The clash of skirmishes echoed among the hills that separated the camps of the rebels and the imperial forces. Day after day, small engagements broke the relative calm of the front. They weren't large-scale battles, but the skirmishes fought between scouts and elite light infantry soldiers were as intense and strategic as any other combat. Patrols from both sides engaged in a deadly dance, seeking not only to wear down the enemy but also to gather vital information about their position.
Xu Anping's troops, composed of experienced veterans and elite units, moved with skill and precision, seeking to ambush imperial patrols that ventured too far from their camp. These men, accustomed to fighting in rough terrain, used every bush, hill, and shadow to their advantage. The clashes were quick and violent; an imperial patrol could be wiped out in a matter of minutes if caught out of position.
However, the imperials weren't completely inexperienced. Under the command of the veteran hired by the landlord, the troops had begun to adopt more defensive and cautious tactics. Although the imperial forces were mostly made up of peasants, slaves, and servants of landlords, the discipline the veteran was starting to instill allowed them to withstand the more basic rebel incursions. The imperials had numbers on their side, and while their troops weren't as skilled in combat, they could overwhelm the rebel forces at certain moments, denying them the opportunity to fully exploit their tactical superiority.
The skirmishes were often brief but brutal. Wang Jian, who commanded many of the rebel patrols, led his men carefully, choosing when to attack and when to withdraw. In one of the most recent skirmishes, a group of imperial scouts was ambushed in a clearing with no chance of escape. The rebels' light infantry, perfectly trained for this type of combat, moved quickly, surrounding the imperials and cutting off their lines of retreat. The battle was fierce but short, ending in a rebel victory.
However, not all skirmishes ended in success. On another occasion, an elite rebel patrol was surrounded by a superior force of armed peasants and servants. Despite their skill, the rebels were unable to break through the enemy lines and suffered significant losses before Wang Jian managed to organize a retreat. These small failures were reminders of a harsh reality: numbers still played a decisive role in war.
Despite the small victories and defeats, Xu Anping knew they couldn't maintain this strategy for long. The skirmishes were wearing down both sides, but the imperials could afford to lose more men. With their ranks composed of peasants and forcibly recruited servants, they had an almost endless supply of troops. The rebels, however, did not have that luxury. Every loss cost them dearly.
Xu Anping sat in his tent, surrounded by his closest commanders. Wang Jian was on his right, still covered in dust after returning from one of the skirmishes. The other officers exchanged serious looks, knowing that the future of the rebellion depended on the next decisions.
"We can't keep this up," said Xu Anping firmly, looking at each of his men. "The skirmishes have allowed us to maintain some advantage, but it's not enough. If we continue like this, we'll lose by attrition. They have more men, and while they're not as good as ours, sooner or later they'll overwhelm us."
The commanders nodded in silence. Most of them already knew this, but hearing it from Xu Anping made it more real.
"So, what do you propose, sir?" Wang Jian asked.
Xu Anping leaned over the map spread out on the table. The positions of both armies were marked with small stones, representing their respective forces.
"I've been thinking of an ambush," Xu Anping said. "We've had some success with our hit-and-run tactics, but we need something bigger. Something that can destabilize the enemy and give us a decisive advantage."
"An ambush would be ideal," Wang Jian replied, pausing before adding, "but the problem is luring them out of their camp. The veteran in command now isn't a fool. He won't make the mistake of sending a large force to chase us without being sure it's not a trap."
Xu Anping nodded, aware of his enemy's skill. Since the veteran had taken command, the imperial forces had become much more cautious. They no longer fell into ambushes easily, and their patrols were more organized. However, the ambush was still their best option. They needed to lure the enemy into a vulnerable position without raising suspicion.
"What if we feign a disorganized retreat?" one of the younger officers suggested. "We could send a small group to attack their lines and then retreat, making it look like we're at a disadvantage. If they think they have a chance to destroy us, we could lure them into terrain that favors an ambush."
Wang Jian considered the idea and nodded slowly.
"It's risky, but it could work," he said. "We'd need a force big enough to seem like a threat, but not so big that they'd suspect a trap. Also, we'd have to make sure our elite troops are hidden in a position where they can strike quickly."
Xu Anping listened carefully. The plan had merit, but it was also dangerous. If the imperials didn't fall for the trap, his men could be exposed and annihilated. However, they didn't have many other options. A war of attrition was a luxury the rebels couldn't afford.
"We need suitable terrain for the ambush," Xu Anping said, tracing a line on the map with his finger. "Here, west of the imperial camp, there's a small valley between two hills. If we can lure a significant imperial force there, we could ambush them from both sides. But we need something to draw them in."
Wang Jian nodded, studying the map. The valley offered a perfect position for an ambush: narrow, surrounded by hills that would allow their troops to stay hidden until the right moment.
"The key will be making the retreat look authentic," Wang Jian said. "If the imperials suspect it's a trap, we won't be able to move them from their camp."