The Castle of Ping Yuan

[Lyle]

A large, powerful structure just north east of the city, which on its own possess walls and defenses and even barracks. But most of the army is housed within the castle, as also the marshal for the land, Shibo. The prefecture of course remains within the actual city and palace of the city, though. Stone after stone was collected long ago and stacked upon each other, and a grand defensive emplacement was built. Once to protect the Han, now most likely in the end to cause its downfall. The Castle was close to the main roads that lead from Chang An and He Nai to Ping Yuan. There was no escaping its walls if your numbers were high.

Shibo ruled here by himself, his word higher than all else, yet he shared this power with the prefect Zou Xian. His troops were powerful warriors from the Emperor himself, comprised of 100 Grunts, 50 Black horsemen and 90 Crossbowmen. Supplies and food were gathered from around the area, yet had already been obtained in mass quantities, and thus the castle could run on its own with its gates shut tight for at least two months..

[Kong Fa Xu]

*Kong Suo surveyed the area from atop Fu Xi. The castle was indeed impressive, and would be all the more impressive once Suo's army was camped outside it. Powerful. Formidable. Not to be attacked. Suo jumped down off of his powerful steed and motioned for Shi Fei. The man trotted his horse the short distance, closing the gap quickly.*

Yes, Suo?

Send messengers to the castle, and to the other officers that have already arrived to inform them that we are here, and that we intend to camp to the west of the fortress.

*Shi Fei nodded quickly and took off in the other direction, quickly meeting up with several mounted spearmen. After a quick conference, the spearmen took off in different directions. Shi Fei rode back to where Suo was standing.*

Good, now move the men to that hillock there *pointing* and have them set up an encampment. I want temporary palisades constructed, and a constant guard to be kept. An army is most vulnerable after a long march, and while there are no outright hostilities just yet, caution never hurt anyone.

Yes, sir.

*As Shi Fei rode off to distribute the orders, Kong Suo stood passively off to the side, steady as a rock against the slight breeze. There once had been a time when Kong Suo would have gladly supported the Han against all comers. That time had passed long ago, however, when the decadence and immorality of the court and its retainers was fully realized by the population at large. The Mandate of Heaven has passed from the hands of the Han to the hands of the Zhao. I can feel it in the air, taste it on the wind. The setting sun blazed brilliantly against the western mountains, and then set into darkness, and still Suo did not move. It was only as the moon crested the eastern skyline that he finally snapped from his reverie and made his way silently atop Fu Xi to the slowly-growing encampment in the hills above him.*

[Lyle]

As the messengers approached the castle Shibo appeared at the top of the gate in their direction. Once they were within shouting distance he gave them proper orders, still in his green armour and his spear still tight within his grasp..

"Order your lord to send scouts out into several directions. Also, inform him that his camp shall remain the main camp for the field. Otherwise, this castle will be our base of operations and where the Emperor will arrive."

[Bya Kou]

*...The trip had been a nuisance, more than anything, and Kou was tired of the instant relocation order he had been given immediately after joining up with the Zhao.*

("... Why should I have to help in this petty conflict... I'd be much more happy to just... rest.

Hmph... and they fight the Han, of all people. Do they have a deathwish?

Either way... they'll see what I can do here... and I'm sure they'll be... surprised, to say the least.")

*His army stopped the moment it entered the castle, and Kou set his army to the rear gate. He would rest there for the upcoming battle.

Apparently, it was his job to stop the enemy from pincering them...*

("Perfect.")

"You!"

*Kou pointed a finger to one of his men*

"Send a message to whoever's currently in charge... Tell them that I have arrived and taken up position in the rear.

Make sure to tell them that we'll... defend this position with our lives."

[Kong Fa Xu]

Shibo

*Suo was told of the man in green armor's instructions and nodded. He turned to Shi Fei.*

Make the palisades a little stronger. It seems like we may be here longer than expected.

*As Shi Fei went off to accomplish these new orders, Suo walked over to a cluster of about ten spearmen who were tending to their horses. As he approached, they all stood at attention and saluted. Suo waved them back to whatever they were doing.*

I have a job for you. I need you to scout the area around us. There should be no need to cross the border with the Han, but if you do so, do not get captured. Focus your search to the west, but do not neglect the north and south either. We must be sure that we are not being flanked. Leave as soon as you can in groups of two. Report directly to me.

*The spearmen saluted once more, grabbed their weapons, and began preparing their mounts for the journey. Within a half hour, they were all gone on their individual tasks. Suo headed to the mess hall.*

Bya Kou

*Another messenger arrived at Kong Suo's camp and found him eating his dinner.*

Lord Kong Suo, my lord Bya Kou wishes to inform you that he has taken up a position to prevent flanking maneuvers and will defend it with his life and the lives of his 500 crossbowmen.

