The Second Visit

[Liu Bei]

Summer 188 AD

A season had passed since his last visit, now Liu Bei tries again to meet Zhuge Liang.

With the same sized party as before - four horsemen. He made his way back to Wulong Ridge, this time however he had to cope with the blazing summer heat. Liu Bei had dressed himself more fitting to the occasion this time, he wore a fresh green tunic, rather than his usual one.

Xuande and his company were about to cross into Longzhong when war drums sounded. In despair Liu Bei turned to his company and lamented, "We're done for." One hundred outlaws flocked around them from all sides and surrounded them bearing their weapons. Around each man's head was a yellow scarve, Xuande moaned "It indeed is the end..."

Both his men and him were paralyzed with fright, as the rebel leader ran forward before his men bearing a sword, a spear set on his back, he looked too young to be a leader, barely in his twenties, "Any last words?" Liu Bei sighed as he replied, "As a unarmed servant of the Han, a speedy dispatch would be all I could hope for."

The rebel leader set upon Xuande he strode forward and grabbed the front of his garment with one hand, forcing him to get down from his horse, he pushed him to his knees, and the bandits made the other four soldiers do the same.

The rebel leader set his sword to the back of Xuande's neck and said, "Any valubles?" Xuande his expression firm and strong replied, "Just get it over with." The rebel leader hefted his blade to the side and swung hard, but something took hold of him, as while doing so he saw Xuande's firm resolve, doing nothing, no impending evasion, nothing.

Mercy took hold of the rebel, as he stayed his hand mid swing, the blade stopped at it hit Xuande, a line of redness appeared on his neck as fresh blood showed. The rebel lowered his sword and dropped to his knees levelling himself with Xuande, his followers were shocked and tense.

Xuande expected himself to be a headless ghost at this point, little expecting mercy from a Yellow Turban. He turned his head slowly and saw the rebel leader in knelt in the dust with him. He said in surprise, "What is the meaning of this?" Then rebel leader saluted as he replied, "Which Han official are you?" Xuande replied almost unwittingly, "Liu Bei." The rebel leader hit his head against the ground in a bow as he apologized, "I almost killed a good man."

[Liu Bei] "Who are you? Why such words from a follower of Zhang Jue?"
[Liao Hua] "I am not really a Yellow Turban, i'm from Xiangyang, Liao Hua, styled Yuanjian. Times are tough, I had to become an outlaw to get by, using Yellow Turbans was merely a way to produce fear."
[Liu Bei] "Plundering and killing your fellow man is the way to get by in this world, you seem loyal and upright, was there no other way?"

Liao Hua wept as he replied, "I am young and stupid, and today I did this stupid thing, I beg your pardon Lord Liu!" Liu Bei raised the young man to his feet, as he got up out of the dirt himself, "How does one so young come to have heard of a nobody such as myself?" Liao Hua smiled as he replied, "Everyone has heard your name, the better question would be, who hasn't heard your name. One of the heroes responsible for destroying the Yellow Turbans."

Liao Hua then dropped back to his knees and saluted, "For this incident I deserve to die, but I hope you would accept me into your ranks, so I can hope to reform my ways and bring good to my name." Liu Bei raised Liao Hua as he said, "Enough of that, if you are willing to support me then I find myself most fortunate in acquiring the services of such a young man." Liao Hua saluted Xuande and declared his thanks.

Liu Bei then said, "I reside in Xinye, meet me there, right now I have something to attend to." Liao Hua bowed as he helped Xuande back on his horse and called off his men with a whistle. The four soldiers remounted and joined Xuande through their shock at the turn of events. Liu Bei then said before he took off, "I'll see you again soon Hua." The two saluted each other then Liu Bei continued on, and Liao Hua and his hundred men headed for Xinye.

* * *

Moving on Xuande felt a slight pain on his neck, touching it with his hand, he realized he was bleeding, he exhaled in relief as he said quietly, "It was that close..?" It was a superficial wound however and Xuande continued on to the farmhouse.

Xuande dismounted at the bridge and told his men to hold as before as he proceeded alone. He tided his clothes up first, brushing aside some dirt on around his knees and adjusting it to be comfortable again after he was manhandled.

He then cleared his throat and knocked on the farmstead gate, hoping this time, he would meet the one he seeked...

[Lu Xiang]

The strong harsh conditions of the summer in the south, the crops were close to parched and the house keepers were being over worked. The estate quilted in a cool green, even in such drought like conditions it somehow remained beautiful. The small path, cobbled to an expert condition.

Knock. Knock.

The door opened wide again, revealing the same young male housekeeper again. Once more dressed in the same blue robes. De ja vu? The man bowed understand the man was Liu Bei and that he had come to see Master Zhuge.

"Please come inside, all of you!"

