The night erupted in chaos as the rebel troops, led by Xu Anping and Liang, launched their offensive against the imperial camp. The clash of weapons and the shouts of war filled the air. At first, the attack seemed successful. The first lines of imperial defense were caught off guard, and for a brief moment, the camp was thrown into confusion.
Xu Anping and Liang, mounted on a nearby hill, watched the attack closely. Although it looked like a solid offensive from a distance, both knew the truth: this battle was never meant to be won but was instead part of a larger plan. However, they had to act cautiously, showing concern and confusion to maintain appearances in front of their own men.
"We were getting close!" shouted Liang, feigning frustration as his eyes scanned the battlefield, following every movement of the enemy.
Xu Anping nodded, frowning with mock concern. Both knew that this defeat would be key in making the enemy lower their guard and grow overconfident.
At the front, the rebel soldiers pushed with all their might, but the imperial defenses began to reorganize under the direction of the veteran imperial strategist. Although the imperial forces were not experienced soldiers, the veteran had anticipated an attack of this kind. He knew Xu Anping didn't have many military campaigns under his belt and was confident he could foil his strategy without difficulty.
The veteran watched from the camp's walls, unmoved by the panic or confusion. In his mind, everything was going as planned.
"There's no need to fear a general without experience," he murmured while giving precise orders to his officers. "Hold the lines. Resist. Soon they'll tire out."
With calm and precision, the imperial troops began to counterattack. The spearmen regrouped, supported by archers hidden in the camp's towers. Arrows rained down on the rebels in quick succession, decimating their ranks. The defenses, which initially seemed to be collapsing, began to stabilize. The imperial forces had learned to trust the veteran's judgment, and their organization allowed them to repel the rebel advance.
"They're surrounding us!" shouted one of the rebel officers as arrows fell around him.
Seeing the situation turning against them, Liang shouted forcefully to maintain the theater of desperation. "Retreat! Regroup and fall back!"
Xu Anping gave the general order to retreat, knowing full well that it was the next step in the plan. The rebel soldiers, already decimated and confused, began to retreat in disarray. Some stumbled over each other, others fled in panic. The rebel officers desperately tried to control the retreat, but the chaos was evident.
From the rear, Xu Anping and Liang kept their horses in position. Despite the retreat, their hearts beat with cold serenity. They knew that every step backward was part of the trap they had designed with Wang Jian.
"Enough confusion for now," Xu Anping murmured, glancing at Liang from the corner of his eye.
Liang nodded, a barely visible smile on his face. Both pretended to be worried in front of their men, but inside they remained calm. They knew the retreat would provoke exactly the response they needed.
In the imperial camp, the veteran watched the rebel retreat with a look of satisfaction. The imperial troops, seeing the rebels flee, began to cheer and grow more confident.
"Chase them!" ordered the veteran. "Don't let them escape. If we strike now, they'll have no chance to regroup."
The landowner in command, still nervous and trembling from the danger he had felt during the attack, emerged from his tent with a mix of relief and euphoria.
"We did it!" he exclaimed. "We defeated them!"
"Don't get too excited just yet," the veteran warned coldly. "These rebels aren't fools. Although Xu Anping lacks experience, let's not underestimate his cunning. But now is the time to finish them. If we let them escape, they might regroup and return stronger."
The landowner quickly nodded, trusting the veteran's judgment. Although he had no experience in war, he knew his only hope of surviving was to follow the instructions of his hired strategist.
The imperial army, emboldened by the apparent victory, quickly began to mobilize to pursue the rebels. The imperial officers, eager to gain the landowner's favor and solidify their power, threw themselves into the chase with enthusiasm.
"Don't let them rest," ordered the veteran. "They're exhausted and demoralized. If we catch them now, we can annihilate them before they recover."
The imperial troops organized into columns and began the pursuit. The veteran, though confident, couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Despite the rebels' disorganization, there was something about the way Xu Anping had ordered the retreat that made him suspicious.
"Stay alert," he told his trusted officers. "This could be a trap. Don't underestimate a desperate enemy."
However, the thirst for victory and confidence in his strategy outweighed any doubts the veteran might have had. The imperial troops pursued fervently, leaving the safety of their camp behind.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Xu Anping and Liang maintained control of the retreat. Although their troops were fleeing in apparent disarray, everything was going according to their meticulously designed plan. They knew the imperials wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of chasing a defeated enemy. The veteran's arrogance would lead him to send his best troops in pursuit.
"It worked," Liang whispered as he watched the imperial troops approach.
Xu Anping nodded calmly. He knew that the ambush they had prepared with Wang Jian was about to be sprung.
"Let them get a little closer," Xu Anping said quietly, directing his gaze to the hill where Wang Jian and his men were hidden.
The terrain was perfect for an ambush. The imperials wouldn't have time to react before the trap closed in on them. Xu Anping, feigning concern and agitation in front of his officers, kept up his act until the last moment.
"Prepare yourselves!" one of the rebel officers shouted as the sound of imperial horses' hooves echoed in the distance.
Liang cast one last glance at Xu Anping, who remained serene.
"They're here," Liang said, his voice barely a whisper.
The imperial troops, confident in their victory and blinded by their pursuit, entered the designated area. Wang Jian and his men were ready. The silence in the forest was thick, almost palpable, as the trap slowly closed around the imperials.
Xu Anping smiled for the first time since the offensive had begun. The moment had arrived.