Chapter Twelve: Setting Out for Battle

The next day, at the hour of the hare.

Night's veil still lay thick over the land, the sky scattered with stars, and the bright moon hung stubbornly in the western horizon, casting its cold radiance. At this hour, not a bird nor insect made a sound; the mountains and fields were steeped in silence.

In the military camp of Qiansang City, over ten thousand garrison soldiers stood assembled on the parade ground. Looking out, they resembled a forest of towering pines—proud and motionless. Every face brimmed with excitement, especially those like Yue Yi, new recruits marching out for the first time, whose hearts were already pounding. Though each tried to steady their breath and control their heartbeat, standing at the edge of the parade ground one could hear the heavy exhalations.

A thousand days to raise an army, but only a moment to wield it. These spirited young men would today experience their first baptism of blood. This expedition was destined to bring life and death, blood and glory.

Li Guang, clad in full armor, strode steadily onto the command platform. This battle-hardened Flying General of Han would once again lead his men into battle for Han, for the people, for honor—against his old foe, the Xiongnu.

“March!” With a sharp flourish, Li Guang drew his sword and issued the command without hesitation.

“Mighty Han army!”
“Mighty Han army!”
“Mighty Han army!”
“…!”

Over ten thousand voices shouted in unison, their synchronized cries marking the official beginning of the campaign.

The horns of war sounded, their deep tones spreading across the camp. In this pre-dawn hour, many residents of Qiansang City would be startled awake, some gazing from their windows at the brave procession.

Four thousand cavalry, nearly four thousand infantry, and close to four thousand chariot soldiers passed through the streets at dawn, their footsteps orderly, heading swiftly toward the direction of the Xiongnu invasion.

Outside the gates of Qiansang, the force split into two equal divisions. One, led by Li Guang himself, would intercept the Xiongnu from Shangdu in the northwest; the other, under Deputy General Li Xi, would confront the Xiongnu from Duoke in the northeast. Both would ultimately join with Jun Kang County to resist the northern division commanded by the Zuo Xian King of the Xiongnu.

The Xiongnu had deployed some fifteen thousand cavalry; Qiansang’s ten thousand soldiers were a mixed force.

The fiery dragon of troops swept through Qiansang City at dawn, splitting in two before the gates. In the gaze of the city’s defenders, they sped off into the night, each toward their appointed direction.

“Squad Leader, I wish I could march out too.” On the city wall, a young garrison soldier, stirred by the sight of the proud army below, spoke to his squad leader.

“Shut up!” The squad leader beside him cursed suddenly, slapping the back of his head. “You want to go? I want to go too! Back in the day, I faced the Xiongnu head-on. But now, here I am, guarding the city gates!”

“…Yes…” The young soldier, scolded and struck, replied meekly, but his eyes remained fervent as he watched the departing troops.

“Little Chengzi, let me tell you: just because you didn't march out doesn't mean you have nothing to do with the war! Guarding the city is part of the fight. Only if we keep the capital safe can General Li focus on the front lines against the Xiongnu, without worrying about the rear, understand?” The squad leader, feeling a bit better after venting, now earnestly instructed the young soldier.

“I understand!” Hearing his squad leader’s words, the new recruit’s spirits lifted, and he shouted loudly.

“Keep it down! You want the section leader to scold me? Damn it!” The squad leader, startled by the outburst, slapped him again.

“…”
…

Qin Cheng walked at the forefront of the second platoon of the eighteenth section. As they left the city gates, he resisted the urge to look back at Qiansang, keeping his head down and pressing forward.

The situation was urgent, so General Li Guang ordered a march of three hundred li per day (Han measure), determined to reach Shangdu by the hour of the monkey.

Jogging along, Qin Cheng glanced at the indistinct mass of marching troops ahead—a dense crowd of heads. He murmured to himself: This journey, unknowable. Then he chuckled inwardly. Unknowable, so what?

…

After a half-day of forced march, by noon the Han army arrived at a vast open space. Shanggu, located on the northern frontier, had uneven terrain; broad plains were rare, generally only found north of the Great Wall, beyond which lay endless steppes. The open area where the defending forces now rested lay between two small mountains, forming a gourd-shaped basin. A post road cut through the center, with a branch extending perpendicular in another direction.

