5. Shanghai or Bust

"WHY HAD the Aztec stopped"
"There are valuable gold deposits in the area, the Aztecs have set up a city to mine these. It is a very good defensive position, it would take our entire army for us to dislodge them from their current positions. They can group more units for an attack, and attack at will, we have no good defensive terrain to set up upon between their city and ours. This combination of reasons make it seem the  best choice they could have made with their current resources."
"What should we do?"
"Well Vladmir we must make peace with them, I think the major threat maybe the English with their new allies, whoever they are, we will need a period of peace to build up our military strength. Then we will crush the Aztecs, and whoever else gets in our way."
"What about this new technology you were telling me about."
"We now believe we can make our own legions. We are already half way through making our first unit."
"Excellent."
The German civilization was prospering. The threat of war over new cities had been founded. The German army had been brought up to full strength with remarkable speed, and then beyond. For the first time in its history the German army felt powerful, an intricate network of roads meant they could get to their defensive positions quickly, the Elephant units were now a mobile strike force, ready to force back the enemy wherever they might appear. Finally, the legions had been built. Based upon designs received from far off empires these units made all of the cities feel more secure. Thanks to this, and the new form of government that the Germans had been using, called Monarchy, productivity and trade was up. Finally the Germans had recently built the Colossus. This massive structure awed Zulu traders, and made them come back for more, it also attracted visitors from everywhere within the German empire, and was said to be increasing Berlins trade significantly. All of the German cities now had many city improvements, courthouses were proving a popular attraction in Berlin, and Frederick's popularity rating was soaring. Now this diplomat from the Indian empire had turned up. They had recently stopped their war with the Zulu’s, and Frederick was aware of the danger to his empire of an alliance between the Zulu’s and Indians. He needed the Indians favor, an alliance with the Indians would guarantee that the Zulu’s could not attack them again and would allow them more peace to build up their empire. The Indian envoy was most cordial and Frederick felt hopeful that an alliance could be ironed out. He offered 50 gold.
"King Frederick, the Indian treasury contains over 1000 gold pieces, 50 more isn't much of an incentive"
Frederick realized this was going to be more difficult than he thought, what to give to the civilization that had everything
"Do we have anything you want?"
"Well, we have heard good things about your legions"
"Say no more, the technology is yours"
"The Indian Empire thanks you, we will make an alliance if we can also have the 50 gold"
"Done"
Frederick had given away his only area of technological superiority and a large portion of his treasury, but he now had an alliance with the most powerful civilization in the world.
The Chinese archers were too far behind to deploy, and so two chariot units deployed, the second and third. They could see the unit called 'pikemen' ahead, these were proving deadly to those on horseback, their short, sharp spears being used efficiently and skillfully. Ahead the pikemen had fortifications, the chariot units seemed to suddenly be upon them, the second chariot unit hit first, the horses swerved to one side, unwilling to charge into the solid formation, chariots behind surged into ones in front, killing horses and people and driving a seething mass towards the pikemen. Some of the men in the chariots turned and scythed their long swords towards their enemies, mostly the Indian pikemen deflected the clumsy blows. The pikemen retreated to the next set of fortifications, running so as not to be a target to the rapidly approaching third chariot units. The surviving members of the second chariot unit charged after the pikemen, thinking they were fleeing the battle, suddenly the pikemen turned, some of the Chinese horses did not have time to swerve, like missiles they tore through the Indian line, killing Indian and China-man indiscriminately, but the pikemen held.
The attack of the third chariot unit was fragmented, they had to pass the pile up of the second chariot unit, and then found themselves yards away from the pikemen.
Anand was shocked at the boldness of these chariots. They seemed so fragile, and frightening, but as long as his comrades held he would not desert. The Chinese third chariot was rebuffed. The Pikemen held.
The Indian commander in charge of this sector had recalled all of his units. He had one pikemen inside the city, although he did not want the Chinese army to get anywhere near the city, if they did the loyalties of the citizens would be tested. Just outside the city were two elite veteran archer units. He also one knight unit nearby and one elephant unit. If he could hold out for a few days more knight units would be there. Meanwhile the English army was also near, and these factors would make the Chinese attack as soon as possible. Looking back to the battle the pikemen would not be able to hold against the Chinese archers, so they were recalled. The first phase of the battle had gone well, two of the six Chinese chariot units had been badly mauled, although not destroyed they would take no further part in this battle.
