Xu Chang Gates

[Sun Ce]

The gates of Xu Chang stand on the north, south, east, and west walls.

[Zuo Ci]

Zuo Ci arrived at the southern gate, and handed the gurad a peice of paper.

"I come with orders from Guo Jia. When Sun Jian arrives, bring him and his entourage to the left sidechamber, beyond the courtroom. Be gentle with him, kind, and agreeable. See that he has food and wine, and that his men are treated likewise. Have our men set up the finest mats for them all, and keep all others away. Do not leave him or his men unattended at any time. Is that understood?"

The paper contained a message, written in Guo Jia's hand, with the exact same explicit instructions, and even had Guo's seal. The guard nodded and began sending his men to make sure the orders were followed. Content, Zuo Ci returned to his private quarters.

[Sun Jian]

The great Wu army finally rolled into sight, man after man of made his steps towards the capital. Trampling the ground at they went, they slowly approched the gates. Sun Ce was at the lead of the army, and as Sun Jian caught his first sight of the city he made his way to the head of the army to meet with his son. He mad many men to pass, as he did so he wondered if perhaps they were a little over prepared, but no the capital would be fine.
The Wu army consisted of:

2000 Mounted Lancers
3000 Skirmishers
1000 Bowmen
1000 Spearmen
3000 Light swordsmen

Along with the personal armies of the generals they had with them, these shouldn't be needed - but in Sun Jian's experiance you always recieved a more honest opinion of a current enemy if your army is on his doorstep. Sun Jian passed Er Aorong, this was the man he was counting on the keep watch over Sun Ce, though to be honest it was not like he needed it. As he finally rode into earshot Sun Jian addressed his son.

Sun Ce, we have arrived!, I shall go inside with my own personal unit - I want you to keep an eye on the main army here. Set up camp as close to the gate as they will allow, we shall be staying the night at the very least.

Sun Jian then turned and bellowed up at the gate house,

"Sun Jian the lord of Wu has arrived!, open your gates and let us meet with Guo Jia, he is expecting us...."

[Zuo Ci]

The guards looked at each other, sharing a look of shock, and fear. They had not expected such a large army to accompany Sun Jian. They knew that the men standing along the wall above them would not be able to help them, should the Wu forces charge them. never the less, the guard who had spoken with Zuo Ci stepped forward.

"Guo Jia extends his welcome to you, his honored guest. He humbly requests that you and your... close entourage... come with me." Have finished, he whispered to his fellow guardsmen to bring more footmen down to help keep an eye on Sun Jian and his men, as well as to clear the way to the sidechamber. He turned back to face the mass of red, and he wondered just how many people would step forward with Sun Jian...

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian took one last look back at Sun Ce, then ventured towards the gate. His personal unit would be accompanying him - still this was only 750 swordsmen, however once they reached the palace he intended to take only 50 men inside with him....again all just precautions....hopefully. Leaving Sun Ce and his army behind him Sun Jian entered the city and made his way to the palace.

[Zuo Ci]

The guard led Sun Jian and his 50 swordsmen down a series of halls towards the side chamber, just as Zuo Ci had told him to do. The other guard had made sure to clear the way, and as Sun Jian's men made it down the hall, the two guards were joined by more at each door. The constant increase in guards was obviously shaking the confidence of a few of the Wu soldiers...

<Good> thought the guard <Let them feel the fear that Wei imposes. Let them wonder, helplessly, what it would mean for them if we did decide to kill them...>

He smirked as he opened the door to the chamberroom. A long, low table had been set, with fine kashmir mets set down for each man. There was fine wine and food on the table, and the guard motioned for Jian to led his men in.

[Er Aorong]

The force had arrived at the large gates of Xu Chang and halted the advance. Sun Jian had ordered them to set up camp and Er ordered his men to station themselves at the edge closest to the city to be a small, yet effective barrier between their army and the cities defense force, in case things went sour . He still had his six men assigned to guard Ce ferociously around him as vigilant as could be. Er sat atop his horse a few feet in front of Ce himself staring at the walls before him, wondering what was going on behind them. As he stared up at the top of it he noticed a crow perched on the wall and noted how quiet it was here, too quiet.

[Sun Ce]

*Sun Ce was one of the first to see Xu Chang, and he shared a gasp of awe with many others. The gates were astounding, standing above them with such glory. When the gates opened he glanced into the city, seeing such a small amount, but that was enough to tell him how the rest was. Xu Chang was one of the greatest cities in China, and he now knew why.*

*Sun Ce sighed, remembering their duties, and waved his father off as he left into the city. His head lowered, and he shook his head. A few moments later, he arose, and rode over to Er Aorong and Xilai Shao. Looking at them both eye to eye, he spoke to them depressingly.*

"By tomorrow, we shall find Wu in a grave state..."

*He dismounted, Zhi Liang following close behind, a shoulder or two away, Chrysamere strapped to his back. He gave orders to set up camp, and began helping the construction himself, as was Shao and Liang. By the time it was done, it was beginning to chill in the air, so they set up a fire in the center. The gates were in view, and Ce could shout to them and recieve a reply, as the camp was set up very close. For the past three days Sun Ce had a rotten feeling in his stomach. Now, more then ever.*

[Zuo Ci]

Zuo Ci stepped out of the gates, and walked directly towards Sun Ce. As Sun Ce's guards moved to stop him, Zuo Ci called out to Sun Ce.

