Another Contender: The Battle of Pu Yang

[Kong Fa Xu]

*Kong Fa Xu rode tall atop his valiant steed, Fong Yu, the late bright morning sun streaming over his army from the east. There was a slight but prevailing breeze which whipped at his battle robes and the standard that he carried aloft. White characters on a blue background, the standard read "Fa Xu, Thundering Bull." Such standards had been used by Kong's family for three generations now, since the time of his grandfather, the White Dragon Kong Suo. It had been several years now since such a standard had graced a battlefield, but it would only be minutes until it would be proudly waved once more. Riding to either side of Fa Xu were his young wife, Ruo Zhang, dressed in her own battle garb which consisted of red-dyed chain mail, and Da Wang, Fa Xu's oldest and ablest lieutenant, dressed in his conspicuous gilded plate armor. Behind Fa Xu and his associates came the many rows of infantry and cavalry that made up his own army, and behind that came the bridgelayer that he had been lent for the battle.

Forces:
300 Marauders (Marine/Armoured Cavalry/Pike)
200 Reavers (Marine/Armoured Cavalry/War Axe)
200 Spearmen (Militia/Spear)
200 Swordsmen (Militia/Sword/Bronze Shield)
100 Crossbowmen (Militia/Crossbow)

Fa Xu halted his men atop a small hillock just outside the city and planted his banner firmly into the earth. Even planted thusly, it still stood taller than Fa Xu did while atop his steed, and was clearly visible to anyone who bothered to look. Orders were passed through the ranks via messenger for the army to assemble in battle formation: Spearmen holding the center, crossbowmen in a loose skirmishing formation just in front of them, ready to flee safely through the ranks of the spearmen should an enemy force approach that closely. The swordsmen were situated 100 to each flank of the spearmen, their shields held ready to deflect ranged attacks should they need to. On the left flank were the Reavers, big, brutal men with War Axes and an armoured steed who were willing and able to carve a path of destruction through nearly any troops. On the right flank was Fa Xu's personal unit, the Marauders. These men were armed with vicious pikes, and were even better, if that were possible, at carving out a path through the enemy than the Reavers were. The bridgelayer was plodded into position far behind the main lines, as it was not expected to be needed in this battle. Nodding in satisfaction to himself as the army moved into formation around his standard, Fa Xu motioned to Ruo Zhang and Da Wang to follow him and began riding purposefully toward the city gates. When he got to within 200 meters of the gates, he called up to whatever gate guards there might be.*

Defenders of Pu Yang, I am Kong Fa Xu of Yan. I am under orders from my lord Gonsun Ren to take this city, by force if necessary! I do not want to take it that far if I do not need to, so surrender now, and spare the lives of your wives and children. My lord will show compassion upon you, and allow you to join our ranks in overthrowing the corrupt and faltering Zhao dynasty. If, however, you do not, then I take no responsibility for the destruction and havoc that my soldiers will wreak upon you. I will await your answer only until midday, and then your lives will be forfeit.

*With this final statement hanging in the air, Kong Fa Xu and his comrades turned and rode back to where their army was massed and ready to strike.*

[Ge Hong]

No one answered the gate. Yet, it stood close, large groups of peasants milling about outside the gates, rasping upon the hardwood, looking for ways in. Suddenly, a single figure stood atop it, bedecked in battle robes, holding a single standard. It read "Bapuzi" and "Shaolin", with Shaolin above the name.

He planted it firmlyat the gate, which opened a tad, allowing the people to filter in, and some filter out, but not enough for any large mass of men to enter or exit. It closed firmly shut, and the warrior atop the gate took up an arrow, bending at his knees, he fired. The arrow streaked through the air, a crimson hue to it, distinct of the Shaolin order.

It landed at the foot of the hill. A runner went and delivered it to Kong Fa Xu.

You are not alone in your endeavours. The city garrison has disbanded. The Shaolin guard this city. Whoever comes out victor in the coming battle, deserves this city.

-Ge Hong

[Kong Fa Xu]

*Kong Fa Xu read the letter, then passed it his wife, who took also read it before finally passing it to Da Wang. Fa Xu leaned forward on his steed, resting his arm on the horse's well-muscled neck and looking across the field at the city, where the figure of a monk could clearly be seen. He was silent in contemplation. After a moment more, he urged his horse into a gallop and closed the distance between his own army and the city gates quickly. Da Wang and Ruo Zhang hurriedly tried to catch up, but their mounts could not overtake Kong's own, and so they arrived a moment behind Kong himself.*

Master Monk, my quarrel is most assuredly not with the Shaolin, whom everyone respects as the epitome of martial prowess. My quarrel is with those who support the corrupt Zhao Empire. Being as you have studied your entire life to be a wise man, surely you do not support the Zhao, who have heaped upon the people untold suffering and misfortune? And as monks, surely your vows of poverty preclude your "owning" of an entire city? Let the Duke's flag fly over the ramparts of this city so that we may better combat the menace that is the Emperor. There is no need to spill blood this day. Indeed, I've wished to avoid that outcome at all costs.

