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Post by Sun Quan on Nov 3, 2009 3:34:52 GMT
Cao Cao seeks the grand halls of Chang'An. But can he rise to the challenge, after his previous defeat?
Battle Mod:
Me.
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Post by Cao Cao on Nov 4, 2009 0:29:22 GMT
Battle Map
Attacking Leader: Cao Cao Troops200 Medium Cavalry 200 Cavalry Archers 200 Raiding Cavalry 400 Scout Cavalry 600 Pikemen 600 Armoured Lancers 800 Heavy Cavalry 1,000 Veteran Swordsmen 1,000 Veteran Bowmen 1,720 Crossbowmen 2 Drum Corps 2 Arbalests 2 Catapults
Cao Cao had marched for several days to the west, passing cities, crop rotations and small out of the way towns and villages. He had watched men work long hours on the fields with their pitch forks, admired the vibrancy of the green lush fields and watched as the birds soared the sky in the early mornings. He had watched it all with a distinct satisfaction on his face and a curve among his chipped, bitter lips. He had not come to Chang’An, with his personal army to seek friendship, or to even pretend that he had come to discuss matters in a diplomatic way; he had come seeking war and fortune - Profits for the upcoming expeditions that he had planned in his councils. But he was not an evil man, nor did he enjoy the idea of what he was about to do. But now, more than ever – the people needed to see his resolution, they needed to see him conquer and destroy and who else put to pick on than the remnants of a tyrant. He smiled. He had recalled back to the days of old, when he was still only a little man among a field of veterans. He had recalled the Yellow Turbans besieging the cities in northern Ji, watched as Dong Zhuo and his vast army pillaged and burnt the city of Luo Yang – that even now he was having to rebuild when the funding became available. He had been forced to watch the world suffer, merely so that instead he could grow strong from its ruins. It had been worth it, or at least that’s what he believed – it was all worth it, even Chi Bi. In a way, it served as a reminder that no man is god – not even he, who destroyed Yuan Shao’s vast army and destroyed those who opposed him. It didn’t matter, he was back – and his army marched steadily behind him to prove it. On the fifth day, Cao Cao’s vast army approached the region of Chang’An, and they made camp some several thousand metres away, sending scouts and other units to observe and relay the lands topography to those who would be able to analyse its records. Cao Cao remained in his tent, and then sent forth a messenger to the city, Cao knew the man may not return alive – which is why he had used a passing villager to relay a document to the ruler of the city, then – if he was to die, it wouldn’t have been on his own conscious. Not that he cared enough to have a conscious... The messenger, or peasant – rode to the city gates with a Wei steed and some leather garments given to him by Cao Cao’s supply deposits, upon his standing before the city gates he read aloud its contents, knowing that the 70 gold pieces given to him were more than enough to feed his family for the next few years. “Rulers of Chang An, remnants of Dong Zhuo’s army and fighters of this region. Cao Cao, lord of Zhong Yuan, protector of the Han and Imperial secretariat, hereby declares....” The messenger paused mid-speech, gazed over the contents and then realised just what it was that he had been given to do. “I’m sorry.” He closed his eyes, prayed to his wife and three children and then continued promptly, not once leaving the scroll that adorned his hand, “war on the infidels of the Chang’An government. The Han Emperor, in his glory has signed for an Imperial Edict asking for the removal of stated generals Guo Si and Li Jue. Cao Cao, in his forever growing mercy among those who swear loyalty to the Han and to himself, offer you but a simple ultimatum. Lower your swords, and receive capital punishment for your crimes – or be the ones responsible for the obliteration of your entire family’s households. Cao Cao offers no other terms and has come fully equipped to seek and destroy those the Emperor has declared war against.”
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Post by Sun Quan on Nov 5, 2009 16:42:02 GMT
In reply, the city of Chang'An sent an arrow.
Cao Cao was indeed smart, he knew well his messenger would die, and he knew well he would feel no sorrow for the act.
