The Calm Before the Storm

As the dust settled from the tense confrontation outside the palace walls, both sides began to prepare for the inevitable clash. The air was thick with anticipation and the capital buzzed with a mixture of fear and determination.

The Mongol camp, situated just outside the city, was a hive of activity. Warriors sharpened their blades and inspected their armour, their faces set with grim resolve. Erdene, along with Tagadhur, walked among their ranks, offering words of encouragement and steeling their spirits for the battle ahead.

"Remember what we fight for," Erdene's voice rang out. "For our fallen, for our honour, and for the future of our people. We shall not falter."

The warriors responded with a unified roar, their morale bolstered by her presence. Erdene knew that this battle would be their defining moment, and she was determined to lead her people to victory.

Back within the city, General Li Feng and his loyal troops were also making their preparations. The Tuliang formation was meticulously organized, with soldiers taking their positions along the walls, at the gates, and in the crucial strategic points within the city. General Li Feng moved among them, ensuring that each soldier knew their role.

"Hold the lines," he instructed. "We must give no quarter. The safety of the people depends on our resolve."

His men, inspired by his leadership, nodded resolutely. They were aware of the high stakes, but General Li Feng's presence instilled a sense of confidence among them.

In the palace, Emperor Ming Jian and Empress Xia were surrounded by their advisors and generals. The emperor's face was a mask of determination, while Empress Xia's eyes gleamed with a mixture of anticipation and cold calculation.

"Ensure that our defences are impenetrable," Emperor Ming Jian ordered. "We must not let the Mongols breach our walls."

The corrupted generals, Mo Tingfeng, Tan Ling, and Dong Guo, exchanged glances, their expressions betraying a mix of arrogance and trepidation. General Bai, standing a bit apart, looked focused and ready to fulfil his duty to protect the city.

As night fell, the capital held its breath. The signal for the war to commence would be the lighting of the great bonfires along the walls, a tradition that had signified the beginning of countless battles in the empire's history.

When the first bonfire was lit, its flames casting a red glow against the dark sky, it was as if the entire city collectively exhaled. The signal was clear: the time for battle had come.

From their positions, the Mongol warriors watched as the bonfires flared to life. Erdene raised her hand, and with a decisive motion, signaled her archers to release a volley of flaming arrows. The arrows arced through the night sky, their fiery tips a stark contrast against the darkness, and rained down upon the city's outer defences.

The sound of the arrows hitting their targets was soon followed by the clash of steel and the cries of battle. The Mongol warriors surged forward, their attack precise and relentless. The city's walls were quickly enveloped in the chaos of war.

General Li Feng, positioned at the main gate, directed his troops with unwavering authority. His men held their ground, repelling the initial waves of the assault with skill and determination. Yet, amid the chaos, Li Feng's mind was focused on his true mission: ensuring the Mongols could breach the city's defences without arousing suspicion.

Inside the city, the people huddled in their homes, the sounds of battle a terrifying backdrop to their prayers and whispers. The imperial soldiers moved through the streets, maintaining order and providing reassurances where they could.

Those under General Li Feng's command were calm and disciplined, their presence a steadying influence on the frightened citizens. In contrast, the corrupted soldiers of the other generals were harsh and aggressive, their attempts at control only adding to the fear and confusion.

The battle raged on through the night, the flames of the bonfires and the sounds of conflict painting a grim picture of the struggle for the city. General Li Feng's strategic positioning and the loyalty of his men ensured that the Mongols found gaps in the defences, allowing them to push deeper into the city.

As dawn began to break, casting a pale light over the battlefield, the reality of the situation became clear. The Mongol army had made significant advances, their relentless assault bringing them to the heart of the Capital.

The stage was set for the final confrontation. The city's fate hung in the balance, and the true test of loyalty, strategy, and resolve was about to unfold. Both sides knew that the coming hours would determine not just the outcome of the battle, but the future of the empire itself.

