Shu invades Xiang Yang

[Liu Bei]

Shu generals Xin Fai and Mi Zhu march on Xiang Yang.

Mod: Whoever claims it.

[Cao Cao]

NO YOU DON'T!

and i MIGHT mod it and I MIGHT do the map for it.

[Mi Zhu]

Fresh off a decisive victory in Wu Ling to the south, Mi Zhu of Xia Pi, Newly appointed War Adviser of the Shu-Han empire leads his armor once again to conquer further into Jing, after all the lands of Jing needed to be solidified before the empire could further expand outside the boundaries of that region. This was of pressing concern considering how expansive the other forces had recently become.

Mi Zhu himself was at the head of the same army which he had led against the city of Wu Ling. Soon he would be accepting the arrival of Xin Fai, general of Shu with the second half of the Shu army. With his men at his side he advances from the south. He quickly sends his own son, Mi Lei to a position just outside the walls.

As Mi Lei departs the main army, spear in hand, the young captain sits atop his horse. Mi Lei looks up to the walls and calls out to those who man it:

I am Mi Lei of Shu-Han, I wish to seek an audience with the prefect of this city to discuss it's surrender to the Shu-Han Empire.

Mi Zhu arrives with his personal troops and the following kingdom troops:

2,500 Levy Peasants
1,000 Bowmen
1,000 Swordsmen
1,000 Spearmen
500 Veteran Swordsmen
500 Veteran Bowmen
100 Scout Calvary
1,000 Lancer Calvary

[Fai]

Xin Fai was unsatisfied. Although he did agree with Shu's methods of using peaceful means to take over a city, it did not satiate the warrior spirit inside the young man. Perhaps he was too eager to spill blood, or maybe too eager to make a name for himself; alas that was only his nature and the motive to rising up the ranks in order to benefit himself and his mean. He needed the people of China to know of his name; vain as it may be, what can you expect from someone that has been a peasant for most of his life?

He was restless in Wu Ling; various groups within the city were attempting to incite rebellion with the people. Not only that, he also had to get most of the city's top leaders that had stayed behind to become a supporter of Shu-Han's occupation of the city-state. Fortunately, from a back room deal Xin Fai had made over the richest merchant in the city, he solidified the stability within the confines of its wall for now.

The bandit charged ahead of the troops. leading them to their destination of Xiang Yang. Some were weary of the travel, while veterans of the same type of soldiers were eager to finally get some action. Their movements were swift and quick as both cavalry and infantry rushed to the battlefield. They were so close, yet so far. Xin Fai had inspired them to fight, but those who were not part of Xin Fai's personal army was unsure of the competence of the mad. Alas, their morale was slightly shaken by the presence of a former bandit. However, they were just happy he wasn't a traitor like their former commander Sarugaku.

Xin Fai slowed his horse's pace as they entered the vicinity of Xiang Yang. His horse stopped galloping, but instead began trotting. The soldiers that were running previously stopped and began walking. The young man looked over his troops and nodded, for now, if they walk, they can rest. The men knew his message well and did well not to break out of formation. The enemy could have set a trap at any given moment.

Fortunately, a few scouts had came back to him after Xin Fai had sent them out previously. It was the Lu Brothers; Lu Fon and Lu Huo. The younger of the two, Lu Huo, a fourteen year old archer spoke up first, "The area is clear of any men. Lu Fon and I noticed no presence in the area. The animals are calm and no stone was unturned."

Xin Fai continued along, the rest of the Shu Army getting closer and closer, "Good. Lu Fon, Lu Huo. Take formation in the rear once we're in proximity with the rest of the main army. Allow the men to rest. I'll be speaking to Commander Mi Zhu." With that said, Xin Fai galloped quickly into Mi Zhu's formations. He moved through the men with ease, the horse he sat upon was like a second body. Quickly, he found the experienced warrior at the head of the troops.

His eyes scanned towards the city itself, and his sharp eyes gazed at the man known as Mi Lei, Mi Zhu's son. He stopped his horse next to Mi Zhu and turned to him, Xin Fai remained jovial and was smiling warmly at his fellow officer, "Was it wise to send out your son? I don't doubt his abilities but...the city of Xiang Yang would surely have known of our intentions beforehand. They could very well kill any messenger that wishes to have an audience with their prefect."

