World Conquest Online

The group chatted over a few drinks and some food that had been sent by Sun Quan. Subutai and Tomyris had worked out the damages to the Riverside detachment, with both ships in need of repair. One of the Titanaconda's had been injured and would need a long time to rest, as had four of the Sabre Tooth Tigers. They had also lost seven Naval Marines and around twenty Oarsmen with more injured. They had surprisingly not lost any of the Cavalry, however some of the horses would need prolonged rest and some of the riders had wounds.

The Riverside commanders drank in gratitude to the lives that had been lost, Dom felt it was a shame but Gan Ning disagreed, explaining that those that had survived would bring a lot of experience to the rest of the ships when they returned. All of the bodies had been stored on the Enyo and would be buried upon return to Riverside in the graveyard that had been set up besides the Mausoleum.

Subutai also explained that they had gained at least four hundred of Zhao Yun's Cavalry and around two hundred Archers and three hundred Swordsmen under Huang Zhong so far, however he expected that number to rise in the morning. Huang Zhong had been persuaded to join by Subutai, firstly due to him being a prisoner and not wanting to join Sun Quan, whilst secondly he was excited to try something new in his old age and the prospect of training Hua Rong that Subutai had told him about, seemed exciting. Huang Zhong's own son was also currently extremely unwell and Huang Zhong was worried he wouldn't survive, Dom had promised that if he could bring him to Riverside that Hua Tou would care for him. He was also worried he wouldn't have anyone to pass his skills on to, he had trained Liu Pan, but mainly out of duty and had no love for the young General.

Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong's men were currently sat with the Cavalry from Riverside and the Navy, getting to know them all, whilst Su Fei had explained that his own crew of around four hundred would follow him to Riverside, and he was confident he could bring more crews with him if Sun Quan would allow it. Dom, Gan Ning and Xun You were confident that they could persuade Sun Quan to let them take those loyal to Su Fei, however Gan Ning did put forwards that the younger version of himself would probably argue when he heard that Su Fei was leaving with no explanation.

"We'll just have Sun Quan accept that Su Fei's life was spared due to us and we have claimed him, which is a better ending that Sun Quan had planned." Gan Ning put forwards after thinking about it.

"We can also use that as a reason to bring Su Fei's crews, as they wouldn't be able to prove their loyalty if there was any lingering doubts." Xun You agreed. They had also discussed taking some of captured ships as Gan Ning and Tomyris had gained the most merits, but Xun You had laughed and said, "That would have been great, but they mainly sank them and not capture them as planned."

The night did go on a bit longer than Dom had expected, and eventually the different Generals headed to a commandeered house that was nearby for sleep. The old owners had happily given up the house for some gold and had decided to stay with their neighbours for the night, with Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong and Liao Hua sharing one room, Tomyris and Tomoe another and Gan Ning and Su Fei the final. Another had been arranged for Dom, Subutai, Sun Ce, Xun You and Cai Mao. After the first batch of Heroes left, Dom was left alone with those from his temporary residence.

"I want to make a final deal with you." Cai Mao said to Dom as he approached him whilst they all sat in the small living space of the nearby house. Dom was sat with Xun You and Subutai, but Cai Mao didn't seem worried about talking in front of them whilst Sun Ce was still absent.

"I am happy to listen." Dom agreed, expecting it was in relation to freeing him. All of the deals the two had made so far had benefited both of them and Dom was waiting to see what came next.

"I will give you a key piece of information, if you can help me escape when Wen Ping arrives. I will also persuade him to leave and return to the north, so that no more battles are fought." Cai Mao promised, pausing for a second before finishing. "This information is worthwhile."

"I can agree to that, I would rather you lived another day. Part of me wishes I could recruit you, but I know that won't be possible" Dom agreed. Cai Mao had been a worthwhile ally on this quest and he had earnt his freedom.

"It would definitely be interesting to see where you are from and the rest of your forces, but we have invested too much here as a family and this could be the rise of my Cai family. However, I have seen some strange things since you arrived, if Liu Biao falls and we don't succeed can I bring my family to you?" Cai Mao asked first, before pausing for a second and looking at Dom's officers. "Actually, let's rephrase that. When Liu Biao falls, if we don't succeed in our plans, may I bring my family to you, I will make it worthwhile."

"You can, as long as you remain loyal to us." Dom replied, when Subutai nodded at him in agreement. Cai Mao couldn't be fully trusted and there was also no guarantee he could join them, but it was worth not turning down potential support in the future. Cai Mao smiled in response, the Cai family were extremely wealthy and had a good amount of influence in the old Han court. After agreeing, he then approached Dom, whispering in his ear so only he and those next to him could hear, in case any spies were outside. Dom wasn't worried about this as his own Batavi Guards and some of the Forbidden Guard were on duty outside in shifts.

