Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

Meng Hu, Dong Chuan, and six others gathered around Luo Yu. He had divided the seventy-three men of the standard into eight teams. These eight men were his handpicked choices: each appointed as a corporal in charge of a squad.

Shen Li crouched in the corner, holding a basket of naan bread. Her eyes flickered with curiosity as she watched them. She had come to deliver food and, seeing them in council, she had the sense not to interrupt.

The eight men were stunned to hear that Luo Yu intended to “swallow” the Qiang soldiers outside the fortress. There were nearly one hundred and fifty Qiang riders out there. Was this Standard Commander Luo always so aggressive in his warfare?

Luo Yu used stones to lay out the surrounding terrain on the ground.

“Look here. To the east of the camp is a narrow mountain gully, several li in length. On both sides of the gully are the Black Woods: the forest is dense, and the cold wind is biting. In the past, grain and military supplies from the rear always travelled through this gully. Any other path requires a long, time-consuming detour.

“Because our camp was built at the mouth of the gully, it was named Black Ditch Fortress.

“You have seen the state of the camp. There are no fortress walls built of brick and stone. There is no natural danger to defend. Relying on those wooden fences alone will never stop the Qiang warhorses. A single charge and the fences will collapse.

“At that point, the brothers would have to meet the Western Qiang warhorses with their own flesh and blood. We are not fools. How many of us would survive such a fight?”

The eight men remained silent. For a group of infantry to face Qiang cavalry on level ground was no different from seeking death.

“Brother Yu, just say how we should fight.”

Meng Hu rolled up his sleeves, ready for action.

“We all have one head on two shoulders. At worst, we leave our lives here at Black Ditch. We will listen to you!”

“Right, the commander has the final say!”

Four of the eight had followed Luo Yu from Jiming Fortress and followed him implicitly. Though the other four did not know where this confidence stemmed from, they nodded in agreement nonetheless.

Luo Yu did not waste words and went straight to the point.

“To win, we must satisfy one condition: we must force the Qiang army to dismount!

“My plan is to abandon Black Ditch Fortress. The brothers will all retreat into the Black Woods to set traps, then lure the Qiang soldiers into the dense forest. Once they enter the woods, their forces will be scattered. Their combat effectiveness will naturally be greatly reduced.

“I see that everyone has practiced the Three-Three System well. Fighting the Qiang on foot in terrain we know is the best condition we can hope for. Combined with the traps set in advance, we may not necessarily lose!

“Do you brothers dare to take this gamble with me?”

“I do!”

Dong Chuan, being the most experienced, was the first to stand and second the motion. He knew that what Luo Yu said was indeed the best way to meet the enemy.

“We will listen to the commander and fight them!”

The others nodded fiercely. Having been pushed into a desperate corner, following Luo Yu for a final stand was their only choice.

“But there is a problem,” Dong Chuan said in a deep voice.

“The Qiang are not stupid. Once they find Black Ditch Fortress empty, they will surely chase eastward along the gully. Why would they dismount and enter the Black Woods for no reason? How to lure them in is a great difficulty.”

“I already have a plan for that.”

Luo Yu silently turned his head to look at Shen Li, who was crouching nearby. The others instinctively followed his gaze.

In an instant, everyone understood Luo Yu’s intent.

There were five or six women among the refugees. To the Qiang soldiers, women were always a lure like blood to starving wolves. They would surely give chase. If one spoke of bait, these women were the best bait available.

Shen Li understood Luo Yu’s meaning as well. Her face changed instantly, though it was unclear if it was from fear or hesitation.

“Sir, is this appropriate?” Dong Chuan gave a bitter laugh. “We are a group of grown men, after all. Are we to let a group of refugee women lure the enemy for us?”

“How about I be the bait?” Meng Hu said, waving his fist.

“I will catch two Qiang soldiers and crush them first. They will surely be enraged and chase me all the way. Wouldn’t that work?”

Everyone’s face darkened. If a giant like him jumped out, the Qiang would simply shoot him dead with arrows from a distance.

“This is a battlefield. The Qiang will not care if you are a soldier or a civilian when they kill you.” Luo Yu’s expression was exceptionally cold.

“If this battle is lost, everyone dies. Their fate would only be worse. Moreover, I said that to survive, everyone must give their all. The soldiers are no exception, and neither are the refugees!”

The group felt a shiver in their hearts. They knew Luo Yu was right, yet they were still shocked by his ruthlessness. It was no wonder he could lead his brothers out of a desperate situation like Jiming Fortress alive.

“I will go!”

Shen Li, who had been silent, finally stood up. Her voice was firm.

“I will go!”

“You aren’t afraid?”

“What use is being afraid?” Shen Li said quietly. “If fear worked, so many people wouldn’t have died in the Slave Court. You are right—to survive, everyone must give their all.”

The men were astonished. This little girl was much stronger than they had imagined.

“Then it is settled!”

Luo Yu clenched his fist.

“Dong Chuan, Meng Hu, take all the brothers into the Black Woods immediately to set traps and familiarize yourselves with the terrain. We will fight the Qiang to the death right there!

“Again: we do not live for others—we must also live for ourselves!”

* * *

In the span of one night, the garrison soldiers had evacuated completely. A fair number of straw men had been erected in the camp with torches attached to them: from a distance, it looked as if the camp was full of people.

Only a few women remained in the camp. These women from the Slave Court seemed much stronger than Central Plains women. Knowing they were to be bait, they did not cry or wail. Their eyes held mostly a thirst for survival.

Luo Yu saw Shen Li.

The little thief had changed.

Before, her face had always been smeared with mud and filth, making her look quite dirty. But now, she had washed her face clean, revealing an exceptionally fair countenance.

Her skin was not quite as delicate as jade, but it was absolutely flawless. A pair of moving eyes held a spark of determination.

She was a budding beauty.

“You are smart,” Luo Yu said after a brief moment of distraction. “Escaping all the way from the Slave Court, that face of yours would bring much trouble. Dressing as a man was a way to save your life.”

“What? You’re allowed to be smart, but others aren’t?” Shen Li glared at him.

“The soldiers have all withdrawn. Why haven’t you left yet?”

“I am leaving now,” Luo Yu said expressionlessly.

“Remember what I told you. No matter what, you must lure the Qiang into the Black Woods. This is our only chance for victory. Also… be careful.”

“I know.”

Shen Li was silent for a long time before she said hesitantly, “If… if we die, I ask you to take care of those elders. They are weak and cannot do much work. Consider it a mercy to them and take them to a safe place.”

In the past two days, she had witnessed Luo Yu’s decisiveness. She was afraid that if they died, Luo Yu would simply abandon the elderly and children.

“Rest assured. My heart is not that hard.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m going.”

Luo Yu turned to leave. Shen Li tucked that little broken axe into her shirt. Her expression seemed calm, yet she kept taking deep breaths to steady her emotions.

A small woman, a broken axe. Could she truly be unafraid?

“Do not fear,” Luo Yu’s cold voice drifted from the distance.

“I told you: I will lead you all to survive.”

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