SPOILER: Click to show

Troops
The Hawks
100 Cavalry Archers [Command]
10 Commando's
1 Drum Corps

Main Army
1900 Cavalry Archers
2500 Levy Peasants
1000 Bowmen
300 Crossbowmen
1300 Swordsmen
1200 Spearmen
500 Veteran Swordsmen
500 Veteran Bowmen
200 Raiding Cavalry
100 Scout Calvary
1000 Lancer Calvary

Total Troops for the Main Army: 8200 Troops

[Mi Zhu]

Mi Zhu watches as his son advances to the walls of the enemy, though he feared for the safety of his son, he knew that for him to become a great man he would need to truly show his courage. Meanwhile he calls over his officers and gives them the order to begin preparing for the besiegement of the city.

Turning to Xin Fai he smiles, this man, despite his bandit background, had truly proven himself at the battle of Wu Ling. The troops who had seen it told Mi Zhu of his excellent tracking ability and his discover that tribal peoples had been watching their siege of the walls. If the tribes could so simply see what was happening and how the Shu war machine operated, there would need to be fear of their intentions. However first he would need to answer his question.

Ahh Xin Fai, it is nice to see you again. I heard good words of your actions at the battle of Wu Ling. I am proud to call you my fellow officer.

Now on to your question, I think it is important for my son to trace his own path. Though I of course fear for his safety, I have confidence he will be alright for he is a worthy man and a worthy warrior. Simply he must prove himself, not for me but for himself and for this army, if he is to advance I cannot seem to be showing him undue favor. Now on to the rest of the battle, what do you think we should assign to your section of the army? I think it may be best if you and yours simply encircle the city to ensure that they do not bring in further supplies while we complete the siege?

Meanwhile the troops of Mi Zhu had begun to hastily erect a small hut over a tunnel that they had begun to dig. It would seem that a sapping siege had begun.

[Cao Cao]

(What is it with European tactics all of a sudden, war hounds and now sapping city walls)

The prefect was dining in his usual, accustomed setting when the message of Shu’s march reached his ears. It was relayed by a minister by the name of Fu Wong, a tall man who had just recently joined his ranks as a top notch thinker-bell. Still, the prefect held no distaste for the man’s eagerness to fulfil his mission, after all – it were these sort of qualities that often led to a city surpassing that of its competitors.

His city, the city of Xiang Yang would be no different. It rose from the ashes of a defeated realm, the realm of Liu Biao and it would stand on the very fabrication that bound it so closely with those that supported the current ruler’s power. He was, after all – a good man, a good, hard-working politician, a man who had – according to the people, helped bestow good fortune and riches.

Truth was, the old prefect simply taxed far too highly, so when the shift in government arose the taxing was defaulted by common law, making people think of him as a benevolent ruler, when in actuality he desired the very same type of riches as his predecessors did.

His people did not know that and would probably not know that until the day came when he simply bit of more than what he could chew. Sadly, he felt as if that day had come.


“So Shu come to my gates.”

He rose from his dining table, shifted upon his flooring and moved himself along the cooridoor leading to the balcony, “and who comes before me.”

His assistant followed him steadily from a distance, “A son of Mi Zhu we believe.”

“Good.” The prefect smiled and ran to the cities plaza, where he met up with his general and joined him on top of the cities walls, in the distance he saw the Shu battle lines and the shelters pitched up.

“You speak of peace and yet already you construct things to be-rid my claim. What is this false security you try and harbour upon us, you’re nothing but a lying traitor!”

Enraged, although unknowing why, he grabbed for a bow and hurled an arrow into the horses neck, then, his archers readied their bows, “I spare your life on pity, but come – bring your little men and see what awaits you behind these walls of steel and brass!”

---

Xiang Yang’s Army
3,000 Levy Peasants
1,000 swordsmen
1,000 bowmen
500 repeating crossbowmen
1,000 medium cavalry
1,000 pikemen
2,000 veteran swordsmen
500 heavy cavalry

[Fai]

Xin Fai turned to look at the wisened sage. He was glad that he had earned the recognition of his peers in the form of Mi Zhu, but there was a clinging in the back of his head that it was just mere flattery. Of course, his tracking abilities were able to find out that several native tribes were overseeing the 'battle, if you can call it that, between the Prefect of Wu Ling and Shu-Han. His actions were little, yet for some reason, it was praised? How odd. Then again, he wasn't exactly well-aware of the etiquette of war at the current moment. It was normally a battle of survival, not conquest.

