#ling qi 196

[me-is-it]

Ling Qi / Spiritpact chapter 196/228

195

[ganbarimaster]

The Campaign of Liu Ji

I started a new playthrough of Romance of the Three Kingdoms 14 the other day, seeking to bring glory to the legacy of imperial ancestor Liu Yao which--given how early into the story he passes away--is really the story of his handsome son Liu Ji (who was in actuality an official under Sun Quan of some success and note). I’ve been trying to write Three Kingdoms AU stuff for a while (including this one Liu Qi story I started) and thought it might be interesting to try and make sense of what happens in my campaign narratively, as the game unfolds. For those interested in such things, the loose/rough bullet point narrative follows under the cut! It’s all big picture stuff for the most part. Heavily inspired by my currently watching the 2010 Three Kingdoms drama. There are some things I’m struggling to explain, such as what happens to Liu Bei and his brothers once they’re consumed by Cao Cao and have no means of escaping to Liu Biao. Open to hear alternative suggestions for how things might make sense!

Liu Yao has a dream, or meets a hermit with a warning about the imminent attack of Sun Ce? Some poem/dream about a tiger cub? He begins to mobilize in response, develops new ideas.

Begins with successful offensive against Yan Baihu commanded by Taishi Ci and by uniting with the resistance forces of local Ling Cao.

Now better prepared, Liu Yao defends successfully against Sun Ce, who recruited Zhou Yu along the way. The Sun family is subsequently driven from Qu’e due to fears that Sun Ce might attack again, and they return to Liujang with Sun Ce in defeat.

Yuan Shu is disappointed with Sun Ce having lost many of the 3000 troops granted, and in his inability to capture any territory, and refuses to return the Imperial Seal. Yuan Shu moves against Sun Ce who tries to defend himself from his position in Liujang, for the sake of his family and under the advice of Zhou Yu. 

Yuan Shu is busy dealing with Sun Ce so doesn’t get involved with Liu Bei/Lu Bu (who are embroiled in a conflict over Xu Province). Cao Cao takes this opportunity to press Yuan Shao while he is fighting Gongsun Zan. (around 195/196) A surprise attacks catches Yuan Shao off-guard—he is struck by an arrow and killed. While the Yuan children are in-fighting for leadership, Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan bring an end to his force before 200AD. Liu Bei joins up with Cao Cao to face imperial traitor Yuan Shu, leaving Xu Province to Lu Bu—which is then captured by Cao Cao. Ma Teng begins attacking Cao Cao from the rear at this time, taking Chang’an, troubling and distracting him for years to come. 

Motivated to expand his forces by the frightening strength of Sun Ce and the various forces expanding north of the river, Liu Yao moves on Wang Lang, who had been financing Yan Baihu, and had sent troops to support him. Wang Lang fled from Liu Yao’s approach, but was intercepted and surrendered—his life is spared upon introducing Liu Yao to Zhuge Jin.

Liu Yao passes away from illness. He commands his son Liu Ji to take over and asks the recently discovered Zhuge Jin to support him.

A large part of the remaining Sun forces, including Zhou Yu, crosses the river with Han Dang and takes Chaisang to try and secure a base away from Yuan Shu and re-take the southlands, but they are quickly surrounded by the forces of Liu Ji. Since the Sun forces are split between fighting Yuan Shu in the north and Liu Ji in the south, Zhou Yu suffers a terrible loss at the hands of Zhang Ying and Chen Heng, under the advisement of Zhuge Jin. Sun Ce’s wife Da Qiao (who is sent to Chaisang with ZY, as it was considered to be safer than Luijang, where the situation was dire) dies in a fire and Zhou Yu kills himself as a result. Hearing of her husband’s suicide, Xiao Qiao attempts to kill herself, but is prevented from doing so. Han Dang returns with their remaining forces to Luijang.

While Sun Ce is being set upon by Yuan Shu, Liu Ji (on the encouragement of Yuan Shu, who struggles to defeat Sun Ce) crosses the Yangtze and helps to remove Sun Ce from Liujang.  Sun Ce is killed fighting in a duel with Taishi Ci, Sun Quan flees north with his mother (also Lu Meng) and both are captured by a desperate Yuan Shu (who is at the time engaged with Cao Cao). Cheng Pu is also captured/killed by Yuan Shu?

Some of Sun Ce’s remaining forces (Huang Gai, Han Dang) join Liu Ji to take on Yuan Shu (with the imperial edict to defeat the false emperor as support) and to rescue Sun Quan. Lu Su also leaves Yuan Shu to join Liu Ji in his campaign. Zhang Zhao agrees to continue his civic duties in the Southlands.

A discussion takes place about the future of the Southlands. Some people talk about following Sun Quan, but his condition is very bad. Many key advisors make a case for continuing to support Liu Ji, as he is an imperial ancestor, and he is very bright, and has one of the only forces capable of taking on Cao Cao. A young Lu Xun joins Liu Ji’s forces and helps to defeat local bandits in the Southlands.

Whilst being pressed by (a distracted) Cao Cao as well as Liu Bei and his brothers, Liu Ji takes the opportunity to rush in and finish Yuan Shu. The situation is very chaotic. Sun Quan’s mother is injured and dies. Sun Quan himself becomes very sick, but Lu Meng is trying desperately to care for him. Liu Ji takes Sun Quan under his care, Lu Meng also joins their force. Yuan Shu kills himself once surrounded by Liu Ji’s forces.

Liu Ji receives an invitation to Jing to meet with fellow imperial ancestor Liu Biao. He travels there with Taishi Ci and is welcomed at first by Liu Qi, Liu Biao’s eldest son, who explains that Liu Biao has been very ill. The invitation was sent by Liu Qi and not his father. Liu Qi explains the situation with treacherous Cai family, their desire for Liu Cong to be their puppet leader of Jing, and asks Liu Ji to visit with his father. Liu Biao is in very bad condition. He invites Liu Ji and Ci to stay overnight. An attempt is made on Liu Ji’s life by Cai Mao’s men in the night, he flees in the night whilst Taishi defends against the assault.

Conflict between Liu Ji and Liu Biao (but really Cai Mao) commences!

That’s where we are now! I think we’re around 204AD? 205?

[me-is-it]

Ling Qi / Spiritpact Chapter 197/229

195/196

[me-is-it]

Ling Qi / Spiritpact 198/230

195/196/197