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Post by Sam on Jun 15, 2011 20:03:57 GMT
"Three and eight run crisscross; a yellow pig meets a tiger. South of the outpost, you will lose a limb." Words from the mouth of the seer Guan Lu and bore from the northern heartland. Since then the Wei forces had lossed ground on the western front, Zhang Fei had won mastery of the southern passes and Zhang He had been outclassed, pushed back to Dingjun. The two veteran generals Huang Zhong and Yan Yan assisted by Fa Zheng had all but defeated the Wei army. They had broken the remnants of Zhang He's army and had seized Mount Tiandang, the main supply depot for the armies of Hanzhong. Things were looking bad for the holdings of the northern kingdom in Hanzhong. The King of Wei, Cao Cao had ahead of his arrival instructed his general Xiahou Yuan to not refrain from, but give battle to the invading Shu forces. Numerous back and forth battles between generals Huanga nd Xiahou had been taking place, as the King made his way personally to the region to drive back Liu Bei's armies. Xiahou Ba had been helping in holding the fort at Dingjun with Zhang He while his father was off giving battle to the enemy general Huang Zhong. He spoke to Zhang He as he waited for his fathers return, "Why did you advise my father against battle, against our lord's wishes?" Zhang He spoke confidently in reply, "Your father underestimates the old general and relies to heavily on his courage. He should have waited for the King." Ba replied irately, "Is it possible that you underestimate my father? We don't need my uncle to beat this old traitor. A defeated general does not hold sway over those that would see to their King's bidding" Ba was quite pissed off at the death of his younger cousin Xiahou De and the injuries another cousin Xiahou Shang had suffered at the hands of the veteran general of Shu. He was in no mood to contemplate whether his father would succeed or not. He would he thought, and he would kill the old one in the process. Zhang He retired in silence at the insult, his recent defeats had shamed him and lost him much respect, but they had taught him not to underestimate Liu Bei's forces, no longer was the Imperial Uncle a push over. Xiahou Ba gazed out of the fortifications waiting for the sign of Wei banners returning triumphant. He was hopeful, yet a shadow lay over him, blanketting his heart in unease. * * * "Come down and fight you old bastard!"((Permission given to Hansheng to godmod Xiahou Yuan, don't make him look like too easy an opponent though.))
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Post by Huang Zhong on Jun 15, 2011 20:59:27 GMT
I will come down when I see fit! Hansheng said. Then pulled a arrrow out a and pulled it out, then loaded his bow and pulled back and shoots it to Xiahou Yuan.
It bareley misses and hits one of Yuan's liutenants between the eyes. Seems my aim is a bit off.said Hansheng.the nerve of that young'un, calling me old. Hansheng turns around then walks away from the archers perch. and meets with a liutenant.We are to attack when Fa Zheng raises his red flag. said the liutenant.
You here that men! We attack when Lord Zheng raises the flag. said Hansheng. Yes,Sir! said the men.
Fa Zheng had seen that Xiahou Yuan's men where tired and dispirated. So he raised the red flag.
The flag hs been raised, Charge men!Hansheng Exclaimed. Before hopping on his horse and charging down the moutain followed by his men.
Watch out! Said another Wei Liutenant. Yuan saw the arrow at the last second as it hit his liutenant right in the throat.The old man!said Yuan. before pulling his bow out and firing at the charging Hansheng.
Hansheng moved his horse dodging the arrow. before firing at Yuan. Yuan dodged with his horse in the same manner Hansheng did. Before pulling back his arrow and firing, Hansheng did the same and the arrows hit eachother and bounced off eachother.
Hansheng pulled out his sword and charged Yuan. Yuan pulled his out and they had 50 bouts with neither one gaiing the edge. You'll never beat me you old bag of bones. said Yuan.
At the 100th bout Hansheng instead hits Yuan's wrist. causing him to drop his weapon. Hansheng then followed up by trning around and cutting the horses back leg.Causing Yuan to fall off.
Yuan arised back to his feet, then lifted back his bow and as did Hansheng......
But Yuan's bow had broken! And Hansheng sent the arrow into Yuan's heart. Yuan fell back to the ground. The luck. If only the bow hadn't broken. muttered Yuan. Every time you insulted me, it only served to make me stronger. Hansheng said before riding off.
