A Small Snowball Triggers an Avalanche - 3
A tiny frog has somehow wedged itself into the war council. Glancing around cautiously at everyone's faces, the situation looks grim as hell.
A messenger brought urgent news, and the military advisor general is rushing here right now.
I'm basically sticking my neck out in place of that advisor, but people have started calling me the deputy military advisor.
"Thus, I shall entrust the duties of military advisor to my little Soyoung."
Liu Bei, you bastard...
Are you planning to smash an egg against a rock? You really intend to fight them head-on, don't you?
"The people of Xinyang say they will follow me, so I cannot simply withdraw the army. Therefore, Lady, please speak freely to me without reserve—what strategy do you propose?"
'Yes. We're pretty much fucked. They pulled some aggro and rushed us a tempo faster.'
I swallow the words bubbling up in my throat, clear my mind, and offer my counsel. "The best course is to withdraw and join forces with Uncle Liu's army. But I doubt my lord desires that."
"You read my mind. We must buy them time to escape."
Having experienced Liu Bei's personality firsthand, I shelve the idea.
Even if I begged him again to just flee to Jingzhou with our group, he'd never get it, even if it killed him.
"How long until the enemy arrives here? Do we have any estimate of their numbers?"
The messenger reports. "From what we can gauge, it's a massive force exceeding 50,000 in total. The vanguard of 5,000 will reach Xinyang within three days."
Ugh. Dizzying.
It's not fear so much as utter incomprehension.
What about the conquest of Youzhou? Why the hell is Cao Cao moving out at this timing?
Liu Biao is sickly, sure, but he's still alive and kicking, so this makes zero sense.
Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren cheese rush? Never heard of it.
Someone has to speak up about this issue.
And that someone is me.
"Xinyang is a small fortress; it can't hold out against that many. If we fight in the open field, Bakmangpa is the place... Ah."
I recall the staggering scale of their forces and ask the messenger again. "50,000 combining Hefei and Wan?"
"Yes. We can't confirm the exact numbers, but it's at least that much!"
Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Liu Feng, Zhao Yun, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, Guan Ping, Sun Qian, Jian Yong.
Ten pairs of eyes fixed solely on me.
With Xinyang's 5,000, we're out of options.
Even Uncle Liu has 30,000; our available combat troops number just 5,000.
Aaah. Such a pitiful startup.
"First... the initial 5,000 are likely scouts. They won't rush to fight us outright; they'll secure a bridgehead... something like that. There's a river on the way here. They might be an engineering unit to build a crossing."
Silence greets my bold statement. Just silence.
Someone, anyone, say something. This heavy silence is killing me.
"Haa..."
The funeral-home atmosphere chokes me.
So I pull out my feather fan from within my robes.
I consult the strategist in my heart. Is this really okay?
I'm scared. Words carry weight, and responsibility follows.
'Can I handle this? Will what I read in books actually work? What the hell should I do?'
The answer comes swiftly.
Gazing at my feather fan, the strategist in my mind says it's fine.
With urgent news and the military advisor general en route, the deputy must buy time somehow.
I trust Uncle Kongming.
I'll trust the strategist in my heart.
"Lord Guan, take 1,000 troops and ambush the left flank of Bakmangpa. It's the rugged central mountain range."
"If it's an order, I shall obey."
Starting with Guan Yu, I assign roles just like Uncle Kongming would.
Guan Yu, who should've protested most fiercely, accepts so readily that no one else dares refuse.
"Lord Zhang, position your 1,000 cavalry at the rear of Bakmangpa. Liu Feng and Guan Ping, each take 500 troops and hold the mountains on either side opposite Lord Guan. My lord, stay at the rear with 1,000 troops alongside Lord Zhang Fei."
I look to Uncle Zhao Yun.
"And you'll have the toughest job. Lord Zhao, lead 50 cavalry as a separate unit to lure the enemy deep into Bakmangpa. It's the hardest and most grueling task."
Zhao Yun nods resolutely.
"Entrust it to me, Lady. This Zhao Zilong will surely fulfill his duty."
So reliable. Yes.
"We'll leave 500 reserves in Xinyang just in case. To delay their river crossing, the rest of us camp by the riverbank and block their initial assault."
The Battle of Bakmangpa from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
But a bit different.
I'm presenting Uncle Kongming's plan as if it's my own idea.
But it feels okay somehow.
Uncle Kongming would surely nod and say, Go ahead.
"Our target is their supply trains. Even if their elite troops push deep, do not engage. I believe Lord Zhang Fei's cavalry will decide the battle."
Zhang Fei snorts loudly and nods.
"I'll sweep 'em with my horse."
"...With your horse?"
Ah, he means he'll rampage alongside it.
"Understood. I trust you all, generals. Feed the soldiers well and let them rest fully. This will be a big fight. Once Uncle Kongming arrives, things will turn around."
I speak with utter conviction of victory.
That's how this world works.
Even if the situation's shit, if the captain looks glum, the crew might mutiny.
We need to shift this somber mood.
"We'll win. We'll use fire arrows to ignite their supplies. Bakmangpa's terrain is perfect for fire—it spreads like crazy. Their cavalry will panic in the flames and fail their role, while the infantry scatters in terror from the arrows."
I force a smile.
"Sleep soundly, stretch out. Nothing will go wrong, and Uncle Kongming will pull something off. That's the extent of my scheme. Don't forget to rest well, everyone."
