East of the River: Home of the Sun Clan sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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The way was clear for Sun Jian’s forces to advance and meet with Zhu
Jun: they hurried northward and found the Han camp - a vast, fenced sea of
tents and observation towers - under siege by a small army of Yellow Turbans
that was quickly scattered by the two allied forces.
“So Sun Wentai is here!” Zhu Jun said with satisfaction as Sun Jian
brought his men into the Han encampment. The commander met Sun Jian in person
and brought him to the command tent to speak with him about their future
manoeuvres.
“So that’s Zhu Jun,” Cheng Pu said to Huang Gai as the two men watched
their own leader being led away by the famous Han commander. “He looks ordinary.”
“I wasn’t expecting much from a court-appointed officer,” Huang Gai
replied. “But he is friendly and courteous enough.”
“…A valid point,” Cheng Pu conceded. “And his endorsement of Wentai is
why we’re here at all, so… yes, I will say no more.”
Once Sun Jian and Zhu
Jun were seated in the latter’s personal tent, Sun Jian said, “Your base is
impressive.”
“Only in that it has kept the wolves from the door,” Zhu Jun replied as
he gestured to an assistant, who immediately started to prepare dishes of wine
for the two officers.
“Wentai, you have done extremely well so far,” Zhu Jun praised. “The
rebels were looking to start a southern campaign, but thanks to you - amongst
others, yes, but mainly you - they are stymied, and we have our first victory
over them.”
“But they are very powerful in this area,” Sun Jian noted. “Is there a
plan for dealing with them in any particular way…?”
“Commander Huangfu and I are starting to wonder if our current strategy
of engaging them in Jing and Yu simultaneously was not the right way to go,”
Zhu Jun admitted. “North of here, Cao Cao is doing a magnificent job of keeping
Yingchuan City from the rebels, but as for Nan County, in Jing Province…
Commander Huangfu cannot hope to save Nan County right now. Zhang Mancheng, the
rebel leader there, has outmanoeuvred him several times, and has a force three
times the size of his. Only Wan City resists with any effectiveness, and that
will fall eventually.”
“…So you are wondering if the best move would be for Commander Huangfu
to abandon Nan County for now, and concentrate all efforts on helping you to
save this province from going the same way as Nan County,” Sun Jian supposed.
“That is correct,” Zhu Jun replied. “If we can secure Yu Province, we
reduce their communications routes considerably; their northern effort in Ji
and Yòu Provinces will be less coordinated with the effort in Nan County, and
that may help us.”
“Well, I’m yours to command,” Sun Jian said calmly. “Wherever I’m
needed, just tell me and I’ll go.”
“You are too modest, Wentai,” Zhu Jun suggested. “A man like you should
be leading men, not following them all the time.”
“Alas, I am not of the rank to expect such things… and to be honest, I’m
happier following orders, so long as they’re sound,” Sun Jian replied quietly.
“…Right, well, I’ll order a meeting to discuss the plan properly,” Zhu
Jun said thoughtfully. “It’s good to have you here, Sun Wentai; I think we’re
that little bit closer to winning now.”
“You should say such things when I have proven experience and a proven
reputation, Commander Zhu,” Sun Jian sighed. He then bowed respectfully and
departed so that Zhu Jun could plan his upcoming meeting.