Flames of the Ambush
It's a fire attack and ambush. Failure means death penalty minus one. The vanguard 5,000 are, as expected, an engineering unit securing the bridgehead.
Our 400 held the high ground on the hill, refusing to let the enemy cross the river easily.
I hunkered down in Xinyang fortress, fielding a flood of reports from messengers.
How long to hold? When to retreat?
That's all I could do for the 400 camped by the river.
Setting a clear deadline was key.
Sure enough, the enemy couldn't cross easily, even with just 400 holding the line.
One thing Uncle Seokdo had emphasized while cautioning me: you can't miss the moment when they attempt the crossing.
Crossing a river is dangerous, and despite our meager 400, the enemy didn't dare.
Xinyang's 5,000 are elite troops trained under Xu Shu's curriculum.
Xu Shu must have drilled them in formations perfectly suited to blocking river crossings—a human wall if there ever was one.
"Urgent report! The enemy's resistance is fierce, and our troops' morale is dropping!"
"This is the time to hold. The enemy won't cross the river. No matter who commands their vanguard 5,000, tell the men they won't force a crossing against our 400."
"Yes, sir! I'll relay that!"
As the messenger left, Mi Zhu grabbed my hand.
One of the few named faces left in Xinyang.
"I'm not sure it'll go as the young lady predicts."
Empathizing with Mi Zhu's burning anxiety, I said,
"It'll be fine. It'll work out."
I get it—the panic of all that rice and pep talks going to waste if Liu Bei's army gets wrecked.
"Cao Cao's like a textbook on warfare. Even his subordinates might vary in style, but I figure he's given detailed orders himself. The 5,000 won't cross before the main force arrives."
Mi Zhu's expression eased a bit at my confident tone.
It was a gamble, but I trusted Cao Cao.
Silly to trust the enemy commander, but the Cao Cao I'd read about was efficient to a fault—someone who'd use even a foe if it served his gain.
I couldn't imagine that man risking losses in a battle with ten-to-one odds.
Mi Zhu let go of my hand, looking relieved.
"I heard the lord wants to meet the young lady."
"Later. Right now, focus on holding until Xinyang's people retreat safely."
"Understood. We'll follow the young lady's lead."
I bowed my head and left the command tent where I'd been reviewing military reports.
The place was a ghost town now.
When the enemy's 5,000 arrived, everyone scattered to their posts—no martial officers left worth the name.
I took a deep breath and scanned the surroundings.
Two blue butterflies fluttered by, only for a mantis to snatch them mid-air and devour them whole.
The soldiers' eyes burned with life, and the feathers on my scholar's fan stood sharp.
Gan Yong, Sun Qian, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, Chen Soyoung.
Rank Xinyang's fighters, and we're a five-man squad including me—if the enemy reaches here, we're dead meat.
So why this feeling?
Victory blooming in my chest, my heart pounding past excitement into the delusion that we'd already won.
"Urgent report! Enemy main force has arrived! The general is Xiahou Dun!"
Adrenaline surging from nowhere, the messenger delivered the news we'd been waiting for.
I issued orders swiftly.
"Pull back the troops at the river and have them join General Liu Bei's unit. Relay that."
Please, Uncle Zhao Yun. I trust you.
*
Liu Bei seemed out of his mind.
Still no retreat—does he plan to siege?
"Pathetic."
"But don't get careless, Commander. The terrain looks treacherous—advance with caution."
Xiahou Dun stared at the vanguard that hadn't even crossed yet, growing impatient.
He needed to claim glory for Mengde, yet this puny fortress had them stalled without even a bridge.
"We beat Zhang Yin here—that's our chance. Listen up, Yu Jin!"
Xiahou Dun raised his voice.
"The enemy is weak and won't dare face us. Speed is key—crush Xinyang swiftly."
Yu Jin cautioned calmly.
"But horses tire fast in mountains. Have cavalry escort infantry for a steady advance, and the enemy won't even fight—they'll fold for an easy win. The Prime Minister wants you to have the glory, General."
Xiahou Dun bristled at Yu Jin's words.
Then why bring Zhang Yin for one tiny fortress?
Mengde plans to push to Jingzhou, seize Liu Biao's base at Yangyang.
He'd yanked the army from Yuzhou after spy reports—something big's up in Jingzhou.
So this little Xinyang must fall fast to meet expectations!
"Crossing prep complete, General! Bridgehead secured, and the enemy camp outside the river is retreating!"
Xiahou Dun grinned.
"Li Dian, you handle supplies. Yu Jin, follow me! Let's go—I'll take Xinyang faster than anyone!"
