alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
Heh, and what's suprising is that they're not actually crazy...
BananaNES1: Zhanguo Shidai - The Warring States
- Thread starter BananaLee
- Start date
Well, PM or email.
You can put it on the main board if you feel like it, but there's a 60% chance I may miss it and a 100% chance that everyone will know what you want to do..
So far, I've got orders from Zhao, Qu, Yue, Wei and Lu. Still waiting for some more.. Deadline is in 18 hours.
You can put it on the main board if you feel like it, but there's a 60% chance I may miss it and a 100% chance that everyone will know what you want to do..
So far, I've got orders from Zhao, Qu, Yue, Wei and Lu. Still waiting for some more.. Deadline is in 18 hours.
Sheep
Orange Shrooms!
Banana I need to talk to you before I do orders thanks.
Kozmos
Jew Detective
Sorry but I have to quit this NES,damn school.And besides I dont think I would be a good player.
Okay.
All orders in,
Civil update being typed up (but won't be posted till battles are done).
For those people I've PMed, please reply. To those who haven't got a PM from me, don't worry. You'll have a few days of grace till complete update.
All orders in,
Civil update being typed up (but won't be posted till battles are done).
For those people I've PMed, please reply. To those who haven't got a PM from me, don't worry. You'll have a few days of grace till complete update.
Imperial Palace: Meeting for the Mad King
"I gather you hear today, my loyal advisors, for a meeting that will shape the course of All Under Heaven." said the Mad King. "Our meeting, and your advice will change the course of our actions, and our fates." he continued. The gathered advisors nodded solemnly, bowed to the King. Pan Gu, the domestic advisor, and Fa Ping, the military advisor, were standing slightly ahead of all the other advisors. The King continued after the acknowleadgement, "I have called you here today concerning the Zhou, concerning the weak-willed Emporer of All Under Heaven. For too long has the Middle Kingdom declared dominance over our lands, where our blood flows. For too long have they ruled over us in a symbolic overlordship." The King's voice rose in an angry tone, as his face became flush and red.
Pan Gu stood up and bowed to King Ao. The King took a breath, and smiled. "Speak freely my friends, your advice is like the sweet butters milk to me." "Your majesty, the King. I do not know whether fighting Zhou is such a good idea. While everyone pays mere tribute to it, I think the other states would attack us in a large alliance. Your majesty already knows the contempt they have for us. And your soldiers, while they are loyal to Qu, they won't attack the Emperor. Not without reason." The always respectful advisor, and always mindful of the consequences of his lieges actions. The King merely smiled before responding.
"Indeed my friend, indeed it is so. I was merely pointing out the False Emporers weakness, and decandance over the lands. They do not control All Under Heaven, they let it fracture, let it weaken to outside attacks. I am thinking, that to prevent their weakness from destroying All Under Heaven, we should take control of All Under Heaven, to make this place the true Jewel of the World. I am suggesting a War of Total Dominance, a War of Glorious Battle." Many people of the court gasped, before the two main advisors stood from their kneeling positions, and bowed. King Ao acknowleadged both a the same time. Pan Gu began speaking first, "Your majesty, I agree to uniting all-under-Heaven. But we must look at our local situation first, too long have we fought internal strife and corruption. Yet our fight is not over. Without the people's support, we cannot win any punitive expedition. Who will till the land? Who will take the taxes?" Gasping in horror at the audacity of Pan Gu, Fa Ping quickly bowed before speaking.
"Pan Gu, you are a fool to say that!" the advisor glared at the domestic advisor, before continueing. "Your Majesty, our troops are massive, we must strike when the iron is hot!" The King merely held his hands up, and said "Calm down, both of you." I know all of these things, am I not King?" Fa Ping, not recognizing his majesties anger, continued his advice. "The barbarians of Shu and Yue are ripe for the picking. And the Three Jins would be weak. This is a great opportunity!" The King, always quick to anger, spoke sharply to the advisor, "Hold your tounges, before your petty rage gets the better of both of you." The two advisors merely bowed their heads to their lieges will. The King continued, "I will listen, but you must not fight amongst yourselves. We are Friends, in our service to All Under Heaven. We are Friends, in our service to All Under Heaven. " The two advisors nod, but both glare at each other in fuming silence.
The King sighed, before continueing with what had already been planned for this meeting. "For those who are wondering, I never said it would be us uniting All Under Heaven, I merely said that it would be done. We will fight, but whether we win, or we lose, the result will be the same. A United China, one Ruler of All Under Heaven. Our power, if we should lose, would weaken the others enough for one of the States to follow in our footsteps, and take control of China. Our Power, if great enough, will allow for us to take Command of All Under Heaven." Pan Gu, slightly scaried at the propest of losing, and of going to war, stood, and bowed quickly to the King. "What do you propose, your majesty?" Pan Gu said shakily.
A fire was lit in the King, an unstopabble drive that would push to the end of oblivion, and whether he would return, or fall into its clutches, only time could tell. "A War, to end all other wars. A War where we may put on our Armor one last time. A war to unite All Under Heaven." The crowd gasped again, murmurs racing like a wave through the cloud. Fa Ping, in his position knelling, looked excited at such a prospect, while Pan Gu looked shocked at what his lord was proposing. "If you stand with me, bow to the Sun, to All Under Heaven. If you wish to leave, I will not stop you." Several courtiers murmured amongest themselves, all very confused at what their lord was saying.
"Last time?" "what-" "-like we'll-" "he doesn't-", the King, ignoring them, turned to the open window, and bowed to the sun, as of then uncovered by the dense fog that doused the area. A sign from the Gods, surely. All around him bow, following his example, but no one says anything, only a tense silence hangs over the room, and the sun is hidden once more behind the clouds. Maybe it was not yet time....The King, the fire still burning within, leaped up, raising his armored fist into the air, "I would die for this, I would die for China!" he yells into the air. From the golden pot behind him, he grabbed the flag of Qu, and raised it into the air before him. "One Flag will Rule China! I promise it! For All Under Heaven! For Glory and Honor!" Fa Ping and the people who support him cheer. Pan Gu however, looks down on the ground. His lips mouth out words which cannot be heard.
Peach Blossom Garden: A Blossom will Bloom
Pan Gu stood alone in the Peach Blossom garden, their buds having not yet bloomed into the beautiful blossoms yet. He gazed sadly into the emptiness, cursing his lords descisions, and his own lack of power to stop him. Of course, he realised it was not his place to question, but, it still bothered him sometimes. King Ao walked up silently behind Pan Gu, the man too absorbed in his musings to notice. The King looked up into the tress, and noticed that they were all still buds. He smiled sadly before speaking. "The Peach Blossoms are not yet full, it seems." Pan Gu turned around suddenly, obviously not noticing that the King was behind him. "Your majesty!" Pan Gu quickly bows to the King, trying to hide his anger. The King seems not to notice, before continuing. "The Peach Blossoms are always very pretty when they bloom, almost like China. Do you not agree?" the King asked.
Pan Gu seemed surprised at the question, given the fact that his majesty had some of the best Peach Blossom gardens in the Kingdom. "Yes, your majesty the season is not here yet. not for the next two months, I believe." The King smiled again, his features seemed more tired than before, his person drained by something Pan Gu could not see. "It is the same with China. China is so close to Blooming, but is not yet there, it has not yet truly shown its beauty. The Kings, and Jin, and the Emporor keep it closed, like the ice in the mountains." The King clenched his fists as he mentioned the Jins and Emporer, his angry flushing into his face once more. Pan Gu, confused by his lieges train of thought, and his anger at the other powerful figures of China, merely continued the conversation.
"You perceive the winter would be over soon, your majesty?" Pan Gu said. The King took a breath, and smiled again at Pan Gu. " I do. I see clearly through the fog that stands before us, and do you know what I see?" Pan Gu is at a loss for what his liege is asking, and merely shakes his head no. "I see a Golden City, where all the different peoples of China stand. A city where the streets are paved with Gold and Jade, a City where the people all bow an Emporer, where the Sun shines brightly upon his Palace. Do you understand my descisions now? Do you understand why I would decide to follow this course of action." the King sighs, his body seeming to become heavier as he looked skyward to the foggy, and gloomy sky.