As the messenger lost control of his body he fell back to the ground, landing with a distinct thud... but the earth would not be silent yet, for the loud whaling of war drums could be heard, growing in size and number as the city began to rise from the slumber it had been locked in since Zhuo's death.
Further back, deep behind the corruption of the palace walls sat a man tiding to a body. His hands worked diligently, trying to make the man look like he hadn't been poisoned. The man, now already beginning to show signs of rot, was Guo Si. After washing the man's neck another pass, the man carefully backed away and surveyed the crime scene. Everything was a mess... as usual. A few soft words and the man was out, already walking down the halls in search of Li Jue, his commander.
After much deliberation, he found his lord, slumped over by a large bin of win, half dressed women and soldiers scattered about the room. [yellow]"Lord Guo Si has been.. found dead my lord."[/yellow] Despite his drunken and tired mood, Li Jue rose up for a few seconds, his hand stirring around the air like some mad conductor. Something was wrong with the man- his words coming out in feint hymns, was he losing his mind? Indeed, all of a sudden he thrust his hand out one last time, pointing it at his general and then fell back to where he sat, disgruntled still. His forever 'loyal' servant lowered his head, a smile crossing his lips as he chuckled to himself 'and so are you, lord Li Jue.'
The sound of the war drums however shook him from his silent glory. What was this trouble? He was the man who controlled the troops, all were destined to fall in line behind him now that both Li Jue and Guo Si had been killed. What could possibly be in his way now?
After much deliberation the general arrived upon the walls, over looking the body that still clutched so tightly the paper it'd brought with it. His eyes followed the edge of the sky, its grey and dubious nature doing well to harm his hope. The sight of the large army in the distance did well to kill off what was left of it.
"Commander Tu Yin!"
[black]"Good news I hope you bring.."[/black]
The soldier whispered into his ear two words, "Cao Cao."
[black]"Shit."[/black]
"What my lord?"
[black]"Nothing.. get the army ready, man the walls, prepare city defense plan D."[/black]
"Sir.. are you sur-"
[black]"Do as I tell you or I will burn your house down myself."[/black]
The guard nodded and ran off. Yu Tin scowled at the army off in the distance for a while longer before deciding he would need to dawn his armour and prepare for the upcoming events. He shuffled down the stairs, his mood somber. Today was supposed to be his day. Up the other side of the stares several hundred crossbows took to the walls.
The gates were all locked and reinforced with massive wooden logs. They would be defending the city from inside, rather than face Cao Cao in a field battle.
Troops
150 Medium Cavalry
200 Cavalry Archers
300 Heavy Cavalry
700 Pikemen
600 Veteran Swordsmen
500 Veteran Bowmen
1000 Crossbowmen
300 Bowmen
10 Drum Corps
1 Catapult
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Post by Cao Cao on Nov 5, 2009 17:50:49 GMT
Cao Cao was ruminating over his plan when the report came in.
“My lord, the messenger was killed.”
He had not expected any other outcome from the message he had sent, after all – he had come with a purpose, “very well.” He said solemnly, and rose from his seat in the council. He had forgotten what war was like, he had spent so long dwelling after the events of Chi Bi that he had now found himself captivated by the idea of spilling the blood of his enemies, it was a thought that worried him.
“How goes the report on what our scouts have found?”
“They just returned, it seems they’re holding up in the city and are waiting for us to breach their walls.”
Cao Cao sighed to that, and walked over to the table he had set up.
“Is everything alright my lord?”
“No.” Cao smiled to his officer, although his face was strained, “There is something amiss here.”
“How so?”
“Li Jue and Guo Si are not men to hide away when a confrontation is brought to them, they happily engaged me when I saved the emperor all of those years ago, and they stormed the city even when Lu Bu defended it. Something is wrong here – but, you know what they say.”
He began to smile, and his officer gazed wearily at him, “and what do they say, my lord.”
“If it is a wall that divides us, then it is the wall that we must destroy.”
He laughed abruptly and left his officer confused at the ideal. It was not odd to see Cao Cao laugh over his own statements, ever since Guan Du he had sort of enjoyed laughing at his own comments, people got used to it.
