The Battle of the Central Plains

[Liu Bei]

Yang Zhi had attached himself with Liu Bei and his 40 cavalrymen. Arriving here with Guan Yu was uneventful, but they had made good time and things were soon falling into their proper places. The army had formed up outside the fort, facing the mountain range. Banners could be seen fluttering in the distance, but Xuande could not make out who they were belonged to. Most likely Li Jue's forces he thought.

The men were drilled correctly, and so Liu Bei issued orders to them,

"Form into Goose Formation!"

Primarily an attacking formation, useful for getting plenty of crossbow bolts fired in rapid succession. The flanks were secured by the halberdiers and cavalry, and it could easily however it was extremely fluid and could be formed into other formations easily and react to events with ease.

He rode to Yang Zhi, who had positioned himself amongst the Chu Cavalrymen, ready to act upon his own should circumstances arise that he needed to do so. Liu Bei nodded at him, and said,

"Good, the men are formed up nicely. I see Guan Yu has arrived, and another..."

At this time he noticed that Yen Shin had come with his force to introduce himself. Liu Bei bade him to rise and gave a laugh and then said,

"Well, if Lin Chong gave you rank I can trust he sees some promise in you. Prove yourself to me in this battle Yen Shin, and if you do well, do not think I will not reward you."

With that he gave a warriors salute from atop Firefoot. Motioning to one of his men, he sent them to Cao Cao, to inform him that his troops have arrived and are already prepared in formation. So the lad rode off on his speedy horse, and eventually found himself among Cao Cao's troops. He dismounted quickly and dropped to one knee, saying,

"Lord Cao Cao, my Liege Liu Bei sends word that his troops have arrived from Yong An, and are already prepared in formation. Four of his officers are with him, and he awaits your orders to begin the attack."

The boy waited to be acknowledged, and upon receiving word would return back to Liu Bei. Xuande himself had taken a position among the crossbowmen. It would be foolish if he took active part in this battle himself, and had no one to direct the halberdiers and crossbowmen into more useful formations should the need arise.

Summary:

• Liu Bei has formed into a Goose Formation.
  
• Yang Zhi is in command of the cavalry, riding within the Chu Cavalry corps.
  
• Cao Cao has been informed of Liu Bei's forces being ready, and awaiting orders to attack.
  

Order of Battle (Formation):
Click Here

[Cao Ren]

For once, staying within the walls during a battle in a voluntary action for guarding the city wasn't a bad idea. Cao Ren was with extremely sharp nerves, tense and always ready for any danger. But alas, he had been too slow in realizing that the fire had begun. Luo Yang was once again lit with flames, yet by far it wasn't an inferno like last time. Zixiao wasn't even there when it first burnt, but he didn't even want to know. All he knew now was that there was a blaze begun within the walls, started by some imbecilic group of idiots who would pay dearly... But, of course, the fire.

Zixiao had personally stationed himself upon one of the gates of Luoyang, leaving the captain in charge of the city's defense to position at another entrance. And then he heard it. A series of shouts and yells, coming from both the nearby locals and the soldiers within the walls. The general immediately swung around just in time to avoid his elbow going in hard contact with the soldier rushing rapidly up behind him. Dropping instantly to one knee, the man bowed his head:

"Sir, a fire--"

"I'm not blind, private. Move it."

The smoke could clearly be seen rising into the sky in the near distance. The fire seemed to have just started, as no actual ruins were formed yet. Good. But there was still no time to waste. The fire must be put out now, or else consequences would be met. Dashing down the long staircase that led to the bottom of the walls, Cao Ren quickly joined the small squad of young soldiers waiting for him, along with the other officers in the city: Cao Hong, the loyal horseman, and Cao Xiu, the bold archer.

And... another messenger? One of the soldiers dropped to his knee once more, and Cao Ren nearly rolled his eyes right out. If this was another stupid report, then he might as well just have the man's head chopped right off of his neck. But wait, no, he wasn't one of the squad¡¦ He must have been sent from the other wall...

"Sir, a group of unallied cavalrymen have charged the walls of Luoyang. We ask for your assistance in repelling them."

"Damn it!"

"...sir?"

"Cao Xiu, take this squad and go put out the fire with all the water you need! There are many wells in the city, and the water supply is abundant.

"Cao Hong, go and evacuate the people from the site of the flames, but keep them safe within the city. Not a single innocent must be harmed.

