The tension in the war camp was palpable. As soon as news of the northern reinforcements reached the imperial army, Li Wei called an emergency meeting in a hastily erected command tent. The flickering lamplight cast long shadows across the faces of his commanders, their expressions grim.
"Three thousand men," General Cao Ren said, his voice low. "Feng's reinforcements will trap us between their forces and his remaining defenders. We'll be crushed."
Li Wei studied the map spread across the table, his mind racing. The northern reinforcements were approaching from the main road, a wide stretch of flat land that left little room for ambushes. Retreat wasn't an option—the imperial army couldn't abandon the momentum they'd gained. But staying meant risking annihilation.
Lin Mei broke the silence. "We don't need to win outright. Just hold them off long enough to break Feng's forces completely. Without his leadership, the reinforcements might lose their resolve."
"True," Li Wei said, his eyes narrowing. "But we'll need more than brute force to hold them. We need strategy."
He tapped the map, his finger tracing a ridge that ran parallel to the main road. "Here. We'll set a trap. Position archers along the ridge, hidden from view. When the reinforcements approach, they'll be funneled into the valley below."
Cao Ren frowned. "Archers alone won't stop them, Your Majesty."
"They won't have to," Li Wei replied. "We'll create chaos. Smoke bombs, fire arrows—anything to disrupt their formation and slow their advance. Meanwhile, the main force will finish Feng's defenders and join the counterattack."
Lin Mei raised an eyebrow. "Smoke bombs? You've been hiding interesting tricks, Your Majesty."
Li Wei allowed himself a small smile. "I've had the alchemists working on them for weeks. I didn't think we'd need them so soon, but… here we are."
The plan was set. As the imperial army prepared for the reinforcements, Li Wei addressed his troops. "This is the moment that defines us. Today, we don't fight for land or gold—we fight for the unity of our kingdom. Stand strong, and we will prevail!"
The soldiers cheered, their confidence bolstered by their emperor's unwavering resolve. As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the imperial forces took their positions.
When the northern reinforcements finally appeared, they marched in tight formation, their banners flying high. From his vantage point on the ridge, Li Wei watched them approach, his pulse steady. "Wait for my signal," he told the archers.
The reinforcements entered the valley, their commanders unaware of the trap. Li Wei raised his hand, then brought it down sharply. "Now!"
Smoke bombs exploded across the valley, filling the air with thick, choking clouds. Arrows rained down from the ridge, striking the disoriented soldiers below. Shouts of confusion echoed through the valley as the reinforcements struggled to maintain their formation.
Meanwhile, Lin Mei led a small cavalry unit in a flanking maneuver, targeting the rear guard. The combined assault threw the reinforcements into chaos, buying precious time for the main force to breach Feng's defenses.
Back at the estate, Li Wei entered the courtyard, his sword dripping with blood. Feng's remaining soldiers had surrendered, and the once-mighty lord knelt before him, bound and beaten.
"You've lost," Li Wei said coldly. "Any last words?"
Feng spat at his feet. "You may kill me, but you'll never stop what I've started. The nobles will never bow to a boy pretending to be an emperor."
Li Wei raised his sword, his voice steady. "Then let this be a lesson to them."
The blade flashed, and Feng's head hit the ground. Victory was theirs, but the battle wasn't over yet.