Chapter 46: Let Him Encircle Me a Thousandfold

Qin Cheng and his two accompanying guards were conversing, and in the blink of an eye, the time of an incense stick had passed. Throughout this period, Wei Qing and the Xiongnu archer remained locked in a distant standoff, separated only by the ridge line of the hills. Maintaining the posture of a drawn bow for so long was exhausting beyond words; Wei Qing’s battle robe was already soaked through with sweat, and his lips trembled unconsciously. At this point, the standoff had become a battle of endurance—the one with greater stamina and stronger will would emerge victorious. The outcome seemed all but certain.

The sun dipped westward, casting a golden halo over the grasslands.

Just as Qin Cheng felt certain that the contest between Wei Qing and the Xiongnu archer would be decided solely by their own endurance, a distant rumble like rolling thunder suddenly broke the quiet.

“What’s that sound?” Qin Cheng bent down, pressed his ear to the ground, listened intently for a moment, and then his expression turned grim. He raised his head and uttered words that chilled everyone to the bone: “It’s hoofbeats!”

The hoofbeats came from the north. Even a fool would know these couldn’t be the cavalry of Shanggu Commandery.

“It’s Xiongnu cavalry! What do we do?” one of the guards asked anxiously.

Qin Cheng’s gaze grew stern, his eyes turning to Wei Qing. No matter what, before the Xiongnu cavalry arrived, the Xiongnu archer before them had to be dealt with—otherwise, any further action was impossible. At this moment, Qin Cheng no longer had time to wonder why the Xiongnu cavalry would appear here just now, so soon after their recent battle with the Han army. Could it be they simply could not restrain themselves and were already launching another incursion into Shanggu?

The Xiongnu moved swiftly. The hoofbeats grew louder, now thundering like a storm. The two guards glanced anxiously at Wei Qing, wishing with all their hearts that he’d pierce the archer’s throat immediately so they could all escape. Wei Qing was anxious too, but his face remained calm; he knew that at a moment of crisis, he must show no sign of weakness, lest one misstep cost him his life. If he fell, Qin Cheng and the others would stand no chance under the Xiongnu archer’s arrows.

Everyone’s hearts were seized with panic, yet there was nothing to be done. The hoofbeats of the Xiongnu drew ever nearer, growing louder with each heartbeat, but no one dared make the slightest move. The tension was suffocating. One could easily imagine the Xiongnu archer beyond the ridge, no doubt feeling delighted at their predicament.

Suddenly, a sharp neigh split the air.

As everyone sweated with anxiety, a loud neigh came from the Xiongnu archer’s side. The warhorse, which had been lying half-prone under Wei Qing’s hold, was already startled but had shown some restraint until now. However, with the thunderous hoofbeats rolling in from the north, it could no longer stay quiet and leapt to its feet. Ordinarily, this would mean little, but the sudden, piercing neigh right behind the archer was a different matter. After so long in tense confrontation with Wei Qing, the archer was on edge, nerves stretched to the breaking point. Jolted by the horse’s cry, his body involuntarily jerked—even though his hand still gripped the iron arrow, it was no longer steady.

Wei Qing, too, was startled by the neigh, but standing opposite, he recovered quickly. As an Imperial Guard General, his composure in battle was impeccable. Seizing the moment, he shifted slightly, finally catching sight of the archer—and loosed his iron arrow!

The Xiongnu archer was no ordinary foe. Almost as soon as Wei Qing’s arrow flew, he released his own. But having lost the initiative and his balance, his shot, though timely, was off the mark. As Wei Qing’s arrow pierced his throat, the Xiongnu’s arrow struck only the clasp of Wei Qing’s armored shoulder.

With the last archer dealt with, Wei Qing vaulted over the ridge, seized the reins of the startled horse, and managed with effort to calm it. He could not afford to let it escape, for it was now their last mount—a vital asset should anything unexpected occur. By now, Qin Cheng and the others had drawn near. Qin Cheng, forgetting rank—especially since, after receiving the rank of Lesser Marquis, his status was not far from Wei Qing’s—clapped the general’s shoulder heartily, saying, “General Wei, you are truly formidable!”

Both guards sighed in relief, looking at Wei Qing with newfound admiration. Wei Qing had no time to bask in their praise; he handed the reins to one of the guards and shot Qin Cheng a look tinged with the urge to kick him—still thinking of Qin Cheng’s earlier lack of loyalty.

