Whoever Touches Little Xinye (6)
Anyone who messed with Little Xinye was in for it. Using the Yuanrong Crossbows for a volley barrage. I didn't love crunching the numbers in war, but after about an hour of nonstop shooting, at least a few hundred enemies must have been wounded or killed. Pababak.
Of course, the enemy wasn't just sitting there taking it. Some advanced with shields, finally reaching the palisade and starting to bash it. Others, arrows lodged in their shoulders, hammered away at the wooden fence with their shields using their good arms.
"This won't hold."
No matter how sturdy we made the palisade, it couldn't stop enemies whose heads were boiling with rage. Wood alone wasn't enough.
"Liang, what's next?"
"We retreat. Everyone, grab your Yuanrong Crossbows—no exceptions."
At Zhuge Liang's command, everyone secured their crossbows. The horses below, who'd been getting their hooves trimmed, mounted their riders and turned their heads away from the enemy in unison.
"A bit more shooting and we could drop even more, but it's time to go."
"Escaping before they encircle us is key. That's why we brought the cavalry."
The enemy started flanking to avoid our fire. Delay just one hour, and the archery paths would be surrounded in a circle by enemy troops, the palisade would crumble, and they'd pour in endlessly.
"We built it expecting it to break. We'll burn some cash, but no friendlies die."
I climbed behind Zhuge Liang, holding her tight. Even if an arrow came, I'd take it—I tucked her snugly into my arms and gripped the reins.
"General!!"
A bearded soldier ran toward us from the side. Yuanrong Crossbow strapped firmly to his back, spear in hand, he pointed at the gate.
"The gate's ready to open!"
"Open the gate!"
I bellowed in Zhuge Liang's place, and the pre-positioned men swung it open fast. Kkiiik.
No sooner had the barred gate parted than our cavalry charged forward as one. The enemy rushed to encircle us, but our horsemen thrust spears left and right, menacing them.
"Haaah!!"
I shouted a kiai and spurred the horse on. The cavalry formed a long line to shield me and Zhuge Liang as we galloped rearward, evading the foe.
"Those guys! Get 'em!"
"Tch, regular army after all...! Aiming for the head!"
These weren't mere bandits. Rather than killing the foes in front, they targeted the escaping enemy's strategist—or rather, the 'general.'
Our cavalry's leaders right now? Me and Zhuge Liang. Leading such a tiny force was risky, sure, but what could we do?
"I swear, you make my life hell!"
"Sorry, dear. But I wanted to check it myself."
She could've stayed back, waving the white feather fan and commanding. No, Zhuge Liang had to come to the front lines and fire the Yuanrong Crossbows she'd invented herself.
"Sima Yi does that stuff, doesn't mean you should!"
"No, that's not it. Her doing what I do is fine, but if she can do something I can't, that's unacceptable."
"Don't turn this into a pride match out here!"
"That's exactly what matters. Don't worry—I've calculated everything."
Zhuge Liang pointed back with a grin. I'd been focused on riding, so I couldn't look, but the enemy shouts from behind were definitely fading.
"Thanks to you ordering the retreat without hesitation, we escaped without a single casualty."
"...Yeah."
"Hahaha! General, you're incredible!"
The bearded soldier rode up laughing heartily.
"We moved like clockwork just as you said—no deaths, and we slaughtered them mercilessly! General Geum, you're a god of strategy!"
"My wife's plan."
"...Your wife?"
The soldier eyed Zhuge Liang in my arms with a sour face.
"Thought she was your daughter or little sister."
".......What the hell, mister."
"H-Hey, 'mister'?! Sheesh."
"Enough. Liang, ease up the pace."
I raised a hand, halting the cavalry. They pulled away to a safe distance, then drew their Yuanrong Crossbows from their backs and reloaded swiftly.
"Heh, bet shooting these on the gallop later will be a blast."
"Careful, or you'll drop 'em. Everyone, ready to fire."
We weren't Cao Cao's Tiger Guards, Western Liang Cavalry, or White Horse Volunteers. Without the Yuanrong Crossbows, we couldn't have stopped to shoot like this.
"See 'em panicking over there?"
The bearded soldier aimed his crossbow at the enemy with a smirk.
"That guy up front looks like their leader. Think I'll nail him in the face."
"Big confidence."
"Don't let the beard fool ya—I've got skills! Haha!"
The cavalry chuckled at his words. It eased the tension mid-battle, and showed how effortless the crossbows made it. Just pull down the forked upper body, brace the bottom, and the tension launched three arrows automatically.
"Watch close, General. Fire on command!"
"Loose—!!"
Shushushuk!!
