(Quest) Supply-Depot

[Xian Ye]

(Since this is in Gongsun Zan's territory, He can join if he wants to )

Xian crested the final hill between him and his target, his cavalry only steps behind him as they waited for the rest of his force to catch up. Staring out across the distance at the bustling supply-depot Xian smirked as he thought back to the letter he'd recieved from Zhang Liang. General Xian, We require supplies if we are to continue our war against the Han. Go, Find us some supplies, and burn any you cannot take with you." Turning away, Xian lead his cavalry back to his main force, where he set up a small camp so he could come up with a plan for the attack.

[Zhou Yu]

The supply Depot at Xiang Ping was very important it held a lot of the local people’s grain uses as tax’s. It not only fed the local army but also the people when things were bad. Such times were upon the people now and it was more important than ever. As such there was a fair sized garrison of Han troops to protect the food from bandits. Although an un glorious task it was an important one. So when Gongsun Fan was riding his rounds around Xiang Ping he decided to stop at the Supply depot to check in with the guards and make sure the supply was not running to low.

“Captain how are things.” Gongsun Fan asked smiling and his rode his horse toward the guards he dismounted and patted his horse on the head. He looked around take the measure of the guards. It seemed things were ok here for the moment.

“We are fine my lord. For the moment my lord so far the Yellow turbans have not troubled us.” The captain saluted. Although he did not have to call Gongsun Fan lord he had no official military rank his family was still important in the area and it was wise to keep on his good side. Gongsun smiled again and walked around, if everything was fine he might soon head back to Xiang Ping.

[Xian Ye]

Xian looked up at the sky, watching the red bleed into the clouds as the sun set. Looking back at his force, He nodded before calling out "It's time...Move out. Take no prisoners, and when we've looted the place, burn anything that we don't take with us. The Han shall not enjoy these supplies!" Pressing his heels into his horses flanks, Xian smirked as they moved towards the supply-depot, thinking to himself that today was a good day.

As they neared the supply-depot, He frowned as he could see more Han soldiers than he had planned for inside the base, but it was still a relatively small amount compared to the 2,600 he was leading. Waving his arm towards his cavalry, He motioned for them to surround the base as they had planned, while taking his infantry closer. Stopping just out of arrow range, Xian declared himself "I am General Zong Xian Liang of the Way of Peace! Any soldier who lays down their arms shall be spared, To resist shall result in the utter destruction of this base and every man, woman or child!" Slowly drawing his sword from his waist, Xian awaited a response while his fanatical soldiers started to pray for a glorious victory.

[Zhou Yu]

Gongsun Fan was just getting ready to ride back to Xiang Ping when he heard something a distant rumble. The guard captain was busy giving his report but he raised a hand to halt the tirade of information. He closed his eyes and listened, his ears did not lie about what he thought he had heard before.

“Captain ready your men.” Gongsun Fan said quickly and turning he ran back toward his horse. The large enemy force had already appeared on the hills near the supply depot they was nearly no time. As he reached his horse he jumped up landing on the shoulder of one his men who was kneeling down. Altering his jump trajectory he jumped off the man landing square of the back of his horse. A well trained beast it waited still until he touched his knees to its flanks. He rode out in front of the Han troops his spear flashing as he drew it.

“I am Gongsun Fan of Xiang Ping. I am a loyal son of the Empire and I feel no fear in my heart not from those that would cause such madness in the name of peace. Your leader has misled you with his zealots who spread lies and his silver toung. Do not think the men of Xiang Ping will yield this food that feeds our people to you without a fear, in the name of my just lord Gongsun Zan i dear to defy you Zong Xian Liang.” Gongsun Fan yelled his words steadying the han troops that formed up behind him. Although it was clear they were heavily outnumbered by the yellow turbans.

[Xian Ye]

Moving out infront of his men, Xian bowed his head slightly to Gongsun Fan. Quickly motioning his men for a slow advance, He moved forward as well He kept his sword at the ready, waiting for the inevitable retaliation from the Han forces. Calling out one last time, Xian tried for peace. "I do not doubt your lord is Just, or that you are Brave, Gongsun Fan. But you make it hard for me to believe you anything other then a fool to fight here! Will you throw away your men's lives for a bit of food? Are their deaths, and the deaths of everyone within, worth it? Drop your weapons, and surrender peacefully. If you still refuse, I shall have to destroy your forces, to the last."

