The Ageless Dream

7.1 A Reason to Claim (25)

"Dagger spears?" Huang Zhao and Meng Tian asked in unison. Their brows knitted in confusion; Dong Li Hua let out a long sigh. Seems like the Qin State isn't using those weapons yet.

"Hmm... May I ask? Are Qin's weapons made of stronger materials than the other states?" she realized something and kept probing Qin's current strength.

"Yes. What about it?" Huang Zhao cant help but raise a brow.

"To defeat cavalry men, use the infantry instead. I'll make a sketch of a dagger spear. Try letting other blacksmiths in Hann create them until the end of this month." Dong Li Hua smiled radiantly. She picked two flags with the character 'infantry' and placed them on the left and right region. "Once the dagger spears are produced, let the infantry men take over the left and right plank. Afterwards, the mid-plank should be taken by archers. What weapon are they using?"

"Bows, of course." he answered Dong Li Hua's question again. Huang Zhao is getting more curious of the formation she is forging. With the current spear weapon the infantry men have, its impossible to take down all of Zhao State's cavalry. Aside from that, the archers have a longer time loading their bows. Her formation is not effective to go against Zhao State's forces.

"No crossbows? They are easier to load."

"There aren't. Crossbows are only for close assaults. If we were to use them for archers, its like courting death." Meng Tian frowned. He is unable to understand why she created that formation. It's a suicidal one.

"I can make it reach a far distance. Leave it to me. I'll create a sketch of crossbows and dagger spears. Its your choice when to stop the production. But for me, I think its better to stop and wait when Zhao State attack." Dong Li Hua's eyes sparkled with brilliance. Her innocent visage no longer containing the free and strong-willed spirit inside her. Both Huang Zhao and Meng Tian are looking forward for the change that will decide the future's fate.

"Hey, what about the support for the mid-plank?" Huang Zhao noticed the formation is not yet complete. He watched Dong Li Hua pick another black flag and place it behind the archers.

"Since there are no cavalry men, you should let the chariots become the supporters. The terrains here were not best for chariots so its better to turn them into the last resort. Besides, once the archers finished their job, the chariots can attack them and surround the enemy with the infantry. What will happened then is an assured victory and- and..." Dong Li Hua came to an abrupt pause. Her eyes widened upon knowing what she is doing.

"And...?" Huang Zhao inquired for more when he noticed her complexion turning pale.

"A- a complete annihilation will happen." she continued. Dong Li Hua's conscience gripped her heart. What she is doing was sacrificing other people's lives for her own gain and that gain she wanted is none other than the bracelet.

The next morning, Huang Zhao was seen standing patiently outside a courtyard inside the late Marquis An's manor. He wore a casual white robe that matched his silver mask and long dark hair neatly tied upward by a headpiece yet it still reached his waist region. It was not long before Dong Li Hua came out of her courtyard to meet him as they have agreed yesterday noon.

"You finished the sketch?" he asked once she arrived in front of him. Dong Li Hua nodded slowly; her downcast expression made her look like a beauty in distress.

"If- if I give the weapon sketched, can I have the bracelet back?" she bravely met his unfathomable dark eyes and masked her grievances. Dong Li Hua held the two xuan papers behind her back while she bit her lower lip in hesitation. She is trying to get thousands and thousands of lives sacrificed for her bracelet. However, she tried considering this for the Qin Dynasty that developed the modern China.

"En." Huang Zhao answered but a sharp light flashed across his eyes. Dong Li Hua noticed it and an ominous feeling welled up. She reluctantly handed him the sketches of a crossbow and dagger spears. In history, Qin used these weapons to fight against the other states but why is it they don't have these stuffs yet? Dagger spears, durable bronze and advanced crossbows were all dug up from the first pit of Qin Shi Huang's tomb and there are documentaries about their forms and easy access of replaceable parts. That is what Dong Li Hua is handing now.

"The bracelet..."

"I decided to give the bracelet if the result of the inevitable war is a success. However, if it fails, accept the consequences."  he smiled in a smart way, fooling Dong Li Hua that easy.

"You!" Dong Li Hua was left speechless. She gritted her teeth and calmed herself. "It won't fail."

"Good. Come with me outside, I have something to discuss for today." Huang Zhao changed his distant expression into a more presentable gentle one where he easily emitted a seductive charm without effort.

"F-fine." she glaced sideways to make sure Huang Zhao won't discover her change and faint blush.

"Wear something casual. I'll wait for you here." thankfully, he didn't notice her abashed look. Huang Zhao tilted his head slightly when she ran far from him as if she can't stand to even have a single minute staying next to him. Closing the door with a bang, Dong Li Hua wiped her cold sweat. Since when did she get enchanted by men? Specially that Huang Zhao, he is the worst person she ever met in her life! Unfortunately, why is he so charming even with that mask covering his face? Why is he not born ugly instead? If only he looked like that then she will have a reason to look away from him and not recall their embarrassing moment yesterday!

"Ugh! That monkey faced guy! Why can't he leave me alone? He is ugly, as ugly as a monkey so stop thinking about him! Right, he look more worse than a mountain gorilla." she chanted over and over again but unknown to her, Huang Zhao secretly followed her to ask why she ran. It seems that she hurriedly went away because of his looks? No one ever dared to compare him to a monkey that loud!