The command pavilion of the Qin army stood beneath the dim light of dawn as the generals gathered around a massive map of Kan Plains. Outside, seventy-five thousand Qin soldiers prepared for the greatest battle of their campaign, while across the vast plains, one hundred and twenty thousand Zhao troops waited in disciplined formations.
The tent flap opened as Ri Yue entered, still wearing the cloak she had used while inspecting the latest reports from her intelligence network. Every commander immediately focused on her. Thanks to the extensive web of scouts she had cultivated throughout Zhao Army, the enemy's deployment had finally been confirmed.
Ri Yue spread another map over the table before speaking.
"Our scouts have identified every commander participating in this battle."
The room fell completely silent.
"The Zhao left army is their strongest formation. It consists of sixty thousand men under three generals. Mangoku commands twenty thousand soldiers, Shou Mou commands another twenty thousand, and Kouson Ryuu commands the remaining twenty thousand."
Several officers frowned. Three capable generals leading a force of that size meant Zhao intended to overwhelm Qin's flank through sheer weight of numbers.
Ri Yue continued without hesitation.
"The Zhao centre consists of forty thousand troops. Ri Haku commands twenty thousand men, while the remaining twenty thousand are led by Houken, one of Zhao's Three Great Heavens."
The mention of Houken's name caused the atmosphere inside the pavilion to become noticeably heavier. Even among Qin's veterans, few could ignore the terrifying reputation of the Bushin.
"The Zhao right army consists of twenty thousand men under General Fuuki."
Having completed her report, Ri Yue stepped back.
"This concludes the enemy's deployment."
Hyou Ren silently studied the map for several moments before placing his hand upon the Qin formations.
"Our deployment will remain as planned."
He pointed toward the left side of the battlefield.
"The Qin left army will consist of forty thousand men. I will command this wing alongside Bao Jun and Tian Hao."
Both commanders acknowledged the order without a word.
Hyou Ren then shifted his hand toward the centre.
"The centre army will consist of twenty-five thousand men under Ri Yue and Lu Shen."
Lu Shen calmly accepted the responsibility, while Ri Yue simply nodded. Though outnumbered, they would have to withstand both Ri Haku and Houken until an opportunity revealed itself.
Finally, Hyou Ren placed his hand upon the right flank.
"The right army will consist of ten thousand men under Mo Yun."
Mo Yun smiled confidently.
"My men will not yield a single step."
With every assignment confirmed, the battlefield had taken shape.
On Zhao's left, Mangoku, Shou Mou, and Kouson Ryuu would advance with sixty thousand soldiers against Hyou Ren, Bao Jun, and Tian Hao leading forty thousand Qin troops.
At the centre, Ri Haku and Houken commanded forty thousand Zhao soldiers against Ri Yue and Lu Shen's twenty-five thousand.
On the right, Fuuki's twenty thousand men would face Mo Yun and his force of only ten thousand.
The numbers alone painted a grim picture. Zhao possessed one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers against Qin's seventy-five thousand, a difference of forty-five thousand men. Every Qin commander present understood the challenge before them.
The silence inside the pavilion lingered until Hyou Ren slowly drew his sword and drove its tip into the centre of the campaign map.
"They believe this battle has already been decided."
His calm voice carried throughout the pavilion.
"They believe superior numbers guarantee victory."
He looked toward each of his commanders in turn.
"Tomorrow, Zhao will learn that wars are not won by numbers alone. They are won by discipline, strategy, and the resolve of those willing to stake everything for Qin."
The commanders bowed their heads in agreement before leaving the pavilion to prepare their armies.
As the first rays of sunlight rose above Kan Plains, the banners of Qin and Zhao fluttered against the morning wind.
Across the vast battlefield, seventy-five thousand Qin soldiers stood facing one hundred and twenty thousand warriors of Zhao.
The decisive Battle of Kan Plains was finally about to begin.