2. Flat Lands

[Lyle]

The Flat lands before the Zhao camp. It houses many large trees, and offers a differed, calm climate than compared to others. It is most flat, compared to the very steep walls of solid rock and concrete like dirt on its sides. It is not so much grassy, but simple dirt. It rises up slowly, forming a weak slope.

[Don't Reregister account Aruzo]

*Yuan Shu and his army march through the Flat Lands, knowing their rear is safe. Messengers had come in, telling the Ruler of Cheng about Jiang Wei's defection. He shook his head hearing the news, finding it sad to have to kill the poor man now. But it was his own choice and Cheng would be glorious today. Not even Jiang Wei's defection, nor any other tricks of Du Jung could change a thing about that. The battle was already decided, and still, Du Jung desperatly tried to make a change. And so the army keeps on marching, going right for the Zhao Camp.*

[Kong Fa Xu]

*Shi Fei's men were finally in position. The fog had masked their movements perfectly, and they had moved silently and efficiently in their task. And it had all paid off. Splayed out before them, not 600 yards distant, Yuan Shu's forces marched forward, heedless of their rear and not prepared in the least for an assault, thinking themselves invincible. Shi Fei smiled to himself. He had no idea what the rest of the battle held for Zhao, but today, right now, it was time for him to do his part in the Emperor's grand scheme, and prove that the Cheng forces were all to human. Raising his greatsword above his head in both hands, he motioned for the cavalry to move forward, slowly at first, but building up speed as they got closer and closer. Over the din of his own troops moving forward, with his spearmen so concentrated on foolishly trying to keep a spearwall formation while in motion, they would not be heard until it was too late. Shi Fei himself took the lead in the center, holding his greatsword over his shoulder with his right hand, holding loosely onto the reigns with the other, the huge mass of Breaker Cavalry arrayed around him in a wedge formation. The mounted spearmen took to the flanks. It was a thing of beauty. As the Zhao horsemen slammed into the rear ranks of the Cheng armies, a ferocious yell rang from the lips of every soldier, the ground trembling not only with their refrain but with the thundering hooves of the horses. There were be no escape. There was no time. Yuan Shu's head would be taken today. Slicing and chopping as he rode with his greatsword held in both hands, his horse having been given mostly free reign, Shi Fei smiled the brutal smile of a conqueror.*

[Jiang Dong]

Jiang Chao heard the roars of Shi Fei, he and the men rushed out of positions(Moved from Sector 1 to Sector 2) and charged into Cheng's western flanks. Hurling a Heavy Javelin before drawing swords to engage. Jiang Chao himself was in the front with his giant sword.

[Don't Reregister account Aruzo]

*Such a silly display. It was all too obvious the Zhao officers would have gotten to this site and tried to surprise the Cheng army. But it was all only too hopeless. Hearing the first tremblings of charging horses behind them, the rear officers called their spearmen and quickly a spearwall was set up with the reserve troops. To think the Cheng Army would march through this terrain in such a disorganized manner was disrespectful, to say the least. And before the charging Zhao officer knew fully well what he was up against, his first comrades fell to the ground, due to the first line of spearmen having placed their spears solidly in the ground, stopping the horses and make the riders fly through the air. 380 Storm Trooper Spearmen with Leather Armour, 90 Marine Spearmen with Leather Armour and 150 Militia Spearmen with Leather Armour had build a quick rear wall, and now the archers in the center was given the order to unleash hell upon the unlucky 'attackers'.*

*For as the first views of battling were about to start, one volley of 2,400 arrows from both the 1,400 Crossbowmen as the 1,000 Compositebowmen come flying down upon the charging Zhao horsemen. This little attack would be repulsed in only a few minutes and then the reinforcing Cheng officers would take care of the rear of this dog and then Zhao would know Yuan Shu was only too serious about this all. Meanwhile, a small band of about 500 swordsmen come running at the flanks of the forward army. As soon as they were sighted by the guarding horsemen, 250 Militia Horsemen with Light Chain Mail and Spear , followed by 200 Militia Horsemen with Leather Armor and Spear ride off from the main group to engage these rebels. They would not encounter much resistance form this pitiful band and so, the first skirmish at Wan was going to end in glory for the Cheng army. But the battle was not won yet and Yuan Shu orders his front officers to be as careful as possible. All men would have to be on their guard, for if they had not been, then this small attack could have been devastating for such a large army.*

[Ge Hong]

Aspharr's troops:
450 Guardians of the White Tree [Imperial Guards] (Battle Axes, Platemail)
353 Kensai of the White Tree [Imperial Guards] (Eastern Swords, Platemail, Embossed Shields)
300 Dunedain of the White Tree [Imperial Guards] (Composite Longbows, Platemail)

Grand Host: 8948 Men
1300 Composite Longbows
1000 Battle Axes - 1000 Chainmail
300 Battle Axes
1000 Eastern Swords - Embossed Shields
593 Eastern Swords
595 Pikes
1000 Composite Bows
1160 Spears
2000 Swords - 1125 Thatched Shields
55 Elephants with Platemail Pikemen

6 Ballistae
6 Arbalests
8 Catapults

The Temple Knights had arrived not to long after, not having to move far. They immediately deployed into a very different formation.

