The path of Wu

[Fu Sheng]

After taking part from his newly acquainted friend, Xian walked to the Regional Guard post within the village. Night had already fallen over the land, the stars shone brightly and various constellations were present in the sky. The lamp lightning was only limited to the village itself, the path to the Regional Guard was engulfed in darkness. Xian knew that going across would require a portable source of lightning, so he grabbed a twig from the ground, putted it near one of the lamp's flame and proceeded to the post.
Upon arriving there he left his torch hanging outside the post and walked inside. The post itself was not much of a structure, it had 3 divisions, one that worked as the main hall, one to work as a temporary cell hold and another one as the forge, two guards stood there apparently working on the late shift. Xian nodded to them as in to greet. He went for the desk to grab a bottle of ink and a pen from a nearby table and wrote his letter of resignation in a simplistic way. Xian's writing knowledge was limited for his mother, in her very short presence within Xian's life, had taught him the basic of writing, the rest he had learned throughout the years. One of the guards laughed and said:

"Hey check out the writer over there! Isn't it late to be working on your poetry?"

"I'm writing a resignation letter." - Xian answered coldly, pulling the piece of paper up next to the light so the ink could dry faster.

"Pff, I told you wouldn't get past 2 years." - Said the same guard crudely, as the other one laughed.

He ignored the both of them as he revised the letter carefully and then wrapped it, left on the table and said to one of the guards:

"I am leaving to Wu, deliver this letter to Sargent Yang once he is around."

One of the guards nodded in despise and they resumed their previous conversation. Xian then headed back outside and walked back to the village and from there to his home to grab his steed. He saddled his horse and took a few supplies, as he would be absent for a few days. Xian then locked his house door, mounted up on his steed and rode towards the Wu plains.

[link]

Wu.

They had departed from Shou Chun earlier. Cheng Pu had been waiting at the gates of the city as Zheng Xian had gone for the evening to attend to his final businesses as he resigned from his posts and packed his supplies for the journey ahead. It was a sacrifice on Xian's part, as he had to give up his current life, his home, his career, his friends and family, in order to pursue a new goal. But it wasn't the end of his life; only a new stage in its flows. A better stage, in fact.

The duo had in fact quite quickly arrived at the borders of Wu. The city was ahead of them. Cheng Pu grinned as he saw the crimson banners of Sun Jian fluttering high in the sky, in the near distance. They were here, at the city, and the great red army of Jiang Dong was situated promptly within the area, preparing for battles and tasks yet to come. Cheng Demou looked about the place as he attempted to search for a familiar face, or at least a familiar activity.

"Cheng Pu!"

Demou turned around to see Han Dang riding up to him, halting right in front of the general.

"I see you've returned, General. And you've brought an unfamiliar general along with you? Greetings sir, I am Han Yigong of Sun Jian's army. Pleasure to meet you."

Yigong only gave a slight nod to Xian before continuing on in a hurry:

"Would you like to meet Lord Sun Jian? I believe that he is somewhere around here, possibly on a walk or even an inspection of the army."

"Thank you friend, I think you can calm down now and go take a rest. Shall we go, General Zheng?"

[Fu Sheng]

Xian felt an uncomfortable feeling upon arriving to the camp. There were so many new faces and he was still a stranger, and entitled general on top of that, just that very same title made him shiver. but nevertheless, he tried to mask his fears and proceeded:

"Likewise, I trust we will be knowing each other well, now that we are on the same side."

As general Cheng Pu asked him if they should go, Xian answered immediately:

"Yes, I am eager to speak with Sun Jian, I'll be right behind you" - Xian said as he followed the older general.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian strode along as he observed his army, and roared, "You are men of Jiangdong! Raise your shields while you attack, and attack with the ferocity of a tiger!", as he paced the Barracks, then seeing soldiers not acting properly, he pulled out his weapon and slashed four soldiers in a row, against their protective shields on their backs.

All four soldiers turned round and knelt down towards Sun Jian.

Sun Jian looked up and bellowed, "Leaving your rear unguarded, can not only end your life, but also leave soldiers round you, vulnerable. We need to be all of one body, and work together. If an enemy can interrupt part of the body, the rest can fall apart!". he then looked down at the four soldiers, "Stand up".

