Chereads / When the snow melts / Chapter 6 - At the battle camp site

Chapter 6 - At the battle camp site

The marriage decree was carried by a messenger to the camp site close to the Juyong pass. The soldiers were eagerly waiting for any sign of the reinforcements. When the soldier from the watch tower saw a horse rider he signalled and immediately the camp site was filled with hope. But there was no trail of accompanying wagons behind him. The messenger halted at the gates and showed his pass before he was allowed permission to enter.

The general was in his quarters. A tent in the centre of the camp site grandeur than other tents. He was over looking the map of the Juyong pass, its neighbouring region and the formation of other fortification. They have been battling the forces of Shenzhou army lead by two of their generals, for two months now. The request for reinforcements was made a month ago, and still no sign of them. Guoqiang had to become creative with his tactics, otherwise they will lose at this intersection.

"General, a messenger has arrived from the capital," said commander Yan.

"Let him in," said general Guoqiang.

Messenger : "General, please receive the imperial decree."

All present inside general's quarters were on their knees, with their head down, in a stance to receive the imperial order.

Messenger :

"General Xu Guoqiang is brave and valiant serving the empire with honour. I hereby specially bestow a marriage between the sons of the Xu family with daughters of the Lu family, to be held on the day of the Mid-Autumn festival. Special circumstances will uphold for General Xu Guoqinag, for his devoted service for the empire of Tianxia.

By the order of the Emperor."

Everyone was stunned by this sudden marriage decree, despite that they all respectfully bowed.

"I, Xu Guoqiang, thank his majesty for his graciousness." Said Guoqiang as he received the decree with both hands.

He handed the scroll which contains the decree to his aide Fei.

"Any whereabouts of the reinforcements?" asked general Guoqiang.

"No, general." said the messenger.

"When was this marriage decree made?" asked Guoqiang.

"Yesterday, during the afternoon court session," said the messenger.

"So, a marriage decree can reach my camp site, in a duration of half a day, since its signed. Yet reinforcements for the battle cannot reach since A MONTH!?" yelled Guoqiang. The messenger trembled and fell to his knees at the mercy of the ruthless general.

"General, I do not know anything of the reinforcements, neither was I informed about it. My duty was to announce the marriage decree, please spare me general." panicked the messenger.

Commander Yan spoke, "Appease your anger general."

"Leave," said the general with gritted teeth.

"General..." the messenger stood up to back out and leave the quarters but at the entrance of the tent he stood and asked for gratuity with raised hands. Aide Fei took out a pouch of few coins and handed it to the messenger.

"Thank you for your benevolence, general," said the messenger and quickly left the camp site.

Commander of the cavalry, Commander Chu : "To think amongst this battle and compromised border situation, a marriage will be made, is simply negligence."

Aide Fei : "Shuuu, your talking about his majesty, practice some caution."

Commander of the infantry, Commander Yang : " Within these camp site, everyone has the same mindset towards the emperor."

Commander Yan of the archers : "How are we going forward with this battle, general?"

Aide Fei: "You switched soon from the matter of marriage. Isn't it great that finally general is getting married! I thought I will have to stay unmarried till the day I die serving the unmarried general, now there seems hope for me. Commander Chu: "Nobody cares whether your wedded or not."

Commander Yang: "Who will want to marry you anyway." Both commander Chu and Yang laugh out loud, mocking Fei.

Aide Fei : "I lack nothing! I am general's right hand."

"Say what now?" said commander Yan, with a raised eyebrow in disbelief.

"I mean, aide... Im general's aide! Its alright if I boost my rank. No one will question it," said aide Fei.

Aide Fei was the youngest among the people present at the general's tent. He is known for spinning tall tales, and possess excellent storytelling skills. A kind, child-like soul, but not to be mistaken for a weak character, he can be fierce when necessary. He fights for survival, his instincts to protect his master at all cost, makes him admirable. The closest and the most loyal towards general.

General while looking at the map spoke, "We will surely need to take up some drastic measures, create commotion and end this quick. No hope in waiting for back up." He turns around to face his men, as he gave his aide instructions. "Chen Fei, you go back to the mansion to prepare for the wedding. Make sure the manor is presentable and buy the necessities for the bride. Make sure there is nothing lacking. I trust you with the manor and the safety of the bride," said Guoqiang as he places his hand on Fei's shoulder.

"Yes, general!" Said Fei with esteem before continuing. "General you will finish the battle and come in time for marriage?"

General Guoqiang : "Cannot be sure. besides his majesty has given special circumstances for the wedding. Keep me informed about the wedding and everything that is happening in the Xu mansion."

Aide Fei: "Yes!"

Guoqiang : "You can leave now." And aide Fei left the presence of the general. General looks at this commanders and asks.

General Guoqiang : "What have we done so far?"

Commander Yan : "Shenzhou forces include 100,000 men. Consisting of 40,000 infantry, 40,000 calvary and 20,000 archers.

