The command chamber inside Hyou City fell silent after the reports had been delivered. A large map of Qin lay spread across the table, covered with wooden markers representing the five invading coalition armies.
Hyou Ren stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp eyes fixed upon the battlefield before him.
"Now that the defense of the northeast is secure," he said calmly, "we can finally focus on the strategy for dealing with the five invading armies."
The officers nodded in agreement.
Ri Yue stepped beside him, studying the map carefully.
"The coalition has made one critical mistake," she began. "Their five armies are advancing in five different directions. They are isolated from one another and have yet to establish contact."
She moved several wooden markers apart.
"Furthermore, each army belongs to a different kingdom. They most likely possess independent chains of command. Coordinating their movements over such distances will be difficult."
A faint smile appeared on Hyou Ren's face.
"Exactly."
He pointed at each invading force one after another.
"They possess overwhelming numbers, but they have sacrificed concentration of numbers for speed. Because they have scattered their strength..."
His finger finally stopped on one marker.
"...it gives us the opportunity to permanently eliminate at least one invading army before the others can react."
The room became quiet as everyone followed his gaze.
Han.
Ri Yue folded her arms.
"I arrived at the same conclusion."
"The Han army is the weakest among the five kingdoms. Eliminating them first would immediately reduce the coalition's overall strength and force the remaining armies to reconsider their invasion."
Several officers exchanged approving glances.
However, Bao Jun frowned.
"The Han army is positioned between Zhao and Wei. If we commit our full strength against Han, the Zhao and Wei armies could attack our flanks."
Hyou Ren nodded.
"Which is why someone must delay them."
He turned toward the massive map and began moving the markers.
"The Hyou Army will divide into two independent forces."
Every commander immediately became serious.
"I will personally command fifty thousand soldiers."
He pointed toward Zhao's advance.
"Bao Jun."
Bao Jun stepped forward.
"My lord."
"Tian Hao."
The towering general saluted.
"I am here."
"The three of us will be going after the Zhao Army."
Several officers looked confused.
"To Intercept them right milord?" one asked.
Hyou Ren shook his head.
"No."
"We will not seek a decisive battle."
His eyes narrowed.
"We will wage guerrilla warfare."
He traced several mountain passes and forests across the map.
"We will destroy their supply lines."
"Ambush isolated detachments."
"Attack scouts."
"Burn their provisions."
"Collapse bridges."
"Force them to march cautiously every step of the way."
"We will halt Zhao's advance for as long as possible without committing ourselves to a full engagement."
Bao Jun grinned.
"So...we become ghosts."
Hyou Ren smiled.
"Exactly."
"No matter how large Zhao's army is, if they cannot move forward, they are meaningless."
He then looked toward Ri Yue.
"The remaining fifty thousand soldiers will be under your command."
Ri Yue nodded.
"I understand."
"Lu Shen."
The veteran general immediately stepped forward.
"My lady."
"Mo Yun."
"I await your orders."
"You two will accompany me."
She looked once more at the Han marker.
"Our objective is simple."
"Destroy the Han army."
"No retreat."
"No prolonged campaign."
"We strike swiftly before the coalition realizes our intentions."
The atmosphere inside the room grew heavier.
Everyone understood what was being entrusted to Ri Yue.
If she succeeded, one entire army of a kingdom would disappear from the battlefield.
Tian Hao suddenly asked,
"What about Wei?"
Several eyes shifted toward the eastern section of the map.
Hyou Ren answered without hesitation.
"There is no need for us to concern ourselves with Wei."
The officers looked surprised.
"The Wei army is nearest to Duke Hyou."
A confident smile appeared on his face.
"My father will intercept them."
"He may not destroy them..."
"...but he can certainly keep them occupied."
He estimated quietly,
"A week."
"Perhaps longer."
The room relaxed slightly.
Everyone knew Duke Hyou's reputation.
If anyone could delay an army through sheer ferocity, it was the legendary instinctual general himself.
Ri Yue folded the map shut.
"Then our battlefield has been decided."
Hyou Ren looked around the command chamber one final time.
"From this moment onward..."
"...the fate of Qin's survival rests upon the Hyou Army success."
He drew his sword and pointed it toward the gates.
"Move out!"
The command echoed throughout Hyou City.
War drums thundered across the fortress.
Thousands upon thousands of soldiers immediately assembled.
Two great armies departed through separate gates.
One marched north into the forests and mountains to become unseen hunters against Zhao.
The other marched directly toward Han, determined to erase an entire invading army before the coalition could unite.
Hyou Ren watched as both armies disappear into the horizon.
"The first piece has been placed..."
His eyes sharpened.
"Now let us see whether the coalition can keep up."
Far away, the banners of Han continued advancing toward Qin, completely unaware that fifty thousand elite soldiers were already marching to meet them.