The evening was bathed in a deep orange glow when Xu Anping received the orders from the rebel high command. The scrolls, sealed with the emblem of the rebellion, rested in his hands as his eyes scanned the instructions attentively. The message was clear: they had to move, and they had to do it quickly. The south was stirring with a wave of discontent and opportunity. The uprisings were gaining strength, but true power would not rest with those who simply destroyed cities, but with those who could control and organize them. Xu Anping knew this was his moment.
He tucked the scroll into his belt and lifted his gaze. His army's officers, men hardened by war and the chaos of rebellion, watched him in silence, waiting for his words. Xu Anping called everyone to the center of the camp, where an improvised tent served as the command post. The firelight cast flickering shadows across the officers' faces, heightening the tension and anticipation in the air.
"It is time," Xu Anping said, his voice firm but low, forcing everyone to focus on each word. "The high command orders us to advance, but our mission is clear: we cannot limit ourselves to merely marching. We have to take territory, secure it, and strengthen our position. The more land we control, the more men we can recruit, and the more resources we can gather. This is not a simple battle, but a campaign of expansion."
As he said this, Xu Anping let the words sink into the group. He knew that his men responded not only to military strength but also to the promise of growth and power. It was time to seize the chaos to build something greater.
"Our objective is clear," Xu Anping continued as a worn map was unrolled over the wooden table. "The villages and small towns are undefended. The imperial garrisons are weak and scattered. We will exploit this. We are not here to destroy but to control. We will recruit the most capable men and find talents among the civilians. This is how we will strengthen our ranks and gain more power."
Liang, one of Xu Anping's trusted officers, nodded as he leaned over the map.
"Where do we begin, General?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the points marked on the parchment.
Xu Anping pointed to several villages and smaller towns that bordered the territory controlled by the imperials. Places that had no more than a small militia to protect them.
"We'll start with the villages near the rebel border. They're vulnerable and will be quick to take. We'll recruit there first, then move on to the smaller towns. Every town we take will strengthen our forces, not just with men, but with supplies and weapons."
The plan was simple, yet efficient. It was a race against time and the imperials. As Li Mu's army marched south, Xu Anping knew he had to move quickly. If he could capture territory before the imperial forces arrived, he could consolidate his position and gain a crucial strategic advantage.
"We march tonight," Xu Anping said, looking at his officers with determination. "Prepare the men. What we can't carry, we leave behind. We need mobility and speed. If we reach our first target before dawn, we'll take the village before the enemy can even react."
The officers nodded and quickly dispersed to organize the troops. The order was clear and precise. The soldiers, already trained to move with speed and discipline, began packing up the camp. Provisions, tents, and military equipment were loaded and ready within hours. There was no time for delays, not in a campaign that relied on speed.
Xu Anping walked among his ranks as he oversaw the preparations. He knew that while his 500 men might not be a massive army, they were a lethal force. The training they had undergone together had transformed them into a disciplined and capable unit, a war machine ready for any challenge. Each of his soldiers knew they were not fighting just for the rebellion but for something far more personal: their own future and Xu Anping's.
When the moon was high in the sky, Xu Anping's army was already on the move. The sound of hooves and boots sinking into the mud accompanied the men as they advanced in silence. The shadows of trees stretched across the path, and the wind blew cold. The tension was palpable, but the soldiers' focus remained unwavering. They knew they were on the verge of something significant.
As they marched, Xu Anping kept at the vanguard, his eyes scanning the horizon. His mind was set on the first target: a small village called Xianfeng. It was an agricultural community with a small contingent of imperial soldiers who served more as local guards than a real military force. To Xu Anping, it was the perfect target. If they could take Xianfeng without much resistance, they could add the peasants to their ranks and, with them, move on to larger objectives.
When the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon, the rebel army found itself on the outskirts of the village. Xu Anping raised his hand, halting the advance of his troops. The officers gathered around him as they laid out the final plan.
"We'll send a vanguard to secure key points," Xu Anping said. "We don't want unnecessary destruction. We'll take the garrison and neutralize the imperial soldiers. We'll offer the villagers the opportunity to join us. Those who do will march under our banner."
Liang nodded and volunteered to lead the vanguard. With a gesture of approval, Xu Anping gave him the signal to move. Liang, along with a group of elite soldiers, slipped through the shadows, approaching the village's entrance. The sounds of nature were the only thing that broke the silence as they neared the small imperial outpost.
The attack was swift and precise. The imperial soldiers, caught by surprise and outnumbered, offered little resistance. Liang led his men with precision, securing the outpost before the imperials could even send a signal for help. By the time the first villagers awoke, Xu Anping and his army had already taken control of Xianfeng.
This was the first territory Xu Anping fully controlled. It stood as a symbol of his advance and the first step in solidifying his power in the south. The victory at Xianfeng not only represented territorial expansion but also the beginning of a campaign that could alter the course of the rebellion.