Chapter 897

Twenty li northwest of the Divine Capital, a dense forest nestled against the mountain foothills.

At dawn, the sky was dim, crimson clouds smoldered, and the heavens and earth were steeped in desolation.

The image in the thousand-li mirror expanded steadily; as three swift horses galloped closer, it was Jiang Xiao Liu and two scouts.

Jiang Xiao Liu leapt from his horse and said, “My Lord, the hidden agents near Wawu Town sent word last night.”

Yesterday, the Mongol elite cavalry raided Jiafeng Town and Yushan Village, slaughtering every villager and looting all grain and livestock.

Both towns lay close to Wawu Town; after their occupation, the Mongol elite cavalry now controlled all sixty li around Wawu Town, and no word leaked out.

Most of the cavalry that raided the two towns returned to Wawu Town last night; combined, the Mongol elite cavalry now number nearly twenty thousand, not just fifteen thousand.

Jia Cong’s face turned ashen upon hearing the villagers had been slaughtered. “They control a sixty-li radius—enough space for twenty thousand elite cavalry to maneuver freely.

If they seal off all escape routes from the Divine Capital and prevent news from spreading to the four neighboring provinces, they can dominate a two-hundred-li perimeter. Crushing them in a concentrated strike will become extremely difficult.”

“After seizing these three towns, have they taken any other unusual actions?”

Jiang Xiao Liu replied, “Yesterday, our hidden agents near Wawu Town noticed the Mongols dispatch nearly a hundred scouts, dressed in civilian clothes, riding out of town in batches.”

“They headed toward the eastern suburbs of the Divine Capital and patrolled near the firearms workshop, but didn’t approach within two li, likely fearing to alarm the garrison troops.”

“My Lord was right—the Mongols are interested in the workshop. They’re naturally raiders, and they’ve surely heard tales of firearms’ power.”

“They’re definitely probing the workshop’s defenses, planning to seize it and capture the Great Zhou’s elite firearms. But they don’t know the workshop has been completely evacuated.”

…

Jia Cong said, “Anda Han is a man of deep strategy. Though the Mongols have never seen firearms in action, they must have heard rumors of the battles against the Jurchens in Liaodong.”

“The Mongol embassy has been in the Divine Capital for months—they couldn’t possibly be unaware of the firearms workshop’s location. Anda Han secretly moved his main force close to the capital; the workshop lies right under their noses.”

“They must covet the workshop. This is the most predictable move in their subsequent troop movements. We must exploit it to create an opportunity for battle.”

“The firearms workshop lies in the eastern suburbs, surrounded by open terrain with no cover—ideal for observation, terrible for ambush.”

“Only one place can conceal troops: a low earth mound near the eastern city wall, no more than ten zhang high, densely wooded with pines, crowned by a Muni Temple.”

“Two thousand cavalry can hide there—perfect for luring and ambushing. I’ll lead the cavalry around the northern city wall and enter the mound to set the trap.”

“But the movement of two thousand cavalry will draw the attention of Mongol patrols. If our intent is exposed, achieving surprise becomes nearly impossible.”

“Xiao Liu, I’ll assign you two hundred cavalry. Ride back and forth over a dozen laps southeast of the workshop—make as much noise as you can.”

“The workshop’s southeast faces Wawu Town directly—there must be many Mongol scouts there. Draw their eyes away to mask our main force’s movement.”

“I’ll use the distraction to lead the main force swiftly into the mound. And you must not move without displaying my general’s banner.”

Jiang Xiao Liu scratched his head, puzzled. “My Lord, I understand ordering me to harass the enemy and create noise to mislead them.

But why display your general’s banner? Won’t the Mongols know you’re nearby leading troops?”

Jia Cong smiled faintly. “Do as ordered. I have my reasons. Once the main force moves ten li north, head straight to the workshop and patrol with your cavalry—no mistakes.”

…

After Jiang Xiao Liu departed with two hundred cavalry, Jia Cong assembled the remaining eighteen hundred, checked ammunition, packed gear, and left the forest at the mountain’s foot.

Before departure, he issued direct orders: should the Mongol main force be encountered, follow his commands precisely. All improved Lu-mi muskets shall fire in dense volleys.

The eight hundred breech-loading gunners must not act independently—they shall follow his orders alone. Only if the Mongol cavalry break through the Lu-mi musket range may the breech-loaders engage in delaying fire.

Once the Mongol main force is held beyond range, the breech-loaders must cease fire immediately and wait for the next delaying volley—repeat endlessly, keeping the enemy always beyond effective range.

Moreover, should combat erupt, no matter how fierce, no porcelain thunderbomb shall be used without his order—violators will be punished by military law.

