Chapter Forty-Four: The Hunt

After the engagement at Old Horse Plain, Qin Cheng knew well that Wei Qing would sooner or later seek him out. So when the military messenger brought word that Wei Qing had invited him to go hunting, Qin Cheng was not at all surprised. If anything, he thought that although Wei Qing’s methods were sometimes less than perfect, there could be no doubt about his loyalty and dedication to Emperor Liu Che.

When Qin Cheng rode with the messenger to the gates of Qiansang City, Wei Qing was already waiting there with two mounted guards. Pulling up his horse, Qin Cheng saluted with his fist and said, “General Wei, your spirits are truly high. To go hunting at Old Horse Plain at this time, when the animals are plentiful, is indeed perfect.”

Wei Qing’s face broke into a rare smile as he saw Qin Cheng arrive. He replied in a clear voice, not standing on formality, “Back in Chang’an, I often accompanied His Majesty on hunts in Shanglin Park. To be frank, many military decisions were made there, as His Majesty discussed matters with us amid the hunt. Since coming to Qiansang City, I have been tied down by duties and have long wished to savor the northern grasslands. Surely, hunting here must offer a very different flavor from Chang’an.”

Qin Cheng understood the subtext of Wei Qing’s words and smiled, “Since General Wei is in such high spirits, allow me to play host and do the honors for you.”

“Excellent!” Wei Qing laughed. “After you, Lord Qin.”

“After you, General.”

Wei Qing spurred his horse forward, Qin Cheng followed close behind, and the two guards brought up the rear as they galloped toward Old Horse Plain.

“Lord Qin, I heard from General Li that Old Horse Plain is not entirely safe,” Wei Qing remarked as they neared their destination.

“That is indeed the case,” Qin Cheng nodded. “Old Horse Plain lies in the northern part of Shanggu. Beyond here is the Great Wall, and the Xiongnu often drive their horses south, just beyond the wall. The border forts can do little to stop them. It’s not uncommon for small groups of Xiongnu to cross the wall.”

Wei Qing looked around from horseback and sighed, “The pasture here is superb—better than many army horse farms. If it weren’t for the threat of the Xiongnu, this would be an exceptional place to raise horses.”

Qin Cheng gazed northward and said, “Someday, a vast horse farm will be built here.”

Wei Qing and Qin Cheng paused on Old Horse Plain, the very place where, only yesterday, Li Guang and Wei Qing had watched Qin Cheng’s military exercise firsthand.

“Without good horses, there can be no elite cavalry. If Han wishes to defeat the Xiongnu, we must breed enough superior horses. The Xiongnu ponies are not particularly fast. If our cavalry were mounted on better horses, we could outpace them, gaining a significant advantage on the battlefield,” Qin Cheng said casually. “I have heard that in the Western Regions, the Ferghana horses are outstanding—tall, swift, able to cover eight hundred li in a day, and as enduring as any Xiongnu pony. If, one day, our cavalry could be equipped with such horses, our strength would increase greatly.”

Wei Qing’s expression grew solemn at Qin Cheng’s words. It was the first he’d heard of the Ferghana blood-sweating horses, but Qin Cheng did not seem the sort to boast idly. Surprised, he wondered where Qin Cheng acquired such knowledge. “Lord Qin, your learning is profound. But may I ask where you heard of these Ferghana horses, and is it truly so?”

“Well… I came across mention of these horses in miscellaneous texts and obscure books. But I am certain that the kingdom of Ferghana has them. If all goes well, when Lord Zhang Qian returns from his mission to the Western Regions, he may bring news of these horses,” Qin Cheng replied, attributing his source to obscure writings and invoking Zhang Qian to bolster credibility.

“Oh…” Wei Qing nodded, thinking Qin Cheng’s knowledge truly extraordinary. “Speaking of Lord Zhang Qian, he was sent west seven years ago, and there has been no word since. The emperor has often worried over this.”

“The journey to the Western Regions is long and hard, crossing the lands of the Xiongnu. There are many difficulties. But I believe that fortune will favor Lord Zhang, and he will return one day,” Qin Cheng said.

“Let us hope so. Should that day come, Han and the Yuezhi could attack the Xiongnu from both sides—how much easier the war would be,” Wei Qing said.

“Let us hope so,” Qin Cheng thought, though he doubted the Yuezhi would ever attack the Xiongnu.

After some pleasant conversation and a rest, Wei Qing proposed, “Lord Qin, your learning surpasses mine by far. But what of your horsemanship and archery—are you also superior there? Shall we have a contest?”