"And hurry up!"

Without another word, Cao Ren made a dash as he ran past the messenger, Cao Hong and Cao Xiu, and toward the location of the guard captain. It was only a second before the rest dispersed, each rushing to his own duty; Cao Xiu tending to the fires with speed as bucket after bucket of water poured down on the flames, and Cao Hong rallying all the civilians away from the danger and into the group of houses away from the site of the fire.

"Captain! Grant me 200 archers and crossbowmen each, along with 100 spearmen. I shall eliminate any enemy that dares to come as far as the gates. Provide me with fire from above."


- Cao Ren asks for troops to fend off the invaders.
- Cao Xiu begins to put out the fire with water.
- Cao Hong evacuates the civilians to safer parts of Luoyang.

[Guan Yu]

Guan Yu watched his lord deploy his force into formation and turning to his army, he shouted, "Assume Double Horn!" His men maneuvered into their positions and were ready to move.

In the center stood the bowmen, in front of which were the crossbowmen. Compromising the flanks and the horns of the formation were two units of five hundred swordsmen. Supporting the formation were two cavalry units of three hundred, the right under Zhang Qin, the Featherles Arrow and the left under Guan Yu himself.

Guan Yu's scouts had not yet returned, so he simply awaited their return (next turn) and the order to engage from his lord. Who he stood by awaiting the command.

Summary:

• Guan Yu has formed his line for battle.
  
• He holds his ground next to Xuande awaiting orders, and the return of his scouts.

Order of Battle: Image

EDIT: Know that the front of the formation is the swordsmen units.

[Jiang Wei]

The horizon looked bleak, a lone horse rider breaking between the mountains south of Jiang Wei's position. He was too far to be distinguishable, nevertheless he would be enter range soon enough. Upon his steed, Jiang took a glance backwards, nodding to a close by sergeant... "Make ready half a dozen marksmen, I wish not for this brave soul to enter 200 paces of our position." A small hustling briefly ensued, before 10 or so of Wu Wei's finest bowmen stepped to the fore, a firing squad, nothing more, nothing less. Sooner than the dust had settled back once more upon their feet had they made ready, strings tense, biceps tingling. The man, surely a man, was now coming into view, yet was carrying no flag. Ke, what is your take, he appears dead set upon our position as if willed on by the heavens, yet he carries no flag. Zhuge Ke smiled before focusing his much sharper eyes upon the westward advancing rider."Hmmm, a lone figure, his direction of travel should provide you with all you require Master Jiang. Look at the way he handles the horse, his position can only be a certain give away. I believe it is a messenger from Lord Ma Teng." A brief pause followed, Ke did not wish to totally humiliate the young warrior, but merely for him to learn. The silence was deadly, even amongst the ranks, before Jiang burst with laughter at the now visible figure. He lowered his hand, preventing the presumed downfall of a colleague.

It was indeed a messenger, his life spared by the wisdom of the younger Zhuge Ke. He must have ridden leagues, yet displayed little tiredness, his horse gleaming with sweat. The man paused a few hundred yards in the distance, as if to confirm his target with absolute certainty, before advancing to withing arms length, revealing a somewhat concerned face. "Master Jiang Wei, it is with grave regard that Lord Ma Teng no longer has need for you under his service. It is with his greatest of condolences that this has had to happen." A letter was passed back and forth between the two and slid back into the messengers pouch. Gone into the distance sooner than he had arrived, it gave Jiang little time for thought never mind questions. Why now? What had he done? These questions would have to wait another day, Jiang had more pressing issues at hand, he had responded to Master Cao's call to arms and would not allow himself to slink of into the distance.

With a thousand thoughts passing about in his mind, it was time for action. Jiang had positioned himself some distance from the advancing coalition, there was ground the be covered. He let out a monotonous whistle, summoning a few messengers to his side...."This message I wish to be delivered to Master Cao himself, tell him I apologize for my lateness and ask for instructions. It shall not take me long to cover the necessary ground so do not give him the impression we are miles away." The messenger nodded to Jiang, before galloping southwards towards Master Cao's last reported position. "Zhuge, my companion, it is in you I trust this task alone. The news from Ma Teng is grave indeed, however I do not wish to let this deter us from our course. Myself and Tu An shall remain here as see the blood spliied in victory. I wish for you to call forth guidance from the heavens and place this message upon the chosen Lord. I trust in you ten fold to make the correct decision." A smile followed, yet the young warriors face remained focused and serious. "Leave it to me then Master Jiang, I have heard great things of one in particular, I shall return once the battle concludes." Both men passed bows, equal measures of respect before Jiang watched as Zhuge became nothing more than a mere speck upon the again deserted horizon. "Form column men, we have ground to cover, prepare to move with most haste!"

