The Imperial War Room smelled of ink and sweat. Six hours of strategic planning, and Jin was developing a newfound respect for his World History teacher.
Who had somehow made military campaigns sound so easy but here he's now in reality don't even know what to do.
A massive table dominated the chamber, the surface covered with a map of the western territories.
Tiny wooden figures representing troop formations crowded at the Eagle Pass region where Qiushan forces had invaded Xingyan's borders.
Jin stared at the map, fighting the between his high school brain and his current reality—planning an actual war with actual lives at stake.
"Prince Yong's soldiers will advance to twelve li west of Crane River," General Zhou said, moving wood pieces across the map with the practiced ease of a man who had spent his life studying warfare. "His supply lines Will run out. Twenty thousand men require substantial provisions."
"Which suggests this is not a long invasion," Minister Gao interjected, his finger stroking against his chin. "A short expedition, perhaps."
"Or a trick," said General Feng, a bull-necked man. As Commander of the Western Armies, he looked personally offended by the invasion. "Draw our forces west while their main army prepares to strike elsewhere."
Jin studied the map. He didn't really do well in geography back on earth, but the strategic implications were clear enough.
"Has Prince Yong ever been known for sneaky?" Jin asked.
The question drew startled glances. Every knew, Emperor Tao didn't typically ask for character assessments.
"Prince Yong," Minister Gao said, "acts boldly. As King Renhu's third son, he has a lot to prove and not much to lose."
"Unlike his older brothers who will inherit," Jin said. "So this is probably his main attack, not a distraction."
General Zhou nodded. "I agree, Your Majesty. Prince Yong doesn't have the resources for a bigger campaign unless his father supports him."
General Feng snorted. "An easy lie. Renhu lets his son deny everything while probing our defenses."
"Either way," Jin said, "we face twenty thousand Qiushan troops on our soil. How many forces can we mobilize?"
""The Jade Banner Army has fifteen thousand men," General Zhou said. "The Western Garrison adds ten thousand more, and the Imperial Guard has five thousand."
"Thirty thousand," Jin calculated. "Small."
"The Northern Army could provide another fifteen thousand," General Feng suggested, "but repositioning them would leave our northern border weak."
Jin frowned at the map. "And how long before these forces can engage Prince Yong's army?"
"The Jade Banner can march within two days. The Western Garrison is already moving to advance. The Imperial Guard awaits Your Majesty's command."
Jin traced the route from the capital to Eagle Pass. "What if we raised the local militias? The invaded provinces must have some defensive capabilities."
The generals exchanged looks that suggested this wasn't done.
"Provincial militias are... unreliable," General Zhou said. "Poorly trained, poorly equipped."
"But they know the land," Jin said. "And they're fighting for their homes.
"An unusual approach," Minister Gao said, stroking his wispy beard. "The last emperor to deploy local militias alongside imperial forces was your great-grandfather during the Three Kingdoms War."
"Did it work?" Jin asked.
"We're not part of Three Kingdoms now, are we?" Gao replied with the hint of a smile.
Jin turned to a quiet figure watching from the shadows—Military Strategist Sun Lo, a small man known as much for his genius as for his pride.
"Strategist Sun, you've been quiet. What strategy would you advise?"
Sun Lo stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back. "Prince Yong has made three critical errors, Your Majesty. First, he advanced before securing adequate supply lines. Second, he announced his presence by flying his personal banner, sacrificing the advantage of surprise for personal glory. Third, he's positioned his forces in the River Valley, where the spring floods begin in less than twenty days."
Jin blinked. "You suggest we wait for nature to do our fighting?"
"I suggest we use Prince Yong's mistakes against him," Sun replied, his tone slightly mocking. "We don't need equal numbers if we control his movements. Block the mountain passes behind him with a small force—five thousand should be enough. Place our main army to the east, beyond Crane River. Then..."
"We open the Yellow Dragon Dam," General Zhou said as understanding spread across his worn face.
"Precisely." Sun pointed to a spot on the map Jin hadn't noticed—a large reservoir in the mountains. "The snow is already melting. The dam is almost full. Release it, and Prince Yong's army will find itself trapped between our forces and a wall of water."
A cold silence fell over the room. Jin stared at the map, suddenly understanding the
Plan. "That would flood the villages in the valley."
"Which should already be evacuated if provincial officials are doing their duty," Sun replied with a dismissive wave. "Some farmland will be lost, but the empire can compensate the peasants after victory is secured."
Jin fought to keep his expression neutral. Emperor Tao might not blink at sacrificing villages, but Jin Park couldn't stomach it.
"Alternatives?" he asked.
Sun raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You'd rather face him head-on, Your Majesty? That would cost many more imperial lives."
"I prefer options," Jin said, his voice tightening. "Give me choices."
Sun exchanged a glance with General Zhou, who gave a subtle nod.
"We could position archers on the ridges overlooking the valley," Sun said. "Harass their forces day and night. Deny them sleep, target officers. Meanwhile, our main force establishes defensive positions along Crane River. When Prince Yong attempts to cross, his troops will be exhausted, demoralized, and easy to our counterattack."
Jin nodded. "Better. How many soldiers would we need?"
"For this approach?" Sun considered. "At least forty thousand to ensure overwhelming force at the river crossing."
"Then let's mobilize forty-five thousand," Jin decided. "Better to end this quickly and decisively."
General Zhou cleared his throat. "And who will lead this force, Your Majesty? General Feng would be the traditional choice, but if this is to be our main army I think I should..."
"I will lead the Imperial Army myself," Jin interjected, his voice firm.
Wait. !
What. !!!