“So the catapults should be deployed?”
“Of course.” Cao Cao moved over to his desk, held up a scroll and then passed it to his lieutenant, “Keep the army out of their range, but unleash our catapults, if they plan to hide behind their walls – then I shall simply force them out into the open.”
His lieutenant bowed his head and retreated, taking along with him the scroll that was presented. Cao Cao stayed behind to pack up his equipment, then – the army moved out and he watched from the rear lines as his catapults were assembled and pushed. He had assigned many men to help with their construction, he had even helped attach the rope to the bar – but now it was time for it to be manned by those trained in siege warfare, men who knew its designs. Men that were very different than Cao Cao, who planned the battle from the outside with his armoured cavalry behind him.
The catapults were set up outside of the enemies range and the great rocks from the supply deposits were forced onto the great machines, then – with a flick of Cao Cao’s wrist, such weapons were unleashed, sending huge boulders towering towards the cities gates and walls. He did not aim them at the city, and had forced the catapults to fire at a slightly longer distance, so that it’s great descend would smash into the wall and the gate, and not the buildings behind them.
Summary
Cao Cao unleashes his catapults on the cities walls – BRING THEM DOWN I SAY, BRING THEM DOWN!
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Post by Sun Quan on Nov 5, 2009 18:40:36 GMT
From his high post in the palace Tu Yin could begin to see the machine that was Cao Cao's army begin to warm up. Wei was an impressive little 'formula,' thought the sullen figure.
But with so many variables, with so many things to keep an eye on, could Cao Cao's army honestly count on every single sprocket, pin and crank?
[black]"But Cao Cao is such a mastermind, how can one man be so much.."[/black]
"My lord, the prepearations are ready. The fake army of crossbowmen have adorned the walls... also, what will you have me do with lor- er, Guo Si's and Li Jue's bodies?"
Tying his sword to his hip, Tu Yin eyed the massive chunks of rock falling in the distance, crashing into his walls. He'd only had them for a few hours.. Yin swiveled around and swiftly began to exit the the King's chambers, his adviser on his coat tails. [black]"We shall dispose of them when we have the time, for now we must make haste in our preparations for Cao Cao."[/black]
The two exited, departing from the scene. Back by the window more rocks could be seen crashing in the distance, and now the dull of the war drums paled in comparison to the thunderous crackling from the rocks. In the streets people panicked, despite the army's work put into to calm then down.
Around the streets soldiers began to begin depositing large pots of burning coals. The troops were quickly realized to be the real crossobowmen.
Further up the front, facing the gate Cao Cao was trying to knock down, stood a large force of men. They would be second to encounter the wrath of Cao today.
A large, burly man stood at their front, in his hand a spear that befit his image. A small white flag was tied under its point; he knew that before the day was over, before his battle was over, it would be soiled red. Tuning to his men, he began to shout out some last few words, the sound of rocks cracking their prized walls sending the men cowering as he continued. Yet not to be defeated by Mengde's machines, he kept on, "Let us prize this day, this day of days, this hell of hells. I, Shang Yun, will never be slave to the machines of one man, nor shall I fall to the likes of Cao Cao. Who is with me?!"
The troops cheered.
Further in the city the groups of archers equipped with bats of steaming coals dispersed, making sure that all was prepared.
Army of 'crossbowmen' on walls is made out of straw.
The army is dispersing itself around the city.
A large formation of troops stands at the front of the city [behind the walls], waiting for Cao Cao's attack.
That formation:
Shang Yun
450 Pikemen
300 Veteran Swords
400 Crossbowmen (on their flanks)
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Post by Dian Wei on Nov 5, 2009 19:30:06 GMT
Troops:
400 Veteran Swordsmen
200 Armoured Lancers
Catapult
They had been marching for five days on there journey to chang’an. There were no unforeseen problems, morale had been good. They were more than ready, though Dian Wei. He was ready too and had no reason to doubt himself. After all what cause was nobler than slaughtering rebels?