Key Notes;

- A messenger has been sent to Cao Cao.
-Jiang Wei will arrive on the field next turn with his troops.
- NPC Zhuge Ke has left the field, leaving Jiang Wei and NPC Tu An.

Troops;

1600 Wu Wei Spearmen
400 Wu Wei Militia
800 Wu Wei Swordsmen
800 Wu Wei Bowmen
200 Wu Wei Scout Cavalry
200 Wu Wei Cavalry

[Tan Zhi Han]

Han's troops had won a smashing success, the Coalition’s victory was bittersweet. The battle had already been raging when Han reached the mountain side.

Guo Si had said something or other about Li Jue and impotence, which in the drunken state he was in, had launched Li Jue into a fury. His men charged forward with their commander. Guo Si knew he had the upperhand at the moment and collapsed his forces on Li Jue. The two slaughtered a path of corpses to reach each other in the center of the battlefield. Both sides used their bowmen to little effect, deciding that only melee combat would decide the fate of China. Guo Si with the superior numbers quickly split Li Jue’s forces in half, with Guo Si’s cavalry commanding the field as the infantry tore each other apart. Guo Si and Li Jue were locked in a duel to the death, no man daring to enter their sphere of combat; this was the measure of warriors, both men had everything at stake. It was at this moment that reinforcements on both sides of the valley began arriving.

Liu Bei’s forces were first to make headway, with the better half of his forces heading for the northern mountains. Guan Yu and Yen Shin’s forces followed suit, deciding strategy was more important than just pure strength of will. Next was Fan Chou and then Zhang Ji. Fan Chou, eager to win merits and glory, rushed in to aid his lord Li Jue. Zhang Ji noticed Liu Bei’s movements and moved north to counter his forces. Next was Tan Zhi Han at the southern mountain. Han had his men use shields to guard his ranged forces which pelted the enemy flooding into the valley with arrows and bolts. Now Wei Xu entered the arena, moving south behind Guo Si’s forces to try to pincer the enemy.

Cao Cao and his troops, having taken the time to assemble and receive and then deliver orders to other forces, now arrived, and set a position north of Guo Si, sealing the eastern valley side of the valley. His crossbowmen opened fire, killing friends and foe alike in the melee, but dealing considerably more damage to the amassed foe. Tan Zhi Han continued his barrage upon the amassed enemy as no sign of an attack was near. The enemy forces were beginning to fall apart against the onslaught. Guo Si, seeing his forces were now supported by many times more, urged his troops onward. Li Jue, the situation falling apart around him, finally came to his senses. He retreated past his forces, ordering them to fight to the death, which they did gladly, they being Dong Zhuo’s old elite guard. Li Jue sighted Fan Chou in the battlefield and called for him to escort him back to the city. Fan Chou urged his horse forward and they attempted to escape west. Guo Si, with a diehard group, surged after them. Liu Bei set Guan Yu and Yen Shin to do combat with Zhang Ji in the north as he personally scaled the northern mountain and hit Zhang Ji’s forces in the rear hard. Zhang Ji was badly wounded by Guan Yu’s own blade, his forces unsure what to do as the general slowly fled. Jiang Wei and his forces now arrived and saw the enemy already fading, but he would not be left without glory. He charged past Cao’s forces and towards the enemy with only his cavalry, leaving his infantry to fight the bulk of the enemy remaining forces. Wei Xu continued to battle the enemy’s side, the combined forces of the Coalition decimating the enemy. It was at this time that Lu Bu reached the battlefield with a few guards, he declared his awesome presence, shouting a battle cry of, “I’m Lu Bu! Know me and despair!” His guards rolled their eyes as their commander charged into the enemy’s rear without any fear or hesitation. There were some cries from the Chang An forces of “It… It’s Lu Bu!”

