But they are not. They fight for a man they believe to be a living god, and I doubt he is done with us.”
“Then where are our reinforcements?” Neshim proved incapable of keeping the whine from his voice as he stared at the general with barely restrained desperation. “The Venerable Realm can call on countless spears, yet every day dawns with no sign of them.”
“I remind you that we serve at the pleasure of the Merchant King,” Sho Tsai said, voice flat. “And he will only act in the best interests of the kingdom. Therefore, if he has chosen not to send reinforcements, I trust he has sound cause.”
“I do not question the wisdom of the great Lian Sha. But I do appeal to reason. We have done more than enough to satisfy honour.” The Governor attempted a resolute posture, forcing the quaver from his voice as he spoke on. “I believe, as duly appointed Governor of this city, it is time to plan for our escape.”
“Escape?” Vaelin enquired.
“Well, yes. ‘When all hope of victory is denied you, there is no shame in retreat and conservation of remaining forces.’ The words, need I remind you, General, of the Most Esteemed Kuan-Shi, the greatest philosopher of the Emerald Empire.”
“A remarkable mind indeed,” Sho Tsai said. “So great in fact that, after he cut Kuan-Shi’s head off, the emperor had it pickled.”
Neshim flushed but ploughed on with a determination Vaelin found oddly admirable. “Nevertheless,” the governor said, “his wisdom echoes through the ages and we should abide it. I took the liberty of consulting our former governor’s books.” He unfurled a scroll showing a map of sorts, the lines having been set down in a somewhat unsteady hand. “It transpires history provides a parallel for our current dilemma. The fall of Juhlun-Kho in the late third century of the Divine Dynasty. The city commander used a screen of cavalry to shield his forces, which he divided into two columns, one numerous but poorly armed and consisting of his least effective troops, the other smaller but composed of well-armed veterans. The former was, in an act of regrettable necessity, sent on a course that would place them closest to the enemy. However, their resultant destruction bought sufficient time for the more valuable troops to make good their escape.”
Sho Tsai maintained a placid demeanour as he took the scroll from the governor’s trembling hand. “A clever stratagem indeed,” he said after a brief consideration. “One I’m prepared to consider. However,” he added, freezing the governor’s relieved smile, “only if you agree to take personal charge of the weaker column. Please know I ensure word of your selfless sacrifice will be spread far and wide.”
Neshim’s throat bulged several times before he stepped back from the map table, bowing low. “I was remiss,” he said, still bowing. “Military matters are, of course, your province.”
“That they are.” Sho Tsai tossed the governor’s map aside, gesturing impatiently for him to stop bowing. “Our supply situation?”
“We remain well provisioned. If anything, it might be worthwhile increasing the men’s rations since some of the food is likely to spoil if it isn’t consumed soon.”
Vaelin saw no satisfaction in Sho Tsai’s bearing at this, the reason being easy to divine. They had food to spare because he had lost so many men. “Very well,” he said. “Please go now and see to it.”
The governor bowed again, huffing in obvious relief as he made his exit.
“Respectfully, General,” Tsai Lin began, “having a coward in such a high position . . .”
“He was brave enough to stay when it would have been easy for him to flee before we closed the gates,” Sho Tsai interrupted. “No man is immune to weakness, which is a lesson I thought you had learned long ago.”
He stared at his son until Tsai Lin lowered his gaze, a shameful frown on his brow.
“The notion of escape is not entirely without merit,” Vaelin said, retrieving the discarded scroll from the table. “At least for some. With a diversion of sufficient size, the cavalry could be got away.”
“Along with your companions, I assume?” Sho Tsai asked.
Vaelin saw little point in dissembling. “I doubt they would go, but yes, if I can persuade them. They’ve followed me far enough.”
“I need every blade for the walls,” the general said, shaking his head. “Besides, any cavalry force we could muster would be chased down and wiped out by the Stahlhast or the Tuhla before they could travel more than a few miles.”
“Not to