Rather Than Zhang Ran, Zhang Bao’s Eldest Daughter

How remarkable humans are.
Feeling you’ve wrung out every ounce of your body’s strength, yet still finding fresh reserves of mental fortitude to push yourself further.
The rejuvenating power people can derive from something as intangible as beauty, entirely separate from physical recovery, nutrition replenishment, or muscular repair.
The soldiers gathered here were keenly realizing this truth – that humans can at times draw strength simply from witnessing beauty.

It’s common to be too fatigued mid-training to take in one’s surroundings, yet every soldier here stole furtive glances towards a particular spot, unable to resist.
The object of their wandering gazes – a young girl running drills alongside them, completely out of place amidst the sweaty, grunting men of the military camp.
With her cropped hair, calm breathing as she diligently moved her feet, her very presence seemed to energize the men. ‘If even a little girl can do this, why can’t I?’ That competitive spirit, coupled with the desire to keep watching over her, propelled them forward.

The fortunate sergeant running right beside the girl mused – when she had first arrived, the men’s commander Zhang Fei had announced in his booming voice:
“This child is my daughter. From now on, she will join your training regimen. However, she will receive no special treatment for being my daughter. Nor will any of you be permitted to give her preferential treatment, upon penalty of corresponding discipline.”

With Zhang Fei’s stern decree, which soldier would dare defy it? Besides, she was just a 9-year-old girl. Her bobbed hair probably meant some misdeed necessitating training as punishment. They had assumed Zhang Fei would eventually pull her out, paying her no further mind.
Still, they had indulged in a bit of eye candy, whispering that with her beauty, she would grow into a tremendous femme fatale.

But as days became weeks, the soldiers realized – this girl was dead serious!

“Hah…hah…”
The sergeant was not particularly fit, below average even. Yet struggling to keep up with Zhang Fei’s grueling pace, he could only huff and puff.
He began to lag behind, the hyena-like opportunists eyeing their chance to overtake him. Just as the sergeant fought back tears, ready to fall back, a voice reached his ears from beside him:

“You can do it? Just a bit longer, we’re almost done.”
Not the gruff voices of the burly soldiers, but a clear, melodious feminine tone that remained composed even mid-drill. Hearing it inexplicably reinvigorated the sergeant, his narrowing stride widening as he pushed forward with renewed vigor.

§

Finishing the drill, I steadied my ragged breathing while stretching to cool down my muscles, extending and contracting my limbs this way and that. I could feel gazes converging, but I was used to it by now.

Casually brushing them off as I went about my routine, someone approached. Perhaps apprehensive after Zhang Fei’s initial stern warning, they had all kept their distance until now. But turning towards the familiar face from beside me during the drill, I spoke first:

“Is there something you need?”
My deliberate masculine manner of speech seemed to put the man at ease, his initial hesitation noticeably lessening.

“No, it’s just…thank you. Thanks to you, young lady, I was able to complete the full run. I feel like…I’ve grown a little.”
What did I do exactly? I had simply told him we were almost done, to push a bit more.
Any notion that he was merely forcing polite gratitude vanished upon seeing his earnest expression – unmistakably genuine, not the method acting I was accustomed to in the modern era.
Sometimes people do find profound inspiration from small things, I supposed. Well-timed, at least. I had been feeling too distanced, so this was a chance to bridge that gap, even if slightly.

Unlike the harsh, even brutal Zhang Fei, I was their comrade-in-arms now. If Zhang Fei was the daunting father-figure, I would be the approachable elder sister. The carrot to balance his stick, the good cop to his bad cop.

“Think nothing of it. I merely offered some encouragement – the one who persevered to the end was you…”

“Zhang San is my name. And please, speak informally with me.”
“Informally? As the general instructed, I desire no special treatment. I consider us all fellow soldiers.”

Though still a fresh recruit who had yet to see actual battle, my words seemed to deeply move Zhang San.
Glancing around, far from any backlash, I saw variations of Zhang San’s gratified expression on the soldiers’ faces.

Their initial low expectations of Zhang Fei’s notoriously ill-tempered daughter likely played a role. Knowing Zhang Fei had disobeyed Liu Bei’s advice about reforming his boorish ways, how could his daughter be any different? So to see me according them basic courtesy was a pleasant surprise.

“How could we commoners ever…?”
“We’re equals.”

This I firmly believed. Coming from the 21st century’s egalitarian society, the class system still felt alien to me. Certainly, modern society had its own unspoken hierarchies, and our individual worth undoubtedly varied vastly in this chaotic era. But at least here and now, we were on even footing.

Wearing the same uniforms, undergoing the same training, eating the same rations – of course, I would likely rise through the ranks faster and higher, but that was merely future speculation, not yet assured.

“But the general did say…”
“The general is strict because he is stricter still with himself. If he decreed it so, then it must be genuine, so don’t dwell on it unduly.”

I referred to Zhang Fei as ‘the general’ rather than ‘father’ to maintain boundaries. Calling me ‘young lady’ while emphasizing our father-daughter relation would only increase the disconnect.

Contrary to his passionate, emotional reputation from the Romance, the historical Zhang Fei exhibited impressive self-discipline befitting his Confucian ideals. He was not one to speak empty words lightly.

“Still, do not come to despise the general. It is not out of malice towards you soldiers, but due to his lofty expectations that he pushes you so fiercely. Did you not say yourself, Zhang San, that you felt you had grown, even if by a small step? That is his way – applying pressure out of a desire to see you improve further.”

At my words, Zhang San nodded dumbly with open mouth. Was I too mature for a 9-year-old? Yet to some extent, I needed to act my age for smoother acceptance.
Then again, prodigies like Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong left their marks on histories from my age, so perhaps I shouldn’t worry excessively.