As he had watched the messenger ride away there had been no doubts in his mind that there would soon be bloody conflict. The defiant rebels would never surrender but they had nothing to fear, everything was in order.
Now his own catapult had moved in to join the others, it’s engineers groaning with the effort. It made him smile, believing that even they could exert themselves for the cause. He gave the command and it hurled it’s load toward the walls.
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Post by Cao Cao on Nov 5, 2009 19:52:32 GMT
Cao Cao watched as the figures fell from the walls like petals dropping from a flower in autumn, as his rocks crashed into the city sending small quakes to ripple over the muddy ground before them. He watched as the drums began to roll in the distance and as Dian Wei’s small platoon followed him up from behind, striking the gate of the city with their own equipment. Everything he watched was still, calm – every calculation precise, it was only an amount of time before it would crumble to his knees, and when it inevitably did – he would be there, ready and in wait.
He pushed the army forth, and initiated his first calculation. He feared nothing in his glory and watched as the arbalests moved up, inch by inch – weary of enemy attacks. He had thought of it as a ruse at first, as a plan to lure him in – but as his arbalests moved forward it all became clear.
“Men!” He roared for his swordsmen to stay up, still safe from whatever surprises his enemy had in store for him, “Send the arbalests to the fore, strike down their gates.”
His catapults launched again, followed by Dian Wei’s catapult, each rock crashed into the wall or the gate and it shivered in response. Then the wooden arbalests neared the wall, sending huge wooden stakes to crash and cripple the gate of the city. It would fall, he told himself, or by god’s name that city would be in ruin by the time he had finished with it!
Summary
Arbalests move up and attack the gate
Catapults continue to mow the walls
Dian Wei has come to support Cao Cao’s main unit
AND BY GOD THAT CITY WILL FALL – OR I WILL DINE IN HELL FOR THE MURDEROUS INTENT BROUGHT UPON ME IN THIS DAY OF DIVINE RIGHT!
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Post by Sun Quan on Nov 6, 2009 20:54:33 GMT
Tu Yin threw the large collection of papers that were shoved into his hand across the table, hitting the advisers and captains he now found so pesky. No wonder Li Jue and Guo Si drank themselves beyond imagination everyday- how else could one deal with such blatant, inconsiderate and egotistical pricks. His actions however had done well to shut them all up, and they suddenly looked to their commander in fear, knowing his backlash was indeed meant death.
After much silence the room shook, the sound of the gates being heckled permeating their meeting. Yin thought aloud, [black]"Cao Cao isn't prepared for the way we will defend this city... but alas, he may still win because of the fact he will never stop till he does."[/black]
"My lord.. what about.." The single adviser pointed to something on the map, and the Tu Yin suddenly realized what he had to do.
[black]"Good, prepare the ropes and send the engineers to the front."[/black]
Outside, the army stood still, their positions ready for Cao Cao's onslaught. Further behind the gate, the troops stationed to the front could clearly make out the sound of an arbalest raking its claws against their last bastion of defense. Shang Yun, the general at the front, was about to say a few more words when a messenger arrived before him, twenty engineers with him. Each held a large poleaxe like hammer. Behind them more men began running around with large ropes.
"Bring the gate down.. it may just work, men, aid them!"
Quickly the the men ran to the walling around the gate and began hammering away at its foundation, tearing away the very rocks that were to protect them. Several courage troops ran to the top and tied the massive ropes around the two top points above the gate, a few however were shaken off of the gate and plummeted to their death.
"Hurry!" Yelled Shang Yun, the sound of Cao Cao's arbalests telling him that time was not a variable that they controlled today.
Then with a loud boom the last arbalest shot finally rocked the gate too hard, sending the massive wooden planks down and off of their hinges, hitting the ground with a massive thud. Yun looked away, knowing that some workers had been in the gates entrance.. still chipping away at the wall... 'Damn,' he thought as he viewed inside the gate, Cao Cao was indeed close. With a shout he called for his men to gather the ropes and the engineers to exit the field, less they wanted to die with their brothers.
