Wind Blowing from the North 2

The Tangge County area had steep mountains and streams flowing through the valleys, making it unsuitable for conventional pitched battles.

However, it was a place that had to be passed through to enter the Baxi region occupied by Liu Bei from Hanzhong, so my father aimed to offset our numerical inferiority by relying on the terrain, making Tangge County the battlefield.

Zhang He also prepared for battle, knowing my father’s strategy, as abandoning Tangge County would leave only the option of going to the impregnable fortress of Jiameng Pass.

Mountain warfare differs greatly from conventional battles on flat ground. Obstructed vision due to obstacles like trees and rocks, delayed information transmission due to difficulty in riding horses, and the advantage in offense and defense created by slopes.

It would be impossible for a single commander to organically operate the army, even if Han Xin were to come back to life.

“So we divide the army.”

The judgment was that multiple guerrilla units were more suitable for mountain warfare than a single large army group.

“Ma Dai, Liu Xun, Ma Chong, Qu Fu, Wang Ping. Each of these five will lead 500 soldiers and respond flexibly.”

Although Ma Chong was the Army Supervisor, he too had the talent to command troops. There was no reason to leave him out.

“I will also lead the remaining 500 and move. However, I’ll separate some troops to use as messengers solely for communication, to share information without delay as much as possible.”

I created a messenger unit by selecting those from Baxi who moved through the mountains like their own home, ensuring smooth information transmission between each guerrilla unit and the main force led by my father. This was essential to prevent being defeated in detail.

“If Cao Cao’s forces are numerous, don’t engage recklessly, but retreat. Report to the main force, and they will respond.”

We are in a defensive position. In the original history, Zhang He prioritized quick repulsion to prevent the people of Baxi from being diverted to Hanzhong and to prevent the public sentiment in Yi Province from wavering, but now it’s different.

Yi Province has already begun to take root under Liu Bei’s rule. We’ve evacuated the people of Baxi Commandery as much as possible to the rear, so there’s no need to recklessly defeat Zhang He.

‘It’s our victory if we just hold out until Liu Bei returns after resolving the conflict in Jing Province.’

“I wish you all good fortune in battle.”

“You too, General, take care of yourself.”

After watching the lieutenants depart, I followed suit.

“We’re setting out too.”

In preparation for a possible battle in Tangge, I had familiarized myself with the terrain of Tangge County through Wang Ping. And because my talented subordinates also understood the surrounding geography, I boldly split the army and began to roam the mountains.

The current battle is just a preliminary skirmish, as Zhang He hasn’t yet properly established a base camp and analyzed the terrain. The enemy was also using small units to check the mountain terrain and keep us in check.

The sound of birds chirping in the mountains of Tangge County has long since disappeared.

Taking its place are the cold sounds of clashing metal and the unpleasant screams of humans.

Even beasts turn their heads away from the thick smell of blood that overwhelms the subtle scent of grass.

But because humans are sometimes more vicious than beasts, the fighting doesn’t stop.

Clang!

I deflect a sword thrusting towards my side and in turn, slit the enemy soldier’s throat. The spurting blood soaks the ground.

One sword, one kill. I flow as gracefully as a winding river and cut as fiercely as lightning strikes.

I fought prioritizing protecting our troops over annihilating the enemy. It’s been a week since the Battle of Tangge began. Having grown accustomed to mountain warfare, I rescued our troops when they were in danger and mercilessly broke through when the enemy faltered.

With each extra step I take, one more soldier survives.

There was no time to rest. Cao Cao’s army kept pressing forward with their numerical advantage, naturally wearing down our troops’ stamina like a war of attrition. No matter how familiar our soldiers were with the mountains, adding life-and-death battles on top of that accumulated considerable fatigue.

“The enemy is retreating!”

“Don’t pursue them.”

Therefore, I prioritized our troops’ rest over pursuing the enemy to inflict a bit more damage.

I remember that originally, this war of attrition in Tangge lasted for over a month, and although there are differences from the battle in history, the flow should be roughly similar. Then this battle will continue for quite a while longer.

“If there’s any loot to gather, do it quickly, and collect our casualties. We’re rejoining the main force now.”

It was time to come down from the mountains and rest. While the soldiers were busily moving about, I stood guard with a few soldiers in case Cao Cao’s army attacked again.

However, what caught my eye was not Cao Cao’s army plotting a counterattack, but our own messenger running urgently.

“General! Colonel Ma Chong has requested support!”

“Ma Chong?”

Of those under my command, Ma Chong was indeed the weakest in martial prowess. But he was still closer to a military officer than a civil official. Moreover, with his ability to assess situations and make decisions, he shouldn’t easily fall into danger.

‘Does this mean the enemy general is no ordinary person?’

Our enemy is not Fu Hu or Du Hu, but Cao Cao’s elite army that has conquered the Central Plains. It wouldn’t be strange for some talented individual to suddenly appear and defeat Ma Chong in this strongest of strong armies.

“Everyone stop looting! Those not severely injured, support the critically wounded and go down the mountain. The rest, follow me. Guide the way.”

“Yes!”

The soldiers who confirmed the messenger’s words threw down what they were holding without complaint and quickly formed ranks.

After following the messenger for a while, the sounds of battle began to be faintly heard. The screams were frequent.