"Your majesty, I want to see Qu as great as we were during Chunqiu but you must understand that we are not capable of long wars." Pan Gu began, but the King was not paying any attention, merely staring up to where the sun would be. "The Sun is blocked by the Fog today...I wonder when it will clear?" Pan Gu frowned, before begining to speak once more. "The fog blocks the true view, it blocks the great, yet it also blocks the damaged. To achieve the great, we must fix the damaged." The King looked sharply at Pan Gu, knowing to what exactly Pan Gu was refering to. "The people are angry, yes, but I will do what is best for China." Pan Gu sighed before formulating his next response.
"The people will only support he who holds the Mandate of Heaven. if you war without their support, your power will only be as fleeting as the rays of sun in the fog. " The King stood silent for a minute, looking into the Heavens for his answers, for his mandate. The Golden Sun fled before his sight, and it danced mockingly just in front of his visage, but still out of sight. The Mandate of Heaven is not an actual object." began the King carefully. "The Mandate of Heaven is given to he who follows Heavens will." at that moment, a wind began to blow, and it pushed the fog out of the way. A single bud from a Peach Blossom tree fell to the ground, its bud yet unopened. The King looked sadly upon it, thinking of what it could have become. "Heaven does not like being so divided my friend." Pan Gu kneeled to the ground before lightly taking the unopened bud into his hand.
"No, it does not." he said as he stared sadly down into the unopened blossom. "The mandate is given, but has it been given to you? The people must know." The King considered his words, before answering. "And we will tell them." Pan Gu smiled at the Kings decision, looking up from the lone little blossom. "We believe you have the mandate. I believe so. you must tell the people as well, the men who will fight for you, the people of the other states. The women who shall bear your people's children, the scholars, the farmers, even the lowly merchants." The King glared into Heaven, asking defiantly if he was the chosen for the Mandate, if it had been given to him. The fog held no answers for him, but in his heart, he knew he had some purpose for Heaven, and he woulds fufill it.
"They will bow to Heaven. They will bow to the Jade Emporer." the King said contempously. He looked Heaven ward again, his stone face, and firey eyes trying to burn away the fog before him, the thick wall between Heaven, and him. Pan Gu coughed once into his hands before speaking, "May I remind his majesty that the Jade Emperor is in Luoyang." The King did not look away from the sky when he answered, his focus always Heavenward, "Perhaps for now, perhaps for now...." The King chuckled, his laughter echoing oddly in the vacant Garden. Several more Blossoms feel to the ground as the wind blew faster. 12 buds fell to the ground, after all, there could only be one ruler of All Under Heaven.
City of Wan: A Crown for the Mad King
After arriving in Wan after a long Chariot ride, Pan Gu and the King went to dine and rest in the Governers house. A percuiler feeling hung about the air as they came into town. Like the peasents were avoiding their gaze, and were very scared of them. The peasents all scurried out of the way of the gaurd like they were jumping out of the way of the speeding chariot. Pan Gu wishpered to his majesty, "Something is going on here, and I think the answers we will recieve from the Governer." The King nodded supicouslly, before continuing on to the Governer's house. After arriving, the Governer immediatly lavasished great gifts of Jade and silk to the Emporer over dinner. "My friend, all of this is not needed, I have no need for such pleasures when I am gifted with this great country." the King began. "But, I must ask, all of this money you have spent on this house, where did it all come from? The expensive tastes you have are surely not convered by your striped." The Governor Chun Gien continues in his prostration to the King, "Your majesty, please do not reject these gifts, the finest from the estates of Wan and imports from other states. With regard to my house, I did it with my own money, through the estates."
"Ah, I see. If it was your own money, I will not refuse such a show of good will," the King nodded knowingly. ""Tell me Chun Gien, how do my people fare in this city?" asked the King, still suspicous from eariler. "They should be fine. They do not complain to me, nor do they have any problems with life here." replied Chen Gien. Behind Chun Gien, the servants bowed their heads in sorrow, keeping their tounges. As the King is considering this, the house door is knocked upon very urgently. "Who could that be? Chun Gien, I implore you to let that person in, so that we might see what is the matter." said the King. Chen Gien shifts uncomfortably in his seat, an act not going unnoticed by both the King and Pan Gu. "Go open the door," Chun Gien orders the servant after a small moment of tenseness hung in the Air as the King waited for him to act. As the servant opens the door, a peasant woman prostrates herself on the ground, " Justice, Governor! Justice!" implored the Woman. "Woman, what do you mean?" asks the King.
The woman suddenly noticed the presence of the visitor and her eyes open wide. She further bows down on the ground and begs for justice. It seems - from her hysterical speech - that a wheat farmer Dum Gai has beaten the woman's husband mercilessly because his donkeys had taken a few mouthfuls of wheat from the farm as the donkeys walked past the narrow path. Chun Gien immediately says in response, "Woman, I shall give you justice. Wait till tomorrow, when we are more capable of seeing to your complaint." Pan Gu seems to connect this with Chun Gien's eariler behavior, and motions to speak with the King in private. The King, seeing the motion yawns loudly. "Chun Gien, I feel faint from all this noise, I feel I must retire for now." says the King. Pan Gu and the King walk together out into the garden for some privacy for what they were about to do.
Pan Gu whispers, "Your majesty, I sense there is a reason behind his delaying. however, I believe you should say that you are leaving tonight and secretly watch him the next day to see how he dispenses justice. Pretend you are a common man and watch the proceedings. " The King considered for merely a moment before agreeing to the plan. ""You advice is wise my friend, we will see how this plays out. I wish for you to set up my gaurd in a nearby house, in case he tries anything." Pan Gu nodded before continuing to do his job, giving advice. "Your majesty, I recommend just taking leave from him tonight and pretending you're returning. I shall disguise myself as a common man and keep watch." The King nods, and they leave the garden and head to a place slightly out of town where they set up camp.
The Next morning, the King and Pan Gu are dressed in common men clothing, both wearing their important clothing underneath. The King carried a sword with him as well, just in case an assainain tried to take his life. Eventually, the two men walk back to the city's outskirts, carrying hoes like common men. They see the throng of people gathered. the woman, the wheat farmer, the governor and some bailiffs were there. Chun Gien says, "What charge have you against the wheat farmer, Dum Gai?"
Yi Ling (poor guy's wife) speaks repsectfully to the governer, "Sir, this man beat my husband almost to death. On the narrow path between our small farm and our hut lies his farm area with wheat growing out of it. Dum Gai placed a towel to dry on the path, giving my husband and his donkey little space to move."
"Is this true?" Chen Giun directed toward Dum Gai. Dum Gai immediatly responded to the accusation with a counter accusation, "Yes, sir. You may want to hear the rest. as the stupid peasant's dnokey stole my wheat as the passed by!" Yi Ling merely glared hatefully at the man before responding, "You didn't leave my husband space! Who could fault him for the donkey taking a few mouthfuls?"
"You stupid woman! that is stealing!" yelled Dum Gai in response to the woman's claim. "Enough!" yelled Chen Giun. A onlooker noticed the new comers to the scene (the King Ao, and Pan Gu), and started up a conversation. "You seem to be a stranger, good sir. you've come to the wrong place... the government is corrupt." said the man to the King. The King schooled his features carefully, making sure to make sure nothing slipped. "How so?" the King asked the man. The man continued, " The evil government doesn't lift a finger to help us. Just the other day, one of the villagers was murdered. That Chun Gien acquitted the perpertrator... we hear that he handed out several chests of gold to be let go." The king was shocked by the words of the man, before finally responding.
"Surely it isn't that bad. Do bribes run rampant in this city? Truly? " asked the King nervously. The peasent nodded solemnly, before answering the King in hidding's quesiton. "Now I tell you, he will acquit the wheat farmer. Why? Because he gave Chen Giun a share of the harvest." stated the man matter-a-factly. It is true, good sir, and the new government is too busy fighting amongst themselves to help the people. The King turned back to the judgement that he had been ignoring in favor of the mans speech, Let me see the end of this arugement. The man nodded, already believing to know the out come. Ah, only the people at the bottom. The farmers and the peasant are the only ones who suffer from the evil. lamented the Peasent.