Cao was now blocked by Jiang Wei’s forces, and so he rushed his forces into the fray as well, forsaking the ranged battle. Tan Zhi Han, seeing the duel between Guo Si and Li Jue falter, observed the two commanders of Chang An fleeing. Han, Liu Gong, and Aisin Kuro had their best men and themselves, fire into and towards those two. The massed arrows slaughtered most near the position while the bolts killed any loyal few who tried to throw their bodies in the path of the onslaught. Both Fan Chou and Li Jue fell to the ground, Fan Chou with an arrow piercing his left arm, Li Jue without injury. Both men’s horses were dead, several arrows sticking into them like pincushions. Guo Si, seeing his rival fall, urged his men forward, going in for the kill, not realizing that his relentless charge was becoming more and more suicidal. Zhang Ji continued to flee, but because of his injuries could not gallop. Liu Bei, seizing opportunity, made his way towards the man and surrounded him after wiping out what guards he had. Zhang Ji was quickly captured when he tried to flail his spear at the enemy, lashing wildly, giving Liu Bei the space to knock the man down, is men fleeing or dying on the battlefield, none willing to surrender. Jiang Wei raced into where he saw the enemy commanders fall, and fought a path of blood and gore towards the area. Cao Cao, also interested in the final glory, had his son, Cao Ang, race in as well, himself looking on and commanding his troops. Wei Xu, seeing his lord arrive, cloverleafed to join his lord in the battle against the enemy’s rear, the enemy was now trapped and fighting to the death in the valley. Hu Che Er, Hu Chi Er, and Niu Fu now arrived on the battlefield, seeing their forces being decimated, they whispered amongst each other. Hu Chi Er argued that the battle was against them, and it would be better to return to Chang An and reform. Hu Che Er replied that battle was determined by a warrior’s resolve, and questioned Hu Chi Er’s loyalty. Niu Fu, demanded that they charge in immediately to their lord’s aid. With the discussion settled, Hu Chi Er reluctantly gave in and all three led their forces and slammed into Lu Bu’s rear.

Guo Si reached Li Jue first and stabbed his spear towards the man lying on the ground, still dazed by the fall, his blow was blocked by Fan Chou’s sword. Fan Chou then swung low at Guo Si’s horse, knocking the legs from under it. Guo Si fell to the floor and immediately rolled into a defensive position. Fan Chou lunged forward, and Guo Si sidestepped, parrying Fan Chou’s weak lunge and then ending the general’s life with a stab at the man’s head. Fan Chou fell, still gripping his sword. At this moment, when Guo Si tasted victory on his lips, Li Jue ran Guo Si through the heart with his own spear. Guo Si turned to Li Jue. Li Jue stabbed further. Guo Si let go of his spear and reached for his sword. Li Jue kicked Guo Si to the ground, letting go of his spear. Guo Si fell to the ground, staring at Li Jue, unable to move. Li Jue stepped to the man. Their eyes locked.

”Li Jue… We were forsaken from the beginning…”

”Brother Guo Si. We were invincible together. Why at this time did you change?”

”Living the villain’s life… I could not go on with that on my conscious any further…”

Li Jue knelt to the ground beside the dying Guo Si. Guo Si reached up to Li Jue, and Li Jue reached to him, they embraced each other. Li Jue felt tears come to his eyes.

”We could have been great.”

It was at this moment that Jiang Wei and right behind him Cao Ang arrived on the scene, just in time to see this fateful moment… Guo Si, as his final act, had grabbed his sword during the embrace, and stabbed Li Jue’s chest clean through.

”We were great brother… But the world was just greater. Together…”

Guo Si’s last words were cut short as he gave a final gasp of life. Li Jue smiled and fell forward to the ground with his rival and best friend.

”Together. Forever.”

Thus passed the tyrants of Chang An, the ghosts of Dong Zhuo’s reign of terror.

