The Battle for Bei Ping

[colby]

Background: As the Governors of the North struggle for power, Yuan Shao begins his conquest of the Northern lands attacking Bei Ping with his huge amassed forces in an attempt to seize more lands to compete with the other lords.



Here is the map of the battlefield.
The brown represents hard ground, mud like stone.
The gray represents high strong mountains.
The building to the north is Bei Ping city itself.

Positions:
Gongsun Zan forces can start anything in or around the fortress, within reason.

Yuan Shao forces start directly South-East at the summit of the mountains.

Rules

• Reminded for a good use of English
  
• No godmodding
  
• No meta-gaming
  
• No double posting
  
• A sense of realism and reality is required
  
• The outcome of the battle can rely on more then one thing.
  
• How well you roleplay will also affect the outcome.
  
• Reinforcements must be stated and given a realistic time to arrive.
  

Officers or Leaders MUST state what troops they have with them during this battle on their first post. This included sieges weapons. This can be done by officers stating their troops one by one, or the leader taking the role upon him self stating all the troops present of his officers.

Your moderator for this battle will be: Emperor Xian
Best of luck to both sides.

[Yuan Shao]

Yuan Tan oversaw the army, banners fluttering in the breeze. Every man in the army of his father's was under his command, and he would make sure that casualties were kept to a minimum. The loss of life was not acceptable.

Plus he feared what his father would do to him.

Every man was checking their equipment or making sure they had a flask of water. Because of the supply carts provided by Shen Pei, every man had plenty of water and food for the battle ahead.

The men were ready. The siege engines were already being moved forwards as the men continued their slow trip north. They would take the northern passage and then come around at the castle from the expansive northern passage.

Troops:
2700 He Bei Bowmen
700 He Bei Spearmen
500 He Bei Cavalry
500 He Bei Axemen

Siege Equipment:
4 Ballista

[Wen Chou]

As Yuan Tan and his host arrived at the scene of the battle, Wen Chou and his unit detached themselves from the column. Dressed fully in armor and his green battle garb, Wen Chou wielded his spear in his right hand, and his kurkis were on his sash. His stallion was a pure white horse, of very high quality. And to Wen Chou's sides rode the banner carriers. In a great fashion they marched ahead of Yuan Tan's contingent of men, and they formed the forward head of the army.

Wen Chou on the front. That was the plan.

Wen Chou was quite glad he was on the front, he knew he would fight valiantly and to his fullest ability. All of the men were well fed and hydrated, thanks to Shen Pei's supply lines. A genius that man may be, Wen Chou had questioned his methods as of late. But of course Shen Pei always prevailed in impressing the general.

A captain rode up to Wen Chou's side,

"Lord Wen Chou! Shall we start the advance?" The captain was quite urgent.

"That we shall captain!" A quick nod, horns started to play, the advance was on. "Tell the catapult squadrons to keep their pace." The captain rode off.

Ten bei calvary rode ahead of the columns to act as scouts.

And so began the struggle for the north.

SUMMARY: Wen Chou and his unit lead the advance ahead of Yuan Tan. They are heading directly north of their starting position.

TROOP NUMBERS
500 Bei Swordsmen
500 Bei Spearmen
500 Bei Calvary
500 Bei Bowmen


SIEGE EQUIPMENT
5 Catapults

[Gongsun Jieming]

Jieming could not even see the yellow banners in the sky yet when he took his leave of the Palace in Beiping. His mind was clouded, his judgment unsure. Was it his duty to try and fight a war that would certainly be lost? Perhaps Liu Pi was close with the army, he thought to himself.

As he rode out farther from the gates, his four guards escorting him through mountainous roads, he saw for the first time the multitude of banners that filled the sky. Yuan Shao's forces clearly numbered more than Jieming had even thought when he was set on the task of helping his cousin. He thought to ride straight for the Wuhan, but he knew Liu Pi could do a better job.

He had great respect for the Liu clan, and so he started to head for Liu Yu in Ji. Kicking the side of his white horse, the Runanese warrior sped off into the day, hoping he would make it but certainly not knowing whether Yuan Shao's forces would block his way.

Gongsun Jieming's troops:
4 Zhong Cavalry (his bodyguards)

Gongsun Jieming's actions:
Attempt to ride for Ji

[Kyle]

Yuancai's unit arrived at Bei Ping shortly after Yuan Tan's and Wen Chou's units. Which would make sense, considering he was the rear guard on this campaign. They took up formation behind Yuan Tan's men and halted their advance. He gathered his unit leaders together to discuss their immediate plan of action. "We shall wait here until we receive orders from Commander Yuan Tan, or Strategist Shen Pei. Enjoy this respite while you can, because we will eventually have to enter the fray ourselves. That is all, tell the men to rest and that after this battle they will be rewarded well for so willingly marching out on this campaign despite just coming back from our skirmishes with those bandits." Hmm, Uncle Benchu was kind to place us as the rear guard. I shall have to give him my thanks after this battle is over.

