# **Chapter 30: The Price of Division**

  They reached the Badaling approach at dusk on the second day.

  Wei signaled halt five *li* out. Sent scouts forward.

  Lieutenant Chen assembled the escort troops. "What are we expecting?"

  "Unknown. Best case: Zhang held and communications failed. Worst case: garrison overrun, total loss."

  "Middle case?"

  "Fighting withdrawal. Zhang retreating with survivors." Wei studied the terrain. "Badaling has poor defensive ground. Single access road. Easy to isolate. If the Oirats hit it hard..."

  He didn't finish the sentence.

  The scouts returned thirty minutes later.

  Young corporal, breathless. "Sir! Garrison is still standing! Walls intact! But there's smoke. Lots of smoke. And bodies outside the north gate."

  "Oirat or Ming?"

  "Both, sir. Maybe fifty total."

  Wei processed that. Combat had occurred. Casualties on both sides. But the garrison hadn't fallen.

  "Zhang?"

  "Unknown, sir. We didn't get close enough to confirm."

  "Move out. Combat speed."

  ---

  Badaling garrison appeared through the evening haze.

  Stone walls, smaller than Juyongguan. Adequate fortification but nothing impressive.

  Smoke rising from multiple points. Damage visible on the north wall.

  Bodies outside the gate. Just as the scout reported.

  But the garrison flag still flew.

  Wei's escort approached the south gate at gallop.

  Sentries on the walls saw them coming. Challenged.

  "Captain Wei Zhao! Regional command! Open the gate!"

  The gate swung open.

  Inside: chaos.

  Wounded everywhere. Medical teams overwhelmed. Soldiers moving with exhausted desperation.

  A captain met them. Blood-covered. Barely standing.

  "Captain Wei? Captain Zhao said you'd come. This way."

  He led them through the garrison. Past makeshift medical stations. Past soldiers collapsed from exhaustion.

  The damage was extensive.

  They found Zhang in the command post.

  He was alive.

  Wounded—left arm in a sling, bandage around his head—but functional.

  Relief flooded through Wei. "Report."

  Zhang looked up. Exhausted but alert. "Oirat assault. Four hundred cavalry. Hit us three days ago. We held for six hours. Then they pulled back."

  "Casualties?"

  "Forty-eight dead. Seventy-six wounded. One hundred twenty-six functional troops remaining. Out of two hundred starting strength."

  Wei did the math. Thirty-eight percent casualties. Severe.

  "Enemy casualties?"

  "Estimated ninety to one hundred. Twenty-five percent of their force."

  "They withdrew?"

  "Yes. We hurt them enough that continuing wasn't worth it." Zhang grimaced. "But we're combat-ineffective. Another assault and we collapse."

  Wei studied the tactical map on Zhang's wall. "Why didn't you report?"

  "Communications went down in the first hour. Messenger got killed trying to reach Regional Command. I've been consolidating what's left of the garrison and preparing for second assault."

  "Second assault hasn't come?"

  "Not yet. But they're out there. Watching. Waiting for us to weaken further."

  Wei turned to Lieutenant Chen. "Secure the perimeter. I want full defensive assessment in thirty minutes."

  Chen saluted and left.

  Wei sat across from Zhang. "Walk me through it."

  ---

  Zhang pulled out notes. Detailed action report.

  "They hit us at dawn three days ago. Four hundred riders. Standard assault pattern—center mass with flanking elements. We executed integrated doctrine. Rotating volleys, reserve positioning, breach containment."

  "It worked?"

  "Partially. The doctrine was sound. The garrison commander..." Zhang's expression darkened. "That's where it broke down."

  "Commander Wei Feng. Political appointee. You mentioned him in the initial brief."

  "He panicked. First volley of enemy arrows and he froze. Completely shut down. Couldn't give orders. Couldn't make decisions."

  Wei felt cold. "Who took command?"

  "I did. Informal authority. His second-in-command—Captain Huang—supported the transition. But we lost thirty minutes to command confusion. That's when we took most casualties."

  "Thirty minutes?"

  "Commander Feng was supposed to coordinate reserve deployment. He couldn't. By the time I took over, the east wall was already breached. We lost fifteen soldiers containing that breach. If he'd deployed reserves immediately, maybe five."

  Professional failure. Command incompetence under pressure.

  The type of breakdown that got soldiers killed.

  "Where's Commander Feng now?"

  Zhang's voice went flat. "Dead. Took an arrow in the throat during the second wave. Some soldiers think it came from behind."

  Wei understood the implication. "Friendly fire?"

  "Unknown. Maybe accidental. Maybe not. The troops were angry. He'd gotten people killed through incompetence."

