East of the River: Home of the Sun Clan sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne

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“Like what?” Sun Jian proposed.
“…Fine,” Wu Jing sighed. “You can rely on me to fight. My ‘whining’ is not from cowardice, but from concern for your well-being. I’ll protect you if I must.”
Some of the villagers were starting to approach the militia to thank them for their relief efforts: Sun Jian turned to face them and said, “Go back to your homes! Your safety comes first, and we cannot defend you if you are among us! Save your gifts and words of thanks for later, if at all: what we do, we do for the good of everyone!
Bless you! Bless you, sir!” the elderly village chieftain cried. “Come, everyone! Let’s go back! But bless that man! Bless him, and bless them all!
Many villagers yelled words of thanks and blessings to Sun Jian’s men as they retreated. Zu Mao smiled and said, “You certainly know what to say, Mister Sun Jian. Ever thought of becoming a Magistrate, or an Administrator?”
“I just want this nonsense to end so I can go back to Fuchun and be with my family,” Sun Jian replied.
“Not looking for adventure anymore, then…?” Zu Mao teased.
Sun Jian smiled and laughed.

Liu Pi cursed involuntarily when a messenger brought word of Sun Jian’s pincer attack on his forces.
Why are they aiding the criminals in Luoyang???” Liu Pi cried. “Do the men of the south know some wealth and comfort that I’ve not heard about???
“Should we ask help from Brother Huang?” one man asked.
“No!” Liu Pi retorted. “We need no help, Hè Yi! Heaven is with us! We will fight back, and we will show these men that joining us or dying are the only options that Heaven has left for them! Forward! Push them back!

That’s it! Push them back!
Sun Jian had finally found his calling. He was filled with pride as he commanded his militia to press forward against the larger ‘Yellow Turban’ force that was now beginning to falter.

Huang Gai and Han Dang rode into the fray, lancing and swiping the more aggressive acolytes and shooing the timid peasant workers that had been convinced that they should join the rebellion.
Go home, you fools!” Zu Mao bellowed as he rode into a large battalion of Yellow Turban infantry and swiped at the air with his sword.
Death to the heathen!” one defiant Yellow Turban officer shouted; Zu Mao was almost pulled from his horse as a rush of the braver Yellow Turbans assaulted his position.
“I’d better go and help him,” Sun Jian said to his emotionally-drained brother-in-law Wu Jing.
“You’re mad!” Wu Jing complained, but he knew better than to expect that his words would have any impact on Sun Jian’s decision.
Get away, all of you!” Sun Jian cried as he rode into the rabble, slashed at the acolytes with his sword, and rescued Zu Mao. Wu Jing followed with a small group of horsemen and aided his brother-in-law and commander as best he could.
“Thanks,” Zu Mao panted as Sun Jian escorted him back to the front lines.
     The militia were now pushing forward with full strength, having been inspired by the reckless charges of their commanders.
Heathens!” Liu Pi cried as he watched his followers’ resolve collapse. “We must chant our master’s words again! We must do something, else…!”
“Should we ask help from Brother Huang?” Hè Yi asked for a second time.
“…No,” Liu Pi replied. “We’ll have been pushed back by the time he got here anyway.”

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