Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 140 Border Friction

The poisonous vines of rumors quietly coiled and tightened around the bodies of forces like Rock Fortress, widening the internal rifts of distrust. Like a roof beam hollowed out by termites, the exterior remained intact, but the interior was already on the verge of collapse. Jia Wen sat in his study in the Censorate, reviewing the latest secret reports from all sides daily, like a calm physician holding the increasingly disordered pulse of a patient. The relationship between Shi Hu and Han Meng had reached a freezing point; the two almost never spoke in public. Shi Gan glared angrily at Han Meng, and the army within the fortress was subtly divided into two factions: one pro-Shi Hu/Shi Gan and the other pro-Han Meng. Daily patrols and drills were tinged with awkwardness and wariness. The other smaller fortresses were even more chaotic, with either masters and servants distrusting each other or brothers fighting amongst themselves.

"The timing is about right." Jia Wen closed a report about several "oversights" and "delays" in the recent grain and fodder distribution at Panshi Fortress, a calculated glint flashing in his narrow eyes. He knew that internal instability would inevitably lead to lax border defenses and numerous management loopholes. This was the perfect opportunity to implement "border friction," lure the other side into making the first mistake, and thus seize the moral high ground.

He immediately got up and went to the main fortress to meet Chen Xing, while also inviting Chen Wei and Dian Xiong to discuss matters together.

"...According to intelligence reports from various sources, the people of Panshi Fortress are in a state of panic due to rumors. Shi Hu suspects Han Meng, Han Meng fears Shi Hu, and Shi Gan resents Han Meng. There is a lack of cohesion among the ranks, military orders are not being followed, and patrols are much laxer than before, especially in the border area to the northwest where it borders our 'Wild Wolf Valley.' The intervals between troop rotations have been extended, and the frequency of scouts has decreased." Jia Wen pointed to the disputed gentle slope grassland area marked on the map, his voice calm and even. "This area originally had no clear boundary. In previous years, herders and hunters from both sides would often cross the border, resulting in constant minor skirmishes. Since the destruction of Black Mountain and the expansion of our forces here, Panshi Fortress, to show vigilance, had reinforced its troops here and erected several simple watchtowers. However, recently, due to internal strife, the border defenses here are clearly weak."

Chen Wei stroked his chin: "Wild Wolf Valley... has a relatively open terrain with several interconnected paths, making it unsuitable for a large-scale raid, but convenient for small elite units to infiltrate or create trouble. Dian Xiong's Trapped Camp has only recently been formed and needs real combat experience, so this place is just the right size."

Upon hearing this, Dian Xiong's large, copper-bell-shaped eyes lit up, and he exclaimed in a low voice, "My lord, strategist! Let me, old Dian, lead the men of the Trapped Camp! I guarantee we'll scare those cowards from Rock Fortress to death!" He had recently acquired a set of specially made heavy armor and an 82-pound armor-piercing spear, and he was itching to get his hands on them, wishing he could immediately find a tough nut to crack.

Chen Xing did not immediately express his opinion, but instead looked at Jia Wen: "Wenhe, in your opinion, how should this 'friction' be created so that it can achieve its purpose without immediately triggering a full-scale conflict, and instead promote temporary internal unity against external forces?"

Jia Wen, already confident, slowly said, "The key to resolving this friction lies in 'control' and 'justification.' We must be the party 'forced to retaliate' and 'defend our rights.' I have three points to make."

"Firstly, the selection of personnel and the scale of the operation. It is not advisable to use the entire Trapped Camp. Their heavy armor is conspicuous, and any movement of them would be a sign of a major battle. Instead, we should select a team of about fifty elite light cavalrymen, all wearing armor no different from our ordinary patrol cavalry, but they must be veterans of many battles, alert and skilled in combat, and able to obey orders without question. They should be led by a calm and decisive captain, and General Dian Xiong can provide covert support from ten miles behind, just in case."

