Far to the northern reaches, over an endlessly spread snowfield, snow flurries scattered instead of dust.The sun hung low, and its light cut the land like a cold blade.On the silent plain, things that had looked like mere dots began to move.At first it was a few horses, and soon the procession of thousands and tens of thousands following behind revealed itself.It was the Northern Yuan main force.It was Naghachu's army.
Tens of thousands of troops moving on horseback looked as if the land itself were moving.Their motion resembled the very flow of the earth.A black tide spread long across the white snow, and wherever hooves struck, snow burst and ice cracked.
The wind tore at the banners.In the end, the banners held their ground.
On each banner, black characters were inscribed.「元」
Each time that emblem swayed, metal rang within the frozen air.
At the vanguard stood cavalry whose armor gleamed like ice.Snow clung between the plates of iron armor, and with every breath the horses expelled white steam.It was as if thousands of beasts had become one body, advancing like a mountain range being pushed forward.
Behind them, the banners of various tribes overlapped.Counting their names held no meaning.The sheer number of banners was enough.
Beneath them, cavalry of Jurchen origin stood in ranks.They stood in silence.In the central column was a war carriage draped in red coverings.Inside sat Naghachu.His eyes were cold, like light caught on thin ice.
Facing the mounted officers looking up at him, he uttered a single sentence."Liaoyang is an imperial city. Reclaiming land that was taken—that is justice."
When the words ended, tens of thousands of Northern Yuan cavalry bowed their heads at once.The movement spread like a wave.
When night fell, the army scattered and made camp like constellations.Lights stretched endlessly, reaching the horizon.It was a night where ice and fire coexisted.Those lights flickered like a wordless prayer.
At dawn, Naghachu raised his hand.From his fingertips, a red hawk took flight.It cut through the snowstorm and flew south.That was the signal.
And the next morning, from the walls of Liaoyang Fortress, banners like flames cutting across the distant sky appeared.War began to move again, like a massive wave.
---*
The distant sky darkened and pressed down.Snow blew with the wind, and within it the shadows of the Northern Yuan army grew thicker.The sight looking down from the fortress wall was pressure itself.It stretched on beyond any sense of an end.
Along the white snowfield, black armor and red banners lined up like mountain ridges.One by one, lights were lit, multiplying in an instant and dyeing the land.The moment those lights seeped toward the fortress, Liaoyang sank into a circle.At suffocating intervals, the army drew a ring and enclosed it.
"Encirclement complete."
The shout of a sentry atop the watchtower spread through the air.The sound was loud, and its meaning heavy.
Park Seong-jin stood atop the parapet and looked far out.The formation of the Northern Yuan army encircling the fortress was clearly visible.To the east were emplacements for trebuchets, to the west crossbows and fire carts were deployed, and to the south the main cavalry force stood ready.The arrangement was neat, like a calculated diagram.
Hwang Hyeon-pil clenched his teeth."They've arranged their formation nicely. Like they're preparing for a festival."
"A festival of blood."Seong-jin's low words sank into the falling snow.
Then the drums sounded.Thud… thud… thud…A steady rhythm continued without wavering even in the snowstorm.It felt as though the land itself was breathing to that rhythm.
From the headquarters, banners were raised.Three red flags were lifted into the sky in sequence.
"The commander-in-chief appears!"
Officers beneath the gate straightened at once.
Baek In-gun rode out toward the south gate.Snow settled on his white armor, and over it the red of banners faintly spread.
"The encirclement?"
"The east is fully sealed. The western plain has some room, but enemy cavalry is on standby."
"Good."Baek In-gun said shortly."We decide the all-or-nothing battle here."
Hwang Hyeon-pil nodded."It's snowing. If it piles up, their movement will slow as well."
"Prioritize warmth and meals for the troops."Baek In-gun's words ended firmly."Prepare for the possibility of a prolonged battle."
A brief silence passed.Then, low but clear, orders followed."Leave the bowmen on the walls as they are. Move the crossbow units south. When they begin their stone throws, we will handle the counterattack."
"Affirmative."
As the orders spread, the fortress moved again.The sound of dragging iron overlapped with footsteps carrying stone, and new positions were built along the roads leading to the west gate.Sandbags and barricades were piled up, and spearmen raised long spears in crossed formation.Snow fell over it all, making the walls look like a white forest.
Movement continued outside the fortress as well.The Northern Yuan army fixed its camp, and massive trebuchets lined up as if driven into the snow.Even under snow cover, the sheen of chains and leather ropes remained clear.Soldiers loaded stones beneath them and carried jars holding embers.
Watching that sight, Seong-jin exhaled."It looks like stones being thrown at the sky."
"Yes."Hwang Hyeon-pil replied."They'll soon fall over our heads.""Are you afraid?""I am."Hwang Hyeon-pil grinned."But when they throw stones, we'll cut off their hands with arrows. The range is similar. To our crossbows."
At that moment, from the very center of the Northern Yuan camp, a single red banner slowly rose.The tip of the pole pierced the sky.Instantly, all drumbeats stopped.The silence in the air froze like ice.
Park Seong-jin again clenched the small stone in his pocket.Its cold weight remained clearly in his palm.