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Post by Sam on Jun 15, 2011 22:09:58 GMT
Back at camp. The surrounding hills were deathly silent. Xiahou Ba was agitated, he leant uncomfortably against the arch of the gate into the camp. Tapping on the stonework impatiently. His unease had heightened all the more with the silence. That silence was broken with the sound of a crow cawing between the mountains. The fell sound seemed to linger long enough in the warm air long enough for it to annoy Xiahou Ba, who adjusted who adjusted the collar on his tunic beneath his armour. He was feeling unusually agitated. A score of battered troops scurried around the corner of his sight, his head cocked up suddenly interested, but the sense of foreboding in the back of his mind only heightened as they drew closer and closer. There were no mounted troop. Ba gave up the wall and stood of his own accord, he took a few groggy steps forward with a face like stone as the small score of soldiers fell to their knees and crying reported to the gate guards, not noticing Ba's presence. "The general has fallen, we were overrun." The guards panicked not knowing what to do. Xiahou Ba standing close, felt as if stung by a sword thrust, he felt as if he could not breathe for a few moments and fell on his hind in the dirt. He sat there and put his face in a hand as he sobbed quietly taking difficult short breaths. Zhang He just happened to be walking around, surveying the camp when he heard the loud crying from the gate, he rushed out and saw a company of wounded and broken troops, they got up and rushed forward saying "The old one killed the general!" Zhang He was taken aback he couldn't think, he just shouted in shock pointlessly, "What?!" The soldiers begged with repeated vows, "We must avenge the general!" Zhang He was quick to respond to them, with a firm "No. We hold out until the King arrives." Ba had been listening the entire time, he stood up anger taking over his grief his face was covered in tears and his eyes were red, he threw a punch at Zhang who pulled back in desperation, making Ba's fist fall short. Zhang stepped back more as he said desperately, "Woah! Stop!" "Don't you dare say no." Ba stopped his flurry and shouting to the camp, "Muster the men! I'm gonna kill that old fuck!" He turned aggresively to go and get his weapons when Zhang He took a hold of him and restrained him, "No, young master!" Ba struggled in the bear trap of the Wei veteran's arms but to no avail, he screamed in frustration, "Let go of me Zhang!" Zhang reaffirmed his grip around Ba's arms as he shouted, "No, you are not yourself, you cannot rush recklessly to battle." "What choice do I have now let go!" He struggled some more but Zhang He's grip wouldn't give. Ba took up his right foot and with all his force brought his heel down on Zhang's right foot. The general bit his lip to silence the pain as his grip broke and he lifted the foot to try and ease the pain. His thoughts were interrupted with a punch from Xiahou Ba which left him dizzy and falling into the dirt. Ba ran off to the command tent to get his weapons, he reemerged calling for troops, as he approached the stables he was tackled to the ground with a spear. "You cannot throw your life away." It was Zhang He again. Ba screamed out furiously, "Do you want dropped again?!"Xiahou Ba had not realized it, but Zhang had, he had been crying throughout the duration of their fight and his cheeks were reflecting his inner despair. Their quarrel was interrupted by a shout from numerous guard posts, "The Shu forces are here!" The gates were hastily shut without command and archers rushed to the walls of the outpost, preparing to defend against the assault.
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Post by Huang Zhong on Jun 16, 2011 0:47:00 GMT
There commander is slain! There morale is low! Ready the cataplauts, ready the ram crush their forces!Hansheng said. Riding up to the gates.
The siege had begun. Hansheng quickly shot some arrows taking out the archers. Han sheng made sure they where doing their jobs and duties.
Break throught the gates! Toaday we take Hanzhong!Exclaimed Hansheng.