After half a day of rapid march, clad in heavy armor and under an unusually fierce sun—nothing like autumn—thousands of soldiers were drenched in sweat. Arriving at this open space, Li Guang ordered the whole army to rest and eat.

Two thousand cavalry split into two groups, one at the mountain pass at the gourd’s front, the other at the side road on the left; a few guarded the flanks, watching for surprise attacks. The chariot and infantry units spread out slightly in formation, sitting on the ground and enjoying a rare moment of respite. Even so, the five thousand soldiers occupied only a small strip in the gourd-shaped basin, concentrated along the central line.

“This blasted place doesn’t even have a tree. The sun’s murderous today! How did it get so scorching? It’s killing me!” Dong Chu put down his long halberd, joined Qin Cheng and others, and drank water greedily. Afterward, he grumbled loudly. “If only we were resting in that forest we passed—lush branches and leaves, no sun, cool and breezy, like Eagle’s Mouth. So much better!”

“Squad Leader, that’s not quite right. That forest can’t compare to this place.” Wu Daliang, after drinking, put away his water pouch and smiled. “Especially Eagle’s Mouth, such a narrow strip.”

“Nonsense! What’s so good about this place?” Dong Chu bit off a chunk of bread, unimpressed. “Wu Daliang, you’re getting old—how can you talk such nonsense?”

“If you don't believe me, I won’t say more,” Wu Daliang replied tactfully.

“Go on, let's hear it. Let everyone learn something. Ignore this fool,” Qin Cheng, having finished surveying the terrain, sat beside Wu Daliang.

“Yes, sir! Since the section leader has spoken, I’ll explain.” Wu Daliang glanced at Dong Chu, straightened up, and began, “That forest could shield us from the sun, and the breeze was pleasant—resting there was comfortable.”

“I told you, that forest’s better than this place!” Dong Chu interjected.

“Listen to Daliang, don’t interrupt.” Qin Cheng tossed a pebble at Dong Chu. “And in future, don’t break in when someone’s speaking. Wait until they finish, then speak. Understood?”

“Yes.” All the soldiers responded.

“But what if by then I forget what I wanted to say?” Dong Chu muttered after agreeing.

“Then hold it in,” Qin Cheng retorted.

“Haha…” The soldiers burst into laughter.

“Go on, Daliang,” Qin Cheng said.

Wu Daliang nodded, cleared his throat, and continued, “Let’s start with the Xiongnu…”

“What’s this got to do with the Xiongnu? We’re just resting…” Dong Chu couldn’t help but interrupt again, but seeing the others glaring at him, and remembering Qin Cheng’s words, he shrank back and swallowed the rest.

“The Xiongnu’s horses are swift, their arrows keen, and their strength formidable—each one is skilled. If we rest in the forest and they set it ablaze, then block both roads, we’d be in real trouble.” Wu Daliang paused to gauge their reactions, saw everyone listening intently, and went on, “Here, though we lack shade, the space is wide. If the Xiongnu attack, we can respond quickly and move freely.”

“So, the forest’s not as safe as here—especially Eagle’s Mouth. That’s why I say this place is better.”

Wu Daliang finished, his old eyes full of hope and anxiety as he looked at the group.

“Bravo!” The soldiers cheered in unison, all admiration. Dong Chu, his earlier bluster gone, joined the chorus.

“Well said.” Qin Cheng clapped Wu Daliang’s shoulder. “A veteran’s wisdom outstrips us greenhorns.”

“Section leader flatters me,” Wu Daliang replied, grinning ear to ear, his heart sweet as honey.

“Well, Dong Chu, convinced yet?” Qin Cheng asked.

“I am!” Dong Chu replied honestly.

Qin Cheng nodded, then turned to Wu Daliang. “Daliang, you’ve served at the frontier longest in our section; seen the most. Whenever you get the chance, share your knowledge with us—it could save lives in a pinch.”

Wu Daliang had been uncertain, but seeing Qin Cheng’s sincere and expectant expression, his heart warmed. He straightened and answered loudly, “Yes, sir!”

Qin Cheng smiled, about to encourage Wu Daliang further and urge the others to learn from him, when suddenly a shrill horn sounded unexpectedly, cutting him off.

Everyone was stunned; Wu Daliang reacted first, leaping up, grabbing his halberd, and shouting, “Enemy attack! It’s an enemy attack! Get up, everyone!”

“Form up!” Qin Cheng shouted, rising at once.