Copyright: Copyright (c) 1995, KOEI Corporation


Table of Contents

How to Use Romance IV Help

Introduction

The Story of Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Scenarios

Victory / Defeat

Game Flow

Basics of the Interface

Using the Mouse

Sorting Items in a List

Entering Numbers

Moving and Resizing Windows

Key to Play

Starting a New Game

Saving, Resuming, and Quitting a Game

Creating Your Own Character

Dueling

Listening to Game Music

Main Display

Main Display

Cities and Routes

Domain Commands

Main Commands

The Art of War

The Flow of War

Victory Conditions in Battle

Preparing for War

Organizing Your Army

Battle Display

Battle Display

Unit Types and Mobility

Terrain

Commanding Your Units

Army Commands

Unit Commands

Post-War Settlements

Game Data

Types of Officers

Ranks of Active Officers

Officer Data

Special Talents

City Data

Army Data

Income Data

Ruler Data

Weapons

Special Items

Editing Game Data

Editing Officer Data

Editing City Data

Events

Consultation

Heroes of the Three Kindoms

Rulers of the Three Kingdoms

Famous Strategists

The Combatants

Appendix

Officer Information Chart

Pronunciation Guide

Suggested Reading


How to Use Romance IV Help

Romance IV Help is a substitute for the manual and will provide you with quick references during your game play.  It contains complete information about how to play the game, explanations of game data, and historical background.

Most game terms are explained in the game data section.  To locate information on certain topics, use the "Search by Keyword" command of this help menu.  You may print the pages which you refer to often.

Before you read this help, please note the following:

A.	Command names are indicated in all caps.

Example: FOREIGN

B.	Subcommands are in lower case letters with the first letter in upper case.  In text, they are indicated immediately after its main command.

Example: FOREIGN-Ally

C.	Buttons that you may click on in the game are indicated in all caps in brackets.

Example: [ENTER]

D.	Abbreviated names in the game are indicated in parentheses.

Example: Provoke (Pvk)

E.	Terms in "< >" beside command names are special talents  required to execute the command.

Example: Ally <Foreign>

F.	Long-term commands  are indicated with (L).

Example: Train (L)

G.	Tips for beginners are indicated as [image].  Click on this button to display the tip.

H.	You may click on certain screen shots to access explanations on specific terminology.


The Story of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms
The Story of Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire is the fourth edition of Koei's popular historical simulation series set in the late second and third centuries of ancient China.  This game is based on the historical Chinese novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", written by Luo Guan Zhong in the 14th century.

You will enter the game at different periods of time and political warfare in the story through six historical scenarios.  In addition, three fictional scenarios offer hypothetical rivalries among famous heroes and tribal kings.  There are 450 officers to choose from, and you may create up to 108 characters using your own imagination.  Battle against other rulers to gain control over cities and ultimately conquer all of China.


Scenarios

There are six historical and three fictional scenarios.  Depending on the scenario you choose, the rulers and their territories will vary.

Historical Scenarios

1.	189 AD	Dong Zhuo Triumphs in Luo Yang

2.	194 AD	Turmoil Spreads in China

3.	201 AD	Cao Cao Expands His Domain

4.	208 AD	The Battle of Red Wall

5.	221 AD	The Birth of the Three Kingdoms

6.	235 AD	The Clash of Wei, Wu, and Shu

Fictional Scenarios

7.	189 AD	Cao Cao Captures the Han Dynasty

8.	190 AD	Three Heroes Set Out in Disruption

9.	225 AD	Tribal Kings Defy the Three Kingdoms


Victory / Defeat

Your goal in this game is to conquer China by claiming all 43 cities.  When this goal has been accomplished, you will be declared the victor.  If the ruler you are playing happens to die, appoint a subordinate officer as a successor and the game will continue.  When there is no successor, the game will end.


Game Flow

In Romance IV, a ruler must oversee all aspects of city, foreign, and army affairs.

Your cities and officers will become a key point in your strategy.  Increase the productivity of your cities and secure a stable source of gold and provisions for your army.  Find loyal and talented officers to build your cities and army.

Once you have developed a strong city and powerful army, declare war on a rival ruler.  Attack and defend cleverly in battle to secure a victory.  When you win a battle against another ruler, you will gain his city.  On the contrary, if another ruler declares war on your city and you lose, you will lose your city.

Plan ahead and build up your army with clever strategy and successful battles.  Soon, you will conquer all of China and win the game!

Example Strategies for Beginners

A good scenario for beginners is Scenario 5 "The Birth of the Three Kingdoms".  This scenario allows you to role-play the strong rulers of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan.  They have already secured their rule, so you can start with many skilled officers and ample supplies under your control.

Playing Cao Cao in Scenario 3 "Cao Cao Expands His Domain" or Scenario 4 "The Battle of Red Wall" is also recommended.  In these scenarios, Cao Cao dominates China as the most powerful warlord.

For the game setup, select Historical mode, Easy level, Not Active for new officers, and Never view battles between other rulers.

In the first turn, review the status of your domain.  Select the HOME command in the upper right corner to view the data in your home city.  Then select the VASSAL (VSSL) command to check the data of your vassal cities.

In the beginning of the game, you will need to concentrate on building your domain with the Domain commands  and Main commands  below:

- Discover free officers with the STAFF-Search command and recruit talented officers with the STAFF-Recruit command.

- Hear advice from your advisor and travelers.

- Increase your annual gold and provisions income by developing your cities with the CITY command and raising popular support with the STAFF-Give command.

- Train your soldiers with the ARMY-Train command.

- Build weapons with the ARMY-Build command.

- Supply cities with the ARMY-Send command.

- Strategically distribute your resources among vassal cities.  Build up your armies and supplies in cities adjacent to rival rulers.  Move officers with high leadership and power levels to the front.

- Delegate the control of safe cities to loyal governors with high political ability.

Once you have strengthened your domain, gather information on rival cities with the ARMY-Spy or PLOT-Hide command, and use the information to scheme plots against enemy rulers. You may form alliances with other rulers with the FOREIGN-Ally command and then propose to allied rulers a joint invasion on a rival ruler.  Then, set out for war with your accumulated gold, provisions and trained soldiers, but attack only enemy cities that you can surely defeat.  Attack effectively by taking advantage of the characteristics of unit and terrain characteristics. Utilize the special talents of your commanders to make powerful attacks.

After you have won a battle and claimed an enemy city, rebuild the city and raise your popular support so that the people will not rebel against you.

By repeating this strategy, you will be able to expand your domain until all 43 cities fall under your control.


Using the Mouse

Romance IV only supports mouse play.  The following is a list of basic mouse operations.

Click	Press the left mouse button once.

Right-click	Press the right mouse button once.  This is the same as clicking on [CANCEL].

Drag	Hold down the left mouse button to grab a window, move it, and release the button at a desired position.

Make a selection by clicking on the item.  To select multiple items in a list, highlight the items by clicking on them and click on [ENTER] to enter the selection.  To cancel a selection, click on the selected item again until the item is no longer highlighted.  To close a window, click on [CANCEL] or right-click the mouse.


Sorting Items in a List

If you click on a title item in a data list, the list will be rearranged so that the highest value appears at the top of the list and the lowest at the bottom. This sort function is also useful when you are looking for officers who have a certain special talent or high ability.  For example, to find officers who have the Foreign talent, click on "Frn" and officers with that talent will be listed first.


Entering Numbers

To enter numbers, use the Number Input Window using the functions below:

Input Pad	Click on a desired place to select a value, or slide the red bar to adjust the value.

Input Dial	Click on the up/down triangle of desired digits to adjust the value.

MIN/MAX	Check the minimum and maximum values you may enter.

ENTER/CANCEL	Click on [ENTER] to enter the displayed value, or [CANCEL] to cancel out of the input window.

Move Pad	Drag the input window to a desired place on the screen.


Moving and Resizing Windows

In this game, windows with a thick orange frame are movable.  To move a window, simply drag the window to a desired place.  To resize a window, drag the lower right-hand corner of the window to a desired size.  Please note that each window has different maximum dimensions.


Starting a New Game

1. Select Start a new game at the start-up menu.

2. Choose one of the nine scenarios.

3. Select the ruler you wish to play by clicking on a ruler's name or face.  The selected ruler's name and face will be highlighted.  You may play up to eight rulers.  To display additional selection of rulers for the scenario, select [NEXT].  If you select [RULER 1], you may select a ruler that you have created, or characters from the Koei game Bandit Kings of Ancient China.  Select [ENTER] when finished.

You may also click on a city on the map to select a ruler to play.  The map is color-coded to indicate the domain of each ruler.  If you select an unclaimed city(white square), you can select a new ruler or characters from Bandit Kings of Ancient China.

PLAYING NEWLY CREATED RULERS

If you have created new rulers, you may select up to three new rulers in each scenario.  For each new ruler, select an unclaimed city as the home city, and up to five newly created officers as subordinates. Officers who are related to the ruler will automatically be selected.

DEMO

If you select zero rulers, the game will continue on demo mode.

4. Decide game options.  The selected settings are displayed in white text.

MODE	Historical or Fictional

LEVEL	Easy, Avg, or Pro

NEW OFFICERS	Active or Not Active

VIEW BATTLES	Always or Never

MUSIC	ON or OFF

SOUND EFFECTS	ON or OFF

SPEED	1 to 5

5. Click on [ENTER] to begin the game.  Click on [CANCEL] to return to the start-up menu.


Saving, Resuming, and Quitting a Game

Saving a Game

To save a game during play, select the GAME-Save command in the Main Display.  Click on a save slot.  You may save up to ten games.  It is a good idea to save the game frequently, especially before you go to war.

Resuming a Saved Game

To play a saved game, select Load saved game at the start-up menu.  You may also resume a saved game during game play by selecting the GAME-Load command in the Main Display.

Quitting a Game

To quit a game, select the Exit command from the top menu bar, or select the GAME-Quit command.

Quit Game	Quit the game and return to Windows.

Start a New Game	Quit the game and return to the start-up menu, where you may start a new game or a saved game.

Continue in Demo Mode	Have the computer take over your game play.

Quit Player	Have the computer control the current player and continue the game (Multi-player game only).


Creating Your Own Character

You may create and save up to 8 rulers and 100 subordinate officers.

1. Select Create new officers at the start-up menu.

2. Decide whether you will create a ruler or officer, or change the data of characters that you have created.  The selection will be highlighted in white.  Select [ENTER].

3. Name your character.  Click on each letter to enter up to seven letters for your first and up to six letters for your last name.  Select [ENTER].

4. Enter the date of birth, age, and gender of your character.  Rulers may be 20 to 49 years old, and officers may be 1 to 49 years old.

5. Create a profile.  Each character is assigned a set of basic ability points.  Rulers' basic points are determined by their age and officers' basic points are set at random.  You may select different basic points for officer by answering NO to the question, "Is this OK?"  In addition to the ability points, rulers and officers receive bonus points which are to be divided among the five abilities.  Adjust each of the ability points by clicking on the up/down triangle buttons.  Ability points cannot be lower than the basic points.

6. Select a face for your character.

7. Decide if you want kinship ties with other characters that you have created.  You may only create kinship ties when entering an officer's data.  The age difference between the parent and child must be between 16-40 years.  A parent and child will not betray each other even if they have low loyalty levels.

