Invasion of Luo Yang

[Sun Jian]

The request for aid had spread all the way down to the lands of Jiangdong regarding the Invasion of Luo Yang against the Yellow Turbans. Imperial Commander He Jin was currently holding the fort, with loyal officers of the Han off to give their assistance, to cripple the rebels who dare to attack the Han, who have brought prosperity to the land. Before the battle, Sun Jian had a meeting with his officers to discuss a plan, how they could aide the current battle, and then it was clear.

Sun Jian sat upon his steed laughing, as his army rode forwards, behind the turbans. In the distance, he saw two forces, both attacking their flanks, and now it was time for the Tiger to invade their rear. “All units! Prepare yourself for battle. It is time to show everyone our might and aide our allies as we eliminate the Yellow Turbans!”, he roared to encourage his forces, then while travelling up to the battle, he bellowed orders, “When we arrive, get into formation! Archers on the sides and attack the enemy only. Units with shields to go infront of the Archers to protect them, while the Cavalry shall charge and plummet the enemy’s rear guard!”

Summary:

Sun Jian’s forces have arrived from the rear to attack the enemy from behind.
Sun Jian has rallied his forces before battle, and reminds them of the formation they’d be taking (since Sun Jian would not have arrived to enemy’s rear yet)

[Lu Xiang]

[Zhang Jiao]

"My lord, Zhang Liang has been delayed in his arrival. Apparently ambushed on the way here!"

Zhang Jiao's eyes quickly turned violent, his brother was in danger? He cursed. There was little he could do, his brother was a strong man. They still outnumbered the force here anyways. It was a one sided battle in his eyes.

"Hmph, all men. CHARGE!"

He said, angrily charging ahead as well not caring about the units coming from behind. It was do or die now. If they didn't claim Luoyang they would die out. His men quickly smashing at the gate and ripping at the walls, fastly breaching the capital.

"Spearmen cover the flanks, everyone else push forward - smash these walls around them. Burn the city down."

He said signalling, before personally assisting with the gates destruction.

[He Jin]

"Fight on men!"

Smash. Another hit smashed the gate. He didn't know how long they would hold out. Reinforcements had been reported but had done little so far. The future was looking bleak, then good news Huangfu Song had ambushed Zhang Liang and was only a few miles away now. The news inspired the men and they fought on a little harder - though the walls were now completely dominated by the colours of Yellow, many of the Han guards retreating back into the city already.

[Lu Xiang]

Turn 5 Summary

Reinforcements
Arrived - Zong Xian Liang
Huangfu Song - 4 Turns

Turn Summary
Main Gain HP 2/20
Zhang Jiao continues to attack the gate.
The Yellow Turbans have taken the walls.
He Jin's forces pull back to the city.
Gate is in critical condition.
Fields are set fire to.
Lu Bu attacks the flanks of the Turbans.
Gongsun Fan attacks the flanks of the Turbans by harassing.
Gongsun Zan moves inside the city.
Sun Jian attacks the flanks of the Turbans.
News of reinforcements inspires Han forces.

Troop Losses
Zhang Jiao - 1523 Peasents
Zhang Jiao - 250 Marauders

He Jin - 125 Han Swordsmen
He Jin - 45 Royal Guard

Lu Bu - 55 Han Calvary

Gongsun Zan - 22 Calvary

Sun Jian - 184 Calvary from walking into Lu Bu's fire attack.
52 Swordsmen
32 Spearmen

[link]

Luo Yang.

The Yellow Turbans had been raging in the lands of the east, of the north, and all through the rest of the land. But they had only been numerous small unorganized groups rising here and there and quickly being put down by some local governor or a protecting general of some sort. It wasn't the immediate strength of each and every one of the small village rebels that were a threat; it was the continuous uprising everywhere, and how so many of the people of the Han were changing heart to join this idiotic cause of the Peace and the Era of Heaven.

