Preparing to Travel

Five months passed since the Guan Siblings entered the manor. Now winter had arrived and Yun was making preparation for the future when he received a letter from Huang Zhong.

'The old man wants to retire most likely,' thinks Yun not having opened the letter yet.

He opened the letter and Yun read it to himself making a smile appear on his face as he leaves his office which lays in his manor and walks to his office in the military district.

Once there he called a soldier to summon Pang Tong, Sima Yi, and Zhuge Liang. He sat down behind his desk while looking at the note when Pang Tong came first through the door followed by Zhuge Liang and an exhausted Sima Yi.

"What happened?" asks Zhuge Liang worried as Yun puts the letter on the desk so they could read it.

"Cao Cao is preparing to attack us very soon," says Pang Tong coming to an conclusion as Yun nods.

"Indeed, he will most likely try to attack us from the east which means he will attack Wei Yan and Huang Zhong first but we can take advantage out of it," says Zhuge Liang with a cunning smile on his face which he tried to hide with his feathered fan without much success as the other three could see through him.

"We should inform Sun Quan to inform Liu Bei of it. He could attack Cao Cao's territory in the north making Cao Cao stop his preparations to attack us," says Sima Yi already making plans to deviate Cao Cao's attention.

"No, that would only weaken him lightly," says Pang Tong thinking about it as well.

They needed Cao Cao to be weakened for a long time and not only for a year or two when Sima Yi says, "Then why don't we let him attack us while Sun Quan goes for Shouchun trying to open a path to the north to attack Cao Cao's capital."

"That could work but we would still need people to attack from the east to split Cao Cao's army. He won't be attacking us with a small army knowing that our Lord could decimated it by himself," says Zhuge Liang trying support Sima Yi's previous attempt to include Liu Bei into this affair for their benefit.

"That could work but one man needs to move to make it possible," says Pang Tong looking at Yun who nods.

"Guan Yu, he must lead his men to attack Xiangyang. If we all attack at the same time Cao Cao will need to redistribute his army again to defend on all fronts. Once he does that we can even take the Qing Province as well as half of the Yu and Yan Provinces for ourselves," says Yun after hearing his strategists plans and evaluating their gains if Liu Bei really joined the attack.

"Cao Cao will be forced to move the capital if that really were to happen," says Pang Tong knowing that he would need to move it either to Ye or Luoyang.

"If we really are able to do so. We shouldn't forget that Liu Bei and Sun Quan aren't as friendly as they used to be. Back then the alliance came to be because it was needed to stop Cao Cao's advance to the south. Now we are talking of invading Cao Cao. He could just pull out of he doesn't see the big picture weakening us and Cao Cao before attacking Jing," says Yun seriously not forgetting what happened in Jing not too long ago.

"Then we also have the Xiongnu which could be a great ally against Cao Cao. They are more reliable than Liu Bei at least," says Yun knowing that the Xiongnu of the North would be of greater help when he remembered someone else.

"What about Gongsun Kang? Is he still alive?" asks Yun which surprised his strategists.

"The last I heard of him was a nasty rumor that he was heavily wounded while defending the border against the Goguryeo. We don't know if he is still alive," says Pang Tong not knowing anything else.

"I will find out later if he is still under the living but for now," says Yun as he stands up before looking at them, "I will have to travel North and meet the Xiongnu. I will have to pay them some tribute to fight for us against Cao Cao."

"Are you crazy," says Pang Tong angry that Yun was so reckless when he sees Yun put his fingers in his ears.

"I can't hear you," says Yun loudly pretending to not understand Pang Tong which made him only fume in anger while the other two got a good laugh out of this conversation.

They all knew that they couldn't stop Yun even if they wanted but Yun didn't want to go north just for the Xiongnu. He wanted to lay his mother's and son's ashes beside his father's so they would all be together.

He would deal with something that was burdening him for a long time now when he says, "Cao Cao won't attack until the winter is over since he wouldn't dare to waste provisions without knowing how hard the winter will be for him."

"When will you return?" asks Zhuge Liang as Yun holds his chin.