Chen Giun talked for a bit before finally coming to a decision, ... it is obvious that Yi Ling's husband has committed a crime. Theft, even by his animal, is a crime. No, he must be beaten 20 times with a willow rod. I will give 100 if only noble Dum Gai did not do the job for me already. See how merciful I am? Drag the theif out! The ballifs to the governer walked toward the hovel upon here Yi Langs husband was resting to take him out, and Yi Lang merely cried in the backround. Her screams can be heard throughout the village and the other peasants look on in sympathy as her husband is dragged out to face his punishment. Chen Giun grabs the willow stick as the man is dropped before him, screaming out to the peaseants, This is what will happen to thieves!" The King, having had enough, grabs his hoe like a spear, and launches it at Chen Giun. The plop of the hoe hits the ground before Chen Giun, shocking the man. The King reaches into his common robes, and drew his sword. And this is what happens to corrupt officals. said the King meaningfully. Chen Giun gasped at the sight of the sword, How dare you, peasant! Assaulting a government official! And armed! The King, still disguised, smiled sickly at the man, before reaching his common robes once more. He grabbed the inside, and threw them off at Chen Giun. The robes cluttered his vision for a moment, and all of his baliffs gasped.
"I gather you hear today, my loyal advisors, for a meeting that will shape the course of All Under Heaven." said the Mad King. "Our meeting, and your advice will change the course of our actions, and our fates." he continued. The gathered advisors nodded solemnly, bowed to the King. Pan Gu, the domestic advisor, and Fa Ping, the military advisor, were standing slightly ahead of all the other advisors. The King continued after the acknowleadgement, "I have called you here today concerning the Zhou, concerning the weak-willed Emporer of All Under Heaven. For too long has the Middle Kingdom declared dominance over our lands, where our blood flows. For too long have they ruled over us in a symbolic overlordship." The King's voice rose in an angry tone, as his face became flush and red.
Pan Gu stood up and bowed to King Ao. The King took a breath, and smiled. "Speak freely my friends, your advice is like the sweet butters milk to me." "Your majesty, the King. I do not know whether fighting Zhou is such a good idea. While everyone pays mere tribute to it, I think the other states would attack us in a large alliance. Your majesty already knows the contempt they have for us. And your soldiers, while they are loyal to Qu, they won't attack the Emperor. Not without reason." The always respectful advisor, and always mindful of the consequences of his lieges actions. The King merely smiled before responding.
"Indeed my friend, indeed it is so. I was merely pointing out the False Emporers weakness, and decandance over the lands. They do not control All Under Heaven, they let it fracture, let it weaken to outside attacks. I am thinking, that to prevent their weakness from destroying All Under Heaven, we should take control of All Under Heaven, to make this place the true Jewel of the World. I am suggesting a War of Total Dominance, a War of Glorious Battle." Many people of the court gasped, before the two main advisors stood from their kneeling positions, and bowed. King Ao acknowleadged both a the same time. Pan Gu began speaking first, "Your majesty, I agree to uniting all-under-Heaven. But we must look at our local situation first, too long have we fought internal strife and corruption. Yet our fight is not over. Without the people's support, we cannot win any punitive expedition. Who will till the land? Who will take the taxes?" Gasping in horror at the audacity of Pan Gu, Fa Ping quickly bowed before speaking.
"Pan Gu, you are a fool to say that!" the advisor glared at the domestic advisor, before continueing. "Your Majesty, our troops are massive, we must strike when the iron is hot!" The King merely held his hands up, and said "Calm down, both of you." I know all of these things, am I not King?" Fa Ping, not recognizing his majesties anger, continued his advice. "The barbarians of Shu and Yue are ripe for the picking. And the Three Jins would be weak. This is a great opportunity!" The King, always quick to anger, spoke sharply to the advisor, "Hold your tounges, before your petty rage gets the better of both of you." The two advisors merely bowed their heads to their lieges will. The King continued, "I will listen, but you must not fight amongst yourselves. We are Friends, in our service to All Under Heaven. We are Friends, in our service to All Under Heaven. " The two advisors nod, but both glare at each other in fuming silence.
The King sighed, before continueing with what had already been planned for this meeting. "For those who are wondering, I never said it would be us uniting All Under Heaven, I merely said that it would be done. We will fight, but whether we win, or we lose, the result will be the same. A United China, one Ruler of All Under Heaven. Our power, if we should lose, would weaken the others enough for one of the States to follow in our footsteps, and take control of China. Our Power, if great enough, will allow for us to take Command of All Under Heaven." Pan Gu, slightly scaried at the propest of losing, and of going to war, stood, and bowed quickly to the King. "What do you propose, your majesty?" Pan Gu said shakily.
A fire was lit in the King, an unstopabble drive that would push to the end of oblivion, and whether he would return, or fall into its clutches, only time could tell. "A War, to end all other wars. A War where we may put on our Armor one last time. A war to unite All Under Heaven." The crowd gasped again, murmurs racing like a wave through the cloud. Fa Ping, in his position knelling, looked excited at such a prospect, while Pan Gu looked shocked at what his lord was proposing. "If you stand with me, bow to the Sun, to All Under Heaven. If you wish to leave, I will not stop you." Several courtiers murmured amongest themselves, all very confused at what their lord was saying.
"Last time?" "what-" "-like we'll-" "he doesn't-", the King, ignoring them, turned to the open window, and bowed to the sun, as of then uncovered by the dense fog that doused the area. A sign from the Gods, surely. All around him bow, following his example, but no one says anything, only a tense silence hangs over the room, and the sun is hidden once more behind the clouds. Maybe it was not yet time....The King, the fire still burning within, leaped up, raising his armored fist into the air, "I would die for this, I would die for China!" he yells into the air. From the golden pot behind him, he grabbed the flag of Qu, and raised it into the air before him. "One Flag will Rule China! I promise it! For All Under Heaven! For Glory and Honor!" Fa Ping and the people who support him cheer. Pan Gu however, looks down on the ground. His lips mouth out words which cannot be heard.
Peach Blossom Garden: A Blossom will Bloom
Pan Gu stood alone in the Peach Blossom garden, their buds having not yet bloomed into the beautiful blossoms yet. He gazed sadly into the emptiness, cursing his lords descisions, and his own lack of power to stop him. Of course, he realised it was not his place to question, but, it still bothered him sometimes. King Ao walked up silently behind Pan Gu, the man too absorbed in his musings to notice. The King looked up into the tress, and noticed that they were all still buds. He smiled sadly before speaking. "The Peach Blossoms are not yet full, it seems." Pan Gu turned around suddenly, obviously not noticing that the King was behind him. "Your majesty!" Pan Gu quickly bows to the King, trying to hide his anger. The King seems not to notice, before continuing. "The Peach Blossoms are always very pretty when they bloom, almost like China. Do you not agree?" the King asked.
Pan Gu seemed surprised at the question, given the fact that his majesty had some of the best Peach Blossom gardens in the Kingdom. "Yes, your majesty the season is not here yet. not for the next two months, I believe." The King smiled again, his features seemed more tired than before, his person drained by something Pan Gu could not see. "It is the same with China. China is so close to Blooming, but is not yet there, it has not yet truly shown its beauty. The Kings, and Jin, and the Emporor keep it closed, like the ice in the mountains." The King clenched his fists as he mentioned the Jins and Emporer, his angry flushing into his face once more. Pan Gu, confused by his lieges train of thought, and his anger at the other powerful figures of China, merely continued the conversation.
"You perceive the winter would be over soon, your majesty?" Pan Gu said. The King took a breath, and smiled again at Pan Gu. " I do. I see clearly through the fog that stands before us, and do you know what I see?" Pan Gu is at a loss for what his liege is asking, and merely shakes his head no. "I see a Golden City, where all the different peoples of China stand. A city where the streets are paved with Gold and Jade, a City where the people all bow an Emporer, where the Sun shines brightly upon his Palace. Do you understand my descisions now? Do you understand why I would decide to follow this course of action." the King sighs, his body seeming to become heavier as he looked skyward to the foggy, and gloomy sky.