And now the Yellow Turbans had finally risen in one massive army as they suddenly and instantly marched upon none other than Luo Yang, the Han Capital, the residency of the Son of Heaven himself. So now the rebels wanted more than just an Era of Peace, huh? They aimed for the emperor, for extreme power, for control over the court and ultimately the Han empire. The foolish followers... Did they really believe that Zhang Jiao was going to lead them to the "new era?"

Word had spread far across the land, of course reaching the lands of Jiang Dong. The troops had been well-trained beforehand. Now was the time for them to act. Immediately responding as fast they could, Sun Jian had launched his personal army quicker than the others, while the rest of the Wu army followed close behind. Cheng Pu was among them, riding upon his white horse as he led his own unit upon the fields of Luo Yang, the men of Wu stepping upon the fresh battlefield.

Up ahead was the city, its gates rammed and its walls besieged with ladders and of course enemy troops. Below the walls, the banner of the Zhangs themselves, Jiao and most likely one of his brothers accompanying him or not... And the rest of the reinforcing armies arriving nearby to vanquish the threat. And what was that? A burning field of crops behind Zhang Jiao's position? Who in the world had done that? Well, it would block Jiao's escape route for now, but it also prevented a possible flanking attack on the Wu army's part.

Sun Jian was right ahead of them. They had caught up just in time.

"Men, form into position! Militia form the front lines! Swordsmen and spearmen stand in alternating order behind the line of Militia! Cavalry ride to the sides and rear and prepare for a charge upon given command! Crossbowmen shall provide backup fire when ordered!

"Advance upon the enemy from the east side! Avoid the burning field!"

(Every soldier in my signature aside from Han Dang shall be participating in this battle.)

Summary:
Cheng Pu has arrived.
Cheng Pu has begun his advance toward the enemy's right side.

[Xian Ye]

Xian had been riding with his men harder then He normally would have pushed them, but He knew that Lord Zan would rush to the aid of Luo Yang, so He must as well. Coming in sight of the city, He could see flames. Calling Yan up He gave him his orders. "Yan, Take the infantry inside, I'm going to take our cavalry and Haesten and cut down as many of their forces who are still outside as possible, then We'll meet you inside. Kill anyone who fights for Zhang Jiao." Calling for Haesten and his Cavalry, Xian pressed his heels to his flank as he drew his blade, riding around the city from the North East and charging straight into the enemies flank. He screamed a challenge at the Turbans as He brought his blade down, half-severing a man's head as He and his Cavalry rode threw the Turban Infantry, Seeing several Han Cavalry ahead He angled his men so their charge would lead them to meet.

Summary:
--------------------
Xian arrives with his men.
Liu Yan leads the Infantry into the City.
Xian and Haesten take their 200 Cavalry and attack the Turbans from the side, Moving towards Lu Bu.

[Xiang Yu]

Gongsun Fan

Bodies fell as the lines of men carved through the already blemished land - soaking its once sweet aroma of life with blood-spattered guts and entrails, illuminating within its lustrous wake the new dawn of the Han. It was a mess, for more and more cavalrymen ran in and out of its interchangeable designs, carving new bodies into the ground as Fan’s lines crashed repeatedly into the unsuspecting gaze of turban warriors.

It was a massacre, but one that was justified given the extreme conditions of the battlefield. Gongsun Fan had never approved of such tactics, but even he felt elevated as he carved more blood into the ground with his sword. He had yet to receive a hit, as the horse he had loved worked in and out of the already breaking formations.

The enemy had never suspected the aggressive approach of each side, and now, with so many dead – Gongsun could see the faint banners of allies in the distance, Lu Bu was among them, and as the armies crashed together with each exchange their enemies were being thinned out, forcing ranks to head south or be consumed by the crashing weight of horse and man.

It was a simple tactic, and the cavalry he had with him knew such plans well, they drove into a strong formation of peasants, driving them back, only to again be pushed forth back into the fray as more men died through injury or through the crushing weight of armour on skull. It was clever, even if inhumane, but the fire that Lu Bu had triggered had created its own barrier to block out the escape the enlarged armies would need.

