Chapter 107: The Prefect's Mansion Military Banquet

"Haha, General Qin, you truly have impressive skills! I am full of admiration."

"Captain Li, your skills are equally formidable! I, too, am deeply impressed!"

Qin Cheng and Li Hu looked at each other and laughed, their eyes reflecting a mutual respect. They had been sparring for quite some time, moving from long swords to hand-to-hand combat. Neither could gain the upper hand, and it was only when their stamina finally waned that they ceased their efforts.

"For a general of your age to possess such skills is truly rare. I had assumed that my experience in battle would far exceed yours, but I never expected to be unable to best you. Truth be told, I have lost this bout." Perhaps it was because he rarely encountered an opponent of equal caliber, but Li Hu felt a sense of exhilaration, and his tone became significantly more forthright.

Qin Cheng smiled to himself, thinking, *I have lived two lifetimes; my combat experience is no less than yours.*

"Captain Li, that is not a fair assessment. Victory or defeat depends solely on strength, and experience is merely one facet of that strength. On the battlefield, the enemy does not care about your age or your history; they only care about how strong you are," Qin Cheng said with a smile. "Strength is the only truth that matters!"

"Enough! You’ve finished your spar, so stop this endless display of humility. Do you really need to decide who is superior in this as well?" Li Guang stood up, waved his hand impatiently, and said to Qin Cheng, "Qin, come with me; I have something to discuss with you."

Having said this, he turned to Li Gan: "Since everyone is in the mood to spar today, you and Yue Yi go a few rounds. Let’s see if your skills have improved."

"Understood." Li Gan and Yue Yi saluted each other.

Li Guang knew that Li Hu and Yue Yi possessed exceptional skills. Li Gan, who frequently sparred with them, was inevitably taught a harsh lesson each time. Although Li Guang was not entirely sure of the extent of Yue Yi's prowess, he knew that Yue Yi’s head-count in the recent major battles was impressive, marking him as a standout in the army. He assumed Yue Yi’s ability was on par with Li Gan’s, making them well-matched opponents.

However, Li Guang, who had already turned to enter the house, did not see that after only a few moments of sparring, Li Gan lay on the ground, thinking indignantly: *Damn it, no matter what, I am Li Guang’s son. Am I really that useless? Can anyone beat me?*

Had Li Guang witnessed this, he might well have kicked his disappointing son out of the courtyard.

Thus, shortly after Li Guang and Qin Cheng entered the house, the match between Li Gan and Yue Yi turned into a spar between Yue Yi and Liu Mu, and eventually, even Li Hu could not resist stepping in to face Yue Yi. If Yue Yi’s swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat had already left Liu Mu and Li Hu in awe, then after witnessing his miraculous archery, the two could only sigh in profound admiration.

Inside the house, Qin Cheng and Li Guang took their seats as host and guest. Once tea was served, Li Guang said to Qin Cheng, "You left the camp immediately after our triumphant return a few days ago, so there were many matters we didn't have time to discuss. Let's take this opportunity today to talk them over."

"Please, General, speak your mind," Qin Cheng replied, composed.

"I have been reflecting on our recent expedition and have concluded that our victory was not merely due to anticipating the enemy’s moves, but primarily due to the element of surprise. Whether it was your light cavalry raid deep into the desert or the unstoppable force of the heavy cavalry—though strictly speaking, the light cavalry is not yet fully formed and the heavy cavalry consists of only one battalion—our success hinged on that surprise. After this battle, the status of our cavalry will no longer be a secret. It will be difficult to catch the Xiongnu off guard again. Therefore, how to prepare for their next invasion is what I need to discuss with you."

Qin Cheng stroked his chin as he listened. He already had a plan in mind and spoke it plainly: "The light and heavy cavalry were established specifically to counter the Xiongnu. If their combat power were fully realized, there would be no need for concern. The reason we are distressed now is that our numbers are too small, and more importantly, our equipment is lagging behind. Our next step must be to meet the requirements for personnel and armaments."

Qin Cheng paused deliberately, and Li Guang immediately picked up the thread: "Personnel is not an issue; once spring arrives, the garrison troops can be supplemented, and filling seven thousand new cavalry spots will be manageable. The problem is the equipment. For ten thousand cavalry, the Emperor can only provide standard issue—which is for light cavalry. But we need equipment for the heavy cavalry, a standard that does not exist in the army. How are we to acquire it?"

"What the General says is indeed our current reality. But the situation is even more severe. First, our Han standard-issue equipment cannot fully meet the needs of the light cavalry; the ring-pommel saber alone is a necessity we must equip. However, these issues are solvable. Aside from the sabers, the heavy cavalry’s halberds and horse armor are things the court cannot provide. The heavy cavalry can use infantry armor, and the light cavalry armor only needs slight modifications; my Shanggu craftsmen can handle that. The real problem lies in the sturdy horses, the sabers, the halberds, and the leather horse armor. We must manufacture these ourselves, and that, ultimately, comes down to money. With enough money, we have the gear; with the gear, we have the iron cavalry."

