East of the River: Home of the Sun Clan sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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The small southern militia started its long and wearisome journey to Yu
Province, a region that sat between Yang Province and Capital Province, where
Luoyang was based. Because the army was small, there were not as many of the
logistical problems that affected large forces: for one, there was a small
baggage train, which would be easier to defend. Secondly, sourcing new food and
places of rest was easier for a small army; and thirdly, managing problems such
as morale - a factor that could be the make or break of the most
numerically-superior or better-equipped force in a heated battle - was easier,
as a personal relationship with individual soldiers and officers was easier to
cultivate. Sun Jian and his new friends were blessed with the ability to
inspire and forge friendships with their men, primarily because they saw them -
or, at the very least, treated them - as equals; it was no surprise, then, that
the force that arrived at the southern bank of the Yangtze River was
enthusiastic, driven, and like a large family that would fight the enemy and
protect each other with equal vigour.
“Beautiful,” Cheng Pu sighed as he stared at the vast, divisive Yangtze;
the commanders were enjoying a brief rest period while scouts surveyed the area
and men set up a temporary camp under Han Dang’s supervision. Heavy rain was
battering the army and the river, so there were few men that shared Cheng Pu’s
strange observation. Sun Jian, Wu Jing, Cheng Pu and Huang Gai were on horses,
but Han Dang and Zu Mao had opted to travel on foot like the rest of the army,
and the latter - who was stood next to Sun Jian’s horse - was extremely
irritable.
“…Have you never seen the river or somethin’, Mister Cheng…?” Zu Mao
grunted as he wiped rain from his face.
“Of course I have!” Cheng Pu retorted. “It’s just that I-!”
“Are we going t’go downriver a bit, now, or are we gonna just go
straight across?” Zu Mao asked.
“…We’ll need more boats or boat trips than I planned for,” Cheng Pu replied.
“Our force grew as we travelled… we’ll need to…”
The distracted Cheng Pu turned his horse and rode away from the
riverbank; the ground was far from stable, and horse and man alike were
struggling.
“Imagine the strife the Turbans’ll suffer if they get this far,” Zu Mao
chuckled.
“That’s a valid point,” Huang Gai said. “If I were a Yellow Turban
general, I wouldn’t be trying to come into the Jiangdong region from here. I’d
want to take southern Jing and cross at a place like Xiakou, or take Guangling
to the east and cross to-”
“S’a good job you’re not with ‘em then, else they’d win,” Zu Mao
snickered.
“Huang Gongfu is quite right,” Sun Jian said as he observed the
riverbank on both sides of their position. “They need to take established
crossings, like Hengjiang, Wulin, Xiakou; they’re not in a position to do that
right now, so if we slow them in Runan, prevent them getting into Jiujiang and
Guangling to the east and Jiangxia to the west, then we’ve as good as ruined
their chances of crossing the Great River.”
“And if we lose, reinforcing Qu’e, Moling, Ba Qiu, Red Cliffs and other
places will stop their advance and give the commanders a chance to turn things
around,” Huang Gai suggested.
“…You’re quite the thinker, Huang Gongfu,” Sun Jian replied. “I’m fortunate
to have such well-rounded men on my team.”
Huang Gai smiled modestly, clasped his hands together and bowed
slightly, saying, “I only strive to do my utmost, Lord Sun.”
“…Call me Wentai, for goodness’ sakes, Gongfu… we’re friends,” Sun Jian chortled. He then
turned to his brother-in-law Wu Jing and said, “You’re quiet.”
“I’m enjoying having nothing to be concerned about,” Wu Jing replied.
“We have a wonderful little army, four good lieutenants, over a dozen good
captains, and a trouble-free journey over the Great River awaiting us! That’s
all auspicious.”