Cao Cao - Chapter 1

Start Date: 182
Location: Xindu, Wuhu (fathers Estate)
Father: Cao Song
Mother: Lady Ding
Wife: Lady Bian
Children: Cao Ang (1 son during 182) The Emperor doesnt tolerate scum peasants especially looters like Wei Teng. The only survivor was Wei Teng. He fled back to where he came from to tell the others. No I didnt chase this one down. After defeating the looter army I was far from being done for the day. Random strangers from different factions in the south mainly peasant farmer types came to me asking for help. Im originally from up north in the plains or what I like to call the Heart of China. The people down south are different but they had no problem coming to me talking about issues. They knew I was one of the Han magistrates loyal to the Royal family. We will listen to the peoples gripes and complaints but first we need to focus on building up our own House (faction). I know I look pretty badass with this silk red robe and sword (Trust Of God). Im gaining experience each battle I take part in even if I hand it down to the officers below me and sit on sidelines and watch (auto resolve). I have 15 skillsets I can unlock. Right now I only have 2 about to get 3 cus of that previous battle I just won. When Im maxed out I can unlock 12 skills. Im a Commander General. My main focus as a Commander is morale but its actually archery too just like the strategist but right now Im under developed. Yeah I need some power rice. My personal preference is horse archery as a Commander. 15 skills as Commander from top left to right:

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If you use me as bow cavalry you need to unlock COMPOSURE, PERCEPTION, and MOBILITY to use me at my full potential as a bow cavarly Commander (Cao Caos preference). Mobility for the speed (retinue). Composure for fire arrows. And Perception (retinue) to ignore forest penalties while running through the forest tree areas shooting fire arrows. For my top 12 skills when Im maxed out and I retrain myself (reset skills) its mobility, intensity, meditation, zeal, perception, unyielding earth, flexibility, imperious presence, composure, natures ally, nobility, and dignity. After dealing with the looters in Xindu I recruited another group of militia and took up the offer about Poyang to investigate rumors about bandits. This is where I met He Ba and defeated him in battle. I still didnt have a place to setup and call my own yet. My focus on reforms will start with trade (Trade Envoys). Once I get set in the south we will be able to discuss business in trade with other factions within the Empire mainly allies.

The location Im heading to is in the south in Linhai called Yongning. Its a clearing or open area near the beach. Ive seen it before and its a perfect place to start. What we need to do is capture not every region or province thats abandon or hasnt been developed but enough to get us going. This isnt a race even though time is against us. Maybe its just me or Im paranoid but I have this weird feeling that something is around the corner and its not good. I must be a psychic. We are still part of the Han Empire and Im not against the Royal family on throne (Emperor Liu Hong on throne in Luoyang, Liu Bei, and Liu Chen aka Prince of Chen). No one ever does this but I actually respect diplomacy. Even though we are part of the Han Empire Im going to still request military access. Cao Song my father has already agreed to this with me crossing on his lands. Its Liu Hong (not Emperor) and Han Empire and Sun Jian Im worried about. I will get Sun Jian laters but Liu Hong and Han Empire is who I will set this up with. I might even make a dollar off these deals too (didnt use credibility this time). Fastest way to get down to Linhai is to release the hawks (Hawk and Tiger Manoeuvres in schemes) to scout ahead and be our eyes. I ended up releasing the guys I recruited (disband everyone) and headed out on my own. On my way to Linhai I heard the rumors from strangers walking by about the Zhang brothers. When I got to Yongning, Linhai I setup camp. Others joined me. What we want to do is own all of Linhai province both Yongning and Wenma. After Wenma is taken we will work our way up to Northern Jian'an and Southern Jian'an. Following the road to Wenma going through a small town I saw the graffiti. This far down south this spread like a disease or plague. Spending time studying reforms I also learned about trading with the Romans (Sino Roman Embassy reforms). This needs to be studied right away to get money coming after we have captured all of Linhai. Once Linhai is under our control we need to setup trade with our allies or soon to become allies if this plays out overtime. Trade Agreement with Liu Hong. $326 trade value. +4.3 deal value. Trade Agreement with Cao Song (Left) $323 trade value. +3.8 deal value.
Trade Agreement with Sun Jian (Right) $390 trade value. +2.9 deal value. Liu Hong gives $1456 for trade deal. Cao Song (Left) gives $911 for trade deal.
Sun Jian (Right) gives $585 for trade deal. Just to make some extra cash I negotiated military access deal with Lu Zhi. Heading north North and South Jian'an I heard the rumors of Tang Zhuo and others he caught. A big war is about to happen and its going to engulf all of China.

And so the Mandate War begins. I wasnt paranoid. This is where every faction in the Han Empire comes together as a whole to attack the Zhang brothers (Yellow Turban factions) and Yellow Turban Rebellions that happen all over the Empire. This is what it means to be a man of China.

