Marshall Sima walked up to Arash who immediately stayed at attention and greeted him.
Marshall! He saluted.
Your name is Arash? Marshall Sima asked.
Marshall you... still remember... me? Arash asked with a shaky voice.
Just because you joined the army not long ago and have gained some merits, you started talking nonsense here?
Arash thought for a while, thinking of what to say. He looked at Adlin for help who immediately turned her head away as if saying "you are on your own, you were talking just a while ago, why are you looking at me now?". Seeing help wasn't coming, he braved it and replied;
"Marshall, I think the military camp is the fairest place. We don't judge anyone by gender or discriminate. Anyone can make achievements. If the Mezhou city army is not like this, then I came to the wrong place."
How dare you say this in front of me? Marshall Sima asked with a hint of smile on his face. How should I punish you?
Eh! Dad, Arash didn't mean to disrespect you, he just wants to help me. Please don't blame....
Hmm! Marshall Sima waved his hand at her to keep her quiet. What you said just now is it true?
Yes Marshall.
Okay. Now I will let you redeem yourself. You will be the left side vanguard and assist general Funk in battle.
Arash was surprised and a bit shocked that he unknowingly left his mouth agape.
Quickly thank my dad. He is giving you a chance to make contributions, Adlin reminded him.
He immediately recollected himself and thanked Marshall Sima.
Thank you Marshall, he said and bowed.
Hmm! You can leave now.
Hey! Adlin called him as he was leaving. I can't be in the battlefield tomorrow, kill more Pan soldiers for me.
Okay. He nodded and left.
After he left, Marshall sima ordered the prison guard to open the cell. He went in to spend some time with his daughter.
Father, she called him as he walked in. I was wrong, I let you down.
Oh? Then do you know what mistake you made?he asked her calmly.
Maybe women shouldn't join the army. I thought it was too simple. I made several mistakes and brought disgrace to you.
Do you really mean it?
Adlin gave a split second thought and shook her head.
Marshall Sima sighed and smiled at his daughter.
It's normal to make mistakes. One's success has to be achieved, it has nothing to do with gender. We learn and grow up through series of mistakes. I have made countless mistakes in my army life but there is one thing I can't be wrong about. That is, "I can't be wrong about my daughter!". Remember, be it in the capital or in Mezhou city, as long as I am here, you don't have to be afraid of anything.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and she felt reassured. She smiled and hugged him.
Immediately it was dark, Arash wandered off to the bushes behind the camp. After being sure no one was coming, he placed a paper at a designated spot and left. It is where a fellow comrade would take it and deliver it to the Pan army commander. The paper contained vital information about the battle of the next day. All the fighting strategies and tactics of the Mezhou city army was sent to them.
The shoes of galloping horses filled the surroundings with noise. The sound drifted into her ears and she woke from sleep. Adlin got up only to see it was daybreak. She then began contemplating on what will be the outcome of the day's battle.
On top of the city walls, Marshall Sima stood together with Cyrus. They watched as the generals and soldiers under their command left for the battlefield with general Funk as the leading general. They bid them farewell and battle victory as they left.
General Funk and the soldiers stayed hidden at the outskirts of the Pan army camp. General Funk and Arash monitored the movements going on in the camp for a while and general funk discovered something may be wrong.
General Funk, is there anything wrong? Arash asked.
He sighed and said "on our way here we were attacked by a group of soldiers and that was understandable as they weren't prepared. But how could their camp be so unprepared for battle?"
General Funk, the arrow is already on the string, so it must be shot from the bow. There is no need to keep hesitating, there is no going back.
Without much thinking, general Funk commanded the archers to get ready. They lit fire on their arrow heads and stayed in position. They fired at the enemy camp immediately he gave the order and killed all the entrance guards and those patrolling the outskirts of the camp. Then they rushed in to kill and win the battle in one fell swoop.
Arash quietly deserted to a different place from others, he didn't join in the pursuit. To their surprise they canvassed the camp but didn't find anyone, that was when general Funk realized it was an ambush but it was too late.
The Pan soldiers immediately arose from bushes around the camp with arrows ready to fire. The entrance was surrounded too so no one could leave. The arrows killed many of the Mezhou city Army soldiers as they took protecting the general as the last priority. After the arrows were finished, the Pan soldiers rushed in with their swords to wipe off the remnants.
Back at Mezhou city, a report came with news from the battlefield. A soldier who served as a messenger rushed into the city and went straight to the Marshall.
Report! The messenger announced.
What is it?
The feign attack on the Pan army camp failed.
Okay. You can leave, Marshall Sima sighed and remained calm. He thought since it failed, then a full scale tough battle will be fought. But some hours later, another report came.
What is the update?
Marshall, general Funk and the remaining soldiers are surrounded by ten thousand Pan army soldiers and could be wiped out.
Okay, you can leave. Cyrus, how many soldiers do we have left in the camp.
We have only about one thousand five hundred ready soldiers, Cyrus replied.
Marshall Sima frowned and left immediately.