The air inside the command tent was thick with the tension that had built up over weeks of preparation. Torches lit the wide space where the rebel leaders gathered around a large wooden table, studying a map. Everyone knew that the city of Langya was crucial. If they managed to capture it, Kastov, the last imperial stronghold in the region, would be within reach, and with it, the possibility of victory over the Empire would become real.
Zhang Bing, the general leader of the rebels, stood at the head of the table, his face dimly lit by the flickering flames. He was an imposing figure, known for his strategic brilliance and leadership over the 120,000 elite troops that had been essential in securing great victories for the rebel army. Beside him, Li Heng, commander of the second largest faction, kept a stern expression. His 250,000 soldiers, although large in number, lacked the discipline and equipment of Zhang Bing's troops, but their loyalty was unquestionable.
Xu Anping, silent as ever, watched from a corner of the tent. Though he had gained fame for his own victories in previous campaigns, this meeting was not his place to speak, at least not at this stage. In his mind, he was analyzing every move and every order Zhang Bing was about to give, weighing the potential outcomes with his usual meticulousness.
Zhang Bing softly tapped the table with his fist, commanding everyone's attention.
"Taking Langya opens the doors to Kastov," he began, his deep voice resonating through the tent. "If Kastov falls, the Empire will be forced to negotiate. The war, as we know it, will come to an end."
The atmosphere in the tent shifted, a mix of excitement and anxiety spread among the leaders present. The upcoming battle promised to be decisive, but victory was far from guaranteed. Langya was a well-fortified city, and its imperial defenders were prepared to resist.
Zhang Bing didn't let the tension linger. With a confident gesture, he pointed at the map and outlined his plan.
"Li Heng," he said, addressing his second-in-command, "your men will launch the frontal assault. You will attack from the east and south with all your forces. It won't be an easy mission, but your task is to keep the city's defenders fully occupied. We need the imperial forces to be completely distracted by you."
Li Heng nodded with determination. He knew that his troops lacked the quality of Zhang Bing's elites, but their sheer numbers were their greatest advantage. However, Xu Anping, from his corner, felt a slight pang of doubt. Li Heng's forces, despite their size, lacked the preparation for such a massive offensive. Would sheer numbers be enough?
"Meanwhile," Zhang Bing continued, his finger moving toward the northern part of the map, "I will lead my personal guard, the elite troops, around Langya and march towards Kastov. The imperial general Li Mu is stationed there with his forces. If we can strike their rear while Langya is under attack, we'll break their morale and divide their attention. They won't be able to defend both cities at once."
It was a classic tactic: a diversion followed by a decisive blow, designed to split the imperial forces and weaken them. Li Heng's offensive would be brutal and direct, meant to draw the majority of the imperial defenses in Langya. Meanwhile, Zhang Bing, with his elite forces, would move with precision, attacking the imperial base in Kastov and forcing a disorganized retreat.
The rebel leaders nodded, some more enthusiastically than others. Zhang Bing's plan was bold, but it carried high risks. If Li Heng's troops failed to maintain the frontal assault or if the imperial forces in Langya held out longer than expected, the strategy could unravel.
Xu Anping, his face expressionless, observed every detail, listening to the orders without uttering a word. It wasn't his place to intervene, at least not yet. He had learned to be patient, to wait for the right moment to act, and this wasn't the time to challenge Zhang Bing's authority. Nevertheless, a part of him couldn't help but wonder if relying on Li Heng's forces for the frontal assault was the best option. He knew that in the heat of battle, numbers were often not enough. The quality of the troops, their morale, and mental preparation were decisive factors, and he feared that the plan relied too heavily on Li Heng's numerical superiority.
When Zhang Bing finished issuing his orders, the meeting began to break up. The officers and rebel leaders left the tent, each heading toward their respective duties. Some went to their units to prepare the troops, others to command posts to finalize the logistical details.
Xu Anping, however, lingered a moment longer, reflecting on what he had heard. His mind calculated the risks and probabilities of success. He knew the coming battle would be brutal, and although he trusted Zhang Bing's ability to lead his elite troops, he wasn't sure if Li Heng could fulfill his part of the plan.
He decided not to risk his own elite forces in this offensive. Instead of sending his most experienced troops, he chose to send 1,200 non-veteran soldiers. He knew their chances of survival in a frontal assault were slim, but he also knew that if they managed to survive, they would gain invaluable experience on the battlefield.
He left the tent and made his way to his own camp. There, his officers were already waiting for his orders. Looking at the men surrounding him, many of them young and filled with a mix of fear and enthusiasm, Xu Anping felt a sense of responsibility. He had risen through the ranks through sheer effort, and he knew that many of these men admired him for his skill in warfare.
"Tomorrow," Xu Anping said, his voice calm but firm, "you will march toward Langya. I know many of you aren't veterans, but this will be your chance to prove what you're made of. Follow orders to the letter and maintain discipline. If we do this right, you will return home with honor."
The soldiers looked at him with respect. He wasn't a leader who sought to inspire with fiery speeches or empty promises, but there was something in his calm demeanor that instilled confidence. They knew that Xu Anping wouldn't send them to a pointless death without a solid reason.
As the night wore on and the preparations intensified, Xu Anping watched from a distance, aware of the risks but also prepared for whatever might come. He knew that the battle in Langya would be decisive, but he also knew that in war, sometimes the real strength lay not in winning every battle but in knowing when to step back and preserve your strength for future fights.
Silence returned to the camp as the troops prepared for what would undoubtedly be one of the greatest tests of the rebellion.