The dawn illuminated Xu Anping's camp as a light mist drifted through the air, causing the sunlight to disperse faintly. The newly recruited soldiers, who had been trained for months in the small villages and conquered cities, carried out their morning exercises under the watchful eyes of the officers. Although they were not yet as disciplined or experienced as Xu's veteran troops, their numbers and willingness to learn made them a considerable force. However, the camp's atmosphere that day was tinged with uncertainty, as rumors spread that an important messenger was approaching.
As Xu Anping walked through the rows of his troops, a rider on a dust-covered horse appeared in the distance. The rider, a rebel messenger, waved a red flag, signaling that he carried urgent news. Xu Anping stepped forward to meet him at the camp entrance, accompanied by his trusted circle. The messenger, his face tired and covered in sweat, quickly dismounted, offering a sealed scroll with the emblem of Li Yuan, one of the most important leaders of the rebel movement.
Xu Anping took the scroll and read it in silence. As his eyes scanned the text, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, revealing the intensity with which he analyzed each word.
—"What does it say, Commander?" one of his officers asked.
Xu Anping raised his gaze, handing the scroll to his closest assistant as his mind began to map out plans.
—"It's a summons," he finally said. "Li Yuan orders all rebel armies to gather in the city of Langya for a decisive battle against the imperial forces. Apparently, the empire has concentrated most of its troops in that region to end the rebellion once and for all."
The news fell like a cold bucket of water on the officers present. The decisive battle. This was the confrontation that many feared and that Xu Anping had tried to avoid. He knew that a direct and massive confrontation with the bulk of the imperial army would be a bloody struggle, and victory was far from assured.
Xu Anping knew that the confrontation at Langya was inevitable. Li Yuan, who had managed to gather a vast coalition of rebel factions, saw this opportunity as the turning point to overthrow the empire once and for all. However, Xu Anping was more cautious than many other rebel leaders. He knew the empire still had resources and quality troops, and a crushing defeat at Langya could destroy not only the rebel coalition but also any hope of the people rising again.
With that thought in mind, Xu Anping decided that although he had to respond to the summons, he would not put his entire army at risk in that battle. Instead of sending his veteran and best-prepared troops, he decided to send 1,200 of his younger and less experienced troops. His reasoning was clear: in the event that the battle at Langya turned into a devastating defeat, at least he would not have sacrificed the strongest core of his army. Additionally, keeping the veteran troops in his territory would allow him to defend his conquered lands, protect the peasants who had given him their loyalty, and prepare for a possible counteroffensive.
—"I will send the younger troops to Langya," Xu Anping announced to his circle of officers. "There are 1,200 men and women who have been trained, but they have not yet faced a large-scale battle. This will be their opportunity to prove their worth."
One of his officers, an experienced man named Wei Long, raised an eyebrow.
—"And we're not taking the veterans, Commander?" he asked cautiously. "What happens if we lose at Langya? We could leave our lands vulnerable."
Xu Anping nodded slowly, aware of his officer's concern.
—"That's precisely why I won't send the veterans," he replied calmly. "Langya will be a difficult, if not impossible, battle to win. The empire has concentrated all its forces, and although we have the advantage that their troops are demoralized, we cannot risk everything on a single battle. If Langya turns into a disaster, we need something to rise again with. If the empire wins there, it won't be able to immediately move toward our lands without suffering great losses as well. And when that happens, we will be ready to defend what we have gained."
The officers present nodded, though some with visible concern. Nevertheless, they knew that Xu Anping rarely made decisions without considering all possible consequences. His caution and foresight were two of the qualities that had led him to success, and no one doubted his leadership.
Xu Anping's camp mobilized quickly after the decision. The troops selected to head to Langya were gathered in the center of the camp. Many of them were young, some had just finished their training. Their faces showed a mixture of excitement and nervousness; for many, this would be their first real battle, and the weight of responsibility was beginning to show in their posture.
Xu Anping decided to speak personally to them before they left. He knew this was an opportunity to instill confidence in them and ensure they understood the importance of their mission. Although these soldiers were not veterans, they were equally important to the future of his campaign.
—"Listen to me well!" Xu Anping began, his voice resonating with firmness. "You are about to embark on a crucial mission. I know some of you are nervous, and that's normal. You're going to face a battle that will be decisive for the future of our cause. But I want you to remember something: you are not alone. You have been trained, and although this is your first major test, I trust that you will fulfill your duty."
The soldiers watched him intently, some with clenched fists, others with determined expressions.
—"Make no mistake, this battle will not be easy," Xu Anping continued. "The empire has concentrated its forces, and our rebel allies will be there, fighting shoulder to shoulder with you. But also know this: your fight will not be in vain. While you are in Langya, the veterans here will keep our lands safe. Every battle we win, every step we take, brings us closer to freedom. Trust in your brothers and sisters in arms, and trust in our cause!"
The soldiers cheered in approval, raising their weapons to the sky. Morale was high, and although they knew danger awaited them in Langya, they also knew they were fighting for something bigger than themselves.
Once the troops were ready to leave, Xu Anping said goodbye to the captains in charge, handing them detailed instructions. He ordered them to maintain discipline and, above all, to ensure the safety of their soldiers, avoiding unnecessary confrontations until the rebel forces fully gathered in Langya.
As the soldiers began their march toward the horizon, Xu Anping stood watching in silence, knowing that the fate of many of those men and women would be uncertain. Though he didn't show it openly, he carried the weight of having sent inexperienced youths into a battle that would likely be a massacre. But he also knew this was the best strategy to protect what he had built and ensure that, no matter what happened in Langya, his veteran army would remain his most powerful card.