Thank you to Yuki for the ko-fi~ ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡
As the sun approached the western mountains, nightfall was imminent. Within the Xiongnu camp, chaos still prevailed. Today marked another grueling battle, and not only the commanding officers but also the leaders of the Qiang and Di tribes were exhausted.
“How can we win with a Buddhist monk in command? I want to go home, I won’t fight anymore…” murmured a Qiang man, pressing his wounds.
It was not surprising that he spoke such words. From the initial confrontation between the two armies to the present, ten days of continuous fighting had failed to inflict any significant damage on the forces of the Bing County troops. The commander, anxious and frustrated, began to mobilize a large number of Qiang and Di forces. These people, lacking in supplies and horses, constituted more than seventy percent of the infantry. Once on the battlefield, their fate was often to fill the trenches.
Repeated charges and successive retreats resulted in an indeterminate number of casualties and deaths. Along with the ongoing conflict, rumors began to spread. The Qiang people who followed the Buddhist faith could no longer contain their frustration, speaking of the Buddhist monk and finding reasons why the seemingly impregnable enemy camp, with its formidable projectile weapons, was insurmountable. These rumors were, at times, more destabilizing to the troops’ morale than the actual warfare itself.
Upon hearing his absurd remarks, his companion quickly covered his mouth. Mentioning the Buddhist monk was strictly forbidden in the army these days. If the Xiongnu heard about it, the consequences could be severe.
But can you cover the mouth while keeping the heart silent?
“We cannot sit idly by!” Within the grand tent, Liu Yao was also in distress. He was well aware of the unrest among the troops, yet the enemy camp opposite them seemed impervious, like an indestructible iron barrel.
What was even more frightening was that the enemy had started to avoid direct confrontation!
After a minor setback in the first battle, Liu Yao changed his tactics, no longer using cavalry to encircle but combining infantry and cavalry for a fierce assault. Although victory remained elusive, there was still some hope. With his superior numbers, he could rotate troops and continue the onslaught. The Bing County forces, with their limited numbers, even if skilled in warfare, could not withstand such an assault.
However, unexpectedly, as soon as the tactic of a wheeling battle was initiated, the Bing County camp switched to a defensive posture, shutting their gates.
The initially crude camp had transformed into an impregnable fortress within a few days, with massive thunderbolt cannons appearing behind the anti-cavalry stakes. Any means of attacking the camp would result in a bloody massacre. Unable to breach the defenses and facing a defensive enemy, the nighttime raids also proved ineffective. The enemy was not worn down by his tactics; instead, prolonged warfare had depleted the morale of Liu Yao’s army. The various tribesmen quietly recited the name of the Buddhist monk, and the supplies visibly diminished.
A strong start, followed by a decline, and ultimately exhaustion.
Liu Yao, a seasoned warrior, naturally understood what he was up against. The Bing County camp now resembled the fortifications of Anyi City. The Buddhist monk of Bing County was like a poisonous bait they couldn’t swallow. Just facing him on the battlefield made all the Qiang and Di soldiers feel uneasy, weakening their military resolve.
He couldn’t let himself be led by the nose any longer.
“Liu Bao, take twenty thousand cavalry, bypass the battlefield, and head straight for Anyi. Cut off the enemy’s retreat!” Facing his trusted and skilled general, Liu Yao was still uneasy, offering careful instructions. “This surprise attack is crucial. It would be best if you could sever Bing County’s supply route, undermining their morale! Once the Bing County forces retreat, it will be our opportunity to defeat the enemy!”
It was a risky move, but there was no other choice. With Bing County’s army outside, the garrison left behind in the rear must be limited. Mobilizing twenty thousand elite cavalry for a rapid assault had a high probability of success. After succeeding, a pincer attack could break through the enemy camp.
“Prince, if the enemy camp discovers our plan to divide our forces, it may not bode well,” cautioned a strategist nearby.
Diverting twenty thousand cavalry would significantly reduce the strength of the main camp. If the enemy caught wind of it, they might launch a massive attack.
“No worries. If they avoid battle, we can also hoist the flag of truce high,” Liu Yao said coldly. “Instruct them to keep the fires burning, and the tents intact. Even if enemy scouts come near the camp, they won’t be able to gauge the depth of our forces!”
The two large camps were separated by a considerable distance, and the terrain provided cover. As long as they moved out at night and maintained the same number of tents and cooking fires, it would be extremely difficult for the enemy to detect the gap left by the twenty thousand cavalry. By the time their rear was attacked, it would be too late!
All the generals under his command received their orders. In his heart, Liu Yao also breathed a sigh of relief. Not forcing an assault on the Bing County camp was the best course of action for now. The success of this strategic breakthrough remained to be seen!
That night, the cavalry quietly left the main tent. On the second day, the continuous attacks of the past few days came to a halt, and the two armies faced each other across the camps, neither side making a move.
※
“The Xiongnu has finally ceased hostilities. Are they planning to attack our rear?” In the command tent, Liang Feng had already seated himself in front of the sand table.
“News from the watchtower indicates that although the cooking smoke in the enemy camp has not diminished, there are now over ten thousand fewer soldiers taking meals. They must be splitting their forces for a surprise attack,” replied Zhang Bin with certainty.