He turned to Mi Zhu, hearing his words as he spoke. However, his attention wasn't focused on his colleague. No, in fact, he was focused primarily on Mi Zhu's son, Mi Lei. He had a sixth sense so to speak. A feeling of dread and chill entered his spine, and it was clear as day that things would probably not bold well in the negotiations concerning the prefect and the messenger. His sharp eyes gazed intensely at the young man that Mi Zhu has fathered. His attention was focused back on Mi Zhu, his words having lost on Xin Fai.

"I used to be a bandit commander. I know how to break down the morale of a city..."

However, before he could even utter the last few words to his statement, something caught in his line of vision. The horse of Mi Lei collapsed, and his instincts immediately told him danger. Without any forethought, Xin Fai reached for a soldier's shield that stood next to his position. The soldier didn't hesitate to give it to him for he was his commander. His dark eyes showed a hint of seriousness that was in contrast to Xin Fai's normally aloof and mellow personality. After grabbing the shield, Xin Fai snapped the reigns of his horse and began galloping in the direction of Mi Lei.

Xin Fai pulled the shield in front of him to make sure that no arrows penetrated his critical spots; his light, leather armor providing protection if any arrows from their walls managed to hit the expert horseman. His bow rested strapped to his back as his quiver on his left leg and back jiggled slightly from the quick pace the stallion had towards the direction of Mi Lei. He had leaned forward to cover his horse's head slightly if they aim to eliminate his ride as well. His long hair that was not covered by his helmet flowed elegantly through the air.

After what seemed like an eternity, Xin Fai had managed to arrive at the side of Mi Lei. He didn't stop the charge of his horse though as the young general leaned to the side to grab hold of Mi Lei's body. The man was heavy, but Xin Fai's strength and the adrenaline that was currently pumping through his veins were able to lift him. The former bandit lord placed Mi Lei in a seating position behind him and handed him the shield after noticing that he was still alive. "Take my shield! Cover us from the rear if any archers decide to fire!"

Whether or not Mi Lei took it or not didn't matter as Xin Fai set it down behind him in the space that separated Xin Fai and Mi Lei. With their backs turned to the horses, Xin Fai swiftly pulled his bow that was perched on his back. He snapped the reigns even harder; the beast moving quicker than it could ever before, pushing past its limits. As the horse continued charging forth towards the Shu encampment, Xin Fai decided to be bold. He stood on top of the horse and crouched down as he faced the city of Xiang Yang. It was time to exact 'revenge'.

The wind was in his favor as it blowed from Xin Fai's back as he faced the city walls. Xin Fai had to fire quick or else he would be out of range with the pace the horse was moving. He pulled an arrow from his quiver and his hawk-like eyes focused on the man that wore a different outfit from the rest of the people on the walls. He can only assume that the man was the one in charge, and it would be a blow if he were to fall now. Xin Fai pulled back the string of his bow and began calculating the amount of distance he had to make with each passing second. Gradually, he began raising the bow ever so slightly with each feet the horses passes. No...they were getting out of range soon...

However, at the last second, Xin Fai fired it high at a seventy five degree angle at a one hundred yard distance. The wind was in his favor. After firing the arrow, he wasn't sure if it hit the mark or not, but only hoped that it would. Once his single attack was over, the horse managed to gallop out of the range at that precise moment and Xin Fai proceeded to sit back properly on his steed. A couple of yards later, he would also soon be out of range from the Xiang Yang archers, well at least he thought he would be.

Xin Fai, with Mi Lei in tow on his horse, entered the Shu encampment. He waved towards Mi Zhu and yelled out, "Xiang Yang has declared war on Shu. Permission to raze their army to the ground!"

SPOILER: Click to show

Whew...I hope this is alright. I took a lot of liberties doing this. So please forgive me for any misdoings.

