The first light of dawn was breaking.
Gu Zheng and four deputy generals had already been standing outside Song Shihuan's tent for a long time.
Only when sounds came from inside, "Baoxia, please show them in," did Gu Zheng finally shift his somewhat stiffened feet, not forgetting to glare back at Li Laoba.
He, Gu Zheng, would practically enshrine the Commandery Princess, yet this Li Laoba had the gall to speak disrespectfully right off the bat.
If the Commandery Princess decided to quit and wash her hands of this, he would surely whip Li Laoba's backside until it bloomed.
"The morning mist is heavy. Please, have some hot tea."
"This humble general and other rough men aren't accustomed to fine tea. Commandery Princess, you may simply issue the battle arrangements. This humble general will listen and then go out to make the preparations."
It was that troublemaker Li Laoba again.
Gu Zheng's fists clenched hard, but Song Shihuan was not angered.
On the contrary, she felt that a fierce general in the army ought to have a bit of a temper.
Meanwhile, Song Yu was glaring fixedly at Li Laoba. Unfortunately, Li Laoba was slow-witted everywhere except on the battlefield and failed to notice Song Yu's fury.
"Today, we'll give Deng Xian a classic 'catch the turtle in the jar'."
Song Shihuan picked up a stick she had casually picked up from outside and began demonstrating on the sand table.
"We will mainly divide our forces into three routes, deploying the 'Crane Wing Formation'."
The military texts that Song Shihuan had been forced by her master to thoroughly study had finally come into play. The texts recorded that the Crane Wing Formation imitated the spread wings of a crane: the center was weak in military strength, while the two wings were strong. It could lure the enemy deep into the center, then have the two wings close in to complete the encirclement and annihilation.
Not only that, Song Shihuan had also modified the Crane Wing Formation.
"The soldiers on the central route must be equipped with ample crossbows and arrows. After feigning a rout, they are to turn around and shoot at the pursuing enemy."
Turn around and shoot...
The expressions of the several deputy generals changed.
They were experienced in battle, but they had rarely seen defeated troops capable of turning around to shoot arrows. What was the difference between that and changing one's face on a whim?
"The soldiers on the other two routes must combine cavalry and infantry to ensure mobility and lock the enemy troops firmly within the encirclement."
With the most innocent expression, Song Shihuan spoke the most brutal words, "Additionally, set aside two separate squads. One... specifically tasked with locating and capturing Deng Xian amidst the chaotic army. The other... armed with fireballs. If any enemy troops attempt to break out of the encirclement, just blast them."
Shiver.
Gu Zheng couldn't help but shiver, looking at Song Yu, his eyes clearly holding a hint of accusation.
Your Highness, how did you raise this child?
To teach a perfectly good child to be so... terrifying.
Even Li Laoba fell silent, cupping his hands towards Song Shihuan before retreating.
A few moments later, Gu Zheng and the four deputy generals stood outside the tent, each with a faint trace of worry on their faces.
"General, this humble general has fought many battles, even the bloodiest ones, but never one so... unscrupulous as this."
One of the deputy generals spoke up.
He could already imagine that after today, the Crane Wing Formation would become famous from this single battle.
"This humble general finally understands. This Crane Wing Formation is just toying with the enemy. Never mind the troops on the two wings; just the sight of a supposedly routed army turning around to shoot back is enough to shatter the morale of those grandsons from Dayue."
On the battlefield, morale and courage come first. Lose either one, and defeat is inevitable.
"Stop being so fussy! Being able to win the battle is what matters!"
Gu Zheng made the decision, "All of you, hurry back and muster your troops. If you delay the Commandery Princess's arrangements, watch your heads."
Inside the tent, Song Shihuan looked at the face that had been magnified several times before her.
She was the first to yield, "Father, if you keep staring like that, you'll bore a hole right through me."
Hearing this, Song Yu felt somewhat deflated, "Ahuan, from whom did you learn these tactics of troop deployment and formation? Don't say it was from the military texts the Gu family provided. I've read those texts too; they're utterly useless."
Song Shihuan wanted to interrupt and defend the reputation of those military texts, but under Song Yu's gaze, she didn't dare.
Better not crush Father's spirit.
Lost in thought for a moment, she then heard Song Yu continue, "I am grateful to that person in my heart, for at least teaching you this skill. Yet, I also feel displeased."
"They only know you are skilled in tactics, but I can see you conducting simulation after simulation on this sand table, not sleeping until the candlelight is extinguished at night." Song Yu sighed softly, "Since ancient times, the capable bear more burdens. But if the cost is draining one's vital energy, I would rather you be carefree and happy."
Like Gu Mingzhu, a tiger girl from a military family, who at this age should still be mischievous and playful.
Yet his daughter was here directing an army of a hundred thousand.
Setting aside the so-called title of genius, the pressure behind it was something Song Yu saw more clearly than anyone.
"Father, being able to do something for Great Qi, for you and for His Majesty the Emperor, makes me happy."
Song Shihuan put down the stick in her hand, "Back when I was living outside, besides Granny, there was also an old man. That old man taught me military strategy and tactics, but then he disappeared without reason, so I never mentioned him."
"From the day I learned these tactics until now, I have hoped every day for an opportunity like this to turn the knowledge in my mind into real formations on the battlefield. This is precisely what I sought."
The phrase "precisely what I sought" completely disarmed Song Yu.
"Fine then. I'll go brew some ginseng soup for you."
Song Yu gestured at Song Shihuan's height and muttered, "Don't stunt your growth from exhaustion."
Upon hearing this, Song Shihuan's expression cracked slightly.
She was at the age for growing taller; she couldn't end up being short, could she?
...
Noon, the sun blazing directly overhead.
Li Laoba led a contingent of troops and began hurling a stream of colorful insults at Deng Xian. In less time than it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the provoked Dayue soldiers charged forward with their weapons.
"Is this all you've got? Not even enough to stuff between my teeth! Get all your men out here, kneel on the ground, and call me Great-Grandfather!"
On the city wall, although Song Shihuan couldn't hear Li Laoba's words clearly, just by reading his lips and seeing the enemy's reaction, she knew it wasn't anything polite.
Perhaps Li Laoba's face was just too punchable, for another large wave of Dayue soldiers emerged. Seeing that the numbers were about right, Li Laoba began leading his troops in a desperate run back the way they came.
You flee, they chase.
"To think that with less than ten thousand troops, they dare to provoke us like this." Deng Xian raised his weapon high, "Soldiers, wipe them all out in one go! Let's secure a first victory for our Great Yue!"
Great Yue, after a string of defeats, desperately needed a victory.
A hundred thousand against ten thousand—the seemingly effortless victory had clearly gone to the heads of the Dayue soldiers, who chased after Li Laoba as if he were a dog.
Finally, Li Laoba reached the pre-arranged location with the other two contingents.
Suddenly, Li Laoba tightened his reins and turned around.
The surrounding Great Qi soldiers did the same.
The next moment, a sky-blotting rain of arrows descended upon Dayue. Before Dayue could even react, the thunderous sound of troops and horses suddenly arose from both flanks.
Watching the Dayue soldiers all fall into the encirclement,
Li Laoba spat lightly.
This tactic might be unscrupulous, but damn if it wasn't effective!