Unlike the battle I had just fought, this meant that both sides were fiercely engaged in a heated battle, not a one-sided fight.

I grow anxious. I want to increase speed but patiently move cautiously while suppressing the urge.

Rushing in recklessly is meaningless if there’s no stamina left to fight. Especially considering that the enemy might receive reinforcements just like us.

‘Ma Chong will hold out.’

I try hard to erase my anxiety with trust.

And Ma Chong repaid my trust.

“Reinforcements have arrived! The General Who Maintains Vigor is here!!”

He had managed to hold out safely until my arrival.

At Ma Chong’s shout, the soldiers squeezed out their last bit of strength, letting out a roar as they pressed in on Cao Cao’s army.

I looked for the enemy general. From what I glimpsed on the way, Cao Cao’s army clearly had the advantage. The troop numbers were similar. Cao Cao’s side had more, but not by a large margin.

Yet if they had gained the upper hand against Ma Chong, the enemy general must be either a renowned general or someone with the potential to become one.

‘I need to nip this in the bud.’

Cao Cao, who has already conquered the talent-rich Central Plains. When the opportunity comes, we need to eliminate as many talents as possible.

“You……”

The enemy general who discovered me breaking through towards him widened his eyes and showed an unusually flustered reaction.

Although enemies who met me often immediately recognized my identity and showed surprised reactions due to my gender, the enemy general’s reaction was distinctively larger.

‘This is my chance.’

Being female was advantageous at times like this. Enemies who encountered unexpected opponents on the battlefield always exposed openings, and I never missed those.

But this time was different.

Before my sword could reach him, the enemy general composed himself and smoothly deflected my attack. As if the expression he had shown was an act.

Along with the thought that he might have deliberately exposed a weakness to draw me in, a fierce counterattack grazed my nape.

Fortunately, it only cut the outer skin and stung slightly, but it was my first injury in this battle.

“Was it an act?”

“……”

The enemy general remained silent at my words. However, in my view, it wasn’t an act. Even method acting has its limits; if that was acting, then this person would have Oscar-worthy acting skills without any formal training.

“It doesn’t matter either way.”

He’s just an enemy after all.

In that case, what I need to do is fight and win.

Before engaging in full-scale battle, I made one last offer.

“If you surrender, I’ll spare your life.”

“I’ll return those words to you. If you submit to us, I’ll guarantee your safety.”

I feel a strange sense of déjà vu.

The enemy general’s words didn’t feel like a mechanical offer usually made, but sincere heartfelt words. Sincerity thinking about me as an individual, regardless of my gender or appearance.

But it was too late to stop. We met on the battlefield. Fighting was our duty.

The enemy general was strong. Explosive strength from a well-trained body and admirable swordsmanship. By far the most excellent among all the enemies I’ve encountered so far.

‘But still…’

Our swords cross. In terms of raw strength, we’re evenly matched or I have a very slight advantage. Our swordsmanship is also nearly equal.

Considering that the enemy general appears to be at least 10 years older than me, my talent is more impressive.

‘I will win.’

The enemy general also gave his all. As if the sense of déjà vu I felt was just an illusion, he fought fiercely with all his might.

If he really had some feelings for me and hesitated with his sword, I would have taken his head long ago.

The result of the fierce battle where we both squeezed out every ounce of strength was a draw. At Ma Chong’s shout announcing the arrival of Cao Cao’s reinforcements, I shook off the enemy general first from our side. This was possible because we had the upper hand.

It would have been nice to have a little more time, but greed often leads to disaster. Knowing when to retreat was also important.

Cao Cao’s army also seemed to think that continuing to fight would bring more losses than gains, naturally leading to a lull as both sides began to gradually distance themselves.

As the situation seemed to be wrapping up, Cao Cao’s army was the first to turn their backs.

I unconsciously called out to the retreating enemy general.

“You!”

How did he know that I was calling him? The enemy general stopped abruptly upon hearing my voice, then turned his body slightly to look back at me.

“What is your name?”

At my question, he made an extremely complex expression. What is it, was he someone I’ve met before? I hadn’t met anyone from Wei since the Southern Campaign.

But for some reason, I too was feeling a strange sense of familiarity from him.

He answered my question with a question.

“How is Xi’er doing?”

“Xi’er?”

I tilted my head and repeated his words at the sudden question.

After thinking for a moment about who that might be, I came up with a hypothesis in my mind and widened my eyes.

“Could it be, you……”

Xi (曦). That was my mother’s name.

And if it was someone from Wei calling my mother by the nickname Xi’er, it would be strange not to realize.

“You’re from the Xiahou clan.”

“Yes. I am Xiahou Ba, the second son of the Marquis of Bochang.”

Marquis of Bochang was Xiahou Yuan’s title. In other words, he was my mother Xiahou Xi’s cousin and my maternal uncle.

“Tell Xi’er. Your father is still longing for you, sinking into melancholy.”

As private conversations with an enemy general on the battlefield could invite unnecessary suspicion, Xiahou Ba turned around as soon as he said what he needed to say.

I shouted towards his retreating back.

“Uncle! Don’t forget! As long as I’m here, we will always gladly accept your submission!”

Xiahou Ba receded into the distance, leaving behind my unanswered shout. Only when his back was finally out of sight did I turn my feet towards our army’s camp.