"That wasn't Huang Zu's face, it looked very similar but his cousin shares a similar look." Cai Mao whispered, shocking Dom, Subutai and Xun You.

"What about his son?" Subutai asked quickly, realising that this situation could become a huge issue if discovered.

"Huang Zu loved his son, but his son was a coward and had no real future." Cai Mao replied, "I think it was him, if my son was Huang She, I would have sacrificed him for my own safety. However, it could have been his nephew."

"Then where is he?" Dom asked, as both Sun Ce and Sun Quan were confident it was Huang Zu and him surviving could cause plenty of issues.

"I do not know, but him and General Li Shang had grown close in the recent days." Cai Mao replied, a slight hint in his words. Dom realised what he meant, Huang Zu could have been in the Headquarters with Li Shang. Dom headed to the window and looked out, seeing that the moon was high in the sky and that Li Shang had most likely left now. Part of him felt tricked, as if Li Shang had hired Huang Zu, it hadn't been a fully wasted mission for him at all.

"Then we must keep that information with us here, until we return." Xun You stated, "We will tell Sun Ce when we are home, it will just mean that Li Shang will be an enemy in the future for Sun Ce."

"If Huang Zu has returned with Li Shang, then he may as well be dead for Sun Quan." Subutai stated, as Dom and Xun You nodded in agreement.

"I'll dispatch a squad to the headquarters to see if they are still there. If they are, we'll pull him out." Xun You stated seriously as he stepped up and whispered an order to the Batavi Guard that was at the door. They quickly ran off to grab some of the Warriors to deal with the situation.

"I suppose we will find out soon enough then." Dom grumbled tiredly, deciding he should go to sleep and wait for an update when the guards returned with the small detachment they were taking. Xun You would make sure that they took enough to overpower Li Shang's small surviving group. "Wake me if they are there and we can capture Huang Zu, try not to kill Li Shang if you can, but if they resist I will trust your judgement. Otherwise, we will speak in the morning."

....

Dom was awoken just as the sun began to appear in the distance by Subutai. Subutai informed him that Li Shang and his men had disappeared by the time the guards had arrived. They were currently combing through the top floor for any additional information that could help either their forces or Sun Quan's in the future.

"Nothing of worth has been found so far unfortunately." Subutai explained, "But there is also no evidence that Huang Zu has survived either. For now, we should act as planned."

"I agree, I'll have to make sure we call in a big favour from him when we see him next." Dom agreed, "We'll let Sun Ce know when we are home, I am sure it will give him something to look forward to."

"Oh I am sure it will!" Subutai laughed, "We will definitely have to fight against others in the future, he's tasted revenge now, he will want to complete it."

As they spoke, Xun You walked in to the room, a tired look on his face as he did. Even though he hadn't fought in the battle, he had been part of the brains in the naval battle as well as working through the logistics of the aftermath with Zhou Yu. Beside him was Cai Mao who was dressed in some civilian clothes with a large sack on his shoulder which had his armour in it.

"Wen Ping is to the north of the City, we expect him here within the next hour or so." Xun You explained, as Cai Mao looked prepared to leave, but they were waiting on Dom's permission.

"General Cai Mao, it has been a pleasure working with you." Dom stated as he stood up and grasped forearms with him. "I wish you the best of luck in the future."

"Thank you, I expect we will need it." Cai Mao laughed in response, "You may be a young commander Lord Lazarus, but I see drive in you that I haven't seen in a long time, I just wish my nephew Liu Cong had the same drive."

"Some turbulent times are about to come." Dom warned Cai Mao as he let go of his arm, "There isn't much time left for the Han and those of that line, watch yourself."

"I thank you for the warning, but we will still try." Cai Mao stated, meeting Dom had been life changing for him, but his family had invested a lot in to their plans and he wouldn't change them based on chance.

"Then you better leave swiftly." Dom stated, before looking to Xun You. "Give him one of the horses from the Sun Cavalry whose rider is no longer with us."

"Already prepared, we'll send him through the west gate. Cheng Zi is currently overlooking it and he has already stated his desire to join us even if his father chooses not to." Xun You replied with a smile, before directing Cai Mao out to where a Batavi Guard would escort him out.

"Have I made the right choice?" Dom asked Subutai, as he watched as Cai Mao left.

"He is a strange man, arrogant at first but he has ambition." Subutai replied in thought, "If he can put that ambition to the right cause then he is a worthwhile addition, but for now he needs to tame that himself."

"Thank you." Dom smiled, happy with Subutai's guidance as usual.

"It's been a long few days, let's eat and relax before we head to the Headquarters." Subutai laughed as he ordered one of the Guards to bring in some food that had been prepared. The two of them ate and eventually Xun You returned with the positive news that Cai Mao had left. The three of them left the temporary house and watched the sun rise in the distance whilst they waited for a message from Sun Quan. After around an hour one did arrive, requesting their presence.