Chapter Five:Gavin VS Zhao Er
545 AC
King Huang Fu Di, founder of the Northern Kingdom dies at the age of 78 in 545 AC. Before he died, he wrote a short book about his life.
"The war, the chaos... it gave me so much pain and power at the same time. My father died early from sickness and I succeeded him as Lord of Chang Shang. Some people called me a prodigy, some people called me a brat. I was only 13 years old when I became Lord of Chang Shang.
The corrupt ministers tried to control me like a puppet but some who were very loyal to my father tried to get rid of the corrupters. Many were executed because the ones who were corrupt were in very high position. General Zhao Ming had always been favored by my father and was complimented as a very loyal subordinate. I asked him to tutor me and advise me. General Zhao Ming asked me what I desire most. I told him... I am a very ambitious man. I want all to bow before me and I will succeed! I will conquer all four corners of the map and rule over all! All those who oppose me will recieve one reward and that is death!
General Zhao Ming was quite frightened and impressed at my burning ambition. He laughed and asked me what I think I should do first. I told him that I will get rid of all these unloyal ministers! The only problem is that I do not have enough supporters. Zhao Ming told me that I am the Lord and I have his support. I dismissed him and think over of what should be done...
The next day, I woke up and called a court meeting summoning all court officials. I ordered new laws to be made and troops are to use new equipment that I designed myself. Ministers completely disagreed with me but General Zhao Ming and several loyal subordinates supported my ideas. Six years later, I unified the north through war and declared myself as King, stripped all power from the corrupters and had them all executed. I was the dominant one."
King Huang Yun has ascended the throne and built a Mausoleum inside the Forbidden Cave of Black Heavens and buried his father in there. Hundreds of ten thousands of clay soldiers were made to protect his father in the afterlife each with unique facial features. The founder of a great kingdom was buried in the cursed cave and will be protected by the curse.
King Huang Yun immediately promoted General Zhao Er to Commander-In-Chief and granted him an army of 100,000 elite units to recapture Dhirm. Two of the main assistant generals were General Gorio and General Liu Wei.
Meanwhile, Gavin's army of 70,000 attacked the village the Lagul tribes and burned it to the ground and also captured there leader Lalo. Lalo was crucified. After Gavin annilhated the Lagul tribe, he marched directly to Dhirm. While marching to Dhirm, Gavin's scouts reported that General Zhao Er has recaptured Dhirm. Instead of attacking Dhirm, Gavin waited patiently because he believes that he can find an opportunity. Dhirm has been massacred and is very weak, Dhirm won't have enough food to support Zhao Er's massive army. Gavin's prediction was correct and Zhao Er's army sallied forth but the terrain was very flat and Gavin took advantage of this by sending his army of Knights to crush the northern army with a couched lance forcing the North to lose heavy casulties.
546 AC
Gavin devised a strategy by sending a group of assassins to Dhirm so that they will open the gate and attack from the inside when Gavin launches his attack. The strategy was a complete success and Dhirm eventually fell to the Holy Council. Zhao Er, Liu Wei and Gorio were captured. Gavin ordered Gorio and Liu Wei to be executed for betraying the Holy Council but Zhao Er stopped them by boasting. Zhao Er insulted Gavin by saying that Gavin is a good tactician but he is nothing in battle. Zhao Er dared Gavin to fight him in a duel to the death. Gavin laughed at him and accepted. Zhao Er said "How about we give a prize to the victorious? If I win, you are to release me and all the troops you captured from me, if you win.... I'll give you the city of Uxkhal without having you lose casulties. Uxkhal is very rich and heavily defended. If you attack from Dhirm to Uxkhal, you will fail greatly." Gavin was very confident and accepted stating that only a fool would refuse.
Gavin believed that Zhao Er was just a young man who was a complete fool. Gavin was very strong and muscular and could pick up three horses. Zhao Er had scrawny arms. Gavin had a very large and heavy sword that can break armor in half. Zhao Er wielded a long sword without a shield. When Gavin saw Zhao Er's weapon, he laughed at him and insulted the Northern Kingdom for there foolishness in equipment. The duel began and it was an unmounted battle. Gavin ran up towards Zhao Er like he was a bow and swung his sword at him and Zhao Er dodged it. Afterwards, they exchanged blows. The duel took hours and hours and Gavin was impressed at how Zhao Er was keeping up with him but Gavin does not intend to lose and die. This is a battle to the death. Zhao Er's swordsmanship style was as swift as the wind and Gavin began to get tired because of the weight of his weapon. Eventually Zhao Er got the upperhand and cuts off Gavin's helmet and then puts his sword around Gavin's neck. Gavin was helpless. Zhao Er said "I have no reason to kill you, I serve my country with loyalty and do my duty. You also do the same. You have lost this duel, admit defeat and let us go free." Gavin said "Hmph, Get out of my sight!" Zhao Er sheathes his sword, turns around and walks away to free the prisoners. When Zhao Er turned away, Gavin picked up his heavy sword and attempted to launch a sneaky and unhonorable attack to kill Zhao Er. Zhao Er noticed the large flash of Gavin's sword and does a quick draw and cut Gavin's waist killing him. Gavin lies on the ground dead.
The people of Dhirm watched the duel and saw the council's unhonorable doing and Zhao Er's skill and love for his troops. The people of Dhirm cheered and bowed to Zhao Er swearing loyalty to the North. The people of Dhirm created chaos on the troops defending Dhirm. The troops under Gavin tried to stop this but they were killed in the riot. Zhao Er saw this confusion and huried up to the prison. The peasants followed Zhao Er to help him break into the prison to free the followers of the Northern Kingdom. However, Gorio was missing. Gavin of the Holy Council leads an army to attack Dhirm... captures it but it eventually fell back to the Northern Kingdom. A waste of lives and effort. It even gave the North more momentum. Zhao Er ordered Gavin to be buried and said these words on his grave. "Gavin, you were a powerful warrior and a good tactician but after my father died, I dedicated all my free time on studying military strategy. I want to surpass my father and I have done so! Everything that runs in my mind is military strategy. My mind has become obsessed with it and always have the thought of it. You may call me insane, but an insane person like me is also honorable and loyal. I predicted every outcome. I knew that you would accept my duel, and I knew that you would lose. I even expected the riot to happen. You helped me accomplish something. Your demise. You underestimated me, I am the greater military strategist."
King Huang Yun gave Zhao Er the title Grand Commander of The Central Plains and promised that he will make him Prince of The Central Plains if he helps him destroy the Holy Council. King Huang Yun wants to finish what his father tried doing and is truly confident he can do so.