Troops
750 He Bei Swordsmen
750 He Bei Bowmen
400 He Bei Axemen
100 He Bei Scout Cavalry

[Shen Pei (Tuvlan)]

The Hunt For Bei Ping

During the travel from Ye to Nan Pi, all the way to Bei Ping, Shen Pei had to change the bandages about his face various times, never stopping on the march, as he poured alcohol to his face. Missing several times and getting the disinfectant in his eyes, there was much cursing and crying out in pain to be heard from Shen Pei.

His march was simple, but organized, the men only having to stop for rest twice. Four columns of twenty-five, side by side to make eight columns of twenty five for each division with the crossbows at the front, the axemen following, and the archers in a slightly wider formation of all five armies travelling at a girth of twentyfive, being only four columns in length (in other words, a reversal of the crossbows/axemen formations), travelling side by side each other in their divisions to a maximum of four divisions, with the last two taking the rear. At the right flank was one of the Great Trebuchets, pulled by oxen and herded by the 2nd Division of Bei Swordsmen, accompanied right-most by the catapult which followed suit with the 2nd Division of Axemen that were not marching behind the crossbows. To the left of the marching axemen and crossbows was the second Great Trebuchet, similarly accompanied by the 1st Division of Bei Swordsmen... and Shen Pei in all his bruised glory.

...It was uncertain, but the map...

"What the hell? Does Bei Ping only have four buildings in it? And what the hell is this!? Is that the center-most mountain? It gives no details on height and..." shaking his head, Shen Pei looked about, noting all this in comparison to the reality of their enviroment. His mind already whirring.

Shen Pei's forces arrived, with Gao Gan's forces within sight, arriving about an hour later...

Riding on backwards, he held up a hand with two fingers up, before pointing at two Archer Units from the rear at a distance.

"Go to the supply crates and obtain a shovel each! I want you to scale the center-most half-way. Once there, you are free to provide cover-fire as necessary!"

He wished Chin Xiao could be there, to keep better eye on them...

...Cover-fire. Truly, their range was otherwise limited, but with descent and the wind in their favor, this could be lengthened... For the rest, Shen Pei rode on towards the front of his troop as two divisions of archers began to make their way for the mountain.

Shen Pei would continue until he would arrive at the top of the northern passage, to which the city of Bei Ping would be south-west of them, where they would be in the same vicinity as Wen Chou.

Summary:

• Two Units Of 100 Bei Archers Are Heading For The Mountain W/ Shovels (Checked With Liu Yan).
  
• The Remainder Of The Unit Continues Travel To Meet With Wen Chou's Army.

---

Shen Pei's Army

• 1000 Bei Bowmen
  
• 200 Bei Swordsmen (Both Divisions Of 100 Manning A Great Trebuchet)
  
• 200 Bei Scout Cavalry
  
• 200 Bei Cavalry
  
• 200 Bei Axemen (2nd Division Of 100 Manning A Catapult)
  
• 200 Bei Crossbowmen
  
• 2 Great Trebuchets
  
  • Both Great Trebuchet Are Roped Up & Pulled By Oxen
    
  • 1st Great Trebuchet Manned By 100 Bei Swordsmen
  
  
• 1 Catapult
  
  • Roped Up & Pulled By Oxen
    
  • Manned By 100 Bei Axemen

[Emperor Feng]

Word surged through the city of the arriving armies of Yuan Shao, chaos hit the streets as many civilians attempted to take cover in their abodes. However, it could not reflect the turmoil that was within Gongsun Zan who feared the worse, Jieming would not make it back from Runan especially as word came that he did not take the direction to Runan..but to Ji. "That deserter of our clan!" Passing in the main hall of the Palace, his feet could not remain still all officials preaching their ideas for the plan of war..all being ignored. "Send messengers to Ji and get Liu Yu to send reinforcements! With a wave of his hand, and a near miss for a peon's head, the order was taken out and a horsement sent to place the signal to Ji for reinforcements as soon as possible. The Govenor was not going to allow that 'noble' take his lands, not after the hard work he had suffered over the years. He knew that the Wuhan would venture down the mountains to aid him, they had to after the last defeat by him they had suffered placed them as sub-bordinates.

The doors to the main hall recieved two men, fellow clansmen, glad in armour and weapons poised ready for the arrival of Yuan's troops. "Father, we must act, soon they shall be pounding on the gate!" Gongsun Xu had been longing for a battle of worth for some time, to his left was Yue the devouted cousin who helt a sword ready for order. "Cousin, I shall have archers placed along the walls." The map of the surroundings was brought before them, Zan gazed upon it and a way to place the ranks of Yuan into chaos. Pointing to the south he gestured to his cousin. "You see this, take men and head South; they shall not see you coming from the rear. Yue, take the vanguard and leave immediatly via the South gate..make sure it is sealed behind you." Yue was not confident it could work, they came in vast numbers and soon to be upon them..attack their rear flank? Nonetheless, it could not be questioned at this time; thus, leaving him no option than to nod and take his leave.

