Retreat

Between the place called Dacheng County of Shofang Commandery and Siyan County of Shang Commandery during the Later Han period.

At the place called Gomang County of Shang Commandery during the Former Han period, the two armies encountered each other.

On the land bearing names of the past, people living in the present faced each other, standing there to determine the truth of the Mandate of Heaven each carried.

“It won’t be 100,000.”

“Even 90,000 would be pushing it.”

When estimating the size of the army based on the number of military flags, Wei’s army was expected to be between 80,000 and 90,000.

Fei Yi, quick at calculations, was also good at rough estimates like Fermi estimation. With the added opinions of those with good eyesight like Fang De and Jiang Wei, the margin of error probably wouldn’t be very large.

Anyway, the gathering of armies totaling about 150,000 from both sides had a grandeur that was difficult to describe in itself.

It was a different kind of thrill from the overwhelming emotion given by the awe-inspiring scenery that made one realize the greatness of nature.

Even though they had approached close enough to be visible to the naked eye, both sides maintained their distance without rashly charging in.

A tedious standoff continued. Not only us who lacked cavalry forces, but Wei was also quiet.

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

“And they’re also considering the Thunderclap Bombs. If they fail to break through, they’re likely to retreat with massive losses, so if they attack, won’t they try to decide the battle in one go?”

These were reasonable assertions.

Guo Huai, who had tasted the bitterness of the crossbows and Thunderclap Bombs, must have informed Cao Zhang about the new weapons he experienced.

‘But how long can they hold back? In the end, Wei will be the first to attempt an attack.’

It’s because the goals given to each side are different.

Cao Zhang is in the position of an attacker. He is the spear trying to stab the rear of the Han, which is crouching behind the mountain ranges and rivers provided by nature, and the city walls and fortresses built by humans.

On the contrary, we are the shield. It’s true that we also want to avoid mindlessly spending time. After all, who knows if either Tong Pass or Yangfan might be breached?

But would it be worse than Cao Zhang? Cao Zhang must be quite anxious.

Thanks to Cao Cao’s traffic control, he’s somehow presenting a united front with Cao Pi, but Cao Pi is famous for his narrow-mindedness. Who knows when he might change his mind again?

And Cao Zhang doesn’t have military achievements to protect himself. While great merit that would pressure Cao Pi would conversely become poison, he needs enough military merit to prove his usefulness.

But what has Cao Zhang achieved so far? If you exclude his activities during Cao Cao’s lifetime, he doesn’t have any notable military achievements.

He fought a fierce battle against Ma Chao and Pang Tong? He successfully retreated safely without major troop losses after Guanzhong fell?

‘That’s ridiculously insufficient.’

Probably, doubts about Cao Zhang are gradually emerging in the Wei court.

It’s true that he fights well and handles soldiers well, but he lacks the crucial victories.

Victory. Cao Zhang has no choice but to cling to victory.

The victory he must be desperately craving. For that, Cao Zhang began his advance.

And my response to that was:

“We retreat. As previously informed, withdraw without disorder.”

It was a retreat.

§

When I first ordered the retreat, everyone understood my judgment.

How exquisitely they adjusted the pace of the march, there was no sign of fatigue in the enemy. On the contrary, their military spirit was solid and sharp.

Their morale, having gotten a taste of victory by defeating resisting ethnic minorities, was soaring sky-high.

Was there any need to engage in battle as they wished, when they were full of fighting spirit? It was natural for a consensus to form around this idea. Thus, the entire army retreated in an orderly manner with one heart and mind.

The next day, when I issued the retreat order again, there was some disorder, but they still showed a decent withdrawal.

Immediately after, some people came to see me. They didn’t openly express dissatisfaction, but they suggested fighting back next time before leaving.

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

Nevertheless, I firmly cut off their resistance.

At my words that we weren’t ready yet, they showed dissatisfaction but followed my orders.

That dissatisfaction continued even after the retreat was carried out. They clearly showed reluctance in following.

The fact that no one disobeyed orders was entirely thanks to me firmly establishing my authority by holding the challenge ritual before the expedition. However, even that now seemed precarious.

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

But if you observe carefully, you can see that this tendency is more pronounced in certain parts. The nomadic tribes and new recruits. The military spirit of the Luanling Army, who had been traversing battlefields with me before, was still sharp.

Of course, it’s not enough for just the Luanling Army to maintain morale. The 20,000 Luanling troops aren’t even 30% of the total, and nearly half of them are new recruits.

However, thanks to those who could be called senior soldiers maintaining their morale, the morale drop of the entire Han army wasn’t particularly severe.

The problem was that my control over the ethnic minorities was gradually weakening.