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Post by Sam on Jun 16, 2011 9:36:42 GMT
The sound of war drums beat the hills in which the forward positions of the outpost were situated as the Shu forces arrived. Xiahou Ba and Zhang He's confrontation expired and they shot to their feet as their men mounted the walls in defence. Zhang He the most senior and high ranking general now, in the region shouted "Hold the walls!" As he did a discharge from an enemy catapult swept overhead, silence befell the camp as it soared through the air, and coming down, crashing into an allied watch tower on the flank of the outpost. Zhang He broke the silence, "How the hell did they get their hands on siege weapons?!" He moved quickly towards the wall and the ladder. Upon mounting the wall, two men fell beisde him to arrows, looking out he saw the banners of Huang Zhong. "That old bastard has went too far this time!" To the archers who had swarmed to the walls Zhang He yelled, "Rake them down, send these wild beasts back to Chengdu!" Archers took up their bows and let loose a volley down from the walls onto the approaching enemy ranks. A battering ram emerged from the Shu lines, confusion fell upon Zhang He, "Seriously? How the hell are they doing this?!" He was interrupted by the sound of the gates opening. He shot around and looked down below the wall. It was Xiahou Ba. "What in the name of Cao are you doing?" Atop his steed Ba set his helmet upon his head unconcerned replied sarcastically, "Oh I don't know General. Driving the enemy back? Saving the camp? Avenging my father?! Any of those good enough for you."Zhang replied desperately, "Don't throw your life away we can't beat them when they're so fresh in victory." "What do you expect me to do? Sit here and wait for defeat? Better it come sooner and die in the pursuit of victory."Zhang turned away angrily as Xiahou Ba kicked his horse into motion and sped out of the gate, accompanied by a retinue of armoured cavalry. As he charged all of Ba's emotions took hold, his eyes were all but spent of their tears his face was drenched with his sorrow, but his hatred for Huang Zhong was foremost. He made directly for the command standard, enraged at all that had transpired. His cavalry were in full gallop right towards the enemies foward position, as he raised the blade of his lance outward ready and more than willing to maim some of Shu's finest. He could see the grey of the veteran general's beard as he closed the gap, gritting his teeth, his rage enflared. Crashing his troop into the foremost of Shu's ranks. Leaving the old one's minions to his bloodthirsty guard, Ba swung his lance aiming right for the veteran general's head, depending on the momentum of his steed to rip him from the world of the living.
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Post by Huang Zhong on Jun 16, 2011 12:30:57 GMT
Hansheng saw the man and bravely stood his ground. When BA was almost upon him Huang bent his back backwards seeing the lance go right over his face feeling and hearing the wind from the rush. Before lifting back up, Ouch, My back can't take as much stress as it used to.said Hansheng.your a feisty one aren't you?
Watch out Master Hansheng, that is Xiahou BA the son of the man you just have slain. Said one of Hansheng's liutenants. So that is why you are so angry. said Hansheng.
Do you posses the skills of your father? said Hansheng. You better hope you don't have his luck, his bow broke right before I killed him with an arrow.
Are you as tough as him? Are you young'un? Hansheng said.Do you come here to use your wit and your skills against me.? Or are you just acting out of rage?
Let us see if you are as good as your father? Hansheng said before rushing Ba with his blade.
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Post by Sam on Jun 16, 2011 13:24:13 GMT
The swing gained nothing but the attention of the old man as it swept through the air and utter oblitherated the guard behind him instead as he drew past in the charge. Ba noticed quickly that the old general had avoided the blow, he came to the far side of the Shu fomation and kicked his horse around, swinging his sabre down cross his right side and slaying an enemy foot soldier as he turned. He had no words for the rival general, only wrath. Without replying to Huang Zhong he moved to re-engage his adversary with a flurry of rage at his comments and his cavalry turned at the charge and pressed forward against the Shu rear ranks now, pushing back in and pressing the slaughter. They had lost a considerable amount of men and horses in the first charge, but still their valour could not be tanished as they ripped into the western troops. Ba personally ripped three Shu soldier's with his blade and a few others were smashed against his horse and beaten underfoot, and he headed for the veteran general again. Though in a fit of rage, Xiahou Ba was nothing short of his true martial potential as he raised his sabre once more, set to avenge his father. Ba rode this time to the left of Huang as he aimed for the man's lower back with his sword - the blow backed with sheer hatred. * * * Back in defence, Zhang He had successfully immobilised the battering ram, which had been unsupported by the Shu force as it advanced, occupied with Xiahou Ba's charge and the guards and operatorswere either killed or scattered. Zhang He's archers were raking the flanks of Huang Zhong's troops with volley of archers, keeping them in check while Xiahou Ba wore down the center. Zhang He was watchig Ba pounding relentlessly against the superior numbers of the enemy and his spirits lifted for the time being, but he was still not in a mindset to sally forth himself despite Xiahou Ba's small unit slowly being whittled down.
