Looks like everybody did their work while I was gone.
Let's resume normal business hours...
More spying. And I want more towers.
With that done, it's time to finish my training.
Yes, at higher fame level, you can do quests for items. It's pretty good to devote your time to collect a few items that may help with your skills.
Shang Dang is the third loyalist stronghold that is very close to Luo Yang and He Fei. Another 100k garrison to wipe when the time comes. While far to the west lies their city of Chang An, facing Dong Zhuo's territory.
Let's inspect that city as well, plant a spy network.
What the spy network actually does is give an early warning system whenever they march out for battle - like this one.
This is bigger than last time. If I don't go, they're probably done for.
It's a good thing most of my talented officers have finished their assignments.
Summon the officers to the war council!
At once!
Men! The enemy is once again at the gates of Xu Chang. Our scouts have reported a force of 180,000 have started their siege on Xu Chang.
I'm assembling a relief force to Xu Chang, step forward and receive your command when your name is called upon! Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Man Chong and Ji Ling! Assume command and march!
Commander, it looks like we're not too late.
A hundred seventy thousand corpses to bury.
Guo Jia will be pleased.
Commander, we're in position and ready to deploy.
Xiahou Yuan! BURN!
Oh god, it's those siege towers! Aieeeee!
That fire will spread quickly. If only we have the perfect wind...
That can be arranged.
Fantastic!
He Jin's forces suddenly lost the will to advance, caught by the blaze on the shore, while forward lies the killing field. It was going so well until the siege towers arrive. Even the defenders have rediscovered their courage and started crossing the stream to attack.
A more puzzling development is the sudden shift of wind once the fire started. A deadly coincidence.
As thousands of his troops flee in disarray, he could make out several more thousand flaming barrage incoming. There was no place to run.
Curse the very heavens...
Even the troops that made it to the shore were victims of ambush upon immediately landing.
They didn't fight like this, 6 years ago. Until...
His thoughts were interrupted as the gates burst open and a charge by the defending cavalry routed another unit that made it to the shore.
Fools! Do not stay in the open! BREAK DOWN THE GATES!
This is hopeless! RAAAAARGHHH! Damn you!
Not so fast!
Take him away! Resume ambush positions!
The defenses were impenetrable.
For another week, the attackers threw themselves into the killing fields.
One by one, the Loyalists fled.
Day 19, the last of He Jin's troops were routed.
Once again, Difen, you came to our rescue.
It was part of the plan, Lord Zhang.
Sir, what shall we do with the prisoner?
Zhang He, I don't know what story they've been selling you in Luo Yang, but you should join us.
Very well. Let him go.
Hmm, showing mercy now may backfire later...
A good seed planted in poor soil will never yield a good harvest. He Jin will fail him again and again.
If you say so, Commander. Head count complete, we are ready to return.
Yes, let's.