"Sun Ce, oh lad; You may want to stop building this camp and ready your men!"

Sun Ce looked increduiously at the old man, but that rotten feeling in his stomach had returned...

"Guo Jia has tricked you and your father. Jian needs your help! Wei has betrayed you!"

[Sun Ce]

~Sun Ce’s Strike~

*Sun Ce rose to his feet upon seeing this man, whom he did not recognize. He looked like a middle-class civilian. He began wlaking towards the gates, giving a dumbfounded look at the man as he spoke. “Guo Jia has tricked you and your father. Jian needs your help! Wei has betrayed you!” The man spoke. Sun Ce had this feeling, and he knew he should not have pushed it back every time it was brought up. Now, his father was stuck in the middle of a ploy against him. He turned, The Fire of Wu burning in his eyes.*

“That bastard! My men, drop your firewood and pick up your swords! We’ve been betrayed!”

*Sun Ce ran by the campfire, taking provisions for his men and throwing them aside, bringing them to their feet forcefully. Sun Ce showed he was in disarray, and his men scrambled for their own camps with little organization. In about a minute, Sun Ce was on his horse, his spear in his hand and his sword sheathed at his side. Zhi Liang had his sword across his lap, and Xilai Shao was ready aswell. Sun Ce looked to Er Aorong, and waved his fingers, ordering him to charge at his own pace.*

“Soldiers of Wu! We have fallen prey to the Hero of Chaos, so we must strike fast. The Sun family itself is in danger! My father is trapped, and we have a ways to go before we can rescue him. At full speed, charge into the city!”

*Sun Ce held his spear high, thrusting it in the air with a shout as he kicked his horse. He charged into the city, being the first to enter. Soldiers swarmed to his left and right, but Ce did not slow his pace, cutting them down left and right while he looked towards the castle in the sunset. Zhi Liang struggled to keep up, but he managed, holding out his sword to lob off heads when he had the chance. Xilai Shao was back, leading the cavalry into the city, breaking off to the east and west, killing all who littered the streets. They were causing havoc in the city, as the majority of the army was heading to support Sun Ce at the castle. Sun Ce himself was almost at the courtyard.*

“Guo Jia! Come out and meet your fate!”

*Blood was burning within. He thought he was being betrayed. Wu’s entire army thought their general was in danger because Guo Jia’s wit. Wei was now thinking they were being betrayed, Guo Jia believing Sun Jian had ordered Ce to attack. Indeed, both armies were fooled, but neither had the slightest clue. Sun Ce was fighting in the courtyard, thrusting all around, taking down men at every turn. His adrenaline masked his feelings, and his loyalty to his father covered over his sense.*

[Zuo Ci]

As the Wu soldiers ran off to do their bloody work, Zuo Ci couldn't help letting out a sigh. Sun Jian, as he had hoped, might live. However, Sun Ce was too rash.... to given to emotion. Zuo Ci decided that he would have to wait until Ce had grown older before he gave him a true consideration. Once all of the Wu soldiers were past him, he casually melted away with a puff of feathers, and then flew into the air as a crane. He watched the ensuing battle briefly, but seeing so much wasted life made him sad. He decided to heard to the other end of china. He fly towards the Northwest, wondering who he could turn to next...

[Zhang Yuan]

WAR HORN!!

From the south, with red banners flying high, is a Wu army under the command of Zhang Yuan. The young warrior was a new recruit in the forces of Wu and eager to prove his worth.

"Halt!"

Like the flawless mechanics of the time period's greatest inventions, the army of the Rising Phoenix forms up. The men halt, spears are set forward, then up to the heavens, and finally butt down into the ground with a loud thud. The shock wave reveberates through the ground sending small creatures running in all directions. Seven hundred and fifty men stand at attention waiting anxiously for the words of their glorious leader.

The glowing yellow bird upon Zhang Yuan's personal banner flutters in the wind as he and his carrier ride across the frontline.

"You have all been loyal to me and for that i am thankful!" he yells out to his brave soldiers.

Shadow kicks and snorts as its master pulls the reigns; the beast eager to trample the enemies of Wu.

"Now i ask you to show the same respect to our knew leader, Lord Sun Jian of Wu!"

SHING!!

Zhang Yuan unsheathes his twin blades, harnessed to his back, and raises the weapon in his right hand to the sky.

"For honor!!"

The young warrior pumps his weapon up and down rallying his troops behind him. The men cry out to their fearless champion who again raises his right sword.

"And glory!!"

Shadow kicks back and lets out a blood chilling neigh which would cause the weaker of enemies to most likely soil their pants. The black war steed races forward with a group of yelling spearmen.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The army moves toward Sun Ce's position in the south.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The small army moves with haste across the southern plains heading for the gate which they hope is open.

"Sun Ce!"

Zhang Yuan rides over to the warrior clad in unique armor with the aura of a leader, no doubt.

"I have come to offer assistance" he says smashing his gauntlet into his other palm; that is, after re-sheathing his weapons.

Yuan looks around to see the men become worried and he looks around for the elder known as Sun Jian.

"Where is Lord Jian?"

[Sun Ce]

Seperate thread's for the battle, now. Go help Xilai Shao.