Now, the Xiongnu cavalry entered their view—by rough estimate, no fewer than five hundred riders. The two guards looked at the swiftly approaching force, faces pale with terror, barely restraining the urge to flee, and instead looked to Wei Qing. His and Qin Cheng’s faces were equally grim; exchanging glances, they read each other’s resolve.

“General Wei, after your exertions, you must be tired. Why not rest here a while?” Qin Cheng suddenly said with a smile, his expression impossibly relaxed.

Wei Qing nodded. “Very well.” With that, he and Qin Cheng sat down on the ground.

“The evening prairie is a rare and splendid sight, worthy of the phrase ‘land as beautiful as a painting’. General, you seldom leave Chang’an for the borderlands—now that you have this chance, don’t let the beauty before you slip by,” Qin Cheng said, surveying the landscape before fixing his gaze on the sunset clouds.

Wei Qing looked around in a composed manner and praised, “The setting sun like blood, the evening clouds like sashes, a sea of golden grass, birds flying free—truly a magnificent scene!”

Qin Cheng chuckled, pointing at the approaching Xiongnu cavalry. “And now, a thousand cavalry ride to perform for you—a spectacle one is fortunate to witness even once in a lifetime!”

“Indeed!” Wei Qing sighed. “If only we had a few jugs of fine wine, it would be perfect. A pity, a pity!”

“A true pity!” Qin Cheng agreed. “But imperfection lends charm to beauty, don’t you think?”

“The Lesser Marquis speaks true. I agree wholeheartedly!” Wei Qing laughed heartily.

Their light-hearted banter as the Xiongnu cavalry drew ever closer drove the two guards to distraction. At last, the guard who had spoken with Qin Cheng earlier could hold back no longer. “General, Lesser Marquis, the Xiongnu are nearly upon us—let’s make our escape instead of jesting here! Afterward, you can drink and laugh to your hearts’ content!”

This guard had followed Wei Qing for years and was close enough to speak so candidly. Yet Wei Qing ignored him, exchanging a smile with Qin Cheng before saying, “Guard Zhao, in your opinion, where should we run?”

“Why, back the way we came,” Guard Zhao replied, not understanding the question.

“The way we came? Ha!” Wei Qing pointed behind him. “To the old horse plain, fifty li of open ground—how could we outrun Xiongnu cavalry?”

With that, he gave Guard Zhao a symbolic flick with his riding crop. “You really are a fool, aren’t you!”

“This... it’s still better than sitting and waiting to die...” Zhao muttered, head bowed.

“Sitting and waiting to die?” Wei Qing couldn’t help but flick him with the crop again. “When will you stop being so thick-headed? All these years and nothing’s sunk in! Look behind you at those two stands of poplars. Do you think the Xiongnu dare approach us?”

Zhao clutched his leg where he’d been struck, looked back in confusion, clearly wanting to ask but too afraid. He could not understand why his always-patient general would strike him, even symbolically; why, knowing the danger, they had risked coming here; why the usually stern general was so full of laughter; or why he was waxing poetic about the scenery.

He was baffled and frustrated but dared not ask, so he kept silent.

Wei Qing saw his confusion and didn’t bother explaining, instead turning to the other guard. “Do you understand?”

The other, more taciturn guard hesitated, glancing at Wei Qing and then at Qin Cheng, finally bowing and saying, “I do not.”

“Useless, the both of you!” Wei Qing cursed, giving up on further explanation.

Qin Cheng merely smiled, eyes once again on the Xiongnu cavalry now two or three li away.

Wei Qing and Qin Cheng sat; the two guards stood behind them, holding the horse. Before them lay the slain Xiongnu archer, and to either side, a hundred paces away, the bodies of two more dead archers.

Qin Cheng and Wei Qing watched the onrushing cavalry without a flicker of emotion. As the five hundred Xiongnu riders drew within two or three li, they suddenly reined in their horses and halted, advancing no further.

The cavalry reformed their ranks, but not one moved to attack.

The two guards’ hearts leaped into their throats as they watched the Xiongnu race up, then halt and regroup, their nerves stretched to the breaking point.

“You two, sit down as well,” Wei Qing ordered without turning.

“Huh?” The guards hesitated, unsure of his intent. The quieter guard sat first; Zhao, seeing his companion obey, reluctantly followed suit.

The Xiongnu formed up, glaring fiercely at the Han group, but making no move.

After a moment, perhaps having taken stock of the situation and spotted the half-hidden archer in the grass, a single Xiongnu rider advanced toward Wei Qing and the others.

