Chapter 4: The battle for Wan Castle
I looked at the mighty Wan castle with indifference as the 3000 soldiers looked at me anxiously. Most of them were thinking trusting their fate to a 15 year old Boy was a mistake but in this era, nobility is to be obeyed afterall.
I could understand their doubts and worries so I gather them around and spoke," I know you are afraid. But in truth, you should be celebrating. In fact, you should be jumping in joy as you are all about to be part of a major historical event."
They looked confusedly at each other as I continued, " I am going to take the castle without any fight. We will disguise ourselves as Wei soldiers to enter and make report that the Hakuki army was coming here.
I have already forged a letter made by one of our messenger who came across a seal. We will then defend the castle as my two spears will attack their rear.
Remember these words, carve them into your heart, We will not lose! There was no chance of our defeat as soon as I chose to come here. We will create a legend of our own as we the combined force of 3000 who held back and defeated the army of Wei's greatest general Sima Yi.
Entire China will speak of our deeds as we will be immortalized as the greatest army to ever exist. All of you has gotten that once in a lifetime opportunity . Are you going to take that chance and carve your names as legends forever?"
Will you fail to fight as I, someone who will one day be known as the greatest general of China will fight beside you as we fight to achieve absolute victory?
Don't cheer now as we are still in enemy territory, let's cheer to our hearts content once we win this battle that everyone thought we would lose but achieved the impossible."
All the soldiers had a large grin on their faces as they raised their heads high and their swords higher to show their unyielding will and desire. They didn't need to shout, their entire aura spoke of determination and will.
I smiled and said to them," Then what are you waiting for? Let's go create a legendary tale!"
Sima Yi PoV
The battle went smoothly, too smoothly. That ChouTou isn't my opponent and this was within my prediction, but something feels of. That night attack was surprising as ChouTou isn't the kind that can pull this off.
This was too precise, as if their goal was to just steal some supplies and create chaos. They did kill about 2000 troops, but this was too low And they know we will be on guard now, so why then? It doesn't make sense.
They had the chance and the time to cause more damage. It's as if they want us to be on guard. But why? What if they want us to look at something while we should be looking somewhere else? What is it that I'm missing? "
I was wondering what is the end goal of this plan,Suddenly there was a messenger who rushed at the tent with pale face and spoke," urgent report Lord Sima Yi. The troops stationed in the castle are rushing to our location. It seems they have 8,000 troops. We are not sure why they left the castle."
I slammed the table hard and yelled, "that's it! of course! They would go for the castle that's empty! But how could ChouTou, a veteran straight forward general come up with such a bold and audacious plan which is basically a blind gamble? There is nobody at that level among ChouTou's aid. Even among Qin, only 3 people might be capable enough to pull something like this.
Unless.... I'm scared to even think about it, is it Hakuki hiding somewhere waiting for this chance? But no, that's impossible, he should be at the Chu front. But nobody else is capable enough to fool me to such an extent!"
Kyugen entered the tent and asked," What is wrong my lord?"
I calmed myself and spoke," Order all troops to immediately to run towards the castle. Wan castle has fallen to Qin, and we must strike immediately, otherwise we will lose this war. We must kill whoever took this castle. The very fate of Wei depends on it. "
Kyugen and the messenger, both were shocked to their core and made haste to spread the order.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and thought to myself," Is it another one of those nuisances in the process of being born? 6 was already so annoying. Adding one more would destroy the balance of power in middle Kingdom. I must nip him in the bud so Wei has one less problem in future."
ChouTou army HQ
General ChouTou was in a bad mood, and his expression resembled that. He started the battle with 50,000 troops and by the end of the first day he was down to 35,000.
He had to beat 70,000 Wei soldiers and take the castle. This was almost impossible unless he had reinforcements. But there is no reinforcement available. He had half a mind to retreat and save whatever was left of the army.
