Wei is still the strongest at the moment. Wu is too far out of reach and is primarily busy fending off attacks on their border. So we must quickly seize the dying Shu resources and turn them into our own. Reports on the Shu vs Wei conflict indicates that Chang An has fallen and Shu looked extremely vulnerable. We need to act fast to capitalize on this opportunity. I was interrupted from my thoughts by a visit from a Shu Emissary.
We have prisoners?! Omg!
There's also some good news on the personnel side, contrary to my earlier statement of no prisoners were taken after the siege of Cheng Du, there were actually two officers of Shu we've captured in the city. They are Wang Ping and Li Feng. I was reminded by an emissary from Liu Chan who requested I release Wang Ping in exchange for 1120 gold.What an insult!
Let me just be blunt, I won't release this man for even 10,000 gold. This man's too valuable. I quickly persuaded him to join our cause in the following month and he accepted the offer eagerly.His stat is incredibly balanced. He's not 'super' but in terms of jack of all trades, he certainly holds the right numbers. Sad as it is, 76 INT is the highest rating for our officers right now, I immediately promoted him as my Strategist and awarded him the Sandalwood Bow as a sign of trust.
Digging deeper into his biodata, he's only 38 years old and has 'Indomitable' as his unique ability. This grants the unit he command total immunity to 'Perturb' strategy that can cause confusion. Impressive! Attaching him to a high WAR general with low INT is an excellent combo. I might even marry him into the family with my daughter, Hua Man to ensure his loyalty and as a candidate for my future successor. But I'll keep a lookout for other younger talents.
We have two towns directly to the north and east of Cheng Du. Both are owned by Shu, and are somewhat managable with our current forces. With a quick re-training, our soldiers can mount a small offensive and secure another town within two months. With high WAR rating of our officers, training should take no longer than that to hit an acceptable amount of Willpower to fight.
Willpower (Will) is the cost of every special tactics/strategy that a unit can use in battles. Examples are Cavalry's Charge or Spearmen's Thrust. Without sufficient Will, a unit can only attack normally. Flame towers uses 10 Will when they attack, so it's important to keep their Will rating high. If a general refuses to accept a Duel challenge, a small number of troops will desert him, and his unit will lose Willpower. The challenger will gain a small number of Willpower as the result.
To the north of Cheng Du lies the town of Zi Tong, with two gate fortifications defended by less than 2000 men each. Zi Tong itself is defended with only 15,000 troops. The only concern is Ma Chao but superior numbers will prevail. I elected to go with a force of 11,000 pikemen accompanied by two flame towers to quickly blitz past the two gate fortifications and seize Zi Tong. Jiang Zhou's force of 35,000 might react to this by assaulting Cheng du, but we have a sizeable garrison of 25,000 and more than capable officers to deal with them.
Guan Xing, the son of Guan Yu charged with Cavalry against Wu Tugu's 11,000 pikemen but could not inflict much damage. Wu Tugu's Aegis helps to reduce casualty as the twin flame towers focus fired Guan Xing's unit down before Wu Tugu finished him off. Zi Tong's capture is assured.
In order to cope with the low Willpower some of the units are having, I decided to construct a Band Platform just outside Zi Tong. This gives friendly unit within 2 tiles radius 10 Willpower per round and ensures that the Towers can keep firing without running out of Will power and eventually Zi Tong falls within a month of siege. No captures were made but more land is always good without the 120 days of transport from Jian Ning.
But a Shu counter attack is well underway a month later from Jiang Zhou. led by Ma Dai and Wei Yan. A combined force of 17,000 to challenge a garrison of 30,000? This is pathetic.
These two forces have Indomitable, but that's fine. That's because our forces are too stupid to use strategies anyway. It's like bringing umbrella into a desert: pointless. We don't have any traditional battlefield wizards, if anything; we rely on raw power and hard hitting unit tactics (the Brawn to the Brain's Strategies) . I marched three units from Cheng Du to respond. A flame tower to soften them up, one spear division to deal with the Cavalry and a pike division to mop up the rest.
The Royal Family & Strategist of Nan Man Task Force
Xiang Chong, Wei Yan's deputy jumped in the last minute and took the blows meant for Wei Yan. Just as Sanniang was gaining the upper hand, another twist came into the duel.
Hua Man couldn't wait for her turn and hopped into the fight, pressuring the already overwhelmed Xiang Chong. She too, was too skilled for Xiang Chong. Being beaten not once but twice by women in a day is starting to make him crack.
The Nan Man princess grinned as her male opponent start to peel away from the fight, she lined up another thrust at his side before a thunderous shout made her head turn.