Listening to this, Li Guang wore a troubled expression. "So, it comes down to a lack of money. If we had the money, would we even be sitting here fretting?"

"The money is there, General; it just depends on whether you are willing to take it," Qin Cheng said with an enigmatic smile.

"Oh? Tell me more."

"Shanggu Commandery has annual tax revenue. If the court allows us to retain a portion of it, we will have the funds," Qin Cheng suggested.

"That is impossible!" Li Guang immediately rejected the idea, his tone firm. "Even if the Emperor supports us and allows us flexibility in developing the cavalry, he will never permit us to retain tax revenue. Taxes are the foundation of the state; they cannot be touched. Not only would the Emperor disagree, but the court ministers would never allow it! We must stop thinking about the tax revenue."

"I see..." Qin Cheng said, feigning sudden realization, his face twisting into a mask of distress. "If that is the case, then this will be difficult."

"Indeed, it is difficult..." Li Guang pondered for a while without finding a solution. He looked at Qin Cheng, suddenly slammed his fist onto the table—startling Qin Cheng—and shouted, "You sly Qin Cheng! Do you intend to wait until I have you dragged out for twenty lashes before you tell me what is truly on your mind? How dare you toy with me!"

Qin Cheng’s performance had clearly been designed to make Li Guang realize that conventional paths were dead ends, thereby making him more receptive to the proposal that followed. It was so obvious that Li Guang had seen right through it.

Qin Cheng gave a sheepish smile. "Since the General has seen through me, I shall speak."

"Speak quickly!"

Qin Cheng stepped away from the table, moved close to Li Guang, whispered into his ear for a moment, and then stepped back with a smile.

Li Guang frowned, pondered for a long time, and finally slammed his fist onto the table again—nearly shattering it—and roared: "Excellent! A truly brilliant plan! We shall do exactly that!"

"The General is wise," Qin Cheng immediately saluted from the side.

...

When Qin Cheng and Li Guang returned to the courtyard, it was filled with more people, all gathered around and cheering. Qin Cheng and Li Guang walked over to find two men engaged in a heated hand-to-hand spar.

The two combatants were Yue Yi and Ji Zhu. Among the onlookers, besides Liu Mu and the others, were the heavy cavalry commandant Ma Dashan and the deputy generals of the three armies, including Li Xi. It seemed that all the high-ranking officers not on duty at the camp had come to pay their respects at the Governor’s residence.

Seeing Li Guang, the group saluted: "General!"

Following that, those of lower rank than Qin Cheng also saluted him: "General Qin!"

"You all seem to be in high spirits today, coming to my place to spar?" Li Guang returned their salutes with a laugh. "In that case, I will set up a ring here today. You shall spar properly so that I can see if your skills have improved!"

"If I could spar with the General, I would be more than willing!" Ma Dashan boomed.

"Show some respect!"

"Haha..."

"You want to go a few rounds with me?" Li Guang asked boldly. "If you can defeat everyone here, I will grant you that opportunity!"

"Good! The General keeps his word. I shall spar with these gentlemen right now!" Ma Dashan laughed, drawing a roar of laughter from the officers.

...

That day, the key figures of the Shanggu camp gathered at the Governor’s residence. Li Guang first had them spar while he watched from the sidelines. Once finished, he ordered them to change their clothes, and then a banquet was held.

"Today is not only the New Year, but it also marks our great victory—a joy upon joy! You have all shed blood and sweat for the Shanggu camp, leading to the prominence we enjoy today among the border commanderies. I am honored to be your commander, and I offer this first toast to you all!"

Li Guang stood up, holding his wine vessel high. Away from the military camp, he lacked any airs of authority.

"We are honored to be your subordinates, General!" The officers rose in unison, shouting as they raised their cups.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

After finishing the first cup, Li Guang did not sit down. He poured a second, saying to the group, "This toast is for the warriors who heroically gave their lives on the battlefield. May they remain men of iron and steel in the afterlife!"

Though simple, these words moved the officers deeply. Thinking of their fallen comrades, they were filled with sorrow, and they drank this toast with the utmost solemnity.

After finishing, Li Guang poured himself another, his voice ringing out: "We all know that our great victory was due in no small part to General Qin. Without him, we would not have succeeded. Let us all toast General Qin!"

"General Qin, please!"

The planning of the battle had been a joint effort between Qin Cheng and Li Guang, and it was Qin Cheng’s deep penetration into the desert that made the victory possible. As Li Guang spoke, the officers recalled their previous complaints and doubts when Qin Cheng had ordered them to hold their positions, and feeling a sense of shame, they all raised their cups.

"Gentlemen, please!"

Qin Cheng did not stand on ceremony; he tilted his head back and finished the wine in one go.