YUE SI/GAKU SHI POV
The night came, and he walked through the makeshift camp. The cover of darkness had to be maintained, so he had ordered that there to be no big fires. As it was springtime, the night was not too cold, but still the order was sent out. Gaku Shi knew how close the Qin were to his makeshift camp and did not want to draw the full attention of Sima Geng just yet.
That was only one of the orders he had sent out; another order was for the soldiers to ready up and conduct small raids on the Qin. Yang Zhu, a cautious man who could only rely on explicit orders of his leader, was the Qin general closest to Gaku Shi, and he used the man as a stepping stone for his goals.
He had hoped the man would give chase and offer his head to the Gaku Shi army. Yet, the Qin general did not, and that is why Gaku Shi had made a judgement that the man was as cautious as the Lord he served. 'Maybe a characteristic Sima Geng favours?' The thought was a quick one, as he was only putting two and two together at the moment.
Even though they had not managed to take the general's head, they had taken out a few commanders. However, compared to the defeat Zhaon had sustained, it was a drop in the bucket. Word had slowly spread through his ranks, and soldiers were getting nervous, thinking they would be forced back towards where General Kou held his main camp. Yet, Gaku Shi had other plans in mind.
He had sent back a token force that was heavily injured and used the rest for his hit-and-run tactics. All of it was to create an illusion that though there were people near the Qin main camp but they were small and broken into many different groups. Something that would be tedious to put an end to, whilst the Qin focused more on General Kou and crushing the main Zhao army.
The tent flap moved, and in walked Lord Sei Kan, a grizzled, experienced man of war who had been a young prodigy in his father's army that fought in Yan. Now, the man was old, approaching a time when others would usually retire, but still he chose to fight under Gaku Shi.
Going as far as to discard his previous ranks under one of the most fearsome armies in all of China. There were many more like him, but most of them were selected to become city guards in Dai and keep the peace in the city or train the young children who aspired to become soldiers.
"Young master, the preparations have all been completed. We now await your word, and can proceed as you see fit." Gaku Shi nodded, glancing one last time at the map surrounding Rokan and the Qin forces. Even though he did not need to, since he had a map with his system… but that was for show.
"Great, we have hunted so much, but still the men have not had their fill. I say, why don't we go for another sweep?" Gaku Shi smirked as he stepped past Sei Kan. His system had told him the sun was soon to rise, but he wanted to give Sima Geng a few more headaches before the crack of dawn.
"By the way, any word on Yue Cheng's progress?" He asked, as Gaku Jou had been sent to do a very critical job. It was shot in the dark, but one that Gaku Shi had full faith his clan brother could pull off.
"There has been no word back since he left, but I'm sure young master Yue Cheng will excel." Sei Kan replied, he had seen the last two Gaku's in Zhao training from when they were young. He knew the two of them had serious potential, and all they needed was a grand stage for them to stand on.
"I see." That was all Gaku Shi said. It was at that moment that a messenger came before the two of them and bowed, "Lord Yue, lord Sei Kan.. I've word from Commander Yue Cheng." The young messenger spoke with gusto; a twinkle was in his eyes as he looked at the two formidable presences.
"Lieutenant Gaku Jou has sent word that the city is garrisoned with 12,000 men to be defended against a potential attack. There are not many residents, so it should not be difficult to pacify once inside." The news was met with pursed lips. At first, the news may have seemed positive, but the more Gaku Shi thought about it.
"That Sima Geng," He said, shaking his head, "Seems I'm not the only one chasing after someone's shadow." Sei Kan also understood what Gaku Shi meant, as he was not an idiot and could discern the potential trap.
"The broken part of the wall…" Sei Kan commented, and Gaku Shi waved his hand and sent away the messenger who had brought him the news. Before replying, "Yes, the opening is no doubt a trap. If I am right, there will be an ambush squadron awaiting anyone who attacks it… Only a fool would leave such a glaring weak point in their defence."
"Sima Geng seems to be living up to the illustrious Sima name." Sei Kan added, "Uh-huh, yet he does not understand there's not only 1 Yue but 2." Gaku Shi replied with a smirk as the two of them continued walking.
"Bring me young Huo, I need him to bring news to our Commander in Chief." Gaku Shi said, and Sei Kan's eyes ever so slightly. "You can't mean to relay that news to Commander Kou?" He asked, because if Gaku Shi was to do that… being the person General Kou was, the man would attack the weak point and find himself as bait.
"No, should we lose our leader so quickly. It would kill the morale of the Zhao completely, and Qin would be able to walk into Rokan." Sei Kan had already called for Huo, and a boy around the same age as Gaku Shi stood in front of the two of them.
"Huo, I need you to relay something to our commander in chief…" Gaku Shi started, and the eyes of Sei Kan widened for a second time before a smirk came to his face. From the conversation, he had managed to glean some of the plan Gaku Shi had, and it was a bold one.