Gongsun Yue took to his mount, sword in hand and rushed through the city to gather the men his Cousin had ordered him to take lead. The vanguard was a difficult position, they would make contact first and to cut off their retreat with little troops? No, such wavoring in confidence could not be done, it was too late for question... "Men! Follow me, we have been ordered to place their being into fear and confusion. We head South!" Cracking his whip, the contingent of men rushed into place and headed towards the Southern gate that had been opened especially for them, they would head South and curve round the mountains to attack the rear of Yuan's troops..

Gongsun Yue:
1000 Bei Cavalry
300 Bei Bowmen
225 Bei Spearmen
225 Bei Swordsmen
250 Bei Pikemen

Next, the Govenor gestured towards his son..young at heart but fierce no less. Pointing towards the East gate, he would be attack the vanguard of the approaching men. "Xu, place archers upon the walls to give you aid. You shall charge to the enemy and halt them. The rest of us shall fortify the city and await reinformcements from Ji and the message to the Wuhan shall be sent." Taking haldberd into hand, Xu was the next to leave..also not too sure of his father's abilities as a General; perhaps over the years they had come to falter. The barracks were a place of life and enthusiasm, all shouting to prepare for the battle that awaited them..they would push the Yuan army back to Nanpi and show that the Govenor was not a push over, regretting the day that foolish noble placed a threat to them. Gongsun Xu took leave with his contingent of men and headed East, the city walls were covered with archers aiming outwards for any enemies who dared come close to the walls.. Drummers began to beat for their lives, the rhythm placing adrenaline within all hearts and stating to opponents that this fight would not be one to lay down to..

Gongsun Xu:
1000 Bei Cavalry
300 Bei Bowmen
500 Bei Swordsmen
500 Bei Axemen
500 Bei Pikemen
350 Bei Spearmen
350 Bei Militia


The Main gates to the city were opened and out flooed the Bei Militia, taking the vanguard, who were followed by the infantry units headed by Xu himself; all shouted for the kill and moved East to collide with the approaching armies of Yuan..

The Palace gates were sealed and Gongsun himself took to the Palace walls to order his troops into line, they were the largest contingent out of Yue, Xu and Zan..they were meny, but their Generals few. They were going to be split into two, each unit being sent to guard the gates incase either one could not press the Yuan army back..

Gongsun Zan:
Unit 1:
500 Bei Cavalry
250 Bei Spearmen
250 Bei Swordsmen

Unit 2:
500 Bei Cavalry
250 Bei Swordsmen
250 Bei Bowmen
500 Bei Pikemen
500 Bei Spearmen

Unit 3:
500 Bei Cavalry
250 Bei Swordsmen
250 Bei Bowmen
500 Bei Pikemen
500 Bei Spearmen


Unit 1 were ordered to stay within the Palace grounds and to be the personal protection for the Govenor. While the latter Units were sent to the Main gate to the East and the minor gate that was to the South of the city. There they prepared for battle, one that would shake the balance of the entire Hebei region...


Summary:

• Gongsun Zan sealed himself in the Palace.
  
• Messenger sent to Ji.
  
• Messenger sent to the Wuhan.
  
• Gongsun Yue & Gongsun Xu sent to engage.
  
• Map of Directions
  

• Gongsun Xu placed in charge of 3000 troops:-
  • 300 Bowmen stations on the city walls.
    
  • 2700 troops sent out of Main Gate to confront the enemy.
  
  
• Gongsun Yue placed in charge of 2000 troops:-
  • Exit the South Gate, sealed afterwards.
    
  • Head South to prepare for an attack on the Yuan rear flank.
    
  
  
• Gongsun Zan placed in charge of 5000 troops:-
  • 2000 troops sent to guard Main Gate.
    
  • 2000 troops sent to guard South Gate.
    
  • 1000 troops remain within the Palace grounds with Gongsun Zan.
    
  
  

[Yuan Shao]

Yuan Tan rode at the head of his contingent of men, and it was not long before they came upon the northern bend, where they would be able to come around the middle mountain, and begin an assault in earnest. Wen Chou would make it first, but Yuan Tan would be close behind.

Catapults and archers were to the fore, and as soon as they were around the bend, they saw the Zan army. Immediately the ballista were brought into position, much quicker than they would normally, due to the extra supplies granted by Shen Pei's wooden carts.

Immediately archers placed themselves. They stood in front of the catapults, many ranks deep, over 2000 from Tan alone, and they began firing as soon as the enemy was in range. Ballista were reinforced with ropes between them, and volley fire was necessary for this. The ropes between them would be used to clothesline and snap the necks of anyone that was caught inbetween them. They were paired together for this reason, so that each fired a bolt with a rope attached to one other one.