*Fa Xu stood his ground instead of riding back to his army, eager to hear the answer of the sage standing above him.*

[Ge Hong]

The monk atop the gatehouse nodded, his face stern, two dots upon his forehead as though a second set of eyes. He called out in a language lost to those not of the order, and immediately the doors opened. However, inside, commotion could be heard. It was coming from the palace, where great shouts of disturbance were.

Kong Fa Xu would have to hurry to find what it was about. The monk atop the gatehouse seemingly dissappeared, but some of Kong's soldiers would later report a slight gust of wind seemed to carry him away, blowing him into leaves that suddenly fell.

Inside the city however, chaos reigned supreme.

In the streets, corpses lined the walkway towards where the colonial militia attempted to oust the Shaolin order from the city. They had killed no Shaolin monks, but citizens and men from their own army lay strewn, arms bent in horrific ways from the hand-to-hand combat the monks specialized in. Some monks had adopted swords, and then now slaughtered front line troops. So, the militia pulled back, regrouping...

242 Militia Spearmen
125 Militia Crossbowmen
112 Militia SWORDmen
12 Cavalry Spearmen (Marines) Commanders of the Regiments

((Hush, I was at school, and teacher was watching XD))

[Kong Fa Xu]

(Sooooo, 354 militia spearmen? Or are some of them swordsmen?)

*Fa Xu sighed as the monk disappeared and it was made abundantly clear that the city was in chaos. It would end in blood after all. Didn't it always? A quick word and he and his comrades were galloping back toward the main army. The each took their positions as directed, Ruo Zhang to the head of the spearmen, Da Wang to the head of the Reavers, and Fa Xu led the Marauders himself. The infantry began to jog, trying to get to the scene of mayhem as quickly as possible without completely tiring out the troops. Meanwhile, both flanks of horsemen broke into a quick run. This situation had to be contained quickly, and Fa Xu's cavalry were known throughout the country as some of the best.

The cavalry arrived quickly, and filed in through the huge front gates, Fa Xu in the lead with his Marauders, their raucous battle cry at the throats of every man, the thundering of the armored hooves of the horses echoing in every direction. Fa Xu drew his swords and bent low over his mount, allowing the horse's armored exterior to give him as much cover as possible in order to better defend against any arrows they might encounter. The rest of his troops following his lead, their pikes leveled with dangerous intent at the militia before them. The Marauders spread out into lines, taking up practically all of the space along the wide main road. From above, they would look like a tidal wave of terrible power bearing down on the unfortunate militiamen ahead, rows and rows of gleaming pikeheads held far out before them, easily more than a match for the lowly spear troops.

The next wave came in the form of the war axe-wielding madmen of the Reavers, with Da Wang swinging his deadly eastern sword to great effect. After the Marauders had run through the militia lines on their first pass and easily scattered them, the Reavers were the mop-up crew, and they were good at what they did. The militia would fall quickly, and the city would fall into Fa Xu's hands, unless the Shaolin would fight him as well.

The infantry, meanwhile, spread out at the gate and began moving through the city split up in two large groups of 100 spearmen, 100 swordsmen, and 50 crossbowmen, to capture key points within the city itself whilst the battle raged elsewhere. Their first targets were the city barracks, as well as the factories and armories. With these two strong points taken, it would only be a matter of time before the militia could no longer fight and would have to surrender.*

[Ge Hong]

((Swords... Yeah, as I've editted my reasons for screwing up into the above post...))

The miltia archers were taken suprise by the suddenly menacing cavalry, expeccting a quick battle against some peaceful monks, they were annhilated left and right as the enemies cavalry broke into them. They began to waver and run, but the Reavers caught them in their grasps, cleaving in twain man and bow alike.

The barracks had been emptied, the armory as well, and as such, the infantry of the city met no resistance. However, the sounds of death were almost chilling, and Kong's militia, who couldn't get their adrenaline moving enough to dispell these fears, began to grow a little disquiet.

The 12 Cavalry Spearmen, however, held strong, and as such, the men began to rally around them. They created a crude spear circle, fending off the attacking cavarly, who, although armored, still could be fended off by the spear. However, the swordsmen who were fighting against the Shaolin routed towards the barracks, to try and ride out the battle, unknowing the fate of their allies.

Bows twanged as a few arrows flew out, taking down one or two cavalry, but although the city had almost equal numbers, their training and equipment were no match, and soon, the first of the Marine Cavalry fell, as a war axe removed his head in a quick ride-by conducted by a group of cavalry, smashing into the lines, in a single file line, beheading one of the men, creating an omen of defeat for the defenders of Pu Yang.