8. Select [SAVE] to save new ruler/officer data you created.

9. Select [CANCEL] to return to the start-up menu.


Dueling

The Duel mode allows you to view duels between officers you select. In the Duel Mode, choose from an Individual Duel, Individual Tournament, or Team Tournament.  The terrain where the duel will take place will be selected at random.  When an officer's body strength (the red and blue bars) reaches zero, the officer loses.  If an officer flees from combat successfully, the duel will be declared a draw.  Winning or losing a duel in the Duel mode will not affect your saved game or game play.

Individual Duel

Two officers battle each other in an individual duel.

1. Select Duel mode from the start-up menu.

2. Select Individual from the mode options.

3. View the officers' data.  Select two officers to duel against one another and select [ENTER].

4. After the display of the two officers, the duel will begin.

5. When the duel is finished, the results will be displayed in the following manner:

O=winner

X=loser

triangle=tie

Individual Tournament

16 officers duel in a tournament for first place.  When there is a tie, the same officers will continue to duel each other until there is a winner.

1. Select Duel mode from the start-up menu.

2. Select Tournament from the mode options.

3. Select Individual from the tournament options.

4. View the officers' data.  Select 16 officers to duel in the tournament.  If you do not select 16 officers and click on [ENTER], 16 officers will automatically be selected.

5. View the Tournament Chart.  The selected 16 officers will automatically be arranged in the Tournament Chart.

6. Select one of the following buttons:

[START]	Begin the dueling.  After each duel is finished, the Tournament Chart will be displayed.

[AUTO]	Duelers continue to duel automatically until there is a final winner.

[CANCEL]	Cancel the Individual Tournament and return to the mode options.

7. When the Individual Tournament begins, the results of each duel will be displayed as O for winner and X for loser. Officers' physical strength will be restored by the next duel.  When an officer is injured, however, his/her power will decrease and their stamina can only be restored to that power level.

Team Tournament

Eight teams duel in a tournament for first place.  One team consists of five officers who are placed in the first through fifth slots.  An officer in the first slot will duel against another team's first officer, and continue to duel with officers in second through fifth slots until he/she loses.  Team victories are declared when the fifth officer of either team has been defeated.  When there is a tie, the same officers will continue to duel each other until a winner has been decided.

1. Select Duel mode from the start-up menu.

2. Select Tournament from the mode options.

3. Select Team from the tournament options.

4. Select a slot in the Group Tournament Chart to view officers' data.  Select five officers for eight teams, totaling 40 officers.  If you do not select 40 officers and click on [ENTER], officers will automatically be selected for the teams.

5. View the Tournament Chart.  The selected eight teams will automatically be arranged in the Tournament Chart.

Select one of the following buttons:

[START]	Begin the tournament.  After each duel is finished, the Tournament Chart will be displayed.

[AUTO]	Duelers continue to duel automatically until the final winner is decided.

[CANCEL]	Cancel the Group Tournament and return to the mode options.

The results of each individual duel will be displayed in white text for the winner and red text for the loser.

6. When the winner of each group duel has been decided, the winning team will advance to the next round of the tournament in the Tournament Chart.  Officers' stamina will be restored after one team duel.  When an officer is injured, his/her power will decrease and his/her stamina can only be restored to that power level.


Listening to Game Music

Select Listen to music at the start-up menu and enjoy the fully orchestrated game music of Romance IV, with audio controls.

You may use the following control buttons:

Up button	Select previous song.

Down button	Select next song.

Play	Play song.

Stop	Stop song.

Power	Exit and return to the start-up menu.

You may also enjoy the orchestrated game music by using an audio CD player.  The Romance IV CD contains the game data in Track 1 and music in Tracks 2 through 12, so you will need to skip Track 1 when you play the CD on an audio CD player.


Main Display

Season

Jan.-Mar.

Apr.-Jun.

Jul.-Sep.

Oct.-Dec.

The game uses a lunar calendar used in ancient China.  Spring is from January to March, summer is from April to June, fall is from July to September, and winter is from October to December.

Main Map

At the beginning of each turn, the Main Map will display your ruler's home city and its surrounding area.  If you click on one of your cities, its flag will be highlighted with white outline, and the City Window will appear.  If you click on a city that is not under your control, you will see but limited data of the city in a window.

Historical Battle Site

Barrier Gate

Country Map

The rectangular frame on the Country Map shows which part of China is displayed on the Main Map.  To change the displayed area of the Main Map, drag the frame to or click on a desired place.

Main Map Info Switches

Army

Number of Soldiers

(red: 0-149, orange: 150-299, blue: 300 or more)

Training Level

(red: 0-59, orange: 60-79, blue: 80 or above)

Spirit Level

(red: 0-39, orange: 60-79, blue: 70 or above)

People

Gold

(red: net amount will shrink and be in red, orange: net amount will shrink but be still in black, blue: net amount will increase and be in black)

Provisions

(red: net amount will shrink and be in red, orange: net amount will shrink but be still in black, blue: net amount will increase and be in black)

Support

(red: 0-59, orange: 60-79, blue: 80 or above)

Officer

Active Officers

(red: 0-5, orange: 6-9, blue: 10 or more)

Free Officers

(blue: there are free officers)

Prisoners

(blue: there are prisoners)

Domain Commands and Main Commands

Domain Commands  are used to oversee and manage your territory.  You may select these commands anytime during your turn.

Main Commands are issued to individual cities under your control.  First select a city, then select a main command for that city.  To select a city to issue Main Commands, click on a city icon on the Main Map, or select HOME or VSSL from the Domain Commands.  You may also right-click on your mouse on the Main Map to display a list of cities in your territory.  Officers can execute only one Main Command per turn.

City Window

The City Window displays the governors face and the information of a city under your control.  This window appears with Main Commands when you select HOME or VASSAL from the Domain Commands.  You may also display this window when you click on the flag of your city on the Main Map, or right-click the Main Map to list all your cities and select one.  Right-click on the mouse to erase this window.

City Info Switches

Click on the following to switch data screens on the city.

[VIEW]	Display reports of ongoing projects in the city.

[CITY]	Display statistics of the city and the current market rates of goods.

[ARMY]	Display army data of the city.

[INCOME]	Display budgetary data of the city.

[OFFICER]	Display officer data of the city.


Cities and Routes

The 43 cities in this game are interconnected by routes. Routes provide the only access to cities, and determine how cities share borders with one another.

Cities

A rulers territory consists of one home city and several vassal cities.  The Home City is under the ruler's direct control and is where the ruler resides.  A Vassal City is controlled by a governor, who receives orders from the ruler.  Rulers control their territory from their cities, which also serve as strongholds at war.  Rulers must appoint a governor for each vassal city.  Cities which do not have a ruler are called Unclaimed Cities.

City icons on the Main Map are displayed in three sizes.  The size of the city influences the annual collection of gold and provisions in that city.  City icons are displayed with flags, which are color-coded by rulers.

Large City

Medium City

Small City

Routes

Two cities are considered adjacent when they are directly connected by a route.  It is important to know how your cities are connected with other cities, as only adjacent cities are accessible when you attack or transfer your officers.

Regions

In this game, China is divided into the following eight regions:

Region	Cities

Yo Region	Xiang Ping, Bei Ping, Dai Xian, Jin Yang, Nan Pi, Pin Yuan, Ye

Xu Region	Bei Hai, Xia Pi, Xu Zhou

Yu Region	Pu Yang, Chen Liu, Xu Chang, Qiao, Ru Nan

Yang Region	Shou Chun, Jian Ye, Wu, Hui Ji, Lu Jiang, Chai Sang

Yong Region	Luo Yang, Hong Nong, Chang An, An Ding, Tian Shui, Xi Liang

North Jing Region	Wan, Xin Ye, Xiang Yang, Shang Yong, Jiang Xia, Jiang Ling

South Jing Region	Wu Ling ,Chang Sha, Gui Yang, Ling Ling

Yi Region	Han Zhong, Zi Tong, Cheng Du, Yong An, Jiang Zhou, Xia Bian

Foreign Tribes

The following are the foreign tribes in this game.

Qiang Tribe	Tribal people in northwest China.

Shanyue Tribe	Tribal people in southeast China.

Niaowan Tribe	Tribal people in northeast China before the year 207.

Nanman Tribe	Tribal people in southwest China after the year 208.


Domain Commands

INFORMATION (INFO)

When you select this command, the Info Map will appear.  Place the cursor on the city marker to find the name and ruler of a city.  Click on the city marker to display information on the city.

[RULER]

Display a list of all the rulers in the current game.

[OFFICER (OFCR)]

Display a list of all the officers under your command.  Select an officer from this list to view the Officer Data Screen.  Click on [Item] to view the items  the officer owns.  Click on [OFCR] to return to the officer list.

[CITY]

List cities in your territory.  Select a city to display its statistics.  Select [OFFICER] to list all officers in that city.  When you select an officer from this list, officer information will appear.

[EVENTS]

View the natural events that occurred in the cities.

RULER

Delegate

Delegate direct control of the city to the governor.  The name of a delegated city will be displayed in red on the Main Map.  Select the city and the type of delegated control from the following:

Delegate	Delegate control of all vassal cities to governors.

Regain	Regain direct control of all vassal cities.

City	Select a city to delegate or regain direct control.  There are two types of delegated control:

Army	The city will emphasize army affairs.  The governor may invade an enemy city on his own.

City	The city will emphasize city affairs.  Supplies will be sent to cities with a low supply.

The delegated cities will be displayed under the INFORMATION-City command.  And when you click on the Domain Command VASSAL (VSSL), the type of delegation will be displayed in the Main Command area.

Assign

Assign a rank to a subordinate officer.  An officer must have the abilities required for the certain rank.  Select the city, the officer, and the rank.  Your choices of rank to assign are:

Advisor	Officer with an intelligence over 90 and political ability over 80.

Civil Officer	Officer with political ability over 85.

Marshal	Officer with a combined leadership level and power level over 150.

Governor	One per city. No qualifications required.

Chief	When there is more than one advisor or civil officer in a city, select one chief advisor or chief civil officer who will be in charge of giving advice on that city.

Punish

Punish a subordinate officer.  There are three ways to punish an officer:

Demote	Demote an officer from their rank of Advisor, Civil Officer, or Marshal.  The loyalty of the demoted officer will decrease.

Fire	Fire an officer.  This officer will become a free officer.  Once you fire an officer, it will be difficult to recruit that officer again.

Seize	Confiscate an officer's items.  The officer's loyalty will decrease.

Exile

Leave the city and most of your possessions behind and go into exile.  Only the officers in your home city may accompany you.  When you go into exile, your turn for that month will end.  From the next month, you will be limited to the exile commands:  INFORMATION, GAME, REST, and the commands listed below:

MOVE

Move to a neighboring city.

RECRUIT (RCRT)

Recruit a free officer from that city.

PLEAD

Ask for aid in gold or provisions from the ruler of the city.  You cannot request aid from an unclaimed city.

SETTLE

Settle in an unclaimed city and declare your rule there.  From the following month, you may execute all the commands in the Main Display.

RUMOR

Get information from the people in the city.

GAME

Option

VIEW BATTLES	Decide whether or not to see wars between other rulers.

MUSIC	Turn on or off the game music.

SOUND EFFECTS	Turn on or off sound effects.

SPEED	Adjust message display speed between 1 (fastest) and 5 (slowest).

Save

Save the current game.

Load

Load a previously saved game.

Quit

Allows you to quit a game, restart a game, continue on demo mode, or quit playing one of the players.

Edit

Edit officer data and city data in the game.

REST

End the current turn.

