Deployment of Mobile CavalryBefore the siege begins, Li Wei understands that he cannot remain completely confined within the walls of Jeiying Pass. Control over the immediate surroundings and communication routes is essential to avoid total isolation. Thus, he orders a preemptive military maneuver: a roaming force made up of fast, autonomous units.
Forces deployed outside the pass:
1,500 veteran heavy cavalry→ Excellent for direct combat, ambushes, and destroying enemy convoys.
500 experienced light cavalry→ Specialists in scouting, hit-and-run tactics, mobile ambushes, and light guerrilla warfare.
1,000 cavalry from reinforcements (the marquis and Li Fang)→ A mix of medium and heavy cavalry, well-coordinated under Li Wei's command.
Total: 3,000 cavalry, divided into rapid action squadrons led by trusted lieutenants. Their mission:
Patrol roads, hills, and forests between Jeiying and neighboring territories.
Eliminate any isolated enemy groups or Chu scouts.
Disrupt enemy supply routes attempting to encircle the pass.
Identify enemy artillery positions and encampments.
Protect supply caravans and civilian refugees approaching Beiying.
This deployment prevents Chu from laying siege to the pass with complete freedom. Enemy commanders are forced to divert thousands of troops to guard their own flanks, easing the pressure on Jeiying's walls.
Urban and Defensive Growth of BeiyingOver the past three years, Li Wei has not focused solely on the military front. The city of Beiying —capital of his territory— has experienced rapid development thanks to trade, public works, defensive efforts, and the prestige of his lineage.
Key development highlights:
Current population: 150,000 (significant growth).
Urban fortifications reinforced with stone and layered internal defenses.
New city garrison:
6,000 professional, well-trained and armed soldiers.
3,000 civilians recruited as emergency militia, equipped with spears, bows, and reinforced tools. They receive basic training and are organized into defensive companies operating within the city.
Expanded infrastructure:
Provisions warehouses, military hospitals, and underground wells upgraded to withstand a potential siege.
Military academies and forge workshops have trained hundreds of artisans and soldiers, giving the region a self-sufficient base for weapons, cloaks, and armor production.
Beiying's role in the war:While Jeiying Pass is the first bastion, Beiying is the economic and political heart of Li Wei's territory. Its fall would be catastrophic, but its newfound defensive capabilities turn it into a formidable final refuge, capable of holding out for months even if the frontlines collapse.
Li Wei does not intend to surrender. His vision is clear: hold the line until Qin can reorganize its forces and launch a general counteroffensive.