[Zhou Yu]

Gongsun Fan grimaced knowing this was a fight that straight out he was not likely to be able to win. He turned and looked at the troops behind them. They were a little scared but also determined to do their duty as he had come to expect. No doubt they felt somewhere deep down that a man of the Gongsun could never lose a fight to such bandits. Their faith was reassuring although perhaps at the moment misplaced. He turned back to the enemy general and let his spear relax at his side he would not prompt this fight. If it came to bloodshed he would fight but not unless he had no other choice.

“Is it foolish to stand against chaos and corruption? Is it foolish to give your life to protect the food that feeds the innocent? Furthermore is it not foolish to give an enemy food they could use to supply an invasion on your homeland?” Gongsun Fan smiled sadly, these Yellow turbans cared for nothing but themselves he thought. True this grain was partly to support the Han army but it was also used to feed the poor as well how else would they make it through the harsh northern winter.

“No the men of the Gongsun are no fools. We will give you some food that we can spare if you will leave but if you try to take it all you will leave me no choice. Without the food the local Governor will have to demand more from the people otherwise his men and the poor will stave. Yet the people have nothing more to give, too many men have taken up arms to defend against such scum that would steal the food from the mouths of others.” Gongsun Fan said twirling his spear as he raised it again. He need not mention the mass of peasants that had joined the yellow turbans food was a scare resource these days. He waited to see the Yellow turban generals reaction.

[Xian Ye]

"I'm afraid that's unacceptable, You forget that many of your people who have taken up arms have joined the Way of Peace! Alas, I've wasted enough time now. Men, Kill them." Xian watched as his men charged, 500 screaming Fanatics in the front, before he pressed his heels into his horses flank and charged the enemy, bringing his sword up and going straight for Gongsun Fan. "If you won't order them to surrender, Perhaps they'll do so when they see you defeated!"

[ryouken]

(Mi Zhu From Zhou County(Bei Ping Province) Will be joining the battle in 2 more posts with 500 Guards)

[Zhou Yu]

“I cannot help if your master has driven the common people into a rebellion which he cannot hope to feed by any right other than theft. Is this the start of a new and better age or will you just sink into even worse corruption than the Han court?” Gongsun Fan yelled but he saw his words were pointless. The Yellow turban general had set the dogs on them. The fanatics would close for a fight in seconds. He raised his spear as the Han troops let out a weak cheer and got ready to fight. Archers at the rear let lose a ragged volley which stumbled back the front ranks of the fanatics.

“You want me? I shall not disappoint you.” Gongsun Fan spurred his horse forward as the guards followed him. They clashed ranks against the fanatics and there battle began. The Han soldiers keeping ranks and fighting together as a unit against their fanatical enemy. Gongsun Fan angled his horse into their ranks and jabbed with his spear. Two men fell back one missing an eye the other their heart as his spear drew blood. He crashed threw them to meet the enemy commander. Perhaps if he won they might leave he thought.

A they came together he leaned to the other side of his horse away from Zong Xian Liang using the greater reach of his spear. As they closed he angled his horse past and jabbed his spear at the Yellow Turban commanders horse meaning to dismount the man.

[Xian Ye]

Snarling at seeing his men fall, Xian braced himself and brought his blade down to smack the spear away from his horse. Nearing Fan, he removed his foot from the stirrup and launched himself off his horse, trying to tackle him from his own, knowing that on foot the Katana was more versatile then the Spear. Xian managed to notice his forces closing with the Han, and was waiting for the inevitable bloodshed. The sound of bodies hitting each other, and the screams of the wounded and dieing filled the air as his Fanatics reached the Han line, with both forces losing some men in the chaos.

[Zhou Yu]

Gongsun Fan did not look behind him so concentrated was he on the enemy in front of him. Behind him he could hear the clash of battle. He was not concerned his men would give as good as they got he was sure. If he could defeat the enemy commander then perhaps he could save some of them. That was unless these fanatical fools refused to withdraw as he suspected they might.