Qin Cheng wiped the sweat from his brow inwardly. Wei Qing had found his weak spot. In terms of knowledge, with the benefit of two lifetimes, Qin Cheng was confident few could match him. But horsemanship and archery—against Wei Qing, there was no chance. If it were swordplay or wrestling on foot, he might not be so sure, but on horseback, he was outmatched. “General, your valor is well known. I hardly dare compare myself. Still, since you wish it, I will do my best to accompany you.”

“Haha, good!” Wei Qing laughed heartily, taking Qin Cheng’s humility as genuine. After all, anyone who had slain the Xiongnu’s Left Bone Commander could hardly be called unskilled. “Let us hunt in this maple grove and see who gets the greater prize.”

“I will accompany you,” Qin Cheng replied with a wry smile.

Wei Qing laughed again and rode ahead; Qin Cheng followed.

The ride to Old Horse Plain and their conversation had brought the two closer. Wei Qing dropped his stern demeanor and spoke more freely. The four of them—Wei Qing, Qin Cheng, and two guards—entered the maple woods, spurring their horses and weaving through the trees in high spirits.

“Lord Qin, I won’t be polite about this white fox!” Wei Qing called out when, after some pursuit, they spotted their first prey—a snow-white fox that, startled, darted from a thicket and ran for its life, unaware it had leapt into the range of four archers.

“We’ll see about that!” Qin Cheng shouted, drawing his bow with no intention of giving ground. He knew his horsemanship and archery were no match for Wei Qing’s, but the thrill of competition stirred his fighting spirit.

Both men urged their horses forward, and when they were twenty or thirty paces from the fox, both loosed their four-edged iron arrows at the same moment.

With a shrill cry, the fox was struck by the powerful arrows and pinned to the root of a maple tree.

Both arrows had found their mark.

Dismounting, Wei Qing was first to seize the lifeless fox and laughed, showing it to Qin Cheng. “Lord Qin, take a look—my arrow struck its ear, yours its hindquarters. I’d say that puts me just a bit ahead!”

Qin Cheng accepted the fox and couldn’t help but smile wryly. This was not a narrow margin; their skill levels were worlds apart. His arrow had barely hit, while Wei Qing’s had entered the right ear and exited the left without even disturbing the fur. In Qin Cheng’s hands, the fox would be fit only for roasting. In Wei Qing’s, it could fetch a fine price in the city.

“General Wei, your skill is truly extraordinary. I must admire you,” Qin Cheng said, returning the fox.

Wei Qing took the fox, remounted, and smiled at Qin Cheng. “What do you say, Lord Qin—another round?”

“Of course!” Qin Cheng replied without hesitation. Before Wei Qing could respond, he spurred his horse ahead.

“Ha! Such trickery from a dignified lord!” Wei Qing laughed, signaling his guards to follow.

The four galloped off, and before two hours had passed, their horses were laden with game large and small. Wei Qing’s archery astonished Qin Cheng, giving him his first true glimpse of the era’s prowess. In an age without firearms, the bow was the supreme weapon, and in the hands of a master, it was as deadly as any gunman of later ages.

Though he was outmatched, Qin Cheng never lost heart, shooting arrow after arrow. Sometimes he hit, sometimes he missed entirely. At first, Wei Qing teased him good-naturedly, but seeing Qin Cheng’s serious effort, and noting that his skills improved slightly with practice, he stopped making jokes. Over those hours, Wei Qing gained a deeper understanding of Qin Cheng’s character, and found himself both admiring and feeling inferior to his composure. Watching Qin Cheng’s focus with each shot, Wei Qing began to realize why a man of humble origins could possess such profound knowledge.

Some men’s vision and talent, and their future achievements, are not dictated by birth.

Though, in Qin Cheng’s case, Wei Qing’s assessment was perhaps a bit optimistic.

When their horses could carry no more, the four left the woods, found a place to rest, and prepared a meal. Wei Qing, accustomed to roasting game with Emperor Liu Che at Shanglin Park, handled the task with ease. They gathered firewood, prepared the meat, and soon the scent of roasting filled the air.

“Hunting today has been such a pleasure. With so much game in these woods, we were truly fortunate. Don’t you agree, Lord Qin?” Wei Qing said as he roasted the meat, chatting amiably. After two hours together, he had begun to address Qin Cheng more familiarly, no longer using his full title.

“In late autumn, the animals are all busy gathering food for winter, and yet today, they have become our meal instead. I suppose it’s as they say: birds perish for food,” Qin Cheng replied with a smile.