HOME

Bring up the main command menu for your home city.  This command is the same as clicking on your home city on the Main Map.

VASSAL (VSSL)

Bring up the main command menu for your vassal cities.  This command is the same as selecting a vassal city on the Main Map.  Every time you select this command, the next vassal city will be selected.


Main Commands

Long Term Commands

Subcommands marked with (L) refer to Long-term Commands.  Long-term commands require several months to complete.

Commands That Require Special Talents

The words in "<  >" refer to the special talents required for officers to execute the command.  A ruler, however, is capable of carrying out any command, regardless of their talents and abilities.

ARMY

Except for the War command, the leadership, power, intelligence, and political ability levels affect these commands.

Move

Move officers to neighboring cities or unclaimed cities.  Select the officers and a city to which you will move them.  You may move as many officers as you wish.  The officers may take supply materials, soldiers, and weapons with them.  When you move an officer to an unclaimed city, that city will become your vassal city.

Send

Send supply materials, soldiers, and weapons to your cities.  Select an officer who will execute the command and a city to which you will send the goods.  You cannot send goods to cities that already have the maximum amount of goods. Success when sending supplies depends on the distance as well as the officer's leadership, power, political ability, and intelligence levels.  Be careful, goods can be stolen by bandits!

War

Attack a neighboring city.  Select a city to attack, and organize your units.

Draft

Draft people from the city.  Select an officer to be in charge and the amount of people you would like to draft.  You will need ten gold pieces and ten barrels of provisions per one unit of soldiers.  When you draft, your city population and support will decrease.  The number of people you can draft depends on the city population.  You cannot draft people from cities that have a population of less than 50,000 people, or cities that have a larger number of soldiers than the population.

Train (L)

Train the soldiers.  Select up to ten officers to be in charge and the length of the training period.  The result of the training depends on the number of officers, the officers' leadership, power, and training period.

Build <Build> (L)

Build weapons.  Select the officer who will be in charge and the type and number of weapons you will build.  The amount of time and gold it costs to build weapons depends on the officer's political ability and technology level of the city.

Spy <Spy> (L)

Send a spy to a specific region of the country.  Select the officer who will be the spy and the region.  The longest time you can spy is six months.  The spying will take place in all cities within the region.  The success depends on the officer's political ability, length of time, and the distance to the region.

STAFF

The power, intelligence, political ability, and charm levels affect the success of these commands.

Search <Recruit> (L)

Search for inactive officers.  If you find an inactive officer, you may be able to recruit him.  If you fail to recruit him, he will become a free officer.  Select the officer who will carry out your order and the region you will search.  The success depends on the officer's political ability and the region you search.  The time it takes to search depends on the distance and number of cities in the region.  You may discover items.

Recruit <Recruit>

Recruit officers for your army.  You may recruit free officers and prisoners from your cities and subordinate officers of enemy rulers from other cities.  To recruit an enemy officer, you may offer gold.  You can recruit enemy officers only from adjacent enemy cities.  The success of recruiting depends on the officer's power, political ability, intelligence and charm.

Reward

Give a reward to a subordinate officer.  This will increase the officer's loyalty.  You may reward up to ten officers at one time.  The highest amount of gold you may give one officer is 100 pieces per turn.  You may also give items.  The success depends on the governor's (or ruler's) charm, amount of gold, and type of item.

Give

Give provisions to the people of the city to increase your support level.  The highest amount of provisions you may give a city is 1000 barrels per turn.  The result depends on the officer's charm level.  This command can increase your support up to 80.

FOREIGN (FRGN)

Establish foreign relations with rival rulers and foreign tribes. Success depends on the terms of negotiation, your officer's political ability, and the other ruler's hostility (except when you use the command Revoke).  Check information on rival rulers by selecting [RULER] in the INFORMATION command.  The following commands are used when negotiating an agreement:

Accept	Accept the terms of the negotiation.

Refuse	Refuse the terms of the negotiation.

Terms	Refuse the terms of the negotiation and request new terms.

Advice	Get advice from the advisor.

Info	View information on your city.

Ally <Foreign>

Form an alliance with another ruler.  If you succeed, the allied ruler's hostility will decrease and he will be less likely to attack you.  When you are attacked, you can request reinforcements from your ally.  The maximum length of an alliance is five years.  You cannot form an alliance with foreign tribes.

Joint <Foreign>

Ask your allies to make a joint attack with you against another ruler's city.  If you succeed, the allied ruler will send joint attack forces when your army attacks the enemy.  Keep in mind that the allied ruler may betray the agreement and decide not to support your attack.  The agreement is valid for three months.

Gift <Foreign>

Give a gift to a foreign tribe or another ruler.  If you succeed, their hostility will decrease, and if you fail, their hostility will increase.

Threat <Foreign>

Threaten another ruler to surrender.  If the ruler surrenders, he and his officers will become your subordinate officers and you will gain control of all cities in his territory.  If the ruler does not surrender, their hostility will increase.  You cannot threaten foreign tribes.

Revoke <Foreign>

Revoke an alliance.  This will increase hostility towards you.

Swap <Foreign>

Ask for a swap of prisoners.  If you succeed, the prisoner will be set free and will return to their city.  You are able to make two types of swaps:

Swap	Make an exchange of prisoners.

Gold	Offer gold for your imprisoned officers.

Invade <Foreign>

Ask a foreign tribe to invade an enemy city.  If you succeed, the selected city will be attacked.  Depending on the location of the tribe, the cities that can be attacked will differ.  Foreign tribes may attack your cities and decrease the number of your soldiers, but they cannot take control of your cities.  You may, however, be able to take their officers as prisoners.

CITY

Adjust the city's domestic policy.  Officers may execute this command and another command at the same time.  When an officer executes two commands at once, however, commands will only be half as effective.  The level of political ability affects this command.  Hear the status of CITY projects by clicking the [VIEW] button in the City Window.

1. Click on the blank box of the task in which you want to invest.  A list of officers in that city will be displayed.

2. Select officers who will be in charge of the task.  You may assign up to two officers for one task, but you may not select one officer for two separate tasks.  The officer who is selected will remain with that task until you cancel it.  To cancel the officer you entered, click on the officer name again.

3. Click on [GOLD] and enter the amount of gold you will invest in this task.  The amount of gold will decrease every month.  Tasks cannot be executed without any gold.

FARM

Increase your city's farm level by farming the land.

DAM

Increase your city's ability to withstand floods by building dams.

ECONOMY

Develop your city's economy level.

TECHNOLOGY

Increase your city's technology level.  This will influence the type of weapons you can build.

MARKET (MRKT)

Trade provisions, weapons, and horses at the market.  The price of goods at the market can vary from month to month.  Check the market rates in advance by clicking on the City Info Button [CITY] in the City Window.  In this window the ratios by Provision Sell (P. Sell) and Provision Buy (P. Buy) indicate the quantity you can buy and sell for one piece of gold.  The numbers by crossbow (X-Bow), strong crossbow (Str X), and horses are the prices for these items.  Depending on the month, there are certain things you cannot trade.

Provision Sell (P. Sell)

Sell your provisions.

Provision Buy (P. Buy)

Buy provisions.

Weapon

Buy crossbows and strong crossbows.

Horses

Buy horses.

PLOT

Frame a plot against an enemy city.  The loyalty, leadership, intelligence, political ability, and charm levels affect this command.  Your plots will be more successful if first you gather information on the city by sending a spy with the ARMY-Spy command.

Hide

Hide an officer in an enemy city.  The hidden officer must have a loyalty level over 95.  Select a city and an officer who will hide.  If you succeed, the officer will hide for six months and will update you on the enemy city every two months.  While the officer is in hiding, you may view the enemy city information from the Main Display by clicking on an enemy city icon.  An officer in hiding can betray an enemy unit, when in battle.  After six months, the officer will automatically return to your city.  You cannot select a governor to hide.

Bribe <Bribe>

Bribe an enemy officer to betray his ruler in battle.  Select a city and an officer to bribe. Success when bribing an enemy depends on your officer's charm and the enemy officer's loyalty level.

Rebel <Rebel>

Persuade an enemy's governor to rebel against his ruler.  If you succeed, a rebellion will take place and the governor will become an independent ruler. Success depends on your officer's charm and the governor's loyalty.

Gossip <Gossip>

Spread bad rumors about a rival ruler in his city.  Select an enemy city and an officer who will set the plot.  Success depends on your officer's intelligence and charm.  Select among whom you will spread rumors:

Officers	Spread bad rumors among the ruler's officers.  This will succeed only when the officers' loyalty levels are low.

People	Spread bad rumors among the people.  If you succeed, the support level or economy level of the city will decrease.  Depending on the situation, the people may start a revolt.

Arson <Arson>

Set fire to an enemy city.  Select a city and an officer who will carry out your orders.  Success depends on your officer's power and intelligence.  There are three items which you can set on fire:

Provision	Set an enemy's granary on fire and their provisions will decrease.

Weapon	Set an enemy's armory on fire and their weapons will decrease.

Both	Set both the granary and the armory on fire.  The enemy's provisions and the weapons will decrease, but only half as much damage will be caused in comparison to setting only the granary or armory on fire.

Snoop <Snoop>

Send an officer to investigate another city.  Select a rival city and an officer who will carry out your orders. Success when snooping depends on your officer's leadership and political ability.  If you succeed, and the city which you are snooping on has higher data than your city, your city's data will increase.  You are able to investigate the following four areas:

Farm	Check how the enemy farms the land.

Dam	Check how the enemy builds dams.

Economy	Check the enemy's knowledge on economy.

Technology	Check how the enemy builds weapons.

ADVICE

Listen to the advice of travelers or officers on what to do next.

Visit

Visit a famous traveler in that city to hear his advice.

Advice

Hear advice from your subordinate officer(s).


The Flow of War

You will enter a battle when you attack, defend, or fight a battle as a reinforcement army  or joint army.  Once a battle starts, the Battle Display will appear.

There are three levels of battle:  field battle, castle battle, and final battle.  Depending on the defending sides decision or the outcome of a battle, the level will change.  Fulfill the victory conditions to win a battle in each level.

FIELD BATTLE

A field battle will begin when the defending side decides to counterattack in a field battle.  If the battlefield is near a large river, the armies will enter a naval battle (see below).  When the defending side is defeated in a field battle, they have the option to Oppose or Flee the battle.

Oppose	Move to a castle battle in their city.

Flee	Give the victory to the attacking side.  The defending side will select to flee to another vassal city or an unclaimed city.

CASTLE BATTLE

A castle battle occurs when the defending side decides not to counterattack in a field battle, or selects Oppose after they lose a field battle.  When the castle gate has been destroyed, the defending side may select to fight a Final Battle or Flee.

Final Battle	Move to a final battle.

Flee	Give the victory to the attacking side.  The defending side will select to flee to another vassal city or an unclaimed city.

FINAL BATTLE

A final battle occurs only after the castle gates have been destroyed.  The attacking side selects whether the final battle will be determined by fighting with Soldiers or a Duel.

Soldiers	The computer will decide the winner of the battle based on the strength of the troops on the attacking and defending sides.

Duel	The winner will be decided in a duel.  Select whether to duel one on one, three on three or five on five.  The army with more duel winners will seize the victory.

NAVAL BATTLE

If you enter a field battle near a large river, a naval battle will begin.  The units will be on ships and cannot go back onto land.  The commands MOVE, ATTACK, and PLOT, are different than in a field battle.  You cannot use the Betray command.

