[Quest]Burn the Bridge (Jian, Pu, Xian)

[Sun Jian]

Though the Influence of the Han was decreasing, the Yellow Turban's numbers were increasing rapdly while the population growth decreased. They needed to be stopped from expanding furthur, which was why Sun Jian took action to take our the rebellion at Jin Yang and pushing the Turbans back at Luo Yang, and was about to push them furthur when he recieved a message that Yellow Turbans were near to Lu Jiang. Sun Jian abandoned what he was doing, and made his way there immediately.

When he got there, he sent out two messengers, to inform Cheng Pu and Zheng Xian of the situation and a plan, so he would have his bodyguard on one side, and to also test a new recruit to combat the Yellow Turbans, approaching the Jiangdong Border.

So before his officers arrive, he had to make preparations quickly, so he turned to his officers, "We shall cross the Bridge and keep the enemy at bay till reinforcements come! Let us charge and crush some more of these Yellow Turbans. They shall pay for coming nearer to the Tiger's Den", as he charged forward to the other side with his troops.

It would soon be a matter of time, that Cheng Pu and Zheng Xian would arrive...not on the side he came from, but from Runan so they could attack from behind and crash through the enemy forces, while he, the tiger, keeps them at bay while work takes place to take out the bridge.

[link]

Lu Jiang, Summer 185.

Word had quickly reached Cheng Pu of the Yellow Turbans' rapid approach on Lu Jiang, in an attempt to invade Jiang Dong. Of course, they would have to cross the Han River, the only way to do that was via a bridge built to cross into Jiang Dong. It was clear that Sun Jian was guarding Jiang Dong and the way into their land, but why not lend a hand? Why not crush the bandits completely instead of simply fending them off to retreat? Cheng Demou was already situated north, tending to business of similar matters at Ru Nan.

And now they were here, the hot summer sun shining down on them, as Demou lay in the grass and carefully eyes the army. The Turbans moved right before their eyes, stepping only a few yards ahead of them as they made way downhill toward the river and the bridge. Holding his breath, Demou lay silent until the lot had gone by, watching tentatively for any signs that they were suspecting an ambush near here. None. Good, they were stupid enough to believe that ambushes could be hidden in areas other than trees or tall grass.

Today they would execute the unexpected.

The Turban army began to set themselves near the bridge, a good distance away from arrowshot of Sun Jian's unit but enough to spot their enemy. The battle hadn't begun yet, but it would soon enough. Of course, Zheng Xian would have to arrive from the north himself. He'd grown a personal friendship with the young man, ever since he had recruited him into the ranks of Wu. Possibly a mentor-mentored relationship, maybe?

Demou had arrived early enough to set it all. All that he needed on his part. Hehehe...

[Fu Sheng]

Xian was in the middle of a tactic training with his troops when he was informed by a messenger from Sun Jian, of the rebels' advance on Lu Jiang. He dismissed the messenger and immediately interrupted the training to brief the troops. He gathered his forces around the Wu camp and setted up a plan to carefully wipe out the rebels. He may not have been an experienced general but he knew well that the wrong moves could jeopardize him and his men. As he finished explaining the plan to his own troops, he sent a messenger to Sun Jian informing of his arrival and he left the camp with two platoons.

Two days later Xian had arrived from the northern provinces as planned and had a platoon of halberdiers in position on top of a hill, somewhere northeast of the river bank. He looked around and he could see Sun Jian's forces had commenced their advance trough the southern bank but there no signs of Cheng Pu's forces. He was aware of the fire plot thus decided not bring the cavalry platoon forth. He ordered twenty of his men to set up a temporary camp within the hill and began his careful advance down the hill with the rest of the troops. They marched towards the enemy's flanks while they were distracted attacking the southern force and progressed slowly being watchful for signs of the fire attack.

[Sun Jian]

As his men charged up to attack to get a hold on the Bridge, the Rebels had already set up a defensive formation blocking the way to the Bridge, but he had no time to pull back his troops, incase the enemy charge at them. A grin appeared on Sun Jian's face, "All men! Let's halt here for awhile and let down your guard!", he roared.

Soon as his troops halted, his men began to wonder what he was planning. Normally he would be on the offensive and charge straight through, but then he turned to them and smiled to reassure them, as he said quietly, "Act vulnerable, but stay prepared...", as Sun Jian played his part by putting his sword in his holder.