[Mi Zhu]

Mi Lei was his father's son, though not quite his father's shadow. For his whole life Mi Lei had been living in his father's own path, and he had decided before the flight over Chang Ban Bridge that the time had come to move on from that. With that in mind he had taken up training to serve as a pikeman in the army of Shu. He had quickly risen to being able to spar with the greatest men of his unit and usually beating them, though occasionally he would lose out. He had grown into a towering young man of over six feet tall, towering over his own father. At the battle of Red Cliffs he had proven his worth in the Shu army, being a warrior serving on the front lines of the battlefield.

Even as he had developed his body, his mind was having trouble making do. In the time since the flight from Jing Mi Lei had seen the death of his aunt, and he had thought he had seen the death of his own father, however that experience had itself proven to be false. Perhaps the most troubling thing of all had been his own first experience with killing a man. After the battle at Chi Bi Mi Lei had been forced to come to terms with what he had long set out to do. However all of these were beside the point of the moment. First he would have to deal with the trouble before him.

After calling out to the people of Xiang Yang he had thought for a long moment that the people of Xiang Yang would simply give in to his father as the people of Wu Ling had done just a short time ago. However as Mi Lei was thinking on this subject he noticed the flight of the arrow as it first pierced his horses throat, killing it instantly and passing straight through, piercing the side of his abdomen in the most painful way possible. As he falls from his horse he lets out a cry of pain.

Following his impact with the ground Mi Lei sees a rider riding forward towards Mi Lei himself. This dark shadowy figure was unknown but it seemed that he was here to aid Mi Lei so taking the man's hand, he allows himself to be pulled up onto his horse and with his last ounce of strength he grips the shield that is placed into his hands and holds on for deal life. After reaching the Shu lines and allowing the horse to stop, Mi Lei falls face first into the ground below and the world faded to black.

___________________________________________________________________

As his son fell to the ground Mi Zhu calls out for an army medic, as the man reaches Mi Zhu he commands him to take care of his son and ensure that he does not die. Though he is concerned due to the health of his son, Mi Zhu knows that there is a battle ahead and that he must press forward. Turning to Xin Fai he says:

My friend thank you for all you have done, I truly appreciate your aid and once this battle is done I hope we can go have a good time together hahahaha. But in the end we must finish the battle before I can take care of my son and before we can have a good time together my friend. I want to tell you I truly appreciate what you have done for me today. I can never truly tahnk you for what you have done for me, you saved something more important than my life, my family. Now however we must finish the battle, I hope you can go to work on what I advised you on earlier if you agree that it is the best idea. If not advise me otherwise, I will be getting to work on what I need to work on myself.

Mi Zhu turns around and returns to the strategic map before him. Meanwhile the peasent levy troops are busy digging out a cavern leading toward the walls of the enemy, just close enough to the surface of the earth that once they reach the walls it will collapse under it's own weight. The levy troops not doing the actual digging are strengthening the wood around the entrance to the tunnel and erecting wooden blocks to keep the cavern from caving in. The troops other than the peasent levy stay far out of bowshot from the walls.

[Cao Cao]

(I hope you realise how long it takes to Sap a city. Not only that, but have you looked at the map, you’re dealing with tough, rocky terrain, it has like an 80% chance of failing, if not more.)

He watched in astonishment as the lone rider came to retrieve his friend, after all – this was what his enemies needed, unison. Without that, even he knew they would fail when compared to his national army.

“Go now, and let my enemies know who the true ruler is.” He smirked as he spoke and was willing to let the men go, then – his enemy steadied his bow, as did his own men.

“No, he wouldn’t dare fire.”

Then it came, an arrow was released and struck the air like lightning, it moved with a will of its own, catching his cheek before diverting off to find a home wedged between stone and brick. It stayed there, but what showered the sky was not a storm, nor was it rain.

Every archer in his entire platoon released as his enemy did, sending hundreds and hundreds of arrows to lay down and wipe out anyone who defied him.

“See!” He wept as he clenched his cheek, but he looked on in amazement, “See what response I get...KILL THEM... KILL THEM ALL!”

And so the battle began!

(Not great no, but I don’t have much to respond to, most of what I read is description. Still, I’m going to play with you guys for a little while before the prefect gets killed. Also, I haven’t dealt damage to your characters; I’ll let you decide what to do – depending on your response, will determine how much effort I put into it. I’ll be playing a few little tricks to make it a little entertaining, but we’ll see how it goes!)