MOVE	Regardless of the type of unit, the mobility of all units are the same on water.

ATTACK	You will not be able to use the Charge or Duel commands, but an officer with the special talent "Naval" will have an advantage.

PLOT	Instead of the Chaos command you will be able to use the Chain command.  The Fire command sets only the enemy's ship on fire.

EXTENDED WAR

If a war (field battle and castle battle combined) continues for 30 days and the winner has not been decided, an extended war begins and the screen returns to the Main Display.  After all rulers have completed their turns, the extended war will resume.


Victory Conditions in Battle

One of the following conditions must be met to win a battle:

A. Capture enemy ruler.

B. Destroy all enemy units (For the attacking side, in each battle level).

C. Make all enemy officers flee to another city.

D. Make the enemy comply to a cease-fire.

E. Destroy the castle gates, force a Final Battle and prevail.


Preparing for Battle
Preparing for War

When you attack a city by selecting the ARMY-War command

1. Select the city you wish to attack and organize your army.

2. Decide whether or not to send a joint unit army from a neighboring vassal city.  If you want the support, decide from which city you will send the joint army  and then organize it.

3. If you have made a joint attack agreement  with another ruler, the ruler may send his joint army.

When you are attacked

1. Decide between a counterattack in a field battle or a castle battle, and organize your army.  If you decide to counterattack in a field battle, appoint a commander-in-chief and decide the amount of provisions and gold to take to battle.

2. Select whether or not to send reinforcements from a neighboring vassal city.  If you want reinforcements, select a vassal city and then organize the reinforcement army.

3. Decide whether or not to request reinforcements from a neighboring allied city.  To ask for allied reinforcements, select an officer who will be a messenger and which city to ask.  If the messenger is successful, then the allied city will send out a reinforcement army.

After both sides have organized their armies, the screen will switch to the Battle Display.  When units are positioned, the battle will begin.


Organizing Your Army

Formation of an Army

A regular army is organized from up to five units, and a reinforcement or joint army  consists of up to three units.  You may send up to ten officers to lead the regular army and up to five officers in the reinforcement and joint armies.  There must be one commander-in-chief to lead the regular army.  When the ruler or governor goes to battle, they become the commander-in-chief.  When the commander-in-chief (except for the ruler) gets captured or dies in battle, you must select a new commander-in-chief.

The reinforcement and joint armies can be sent only from neighboring cities and will arrive after the battle has begun.  The ruler or governor cannot participate in a battle as reinforcement or joint army.

Selecting Commanders

You may select one commander and zero to two lieutenant commanders.  Click on the green box to highlight it, then select an officer from the list on the left.  After you have selected a commander, you may select a lieutenant commander.  To cancel the officer you selected, click on the officer's name again.

Decide who will be the commander and lieutenant commander by analyzing the abilities and special talents in the list of available officers.  After you are finished selecting commanders, select [ENTER].

Entering Number of Soldiers and Unit Type

One unit is organized by a maximum of 300 soldiers.  Click on the green box under "Sldr" of each unit and enter the number of soldiers using the Number Input Window.  Then select the type of unit by clicking on the green box under "Type".  You cannot select an archery or cavalry unit if the number of weapons or horses that you have is less than the number of soldiers in that unit.

There are seven different types of units:  Infantry, Cavalry, Crossbow, Strong Crossbow, Auto Crossbow, Catapult, and Battering Ram.  You cannot select a cavalry unit if you are defending in a castle battle.  Battering ram units and catapult units can only be selected in a castle battle.

Deciding War Funds and Provisions

Carefully determine how much gold and provisions you will take to the battle.  If a battle lasts for several days, your provisions will become a key factor in sustaining your army.  A poor supply of provisions is also directly linked to your soldiers spirit levels. It is also important to note that it costs 100 gold to per turn to view information on enemy units during battles.


Battle Display

Weather

Clear

Cloudy

Drizzly

Rainy

Rain Storm

Wind

 	Strong Wind

 	Mild Wind

 	No Wind

Army Data

Number of Soldiers

Provisions

Gold

Units

 	Field Battle

 	Castle Battle

 	Naval Battle

Size of Units (Field Battle)

0 - 10,000 soldiers

10,001 - 20,000 soldiers

20,001 - 30,000 soldiers

Army Types

Army Types	Icon Color

Defending Side

Regular army unit from the defending city	Blue

Reinforcement army unit from a vassal city	Light Blue

Reinforcement army unit from an allied ruler	Light Blue

Attacking Side

Regular army unit from the attacking city	Red

Joint army unit from a vassal city	Orange

Joint army unit from an allied ruler

who agreed to a joint attack	Orange


Unit Types and Mobility

Units have mobility levels.  Each turn the unit will move within its mobility range.  Depending on the terrain, the amount of mobility used with each move will differ.

Unit Icon	Unit Type	Basic Mobility

Infantry Unit	5-12

Crossbow Unit	(Depends

Strong Crossbow Unit	on training

Auto Crossbow Unit	and spirit)

Cavalry Unit	15

Naval Unit	12

Battering Ram Unit	6

Catapult Unit	6


Terrain

There are three factors about the terrain: required mobility, effect of the terrain, and the altitude.

Required Mobility	The amount of mobility required for a unit to move to that terrain.

Effect of the Terrain	The effect on your attack and defense abilities.  Generally, the unit positioned on terrain with a higher effect will be at an advantage.  The unit will have a better advantage, the larger the difference between the effects of the terrain.

Altitude	The unit at a higher altitude will have an advantage in both attacking and defending.

Types of Terrain

Field Battle

Terrain Type	Required Mobility	Effect of the Terrain

Road	3	6

A beige colored line that intersects through valleys.

Bridge 	3	6

A brown line that crosses rivers in the valley.

River	7 {3}*	4 {6}*

A blue line located at the base of the mountains.

Swamp	5	5

The bluish-green area around the riverbanks.

Plains	3	6

The flat, yellowish area at the base of the mountain.

Grasslands	3	6

The green, open field area away from mountains.

Forest	4	5

The dark green terrain on the slope of the mountain.

 Mountain*	4-5	9-13

The lighter colored area on top of the mountain peak.

*Values in "{ }" indicate naval battle values.

**Some mountains are closed to only cavalry units or entire units.

Castle Battle

Terrain Type	Required Mobility	Effect of the Terrain

Plains	3	6

Ladder*	4	5

Castle Gate	no entry

Castle Wall**	no entry

Above the Castle Wall	3	6

* Cavalry, battering ram, and catapult units cannot use the ladder.

** Some castle walls are closed to only cavalry, battering ram, and catapult units, or entire units.


Commanding Your Units

Placing Your Units

When the Battle Display appears, position your units where flag icons are displayed.  The defending units will be positioned before the attacking units.  In a field battle, you must select a unit that will carry the entire provisions for your army.  When the provision unit is destroyed, the remaining provisions will be seized by the enemy. Reinforcement and joint units arrive later and are automatically positioned on the battlefield.

Traps

After the units are positioned and if there is an advisor in one of the units, the defending side may set up traps.  You may set up one to five traps depending on your advisor's intelligence.  If there is an advisor on the attacking side, the enemy's traps may be discovered.  There are two types of traps:

Pitfalls	Select the area you wish to dig.  The number of soldiers will decrease when an enemy unit moves to the pitfall area.

Hay	Select an area where you will hide bales of hay.  Set the hay on fire with the ATTACK-Firebolt command or PLOT-Fire command, and the area will quickly be engulfed in flames.  The number of soldiers will decrease, if a unit is in range of the fire.

Commanding Your Units

In battle, one turn equals one day.  In each turn, you will give commands to your army.  There are two levels of commands in battle: Army Commands  and Unit Commands.  Army Commands are given to your entire army while Unit Commands are issued to individual units.

When you click on your unit, the unit's mobility range will be shown with the Mobility Range Marker (red circle).  If there are any enemy units within its attack range, they will also be marked with the Attack Range Marker (sword icon).  Click on a Mobility Range Marker to move your unit, or click on an enemy unit marked with Attack Range Marker to attack it.  After your unit reaches the destination and there is an enemy unit it can attack from that position, you may attack the unit.


Army Commands

Army Commands are given to the entire army that you are commanding and can be issued anytime during the turn.

END

End the turn.  You may also end the turn by right-clicking your mouse while no unit is selected.

INFORMATION (INFO)

View information on each unit.  You may view information on your units as many times as you like during your turn.  It will cost 100 gold pieces to view enemy unit information, but you may view it as many times as you like in that turn.

After you select a unit, its unit information will appear.  You may click on a commander's name to view his officer data.

DELEGATE (DELG)

Delegate your command of a selected unit to its commander.  To regain your direct control, select this command again and click on the delegated unit.  If you delegate control for the commander-in-chief's unit, all units in the battle will be placed under delegated control, and you will not be able to regain their control until the battle ends.

DEPLOY (DPLY)

Give orders to deploy reserve officers to battle from inside the castle.  To deploy officers, you must organize a new unit.  You cannot use this command if there are more than five units or ten officers in battle.  Only the defending side in a castle battle can use this command.

TRAP

The attacking side will check the area, if they suspect that traps have been set.  This command can only be used in a field battle.


Unit Commands

Unit Commands can be selected after you have selected a unit to which you want to issue orders.  Some Unit Commands require the unit commander to have special talents as indicated in "< >" besides the command name.

To display the Unit Command menu, click on the unit to display the Mobility/Attack Range Marker and click again on the unit.

MOVE

Move a unit.

1. Click on one of your units.

2. The red circles (Mobility Range Marker) indicate the unit's mobility range.  Select where you will move.

3. When the unit moves next to an enemy unit, and if you still have enough mobility, you may attack the enemy unit.

The range you can move depends on your mobility, the terrain, and the unit's training and spirit levels.  You may not move to an area where another unit is positioned.

ATTACK

Attack an enemy unit.

1. Click on one of your units.

2. The sword icon (Attack Range Marker) indicates enemy units in your attack range.  Select a target.  You may target enemy units, castle gates, or barrier gates.  Battering Rams can attack only castle gates.

3. Select the type of attack.

The effect of attacks depends on the commander's leadership, power, special talents (Infantry, Cavalry, Archery, and Naval), and the unit's training and spirit levels.  When a unit is attacked, the number in white represents the remaining number of soldiers.

Normal

Attack an enemy unit next to you.

Group

Attack an enemy unit with two or more of your units.  The commander must have a leadership level higher than 70.  This attack will cause more damage on enemies than the Normal attack.  You cannot use this command in a castle battle.

Charge

Charge towards a neighboring enemy unit.  Reduce the enemy unit's soldiers to zero and capture enemy officers.  If the enemy unit is not completely destroyed, your unit will be pushed to the opposite side of the enemy unit.  Charge will inflict severe damage on the enemy as well as on your own unit.  You cannot use this command in a naval battle.

Duel

Duel among officers.  The officers' power will affect the outcome of the duel.  When an officer's body strength reaches zero, the officer is defeated.  Defeated officers will either die or become prisoners.  When all officers in the unit are defeated, the unit will be destroyed and remaining soldiers will be distributed to other units.  You cannot use this command in a naval battle or on top of castle walls.

To challenge an enemy officer to a duel

Select an enemy unit and an officer you want to vie to a duel.  When the enemy officer accepts your challenge, a duel will start.

When an enemy officer challenges to a duel

Decide whether you will accept the challenge or not.  If you accept, select an officer to duel.  Your officer may accept the challenge without your permission.