Li Dian didn't like Xiahou Dun's plan.
The narrow, rugged terrain made cavalry tricky, and an ambush could mean heavy losses.
"Commander! Rushing ahead like this is unwise!"
"Li Dian! I know you won't rack up glory managing supplies! I understand your concerns—lead without worry!"
That wasn't Li Dian's point, but feeling Xiahou Dun's concern warmed him—he couldn't bear to sour the mood.
He didn't press harder.
*
Zhao Yun steadied his breath on horseback.
"Hah…"
Fifty. Just fifty.
Lure that host with fifty.
Can't show weakness.
Must be the example.
"Your general is Zhao Zilong of Changshan! We'll claim glory! Not a head-on fight—disrupt, deceive, that's our role!"
A thunderous roar erupted, startling the horses.
"Waaaaah!!!"
He eyed his ready men.
Gripping spears tight, he yanked the reins.
"Then let's go! Lure them to mid-ridge, and victory's ours! Only glory-hungry follow this Zhao Zilong!!!"
Zhao Yun led, reins in hand, fifty cavalry trailing.
Soyoung's lady's plan will work.
That's why the lord gave her command.
No doubting intent.
Orders received—follow them.
This is a winnable fight!!!
"Spare the horses' stamina! Retreat slow so they don't spot the ambush—make them think we're scouts!"
His men, elite of elites versed in strategy, loosened their reins at his cry.
Enemy vanguard in sight.
The one-eyed man in gleaming black armor—that's their general, Xiahou Dun.
Tucking his spear underarm, Zhao Yun grabbed the bow from his back.
Like Mongol Khesik'ten, he aimed on horseback at Xiahou Dun.
Piiing—!
The arrow, powered by immense strength, flew to Xiahou Dun and bloomed in his side.
"General!!!!"
Xiahou Dun tumbled from shock, swatting the arrow away in fury before remounting.
No matter Zhao Yun's mighty draw, it couldn't pierce sturdy armor at that range.
"That… that bastard!!!"
Enraged, Xiahou Dun drew his sword.
"Whole army! Slaughter them all! I'm leading!"
"General! You're too far ahead!!!"
"Yu Jin! Coward? I need that green head today to cool off."
Bwoooo—!
Xiahou Dun signaled, and the all-out assault horn blared.
"Full charge! Seize Xinyang with swift momentum! Looting permitted!"
Looting fired up the troops; cavalry surged after Xiahou Dun at the front.
"Ah… the Commander's properly pissed."
Yu Jin had no choice but to follow.
"We escort the Commander! Keep pace with the advance!"
Yu Jin pushed forward, leaving Li Dian no option.
Staying back alone meant no dodging blame.
"Tell the rear centurions to guard the bridgehead—we advance swiftly after Yu Jin's unit!"
Startled birds fled the forest in a roar.
"Waaaaah!!!"
Wei forces launched total assault.
*
Arrows rained like acrobatics, drawing the enemy out.
Casualties mounted in this tightrope over death.
One caught cavalryman speared.
The fallen soldier fought nobly to the end.
Soon, slashed shoulder to side, he died huge.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
To draw them close, maintain that hair's-breadth distance.
Sacrifices in the process—unavoidable.
"Coward! Fight fair!"
Xiahou Dun, eyes rolled back, chased us.
"Run! Too many enemies!"
Shouting for them to hear, I spurred my horse.
Close enough for voices to carry.
Our cavalry didn't scatter—stubbornly crossed the ridge line.
Commanding the rear, arrows studded my back. But… can't stop here!!!
Xiahou Dun's main force stabbed forward like a protruding awl.
Battle's stench was fishy, suffocating.
The metallic tang filled my lungs—living blood or dead, indistinguishable.
Empty my mind, charge on.
Gripping my mad heart, watching comrades fall, I cleaved the ridge.
Finally, the end.
Zhao Yun crested mid-ridge and saw Zhang Fei's face.
Park Mang Pa's end—reached at last.
"Leave it to me."
Zhang Fei's grim shout rang in his ears.
Feeling the sincerity like an echo, Zhao Yun passed Zhang Fei and Liu Bei.
Guessed surviving cavalry: under thirty. Success?
Or lives lost to my poor judgment?
But it's done.
Acrid ash stench wafted here.
Black smoke billowed.
Eyes stung with tears from the massive blaze severing the enemy's waist.
"Whoooole arrrrmy!!!! Chaaarge!!!!!!"
Zhang Fei's bellow flipped defense to offense.