Dark clouds blanketed the sky, heralding a new chapter in Ri Yami's life. After a year and a half of skirmishes along the border and numerous tactical victories, his name began to resonate among the high command. He was summoned by the general in charge of the eastern front, who, after a brief audience, handed him a new standard: three intertwined dragons, symbolizing the rank of commander of 300 men.
"Ri Yami, by your own merits, from today you will lead a company composed of 100 heavy infantry, 100 light infantry, and 100 archers," said the general firmly.
Yami bowed his head, showing no emotion. He knew this wasn't a gratuitous promotion. They were giving him inexperienced troops and an implicit objective: survive... or disappear.
Initial Challenges
The new units arrived at the camp two days later. The light infantry were young, mostly between fifteen and eighteen years old, armed with short spears, cheap swords, and linen clothing without protection. The archers were even more inexperienced: peasants recruited with promises of gold and glory.
Yami wasted no time. He summoned his veterans from the original Ri unit—the Shadows of Ri—and assigned trainers to each group. Lao Chen took charge of the light infantry, while Han Jin, with his natural agility and sharp eye, became the principal instructor of the archers.
"They don't need strength. They need precision. Kill before they can touch you," Jin told his pupils.
For three weeks, they trained under rain, mud, and the constant threat of skirmishes.
Skirmish at Yan Path
The first test came sooner than expected. A Qin supply caravan was intercepted half a day's distance from the camp. Survivors reported that a Wei unit, composed of 120 men, had entrenched themselves at Yan Path, a narrow gorge between two wooded hills.
Yami organized a counterattack. He left his heavy infantry in reserve and marched with his archers and light infantry. Upon arrival, the enemy had constructed rudimentary barricades with logs and stones.
"Arrows from a distance, then we charge in waves," he ordered.
The novice archers, trembling, released the first volleys. Most missed, but some arrows hit their targets. Yami stood behind them, correcting postures, angles, and breathing. By the fourth volley, they began to regularly fell enemies.
When the defenders attempted to flank them on the right hillside, the light infantry—led by Lao Chen—cut off the advance with spears and pushes in formation.
It was a slow battle, but the discipline imposed by Yami paid off. By nightfall, the enemies retreated, leaving 37 dead. Yami lost 8 men, 5 of them from the new units. He took note of every mistake.Scribd+7Scribd+7Ciudad Seva - Luis López Nieves+7
Ambush at the Lian River
A month later, Yami was sent to patrol the banks of the Lian River. It was a zone prone to ambushes. Wei knew it.Literatura
That morning, the sky roared with distant thunder. The company marched in three columns: archers on the high flanks, light infantry in the center, heavy infantry in the rear.
The attack came from the river. Improvised rafts brought 80 Wei soldiers who attacked in a crescent formation. It was a suicidal tactic... but effective if morale was low. They didn't count on the new discipline imposed by Yami.
A single order activated the response: the archers launched incendiary arrows at the still-moving rafts. Flames engulfed many. The light infantry formed two blocks and received the onslaught. Yami, with his short sword, fought on the front line.
In twenty minutes, Wei's bodies floated downstream. It was Yami's first clean victory without casualties as commander of 300.
Consolidation
In the following months, Ri Yami led nine skirmishes. He destroyed small Wei outposts, intercepted enemy messages, and rescued an allied unit ambushed.
The archers improved. Their aim was lethal in open terrain and forests. The light infantry learned to move stealthily, strike quickly, and disappear. The company began to act as a single mind.