Diagram

^_____^
I........I
I........I
I........I

Key: ^ - Bolt head, I - Bolt Shaft, _____ - Rope, ... - Empty space

This quick fix allowed a larger amount of casualties per bolt shot, as it would fall into clusters of men and take out entire ranks.

Tan ordered his cavalry to stand on the sides of the archers, who were ordered to continually plink away at the enemy defenses. 2,700 arrows were fired per volley, directly into a concentrated enemy force. They would do some damage.

The rest of Tan's army was situated behind the ballista. Should the enemy charge with horses, Spearmen would charge forwards in front of the archer and throw up a spear wall, the cavalry on each end would then fold inwards against the now hesitating enemy, and envelop and kill the interlopers.

Tan awaited his vanguard, Wen Chou, to get into position.

Map

Actions:
Tan moved his army at a run towards where they could set up.
They were not too exhausted due to Shen Pei's extra supplies!
Ballistas were set up directly behind the archers, cavalry on the sides of the archers, and the rest right behind the ballista
Tan began firing at the enemy!

[Meng Zhao Xia]

The sounds and panics of the townspeople as they scurried around the town filled the air as Meng Zuo stormed from the Tavern, the smell of alcohol on his breath, his hand already reaching back and grabbing the long balberd he used as a Weapon. "What the 'ell is going on here?!" His voice projected above the cries and the screams as he continued to stomp out of the Tavern. Looking to his left as he exited, there seemed to be a gathering just towards the Center of town. Maybe there he would find some answers...

"Brothers! Sisters! Family, Friends, Kinsmen!" The sound of Meng Zhao Xia roared out over the crowd as he sat atop his trusted Steed, his younger brother, Meng Fu, standing silent at his right side. He had gathered 3500 Men, along with their wives and children, they who had gathered their families to hear the call of one of the most courageous townspeople in Bei Ping. "Hear me! Heed my words! The tyrant Yuan Shao marches upon our town! Our great lord, Gongsun Zan, along with his own kin have ridden out onto the battlefield to meet them! While our Governor has protected himself in his Palace, let him do so! Let him feel safe! Let him enjoy the fruits of his worth and his loyalty! This!" He let the word linger in the air, stretching his arms wide as his horse took a few steps to the left, re-settling itself. He looked up to the sky, before continuing his shouts. "This is our home! Our land! Our castle and our paradise! Who are -they- to try and take it from us?! Who are they to come onto our land, come into our homes! Who are they to march against our Lord, he who has protected us from so much trouble, so much strife! Let us defend our homeland with pride!" He stopped, as miscellaneous cheers could be heard from a few overzealous men in the group. Sensing that the group would need more motivation, he continued. "Men! Women! Sons and Daughters of Bei Ping! Heed my words! If you will not do this for your Lord, then do it for your family! Men, defend your land for your Wives! Wives, support them to their dying breath! Sons, Daughters? Protect them! Keep them safe and out of harm's way and in return let them cheer for their Fathers out there on the field of battle! I have here, with me, three thousand men and counting, all ready to fight and die for our homeland, and I ask any and all others who are willing and able to fight to join us! For our Lord, For Bei Ping!!" He drew his blade, raising it high into the air as he waited, letting the cheers and roars that he had enticed ring out, at least those from his men had followed as they were instilled with a fighting spirit. His horse reared upwards and he brought a hand down to steady himself. He then immediately went on to speak out any orders to those that had already joined up with him, letting any others who wished to follow, do so.

"Archers!" He turned to a large group of men and select women, roughly one thousand strong, dressed in fairly superb armor and carrying bows, quivers on their backs. "You will defend the Southern Gate, the lot of you on the walls! Be sure to use the walls for cover until you see the enemy, and when able, be sure to aim for any unarmored soldiers! If we can't kill their strongest, than we'll sure as hell knock down any foolish enough to volunteer as our pincushions!" He then turned his voice towards a smaller group of Militia, roughly 500 strong. "Lads! Listen well!" He pointed to one man, giving him direct orders. "You will be the designated Messenger, stay well out of the line of fire." He then addressed the group as a whole. "The lot of ya will aid the Southern Gate, and shall warn the others in case of a sudden rear assault! You will hold the line until our Lord manages reinforcements! Go on! Get outta here!" He turned to his right, looking to his youngest brother. "Fu, go assist them. I am putting their lives in your hands, do not let me down. You can do this, I know you can. I only ask that you ensure I hear of any form of Rear assault." His brother nodded, trotting off on his horse, Tactician's Fan in hand, Militia and Bowmen behind him as they headed for the Southern Wall.

As he turned to speak to the rest of the 1500 men standing there, Meng Zuo slowly waltzed up to his Brother, halberd now in hand. "Don't forget me, Brother! We shall defeat the Tyrant along with the rest of those fools that follow him!" He let out a roaring laugh, before going over to stand with him, slamming the butt of his halberd against the ground.

