Chapter 7: Night raid attack and defense, Part 1 of 5
Inside the dense forest, standing orderly are five hundred soldiers. In front of them, there’s still this black-clad petite woman. Half a month has gone by. What has changed is — on their young faces, instead of derision and contempt, now there’s sincere admiration and submission. Moreover, they all have a more upright posture, robust physique and staunch determination. All of these are due to this seemingly cold woman.
They absolutely cannot lose this night raid battle! If two weeks before, they had no confidence, today two weeks later, they absolutely believe they can win!
Gu Yun gently arched her eyebrow, somewhat ineffably watching them behaving more like fighting cocks than men. Although she also likes to see them high in fighting spirit, but they too don’t have to be so overly hyped up this way.
Without a long-winded prologue, Gu Yun said bluntly: “After deliberation, the night raid battle’s specifics have been decided. The venue is the garrison camp of the Su family army which is located west of the city. A thousand elite army will be stationed there under the command of Su Ren. The mechanics of the battle are such: Su Ren will place randomly a wooden case in a room inside the camp. This wooden case contains something. Whoever steals the wooden case, wins the battle. The duration is three days. But, if I or Su Yu succeeds anytime before the time limit, the battle immediately ends.”
After Gu Yun finished talking, she covertly watched their faces. Strangely, she could not see on anyone’s face fear and anxiety. Su Ren guarding the camp with his thousand troops, they don’t have any reaction to this fact?
Gu Yun frowned: “Do you think it’s that simple?”
“No.” A chorus of loud male voices replied immediately.
No? Why then the confident looks on their faces?
Gu Yun is oblivious, these people do not trust themselves, but believe… in her.
Looking to the far right at Ge Jing Yun, Gu Yun coldly inquired: “Ge Jing Yun, what can you say?”
Relatively more cautious now, Ge Jing Yun stepped forward and after a long pause replied in a clear voice: “The other opponent is Su Ren. Guarding the camp are battle-hardened soldiers. The terrain of the camp is unknown to us. Also how many rooms in the camp we do not know. How the troops are distributed within the camp we do not know as well. Stealing the wooden case unnoticed will be more difficult than a direct attack.”
Gu Yun nodded and continued to ask: “So, what do you think should be done?”
“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never be defeated.* Regarding the maps needed for the night raid, the camp guards will certainly slack off during the day. This is a good time to approach the camp without easily being discovered. In preparation for the night’s infiltration, we should take advantage getting familiar with the terrain around it and also draw a layout of the inside of the camp.”
[* from “Art of War”, an ancient Chinese military treatise attributed to Sun Tzu, a high-ranking military general, strategist and tactician. Source: Wikipedia]
Well, he makes sense, Gu Yun cheered up and her lips gently lifted. Turning towards the side of Leng Xiao, she asked: “Leng Xiao, what do you think?”
Leng Xiao seemed well prepared as Gu Yun did not have to wait too long for his reply: “There are a thousand elite troops guarding the camp, but our army has only five hundred men. There’s a disparity in the military strength. This time we should make use of weapons to enhance our chances in the battle.”
“Continue.”
Gu Yun’s face was devoid of any expression. He could not tell if she’s happy or angry. Leng Xiao felt nervous. Secretly he inhaled deeply, with his heart beating fast he continued: “We don’t know the situation inside the camp, but all city garrison camps have wall enclosures more than twenty feet tall. When it comes under attack, the guards will have to block the attackers with arrows. But, if we have shields protecting our bodies, accompanied by our own shooting arrows siege, the commander is bound to mobilize more troops to the tower.”
Gu Yun kept silent for a long time. Ge Jing Yun on the other hand protested and countered: “Do you want to launch a frontal attack? That’s way too risky. Those soldiers are combat veterans. Even with shields and weapons, to go in would also be impossible.” In the end, they will only suffer heavy casualties.
Leng Xiao condescendingly sneered and replied: “When did I say we will come in this way? But, with the shield cover and in the darkness of the night, from the tower they simply would not be able to determine how many people are involved in the siege. As long as they will deploy the majority of the troops there to defend the walls, guarding the inside of the camp will be lax. Then, just send a few teams to sneak into the camp from the rear, guided by your so-called topographic maps, are you afraid you cannot find the wooden case?”
Ah so that’s the plan! Although the attitude of Leng Xiao is a bit arrogant, Ge Jing Yun did not mind it, he exclaimed: “Ah diversion! This ploy sounds wonderful!”
The two of them basked in mutual delight and appreciation. Gu Yun did not bother them until on their own they realized they were behaving somewhat excessively pleased with themselves, quietly they shut their mouths.
She always thought that Ge Jing Yun and Leng Xiao are rare talents. One is calm but inflexible, the other has a sharp mind but arrogant and conceited. If they could just cooperate together, it would be perfect. Today, it seemed, the two men finally learned how to talk to each other. If they carry on like this, that would be pretty good!
