So, his old friend was finally making a move. Was Cao Cao an idiot? Yuan Shao easily outnumbered the Hero Of Chaos.. but thinking wasn’t always Cao Cao’s strongest asset, if he even had any. Few people were able to break Yuan Shao’s cocky demeanor, and Cao Cao was sadly one of them.. He assembled his best officers, and made some quick.. un-easy alliances with people unfitting his nobility. Sometimes though, you needed to make decisions like these; every good leader knew this.

After calling all of his best officers forward and assembling them in a line before his throne, Yuan Shao gazed down at them. They stood neatly, in a single-file line. Lu Bu, Diao Chan, Zhang He, Zhen Ji, Zhuge Dan, and Cai Wenji. Four of these ‘warriors’ did not seem like warriors what so ever. If nothing else, he could use them as a distraction- then swoop in behind or something brilliant like that. He cast his honey gaze towards the row. “You will all do exactly what I say. This battle is not a test of might, or a code of honor. You will win, for me! Do everything in your power to bring my glorious name victory, is that clear?!”

His voice was a thunderous boom in this large, ornate, currently empty room. Slowly, tiredly.. Yuan Shao slid from his throne, crossing his arms behind his back while walking the length of the warriors before him. He stopped at Lu Bu. “There will be no stabbing me in the back…” He stepped forward, glancing at Diao Chan. “No distractions…” Once again, he moved, this time glaring towards Zhang He and Zhen Ji. “Nothing flashy….” His legs moved quick, nervous pattering forward. “No whimpering.” He said towards the dog of the Zhuge family. Finally, he cast a dismissive glance towards Cai Wenji. “And finally no poetry until I win.. and I expect a song or a prose to be written about the glorious Yuan family, understood?!”

Now it was time to send people into groups. He needed three groups of two. “Diao Chan and Cai Wenji, I want you both to attack on the left side. Zhuge Dan and Lu Bu, take the center; drive your forces directly forward and get to Cao Cao as quickly as possible. Zhang He and Zhen Ji, you go around and swoop around the right side. Time is wasting, GO!”

He ended, waving his finger, decorated in elaborate rings, towards the door hurriedly.

[Not sure about posting order. Perhaps.. Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Lu Bu, Guo Jia, Diao Chan, Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He, Sun Ce, Zhuge Dan, Zhen Ji, Guan Yu, Cai Wenji?] 

Out-numbered, perhaps, but prepared nonetheless. Strength was not necessarily always in numbers, but with the quality of one’s troops. With a good strategy from a brilliant mind—which he most definitely had—Cao Cao was confident in himself and in his troops. He had nothing to worry about; Guo Jia’s insight calmed the furious beating of the commander’s heart. Although Cao Cao was still cautious of his foe, he put his utmost faith and trust in his strategist.

Standing on higher ground, Cao Cao gazed over the distant Yellow River; calculating eyes examining the dark battlefield before him. Far away flames flickered more brightly as the sun had nearly set, which meant that it was about time to set out. Closing his dark eyes, Cao Cao turned away from the field of battle and descended towards his main camp with mind clear and his heart strong.

Despite his absence, the encampment was eerily quiet. Soldiers were standing in their respective units, backs straight, feet together with their weapons at the ready. Only the crackling of the fire filled the still, night air, and soon the crunching of the dirt beneath his heels. He moved swiftly, though his expression was stern and calm as he positioned himself next to his waiting allies, though it was to the orderly sea of indigo and crimson that his voice boomed loud and clear:

“We are gathered here today for the safety of our Emperor,” he addressed them, eyes scanning the prepared squadrons before him. Thousands of fearless eyes were fixed upon his figure, awaiting a single command. “Yuan Shao is a threat to his authority, and to that of China. He must be pushed back, if not eliminated.”

“We are outnumbered, but you are not without skill. Obey your commander and execute the strategies presented to you and we will emerge victorious. Rest assured, you will return to your homes as the brave and courageous men you are. Your families will be safe with this victory.” With this, his eyes shifted away from the companies before him and scanned over his by-standing allies. They stood together for a single goal—peace—and that goal could not be achieves with Yuan Shao blockading the way with his selfish aspirations.

“Take to arms, men! Succeed in this battle and bring victory to our Emperor!” With a commanding hand sweeping decisively up into the air, Cao Cao called out with a final, statement, dismissing them to claim victory in the battle at Guandu.

“I want the enemy main camp before sunrise!”

( ooc;; Keeping the order at the bottom for reference before we split into groups: Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Lu Bu, Guo Jia, Diao Chan, Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He, Sun Ce, Zhuge Dan, Zhen Ji, Guan Yu, Cai Wenji.

Sun Ce and Guo Jia, decide who you want to confront, though I think Guan Yu should obviously be the one to confront Lu Bu. )