The Ranged units immediately took the fore. Compared to the Cheng army, there were to their right. This made it so that they weren't directly in harms way.

Immediately the arbalests, rolled out on wooden carts designed specifically for toting siege weapons, they were were placed so that they'd fire their adapted fire arrows directly into the enemy formation. Behind them, catapults readied, as well as ballista, both groups armed with their fire ammunition. The archers grabbed their first wave of fire arrows, and lit them. Aiming Skyward, with his Temple Pike, Aspharr jabbed once, and the arrows let loose.

The sky was seemingly lit ablaze by the tremendous amount of arrows, and flaming shot. They enhanced the sun for a minute, and cut through the fog on the battle field. The impacted within the Cheng Ranks, slaughtering many, who didn't expect to see a former ally on the field against them.

Aspharr had indeed won the day for Zhao. He had tricked the stupid Yuan Shu into thinking that he would betray the true Emperor. Why else would Aspharr had taken Luo Yang, but if to not take the old Emperor out of power.

Now, the Zhao would lead to the unification of China, while the Temple Knights kept their fealty.

They continued to rain arrows, and the torrential downpour of the fire rain would destroy any and all who sought to fight against him...

[Kong Fa Xu]

*Unfortunately for Yuan Shu, the pittance of men opposing Shi Fei's thunderous charge was far too little, far too late. Not only where the spears of Cheng thoroughly outclassed by the pikes of Zhao, but the marines of the cavalry used their shields very effectively, defending themselves well against the arrows that fell all around. But with only 1000 bowmen, and over 1000 cavalry, the conclusion had already been foretold. The Breaker Cavalry themselves outnumbered the rearguard of the Cheng army, so the outcome was easy to see. The left flank of mounted spearmen, just under 200 strong, broke off from the main assault and charged into the mounted troops that Yuan Shu had dispatched to deal with Jiang Chao's flank attack. Squeezed between Chao and Fei's cavalry, they would be decimated. Meanwhile, the Breaker Cavalry were slowed only minimally by the Cheng rearguard before they broke through to assault the archers and crossbowmen. The right flank wheeled around to strike at the rearguard from the side in an effort to completely wipe them out.*


((post for my main army coming. gotta run the gf to work.))

[Lyle]

Du Jung laughed a hardy laugh, the smoke arriving just before his loyal follower Jiang Wei. He went up to the man himself, looked into his eyes and then bowed to him. An Emperor Bowing to one man, even if only just this once! A grand section of his arsenal, his spy network! This was nearly the last one, and had done as well as Ba Zeng.

"I have waited too long for this day.. Go, go and fight the world with Kong Suo, he will lead the main assault. Go and kill all of Cheng, go and take the seal of glory in the name of Zhao..Good fortune in battle, be wary of the Cheng center.."

A messenger appeared, nodding to the Emperor who proceeded to walk from his generals, making his way outside and commanding several men. The twenty one cloaks were removed, bringing light to the Emperor's main plan. Twenty one catapults sat before him, the grand arsenal of the Han, the grand arsenal of his Grand Teacher, Ba Zeng. No longer would warfare be fought with swords, horses and sweat alone. No! Today he would forge a new path way, with the largest array of grand catapults in ages. They were very large, and had only one target. The men prepared their first ammo, logs that were dipped in oil quickly and shot out into the sky.. Yet how would they aim..?

They were on flat land practically now, and they could easily here the armies marching against each other, giving it the good fight for justice, and a new, united land. Zhutai had prepared for anything, and spent the entire night deciding upon what to do with the sudden, ominous fog. He drew up the perfect plan, knowing the fog all too well, and had used it in battles since he was but a boy defending his own lands. His Hawks, his eye in the sky, yet on the ground. None could tell where they were, and none knew what the possessed. A large, eight manned single. A ball, soaked in fire no bigger than thee feet. Each man gathered up two chains with hook like ends upon the end. They let it rest near the ground and held it somewhat tightly. It was lit and then the men threw it high in the air, now only fifty to 100 feet out from the Cheng army, cloaked in what bushes they could find. The ball was hurdled high into the air, the men pulling tightly upon the hooks and raising it up and sending it hurling in the air, toward the Cheng lines.. Yet it blew up before impact, high in the sky, its shock wave and bang deafening. They now had a direction, and could decipher the area it was in..