[Fai]

Xin Fai smiled at Mi Zhu as he was properly thanked for saving his son's life. It was an accomplishment in itself as he watched as before as hundreds and hundreds of arrows rained down on the earth in vain. They were too far out of reach for their measly bows to have hit them; Xin Fai calculated that much. He turned to the older commander and nodded as they parted ways. He rode back to his soldiers who were standing at attention. It was good that Lu Huo had followed his instructions precisely and alerted his subordinates with his orders.

Lu Fon and Lu Huo spotted their commander and made their way towards his side. Xin Fai nodded at the two and asked, "We are to divide into three separate groups to surround the city; think of it as the times we pillaged those cities." He said nonchalant. Lu Huo looked at him with a worried look on his face, but made no hint to mention his troubles. Just then, a lieutenant of Xin Fai's rode up to them with confidence. He had just came back from a scouting tour.

“General Fai, I noticed no abnormalities around the city. They are heavily fortified.”

Xin Fai grimaced slightly at the defenses of the city. It was nothing he couldn't handle, but it would perhaps be a tough fight regardless. He clutched the reigns of his horse steadily. The young commander raised one hand to his chin as he stroke it gently. An idea formed in his mind as he grinned maliciously; he turned to the lieutenant and ordered, "Tell the men that we're marching out." The man saw the glint in Fai's eyes, and he knew that he had a plan that was not to be trifled with.

-----

Xin Fai’s army had been divided by three. They had made three separate encampments in the East, West, and North Gates of Xiang Yang assuming that the Shu-Han army had arrived from the southern gates. Xin Fai’s troops were merely the task force as Mi Zhu’s troops were part of the main ensemble. The soldiers of various specialties were spread out evenly amongst the encampment with the exception of cavalry archers making up the majority of the Northern encampment where Xin Fai himself had stationed in. They had set up camp rather quickly, but already, the tents were put up and the troops, aside from a few guards, were resting in their armor in case for any immediate action.

SPOILER: Click to show

East Camp: - Led by Lieutenants
500 Cavalry Archers
1000 Levy Peasants
500 Bowmen
150 Crossbowmen
500 Swordsmen
500 Spearmen
200 Veteran Swordsmen
200 Veteran Bowmen
100 Raiding Cavalry
50 Scout Cavalry
400 Lancer Cavalry
Total: 4100 troops

West Camp: - Led by Lieutenants
500 Cavalry Archers
1000 Levy Peasants
500 Bowmen
150 Crossbowmen
500 Swordsmen
500 Spearmen
200 Veteran Swordsmen
200 Veteran Bowmen
100 Raiding Cavalry
50 Scout Cavalry
400 Lancer Cavalry
Total: 4100 Troops

North Camp: - Led by Xin Fai
The Hawks
100 Cavalry Archers [Command]
10 Commandos
1 Drum Corps

Main Army
900 Cavalry Archers
500 Levy Peasants
300 Swordsmen
200 Spearmen
100 Veteran Swordsmen
100 Veteran Bowmen
200 Lancer Cavalry
Total: 2400 Troops

From the viewpoint of the enemy, they would notice the massive amount of troop difference between the Eastern and Western camp together and the Northern camp. Was it logical to assume that Xin Fai intends to block all escape routes? Plausible. Then why the least amount of troops in the North? Xin Fai’s plan was to attack the Western and Eastern gates and attempt to make the enemy soldiers tire or perhaps even retreat to the Northern area where the rested army of Xin Fai awaits them. It was possible that this was a very dire situation for the men in Xiang Yang.

However…it was merely a plan within a plan.

“Make sure the men are well-rested. We need them to be fit for fighting late at night. Otherwise, this plan may falter. Send word to the lieutenants of the Eastern and Western encampments of the plans…oh, and perhaps you can send Mi Zhu a word of it as well.” Xin Fai ordered to two of his subordinates. They nodded enthusiastically as they got on their horses and began galloping back to their respective camps to give the head of the troops Xin Fai’s orders. The young man with the long, raven hair sighed and walked back into his own quarters.