“General Wei,” Qin Cheng said with interest.

“I’ll go,” Wei Qing declared, rising and mounting the last remaining horse, riding out to meet the approaching Xiongnu.

“General?!” The two guards rose in alarm.

“Sit!” Qin Cheng’s tone brooked no argument.

The guards exchanged glances and sat, though anxiety etched their faces. “Lesser Marquis, the general—”

“Don’t worry, General Wei will be fine. Just stay seated,” Qin Cheng said.

Wei Qing rode forward, not waiting for the Xiongnu to speak, drew his bow, and shot him from the saddle.

The act stunned both sides. The Xiongnu cavalry stirred, ready to charge and trample Wei Qing. Only the leader, a white-horsed rider, quelled the commotion with sharp commands.

“General?!”

“Stay seated!”

Qin Cheng’s cold, commanding tone stilled the guards.

Wei Qing, having slain the messenger, circled his horse twice before the enemy, snorted coldly at the five hundred Xiongnu, and then rode back, unhurried and unscathed.

Not a single Xiongnu dared ride out to attack.

Wei Qing returned, dismounted, and sat again beside Qin Cheng.

“General Wei, your courage is unmatched. I am in awe,” Qin Cheng said with a smile.

Wei Qing waved a hand, his manner composed. “A trifling matter, not worth mentioning.”

Qin Cheng laughed and said no more.

By now, the sun had set, and dusk thickened into night. The Xiongnu lit their torches but did not withdraw, maintaining a distant standoff. The guards, wanting to light torches as well, were stopped by Wei Qing and Qin Cheng. When Zhao asked why, Wei Qing answered, “It’s not too late to light them later.”

Only when darkness was complete, the world swallowed in shadow, did Qin Cheng finally light a torch. He took it to the crest of the hill, raised it high, waved it three times clockwise, then three times counterclockwise, snuffed it halfway, and hurled it toward the two stands of poplars.

No sooner had he returned than a stir broke out among the Xiongnu, accompanied by sharp shouts.

“General, Lesser Marquis, the Xiongnu—they’re attacking!” Zhao blurted reflexively.

“Attack, my foot!” Qin Cheng snapped, snatching away Zhao’s torch and kicking him over. He’d seen fools before, but never one so eager to announce his stupidity to the world.

Wei Qing, seeing Qin Cheng’s anger, said only, “The Xiongnu are retreating.”

The guards looked and indeed saw the Xiongnu, torches blazing, withdrawing rapidly the way they’d come.

“What... what’s going on?” Zhao was dumbfounded. He simply couldn’t understand why the Xiongnu had withdrawn.

“Zhao, are you confused by the Xiongnu’s behavior today? Wondering why they didn’t attack at dusk, or why they retreated just now?” Wei Qing sighed, a trace of disappointment in his tone.

“Yes... I am slow-witted,” Zhao replied awkwardly.

“Very well, let me explain,” Wei Qing said. “The Xiongnu thought we were the vanguard of a larger army, sent to lure them in—the stands of poplars are perfect spots for an ambush, so they dared not attack rashly.”

Seeing Zhao still puzzled, he continued, “The Xiongnu are always wary. In the siege of Mayi two years ago, their caution ruined our ambush. Having just been defeated, they are all the more prudent. Seeing us calmly waiting here with four men and a horse, and the poplar woods behind us, they feared an ambush. Moreover, all three of their archers lay dead, which made them even more cautious—they could not imagine that just four of us had killed their three best archers. When I boldly killed their messenger, it seemed reckless, but to them, it showed supreme confidence—as if we were deliberately provoking them. Thus, their fear grew. Yet they were reluctant to withdraw, so they lingered. Once night fell, they feared we’d use the darkness to attack, and their courage faltered further. When the Lesser Marquis threw what seemed a signal torch, their nerve finally broke, and they withdrew.”

“I see,” Zhao murmured, enlightenment dawning.

Wei Qing patted him on the shoulder. “Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated. If I did not understand the Xiongnu so well, the Lesser Marquis and I could never have risked such a plan—but we had no other choice.”

“General and Lesser Marquis, your wisdom inspires us,” the two guards declared.

Qin Cheng and Wei Qing exchanged a smile, each inwardly releasing a long-held breath; to say they were not tense would be an overstatement.

“Someone’s coming,” Qin Cheng noted.

They turned and saw, sure enough, a line of torches—over a dozen—approaching from afar.

“It must be the border patrol...”