The Chinese commander had been surprised with the ease he got this far, now he saw this campaign was by no means a sure thing. The pikemen were retreating in good order after destroying two of his chariot units. He would have to be careful, this Indian commander was good.
The Aztec empire was a small empire. Montezuama was a perfectionist. If he had any cities, they would be in the best locations, and the military units must be the best. They all had to undergo serious training in order to live up to ideal of the first five Aztec legions. They had fought over difficult terrain against numerically superior opponents and they had one without losing a conflict, or even a unit. To Montezuama it was an example of why he ruled the way he did. He had only 4 cities, 3 of them were equally fit to rival any in the world and the last had the largest military in the world, more legions had been placed there, there were now 8 legions there, supported by 2 phalanx. The Russians had made peace, but they were nervous about this thorn in their side, but Montezuama knew they could not remove him from this hill. Montezuama was also happy about the amount of money that this new city was bringing in to his empire. That was why he had continued the war against the Russians, he wanted this position for a new city. Recently however, he was contemplating where to place his 5th city. The best positions in the area were already taken. He could load up a trireme and explore for a better position but triremes were so unreliable and expensive. Why not poach a Russian city? Although if he poached one the Russian may keep fighting and fighting until he had all of their cities He had the military, and there was only a short term left in the cease-fire. He had decided, and none of his advisers could change his mind, the Russians would taste Aztec steel until the entire Russian civilization was finished, then, and only then, would the Aztec civilization know peace.
The Chinese kept in close formation, so that the archers could rain death upon those who assaulted the mounted units. The Chinese had been burnt once, they would not make the same mistake again. The Indians kept retreating back along the pass, the Indian commander content to just keep the Chinese coming. Then he ran out of space. The Indians had reached the head of the valley, and now the fight would begin.
Anand had seen some of his friends die, but had rejoiced when the shattered chariot units eventually pulled back. Then the order to retreat had been given. Anand was confused as to why, but then he had seen the archers in the distance, the pikemen would have little chance against those. The next hours marching had been hard, they had constantly been pressed by the Chinese. Then as suddenly as they had started the Indians stopped and turned around. The Chinese deployed, the archers in front to face the pikemen. Then the Indian knights charged.
The Chinese archers had been looking forward to the chance to get their hands upon the Indians. As the Indians stopped and turned round they thought they had it. Then the Indian eighth knights had charged, there orders were to cause as much damage as possible, to kill, maim, and burn. The Indian knights approached the archers with great speed, the Chinese felt as if these avenging angels were here to punish them for their earlier thoughts. Before the Chinese commander could react 2 of his archer units had been destroyed. The Indian knights did not retreat from the Chinese center, instead they continued, quickly horsemen plugged the gap. They seemed unwilling to fight the Indian knights in battle instead they marched towards them. The Indian knights were still in the center of the Chinese formation, horses were dying as arrows fell amongst them, but an un-mounted knights was still a dangerous one as they drew blood from their enemies in large scything cuts. The Indians refused to retreat, they wanted to keep fighting, to die.... then the elephants struck.
The first elephant unit was a 'relic' they were being shown up by their knight brethren. Now they would show their commanders what 'relics' could do.
The Chinese horsemen were pressing forward when a new noise came. The elephants were a fearsome sight, especially in charge, the Chinese horsemen moved to the flanks, content to let their already beleaguered archers fight these creatures. The Chariot units were about to hit and destroy the Indian knights when the new enemy had appeared. They were indecisive, and decided to hang back until it was clear what was going on. Meanwhile the archers were paying a heavy price for their indecision. The few mounted Indian knights were cutting through them like butter, whereas the rot was spreading through the archers as the un-mounted knights fought the archers hand to hand, the arrival of the elephants gave the archers even more targets, However they held firm and poured volley after volley into the large targets. The elephants eventually gave away, after crushing a big portion of the attacking army and scaring the rest close to death. However, the un-mounted riders joined with the knights, forming a tight circle.
The Chinese chariots and horsemen were still untouched by the battle. The Chinese archers parted to let them through. The Chinese commander smelled victory, albeit a phyrric one. However, if the Indian resistance collapsed quickly he would still be able to continue today. Then the archers struck.