Remaining Defenders of Pu Yang:
168 Spear Militia
14 Crossbow Militia
43 Sword Miltia (routing to the Barracks)
11 Marine Cavalry Spears

Kong Suo's Losses:
32 Marauders
16 Reavers

[Kong Fa Xu]

*Fa Xu's plan for the routing of the city guard was coming together quite well. A majority of the defenders already lay dead or dying, with comparatively little loss to Fa Xu's own troops. Ruo Zhang's contingent of infantry, which she had led to the armory and taken control there, was led back toward the center of the city, where the clash of swords and spears could be heard quite distinctly. Seeing her husband and Da Wang engaged in brutal melee combat, she positioned her crossbowmen to deliver a withering hail of fire onto the portion of the poorly formed spear circle not being menaced by her own cavalry forces. Splitting the 50 crossbowmen in half, one half went to the right flank of her position, defended by 50 swordsmen, while the other half did the same on the left flank. The spearmen held the center stalwartly, spears at the ready and fully prepared to take any charge. The crossbowmen prepared to open fire then, first targeting the few remaining enemy crossbowmen, then switching to the massed spearmen holding the cavalry at bay, but they apparently waited for some sort of signal.

Fa Xu, meanwhile, slowly pushed ever closer to the line, allowing the much longer pikes of his troops to push the spearmen closer and closer together, until they were back to back in their circle, surrounding the marine spearmen. With the arrival of his wife's forces, all Fa Xu would need to do is prevent the spearmen from breaking out of the mini-siege and regrouping elsewhere in the city to cause mayhem. The outcome was already apparent to the Pu Yang militia, try as they might to convince themselves otherwise, so Fa Xu again extended his offer of amnesty, shouting to be clearly heard.*

Defenders of Pu Yang, hear me well. I will offer you terms of surrender once more. No more blood need be spilt over this place, but spill it I will if need be. My lord the Duke requested that I bring this fine city into the fold of Yan, and I will do so. The choice is yours as to whether that will be over your dead bodies. Please, surrender now and spare yourselves. Live to see your families once more![/color]

*If this plea failed, then the militia were doomed. It was as simple as that. Fa Xu's men were simply too well trained and well armed to suffer at the hands of the defenders before him. However, Fa Xu raised his left hand, holding his saber aloft. This was the signal that Ruo Zhang was waiting for, and so she raised her own hand, which her crossbowmen watched carefully, while she watched Fa Xu for the signal to fire. If the signal was given, 50 bolts would fly into the formation, targeting the enemy crossbowmen first, then moving on to the unarmored spearmen.

Meanwhile, at the barracks, Fa Xu's militia forces milled about uncertainly. They could hear the slaughter and death happening close by, but couldn't tell who was winning by sound, and so were worried about their own position. However, seeing the bloodied and fleeing swordsmen coming at them from the scene of battle, their resolve was strengthened, and the militia swordsmen of Fa Xu, shields at the ready, charged into the routing defenders almost before anyone knew what was going on. The numbers were in favor of Fa Xu's forces by a little more than 2 : 1, but the battle would still be somewhat hard-going as swordsmen struggled against swordsmen, and shields absorbed blow after frightened blow. The spearmen, meanwhile, took up position just outside the barracks and prepared a solid spearwall in case something unforseen happened. The crossbowmen massed on the right flank, furthest from the action.*

[Ge Hong]

The Defenders heard the lord Kong's call, and many looked hestitantly at their neighbors, who in turn looked hesitantly at them. The cavalrymen controlling the action yelled for them to stay together, yet many could be seen whimpering, fearing for their lives. Closest to the enemy Crossbow units and their female commander, multiple spearmen dropped their weapons, and began streaking madly at the Yan troops, pleeing for their lives, only wanting to return to their lives and wives, to bed and become farmers for the rest of eternity.

The cavalry men lanced any who were close enough, however, most made it out. The sides facing Kong Fa Xu began to do the same, men crying for pardon, not wanting to be killed.

The cavalrymen grumbled, and then, with a final charge, they streaked towards Kong Fa Xu's units, intent on causing mayhem enough for them to maybe hurt Kong.

At the barracks, the swordsmen, tired and beaten, dropped their arms, falling to the ground. They begged for pardon, knowing that their counterparts, if smart, would do the same. The Pu Yang defenders remembered their former ties with the Temple Knights, and knew that their former lord, Jia Xu, had his son Jia Mu in Gongsun Ren's forces.

As the men began to cease and desist, A horde of Shaolin monks came out from the palace. A hundred strong, it was but a regiment of Ge Hong's crack troops.

Ge Hong led them walking forward, part of the many similarly dressed monks, except for the jade naginta he held, and the slightly off Yellow head wrapping, where all the others wore white hued cloth. He stopped near Kong Fa Xu, who was seeing to the clean up of the men. He spoke shortly.

Tell your lord Gongsun Ren that he should release my men from his service. Send a messanger. They'll know where to go.

Congratulations on killing the poor fools. I am off... More matters to attend to. Kong Fa Xu, Let the Dao lead you forever.

The Monks began a steady trot out of the city, and even then, amazingly, when they hit the forest, the people could've swore that leaves seemed to erupt out of nowhere, with the monks disappearing within them...

Kong Fa Xu's casualties:
2 Reavers
5 Swordsmen

Rewards:
Wisdom +1, Leadership +1, 300 Gold