Watching Huo get on a horse before galloping off, "So, you attack Rokan when the sun rises, young master?" Sei Kan asked, as his horse was brought to him by one of the young soldiers who had only just enlisted into his unit.
"Something like that, but it will depend on heaven's will, should I be able to hold the city or not. I'm sure he must be seething at the moment or worse at his wits' end, but we will need General Kou to not miss the grand opportunity that will be presented tomorrow." He said knowing the numbers from the main army would be vital to our success.
"Then, let's hope the commander in chief can see the big picture. The same way my Lord does." Sei Kan said as they mounted horses and prepared for another raid on the Qin army.
GAKU JOU/ YUE CHENG POV
Gaku Jou had taken it upon himself to scout for a path leading them out and the area beyond. That's how he had managed to get a good understanding of both the terrain and the City Rokan. The city was no more than half a day's ride from the battlefield.
Whilst doing so, he found out how many had been garrisoned at the castle, and even one of the walls was under repair. But he quickly dismissed that as an attack point, "That place is bait." As he went back to camp from another round of scouting, the sun had already started to rise.
"You're finally here." The voice was familiar and unexpected since Gaku Jou had thought he would be with Gaku Shi. Though a little surprised that Sei Kan was sitting on one of the chairs in his makeshift war tent, all the while sipping some freshly brewed tea.
"Are the three of us to take Rokan?" Gaku Jou asked, wondering what plan his brother had in mind.
"We've both been ordered to use lightning attacks only while staying out of range. Young master Yue Si will be the one to take the castle and defend it. Only once the Qin army commits to a full-out assault on the castle, are we to attack both their flanks and rear. If the worst comes, then, both our cavalry units will launch an all-out attack."
The eyes of Gaku Jou widened. He could not keep the shock from showing on his face. "How many men did you bring with you?" Sei Kan took a sip of tea before he answered, "1,700. All cavalry."
'Only 4,000 to attack and take Rokan?' Gaku Jou questioned in his mind, the plan seemed too bold for Gaku Jou to use, but that was how Gaku Shi was… He never did things simply and always found new places to win. That was what Lord Gaku Ki had once said, separated both himself and Gaku Shi, but since then, the gap seemed to have widened.
Then that is what we will do. If those is the words of my brother, then we will wish him good luck and complete every step of his plan." Gaku Jou spoke with confidence.
Sei Kan smirked lightly, "Do you really think Si needs any such luck?"
Memories came to the forefront of Gaku Jou's mind, of just a few years prior, after Gaku Shi had awoken and decided to dedicate himself fully to becoming a Great General. The change was stark, even though his clan brother had the talent previously, after he awoke, he gained the determination and focus to be the very best.
Now it did not matter what weapon was in Gaku Shi's hands, be it halberd, glaive, sword, spear, or even bow and arrow. His clan brother was peerlessly talented with every single one of them. At times Gaku Jou would admit he grew jealous and bitter that Gaku Shi seemed to be so gifted… Even now.
But still he found himself smiling, "No, he has never needed it." The older man, Sei Kan nodded sagely whilst sipping the hot tea. Gaku Jou, for the first time, looked at the cup, his eyes then darted towards his small table, noticing an open bag, then back to the experienced warrior.
The right eye of Gaku Jou twitched slightly as he noticed something, "HEY! That's my last batch?!!" Gaku Jou finally realised that Sei Kan had been drinking the tea he had saved specifically for this day.
…
QIN HEADQUARTERS
Torches burned along the camp, as the main camp of Qin discussed the strategies for the next morning. Sima Geng, the rising star of Qin, and grandson of one of Qin's 6 Great General, sat tapping the table as he looked over the maps surrounding the battlefield and Rokan.
This had not been his first battle; he was experienced and well-studied on the methods of warfare. It was why Sima Geng managed to rise so high, and that his father's name was well known and also gave him some help, but everything else was on his own merit.
His eyes darting to the right wing, his army had managed to deal serious damage to the Zhao, but a unit was raiding and hit his army continuously. As he thought more about it, his face twisted into one of anger.
It had vexed him to no end that there was someone in the crippled Zhao army who wished to challenge him!
This was supposed to be a flawless victory!' He couldn't help but internally shout in anger.
"Report!" The man dropped to his knees instantly, his hands clasped in a military salute.
"The raids have not ended, Lord Sima." There was a nervous edge to his voice as he kept his eyes to the ground, avoiding the cold and calculating stare of Sima Geng. "They're disrupting our rations and are attempting to cut off our supply line." The man gave a full report of the small unit that had shown to be a thorn in the side of the Qin army.
"WHAT ARE THE SEVENTH UNIT DOING?!"