A few moments later the flanks of Yun's formation were holding onto the massive ropes, a hundred on each side. What was their plan?
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Post by Cao Cao on Nov 7, 2009 15:48:29 GMT
Cao Cao called for Dian Wei to attend a meeting on the circumstances that had slowly risen during the siege. He had hurled boulders of various sizes, hurled wooden stakes large enough to cripple an entire formation – and had successfully torn the gates from the walls, and yet no response came, nothing but the dry dust flickered across the open expanse, nothing but the tumbleweed of their passing rolling across the should be enemy defences.
It was amazing, but it had also acted as a re-assurance that Guo Si and Li Jue were not fielding the enemy on this day, what happened to them he would later find out, for now the city was under attack, and he would not stop until the man leading this city lay before him, with his neck exposed, awaiting the capital punishment for those who defy his standing in this world. He was not evil – and he took it as his responsibility to remind people of that, he just had a way of dealing with things, and death just so happened to fit his budget.
“Men.” He roared his masked voice, and flicked a hand out as he observed the field, he had only one goal in mind, the fall of this great city, “Do not stop – the gate may have fallen, but I asked for the wall to be destroyed, so destroy it.”
His men watched from afar as Cao Cao relayed the order, and again the catapults flung into the open sky, before descending upon the walls of his enemies.
“Send the arbalests forward, archers, follow me!”
He nodded to his cavalry and his entire army began to shift, steadily towards the city. When he reached a line of fire for his own bowmen he stopped, set up camp and then issued for his arbalests to cover the gap in the walls.
“Aim for the gate, anything behind them will feel our fury, catapults! Advance a few yards, destroy the top of the walls.”
His men nodded and the arbalests were positioned right in front of the gate, about 100 metres away, then the men fired, sending huge wooden stakes to fly through and crash into the open plaza of the city beyond. Archers adorned the ranks behind the arbalest, about 300 metres away and unleashed volley after volley into the city. Cao Cao did not come to Chang’An to win a fair, honest fight – he came to challenge his enemies in the art of psychological warfare, and he knew that he would win.
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Post by Cao Ren on Nov 8, 2009 3:58:56 GMT
Troops: Cao Ren's entire army consisting of:
200 Scout Cavalry
200 Cavalry Archers
200 Lancer Cavalry
300 Medium Cavalry
200 Raiding Cavalry
200 Heavy Cavalry
200 Armoured Lancers
200 Veteran Bowmen
400 Bowmen
300 Crossbowmen
030 Commando's
700 Pikemen
400 Veteran Swordsmen
200 Peasants
600 Spearmen
500 Swordsmen
2 Arbalests
1 Catapult
4 Onagers
10 Ladders
2 Siege Rams
"Lord Cao Ren! News has come that your cousin, Cao Cao is marching to attack Chang'An, led under the former generals of the tyrant Dong Zhuo!"
Such were the words of one of Xixiao's messengers as he rushed into the tavern. The Tinkerer and his army were currently staying in Luo Yang, roaming around with little coin to spare and many hungry soldiers. The men had been like this for nearly a month now, and morale was steadily thinning... If Cao Ren was to raise their spirits, they were going to need another battle, and another warlord to serve. The life of a mercenary warband was generally short lived, though. Time continued to pass, and soon, Xixiao's forces would need to find a sole banner to march behind, if it was not to be his own.
Happenstance. A wide grin spread over the armored general's features, and he stood from his place in the bar, motioning for his strategist, Ran Kai Rui, as well as the messenger.
"Hoh! Fortune seems to finally smile on us, my friends! Lord Cao Cao marches on in Chang'An, but two days a ride from where I rest my greaves! Kai Rui, Ming Pu!" Both the messenger and the lanky strategist turned to their commander, as well as a number of patrons who had noticed the commotion stirring from Cao Ren's vicinity. Some were his men, whose sullen expressions had quickly brightened, while others were common citizens witnessing a general in action.
