Xu Anping marched at the head of his small troop, the banners fluttering in the wind as the soldiers followed in his steps, their faces weary but filled with satisfaction. They had won their first victory, and though small compared to the grand battles fought by other armies, it was a triumph that resonated in their hearts. The enemy corpses, the remnants of the battle, and the cries of agony still lingered in the minds of many, but the gleam in the soldiers' eyes was mainly due to the spoils. Xu Anping, keeping his promise, had allowed them to rest on the battlefield and gather what they could from the fallen: armor, swords, spears, anything that could increase their chances of surviving the next battle.
Beside him, Liang walked with energetic strides, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the fight. Xu Anping couldn't help but notice the enthusiasm radiating from his companion, though part of him remained concerned. Liang had shown an unrestrained ferocity in combat, one that bordered on recklessness. While Xu had remained calm, Liang seemed to have enjoyed the chaos and bloodshed. That difference in their perspectives was something Xu would have to manage soon.
The journey back to the rebel camp had been swift and cautious. Xu Anping and his troop kept a steady pace, always alert to the possibility of encountering imperial reinforcements. They knew their victory had been a small but significant blow, and they didn't want to risk losing what they had gained. Despite the risks, the march was uneventful, and soon they arrived at the camp, where they were greeted with cheers and joy.
As they arrived, the other soldiers welcomed them as heroes. Li Heng, their commander and mentor, stood among the crowd, and when Xu Anping saw him approach with a broad smile, he couldn't help but feel a slight sense of relief. They had achieved what was asked of them, and the gratitude in the men's eyes confirmed that the risk had been worth it.
"Xu Anping!" Li Heng exclaimed, opening his arms wide. "You've done a splendid job!"
Xu bowed, keeping a serious expression despite the applause and congratulations surrounding him.
"I simply fulfilled my duty, Commander," he replied modestly, though a small spark of pride flickered inside him.
Li Heng stepped forward and gave him a firm pat on the back. He then led Xu away from the crowd, distancing them from the noise. The camp was lively, with fires burning and soldiers celebrating, but the commander now had a more serious demeanor as they stood alone.
"There's something I need to discuss with you," Li Heng said in a grave tone. "You've proven to be more than capable in this mission, and your ability to lead has not gone unnoticed."
Xu Anping looked at him with curiosity and slight confusion.
"What do you mean, Commander?"
Li Heng smiled, but this time his expression was more measured, as if carefully choosing his words.
"I'm going to give you more responsibility." He paused, savoring the impact of his words. "From today on, you'll command an army of five hundred men."
The silence that followed was brief but heavy. Xu Anping felt a knot form in his stomach. Five hundred men. It was an overwhelming number compared to the ones he had led so far. His mind immediately began calculating: logistics, training, discipline… Was he truly ready for something like this?
"Commander, I appreciate your confidence, but..." Xu searched for the right words, trying not to appear weak. "I'm not sure I have the ability to lead that many men."
Li Heng leaned in slightly, his smile still present, but his eyes sharper.
"Xu Anping, the rebel army is growing faster than we can handle. We're recruiting hundreds, if not thousands, of men, but we don't have enough officers. What you've done in the last battle is exactly what we need: effective leadership under pressure. We can't afford to have someone with your capability underestimate themselves. You will have your five hundred men, and I know you'll do whatever it takes to mold them into a formidable force."
Xu Anping took a deep breath. He understood Li Heng's reasoning, but that didn't make the weight of responsibility any lighter. Still, now was not the time for doubt.
"I'll do what I can, Commander," he finally replied, accepting the fate that had been thrust upon him.
Li Heng nodded, satisfied with the response.
"I knew you'd accept. And I want you to know you won't be alone. You have experience in your group, and that will help you train the new recruits. But there's something else I want to discuss with you."
Xu raised an eyebrow, wondering what more there could be after the news that he would command five hundred men.
"In a few hours, there will be an important meeting here, in this very camp," Li Heng continued. "A key figure in the rebel movement will be present, and I want you to attend. It will be crucial for your next steps."
Before Xu could ask more, Li Heng patted him on the shoulder and walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
Xu Anping stared at the ground for a few moments, processing everything he had just heard. Five hundred men. The magnitude of the task overwhelmed him, but it also offered a unique opportunity. If he managed to solidify his position and prove his worth with an army of that size, he could gain influence within the rebel structure. He knew that internal politics were just as important as battles on the field, and with this new responsibility, he was one step closer to achieving his ambitions.
Moreover, the soldiers in the camp were excited for another reason. They knew that after the arrival of four hundred and sixty new recruits, many of them would be promoted to officers. Xu Anping, aware of this, noticed the hope in their eyes. However, those promotions would only materialize after his departure from the camp, once the new recruits could fully integrate. The veterans were already fantasizing about the power and prestige they would hold as officers over the newcomers.
He walked through the camp, observing the men celebrating their recent victory. The laughter, the singing, and the clashing of weapons created a festive atmosphere. However, Xu Anping couldn't join in the joy. He knew the weight of command separated him from the simpler camaraderie. Now, he was the officer, the leader. And with that role came responsibilities that few understood.
Liang caught up to him as he distanced himself from the noise, noticing his tense expression.
"You don't seem as happy as everyone else, Anping," Liang commented in his usual carefree tone.
"I've been given command of five hundred men," Xu replied bluntly.
Liang stared at him in surprise for a moment, then a wide grin spread across his face.
"That's incredible, Xu. It's exactly what you need to move forward in this chaos. Think of what you could accomplish with five hundred men under your command."
"Or how quickly I could lose control if I don't manage them well," Xu responded with a hint of concern.
Liang shook his head. "Don't think like that. You've shown you're a natural leader. You did it with us, and you'll do it with them."
Xu didn't respond immediately. He knew Liang was speaking sincerely, but the confidence others seemed to place in him only increased his sense of pressure.