154 The Meeting

 "I've just received a communication from the High Council. They are willing to listen to your request and have asked you to appear before them next week. That gives us a full seven days in which to get to know my city." Poon looked over to Second Master,  who was standing looking out the window. He was enjoying the hubub of the city, the smells, the noise, the entertainment it offered.

Turning, he smiled at Poon. "You are, indeed, a great friend and it is an honour to have had the time to get to know you."

Poon smiled, "and you, likewise. Now, let us enjoy this tea and once enjoyed, let us partake of the market stalls. I would like to introduce you to our local fare."

The two men smiled at each other and sat to enjoy the freshly brewed white tea, a speciality of the area. 

 

Zumò and the others waited for the trading boat to leave Chenxi harbour. It was laiden with goods destined for Mudon, the capital of Mu province. 

This was not about to happen. Zumò looked around. The men were ready, once it left the safety of the harbour, it was theirs.

Silent nods went between them. Arrows prepared, Blades ready, Swords, itching to engage. 

Then they saw it, as it sailed out of safety and into their hands. Zumò gave the signal and silently, the men paddled their tiny rafts alongside.

 

Xin and Bǎo crouched in the shadows, one incomplete pack of six with them. The other two packs occupied separate areas, all ready for the attack. Each pack would take out one patrol and then withdraw. The game was over, the killing began.

 

General Liú Xian sat astride his horse looking at one of the strongholds, the Mu had built along the border between themselves and Mu province. He snorted, "do they want their dead, their dying?" He looked over his shoulder, "get me a runner and a white piece of cloth. Tell them we have some of their own being returned to them from north of Shipao." 

"Sir."

"Empty the wagons of all the Mu fighters. If they can stand then let them, if not, bring out the stretchers. Place all of them in front of me to my right hand side."

"Sir."

"Bring out their dead and pile them up on my left."

"Sir."

"Once you have completed this task, let me know and we will withdraw."

"Sir."

As instructed the dead, dying and injured were brought out. The dead, piled up in their shroud covers, the injured shuffled to stand, or lie in plain sight of the Mu outpost.

"Completed Sir." one officer said.

Colonel Liù raised his hand, and the line of carts turned and headed east towards their own border. 

Colonel Liù sat and watched, as his runner returned. He bowed to the Colonel and then took up his place in the ranks of the Liù guard. On the Colonel's command, they turned and followed the carts towards Chen land.

One of the junior officers caught up with the Colonel, "will they come out for them?"

"To be honest, soldier, I simply don't care." He gently encouraged his horse to walk a little faster, leaving the men they had cared for over these past few months, far behind.

"Forward," he commanded, " we have other deliveries to make."

"It's time. We head south and onto Chen land." There was a smile on General Li's face as he said it.

Men jumped up, eager to face the final battle. They prepared their bundles, slung them on their backs and immediately went into travelling formation. 

"Move out." The order was given and with their arms shouldered, the men took up a steady lope, covering ground surprisingly quickly.

"We must get at least half way before nightfall."

"Sir!" The confirmation resounded low and deep. General Li smiled again, 'we're ready, just let us at them.'

They camped and ate rations in near silence, each one anticipating what could be waiting for the. 

They were heading for Border Town.

Returning scouts told him about a small group of Twin Hammer fighters that had already cleared the northern region of Chen and Border town should be free of trouble. It was linked to the names, Zŭmò and young General Chen. General Li smiled, 'we are definitely moving to the final battle.'

From the latest intelligence, small packs of Twin Hammer fighters, one, again linked to the name Zŭmò, had freed off the whole of the northern region of Chen and had moved into the area to the west of Chenxi. Another group, linked to the names, Bǎo and Xin were causing chaos in the northern parts of Chenxi, whilst Zŭmò had moved his troops to the west of the city. In the east, there was Niao and her Blades with General Hao, plus his contingency. The pincer movement had begun and he was itching to join in. He knew his men would relish the chance.

General Li looked towards them. 

They were tired, battle worn, but determined. "Tomorrow we push to Border Town and enter Chen Province. It is going to take us a good couple of days to reach our next destination, namely, Lotus Lake.  We will rest there and check there is no infiltration."

The men nodded, taking it all in. They had long learned to trust this man's judgement.

"Whilst we are there, I will send out runners to locate the troops on the northern flanks and discuss our deployment." Again, General Li looked around, checking his men were still with him.

"So, rest, get some sleep. I want four on watch, rotate every three hours. I want you all to get as much sleep as possible for the next lope." 

'Tomorrow we fly our flags high. I want the enemy to see what is approaching,' he thought to himself. Then he announced to the men, "I want the banners unfurled. We will fly all four; Chen, Shipao, Liù and Twin Hammer!" 

The men cheered and smiling for the first time in some weeks, General Li also smiled, 'this will be a sight to behold and I want the impact to be bold.' 

With that thought in his mind, he settled into his bed roll and for the first time in weeks slept.