The soldiers did as they were told.

"You have heard what I have had to say. Now, I would like you to take heed to my advice".

They all bowed, before returning to their training.

Sun Jian smiled, then continued his observations, when he saw Cheng Pu, Han Dang, and an unfamiliar face with them. He glanced at the Barracks and nodded, so he would continue the observations while he took care of the visitors, "Cheng Pu! Han Dang! Great to see you once again. Just thought I'd check up on the progress down here at the Barracks, before we even think about battle", then took a glance at the newcomer, "I see you have brought someone new with you. I am Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong. May I ask what your name is?", as he walked away from the troops training and moved closer to them.

[Fu Sheng]

Xian looked amazed at the majestic figure of Sun Jian. He had heard stories of the tiger of Jiang Dong but he never had the pleasure of meeting him in person. He bowed before him, putted his left hand over his right fist as a sign of respect and said:

"I am Zheng Xian of Zhangji. I am most honoured to meet you sir! I came here to offer my blade for the Sun clan, I hope I am worthy of your ranks."

He kept knelt while he awaited the Sun clan leader's word.

[Cheng Cheng]

Cheng Cheng watched the new guy with there leader while he trains the army. He did not know what to think of the new guy cause he does not seem like to much. Cheng knew that you cannot always judge a person by there appearance but he does not know for now. He then noticed that the warrior was with Cheng Pu his uncle also and another person he did not meet yet but heard about. He then looked at them and decided to go closer to the others.

"So Cheng Pu your bring a new person he must really not be that good." He smiled and it was the first time in months that people could ever believe he said a joke. He had his sword out but was putting it away since he let the drill sergeant continue the training for the idiots. "So you are from Zhangji?" He looked at Zheng Xian hearing his name just earlier but did not make sense that he never saw this person before. "Did you ever serve a army?"

[Fu Sheng]

He kept knelt with his arms in the same position and his head bowed down as he awaited the Sun clan's lord word, without moving an inch he said to the general that had just joined the group:

"Yes sir! I am from Zhangji and I have never served in an army but that is what I am hoping to do here!" - he said with a strong military tone.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian noticed Cheng Cheng's arrival, but turned his attention to the warrior who was knelt before him, "Rise Warrior...I am Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong and I thank you for journeying all this way from the lands of Zhangji. Seeing that Cheng Pu has brought you, can tell me one thing, that he has found a talented officer to join the army. Though you haven't served in an army, you would be a great asset to my forces".


(Rushed on post as had limited time. Would of done more)

[Cheng Cheng]

Cheng Cheng was not really impress with the new warrior that does not make sense. He does not really trust the warrior since he did not show any remark of loyalty yet but he was not a warrior of any kind of army. He then looked at his uncle and shook his head that was obvious that he was not really impress of the kid since he did not do anything to prove himself yet.

"What did you do with your life that makes you believe you are good enough to join the ranks of the Sun forces? You do not have any record of any battle which means no one know how good you are and that is including us." He then looked at his lord with a small smile on his face. "We should test him at the next battle to see his skill and keep a close eyes on him so if he decides to go against us we can put him down right there."

(I do not post to hurt you Zheng Xian. He just does not trust others until he believe there loyalty.)

[link]

Cheng Pu watched in silence and content as Zheng Xian met and talked with Sun Jian for only a brief while before Cheng Cheng joined the party. Xian was having a great time so far as newcomer, given the same respected treatment that all the well-deserved men of Wu received from beginning to end... as long as they were loyal, of course. Demou had faith in Zheng Xian that he would be a loyal asset to the Wu army, and he greatly doubted his faith would be misplaced.

And then there was Cheng Cheng. Again. With his loud mouth. Did he have to say everything he thought? Well, maybe, seeing his negative and pessimistic impressions, he wasn't speaking all that he thought. Maybe all that annoying, degrading comments were actually coming through a filter to clean out what he could really think and say.

