Chapter 123

In the era of the Later Han, between the places once called Sakbang County’s Daeseong-hyeon and Sanggun County’s Sayeon-hyeon.

In the era of the Former Han, at a place once called Sanggun County’s Gomang-hyeon, the two armies encountered each other.

On land bearing names of the past, people living in the present, facing each other, stood there to determine the truth of the destiny each bore.

“Not quite 100,000.”

“90,000 would be cutting it close.”

Estimating the size of the army by the number of military flags, the Wei army was roughly expected to be between 80,000 and 90,000.

Bi Yi, quick at calculations, was adept at rough estimates like Fermi estimations. With the added opinions of those with keen eyesight like Bang Deok and Kang Yu, the margin of error probably wasn’t large.

In any case, the grandeur of a massive army of about 150,000 gathered from both sides was indescribable.

It was a thrill different from the overwhelming emotion brought by the wondrous scenery that makes one realize the greatness of nature.

Even as they came close enough to confirm with the naked eye, both sides maintained their distance without rashly rushing in.

A tedious standoff ensued. Naturally, with our lack of cavalry strength, the Wei army also remained quiet.

“Judging by the distance, they seem wary of our strong crossbows.”

“And they must also be considering the Yuan Rong. If a breakthrough fails, they might suffer significant losses and retreat, so if they attack, they’ll likely aim for a decisive victory.”

Their arguments made sense.

Guo Huai, who had tasted the sting of the strong crossbows and Yuan Rong, must have informed Zhao Chang about the new weapons he experienced.

‘But how long can they hold out? Eventually, it will be the Wei army that attempts to attack first.’

Because the goals set for each side are different.

Zhao Chang is in the position of the attacker. He is the spear thrusting into the rear of the Han Dynasty, relying on the mountain ranges and rivers provided by nature, and the city walls and fortresses built by humans.

Conversely, we are the shield. Naturally, we also want to avoid idly passing time. Who knows if either Dongguan or Yangfan might be breached?

But can we do more than Zhao Chang? Zhao Chang must be quite anxious.

Thanks to Cao Cao’s traffic arrangements, he somehow managed to form a united front with Cao Biao, but Cao Biao is notoriously narrow-minded. Who knows when he might throw a tantrum again.

And Zhao Chang has no military achievements to protect himself. While significant achievements that burden Cao Biao could backfire, he still needs enough military achievements to prove his worth.

But what has Zhao Chang accomplished so far? Aside from his exploits during Cao Cao’s lifetime, he has no notable military achievements.

He fought a fierce battle against Ma Chao and Pang Tong? He successfully retreated without significant losses when Guanzhong fell?

‘That’s ridiculously insufficient.’

Probably, skepticism about Zhao Chang is gradually emerging in the Wei court.

He fights well and manages soldiers well, but there are no crucial victories.

Victory. Zhao Chang has no choice but to crave victory.

Desperately longing for victory, Zhao Chang began his advance.

And my response to that.

“Retreat. As informed beforehand, retreat without disarray.”

It was a retreat.

§

When I first ordered the retreat, everyone accepted the decision.

The pace of the march was so exquisitely controlled that no fatigue was visible among the enemy. Conversely, our military spirit was solid yet sharp.

Having defeated resisting tribes and learned the sensation of victory, their morale was soaring sky-high.

Was there any need to engage in battle as they desired? It was natural for a consensus to form. Thus, the entire army united in heart and mind, retreating in order.

The next day, when I ordered another retreat, there was some disarray, but this time too, a disciplined retreat was shown.

Soon after, some came to me. They didn’t openly express dissatisfaction, but they suggested that next time, we should stand and fight.

However, as Zhao Chang prepared to attack again, I ordered a third retreat. There was resistance. The argument that further retreats would only boost their morale and lower our fighting spirit gained strength.

Yet, I firmly cut off their resistance.

They showed dissatisfaction at the claim that we were not yet prepared, but they followed my orders.

Even after the retreat was carried out, the dissatisfaction continued. It was clear they were reluctantly following.

The fact that no one openly defied was entirely due to the challenge ceremony I held before the expedition, firmly establishing my authority. But now, even that seemed precarious.

In truth, their arguments weren’t wrong. After three consecutive retreats, our morale had significantly dropped.

However, upon closer observation, it was evident that this tendency was prominent among certain groups. The nomadic tribes and new recruits. The military spirit of the Lanling Army, who had roamed the battlefield with me before, remained sharp.

Of course, maintaining the morale of just the Lanling Army isn’t enough. The 20,000 Lanling Army didn’t even make up a third of the total, and even then, almost half were new recruits.