"Today is the day we have been waiting for; a golden window of opportunity has opened for us, a chance to finally stabilize ourselves, and we shall seize it! Collect the men, and gear up! Tonight, we march to Chang'An!!" With much haste, all of the general's men shot up, and were off like bullets blazing arrows. Ran Kai Rui remained, and the two men exchanged a smile before following the others out.
Two days was naught but a blur for Cao Ren and his forces, and on the third day of their travels, the echoes of war and turmoil began to manifest themselves. Over the horizon, Cao Cao's forces had already begun their assault, bombarding Chang'An's walls with their catapults. After commanding his strategist Kai Rui to continue leading the march as well as prepare for his signal, Xixiao and fifty of his finest heavy cavalry rode forth to meet the Hero of Chaos. They charged along, gaining speed over the rest of the army, and within half an hour, had reached Cao Cao's rear camp, with the rest of the army trailing their heels.
'We're quite close to the city... The walls seem to have been almost completely obliterated. However, there's absolutely no signs of skirmish other than that. Why does the defending army refuse to fight back?' A curious inquiry, that it was, but one that could be spared for later. The rumble of nearing thunder signaled Xixiao's army's approach, and after showing his intent to speak with his cousin and not stab him (he even removed Crane from his forearm, a rare occurrence), stepped into Cao Cao's war tent, falling to a knee and removing his helmet as a show of respect.
"Lord Cao Cao, your humble cousin Cao Ren presents himself and his finest troops to aid in your campaign of Chang'An!" Raising his head, fire burned within his eyes as he continued. "My men and I are but simple soldiers who wish to fight under a united banner and quench their thirst for war, and should you permit, we shall raise our swords as one against your foes!"
A positive response was his hope, and it was what he received. Hastily bowing to his older cousin and re-arming himself, Cao Ren made his way out of the main camp, facing his army. His left arm flew up, and he pumped it once in the air. From the front of the anxious line of men, Ran Kai Rui's eyes lit up, and he turned on his horse to face the army.
"Alright, men! Our new lord has given permission to our commander to fight! Engineers, set up the siege weapons posthaste! Archers, follow Lord Cao Cao's lead and bolster their line of fire and assemble our arbalests to fortify the offense! The rest of us shall stand with Lord Cao Cao's troops until the orders are given! Stand tall, men, for our weary journey is over!"
The roar of four thousand men created a stifling explosion behind Cao Cao's army, and immediately, Cao Ren's troops spread itself among their new allies. A single catapult and four onagers were assembled from the ground up, and the five artillery arms were rolled out to assist the first three. At the front lines, two extra arbalests began to fire volleys through the gates. Two hundred avid bowmen joined Cao Cao's veteran line of archers, while the other seven hundred bowmen and crossbowmen spread themselves out one hundred metres ahead of the more experienced ones, sending a rain of arrows into Chang'An.
From the main camp, Cao Ren grinned, mounting his horse and preparing for his new liege's next set of orders. His cavalrymen stayed behind, and the fifty-one men waited patiently for the order to charge.
Summary:
-Cao Ren barrels into Cao Cao's camp and swears his allegiance to Wei.
-1 catapult and 4 onagers are added to the siege weapon lineup, hailing stones on Chang'An
-200 Veteran Bowmen bolster Cao Cao's archery line
-400 Bowmen and 300 Crossbowmen step one hundred metres ahead of the Veterans and serve as support fire between the arbalests and Vet.Bows.
-2 Arbalests pile up with Cao Cao's and add to their firepower.
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Post by Dian Wei on Nov 8, 2009 19:15:40 GMT
It was strange, thought Dian wei. Despite the lose of the gate the defenders would not come out. Hopefully lord cao cao would soon give the order and he could drag them out himself! No, in this battle he would try to strategise, to plan thoroughly.
‘Who was he kidding?’ He thought as he watched his lone catapult rumble into place, some distance away and continue firing. He continued on his way to the lords camp. Upon entering he bowed low, awaiting his lords orders.
“What do you ask of me, my lord?”
