The morning air was cold, and the gray sky began to lighten with the first rays of sunlight as Xu Anping watched the logistical preparations for the next campaign. From the newly reinforced wall of the village of Xianfeng, he could see the soldiers and villagers moving with precision under his supervision. This time, there was no room for mistakes. He wasn't going to delegate the selection of his troops or the most critical preparations. As the absolute leader of his forces, the responsibility rested solely on his shoulders.
The previous days had been marked by frantic activity. His sister, Xu Sanhua, was in charge of the village's administration and defenses, organizing the distribution of supplies and daily tasks, while he devoted all his attention to the logistics of the campaign that was about to begin.
The plan was simple but bold: Xu Anping would take only 500 elite soldiers with him to deliver a decisive blow to the most vulnerable imperial territories. He knew he was risking much by leaving behind most of his army, but he also understood it was the only way to secure the rear without weakening himself in the face of potential counterattacks.
Logistics had always been one of the most complex parts of any military campaign. However, Xu Anping treated it with the same attention to detail that he gave to battles. With a small group of scribes and officers, he had worked tirelessly, calculating the supplies needed to sustain the 500 men he would take with him. He ensured that the supply routes were clear and that the reserves left in Xianfeng were enough to endure during his absence.
As he walked through the camp inspecting the supply carts, he stopped next to one of the officers in charge of logistics, a man named Liang, who had been part of the army since the early days of the rebellion.
"How many days of rations do we have prepared?" Xu Anping asked, his tone conveying urgency.
"Five days of full rations, sir. We've reserved enough grain and dried meat for a fast march," Liang replied, consulting a wooden tablet he carried with him.
Xu Anping nodded, thoughtful.
"Make sure the carts can move quickly. We can't let the enemy detect us in motion. If they see a heavy convoy, they could deduce our route," he warned.
Liang nodded in agreement.
"The carts will be light, only the essentials. I've also arranged for us to use more mules than horses, so we don't attract attention from the dust we'd kick up."
Xu Anping nodded, satisfied with the answer. The details, always the details. In campaigns like this, logistics kept the troops alive, and Xu Anping left nothing to chance.
Once he was satisfied with the logistical preparations, the next step was to gather the soldiers who would accompany him on this dangerous venture. Unlike other campaigns, Xu Anping would not allow the generals to select the troops. This time, he would personally choose each man. Those who accompanied him would be the best, those he trusted completely and who had proven themselves in battle.
He headed to the large clearing at the center of the camp, where the elite soldiers were waiting for his arrival. These men were no novices. Each had fought alongside Xu Anping in the toughest battles. They had proven their worth countless times, and now they would be the spearhead of his next move.
Xu Anping climbed a small mound of dirt from which he could see the 500 men gathered in front of him. They weren't in perfect military formation, but each was battle-hardened, and their gazes reflected a mix of respect and determination.
"Men," Xu Anping began, his voice clear and resonant, "we find ourselves at a crucial point. What we do in the coming weeks will decide the fate of this campaign and, perhaps, everything we have built so far."
He paused, letting his words sink in with the soldiers.
"I haven't selected you because you're the strongest or the fastest, though many of you are both. I've chosen you because you are the most capable of carrying out this task. We will move quickly, strike with precision, and return victorious."
A murmur of agreement spread through the soldiers. They knew this wasn't just another mission. It was a risky move that, if it failed, could endanger everything they had achieved.
"This time, there won't be large armies behind us," Xu Anping continued. "No reinforcements waiting to save us if we fall into an ambush. It will be just us, alone. And that's our greatest advantage. The enemy won't know what hit them until it's too late."
The men listened in silence, their eyes fixed on their leader.
"I trust each of you. And I trust that we will return victorious," he said, with an intensity that left no room for doubt. "Now, prepare your weapons and check your provisions! We leave at dawn."
The soldiers responded with a roar of approval, a sound that echoed off the village walls. Xu Anping stepped down from the mound, but instead of retreating to his tent, he walked among the men, speaking briefly with some of them, making sure they were ready both physically and mentally for the campaign. He knew that morale was as important as sharp swords.
The day passed quickly as Xu Anping reviewed the final details. He ensured that the messengers were prepared to maintain communication between his small force and the rear in Xianfeng. Additionally, he set up a system of smoke and fire signals to alert of any problems in case the messengers couldn't reach them.
The sun began to set, tinting the sky with shades of orange and red when Xu Sanhua appeared by his side. As always, her expression was calm, but there was a shadow of concern in her eyes.
"You're ready," she said, more of a statement than a question.
"I am," Xu Anping replied, turning toward her. "And you? Do you have everything under control here?"
"I've established additional guard shifts, and we've doubled the training for the reserves. We'll be ready if something goes wrong. But I'd prefer not to have to test it," Xu Sanhua replied.
Xu Anping smiled slightly.
"Neither would I."
They stood in silence for a moment, watching as the shadows began to lengthen over the camp. The preparations were complete, and the dawn would bring the start of a new phase in their campaign.
Finally, Xu Sanhua spoke again.
"Remember that Xianfeng is not just a defensive post. It's the symbol of what you've achieved. Don't risk it all for a quick victory."
Xu Anping looked at her and slowly nodded.
"I won't. Every step we take will be calculated. And if necessary, I'll fall back to secure what we've already won."
With those words, Xu Sanhua withdrew to oversee the night guard shifts. Xu Anping remained for a moment longer, gazing at the stars beginning to appear in the sky. He knew that the fate of his people and his army rested on what would happen in the days to come.
With one last look at the camp, Xu Anping headed toward his tent. Dawn would bring the beginning of a new campaign, and he had to be ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.