Arrow

Attack by shooting arrows with your crossbow unit, strong crossbow unit, or auto crossbow unit.  There is no limit to how many times a unit can shoot arrows.  The shooting range depends on the type of weapon.  The power of the arrow becomes stronger, the shorter the distance between you and the enemy unit.  An officer's body strength will decrease, if injured by an arrow.

Firebolt

Attack by shooting firebolts with your crossbow unit, strong crossbow unit, or auto crossbow unit.  Depending on the training level of the unit, the amount of times they can shoot a firebolt in battle will vary from one to eight times.  The power of the firebolt is stronger than a normal arrow and may catch the surrounding area on fire.  An officer's stamina will decrease if injured by a firebolt.

Catapult

Attack a distant target by launching boulders.  There is no limit to the number of times the boulders can be launched.  If you choose to attack the castle gate, the effect is the same as a Gate Attack.  You cannot use the catapult to attack a nearby unit.

Gate Attack

Lower the defense level of the castle gate.  This can only be executed when the attacking side attacks the castle gate in a castle battle, or the barrier gate in a field battle.  Catapults and battering rams are three to four times more effective than other units at gate attacks.  If you succeed to open the barrier gate, you may move to the other side of the gate.  When the defense level of the castle gate reaches zero and the gate opens, the two sides will engage in a final battle or flee.

PLOT

Plot against the enemy.  The Plot command is affected by intelligence, training, and spirit levels.  Each plot command requires a special talent as indicated in "<   >".

Fire <Fire>

Set fire to or near an enemy unit.  Select the area you will set on fire.  If you succeed, the area will catch fire.  The number of enemy soldiers will decrease when the enemy unit is trapped in a fire.  You cannot move to an area which has caught on fire.  Wind direction and the type of terrain can make the fire spread quickly, and heavy rainfall can put out a fire.  The likelihood of a fire spreading depends on the terrain.  You cannot set fire to an ocean, river, swamp, or castle wall.

Terrain	Fire Effect*

Forest	10

Grasslands	10

Ship	9

Plains, Roads, Bridges	8

Mountain	3 - 6

(depending on altitude)

*The larger the number, the easier it is to set fire.

Boulder <Boulder>

Drop boulders from the top of the castle wall or mountain onto an enemy unit.  Select the area you wish to drop the boulder.  The number of soldiers in the enemy unit will decrease, if hit by the boulder.  The commander must have a body strength over 80 and more than 1000 soldiers in the unit to execute this plot.

Provoke (Pvk) <Provoke>

Provoke two neighboring enemy units to fight against each other.  If you succeed, the number of enemy soldiers will decrease.

Confuse <Confuse>

Confuse the enemy unit.  If you succeed, the enemy unit will be immobilized for the next couple of turns.  This command can only be used in a field battle.

Chain <Chain>

Use this plot in a naval battle to chain enemy ships together.  If you succeed, the enemy units will be immobilized for a couple of turns.  This command can only be used in a naval battle.

Weather <Weather>

Change the weather.  Select from:  clear, clouds, drizzle, rain, and rainstorm.  If you succeed, the weather will change to your selection.  The unit commanders body strength must be over 80.

Wind <Wind>

Change the direction of the wind.  Select from: north, northeast, northwest, south, southeast, southwest, and no wind.  If you succeed, the wind direction will change to your selection.  This command will affect the direction of how a fire spreads. The unit commanders body strength must be over 80.

Bolt <Bolt>

Drop a bolt of lightning.  If you succeed, lightning bolts will fall to the units (including your own units) at random.  If a unit is struck by lightning, the number of soldiers will decrease.  You can only use this command when you are in a rainstorm in a field battle.  The unit commanders stamina must be over 80.

Lies <Lies>

Spread false information to the enemy's reinforcements or joint units.  If you succeed, they will withdraw to another city.  You can only use this command in a castle battle.

REPAIR <Repair>

Repair the gate after the defense level has decreased.  Only an infantry unit from the defending side can execute this command.  If you succeed, the gate defense strength will increase.  The maximum defense strength of the gate differs from castle to castle.

FLEE

Flee from a battle.  If your commander-in-chief flees, the entire army will flee and will lose the battle.  If you fail to flee, you will be captured.  Even if you succeed to flee, an enemy unit may chase you and attack your soldiers.  Your chances of success depend on your officers' power and intelligence, your units' training level, spirit, and distance from the enemy unit.

Before you flee, you must select the neighboring city to which you will retreat.

In a Field Battle

Flee to the city from which you sent your army (red text), a vassal city (blue text), or an unclaimed city (white text).

In a Castle Battle

Flee to the city from which you sent your army (attacking side only, red text), a vassal city (blue text), or an unclaimed city (white text).

DOUSE

Put out a fire on your unit's ship.  You can only use this command in a naval battle.  If you succeed, the fire will be extinguished.  Success depends on your unit's training level and spirit.

CEASE

Call for a cease-fire.  Only a commander-in-chief in a castle battle can execute this command.

Threat

Threaten the enemy to surrender.  Only the attacking side can make a threat.  If you succeed, the defending side will surrender.  You cannot use this command if the ruler of the defending side is participating in the battle.

Truce

Negotiate a cease-fire by offering gold and provisions.  Only the defending side can offer a truce.  If you succeed, the attacking side will release any prisoners and withdraw to another city.

Forfeit

Both the defending side and the attacking side can forfeit a battle.  If you succeed, both parties will release prisoners and the defending side will leave gold, provisions, and weapons and flee to another city.

BETRAY

Persuade an enemy officer to betray his army.  Select the unit and the enemy officer.  If you succeed, the enemy officer will bring soldiers and switch to your side.

Hidden Officer	Order your officer in hiding to switch sides.  This officer is most likely to follow your orders.

Bribed Officer	Persuade an officer, whom you bribed before the battle, to betray his army.  The chances of success are lower for this officer than for a hidden officer.

Enemy Officer	Persuade an enemy officer to betray his army.  The chances of success depend on the officer's loyalty and character.

TAUNT <Taunt>

Yell taunts at an enemy unit.  If you succeed, the enemy unit's spirit will decrease.  If you fail, the enemy unit's spirit may increase.  This command can only be used in a castle battle.


Post-War Settlements

After you win a battle, you must decide what to do with enemy officers your army captured.  You may select the following options:

Recruit	Persuade the officer to join your army.

Release	Set the officer free.  The released officer may go back home or become a free officer.

Imprison	Make the officer your prisoner.

Execute	Behead the officer.

When you capture a ruler, the options you have after battle will differ, depending on the situation.

A. When there is a city available to flee to:  Free or Execute.

B. When there is no city to flee to and the ruler has no vassal cities:  Recruit, Free or Execute.

C. When there is no city to flee to and the ruler has non-adjacent vassal cities:  Execute.

When you select Execute, a successor is automatically selected as a new ruler.  When your ruler is executed, you may select a successor from the subordinate officers.  When there is no successor, the game ends.


Types of Officers

Active Officer

An officer who serves under a specific ruler.

Inactive Officer

An officer that has not yet been called to duty.  An inactive officer will become a free officer, if you discover the officer with the STAFF-Search command.

Free Officer

An officer that is not serving one specific ruler.  You are able to make a free officer an active officer by using the STAFF-Recruit command.

Prisoner (POW)

An officer who is being held captive by an enemy.  You are able to regain this officer by using the FOREIGN-Swap command.


Ranks of Active Officers

You may assign officers to ranks with the RULER-Assign command.

Ruler

The most powerful person in a city.  Rulers control their home city and vassal cities, by giving orders to subordinate officers.

Governor

This person controls a vassal city in place of the ruler.  You must assign one governor for each vassal city.

Advisor

Mainly responsible for assisting the ruler and governor in planning strategy.  Only officers with political ability over 80 and intelligence over 90 can become advisors.   Assign one chief advisor when there are many advisors in one city.

Civil Officer

Mainly responsible for assisting the ruler and governor in city affairs.  Only officers with political ability over 85 can become civil officers.  Assign one chief civil officer when there are many civil officers in one city.

Marshal

Mainly active in army affairs.  Only officers whose combined leadership level and power level exceed 150 may become marshals.

General Officer

This person is a subordinate officer who has not/cannot be appointed to any of above ranks.


Officer Data

To display officer data, select an officer name from the officer list.

Name

The name of the officer.

Place

The name of the city where the officer is located.

Rank

The rank of the officer.

Age

The age of the officer.

Tenure (Tnr)

The number of years the officer has been serving the ruler.  When this number is high, the officer is less likely to betray the ruler.

Task

The officer's availability to carry out your command (except for the CITY commands).  If the officer is engaged in a long-term task, the type and duration of task will be displayed.

Duty

The type of city duty the officer is in charge of performing.  Assign an officer to a city duty with the CITY command.

Loyalty (Loy)

The officer's loyalty amount.  When this number is low, the chances of the officer rebelling against or betraying the ruler will increase.  Maximum:  100.

* Note: All maximum levels listed represent the highest level attainable without the added effects of special items.

Leadership (Led)

The officer's ability to lead.  It influences the attacking ability in battle.  Maximum:  100.

Power (Pwr)

The officer's offensive strength.  It affects the attacking ability in battle and in a duel.  Maximum:  100.

Charm (Chm)

The officer's charisma.  It affects the success rate of recruiting and negotiations.  Maximum:  100.

Political Ability (Plt)

The officer's political ability.  It affects the CITY and FOREIGN commands.  Maximum:  100.

Intelligence (Int)

The officer's knowledge of the art of strategy.  It affects the success rate of plots.  Maximum:  100.

Health

The officer's physical condition.  When officers get ill from plague or injured in battle, it will take them as long as seven turns to recover.  Officers may recover more quickly with the help of certain special items or travelers.

Body Strength (Body)

The officer's stamina.  This will be replaced with Tenure when in battle.  Body strength affects the rate of success for a duel. When this number reaches zero, the officer will lose a duel.

Item

If the marker [ITEM] is displayed, that means the person owns special items.  Select [ITEM] to display a list of special items.  Select one to view each item.


Special Talents

Special talents affect what command an officer is capable of executing, and the results of the commands.  In the officer data list, an "X" indicates that the officer has that talent.

Foreign (Frn)

The ability to carry out diplomatic negotiations with another ruler.

Spy

The ability to gather information by espionage.

Recruit (Rct)

The ability to search or recruit officers.

Build (Bld)

The ability to build weapons.

Bribe (Brb)

The ability to bribe an enemy officer to betray the ruler.

Rebel (Rbl)

The ability to persuade an enemy governor to rebel against the ruler.

Gossip (Gsp)

The ability to spread gossip about another ruler.

Arson (Arn)

The ability to commit arson.

Snoop (Snp)

The ability to snoop on another city and obtain valuable information.

Infantry (Inf)

A greater advantage when attacking as an infantry unit in battle.

Cavalry (Cvl)

A greater advantage when attacking as a cavalry unit in battle.

Archery (Arc)

A greater advantage when attacking as a crossbow, strong crossbow, or auto crossbow unit in battle.

Naval (Nvl)

A greater advantage when attacking as a naval unit in battle.

Fire (Fir)

The ability to plan a fire attack during battle.

Boulder (Bdr)

The ability to attack by dropping boulders during battle.

Provoke (Pvk)

The ability to provoke the enemy during battle.

Weather (Wth)

The ability to change the weather during battle.