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Post by Sun Quan on Nov 9, 2009 5:35:21 GMT
((Come on Dian, you know you want to come on in  )) Deterrence. "What.. my lord?" [black]"Deterrence, it has for ages stopped men in their tracks; it a true killer of the ambitious soul."[/black] "But can it finish the job?" [black]"...."[/black] Tu Yin viewed the scene again, this time his figure nonchalantly passing down the palace steps that lead to the courtyard. He needed to get out of the palace now, lead his men, see what become of this battle. As he took down the steps and found his way into the courtyard he wasn't surprised that the sound of Cao Cao's barrage had not let up; no, it made him smile slightly. The bastard was still there, after all. If Cao Cao would ruin his day, he would ruin that man's as well. It was the least he could do, knowing he couldn't defeat the man wholeheartedly. Mounting his horse and ordering his escort to follow him, Tu Yin bid his minister farewell.. the man's eyes cold and lifeless, making him wonder just how his men felt about their 'cause.' Would they fight Cao Cao? Did they know the pain he would bring upon him if they surrendered? They must, for Cao Cao's 'ambition' was told far and wide to any ear that dare listen. Peeling out of the palace gates, he admired his troops, saluting them as he went about between the many scattered groups. Each set of eyes he met with his own, burning the men into the inner depths of his mind. There would be no reason not to, he'd die with them today and would have to deal with the pain of remembering. Carrying on, his large army of cavalry eventually began to gather behind him as he went about. Further up to the front, Shang Yun cried out, "Pull the damn gate down! We must destroy the entrance!" He didn't have to tell his men twice for they'd come under fire from Cao Cao's arbalest fire, which had managed to find its way home. The fiery general who'd been told to guard the gate wouldn't have any of it though, forcing his men back in line, picking up those that had fallen.. dropping those that he didn't realized had already been dead. 'Damn that Cao Cao,' he thought coldly as he went about. To the sides his men worked and worked hard, pulling down the wall would be difficult task, even for an army twice their size. After much deliberation and a few more rounds of barrage fire, the walls began to crumble. "Excellent, for Chang'An!" Shang Yun was proud, his left division pulling down their side first, the right quickly following suit. In mass the wall began to crumble above the entrance, falling and then cracking along with the other sections immediately around it. Everyone's eyes turned to watch it fall, amazed.. nothing could be heard now, the moment deafening other than the sounds of rocks turning to a pile of rubble. "Brilliant." An arrow whizzed by Yun's face, striking the ground next to him. Wei wasn't through, it seemed, their archers doing well to blacken the sky with their folly ammo. Lucky for the defending troops, they were out of sight completely now, and all Cao Cao could do was strike where he thought there would be enemy. "Men, spread out, find cover if you can through the houses.. do whatever you can, we must stand tall till the storm subsides!" The actual storm, not Cao Cao's, was still brewing high above. Tu Yin watched it closely, his eyes only seeming to live for the sky. He was a devious man, like Cao Cao. Yet his enemy did not know that. Back near the gate, the large pile of rubble stood tall, it would prevent any cavalry from moving into the city, and would require troops to take their time as they crossed over it. Losses: Shang Yun Unit 40 Pikemen 20 Veteran Swords 30 Crossbowmen Current Troops: Shang Yun 410 Pikemen 280 Veteran Swords 370 Crossbowmen (on their flanks) Tu Yin 300 Bowmen 600 Crossbowmen 500 Veteran Bowmen 300 Veteran Swordsmen 150 Medium Cavalry 200 Cavalry Archers 300 Heavy Cavalry 250 Pikemen 10 Drum Corps 1 Catapult |
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Post by Cao Cao on Nov 12, 2009 15:15:42 GMT
(Sorry for the delay brother, I’ve been somewhat occupied with certain college related problems, but everything is okay now.)
Cao Cao gazed at the city in its greatest achievements, as a capital of a province and the current capital of the actual land of China, it was impressive. But Cao Cao sought not a city with high walls and a protective barrier; he sought a city that would reflect his ambitions, his dreams. Chang’An was to be made into an example, an example that justified his existence, his military power and the very fact that he and he alone dictated and controlled the Han Imperial Court.
