The State of Chu (The Warring States, Book Two 2)
Book Details
Author(s)Greg Strandberg
ISBN / ASINB00B27C8LE
ISBN-13978B00B27C8L1
MarketplaceUnited Kingdom 🇬🇧
Description
Frustrated with the direction the Army of Wei is taking following Marquis Wen's death, General Wu Qi leaves and finds himself in the struggling State of Chu.
Taking a low-level position in the state bureaucracy, Wu tries to start life anew, but is eventually noticed and brought to the attention of Duke Dao of Chu. Not fearful of speaking his mind, Wu Qi suddenly finds himself tasked with changing the entire state, much to the chagrin of the corrupt and jealous nobles, who will do anything to keep their way of life.
Taking a low-level position in the state bureaucracy, Wu tries to start life anew, but is eventually noticed and brought to the attention of Duke Dao of Chu. Not fearful of speaking his mind, Wu Qi suddenly finds himself tasked with changing the entire state, much to the chagrin of the corrupt and jealous nobles, who will do anything to keep their way of life.
***Excerpt***
"Sire, we have to stop!" Wu yelled out.
Dao either didn't hear him or ignored him, for he cracked the reins once then twice, giving them a greater burst of speed. He raised his other arm up in the air and threw it forward in the motion to charge. Wu looked forward and saw that several of the men around Yi were frantically pointing toward them but before he could voice any more concerns Po angled his bow higher and let loose.  His arrow was joined by dozens of others from behind, each of them sailing up and out over the hundred yards that separated them from Yi's men. The metal heads glinted in the sun as the shafts rose and then fell, all falling either short or to the side of where Yi's men were. Their element of surprise gone, they had no other choice but to continue the charge; by the time they pulled up to turn about Yi's own men would be firing down on them.Â
Even before his arrow was falling toward the ground Po had another nocked and he let that one fly.  The other men behind them did the same, and this time a few found their marks, sending four of Yi's men to the ground dead while two others clutched at shafts sprouting from their legs. Surprise was gone, however, and Yi's men were already in a circular formation, their King at their center and heavily guarded with shields to stop any arrows that might find him.
After the second volley came the third, with much the same results, and then they were just a few dozen yards away. Wu grabbed the sword hanging from his belt and braced himself. Dao gave no sign of slowing the chariot or of turning it, and if he did neither they would slam right into the ring of horses and chariots surrounding Yi.Â
As they came within ten yards of the circle of men Dao let out a savage yell, dropped the reins from his hands, grabbed hold of his sword with one hand and clutched at the side of the car with the other. Wu did the same, but Po, an arrow nocked and ready, kept careful aim, either oblivious of the impact to come or totally unconcerned. When they were just yards away and Wu could see the fear in the Yue soldiers' eyes, Po let loose, his arrow slamming into and then out of the chest of the soldier directly in front of him. The last thing Wu saw was the man's eyes go wide before their horses reared and their chariot slammed into King Yi's line. After that everything went black.Â
Dao either didn't hear him or ignored him, for he cracked the reins once then twice, giving them a greater burst of speed. He raised his other arm up in the air and threw it forward in the motion to charge. Wu looked forward and saw that several of the men around Yi were frantically pointing toward them but before he could voice any more concerns Po angled his bow higher and let loose.  His arrow was joined by dozens of others from behind, each of them sailing up and out over the hundred yards that separated them from Yi's men. The metal heads glinted in the sun as the shafts rose and then fell, all falling either short or to the side of where Yi's men were. Their element of surprise gone, they had no other choice but to continue the charge; by the time they pulled up to turn about Yi's own men would be firing down on them.Â
Even before his arrow was falling toward the ground Po had another nocked and he let that one fly.  The other men behind them did the same, and this time a few found their marks, sending four of Yi's men to the ground dead while two others clutched at shafts sprouting from their legs. Surprise was gone, however, and Yi's men were already in a circular formation, their King at their center and heavily guarded with shields to stop any arrows that might find him.
After the second volley came the third, with much the same results, and then they were just a few dozen yards away. Wu grabbed the sword hanging from his belt and braced himself. Dao gave no sign of slowing the chariot or of turning it, and if he did neither they would slam right into the ring of horses and chariots surrounding Yi.Â
As they came within ten yards of the circle of men Dao let out a savage yell, dropped the reins from his hands, grabbed hold of his sword with one hand and clutched at the side of the car with the other. Wu did the same, but Po, an arrow nocked and ready, kept careful aim, either oblivious of the impact to come or totally unconcerned. When they were just yards away and Wu could see the fear in the Yue soldiers' eyes, Po let loose, his arrow slamming into and then out of the chest of the soldier directly in front of him. The last thing Wu saw was the man's eyes go wide before their horses reared and their chariot slammed into King Yi's line. After that everything went black.Â
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