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Post by Huang Zhong on Jun 16, 2011 13:59:15 GMT
Hansheng was witnessing the power of the Wei forces ripping through his lines. But he also noticed Wei's forces slowly degrading.
Xiahou Ba was fueled with sheer hatread and anger. Hansheng knew he was making a mistake.Hansheng saw that the ram hasd been immoblized.
Hansheng heard the young mans horse galloping and quickly hopped off his horse to evade the attack then followed up by shooting a arrow towards Ba's horse's leg.
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Post by Sam on Jun 16, 2011 14:44:48 GMT
The arrow struck the hind of the horse and it stumbled, Xiahou Ba realized what had happened and kicking away his stirrups, roll off and onto his feet as the wounded animal limped and stumbled forward taking down a couple of Shu soldiers in it's pain. As he rolled off the horse Ba slew another soldier bringing down his lance as he hit the ground. His cavalry retinue carried on the charge for the most part but some held back to defend the young general. Ba brandished his sabre and wielding it with two-hands swung and parried left and right trying to reach Huang Zhong who had also dropped into the massed chaos. All around him seemed hostile, save mounted figures on the horizon of vision who were slowing lessening. The realisation of the situation dawned on Xiahou Ba s he was fighting the seemingly endless multitudes of Shu troops, which appeared to be backing down where he struck. The doubt of his survival fuelled more fires and Ba tried harder to break through. He drove left and met a captain who was pushing his men into the fight, they converged at once as Ba came into view through the mass conflict. The formation was in disarray and the Shu army was worsening in discipline under the combined harrassment of the cavalry and arches in the Dingjun camp. Encircled, Xiahou Ba fought mightily, aiming for the unit command. The captain met him with his sword but was no match, his blade was knocked to the side in a quick exchange and he was knocked out of his senses with a resounding headbutt from Ba's helmetted head. Ba was hard pressed, the troops were closing in on whatever space he had to maneuver, they were simply hemming him into their mass. With precious little time and choice left Ba hurled himself forward, crashing into group of soldiers and knocking them into the dirt, as he rolled over them only to be met by another line. Out of breath, Ba cursed his luck as he hacked away at some more of the Shu troops, but it was becoming more and more of a chore. His exhausted arms started to slow in their strikes. He couldn't break away. * * * "It's no good." commented soldier on the wall, "Young-general Xiahou can't break them." "Oh really!" Cut in Zhang He, "It's like I never said anything!" Zhang was acting out in anxiety. He had lost sight of Xiahou Ba in the fight, and was growing increasingly worried. Against his own will he found himself deciding to help. He took to his horse as he called up a small unit of cavalry and some supporting infantry, some five hundred all told. "Defend the camp well, no one. I repeat, no one gets in or out unless it's either I or the young general." The guards bowed and accepted the order. The gates swung open and the cavalry bolted out to join in the skirmish and save Xiahou Ba, followed by the infantry who lagged behind as the cavalry headed by Zhang He plunged forward. * * * Xiahou Ba was stressed that his arms could not keep up with his thoughts, he was exhasted. Shu soldiers closed in and grappled him holding his back as another went to stab him. As the soldier lunged Ba saw Huang Zhong and with a rushed of adrenaline pushing backwards onto the floor avoided the death blow, dropping his sabre. He jumped back to his in a rush and grabbing his sword rushed past the soldier who lunged, who let him past, shocked. Ba headed straight for the old man and would have reached him if a cavalry charge hadn't cut him off. He cried out in frustration as he lost sight of the elderly general and rushed in the direction of where the cavalry had came from, seeking to make his way back to the outpost. The way was rather easy, the enemy soldiers along the way were generally worse for wear, having been charged by the horses, some were crying out in agony at broken bones, Xiahou Ba let them lie, focussed on his individual flight.
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Post by Huang Zhong on Jun 16, 2011 17:32:57 GMT
The arrrow had stuck and Hansheng lost sight of Ba.Soon after a large rush of calvary and infantry. Hansheng hackedand slashed at the infantry. cutting them down with his blade.
