Romance of the Four Kingdoms

Chapter 32

The officers quickly rejoin their troops and make their way towards the castle. They meet a small force of defenders outside the castle however they were quickly dispatched off with a few observers on the castle walls, noticing their strength of a few individuals such as Mitsuko for her way of fighting and her attire The enemy dare not move outside the castle though as the majority of them were fighting Liu Bei's force on the other side of the gate. However when they came to the other side for support the main army of Lu Bu had arrived, they then realised they were surrounded with no hope for escape.

Hours have passed since the surround until all of a sudden Yuan Shu himself appeared on top of the gate dressed in expensive robes and wearing a hat in a similar design of the emperors.

'Lu Bu it is pointless to shed anymore blood, come is it not possible for you and Liu Bei to come over and talk about this.' Which Mitsuko rolled her eyes.

'Oh please not again.'

'Huh...perhaps this petty squabbling and this battle bores me anyway. Very well I am open to negotiations.' Mitsuko sighs as she hears those words uttered from her lords mouth. She knew that this was going to be a long, dreary process.

'Ahh splendid please come inside we have much to discuss but please leave your soldiers outside.' Lu Bu nods in response as the gates opened. Chen Gong voices his opinion but is ignored as Lu Bu rides red hare in the castle, the enemy soldiers make way for him out of fear. The gates shut behind him leaving Chen gong to whine to himself secretly. Shortly after though a messenger arrived on horseback riding to Chen Gong's position.

'My lord I bring news there's enemy reinforcements coming this way!'

'What was that!? Hmm, we can't mobilise the entire army in case lord Lu Bu needs our support to take the castle if necessary. Hmm...you lot!' he pointed towards Mitsuko's smaller contingent force.

'Meet the enemy reinforcements head on and delay their advance the last thing we need is a pincer attack on us.' Chen Gong ordered. Mitsuko didn't take too kindly to be ordered like that however she nods and starts to lead the force to the enemy reinforcements.

'At least it beats being bored.' She thought to herself as the forces march to battle once again. When they were out of earshot from the rest of the army the troops began to whisper thinking they were being silent. Word spread fast throughout the ranks and eventually reaching the officers themselves.

'So...erm...do you have any idea?' Zang Ba awkwardly questioned LingQi who is puzzled by it.

'Any idea about what?'

'About you know why your father went into negotiations when he was asked to attack him in the first place?' LingQi was about to answer however unexpectedly Mitsuko intervened.

'It doesn't really matter what his reasons are, what matters is that we listen and obey his orders is that what you were going to say LingQi.' Mitsuko glanced back at her a she smiled genuinely at her.

'Yes exactly that Mitsuko.' Mitsuko formed a small smile on her lips as she turned back around.

'q-quite rightly put Mitsuko, sorry.' Zang Ba sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

'You say that however you must admit that even you are curious of his decision no?' Pang Tong questioned which surprised Mitsuko who didn't expect him to get involved and caught her off guard.

'Well erm...that is to say...even if I am it doesn't matter.' Pang Tong chuckles at her. An hour later they meet the enemy reinforcements but they're surprised when they're not the colour of Yuan Shu yet still fly their banner high. Their uniforms were red much like Sun Jians forces that Mitsuko barely remember.