As they file out of the tent, one catches my eye.
"Uncle Liu Feng, stay a moment."
"...Pardon?"
Everyone leaves.
I hold Liu Feng back alone.
"I'm an adopted child too. It must be tough. Lean on me."
"What do you mean, Lady?"
"Just a feeling."
"Is that why you asked to see me?"
I just smile.
"Fellow adoptee."
"I can't know for sure, but I'll keep it in mind."
Liu Feng becomes purge target number one after Liu Shan is born.
We're not there yet, but who knows when I'll see him next.
Can't help worrying about his upright nature.
*
I came to Soyang with just the coachman, no escorts.
"Finish your errands and head back to Yangyang. War's coming soon."
The four didn't return to Yangyang right away. Sekdo seems to grasp the situation from my words; he quietly sets down his brush and rises from the desk.
"Then here in Soyang, at least, I shall support you, Lady."
These four spoke up for me, took my side.
I warned them of the war but hid the enemy's scale.
"But why ain't you goin' with 'em?"
"I proposed the plan, so it's my duty to see it through."
They nod at the talk of duty.
"No way, sis! Hic... You can't go, it's war!"
Only Ma Su throws a fit.
I have the four gather the people, then climb onto the county office roof with their help and perch there.
Sitting here to ask the people of Soyang to die for me.
"I've returned from Xinyang. Cao Cao has mobilized his army and may reach us soon. Shamelessly, I ask you all: if you'll die for me, take up swords and spears and come to Xinyang."
The crowd clusters like bean sprouts before the small office.
One man raises his hand.
"I met a dear friend here, so how can I refuse the lady's request?!"
"Who are you? The one who just spoke? Thank you!"
I bow deeply.
"Kids! Time for a big score—let's go!!!"
With the man's booming shout, some look suspicious.
The people... are wearing black headscarves...
What the hell?
"I'm Zhang Lian from Mount Shang. I admired you greatly, Lady, but that's not why. I met my old friend Zhao Zilong here—that's reason enough. Even if I'm not what I was in my prime, can I not help when my comrade's caught in war?"
A thunderous cheer erupts.
"Right! Right! Right!"
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"
"Right! Right! Right!"
Three hundred.
I gain Zhang Lian's 300 troops and head back to Xinyang.
*
I desperately want to go to Jingzhou.
But someone has to play the crucial totem role.
I laid out the plan, and as the military totem, I can't lone-wolf it—not when soldier morale depends on me.
A bit envious of the civilians fleeing Xinyang.
"How long it's been!"
Zhang Lian and Zhao Yun shake hands.
Zhao Yun's eyes redden, moved that his friend brought 300 volunteers.
Honestly, I knew my hometown crawled with bandits, but seeing it again hits hard.
A village swarming with Yellow Turbans, Black Mountain Bandits, White Wave rebels... Just imagining it turns my stomach... Hmm.
"Lady? Are you alright?"
Unable to hide my freak-out, Uncle Zhao Yun looks worried.
"Yes, Uncle Zhao Yun. Lots on my mind. Did you call me?"
"Yes. I'd like to introduce my friend to my lord. It's regrettable I can do no more for him."
As Zhao Yun finishes, Zhang Lian suddenly grills me.
"So where's Lord Ma?"
"...Lord Ma? A martial arts master? What Lord Ma? From the evil sect?"
"Your father. Cheonma."
Haven't heard a wuxia-style name like that in ages.
"Heard he's doing well under Lord Zhang Fei. No worries about Dad. Even tossed into Cao Cao's army center, he'd laugh his way out."
Ahead of fierce battle, shouldn't we exchange good-luck words?
That's how it goes in Marine movies.
Zhang Lian gets it, bursting into perfect laughter.
"Puhahaha! Spot on, kid. Zilong, see Ma fight and you'll change your mind. Eyes roll back, and ten men can't touch him!"
"That impressive? Reassuring before battle, Lian. But you must match it—slay ten at the gates, and victory's ours!"
"Right, right! Lads!!!"
A roar echoes.
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"
"Right! Right! Right!"
"Charge! Charge! Charge!"
"Waaaaah!!!"
A bit embarrassing, but facing battle with this energy is surprising.
The soldiers watch with envy, so no nitpicking.
I'll relay essentials briefly.
"Then we reconvene the council. A day till the vanguard hits, so we need to position Zhang Lian's 300..."
"I'll handle it, Soyoung."
"...Pardon?"
"I'll handle it. Would've been great with Ma too. See, Soyoung? This is business. We pull off our own big score, right?"
Zhang Lian speaks lightly, but looks resolute enough.
Shaking inside?
Has to be. I saw his face pale when Uncle Zhao Yun said enemy 50,000 vs. our 5,300.
"Bakmangpa's the decisive battlefield. You know? I trust you'll handle it well."
They're offering their lives out of goodwill; I have no right to micromanage.
If that's their will, I won't force otherwise.
Reading me, Zhang Lian drops the gravity and plays along cheerfully.
"Yeah, yeah! Leave it to me! Bakmangpa's got the stage set!"
"Stage is set!"
"Let's score big!!!"
"Yeah!! Waa! Big score...!!!"
Is it okay to joke so casually before war?
But damn, it lightens the mood a ton.
Who knows. This ain't how to face war.
Why's dopamine surging?
Ah. Adrenaline rush.