"The Manchu forces are here! The Manchu forces are here again!"
The shrill shout echoed through the Prefect of Daizhou's residence, shattering the quiet of the early morning.
The Prefect of Daizhou was still half-asleep. Dressed only in a moonlight-white inner garment, he struggled upright from his bed, irritation written plainly on his face.
"What's the panic for?" he grumbled. "So what if they're here? They passed by last time too, didn't they? This is a prefectural city, not some tiny county seat. The Manchu forces won't dare attack."
"This time is different!" the household retainer cried, nearly in tears. "They've brought siege equipment. They're setting up outside the city. They're preparing to attack!"
The Prefect froze.
"What did you say?"
His drowsiness vanished instantly. He hastily threw on his outer robe, then armor, and rushed toward the city walls. As a civil official, he was unaccustomed to wearing armor; every step felt heavy. By the time he reached the ramparts, he was already panting, his face pale.
Sun Chuanting was already there.
He too wore armor, but stood straight-backed, his breathing steady. His gaze was fixed outside the city, calm and cold.
Sun Chuanting had already taken command. Household guards and local militia were being deployed methodically along key sections of the walls. Orders were issued clearly and without panic.
Compared to him, the Prefect felt painfully out of place.
"Master Sun…" the Prefect forced himself to speak. "What exactly is happening?"
Sun Chuanting did not answer. He simply raised his hand and pointed beyond the city wall.
The Prefect followed his gesture.
The sight made his legs go weak.
Outside Daizhou City, the Manchu army was fully arrayed. Infantry stood in dense ranks at the center, armor gleaming beneath the morning light. On both flanks, Manchu and Mongol cavalry stretched outward, their formations wide and menacing. Countless banners fluttered in the wind.
It was not a raiding party.
It was an army.
"They… they're serious?" the Prefect stammered. "But didn't intelligence say they wouldn't attack cities? They only raid the countryside!"
Sun Chuanting's expression darkened. "They didn't intend to at first. But they've learned."
"Learned what?"
"That the Great Ming no longer dares to fight," Sun Chuanting said bluntly. "When every city hides behind its walls and refuses to support the others, the enemy grows bolder. First counties, then prefectures. This is the natural result."
The Prefect's face turned ashen. "Then… what do we do?"
"Defend," Sun Chuanting replied. "Until the last arrow."
Before the Prefect could say more, war drums thundered outside the city.
The Manchu army began to advance.
Far from Daizhou, the Gao Family Village Militia was moving north at speed.
A reconnaissance hot air balloon floated high above, tethered by a rope wrapped around Gao Chuwu's wrist. From the sky, the terrain and troop movements were clearly visible.
Li Daoxuan, controlling his mass-produced Model 3 avatar, frowned slightly.
"The Manchu army has begun attacking Daizhou," he said.
The surrounding commanders were startled.
"So fast?" Cheng Xu muttered.
"They're desperate," Lao Nanfeng said. "Or greedy."
Li Daoxuan shifted his perspective through the balloon again, scanning the plains ahead. His gaze sharpened.
"Five li ahead. Manchu scouts."
Everyone immediately understood the implication.
"If they spot us now," Cheng Xu said, "they'll report back. The Manchu army will be on guard before we arrive."
Lao Nanfeng stepped forward. "I'll take men to deal with them."
"I'll go as well," Li Daoxuan said.
Lao Nanfeng hesitated. "Heavenly Lord, your body—"
"I won't ride," Li Daoxuan replied.
He crouched, and the silicone covering his feet parted. Two wheels extended, then four more from his shoulders and waist. The generals stared.
"The Heavenly Lord… has wheels?"
Li Daoxuan moved forward low to the ground, using terrain and grass for concealment. After a brief, undignified stumble, he abandoned elegance entirely and switched to steady propulsion.
Metaphysics solved what physics could not.
Lao Nanfeng no longer hesitated. He spurred his horse forward with six veteran scouts, spreading into a loose formation.
Soon, the Manchu scouts appeared ahead.
Ten men.
They spotted Lao Nanfeng's group and judged the numbers quickly. Seeing fewer opponents, they chose to attack.
Before the distance closed fully, one Manchu scout suddenly fell from his horse.
Then another.
The Manchu leader's heart sank.
"There's an ambush!"
Li Daoxuan emerged from the grass at close range. His metal arm lifted briefly.
A dull report sounded.
Another Manchu scout collapsed.
The remaining scouts tried to retreat, but Lao Nanfeng cut across their escape route. The engagement was short and decisive.
When it ended, all ten Manchu scouts lay dead.
No survivors.
The militia cleaned the area efficiently. Bodies were dragged away. Tracks were scattered and trampled. Blood was covered with soil.
From a distance, the plains looked untouched.
Li Daoxuan gave the order. "Advance immediately. Keep the balloon high. No banners."
Outside Daizhou City, the Manchu army continued its assault.
No scouts returned.
No warnings arrived.
Inside the city, Sun Chuanting fought steadily, unaware that reinforcements were already closing in.
The battlefield had changed.
But only one side knew it.