Chapter 1: Continued

The Siege of Ru Nan

Commander: Wen Lun | Sub-Officers: Wen Shao | Troops: 10,000 Cavalry | 

General: Meng Rui | Sub-Officers: Wen Xiang | Troops: 6000 Spears

Officer: Wen Qian | Sub-Officers: None | Troops: 6,000 Spears

Officer: Liao Hua | Sub-Officers: None | Troops: 5,000 Pikes

Officer: Hua Yu | Sub-Officers: Liu Jia | Troops: 6,000 Bows

Wen Lun rode ahead of his army, at the head of his cavalry, with his brother at his side, "This is where we make our first step dear brother.

Wen Shao nodded, "Yes, brother, my Lord Wen Lun. This will be only our first step."

Wen Lun's unit of cavalry was to be the vanguard of the army. The main army, consisting of Wen Qian's spearmen, Liao Hua's pikemen, and Hua Yu's archers, led the main bulk of their forces, while Meng Rui brought up the rearguard with more spearmen. The army made its way towards the mountains that lay in between Ru Nan and Xin Ye. It was a thin pass, and Wen knew that only one of their units could fit through at a time. 

He had hoped that the army could have gotten through fast enough, but Yuan Shu had excellent scouts, and a detachment from Ru Nan had already begun up the pass itself, led by Yue Jiu. 

As the battle in the pass began, Qian rushed ahead of his father to meet the enemy’s cavalry, but instead, met more spearmen in return.  Qian laughed loudly, “Is there anyone who will face me?” But Pei Yuanshao, the leader of Yuan Shu’s spearmen, shirked away scared. Wen Qian laughed hysterically, “Such a coward for a general! You shall all perish to his dishonor!” And the spearmen charged. Spies placed earlier by Wen Shao, who stood behind the spearmen with the cavalry, swept confusion with false orders through Pei’s ranks.

“Brother, we should send the rest of our forces around this pass; otherwise we waste too much time.” Wen Shao said to his brother. Wen Lun nodded his helmet under his arm and his hand resting on his blade, “Me and my son can easily deal with this rabble. Send word to Meng Rui, he shall lead them in the side attack.”

-----

The forces of Wen Lun fought eastward, but those who remained behind in Xin Ye were not idle. Wen Chun and Mu Mu went forward, looking for generals to join them, and found Gong Du and Zhou Cang, both ex-Yellow Turbans and warriors. They replenished the numbers of the men that went off to war, and began once again the production of weapons and such. They could not leave themselves without protection for too long. Li Jue was not the most honorable of men.

----

Wen Qian had swept aside the Pei Yuanshao’s forces as if they were nothing. No causalities this time, but then he saw the pikemen that lay beyond. He knew he didn’t want to bring his spearmen face to face with those pikemen in this pass. He didn’t need too. His father’s cavalry rushed forward, pushing back Wen Qian’s forces, and Wen Lun’s cavalry charged head on into Chen Ji’s pikemen, crushing their numbers immediately. Despite the onslaught that Wen Lun was giving, half of his army marched unopposed north of Ru Nan, and made their way to the city.

Wen Lun easily dealt with the rest of Chen Ji’s pikemen, and once more Wen Qian charged forward to meet Yue Jie’s cavalry. But as the bulk of Ru Nan’s army was off in the pass, Meng Rui and his half of the army arrived at Run Nan’s walls. Pei Yuanshao, who had escaped earlier, pulled together a meek force of pikemen and sallied forth to bring the fight, but to no avail. He was swept aside by his a fellow ex-Yellow Turban Liao Hua, and Hua Yu and Meng Rui made their way to besiege the walls.

Wen Qian wiped out Yue Jie’s cavalry, and the main of Yuan Shu’s army was gone. Only a handful of archers and pikemen remained in Lun and Qian’s way, these were soon wiped out, and they soon joined the siege of Ru Nan. During the siege, however, Hua Yu took an arrow through the neck, killing her instantly. Liu Jia took up command and rushed forward, eager to avenge her dear friend. The siege lasted only a few weeks, for when Wen Lun joined the siege, the walls and the defenders could do nothing. No help came for them. And Ru Nan was lost to Wen Lun.

