Han Yue was in the command tent, a scroll spread out on the table, his brow furrowed in concentration. The battle had been a victory, but the reality of his losses weighed heavily on his shoulders like a slab. Before him, the numbers spoke with relentless harshness: 20,000 elite soldiers fallen, 40,000 recruited peasants dead in combat. The enemy had been decimated with approximately 120,000 casualties, but Han Yue knew that victories like this could not be repeated. Each figure was a reminder that, although the battlefield had been left in his hands, the price had been too high. And he was not willing to keep paying it without gaining something in return.
The elite soldiers were not mere warriors; they were the core of his power. They were men trained from youth, hardened in battles, and equipped with the best his region could offer. Each of them represented years of investment, experience, and discipline. Losing them in such numbers was not something he could easily replace. The recruited peasants, though more expendable in strategic terms, were still a fundamental part of his war machine, and their loss on such a scale weakened his ability to replenish the ranks quickly. Han Yue knew that if he continued like this, his influence would slowly fade, even in victory.
He sighed and looked away from the scroll, meeting the serious expression of Yuan Guo, who had been silently observing him. Yuan Guo, a general of higher rank but with fewer troops under his command, was a man with a piercing gaze and calculated words. Though in theory they were equals, the reality was that Han Yue possessed an autonomy that Yuan Guo envied. However, they shared a common interest: weakening the Four Families. But while Han Yue saw chaos as an opportunity to expand his influence, Yuan Guo saw it as a necessary evil to save the child emperor, whom he served with unwavering loyalty.
"This is not sustainable," said Han Yue, his voice grave, almost a whisper laden with concern. "If we keep having victories like this, soon there will be no army left to defend our positions, let alone to advance."
Yuan Guo nodded slowly, crossing his arms. His face, illuminated by the faint light of the candles, reflected a mix of worry and determination. "That's why we must take advantage of the situation," he replied, his tone suggesting he had already thought of a solution. "The Four Families are divided, and the empire is teetering. If we act wisely, we can turn this chaos into an opportunity to protect the emperor."
Han Yue looked at him curiously, signaling him to continue. He knew Yuan Guo did not speak without a plan, and at that moment, he desperately needed a strategy that would allow them to recover from their losses without further weakening their position.
"The high number of casualties gives us the perfect excuse to call a meeting with the other military commanders," Yuan Guo explained, his voice calm but full of conviction. "No one will question the need to reinforce our forces after such a bloody battle. We can present it as a simple strategic necessity, but in reality, it will be an opportunity to expand our ranks and strengthen our position."
Han Yue rested his elbows on the table, pondering his ally's words. The idea had merit. With the losses they had suffered, the call for reinforcements would be seen as a logical and necessary decision. But more importantly, this move would allow them to consolidate power within the army, gain allies, and ensure that when the time came to act against the Four Families, they would have the strength to back their ambitions. However, he also knew that any misstep could alert their enemies and jeopardize everything they had built.
"If we do this well," Yuan Guo continued, breaking the silence, "we can attract the generals who are still hesitant to take sides in the struggle for control of the empire. If we offer them a cause, if we show them that our faction is the only one capable of restoring order, we will have more swords on our side when the time comes to strike."
Han Yue nodded slowly, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. It was a risk, but one he had to take if he wanted to secure his future and that of his region. He knew the Four Families would not rest, that every victory of his would be met with an even fiercer counteroffensive. He needed allies, resources, and, above all, time to reorganize. But he also knew that Yuan Guo was not a man to be blindly trusted. Their alliance was one of convenience, not loyalty.
"Make the necessary arrangements," Han Yue finally said, standing up with renewed determination. "We will call the meeting. But make sure everything is under control. We cannot allow anyone to suspect our true intentions."
Yuan Guo nodded, a shadow of satisfaction crossing his face. He knew Han Yue was not a man to make decisions lightly, and his approval meant the plan was in motion. "Don't worry," he replied. "Everything will be ready. The generals will answer the call, and when they do, we will be one step closer to securing our future."
As Yuan Guo left the command tent, Han Yue remained alone, contemplating the map spread out on the table. The war was not over, but he was already preparing the next move on the board. He knew the path ahead would be fraught with dangers and betrayals, but he also knew he could not stop. His region depended on him, and he was willing to do whatever it took to protect it and expand his influence.
With a final sigh, Han Yue rolled up the scroll and placed it in a leather case. The night was young, and there was still much to do. But for the first time in days, he felt he had a plan, a clear direction. And that, at least, was a start.
Han Yue rose from his seat and walked toward the entrance of the tent, pulling aside the heavy canvas curtain to observe the camp. The scattered bonfires cast flickering light on the weary faces of his men—some tending to their wounds, others sharing stories in hushed voices. Though the victory was his, the atmosphere was not one of celebration, but of contemplation. Each of them knew that the war was far from over and that the cost of victory had been too high.
He wondered how many of those men would still be alive in the coming months. How many of them would see the end of this war. He knew he could not afford the luxury of sentimentality, but he also understood that their loyalty was his greatest asset. Without them, he would be nothing more than a general without an army, a leader without followers.
Returning to the table, he unfolded the map once more. His eyes traced the lines marking the empire's borders, the key cities, and the strategic points. He knew that the meeting Yuan Guo proposed would be crucial—not only to recruit more troops but also to win allies among the generals who had yet to choose a side. He needed to convince them that his cause was the right one, that his vision for the empire was the only path to stability and order.
But he also knew it would not be easy. The Four Families were no fools. They had spies embedded at every level of the army and government, and any misstep could alert them. He needed to act with precision, with caution, and, above all, with patience.