It would end, even if out-numbered, the peasants had failed to retaliate and no cavalry army would take to the field with proud given the enclosed space. All that was needed was for the pressure to be applied, and Gongsun Fan was a master at doing just that.

---

Gongsun Zan

Gongsun Zan had reached the inner sanctum of the city, where buildings glistened and the walls shook with each beat of his heart. He could see men cry as arrows pierced their lungs, watched as men fell and screamed as the weight of a hundred men crumbled their armour and destroyed their very souls. It was chaos, and the Han forces seemed confused as to what they should be doing.

Had it not been for his cavalry, Gongsun may have joined the fray, but as he stood and watched the Han prepare for the steady stream of soldiers to appear a thought struck him, and he cried out to He Jin and all the other men who had prepared themselves for the inevitable carnage that would later become the Luo Yang massacre.

“He Jin!” He called, though knew not if the words would meet his target. He stepped forth, dodging a hasted soldier and appearing more to the sight of the imperial regent.

“Create a space by the gates, and under no circumstances allow for a direct confrontation!”

He paused as more soldiers brushed passed him, and he growled his agitation as he drew his sword in haste – the walls crumbled and the gates would not hold for much longer. He sighed.

“The enemy cannot be forced into a direct deadlock, let them in the city and prepare your forces to engage on all sides of the wall. If we force them into a direct deadlock then their ranks can interchange and they can prevent the allies outside form driving them in. We cannot allow them to corkscrew their way into this city!”

He did not know if his words reached the ears of his superiors, or if his hasty words were even understood. All he knew was that he had to act, and so after setting up his own preparations to protect the internal section of the east part of the city, he stepped forth, in front of all the chaos and the confusion, gazing ahead at the gate that was soon to crack.

“STEP BACK – AND GIVE THEM ROOM TO COME IN. THAT IS AN ORDER!”

[Lu Xiang]

[Zhang Jiao]

"One last smash!"

The heavy weighted ram was pulled back one last time, as the huge men who were purposely selected slammed it into the already struggling gate. Down it fell, splintering around them. The ram was dropped on the floor as the peons fled inside, scattering for their own needs. There was no need for strategy anymore. Divide and conquer. The battle was theirs.

"Burn it all down! Men charge!"

Zhang Jiao shouted, moving inside with his men too, flooding in from the steps from the walls and through the recently opened gate, competely outnumbering the Han soldiers and devouring them. Five or more men to a single guard.

[He Jin]

"Can how this be... Luoyang will not fall!"

He Jin said, noticing he was pinned down in the gate house of the gate that the Turbans had broke through. He snarled spitting at the floor smashing a Turban in the head with his hilt before launching him off the edge of the walls. Then running another through his his sword - using the momentum to spin slashing another on the left, removing his arm and kicking him down the stairs before smashing the blade through anothers head. Clearing a path down the stairs for his unit and himself.

"Do not give in! Fight until the last man. For the Emperor!"

[Lu Bu]

"How can they just ignore us?!"

Zhang Jiao had ignored the flank attacks and rampaged into Luo Yang. Lu Bu was angry, he felt so powerless to stop The Turbans attack. He snarled as he slew another peasant before calling to his army.

"Get behind them! Seal them inside Luo Yang!"

Lu Bu's Infantry began to push the turbans into the walls and the gate opening. This would create much pressure there and if the Han did not break, the Turbans would. Lu Bu and his Cavalry began to cut a swath into the Turbans, towards Zhang Jiao.

"Zhang Jiao! I will have your head! I swear it!"

[Lu Xiang]

Turn 6 Summary

Reinforcements
Huangfu Song - 3 Turns

Turn Summary
Gate is destroyed.
Yellow Turbans rush the city.
He Jin is struggling.
Allied forces put pressure upon the Turbans.

