131 Three dark nights

Bǎo leaned against the table and continued speaking, "We have three dark nights on the way. The first night we will move out the group of Blades, Swords and Bows who have been assigned to clear the area on the opposite side of the river. Under the cover of darkness, they can make their way across the river and begin the task of clearing vermin from Liú territories. At the same time," he pointed to the map laid out between them, " I am sending out two units into Shipao territory. One will move into the high grounds and clear out vermin who will no doubt be well entrenched up there. This group will be a mix of Blades, Bows and Swords. The other group will be more heavily biased towards Bows and Swords. Fighting in open territories, their skills will be better served here. As the territories are cleared, and they are told not to take prisoners, the two units will leap frog one another through the whole area, clearing it before the bulk of the army moves forward with the prisoners.

Those on the other side of the river in Liú territory will go it alone, clearing out as they go, but working in such a way as to remain in close contact with the army moving the sick and injured as well as the dead."

He looked around to see if there were any questions.

"The three nights. Will all the men and belongings get across in that time?" It was a fair question.

"No, is the succinct answer. We will get the bulk of the dead, injured and foodstuff across, but those who are walking wounded, or in irons will go over, once the bulk has already travelled. They will go under heavy guard and arrive to a heavily guarded enclave. This way, they cannot run nor cause trouble to enable others to run either."

The person asking the question nodded, then interjected, "The main bulk of the prisoners. When will they start their walk? Once the group has crossed the river? Or do you anticipate they will all move at about the same time?"

Bǎo nodded and continued, "I want them all to be moving at roughly the same time so no-one can pass any information on, or warn anyone." If we keep them guessing until the last moment then..." he paused, "I anticipate a game of musical chairs. Keep moving them from one location to another as we remove a proverbial chair. They won't notice the decrease in numbers this way and it also keeps them slightly off balance which is what we like."

There was general agreement around the table and Bǎo stepped back so Hao could explain the basics of moving such a large army and so many prisoners. He was in charge of day to day stuff, so it was important everyone understood his thinking.

"General Bǎo and two units of Blades will make their way to the river, crossing here." He pointed to the toll bridge, undoubtedly under control of the Mu. "They will clear it of vermin and facilitate an easy passage for our army when the time comes. With the two units clearing the farming terraces and the areas around Shipao and Dangin, both sides of the river should be clear for us to make out way over the toll and then down into the Shipao farming belt. We will keep to the main highways and await the two original units to rejoin us as we head nearer Shuān Hé, which we have been told is awash with trouble. We will stay away from that region and leave it to the two units to do their work. General Bǎo and his unit will keep forging forward clearing our path and we will follow on behind at a constant pace." Hao paused and checked around. All were engrossed in the briefing. There were no comments. Hao continued, " I have arranged with General Bǎo that once we pass through into Chen land, he and his units will move on ahead and attempt to meet up with the two ladies and their unit. Then their aim is to move into Chenxi itself. At the moment this is all we can tell you as much of what happens next will be dependent upon the Mu and how much resistance they put up. They will quickly realise they are fighting for their lives,  so it could be quite fierce. I have arranged for posters to go up in all the towns and villages saying if the Mu want to go home, then they have three options; one, fight and go in a box, two, leave now and get ahead of the approaching army, or three, kneel outside the town or village without their weapons and we will add them to the growing prisoner line."

Nods of agreement, and "mm," emanated from those in attendance.

Bǎo stepped forward, "the first dark night is tomorrow, so get yourselves ready because the moving out will be swift and silent. Here are you orders. Read them and then burn them in the grate. I expect none to leave this room.

"Sir."

And with that, the large army, plus prisoners, began an intricate game of cat and mouse.

We sat round the fires and worked out a plan. There were about eighteen women in total and the two children brought it up to a round twenty. We knew we had to keep them safe but where?

Three picked up a stick and started drawing a map in the dirt. "Okay, we're about here, right next to the lake. Now, about a half day's trek from here, if we go east, there's another river, here," he pointed to the map, showing the river which flows past my house and where the forge is based.

"I know that river." I said, "It flows quite fast, is clean and right up in the hills. There's dense forest, so plenty of game."

He nodded. "Now I would imagine there are safe places up there where the women could hide. If they split themselves into say three groups and kept in contact with each other, then they would keep one another secure. If there was a problem, they could call us and we'd go and help. If we were in this area, it will never take long to get there. Its also three groups, three bases for us."

"Two, what do you think?" I always valued his advice and looked to him for approval on all the plans were devised.

"The idea of three bases so three places for us to return to seems like a good idea. There are six of us, plus you two, so if we assigned two men to each group of women, this would leave you two free to remain wild and in that respect very useful. Silent eyes and ears and all that."

Xin nodded, "we also have Wolfie here, and he is still not fully recovered. I wouldn't be too happy leaving him anywhere I or Niao weren't."

I nodded. For some reason it made sense. Eights into three groups doesn't work anyway and Xin and I worked best on our own. The groups of women, I suspected would grow anyway. I shook my head, 'I'll worry about that when we get to it.'

"When do you think the army will be on the move? This dark moon maybe?" 

I nodded. "Bǎo uses the moon a lot in his plans. It would make sense to move during the darkest of times, that way few will know of their movements."