…

Before the two-thousand-cavalry force departed, Jia Cong had ordered all cavalry to carry extra musket rounds and porcelain thunderbombs—now he strictly forbade their casual use.

For musketmen, porcelain thunderbombs inflict greater damage than bullets—they are the most potent weapon against overwhelming enemy charges.

Moreover, many soldiers of the Divine Mechanism Corps did not understand Jia Cong’s use of breech-loading guns.

They knew the eight hundred breech-loaders were the strongest firepower, yet why were they used so sparingly in battle?

Though many soldiers harbored doubts, Jia Cong had led them for only a few days—but his strategic acumen and command ability were evident to all.

Each night, he gathered company commanders and platoon leaders to instruct them in cavalry tactics and firearm deployment—earning deep respect from officers.

With Jiang Xiao Liu, Yu Xiuzhu, and other veteran Liaodong officers among his ranks, cohesion strengthened dramatically, elevating his prestige daily.

His glorious victories suppressing the Jurchens in Liaodong, his hereditary title—these were still spoken of with awe in the ranks, naturally inspiring soldierly admiration.

Thus, though his orders were harsh, no officer objected—this was the effect of his proven leadership and dazzling reputation intertwined.

When daylight fully broke, Jia Cong led the entire force on a rapid northern detour, moving farther from Wawu Town.

…

Jia Cong and Ai Li rode at the head of the column, surrounded by personal guards spaced apart.

Ai Li tugged her reins, guiding her horse closer to Jia Cong. “Yu Zhang, your orders earlier were strange—many soldiers looked confused.”

“Even I don’t fully understand. We face twenty thousand elite cavalry—their advance is terrifying.”

“Breech-loaders’ rapid fire and porcelain thunderbombs’ explosive power are perfect for suppressing cavalry. Why restrict their use?”

Jia Cong said, “I assumed the enemy had fifteen thousand. I never expected over twenty thousand—far beyond estimates.”

“Even with our two-thousand-cavalry force, well-equipped with ample ammunition and thunderbombs, we cannot fully suppress twenty thousand elite cavalry.”

“The Mongols have heard of firearms’ reputation, but never seen them in action. Seeing is believing; hearing is deception. Their fear of firearms remains limited.”

“To know oneself but not the enemy is the greatest military blunder. For us, it’s the perfect opportunity—the key to victory.”

“I restrict breech-loaders and thunderbombs to control the intensity of firepower when we meet the enemy.”

“Enough to shock the Mongols with firearms’ power, but not so much that they panic, believe firearms invincible, or think they can find an opening.”

“Only then can our two thousand cavalry hold ten times their number in check—and have a chance to annihilate them beneath the city walls.”

“Otherwise, if we unleash breech-loader fire and thunderbomb carnage too early, the Mongol elite cavalry will flee in terror.”

“If twenty thousand cavalry retreat and scatter, no matter how powerful our firearms, we cannot stop them—no matter how advanced, they become useless.”

“If these twenty thousand hide and linger around the Divine Capital, they become a festering sore—unable to be eradicated, they become a grave threat.”

“They could determine the outcome of the entire campaign against the Mongols. So, no matter the cost, we must crush them swiftly!”

Ai Li laughed. “You’re truly calculating—born to command. This battle will be a victory.”

Jia Cong shook his head. “The Mongol main force vastly exceeds expectations. This battle is extremely risky—but unavoidable.”

“Having you risk yourself beside me is inappropriate. You should remain with the rear guard, assisting Lin Zhen in defending the artillery position.”

Ai Li shrugged dismissively. “What nonsense. I’m no weaker than you in battle—same in Liaodong…”

…

Eastern suburbs of the Divine Capital, firearms workshop.

After the workshop’s evacuation, the garrison of imperial guards dropped from one thousand five hundred to five hundred.

Though the vital equipment had been removed, the workshop remained a state-critical site—must still be guarded.

Lately, refugees had gathered outside the city; without troops, such a vast facility would be looted and desecrated.

Once the imperial capital’s doorstep, the most secure place—even as war raged at Beisan Pass, the Divine Capital’s surroundings remained calm.

The five hundred Liushou guards stationed outside mostly took it lightly; without the workshop’s heavy burden, their duties were far easier than before.

But last night, news arrived from within the city: a large force of Mongol cavalry had been spotted twenty li away at Wawu Town—orders came to strengthen vigilance.

Upon hearing the news, the five hundred guards grew tense. Wawu Town was only twenty li from the workshop—less than half an hour’s gallop.

The Mongols were famed for swift horses and curved blades; their elite cavalry moved with terrifying speed—once detected, they arrived in an instant, leaving no time to retreat.