He snared and swore as his spear was deflected by Xian’s blade. As he went past Xian kicked him and tried to tackle him from the saddle. However he had correctly tied his feet into the stirrups of his horse. Although he waved and swayed on his horse he managed to keep his seat. He displayed the unerring balance of a true Gongsun rider as he quickly righted himself shifting with the movement of his horse. An expert horseman he knew all the tricks.

Gongsun Fan pulled on the reigns of his horse sharply and it reared up as he went past Xian. Using the extra high he aimed backwards with the reverse end of his spear which was sharpened into a spike. He jabbed backward to stab into the rear end of Xian’s own horse before it could draw away. With any luck it would jerk and throw him.

[Xian Ye]

Spitting a curse, Xian was jerked from his saddle as his horse bucked, before bolting leaving him lieing on the ground in the middle of the battlefield. Standing quickly, He lashed out at an unfortunate Han soldier who'd tried to take him while he was down, taking him in the leg, before jerking his blade up and across his throat. Staring at Gongsun Fan, He snarled before screaming for his forces to kill them all. Settling into a stance, He waited for Gongsun Fan to make a second pass, prepared to take his horse down if necessary, to even the playing field so to speak. "Your men are dieing, Commander. Mine are all willing to give their lives for the Way of Peace, but are yours so willing?" He mocked, hoping to anger him.

[Zhou Yu]

Gongsun Fan put pressure on his horses left flank with his knee and obediently it turned in that direction doing full circle so he would be facing the Yellow Turban general again. He smiled cynically seeing that Xian had been dismounted; never try fighting a Gongsun commander on horseback he thought. He raised his spear and readied to charge. He could now see the battle again his guards were being pushed back although the yellow fanatics were paying a price for ever foot of ground.

“We have come this far, how can I give up now.” Gongsun Fan said shaking his head sadly. If Xian wanted to taunt him he would have to try a lot harder. Gongsun Fan kept a calm and detached head in battle. Not for him the red battles rage. In fact he dismounted giving up the advantage of horseback. Partly due to concern for his horse he did not want to see it cut down and in part because he felt it was more honourable to bring things to level terms. He hit the ground still swinging his spear felling any Yellow Turbans that tried to take his horse. Not that it needed it his horse reared and brained anyone but Fan that tried to touch it. Such was the way with trained war horses.

He held his spear in both hands as he advanced on Xain. He made a few feints stabbing forward but not far enough to come close to striking. Just to throw off Xian before he lunged in aiming to hit him high in the chest with blinding quickness and a two handed thrust.

[Xian Ye]

Ducking under the swing, Xian grunted as he felt the spear graze his arm, leaving a moderately sized gash as it passed, while he moved in under his opponents guard and thrust his blade towards Fan's head, feinting it before bringing it down toward Fan's right arm. He knew he had to end this soon, or he'd loose too many men in this accursed place! He couldn't afford to send someone to call back his cavalry, but he saw the thousands of peasants he'd been leading finally get close enough to try and harm the Han soldiers. "You're good, I'll give you that, but this fight is allready lost. Take your men and leave while you still can, I have no wish to kill you here! Leave, take your men and let us fight again, on a more even field!" Xian tried once again to stop the senseless bloodshed, almost begging Fan to take his men and leave.

[Zhou Yu]

Gongsun Fan tried to step back to avoid Xian’s sword blow but with his heavy armour too slow; although such armour did prove useful absorbing the power of the blow. He came out of without too much harm. He stepped back as Xian was getting up. He stabbed in with his spear again aiming for Xian’s feet as he drew back to gain some range.

He took a moment to consider Xian’s request for him just go. It was obvious at this stage that while he had fought bravely the odds were too great for victory. It might well be best to withdraw now while he still had men alive if he had no chance for victory. If aid was coming it would be too late now. On the other hand he was unwilling to just give up. He would give it one more shot, perhaps he could bluff Xian if not he might have to give up.

“Perhaps you underestimate my resolve. I cannot win but I can sour your victory. I will order my men to torch the granaries myself, better that than support the Yellow Turban campaign with our supplies. Unless of course you chose to withdraw and leave this food for the people of Xiang Ping.” Gongsun Fan said staring down Xian as he waited tense to see if the man would attack again.