Wei Yan's deputy acknowledged his request and rode away. Wei Yan lined up next to her and delivered repeated thrusts that struck her left side.
'Princess, be careful!!', Wu Tugu shouted as he rode closer to the dueling pair, but Hua Man paid him no heed and twirled her spear with blinding speed before delivering a savage blow on Wei Yan's shoulder. Wei Yan grimaced and went into a blind rage.
UWARRRRGHHHHHHHHHH!!! WEI YAN SMASH!
It left him wide open, and Hua Man lines her spear for the finishing blow before Wei Yan's second deputy, Zhang Yi intervened.
Willpower (Will) is the cost of every special tactics/strategy that a unit can use in battles. Examples are Cavalry's Charge or Spearmen's Thrust. Without sufficient Will, a unit can only attack normally. Flame towers uses 10 Will when they attack, so it's important to keep their Will rating high. If a general refuses to accept a Duel challenge, a small number of troops will desert him, and his unit will lose Willpower. The challenger will gain a small number of Willpower as the result.To the north of Cheng Du lies the town of Zi Tong, with two gate fortifications defended by less than 2000 men each. Zi Tong itself is defended with only 15,000 troops. The only concern is Ma Chao but superior numbers will prevail. I elected to go with a force of 11,000 pikemen accompanied by two flame towers to quickly blitz past the two gate fortifications and seize Zi Tong. Jiang Zhou's force of 35,000 might react to this by assaulting Cheng du, but we have a sizeable garrison of 25,000 and more than capable officers to deal with them.
Guan Xing, the son of Guan Yu charged with Cavalry against Wu Tugu's 11,000 pikemen but could not inflict much damage. Wu Tugu's Aegis helps to reduce casualty as the twin flame towers focus fired Guan Xing's unit down before Wu Tugu finished him off. Zi Tong's capture is assured.
In order to cope with the low Willpower some of the units are having, I decided to construct a Band Platform just outside Zi Tong. This gives friendly unit within 2 tiles radius 10 Willpower per round and ensures that the Towers can keep firing without running out of Will power and eventually Zi Tong falls within a month of siege. No captures were made but more land is always good without the 120 days of transport from Jian Ning.
But a Shu counter attack is well underway a month later from Jiang Zhou. led by Ma Dai and Wei Yan. A combined force of 17,000 to challenge a garrison of 30,000? This is pathetic.
These two forces have Indomitable, but that's fine. That's because our forces are too stupid to use strategies anyway. It's like bringing umbrella into a desert: pointless. We don't have any traditional battlefield wizards, if anything; we rely on raw power and hard hitting unit tactics (the Brawn to the Brain's Strategies) . I marched three units from Cheng Du to respond. A flame tower to soften them up, one spear division to deal with the Cavalry and a pike division to mop up the rest.
The Royal Family & Strategist of Nan Man Task ForceBoth Zhu Rong and Meng Huo unique abilities are not that powerful. Sweep Asunder lowers enemy willpower when attacking while Meng Huo's Close Combat gives him additional attack power when attacking enemy in a forest tile. But the saving grace is that being a married couple gives them a chance to 'assist' when one of them is hitting a target next to each other.
Ma Dai lead his Cavalry in a silly blind charge ahead of Wei Yan's Spearmen. I let Meng Huo's pike unit to hang back since Spears are perfect counters to Cavalry while Cavalry deals more damage to Pikemen. Mulo Dousi incinerated Ma Dai's unit before Zhu Rong opened up with a special Spear tactic: Rush that gives her a chance to 'Confuse'. 'Confused' effect from Rush is not resisted by Indomitable. What's more using Spears against Cavalry increases the damage dealt, double bonus for us. A confused unit cannot retaliate nor move for a few turns. Meng Huo gleefully charged in with 14,000 pikemen. The Shu invasion collapsed almost immediately as Ma Dai was captured and his unit completely destroyed. Wei Yan took a beating but managed to escape capture much to my displeasure, at least I've got his deputy, Huo Yi captured.
Ma Dai's too old to be considered potential marry-in candidate, but his stats are excellent, slightly above Wang Ping. He is a Cavalry specialist, something we don't have yet in our army but his Indomitable Skill is perfect for Deputy slot on our low INT warlords. It'll take a few months of imprisonment before he joins us. But I'm a patient man.
Huo Yi on the other hand is still in his prime. 23 years old but his statistics screams of 'HI I AM AVERAGE'. A rating on Pikes, Weaponry and Bows is very desirable and Indomitable Skill is icing on the cake, will work on getting him to work with us.
Shu's misfortunes continued to pile upon them. They've lost Chang An to Wei and now their northern stronghold of Han Zhong is completely isolated. Han Zhong is directly to the north of Zi Tong, our newly captured town.