"Your majesty, I want to see Qu as great as we were during Chunqiu but you must understand that we are not capable of long wars." Pan Gu began, but the King was not paying any attention, merely staring up to where the sun would be. "The Sun is blocked by the Fog today...I wonder when it will clear?" Pan Gu frowned, before begining to speak once more. "The fog blocks the true view, it blocks the great, yet it also blocks the damaged. To achieve the great, we must fix the damaged." The King looked sharply at Pan Gu, knowing to what exactly Pan Gu was refering to. "The people are angry, yes, but I will do what is best for China." Pan Gu sighed before formulating his next response.
"The people will only support he who holds the Mandate of Heaven. if you war without their support, your power will only be as fleeting as the rays of sun in the fog. " The King stood silent for a minute, looking into the Heavens for his answers, for his mandate. The Golden Sun fled before his sight, and it danced mockingly just in front of his visage, but still out of sight. The Mandate of Heaven is not an actual object." began the King carefully. "The Mandate of Heaven is given to he who follows Heavens will." at that moment, a wind began to blow, and it pushed the fog out of the way. A single bud from a Peach Blossom tree fell to the ground, its bud yet unopened. The King looked sadly upon it, thinking of what it could have become. "Heaven does not like being so divided my friend." Pan Gu kneeled to the ground before lightly taking the unopened bud into his hand.
"No, it does not." he said as he stared sadly down into the unopened blossom. "The mandate is given, but has it been given to you? The people must know." The King considered his words, before answering. "And we will tell them." Pan Gu smiled at the Kings decision, looking up from the lone little blossom. "We believe you have the mandate. I believe so. you must tell the people as well, the men who will fight for you, the people of the other states. The women who shall bear your people's children, the scholars, the farmers, even the lowly merchants." The King glared into Heaven, asking defiantly if he was the chosen for the Mandate, if it had been given to him. The fog held no answers for him, but in his heart, he knew he had some purpose for Heaven, and he woulds fufill it.
"They will bow to Heaven. They will bow to the Jade Emporer." the King said contempously. He looked Heaven ward again, his stone face, and firey eyes trying to burn away the fog before him, the thick wall between Heaven, and him. Pan Gu coughed once into his hands before speaking, "May I remind his majesty that the Jade Emperor is in Luoyang." The King did not look away from the sky when he answered, his focus always Heavenward, "Perhaps for now, perhaps for now...." The King chuckled, his laughter echoing oddly in the vacant Garden. Several more Blossoms feel to the ground as the wind blew faster. 12 buds fell to the ground, after all, there could only be one ruler of All Under Heaven.
City of Wan: A Crown for the Mad King
After arriving in Wan after a long Chariot ride, Pan Gu and the King went to dine and rest in the Governers house. A percuiler feeling hung about the air as they came into town. Like the peasents were avoiding their gaze, and were very scared of them. The peasents all scurried out of the way of the gaurd like they were jumping out of the way of the speeding chariot. Pan Gu wishpered to his majesty, "Something is going on here, and I think the answers we will recieve from the Governer." The King nodded supicouslly, before continuing on to the Governer's house. After arriving, the Governer immediatly lavasished great gifts of Jade and silk to the Emporer over dinner. "My friend, all of this is not needed, I have no need for such pleasures when I am gifted with this great country." the King began. "But, I must ask, all of this money you have spent on this house, where did it all come from? The expensive tastes you have are surely not convered by your striped." The Governor Chun Gien continues in his prostration to the King, "Your majesty, please do not reject these gifts, the finest from the estates of Wan and imports from other states. With regard to my house, I did it with my own money, through the estates."
"Ah, I see. If it was your own money, I will not refuse such a show of good will," the King nodded knowingly. ""Tell me Chun Gien, how do my people fare in this city?" asked the King, still suspicous from eariler. "They should be fine. They do not complain to me, nor do they have any problems with life here." replied Chen Gien. Behind Chun Gien, the servants bowed their heads in sorrow, keeping their tounges. As the King is considering this, the house door is knocked upon very urgently. "Who could that be? Chun Gien, I implore you to let that person in, so that we might see what is the matter." said the King. Chen Gien shifts uncomfortably in his seat, an act not going unnoticed by both the King and Pan Gu. "Go open the door," Chun Gien orders the servant after a small moment of tenseness hung in the Air as the King waited for him to act. As the servant opens the door, a peasant woman prostrates herself on the ground, " Justice, Governor! Justice!" implored the Woman. "Woman, what do you mean?" asks the King.
The woman suddenly noticed the presence of the visitor and her eyes open wide. She further bows down on the ground and begs for justice. It seems - from her hysterical speech - that a wheat farmer Dum Gai has beaten the woman's husband mercilessly because his donkeys had taken a few mouthfuls of wheat from the farm as the donkeys walked past the narrow path. Chun Gien immediately says in response, "Woman, I shall give you justice. Wait till tomorrow, when we are more capable of seeing to your complaint." Pan Gu seems to connect this with Chun Gien's eariler behavior, and motions to speak with the King in private. The King, seeing the motion yawns loudly. "Chun Gien, I feel faint from all this noise, I feel I must retire for now." says the King. Pan Gu and the King walk together out into the garden for some privacy for what they were about to do.
Pan Gu whispers, "Your majesty, I sense there is a reason behind his delaying. however, I believe you should say that you are leaving tonight and secretly watch him the next day to see how he dispenses justice. Pretend you are a common man and watch the proceedings. " The King considered for merely a moment before agreeing to the plan. ""You advice is wise my friend, we will see how this plays out. I wish for you to set up my gaurd in a nearby house, in case he tries anything." Pan Gu nodded before continuing to do his job, giving advice. "Your majesty, I recommend just taking leave from him tonight and pretending you're returning. I shall disguise myself as a common man and keep watch." The King nods, and they leave the garden and head to a place slightly out of town where they set up camp.
The Next morning, the King and Pan Gu are dressed in common men clothing, both wearing their important clothing underneath. The King carried a sword with him as well, just in case an assainain tried to take his life. Eventually, the two men walk back to the city's outskirts, carrying hoes like common men. They see the throng of people gathered. the woman, the wheat farmer, the governor and some bailiffs were there. Chun Gien says, "What charge have you against the wheat farmer, Dum Gai?"
Yi Ling (poor guy's wife) speaks repsectfully to the governer, "Sir, this man beat my husband almost to death. On the narrow path between our small farm and our hut lies his farm area with wheat growing out of it. Dum Gai placed a towel to dry on the path, giving my husband and his donkey little space to move."
"Is this true?" Chen Giun directed toward Dum Gai. Dum Gai immediatly responded to the accusation with a counter accusation, "Yes, sir. You may want to hear the rest. as the stupid peasant's dnokey stole my wheat as the passed by!" Yi Ling merely glared hatefully at the man before responding, "You didn't leave my husband space! Who could fault him for the donkey taking a few mouthfuls?"
"You stupid woman! that is stealing!" yelled Dum Gai in response to the woman's claim. "Enough!" yelled Chen Giun. A onlooker noticed the new comers to the scene (the King Ao, and Pan Gu), and started up a conversation. "You seem to be a stranger, good sir. you've come to the wrong place... the government is corrupt." said the man to the King. The King schooled his features carefully, making sure to make sure nothing slipped. "How so?" the King asked the man. The man continued, " The evil government doesn't lift a finger to help us. Just the other day, one of the villagers was murdered. That Chun Gien acquitted the perpertrator... we hear that he handed out several chests of gold to be let go." The king was shocked by the words of the man, before finally responding.