Although Dian Xiong was somewhat unsatisfied, he knew that the strategist's words made sense, so he scratched his head and stopped arguing.

"Secondly, the cause of the incident." Jia Wen pointed to a spot marked "Gray Rock Spring" on the edge of Wolf Valley. "The spring water here is sweet and refreshing, and it's a common water source for herders, hunters, and patrols from both sides. Three days ago, our patrols reported that a small group of unidentified individuals had discarded some broken arrows and debris bearing the 'Xiliang' mark near the spring, and deliberately left blurry footprints extending towards Rock Fortress. Today, we can use this as a pretext to start trouble."

A thoughtful look appeared in Chen Xing's eyes: "You mean...?"

"Exactly." Jia Wen nodded. "This afternoon, the elite light cavalry will conduct their routine patrol to Gray Rock Spring. They will 'coincidentally' discover those 'Xiliang' relics and footprints, and 'judge' that there may be Xiliang spies or defeated soldiers who have infiltrated our territory through this place and are suspected of fleeing towards Panshi Fortress. To prevent spies from causing harm and to investigate the clues, our patrol 'has the right' to pursue and investigate ahead. Not far ahead is a simple watchtower set up by Panshi Fortress and its claimed patrol area."

Chen Wei interjected, "At that time, our patrols will approach, or even briefly enter, their claimed territory under the pretext of searching for spies. If the sentries of Panshi Fortress obstruct us, we can argue our case, explaining the importance of pursuing the spies and demanding their cooperation or at least non-interference. We can be a little forceful in our words, but we must never use weapons first."

"However, given the current tensions within Rock Fortress, especially among the soldiers stationed on the border, they are likely harboring resentment and low morale due to the discord between their commanders, and also fearful of my Starfire Fortress," Jia Wen said coldly. "Seeing that we are outnumbered yet have a 'tough' attitude, and mentioning such sensitive matters as 'Xiliang spies,' their sentry leader is likely to overreact out of tension, fear, or eagerness to prove himself. If he fires the first arrow, or attacks my patrol cavalry with a blade first…"

"Then friction will be established!" Chen Xing clapped his hands. "Our patrol cavalry, 'forced into self-defense,' can launch a limited counterattack, destroying their watchtowers and dispersing their patrols, but they must not pursue them too far, much less indiscriminately kill prisoners. Afterwards, we can immediately send an envoy with the 'Xiliang' relics as evidence to lodge a strong protest with Panshi Fort, accusing their garrison of attacking our patrol cavalry pursuing spies without cause, disrupting border peace, and demanding that they severely punish the perpetrators, compensate for the losses, and provide an explanation for the incident. In this way, the moral high ground will be entirely in our hands."

Jia Wen added: "This move has another advantage. When news of the border conflict reaches Panshi Fortress, Shi Hu will surely be furious. Will he suspect that Han Meng's men deliberately provoked the incident to escalate tensions? Or will he think that Han Meng was lax in managing his subordinates? Or that Shi Gan's men acted rashly and caused trouble? No matter what he thinks, it will deepen his internal suspicions and lead him to make wrong decisions. As for us, we can decide whether to continue to apply pressure or 'magnanimously' accept his apology and compensation based on his reaction, thus firmly grasping the initiative."

After careful planning, Chen Xing had meticulously calculated the cause, process, possible reactions, and subsequent responses to the "friction." Without further hesitation, Chen Xing immediately ordered: "Follow this plan! Chen Wei, you personally select fifty light cavalry, the most experienced and reliable, to be led by your captain Wang Meng. Dian Xiong, you lead the main force of the Trapped Camp to relocate to Eagle's Beak Ridge behind Wolf Valley and await orders. Do not move without my command! Wen He, you and Li Shu closely monitor the movements of all parties at Rock Fortress, especially the reactions of Shi Hu, Han Meng, and Shi Gan to this matter, and report back to me immediately!"

