The air in the large tent was thick with smoke and tension. The circle of rebel leaders, dressed in mismatched, worn-out armor, gathered around a battered wooden table, on which lay an unfolded map of the northern empire. Each of those present commanded at least ten thousand men, and their faces showed the wear and tear of years of war. However, a greater threat loomed at the gates: the imperial army of the north, commanded by the legendary General Li Mu, was advancing relentlessly, crushing everything in its path.
Among them was Zhang Bing, the overall leader of the rebels, a traitorous noble who had left the Empire to form a coalition of rebels. His eyes, hidden beneath furrowed brows, silently watched the debate that had erupted during the meeting. Beside him, Li Heng, a commander known for his strategic prowess, also remained silent, attentively listening to the opinions of the other leaders.
"Li Mu has defeated Barbarian King Ragnar II in an incredibly bloody battle," said a worried-looking leader, his nervous hands tracing imaginary lines across the map. "If his forces manage to wipe out the remaining barbarians in the northern desert, they'll come straight for us. We're not ready to face them. I propose we reinforce our defenses while we still can."
His words echoed through the tent, and several of the leaders nodded silently, sharing his concern. The name Li Mu inspired fear, even among veterans. The news of his victory over the barbarians had swept in like a storm, and the shadow of his army stretched across the entire north. He was no ordinary enemy: Li Mu had not only defeated Ragnar II, the legendary warrior king of the barbarians, but had done so with a brutal strategy, unleashing a storm of steel that left an entire river red with blood.
"He's right," added another leader, his face flushed from the pressure of the situation. "Li Mu is a relentless strategist. If we face him now, with his army reinforced and his victories fresh, he'll crush us. We must buy time, strengthen our positions, and wait for him to weaken. We should avoid direct confrontation. The mountainous terrain and the defenses we've erected in nearby cities could give us a defensive advantage Li Mu won't overcome easily."
The murmurs of agreement grew among the leaders. Prudence seemed to be gaining ground. Zhang Bing, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on the map as he listened to the discussions. Li Heng, sitting beside him, drummed his fingers on the table, as if waiting for something. Neither had yet voiced their opinion, something that hadn't gone unnoticed by the others. Everyone knew that the final decision rested with the rebel general, but so far, he hadn't given any indication of his stance.
The meeting seemed to be leaning toward caution, until a sharp, firm voice cut through the consensus.
"That would be a mistake," said Qin Mingwen, the representative of the powerful Qin family, with a tone that left no room for doubt.
All eyes turned toward her. She was known both for her political skill and for her ambition, and few dared to openly contradict her. She wore a black combat dress, and her demeanor was cold and calculating, a woman who had earned her place through maneuvers as cunning as they were ruthless.
"Attacking now is the only viable option," she continued calmly, crossing her arms and gazing at the other leaders with icy precision. "The imperial army is far from here and preoccupied in the north. We're facing a tired and wounded army after their clash with the barbarians. Now is the time to strike. If we wait, we'll give them time to reorganize, resupply, and come after us in optimal condition. The terrain and our defenses won't hold Li Mu off for long. This man isn't just any imperial commander—he's a top-tier strategist. If we lock ourselves behind our walls, the only thing we'll accomplish is delaying our inevitable fall."
A silence fell over the tent. The leaders exchanged uncomfortable glances, but Qin Mingwen wasn't finished.
"Additionally," she said, pulling a small sealed scroll from her belt and laying it on the table, "I've received crucial information. Kastov, one of the imperial army's main supply bases, is vulnerable. If we take Kastov, we'll cut off their supply line. The imperials on the front won't have enough food or weapons to continue their campaign, and they'll be forced to retreat or starve. We, on the other hand, will gain the resources we desperately need: weapons, provisions, and the morale that comes with a decisive victory. Time is our enemy, but it's also our weapon. If we act now, we'll seize the initiative."
Her words landed like a stone in the pond of the meeting. The leaders began whispering among themselves, weighing the information. Kastov was a fortified city far beyond the rebels' reach, but if they managed to take it, not only would they deprive the imperial army of its provisions, they would also gain access to a massive cache of weapons and food. The balance of the war could tip in their favor.
A veteran leader, a tall and stooped man with scars on his face, finally spoke.
"Qin Mingwen, what you're proposing sounds tempting, but taking Kastov won't be easy. The city is fortified. Do you have any information on how many troops are defending it? How long can we hold out before the imperials regroup and crush us between two fronts?"
Qin Mingwen met his gaze with calm.
"I've received reports from our spies. Kastov is poorly defended. Most of the imperial forces are at the northern front, fighting the barbarians. There are barely five thousand soldiers in the city, many of them recruits and weary veterans. If we strike quickly and with force, we can take it before they reinforce the garrison. And if we're bold enough, Li Mu won't have time to regroup. Moreover, our army needs a victory to boost morale, and this would be the perfect opportunity."
Zhang Bing regarded Qin Mingwen with measured attention. Her proposal was bold, and though it carried risks, the potential reward was immense. Taking Kastov would not only delay Li Mu, but it would also reinforce the rebels with supplies that would allow them to fight on equal terms.
Li Heng, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"It's a risky proposal," he murmured, with a thoughtful look, "but also the only one that offers a real chance of victory. If we stay on the defensive, we're doomed. Li Mu will attack us when he's at his best, and then there will be no escape. We must be proactive. War has never favored those who sit and wait."
A younger leader, anxious, who had remained silent until then, raised his voice:
"But what if we fail? If we don't manage to take Kastov, we'll have exposed ourselves unnecessarily. We could lose more than we'd gain. And then what? We'll face an intact imperial army, with no shelter or defenses."
Qin Mingwen looked at him coldly, her voice as sharp as a blade.
"Failure is not an option," she said, crushing any trace of doubt in her tone. "This is the moment to act. Or would you prefer that Li Mu reaches us and finds us hiding behind our walls like rats?"
Zhang Bing slowly nodded. The words of Qin Mingwen and Li Heng had sealed the fate of the meeting.
"I agree," said Zhang Bing, his voice firm. "We can't keep waiting. We'll attack to Kastov."