Arrows and bolts rained down, pelting the corpses until they were unidentifiable. All around the remaining forces of Fan Chou and Li Jue were dispersed or captured. Word reached the would-be saviors of Li Jue; the three generals nodded to each other and dispersed into the wilderness, knowing that their time had now at last, passed. Lu Bu would have given chase, but Wei Xu informed his commander that more pressing matters were at hand. The coalition forces assembled in the valley and recovered from their wounds. Their forces were replenished by fresh volunteers and prisoners. Guo Si was given an honorable burial. Zhang Ji died of his wounds, and he along with Li Jue and Fan Chou burned without ceremony. Their surviving clans eventually executed. The celebrations would have been great had the Emperor not escaped from Luo Yang on the advice of Dong Cheng. Cao Cao immediately received word and dispersed the Coalition for home giving the reason that celebrations would come later. They never came, as Cao Cao had hunted down and killed the Emperor that he had desired for whatever purposes. Dong Cheng died protecting his Emperor, and the families of the Dong clan were also extinguished. Cao Cao attempted to cover up all evidence of the executions, but he couldn’t stop the rumors from spreading. Jiang Wei, without a lord, went west to seek refuge with a lord he saw potential in. Liu Bei with his forces returned home to the south. Tan Zhi Han, with his forces went south west to the Nanman lands where he would soon enter into another necessary battle. Lu Bu and Wei Xu marched east to their lands.

Thus the coalition, short lived, but tremendously successful and powerful, broke apart. Perhaps they would see each other again on the battlefield, perhaps as friends, perhaps as foes. Only time would tell. Victory was won by the coalition forces. Emperor Xian had been rescued from Chang An, only to die outside Luo Yang. Victory, it was so bittersweet.

[Tan Zhi Han]

…………………………………………………

Results (Kills):

-Guo Si: 1200 kills
-Cao Cao and friends: 800 kills
-Tan Zhi Han and friends: 2100 kills
-Lu Bu and friends: 600 kills
-Liu Bei and friends: 1600 kills
-Jiang Wei and friends: 400 kills
-Guan Yu: 700 kills

Results (Losses - All Coalition forces are instantly replenished due to prisoners and volunteers joining their ranks):

Coalition Army (Including Guo Si) – 5,250 losses
Imperial Army (Including dispersed forces) – 10,000 losses

…………………………………………………

-Tan Zhi Han lost 50 Defenders and 50 Bowmen
-Liu Bei and Yang Zhi lost 300 Halberdiers
-Guan Yu lost 300 Swordsmen, 250 Cavalry
-Yen Shih lost 250 Axemen, 50 Bowmen
-Jiang Wei lost 400 Militia and 150 Cavalry
-Lu Bu and Wei Xu lost 300 Swordsmen, 200 Spearmen, and 50 Cavalry
-Cao Cao and Cao Ang lost 200 Swordsmen, 150 Spearmen, and 100 Cavalry
-Guo Si's forces were dispersed
-Li Jue's forces were dispersed
-Fan Chou's forces were dispersed
-Zhang Ji's forces were dispersed
-Hu Chi Er, Niu Fu, and Hu Che Er lost 100 spearmen altogether before successfully escaping the battlefield.

…………………………………………………

Rewards: (IE: The good stuff, the only stuff you care about… Greedy sons…)

Given to all Playable Characters that had a meaningful part in the Battle of Central Plains: (Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Yen Shih, Jiang Wei, Tan Zhi Han, Lu Bu)
+300 gold from rewards and loot
+500 Zhong Daomen troops (Emperor’s Elite Guards) – These troops are under the Emperor’s direct control, but have been assigned to be your personal guard as a show of the Han’s support and thanks. (Cannot be used in invasions not sanctioned by the Han – Will be reinforced with more units if a request is made to the Emperor with a detailed explanation)
+25 Reputation (You are one of the hero’s of the Battle of the Central Plains! You have participated in the largest battle ever since the last coalition against Dong Zhuo. Anywhere in the Han lands, if you mention your role in the battle, someone will certainly buy you a beer)
+Favor with Emperor Feng and the Han.

Cao Cao:
-Another +10 Reputation for forming the coalition

Others: (Those who joined the coalition, but did not bring in troops or show any support whatsoever)
-You have bragging rights that you were an officer in the coalition, but your name isn't known by anyone. ()



POST HERE TO COLLECT YOUR REWARDS OR ELSE YOU DON'T GET THEM!

[Cao Ren]

I'm collecting my bragging rights.

[Norion]

Me, too. So many bragging rights.

[Jiang Wei]

Collecting my bragging rights as well as the rewards

300 Gold
500 Elite Guards
+25 rep
Favour with the Emperor

[Guan Yu]

..........*sigh*

Claiming
300 Gold
500 Zhong Daomen
+25 rep
Favour with the Emperor

*sigh*

[Liu Bei]

Claims:

300 gold
500 Zhong Daomen
+25 Reputation
Favor with Emperor Feng and the Han.