The trek from Zi Tong to Han Zhong would require us to march past treacherous terrain that causes losses to our troops from 'accidents'.
To traverse such terrain tiles safely we need to research Adept March technology. It's a tier 2 command that will cost us 2000 Tech Points, something we don't have yet.
So I have to pass up on the opportunity to capture Han Zhong to the Wei Kingdom, who spared no effort by sending 2 battering rams and 1 flame tower from north west!
Shu's getting pummeled bad and I know i'm next on Cao Pi's hit list. I need to prepare Zi Tong's defenses.
But first, let's settle matters at Jiang Zhou.
Before that, we've added another ex-Shu officer into our personnel. Li Feng decided to join us after months in captivity. He's a simple average lad with no eye opener stat, but his skill caught my eye.
Transport, increase the movement speed of transported goods on land route. I gave him supply chain missions and was shocked to learn he could travel 30% faster than the others. I made him a permanent officer on the Jian Ning supply pipeline. No point sending a fed ex deliveryman to battle. We need people like these on infrastructures.
And we're back on the offensive once more towards Jiang Zhou. Their garrison forces are down to 18,000 and we certainly won't have any problems tackling it. The only priority is to minimize casualty with Wei Yan there, we could lose a few thousand men before he is dealt with. I pondered my options as Wu Tugu's pikeman and Zhu Bao's flame tower unit face off with 7,000 spearmen led by Wei Yan outside Jiang Zhou. Then Wu Tugu had an idea. It was a simple one.
The troops stood aside as their officer rode past each other. Trading the first blow, both seemed unhurt as they turned and rode side by side with their spears drawn. The gallops of both horses occasionally broken with the clash of two metals at each other.
Wu Tugu knew the Shu general had a slight advantage and assumed a defensive posture to buy time. Wei Yan wastes no time and landed the first hit, growling in delight.
'The Battle's just started', Tugu grunted as he clenched his spear, parrying a few more blows. He took quite a number of hits and Wei Yan seem to gain the upper hand.
Then out of the corner of his eyes he spotted his deputy Bao Sanniang rushing to his aid.
Sanniang's quick entry surprised Wei Yan and the deputy struck a few quick blows before assuming an attacking posture, intending to finish Wei Yan off quickly. She raised her spear intending to deliver a fierce series of blows but was surprised when she struck someone else instead!
Ma Dai lead his Cavalry in a silly blind charge ahead of Wei Yan's Spearmen. I let Meng Huo's pike unit to hang back since Spears are perfect counters to Cavalry while Cavalry deals more damage to Pikemen. Mulo Dousi incinerated Ma Dai's unit before Zhu Rong opened up with a special Spear tactic: Rush that gives her a chance to 'Confuse'. 'Confused' effect from Rush is not resisted by Indomitable. What's more using Spears against Cavalry increases the damage dealt, double bonus for us. A confused unit cannot retaliate nor move for a few turns. Meng Huo gleefully charged in with 14,000 pikemen. The Shu invasion collapsed almost immediately as Ma Dai was captured and his unit completely destroyed. Wei Yan took a beating but managed to escape capture much to my displeasure, at least I've got his deputy, Huo Yi captured.
Ma Dai's too old to be considered potential marry-in candidate, but his stats are excellent, slightly above Wang Ping. He is a Cavalry specialist, something we don't have yet in our army but his Indomitable Skill is perfect for Deputy slot on our low INT warlords. It'll take a few months of imprisonment before he joins us. But I'm a patient man.
Huo Yi on the other hand is still in his prime. 23 years old but his statistics screams of 'HI I AM AVERAGE'. A rating on Pikes, Weaponry and Bows is very desirable and Indomitable Skill is icing on the cake, will work on getting him to work with us.
Shu's misfortunes continued to pile upon them. They've lost Chang An to Wei and now their northern stronghold of Han Zhong is completely isolated. Han Zhong is directly to the north of Zi Tong, our newly captured town.
The trek from Zi Tong to Han Zhong would require us to march past treacherous terrain that causes losses to our troops from 'accidents'.
To traverse such terrain tiles safely we need to research Adept March technology. It's a tier 2 command that will cost us 2000 Tech Points, something we don't have yet.
So I have to pass up on the opportunity to capture Han Zhong to the Wei Kingdom, who spared no effort by sending 2 battering rams and 1 flame tower from north west!
Shu's getting pummeled bad and I know i'm next on Cao Pi's hit list. I need to prepare Zi Tong's defenses.
But first, let's settle matters at Jiang Zhou.
Before that, we've added another ex-Shu officer into our personnel. Li Feng decided to join us after months in captivity. He's a simple average lad with no eye opener stat, but his skill caught my eye.
