The sun razed the whole Sichuan Province, which was sandwiched, and divided by three dukedoms. It consists of a great plain, a river, and one central hub, the city of Sichuan itself.
The flag of Kun dared to challenge the breeze of the battlefield. There were three thousand infantry and five hundred cavalries, staying ready at the hill, ready to swarm on the field below.
Lan was on his white horse, warmed by a white robe ornamented with a brown wolf pelt around his neck.
After scanning the information, he said, "It is wrong."
"What? What is wrong?" Pin Zi faithfully accompanied him on his black horse. "Look, your troop there, with general Li Bi. It would be okay."
"No, it shows how pathetic we are. Look, there was a hoe, hammer, sickle, pork, not a spear, no armor, not even lamellar. Why?"
"Well, if you ask me, then who might I ask for, then?"
The laughter disturbed the peace. Yan Liang came with two horseriders guarding him. It looks like they are all Sui Yan tea house workers.
"Pathetic indeed. But your Duke must be grateful for what you had for, Young businessman."
Lan did not expect to see him here. He gave a casual salute. "Master Yan Liang, what a pleasure to meet you here. So, what occasion brings you to Sichuan?"
"Watching a battle, of course." Yan Liang gave a salute to Pin Zin. It was his first time meeting each other.
"This is my brother from the Liao tribe," Lan introduced him, and they exchanged salutes.
"Poor Kun, with those rugged peasants, when the war came on them, they would be scattered even before enemy swords wreathed them." It looks like Yan Liang shared the same opinion with Lan. "Shame. The great warrior of Kun was in a miserable state."
Lan surely knew too well about it, but what could he do? Kun was poor. For Them to buy agricultural equipment alone was difficult, let alone arm their troops properly.
"Let us enjoy the battle, shall we?" asked Yan Liang.
The battle has not yet started. Han and Ning were standing off facing each other without making any movement.
"Aiya, why haven't they started the battle yet? It's already midday!" Pin Zin protested.
"Because Kun troops stand valiantly at the hill," Implied Yan Liang.
"Please enlighten me, Master," asked Lan.
"If they started the battle and suddenly the Kun attacked one of their flanks, they were finished. It looks like both armies have someone who knows it too well."
"Aia, seriously? What can our rugged troops do in battle? You see, they do not have the proper equipment." Pin Zin pointed out what was on Lan's mind, that Lan did not dare to blot it out.
"Even the ragtag rebels could rout the whole Ahn Empire army if it had a proper place on the choke point. There, if two armies clashed, with little push from the flank, the entire battle would be decided by which side Kun was on. It impacts morale. When morale was low, the army would break."
"Report!" The horse riders galloped from the north toward general Li Bi, reporting something that made Li Bi face precautious.
Li Bi made a hard turn with his horse. He raced with many Kun horse riders to the north. Something must have happened. Something bad.
The horse riders then came to Lan. "Report, we detected many of our horsemen under General Li Bi's banner Strom out from the forest toward the Ning battle formation."
"General Li Bi flag?" Yan Liang frowned. "Young Businessman. If general Li Bi had the authority to use his flag?"
No, he was not. He was not permitted to use their name on the flag, not yet. Something fishy happened. "Pin Zin, let us go!"
Lan and Pin Zin galloped to the north. Those two prepared their sword, just precaution. Soon they could see the Li Bi group of Cavalry.
Lan held his girth, stopping his horse on the trek. He observed those cavalry armors and weapons. They used lammeral armor designed for cavalry and a long spear, which they usually used for charges. There was no way Kun had those things in their armory.
"It must be someone imitating Kun cavalry," said Yan Liang, who just came and made a quick observation.
Li Bi tried his best to recall those cavalries. Instead, many of those imitated cavalry dropped speed, slashing general Li Bi. He miraculously dodged it.
Kun horse riders were no match to those cavalries and quickly got slaughtered. Now Li Bi's life was in jeopardy.
"Pin Zin, help general Li Bi at once!" Lan was dashing his horse to Li Bi.
"Aia, don't rush it!" Pin Zin followed up with Yan Liang's guards.
They rushed to help Li Bi. It was a wise move. The imitated cavalry turned around and helped their friends. It seems the number of cavalries from the hill debulked them. Ensuing clashes were unavoidable.
"General Li Bi, reinforcement has come!" Pin Zin cried and swung his sword at the horseman battling Li Bi.
The horseman easily dodged it. It seems he was not a normal cavalryman.
"Stop ruining my duel, you punk!" Li Bi was hushing Pin Zin away.
"I came to help you!"
"It was a fair duel. Get lost!"
"Ungrateful bastard!"
Thanks for their quarrel. The horse riders successfully galloped away. The horse riders also release one arrow that almost hits Li Bi. Luckily Pin Zin successfully thwarted those by swinging his sword.
Pin Zin tried to release his arrow, but many cavalrymen covered those men.
More Kun cavalry rushed from the north, led by Grand General Muku. It is unclear what he was doing by blocking Li Bi's group of cavalry, who had a hot pursuit.
"General Li Bi, what happened? We got a report of you leading cavalry toward Ning encampment. So we rush here," said Grand General.
"That Lu Lu Bing, one of the Han generals," said Li Bi. "Get lost! I almost captured him!"
Now, those imitating chivalry successfully run and disappear into the forest.
"Hmmph! Is that how you said thank you after we helped you, Li Bi?" Muku said.
"Helping who? Those Imitated cavalries escaped because of you stupid cavalry blocking my way!"
Lan and Pin Zin did not want to get caught between those rivalries. They returned to the hill, meeting Yan Liang there.
"What happened there, young businessman?"
****