March to Han Yue (1)

Luo Wen gazed at the horizon as the army began its march northward, toward the lands controlled by Han Yue. The first rays of sunlight illuminated the camp, and the clatter of horses' hooves and the creaking of wagon wheels broke the morning silence. Although the journey had just started, Luo Wen already felt the heavy weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

He had spent the previous night poring over maps and organizing the units. He knew that a disorganized march could cost them more than time—it could mean lives lost in the event of a surprise attack. Yuan Guo, observing his dedication, had entrusted him with the task of leading the expedition's logistics, a responsibility Luo Wen accepted with seriousness but also some apprehension.

"Are the advance detachments ready?" Luo Wen asked as he walked among the soldiers, his voice steady despite the unease stirring inside him.

A young officer quickly nodded. "Yes, sir. The scouts left at dawn. We have preliminary reports that the roads are clear, but they remain alert for any enemy movement."

"Good," Luo Wen replied firmly, though a knot of anxiety tightened in his chest. Yuan Guo's words echoed in his mind: "A leader must not only give orders but also inspire confidence." Every decision he made would be judged—not only by the officers but by the soldiers who depended on his leadership. The stakes felt impossibly high.

The army advanced in impeccable order. Luo Wen had divided the troops into clear sections: the vanguard, composed of scouts and a small unit of light cavalry; the main force, which included heavy infantry and archers; and the rear guard, tasked with protecting supplies and maintaining discipline among the stragglers. He had arranged strategic rest points and assigned officers to oversee each section, ensuring everyone understood their role.

As he walked alongside Yuan Guo, the veteran strategist observed the army's order in silence. Finally, he broke the quiet with a slight smile.

"You're doing well, Luo. Organizing a marching army is no easy task, but you've shown a talent for it."

Luo Wen turned his head toward him, surprised by the compliment. Yuan Guo wasn't someone who gave praise easily.

"I'm just applying what I learned from you and the strategy manuals," he replied modestly, though he couldn't help feeling a small spark of pride.

Yuan Guo shook his head. "Theory is important, yes, but applying it in the field is another matter. Maintaining discipline, anticipating logistical problems, ensuring the troops stay motivated... That's not something you learn just from books. It's something only a few can do well, and you're among them."

Luo Wen didn't respond immediately. Yuan Guo's words were a recognition, but also a reminder of the burden he carried. Inspiring confidence, maintaining order, and carrying out a mission of this magnitude required more than skill—it required an inner strength he still doubted he possessed.

As they moved north, the terrain began to change. The roads, initially flat and well-defined, gave way to narrower paths surrounded by dense forests. The humidity made the ground slippery, slowing the wagons and testing the horses' endurance.

"General Luo, one of the wagons is stuck," reported a soldier, running toward him with sweat streaming down his face.

Luo Wen stopped and took a moment to think. He could order them to leave the wagon behind to avoid delaying the march, but he knew the supplies it carried were essential for the mission. Instead, he gave a quick order.

"Send five men with ropes to free the wheels and redistribute the load to nearby wagons. Make sure the soldiers rotate to rest if necessary. We can't afford to lose time or supplies."

The soldier nodded and ran off to carry out the order. Yuan Guo, who had been observing from a distance, approached once more.

"Those quick decisions are what keep an army moving. Many would have abandoned the wagon, but you understand that every resource is valuable."

Luo Wen offered a slight smile. "We can't afford to waste anything, especially with what awaits us in the north."

Yuan Guo looked at him seriously. "Exactly. And what awaits us won't be easy."

During the nights, as the army camped, rumors about Han Yue began to circulate among the soldiers. Some said the regional lord had formed a secret alliance with the rebels, while others claimed he was simply waiting for the right moment to betray everyone, including his allies. Luo Wen knew these rumors could undermine morale, so he decided to address them directly.

He gathered a group of officers around a campfire and spoke candidly.

"I understand there are concerns about our mission and about Han Yue," he began, letting his gaze sweep over the men's faces. Some nodded, while others avoided his eyes. "But I want you to know this: we're not entering these negotiations blindly. Yuan Guo and I have studied every possibility, every risk. If Han Yue tries anything, we'll be ready."

One of the officers, a middle-aged man with scars on his face, dared to speak.

"What if Han Yue is already planning to betray us?" he asked, his voice heavy with concern. "Can we trust someone who has allied with the rebels?"

Luo Wen responded calmly, though his heart pounded.

"It's not about blind trust. It's about strategy. We know Han Yue has his own interests, but we also know he needs stability in his region. And we are his best chance to achieve that. If we act wisely, we can turn him into a temporary ally and use that alliance to strengthen our position."

The officers nodded slowly, though their doubts didn't completely disappear. Yuan Guo, who had been listening in silence, intervened at that moment.

"War is rarely noble, gentlemen. If we truly aim to rebuild the Empire, compromises and hard choices will pave the way. Luo Wen is right: Han Yue is a risk, but also an opportunity. Our task is to ensure that risk doesn't consume us."

That night, as the camp fell silent, Luo Wen sat alone by a small campfire. The officers' words echoed in his mind. He knew the soldiers' morale was fragile and that any mistake could be devastating. But he also knew he couldn't let those doubts paralyze him.

As he watched the flames, he recalled a conversation he had years ago with his strategy teacher. They had discussed the meaning of loyalty to the Emperor and its importance in maintaining the Empire's balance. Back then, Luo Wen had accepted without question that the Emperor was the key to stability. But now, after all he had seen, he began to wonder if that idea still held true.

"If the Emperor is just a powerless figure, aren't we fighting for an empty cause?" he thought, though he dismissed the idea almost immediately. "No, the Emperor represents more than himself. He is unity, the heart of the Empire. But..."

The doubt lingered in his mind. Perhaps it was fatigue, or perhaps Yuan Guo's words and the rumors about Han Yue had begun to influence him more than he was willing to admit.

At dawn, as the army resumed its march, Luo Wen felt a renewed determination, though with a trace of uncertainty he hadn't felt before. The challenges still lay ahead, and he knew the fate of the Empire depended on decisions like this, even if they began to sow questions he couldn't yet answer.