"Surely it isn't that bad. Do bribes run rampant in this city? Truly? " asked the King nervously. The peasent nodded solemnly, before answering the King in hidding's quesiton. "Now I tell you, he will acquit the wheat farmer. Why? Because he gave Chen Giun a share of the harvest." stated the man matter-a-factly. It is true, good sir, and the new government is too busy fighting amongst themselves to help the people. The King turned back to the judgement that he had been ignoring in favor of the mans speech, Let me see the end of this arugement. The man nodded, already believing to know the out come. Ah, only the people at the bottom. The farmers and the peasant are the only ones who suffer from the evil. lamented the Peasent.
Chen Giun talked for a bit before finally coming to a decision, ... it is obvious that Yi Ling's husband has committed a crime. Theft, even by his animal, is a crime. No, he must be beaten 20 times with a willow rod. I will give 100 if only noble Dum Gai did not do the job for me already. See how merciful I am? Drag the theif out! The ballifs to the governer walked toward the hovel upon here Yi Langs husband was resting to take him out, and Yi Lang merely cried in the backround. Her screams can be heard throughout the village and the other peasants look on in sympathy as her husband is dragged out to face his punishment. Chen Giun grabs the willow stick as the man is dropped before him, screaming out to the peaseants, This is what will happen to thieves!" The King, having had enough, grabs his hoe like a spear, and launches it at Chen Giun. The plop of the hoe hits the ground before Chen Giun, shocking the man. The King reaches into his common robes, and drew his sword. And this is what happens to corrupt officals. said the King meaningfully. Chen Giun gasped at the sight of the sword, How dare you, peasant! Assaulting a government official! And armed! The King, still disguised, smiled sickly at the man, before reaching his common robes once more. He grabbed the inside, and threw them off at Chen Giun. The robes cluttered his vision for a moment, and all of his baliffs gasped.
Once he threw the discared clothes from his person, Chen Giun paled considerably. The King stood before him with his sword drawn. "You will bow to me, for I am King Ao!" said the King. Chen Giun wimpered pathetically while the Baliffs begged for mercy from him. "I have seen first hand now your evil ways, and now you will pay." the King continued. He wistled, and from a nearby house the Royal Gaurds surrounded the area, and circled the Governer and his baliffs meancingly. "Your majesty, I wasa only... it was in jest! A thousand times forgiveness, your majesty! "Chen Giun begs.
"You are under arrest for corrupt business practices, and threating the King." the King begins again. Seize him. The Gaurds close in around the man, taking him roughly in front of the king. The King looks coldly at the Baliffs before motioning that they are free to go. Now....as for you... the King began. As he looked around him at the shocked people, he came to a descision. We will have a trail, right here and now. But it is not I who will be your judge. The King turned to the people, he raised his right hand up into the air. He placed it neutrally sideways, and yelled out to the People. What is your decision? The people looked at each other for a moment before screaming out to kill Chen Guin. The King smiled darkly, before pointing his thumb down. The people have spoken." The King quickly raised his sword, and it flashed in the sun before Chen Giuns head rolled upon the still wet morning grass. After the Bloody buiness, a new governer was chosen, and the Peoples Advisor, named Li Haut, the same man who told the King what he needed to know, became the eyes and ears for the peoples whims for the Government.
OOC: Ten pages of goodness....
"You are under arrest for corrupt business practices, and threating the King." the King begins again. Seize him. The Gaurds close in around the man, taking him roughly in front of the king. The King looks coldly at the Baliffs before motioning that they are free to go. Now....as for you... the King began. As he looked around him at the shocked people, he came to a descision. We will have a trail, right here and now. But it is not I who will be your judge. The King turned to the people, he raised his right hand up into the air. He placed it neutrally sideways, and yelled out to the People. What is your decision? The people looked at each other for a moment before screaming out to kill Chen Guin. The King smiled darkly, before pointing his thumb down. The people have spoken." The King quickly raised his sword, and it flashed in the sun before Chen Giuns head rolled upon the still wet morning grass. After the Bloody buiness, a new governer was chosen, and the Peoples Advisor, named Li Haut, the same man who told the King what he needed to know, became the eyes and ears for the peoples whims for the Government.
OOC: Ten pages of goodness....
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
OOC: must beat more then one post story writers... you've been placed in the list along with goober...
blackheart
unenlightened
BananaLee said:Okay.
All orders in,
Civil update being typed up (but won't be posted till battles are done).
For those people I've PMed, please reply. To those who haven't got a PM from me, don't worry. You'll have a few days of grace till complete update.
should I have gotten a PM?
Okay, all combat maps have been sent out. Combat phase orders expected by Sunday, Turn 1 Update will be on Monday, New Zealand time.
Just as a note, the main map is under massive renovations to incorporate more accurate rivers, etc. Insane_Panda would be helping out with that so you'd better be nice to him..
Just as a note, the main map is under massive renovations to incorporate more accurate rivers, etc. Insane_Panda would be helping out with that so you'd better be nice to him..
Update 1
401 BCE 1st Year of Zhou Anwang
Year of the Fire Dragon
Worldwide Events
Shu Ba troops are noticed amassing on the Qu-Qin-Shu Ba border. It seems that they are preparing for some sort of operation, with close Shu Ba ministers being ordered to take chief command of both the Army and Navy.
The semi-barbarian state of Shu Ba constructs schools in the villages surrounding the main cities in an effort to improve their farming capabilities. The villagers and farmers gladly follow the new ideas to be implemented in their farming. (+1 eco invested in Education)
In Zhao, a large new chariot army is constructed, seemingly to challenge the hostile Xiongnu tribes to the north. However, news has trickled down to the effect that Zhao is sending envoys into Xiongnu territory to establish peace and closer ties. The new Zhou Emperor is not pleased, and he is even less so because Zhao has requested for troops from Zhou.
Seemingly in response to the increase of troops in Zhao, Wei has begun fortifying their northern border, increasing troop concentrations on the Wei-Zhao border. They have also ordered a large recruitment drive. While volunteers are easy to come by, the number who can afford to supply their own chariots are few and as such, chariot recruitment is way below target. As a matter of fact, out of fear of punishment, some officials siphon out government funds to pay for a small amount of chariots, in addition to lining their own pockets (-1 eco point from bank)
Duke Xuan of Yan, in a very strange effort, attempts to reform the name of Yan state to Manchuria and the capitals name to Ji. The traditional-minded people of Yan, however, do not like the new names proposed by Duke Xuan and have protested. In the end, the state compromises by approving a duality of use, in which both names are acceptable in official records. Not all of Yans recent efforts are strange, though. A great project, involving the founding of three new cities on the Yan frontier is underway, in the hopes of improving the Yan state economy. It is also hoped that not only Ji residents emigrate to these new townships, but also the Donghu people to the north and other residents of other states.
Qin constructs a new Navy composed of Fighting Junks to defend their waters of the Wei River. The question of who will command it, though still remains unsettled. As the Qin Navy trains to master riverine warfare, the Qin Army makes an attack into Qu (see spotlight). On the civil front, Qin attempts to boost the peoples confidence by enacting tax cuts and amnesties. Unfortunately, no amount of tax cut is going to prevent the fact that punishment is inevitable for the smallest crime due to the hardcore Legalist philosophy of the Qin state. (2/3 of investment unsuccessful)
Noticing Qins apparent weakness with so many troops fighting in the south, the barbarian Hu tribes of the north swoop down in a raid of large proportions, terrorising the population and damaging many crops. Ying Shi Ti himself commands the troops in order to stem the Hu tribes. However, in the search for them, the Qin troops get into a dangerous ambush situation. The Qin King, seeing no other option, decides to retreat, allowing the Hu tribes free reign to threaten the population in Northeast Qin. (-1 Economy Level)
Corruption is slowly being brought to a halt in Qu, with King Dao, the Qu king going straight to the roots of it and taking care of corrupt officials himself. All over the nation, loyal officers are ferreting out corruption and installing Peoples Advisors in a concerted effort to eradicate what Qu ministers dub as a terrible evil. The effort mostly succeeds but a noticeable effect can only be perceived in the western regions where the King has made his tour so far, until the Qin/Yue invasion prevented his continued moving about. (+1 Confidence) Another step taken by the Qu government to decrease corruption is a massive roadway project to improve the communications between Ying, the capital and its outlying cities.