One of the Lieutenants of the Rebel army smiled as they saw the red colored flags stopped and then made no movement, rather staying put. A smile appeared on his face, "Inform the others to join us, it is now time to attack", but then one of his men whispered something in his ear about an approaching enemy, "Very well, the others shall remain on the defensive. Let us move out and eliminate their leader, so we can rejoin the others!", as they all charged up away from the Bridge towards the enemy unit.

"Haha! Wait for it...", Sun Jian said quietly again so the enemy could not hear him, after seeing the enemy approach them. The pieces of the puzzle were now coming closer together, though his side would be only half, leaving the other half for his two officers.

All their swords were raised, "Haha! The enemy is in sight. The will of the Heavens are surely on our side. For the Great Teacher! We will win!", as the Yellow Turban militia charged towards Sun Jian.

Sun Jian laughed, then roared, "Men of Jiangdong, time for the fangs of the Tiger to break loose. Attack!", as he turned his horse and grabbed his weapon and charged into the enemy while his forces resumed their original position, before charging into the enemy. Once all of his forces crashed through the enemy, so they were on the Bridge's side, Sun Jian sent half of his men to prepare to burn the bridge, while he and his remaining forces kept the enemy at bay.

"We've fallen for their trick! Let us redeem ourselves!", the Lieutenant cried, as they all turned round and charged feriously at Sun Jian.

[Fu Sheng]

Xian slowly walked down the hill as he saw the Rebels charging hopelessly towards the Sun Clan Commander across the bridge. He could almost pity them, for all he knew they were nothing but confused peasants who did not know who to blame but the Emperor and the imperial eunuchs.
Some of the Rebel clusters remained in northern bank of the river to ensure the main force would not be flanked and as Xian approached some of the Rebels ran towards them hoping they would knock any of the enemy's men down but the moment they were in the halberds range they were were sent flying away with a single blow. Xian saw a young man running towards him with some sort of pitch fork, much younger than Xian himself. Xian positioned himself with his pike aimed at the young man in an attempt to persuade him to fall back but he kept running towards him without even shivering. Xian hesitated for a brief moment almost giving the opportunity to the young rebel to struck the pitch fork trough his armour but Xian made a move before the young Rebel could, sticking his pike trough his chest. He lied still as he saw the Rebel's life fading away in his eyes. He had just murdered a child and that took his confidence down.
One of Xian's men called for his attention as the Rebel cluster started moving up north, Xian pulled his pike out of the young rebel's body and look ahead of him as he saw the remaining force heading their way towards them. He looked at the soldier and said:

"Run back to the encampment at once and bring the oil bearers our enemy is in position, hurry up! Men! Hold your ground, your halberds are a wall to our enemy do not let them move any further from here!" - He shouted to his men as he lowered his arm with his palm stretched forth as an indication for some sort of tactical move.

Xian's men immediately formed two tight columns with their halberds facing the oncoming disorganized cluster of armed peasants. They could outnumber Xian's forces but their fighting skill and experience was not compared to that of the Sun clan's men. Xian stood side to side with the men in the first column as he awaited the oil bearers to come trough.

[link]

First blood had been drawn, as the Yellow Turbans charged straight into Sun Jian's army, the crimson banners waving in idle silence before the men of Wu suddenly raised their swords and spears and met the enemy with a ferocious roar. Cheng Pu watched as not a single Turban turned their head to look for any ambushes or signs of a possible flank. Foolish, once again. Now the time has come for Demou to make his move.

One.

Two.

Three.

"Fir-"

What was that? Why in the world was Zheng Xian engaging the enemy with his halberdiers already? Oh Jesus. How many times had he told the young general of the plan? Demou banged his head on the grass. Improvisation, then. If Xian wants to attack so badly, then let him do so. The archers would wait, wait until the correct time came. And they would relieve Xian of the task of lighting the bridge instead.

"Change of plans, we don't want to screw this thing up completely. You, you, light a fire. We're going to burn the bridge ourselves."

They couldn't fire yet. Not as long as they would have to risk hitting Zheng Xian. And there was no point shooting them now, the fun of the "surprise" was gone... hehe.

"Get ready to burn."

[Fu Sheng]

The Rebels kept pouring in but felt at the halberds of Xian's men. Though the line's were starting to give up, even though the main force concentrated on the southern bank, there were still too many troops to handle on the North. Xian's men stood in their position until the oil bearers came down the hill as ordered. At their sight Xian shouted:
"Push them back to the bridge get the two forces closer to each to each other!"

