Post by Sam on Feb 3, 2011 21:00:06 GMT
Preparing the Mighty Host
It was almost time, weeks until the march. Lord Cao's proclamation had been sped off to the four corners of the country, his intentions were made known to the warlords. They knew this battle would change the flow of warfare, for he who controls the Emperor, controls the feudal lords. Cheng Qi, the new advisor of Cao knew this more than anyone, it was why he boldly spurred his Lord on to march on Li Jue and Guo Si in their first meeting.
Atop a raised command platform in the Xuchang training grounds, a couple of li north of the city Cheng stood arms folded, a flag bearing the word command (挥) in his hand. He stood with his eyes closed against the gentle breeze, which massaged his closed eye lids pleasantly, he felt soothed for a man who was - he opened his eyes suddenly and there stood a host of eighteen thousand armed soldiers of Wei. thirty-six thousand eyes looking in his direction; thirty-six thousand ears awaiting his words.
Surveying the vast multitudes in tight companies of five-hundred men, twenty-five by twenty men in each, like a blanket covering the grassy plain before him. Running his eyes along the army Cheng felt alive, he was finally in a position of command.
Command he thought, he looked down at the flag, fluttering gently in his left hand, bearing the word. Smiling to himself he unfolded his arms and with his right hand unsheathed his sword and thrusted it into the sweet air. Shouts erupted all round that could shake the foundations of any city within viewing distance, luckily for Xuchang, it was just over the horizon behind Cheng, but no doubt the city could hear the shouts of it's warriors faintly in the sky.
Cheng swung his flag in an inwards arc toward his sword letting it stop pointing down towards the earth, then men orderly switched ranks with a vast thunderstorm of armour and weaponry. Forming a vast circle of spears and shields, inside of which was a multitude of bowmen, ringing around a boulder of cavalry. To the north, south, east and west were passages wide enough for the cavalry to pour out in pairs.
Cheng nodded gratified, then raising the flag directly upwards, the cavalry bore out of the passages like a undammed tide, forming four companies in each of the general directions. With an horizontal sweep of the flag, the infantry bore back into a vast block of man and metal, in which the cavalry joined at either end.
Cheng sheathed his blade and handing the shortened flag pole to a nearby guard, clapped his hands exclaiming "Great." The soldiers let out a cheer but a swift hand motion from Cheng silenced them, and the cheers soon died down.
Cheng then began in a powerful voice, "Soon, we shall march in the name of justice and honour, westward to challenge rebel rule." Cheng took a brief pause allowing for his words to rings in the open. "We march to free the Emperor, to relieve him of his pains and bear him back to the land within the passes. Hear men of Wei! Servants of Lords Cao! The Declaration of War!" The men listened intently as Cheng Qi took from deep within his right sleeve the scroll bearing the words of war.
He did not unroll it however but from memory recited the Declaration word for word, those hearing it for the first time wept for the injustices of their families and friends, who have been lost in the recent years of turmoil.
"...Let no loyal warrior under the blessing and favour of the Dynasty hinder our cause and incur the wrath of heaven. Let this proclaimation under orders of Lord Cao, circulate the realm and put all loyal hearts and minds to rest..." Cheng cast the scroll into the air and it struck the ground at the base of the command platform, "Let heaven and earth bear witness, as we avenge those who have fallen to these traitors blood soaked blades. Now is the time to dirty ours with theirs, now is our time!"
All raised their weapons and yelled in unity for a good time, then Cheng finished his speech, "Unfortunately not all those present will stand united in body in battle, our lord's disposition has yet to be made, but let you all stand united in mind, heart and spirit!" The army burst into battle cries and support for the words again. War was not upon the men of Wei this time, war was to be upon Li Jue and Guo Si, for nothing will save their necks this time. Lord Cao was not going to fail like Wang Yun.