"I will return before the winter is over or at least I will try to do so if I don't join the Xiongnu in attacking Cao Cao from the north," says Yun as his eyes were filled with excitement since this was going to be on an adventure again.

Yun left to prepare for his improvised adventure to gain the Xiongnu of the North to join him when he sees Fang swinging a wooden staff by himself in the courtyard.

'Maybe I should take the boy with me. It could help and I would be able to start his training as well,' thinks Yun looking at his grandson having high hopes for him.

'What if something happens to him?' asks Ysmrgra curious as well as worried about Yun's decision of taking Fang with him.

'If that were to happen to Fang I would kill them all leaving nothing behind as I assassinate every single person involved in it,' says Yun back coldly making it almost vivid for Ysmrgra and Ythyleit who could see the mental image of what Yun was imagining at the moment.

'Let's hope that never comes to pass,' says Ythyleit worried about Yun slaughtering every single person of the Empire just to take his revenge.

'Yes, let's hope so,' says Ysmrgra joining Ythyleit on this matter.

Yun went up to Fang and pets his head when he says, "Fang, you will be joining me in my newest adventure in hiring the Xiongnu to defend our home from the coming enemy."

Fang looked at him not knowing what was going on since his grandfather seemed to talk something ridiculous together when he feels Yun's grasp over his neck pulling him away.

They entered the manor together or better said Yun entered it while Fang was being carried by his neck as if he was some dog that didn't behave when Huixiu and Zhen Luo saw them.

"What did he do?" asks Huixiu not surprised by how Yun was carrying Fang since he would play pranks on people if he wasn't training with his wooden staff.

"Nothing, I will just borrow him for a few months as I visit the Xiongnu of the North to help us out against Cao Cao. He seems to want to attack us soon," says Yun seriously while putting Fang down when both women made a cross with their arms denying Yun's request of taking Fang with him.

"You are mad to think that we would allow such a thing. Fang will be the next family head. If something were to happen to him not only Lu Bu would be furious so would also everyone else tied to our family," says Zhen Luo seriously warning Yun from doing something foolish.

"What if I take Yang with me as well since he needs to make a name out of himself," says Yun trying to convince them since he wanted to train Fang on this small adventure while showing him the family grave wanting to see if Fang would have a similar experience as Rin back then.

"I want to show Fang where his ancestors are buried and where his father will be resting awaiting our return," says Yun as Zhen Luo remembered the experience Rin went through.

"You hope that Fang will go through the same sensation as Rin back then," says Zhen Luo making Huixiu look at them confused.

"What did Rin went through?" asks Huixiu confused but still having a bit of curiosity in her voice.

"She saw the soul of my father who patted her head acknowledging her into the family," says Yun which surprised Huixiu she heard of such phenomenons but she never experienced such a thing.

"I hope that Fang would experience the same thing once he stands before the grave while I scatter his father's ashes over our ancestral grave," says Yun hoping Huixiu would understand him.

"Still too risky what if Cao Cao finds out and ambushes you on your little escapade," says Zhen Luo still not convinced even if it could benefit him.

"This time you won't have a capable mercenary with you while traveling to the north," says Zhen Luo adding the point of Lucius not accompanying Yun this time.

"He will be safe beside me and Yang. I will also take Zhang He and Dian Wei with me this time. They will keep Fang safe and Xu Shu will accompany us as well just in case we need to improvise," says Yun as he already had a team in mind since the Xiongnu are unpredictable.

"My father should join you as well or at least Zhang Liao," says Huixiu still worried when Yun only shakes his head.

"I can't take Lu Bu with me but Zhang Liao is another story. If your father allows him to join me. I need Lu Bu to keep the Xu Province safe with Hua and the others," says Yun not wanting to weaken his army even more by taking Lu Bu with him.

"I will send a letter to my father asking him about letting Zhang Liao join you," says Huixiu as she leaves to write to her father while Zhen Luo looked at Yun.

"Anything else?" asks Yun noticing her stare.

"How about you take Rin and Cao Tai with you? It would be good for Rin to see her father's grave and inform him of her future marriage," says Zhen Luo wanting Yun to take Rin with her.

"Fine by me," says Yun having nothing against it before leaving to prepare everything.