But thanks to the veterans maintaining their morale, the overall morale drop of the Han army wasn’t particularly severe.

The problem was that my control over the tribes was gradually weakening.

With the Qiang, they were actually gathered more for Ma Chao than for me, and with Bang Deok and Ma Dai present, there was nothing to worry about, but the others were different.

Such changes were directly reflected in the military council. Those who, at the first expedition, acted as if they would give their livers and gallbladders for me, now treated me indifferently, and some even openly expressed dissatisfaction.

In any case, for now, they still outwardly obeyed my authority. But if I retreat again next time, even that will disappear, and defiance and resistance will erupt.

As the tense military council ended, I gathered only the generals belonging to the Han army.

Kang Yu, Bi Yi, Ma Dai, Bu Chuan, Guo Yi, Bang Deok, Yu En, Wang Ping.

Half of the Eight Wings of Lanling and four talents not inferior to the now absent four.

Though the talents of Wei are great, we are not at all inferior.

They remained calm amidst the continuous retreats and the wavering sentiments of the tribes. Those gathered here already knew about the retreat.

When something expected happens, no one is surprised, right?

Bang Deok, the highest-ranking after me, spoke.

“The Wei army’s wariness of Commander Wei seems greater than expected. I thought they might attempt a surprise attack at least once.”

“As the Left General said.”

Ma Dai, close to Bang Deok, nodded.

“Having been on the receiving end, they probably thought there would be a trap in the retreat.”

“Seeing this time, it seems that caution has weakened a lot.”

Wang Ping and Yu En added.

Others like Kang Yu, Bi Yi, and Bu Chuan, who now seemed like proper generals, also voiced their thoughts.

However, Guo Yi, with the least seniority and experience, struggled to join the conversation.

“Little Xian.”

“Ah, yes, General.”

“How’s the preparation?”

At my question, feeling the weight of others’ gazes, Guo Yi gulped. After a moment of hesitation, he answered resolutely.

“Yes. Fully prepared. The soldiers under me are the same.”

If Guo Yi is prepared, there’s no need to ask the others.

No one here is inferior to Guo Yi. It’s not about talent differences. It’s due to the experience accumulated through various wars.

Though Guo Yi has grown into a capable deputy through the northern expeditions, he’s still lacking compared to the others.

“Good. Then let’s disband. No need to show ourselves gathered for too long.”

As they left my tent, I held back Bang Deok and Kang Yu, whispering softly.

“Left General, how are the Qiang?”

“Don’t worry. As long as General Pyo is alive, the Qiang will absolutely obey orders.”

“I leave it to you.”

After sending Bang Deok away, I gave Kang Yu a secret order.

“Bring Bai Yao. Secretly, without anyone knowing.”

“I’ll send someone.”

“Good.”

Left alone in the tent, I reflected on past events.

Why did others find Takbal Yeokmi strange? I had pondered that.

After even Bi Yi found him strange, I watched Takbal Yeokmi closely. To feel the strangeness others felt.

But what I felt was a kind of reverence towards me. I still don’t quite understand why.

But seeing his unchanged attitude despite Du Bin’s dissatisfaction during this repeated retreat, that feeling must be genuine.

‘If that’s the case, it’s worth testing.’

§

After the military council, Takbal Yeokmi returned to his tent, deep in thought.

‘Did I see wrong?’

He believed her to be the Heavenly Maiden.

After directly facing her spear, he firmly believed so.

But with three consecutive retreats, Takbal Yeokmi’s heart began to waver.

At the first retreat, Takbal Yeokmi thought, indeed, Chang-ran knows when to fight, and diligently recorded it in clumsy Han characters. But as it became the second and third time, seeing other Xianbei tribes rebel, Takbal Yeokmi couldn’t remain unaffected.

Of course, being steadfast, Takbal Yeokmi didn’t withdraw his reverence for Chang-ran due to the atmosphere.

As Takbal Yeokmi was deep in thought, someone secretly entered his tent.

Startled, Takbal Yeokmi roughly drew his sword, but the person’s voice was quicker.

“Sent by Commander Wei.”

“By Commander Wei?”

“There’s an order to come to his tent immediately.”

Takbal Yeokmi felt strange but agreed.

“Tell my subordinate to take my place, and I’ll follow right away.”

“Commander Wei clearly said to come immediately upon hearing the order. Please follow now.”

At those words, Takbal Yeokmi felt uneasy. He touched the still-sheathed sword at his waist and nodded heavily.

“…Understood. I’ll follow.”