Seated in a round table were ten people in cloaks. Off to the side was the cheerful face of Lu Huo, lying on the bed watching the table filled with the mysterious strangers. Lu Fon, on the other hand, sat against the center beam with his arms crossed and his ever-stoic expression remaining on his face. Xin Fai looked at the ten people in cloaks and took a seat at the head of the circular table. A silence befell all of them, but it was not a suffocating quiet; it was a quiet reserved for those that were ready to kill. It was the atmosphere of assassins.

“The East and West Camp will be attacking the gates soon late at night. I provided the time in the letter I gave to the messengers. However, this is only a façade with the major assault I plan to accomplish. Tonight, my Birds of Prey, we will be scaling the walls of Xiang Yang and to eliminate our target or rather…targets. We are to infiltrate the city as a group, separated sparsely of course, and kill the prefect of the city, the city’s generals if we find any, and the chief of the guards of Xiang Yang. The attacks made by the East and West camp are merely distractions to ensure that they place most of their soldiers away from the North gate.” Xin Fai finished speaking and rested his elbows on the table. He smiled warmly at the ten cloaked individuals as if he were asking how they were after their long and arduous journey.

The individuals did not speak for they knew that it was not all that Xin Fai wanted to say. After taking a short breath, Xin Fai continued on, “Once we kill the targets. We will use the confusion as a means to escape. If possible, try to open up the city’s gates as well. Now; you are all dismissed. Please get some rest. It’s going to be an…eventful night.” Xin Fai stood up and made his way towards his bed, thus making Lu Huo jump from the bed. The ten cloaked individuals remained silent and stood up as they left the tent as quickly as possible. The former bandit commander laid back on his bed and closed his eyes.

“I don’t see why you have to go as well. Why not let me fill in your space?” Lu Fon stated as he got up from his position walking over to Xin Fai with a frown on his face. He was worried of his charge.

Lu Huo frowned slightly by his older brother’s comments and wisely said, “Fai has to prove himself to Liu Bei and impress his court. Why else big bro has been doing deeds that strongly helps out Shu or any of its associations.”

“You’re both wrong…I simply…find it interesting is all. You are dismissed. You have your orders as well. Let’s not forget that; don't forget them.” Xin Fai said coldly. His eyes were closed, but the pair could feel his icy glare emanating from his aura. Lu Huo chuckled shaking his head as he pushed him and brother out of the tent. Xin Fai needed rest, and rest he shall have until the mission started…

-----

It was the night of reckoning. The plan begins at approximately three in the morning.

Almost simultaneous (not really, give or take a couple of minutes), the torches of the East and West Camp were lit up, illuminating the encampment. Suddenly, coming from out of the camps were the 100 raiding cavalry soldiers with their torches held up above them, lighting the way on their path. They charged forward towards the gate, making them clearly obvious where they were through the lighting. As they got nearer and nearer to the gates, they quickly zig zagged and began moving to the side in order to avoid any incoming arrow fire. However, the raiding cavalry was just a slight distraction. With the lights from the torches probably distracting the presumably tired men on the gates, 500 bowmen and 200 veteran bowmen moved up sneakily in their dark garb into the range of fire of their enemies.

Covered in the shroud of night, the bowmen from the East and West Shu encampment fired their bows mercilessly. A rain of almost-invisible arrows were about to shower down on the enemy. That was only their first volley. They would continue on with their volleys.

Meanwhile at the Northern Camp, Xin Fai stood at the exits of the camp in near darkness. The fires had been extinguished for now as he knew it was about that time to start the plot of assassination. The Ten Birds of Prey (his commandos) stood next to him ready for their mission donning, along with Xin Fai, their black cloaks that were suitable for stealth missions at night. Xin Fai turned to Lu Huo and nodded appreciatively. The boy nodded back respectfully, indicating that he knew their orders. The eleven assassins left the camp and quickly made their way towards the Northern Gates.

After leaving, the North camp was lit up with torches and the sound of loud drums could be heard. The entire cavalry began exiting the camp, the horses’ thunderous hooves echoed throughout the night sky as they galloped. However, this was merely a ruse to mask the sounds of the horses Xin Fai and the Bird of Prey made. The cavalry began separating into two, one heading towards the East Gate, and another group heading towards the West gate. However, at the time of the split, the Birds of Prey and Xin Fai had made it to the north walls by foot already, abandoning the horses when they were almost there.