Troop Losses
Zhang Jiao - 1211 Peasents
Zhang Jiao - 110 Marauders

He Jin - 179 Han Swordsmen
He Jin - 10 Royal Guard

Lu Bu - 11 Han Calvary

Gongsun Zan - 32 Calvary

Sun Jian - 22 Calvary

[Xian Ye]

Liu Yan and My Infantry
------------------------------------

Yan snarled as he saw Turbans pour through the gates, Grabbing his mace he screamed for his men to charge and they rushed towards the gates, Yan made first contact and smashed three of the enemy out of his way, careless if they stood again or not, before starting to make a circle for his forces to penetrate. He couldn't understand how the Turbans had gotten inside so easily...but for now, He just had to hold them off for others to get inside and help. He saw a couple of his men go down under piles of enemy, their screams haunting him as He could do nothing, having his hands full with the peasants in front of him. "God dammit, Hold the line! Clear a space and try and push them back towards the gates, We can hold them there! We are Warriors of Gongsun Zan, We shall not fall to measly peasants!" As He spoke, He smashed another group, sweeping them back, and started to slowly push forward with his men, trying to reach the gate.

With Xian and Haesten
-----------------------------------

Xian lead his cavalry forward, rushing threw the enemy, swinging at anything wearing a Yellow Turban. Glancing back, He saw Haesten keeping up and swinging his claymore like the Grim Reaper's Scythe, sending men to Hell with each blow. Looking forward, He saw the standard of his lord Gongsun Zan. "Forward, I can see Lord Fan! We must reach him, We shall meet up with him, and destroy these rebellious peasants! For Gongsun Zan!" Rearing his horse, He pushed forwards, heading straight for his lord's brother, and killing any enemy He could, trying to strike and move away without offering a target long enough to be struck.

[Xiang Yu]

Gongsun Fan

The turbans buckled as they started the mass migration north, their destination the inner sanctum of the city, where riches were plentiful and where the dead would have with them gold and riches of all sizes. It was their goal, their fuel, and as the turban army charged forth in a crazed frenzy Gongsun Fan laughed.

It was foolish.

“Now!” He screamed, and had a guard throw up a flag to try and signal for a charge, now was not the time to skim the ranks of the masses – now was the time to charge, batter and destroy.

“CHARGE!”

He raised his sword and swept it across the back of a turban as he pushed forth, behind him were 700 or so trained cavalrymen of the northern provinces, and for a moment Gongsun Fan was filled with a sense of victory and accomplishment. The turbans would surge into the cities gates, their ranks spilling out and wide as the centre column as forced to steadily pass the gates. During that time, the allied armies united front could push the forces, causing hundreds to fall simply by the pressure applied when a charging horse sends a tumbling warrior into another warrior.

“Do not give up men! Kill them all!”

He screamed again, and he waved his sword in perfect ease as it felled another turban warrior. Things were finally worthwhile.

---

Gongsun Zan

Gongsun Zan watched as the turbans forced their way passed the gates and stormed the city. He could see allies from the opposing side of the city and decided the time to act was now. He did not know if he would be killed, but he was somewhat excited to see how the events would transpire.

He made his way through the streets, his infantry army behind him in a tight formation. They met the enemy a few metres away from the gate, storming into their charge and disrupting their flow. From the distance, he could hear the cries of horses and men, and he wondered how his dear Gongsun Fan was holding up in the heat of the battle. To his fore, he could see his officers engaged, and a mace glimpsed his sight before more turbans were hurled back.

Gongsun Zan had not the same strength, but he waved his sword in and out of defences with ease, slicing one and pushing back the other. They stood unites, royal guard, swordsmen and spearmen all in close, tight formation as they hammered the flanks of the charging turbans.

“DO NOT LET UP MEN!” He yelled at last, “Drive them into the streets. Someone, send a messenger to He Jin to blockade the streets, send the turbans on their way to a line of able-bodied warriors and destruction – but never let them become trapped!”