My order dropped, and the cavalry volleyed. Arrows flew three per shot into the advancing enemy; those holding shields wrong toppled with shafts in their bodies. Kang!
"Oho."
"Damn it."
I was impressed; the bearded soldier cursed.
"Ugh, seriously. Why's that bastard wearing a helmet that guards his brow?"
His shot had nailed the enemy leader's forehead dead-on. But the helmet swept forward like bangs, protecting the brow—the arrow glanced off, nearly unhorsing him.
"General, call another volley. I'll hit the neck this time."
"Not now. Retreat."
Zhuge Liang urgently pointed at the enemy lines. I signaled to strap the crossbows back tight.
"Fall back!"
"Wait, why?! One more—"
"Follow orders."
I wheeled my horse. Skill meant nothing if a soldier ignored command on the field.
"Liang says retreat. So we retreat."
"Grr...!"
The soldier ground his teeth and turned. I got it—hell, I wanted to keep sniping too. Unilaterally picking them off from afar wasn't something you got every day.
But even worms writhe when stepped on.
"We're trying to drop enemies without losing a single man, soldier."
"Is that even...?"
"It is, so we follow Liang's orders."
I pointed rearward. I didn't look back, but he did.
"Whoa."
Archers burst from between the shieldbearers, loosing long-range shots at us. We fled beyond their range before the arrows reached our horses' tails.
"See? Do what Liang says, and it works."
"Y-Yeah, but."
"You imagining charging blindly and hacking them down without strategy?"
"......."
Bingo. I knew that look in his eyes.
'Gan Ning had that exact face when Sima Yi talked tactics against Thunderbolt and Brocade Silk.'
Back when Sima Yi crushed them, Gan Ning wore that expression before charging solo. Gan Ning could pull it off—he'd cut down a hundred alone and survive, maybe banged up, but yeah.
'But this guy?'
Just a soldier. Talented, sure, but his overflowing hot blood held him back.
"Where you from?"
"Northern Jingzhou. ...My hometown got looted by some bastard named Jang Je long ago."
"Hm."
A familiar name. Refugees from Jang Je's fall settled big in Xinye, so he'd probably enlisted in the Xinye guard then. Yelling boldly at us 'generals' on behalf of the troops meant he had some experience. Ten-man squad leader at best... maybe hundred-man now.
"I saw it myself in the Lü Bu campaign once."
I rode on, consoling the bearded soldier.
"Know why Lü Bu fell? Ignored his advisors. Other generals followed theirs. Why do advisors direct? Sure, to kill max enemies, but mainly to minimize our losses."
Straight talk, textbook stuff. Most soldiers wilted here, but for this deluded 'general-wannabe,' I needed more. Whip again, or offer honey?
"Even if I told Liang to let you lead a cavalry charge, you haven't proven yourself to us yet, right?"
"......!!"
He looked enlightened. I pointed at the Yuanrong Crossbow on his back.
"Obey orders first. Can't let men die against mere bandits—we'll whittle their strength with arrows, then charge."
Sniping wouldn't wipe them forever. This was just softening them before the real fight.
"Liang and I head to main base. If you wanna swing that spear up front, return the crossbow there, then report to General Mun Bing. Say Geum Taeyang ordered you to join—he'll let you ride together."
"......If I do, can I become a famous general?"
"Why not. But."
I stroked Zhuge Liang's head as she started to complain, pointing at base.
"If you want fame as a legendary commander, not some beast or butcher, shouldn't you show general's qualities first?"
"......Understood, General."
The soldier cupped his fists and bowed.
"Your wisdom!"
He spurred off, and the cavalry followed as one.
"...Dear."
Zhuge Liang finally spoke up.
"Why can't men control their hot blood like that?"
"'Cause they're men. Advisors think different from generals."
World's got strategists, virtuous lords, braves, berserkers. Advisors never got berserkers.
"Don't logic it. Feel it."
Maybe 'cause I'm a guy too, but I got it.
"Like wanting to show off skills in front of the woman you love."
Smash the enemy spectacularly. Flaunt my valor to the world. That's the soldier type.
"Once they push farther, the archery paths fire from five directions—whittle more, then advance."
"...Exactly. Just follow orders."
Zhuge Liang puffed her cheeks.
"I just don't get it."
"...You look pretty pissed."
"Of course. He thought I was your sister or daughter, not wife."
I returned to base amid her grumbling.
"General Geum! We're off! Take care of the little sister-in-law! Haha!!"
By then, the bearded soldier had ditched his crossbow, grabbed two halberds, and galloped to Mun Bing.
"I wanna smack that guy's head."
"...Yeah, he kinda deserves it."
If his talent holds, he'll make a name as a general someday. Assuming he doesn't die.