Xin Fai and the ten pulled out their scaling tools and looked up at the large walls. They spread themselves out to increase their stealth and began ascending up the walls as quietly as they could, and hopefully would get up there in time instead of hanging vulnerably on a rope. The distraction so far was a success, but there was always margin for error.

[Mi Zhu]

Mi Lei remains unconscious, far behind the lines of the Shu army, his would having been patched up by his father's battlefield medic. Infection would seem to have been avoided and the boy would likely make a good, strong recovery in a short time, though he would of course be unable ot assist in this battle in any sort of capacity. Mi Zhu had come to visit his son yet he knew he already had to leave.

As the enemy fired their bowshots from atop the wall, Mi Zhu smiles. He had stationed his troops far out of bowshot from the very beginning and such measures would do nothing to stop the progress of his army. Albeit a few of the members of his peasent levy were struck due to their proximity to the walls working on their sapping tunnel, but some losses could not be helped. At least it was from the weaker wing of his army.

Mi Zhu leaves the tent where his son is resting and walks to the center of the Shu encampment to his own command tent and walks in. He takes his seat at the head of the command tent and begins to speak to his assembled officers:

Alright gentlemen, this campaign has been ongoing for a number of days now. We need to secure Xiang Yang to head the Jing lands under the control of our lord and I have heard word that our king's armies may soon be making forays into Ba Shu itself within the next few weeks to add furthur security to Shu-Han.

My question is what do you propose we do here gentleman? I have already sent Xin Fai off on his mission which I am sure will be successful. However we must make progress ourselves to divide the enemy force.

A large, burly officer of the Shu army by the name of Shui Han stands up and in his deep, ferocious voice says:

My lord we should simply attack them head on. Our superior numbers will surely dominante their lines in swift order. Pull the levy troops off of their sapping and use them to increase our numbers and then destroy their walls with the rams. It would be so simple.

Mi Zhu laughs as the large man makes his impassioned attempt to convince the general to launch a head on assault straight at the enemy lines.

Ahh if only if it were so simple my friend, however I think we need something far more devious. It just so happens that I have something in mind myself and you Shui Han will be quite important to it's implementation.

With these words Mi Zhu dismisses the war council and with Shui Han at his side as his bodyguard, and black paint in hand sets out to get the troops to work.

_________________________________________________________________

As night falls Shui Han smiles, though he did'nt get his way on the overall production of the plan, he was quite happy with his new role in the conflict. The Shu army had set to work painting one of their battering rams totally black, not a single spot of any other color shone through it and he was leading his lord Mi Zhu's own personal commando troops, also garbed in black to the city gate in order to break down the enemy's defenses.

As the ram is pushed forward the Shu army marches forward her archers, and lighting their arrows aflame in order to draw the attention of the enemy the main army's archers fire flaming arrows at the wall. As the enemy troops recover as they likely would Mi Zhu and his personal archers take arrows painted black in the same manner as the ram and fire them toward the same location as the fire arrows, expecting the enemy to try to fire their own volley.

As the black ram reaches the Southern gate of Xiang Yang, Shui Han smiles and with the commandos' aid draws back the rams head and slams it forward with as much force as could be mustered.

[Cao Cao]

(Okay, just remind you to not do a few things. Never assume your actions are not countered, never enforce something that is possible to counter, never break realism which you did Fai when you magically dodged all of my arrows. My guys fired exactly when you did and we have a height advantage, you’d have been hit realistically but we’ll ignore it. Do not assume you have natural materials without posting otherwise; never think you have a camp without stating so. You need to provide evidence and proof of every action and thing you use, if this was an rpg where we can ‘invent’ what most typical battles would my army would be a lot bigger than it is and I’d have probably hurled lots of boulders your way. Don’t get overly technical, enjoy yourself but do not rush things. Fai, be VERY careful if you plan to assassinate, it will not be easy and you will be killed if you mess up, I will let it succeed if I think it is worth it/you did a good enough job. Have fun though – these are not rules per say, but if you ignore what I say you will both be defeated. Also, never chain attack, why? Easy – if I ruin the first chain i can make everything else void/knowledgeable to my army, only idiots will rush in and give a chain, only use chain commands if you know it cannot be countered or if it’s to separate squadrons)

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The prefect had watched as his arrows missed his enemies, watched as the blood trickled from his face in small trickles. He had watched it all and still his enemies were there, stronger and as fierce as ever. He had tried to remember when he had last fought with that of a united kingdom and then swiftly realised that he had in fact never engaged in such a drawn out war.