In the case of the Qiang, they actually gathered looking to Ma Chao rather than me, and with Fang De and Ma Dai present, there was nothing to worry about, but others were different.

These changes were directly reflected in the military council. Those who had acted like they would offer their liver and gall to me at the first expedition now treated me coldly, and some even openly expressed their displeasure.

In any case, they still outwardly showed obedience to my authority for now. But probably if we retreat again next time, even that will disappear and disobedience and resistance will break out.

After the military council that was like walking on thin ice ended, I called only the generals belonging to the Han army separately.

Jiang Wei, Fei Yi, Ma Dai, Fu Qian, Guo Yi, Fang De, Xu Yuan, Wang Ping.

Half of the Eight Luanling Warriors and four more talents no less than the four who are now gone.

Though Wei’s talents are impressive, our side is certainly not inferior.

They were calm despite the consecutive retreats and the wavering hearts of the ethnic minorities. This was because those gathered here already knew we would retreat.

No one is surprised when something they expected happens, right?

Fang De, who had the highest rank after me, spoke:

“It seems Wei’s army’s wariness of the General of the Guards was greater than we thought. I thought they might launch a surprise attack at least once.”

“It’s as the General of the Left says.”

Ma Dai, who was close to Fang De, nodded.

“Having been caught out many times, wouldn’t they think there’s a trap in the retreat?”

“Looking at it this time, it seems that wariness has weakened a lot.”

Wang Ping and Xu Yuan continued the conversation.

Others like Jiang Wei, Fei Yi, and Fu Qian, who now showed signs of being a proper army general, also voiced their thoughts.

However, Guo Yi, who had the least seniority and shortest experience, was struggling to participate in the conversation.

“Xiaoxian.”

“Ah, yes, General.”

“How are the preparations?”

At my question, perhaps feeling burdened by others looking at him too, Guo Yi swallowed hard. After his Adam’s apple bobbed once, Guo Yi answered in a resolute tone.

“Yes. I’ve fully mastered it. The soldiers under my command are the same.”

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

There’s no one here inferior to Guo Yi. This isn’t about differences in talent. It’s because of the accumulated experience from going through various wars before.

Though Guo Yi has grown into a lieutenant leading troops through the recent Northern Expedition, he’s still lacking compared to the others.

“Good. Then let’s dismiss. There’s no need to be seen gathering for too long.”

Among those leaving my tent, I held back Fang De and Jiang Wei and whispered quietly.

“General of the Left, how are the Qiang?”

“Don’t worry. As long as the General of the Agile Cavalry is well, the Qiang will absolutely obey orders.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

After sending Fang De away, I gave a secret order to Jiang Wei.

“Bai Yue, call that person. Secretly, without anyone knowing.”

“I’ll send someone.”

“Good.”

Left alone in the tent after Jiang Wei left, I reflected on past events.

Why did others find Tuoba Yiyi strange? I had pondered about that.

After even Fei Yi gave the answer that he was strange, I closely observed Tuoba Yiyi. To try to sense the suspiciousness that others felt.

However, what I felt was a kind of reverence towards me. I’m not sure why yet.

But seeing him maintain the same attitude despite Tubin’s displeasure while repeating this retreat, that emotion must be genuine.

‘If it’s to that extent, it’s worth testing.’

§

Tuoba Yiyi, who returned after finishing the military council, was deeply troubled in his tent.

‘Did I see wrong?’

He believed she was a heavenly maiden.

After directly crossing spears with her, he firmly believed so.

But with the sight of retreating three times, Tuoba Yiyi’s heart also began to waver.

At the first retreat, Tuoba Yiyi also thought “Indeed, Zhang Ran knows well when to fight” and even earnestly recorded it in clumsy Chinese characters. However, as it happened two and three times and other Xianbei showed signs of resistance, even Tuoba Yiyi couldn’t be completely unaffected.

Of course, being Tuoba Yiyi with a firm will, he didn’t withdraw his reverence towards Zhang Ran by being swept up in that atmosphere.

As Tuoba Yiyi was lost in such deep thoughts, someone secretly entered his tent.

Startled, Tuoba Yiyi tried to draw his sword roughly, but that person’s voice was faster.

“The General of the Guards sent me.”

“The General of the Guards?”

“There was an order to come to her tent right now.”

Tuoba Yiyi felt something strange but answered that he understood for now.

“I’ll tell my subordinate to take my place and follow immediately.”

“The General of the Guards clearly said right after hearing the order. Please follow quickly.”

At those words, Tuoba Yiyi felt uneasy. Tuoba Yiyi stroked the sword at his waist that he hadn’t yet unfastened and nodded heavily.

“…Alright. I’ll follow.”