The Veteran's Arrival

[link]

Wu.

It was a beautiful city with the lands of Jiang Dong, one of the richest places situated throughout the large land known as China. But chaos had ridden through and had ripped the land apart into the two pieces that now warred against each other. Those imbeciles known as the Yellow Turbans, led by one fool called Zhang Jiao, had begun an uprising that was more than a simple rebellion of the people; it had grown to become an actual army to army war, land to land, kingdom to kingdom. It was an unfortunate sight to behold.

Yet in order to protect one's beliefs, oneself, one's family and their security, one must join in the war in a cause to crush the rebels. Every man was needed in the act. Among these men was Cheng Pu.

"My loyalty lies with the Han, and with Lord Sun. My land of Jiang Dong shall not be harmed."

Cheng Demou slowly raised his head and looked up, at the towering walls of Wu standing high above him. Simply upon looking at his figure, the guards instantly recognized the man, the one whom Sun Jian had personally picked to fight close by his side. The gate immediately flung wide open, allowing Demou access into the city. The guards began to spread the news of the veteran's arrival, all along the perimeter of the city atop the walls. Of course, all the rest of the people got to witness the sight by eye as Demou dismounted from his steed and slowly began to walk toward the palace.

The gate of the palace courtyard opened. Cheng Pu walked in with a determined look, his stallion quickly taken away by the palace servants, most likely to the stables to be fed and groomed well.

He dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

"Lord Sun Jian, I have come forth to offer my lifelong service to you. Please, consider this old man's will to join your cause and save the Han."

[Sun Jian]

The lands of Jiangdong were a beautiful sight to see, Sun Jian was fortunate to have been able to grow up in such a wonderful place. Ever since he was seventeen, he also had his sword nearby incase any troubles arise. His first action was repelling pirates where he tricked the pirates that he was leading a army, which they fell for, pushing the pirates away and having their loot, single-handed.

Now with the current problem with the Yellow Turbans, Sun Jian decided to take part in ending their corruptness by raising his army and calling upon veterans. Now was the time for the Tiger of Jiangdong to leave the Tiger's Den and to put an end to the Yellow Turbans.

One particular veteran he had called for, was Cheng Pu. Soon as word came to him that he had arrived, a smile appeared on Sun Jian's face, as he leaned back in his chair.

When Cheng Pu entered the main chamber, he got out of his chair and walked upto Cheng Pu and bent down a little so his hands could lift him up by his hands, "Please, stand up.....It is a great honour that you have decided to join me Cheng Pu. Together, we shall take care of these rebels and bring peace once again, to the Han".

[link]

Two hands grabbed his own pair as Cheng Pu raised his head to look up. There he was, in all his glory, Lord Sun Jian himself, personally raising the newcomer to his feet. It was a great honor to be so closely addressed and exalted by the Tiger of Jiang Dong, and Demou was standing in that honor. Quickly lifting himself up from the ground to face the taller figure before him, Demou bowed once more in a standing position as he revealed the Serpent Spear strapped onto his back. He was always prepared for battle, and now he was prepared to protect his lord from any danger as well.

"Thank you, my lord.

"I have brought 500 of my own men, and have stationed them outside the walls of the city. We are all ready to fight to the death for you, sir. A word from you, and we shall follow."

Indeed, all 500 were placed in an orderly fashion camping right outside the walls, left outside in order to avoid any confusions or any misunderstandings, or at the worst a possible crime or any trouble. Soldiers were best when kept away from the social matters when at wall, especially when journeying from area to area. It was all learned through experience and looking over the long past history.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian smiled and glanced at the spear on his back, "Always prepared to fight I see. I am happy and glad to have an officer of you caliber beside me", as his hand rested on Cheng Pu's left shoulder, as he glanced down and saw his weapon, "The Savage Tiger" rest in its holder on his right hand side, waiting to be used.

After removing his hand, he walked towards a window so they can both see outside. He turned to Cheng Pu, "How do you see the world today?", he paused, "Is it time for the tiger to take action?"

[link]

Cheng Pu followed Sun Jian as they strode toward the window of the palace, the opening that clearly gave them a good view of the main street and its surroundings located within the city of Wu, the beautiful, decorated roads of the eastern paradise. It was a great pity that the people who once happily lived here would have to one day join in the fight against the Yellow Turbans. Many had hoped that the chaos wouldn't reach Wu, but it seemed that the war was impossible to avoid; it was only to work to stop it.

And then there was Sun Jian's question. Inquiring Cheng Pu of his opinion, it was a sign of respect for the man, another form of receiving quite the honor as he continued to talk with the greater man of the Sun family, the new potential and the one who would soon gain his power over all else, as was the belief that Demou had and held on to in his utmost loyalty.

"The land is in utter chaos. Those vile bandits, the Yellow Turbans, who have started the war... They must be taken care of immediately, as it is our first priority.

"But why had the rebels risen? Unfortunately, the apparent answer is because of the Han and its court. The emperor no longer has much power in the court; it is the group of power-hungry regents, the luxurious eunuchs who are never content with what they have. They continue to feed upon the scarce resources that the people have, and although the people call out, it is only in vain.

"If we are to truly rid the land of evil, the Turbans are not the only enemy. But they are our first target. We must move swiftly and immediately. I suggest that all preparations begin at once."

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian listened carefully and nodded while Cheng Pu spoke. The land was indeed changing but the chaos was only just beginning, and could not afford to stand back and watch, with Jiangdong currently neutral in these affairs. His hand lay on his sword, before to turning to Cheng Pu and smirked, "You are right Cheng Pu. Though it looks like your arrival has now turned into active service".

He then thought about how he could achieve this, with the current threat of the pirates, defending the people, and now was going to leave and deal with rebels over the Yangzhi River, "It is time to deal with the current threat. It is time for the Tiger to leave the Tiger's Den and go forth to the city of Luo Yang and pledge our allegiance to the Han to eradicate the rebels. Then, we shall send our forces to attack the rebels and show them the might of the men from Jiangdong".

[link]

It was apparent that Sun Jian was a determined man, bold and always ready for action. It was always a good sign in a leader, unlike those people that didn't know what to do and just sat in their corners or even those that had ambition and ambition only, their greed overloading from their system of capability. But among the many men of the land, there was none like Sun Jian, strong-hearted, strong-willed, and holding a magnificent prowess and a ear to listen to others; Cheng Pu looked forward to the day that their land would grow to unlimited bounds.

"I have heard news that there are rebels bustling in the city of Jin Yang, otherwise controlled by the Han. If we do not act fast, the bandits there will not stop to expand their terror upon the people, and we will lose one more huge chunk of the empire. As well, Jin Yang can be a vital part of the Yellow Turbans' attack. If they capture the sector, they will be attacking Luo Yang from three sides, placing the emperor in a risky situation.

"If we successfully repel the enemy in Jin Yang, we might have the chance to settle close beside the emperor, at least for the time being, as well as keeping a very close eye on the enemy at hand."

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian nodded, "That is true, and will show the North what we are made of. We shall quell this uprising then I shall give the good news in Luo Yang that their border is no longer at risk from Jin Yang. Though the Yellow Turbans are our main concern, the Bandits have decided to act....we will make them reconsider their choice. Cheng Pu, gather what troops you can. Though we must leave Jiangdong, it is time for us to aide the Han", ending with a smile. He had been in Wu all his life and had already proved himself back when he was seventeen fighting pirates, and now it was time to show the Han and the enemy, the might of the Tiger of Jiangdong and his men.