Commander Chu : "The civilians of the Yi county have been evacuated, to the nearest county. Shenzhou had charged war two months ago and we battled them head on. The two flanks of calvary engaged from two sides. One lead by myself and the other lead by general. Once cornered with no way to escape, Commander Yan's archers took care of the rest."

Commander Yang : "The infantry was stationed at two sub-passes of the Juyong pass. The southern Nan pass and the northern Badaling pass.

Commander Yan : "Smoke bombs and torched arrows were launched from the Guangou valley at the vantage point to force out the watch tower guards and stationed archers."

Commander Yang : "Any escaping enemy soldiers from walls of the Juyong pass were dealt with on the sub-passes by the infantry. The causality faced by Shenzhou, around 27,000 men and one of their general killed. While we are facing depleting armoury and 5,000 deaths and 2,000 gravely injured"

Guoqiang was silent. Everyone else waited for him to speak. While his mind was racing. The battle started two months ago, the progress made by them was only in the first month. While this month, they were just sitting ducks. Shenzhou did not attack them, they were also dealing with loss, they revised their reinforcements and another general took over. While Tianxia reinforcements are no where to be seen. Two weeks ago, Shenzhou successfully regrouped and began attacking, while Guoqiang's army only evaded the attacks, delayed their progress by not giving them much to battle with. Guoqiang did not like this situation. The northern army that Guoqiang leads, was stationed at the Liaoyang garrison. As they overlooked the training of the new recruits. This call, for defending Juyong pass was sudden. Shenzhou borders were relatively peaceful for the period of two years. There was no activity, no suspicious troops movement, armoury mobility, no indication of war brewing and then suddenly full fledged attack on two passes simultaneously. One at Juyong pass and another at Niangzi pass. At Niangzi pass Wang's army went to battle.

Juyong pass was protected by 30,000 soldiers, they engaged in battle under Superintendent Wan and he send the military message for assistance at Liaoyang garrison. Superintendent Wan and his troops were battling for a day when Guoqiang's army of 20,000 arrived the next day. By the time Guoqiang army came in the scene, the Juyong pass was taken over by the Shenzhou forces. Battle is only over when one of them retreats. Guoqiang army was also broken down, some had gone to accompany General Han's expedition, others were mandating port city from pirates. While Guoqiang was thinking, Superintendent Wan came in with a message.

Superintendent Wan : "General, General Han has reverted."

Guoqiang read the message send by General Han. It was shocking to find out that general Han was at 'He county' close to the Niangzi pass. He could have arrived for battle at Niangzi pass in a day's time. Yet, three days prior to the attack on the Niangzi pass, General Wang stationed his troops there. It was indeed suspicious.

"Superintendent, make preparation for battle, do not look for reinforcements any longer. We have to find a way to prolong this battle as much as possible. Tell me, how much resources is stored at the beacon towers?" asked Guoqiang.

"Enough to sustain two weeks." said Superintendent Wan.

"What are you planning general," asked a curious commander Chu.

"Creating divergence." said Guoqiang. "We will conqueror the southern Nan pass and take in possession the rations stored in the towers. While divert the forces to the centre and northern sub-pass."

"We do not have enough weaponry," said concerned commander Yang.

"We are in a mountain range and covered by forest aren't we?" suggested Guoqiang.

Commander Yan understood immediately, "Make use of the surrounding resources." Yan implied. "I'll send my men to fetch wood to sharpen arrows, brakes and barricade."

"Superintendent Wan, this situation might look bleak. I cannot be for certain what the outcome will be..." Before general Guoqiang could finish speaking, Superintendent interrupts, "General... I put my trust in you. I lost the pass and I want to retrieve it back. You are the only one capable of this feat. I'll be forever grateful towards you general..." As he bows to general, he turns towards commander Yan. "I'll round the guards, they will accompany your men in collecting resources commander Yan," and superintendent left the tent.

Commander Yan: "General... "

General Guoqiang: "There is a something happening within the court, that we are not aware off. It is no coincidence that Wang posted his army 3 days prior to the attack as if he already knew. That general Han was not informed about the reinforcements. What is more strange is that Juyong pass gets 100,000 soldiers in a battle against 30,000 guards. While Niangzi pass gets only 30,000 men against 20,000 of Wang's army. This equation is odd. There must be a conspiracy rising."

Commander Chu : "How will we be able, to get past this? It was known that we are at the Liaoyang garrison and that rest of the army was with General Han, while rest are left behind to clear the pirates and half of them at suppressing rebellions. Are these turn of events merely a coincidence?"

Commander Yang : "How can we be certain whose handy work it is?"

Commander Yan suggested : "General Han is neutral in the court, so he will not include himself in anyone's schemes and the pirates, were already an increasing infestation in those regions. However, rebellion revolts can be staged."

General Guoqiang: "Prepare well. We need to make a grand and showy feat to compel the traitor out."