A man arrived in the camp, another man with him. They had counted out the paces to their comrades position, and were now here in all their glory. Friendly fire would be certain, but so would be the death of many Cheng lives... The logs were set ablaze and sent through the foggy sky, never disappearing from sight. They would hit close to the Cheng army, they would hit its center, they would hit around their allies and they may even take out one. But they most certainly could hit the huge, open spear wall.

The cavalry was sent out, two hundred imperial guards, two hundred militia and one hundred marines all riding war horses, equipped with battle robes, composite bows, pikes and embossed shields. They were fast, deadly and one of the most powerful units on the ground. Behind them were three hundred and fifty Grim Reapers, riders equipped with glaives and nothing more. They were faster than any man or horse with armour, and they were only here to knock the enemy off their horses, and aid the slaughter. Behind these troops were another unit of cavalry, eighty of Du Jung's famed Hell's Angels and one hundred assault horsemen.

The Glaives would arrive first and come to their ally Jiang Chao, who was currently outclassed by the horsemen coming his way and destroying his unit. They swept in, their weapons held expertly as their training payed off. The swiped, swept and destroyed the enemy cavalry who were far too caught up in their own slaughter to react with a proper defense. Behind them the Imperial Cavalry took pot shots at the enemy, using their height too shoot over Jiang Chao's infantry and also expertly aiming upon their front. They made several capable lines and also began to fire into the center of the Spear Wall, still moving slightly around the enemy. The one hundred black horsemen also drew up their crossbows and fired into the enemy lines, the troops incapable of doing a damn thing against them as they had spears, and nothing more. The Zhao cavalry laughed, tempting the spearmen to break their defense and charge at them, a mistake that will cost them their lives. The eighty Hells Angels moved to aid their ally Jiang Chao with Shibo, the Cavalry Commander. Each threw javelin and each killed a man with it, each drew up their sword and another Javelin and began to use both, killing horseman after horsemen behind the Grim Reapers.

Troops in play:
200 Imperial Guardsmen [Imperial Guards] (Kataphractoi Cavalry-Pikes-Composite Bows-Battle Robes-Embossed Shields)
100 Imperial Assassins [Marines] (Kataphractoi Cavalry-Pikes-Composite Bows-Battle Robes-Embossed Shields)
200 Imperial Horsemen (Kataphractoi Cavalry-Pikes-Composite Bows-Battle Robes-Embossed Shields)

350 Grim Reapers (Glaives)
100 Black Horsemen (Spears-Crossbows-Thatch Shields-Chain Mail-Horses)
80 Hells Angels [Berserkers] (Swords-Javelin Quivers-Thatch Shields-Chain Mail-Horses)

[Kong Fa Xu]

*Kong Suo's main army was now in position for the final push. Set up just northwest of Yuan Shu's army, they were essentially on a diagonal flank. Now that the catapult attack had taken place, Kong Suo held his elephants back. There was no reason to lose one of his greatest weapons to fear. Instead, he ordered the march to commence as his own force of archers layed down volley after volley into the Cheng spearwall. Riding with him on the right flank of his formation, his 50 Amazon Guardians released their arrows with unerring accuracy. They had, after all, trained their entire lives for moments such as this. The pikemen kept a loose line formation, three ranks deep, and moved forward full of confidence not only in their own general, but in the Emperor as well. These men were hardened soldiers, and their weapons had a definite advantage over the mere spears that their opponents carried. The light infantry held the left flank, while the Guardsmen managed the right flank with Suo himself. The march was not more than a few minutes before the forces of Suo met with the ragged frontlines of Yuan Shu's force. Spear against shield, sword against spear, a push of pikes at the center of it all, and Suo's forces would win. The pikes were easily outclassing the lesser spears, and it was only a matter of time before the Cheng line collapsed, and while Shu's archers were feebly trying to attack Shi Fei's ambush, there was no arrow fire to contend with, save that of Suo's own archers and the Amazons with him. Both groups of flanking swordsmen were being held in reserve, defending the flanks zealously but otherwise letting the armored pikemen do their bloody work. Seeing the tiny detachment of Shu's cavalry break off from the main force to attack Jiang Chao, Suo signaled to his Amazons, who followed his lead, letting off volleys of incredibly accurate arrow fire into the opposing cavalrymen, no doubt killing many and wounding more. Suo looked on grimly as the battle unfolded, taking careful measure of any movements by the Cheng forces before him, wary of any sudden shifts in formation, which could be exploited for a devastating counterattack. Cheng was on its last legs now, and those legs were about to be cut out from beneath them.*