The rebels kept pouring in against Xian's ranks but they were slowly being driven back to the northern end of the bridge. There was still no sight of Cheng Pu and Xian was starting to get impatient about the general's whereabouts.
It took some time and losses to gather the rebels at the bridge, but about an hour later they were as near to the Han bridge as possible so Xian sent the order:

"Now! Pour the oil!" - with this aid , a couple of soldiers came forth holding a keg. They putted the kegs down and kicked the cover off letting it run over a large number of rebels and knocking them down to their feet, spreading over to the northern edge of the bridge.

With his part done Xian turned his head to his men and shouted - "Fall back! Stick together and fall back to the camp!"

The Rebels stayed back sinking in oil, but few still chased Xian's men on foot as they kept retreating into a safe position. The chasing Rebels had a speed advantage due to the fact their light garment, even though weak, provided them with less encumbrance, making them able to take out some of the escaping soldiers. Xian had done his part, it was all up to Cheng Pu now.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian turned round to check on the process of his Bridge team, who now came running to him, "It is done mylord, Zhang Xian also sent a team and sorted the other half as well as taking down some Turbans with it".

"Haha! Even better", he paused, as he wondered where Cheng Pu was, seeing as only Zheng Xian had answered his call, but surely Cheng Pu would come, unless....

A grin appeared on his face, he was lucky to have such a great officer in his arsenal. Cheng Pu would soon act, and would most likely be to finish the job on the Bridge. "Very well, all men, cut through the enemy, then knock them back!", as his troops charged through the enemy again, like before, then quickly turned into a defensive formation, as they begun to push them towards the soon-to-be burning bridge.

[link]

The oil had been poured. He would wait no longer. He would reveal himself to the allies and enemies, and he would carry out his mission, his part in the job. And at the same time he reminded himself that he would have to give a word or two to Zheng Xian, though it really wasn't a big deal changing plans a bit. Patience was the key, and Xian would have to master that if he were to become a greater general.

"Now. FIRE! BURN, FUCKERS!"

All 100 crossbowmen stood up, crossbows raised. 50 fired first, their arrows ignited, while the other half lighted their ammunition and fired in succession. Thus the pattern continued three times, as 300 arrows flew in a flurry of fire, raining upon the bridge and all who stood upon it. The fire burst. A living hell, the inferno suddenly blazed into the air, a momentary pillar of flame reaching up to the sky. Numerous and endless screams of horror...

Of course, Zheng Xian would have to move out of the way, along with his halberdiers, or they would simply risk being shot in the back by stray arrows. He would have to make up for the mistake he had formerly made with wits and a proper move now.

"The bridge is on fire. Lower your bows.

"AMBUSH UNIT, NOW!"

The battle began again. From the wet grass of the river banks rose Cheng Pu's swordsmen, scarce in number but strong in will.

"Push them into the fire!"

Demou himself leapt down from the hill, tumbling in the mud beneath for a short second before rising in a dirty mess. The crimson of his armor could barely be seen by the dirt, but it didn't matter. Wiping the gruel off of his face with his left hand, he charged into the battle, signaling left and right for his own army and his ally's to execute the final attack.

The Turbans were placed in confusion and terror, as the few survivors were stuck between the death by fire and death by blade.

"Kill them. All of them."

[Fu Sheng]

Xian's forces were retreating up the hill when suddenly a volley of arrows came out of nowhere, followed by screams of agony and horror down below. Xian looked behind him and saw the northern river bank and a great part of the bridge ablaze, along with the rebels that remained there. The smoke was so intense that it even partially covered the afternoon sun.
To the east, a platoon of archers rained fire upon the Rebels and a distinct figure showed up from the tall grass fields to the east. Cheng Pu had appeared and was now marching alongside with a few bunch of swordsmen towards the remnants of the Rebels. Seeing the veteran general lifted Xian's morale. He faced his men who were still fleeing up the hill and shouted:

"Quickly! General Cheng Pu has joined the battle, let us drive back the rebels from where they came from! FORWARD!!"

Xian's change in his state of mind gave his own men the strength and courage they were needing. They started racing down the hill towards the remnants of the rebel. Xian looked at his forces, their morale had quickly developed but they were disorganized. He slowed down and lifted 2 fingers in the air as he shouted:

"Two columns! Two columns!"

The platoon suddenly noticed the general's gesture and started organizing two lines as they kept heading towards Cheng Pu's skirmishing party. It took some time to organize an offensive line but before they were upon the enemy the platoon was rearranged and ready to repel the rebels back into the flames. As his own forces thought side by side with those of Cheng Pu, Xian looked over the Sun clan's veteran an ashamed look, realizing the consequences that could've come from his hesitation in the battlefield.

