Chapter Eight: The Plan in Motion (Part One)

“Come on! Dinner’s ready!”
That call for supper rang out like thunder on a clear day, making every man on sentry duty shudder.
“Dinner’s ready!”
One shout followed another, and in an instant, the soldiers swarmed forward, crowding around until not even water could pass through.

Chenghao Detention Camp

“Brothers, supper’s ready!”
“Hey! How come the food’s so good today? Didn’t they say not long ago we were running short on rations? How come now…” The soldiers stared at the pork and cabbage stew and the fragrant rice, their minds struggling to catch up to the change.
“Don’t listen to those rumors,” the man serving the food said warmly. “You don’t know? Our Chenghao has kept food reserves since long ago. Even if we eat like this for half a year, we’ll have no trouble at all.”
He gave the questioning soldier a full bowl of soup.
The soldier took it, head down, sullen, lost in thought.
“Hey, Lin Cheng, what’s on your mind? Even with such good food, you can’t manage a smile?”
Lin Cheng was snapped out of his daze by the sudden call from behind. His expression was awkward, then turned a little sour. “We’re surrounded, and our lives are hanging by a thread. Even a banquet couldn’t make me happy right now.”
The other man just grinned. “That’s not my concern. I’ll be a soldier as long as I get my rations. If the sky falls, there are big guys like you to hold it up.”
Lin Cheng sighed. “Niu Chi, you live so carelessly—you’ll end up tricked by those at the top one day.”
“Enough, I’m off to eat.” Niu Chi, unable to stand Lin Cheng’s gloomy words, laughed and left.
As Niu Chi departed, Lin Cheng found a corner to sit.
As he ate the hot meal, he pondered: “I didn’t expect Chenghao to have such ample reserves. This is bad news for our army’s assault. But now, even sending a homing pigeon is out of the question.”
But after much thought, Lin Cheng decided to take a risk. “No, I must return tonight. This is too important. I can’t reach any other contacts—better to go myself and report.”

Midnight

“Lin Cheng, time to change shifts.” Niu Chi approached, head drooping, clearly tired.
“Told you to play less. Now you can’t even stay alert on duty. If you get caught, you’ll be flogged for sure,” Lin Cheng said, exasperated.
“Hehe, just got a bit excited.” Niu Chi’s eyes lit up. “You don’t know, I cleaned up today—won three taels of silver gambling. I’ll buy you a drink next time.”
“Save it for your mother, buy her something nourishing. I haven’t that luck. Let’s switch shifts.” Lin Cheng had no time for banter and hurried him along.
“I was hoping you’d help me out and take my shift for a bit. Sigh, I was wrong about you,” Niu Chi said with mock sorrow.
Lin Cheng frowned and shoved him aside. “Don’t be disgusting. You’re a grown man, acting like this every day?”
Niu Chi dropped the melodramatic act. “Just showing off some new lines I learned. Go sleep.”
“Ow, my stomach hurts. I need the latrine. Guess I’ll sleep later.” Lin Cheng clutched his belly, frowning.
“Go on, I’ll cover for you,” Niu Chi promised.
“Alright, I’ll be off.” Lin Cheng hurried away.

Allied Army Encampment, Main Tent

“What did you say? Enough rations for half a year?” Seated at the head was the old general Pang Yuan, the backbone of Wei’s campaigns.
Wei’s enduring wars owed much to him.
He had just received intelligence from his agent within the Ming, and was troubled by the news of Ming’s sudden abundance.
Beside him, the coalition commander Klim lowered his head, speaking clumsy Chinese: “General, the Ming have supplies now, and we cannot breach Chenghao. Perhaps we should…”
“Perhaps what? Hmm?” The old general glared, cutting him off.
Pang Yuan stood in silence. “The truth of this report remains to be seen. As for supplies, make sure your side presses home with their superiors. We’re like a dagger plunged into Ming’s chest. To pull out now and seek peace is sheer fantasy.”
With that, he stormed out.
Returning to his quarters, Pang Yuan found someone waiting.
“What are you doing here at this hour? Aren’t you afraid Su Qing will catch you?” Pang Yuan said, mocking his “old friend.”
“General Pang, always the joker. Who can’t see the situation now? Chenghao is a trap, a grasshopper after autumn—it won’t last long.
I’ve long lost faith in Yang Qingyun. As they say, the wise bird chooses its tree. I’m here to join you, General.” The shadowed figure spoke.

Pang Yuan snorted. “You have no small reputation among the Ming, and Su Qing has favored you. If Yang Qingyun falls to Su Qing, what’s to stop you turning on me when the time comes?
Whether I win or lose, you profit either way. How am I to trust you?”
The man chuckled, then burst into laughter. Pang Yuan eyed him coldly, hand resting on his sword.
“Fine! Since you don’t trust me, I’ll give you a gift—a token of my loyalty.” He stopped laughing.
“Oh? And where is this gift?” Pang Yuan’s hand tightened on his sword, half drawn and glinting.
“In three days, you’ll see.” With that, the man turned and left.
Pang Yuan watched him go, unease gnawing at his heart.

