[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber":3,"chapter-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-902":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Life as a Rising Force in the Red Chamber",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2311700,4515,"Chapter 902","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-902",902,"\u003Cp>The eastern city wall of Shenjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Shi Ding’s command, the three thousand archers poised for action launched volleys of arrows toward the outer slope of Shijia Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each synchronized twang of the bowstrings sent three thousand arrows skyward, blanketing the air above the hill in a dense rain of shafts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These arrows were not meant for precision; their purpose was to disrupt and hinder, scattering the remnants of the Mongol cavalry’s own arrow volleys and inflicting some casualties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the cover of the arrow rain from the city walls, thundering hooves echoed along the rear path of Shijia Mountain as over a thousand firearm cavalrymen streamed out, hugging the city wall as they raced northward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mongol cavalry quickly noticed; many riders shouted orders, and Manhai, spotting the surprise force emerging from Shijia Mountain, commanded his men to pursue immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The central unit of the Mongol cavalry, which had just retreated and counterattacked, struggled to reorganize in haste, causing disorder that prevented timely pursuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ding closely monitored the battlefield from the wall; seeing the Mongol cavalry slow slightly, the thousand-plus firearm cavalry seized the moment, galloping to join Jia Cong’s vanguard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ding barked: “Archers, advance forward! Cover the outer flank of the Shenjing camp with arrow volleys—hinder their pursuit and let the firearm troops break free!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Shi Ding’s command, the three thousand archers on the wall marched forward in formation, advancing to the northeastern corner of the wall, where they reformed and launched concentrated volleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thousand-plus firearm cavalry below, seemingly forewarned, kept strictly to the wall’s edge, ensuring they remained always within the protective arc of the wall’s arrow rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From atop the wall, the advance route of the thousand firearm cavalry was densely covered by arrow volleys across a ten-zhang-wide perimeter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any Mongol cavalry that drew near to pursue would be met with a synchronized barrage from the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After losing over a hundred riders, the Mongol cavalry maintained pursuit but dared not close in on the firearm troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Battlefields shift in an instant; whoever gains even the slightest advantage can expand it into dominance—and decide the outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Shi Ding’s command, the three thousand archers atop the wall and the seventeen hundred firearm cavalry below moved in perfect harmony, blocking the Mongol cavalry’s pursuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the thousand firearm cavalry moved beyond the wall’s range, the arrow rain still tracked and shielded them; the cavalry veered right in a wide arc, widening the distance from their pursuers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manhai watched as Jia Cong led three hundred cavalrymen still fleeing northwest, while the other thousand-strong firearm cavalry seemed to retreat in a different direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His deputy said: “Second Prince, now they’ve split into two groups fleeing—should we pursue one, or divide our forces to chase both?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I believe Jia Cong’s tactics are too devious and cunning. We launched a surprise strike, yet he had already set ambushes on Shijia Mountain despite having no preparation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could set an ambush here, could he not set another elsewhere? For safety’s sake, I suggest we withdraw now and wait for a better opportunity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manhai frowned: “Withdraw? You speak lightly. We’ve already lost two thousand-man units—do you mean to let Mongol blood be spilled in vain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong’s tactics are cunning, but they end here. Ahead, over ten li, lies open plain—no hills, no cover for ambushes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, from these two engagements, I’ve seen the weakness of the Great Zhou’s firearms: reloading is painfully slow, so they rely on three-rank volleys to compensate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time we turn and counterattack, these firearm troops immediately retreat, never daring to stand against Mongol iron cavalry. Do you know why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Jia Cong knows full well: though firearms are devastating, their rate of fire is far slower than the speed of Mongol arrows and galloping steeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So his firearm troops only strike hard or ambush—once we regroup and counter, they flee at once, cowardly and treacherous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I’ve found another fatal flaw: once mounted, their firearms become useless—no matter how powerful, they’re just burning sticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that they’ve split into two groups, it’s merely a ruse to confuse us, hoping to slip away from our pursuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their firearms are now useless on horseback; this is their weakest moment. We must not falter now and miss this chance to annihilate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our sortie has already revealed our position; the Great Zhou will surely mobilize troops to surround and cut us off from all sides—our footing grows ever more precarious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we miss this chance, we gain nothing, lose nearly three thousand men—how will we face our soldiers? How will we answer to my father, the Khan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignore that thousand-man cavalry unit—it’s Jia Cong’s decoy. We pursue only his three hundred riders—and those five carts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two ambushes, we’ve suffered heavy losses. The Great Zhou’s firearms live up to their reputation—we must capture Jia Cong and those five carts of weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jia Cong escapes back to Beisan Pass and uses these weapons against my father’s army, the consequences for our southern campaign will be endless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with only three hundred riders and no firearms, Jia Cong is at his weakest. No matter how cunning he is, he cannot turn the tide!