Xin nodded and stroking Wolfie, "wonder when we'll see them?" I gave her a hug. Yes, I was missing them too, but in the meantime we had a job to do and that would keep us distracted for as long as it takes.

"Call back all the runners, now!" Bǎo yelled at his troops, " no one is to leave. Return to your stations," and with that he turned in his heels, with his attendant following close behind.

"Sir?" He knew something was seriously amiss, but wasn't privy to those private talks which had just taken place.

"Call the heads of units to my quarters now. Tell them it is imperative they attend." Bǎo stalked into his chamber and lent against the table, tears stung his eyes. He wasn't sure if it was fear or fury, but at this moment his head was formulating, thinking, maneuvering. 'Xin, please stay safe, please, take care. I'm coming, I can't leave this to you and those few.'

Hao rushed in, "brother, what's going on? I'm just clearing the final stages and you....brother?" he grabbed Bǎo's shoulders and looked into his face. " Brother? What's happened? They're not dead?" He shook his brother, "answer me! Are they still alive? For the love of god, tell me!"

Hao was on the verge of exploding. If he lost his Niao, what would he...

"No, they're not dead, not dead yet, but.."

Other leaders arrived, confused by the suddenness of General Bǎo's order.

"Gentlemen. I have just received word none of you will like. This goes nowhere, do you understand? Nowhere!"

Nods all round, then looks of grave concern filled the room as they saw General Bǎo's face.

Lowering his voice, he continued, " I have just received information from three independently returning scouts. They can verify the building of a huge garrison in Chenxi and its not Chen!"

He looked around. 

One of the Liú men was the first to put two and two together, "Mu have moved in haven't they? Those front runners, that small unit of eight are walking into potential suicide."

Hao looked at his brother, "no, tell me this isn't true? Xin. Niao. That unit?" He lent on the table, his thoughts racing, 'Oh god, I think I want to be sick.'

General Bǎo looked around the group. "This must not get outside this room. If it makes its way to the prisoners, they will be emboldened and cause trouble, knowing there's a stronghold in Chenxi. I propose the following." His voice lowered further, and the heads of the attending officers came close.

"There's going to be a change in the plan. I and General Hao will lead two small groups into Chen and start clearing out the vermin. I will appoint two leading officers to take our places. The Commander in Chief has been informed. I await his answer." Bǎo knew he would approve so continued planning with that in mind. "I suggest around sixty should be sufficient if they are weighted towards the fiercest of mercenaries we possess." He looked at the map and began pointing out two routes.

"I propose the two groups leave by river and drop off here and here." Bǎo pointed to the narrow point just before the river splits, heading either to the lake or to Tangun and further downstream closer to the lake. 

"The second group would be landing further downstream, close to the mouth of the lake and hopefully closer to the two women and their unit. My aim is to further split this group," he pointed to the map, "one half going into the area between the lake and Tangun and the other, between the lake and Chenxi itself. It will be this group who will meet up with the advanced party of eight. I will lead this group. General Hao I want you to lead that first group. You are a Sword as well as a Blade, that split skill will be invaluable there." Hao nodded, it made sense and he knew that area well.

Bǎo looked around but all were listening intently to his new plans. He continued. "We must clear these areas before we can advance into Chenxi itself, and we won't do that until more troops arrive. When we go into Chenxi, it must be an all out fight, we cannot afford attrition."

Once again, the room remained focused. 

"These two groups you mention. Are they in addition to the others already assigned?" Bǎo nodded.

There was a deep silence as everyone present took on board the dilemma and the concerns. It was the leader of swords who spoke first, still deep in thought, but ready to share his suggestions, his ruminations. " I can see why General Bǎo is anxious. There's a lot at stake and if those two women were captured it would be a major trophy for the Mu army. They would be paraded throughout Chenxi, probably in irons, definitely in a cage and most definitely defiled." 

Horror permeated the room. Bǎo visibly sagged and Hao tensed, both with abject rage and revulsion.

"Their reputation is formidable but there is only eight of them." He didn't go on, he could see the ramifications of inaction. 

"May I make a suggestion then, in light of what you have just told us. If General Hao goes with the first unit and they clear the lands between the provinces of Shipao and Liú, then we need to have an advanced party travelling ahead of the sick and injured to push against the Mu from that side. Both Shuān Hé and especially Tangun are subject to infiltration by Mu troops. Once past the marshes, the area gives way to farming. At this time of year, the rice fields will be tall and easily hide a few hundred fighters. I am loathed to set fire to the fields,  but...." his voice trailed off as he drifted into a state of deep thought.

"I have an idea." It was another of the Liú men. "If we send three groups out by boat, the third taking the right fork at Shuān Hé,  then they can come up towards the soldiers in the marsh area and corner the Mu soldiers in the marshes. Unless they know the area well, they will drown. There's a lot of dangerous mud pools we can push them into. Now I will happily take a unit of say fifty and take on this task. My subordinate is quite capable of taking my role, but my knowledge of the area is invaluable to clearing it out of, as you say, vermin. That way it will be easier for the caravan to move."

"Right, gentlemen, this is what we will do. Its extra groups leaving, but we need to make sure our push is not stopped before it can begin." General Bǎo drew everyone close around the map and continued. "Moving out will go ahead but we have details to discuss ......." 

It was over one hour before a group of very determined but equally worried men left the chambers.

"Cat and Mouse, begin!"