[Don't Reregister account Aruzo]

*In the distance, a the banners of the Former Wako States could be seen. The coward was going to sit high in the mountains to see and wait what would happen. The bastard would learn to betray Chinamen. Something like this, would never have happened had te old Shimazu stll be sitting there. But for now, it didn't seemed like a threat. The distance was too far to be of any threat. The enemy had timed their actions not in perfect order and so, would miss what they so hoped to get. Yuan Shu, the Ruler of Cheng. His head on a plate. That was what they wanted. But not today! No, no! Today, Yuan Shu would even be able to beat the Heavens, who seemed to have betrayed him on these day aswell. Quickly, Yuan Shu looks around.*

"Sir! It is coming from there!"

*As Yuan Shu looked around, he saw some large boulder in the sky. But they were too far to be of any danger. There was still time to get out of here, before the deadly trap was clapped tightly. In fact, that was going to take a long time... The fool Du Jung failed to take the best out of this major advantage. But he would not dare come to Xiang Yang. If the Zhao fools were going to pursue... They would surely meet their doom. An evil grin appears on his face as he sees some more Zhao banners moving.*

"It seems the entire Zhao Camp runs empty to see us! Is this what the men of China want? To fight justice, over the tyrannical Fake Emperor?! Why do the people not want more for their country? Why are they teaming up!? The Former Wako Lord would have come to the aid of such brave men like us. The Cheng Warriors from Jing! The South! We wish to fight for a better country, which will have a good name! What will the Romans think? The foreigners! They hold the future, but the people of China wish to support the Fake Emperor which will terrorize them. But the nazi-practices of the Zhao government had silenced the honest. The wise, the intelligent. And so, the final free remaining provinces would be in the South. The north of China will go to rot eventually, and we WILL rise. Now, Great Men of Cheng? Shall we once more unite our strength, and show these bastards no silly trap can capture this grand army? Well then; Fight to Live another day! RIDE!!"

*And so, the men who were not yet in battle, give out a mighty yell, which can be heard throughout the passes. Jiang Wei would learn to never betray again. If the demons inside his head would not destroy him first. And Du Jung... Du Jung might be an interesting to watch. Maybe he will be swallowed up in his own stench? Or will he unite the North, and be ready to stand in line for the butcher party from the New Cheng Armies. Yuan Shu grins as he tightens his grip on the reigns of his steed and then pushes the steed forth, to join in the charge back to Xiang Yang. Back home. Zhao might have won the day. But they had not won the hearts of the true Chinamen. Justice woudl be served some other day.*

*And so, before any of the arriving armies could come in range of the Cheng Army, they quickly turned around and the poor Kong Suo officers was faced with some thousands of angry charging Cheng Men. Quickly the 150 Militia Elephantriders with Battle Robe and Pike brought their animals to something, that was now the front. The rear is now to the north. At that same time, 380 Shock Troop Spearmen with Leather Armour run to the aid of their defending Horsemen at the now left flank agaisnt Jiao Chao. Some Horsemen from the ambush party were spotted riding to the aid of this Jiao Chao. And so the Spearmen runned with as much speed as they had, ready to save their comrades from death. As soon as the Spearmen join their double attacked Horsemen Allies, they try to thrust down as many of Kong Suo's Officer's riders.*

*And as Yuan Shu rides forward, with his personal staff, he can see the 1,000 Militia Spearmen with Leather Armour, first in the front, quickly run past their allies and friends to be in the front again. They woudl clean all tha cavalry scum from the road along the way and soon the time for planning for Revenge were here. All was going extremely well, even though it first looked bad. But Jiang Wei had sprung too late and Yuan Shu knew to stay one step again of the Fake Emperor. Justice could still be served. But first the Army had to be saved. And so the march back to Xiang Yang began.*

[Lyle]

(Pussy.

Don't plan on making any other posts till I get them battle losses, Erik. Otherwise, the rest of you can respond.)