“Well said, my lord. But truly, among all living things, who can escape the fate of dying for food? Do men not live for their bellies, and are not many disputes caused by hunger?” Wei Qing sighed softly.

“Why such melancholy, General?” Qin Cheng laughed. “Still, you’re not wrong. Without basic needs met, nothing else matters.”

“Hah! Forgive me, my lord. I spoke out of turn,” Wei Qing said, a bit embarrassed by his own sentimentality. Looking out over Old Horse Plain, he continued, “Yesterday, your command during the cavalry exercise was an eye-opener. I had never before considered dividing cavalry into light and heavy, or having them cooperate in battle. Your innovation was brilliant—I am truly impressed.”

Qin Cheng thought to himself that, after all this prelude, the real conversation was finally beginning. He replied slowly, “Yesterday’s exercise was rushed; much was left undone. With more time, the effect would have been clearer. Light and heavy cavalry working together is even more effective than what you saw. But to be honest, the terms ‘light-armored’ and ‘heavy-armored’ cavalry aren’t quite right.”

Wei Qing had asked, so Qin Cheng didn’t see the point in holding back. The general had gone to great lengths to test his abilities and, satisfied, was now seeking advice. So why not explain frankly?

Qin Cheng always preferred to assume the worst of others’ intentions. Though this made him sometimes overly suspicious, it was better than being taken advantage of or, worse, being so oblivious as to help his own deceivers—especially given his precarious position.

Of course, this did not mean he had to treat everyone as an enemy.

“Oh? Could you elaborate, my lord?” Wei Qing asked.

“In fact, it’s better to refer to them as light cavalry and heavy cavalry. The difference isn’t just in armor, but also in equipment and tactics. Light cavalry are lightly equipped, their advantage is speed, and in battle, they excel at mounted archery. Heavy cavalry wear thick, sturdy armor, can withstand arrows and swords, wield powerful weapons, and their strength is in shock impact. They can work together or separately. Working together is what you saw yesterday. Separately, light cavalry can raid deep into Xiongnu territory, fighting for days, just as the Xiongnu do to us—but even more devastating. Heavy cavalry can be used for decisive battles against the main Xiongnu force, breaking their lines and wreaking havoc in their ranks,” Qin Cheng explained, speaking slowly and clearly, careful not to overwhelm Wei Qing with these advanced tactics.

Wei Qing listened intently, deep in thought. When Qin Cheng finished, he was silent for a long moment, then suddenly struck his knee and exclaimed, “Brilliant! Truly brilliant! Your words have opened my eyes, Lord Qin. If our army had thirty or fifty thousand each of light and heavy cavalry, how could the Xiongnu not be destroyed?”

Qin Cheng smiled and dampened his enthusiasm. “Don’t get carried away, General. To field so many elite cavalry would cost a fortune. Such forces must be truly elite, or they would become a liability rather than an asset.”

“Hmm…” Wei Qing sobered at the reminder, considering the risks. “You’re right. While light and heavy cavalry have great strengths, they also have great weaknesses. Used poorly, they might end up as a disaster. Once divided, the combined strength of the old mixed cavalry is lost. If the Xiongnu exploited our weaknesses, we could suffer dearly.”

“Exactly,” Qin Cheng nodded. “Used well, light and heavy cavalry can win great victories. Used poorly, they can cause great defeats. It’s a double-edged sword—success depends on the wielder.”

Wei Qing was startled by this, then said solemnly, “His Majesty is a ruler of great talent and wisdom. He will wield this sword well.”

“Indeed, His Majesty’s talent is beyond question,” Qin Cheng replied, bowing in salute.

Wei Qing took a moment to gather his thoughts, mentally reviewing all that Qin Cheng had explained so he could record it in detail for his report to Liu Che.

“My lord, in your opinion, is cavalry truly indispensable for defeating the Xiongnu?” Wei Qing asked after a pause, probing further.

Qin Cheng laughed, amused at Wei Qing’s caution. But given the heavy responsibility he bore for the emperor’s grand strategy, and his own lowly origins, such caution was understandable. So he answered solemnly, “Not only is cavalry indispensable, but only elite cavalry will suffice.”

After a moment, Qin Cheng added, “In truth, what you have seen over these past two days already proves this. Even if you set aside these drills, the history of Han’s wars against the Xiongnu over the past seventy years leaves it plain—our persistent disadvantage is not just due to the policy of marriage alliances.”

Wei Qing nodded gravely, then suddenly bowed to Qin Cheng. “Your insights are profound and far-sighted, my lord. I am deeply impressed. Please accept my respects!”

“General Wei, you flatter me. This—”