As the battle raged outside the walls of Capital, the palace remained a hub of tension and misinformation. Emperor Ming Jian, Empress Xia, and their inner circle gathered in the war room, anxiously awaiting reports from the front lines. They trusted the information relayed by General Li Feng's men, oblivious to the elaborate ruse being played out beyond the city's fortifications.

General Li Feng, positioned at the main gate, had orchestrated a masterful deception. The sounds of battle—clashing steel, thudding arrows, and shouted commands—filled the air, but the conflict was an illusion. His soldiers, loyal and well-rehearsed, created the cacophony while ensuring that no real bloodshed occurred. The Mongol warriors, led by Erdene, slipped through the defences without resistance, readying themselves for the final strike.

Within the palace walls, Emperor Ming Jian paced restlessly.

"What news from the front?" he demanded, his voice echoing in the vast chamber.

"Your Majesty, General Li Feng reports that the enemy is being held at bay. Our forces remain steadfast, and the Mongols have yet to breach the inner defences," a young messenger, breathless and wide-eyed, bowed deeply.

"It seems our Invisible General is proving his worth once again," Empress Xia, seated with an air of composed authority, allowed a small smile to touch her lips unknowing that herself being tricked.

The corrupted generals, Mo Tingfeng, Tan Ling, and Dong Guo, exchanged uneasy glances. Despite their outward confidence, they harboured doubts about the true state of the battle. General Bai, however, maintained his focus, his mind turning over the possibilities of what might truly be happening beyond the walls.

In reality, the scene outside was a stark contrast to the grim reports being fed to the emperor. General Li Feng's men, well aware of their true mission, ensured that the appearance of a fierce battle was maintained without any real casualties. The Mongols, under the cover of this deception, moved strategically through the city's defences.

General Li Feng directed his soldiers with precision, ensuring that key points were secured and pathways were cleared for the Mongol forces. The fake skirmishes were perfectly choreographed, with carefully timed sounds of combat and strategically placed decoys to reinforce the illusion.

Inside the palace, the tension mounted. The emperor's advisors and the remaining generals debated strategies, oblivious to the true nature of the conflict outside. Each new report from the front lines, delivered by General Li Feng's men, painted a picture of a hard-fought defence, further convincing the emperor of his general's prowess.

Empress Xia, despite her confidence, couldn't shake a nagging sense of unease. She knew better than to trust anyone completely, even those who seemed loyal. "Ensure that the reports are verified," she instructed one of her trusted aides. "I want to know exactly what is happening out there."

As the aide scurried off to gather more information, the war room buzzed with activity. Maps were unfurled, strategies were discussed, and the emperor's frustration grew. He longed for a decisive victory, for the Mongols to be repelled once and for all.

Meanwhile, General Li Feng continued his orchestrations at the main gate. His men, skilled in deception, maintained the ruse flawlessly. The Mongol warriors, now fully integrated into the city's defences, awaited the signal to strike.

The tension within the palace was palpable. Emperor Ming Jian, confident in his general's abilities, began to plan the next steps of their defence. He envisioned a glorious victory, one that would solidify his reign and crush any opposition.

Empress Xia, ever the schemer, watched her husband closely. She knew that the true test was yet to come. Her eyes flicked to the door, anticipating the return of her aide with more concrete information.

But as the night wore on, the reports remained consistent. General Li Feng, it seemed, was holding the line. The emperor and his advisors lulled into a false sense of security, continued their preparations, unaware of the betrayal that lurked within their ranks.

Outside the palace, the city of Capital lay in a tense calm, the true battle yet to be unleashed. General Li Feng's deception had bought the Mongol forces the time they needed to position themselves strategically. The stage was set, and the pieces were in place for the final act of their plan.

As dawn approached, the palace remained on high alert, its occupants poised for the next move. The emperor's confidence in his defences, bolstered by the false reports, would soon be shattered. The true face of the battle, hidden behind the veil of deception, was about to be revealed, and the fate of the empire hung in the balance.