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their horses have galloped for miles—their strength must be waning. If we capture Jia Cong alive, every cost we’ve paid will be worth it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy, hearing Manhai’s words, found them entirely reasonable. Sixteen thousand cavalry chasing three hundred—what could possibly go wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Second Prince was right: mounted firearm troops, stripped of their weapons, are like wolves with their fangs pulled—utterly defenseless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lingering doubts vanished at Manhai’s words; he issued the order to the entire force: pursue Jia Cong’s fleeing direction…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the eastern wall of Shenjing, Shi Ding raised his telescope, and his deputy Wang Lin said: “Commander, the main Mongol force has abandoned pursuit of the thousand firearm cavalry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All their strength now chases the Marquis of Weiyuan—he has only three hundred guards, and his firearms are useless once mounted. If he’s surrounded, it will be dire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander, the Marquis of Weiyuan is one of the Great Zhou’s finest generals. If he’s harmed, it would be a terrible loss—should we not send reinforcements?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ding said: “The horses allocated to the Marquis of Weiyuan by the Ministry of War were selected from the finest in Shenjing and its surroundings—each is top-tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You all witnessed how boldly and skillfully he maneuvered his cavalry just now. I’m certain that within these twenty li, he will not be caught.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past days, he has repeatedly sent arrow-borne messages into the city, discussing battle plans with me. So far, every development has followed his strategy exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I trust he will reach his final move. If this battle succeeds fully, we will seize the initiative in this campaign against the Mongols—and perhaps secure victory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officers, hearing this, were all stunned. No wonder the Commander had remained calm, never acting rashly on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long planned with the Marquis of Weiyuan. Wang Lin recalled how, days ago, Shi Ding ordered him to select five thousand cavalry from the Five Armies—all expert archers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were meant for today’s battle. Yet when the Mongol army launched its surprise attack, the Marquis seemed to react hastily—was this all premeditated?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same thought struck every officer present. To plan warfare to this degree goes far beyond mere military knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This young lord of the Rongguo Jia family has likely reached the realm of a ghostly genius—truly astonishing, even terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ding said: “Wait another quarter-hour. I will lead the five thousand selected elite cavalry out personally to reinforce him. Wang Lin, you will hold the Nine Gates.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I’m out, keep close watch on Wawu Town. The Mongols have twenty thousand elite cavalry stationed there—they must have left troops guarding their supplies…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the vast, boundless wasteland northwest of Shenjing, ten thousand horses thundered, hooves like rolling thunder, a terrifying spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two forces galloped fiercely, chasing each other; the dense pounding of hooves was urgent and heavy, as if shaking heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the numbers were wildly unequal: Jia Cong led only three hundred cavalry, while over ten thousand pursued him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this lopsided chase felt strangely balanced, almost surreal—like bait trailing a frenzied school of fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Jia Cong first detected the enemy and turned his army around, he had passed through these very places. He had carefully noted every detail of the terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though most of the route was flat, there were also highlands, depressions, grasslands, rocky shelves, and muddy bogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some areas allowed hundreds of cavalry to gallop freely—but if thousands tried to surge through, they would become deadly bottlenecks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong deliberately chose terrain favorable for small cavalry units, avoiding terrain that hindered large forces, always maintaining the distance between pursuer and pursued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This prolonged chase tested not only their horses’ stamina, but also their wits and patience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One miscalculation from Jia Cong, and his three hundred would be swallowed whole, annihilated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he led his men across a narrow stretch of rocky highland, he finally saw the gentle slope ahead—and a smile broke across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong called out: “Jiang Xiao Liu, abandon those five carts immediately—hurry and charge to the other side of the slope!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1552,"2026-06-20T12:19:58.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9335ebe0e1a436180586157bddbf0a1013639d50975c55920a4fe388ac46f193","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-903","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-901",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]