The Indian commander ordered the archers to attack from the left side. The Chinese distracted by the enemy in the center of them, and the pikemen in front of them did not notice the Indians until the arrows fell. As one archer unit continued to load and fire, a second charged down the hill. The Chinese archers there were now assailed from two sides, and arrows from above, they fired a volley, then ran. This presented an opportunity for the Indians in the center to escape, but they did not run, instead they were reinforced by the archers. Instantaneously the two forces changed into line formations as the Indians advanced and the Chinese on the flanks retreated. There was so much activity that the Chinese did not notice the pikemen slip away.
The Chinese commander had a rough idea of Indian forces in this area. That all of them were arrayed in front of him surprised him, surely it would be better to defend the city?? It was not for him to question the Indian commanders decision though. He would have to react quickly. He was finding it difficult to make best use of his mounted assets, the battlefield was so confined. He did not want to send his mounted units away to charge from one side as it would weaken his line further. He supposed this was why the Indian had chosen this battlefield. He suddenly had a new respect for his opposite number. Maybe he should retreat and regroup?? No, he was worried that if he ordered his units to retreat they may not stop. It was all down to his soldiers now, and looking at his superior numbers he suspected he had the advantage.
Anand's unit had been watching the battle with some interest, they were supposed to be part of the unit garrisoning the city, but due to a technical anomaly his unit was actually two units, so one was still occupying the city. Now he watched as the archers charged. The ball was still in the Chinese half, but at least if they won here today the force would be crippled. Then orders had come, but where were they moving to?? After a few minutes it became clear, they were moving behind the Indian lines.
Suddenly they were standing where the archers had been standing, and the order was the same for them as it was for the archers... "Charge"
The Chinese commander had not noticed the absence of the pikemen until they suddenly bolstered the Indian line. It would make it much more difficult for his mounted units. Then a thought flashed through his mind. The way to the city was open, he would order his mounted units to attack the city, meanwhile his archers could withdraw, if they were quick enough they would only take medium casualties, and they could then take advantage of the defensive ridge. As the plans intricacies was sorted out he called for his aide, the timing would have to be just perfect.
The Indian commander was surprised the mounted units had not left already, then suddenly the Chinese retreated and the mounted units went off. He watched as his soldiers executed their part of the plan expertly. As the Chinese mounted units approached the hill, they did not notice a large portion of the Indian army following them, meanwhile the archers began to trade hails of arrows with each other, numbers were about the same, the Chinese had the height advantage, but the Indians did not have to suffer the humiliation of retreating from the battlefield. The Chinese mounted units reached the top of the hill, then suddenly, they stopped. One and a half units of pikemen greeted them. The snippet of the pikemen the Chinese commander had seen was not enough to tell him of the disparity in numbers. Suddenly the mounted units were facing their fearsome nemesis. A pause filled the air,  then a gentle thud, as the mounted units turned round they saw a large force approaching them from behind, pikemen among them, although not large numbers of them. Suddenly the Indian archer’s aim shifted to the concentrated ranks of mounted units which had drawn close together when they had stopped. The Chinese archers momentarily stopped to see what was happening. Suddenly the mounted units began to move, half of them charged towards the pikemen, half towards the other group. The Indian archers switched back to firing on their counterparts. The Chinese archers, realizing that their arrows would have little effect on the un-mounted Indian knights kept aiming towards the Indian archers.
As the mounted units cleared the summit of the ridge they began to string out, the pikemen braced themselves from the impact of the enemy, as usual the horses stopped early, and not much got through after the pile up. To speed up the process and to close the lower jaw of the trap the pikemen charged.
The Chinese commander had seen the ambush coming as soon as he had seen the un-mounted Indian knights go after his mounted units. He could do nothing, his plans had been foiled, and through the tactics of the opposing commander a superior position had been turned into an inferior one, the battle hung in the balance, but the commanders work was done for today, it was now up to the little people down below.
Anand saw the mix of horsemen and chariots approach, he had utmost confidence in his commander and the men beside him, the pikemen in the group pushed their pikes forward. Unlike on the other side not all of the horses stopped, the gaps in the line allowed some of the enemy through, but the long swords of the Indian knights were equal to the task. As the group continued, leaving behind a trail of wounded, the dust cleared. The mounted survivors of the first wave had retreated back to back, in the background he could see more Indian pikemen, the Chinese horsemen scattered, they would do no more fighting today. As the Chinese mounted division scattered the Chinese archers began to edge back, the Chinese commander ordered the retreat, the attack on Shanghai had failed, and with it's failure the fate of the Chinese empire depended entirely upon the Indians.

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