  "Did you investigate?"

  "No time. We were fighting for survival. After Feng died, Captain Huang took formal command. He's competent. Executed the doctrine properly. We held."

  "At severe cost."

  "Yes." Zhang looked at the casualty list. "Thirty-eight percent losses. Most in the first two hours before command stabilized. If Feng had been competent, we'd have maybe twenty percent casualties. The extra eighteen percent are on him."

  Wei studied his friend. Zhang was professional. Disciplined. Not prone to emotional judgment.

  If he was implying Feng deserved what happened, the situation must have been catastrophic.

  "Current status?"

  "Defensively marginal. One hundred twenty-six functional troops. Ammunition at forty percent. Morale fragile. The soldiers know another assault will break us."

  "Can you hold?"

  Zhang met his gaze. "No. Not against another four hundred. We're combat-ineffective. We need evacuation or reinforcement. Preferably both."

  ---

  Wei walked the walls with Captain Huang.

  The damage was extensive. North wall showed breach repairs. East wall had makeshift fortifications covering gaps.

  Professional field engineering but clearly improvised under pressure.

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  "Captain Zhang saved us," Huang said quietly. "Commander Feng was useless. Worse than useless—actively harmful. When he died, some soldiers looked relieved."

  "You're saying it was deliberate?"

  "I'm saying I don't know and I didn't ask. We were fighting for survival. An incompetent commander died during combat. That happens."

  Wei let it go. The investigation could wait. Survival couldn't.

  "Current defensive capability?"

  "Against raiders? We hold. Against organized assault? We collapse." Huang gestured to the troops. "They're exhausted. Terrified. They've lost forty percent of their comrades. Morale is breaking."

  "What do they need?"

  "Reinforcement. Or evacuation. Staying here waiting for the next assault is killing them psychologically."

  Wei assessed the garrison. Huang was right. The troops moved like walking dead. Functional but barely.

  This position was lost. Not physically—the walls still stood. But psychologically.

  The garrison had broken.

  "We evacuate," Wei said.

  Huang looked surprised. "Sir, Regional Command—"

  "Isn't here. I am. This garrison is combat-ineffective. Holding this position serves no strategic purpose. We evacuate, regroup with Huailai survivors, consolidate into effective force."

  "The Ministry will call it retreat."

  "The Ministry isn't watching soldiers die for indefensible positions. We evacuate tonight. Be ready to move in two hours."

  Huang hesitated. Then nodded. "Understood."

  ---

  Wei assembled the garrison officers.

  Captain Huang, Section leaders. Zhang sitting in but letting Wei command.

  "Current assessment: this garrison is combat-ineffective. Thirty-eight percent casualties. Low ammunition. Broken morale. Another assault will result in total destruction with no strategic benefit."

  One section leader—grizzled sergeant named Qiu—spoke up. "Sir, we held. We fought well—"

  "You fought exceptionally. You held against overwhelming odds with incompetent leadership. But that doesn't change tactical reality. This position can't be defended with current force strength."

  "So we retreat?"

  "We evacuate. Controlled withdrawal to link up with Huailai survivors at rally point three. We consolidate forces, regroup, and establish new defensive line further south."

  Another officer: "Regional Command approved this?"

  "I have operational authority. This is my decision." Wei's voice hardened. "I'm not sacrificing one hundred twenty-six soldiers for a position we can't hold. We withdraw tonight. Prepare your troops."

  Sergeant Qiu: "What about the wounded?"

  "They evacuate first. Medical teams, supply wagons, wounded soldiers. Then combat-effective troops. Then rear guard. Standard withdrawal protocol."

  "How long?"

  "Six hours. We move at midnight. Questions?"

  Captain Huang: "What about Commander Feng? Do we... report the circumstances of his death?"

  Wei considered. A political appointee dying under questionable circumstances would trigger investigation. Delays. Bureaucratic mess.

  But covering it up would compromise integrity.

  "Report it honestly. Commander Feng died during combat. Arrow wound. Unknown origin. You were engaged in defensive operations and couldn't determine source. That's factual."

  "And if they investigate?"

  "Then they investigate. But that's not our priority right now. Our priority is getting these soldiers out alive."

  ---

  The evacuation began at midnight.

  Wei organized it personally. Wounded loaded onto wagons. Medical teams supervising. Supplies distributed.

  Professional evacuation. Not panicked flight.

  Zhang supervised the rear guard. "Twenty troops. Hold the garrison until main force is clear. Then withdraw in good order."

  "Contact protocol?"

  "If Oirats attack during withdrawal, we fight delaying action. Buy time for wounded to escape. No heroic stands—fall back by sections."

  "Understood."