Zhao Xia looked down to Zuo, chuckling. "Ah, Brother! Surely we shall win this day." He turned his attention. "Men! The others have prepared for the defense of the Southern Gate! We shall assist the Archers holding the Eastern Gate! Quickly! To the Walls! We shall defend the city for as long as it takes! The bastards will never get through!" The rest of the men standing there raised their weapons, cheering, before heading off to Reinforce the Eastern Wall. As they approached the Eastern Wall, Zhao Xia looked aside. "Quickly! Strip what you can that isn't necessary and use it to create a barricade at the Gate! Once our Lord's troops are through, we shall hold them here at the entrance!"

Meanwhile...
Meng Fu sat atop the steed his Brother had acquired for him. He wouldn't let him down, not this time. He knew much about tactics and ploys, but little in the way of leading soldiers. He looked down to one of the veterans in his brother's volunteer army. "You there, listen carefully. You will relay my orders to the Men. We will not fail my brother. Tell the Archers to remain hidden and to spread as thinly across the walls as possible." He let his gaze drift out to the Mountainside. "Make sure to stay crouched and hidden, and be ready for any opposition. Tell the men to allow only a few soldiers to rise, as if we aren't expecting an attack to the South. I want barricades made from whatever is available, and I want some of our archers on the lower level, behind the gate. We'll be ready for anything they have to throw at us. Go, do as I've said." The man went off to relay the orders. Any attack to the South would fail, he would make sure of it.

[[SUMMARY]]
Meng Zhao Xia and his private army have rallied themselves to defend their homeland!
Meng Zhao Xia has attempted to rally the townspeople of Bei Ping to increase the natural defenses of the town as well as possibly gain some extra Militia recruits for his army!
Meng Zhao Xia has split his troop into two units:
Unit One
Commander: Meng Zhao Xia
Sub-Commander: Meng Zuo
1000 Bei Militia
999 Bei Swordsmen
200 Bei Bowmen

Unit Two
Commander: Meng Fu
Sub-Commander: Captain[1 Bei Swordsman]
1 Bei Swordsman
500 Bei Militia
800 Bei Bowmen

Meng Fu's Unit has gone to defend the Southern Gate! 700 Bei Bowmen are stationed atop the walls, 100 Bei Bowmen are stationed on the gate level. 500 Bei Militia are stationed at the gate level.
Meng Fu's Unit is up to something!

Meng Zhao Xia's Unit has gone to defend the Eastern Gate! 200 Bei Bowmen have gone atop the walls to directly relay information to Meng Zhao Xia, as well as to reinforce Gongsun Xu's Archers on the Eastern Walls. 1000 Bei Militia have been stationed at the Gate Level to Reinforce the Gate! 900 Bei Swordsmen have been stationed at the Gate Level to Reinforce and defend the gate in Gongsun Xu's absence! 100 Bei Swordsmen have been stationed atop the walls in order to inspire confidence in Gongsun Xu's archer troop, as well as to fend off any possible Siege Tower invasion!
Meng Zhao Xia's Unit is up to something!

[Wen Chou]

Wen Chou and his contingent of men kept pace with Yuan Tan. His scouts had proved effective as the army marched northward and took their positions. They would advance further, but only after the walls had fell, or the order cam from lord Tan. It was rather unusual for Wen Chou to consider that Yuan Tan was running the operation. Curious, the seige of Bei Ping was such a crucial moment for the war in the north, why would Yuan Shao send his sixteen year old son to lead, and not a more experienced commander?

No, I'm acting jealous, Wen Chou concluded, Yuan Tan is the current heir anyway.

Unless this was because of something Guo Tu said... The very thought made Wen Chou's stomach curl.

A captain rode to the side of Wen Chou, the horns had grown quiet, the marching stopped, the men were now resting - setting up tents and creating the supply dumps from Shen Pei's oxen. "Sir. The bowmen are in range, the operation is ready to commence."

Wen Chou sat atop his white stallion, clad full in armor still as he was at the beginning of the day. It was afternoon now, the sun illuminated the mountains in a perfect shine. No fighting on grass or open fields. Wen Chou wiped the sweat from his brow, it was not considerably warm, but the extra armor added weight and a layer of garments not particularly needed. Despite this, the experienced general had many things to keep his mind occupied.

"Yes, captain, I'll ride out to oversee them."

Wen Chou whipped the reins and his horse vaulted off. Five-hundred bowmen were in rank ten paces ahead of Yuan Tan's bowmen. The general sat high behind the ranks, inspecting his bowmen. Wen Chou had no intent on his arrows doing bodily harm to anyone in Bei Ping. Instead they held a different purpose.

Wen Chou was never one to enjoy bloodbaths. He had seen his share of cities that just wouldn't give up in the northern wars. Civilians threw themselves at the professional armies of Yuan Shao in order to 'protect their homes'. The regular farmer, however, should be more concerned with their own well-being. And so it was customary for Wen Chou always to ask for the sieged city to surrender. His colleagues never took it upon themselves to do it, and Wen Chou - being the chivalrous one - was compelled to.

