Dawn arrived with a thick mist covering Xu Anping's camp. The soldiers were beginning their daily routine, strengthening defenses and securing the supply depots, aware that the momentary peace would not last long. Xu Anping, standing atop a small hill near his headquarters, gazed at the horizon. He knew the enemy had changed leadership. He could feel it in the more organized and meticulous movements of the imperial forces now surrounding them.
"So, we face a different enemy now," Xu said, more to himself than to his officers. He knew this veteran would not make the same mistakes as the previous leader.
"Exactly," Liang replied, pausing to add with a tone of concern, "They've already started reinforcing their defenses. Another attack won't be easy."
Xu was silent for a moment, looking at the map of the enemy camp spread across the command table. He knew they couldn't allow the enemy to fully entrench themselves. But he also couldn't rush in.
"If they're going to reinforce, we must do the same," he finally said. Turning to his officers, he added, "I want our defenses fortified immediately. Make sure our supplies are well secured. We're preparing for a prolonged battle."
The officers nodded and began organizing their tasks. Xu watched as they left the command tent, feeling the growing sense that this battle would not be decided with a single blow. Both sides were entering a phase of fortification, preparing for the siege ahead.
Meanwhile, the imperial veteran, now in command of the landlord's troops, worked tirelessly to strengthen his camp. The previous night had been a disaster: the lack of organization and gaps in defenses had nearly led to complete defeat. He couldn't afford for that to happen again.
"Strengthen the walls," he ordered his engineers. "We need more watchtowers. And bring more wood to build supply warehouses. If we run out of food or equipment, we're finished."
The soldiers, though tired and demoralized, obeyed without hesitation. The veteran commanded respect. He was a man with years of experience, and his firm demeanor made even the most inexperienced soldiers follow his orders to the letter.
As he supervised the fortification efforts, the veteran reflected on his situation. He had been hired for a considerable sum to advise the landlord, a man more concerned with protecting his lands and wealth than winning a war. But now, with full command in his hands, the veteran saw an opportunity for redemption. Though he was retired, battles still called to him, and his instincts told him this campaign would be one that made a difference.
"If we stabilize our position, we can hold out for weeks, even months," he remarked to one of his aides. "The enemy is cunning, but we still have the numbers on our side."
He knew Xu Anping wasn't an experienced commander, but he had also seen the young man's ability to organize and execute a surprise attack. He wouldn't underestimate him. That's why the veteran's first order was to reinforce every aspect of the camp, ensuring that no flank was left vulnerable.
As both sides worked tirelessly, building walls and stockpiling supplies, the tension on the battlefield grew. Neither side seemed willing to yield. Hammers struck wood, raising higher, thicker palisades, while engineers designed fortified storehouses for the supplies that would be crucial in the days to come.
In Xu Anping's camp, the atmosphere was different from the previous night. There was a mix of calm and determination. The men understood that the war wouldn't be won in a single battle, and they accepted the idea of a prolonged campaign. Under Xu's orders, the engineers began constructing a series of strategic storehouses to secure food, medicine, and weapons.
"If we're going to survive a siege, we need to stock up," Xu Anping told his officers. "Make sure every available resource in the area is secured. We can't afford to run out of supplies, or we'll be defeated without even fighting."
Liang, who had been leading reconnaissance operations, added, "Our men are tired, but they remain committed. If the enemy plans to hold out, we'll be ready."
Xu nodded. He knew fatigue would be a factor, but he also trusted in his men's ability to adapt. During his time under Li Heng's command, he had learned that in a prolonged battle, the key was not just military strength but logistics. If they could maintain a steady flow of supplies and keep morale high, they would have a significant advantage over the enemy.
Both leaders began developing strategies for the battle ahead. Xu Anping, aware that his army was smaller, focused on defensive tactics, seeking to maximize the advantages of his terrain and fortifications. The veteran, knowing he had more troops, though most were inexperienced, concentrated on holding a solid position and avoiding any more surprise attacks.
Xu and Liang reviewed scouting reports each night. As the fortifications progressed, so did the work of espionage and reconnaissance. Xu knew that while they were strengthening their camp, they couldn't rely solely on passive defense.
"We need to be ready to launch quick strikes if we see an opportunity," Xu told his officers. "If we detect a weak point in their defenses, we'll strike before they can reinforce it."
Liang nodded, agreeing with Xu's aggressive yet cautious approach. Despite Xu's lack of experience compared to the veteran, his cunning and ability to adapt quickly to the situation made him a formidable leader.
For his part, the imperial veteran became increasingly focused on preventing any mistakes. He had reinforced the camp's walls, raised watchtowers, and prepared his troops for a possible counterattack. He knew that while the enemy might attempt a swift strike, his priority was maintaining a strong position until reinforcements arrived.
"This young commander is craftier than I thought," the veteran muttered to himself as he walked through the camp. "But he lacks the experience for a prolonged siege. We're in for a long campaign."
The veteran was confident that, with time, Xu Anping's rebel army would begin to wear down. He knew that patience would be his greatest ally and that if he could hold his position long enough, the enemy's morale would eventually break.
In the days that followed, calm settled over the battlefield. Both sides fortified their defenses and stockpiled supplies, waiting for the other to make the first move. The tension hung in the air, like a taut rope ready to snap. Each day that passed, the defenses grew more imposing, and the idea of a final confrontation became more and more inevitable.
Xu Anping and the imperial veteran mentally prepared themselves for what would be a long and difficult battle. They knew that the next move would set the course of the war. The battlefield was ready, the walls erected, and both armies waited for the moment when the calm would finally break.