Wind (Wnd)

The ability to change the wind direction during battle.

Chaos (Cao)

The ability to confuse the enemy during a field battle.

Chain (Chn)

The ability to plan a chain link attack in a naval battle.

Bolt (Blt)

The ability to throw lighting bolts during a field battle.

Repair (Rpr)

The ability to repair the castle gate during battle.

Taunt (Tnt)

The ability to taunt the enemy during a castle battle.

Lies (Lie)

The ability to spread false information to an enemy unit during battle.


City Data

Ruler

The name of the city's ruler.

Governor (Gov)

The name of the city's governor.

Advisor (Advsr)

The name of the city's chief advisor.

Civil Officer (CivOff)

The name of the city's chief civil officer.

Population (Popl)

The number of people in the city.  If there is a large population, you may draft more soldiers.  Drafting will decrease your population.  Maximum:  3,000,000.

Gold

The amount of gold in the city. Selling provisions and annual collection of gold  will increase this number.  Maximum:  50,000.

Provisions (Prov)

The amount of provisions. Buying provisions and annual collection of provisions  will increase this number.  Maximum:  50,000.

Support (Sup)

The amount of people's support for the ruler and/or governor.  When it is high, your income will increase.  When it is low, the chances of a popular revolt will increase.  By giving provisions, your support can increase up to 80.  War and drafting will decrease this amount.  Maximum:  100.

Farm

The city's ability to farm land.  When it is high, your income of provisions will increase.  War will decrease this amount.  Maximum:  200.

Dam

The city's ability to prevent floods.  When it is high, the income of provisions will increase, and damage during a flood or typhoon will be minimal.  War will decrease this amount.  Maximum:  100.

Economy (Econ)

The development of the city's economy.  When it is high, your gold income will increase.  War will decrease this amount.  Maximum:  200.

Technology (Tech)

The city's technological ability.  When it is high, it will take less time and gold to build weapons, and you will have more choices of weapons to build.  War will decrease this amount.  Maximum:  200.

Types of Weapons	Required Technology Level

Crossbow	20

Strong Crossbow	40

Auto Crossbow	60

Battering Ram	80

Catapult	100

Provisions Sell (P. Sell)

The quantity you can sell for one piece of gold.

Provisions Buy (P. Buy)

The quantity you can buy for one piece of gold.

Crossbows (X-Bow)

The market price for one crossbow.

Strong Crossbows (Str X)

The market price for one strong crossbow.

Horses

The market price for one horse.


Army Data

Soldier (Sldr)

The number of soldiers.  Drafting will increase this number, war will decrease this number.  Maximum:  9,999 (counted in units of 100).

Training (Trn)

The soldiers training level.  When it is high, a unit's attacking power and mobility will increase.  Maximum: 100.

Spirit (Spt)

The soldiers' morale.  When it is high, a unit's attacking power and mobility will increase.  When it is low, the soldiers may flee without your permission.  Maximum: 100.

Officer (Ofcr)

The number of active officers.

Prisoners (POW)

The number of captive enemy officers.

Free Officer (Free)

The number of free officers.

Horse (Hrse)

The number of horses.  Buying horses will increase the amount.  Maximum:  9,999 (counted in units of 100).

Crossbow (XBow / X-Bow)

The number of crossbows.  Buying or building  more bows will increase the amount.  Maximum:  9,999 (counted in units of 100).

Strong Crossbow (StrX / Strong X)

The number of strong crossbows.  Buying or building more bows will increase the amount.  Maximum:  9,999 (counted in units of 100).

Auto Crossbow (AutX / Auto X)

The number of auto crossbows.  Building more bows will increase the amount.  Maximum:  9,999 (counted in units of 100).

Battering Ram (Ram)

The number of battering rams. Building will increase the amount.  Maximum:  100.

Catapult (Ctp)

The number of catapults.  Building will increase the amount.  Maximum:  100.


Income Data

Every year you will collect tax and pay allowances.  January is when you give and receive gold and July is when you give and receive provisions.

Amount

The current amount of gold and provisions.

Gains

Amount of income for next January and July.

Losses

Amount of expenses for next January and July.

Net

Amount plus Gains minus Losses.


Ruler Data

You may view the following ruler data when you use the INFORMATION command and select [RULER].

Name

Ruler's name.

Place

Ruler's home city.

Vassal (Vssl)

The number of vassal cities, including the home city, under the ruler's control.

Officers (Ofcr)

The number of officers under the ruler.

Border (Brdr)

Which ruler you share borders with.  You can only invade rival cities that are adjacent to your cities.

Ally

Remaining duration of an alliance.

Hostility (Hstl)

Amount of hostility toward your ruler.  The higher the amount is, the more hostile the ruler is.  Hostility influences the FOREIGN commands.  Hostile rulers are more likely to attack your city.  Maximum:  100.


Weapons

Crossbow (XBow / X-Bow)

A general bow.  When used as a firebolt, your attacking power will increase.  You can build crossbows when your technology is 20 or above.

Strong Crossbow (StrX / Strong X)

A larger crossbow which requires leg strength to draw.   Its power and shooting range are twice as strong as the regular crossbow.  You can build strong crossbows when your technology is 40 or above.

Auto Crossbow (AutX / Auto X)

An automatic crossbow which releases multiple arrows at one shot.  Its power is about three times stronger than the regular crossbow.  You can build auto crossbows when your technology is 60 or above.

Battering Ram (Ram)

This weapon is designed to destroy castle gates during a castle battle.  The tip of the armored mallet is swung like a pendulum to break through the castle gate.  When attacking the castle gate with the battering ram, the result is three to four times greater than a regular unit's gate attack.  When the unit is wiped out in battle, the battering ram will be destroyed.  You can build the battering ram when your technology is 80 or above.

Catapult (Cpt)

This weapon launches boulders to attack at the castle gate or distant units in a castle battle.  When attacking the castle gate with the catapult, the destructive power is 3-4 times greater than a regular unit's gate attack.  When the unit is wiped out in battle, the catapult will be destroyed.  You can build the catapult when your technology is 100 or above.


Special Items

How to Get an Item

Sometimes you may discover an item, instead of an officer, when you use the STAFF-Search command.  You may also receive items from a traveler in the city.

Using an Item

You may reward your officers by giving them items.  When you reward an officer, the officer's loyalty will rise.  The amount an officer's loyalty will increase depends on the item you reward.

Each item increases a certain ability of the owner.  The ability will continue until the item is lost. When an officer has several items that affect the same ability, only the item with the highest value will affect the ability.

Types of Items

There are four types of items:  books, horses, weapons, and the hereditary seal.

Books

Increases officer's intelligence, loyalty, and political ability.  Some books give officers special talents.  When medical books are in a ruler's possession, the subordinate officers will recover from sickness and injury faster.

Horses

An officer with a strong horse will have a higher success rate of fleeing from a battle or duel.  Horses will also increase their owner's loyalty.

Weapons

Spears and swords will increase the owner's loyalty and power in battle.

Hereditary Seal

This will give a ruler enough power to become the emperor.  The ruler's leadership and charm level will increase to 100.


Editing Officer Data

The GAME-Edit-Officer Data command allows you to edit officer data in the current game.  The data you are able to edit are officer's abilities, special talents, face graphic, and the following five attributes:

COMPATIBILITY (COMPAT)

The officer's compatibility in relations to other officers in the game.  It is arranged in a circular chart ranging from 1-150 (note that the number after 150 is 1).  Close compatibility numbers indicate a high level of compatibility.  For example, an officer with a compatibility of 1 is most compatible with an officer who has a compatibility of 2 or 150.  An officer with a compatibility of 75, however, would have the worst compatibility.  Compatibility levels will affect the STAFF-Recruit command and the officer's loyalty.

AMBITION (AMBTN)

The officer's level of ambition.  Rulers who have a high level of ambition are more aggressive at invading enemy cities.  Ambitious officers are more likely to revolt against their ruler.  Maximum:  15.

COURAGE

The officer's amount of courage.  An officer with a lot of courage is more willing to accept duel challenges.  Maximum:  7.

LIFE EXPECTANCY (LIFE)

The officer's relative life expectancy.  Maximum:  7.

Editing Officer's Abilities and Talents

1. Select Officer Data from the GAME-Edit command.

2. View the officer list and select which officer you would like to edit.

3. Change the selected officer's data by clicking on the ability or talent you would like to change in the Officer Editor Window.

Abilities

Click on ability buttons and enter a desired value using the Number Input Window.

Special Talents

Click on the special talents that you want to add or eliminate.  A light blue marker with white text indicates it has been selected and the officer has that talent.

4. Select [ENTER] to enter edited officer data.  Selecting [CANCEL] will cancel the new data you input.

Editing Officer's Face

This feature allows you to create unique faces for the officers in the game.  You can change an officer's face graphic by painting graphic dots, or exchanging the face with other characters' faces.

To draw on the canvas, click on [FACE EDIT] to display the Face Editor Window.  Then click on the mouse to paint one dot, or drag the mouse to paint in several dots in one stroke.  When you finished editing a face graphic, select [ENTER].

Warning: Once [ENTER] is selected, the new graphic data will be saved in the game, and the changes will affect all the saved game as well as new games.  To restore the face graphic to its original, you must re-install the entire game.  Other officer data will be changed only in the current game.

ENTER / CANCEL

Select [ENTER] to enter graphic changes and return to the Officer Editor window.  Select [CANCEL] to cancel the changes and return to the Officer Editor window.

PALETTE

You may select two colors from the palette of eight colors.  The two small rectangular cursors on the palette indicate which colors are selected for your left and right mouse buttons.  Select a color for the left mouse button by clicking the left mouse button.  Select a color for the right mouse button by clicking the right mouse button.

X4 / X8

This adjusts the magnification of the face graphic on the canvas.

NORMAL / TILE 1 / TILE 2

This setting allows you to select the painting pattern:  solid color, or checkered patterns using the two colors you selected.

 	Normal

Tile 1

 	Tile 2

PEN 1 - 5

This switches the size of your pen.

 	Pen 1

 	Pen 2

 	Pen 3

 	Pen 4

 	Pen 5

DRAW / REVISE

Switch between the draw mode and the revise mode.  In the revise mode, the altered graphic will be restored to its original face.

REVIEW AREA

Allows you to view how the face will look when displayed at normal size in the game.  If you have selected the X8 setting for the canvas, you will see a square cursor in this area.  Move this cursor to magnify a different section of the face on the canvas.

FACE CHANGE

Exchange the face graphic with other faces from Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV, Romance of the Three Kingdoms III, or Bandit Kings of Ancient China.  Click on [FACE CHANGE] to view the selection of face graphics.  Select [NEXT] or [LAST] to flip pages.  Click on a face to replace the old face in the Face Editor Window.  You may continue to edit the new face.


Editing City Data

The GAME-Edit-City Data allows you to edit the city data in the current game.

1. Select City Data from the GAME-Edit command.

2. View the list of cities and select which city you would like to edit.

3. Click on the city data you would like to edit and the Number Input Window will appear.  Enter the amount at this window.

4. Select [ENTER], to enter edited city data and return to the City Data window.  [CANCEL] will cancel new data you input and return to the City Data window.


Events

Annual Events

Gold Collection

Every year in January, gold is collected from the people of the city.  The amount collected depends on the people's support, the economy level, the size of the city, and the governor's charm.

Provisions Collection

Every year in July, provisions are collected from the people of the city.  The amount of provisions collected depends on the city's farm and dam levels, and the size of the city.