It was quite a well-known tactic, though seldom used, leaflets were used by famous generals during sieges in order to demoralize and persuade the enemies to either desert or surrender. Attached to the arrows of Wen Chou's archers were small, thin cylinder tubes, which were crammed full of small papyrus notes.

"Fire!" Wen Chou's captains continued to yell the orders to the bowmen. The arrows let fly through the air, and soon thousands of leaflets were floating in the sky above Bei Ping - slowly falling to the streets, where the populace would be able to read them at their leisure.

The note was simple:

SPOILER: Click to show

Civilians and Soldiers of Bei Ping,

If you do not evacuate the city, I cannot guarantee your safety.

General Wen Chou

SUMMARY:

Wen Chou has ordered the dispersion of thousands of leaflets throughout Bei Ping!

Catapults are idle, but ready to fire.

[Shen Pei (Tuvlan)]

The Importance Of Preparation & Tactics
Alternating fire

Diplomacy was a wonderful, non-violent tactic for additional violent tactics. On one hand, if diplomacy succeeded, there was the advantage of not having lost any fighting strength for either side. Extremely wonderful benefits of combining one's force to another could occur, in some cases doubling the fighting power of one entity. However, as was likely with this situation, diplomacy would fail. It was during the diplomacy, the acts of hesitation, however, that could be capitalized on, used to buy one more time while setting up pre-battle preparations.

Gongsun Zan was a proud, arguably arrogant man. It was of no surprise that both Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan both chose, rather then wasting useless words, to bring out their armies at the forefront. Pride and honor were on the line for both and for Gongsun Zan to willingly submit himself under another was at the very least, incredibly unlikely and the very most, impossible.

...Of course, it isn't as though Shen Pei would be thinking on this right now, but rather (provided he survived this encounter) would reflect on the actions of his fellow and enemy generals during the battle.

The three days of rest was indeed very useful, as was the time-sleep change, as, even while they marched to their battle positions, Shen Pei could note (in an almost grudging mannerism of the troops), the way in how his men's vigor had been increased dramatically. With a smile, Shen could not help but think back to how he'd forced his men to clean out their bowels, give them three days of rest, and suddenly everyone was in top form. And obviously, Chin Xiao's supplies were doing wonders for keeping the men in line.

Stopping his horse to a trot to look back at the 200 Bei Archers he'd sent, he smiled at the speed of their progress in scaling the mountain. However, he noted with disdain, their marching would be better if they had Chin Xiao to actually keep them in line and to give them common sense beyond a simplified order.

Oh well.

The taste of blood and sweat was on Shen Pei's dry and slightly swollen lips, albeit garnered from earlier encounters from the whores' survivors several days earlier. As if to spare his men the sight of his face (either for the sake of morale, revulsion, or what have you), the entirety of Shen Pei's face, with the exception of his left eye, nose holes, and mouth, was completely covered with bandages. Sticking out his tongue and then lashing it about randomly, Shen Pei proceeded to creep out his nearby soldiers...

"...Mm," licking his bandage-covered lips, "Quite dry. Ground is practically made for being made into mud."

...With blood.

"Crossbows, grab three stakes each and begin shoving them in the ground! You know what to do! Archers, behind them! All cavalary, standard flanking positions! Axemen, lined up behind archers, stretch! Catapult, Great Trebuchets, follow me!..."

...By the end of it all of what would seem like pointless banter was in fact what Shen Pei had begun to pound into his troops training from the start of their time with him.

From here, Shen Pei would establish his battle lines, just north of the one Yuan Tan had established.

It was amusing, though. Riding up to the front, where the stakes were being set up, Shen Pei looked southward, watching as Yuan Tan already began to open fire and Wen Chou began to fire... rather horribly. It took a moment with one eye, but those arrows all looked thicker.

...Wen Chou was doing it again.

Shen Pei smiled. What "fun" was there in ruling a city in victory after you had won them in an aggressive conquering? ...Granted, there would still have to be hunts for traitors and dissenters, but that was getting ahead of the situation, and pending completely on if they won this battle or no.

Trotting in front of his southern-most calvary flanking forces, Shen Pei raised a hand over his eyes to look at the mountain. Some men were already well on their way, but it would take a while before the mountain could be fully utilized. Still, the high ground was already all but theirs now.

Now, they just needed to do something about those walls.

Taking some time, watching as his men finished standing in formations, Shen Pei raised his hand over his eyes again, before lowering it down to his lips.

"Archers, nock bows, do not pull. Siege equipment forces! Ready boulders!"

...

"Hold."

...

"Hold."

...

Ten minutes.

Ten minutes of waiting, as Shen Pei could only assume that Yuan Tan's forces would continue firing mercilessly on any nearing forces. Meanwhile, the Bei Crossbowmen were continuing to get the stakes in place.