He saw Ba repatly but kept losing sight of the youngster. But never losing focus on hte battle. A infantry swung his sword at him, Hansheng parried it then followed up with a slash on the mans chest. A calvary rushed by him, he cut one steeds leg off then jumped on another pushing the man off.
When he saw Lord Zhang He, the enmy general. He pulled out his bow and shot it towards Zhang He. The arrow wized by his He's head.merley grabbing the attention of the general. Hansheng then pulled out his sword and rushed the general.
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Post by Sam on Jun 16, 2011 20:02:15 GMT
Xiahou Ba had broken out of the massed Shu forces, one half of their formation was utterly destroyed it seemed, corpses and wounded littered the path towards the outpost. Xiahou Ba pushed forward, utterly exhausted, the battle was still raging behind him but he felt as though it was over. The cries of the vanquished choked the area, wounded soldiers of Shu who had fallen in the three charges. Xiahou Ba couldn't care less, he had suffered too much to give them a piece of his mind, he had lost his father, his cousin, and had failed to avenge them, and had failed to drive back the enemy. Coming to the gates, he collapsed exhausted both in mind and body. * * * Zhang He meanwhile had been opening a can of whoop ass on the disorganized Shu army, or so he thought, despite their disarray the Shu forces under Huang Zhong were still formidable enough to put up a fight. Zhang He now found himself surrounded, but he was unfazed. He lashed out with his spear as he rode back and forth against the Shu lines, drawing blood with every swing and thrust, his bodyguard fought bravely and when the infantry arrived things looked up for the Wei army. The infantry slammed into the backs of the Shu troops who were occupied fighting inside their position with the Wei cavalry, Xiahou Ba's retinue was all but wiped out, but Zhang He's was still fresh. Zhang He was just about to all his forces to pull back when an arrow whizzed past his head like a hornet, he turned and saw Huang Zhong on foot. Zhang He didn't waste time engaging he had no heart for a drawn out battle, he only hoped to find Xiahou Ba. As that thought finished, looking back at the camp he saw the gate closing, he assumed Xiahou Ba had made his way back, and shouted to his men, "Break free, back to camp!" The words had hardly left his throat when he spotted dust rising around the bend in the hills. More Shu troops were coming. Hastily he shouted again, "Hurry, break out! Back to camp!" Zhang hadn't the taste for battle anymore, he had brought men down from the camp with the sole intention of rescuing Xiahou Ba. He kicked his horse and burst out of the Shu troops, who had thinned tremendously with the lengthened fighting, but he had no mind to finish them off, especially having seen who was bringing the Shu reinforcements...
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Post by Ma Chao on Jun 16, 2011 20:19:28 GMT
The rising smoke in the near distance was that of Ma Dai, cousin of Ma Chao. He was dispatched to offer aid to Huang Zhong and Yan Yan. His unit was comprised of mostly cavalry and they moved quickly toward the battlefield. Ahead, Ma Dai could see hundreds of dead bodies scattered all over; a mix of blue, green, and lots of red. After a quick scan of the surroundings, Ma Dai could make out the Shu forces engaging and breaking Zhang He's army. The Wei general had called for a retreat, which is why the men broke. However, it mattered little to the Shu soldiers who cheered with excitement. Ma Dai rode over to Huang Zhong and bowed low. The elder general was an elite in Liu Bei's forces and his very presence commanded respect. Zhong had just slain Xiahou Yuan which no not easy task. "General, I am here to offer support and will take the van to give you a rest. That is, if that is alright." Assuming Huang Zhong would not mind, Ma Dai began to give chase. The Wei infantry would be easy targets if they were not offered support soon. The hooves crushed into the ground and into the bodies of Wei men trampled underneath their sheer weight and momentum. "Die, Wei scoundrels!"
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Post by Huang Zhong on Jun 17, 2011 2:32:50 GMT
( hey can we wrap this up by anou 12 or so tommorow because i wont be activer for the weekend)
Hansheng saw Ma Dai and his unit rush in. then Ma Dai decided to go in pursuit. Hansheng then decided to finish off the stragelers.
He shot one in the head with an arrow. Another came out him and he simply sidestepped then decapitated him. Another came and Hansheng simply stabbed him in the heart. He cut down another.
After Hansehng finished, Hansheng hopped on a horse then followed the men.