Gold Allowance

Every year in January, you must pay your officers and soldiers in gold.  The amount of gold depends on the number of officers and soldiers.  If there is not enough gold, the officers' loyalty and the number of soldiers decrease.

Provisions Allowance

Every year in July, you must provide your officers and soldiers with provisions.  The amount depends on the number of officers and soldiers.  When there are not enough provisions, the officers' loyalty and the number of soldiers will decrease.

Natural Events

Select the INFORMATION command and click on the blue marker [EVENTS] to see which cities are affected by the following events.

Locust

From spring to fall, large swarms of locust may appear.  This will decrease your farm level, provisions, and people's support.

Plague

Regardless of the season, plagues will break out.  This will decrease your population, number of soldiers, economy, and people's support.

Flood

During the summer, floods occur in valleys with large rivers.  The higher the city's dam level, the less flood damage.  Floods will decrease the levels of farm, dam, economy, technology, population, and the number of soldiers.

Typhoon (TYPH)

Typhoons occur in the summer.  The higher the city's dam level, the less the damage.  This will decrease farm, dam, economy, and technology levels, population, and the number of soldiers.

Rich Harvest (RICH)

The crops will increase and double the amount of provisions that will be collected that year.

Scarce Harvest (SCARCE)

The crops will decrease and lower the amount of provisions that will be collected that year by 50%.

Other Events

Revolt

Regardless of the season, people will raise revolts.  The lower the people's support and the governor's charm, the higher the chances that your people will revolt.  This will decrease the people's support, number of soldiers, population, and farm and economy levels.

Rebellion

Officers may rebel against their rulers, depending on their loyalty and characteristics and plots by enemies.  When governors rebel, they become a new independent ruler.  The other officers will either become the new ruler's subordinates or free officers.  When officers other than the governor rebel, the number of soldiers and the people's support decrease.

Visit

Wise travelers visiting your city may give you advice.  You may be able to receive items or improve an officer's health.


Consultation

A consultation may occur in January.  At your turn, a subordinate officer will offer you advice.  The advice will vary from your city's strength, the army's strength, or foreign relations.  After you hear the advice, you must decide whether to Accept, Reject or Consult the advice.

Accepting Advice

When you accept the officer's advice, a command will be executed according to the advice. Once you accept the advice, you cannot cancel the command.  The officer's loyalty will increase when you accept his advice.

Rejecting Advice

When you reject the advice, the officer's loyalty will decrease and the game will return to the Main Display.

Consulting Advice

Consult the content of the advice with other officers.  This will lead you into the Consult Screen.

1. Hear the opinions of five officers.  To cancel the consultation, select [CANCEL] and the game will return to the Main Display.

2. Select the name of the officer whose opinion you wish to accept.  You cannot cancel the command after you accept an opinion.


Rulers of the Three Kingdoms

   Cao Cao

Cao Cao is the most famous officer in the story of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.  It is said that he was "a wise ruler to govern the land, a great villain to ruin the land."  Cao Cao collected talent around himself, and even tried to enlist Guan Yu, a former enemy.  He often boasted of his power, but when he broke his own military code, he cut off his hair as an atonement to keep his code intact.  When his son, Cao Pi, rose to Vice Prime Minister, together they became the true power behind the Eastern Han Dynasty.

   Liu Bei

Although Liu Bei served others for almost fifty years, he eventually became a very strong independent ruler.  Liu Bei pledged his oath of eternal brotherhood to two warriors, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in the famous "Peach Tree Oath" and vowed to defend the Han Emperor before setting out to war.  At the height of his time, he declared the Shu-Han Dynasty, but soon after he faced continuous defeats in battle.

   Sun Quan

Sun Quan was the third member of the magnificent family of Sun.  His father Sun Jian laid the foundation, his elder brother Sun Ce expanded it, and Sun Quan kept it intact.  One of his stronger military moments was when he allied with Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang to defeat Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Wall.  Sun Quan far outlived both Sun Jian and Sun Ce, and the Wu kingdom was the last of the three kingdoms to fall.


Famous Strategist
Famous Strategists

   Sima Yi

Sima Yi was an advisor of the Wei kingdom.  When Zhuge Liang launched his northern campaigns, Sima Yi tightened Wei's defenses and managed to fend off Zhuge Liang's persistent attacks.  When Zhuge Liang sent him a woman's death shroud and crown, the other generals of Wei became enraged and demanded Sima Yi to settle the war once and for all.  Sima Yi did not launch a counterattack because he knew Zhuge Liang was old and would not last much longer.  His grandson, Sima Yan, established the new Jin Dynasty, which eventually conquered the Wu and Shu  kingdoms.

   Zhuge Liang

Zhuge Liang, also known as "Hidden Dragon", impressed Liu Bei so much that Liu Bei made him his own advisor.  At the Battle of Red Wall, he formed an alliance with Sun Quan that led to a victory over Cao Cao.  During the battle, he built the Podium of the Seven Stars and magically brought winds from the southeast for his fire plot against Cao Cao's navy.  He was credited with the invention of the auto crossbow and the wagon, and was viewed as more than a military advisor.  He is also credited with visualizing the formation of the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu.

   Zhou Yu

Zhou Yu was known as "the beautiful warrior" because of his bearing and handsomeness, but he was also a brave and daring warrior of genius. He swore an oath of brotherhood with Sun Ce and he married Xiao Qiao, a sister of Sun Ce's wife. After the Battle of Red Wall he engaged in many secret plots against Zhuge Liang in both the public and private spheres. But he was weak and prone to illness and died of sickness at 36 years of age. Zhuge Liang himself paid a visit of condolence after his death.


The Combatants

   Dong Zhuo

Dong Zhuo gained military strength after he led an army to Luo Yang and established his rule.  When Cao Cao formed a league against him, he set Luo Yang on fire and moved the Imperial capital to Chang An.  With his new might he made cowardly Emperor Shao abdicate the throne in favor of the emperor's virtuous brother Xian.  Seeing his adopted son Lu Bu's fierce potential, he made him an ally and used Li Ru's wise strategies.  Dong Zhuo's tyrannical behavior, however, led to disaster, and he was killed by the hand of Lu Bu.

   Lu Bu

Lu Bu was well known for his superhuman strength, and many people said, "Best among men, Lu Bu; best among horses, the Red Hare."  Lu Bu's life was marked by a series of betrayals.  He began life as Ding Yuan's adopted son, but he assassinated him and switched to Dong Zhuo's side.  He later succeeded in plotting Dong Zhuo's murder with Wang Yun.  Lu Bu even betrayed Liu Bei, who supported him while he was in exile.  In the end, Lu Bu was betrayed by one of his subordinates and captured by Cao Cao, who had him put to death.

   Yuan Shao

Yuan Shao was the head of the Yuan family, which produced three lords over four generations.  He served as commander-in-chief of the league against Dong Zhuo.  Thereafter, he expanded his domain towards north China and became very powerful.  After losing the Battle of Guan Du, however, he lost all hope of ruling central China, because he failed to heed the advice of his wise followers, Tian Feng and Xu You.  When Cao Cao defeated his sons, the despondent Yuan Shao died of illness.

   Yuan Shu

Yuan Shu was the governor of Nan Yang and the younger cousin of Yuan Shao.  During the battle against Dong Zhuo, he refused to send provisions to Sun Jian.  When Sun Ce came to him, he traded his soldiers for the Hereditary Seal and proclaimed himself emperor.  He lost the loyalty of his people and soldiers, and his army abandoned him after losing to Liu Bei.  Yuan Shu died after he ran out of provisions.


Officer Information Chart

Please use this chart to keep track of officer information.  You may print out this page and make copies.


Pronunciation Guide

The following is a quick pronunciation guide for Chinese names spelled in the Pinyin system (modern spelling).  Everything except those listed below is pronounced as it is in English.

Consonants	Examples

C = "Ts as in "Tsar"	Cen = Tsen

Cao Cao = Tsao Tsao

Q = "Ch"as in "China"	Quin = Cheeng

Sun Quan = Sun Chuan

X = "Sh" as in "Sheer"	Xi = She

Han Xuan = Han Shuan

Z = "Dz" as in Zaire	Zao = Dzao

Gongsun Zan = Gongsun Dzan

Zh = "J" as in "Judge	Zhao = Jao

Dong Zhuo = Dong Jwoh

Vowels	Examples

Words ending in "iu" rhyme with "yo"	Xiu = Shyo

Liu Bei = Lyo Bey

Words ending in "ue" rhyme with "yweh	Yue = Yweh.

Li Jue = Li Jweh

Words ending in"ui" rhyme with "way"	Gui = Gway

Cao Rui = Tsao Rways


Suggested Reading

Selected Pictorial Stories From ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS (With English & Chinese Explanatory notes), CANFONIAN PTE LTD, Singapore, 1989.

Three Kingdoms: a historical novel, Attributed to Luo Guanzhong, translated from the Chinese with Notes and Afterword by Moss Roberts, University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1991.

Lo Kuan-Chung's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, translated by C. H. Brewitt-Taylor, Cheng-Wen publishing Company, Taipei, 1969, or Charles E. Tuttle Company, Rutland, Vermont, & Tokyo, 1959.

Three Kingdoms: China's epic drama, by Lo Kuan-Chung, translated from the Chinese and edited by Moss Roberts, Pantheon Books, New York, 1976.


Country Map


Main Map Info Switches


Domain Commands


Main Commands


City Window


City Info Switches


Input Pad


Input Dial


Move Pad


Ladder


Castle Gate


Castle Wall


Above Castle Wall


Canvas


Original Face


Palette


Palette Cursors


Options


Review Area


Jump1
See:

Special Talents


Jumpscenario
See:

Scenarios


Newruler
See:

Creating Your Own Character


Terrain
See:

Terrain


Domaincommands
See:

Domain Commands


Maincommands
See:

Main Commands


marketprices
See:

Main Commands

Market


Annualcollection
See:

Events

Annual Events


Items
See:

Special Items


Events
See:

Events


Rank
See:

Ranks of Active Officers


Saveload
See:

Saving, Resuming, and Quitting a Game


Edit
See:

Editing Officer Data

Editing City Data


Maximumamount
See:

City Data

Army Data


Organizearmy
See:

Organizing Your Army


Weapons
See:

Weapons


Citywindow
See:

Main Display

City Window


Battledisplay
See:

Battle Display


Warvictory
See:

Victory Conditions in Battle


Navalbattle
See:

The Flow of War

Naval Battle


Mobility
See:

Unit Types and Moblity


Maindisplay
See:

Main Display


Ceasefire
See:

Unit Commands

Cease


Finalbattle
See:

The Flow of War

Final Battle


Jointattack
See:

Main Commands

FOREIGN-Joint


Alliance
See:

Main Commands

FOREIGN-Ally


Numberinput
See:

Entering Numbers


Firebolt
See:

Unit Commands

ATTACK-Firebolt


Fire
See:

Unit Commands

PLOT-Fire


Armycommands
See:

Army Commands


Traps
See:

Commanding Your Units

Traps


Castlebattle
See:

The Flow of War

Castle Battle


Plothide
See:

Main Commands

PLOT-Hide


Plotbribe
See:

Main Commands

PLOT-Bribe


Staffsearch
See:

Main Commands

STAFF-Search


Staffrecruit
See:

Main Commands

STAFF-Recruit


Foreignswap
See:

Main Commands

FOREIGN-Swap


Rulerassign
See:

Domain Commands

RULER-Assign


Citycommand
See:

Main Commands

CITY


Traveler
See:

Main Commands

ADVICE-Visit

Events

Visit


Draft
See:

Main Commands

ARMY-Draft


Give
See:

Main Commands

STAFF-Give


Build
See:

Main Commands

ARMY-Build


Information
See:

Domain Commands

INFORMATION


Duel
See:

Dueling


Unitcommands
See:

Unit Commands


Fieldbattle
See:

The Flow of War

Field Battle


Foreign
See:

Main Commands

FOREIGN


Reward
See:

Main Commands

STAFF-Reward


Longterm
See:

Main Commands

Long term commands


Region
See:

Cities and Routes

Region


Foreigntribe
See:

Cities and Routes

Foreign Tribes


Character
See:

Editing Officer Data


Preparebattle
See:

Preparing for War


Scenario 1

Dong Zhuo Triumphs in Luo Yang (189 A.D.)