"DAMMIT! TELL THE FOURTH UNIT TO STOP PLAYING AROUND!"
"HEY! MY UNIT ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN!"
"NOT ENOUGH!"
A blame game started, as multiple commanders began to point fingers at one another, trying to shift the blame to another person. Or attempting to throw shade at their political rivals.
…
GAKU SHI/YUE SI POV
His eyes looked at the grand prize, Rokan stood in the distance. Gaku Shi looked at the tall walls and saw it would be a tough nut to crack. Behind him, 4,000 pairs of eyes watched the city with him. A lot of the cavalry had been sent away with Sei Kan, and to reinforce Gaku Jou, how they saw fit.
All in the hopes that when Qin no doubt arrives here, they are caught unawares and assailed from all sides. Yet, he had many other plans should Sima Geng choose not to come to Rokan.
He could feel the eyes on his back, the shallow breaths some of the men took and the fear that oozed out of their pores. Some were anxious; the wait was killing them, and they just wanted to get it all over and done with. Whilst the majority looked at his back in awe, the way this young lad had led them and moved them to avoid even a single skirmish with the Qin.
It was… spectacular and yet… terrifying. Some of them were even questioning the boy's age, as they could not believe that Gaku Shi was only 13/14 years old. However, the boy was talented, and they chose to follow him. Even if the plan he proposed seemed to make him look like a mad fool, too scarred by war.
"I know some of you may be feeling fear, that I had doomed you in following me here with such little people. That Zhao would never win, did we fail when Qin came to the battle of Chou Hei. That I am no legend, just a boy who has dragged you along out of a sense of loyalty…
That may be the case, but you all do not see the big picture. The truth is at this very moment, you're all on the edge of etching your name in the annals of time. You're about to witness an act of a legend. An act you will be able to tell your children and their children about." Gaku Shi spoke in a neutral tone at the beginning but it soon grew inspiring near the end.
Resolve seemed to grow and solidify for those Zhao soldiers who had their doubts, for those in the Gaku Shi army who had only come for a pay day and some favour with their Young Master. The soldiers began to prepare themselves for an inevitable collision, a clash for the sake of Zhao. A fight against tyranny. A fight to see whether Gaku Shi was a genius or just another mad young noble.
'Such a thin line between madness and genius…'
"Watch me. Follow me. I will enter this castle without a single sword being drawn, nor losing a single man from our 4,000 strong. We have all we need to take Rokan back from those Qin dogs, and I will see it complete. So, I say this… carve this moment into your hearts and minds. Remember them till the day you feel your chest stop beating and your life blood stop moving."
He turned to stare at them, his eyes seemed to blaze with golden flames, You will never lose…! Once you have chosen to follow my back the bitter taste of defeat shall never be yours. From the day I entered this battle defeat was never a choice. A new legend is in the making, one that will be forged here and now by our own very hands…!
A tale of how a small unit of 4,000 men managed to rip back Rokan, from the overbearing, cruel and barbaric Qin dogs…! Everyone in this living world and beyond will hear and speak of our deeds.
As we become immortalised." Gaku Shi brought up his open palm before clenching it tightly.
"All of you before me have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so make sure you grasp it with both hands. Do not let it slip from your fingers! Take the chance to carve your names as legends forever.
Will you fail to fight for the man who will be known one day as the greatest general to have ever lived? Will you shrink and cower when the man who fights beside you fights for absolute victory?"
There was a reaction; the faces of 4,000 soldiers hardened with eyes that swore determination until death. Victory even in death, faces that looked on at Gaku Shi with the eyes of men who would follow him to the gates of the underworld and beyond.
The men were all dressed in Qin armour as was Gaku Shi, these were men of Zhao but make no mistake, these men here and now chose their line. They chose who they would follow, the boy who had promised them glory, tales and immortalisation.
To a man, all of them looked as if they were ready to die if it meant they could take Rokan, their eyes held DETERMINATION, PRIDE and ZEAL!
A few looked as if they wished to cry; tears had gathered at the corners of their eyes, seeing a dream they wished to be a part of.
Whilst ten or twenty looked so pumped up they needed to cheer, to let out the fire that had gathered in their hearts.
Holding up a hand, "Do not cheer now as we are behind enemy lines, let's cheer and drink to our hearts content once we have won this battle that everyone deemed a lost cause from the start."
4,000 soldiers grinned as any fear in their hearts evaporated. Now they could think of the legend they were about to be a part of. A few tears leaked from those who could not hold back, but they still had a grin on their face.
Gaku Shi turned back to look at Rokan, fixed his sword belt to his waist and crossed his arms as a wind picked up and fluttered his hair, glancing over his with a smirk. "Now then, let's create a legend that would reach the heavens."
'OUUUUUUUU!!!!!' 4,000 hearts cried in unison.
Chapter 3: DONE