The morning mist covered the rebel camp when Xu Anping received the urgent message. In his tent, the oil lamp flickered dimly, and the maps covering the wooden table trembled with each gust of wind sneaking through the entrance.
"They have united," he murmured, staring at the scroll with the report. The landowners in the region, alarmed by the rebel advance, had formed an impromptu alliance and gathered a provisional army to confront him. This wasn't unexpected. With every step they took toward consolidating power, the opposition also strengthened.
Liang, his inseparable friend and chief strategist, stood beside him, studying the regional map. They both knew that wars weren't won with a single battle; it was a chess game where every move counted.
"We need to move ahead," Xu Anping said, using the firm tone that indicated he had already made a decision. "If we wait for them to come to us, they'll catch us with fewer resources and at a disadvantage. The landowners believe their numbers guarantee them victory, but we have the experience and discipline of our veterans."
"How many men can we mobilize immediately?" Liang asked, leaning over the map.
"Around 1,500," Xu Anping replied, pointing to several positions on the map. "The veterans will be at the front. We'll also bring the new recruits, but they'll have to follow behind the initial waves. We can't risk their lack of experience costing us the battle."
Liang nodded thoughtfully. He knew it was risky to mobilize so many troops, leaving only 500 soldiers in reserve to protect the rear, but he also understood there was no other choice. If the landowners managed to consolidate their army and unite with other factions, it would be nearly impossible to face them in a defensive position.
"And what will we do with the reserves?" Liang asked. "We can't leave them completely unprotected. If we fail, we'd be exposed to an immediate counterattack."
Xu Anping looked up at him, his dark eyes filled with determination.
"I trust we won't fail. If we take the initiative and strike before they are fully organized, we can dismantle their alliance before it strengthens. As for the reserves..." Xu Anping paused for a moment. "...we'll leave enough men to withstand any surprise attacks, but the key is speed. We don't want a prolonged war."
Liang studied his leader's face, hardened by every challenge faced in the past months. He remembered the days when Xu Anping and he were just young men looking for a way to survive, and now he found himself standing beside him, planning attacks against armies formed by the most powerful landowners in the region.
Before they could continue, Wang Jian, one of the most recent officers to be recruited, entered the tent, bowing his head respectfully.
"Xu Anping, we've gathered the commanders as you requested. They are ready to discuss the mobilization details."
Xu Anping nodded and turned to Liang.
"It's time," he said, and both headed toward the improvised command center.
The air outside was cold, but the camp was in constant motion. The sounds of sharpening weapons, horses neighing, and men murmuring filled the atmosphere. In the center of the camp, the commanders of different divisions were already gathered around a table with maps and scrolls spread out. Xu Anping took his place at the head, and everyone bowed briefly in recognition before the meeting began.
"As some of you may already know," Xu Anping began, his voice clear among the group, "the landowners have formed an alliance. They have gathered a provisional army to halt our advance. We cannot allow their forces to consolidate. If they do, not only will they have a numerical advantage, but they will also gain control of the territory. We will attack before they are ready."
One of the commanders, a burly man named General Fan, was the first to speak.
"We have the advantage in discipline, but their numbers cannot be ignored. If they organize better than we expect, we could find ourselves in a prolonged fight. What do you propose to minimize the risk?"
Xu Anping nodded, having anticipated the concern.
"That's why we need a surgical strike. The vanguard will consist of our veterans, who know how to break disorganized formations. As for the younger troops, they will advance after the first wave to consolidate the advance. They won't be allowed to move prematurely. Liang will oversee the second wave to ensure the recruits don't rush in."
Liang spoke up at that moment, his eyes scanning the commanders present.
"The terrain is key. Reports indicate that the enemy army has set up camp in an open area. That works to our advantage. Their lack of structured defenses will allow us to move in quickly, but we need to control the left flank, where they might attempt a retreat or reinforce their positions. My group will take care of cutting off that route."
Fan seemed satisfied with the explanation, but another commander, Zhou Jing, raised a hand with a serious expression.
"What if we encounter an ambush? We don't know how organized they've managed to become. They could have more mercenaries than we've anticipated. If we fall into a trap, with so few men defending our base, we'd be exposed."
Xu Anping looked at him calmly.
"It's a risk we have to take. But I trust the intelligence we've gathered. This isn't a professional army; it's an improvised alliance. If we strike quickly, they won't have time to set up an ambush. Additionally, we'll have scouts moving ahead to ensure the path is clear. Let's not underestimate the enemy, but let's also not overestimate their ability to act swiftly. These are landowners who have gathered their forces more out of fear than strategy."
Xu Anping's words seemed to calm Zhou Jing, but they all knew the latent concern would remain. Every decision in war was a gamble, and while Xu Anping had earned a reputation for being shrewd and calculating, even he knew victory was never guaranteed.
After a few more minutes of discussing logistics and organization, the meeting came to a close. Xu Anping stood up, looking at the commanders one by one.
"Prepare to move your men at dawn. Liang and I will be at the front. Remember, speed is our greatest advantage. We must not give them time to regroup."
The commanders nodded and began to disperse, each in charge of mobilizing their respective division. As Xu Anping and Liang stood alone by the map table, Xu Anping let out a sigh, contemplating the movements they would have to execute in just a few hours.
"This will be our first direct confrontation against an organized army," Xu Anping murmured, though more to himself than to Liang.
Liang, however, heard him and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"You wouldn't be in this position if you weren't ready for this, Anping. We've faced worse situations before. And together, we got through them."
Xu Anping smiled faintly. He knew his fate was sealed by the decisions he would make in the coming days, but he also trusted his men. There was only one path: advance, strike quickly, and show the landowners that their power, based on fear and oppression, was nearing its end.