Rather than unease, the soldiers around me seemed to find my speech admirable, praising me as a filial daughter. There was certainly a clear boundary separating me from them – like an exhibit at a zoo, almost. But now, there was a palpable shift towards an atmosphere of shared hardship camaraderie, however tenuous.

No longer just my perception, the soldiers inched closer, sporadically initiating conversations where before they had not dared.

Right, by steadily building these bonds further, I could eventually form an elite squad personally loyal to me, while also earning Zhang Fei’s favor.
I wonder, did Zhang Fei realize I was making such efforts for his sake?

§

Of late, Zhang Fei’s countenance was suffused with a joyful glow. As one seldom expressive, few could discern his shifts in demeanor, but now his elation was plain for all to see.
Those long able to read him were baffled by the depth of his delight, prompting questioning – as now.

“Younger brother, your smile seems permanently etched on your face. Has something pleased you?”
The man’s lengthy limbs and protruding ears lent a rugged appearance, yet his eyes were softly tranquil – Liu Bei, the protagonist of this era and then some.
His voice not only pleasing to the ear, but imbued with a certain power that put others at ease while subtly compelling allegiance. An ordinary person might have immediately unloaded their heart, but Zhang Fei was long accustomed to this.

Responding with a hearty laugh, Guan Yu spoke up in Zhang Fei’s stead:
“He has returned from visiting his family, has he not?”
Implying Zhang Fei’s good mood stemmed from seeing his loved ones, but Liu Bei instantly saw there was more behind his sworn brother’s exuberance, a perspicacity even Guan Yu lacked as the final battle for hegemony loomed.
Still, Liu Bei did not press the matter.

“It seems more than just that compels our brother’s joy. Will you not share with this elder brother?”
“I had intended to, Elder Brother.”
Reining in his mirth, Zhang Fei’s usual stoic expression returned – this matter transcended mere family affairs.

“Do you recall what you proposed before, Brother?”
“Something I said?”
“About forming a marital alliance.”
“Ah yes, I remember now. I suggested having one of your daughters wed my Adu. But why bring that up?”
“Well…Brother.”

Zhang Fei hesitated before continuing.
“Would it be acceptable if that marriage was not with my eldest Ran, but my younger Yan instead?”

“You insolent fool! What nonsense are you speaking?!”
His already ruddy complexion darkening further, Guan Yu erupted in outrage.
To Liu Bei, their brotherhood came second to his role as their lord. For him to have personally proposed the marriage, only for Zhang Fei to counter with his younger daughter instead of the eldest – it was the height of disrespect.
Had it been anyone else, Guan Yu might have drawn his blade right then and there. But because it was Zhang Fei, Guan Yu attempted to rein in his arrogant temper and make allowances for his brother-in-arms.

Guan Yu’s rebuke was not to chastise Zhang Fei so much as rebuke him from his standpoint, defusing the situation while covering for Zhang Fei’s rudeness. Yet Guan Yu was not the only one making such considerations.

Rather than taking offense, Liu Bei smiled kindly as he queried Zhang Fei:
“What reasons drive you to this?”

Moved by their brothers’ understanding, Zhang Fei no longer hesitated:
“Ran wishes to join the military.”
“The military?”
Guan Yu’s incredulous retort slipped out reflexively, having never conceived of such a possibility.

“Indeed, I’ve heard you’ve brought your daughter to train alongside the soldiers.”
Liu Bei was already aware that Zhang Ran had been participating in drills with the rank and file. As Zhang Fei and Guan Yu’s left and right arms, news regarding them inevitably reached Liu Bei’s ears – an occurrence like this would have been more unusual had it not.

“Yes, that is correct.”
“Since this decision is yours, I trust you have sufficient reasons for it.”
Zhang Fei then laid out the full story behind his determination.
The words Ran had spoken upon his return home. Her resolution demonstrated by cutting her own hair. The ‘Guan Zhong’ passage she cited. Even the bout they had engaged in.

“Ran was born with my martial prowess.”
“But she is still a girl, is she not? Girls may grow faster and stronger than boys in childhood, but eventually men’s strengths surpass them – this is natural law.”
Zhang Fei heavily nodded at Guan Yu’s plain logic.

“Your words ring true, Brother. Yet Ran is different. If you witness her directly, I believe you will understand. Like myself and Guan Yu, she was born with divine abilities. What I displayed was beyond what a 9-year-old, an untrained child at that, should be capable of.”

“Is that so? If you insist.”
Narrowing his eyes in contemplation over Zhang Fei’s claims, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were interrupted by the tent flap swishing open.

“My lord, my apologies for the delay.”
The tall, handsome newcomer required no introduction – his scholar’s robe and ornate feathered fan marking him as Zhuge Liang, the peerless grand master strategist of the era.

Zhuge Liang’s entrance prompted Liu Bei to fully open his observant eyes in welcome.
“Come, Royal Uncle. Join us here.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Taking his place beside Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang attempted to grasp the undercurrents from their muted atmosphere. However, Liu Bei had no desire to revisit their prior conversation.

“Yide, we’ll continue this discussion another time – with the child present.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
Knowing to separate personal from official matters, Zhang Fei responded deferentially.

From Liu Bei’s reference to ‘the child,’ Zhuge Liang instantly deduced the topic of their previous dialogue. Yet considering the unique bond between the three sworn brothers, he deemed it inappropriate to inquire unbidden. What was a domestic affair between families became a critical issue of alliances when concerning the lord – yet it remained an intimate matter between the trio that outsiders could not easily intrude upon, even he.

Nevertheless…
‘I should observe her myself.’
This girl Zhang Ran, once slated to become Liu Shan’s wife and a future empress.