had an epic battle with Cao Cao at and around the strategically important region of Guandu, where the incompetent, outclassed Yuan Shao was definitively defeated. With Yuan Shao and his sons temporarily in disarray and the other warlords showing no signs of reacting to events, Cao Cao now turned his attentions to his old friend and enemy Liu Bei, and the ruler of Jing Province, Liu Biao.

Kongming and Xu Shu watched from the relative safety of a high hill as a battalion of well-ordered troops filed along the narrow paths of Bowang.
“…So that is Lord Liu,” Kongming whispered.
“Did you have to bring that fan?” Xu Shu scolded. “…You look like you’re in charge. You’ll get us shot by archers if we’re spotted.”
Kongming was not listening: he was watching the leaders of the soldiers that marched along the paths. At the head of them were two men of obvious stature: one was middle-aged and not in the best of condition, but he rode his horse expertly, and was obviously a well-trained veteran cavalryman of some sort. From the distance at which he stood, Kongming could not make out any particular features, but the flag-bearer told him who this man was: Liu Bei, former governor of Xu Province. The other man rode under a slightly smaller standard, but was taller and more intimidating than Liu Bei. He was younger, and wore armour that shone brilliantly, as though it were made of stars from the sky. He carried a long spear, and wore a long sword at his waist; he was Zhao Yun, known to his familiars as Zilong, and he was one of Liu Bei’s most trusted generals.
“Zhao Zilong,” Kongming whispered.
“I actually got to speak to him,” Xu Shu said with pride. “He’s a genuinely honourable and courteous man. He used to serve under Gongsun Zan.”

“Yes, I know,” Kongming replied absent-mindedly as he scanned the troops, studying their marching arrangements. “…Far from perfect… but very good, nonetheless…”
What…?” Xu Shu asked bluntly, as he was surprised at Kongming’s apparent arrogance.
“The order of the troops, I mean… not Zilong,” Kongming replied softly and thoughtfully. “…Such an array will provoke caution in his enemies… it’s my understanding that you don’t want that when you want them to pursue you into an ambush.”
“Oh,” Xu Shu said quietly. “I don’t know the plan.”
“I thought you were a strategist for him,” Kongming retorted quietly as he continued to watch the troops disappear into the distance.
“…I mostly provided topographical information,” Xu Shu replied. “He has Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, and Mister Sun, who help to form a lot of his plans… Guan Yu also makes suggestions based on his own…”
“Mm,” Kongming interrupted. “That’ll never do, not in the long run. Three of them are mere advisers, courtiers, and Guan Yu is a warrior. Against a man like Cao Cao, you need more than that. …Who is the man bringing up the extra troops now…?”
“Chen Dao,” Xu Shu replied. “I’m surprised that he isn’t at Lord Liu’s side… he’s the leader of the Lord’s most trusted vassals, his bodyguards, and he is a good man, like Zilong.”

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