A very determined effort by the Yue government to recruit troops into their army meets equally determined response to join up, so much so that the amount of troops in the army is much greater than expected. Unfortunately, the massive influx of new troops means that the Yue economy is straining to maintain the Army. While Yues coffers still make a profit, there isnt much to talk about. As a sidenote, Yues artist and calligrapher industry flourishes as artists produce thousands of recruiting posters. Several renowned artists and calligraphers emerge, making Yue a very cultured place to be. (2 eco invested into Education) In typical Yue fashion, King Goujian leads an invasion into eastern Qu (also part of spotlight).
Spotlight The Invasion of Qu
In the east, Yue launched a three-prong assault, causing the General-of-the-East, Fan Xiaopeng to divide his forces into three different groups to handle each prong. This weakened the main city in the east, Shoujian.
In the northeast, the Qu troops are no match for Yues harassing troops due to Qus low morale (Qus anti-corruption efforts havent really taken root here yet). As a result, Qu forces flee before any serious engagement occurs
(-750 Qu Regular Infantry, -50 Yue Regular Infantry)
Yue also sends troops from the southeast up the Yangzi to be intercepted by a small portion of Qus Navy. Yues General-of-the-Navy, Xi Gua smartly outmanoeuvres the Qu navy and surrounds them with his ships. However, this tactic backfires on Yue troops as the Qu troops, who once considered fleeing, had no choice but to fight. Xi Gua (or probably the Yue King) made the strange decision to have the Army march along the banks of the Yangzi instead of beefing up the ships. This gave Qu a fighting chance to engage the ships with no harassment from the army who only had a small amount of crossbowmen. Fighting desperately for their own survival, the Qu navy successfully fended off the Yue navy, destroying most of the Yue supplies that were on board two Yue supply ships. Surviving Yue ships return to their homeland battered, their army barely engaged but demoralised.
(-2,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -1,500 Qu Crossbowmen, -10 Qu Fighting Junks, -20 Yue Fighting Junks, -2 Yue Regular Infantry [drowned while swimming])
The tactical defeat in the south, however, succeeded in drawing out troops from Yues main objective, Shoujian. With only a small garrison of approximately 10,000 to guard it, King Goujian himself took command of the task force and attacked the city. The majority of the Yue troops attacked from the north, drawing most of Shoujians garrison to defend that side of the wall. Fortunately for the Qu troops, King Goujians northern assault didnt push very hard and the attack was repulsed.
(-5,000 Yue Regular Infantry, -2,000 Yue Crossbowmen, -1,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -1,500 Qu Crossbowmen)
However, the northern assault was just a feint to concentrate Qus forces elsewhere. As night fell, an elite team of 5,000 men crossed the swamps on the eastern side of the city in an attempt to storm the gates. Unfortunately, the east wind was blowing and the guards on the walls heard the sound of a Yue soldiers yelp. The alarm was raised and all hell broke loose. Qu infantry marched out to the swamps to engage the infiltrators and in the chaos of the night, many died. However, King Goujian noted the chaos in the east and attempted to attack again from the north. The assault was cut short by the emergence of the Qu chariots that had to stay on the northern gate due to terrain constraints. At the end of the day, the attack on Shoujian failed because of bad luck on Yues side. However, East Qu is severely weakened from these battles.
(-7,000 Yue Regular Infantry, -2,000 Yue Crossbowmen, -3,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -10 Qu Chariots)
As if that wasnt enough, Qin strikes in the west, seemingly in league with Yue. While the morale and fighting spirit of the Qu troops here is much greater, the size and power of the Qin army was just as powerful.
Qin troops were first spotted crossing the border close to Nancheng and messengers were swift to inform the capital. Since King Dao was on his corruption-busting tours, the Prime Minister, Pan Gu sent reinforcements to Nancheng. However, Qin forces under the Purple General, Zhou Liang, cut off the reinforcements. A short but sharp engagement resulted in moderate losses for both sides and ended when Zhou Liang withdrew his troops when he noticed that the Qu troops were in disorder.
(-15,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -4,000 Qu Crossbowmen, -25 Qu Chariots, -10,000 Qin Infantry, -1,500 Qin Crossbowmen, -50 Qin Chariots)
By the time Fa Ping, the reinforcement commander got his troops in order, he realised that he couldnt reach Nancheng without suffering significant losses. He then diverted to Wan, which was much closer. This proved to be a lucky move as Wan also fell under siege by the Qin forces.
King Dao of Qu was at the city of Wan, ending his tour of the western reaches. News of the Qin attack came to his ears and he personally took command of the defence of Wan. Under the Kings command, the highly spirited Qu troops worked out an ambush plan in he heavily forested western areas of Wan. Qin troops under the command of the Red General, Tan Zi, were equally high in spirits as they prepared to assault Wan. Using the age-old trick of pretended surrender, King Dao let the citizens of Wan invite the Qin troops in, claiming that they had murdered the corrupt governor (which had been executed several weeks before) and took over leadership for themselves. Although Tan Zi was suspicious, he knew that he needed guides to cross the river and accepted the citizens assertion. As the Qin troops began crossing the river, the excited Qu troops launched a premature ambush on the Qin army. Crossbow bolts rained down on the surprised Qin troops and as they retreated to their own side, many Qin troops were trampled in the panic that ensued. Many more would have been killed if the Qu ambushers had waited for a while longer. In response to the audacious tactic, Tan Zi slaughtered the citizens who had crossed to make the offer and deployed his Siege Crossbows against the ambushers. The woods that protected the Qu troops were no match for the awesome piercing capabilities of the Siege Crossbows and the Qu troops were forced to retreat back into Wan.
(-14,500 Wan Citizens, -12,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -1,000 Qu Crossbowmen -27,500 Qin Infantry, -6,000 Qin Crossbowmen, -50 Qin Chariots)
With the opening manoeuvres complete, the siege of Wan began in earnest. Still greatly outnumbered, the Qu troops sat tight in their city, suffering consistent bombardment by Qins dreaded Siege Crossbows. Many citizens of Wan suffered and perished in the relentless assault and surrender would have been discussed if it werent for the hard-headedness of King Dao. Two weeks of bombardment passed when drumbeats were heard from the south, Pan Gus reinforcements had arrived! After a long forced march, Pan Gu drove his chariots ahead of the main army and smashed into the Qin formation who was bombarding the city at that time. An unfair match began with the odds leaning towards Qin who, while surprised, outnumbered the Qu chariots 20 to 1. King Dao took advantage of the situation and sent his troops out to attack the Qin formation from two more sides. Although the Qu army had the edge now, the Qin were far larger than the Qu contingent and for a second time, the Qu army had to retreat into Wan, the rest of Pan Gus army not to be seen. Some of the Qin Siege Crossbows were damaged beyond repair and the bombardment was not as bad as before.
(-10,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -3,500 Qu Crossbowmen, -300 Qu Chariots, -10,000 Qin Infantry, -2,600 Qin Crossbowmen, -300 Qin Chariots, -4,500 Qin Siege Crossbows)
It was another day before the rest of the reinforcements arrived. Tai Zi, seeing the large amounts of fresh troops coming in, decided that another attack on the city was not worth the cost in lives and retreated towards Nancheng. Wan was saved, but at a massive cost.
Nancheng, alone and isolated had hills and mountains surrounding three sides, the only possible approach for siege weapons being the east gate. Unfortunately, the benefit of superior defensive capability was negated by the fact that the rice harvest was not due for another month by the time Qin troops arrived. Lan Hu, Green Commander of the Qin took advantage of this situation and camped 2 li (1 km) outside the gates, approaching the city once a day to bombard Nancheng with the feared siege crossbows. Seven months passed, and the granaries in Nancheng ran out. Driven by desperation, the garrison commander, Zhang Dai sends out his troops on an assault against the Qin troops. The battle that followed was very pitched, but Qins superior equipment and training showed, forcing Zhang Dai to retreat back into the city. Lan Hu seized the opportunity to attack the city directly with his highly spirited troops (who didnt have much chance to fight). Zhang Dai committed suicide rather than fall into Qin hands and the Governor of Nancheng capitulated to the Qin army. On a sidenote, due to the terrain constrictions, many of the Qin chariots broke down beyond repair.