"Your subordinates obey!" Chen Wei and Dian Xiong clasped their hands in acceptance of the order.

"Your subject obeys." Jia Wen bowed.

That afternoon, the sun was setting. Wang Meng, the patrol captain of Xinghuo Fortress, led fifty light cavalry on his usual patrol along the border. Near Huiyan Spring, the group "accidentally" discovered scattered "Xiliang" arrows and debris, as well as messy footprints pointing towards Panshi Fortress. Wang Meng immediately dismounted to investigate, his expression "gray." He then ordered the group to form a search formation and advance along the footprints, while sending a fast horse back to the fortress to "report the news."

Soon, the column approached the wooden watchtower of Rock Keep, perched on a low slope. The sentry on the tower had already spotted them and nervously sounded the horn. A dozen or so Rock Keep cavalrymen rushed out from behind the tower and blocked their path. One of the captains shouted anxiously, "This is Rock Keep territory! You must halt immediately!"

Wang Meng reined in his horse, signaling the troops to stop. He stepped forward a few paces and announced loudly, "I am Wang Meng, the patrol captain of Xinghuo Fortress! I have been ordered to pursue a suspected spy from Xiliang who has infiltrated the area! We have discovered items and footprints left behind that point in this direction! To prevent the spy from causing harm, we must proceed to search! Please clear the way or cooperate with the search!"

"A spy from Xiliang?" The captain was taken aback, then became even more nervous. "Nonsense! This is the defense zone of my Rock Fortress, where are there any spies! You all retreat immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite!" He had received vague orders to be extra vigilant towards the people of Starfire Fortress recently.

Wang Meng's face darkened: "Maintaining border security and apprehending suspicious spies are our duties! Are you obstructing us because you are involved with spies? Get out of the way immediately!" His tone hardened.

The team, already unsettled by internal rumors, was further intimidated by the equally numerous yet imposing enemy. The mention of "espionage" touched a nerve, filling them with both shock and anger. They glanced back at their equally tense comrades on the watchtower, and recalling the recent rumors circulating within the fortress about Starfire Fortress's intentions against them, they steeled themselves, drew their swords, and roared, "Brothers! Starfire Fortress is provoking us! Follow me and kill them!"

As soon as he took the lead, the already tense patrolmen behind him instinctively rushed forward, and arrows were sparsely shot down from the watchtower!

"Rock Fortress is attacking without cause! Defend yourselves!" Wang Meng was prepared and shouted, drawing his sword to meet the attack! The fifty light cavalry behind him instantly split into two groups. One group dismounted and raised their shields to block the arrows, while the other group followed closely behind Wang Meng and fought against the charging Rock Fortress patrol!

The battle erupted suddenly and fiercely. The Starfire Fortress light cavalry were well-trained, coordinated perfectly, and their individual martial skills were clearly superior. The Rockstone Fortress patrols, on the other hand, appeared panicked, their charge utterly disorganized. In a short time, several Rockstone Fortress patrolmen were cut down, the rest retreating in terror. The arrows from the watchtower were also suppressed by the Starfire Fortress archers.

Wang Meng remembered his military orders. Seeing that the enemy in front of him had been defeated, he did not pursue the fleeing soldiers, but instead ordered his men to quickly surround the watchtower. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the sentries on the tower abandoned their weapons and surrendered.

The battle lasted no more than a quarter of an hour. The Rock Fortress cavalry suffered three dead, seven wounded, and five captured; their watchtower was also captured. The Starfire Fortress light cavalry sustained only two minor injuries.

Wang Meng quickly cleared the battlefield, made some arrangements for the prisoners and wounded, left ten men to guard the watchtower and the prisoners, and led the rest of his troops back to the vicinity of Gray Rock Spring. He also sent out fast horses again to quickly relay the news that "the Panshi Fort patrol attacked our troops that were pursuing spies without cause. Our army was forced to defend itself, defeated a part of them, and occupied their watchtower" back to Xinghuo Fort.