A Destined Encounter

[Guan Yu]

A Destined Encounter
Part 1

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It had been an uneventful day in Yong'an, the civilians had went about their business and there was nothing out of the ordinary to note, the people were content and the city was prosperous. Dong Ping was patrolling the outer limits of Liu Bei's territory to the west and was about to return after a day's duty. But as he was about to he noticed a strong star cluster to the north east of the sky.

Curious, Dong Ping put the thought of returning to the city out of his mind and instead taking only five mounted men, dismissing the other forty five he had with him, he travelled north east. Coming to a forest at the foot of a mountain he observed the surrounding, it was a beautiful scene. Dense trees, a towering mountain, the slow flow or water in nearby streams, and the unrestricted crickets of the night, but there was something else...

Listening more intently Ping heard, what seemed to be the chiming of bells. It wasn't very distinct, but it sounded real enough. Ping decided to find the source, and without thinking of any consequences continued on, into the forest.

By now the daylight was dwindling, and Dong Ping was wondering whether the stars actually were signalling anything or not, but despite the doubts he had he continued on. Reaching the foot of the mountain he saw an interesting array of rock formations, he dismounted to observe more closely and noticed an engraving. The light from the moon was not enough to help make out the words, he called to one of his men, who struck a light and made a torch, he hurried over and illuminated the centermost boulder.

Reading it opened Dong Ping's eyes, he struck his knee and said,

[Dong Ping] "Of course! How could I be so forgetful!"

[Soldier] "What is it General?"

[Dong Ping] "During my time in the north I and Zhang Qin befriended a remarkable man, who was a school teacher in Shandong. He once told me that he would travel south and study the course of heaven. He is a natural storehouse of schemes, a real marvel."

[Soldier] "Who do you speak of General?"

Calmly and deliberately Dong Ping spoke the name of the man, who once crushed the Yellow Turbans from a school classroom and repelled the traitor from an armchair. Who was the man? Stay tuned.

[Guan Yu]

Part 2

Continuing Dong Ping explained,

[Dong Ping] "This mountain is called 'Occult Mountain' which means it can be no other than my good friend Wu Yong who resides here! The heavens were guiding me here."

[Soldier] "The one nicknamed the Wizard?"

[Dong Ping] "The same."

[Soldier] "Why not recruit such a man to help our lord?"

[Dong Ping] "It would indeed be most fortunate for Lord Liu, so we will proceed. How are we on supplies?"

Looking into their pouches the soldiers replied, "There is enough for the night." Dong Ping nodded and said,

[Dong Ping] "I'll go ahead you five get settled down, I'll be back in a short while."

The soldiers sent out padding and rested, awaiting the return of their commander, who rode ahead up the mountain.

Riding on Dong Ping was surrounded by a lucious environment and rich landscape, it was indeed a peaceful retreat. Reaching a open area with lovely soft grass he dismounted and let his horse rest, it was a well behaved animal and would not run away. Dong wandered to the edge of the higher level and overlooking the cliff face and noticed the distant glow of torches on the route to Hanzhong, Dong knew that Zhang Fei was planning on opening roads to Hanzhong, but this had quickly been put into action.

Dong was admiring the landscape under the moonlight when someone hailed him from behind, "I've been expecting you." Dong Ping turned and saw a fair faced gentlemen with a long beard, wearing a white Taoist robe, holding a feather fan in his right hand, with a chain hung at his waist. Recognising his friend Dong bowed, Wu Yong returned the courtesy.

[Dong Ping] "I trust you have been well since we last met in Shandong?"

[Wu Yong] "Of course brother things have been swell. It's been many a year since I had the privilege to speak with my honoured brother. I trust you are content serving Governor Xuande?"

[Dong Ping] "Indeed brother, Lord Liu is wise and righteous, I have found myself the right lord at long last."

Wu Yong led Dong Ping and his horse further up the mountain, where they eventually reached a enclosed spot where Wu Yong was living in a natural hermitage. He gathered together his belongings, books and wiritng implements, and packed them into a pack and continued,

[Wu Yong] "Are you ready to get going then?"

Dong was shocked he said,

[Dong Ping] "To going to what?"

Wu Yong smiled as he said,

[Wu Yong] "You're obviously here to invite me into Lord Xuande's service, allow me to save you the trouble or choosing the timing."

[Dong Ping] "...You truly are the Wizard..."

Laughing the two men decended the mountain on foot and met up with Dong Ping's party who were snoring like monsters. Dong and Wu lied down themsleves and went to sleep.

* * *

At dawn the next day the men awoke and noticing the stranger became alarmed, Dong Ping assured them he was friendly and introduced Wu Yong. The party headed back to Yong'an, where nothing worthy of writing about happened, thus we shall conclude this.

• Wu Yong has joined Liu Bei's forces as Guan Yu's lieutenant at the behest of Dong Ping.

More to come in the history series.

[Zhou Yu]

Well done.

Gold 100
Troops 100