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

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Within an hour, Zhang Wen had been informed of the shooting star by an excited captain, and he ordered a full march on the rebel’s Mei County camp. To Sun Jian’s annoyance, Dong Zhuo was conspicuously absent from the preparations.
“Before you complain, note something else that Zu Mao’s thinking,” Cheng Pu said as he tried to put some armour on. “Dong Zhuo’s not just quiet… he’s not here at all.”
“That’s what I reckon,” Zu Mao said surely. “No banners, none of his men anywhere. The second that meeting was over, he vanished.”
“…Quite right,” Sun Jian realised. “He’s double-timed his way there to get all the glory, after all the lack of…!”
Sun Jian’s voice trailed as his anger peaked.
“All the same, we need to carry on our preparations,” Cheng Pu insisted. “Any glory right now is better than none at all… else coming here was a waste of time, money and lives.”

Sun Jian could barely contain his rage when he had his suspicions confirmed; Dong Zhuo had indeed marched at great speed and begun the attack on the rebel camp by the time that the main force led by Zhang Wen arrived.
Well, it seems that General Dong was merely saving his strength for a better opportunity!” Zhang Wen suggested. “Look; the enemy is routed!
I’d say that General Dong is a true hero of the era, here for all to see!” Zhou Shen taunted as he looked at Sun Jian.
“…It seems that my protestations were premature,” Sun Jian said reluctantly.
Methinks they were,” Zhou Shen said with amusement. “Well, Mister Sun; you’re my adviser, so advise me. What now…?
General Dong already has the advantage, so I suggest we simply follow his lead,” Sun Jian replied powerlessly.
CHARGE!” Zhou Shen ordered. “Let us show them that Dong Zhuo is not the only champion in the ranks of the Han!

Sun Jian was on the verge of screaming, and Zu Mao could see it; he gained Sun Jian’s attention and said, “Please steel yourself, Mister Sun Jian: these fools’ll come unstuck in the end, you’ll see.
Sun Jian nodded silently and watched as the Han forces swept aside the remnants of the rebel forces that had not fled west.

Once the fighting was over, Zhang Wen ordered a battlefield conference close to the remains of the enemy command tent.
“We must finish them off now,” Zhang Wen said to his officers. “They’ve apparently divided their forces… one force is in Longxi, across the Wei River. General Dong Zhuo, I would like you to take thirty-thousand men and pursue them there.”
Dong Zhuo bowed slightly and said, “It has always been my desire to render the best service to His Majesty. I will succeed or face the executioner, Commander.”
“Very good,” Zhang Wen said with respect. “General Zhou Shen, take another army of thirty-thousand and march on Yuzhong. Take no risks.”
“You can rely on me to render good service,” Zhou Shen promised.
“Heavens be with you both!” Zhang Wen concluded, and both armies began their journeys.
“…I swear, one day I will expose Dong Zhuo for what he is,” Sun Jian muttered as he and Zu Mao rode behind Zhou Shen.
“Don’t bet on it; he’s a crafty one,” Zu Mao sighed. “Just do what you can to survive, Mister Sun Jian, and build your own future.”
Sun Jian nodded agreeably; he was about to reply when a disdainful Zhou Shen shouted, “Mister Sun.

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