(-10,000 Qu Regular Infantry, - 2,500 Qu Crossbowmen, -5,500 Qin Infantry, -500 Qin Crossbowmen, -70 Qin Chariots, -100 Qin Siege Crossbows, + a whole pile of Qu Prisoners)
NPC Diplo
to Duke Xian of Zhao,
Our army is small. To hand over a part of our army to help you would be akin to cut off our right arm. We cannot do so.
from Duke Yu of Zhongshan
to King Goujian of Yue,
How dare you even think of receiving recognition as a Chinese state if you consider yourself equal to my August and great authority? Bow to me and send me tribute. Perhaps then, Ill recognise you.
Zhou Anwang,
Emperor of the Middle Kingdom and her Dominions
to Duke Xian of Zhao,
Here is the head of your messenger. Thats what I think of your impudent request. Do you think I dont know what goes on in your court? Courting the Xiongnu and asking for my troops? You are a liar!
Zhou Anwang,
Emperor of the Middle Kingdom and her Dominions
to King Shan of Shu Ba,
Your majesty. Most of the tribes have agreed to an exchange of ambassadors between their tribes and our state.
Ma Fei and Han Song.
OOC Notes
Contempt, you were damned lucky with your dice rolls. Only failed one roll, guess where that one went.
I hope the first update is enjoyable for you guys. Please post comments and stuff as to how I can improve the updates.
Normal phase orders are due on Thursday 0200hrs GMT (or 1500hrs GMT+13)
401 BCE 1st Year of Zhou Anwang
Year of the Fire Dragon
Worldwide Events
Shu Ba troops are noticed amassing on the Qu-Qin-Shu Ba border. It seems that they are preparing for some sort of operation, with close Shu Ba ministers being ordered to take chief command of both the Army and Navy.
The semi-barbarian state of Shu Ba constructs schools in the villages surrounding the main cities in an effort to improve their farming capabilities. The villagers and farmers gladly follow the new ideas to be implemented in their farming. (+1 eco invested in Education)
In Zhao, a large new chariot army is constructed, seemingly to challenge the hostile Xiongnu tribes to the north. However, news has trickled down to the effect that Zhao is sending envoys into Xiongnu territory to establish peace and closer ties. The new Zhou Emperor is not pleased, and he is even less so because Zhao has requested for troops from Zhou.
Seemingly in response to the increase of troops in Zhao, Wei has begun fortifying their northern border, increasing troop concentrations on the Wei-Zhao border. They have also ordered a large recruitment drive. While volunteers are easy to come by, the number who can afford to supply their own chariots are few and as such, chariot recruitment is way below target. As a matter of fact, out of fear of punishment, some officials siphon out government funds to pay for a small amount of chariots, in addition to lining their own pockets (-1 eco point from bank)
Duke Xuan of Yan, in a very strange effort, attempts to reform the name of Yan state to Manchuria and the capitals name to Ji. The traditional-minded people of Yan, however, do not like the new names proposed by Duke Xuan and have protested. In the end, the state compromises by approving a duality of use, in which both names are acceptable in official records. Not all of Yans recent efforts are strange, though. A great project, involving the founding of three new cities on the Yan frontier is underway, in the hopes of improving the Yan state economy. It is also hoped that not only Ji residents emigrate to these new townships, but also the Donghu people to the north and other residents of other states.
Qin constructs a new Navy composed of Fighting Junks to defend their waters of the Wei River. The question of who will command it, though still remains unsettled. As the Qin Navy trains to master riverine warfare, the Qin Army makes an attack into Qu (see spotlight). On the civil front, Qin attempts to boost the peoples confidence by enacting tax cuts and amnesties. Unfortunately, no amount of tax cut is going to prevent the fact that punishment is inevitable for the smallest crime due to the hardcore Legalist philosophy of the Qin state. (2/3 of investment unsuccessful)
Noticing Qins apparent weakness with so many troops fighting in the south, the barbarian Hu tribes of the north swoop down in a raid of large proportions, terrorising the population and damaging many crops. Ying Shi Ti himself commands the troops in order to stem the Hu tribes. However, in the search for them, the Qin troops get into a dangerous ambush situation. The Qin King, seeing no other option, decides to retreat, allowing the Hu tribes free reign to threaten the population in Northeast Qin. (-1 Economy Level)
Corruption is slowly being brought to a halt in Qu, with King Dao, the Qu king going straight to the roots of it and taking care of corrupt officials himself. All over the nation, loyal officers are ferreting out corruption and installing Peoples Advisors in a concerted effort to eradicate what Qu ministers dub as a terrible evil. The effort mostly succeeds but a noticeable effect can only be perceived in the western regions where the King has made his tour so far, until the Qin/Yue invasion prevented his continued moving about. (+1 Confidence) Another step taken by the Qu government to decrease corruption is a massive roadway project to improve the communications between Ying, the capital and its outlying cities.
A very determined effort by the Yue government to recruit troops into their army meets equally determined response to join up, so much so that the amount of troops in the army is much greater than expected. Unfortunately, the massive influx of new troops means that the Yue economy is straining to maintain the Army. While Yues coffers still make a profit, there isnt much to talk about. As a sidenote, Yues artist and calligrapher industry flourishes as artists produce thousands of recruiting posters. Several renowned artists and calligraphers emerge, making Yue a very cultured place to be. (2 eco invested into Education) In typical Yue fashion, King Goujian leads an invasion into eastern Qu (also part of spotlight).
Spotlight The Invasion of Qu
Such were the words first uttered by King Dao of Qu when he heard the news of a massive scale assault on his state. Both Qu and Yue decided to take advantage of Qus weakened state and attack it.Qiao Yan said:
In the east, Yue launched a three-prong assault, causing the General-of-the-East, Fan Xiaopeng to divide his forces into three different groups to handle each prong. This weakened the main city in the east, Shoujian.
In the northeast, the Qu troops are no match for Yues harassing troops due to Qus low morale (Qus anti-corruption efforts havent really taken root here yet). As a result, Qu forces flee before any serious engagement occurs
(-750 Qu Regular Infantry, -50 Yue Regular Infantry)
Yue also sends troops from the southeast up the Yangzi to be intercepted by a small portion of Qus Navy. Yues General-of-the-Navy, Xi Gua smartly outmanoeuvres the Qu navy and surrounds them with his ships. However, this tactic backfires on Yue troops as the Qu troops, who once considered fleeing, had no choice but to fight. Xi Gua (or probably the Yue King) made the strange decision to have the Army march along the banks of the Yangzi instead of beefing up the ships. This gave Qu a fighting chance to engage the ships with no harassment from the army who only had a small amount of crossbowmen. Fighting desperately for their own survival, the Qu navy successfully fended off the Yue navy, destroying most of the Yue supplies that were on board two Yue supply ships. Surviving Yue ships return to their homeland battered, their army barely engaged but demoralised.
(-2,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -1,500 Qu Crossbowmen, -10 Qu Fighting Junks, -20 Yue Fighting Junks, -2 Yue Regular Infantry [drowned while swimming])
The tactical defeat in the south, however, succeeded in drawing out troops from Yues main objective, Shoujian. With only a small garrison of approximately 10,000 to guard it, King Goujian himself took command of the task force and attacked the city. The majority of the Yue troops attacked from the north, drawing most of Shoujians garrison to defend that side of the wall. Fortunately for the Qu troops, King Goujians northern assault didnt push very hard and the attack was repulsed.
(-5,000 Yue Regular Infantry, -2,000 Yue Crossbowmen, -1,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -1,500 Qu Crossbowmen)
However, the northern assault was just a feint to concentrate Qus forces elsewhere. As night fell, an elite team of 5,000 men crossed the swamps on the eastern side of the city in an attempt to storm the gates. Unfortunately, the east wind was blowing and the guards on the walls heard the sound of a Yue soldiers yelp. The alarm was raised and all hell broke loose. Qu infantry marched out to the swamps to engage the infiltrators and in the chaos of the night, many died. However, King Goujian noted the chaos in the east and attempted to attack again from the north. The assault was cut short by the emergence of the Qu chariots that had to stay on the northern gate due to terrain constraints. At the end of the day, the attack on Shoujian failed because of bad luck on Yues side. However, East Qu is severely weakened from these battles.