((Sorry for taking so long to post, was out of ideas to post here ))

[Sun Jian]

It was a suicide mission to send a militia to Jiangdong. If anyone came to be a threat, they would be rebelled, by the Tiger and his forces. After his small unit arrived back to him, Sun Jian ordered them into the trees incase any rebels escape, then turned, and watched as a volley of fire arrows were shot onto the Bridge, causing the Bridge to be ablazed, as a familiar figure, Cheng Pu, came out from the other side.

"Haha! Talk about grand entrances! It's time for the tiger, to rid these rebels from Jiangdong! All men, let's push them into the fire!", as he swung his blade and pushed it forward to force any rebels towards the burning bridge, "Knock them back!", he roared, so the rest of his forces would do the same to force them into the fire. Though some rebels managed to get away while risking others lives, Sun Jian and his forces focused on those infront, seeing as he had a small force in the forest to deal with those.

[link]

Cowards. Those that fled at the sight of loss, those that attempted to run to safety when at a disadvantage... They always existed. Especially in raggedly-formed organizations such as the Yellow Turbans. A bit of pressure and their will plummets to the earth as they leave their posts and scramble for their lives, every man for himself. Too bad they weren't in a situation to escape, or at least they couldn't get to anywhere.

"Surround those that try to flee and make them bow before us."

The swordsmen immediately changed their attention to the new branch of the rebels, running to the sides as they tried to avoid the charge leading into the burning bridge. They were spreading thin and wide, one group running to the east, the other west, and only a few actually remained to hold their ground, seeing that there was no retreat in this. The remnant would be held well enough for now; it was time to show these Turbans what kind of a man Sun Jian was.

The fleeing were surrounded, technically. It was impossible to run.

"Give up your swords and spears and surrender. Or you can let yourselves die 'honorably' to a foolish cause, up to you."

The Turbans eyed each other. Then one man, apparently a captain or major of some sorts, let go of his sword. The item clanged and clattered as it hit the rocky floor of the banks. Numerous men followed as they all gave up their weapons in submission to the crimson banner.

"We are at your mercy."

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian glared forwards as the burning bridge, began to fall into the river, as the hinges began to break off. The majority of the militia were pushed into the flames, to be punished for coming near the border of Jiangdong, with the remaining ones who had atempted to escape were rounded up, thanks to the unit he had sent into the forest to ambush and take down any that attempted to escape.

He glanced over where the bridge had fallen, where the river pushed against the old parts of the Bridge, as it went down the river. Sun Jian on one side and his officers on the other, Sun Jian laughed, "Our mission is complete. Jiangdong is once again safe from harm and the Yellow Turbans can no longer expand, while the men of Jiangdong are here!", as his men cheered.

The cheering continued until the small unit brought in the retreating turbans before Sun Jian. They all had scared faces after seeing their whole army burn in the flames with the bridge they were assigned to cross to attack another city, and now, they were helpless, and didn't know what to say.

"Our mission was successful with the threat repelled. And now, I need to deal with you bunch of cowards!", he motioned to his troops to take them to the river, as they were all lined up close to the riverbed with a spear behind their backs, as they all clsoed their eyes and trembled, for the lives that were lost and what would happen to them, until one of them looked up and shouted, "You will pay dearly for this!". The spearmen turned to face Sun Jian and after seeing a nod, pushed him into the river. The other Turbans gasped.

"Pull back, enough lives have been lost!", he roared, as his troops pulled away from the rebels, who took the advantage and ran upstream, hearing the tiger's roars, "When you report back...Tell others about our might, from the men of Jiangdong!", as his hands went into a fist, bringing it close to his heart, "And that no-one! Absolutely no-one! will bring harm to our land, for death will surely be the outcome!....Fear the warriors of Jiangdong!", as he lifted his sword in the air, before bringing it closer to him.

Once the Rebels were no longer in sight, he put his sword back in its holder, then turned to his men, "Time to go home", before glancing over the river, "Great work you too. See you back in Wu!". With the formalities out the way, he mounted his horse, pulled the reins, as the Tiger of Jiangdong, with his forces behind him, left the scene.

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rewards
~ Sun Jian
100 Gold
20 Fame
10 Strength
10 Leadership
10 Bravery


~ Zheng Xian
100 Gold
20 Fame
5 Leadership
10 Bravery
5 Diligence


~ Cheng Pu
100 Gold
20 Fame
10 Intelligence
5 Bravery
5 Calm