I made a deal with Sun Jian since he didnt want to do it earlier. Military Access and they give $754. The areas marked are the only provinces we are taking. We wont be taking all of Northern Jian'an because of Sun Jian owns one of the regions in the province. Im going to leave the other provinces open hoping Sun Jian takes them over. We dont need all of the south. Like I said before this isnt a race even though time is against us. We have to rush up north (plains) and reinforce the other Han factions holding onto the capital Luoyang. If we lose Luoyang we will lose all of China (they have to control 50 settlements including Luoyang. The Liang Rebellion begins months later. The days went by fast. Issues like this came up while managing the settlments. It wasnt me... it was the Chef. I still did what was right. Allay Their Anger. From here on till the army is organized we will be focusing on reforms and building infrastructure within the provinces. I used credibility paying off a deal for military access with Lu Kang. Spring of 185 CE one of my cousins from up north, Cao Ren found me in the south and came to help out. Working over time pays off (Dominion Over The Realm). Iron Salts & Agencies will help out our industry. Currency Based Economy. This is not part of the schemes getting the Govt. to work twice as fast. Made a deal with Tao Qian for military access paying me $1518 (top left). Made another deal same week with Liu Biao for military access paying me $1580 (top right). Liu Chen aka Prince of Chen agreed to our terms for military access for the upcoming war against the Zhang Brothers. A new member to the family, baby Yang. 187 CE Autumn. Over the year building up the provinces I was not just recognized by the people of China but the family dynasty on throne as Governor and going for Nobility. 187 CE Winter. Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan are distant cousins. Like Cao Ren the two came to join the fight. I made a trade agreement with Zhou Xin paying me $1670 (left).
Made another trade agreement deal this time with Tao Qian paying me $1855 (right). 187 CE Winter. This is where we are at right now with Yellow Turban Rebellions popping up all over China. Another slow Monday I know. We arent ready yet and still building up.

188 CE baby Cao Yu is born. Merchant Tax Exemption reforms Its not Lu Bu Im worried about. We heard about Lu Bu already. Yellow Turban Rebellions... the Liang Rebels... and now this. Dong Zhuo is slowly moving towards Luoyang after confederating Ding Yuan. 189 CE Harvest. The Emperor is dead. Coincidence with Dong Zhuo? Empress He takes over since the Heir is still too young. 189 CE Winter. Hostile activity in the empire (red) mostly Turbans. 189 CE. General He Jin killed by the Eunuchs. He Jin was the commander for the Imperial Guard in Luoyang. I wont say Luoyang is defenseless surrounded by gate passes but we are nowhere near the capital. 189 CE Winter. I dont blame Sun Jian for leaving the empire. We will be leaving too. This is the beginning of the fall of the Han Empire (old dynasty). Over the years it will slowly deteriorate and get worse. 189 CE Winter. Then Dong Zhuo captures Empress He and vassalizes the Han Empire and confederates Empress He making the young boy whos successor to throne (Emperor) a puppet to Dong Zhuo. Fighting off a mob of angry eunuchs should be easy. 190 CE Spring. The Nanman. Ive seen the tribal leaders already. They arent large in numbers like the Yellow Turban Rebellions fighting off Zhang brothers but the Nanman tribes can actually put up a fight. The Nanman might not be organized and modern like the Han but their guerrilla warfare tactics (jungle) is what we try to avoid. Never travel alone through the dense jungles and kill the Nanman with fire. 190 CE. We want nothing to do with Yuan Shu or his political agenda with Han Empire. Hes an enemy of the state (whats left) and an enemy to us as well. We will wait for the right moment to take him out of the game.

190 CE Winter. To be honest I requested Yue Jins presence personally. It wasnt the fact he recruited thousands to join my cause. I need more skilled infantry (Sentinel) Generals I can count on and Yue Jin is one of them. 191 CE Harvest. I dropped all of Dian Weis (drunken brawler) charges for drunken behavior out in public in return for service to me. 191 CE Autumn. Death of Sun Jian. We will be attending the funeral ceremony. 191 CE Autumn. As Nobility we will be adding onto the military and trade. Some admin positions too will be available. We need to be prepared when we head out towards Luoyang. Coalition Of The Great Plains
I tried to get my father Cao Song and Zhou Xin to join. Sun Jian disapproved of the two. I made a deal with Wang Rui paying me $1722 for a trade agreement. 191 CE Winter. Yellow Turban and hostile areas in red. State Monopolies reforms
192 CE Autumn. DEFEND LUOYANG. We need to form our first army to help reinforce Han factions up north near Luoyang. We are pushing it keep putting it off focusing on economy. The new office positions. Cao Ren will be focused on peasantry income from the provinces we control. Xiahou Yuan is in control of recruitment costs. Yue Jin is tasked out to monitor industrial income. 193 CE Spring. The Council agreed on construction time in Souther Jian'an and sending Xihou Yuan to train/learn from tutors. 194 CE Spring. My son Cao Ang aka Prince Min has finally became a man. Maybe one day he will replace me or pass me up as Second Marquis.
194 CE Spring. DEFEND LUOYANG. I will be focusing on military doctrines now and heading out to Lujiang, Shuxian with a small force. 194 CE Spring. The Council agreed on talking to the merchant for ancillaries and province infrastructure. Hereditary Buqu reforms. Military Doctrines