  The main force moved out at 0100 hours.

  One hundred twenty-six troops minus twenty rear guard. Wounded on wagons. Officers maintaining discipline.

  The column moved south in staggered formation.

  Wei rode with the vanguard. Lieutenant Chen commanded mid-column. Zhang held rear guard with the twenty volunteers.

  They covered two *li* before contact.

  ---

  The Oirat cavalry appeared on the eastern ridge.

  Not a full assault. Scout force. Maybe fifty riders.

  Testing. Probing. Determining whether the evacuation was vulnerable.

  Wei called halt. "Combat formation! Prepare to receive cavalry!"

  The column formed defensive square. Wounded in the center. Combat troops on perimeter.

  The Oirat scouts circled at distance. Observing.

  Wei counted them. Fifty riders. Professional scouts, not assault force.

  They were reporting back. Confirming the evacuation.

  The main Oirat force would follow.

  "Captain Huang! How long until the main force arrives?"

  "Unknown. But if they're staging nearby, maybe thirty minutes."

  "Then we move fast. Combat speed. Maintain formation but increase pace."

  The column moved. Faster. Still organized but urgent.

  The Oirat scouts shadowed them. Staying at distance. Not engaging.

  Wei understood the tactic. They were tracking the column. Waiting for the main force to arrive for decisive engagement.

  Classic pursuit doctrine.

  ---

  The rear guard reported contact ten minutes later.

  Zhang's voice via messenger: "Oirat cavalry. Two hundred riders. Moving to intercept. We're executing delaying action."

  Wei made the call immediately. "Main column continues south! Double-time pace! Rear guard buys us time!"

  Lieutenant Chen: "We're leaving Zhang?"

  "Zhang knows the protocol. Delay the enemy. Then disengage and retreat. We can't fight two hundred cavalry with wounded in column."

  The main force pushed south. Moving as fast as the wagons allowed.

  Behind them, the sound of combat. Crossbow volleys. Hand cannons. Cavalry charges.

  Zhang's rear guard fighting to buy time.

  Wei forced himself to focus forward. Trust the doctrine. Trust his officers.

  The column covered another two *li*.

  Then the rear guard appeared. Running. Organized retreat but clearly under pressure.

  Zhang led them. Still mounted. Still functional.

  "Oirats are pursuing! Maybe one hundred fifty riders! We hurt them but they're committed!"

  "Column formation! Prepare defensive position!"

  The troops formed up. Crossbows ready. Hand cannons positioned.

  The Oirat cavalry appeared. One hundred fifty riders. Determined pursuit.

  They saw the defensive formation and slowed.

  Assessing. Calculating.

  Wei called the order. "Rotating volleys! Make them pay for every approach!"

  The crossbows fired in sequence. Disciplined. Controlled.

  The Oirat cavalry took casualties. Pulled back to three hundred yards.

  Standoff.

  They had the numbers. But the column had defensive formation and disciplined fire.

  The Oirat commander made his calculation.

  The column was retreating anyway. Pursuing further would cost casualties for no territorial gain.

  He signaled withdrawal.

  The cavalry pulled back. Disengaged.

  The pursuit was over.

  ---

  The column reached rally point three at dawn.

  Huailai survivors were there. Two hundred sixty troops under Commander Qian.

  Combined force: three hundred eighty-six soldiers.

  Wounded: one hundred twenty-four.

  Functional combat troops: two hundred sixty-two.

  Wei assembled the commanders. Qian, Zhang, Huang, Lieutenant Chen.

  "Combined assessment. We've evacuated Badaling. Lost the physical position but preserved the garrison. Combined with Huailai survivors, we have adequate force for defensive operations."

  Qian: "What's the strategic situation?"

  "Juyongguan holds. That's the keystone. As long as it holds, the main defensive line is intact. Badaling and Huailai are secondary positions. Losing them is acceptable if we preserve forces."

  Zhang: "Regional Command won't see it that way."

  "Regional Command isn't here. We are." Wei pulled out maps. "New defensive line. Consolidated positions. Mutual support between garrisons. Mobile reserves for rapid reinforcement. We stop trying to hold every isolated position and start defending strategically."

  Captain Huang: "That's theater-level strategic planning. We're company-grade officers."

  "We're the officers on the ground making life-and-death decisions. Someone needs to impose strategic coherence. Might as well be us."

  Commander Qian studied the map. "This could work. If Regional Command approves."

  "I'll handle Regional Command. You focus on consolidating these forces and preparing defensive positions."

  ---

  Wei found Zhang later that morning.

  His friend was getting his wounds treated. Arm properly bandaged now. Head wound cleaned.

  "You good?" Wei asked.