Transport, increase the movement speed of transported goods on land route. I gave him supply chain missions and was shocked to learn he could travel 30% faster than the others. I made him a permanent officer on the Jian Ning supply pipeline. No point sending a fed ex deliveryman to battle. We need people like these on infrastructures.And we're back on the offensive once more towards Jiang Zhou. Their garrison forces are down to 18,000 and we certainly won't have any problems tackling it. The only priority is to minimize casualty with Wei Yan there, we could lose a few thousand men before he is dealt with. I pondered my options as Wu Tugu's pikeman and Zhu Bao's flame tower unit face off with 7,000 spearmen led by Wei Yan outside Jiang Zhou. Then Wu Tugu had an idea. It was a simple one.
The troops stood aside as their officer rode past each other. Trading the first blow, both seemed unhurt as they turned and rode side by side with their spears drawn. The gallops of both horses occasionally broken with the clash of two metals at each other.
Wu Tugu knew the Shu general had a slight advantage and assumed a defensive posture to buy time. Wei Yan wastes no time and landed the first hit, growling in delight.'The Battle's just started', Tugu grunted as he clenched his spear, parrying a few more blows. He took quite a number of hits and Wei Yan seem to gain the upper hand.
Then out of the corner of his eyes he spotted his deputy Bao Sanniang rushing to his aid.
Sanniang's quick entry surprised Wei Yan and the deputy struck a few quick blows before assuming an attacking posture, intending to finish Wei Yan off quickly. She raised her spear intending to deliver a fierce series of blows but was surprised when she struck someone else instead!
Xiang Chong, Wei Yan's deputy jumped in the last minute and took the blows meant for Wei Yan. Just as Sanniang was gaining the upper hand, another twist came into the duel.
Hua Man couldn't wait for her turn and hopped into the fight, pressuring the already overwhelmed Xiang Chong. She too, was too skilled for Xiang Chong. Being beaten not once but twice by women in a day is starting to make him crack.
The Nan Man princess grinned as her male opponent start to peel away from the fight, she lined up another thrust at his side before a thunderous shout made her head turn.
Wei Yan's deputy acknowledged his request and rode away. Wei Yan lined up next to her and delivered repeated thrusts that struck her left side.
'Princess, be careful!!', Wu Tugu shouted as he rode closer to the dueling pair, but Hua Man paid him no heed and twirled her spear with blinding speed before delivering a savage blow on Wei Yan's shoulder. Wei Yan grimaced and went into a blind rage.
UWARRRRGHHHHHHHHHH!!! WEI YAN SMASH! It left him wide open, and Hua Man lines her spear for the finishing blow before Wei Yan's second deputy, Zhang Yi intervened.
"I am your opponent, woman!", Zhang Yi shouted. Hua Man does not have enough strength left and relented to Wu Tugu's repeated calls for her to withdraw.
"Curse you, Barbarian!" Zhang Yi shouted as Wu Tugu's defense proved to be superior. His attacks are easily parried, the gap between their skills is too large. But why is Tugu holding back? A familiar voice answered that question.
Wei Yan returned into the fray, still carrying heavy wounds. Tugu knew it's time to finish this. The opponent is on his last ounce of stamina, one good hit will settle this.
He raised his spear into the air, and swung it like cyclone, raising dust clouds as his steed gallops on the plains. His eyes scanned the faces of his soldiers that he and his opponents rode past, their fists clenched on their weapons, willing their leader to emerge victorious, some shouting themselves hoarse. He thought of the villagers of Nan Man, the people of Shu who regarded them as nothing more than mindless Barbarians, and how Meng Huo promised greatness far beyond the cave villages he used to lead as a chieftain. Then he knew he is ready.
"Don't even dream you'll be able to withstand this!"Tugu bellowed as he swung his spear, every muscle on his arm willing it to strike on one target. Wei Yan thought he saw an opening and raised his spear to swing it downwards only to feel a dulling pain on his right shoulder right before he fell off his horse.
There was a loud thud and a long pause of silence as Wu Tugu pointed the tip of his spear at Wei Yan's throat. The Nan Man army let off a cheer as the Shu officers had to control hundreds of their men who are fleeing in terror.Jiang Zhou has lost its fiercest defender.
End of Chapter 4
End of Chapter 4
Wei Yan is an extremely dangerous opponent to take on head on in battlefield. Having 50% chance to attack twice per round is ridiculous. Any units except Weaponry will benefit from his Chain Attack skill. Defeating an enemy officer in a duel will disband a unit if he is the only leader of the unit, but since this unit has two other deputy, they will take over their leader duties, but will not be as dangerous as before.
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