This battle... will surely be a losing one. All of us will die today.
That is Lie Yan's thought as he watches dust clouds rise from distant hoofbeats and feels the rumbling earth beneath.
Lie Yan is no scholar. Once just a wanderer from Qinghe, it is not until General Wang comes into his life that he first opens a book on the art of war.
The book teaches, "If you outnumber the enemy tenfold, surround them. If fivefold, attack. If double, fight."
But nowhere does it explain how to triumph when the enemy outnumbers you ten to one. Or five.
This long-planned final stand comes more unexpectedly than anyone imagines.
"General!"
"General!"
"General!"
His men look at him, their eyes reflecting the same confusion and wavering resolve.
"Brothers, if we open the gate, we march to our deaths," Lie Yan addresses every one of them.
"But if we don't, the people of Qinghe, every man, woman, and child, will die in our place."
There is only one path left. Lure the enemy into the underground trenches, ignite the explosives, and bury every man-at-arms on both sides beneath the soil in the Northern Vow. A desperate plan with the slimmest chance of success.
"I've told you everything. Now choose. What will you fight for?"
"General! I'll follow you! Open the gate and face them!"
"Our land is worth every drop of blood! Open the gate and fight to the death!"
"To the death!" "To the death!"
The rallying cries grow louder with each wave, bringing tears to the eyes of a man who has never wept before. Gripping his long spear, he memorizes every shouting face. This will be the last time he sees them.
Wiping his face, Lie Yan turns and points his spear toward the enemy.
"Open the gate, and fight to your last breath!"
And that is the last moment of Lie Yan's life.