  "Functional. Arm will heal. Head's harder to assess." Zhang looked up. "We lost Badaling. That's on me."

  "Badaling was lost before you arrived. Poor terrain. Incompetent commander. Inadequate resources. You did what you could."

  "Thirty-eight percent casualties. That's catastrophic."

  "Twenty-five percent were from command failure before you took over. The rest were from fighting against impossible odds. You saved one hundred twenty-six soldiers who would have died if you hadn't been there."

  Zhang was quiet for a moment. "Commander Feng. The arrow that killed him. I think it was deliberate."

  "Did you order it?"

  "No. But I didn't stop it either. I saw a soldier adjust aim. I could have called it out. I didn't."

  Wei sat beside him. "You were in combat. Split-second decisions. Incompetent commander getting soldiers killed. Someone made a hard call."

  "That's not justice."

  "No. But it's war. Sometimes justice is a luxury we can't afford." Wei paused. "Will you report it?"

  "Unknown. The investigation might tear apart what's left of that garrison's morale. But covering it up compromises everything we're trying to build."

  "Then report the facts. Commander died during combat. Unknown circumstances. Let Regional Command investigate if they want. But don't sacrifice your integrity trying to protect soldiers who made impossible choices."

  Zhang nodded slowly. "You're right. I'll report it factually."

  "Good. Now rest. We've got more work coming."

  ---

  Wei reported to Regional Command via messenger that evening.

  Detailed after-action report. Badaling evacuated. Garrison preserved. Combined force established.

  General Fang's response came twelve hours later.

  Terse. Professional. Angry.

  > Captain Wei,

  >

  > Badaling evacuation noted. Strategic retreat without explicit approval is concerning but defensible given tactical circumstances.

  >

  > Commander Feng's death requires investigation. Political considerations demand full accounting.

  >

  > Your consolidated defensive line proposal is under review. The Ministry will not approve strategic retreat doctrine publicly, but operational flexibility may be granted quietly.

  >

  > Juyongguan victory has bought political capital. Use it carefully.

  >

  > Consolidated forces will establish defensive positions at designated coordinates. No further evacuations without explicit approval.

  >

  > General Fang

  Wei read it twice.

  Translation: You did the right thing. Don't do it again without permission. Also, the politics are complicated.

  Standard military bureaucracy.

  Lieutenant Chen read over his shoulder. "That's not exactly enthusiastic approval."

  "It's acknowledgment that we saved lives instead of wasting them. That's enough."

  "What about the investigation into Feng?"

  "Will happen. Probably inconclusive. Some political appointee's family will demand answers. We'll provide facts. They'll interpret them however fits their agenda."

  "And we keep working?"

  "We keep working. Juyongguan holds. Badaling evacuated successfully. Huailai survivors regrouped. Three hundred eighty-six soldiers alive who might otherwise be dead. That's progress."

  "Is it enough?"

  Wei looked at the map. The shrinking frontier. The consolidating enemy positions. The scattered garrisons still vulnerable.

  "No. But it's what we have. So we keep moving forward."

  ---

  The next morning, Wei assembled the combined forces.

  Three hundred eighty-six soldiers. Battered. Exhausted. But alive.

  "You've fought in three major engagements. Juyongguan held decisively. Huailai withdrew successfully. Badaling evacuated with acceptable casualties. You've proven that professional doctrine works. That survival is possible."

  He paused.

  "The war isn't over. The Oirats are still advancing. The frontier is still shrinking. But you've bought time. You've proven the enemy can be fought. That matters."

  The troops stood silent. Some proud. Some grieving. All exhausted.

  "New mission: consolidated defense. You'll establish positions at designated coordinates. Support each other. Fight as unified force instead of isolated garrisons. The doctrine that kept you alive will keep working if you maintain it."

  Wei stepped back. Let the garrison commanders take over.

  His work here was done.

  Four garrisons improved. Two held. Two evacuated successfully.

  Mixed results. But better than total collapse.

  Zhang approached. "What's next?"

  "Regional Command. Report in person. Handle the political mess. Then back to garrison improvement."

  "How many more garrisons?"

  "Ten on the critical list. Maybe more depending on Oirat movements."

  "Can we save them all?"

  Wei looked at his friend. "No. But we save who we can. That's the job."

  They rode south toward Regional Command.

  Behind them, three hundred eighty-six soldiers began building the new defensive line.

  Ahead, ten more garrisons waited.

  The frontier was still burning.

  But professional soldiers were learning to fight back.

  One garrison at a time.

  One life saved at a time.

  It wasn't victory.

  But it was survival.

  And sometimes, that was enough.

  ---

  **End of Chapter 30**