Taking advantage of the terrain, it was indeed challenging to detect a secret troop movement. However, no matter how well disguised, it couldn’t escape the thousand-mile telescope on the watchtower. The Command Headquarters had anticipated this possibility early on, and tactics to counter it had been devised, numbering no less than five.
“To attack Anyi, one day is enough time to reach there.” Liang Feng asked, “How has the wind been these two days?”
Zhang Bin understood the implied meaning, “It has been favorable, and the wind is strong at night.”
A smile appeared on Liang Feng’s face, “It seems this time, we’ll need a favor from the east wind.”
The pun about being well-prepared but lacking the east wind was cryptic, and no one could decipher its meaning. However, when the moon hung like a hook in the darkening sky and the flags on the watchtower began to signal toward the Xiongnu camp, everyone in the command tent stood on the platform.
A crescent moon adorned the sky, and darkness descended. Looking towards the Xiongnu camp from a distance felt like peering through a veil. This was an excellent opportunity for a night raid, but within the large camp, there was no movement of troops. Only a small detachment rode out of the camp.
After another half-hour, a burst of fire suddenly illuminated the wilderness. Hundreds or even thousands of white lanterns, gently floating with the wind, rose into the air.
Who had ever witnessed such a sight? Not only the soldiers in the camp but even the generals on the high platform couldn’t help but gasp. Aren’t lanterns supposed to fall when released? Why were they defying gravity, soaring straight into the sky? This extraordinary spectacle left everyone in awe and disbelief!
Seeing the sky filled with successive Kongming lanterns1It should look like this, but of course, there are other styles too 
, Liang Feng also squinted his eyes. Even in the modern era, releasing sky lanterns could evoke a sense of wonder, let alone more than a millennium ago. The Command Headquarters had planned more than one method for a night raid, but undoubtedly, this was the most effective and effortless one.
Turning his head, he said to those around him, “It will take some time for the Kongming lanterns to take effect. Let the soldiers rest and stay on standby in their positions.”
Yiyan’s gaze was not captivated by the lanterns filling the sky. He had witnessed countless wonders and experienced numerous unusual situations. However, everything before him was brought about by that person. Compared to the astonishing spectacle, the indifference in that person’s expression made it even more difficult for him to contain himself.
“Lord, your ingenious strategy, I will not disappoint.” In the radiant light of the lanterns, that figure was imprinted in his eyes. Yiyan didn’t reach out to touch it; instead, his fists clenched as he replied firmly.
With such a breathtaking lantern formation, who could doubt that it would sow chaos among the Xiongnu?
※
“My lord! Something is amiss, my lord!”
After a whole day of guarding against the enemy, Liu Yao had finally settled down for the night, hoping to receive good news the next day. However, the report came even earlier than expected. Awoken in the dead of night by his personal guard, Liu Yao, still half-dressed, rushed out of his tent upon hearing about the unusual signs in the sky.
Could it be another cunning scheme from Bing County? Was it thunder or a meteor shower? Liu Yao had pondered various countermeasures, making sure not to create chaos in the camp. All speculative thoughts abruptly stopped. When the starlight filled his vision, a buzzing sound echoed in Liu Yao’s mind, almost causing him to lose his balance. What was that? Lanterns? Lanterns descending from the sky?
Who could make lanterns float in midair? Why were there so many lanterns? What purpose did they serve?
Although the tremendous shock disrupted his concentration, Liu Yao managed to utter, “They want to set a fire… to attack the camp!”
As if clutching at the last straw, Liu Yao raised his voice, “Quickly organize archers and shoot down those lanterns! Strengthen the defenses in each camp, absolutely must not let the tents burn. And the provisions… yes, they want to destroy our food supplies! We cannot let them succeed!”
With a buzzing noise in his head, Liu Yao did not incline to ponder why fire would come from the sky or what kind of divine power could make thousands of lanterns float above their camp. All he could think of now was how to overcome panic. He couldn’t afford the camp to scream! He couldn’t allow internal turmoil! He couldn’t let the enemy breach the camp!
“Arm the entire army, be prepared for a night raid!” Liu Yao’s voice carried a hint of hysteria. He could not let those Jin dogs have their way!
That night, numerous sky lanterns floated above the Xiongnu camp. Some drifted aimlessly, ascending higher and higher, while others swayed and eventually fell into the camp. Arrows flew incessantly, shouts echoed, and countless chants of Buddha resounded. The entire camp resembled a boiling cauldron, ready for anything, with bright bonfires illuminating the scene.
Liu Yao did manage to staunchly resist the camp upheaval, but the expected enemy never appeared.
As the first rays of sunlight crossed the horizon, Liu Yao, looking ashen-faced, gazed toward the camp’s exterior. Dozens of thunder cannons removed their covering black cloth, revealing menacing gun carriages. Countless gun barrels gleamed in the morning light.
The enemy had indeed not attacked, but they had silently arrived at his side. After a night of panic and exhaustion, could his soldiers still muster the strength to withstand an assault? Did they have the courage to face the formidable army led by the Buddhist commander?
No one could answer his questions.
The colossal thunder cannons emitted a sharp whistle, one projectile after another tearing through the sky, heading towards the enemy camp!
