The sun sank behind the mountains, wrapping the village of Xianfeng in a cloak of shadows. The village walls, battered by days of relentless attacks, were on the verge of collapse. Xu Sanhua observed from a high position on the walls, her brow furrowed as the imperial army made its movements. They had not ceased their attacks, but the latest reports indicated something more concerning: new reinforcements had joined the imperial ranks.
The imperial banners waved with renewed vigor on the horizon, and the soldiers' shouts grew louder, as if the arrival of more troops had infused new life into the siege. Xu Sanhua saw their movements becoming quicker and more organized, something she had not observed in previous days. She knew this meant the enemy was closer than ever to launching a decisive assault. Each new wave of reinforcements had given them more confidence, and the attacks became fiercer and more relentless.
For two more days, the villagers of Xianfeng, under Xu Sanhua's command, resisted with a tenacity that defied all expectations. Five whole days of siege had passed, each day bringing new challenges and fiercer attacks. The arrival of the imperial reinforcements had injected new life into the enemy, who redoubled their efforts with renewed energy, battering the weakened defenses of the village with greater ferocity. The morale of the imperials was at its peak, fueled by the belief that victory was near, while Xu Sanhua's forces struggled against exhaustion and uncertainty.
A wave of concern swept through her mind. Not only were the walls at their limit, but the spirit among her own defenders was beginning to falter. Some villagers could no longer stand due to fatigue, and others were gravely injured. The air was thick with uncertainty. How much longer could they hold out?
But Xu Sanhua was not the type to give up easily. Her mind coldly calculated the options as she walked among the injured soldiers and villagers. Her gaze lingered on the animals that remained in the village: mules, donkeys, pack horses, and cows—all crucial for the villagers' daily life, now their only chance to confront imperial power.
She turned to the villagers watching her with uncertainty, aware that something significant was about to happen.
"We have few options left," she said, her voice firm yet filled with conviction. "The walls won't hold much longer. We can't sit back while the imperials receive more reinforcements. But we also can't defeat them in a frontal battle. We need to do something they don't expect."
Silence filled the air, everyone listening attentively.
"We will form an improvised cavalry with what we have," she continued. "Mules, donkeys, cows, and pack horses. They won't be war horses, but that doesn't matter. Our advantage will be the surprise, the chaos. We will attack tonight."
A murmur of astonishment rippled through the group. One of the villagers, an older man with a face hardened by years of labor in the fields, stepped forward.
"Miss Xu, those animals are all we have. If we lose them, we won't be able to survive after the siege."
Xu Sanhua nodded slowly, understanding everyone's concern. The animals were not only a source of sustenance but also a fundamental part of the villagers' daily life. Without them, the village could not recover after the war. But she also understood that if they did not act now, none of them would survive to worry about tomorrow.
"I know what I'm asking of you," Xu Sanhua said, looking them directly in the eyes. "I'm not asking you to give up what you have without reason. I promise that if we survive this siege, I will return every lost animal. I will do it personally, and I guarantee it as a commitment I will keep, no matter what."
Her promise brought a sense of relief among the villagers but also awakened a renewed determination. They knew Xu Sanhua was not a leader who spoke lightly, and her commitment gave them something to cling to. If there was hope for victory, they would be willing to follow her, even in such a risky plan.
The idea was simple yet dangerous: release the animals in the imperial camp and cause as much chaos as possible. Xu Sanhua knew the imperials would not expect such an attack, and the element of surprise was all they had on their side.
As preparations were underway, Xu Sanhua moved through the pens and stables, ensuring everything was in order. As she passed by one of the villagers, who was tying a torch to a cow with trembling hands, she stopped.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked him.
The villager, with a tired but determined look, nodded.
"It's not that I want to," he said with a bitter smile. "But if this is our only chance to survive, I'll take it."
Xu Sanhua nodded silently and continued walking. She knew that such determination would not last if the attack did not work. Everyone depended on the night that was approaching.
Finally, everything was ready. Xu Sanhua gathered the seventy-five villagers who would form the improvised cavalry. With mules, donkeys, and pack horses, these villagers were not trained soldiers, but the fire in their eyes was enough to make up for their lack of experience.
"Remember," Xu Sanhua said firmly, her voice resonating in the dark night, "if we can't win this battle, we will all die along with our families. The lands that have been given to us will be looted and occupied by the corrupt nobility. We can only afford victory, not defeat."
With a decisive gesture, Xu Sanhua gave the signal. The animals were released, and the cows, terrified by the fire on their tails, ran uncontrollably toward the enemy camp. The thunder of hooves and the deafening noise of the unleashed animals filled the night, resonating like thunder.