Li Wei surveyed the camp assigned to his unit with a mix of responsibility and resolve. The banners had yet to be raised; the ground had not yet been worn by the weight of discipline. But it soon would be. Soon, those poorly erected tents and that handful of uncoordinated men would become a living, fearsome force. His unit.
Of the 1,000 men he had been granted, 600 had been directly assigned:
400 medium infantry, equipped with basic full armor, straight spears, rectangular shields, and short swords.
100 line archers, competent but lacking in distinction.
100 logistics soldiers, responsible for supplies, foraging, healing, and equipment maintenance.
It was a solid base, but still insufficient. He still needed 400 more men to recruit or acquire if he wanted to form a complete and versatile unit, capable of autonomous missions or resisting a frontal assault.
Permission arrived in the form of a letter sealed with the emblem of the State of Qin: he was allowed to return home for five days to regroup, plan, and personally choose part of the rest of his unit. It wasn't a common gesture, but few officers his age had accomplished what he had. He was, simply put, an exceptional case.
Return to the North
The caravan departed at dawn, with Li Wei riding Grey Wind, who seemed not to have aged a single day since his capture during the barbarian campaign. Upon arriving at the lands of the Li Clan, the welcome was modest but solemn. His grandfather, Li Zhong, a man with a weathered face and eyes sunken like rusted iron, did not greet him with praise, but with a simple question:
—"What is your vision for the thousand men you command?"
Li Wei lowered his head briefly before answering:
—"To form a unit that not only obeys, but thinks. That not only endures, but strikes. I want men who understand war the way I understand it."
The old clan lord watched him for a long time. Then he rose, raised a hand, and an aide approached carrying a scroll.
—"For bringing honor to the Li Clan by achieving first place in the practical exam and becoming the youngest captain in Qin's history, you are granted a special reward from the Clan Council. I add to it my authority as Patriarch."
Li Wei carefully broke the seal.
What the letter contained was more valuable than gold.
A formal transfer of:
200 elite mounted archers from the Li ClanTrained from adolescence in the art of shooting at a gallop. The cutting edge of agile cavalry.
200 elite heavy cavalrymenKnown as the Lions of the North. Clad in black plate armor, closed helmets, wielding war maces, thick lances like tree branches, and reinforced curved shields. They had formed the backbone of northern defense since his great-grandfather's time.
Li Wei took a moment to raise his gaze. His grandfather added:
—"These men are yours, not by blood… but by merit. If you fail, the dishonor will be double. But if you triumph, the name Li will echo for generations."
New Relationships Unlocked
Lions of the North(Elite Heavy Cavalry):Loyal to the Li family, but they will constantly test Wei's leadership capabilities.
Blue Hawks of the Li Clan(Elite Mounted Archers):Their captains are veterans of skirmishes and are not afraid to give advice, though they are used to autonomy.