"Cheng Cheng," Demou began as he started to walk over to his nephew, intending to take him away for the moment; no need to offend Zheng Xian, whether he be a newcomer or a veteran. It would rather be Demou that would be insulted rather than an unrelated general.

And there was Han Dang. Han Yigong, ferocious on the battlefield, still ferocious when not on the battlefield. Good, or bad? It really depends on one's point of view. But at an encounter with men such as Cheng Cheng... not really that good.

"HEY! Who are you to go around hurling degrading words at people you barely know? I've heard a lot of things about you, Cheng Cheng. Bad things. And the rumors might just prove to be true. I don't care what you did in your past, you just watch out. Understood?!"

Yigong stepped forward, face-to-face with Cheng Cheng.

"Han Dang. Step back. Now is not the time to deal with such matters."

[Fu Sheng]

Zheng Xian observed as the discussion was taking place, he overheard a few names amidst the confusion. He slipped past trough Han Dang as he said:

"Please I can stand up for myself, no need to start an argument over this." - as he stood face to face with Cheng Cheng he continued in a calm but clear tone - "I may not seem worthy of your trust master Cheng but know that my father taught me the values of honour and duty. I have based my whole life on those very same principles and if I am to betray this clan then may your blade hunt me down to my death."

He then withdrew himself back to the presence of the other two generals and apologized Sun Jian for the abrupt interruption and asked him to carry on.

((No offence taken Cheng Cheng, like I say, what is incharacter stays incharacter ))

[Cheng Cheng]

Seeing the warrior trying to stand up for himself made Cheng Cheng smile a bit. He knew from that act it meant that he was a brave warrior and bravery was one of the most important quality for a warrior during the times of chaos. He then looked at Han Dang and shook his head with anger it was kinda obvious. Cheng Cheng was showing a bit of respect for the new warrior seeing that he was brave enough to go in front of his face without any battle experience. He did not say a word at this time.

[Zhou Yu]

The Day had finality arrived for Zhou Yu to return home to his lord with the news that the campaign he lead ended in victory even if the cost of that victory was high, the night where cold and the weather down south was inhuman but Yu carried on without any thoughts of retreat even if he meant he may of lost his life in following his lords orders.

The remainder of his forces had began to dissolve and head home to their families and friends, But he carried on to the camp where lord Sun Jian was after all they had been fighting side by side with him and for the glory of Wu empire. As his horse began to draw ever closer to the main hall which was the meeting place for most of the officers.

The sound of cheers could be heard around the camp all rejoicing that the campaign had ended it Victory and with minimum losses Yu always tried to win battles without losing too much of his force, they where the life blood of the empire and each man and women that fell to the hardships of war is one soul that will never see the end of the war.

Yu then arrived at last to the camp the guards standing and addresses Sun Jian saying. “The honourable Commander Zhou Yu has returned from his Campaign in the south.” With that, Yu begins to walk towards Lord Sun Jian, gives a bow, and address him speaking.

“My Lord I have returned from the campaign to the south which ended it victory for your forces, the loss of life was minimal but I lost one of field support officers I request to be allowed to give him a funeral at a later point.” With that Yu looks around at the new officers seems a lot has changed within the last two years


(( Sorry if this seems bit out of whack I was unsure if we where in a camp or a castle ill edit if needed))

[link]

Han Dang simply watched in disgust as he saw Cheng Cheng shake his head in anger. The despicable fool... Yigong spat on the ground before him, the cluster of saliva forming a miniature puddle on the dark dirt, pooling in the soil. It was the last thing he did before he went off on his way, pulling his pike out of its place strapped onto his back and gripping the polearm as he headed towards a nearby group of training elites, one of the best soldiers of Wu. Every single man would serve their purpose well in the battle ahead.

And Cheng Pu remained in the group silently until another man arrived at the scene. Zhou Yu, one of the younger prodigies of the army. He was a brilliant strategist and a commander indeed, very talented and most likely growing into a man that Cheng Pu will never follow. He himself was turning into a more veteran now, not elderly at all but more experienced or at least served longer in life compared to the others.

"Greetings, Zhou Yu. It's a pleasure to meet you here at last, and it's great to hear that your campaign has been successful."