At the end of the second century, the death of Emperor Ling intensified the bitter struggle between the court eunuchs and the Imperial family.  The Yellow Turban Rebels destroyed the political authority of the Eastern Han Dynasty and plunged the nation into chaos.  The confusion allowed regional figures to gain power.  Finally, one of them seized the Imperial capital of Luo Yang. That figure was Dong Zhuo.

Dong Zhuo's forces met with setbacks in fierce battles against Cao Cao's League at Fan Shui Gate and Hu Lao Gate.  In complete rage, Dong Zhuo set fire to Luo Yang and moved the Imperial capital to Chang An.

The closing of the Eastern Han Dynasty had created an era of violent battles between rulers.


Scenario 2

Turmoil Spreads In China (194 A.D.)

Cao Cao declared independence in the Yan province and suppressed the Yellow Turban Rebels in the Xu province.  He formed the Ching Regional Guards from the best of the captured Yellow Turban Rebels who became the nucleus of his army.

After a year of fierce fighting, Cao Cao defeated Lu Bu and regained the Yan province.  He invited the wandering Emperor Xian to join him in Xu Chang.  By becoming the Emperor's protector, Cao Cao gained an advantage in distinguishing himself from many of his rivals.

He then attacked Zhang Xiu, destroyed Lu Bu, and expanded his realm and power.  But as Cao Cao continued his rapid advances, his one time ally Yuan Shao raised a vast army to oppose him.


Scenario 3

Cao Cao Expands His Domain (201 A.D.)

While Cao Cao was engrossed in preparations to fight Yuan Shao, Liu Bei began operating independently of Cao Cao.  When his participation in a plot to kill Cao Cao was exposed, Cao Cao attacked Liu Bei and made him flee to Yuan Tan's protection.

After the Battle of Guan Du, Yuan Shao died and the fall of the Yuan family began.  The discord between the Yuan brothers invited Cao Cao to launch an attack.  The battle became so uncontrollable that one by one, all the members of the Yuan family, including Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang and Gao Gan, were killed.

In the end, Cao Cao stood victorious as the ruler of all central China.


Scenario 4

Battle of Red Wall (208 A.D.)

While chasing the fleeing Liu Bei, Cao Cao began his southern campaign.  He scattered Liu Bei's weak force and China seemed on the verge of unification under Cao Cao.  At that time, Sun Quan formed an alliance with Liu Bei to create new forces from the Wu and the Jing provinces.  The allied forces dealt Cao Cao a grievous defeat in the Battle of Red Wall.

Liu Bei and Cao Cao's armies entered a naval battle on the Yangtze River.  Pang Tong, an allied spy for Liu Bei, advised Cao Cao to link his ships together for easier navigation.  Not knowing Pang Tong was an enemy, Cao Cao followed his advice.  When Liu Bei sent a flaming ship into Cao Cao's fleet, all of the ships caught fire.  The Yangtze River was veiled in a wall of fire.  The armies of Wu crushed Cao Cao's armies thanks to ingenious strategy of Liu Bei's advisor Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong.  Cao Cao barely escaped back to Xu Chang.

Just as Zhuge Liang imagined, China divided into three distinct spheres of influence.


Scenario 5

Birth of the Three Kingdoms (221 A.D.)

By 215 A.D., China was divided into three kingdoms:  Wei ruled by Cao Cao, Wu ruled by Sun Quan, and Shu ruled by Liu Bei.

In the kingdom of Wei, Cao Cao died and his son, Cao Pi, succeeded him.  Cao Pi forced the abdication of the Emperor Xian and pronounced himself emperor.  The Eastern Han Dynasty was destroyed and the age of the Three Kingdoms began.

Sun Quan's subordinates Lu Meng and Lu Xun had long tried to conquer the Jing province.  Finally Guan Yu succumbed to their plots and was trapped between the armies of Wei and Wu.  Guan Yu fought desperately to no avail, and the Jing province fell into Sun Quan's hands.

Liu Bei went into a rage and raised a great army to move against the Wu  kingdom.  But Zhang Fei was assassinated before his army could mobilize and Liu Bei was defeated by Lu Xun.  Liu Bei entrusted his advisor, Zhuge Liang, with care of the kingdom following his death.  Zhuge Liang formed an alliance with the Wu  kingdom and began his northern campaigns.


Scenario 6

Clash of Wei, Wu, and Shu (235 A.D.)

Despite repeated encounters, neither Zhuge Liang nor Sima Yi could get the upper hand in their struggle for more power.  Zhuge Liang had shown himself to be a military genius many times, but despite constant efforts he could not win.  At Wu Zhang Yuan, Zhuge Liang turned over all his forces to his subordinate Jiang Wei before he passed away.

Jiang Wei earnestly attacked the Wei army.  Sima Yi's sons Sima Shi and Sima Zhao of Wei  successfully blocked Jiang Wei's attacks, but the armies of Shu ultimately failed.  Under the burden of constant warfare, the people of Shu became exhausted and Wei successfully invaded the kingdom.

After pacifying Shu, Sima Yen proclaimed himself the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty and thereafter conquered the Wu kingdom.  With Sima Yen's unification of China, the curtain fell on the Age of the Three Kingdoms.


Scenario 7

Cao Cao Captures the Han Dynasty (189 A.D.)

In this scenario, you can only play as new rulers.  You may select the city of Xiang Ping, Xi Liang, or Gui Yang.  All other cities are controlled by Cao Cao.  You cannot play as Cao Cao in this scenario.


Scenario 8

Three Heroes Set out in Disruption (190 A.D.)

In this scenario, you can play as Cao Cao, Sun Quan, Liu Bei, or as a new ruler.  Cao Cao controls the city of Chen Liu, Sun Quan controls Chang Sha, and Liu Bei controls Dai Xian.  All officers, except for rulers, are inactive officers.  The strategy in this scenario is that you must increase the number of your subordinate officers in order to expand your domain.


Scenario 9

Tribal Kings Defy the Three Kingdoms (225 A.D.)

In this scenario, you can play as Cao Pi, Liu Chan, Sun Quan, or as a new ruler.  You can also play as the king of a foreign tribe by selecting Meng Huo or Che Liji.   Meng Huo rules the Nanman tribe and Che Liji rules the Qiang tribe.  Cao Pi controls the Wei kingdom, Liu Chan controls the Shu kingdom, Sun Quan controls the Wu kingdom.  Meng Huo controls the cities of Jiang Zhou and Yong An, and Che Liji controls the cities of Xi Liang and Tian Shui.  New rulers may select the cities of Xiang Ping, Gui Yang, or Hui Ji.  Foreign tribes may invade other cities in response to a request from a ruler.  Meng Huo and Che Liji are also subject to invasions by other foreign tribes.


Invest
Invest in dams and farms between January and June and invest in economy between July and December.  Investing in the economy in large cities is more effective than in small cities to increase your gold income.


Train
Train your soldiers early in the game and assign as many officers to help with the training.  Training will raise the training and spirit levels of soldiers.


Info
It is always a good idea to gather information on other cities with the commands, Spy, Hide, or Snoop.  This will allow you to view the strength of rival cities and predict if you can defeat them in war.


Provisions
Always store a minimum of one unit of food per soldier so that you will have enough food to defend the city in case it is invaded.


Market
The provisions rate fluctuates between 9 and 17 while the gold rate fluctuates between 1 and 9.  This means that you will not be able to make a profit by selling provisions.  However, if you need to immediately increase your gold and provisions by trading, pay attention to the market prices and trade when the market rates are favorable.


Ruler
Rulers can execute all commands even though they may not have special talents required for the command.


Support
Raise the support of your people to at least 60. When you claim an enemy city, raise the support of the city immediately by giving provisions to the people.  Assign an officer with high charm to carry out the STAFF-Give command.


Buildweapon
Build weapons to use in battle.  Sometimes, however, it may save time and be cheaper to buy weapons from the Market.

When the city's economy, technology, and amount of gold are high, and when you have an officer with a high political ability and the talent "build", build catapults or battering rams.  These strong weapons are not available in the market and will allow you to attack more aggressively in battle.


Send
Send supplies and weapons from safe cities to cities adjacent to enemy cities.  This will help when you go to battle and when those cities are attacked.


Delegate
Delegate control of your vassal cities when they are surrounded by allies.  Appoint a governor with high loyalty to control the delegation of vassal cities.


Warprovisions
The only way to acquire the enemyÕs gold and provisions is to destroy their commander-in-chief.


Warsupply
Send plenty of provisions to battle, but leave a sufficient amount of soldiers, gold, and provisions in your city so that other rival rulers won't invade your city while you are at war.


Soldiers
When deciding how many soldiers to send, it is best to send 10 to 20 percent more soldiers than the enemy's. If you take much more than enemy's troops, they will choose a castle battle, which will deplete their city of all resources.  If you claim this city, you will need to build up the resources once again.


Commander
Send officers with high leadership, power, and special war talents to help you win battles.  Commanders with leadership 70 or higher can make a Group Attack in battle.  It is also important to appoint loyal officers as your commanders so that he wont switch sides during battle.

It is a good idea to assign lieutenant commanders because they will increase the offensive strength of the unit and will lead the unit if the commander is defeated in a duel.


If you click on a header of a special talent in an officer list, officers with the special talent will be listed at the top.


If you have a large number of officers and soldiers in the city, you will have to pay a considerable amount of allowances in gold and provisions.  To cut expenses, reduce the number of officers and soldiers in the city.


Bandit
Koei's popular simulation game set in 12th century China, based on an ancient Chinese legend that is much like the Robin Hood tales.


Unclaimed
A city not controlled by any ruler.


Homecity
A city under a ruler's control and the current residence of the ruler.


Vassalcity
A city conquered by a ruler, but not inhabited by the ruler.


Demo
All rulers in the scenario are played by the computer.  To end the demonstration, you must select the Exit command in the upper left hand corner of the screen.


In the historical mode, the compatibility, ambition, courage, and life expectancy  data of game characters are set based on the story of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.  Other attributes of characters, such as intelligence and power, are the same in both historical and fictional modes.


Viewbattle
This determines whether or not to view battles between other rulers.  It will take time to watch battles between other rulers.


Message display time.  1 is the fastest, 5 is the slowest.


New officers include officers you have created and officers from a Koei game, Bandit Kings of Ancient China.


Jointarmy
A joint army refers to a support army from a vassal city of the attacking side, or an army from an allied ruler who has agreed to an joint attack.


Reinforcementarmy
A reinforcement army refers to a support army from a vassal city or allied city of the defending side.