He spoke hastily, and paused long enough to duck from a blow that caught a man in the throat. He grimaced, he had just started to like that guard as well.

“Now!” He hurled his sword into another turban warrior, before his army pushed in again before pulling back a few steps. “Hit them!”

---

Summary

Gongsun Fan is initiating a full on charge now that the turbans are trying to breach the city.
Gongsun Zan has asked for everyone to stand their ground without forcing the enemy into a deadlock. Give them an area where they can retreat, lest they want to fight the crazed hearts of a man with no hope but to fight to the death.

[Lu Xiang]

[Zhang Jiao]

The Turbans divided, splitting up - formations. Etching off the streets into the houses, courtyards and anywhere where riches lurked. Some stayed on the streets brawling with the guards of the Han. Zhang Jiao personally equipped with 200 of his strongest men lead a strong force straight towards the Palace. The highest defended position in the city. The constant distraction of the chaos would distract the other generals.

"Kill them all, take everything - Its all yours!"

He shouting inspiring his men, everything they had worked so hard for was right in their fingertips. He laughed as his unit infront of him butchered down a few guards in front of them; pathetic resistance.

[He Jin]

"Hmph!"

He Jin shouted, blood running down his face. His unit had escaped the stranglehold but the Turbans had made it further then they should've. This wouldn't look good upon him to the Emperor. He gripped his sword, pulling it out of fair haired man dressed in Yellow upon the floor. Wiping the blood off it. Bastards.

"To the Palace, quickly!"

He shouted, rallying his men as they quickly marched putting down any Turbans they came across. The Emperor was needed to be secured, if Zhang Jiao was to seize him or kill him - all hell would break loose.

[Sun Ce]

(Sun Ce to arrive with Reinforcements next Phase)
200 Royal Guards
100 Cavalry

[link]

Cheng Pu watched in despair as the crack sounded, the loud clanging of steel against steel, until one prevailed over the other. The ram was on the offensive; the gates had had no choice but to simply try and stand its ground and hope. And unattended, unable to be guarded and protected, the gates had fallen. The huge doors of Luo Yang crushed into itself, crushed and hopelessly destroyed by the vile brigands. And now... The residence of the Son of Heaven was open to all the world. The Yellow Turbans had set their reins loose.

"Damn it! Luo Yang's gates have been rammed open; all units, quicken your pace! We must hasten to prevent the enemy from moving any further! ADVANCE!"

Demou raised his foot for one moment before pulling it back down with great force, the heel of his boot digging straight into the side of his steed. Its ribs given such a sudden impact, the stallion reared for a second. And then upon realizing what the spur was for, the beast pushed forward with its strong legs, dashing at an immense speed as they led the way for the army, all cavalry and footsoldiers moving at their fastest, dashing past the blazing inferno that was the remnant of the crop field, and straight into the rear of the Yellow Turbans.

"Destroy them! All militia and footsoldiers, slash their rear! Cavalrymen, charge through their back line and wreak havoc, moving to and fro!"

He drew first blood on the unit's part as the horse in its wild rage stomped right through a bewildered Turban's skull, trampling over the horrible state in which the broken corpse was in.

"My lord, you must protect the emperor!"

Summary:
Cheng Pu has engaged the enemy's rear.

[Lu Bu]

"STOP RUNNING AWAY! URAAAAAAAH!"

Drenched in blood, Lu Bu roared out from atop Red Hare. He became angry at how Zhang Jiao kept advancing regardless of the Han's efforts. How dare he ignore them!

He spurred Red Hare into action, chasing after Zhang Jiao. Fengxian's cavalry followed their lord, as ordered to at all times. The infantry stayed behind along with the Han forces, mixing it up with the Turbans at the gate.

Bu shot forward through the chaos and began to kill Jiao's elite guards slowly.

Lu Bu has become Enraged!