Chapter 1

Before the Storm 

“We should worry more about Li Jue than Liu Biao. Jue may not be the smartest, but at least he has a backbone. Biao is soft and won’t move against us.” Admiral Yao Huan said.  The war council was underway, “Let us watch our northern borders. In return, I hear Shang Yong doesn’t have its allegiance with anyone yet. Perhaps we should move in, take it, and fortify our position, having a stronger presence in the river.”  Yao was one of the younger men at the council, but his weather beaten face and scared arms showed him a man who went through much peril. His eye patch hid a ghastly wound in which he received at sea many years ago.

Wen Chun smiled and shook his head, “No Admiral Yao, you must understand the position that Liu Biao is in. His has much strength in his positioning. Now with Sun Ce amassing an army, he may move to secure his lands by coming north or going south. He is not a smart man, but he isn’t the man to just sit idly either.  He will move.”

“Alas, I doubt Lord Wen’s father-in-law will be hostile” Wen Shao, Lun’s younger brother and chief strategist began, “Let us not forget about Yuan Shu. That man has taken the Imperial Seal, I am told, in exchange for those troops to Sun Ce. How Sun Ce came across the imperial seal I shall never know. He’s a man with great ambition. I would take much care.”

No matter what it seemed, there was to be enemies, which was all clear to Wen Lun. He nodded several times before speaking, his green eyes looking at the faces around him, “I agree with the first course of action set forth by Admiral Yao. The fact that Shang Yong has no allegiances yet is great for us. However, we need my father-in-law to be at our backs. Father, do you both still believe you are friends?”

Chun smiled and nodded, admiring the way his son thought, “He wished me to sup with him in the next month.”

“Good, let us expand westward, take Shang Yong, and cement an alliance between us. That will be our first course of action. Has your sister left yet?” Wen Lun asked his son, Wen Qian.

His son nodded, “She left last night father. Why is it that we want this Huan Jie so bad anyway?”

“We want Huan Jie, for his skills in governing, and for no one else to have him. He could be of great use to us. Now, let us begin preparation for battle. While we are at it, I heard the loyalties of Yuan Shu’s officers aren’t what they should be. Let us see if we can steal some from them. And Li Jue’s while we are at it. We are sure to come to blows with them anyway.”

---

And like that, Wen Lun started his conquest. Months passed by as he raised his troops and forged an alliance with Liu Biao, who graciously accepted to an alliance. Huan Jie, was swayed over not by Wen Xiang as originally intended, but was visited by Wen Chun a week later, who persuaded him to join him, against all other offers.  Yuan Shu foolishly proclaimed himself Emperor of the Cheng, an many began to mobilize against this usurper.  Liao Hua, an ex-Yellow Turban commander and warrior, was recruited by Meng Rui, Wen Lun’s Infantry commander, and the strength of Wen Lun only grew.

-----

The night was young and Lun stood overlooking his balcony, Lady Liu Jia lay quietly in the room. His chest was bare, showing the benefits of his training. He was a fighter, that much was true, and he would rather fight on the front lines then hide in the back. His wife always said that it would be the death of him. He smiled to himself and slid back into the room, kissing his wife sweetly on the cheek he strode from his chambers in a robe and patrolled the governor’s palace.

A quaint place it was, it was devoid of an overbearing luxury, being simple yet refined, as dictated by Lun’s wife, was an attractive place. Quietly he walked through the halls, not making a sound. Guards nodded towards their lord as made his rounds. He often walked through the night when he couldn’t sleep.

As he made his rounds, he stopped by the gate. He smiled at the gate captain and stood by him, “How goes the watch?”

The captain smiled warmly, “It goes well Lord Wen, it’s always a pleasure to see you up here.”

Wen Lun smiled and looked out at the road, “It seems to me as if there is a rider. And it seems urgent.”

The rider moved quickly, on small chestnut horse, lean and cut, a scout’s horse, Wen Lun thought to himself. But the poor beast seemed to be strained. The rider on its back looked rougher. He was caked in mud, his hair swept back behind him in the wind. When he reached the gate he immediately dismounted yelling, “Open the gate, I have news of Shang Yong!”

