Discovering New Allies

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Demou sighed. He would have to say and admit it, he would have to express his thoughts, whether anyone liked it or not. It was most likely going to bear the latter result, but what had to be done, had to be done. Putting a gentle hand on Zhi's shoulder so as not to push him down too hard, especially with his broken leg, Cheng Pu spoke.

"Zhi. I'm very disappointed in you, for more than a single reason. Well apparently, you've just lost a duel against one of Yuan Shao's men. Defeat is a dishonorable thing, we all know. But there's something more than that which you have done that disappoints me and all of Wu. You began a fight that you were not associated with; you joined a battle that you had should have had no part in.

"And at the same time, we were negotiating peace with Yuan Shao. But now... Well, we don't know now. I'm just hoping that things won't go further than this."

[Cao Cao]

Zhi knew that was coming. Zhi looked to the ground, ashamed. He looked back up at Demou and said, "I apologize, I was just curious about things over there so I rode over there, took the identity of a Instructor. A officer of Yuan Shao called me over and since I am an instructor, he asked for a duel. I had to go with it so I would not blow my cover. I also could not go hard on him or I might get discovered. I should have never been there in the first place and I apologize for that."

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"And you're so sure that just because you didn't refuse the challenge and just because you denied the option of possibly claiming victory, you think that your cover wasn't blown? One of the easiest ways to find out a man's identity is when he pulls out his blade. It won't be too long before Yuan Shao will figure out who engaged in combat with his own general... assuming that you haven't already told your opponent your name in a sense of false honor."

Sighing again, Cheng Pu nodded to Zhi Fang to sit back down on the bench. He was disappointed indeed, but Zhi was still an injured man and he had to rest. Looking away, Demou thought for a moment what in the world he should do about this now. Well, what choice was there? If they stayed like this for too long, Han Dang's life was at risk, though he trusted his companion to make it out alive somehow. Though... it would still put the two kingdoms at war. Someone would have to go before Yuan Shao himself and speak of this matter. Zhi Fang himself was too wounded to compensate for his actions in this way...

"I am going to leave for Nan Pi soon. General Zhang Smith, do you wish to accompany me? I would like some company, seeing as I am willing to go without any guards to ensure a sign of peace."

[Zhang Smith]

After listening to Cheng Pu, and Zhi Fang talk between each other. He heard about the duel and how Han Dang was in possible trouble, and the possibility of war. He heard Cheng Pu ask Smith about accompanying him to Nai Pi. "It would be an honour to ride with you General Cheng Pu. Plus I Never met Lord Yuan Shao and this gives me the opportunity so yes I will Accompany you." Smith knew or Lord Liu Bei, Lord Cao Cao, and Lord Sun Jian however as never met Lord Yuan Shao.