The sun began to descend on the horizon, casting long shadows over the vast imperial camp in the northern regions of the Empire. A swarm of soldiers, with their gleaming armor and banners fluttering in the wind, adorned the landscape. At the heart of the camp, Li Mu, the general in command of the central army—under the direct control of the emperor—was deep in discussion with his advisors and generals. In front of them, a heavy wooden table supported a map of the Empire, covered in markings representing the positions of rebel and barbarian troops.
The imperial army had secured a series of victories in the border cities near the desert. The barbarian hordes, although still present, had been pushed to the edges of the desert. However, Li Mu understood that this was only a temporary truce. Despite the success in the north, his concerns were now focused on the south, where the rebellion was spreading rapidly.
"General, if we maintain pressure on the borders, the barbarians will soon have nowhere to flee," said one of his advisors, firmly pointing at the northern markings on the map.
Another general nodded, supporting the idea of eliminating the barbarians once and for all. But although Li Mu was listening closely, his mind was already set on the south. The news reaching him was alarming: the rebellion was gaining strength, spreading like wildfire, and with each passing day, the threat grew.
"The rebellion in the south is spreading too quickly," Li Mu interrupted gravely. "We cannot ignore it. If we allow them to strengthen, we will face a disorganized but massive army, fueled by desperation and without respect for the Empire's order."
Li Mu's words fell like a sentence. Silence took over the room as the generals exchanged glances, reflecting on the gravity of the situation. One of the younger generals suggested dividing the forces: one part would remain in the north to conclude the campaign against the barbarians, while the other would march south to confront the rebellion. But Li Mu had already made up his mind.
"No," he replied with his characteristic calmness. "If we crush the rebellion with all our strength, we won't just quell the uprising—we will consolidate our authority and win the loyalty of the local nobles. The barbarians can wait. We'll leave a strong garrison at the border to contain any incursions, and we will bring the bulk of our forces south. We'll recruit the nobles' troops along the way, forcing them to join our central army."
His plan had not only a military objective but also a political one. By incorporating the local nobles' troops into the central army, their loyalty to their lords would be severed, weakening the power of the nobility in favor of the emperor.
"How many men will we take?" asked a veteran, hardened by several campaigns, knowing that the key lay in the numbers.
"We'll leave 150,000 men on the northern border," Li Mu explained, pointing to strategic areas on the map. "With that force, they will be able to defend against any barbarian incursion. We will take 200,000 men south, and we'll be joined by the local nobles' troops. In total, we will have around 300,000 soldiers under our command. It will be a force that no one can resist."
The generals nodded, convinced that under Li Mu's command, the imperial army was a well-oiled machine. The soldiers of the central army were not only experienced in war but also rigorously trained and professionally disciplined. Unlike the rebels, mostly untrained peasants, the imperial troops had officers who had been educated in the art of war since childhood.
"The rebels are divided. That's our advantage," one of the generals pointed out, touching the zones marked as rebel positions in the south. "If we strike hard, they won't have time to organize. Each faction will fight for its own interests."
"Exactly," Li Mu affirmed. "Their lack of unity is their greatest weakness, and we will exploit it. We must not underestimate an enemy driven by desperation, but their disorganization will prevent them from presenting a real threat if we act quickly."
The decision to forcibly recruit the nobles' troops was not just a military tactic but also a calculated political move. Once under the central army's banner, those troops would no longer respond to their local lords, but to Li Mu and, by extension, the emperor. It was a crucial step in consolidating imperial power and diminishing the influence of the nobility.
Preparations began immediately. The camp, which had been relatively quiet after the recent battles, suddenly buzzed with activity. Officers received orders to organize the march south. Blacksmiths worked tirelessly, reinforcing armor and sharpening swords. Supply caravans multiplied, and messengers raced toward nearby cities to summon the nobles' troops.
The organization was precise. Li Mu knew they couldn't afford mistakes. As they advanced southward, their army would grow with the nobles' forces, and each new contingent would strengthen his position. He knew the nobles had no choice but to join his cause; refusal would openly declare treason to the Empire. Furthermore, once their troops marched under the imperial banner, their loyalty to Li Mu and the emperor would be unquestionable.
"What if the barbarians counterattack while we are in the south?" asked a young officer, uneasy about the possibility of a surprise attack from the north.
Li Mu remained calm. He had anticipated every eventuality.
"The barbarians do not have the capacity to organize a large-scale offensive at this moment," he replied. "They are weakened and scattered. The garrison we leave behind will be more than enough to contain any incursions. And if they try something, they will pay dearly."
With the army ready to march, Li Mu took a moment to reflect in silence. He did not underestimate the challenge ahead, but he trusted in the discipline and strategic superiority of his forces. He knew he wasn't just fighting to quell a rebellion—he was waging a battle for the Empire's future. If successful, the emperor's power would be unshakable, and Li Mu would secure his place in history as the general who restored peace and stability.
The wind blew hard, making the imperial banners flutter over the camp. Li Mu gazed at the horizon and, for a moment, thought about the south: the rebel cities, the restless nobles, the disorganization of his enemies. But beyond those concerns, one certainty shone in his mind: they would march south, and with them, the shadow of the Empire would fall upon the rebels like an unstoppable force.