(-7,000 Yue Regular Infantry, -2,000 Yue Crossbowmen, -3,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -10 Qu Chariots)
As if that wasnt enough, Qin strikes in the west, seemingly in league with Yue. While the morale and fighting spirit of the Qu troops here is much greater, the size and power of the Qin army was just as powerful.
Qin troops were first spotted crossing the border close to Nancheng and messengers were swift to inform the capital. Since King Dao was on his corruption-busting tours, the Prime Minister, Pan Gu sent reinforcements to Nancheng. However, Qin forces under the Purple General, Zhou Liang, cut off the reinforcements. A short but sharp engagement resulted in moderate losses for both sides and ended when Zhou Liang withdrew his troops when he noticed that the Qu troops were in disorder.
(-15,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -4,000 Qu Crossbowmen, -25 Qu Chariots, -10,000 Qin Infantry, -1,500 Qin Crossbowmen, -50 Qin Chariots)
By the time Fa Ping, the reinforcement commander got his troops in order, he realised that he couldnt reach Nancheng without suffering significant losses. He then diverted to Wan, which was much closer. This proved to be a lucky move as Wan also fell under siege by the Qin forces.
King Dao of Qu was at the city of Wan, ending his tour of the western reaches. News of the Qin attack came to his ears and he personally took command of the defence of Wan. Under the Kings command, the highly spirited Qu troops worked out an ambush plan in he heavily forested western areas of Wan. Qin troops under the command of the Red General, Tan Zi, were equally high in spirits as they prepared to assault Wan. Using the age-old trick of pretended surrender, King Dao let the citizens of Wan invite the Qin troops in, claiming that they had murdered the corrupt governor (which had been executed several weeks before) and took over leadership for themselves. Although Tan Zi was suspicious, he knew that he needed guides to cross the river and accepted the citizens assertion. As the Qin troops began crossing the river, the excited Qu troops launched a premature ambush on the Qin army. Crossbow bolts rained down on the surprised Qin troops and as they retreated to their own side, many Qin troops were trampled in the panic that ensued. Many more would have been killed if the Qu ambushers had waited for a while longer. In response to the audacious tactic, Tan Zi slaughtered the citizens who had crossed to make the offer and deployed his Siege Crossbows against the ambushers. The woods that protected the Qu troops were no match for the awesome piercing capabilities of the Siege Crossbows and the Qu troops were forced to retreat back into Wan.
(-14,500 Wan Citizens, -12,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -1,000 Qu Crossbowmen -27,500 Qin Infantry, -6,000 Qin Crossbowmen, -50 Qin Chariots)
With the opening manoeuvres complete, the siege of Wan began in earnest. Still greatly outnumbered, the Qu troops sat tight in their city, suffering consistent bombardment by Qins dreaded Siege Crossbows. Many citizens of Wan suffered and perished in the relentless assault and surrender would have been discussed if it werent for the hard-headedness of King Dao. Two weeks of bombardment passed when drumbeats were heard from the south, Pan Gus reinforcements had arrived! After a long forced march, Pan Gu drove his chariots ahead of the main army and smashed into the Qin formation who was bombarding the city at that time. An unfair match began with the odds leaning towards Qin who, while surprised, outnumbered the Qu chariots 20 to 1. King Dao took advantage of the situation and sent his troops out to attack the Qin formation from two more sides. Although the Qu army had the edge now, the Qin were far larger than the Qu contingent and for a second time, the Qu army had to retreat into Wan, the rest of Pan Gus army not to be seen. Some of the Qin Siege Crossbows were damaged beyond repair and the bombardment was not as bad as before.
(-10,000 Qu Regular Infantry, -3,500 Qu Crossbowmen, -300 Qu Chariots, -10,000 Qin Infantry, -2,600 Qin Crossbowmen, -300 Qin Chariots, -4,500 Qin Siege Crossbows)
It was another day before the rest of the reinforcements arrived. Tai Zi, seeing the large amounts of fresh troops coming in, decided that another attack on the city was not worth the cost in lives and retreated towards Nancheng. Wan was saved, but at a massive cost.
Nancheng, alone and isolated had hills and mountains surrounding three sides, the only possible approach for siege weapons being the east gate. Unfortunately, the benefit of superior defensive capability was negated by the fact that the rice harvest was not due for another month by the time Qin troops arrived. Lan Hu, Green Commander of the Qin took advantage of this situation and camped 2 li (1 km) outside the gates, approaching the city once a day to bombard Nancheng with the feared siege crossbows. Seven months passed, and the granaries in Nancheng ran out. Driven by desperation, the garrison commander, Zhang Dai sends out his troops on an assault against the Qin troops. The battle that followed was very pitched, but Qins superior equipment and training showed, forcing Zhang Dai to retreat back into the city. Lan Hu seized the opportunity to attack the city directly with his highly spirited troops (who didnt have much chance to fight). Zhang Dai committed suicide rather than fall into Qin hands and the Governor of Nancheng capitulated to the Qin army. On a sidenote, due to the terrain constrictions, many of the Qin chariots broke down beyond repair.
(-10,000 Qu Regular Infantry, - 2,500 Qu Crossbowmen, -5,500 Qin Infantry, -500 Qin Crossbowmen, -70 Qin Chariots, -100 Qin Siege Crossbows, + a whole pile of Qu Prisoners)
NPC Diplo
to Duke Xian of Zhao,
Our army is small. To hand over a part of our army to help you would be akin to cut off our right arm. We cannot do so.
from Duke Yu of Zhongshan
to King Goujian of Yue,
How dare you even think of receiving recognition as a Chinese state if you consider yourself equal to my August and great authority? Bow to me and send me tribute. Perhaps then, Ill recognise you.
Zhou Anwang,
Emperor of the Middle Kingdom and her Dominions
to Duke Xian of Zhao,
Here is the head of your messenger. Thats what I think of your impudent request. Do you think I dont know what goes on in your court? Courting the Xiongnu and asking for my troops? You are a liar!
Zhou Anwang,
Emperor of the Middle Kingdom and her Dominions
to King Shan of Shu Ba,
Your majesty. Most of the tribes have agreed to an exchange of ambassadors between their tribes and our state.
Ma Fei and Han Song.
OOC Notes
Contempt, you were damned lucky with your dice rolls. Only failed one roll, guess where that one went.
I hope the first update is enjoyable for you guys. Please post comments and stuff as to how I can improve the updates.
Normal phase orders are due on Thursday 0200hrs GMT (or 1500hrs GMT+13)
The Map.
Legend: -
(spiralling inwards and anticlockwise from Qin)
Light Green - Qin
Yellow - Shu Ba
Red - Qu
Translucent Pink - Yue
Grey - Qi
Brown - Yan
Magenta - Zhongshan
Dark Blue - Zhao
Purple - Wei
Orange - Han
Dark Green - Song
Cream - Lu
Light Blue - Zhou
Legend: -
(spiralling inwards and anticlockwise from Qin)
Light Green - Qin
Yellow - Shu Ba
Red - Qu
Translucent Pink - Yue
Grey - Qi
Brown - Yan
Magenta - Zhongshan
Dark Blue - Zhao
Purple - Wei
Orange - Han
Dark Green - Song
Cream - Lu
Light Blue - Zhou
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
OOC; contempt, you were right about your blind luck 20% odds and you still got it, i need to be more lucky 
20% odds and you still got it, i need to be more lucky The legend is posted.
Hope it helps.
As an announcement to all, Insane_Panda and I are working on an even more improved map so that you guys won't have to wonder about city names and whether navies can be sent there or not.
Hope it helps.
As an announcement to all, Insane_Panda and I are working on an even more improved map so that you guys won't have to wonder about city names and whether navies can be sent there or not.
