Xu Jin

The tea tasted pleasent. I raised the cup and inhaled, taking in the scent of ginseng. As I raised the cup to my mouth, footsteps started storming in from outside my chambers. "My lord, Cao Cao's forces are congregating outside Hu Lao Gate! Please, you must hurry!" The messenger said.

"Ah, can't a man enjoy a nice evening with some tea and poetry?" I asked, placing my items back on the table. "Lord Dong Zhou has nothing to be worried about. We have Lu Bu guarding the gate after all. Besides, he's hiding within the city of Luoyang anyways. Just like a coward to use the people as cover."

"Insolence! How could Dong Zhou's own son talk about him like this?" Said the messenger. "He may have adopted me, but that does not make me obliged to like him. Tell Lord Dong Zhou that I'll be out there immediately." I said.

I exited my room and took a look from down the castle. Vultures soared throughout the skies, as if they were prepared for the incoming battle. I walked through the castle, there was soldiers and officers hustling and bustling through. I came up to Dong Zhou. "Xu Jin, report to battlefield immediately!" Dong Zhou said. "I shall, do you have my pincer attack ready?" I asked. "No, your strategies are worthless when we have the might of Lu Bu! Now leave my presence immediately!" Dong Zhou said. This fool was spelling out his own demise, we could easily win this battle if he would just listen...

Ryteb

"My lord," the effeminate strategist said, bowing before Cao Cao, "It is as I predicted, the coward Dong Zhao is arrogant, believing that Lu Bu will be enough to stop us. This reliance we should use to our advantage..."
He began to outline a plan to lure Lu Bu away from the gate, and thus allowing the coalition to take the gate, and from there the city. His lord nodded at the suggestion, and bid him to enact his strategy.

He sent messengers around the various camps, proclaiming that Lord Cao Cao intended to seize the main gate alone. Also implied, at places where news would travel quickly to Dong Zhao's prized warrior, was news that Lu Bu was of little threat due to his stupidity and lack of skill. Ryteb, through some digging he had done prior to the battle, knew that Lu Bu was an extremely prideful man, and that such insults would make him enraged. And once a man is consumed by anger, their movements became predictable.

In addition to this, he sent a secret message to the leaders of the various factions of the alliance. "When Lu Bu moves to take on Lord Cao Cao, use the opportunity to capture the main gate." It was now up to his illusions, and the gods, to see this plan through...

Fang

Adjusting the red scarf around his neck, he busied himself by practicing with his two swords. He'd been told to act as he saw fit by Sun jian, which suited him fine. He didn't want to be a servant for anyone, but he knew that he had to settle somewhere soon. He couldn't run around forever if he wanted to find his memories again. That was his main ambition at the moment.

"You, commoner!" A general called to him as he and his bodyguards rode by on a group of horses, "Show some respect when your superiors are among you!"

He ignored the general, launching into a complex series of cuts and slashes that was quite impressive to witness. Unfortunately, said general decided to be stupid and try to assert his dominance over him by intimidation. Suffice to say said general was stopped by Sun Ce. Waving goodbye to the livid general, part of him wished that the general would die. He didn't voice that as he sheathed his swords and followed Sun Jian's eldest son.

"Sorry about that one, he's a glory-hungry old grump." Sun Ce said, catching in a headlock as he led him to his father's tent.

"No worry, Lord Sun Ce, I'm just relieved I didn't have to turn one of my weapons on him." He replied, internally frustrated about being so uncharacteristically caught off guard."

Xu Jin

Xu Jin arrived at Hu Lao Gate. He took a glance at the approaching Coalition forces led by Cao Cao from atop the Gate. He could see various warlords from across the country readying their armies and Xu Jin couldn't help but think that the pincer attack could easily demolish the enemy army. He used the telescope and saw new soldiers he'd never seen before, there was a man with long dark hair and twin swords working for the Sun's and what looked like a foreigner in Cao Cao's camp.

Xu Jun climbed down the gate and approached Lu Bu. "So, it looks like Lord Dong Zhou is banking this battle on you, Lord Lu Bu." Xu Jin said to him. "That fat oaf may be a fool, but at least he has a good eye for talent!" Retorted Lu Bu. "Ha, you might be right there, Lu Bu. But I still can't fight the feeling that Dong Zhou is going to pull a dishonorable, cowardly act. Hiding in the castle of Luoyang and all..." said Xu Jin

"It doesn't matter what happens, we'll destroy them all!" Screamed Lu Bu

This plan was dangerous, especially for someone not used to close combat. But if his gambit allowed Lord Cao Cao to attain an amazing victory, then it was worth it. After all, history did always remember the strategems of crazy battles. The strategist rode towards the front lines, having found enough time had passed for preparations to be complete. When he was near eyeshot of Lu Bu, he used his power of illusion to make him appear to be Lord Cao Cao on his noble steed. When he was within earshot of the men atop the gate, he called out in a mimicry of his Lord's voice.

"Dong Zhao, you coward, I challenge you to single combat in hopes of staving off this unnessercay bloodshed. If you are too afraid, I shall settle for facing your lapdog that you call a son. Unless, of course, your bastard child is just as meek and fearful as you!"

Knowing that it was but a matter of time, he took time to collect himself mentally. Although he didn't have to achieve victory in this fight, he had to last long enough for the forces to breach the city. It was unfortunate that he couldn't get another to preform this ruse, as he knew no one else of similar illusionary skill that he could trust.

Fang

He didn't know what was going on but he could sense that a battle was gonna start. Having moved to the front line after a brief conversation with Sun Jian, he went about talking with various groups of archers to bate time. That was until he heard what sounded like Lord Cao Cao seemingly asking to get shot. Taking a warcharger, he rode out toward where he heard the suicidal Lord. Stopping near enough to come to his aid if needed by remaining out of sight, he noticed something was off. The color of the Lord's clothes was off a couple shades. It was a trick, an elaborate one nonetheless, but it wasn't perfect.

"That's not Lord Cao Cao...... Something's going on here..... Whoever that is better not get caught by another illusionist...... Otherwise, their plan is busted." He mumbled to himself, both swords drawn as the horse snorted next to him, "Hey..... I'm not that heavy. Now get going. Keeyah."

He watched the horse gallop back to their front line before turning back to the False Lord Cao Cao.

Xu Jin

"Well, lord Lu Bu, it looks like that dog Cao Cao has challenged our lord. Knowing Dong Zhou, that may as well be a challenge just for us." Xu Jin said to Dong Zhou. "Ha, I'll have that dog's head on a plate for our lord!" exclaimed Lu Bu. "Whatever you say, lord Lu Bu" said Xu Jin to Lu Bu. Lu Bu rode out on his red hare past Hu Lao Gate and headed for Cao Cao.

"Hmm, well I guess that leaves me to defend Hu Lao Gate" thought Xu Jin to himself.