Gu Yun felt elated, but her face did not show her enthusiasm. The two big men silently glanced at her, appearing dignified, nevertheless anticipating ultimately a scolding.
Who knew, Gu Yun just lightly waved her hand and retorted: “Since you’re brimming with ideas, go ahead. Prepare. What are you still doing here?”
Does it mean – she agrees with their strategy? Not only Ge Jing Yun and Leng Xiao were taken aback, all the soldiers who were also waiting to receive a scolding were surprised. After a while, they all became excited. Boss actually approved! It’s really great.
“Now is sishi*. Put up a tent outside five miles** from the walls of the garrison camp in the western suburbs of the city. We shall assemble there at youshi***.” Gu Yun secretly smiled wryly. They looked as if she enjoys scolding them all day long! She only reprimands people when they deserve it. Getting bright ideas from them, why would she do it.
[*sishi – 9 to11 am; **referring to a Chinese mile – 500 m; ***youshi – 5 to 7 pm]
“Yes.”
Leng Xiao and Ge Jing Yun were leaving with their teams to carry out their respective preparations when Gu Yun suddenly yelled: “Leng Xiao, in addition to preparing those things you’ve just mentioned, help me prepare something.”
What? Leng Xiao looked quizzically to Gu Yun. Gu Yun faintly smiled and whispered something in his ear. Leng Xiao stared blankly at first, but soon he looked like he understood clearly, yelling back: “I will definitely prepare it!”
Ah, this young man is worthy to be taught!
Western suburbs garrison camp.
The camp’s headquarter.
Inside the spacious headquarter, there were only two people. Both men sat opposite each other. They were neither discussing military strategies and tactics nor details of the topography. Even more odd, on a very hot day, there should not be a coal brazier standing beside them. Mounted on the brazier was a tiny clay boiling pot making a crackling sound.
The relatively lean man leisurely took out a small tea-bag and gently opened the outer wrapping tissue. Afterwards a whiff of faint fragrance wafted through the air indoors. Slowly he poured the tea leaves on a purple sand teapot on the side. The man carefully took down the small clay pot from the burning coal and gracefully poured boiling water into the teapot. The instant the boiling water wet the tea leaves, suddenly the initial faint and elegant fragrance intensified. As though rushing from the wings of the nose into the core of the lungs, the fragrance captivates all of one’s senses completely. This ought not be the aroma of tea, but indeed it comes from a tea, famously known as Liuyue [June].
Which happens to be Su Ren’s favorite tea.
Slowly pouring on a white jade cup the brown-red tea, his slender fingers lightly proffered the jade cup to the brawny man opposite him. Then he poured himself a cup and quietly sipped the tea.
Han Shu curled his lips, grabbed the jade cup and drank the tea in one gulp. He does not get it. To drink tea, why does one puts up with so much trouble in preparing it. He would have directly gotten hold of a large cup, thrown in the tea and filled it with water. In this way, when he likes to drink, he can drink and feel fully gratified. With this miniscule jade cup, a little bit of tea to moisten his throat isn’t enough!
Putting the empty, tiny teacup down, Han Shu couldn’t help but laugh: “You’re actually taking it all very easy.”
Su Ren ruefully looked at the empty, tiny teacup. Poor Liuyue. In the future, it better be not wasted on people who do not know how to appreciate the fine things in life.
Slowly savoring the sweet and rich aroma of the refreshing tea, Su Ren nonchalantly replied: “no better (or worse) than you.” Speaking of taking things easy, he is not much better. Not doing and putting things on hold, just to come here and watch the fun.
Han Shu fell silent. He is indeed here just to watch.
“Reporting!” A loud sound at the door resonated.
Su Ren’s thoughts were on the tea in his hands, absent-mindedly he replied: “Go ahead.”
“Suspicious persons were sighted around the camp.”
Han Shu’s eyes lit up. Originally he thought he’ll have to wait for the night to watch the show. Who knew the battle starts so soon?
But, alas Su Ren let him down. His hands busily adding boiling water into the teapot, offhandedly he instructed: “Stay on your positions. Ignore them.”
“Yes.”
Enormously dissatisfied, Han Shu ranted and raved, his voice increasingly getting loud: “You are deliberately throwing the game. It’s not fair not to react. I very much looked forward to this night raid battle expecting it to be exciting.” He purposely rushed to come over. If the battle is going to be like this, there isn’t anything worth seeing then.
Su Ren leisurely smiled, feigning mystery he laughingly declared: “This is part of my opening gambit. No way I’ll let you see through it.”
Really? Putting off the discussion, he then looked down. Seeing Su Ren pouring himself a cup of tea, Han Shu also handed over his teacup. Su Ren looked up, quickly glanced at him, then towards outside he yelled: “Someone come! Send somebody to the kitchen and have someone serve over here a big cup of tea!”
Han Shu was dumbstruck. For a moment he didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. He is not that overly eager to drink tea, right?