Chapter 33: The path towards unification
With the night calmly passing by, sun arose in the east to signify the arrival of the 3rd day of the battle for SanYou. Qin and Wei both knew that today will be the day that will decide it all. Both sides will throw all their might to crush the opponent. Moreover, the location is now switched to the plains as Wei planned to utilize their chariots.
The dawn of the third day cast a crimson hue over the battlefield of Sanyou. The air was thick with the stench of blood and smoke, the cries of the wounded echoing in the early morning mist. The Qin army, despite the heavy losses and the chaos of the previous day, rallied under the leadership of General Mougou, his lieutenants Ousen, Kanki, and the young commanders Shin, Mouten, and Ouhon. Zhao Yun rode out, choosing to watch the end of this battle rather than participate.
General Mougou, standing tall despite his years, addressed his troops. "Today, we fight not just for victory, but for the future of Qin! Our enemies think they have us cornered, but we will show them the true might of our spirit and strategy!" His voice was a beacon of hope and strength, igniting the hearts of his soldiers.
Meanwhile, Renpa, the indomitable warrior of Zhao, stood with his generals. The Wei forces, though battered, remained resolute under his command. Renpa's eyes scanned the battlefield, recognizing the formidable challenge before him. "This will be our decisive day," he declared. "We shall crush the Qin forces and secure our dominance."
The battle commenced with a thunderous roar as both armies clashed with renewed ferocity. Kaishibou's duel with Zhao Yun continued to rage, their weapons a blur of deadly precision. The ground trembled under the weight of their blows, each seeking an advantage over the other.
Kanki, having killed Genpo, turned his focus toward the main Wei forces. His men, emboldened by their victory, pushed forward with relentless aggression. Kanki shouted,"Break their lines and send them fleeing! Whoever kills the most gets the first pick at spoils."
Ousen, ever the strategist, observed the battlefield from a vantage point. He noticed the subtle shifts in Renpa's tactics and devised counter-strategies. "Send a detachment to flank their left," he ordered. "We will create a breach in their defenses."
Mouten, Ouhon, and Shin, leading their respective units, executed Ousen's plan with precision. Mouten's cavalry charged with unwavering speed, breaking through the Wei's left flank. Ouhon's disciplined infantry followed, exploiting the gap and causing confusion among the Wei ranks. Shin, with his raw determination and fierce combat skills, led his men in a direct assault, cutting down any who stood in their way.
Renpa, recognizing the threat, ordered his generals to regroup and fortify their positions. "We cannot allow them to breach our lines!" he commanded. "Hold the line at all costs!"
KyoEn, despite the mounting pressure, executed Renpa's orders with skill and determination. He rallied his troops, countering the Qin's flanking maneuver and restoring order to the Wei lines. "We will not fall here!" KyoEn shouted, his voice a rallying cry for his men.
However, the Qin forces, driven by their leaders' resolve and the memory of their fallen comrades, continued to push forward. The battlefield was a maelstrom of chaos, with neither side willing to yield an inch.
As the sun reached its zenith, a critical moment arrived. Ousen, having anticipated Renpa's counterattack, revealed his final strategy. "Now!" he commanded. "Unleash the hidden reserves!"
From the forests surrounding the battlefield, a contingent of fresh Qin soldiers emerged, led by Akou and Denrimi . They charged with a ferocity that took the Wei forces by surprise, striking at their rear and causing panic to ripple through their ranks.
Renpa, seeing his carefully constructed battle formation unraveling, knew he had to act swiftly. "All units, fall back and regroup at the central stronghold!" he ordered. "We will make our final stand there!"
Renpa's forces retreated to their central stronghold, a fortified position atop a hill. The Qin army, sensing victory within their grasp, pursued with relentless determination.
General Mougou, leading the charge, shouted, "Today, we end this war! For the glory of Qin!" His soldiers responded with a unified roar, their spirits unbroken despite the relentless battles they had endured.
Renpa, standing with his remaining generals, prepared for the final confrontation. Renpa gave a single look at his men and yelled "Show me your resolve my soldiers! This is the ground that has been chosen for your stories to become legends !"
The clash at the central stronghold was a battle of titans. Renpa, despite his old age, with his legendary combat skills, cut down numerous Qin soldiers, his presence a beacon of hope for his men. But the combined might of the Qin generals, their strategies, and the unwavering resolve of their soldiers began to overwhelm the Wei defenses.
In the midst of the chaos, Renpa found himself face-to-face with General Mougou. The two veterans, each bearing the weight of countless battles, locked eyes. "It ends here, Mougou. One last defeat for you. " Renpa said, a hint of respect in his voice.
"Indeed it does," Mougou replied, raising his weapon. "But it's not certain who will prevail. May the best warrior prevail."
Their duel was a spectacle, the clashing of their weapons reverberating across the battlefield. Despite his age, Mougou fought with a renewed vigor, each strike imbued with the hope and determination of his men. Renpa, though formidable, found himself pushed to his limits. He grinned and decided to take it seriously.
With a final, decisive blow, Renpa disarmed Mougou , his weapon clattering to the ground. The Qin soldiers, seeing their leader lose his weapon feared the worst.
But at this moment, a white shadow rushed in front of Mougou and blocked Renpa's strike. Renpa glared at the intruder, but sighed when he saw Zhao Yun riding his white horse. He spoke gently," The time of the old greats have passed General RenPa, maybe you should watch how the youngsters rise and reshape these lands of ours while drinking some fine wine in Changan. My lord asked me to convey these words to you." He bowed .
Renpa let out a dismissive laugh and replied,"I really want to fight that guy before my time has passed. This old body of mine still has a few battles left in it. Hahaha." He then paused and looked up muttered, " Why did you all have to go so early, and leave me here alone, even you Ouki!" He then sighed and looked at Mougou and said, "You have finally won, Mougou. Qin has won." The Qin soldiers let out cheers while the Wei soldiers retreated in sadness. Rinko, KyoEn and Kaishibou followed Renpa to travel towards Eastern Chu, as their return to Wei was closed.
Meanwhile Shin, Mouten and Ouhon were having a conversation with Zhao Yun, while Zhao Yun making fun of Shin for not taking a generals head, and Mouten laughing at his funny excuses. Ouhon observed with his usual aloof and cold demeanor, nobody knew what was going through his mind.
The battle of Sanyou was over. The Qin forces, though battered and bloodied, emerged victorious. The Wei army, recognizing their defeat, retreated. Only 50,000 Wei soldiers remained after the battle of their great army. Not to mention Renpa and one of his four kings having being slain.
Qin was also not faring well,
General Mougou, standing atop the hill, addressed his soldiers. "We have won a great victory today, but let us not forget the sacrifices made. We fight for a future where such bloodshed is no longer necessary."
The Qin soldiers, their spirits uplifted by their commander's words, cheered in triumph. The young commanders Shin, Mouten, and Ouhon, looked toward the horizon, knowing that this victory was but one step toward their ultimate goal: the unification of China.
As the sun set over the battlefield of Sanyou, the legacy of those who fought and fell was etched into history. The war had ended, but the journey toward peace and unity had only just begun.