He exclaimed smiling greeting them all with a warm bow, a young man sat at the table - reading. He was young and well dressed; fitting to the description given to Kong Ming. The man didn't turn to notice the company at the door and seemed more interesting in reading.

[Liu Bei]

Liu Bei greeted the young man once again, and then entered as he was bade delightedly as Kongming was present; the men over at the bridge overhearing the young man, led their horses over into the courtyard and stood waiting.

Xuande, on entering gazed around at the cottage entrance, it was a homely place, perfect for a hermit. He then was led to the cottage itself and shown where 'Kongming' was. Seeing the man, Xuande outside of the entrance to the room, got on his knees and presented himself excitedly, "Master, last season through Master Still Water's recommendation I visited yourself, unfortunely due to my own poor luck you were absent, now fortune grants this meeting."

[Lu Xiang]

"Oh? I think you have yourself mistaken kind sir, I am of the Zhuge family. But I am not Zhuge Liang. I am his younger brother Zhuge Jun."

The younger hermit said, laughing standing up from his chair and making his way to meet the man. Bowing gently.

"I have heard of you Master Liu Bei, you are a good man."

He said smiling, complimenting the man upon his second visit - obviously it was testing his endurance by now. It wasn't the smallest of journeys and he could be considered to be wasting his time.

"My brother recently went touring with a friend of his, he mentioned something about a monk and boat; he has always been a man for exploration..."

The man bows his head gently, before stroking his face.

"Here, feel free to leave him a letter.. I will pass it onto him when he gets back."

Zhuge Jun laughed, before inviting Liu Bei to take a seat and to write the man a message; being the second time he had visited with no presence of Zhuge Liang or reply it would be a logical idea. Zhuge Jun quietly sat, watching Liu Bei write.

[Liu Bei]

Liu Bei sighed regretfully at his mistake and said, "I beg your pardon Master...I apologize for my presumption." He took up the brush offered and applied the ink to the paper which, when finished read:

I, Bei, have long admired your fame. I have visited your dwelling twice, but to my great regret I have not had the honour of your presence. I humbly remember that I as a distant relative of the Emperor, has undeservedly enjoyed fame and rank. When I see the proper government wrested aside and replaced by the corrupt and tyrannical forces of the Ten Eunuchs, the foundation of the state crumbling away, hordes of braves creating confusion in the country, my heart and gall are torn to shreds. Though I have a real desire to assist, I am deficient and in the needful skill and sufficent manpower. In which on Master Still Water's recommendation I have braved two of the four seasons to make an appeal to your sagely-self, trusting in your kindness, graciousness, loyalty, and righteousness. If Master you would use your great talents, equal to that of Jiang Ziya of Zhou, and perform great deeds like Zhang Liang of Han, then would the empire be happy and the Dynasty secure.

When he was finished Xuande passed on the letter to Zhuge Jun and prepared to bid him farewell.

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Jun bowed before taking the letter himself and then leading the man to the door. Dissapointed on his second visit to see Master Zhuge Liang no doubt, however he was making progress. Even if it was small.

"I bid you farewell, Master Liu Bei. Have a safe journey."

He said bowing, to them and his several men. Before closing the door, refusing to read the letter. Passing it to the housekeeper to give to Zhuge Liang once he returned before returning to his own studies.

[Outside..]

"The master is home!"

Yelped a young child, waving his arms around. Running down the road bare foot jumping with joy. An old man upon a donkey could be seen coming up the road, drinking from a bottle wine. The donkey travelled up the road steadily before stopping infront of the stalled Liu Bei.

"Good day to you, May I ask who are you and what you are doing on my estate?"

The drunk old man questioned, blinking his eyes. Obviously had overdrunk on several occasions in his life; if not just today.

[Liu Bei]

Xuande was about to leave with his party when a drunken elderly gentleman trotted over on a donkey. Xuande could tell from his age that he could not be Kongming, but a relative most likely. To the gentleman's question Xuande clasped his hands and offered a bow, "I am Liu Bei, here seeking an audience with Master Kongming. May I be so bold as to ask your name sir?"

[Lu Xiang]

"I am Huang Chengyan, ah.. Kongming is my son. A smart child indeed - I would invite you in, but it is late and I'm in no state for company."

The old man smiles, bowing his head. Pleased to see that the husband of his daughter is worthy before struggling off his donkey and making the way down the garden path; saying goodbye to Liu Bei and wishing him the best before handing the reigns to the house keeper and heading inside.

[Liu Bei]

Xuande bowed to the elderly gentleman and said, "A pleasure to meet you venerable sir, but I wont dare detain you." Liu Bei bowed to Kongming's father-in-law before moving onwards towards the bridge, where he turned and bid farewell to the assemblege outside the gate. Then made on his way back to Xinye...