Ahh, good. I was wondering whether I'd have to split my forces. Tell him I said thank you, and that I have a great number of cavalry so his position should not be properly threatened.

*The messenger nodded and went back to his own encampment.*

[Zhao Ping]

The forces of Zhao has mobilized,hell was to reign on all those who stood against the mighty army under the black sails.A large contingent of cavalry moved through the territory of Ping Yuan,sothern He Nei.It was 700 man strong and led by an even stronger man,Lu Bu.Lu Bu was moving through the area,to catch the upcoming battle with the Han.His brother told him to move,and so he did.Lu Bu was right outside the walls when he stopped and halted his army.

"My men,we have been on this journey long enough.You loyal men have been with me since the beginning of this army;since the days as lowly mercenaries outside the walls of Luo Yang,through the time when we served damned barbarians known as the Sassinids,until we came here,built our kingdom,and have made it to this small town.I ask of you to not worry of death this coming day,but to remember where your loyalties lie and that I am just like all of you.You may die on the field,but so may I.I am no better than any of you."

"With this said,I say we not concern ourselves of useless things such as death;but think of the honor we shall bring to our names and the glory.The damned wretches of the Han have ruined this country,and now I say its payback time.Let us ruin their armies,kill their people,and destroy their land;just as they have done to the rest of our homes,our land.Follow me now my loyal men of the spear,follow me to the gates of hell,so we can spit of death and laugh as we defeat it.FOLLOW ME"!

Lu Bu and his men charged into the city,right towards the palace.Lu Bu told his men to hold line while he went to the palace himself.He dismounted and awaited his oath brother,Du Jung,to arrive.He looked out on the scenery and only saw red with blood this coming day.

[Sun Xiong]

((I'll make my post later today. I have it saved in word, just on another, slower computer.)

[Lyle]

(Everyone should read the first post as it details this castle, which is a military installment and nothing more. Let's say though, that a two does exist across the bridge [which has been taken once the agreement to split He Nai was made].

Map of the battlefield:


A very royal looking convoy approaches.. It is noted that this is the Emperor's personal cavalry, known as the Hell's Angels. They make their way past the forests, a man in crimson red armour at their front as they charge toward the castle. Dust kicks up behind them, the harsh and unforgiving dirt under them centuries old.. Sun Jiang immediately moves to the gate with Shibo upon it and yells out to him..

"Shibo, The Emperor will be here soon, I am simply the scouting part and relaying more orders. The Emperor orders that this is a field battle, and Zhao's field battle. We will attack whatever moves into our own lands. Now, I am off to the camp."

The cavalry moves out..

[Sun Qi]

*Sun Jian leads his White Cavarly to Ping Yuan. Known for his great commanding skills, Sun Jian knew he'd have a chance to show his true skill here. He lined his White Cavarly up and awaited orders.*

Troops:
200 White Riders [Marines] (Light Chainmail, Swords, Horses)
100 White Raiders [Storm Troops] (Light Chainmail, Swords, Horses)

[Cao Liao]

Cao Cao had recieved information from He Nei that Zhao was blocking the reinforment line to the city of Shang Dang. In the wake of that, he sent one of his advisors, unarmed into the Zhao territory. He was a small man in staure but he conpencated for that with his quick wit and words. Once he arrived at the gate, he looked at the guards straight in the eyes. "I am Xun Yun... I am here on behave of Lord Cao Cao of the state of Han, I request an audience with your lord immediately. I am unarmed..."[/color] He stated as he waited for the Zhao guard's reply.

[Sun Xiong]

*Zhiyun sat atop his throne, his head cocked downwards, donned fully in his silver battle armor. He conjured all of his wit this moment, rallying his muscle and valor to approach, to arrive just when he would need it. He softened his face, relaxing his muscles at each joint, stretching his arms out on his throne. He looked into the future, into what he knew was about to happen, and what he knew would be the outcome. None could deny it. Zhao would take action. The Three Spears would take to the battlefield, a trio of excellence. Flawless in finesse skill and dominant power. They’d reek havoc to their enemy, using ingenuity and cunning to outman them, using tactics and force to overpower.*

*A soldier approached the lord of Zhao, forming a fist with his left hand, covering it by cupping his right, and bowing his head.*

“Lord Zhiyun, the army is assembled. A thousand strong, armed and armored, ready to do your will. We have our orders from Zhutai, we await your final command.”