General’s Residence

“How are the arrangements?” Su Qing sat above, addressing the three before him.
“Marshal, everything is ready, just awaiting your order,” the three replied in unison.
Yang Tingyu glanced at Guo Bao’s spot, asking, “Marshal, why isn’t Guo Bao here?”
“Indeed, that old fellow usually sticks to you like glue—why is he missing?” Yu Wenqi and Wu Jian echoed.
Su Qing smiled mysteriously. “No need to ask. He’s handling something more important. Whether this plan works largely depends on him.”
“Oh? What is so important that even we can’t be told?” Yu Wenqi asked.
Su Qing feigned wisdom. “Heaven’s secrets aren’t to be revealed. Tonight, the net closes—you’ll have your work cut out, so don’t worry about this.”
“Marshal, if you tell us to strike east, we wouldn’t dare go west. Just say the word.”
Su Qing turned to Yu Wenqi. “Replace all sentries with your most trusted men. Lock down Chenghao.
From now on, no one leaves—kill any who try without my order.
Anyone returning must be registered. Once they enter, kill them one by one by the list.
And if someone kills a mole of their own accord, they’ll be rewarded equally. Pass the order.”
“At once.” Yu Wenqi withdrew to carry out the task.
Su Qing then addressed Yang Tingyu: “At dawn, release all prisoners and captives from the camp.
But treat them as badly as possible, and stir them up. They’ll be useful in three days.”
“I understand,” Yang Tingyu replied with a smile, then left.
Wu Jian, seeing the others had gone, looked to Su Qing. “What about me, Marshal?”
“Well…” Su Qing stroked his short beard with a smile. “There’s something only you can do.”
“What is it?” Wu Jian looked at him eagerly.
“Pour me two cups of wine. I want to admire the moon from the tower.”
Wu Jian: …

Chenghao City Gate

“You! What are you up to, skulking about? Show your pass!” The guards checked every returning man.
“They’ve changed the guards—has something happened in the city? This isn’t good.” Lin Cheng, having rushed back after making his report, hesitated at the sight of the strict checks.

A short while later

With a grunt, a grappling hook caught the wall, and a nimble figure scaled up—Lin Cheng.
“This isn’t safe. I need to find Niu Chi.” He knew Niu Chi would help him—through thick and thin, Niu Chi would believe in him, no matter how unlikely his story.
Panting, Lin Cheng hurried to his tent, but a sense of dread chilled his spine.
“Niu Chi! I’m here.” Relief washed over Lin Cheng at the sight of his friend, and he rushed over, throwing an arm around him.
But Niu Chi didn’t embrace him as before. Instead, he was cold, his eyes vacant.
Niu Chi muttered something, too quiet for Lin Cheng to hear.
Niu Chi was short, so Lin Cheng had to bend down to catch his words.

“Little Chi, what are you—”
He never finished. A sharp blade flashed from the darkness, plunging straight through his heart.
He died with eyes wide open, staring at Niu Chi in disbelief.
Niu Chi stared at the corpse, trembling, mumbling over and over, “Why are you a traitor? Why are you a traitor…”
The blood-stained dagger slipped from his hand, clattering to the ground.
Niu Chi couldn’t hold back his tears. He collapsed onto Lin Cheng’s body, sobbing. “Brother, I’ve failed you. But I am a man of Ming, I eat Ming’s rations. I can’t betray my conscience! If there’s a next life, I’ll repay your kindness.”
He remembered all the times Lin Cheng had watched over him like a brother, always thinking of him.
But two incense sticks ago, the general had ordered: anyone who left camp after dark and returned was an enemy spy—kill on sight, or face charges of harboring a traitor.
Niu Chi had just gone to mark Lin Cheng present when he heard this, and rushed back, only to find Lin Cheng gone.
Even a fool could guess where he’d gone—and why. Was someone delivering an heirloom to him at midnight?
He was stunned. The one he trusted most was a traitor to his country. The shock nearly broke him.
As he struggled with his conscience, Lin Cheng… arrived.
Everything they’d shared turned to dust.

General’s Residence

“What time is it?” A lazy voice called from the seat.
“Marshal, it’s the fourth watch,” Wu Jian replied.
“Then it’s nearly done.” The man sat up, his drunken air gone, and spoke to Wu Jian. “Come, let’s see what we’ve netted.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Marshal, everyone’s here. But…” Yu Wenqi hesitated.
“Speak freely,” Su Qing said.
Yu Wenqi looked awkward. “Guo Bao was arrested by me.”
“Oh, I forgot to mention. I arranged for him to go out.”
“I see, I’ll have him released.” Yu Wenqi relaxed, turning to leave.
But as he turned, Su Qing called after him, “Who said to release him? Not only must you not release him, but give him eighty lashes. And make it look real—if you go easy, I’ll punish you.”
“What?” Yu Wenqi was confused. “But… what if he won’t let me?”
“Tell him—the harder you beat him, the more that old fox will trust him. He’ll let you do it.” Su Qing waved him off.
“Alright, I’ll see to it.” Yu Wenqi, though puzzled, understood a bit.
Yang Tingyu, standing by, guessed most of the plan and said nothing.
He knew Su Qing had intended to raise him as commander. But his martial ability was lacking; though he led well, his limitations kept him behind the scenes.
“Tingyu, if you ever tire of this, come join my Su family,” Su Qing said suddenly.
“Hm? What do you mean, Marshal?”
“Nothing, just that my son still lacks a proper teacher.” Su Qing shook his head, ending the topic.
“Your son is gifted; I’d only hold him back,” Yang Tingyu said, bowing.
“Haha, you needn’t be so modest. I know your ambitions lie elsewhere. Just asking, nothing more,” Su Qing waved him off.
He thought for a moment, then said, “Tingyu, spread a rumor: Yang Qingyun tried to have Guo Bao killed, but the soldiers saved him.
And before you finish—”
Yang Tingyu continued, “Guo Bao was flogged eighty times, bearing a grudge and cursing Yang Qingyun even in battle. With no one else fit to lead the prisoners, Yang Qingyun and Guo Bao clashed again. Though Guo Bao agreed to lead the prisoners in battle, resentment festered.”
He paused, looking at Su Qing. “Marshal, is that satisfactory?”
Su Qing laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “You know me well, Tingyu!”
“Then I’ll take my leave,” Yang Tingyu said, bowing as he withdrew.