[Sun Xiong]

*Fog covered the distance. They could see far in front of them, but could not make out the shadows of object infront of them. As they approached even further, it was painfully obvious who these men were. They were soldiers. And as Yuan Shu continued his march, retreating from the battlefield, they noticed the banner of Commander Sun Zhiyun, brother of Emperor Zhutai. The force was fresh off of victory, spirits high, even though their beloved commander was not leading them. The man that was leading was the High-Captain of the Tower Guard of the Bronze Spire in Lu Jiang. Shen Jishou, Shen Ha, mighty warrior and patrol officer had come to seal the death of Yuan Shu.*

*A horn sounded, one unique to only Yuan Ci's force, to let Kong Suo, Jiang Chao, and Du Jung know of the arrival. Shen Ha stood at the front of high Tower Guards, who were rather few in numbers. There were only 300, the only of the many who were trained for field combat. They would fight the frontline battle, while the thousands of other men caught the flanks. The Tower Guard soldiers began bashing their naginatas against their pauldrons, as Shen Ha gave out a laugh.*

"Yuan Shu, you are such a fool. You speak of the Emperor as false and treacherous, when you blind yourself from the truth. Do you not understant? The Emperor of the Han has lost all power, stripped from this 'false' Emperor. We have taken the Han, conquering their kingdom. The honorable Temple Knights side with us. Your own officers defeat you. You bring this enormous army with all your men and captains, and after your ego raises and your cocky attitude shows, you are defeated, and you dare show your tongue to call our Emperor false? Damned fool, and thus, you shall die."

*The army sprung out of the fog, large in numbers, rich in technology. Yuan Shu was doomed. At his right was Kong Suo, his left with Aspharr. His rear was exposed to Du Jung, while ahead of him was Shen Ha and Zhiyun's army. They braced for battle, while the crossbowmen raised their bows to begin firing directly at the incoming army, weakening the frontlines. Shen Ha raised his naginata, rallying his troops, while the cavalry formed at the flanks, preparing to charge.*

300 Tower Guards of the Bronze Spire [Imperial Guards] (Spears-Thatch Shields-Light Chain Mail)
300 Elite Zhao Spearmen [Storm Troopers] (Spears-Light Chain Mail)
270 Zhao Spearmen [Marines] (Spears)
250 Zhao Lancers [Storm Troopers] (Spears)
90 Crossbowmen [Marines] (Crossbows)
40 Northern Skirmishers [Qiang Merc] (Javalin Quivers-Chain Mail)
100 Cavalry [Qiang Merc] (Spears-Javelin Quivers-Thatch Shields-Chain mail)
100 Hunters [Berserkers] (Swords-Crossbows-Thatch Shields-Leather Armour)
100 Bladed Assassins [Marines] (Swords-Crossbows-Leather Armor)
100 Yuri Assassins [Marines] (Spears-Crossbows-Leather Armor)
60 Assassins [Marines] (Crossbows-Leather Armor)
50 Mark Riders [Marines] (Horses-Crossbows-Swords-Thatch Shields-Leather Armor]
2 Catapults
2 Chariots

[Kong Fa Xu]

(So your spearmen ran to be ... in front.... of the elephants? Who were charging? *shakes head*)

*Shi Fei, seeing the change in the disposition of the troops and noticing the elephants suddenly charging, apparently not phased in the least by the firey logs of death. He quickly orders the Breaker Cavalry to leave the dead and dying Cheng fools to the feet of the elephants and broke ranks, scattering in groups of 50 and 100 and riding around the elephants, who were entirely too slow to react, especially with mere militia trying to control them. With the spearmen rushing to get into position and not in any unified formation at all, they were easy targets for the much better armed Breakers and mounted spearmen.*

*On the other edge of the battle, Suo immediately saw the elephants turn and attempt to charge the rear flank. He immediately raised the banner of the White Dragon, and his own elephants moved to join the fray. Trumpeting loudly, the huge animals massed for a devastating charge, their marine riders firing arrow after arrow from their composite bows into the puny spearmen before them. Foolishly, the lead spearmen let their guard down while engaged in combat with Suo's own pikemen, and so in the moments of confusion as the men left one flank to rush to the other, the pikemen took casualties, and both groups of swordsmen rushed after the spearmen, intent on killing the fools before they could flee. It was turning into a complete rout of Cheng. The pikemen jogged quickly, keeping a semblance of a formation as they moved. Suo raised his spear high into the air, and the Amazon Guardians drew their scimitars in response.*

Yuan Shu can not escape true justice! After him!

*Rushing after the retreating spearmen, Suo and his Amazons cut a bloody path through the cowards, cutting down whole groups at a time. Shu's cavalry detachment on his flank would be destroyed by now by the combined forces of Suo's own mounted spearmen and Jiang Chao's infantry forces.*

[Jiang Dong]

The men of Jiang Chao gave pursue, and when he saw the elephants charging towards the army, his troops would hurl Heavy Javelins into the skin of the Elephant, making them go crazy.

[Ge Hong]

The Temple Knights begin to move back to the camp. They are returning to the area to hold against any sort of breaking through.