*He looked up, pivoted around and exited the throne room. The Bronze Spire Castle was empty. An odd sight, the whole time Yuan Ci had been there, it was so full you could barely move your elbows, but now, he could see the marble floor beneath him, the trimmed curtains and eloquent walls. ‘Know thy enemy.’ Who was this enemy? Who was the enemy when Sun Tzu spoke? An enemy… there would always be an enemy. A protagonist and an antagonist. There has always been, and there always shall be.*

*He stood up, walking through the hollow halls with the echoes under his feet, each step emitting an array of noise that bounced from the floors to the walls to the ceiling, fading away. He stepped outside, garnering his leadership and speaking skills. He took his horse, without a word, and rode to Pingyuan, followed by his men. They arrived after the others, Zhiyun riding past his two brothers. As his men filed into formation behind them.*

“Good afternoon Zhutai, Fengxian. Fine day for war…”

*He rode to the head of the army, spinning his horse around to address the men.*

“Good men, it has been a while. Since I could taste blood. It’s been a while since I could look up at the dark clouds passing, as the rain trickled down my face, washing the crimson blood from my skin, down my neck. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the tainted battles filled with chaos and death. It’s been a long time since I could honestly say I enjoyed killing a man. But today, blood is like wine. The more you have, the more you become. You shall kill, and you shall feel the power digest you, harvest, and manifest within. Our empire is on the brink of conquest. Fight for it.”

[Lyle]

Zhutai responded to Zhiyun..

"Grand to see you Brother.. I know that you have business to attend to with the troops. Good luck in battle, I trust your skills to lead the generals."

The Emperor in fact had just gotten here, a grand army with him all dressed in black with black banners and the name of Zhao in white. They looked fearsome, each man's face blank, solid and just hinting the seriousness of this situation. Each man carried a weapon and most of the men either carried two or had armour. Fearsome indeed.. Zhutai picked up his pace, his Imperial Rangers doing the same as they jogged to his sides, his cavalry just behind them and other infantry units just behind them.

They were about to enter Ping Yuan castle when a weak looking diplomat approached. Noting of the man he ordered the gates open and his Rangers surrounded the man, walking him into the castle and quickly giving him some food, nothing special since this was a military installment and nothing more.. Zhutai quickly made his way into the hall of the castle where Xun Yun had been placed, his was still adorned with armour, a sword sheathed sword upon his belt and his cape following behind him quickly. His helmet was adorned with black metal and a yellow plume, rustling in the air as he walked to the head of a large table.

"And what has your lord told you to tell me?"

Outside the troops rallied, the Imperial Rangers with their lord in the castle..

Zhutai's Army:
200 Grunts
100 Black Swordsmen
60 Elite Rangers
40 Elite Guardians

Shibo's Army:
90 Crossbowmen
50 Black Horsemen
100 Grunts

Sun Jiang's Army:
80 Hell's Angels
50 Black Horsemen

Make sure to check my profile for their descriptions..

[Zhao Ping]

Lu Bu nodded to Zhiyun and proceeded to lean up against a post.He saw the Han embassor come in and try to talk to his lord and brother Du Jung,and all Lu Bu could do was grin.The meer fact that Cao Cao would be ignorant enough to try and pass through his lands is bliss incompetence.When his brother,Zhutai,spoke to the messanger and told him to speak his part.Lu Bu crossed his arms,glazed in the eyes of the messanger,made a stern look and spit on the ground.No way would we aid Han,Ping Yuan is our territory.

"Zhutai,look upon this whelp without mercy.He is a fool trying to pave the way for peace and then attack us out of blind lust.If anything brother,we should kill him and hang his head on the main gate,to show we shall not give Ping Yuan without a fight.If you wish it so,my men are thirsty for Han blood."

Lu Bu laughed,but his laughter was full of disguist.Lu Bu will not let the Han,the false rulers of the land,to run all over Zhao territory,like this ambassador probably expected to do.The Han was dead,and Cao Cao is nothing but a fool.

Lu Bu's army
500 Northern Cavalry (Spears and Horses)
100 Cavalry [Qiang Merc] (Crossbows-thatch shields-chain mail)
100 Cavalry [Qiang Merc] (Spears-thatch shields-chain mail-javelin quivers)
100 Swordsmen [Qiang Merc] (Swords-leather armour)

[Lyle]

Zhutai raised a hand, only looking to Lu Bu a second after.

"Fengxian war has been a trivial matter for so long. Yet, today I will change it forever. I will allow this man to speak, and I will here Cao Cao's proposal. After this he will leave, and if I ever see him upon the field I will behead him myself.. But for now, we are secluded from all and talking like respectful men.."

[Lyle]

Zhutai orders that all troops and genearls other than Kyong Dao are to report to the He Nai/Ping Yuan border, so to simply hold the enemy lines.

Kyong Dao may send a sub officer with Troops, but should stay here for possibly defenses.

Shibo will stay in Ping Yuan castle and prepare to catch any armeis that are retreating.