Still, that was no reason to let up hope, he would pursue his dream and he would try his very best to push these fools away from the land in which he was bestowed with all those years ago.

“My lord, your orders?”

The prefect turned to the speaker and nodded, “withdraw for now, keep an eye out on the enemy, they will most likely attack at midnight, keep the patrol heavy and protect the gates at all costs.”

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That evening, as predicted – the armies of shu’s 3 camps embarked on a mission. The east and west camps were the first to move and the patrol guards were oblivious to most of it until the rising dust flickered against their burning torches, followed by the rise of hooves and the impeding march that seemed to surround the cities walls.

The guards did nothing at first, they had divided their archers equally between the 3 sides and had let them fire at will when the enemy signal was presented. When the cavalry were present, they let loose a volley – concentrate not on visuals, but on sound and patches. They had been told to cover a larger area when shooting, using their height to their advantage. Those on the opposite side did the same, when all of a sudden enemy archers hurled their returning volley. The guards could see the destruction on both sides, horse whined as they got caught and the enemy’s archers died by stray arrows as they neared to gain the reach they required to return fire.

For the first few moments men were just hurling arrows, but as swiftly as it happened the archers on the walls stopped, and the arrows of his enemies hurled into what sounded like empty walls and strongholds.

Nothing came, and the enemy began their plans. The north camp trembled and a vast amount of cavalry charged towards the city before moving east and west, some fell to the archers atop the walls whilst most just charged through. Then the thundering arrows shifted in (I cancelled the fire attack) forcing his archers to withdraw and protect the cities walls.

It had all gone so swiftly – and before the prefect had even arrived at the scene the thunderous roar of the enemies battering ram came into view, the machine itself was not so hard to see, as a raging black object shifted through the sky. The guards on the walls fired a final time and then prepared themselves from behind the enemies reach. The guards and the troops readied the main army, that had suspected this would happen and a small platoon quickly left from the south gate, unknowing of the enemies arrival there. It seemed the prefect had something else in mind that night.

(Mi Zhu and the Prefect will clash head 2 head, the army size of the prefect’s army is unknown, observation hints at around 400 people in total)

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Sorry it turned lame at the end, too many people disturbing me on msn.

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Losses

Fai.
100 bowmen
5 crossbowmen
77 raiding cavalry

Mi Zhu.
100 archers

Prefect.
270 archers.

[Mi Zhu]

Smiling as he hears the walls break, Mi Zhu rushes from his seat within his campaign tent, grabbing his weapons as he rushes out of the tent with his officers at his side, all carrying their various weapons. The officers soon branch off, rushing to their respective commands. Mi Zhu himself mounted his horse, Cloudchaser.

Leading Cloudchaser to the frontlines as his men assemble in their formation with the speartroops in the front, the peasents after, followed by the swordsmen, and then the archers, with the cavalry arranged on the wings. As they formed up some of the men were assigned to putting out the campfires, would'nt want to have the enemies see them as shadows or at all if it could be helped. However it was likely that the enemy would hear them coming, it could only be hoped that the enemies archers would have a harder time pinpointing their position without the light of the fires.

Mi Zhu marches along the frontlines of his army, just in front of where the ends of the pikes are situated. Whipping out his schimitar, he whips it through the air, emitting a noise as he does so saying:

Men the time has come to take this city, we have worked long and hard to unite Jing under the banner of Shu. I am already very proud of you my friends and the time has come for me to prove my worth to you all. I will be going along with the cavalry archers to lead the line.

Men you know what we are to do this day, now as the spearthrust of this army we march forward into the maw of the enemy!

As he swings his sword one last time and points it toward the city gates, he and his men begin the march toward the city, with the men assigned to the ram turning with the mighty war machine to join the rest of the army.

[Sun Quan]

Rewards
Mi Zhu:
350 Gold
450 Lancer Cavalry
200 Pikemen

Fai:
350 Gold
360 Repeating Crossbowmen
200 Pikemen

Shu has conquered Xiang Yang