[Three Kingdoms] A Smile Over the Shoulder

[This is my first novel, written for practice. I may revise the early chapters later, so please don't flame me.]

Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao, was from Yangdi in Yingchuan. Known as the "Genius Guo Fengxiao," he was one of the "Ten Philosophers of the Temple of Wu." Cao Cao called him his "extraordinary strategist." He often said that if he went south, he would never return alive, yet whenever he discussed strategy with Guo Jia, he would say they should first secure Jing Province.

This was a man who was utterly loyal, dared to take dangerous gambles, and could foresee the future with uncanny wisdom. Yet he died in 207 CE, the twelfth year of Jian'an, at the age of thirty-seven. At thirty-seven, Lu Bu was in his prime, Cao Cao had only recently raised his army, Liu Bei was just beginning to make a name for himself, and Zhuge Liang was gradually taking control of the Shu army. The real drama was just getting started, but Guo Jia had already left the stage. Just as the saying goes: "The show is about to begin, but sadly, I can't wait around to see it."

He left Cao Mengde to conquer the land alone. Whenever Cao Cao thought of flooding Xiapi, the ten advantages and ten disadvantages, or that final letter from Liucheng, he always remembered Guo Jia's infuriating face. Guo Jia was wild and unrestrained, never one to fuss over trivialities. Chen Qun was always catching him and scolding him for his lack of propriety, but Guo Jia would just laugh it off. He lived only thirty-seven years. They say good people die young while wicked ones live for a thousand years. So why couldn't Guo Jia, that great menace, live for a thousand?

In this age of war and competing warlords, Wang Xiao arrived. She swore to change Guo Jia's fate, but ended up losing several lives for his sake. Once Guo Jia figured out what she was trying to do, he gave a bitter smile. "I'd rather be cursed by Heaven for my talent than live out my life alone. Wang Zixi... no, Wang Xiao, you really are a fool."

Theme: Ask your beloved what they think. Otherwise, you might get hacked to pieces.