My grandfather, the Lord of the Qinghe fief, was not a man who showed affection easily. He had commanded armies for three decades and survived five campaigns against barbarians and bandits. His voice was an order, his gaze a sentence.
But he watched me. Always.
When I turned twelve, he summoned me to the war room. There, in that space surrounded by maps, old banners, and ceremonial swords, he gave me the news:
—You will go with me. To the north. A minor campaign to secure the border and suppress some rebel clans.
I looked at him, surprised.
—To fight?
—Not yet. But to observe. To listen. To understand how an army moves... and how to kill a traitor.
Formation of the Scout Squad
Before leaving, I requested permission to form a small detachment under my command.
—A squad? —my grandfather asked— For what purpose?
—I want to train coordination and command, even if in a controlled environment. We can serve as a scouting or messenger unit. We won't hinder anyone.
He nodded.
—I will grant you three young ones. Use them well.
Thus, they arrived:
Han Zhi, son of peasants, huge, silent, unbeatable with the spear.
Li Min, an illegitimate daughter of a minor noble, skilled in archery and map reading.
Bao Yu, apprentice to the healer. Small, quick, and with eyes that see everything.
I trained them every dawn. I spoke to them as if they were soldiers. And to many's surprise… they began to look like it.
System Update: Command Skill — Level 10Unlocked Skill: Tactical Formation IYou can design simple formations of 3 to 5 units.Bonus: +10% coordination during ambushes or reconnaissance missions.
The March to the North
We crossed the river during the second moon of summer. The army consisted of 800 men: spearmen, mounted archers, heavy cavalry, and 50 veterans under my grandfather's personal command.
We did not march as an invasion. We marched as a warning.
The rebel region was a valley rich in salt and timber. The Duke of the North had begun sending emissaries there, sowing discord and empty promises of freedom. The villages were divided between loyalists and ambitious ones. Fires began to mark the path of betrayal.
I watched.
I took notes. I analyzed movements. I studied the captains' faces, their decisions… and their mistakes.
Skill Improved: Basic Strategy — Level 30+3% overall efficiency in terrain analysis.You gain passive perception of escape routes, lines of sight, and choke points in rural areas.