The wind blew gently over the vast rural plains where Xu Anping's army was camped after another overwhelming victory. Rebel flags fluttered boldly, and the sound of drums echoed in the distance, marking the steady rhythm of their unstoppable advance. Since his first great victory over the imperial armies, Xu Anping had not known defeat. And even more significantly, rumors of his leadership and benevolent rule spread like wildfire among the peasants and imperial garrisons.
It was a shift in the tide of war that few could have predicted. After the fall of two great imperial armies, Xu Anping had not only proven himself to be a formidable military leader but also a ruler who inspired trust. Unlike other rebel leaders who ruled with an iron fist or adopted ruthless tactics, Xu Anping had established a system of justice and administration that attracted the peasant masses, who, weary of the empire's burdens, found in him hope for a fairer future.
Xu Anping's recent successes could not be understood without the massive support of the peasants—those men and women who had only known exploitation and violence until then. In every village the army of Xu Anping conquered, his reputation as a benevolent and just leader spread. Instead of imposing harsh punishments or demanding exorbitant tributes, Xu offered protection to the villagers, reduced taxes, and ensured that crops were safeguarded from looters, whether they were imperial forces or other rebels.
In response, the peasants quickly mobilized in his favor. Many volunteered to join his army, no longer as inexperienced reservists but as fighters convinced that their cause was just. These men, once mired in poverty, found in Xu Anping a purpose and a sense of belonging. Thus, the rebel army grew not only in numbers but also in morale. Every victory they won against imperial forces in the rural areas was not just a defeat for the enemy but a reaffirmation that their cause was the right one.
Xu Anping's reputation also began to circulate among the imperial troops. Imperial soldiers, many of whom had been forced to serve under oppressive and corrupt commanders, began to fear the name Xu Anping. Rumors about his military skill and fair treatment of prisoners of war led to several occasions where imperial troops surrendered without much resistance. And although some of their generals tried to maintain discipline, it was clear that the empire was losing control of its most vulnerable troops.
While rural areas were key to gaining popular support, Xu Anping also knew that small towns were crucial for consolidating his rule. Controlling these towns would not only secure trade routes and administrative centers but also give him greater access to resources and supplies to sustain his growing army.
The first of these towns was Liancheng, a small but strategic enclave that had been controlled by an imperial officer known for his cruelty. When Xu Anping's army arrived at Liancheng's gates, fierce resistance was expected. However, what they found was a town exhausted and terrorized by the imperial presence. Instead of fighting, the citizens of Liancheng opened their gates to welcome Xu Anping's forces, who entered without spilling a drop of blood.
This pattern repeated itself in other small towns: Ningyuan, Gaoqing, and Pingyang. Xu Anping's troops faced resistance from the imperial garrisons, but the defenders' morale was low. The imperial officers, seeing their own soldiers lacking the will to fight, often chose to flee or surrender. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of these towns, hearing of Xu Anping's benevolent policies, welcomed him with open arms.
But taking these towns was not just a matter of reputation or luck. Xu Anping demonstrated an impressive logistical capacity. Before each campaign, he ensured that his troops were well-supplied and organized. Each victory was not merely a military triumph but also a showcase of the effectiveness of his planning and meticulous attention to detail. He knew that keeping his troops well-fed and motivated was essential to continue the expansion campaign without his army collapsing from within.
Doubling the Territory in a Matter of Months
Months passed, and with each passing week, Xu Anping secured victory after victory. What had started as a modest campaign to secure some key territories had turned into a massive expansion. In less than half a year, the territory controlled by Xu Anping had doubled, and even more surprisingly, he had achieved this without facing significant resistance from the imperial armies.
Imperial generals, baffled by his ability to defeat larger forces and conquer cities with little fighting, began to fear that the name Xu Anping would become the symbol of the empire's downfall. Although some tried to launch counteroffensives, these were easily repelled by Xu Anping's elite troops, who, under his direct command, demonstrated unwavering loyalty and effectiveness.
With each victory, Xu Anping solidified his reputation not only as a brilliant strategist but also as a just leader. Rumors of his benevolence spread faster than his own troops. In the villages he took, peasants spoke of how Xu Anping not only protected them but also listened to their needs. In the towns, local administrations began aligning with his cause, knowing that under his command, stability was more assured than under the chaotic regime of the empire or other rebel leaders.
But Xu Anping was not naive. He knew that although he had managed to expand his territory and secure the loyalty of many regions, his success was not yet final. The remnants of imperial power were still considerable, and other rebel leaders were also looking to take advantage of the chaos to consolidate their own domains.
Aware that the true challenge was yet to come, Xu Anping continued to prepare. His army had grown significantly, and with each victory, more and more experienced soldiers joined his cause. But Xu Anping was meticulous: he would not let initial success blind him. He reinforced defenses in every conquered territory, ensuring that his supply lines were protected and that reserve soldiers were well-trained.
The expansion would not stop here. He knew that to secure final victory, he would have to face the true giants of the empire and the other rebel leaders. And when that time came, Xu Anping would be ready.