Suddenly He noticed something different. The Wei army was steadily turning back while getting into an orderly retreat towards Wan castle. ChouTou was shocked to see that. It made no sense why the superior Wei army would retreat when they outnumbered them!
Choutou wanted to pursue them but his numbers are fewer and this could also be a trap. He wanted to know what was actually going on before rushing out. He heard someone rushing towards him and saw it was a messenger with a beautiful red and golden flag that exudes majesty.
It belonged to that upstart brat Ryofui told him to protect. He thought he died on the first day and didn't care much. This kind of thing was common in war and it was not his job to babysit spoiled brats. But he was now curious what that brat has been up to.
He shouted," what is going on ? What do you have to say? "
The messenger bowed and spoke, "Our Commander lord KouRyu and his army rallied the remaining survivors of the left flank and made a night raid to steal enemy armour and flags along with food.
Then He tricked the guards of Wan Castle to let them in he showed false order from Sima Yi to leave the defense to them, and reinforce Sima Yi as General Hakuki was coming here with an army. They fell for it and left leaving only 5,000 who were set as an ambush squad on the broken wall.
My lord took care of them easily and then made the civilians leave so Wan castle has officially fallen. Sima Yi is going there as we speak so my lord requests general ChouTou to pursue the Sima Yi army and strike as soon as they reach in front of the castle.
Our 2 commander Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao will also strike from both flank to aid you. My lord said these specific words," I humbly ask General ChouTou to aid me and bear witness to Qin's miraculous triumph."
ChouTou was shocked and angry and he yelled," that brat did what! Not only he acted on his own accord and abandoned his post, and now he orders me! "
The messenger was about to say something but ChouTou silenced him with a glare and spoke, "Nonetheless, He did so to ensure Qin's victory and under the circumstances against an opponent like Sima Yi, his strategy was near flawless.
Not to mention as the Commanding General, I would be foolish to squander this chance and not get some payback. We will be going after Sima Yi immediately and I will give a scolding to the brat personally after this."
He smirked and thought," So, A new generation of those monsters has begun to sprout already huh. If he pulls this off, He could be considered on par with Hakuki and Koshou if we just compared them strategically. He's not like Zhao Kuo who just practiced on the board and won hypothetically. He's fighting off 70,000 with just 2,000, with 1,000 for raiding flanks. Not to mention this is his first battle ever and His age is only 15! His fighting strength is not too shabby either going by the reports.
So thats why Ryofui has his eyes on him. A man who appreciates talents, of course he would be cherished by Ryofui. I just hope the brat follows his own path rather than joining with that Ryofui. I can see him going a long way."
Wan Castle
It was easier than we thought it would be. They believed it immediately as Sima Yi already gave them instructions of such a case. That guy is too paranoid and I fully exploited that. This dude friggin prepared an ambush army for Hakuki in case he really come when he was sure to win this war with Choutou. He's even prepared for a scenario with an 5-10 % odd.
The ambush corps were easily killed once we hit them while they were not suspecting. But Sima Yi seems to have caught on already and coming here with full strength. I knew it would not take long for him to catch on and attack . He's another monster after all . I hope ChouTou shows up on time. I would like to minimize our casualties besides winning.
Suddenly I heard the ground Shaking and judging by the sound, it seems he has arrived here already. I went to the rampert and waited as Sima Yi army approached the castle. His whole army was not here definitely as he would not leave himself wide open. Probably they were scanned to the flanks .
My soldiers looked very eager to fight after everything going according to plan. Winning back to back victories has made them trust me unconditionally. When you have the confidence to win, it becomes easy to fight even the most difficult battles. The stage has now been set and the participants have arrived as well.
Let's begin the show then.
I could see his tower approaching as he came in front of the castle and spoke," Who is the leader of your army? I would like to speak with him before we fight."
Well that's weird. Thought he would be more angry at me for fooling him.
I stepped forward and spoke," that would be me. Pleasure to meet the Great General Sima Yi. My name is KouRyu, the captain of the KouRyu army and currently, the man who shall defeat you. "