Chapter Twenty-Three: Crossbows and Brewing, War and Life

The elite cavalry charged, and for a moment, the Jiuli forces were scattered and fleeing in disarray. Seeing the firelight from atop Hulao Pass, the garrison’s morale soared, and they threw open the gates to pursue the enemy. He Zhe, the commander of the Jiuli, watched the scene of his troops being attacked from both sides and, in his fury, drove his scimitar deep into the earth.

When Chen An stepped through the city gates, covered in blood, the commander of Hulao Pass, Zhou Peng, gripped his hand, trembling. "Brother, this maneuver of yours—it is truly a strategy fit for the heavens!"

The news quickly spread across the battlefield. Among the Jiuli scouts, whispers circulated: a genius had emerged at Huyang Pass, a master of warfare so cunning he had even humiliated their vanguard commander, He Zhe.

Inside his tent, He Zhe was in a towering rage. In his fury, he swept his wine bowls and cups to the floor. "Who is this man? I must kill him!"

"I know him. It was at his hands that Wang Jiuyang fell not long ago!"

Hearing this, He Zhe’s anger burned even hotter; Wang Jiuyang had been his sworn brother. "Chen An, old scores and new—I shall settle them all with you!"

"General, do not be impatient. Word has come from Hulao Pass that they are willing to help us breach the gates."

"Truly?" He Zhe asked, clearly stirred. After receiving confirmation from his subordinate, he slapped his thigh firmly. "Good! Pass the order: rest for now and wait for the signal to strike from within."

Hulao Pass.

Fang Ping and Chen An sat around a sand table, the atmosphere heavy and somber. Although the siege had been temporarily lifted, they remained trapped.

"Commander Chen, what are your thoughts?" Fang Ping, despite his towering eight-foot stature, wore an expression of simple honesty.

"Hulao Pass has high walls and thick ramparts, and our grain stores are plentiful. I am not particularly worried about a war of attrition." Chen An had already toured the camp and gained a general understanding of the situation. "However, the disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves is significant. If they launch a concerted assault, I fear we lack sufficient crossbow bolts to hold them off."

Fang Ping agreed. "Do you have any sound strategies?"

"For now, I have some ideas, but it is too early to call them sound strategies."

The oil lamp flickered on the desk, casting Chen An’s shadow against the walls covered in bamboo slips and diagrams. As his fingertips traced the design of an improved wooden crossbow mechanism, his brow finally smoothed.

During this time, Chen An had been obsessed with the research of new weaponry. While creating modern firearms like submachine guns or assault rifles was difficult, modifying and refining cold weapons was well within his capabilities. After seven test fires, this new crossbow, which increased the effective range by thirty percent, finally ceased to jam.

The sketch on the parchment had yellowed under the smoke of the lamp. Chen An had pondered repeatedly over the combat characteristics of the eighteen nomadic cavalry tribes, specifically their rapid raids. He added a locking clip to the crossbow, allowing for stable performance even while firing from horseback.

"I need to find a place to test the accuracy." Chen An tucked the crossbow into his leather bag. When he pushed the door open, the morning mist had yet to dissipate. He avoided the crowded areas, heading toward the archery range on the west side of the city, when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a flash of dark blue fabric in the bushes ahead.

The alertness honed on the battlefield made him drop low instinctively, his light wooden crossbow already drawn. With a surge of focus, Chen An crept forward and, taking his target by surprise, lunged and subdued him.

"What are you doing here? Sneaking about like this?" Chen An demanded sharply.

The man was terrified, shivering and unable to speak. Chen An increased his grip, causing the man to yelp in pain and beg for mercy. "Spare me, good sir, I..."

"Still not telling the truth? Do you want to suffer a bit more?" Chen An intentionally lowered his voice.

The man’s eyes darted about. "I was just wandering around."

"Just wandering?" Chen An was hardly convinced. "Very well. Since you were just wandering, shall we go together? I’ll take you to the guardhouse for a chat."

"No, no, no!" The man shook his head violently.

"One last time! What is your business here!"

Under Chen An’s relentless interrogation, the man stammered out the truth.

"A spy from the steppes?" Chen An’s eyes turned cold. "Tell me, why have you come to Hulao Pass?"

The spy dared not hide anything. "I... I am here to gather intelligence. I only know that someone in Hulao Pass intends to open the gates and surrender, but I do not know who."

Chen An’s heart sank; he had not expected such a hidden threat within the pass. He pondered for a moment, and a brilliant light flashed in his eyes as a plan formed in his mind.

Chen An returned to his quarters, feigning normalcy, and hurriedly summoned Wu Ergou and Zhang Xiaojing.

"Ergou, go prepare several large, high-quality cauldrons and gather as much firewood as you can."

Hearing the request, Wu Ergou was baffled. "What do you need those for?"

"Don't worry about that for now. I have my uses."

Wu Ergou’s efficiency was remarkable; within an hour, several large cauldrons were set up in the open space of the drill ground.

"Pass the order: collect all the sorghum!" Chen An shouted. "After the Tiger Battalion finishes their training, have them all report here."

Zhang Xiaojing looked bewildered. "Chen An, the enemy hasn't retreated yet. Shouldn't we be preparing for battle?"

"We've won a victory. It’s only right and proper that we relax a bit. Tonight, we drink until we fall!"

"The enemy is watching closely. I fear this is inappropriate."

Chen An, however, had already rolled up his sleeves and poured the sorghum into the cauldrons, acting mysteriously. "Wine builds courage and loosens tongues. By midnight tonight, I want Hulao Pass to be overflowing with the fragrance of wine!"

When the smoke began to rise from the camp stoves, Wu Ergou pinched his nose and leaned in. "Chen An, what are you doing? Wasting such good grain! Are you trying to boil pig slop for someone?"

Chen An smiled without answering, sprinkling a secret blend of spices into the fermenting mash. As the steam rose, a rich, intoxicating aroma gradually wafted through the air. Passing soldiers stopped to gaze in wonder.

When the first jar was opened, the amber liquid shimmered in the earthenware bowl. Chen An took a light sip; it was spicy with a sweet finish. He nodded in satisfaction. "You don't know a thing. This is my exclusive secret recipe. Come, have a taste!"

Wu Ergou, who had been frowning, felt a sudden wave of bliss. His face lit up with a brilliant smile. "W-wow! This taste! This taste is incredible!"

Wu Ergou beamed. "No, I need another cup!"

Chen An didn't stop him. "With my skills, there’s nothing more to be said. If I opened a tavern, who knows how much money I’d make."

"Open a tavern?" Wu Ergou hesitated. "That’s not a bad idea. Let me take some back to try."

"There’s plenty. Tonight, I am going to hold a 'Hongmen Banquet' for someone!"

"A Hongmen Banquet? What kind of banquet is that?" Wu Ergou said, already feeling the effects of the drink. "You always have such strange new words."