Wen Lun nodded to the captain and strode down the steps to the gate.  The gate opened and the man stepped in. He seemed taken back when he saw his lord and bowed graciously, “Lord Wen! I was not expecting you so soon! I had no idea you were out. I would have cleaned up first!” The man stammered out.

Wen Lun shook his head, “No worry.  What news of Shang Yong? I planned to march the troops out recently.”

“Your Lord Father-In-Law has taken it for himself!” The man said still catching his breath, “I came to stop you from marching out.”

Damnit! Father was right; Liu Biao still had plans of his own. “Thank you for this information. Clean yourself up and rest, you’ve earned it.” Wen Lun stepped back and shook his head, this wasn’t good at all. His only safe option was now taken from him, and Wan was still out of the picture. He didn’t want to provoke Li Jue. His mind raced with ideas and plans, but he knew he would have to have another war council.

-----

The next day, Wen called his council once more, “My friends, Shang Yong now rests in Liu Biao’s hands, so our first option cannot go as planned.”

Admiral Yao groaned, “Gods damn him! Then north! Let us take Wan!”

Wen Chun shook his head, “That would provoke Li Jue, and possibly even Cao Cao, since he has taken Luo Yang.”

“I agree,” Wen Shao said, fanning himself, his clean shaven face made him look much younger than he was, “If there is to be a fight, let Li Jue and Cao Cao fight. I believe we must strike eastward.”

There was a murmur in the council, “But what of Yuan Shu?” Wen Qian asked, looking at his uncle quizzically.

Wen Shao laughed, “Yuan Shu sealed his own fate when he declared himself emperor, we can use this as a pretense to go to war. Others will join us in this war, you have my word on that. Let us be the first to strike out.”

“We should take Wan! Li Jue will be threatened and fight us. Then we could take Chang An!” Yao said loudly.

“Why? So we can have the emperor?” Shao sneered.

“ENOUGH!” Wen Lun bellowed out, silence soon followed and Wen Lun closed his eyes, “Father, what would you suggest?”

Wen Chun smiled warmly at his son, “I would choose to fight Yuan Shu, as your brother suggested.”

“Yao, I appreciate your counsel, but as my brother and father said, it would be wise for us to not provoke Cao Cao or Li Jue. We will not occupy Wan. However, we shall move east, let us take Ru Nan from the usurper. His men will perish for turning their backs on the Han Empire!” Wen Lun roared at the last few words, “East we shall go!” And east was the way they went. 

Prologue

Wen Lun was a man with ambition. His father, Wen Chun, had little ambition, but rather devoted his life to the people he governed. Not only that, he excelled in managing production, whether it be military or civil. Now, as his father grew older, he knew he had to make his move and soon.

Wen Lun was popular, especially in with the provinces army, in which he was a general in. He held the province together with his leadership skills, and kept himself out of the war. Dong Zhou had  long been a major roadblock to his plans. Quietly, Wen Lun and Wen Chun stayed out of the fighting. Now that Dong Zhou had been murdered, by the hands of his own adopted son, Wen Lun decided to make his move.

It was a late night, when he arrived at his father’s estate. Some one hundred soldiers had followed him. There was many onlookers, why should the military be at their lord’s estate? Wen Lun stood alone quietly waiting for his father to receive him.

“Why have you called me my son? And what of these men?” Wen Chun eyed the soldier’s behind his son with a confused expression. Wen Lun looked down, almost in shame, “Father, my lord Father, I ask you humbly and with all my heart, please step aside. The time is now. The soldiers, the people, they cry out for us ascend into power. Father, my lord Father, will you please allow me to mobilize?”

Wen Chun’s eyes grew cloudy, his face drawn tight. A grim look, for a face so usually full of cheer, it was a queer sight for Lun. There he stood before his father, waiting anxiously, like a child. He loved his father dearly, and he would rather have his blessing.

Chun did not want this to happen. He wanted his family to stay out of the ravages of the realm, but in his heart he knew his son would not relent. He was a good man, at the age of thirty eight, had little to show for it but his life in the military.  Not only that, Chun could sense that in a way, Lun was true. The people wondered why Lord Wen had not stepped up in the turmoil like all others. But Chun was old, fifty nine years came and gone, but Chun never got any younger.

