Chapter 103: Strategic Planning

“There must be a trick involved,” Xu Wenshan said.

Wu Yi looked puzzled. “Even if they’re deceiving us, why have they prepared so much firewood and kindling?”

“The right question is: why are they making such a grand display of preparing fire-starting materials?” Xu Wenshan replied.

“Why?”

“Their goal is to make us believe they plan to set fire to our camp,” Xu Wenshan explained. “They want us to focus all our attention on defending against a frontal assault by fire, while they launch a sneak attack from the flank.”

“From the flank? The camp is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Where could they possibly attack from?” asked Lei Laohu.

Xu Wenshan pointed at the map and drew a line. “There’s a valley here. Some local hunters told me there’s a narrow path along a cliff—so narrow only one person can pass at a time.”

“If the enemy really attacks from here, they could descend from the rear mountain and attack us from both front and back. We wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Lei Laohu and Wu Yi exchanged anxious glances. They wanted to ask Xu Wenshan why he was so certain the enemy would risk attacking from this path, but no one dared speak up. Over time, they had learned that when Xu Wenshan was certain about something, he rarely changed his mind—and his predictions were usually accurate.

Xu Wenshan continued, “In fact, the enemy may already be advancing along that path.”

Everyone present tensed.

“No need to worry. The enemy intends to outsmart us, but they didn’t realize we anticipated their move. Since they’re coming through that treacherous path, we just need to send a unit to ambush them there. No matter how many come, they will all perish.”

He paused before adding, “But I have one daring plan. If it works, we will crush all the enemy forces. If it fails, we may not even have a place for a burial.”

“Commander, what is it?” they asked.

“A raid on their camp,” Xu Wenshan said, pointing to the bandits’ base on the map. “Tonight, we attack their camp.”

The room fell silent. Then faces turned pale. “A raid?”

The enemy numbered five hundred, while they only had fifty. Attacking the enemy’s main camp with so few was almost a suicide mission.

Xu Wenshan said, “They’re blindly copying others, trying to use tricks but without understanding. They piled so much flammable material around their tents, which actually makes it easier for us to set fire and defend.”

Once Xu Wenshan spoke, everyone suddenly understood. Lei Laohu said, “Besides, we still have some incendiary bottles. Once we strike, the enemy camp will be engulfed in flames!”

“Yes, but the unit assigned to guard against fire will most likely face grave danger,” Xu Wenshan warned. “Whether we succeed or fail, they will face fierce counterattacks. The enemy outnumbers us ten to one. If we’re to raid their camp, we must be prepared to risk our lives.”

The atmosphere grew heavy. Xu Wenshan asked, “Now, who volunteers to go on the raid?”

“I will!” “Me too!” “I’m going!”

To everyone’s surprise, three hands shot up simultaneously.

Xu Wenshan said, “Only two squads are needed for the raid. The other squad must defend against the enemy’s possible rear assault, which is equally important.”

Though he said this, everyone knew guarding the rear mountain was the easier task—an effortless way to earn credit. Yet all three stubbornly raised their hands, eager to join the raid.

Fear of death is natural—no one wants to die. Xu Wenshan knew better than anyone that appealing to personal interests was more effective than appealing to ideals. He always adhered to one principle: never speak of sentiment, only of benefits.

But this time was different. This time, he asked his men to risk their lives for a seemingly mad plan.

What surprised him was how these three men responded.

Once, some of them would betray everything for a mere five strings of cash; some were honest hunter’s sons; others rebellious and unwilling to submit. But now, all three embodied the essence of sacrifice for righteousness.

This gave Xu Wenshan a profound realization: an army is a great melting pot.

More precisely, a democratic, egalitarian, modern army is a great melting pot.

Such unity could never be achieved in a feudal army.

Lei Laohu said, “With all due respect, only my squad has the strictest discipline, the hardest endurance. Let the capable bear the burden—I volunteer my squad for the front.”

Wu Yi said, “Your squad is solid, Lei Laohu, but too rigid. My squad is more flexible; I’m better suited for night combat.”

Li Dazhuang said little but declared, “In all training and competitions, I’ve always been first in moving supplies.”

Lei Laohu said straightforwardly to Xu Wenshan, “Dazhuang has an elderly father to support, Wu Yi has a wife waiting at home. I’m alone, with no attachments. Let me go.”

“Come on, you think we don’t know you have an old mother in another village?” Wu Yi called out.

“Enough arguing,” Xu Wenshan said. “I’ve made my decision...”

He hadn’t fully decided who would go front or rear, but instinct gave him the answer. He chose to trust his intuition.

He never imagined this choice would, to some extent, alter the course of the entire battle and change everyone’s fate.

“Li Dazhuang will defend the rear mountain. Lei Laohu and Wu Yi will go to the front,” Xu Wenshan announced.

“Also, I will personally accompany your two squads to the front,” he added.

Hearing this, everyone was shocked and urged him not to go, but Xu Wenshan was resolute, and no one could dissuade him.

The Deer Crane Guard was ready to strike that very night.

Before departing, Xu Wenshan rallied all the soldiers.

“Who among you are only children? Step forward. And those with brothers in the unit, step forward.”

No one stepped forward.

The soldiers sensed the great battle approaching and none wished to step aside.

“All right. These are treasures I seized from the White Dragon Gang,” Xu Wenshan said, tossing a bag onto the ground. Gold and silver spilled out. “Each soldier who fights on the front line will receive five strings of cash after the battle. If you fall, your family will receive fifteen strings in compensation, and I will bring your family to Deer Crane Valley for protection from harm.”

The soldiers’ eyes widened at such generous rewards. Some in Li Dazhuang’s squad even regretted not being assigned to the front.

“Additionally, outstanding soldiers will be promoted one rank and receive better treatment. Friends, this is not only a matter of life and death for our entire village, but also your chance to make your mark,” Xu Wenshan paused, then said, “I wish you all great fortune in battle!”