The gate is ours. We can now push onward to the west.
Not yet. We should return to Wan for resupply.
Check out the amount of stipend I had to give out. 12,800 gold in all. That is why a single city's income will never suffice.
Food is a non factor. And the expansion of the city adds a new bonus: The Marksman Upgrade.
The best of the archers upgrade - it requires 500 EXP Crossbowmen to be eligible.
Able to fire one tile further, the marksmen is also capable of piercing shots, damaging any unit within the line of fire and going so far as to slaughter even units taking cover behind gates. This effect is still retained when switching to the fearsome Siege Tower.
I've already thought about this game's poor balancing, and simply cannot understand how the Infantry is supposed to sustain a 4-tile ranged attack that could wipe thousands within one turn of concentrated fire, wrecking morale and lives utterly without sustaining a single casualty. But whatever - I could try banning archery and still go for the cheesy fog assault strategy, but that'll just slow us down and not actually force me to re-think.
The Marksmen will be the last thing they'll ever see..
Shall we proceed westwards?
Yes, send a small force to move ahead and construct a camp.
Building a camp is not a bad idea. They serve as mini-fortifications around the map, slowing down advances and therefore more time for defenders to respond. They also give bonuses. Any troops standing by in the camp gains morale while further upgrades adds more defense points and grants passive income bonuses if you control the city nearby. Enemy cities that has its 'battlefield' encroached upon will have their income reduced as well.
Good. Now we can move on towards Chang An.
Guo Jia, will the Yellow Turbans finally make their move?
Quite possibly so. Zhang Liang's cornered in the west - they have no allies. Ma Teng and Dong Zhuo will relish seeing them fall.
Gather the men and let's move out!
Men! Assemble and move out!
Four days later, on the road to Chang An...
My lord! An enemy force has moved in from the north, they are being led by Tian Feng!
Guo Jia, your thoughts?
A last ditch attempt to prevent us from isolating their sovereign since Ji Ling's tiny force has not yet completed construction of the Camp.
Then we'll give him time by routing these fools. Chang An will have to wait.
Men! Lock and load! We're heading into an engagement!
Yes, Sir! Death to all who dares to oppose us!