His archers, still not having pulled their bows, waited, standing, as Shen Pei rode in front of them back and forth...

Ten minutes of waiting.

For Wen Chou's sake, Shen Pei had waited. But for Yuan Tan's sake, he could not continue.

"READY ARC SHOT!" obviously noting the still working Bei Crossbowmen working on the field in front of the archers.

"...HOLD."

...Shen Pei would wait... for Yuan Tan's force to loose a volley while riding out of the way of his own archers.

"...FIRE ARC SHOT AT THE TOP OF THE WALLS! PROCEED IN VOLLEYS! NEXT WILL BE THE FORCES AT THE GATE! CONTINUE IN VOLLEYS!"

There. A large volley of 800 arrows were loosed, aimed high at the forces that had begun standing at their posts at the walls of Bei Ping. And the volleys were timed so that they would alternate with Yuan Tan's archer's volleys.

"SIEGE FORCES: MARK FOR THE WALLS!"

"LOOSE WHEN READY, FIRE AT WILL! BREAK IT DOWN!"

And thus began the rain of wood, metal, and stone.

"...No curse, nor blame may break thy pride, but stone and stick may do the trick,~" Shen Pei muttered under his breath at the city, a strange look on his one visible eye.

---

Shen Pei Battle Summary:

• 200 Bei Archers W/ Shovels Are Still Making Their Way Onto The Mid-Section Of The Mountain & Around. ETA 1 Post.
  
• Shen Pei's Forces Have Formed A Battle Line North Of Yuan Tan's! (Have Been Informed That Wen Chou's Battle Line Is South Of Yuan Tan's.)
  
• Shen Pei's Battle Line (Link Already Included In Above Paragraphs)
  
• Shen Pei's Forces Have Waited To Fire For 10 Minutes For Wen Chou's Leaflets To Be Read!
  
• Shen Pei's 800 Bei Archers Have Fired Once At The Top Of Bei Ping's Walls!
  
• Shen Pei's Continued Volley Targets For His Bei Archers Will Be/Is Switched To The Incoming Forces/Forces At The Gates!
  
• Shen Pei's 2 Great Trebuchets & Catapult Have Begun To Launch Boulders At The Walls Of Bei Ping!

[Gongsun Jieming]

Jieming rode on, under orders from Zan to get reinforcements from Ji. As he looked around, it seemed as if the hordes of yellow banners were not in his way, and that he might make it safely to Ji.

(Does anyone cut him off or try to stop him from getting to Ji?)

[Kyle]

Yuancai finally received the order to move. His unit was to go through the narrow valley to the west, circle around, and surprise the troops guarding Bei Ping. He sent out the order to his respective troop leaders and then began to move out. He turned his army and began moving toward the narrow passageway he would be required to move through, thinking of how unsafe the location was. Luckily for Yuancai and his men, Shen Zhengnan had already sent some of his bowmen up into the mountains to the west. From there they could be Yuancai's eyes and also provide support to his army.

His forces were set up with his swordsmen carrying the line, followed by his bowmen. He then placed his swift axemen on the flanks, 200 on each side of the formation. He then sent 20 of his scout cavalry, the fastest in the Middle Kingdom, ahead of the army to see what they could find, the other 60 were placed in from of the axemen. With his formation set up, Yuancai bade his army to make haste as the moved away from the rest of the Yuan forces, and into the valley ahead of them.

Map (My arrows are awesome.)

Summary

• Gao Gan is heading west, at a fairly brisk pace, through the valley to circle around to Bei Ping's south gate.
  
• Thanks to the extra supplies procured by Shen Pei, fatigue should be minimal for now.
  
• 20 He Bei Scout Cavalry have been sent ahead of the main force to, well, scout.
  

[Emperor Feng]

MOD POST:

• The previous post for Gongsun Zan shall be deleted.
  
• Troop loses shall be posted.
  
• A post order will be established.
  
• Battle Mod is now replaced by Emperor Xian.
  

---

The battlefield was a sight to behold, as Gongsun Zan played the coward and sent his young son to be the vanguard against the advancing hordes of Yuan Shao, while the dear cousin Yue was ordered to attack the rear flank of the Yuan army...however, he is unaware that one of the yellow banner is doing the same! The Yuan general Wen Chou has bestowed a cunning plan upon the city, surprised that such a man could even write, they are given the option to flee or simply be treated as enemies of Yuan Shao; however, there is only one being who can order a retreat of the civilians...who is currently locked in the Palace grounds.

Yuan Tan has taken the hold and approached with a formidable force, including a rather vicious looking battering ram; their target? The East Gate of course! Gongsun Zan has ordered the majority of his men to move to aid at the defence of the East and South Gate, while a random Beiping native has risen to the defence of his homeland! - somehow he knows that Gongsun Zan has placed himself in the Palace, such a psychic he must be! The city has now become a place of siege, as time was not given for the people of Beiping to flea as Shen Pei, a master of cunning, ordered a launch of catapults to the East Walls while following a volley of archers to those stationed upon the wall..another contingent opened launched to the charging men of Gongsun Xu. Fearless as the men of Yuan Shao, they failed to see the messenger who headed South! - the Wuhan shall be notified and requested aid! .. To the West went another messenger, along with Gongsun Jieming.. Liu Yu shall be quick to act for his Liege!