“I agree my son, but I step aside. You should rule us, if this is what you wish.” Wen Chun quietly said.

“But father… I’ll need you by my side?” Wen Lun cried out, touching his father’s arm, “I will need your counsel!”

Wen Chun smiled in a fatherly way, “I am always by your side my son.” And they embraced.

It took only two months to establish Wen Lun as the leader of Xin Ye after his father. The rest of the year was spent in building up an army. Now Wen Lun looked out upon the rest of China, with his ambitions raging. He didn’t need to worry about the warlord Cao Cao or the Renegade Lu Bu, they were caught up in fighting themselves. No, he needed to look against Li Jue and the remnants of Dong Zhuo’s regiment,  Liu Biao and his navy, and to Yuan Shu, another  man with great ambitions.

RTKXI Map - Year 194

The Year 194

Cao Cao - 27 Officers - 31,000 Troops

• Allied with: Yuan Shao
• Hostile with: Lu Bu and Tao Qian

Gongsun Du - 3 Officers - 21,000 Troops

• Allied with: None
• Hostile with: None

Gongsun Zan - 10 Officers - 68,000 Troops

• Allied with: Liu Bei
• Hostile with: Yuan Shao

Kong Rong - 3 Officers - 21,000 Troops

• Allied with: Liu Bei and Tao Qian
• Hostile with: None

Li Jue - 10 Officers - 52,000 Troops

• Allied with: None
• Hostile with: Sun Ce

Liu Bei - 5 Officers - 22,000 Troops

• Allied with: Gongsun Zan, Kong Rong, and Tao Qian
• Hostile with: None

Liu Biao - 19 Officers - 25,000 Troops

• Allied with: None
• Hostile with: Sun Ce and Yuan Shu

Liu Yao - 7 Officers 22,000 Troops

• Allied with: Wang Lang and Yan Baihu
• Hostile with: None

Liu Zhang - 16 Officers - 20,000 Troops

• Allied with: None
• Hostile with: None

Lu Bu - 11 Officers - 35,000 Troops

• Allied with: Zhang Yang
• Hostile with: Cao Cao

Ma Teng - 14 Officers - 34,000 Troops

• Allied with: None
• Hostile with: None

Sun Ce - 14 Officers - 16,000 Troops

• Allied with: Yuan Shu
• Hostile with: Li Jue and Liu Biao

Tao Qian - 8 Officers - 20,000 Troops

• Allied with: Kong Rong and Liu Bei
• Hostile with: Cao Cao 

Wang Lang - 5 Officers - 18,000 Troops

• Allied with: Liu Yao and Yan Baihu
• Hostile with: None

Wen Qian - 10 Officers - 20,000 Troops

• Allied with: None
• Hostile with: None

Yan Baihu - 2 Officers - 20,000 Troops

• Allied with: Liu Yao and Wang Lang
• Hostile with: None

Yuan Shao - 35 Officers - 72,000 Troops

• Allied with: Cao Cao
• Hostile with: Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shu

Yuan Shu - 19 Officers - 59,000 Troops

• Allied with: Sun Ce
• Hostile with: Liu Biao and Yuan Shao

Zhang Lu - 7 Officers - 16,000 Troops

• Allied with: None
• Hostile with: None

Zhang Yang - 4 Officers - 28,000 Troops

• Allied with: Lu Bu
• Hostile with: None

Getting Started

Hey everyone, my name is Monty and I'm here with a new installment of RTKXI Tales. Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is a turn-based-strategy game based in the around the fall of the Han Dynasty around the late 100's and early 200's. In this, I have chosen the Scenario, The Rival Warlords, which is around 194. I have created my own officers, a family actually, and started them off just north of the Liu Biao. The relations I have built into the game itself are, Wen Lun is married to Liu Jia, a created daughter of Liu Biao that I have made, and Wen Lun's daughter, Wen Xiang, is married to Xu Sheng, an original officer of Wu.
First post will be the original map and officer numbers. Enjoy everyone!