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Post by Sam on Jun 17, 2011 10:35:51 GMT
When Xiahou Ba's eyes opened the sun was still up and he hastily closed them again to shield himself from the pain of the bright glare. Upon mastering the light he found himself inside the Dingjun outpost being tended by guards. He had a bandaged left arm but it was nothing serious just evidence of contact with a spear that had sheared the tunic on the upper part of his arm and left a rather shallow wound but it had bled quite bad. There was still an ongoing battle outside, the clash of steel and the thunder of hooves filled the distant air. They drew closer. "Open the gate!" The gate to the camp opened and in rode Zhang He which what was left of his cavalry, the infantry were getting ran down by Ma Dai's fresh reinforcements. "Close the gate!" He yelled as he passed the arch and dismounted. Xiahou Ba stood as the senior general dismounted, they both mounted the wall, where the archers were letting loose their ammunition at the advancing Shu forces. "It's no good, we can't hold them. The only thing holding these troops in a desire for revenge, and that will fade when their hope does." "We have more men in defence than Shu do attacking. Why not fight?""And throw their lives away? The Shu army is riding on victory after victory, we can't beat them. What if Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, or Ma Chao's armies join in, I feel Ma Chao is not far since Dai is here? We need to pull back until the King arrives." There was one narrow path of retreat and that was the rear gate which led onto a narrow mountain trail over the lower half of Mount Dingjun and out the otherside, it wouldn't be quick, but it couldn't be blocked yet. "Pull back? It takes a coward to run in the face of inferior numbers!" Zhang He burst out in frustration, "I have the lives of our men to consider! Your personal vendetta will have to wait, plus your injured." Noticing Ba's bandages. Ba looked down at this arm, "This? It's just a flesh wound. We have to fight back."Arrows were flying back and forth, and soldiers were carrying more to the walls from the camp to support the archers, whose quivers were running low in trying to drive back the Shu advance to the gate. "No, we keep strictly to the defence, I won't have it any other way. We fall back to the King when he arrives. Hanzhong is lost." Xiahou Ba cried out in frustration as he left the wall, Zhang was the most senior officer and was most suited to assume command now that Xiahou Yuan was gone, Ba had to accept his orders despite his misgivings. All that his father had fought for, what he died for was about to be undone. Retreating, Xiahou Ba didn't like it one bit. The King must arrive and win back Hanzhong, and avenge his father. Ba resumed his grief and the futility of his attempted revenge, the men he had lost, he sat in the command tent in silent despair. The sound of a battering ram slamming against the gate sounded and the outpost shook. "They're gonna get in!" The vacated battering ram from earlier had been taken up by some other soldiers and was now knocking at the gate, it was useless. They had no anti-siege equipment. Zhang He was desperate, he didn't know what to do. He summoned a swift rider and instructed him to head to Yangping, hopefully where the King was, if he was near, and inform him of all that had happened and to request reinforcements and guidance. The archers above the gate had been directing their fire downwards, focusing on bringing down the ram operators, but it had beaten the gate to splinters already. There was a gaping gap allowing for a single file entry of enemy infantry. Zhang He instructed his troops to defend the gate against enemy entry and kill whoever tried to enter, hopefully they could hold until he received word from the King, if not, they would have to try and attempt a retreat back to Nanzheng or as far as Yangping to regroup. ___ ((Thanks Ryan for joining in. I have an idea how to end this in my next post if necessary, we can continue something else in this subplot some other time no problem. In the meantime make another post each at least and beat the snot out of me this time, break into the camp if necessary, shouldn't be too hard.))
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Post by Ma Chao on Jun 17, 2011 11:51:32 GMT
Ma Dai and his cavalry unit pushed forward, slowly cutting the retreating Wei forces down to size. Arrows were raining down from the walls of the camp and some of Dai's men were hit. One archer had Dai locked in his sight, but he was struck between the eyes by a Huang Zhong arrow!
The gates crashed open and when Ma Dai looked he could see that the Shu soldiers grabbed a ram to destrou the camp entrance.
"Now! Charge!"
Shu soldiers started to pour through the gate like it was a broken dam. Weapons clashed inside the camp as the two forces collided yet again. Ma Dai entered as well and started slaying enemies.
Ma Dai then sent a request to Huang Zhong to try and set fire to camp.
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