East of the River: Home of the Sun Clan sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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12
“No time given for settling in,
then!” Cheng Pu joked as he parried an attack by a Wuhuan warrior from atop
his horse. Sun Jian’s forces had come under attack before they had even reached
Changsha’s capital, and the enemy - a mixture of bandits and
opportunity-seizing tribespeople - numbered at least twice the size of his
militia. Sun Jian watched as Huang Gai and Han Dang led the wings of his force
to damage what little formation existed in the wings of the opposing force and
spotted an opportunity.
“Oh, no, no, for Heaven’s sakes,
you MUSTN’T…!” Wu Jing screamed as Sun Jian rode into the central enemy
force and started to hack at men left and right with his sword.
“Yeah, well, you should’ve stayed
in Fuchun, then, if you didn’t want to see him do this!” Zu Mao cackled as
he readied his own horse and followed Sun Jian.
“Aiee… reckless!” Wu Jing
complained. But before Cheng Pu could retort, Wu Jing raised his sword and
urged his horse to pursue his brother-in-law into the battle. Wu Jing once
again proved to be fairly capable in combat and assisted Zu Mao in defending
Sun Jian’s back while he dealt severe and unexpected casualties. After an hour
of battle, the rebels retreated, and Sun Jian’s forces regrouped to assess
their performance.
“Next to no losses, even when they had the advantage,” Cheng Pu praised.
“Still, we’re becoming rather good at this, after so many unfortunate
encounters.”
“So do we pursue…?” Sun Jian panted.
“…Ayah! Heartless man!” Wu
Jing exclaimed. “Can we not rest???”
“Not if there’s an opportunity to deal more damage to them,” Sun Jian
suggested.
“I’ve sent scouts,” Cheng Pu revealed. “If they report that the enemy
retreats in a disorganised fashion, then we can pursue double-time and rout
them.”
“So we wait, then,” Han Dang
said wearily.
The scouts reported no sign of activity other than a full retreat, so
Sun Jian gave the order to march. As the forces advanced, a man of average
height yet distinguished features ran alongside Huang Gai’s horse and said,
“Excuse me, Major Huang, but might I have a word…?”
Huang Gai turned and looked down at the man, examined his face for a
moment, and said, “I think that I recognise you, sir.”
“Major Huang, you might remember me from your work as a clerk for the
ducal ministry,” the man replied as he jogged to keep up with the horse’s
steady trot. “My family name is Zhu,
my given name Zhi.”
“Ah, yes…! I do remember you
very well now, Mister Zhu Zhi!” Huang Gai chuckled. “You are always most polite
in correspondence… truly the exemplary statesman in the making!”
“You are too kind,” Zhu Zhi replied humbly.
“What can I do for you…?” Huang Gai prompted.
“We are about to walk into a trap,” Zhu Zhi explained, and Huang Gai
stopped immediately; Huang’s small force of men stopped as well, since they now
considered his instincts as the same as their own. Zhu Zhi noted the concern
and added, “Not immediately, of course, else I’d be more worried; the enemy
have blockaded the road ahead, and have placed a few primitive ambuscades near
that small wood and the valley that we have to pass. It might be wise to have
Commander Sun divert a force to the left and outflank them when they attack.”
Huang Gai nodded seriously and said, “A thousand thanks… but I think
that you should be the one to tell
him this, Mister Zhu.”