He had, on many occasions been asked to dethrone the emperor, but he was not a dictator, nor was he interested in the riches that such a bold move would ensue. Instead, he cared for the old regime, the political and government run affairs of the olden Han. Now, he thought the emperor was weak, young and foolish – all he would do is control it until one emperor of age came to take away his position. It was, to him – as simple as that.
“When this city is mine.” He said, “I will exempt taxes from its civilians for two years, to show my honour and respect.”
His advisor smiled at that, but no response was made as the pair gazed into the ruins of the cities walls. It had once stood tall – magnificent, it was strange at how such a beautiful monument could be so easily destroyed.
“So, what will you do now my lord?” Asked his advisor.
“I don’t know.” Cao Cao smiled to himself and then turned to Dian Wei, who had arrived as requested. “I hear my cousin has come to join me, maybe he will know what to do.”
Cao Ren was a brave warrior, a man known by the people of his little village. He was made into no specific rank, but he was one of the few men that Cao Cao truly and utterly trusted, a man whose life could be tied and held close by, “Dian Wei, advance to the fore, we will begin moving out soon and I want you to be the first warrior to represent my mighty army.”
He flicked his wrist, pulled out a scroll and then passed it to his bodyguard, “When in danger, read this.”
Dian Wei was dismissed and Cao Cao walked to his horse, “Cao Ren will join me in our advance. The enemy will have petty tricks no doubt, so unleash a final barrage to signal our march.”
The men and women present nodded their heads and left for battle, the great engines of his army hurled another set of rocks and wooden stakes at the enemies now crumbled walls, sending mass chunks to fly and splutter around the city. It would help clear a path, if nothing else.
Then, his men began to march towards the city, his swordsmen at the front – with shields whilst his spearmen and cavalry remained in the rear. He would not charge this city; he would pick at it slowly and force his enemies to come to him. His archers followed his lead, after firing one more barrage into the enemies’ city – it would keep his enemies occupied, for anyone who came out would soon fall victim to the great shadow of projectiles that reared above.
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Post by Cao Ren on Nov 13, 2009 4:10:26 GMT
((OOC: Short post is short.))
The walls crumbled. Cao Ren raised a brow, clucking his tongue as he stared at the turn of events.
"So, it seems this army has turned to destroying their own gate in their desperation. It is only a minor setback..."
Xixiao's attention was turned as a lone rider approached him and his horsemen from the main camp. "General Cao Ren, Lord Cao Cao has begun to march into the city, and requests your presence at the rear beside him."
The stout shield-bearing warrior nodded, his eyes averted by the mass of soldiers gathering to assemble the front lines. "Hmm... So our time to move has come. Very well. Men, take your places with the rest of the line. As for you, messenger..."
"Huh? Lord Cao Ren wants me to head to Xu Chang?" Ran Kai Rui asked the messenger, who nodded in response. "I see... Very well. Thank you." The messenger bowed and rode off, leaving the strategist to his thoughts.
'He doesn't need me to aid Lord Cao Cao's strategists here... then that must mean this battle will be simple enough that my mind is not needed. The fact that the opposition has torn its own walls down rather than meet our army head-on means that they know they cannot win... It is only a matter of time, then.'
Confirming his thoughts, the strategist called for ten riders, five armoured lancers and five cavalry archers. With his entourage set, he departed from the battle field, his sights set on Xu Chang.
Summary:
-Cao Ren and his army gather themselves and amass with Cao Cao's army to march; the officer himself rides beside his cousin.
-Ran Kai Rui, 5 Armoured Lancers, and 5 Cavalry Archers have left the battlefield for Xu Chang. |
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Post by Sun Quan on Nov 18, 2009 20:20:55 GMT
Rewards
Cao Cao:
400 Gold
190 Veteran Swordsmen
300 Medium Cavalry
Cao Ren:
250 Gold
100 Veteran Bowmen
Dian Man
250 Gold
200 Crossbowmen
Wei has conquered Chang'An
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))