Crash! Crumble!..Dissaray, dissaray, dissaray!! The walls were hit by the catapults under the order of Shen Pei, many were felled..crushed, injured..the blood! the horror!!!


Troop Loses:

Gongsun Zan
Unit 2-
20 Bei Bowmen - Wen Chou's Archers w/leaflet
10 Bei Swordsmen - Wen Chou's Archers w/leaflet
30 Bei Spearmen - Wen Chou's Archers w/leaflet
40 Bei Cavalry - Wen Chou's Archers w/leaflet

Gongsun Xu
30 Bei Bowmen - Shen Pei's Catapult & Archers / Yuan Tan's Ballista
45 Bei Spearmen - Shen Pei's Catapult & Archers / Yuan Tan's Ballista
30 Bei Swordsmen - Shen Pei's Catapult & Archers / Yuan Tan's Ballista
25 Bei Cavalry - Shen Pei's Catapult & Archers / Yuan Tan's Ballista
75 Bei Militia - Shen Pei's Catapult & Archers / Yuan Tan's Ballista
30 Bei Axemen - Shen Pei's Catapult & Archers / Yuan Tan's Ballista
25 Bei Pikemen - Shen Pei's Catapult & Archers / Yuan Tan's Ballista

Gongsun Yue
None - Is yet to make contact

Meng Zhao Xia
20 Bei Militia - Wen Chou's Archers w/leaflet
15 Bei Swordsmen - Wen Chou's Archers w/leaflet
20 Bei Bowmen - Wen Chou's Archers w/leaflet

Yuan Tan
None - Out of range

Shen Pei
25 He Bei Cavalry - Gongsun Xu's Archers on the Wall

Wen Chou
10 Bei Swordsmen - Gongsun Xu's Archers on the Wall
10 Bei Spearmen - Gongsun Xu's Archers on the Wall
10 Bei Calvary - Gongsun Xu's Archers on the Wall
5 Bei Bowmen - Gongsun Xu's Archers on the Wall

Gao Gan
None - Is yet to make contact


In the next post, please make the addition of the edited Troop numbers - this is only if you have suffered Troop Loses.

---

Post Order:

- Yuan Tan
- Wen Chou
- Shen Pei
- Gao Gan
- Meng Zhao Xia
- Gongsun Jieming
- Gongsun Zan / Gongsun Xu / Gongsun Yue

---

Overall Summary:

• Gongsun Zan is locked within the Palace.
  
• Gongsun Yue heads South.
  
• Gongsun Xue heads to engage Yuan forces.
  
• Yuan Tan approaches Beiping.
  
• Wen Chou gives the Beiping locals the option to flea or die.
  
• Shen Pei volleys at Archers on the Wall.
  
• Shen Pei fires catapults at the Wall.
  
• Messenger 1 successfully sent to Wuhan.
  
• Messenger 2 successfully sent to Ji.
  

Notices:

• Qiuliju & Yan Liang will arrive after 1 post of Gongsun Zan.
  
• Liu Yu will arrive after 3 posts of Gongsun Zan.
  
• Gongsun Jieming, if bringing reinforcements from Runan, will arrive in 5 posts of Gongsun Zan.
  
• Meng Zhao Xia gaines 100 Militia in result of his speech!
  
• Beiping East Wall has taken slight damage.
  

[Yuan Shao]

Troops:
2700 He Bei Bowmen
700 He Bei Spearmen
500 He Bei Cavalry
500 He Bei Axemen

Siege Equipment:
4 Ballista

Yuan Tan's archers continue firing into the mass of enemy units moving towards them. They would continue to fire even as the ballista behind them hurled even more of the gigantic javelins. When the enemy began to come closer, spearmen were detailed to intercept any cavalry charges, their proximity to the front row archers making it easier.

If footsoldiers were thrown against them, the cavalry would crush into their formation on the sides, unless they were spearmen, in which case the axemen would come forwards and shatter their lines. Tan himself stood at the fore of the archers, commanding his men, even as arrows rained down on their enemies from directly behind him.

Over 2,500 arrows per volley, and yet his enemies managed to scrape by with minimal losses. It was almost as if the gods themselves were toying with Yuan Tan, making it so that he had to slog through a ton of shit just because he was part of a larger empire. It was completely bullshit, but Tan couldn't do anything about it, because when he made noise to those who were above, all they did was ignore or throw lavish gifts at others.

Whatever. He'd win this through perseverance.

Actions:
Yuan Tan orders his men to kill the enemy.

They do so with lots and lots of arrows, and blades.