The Battle of Dajie<\/p>\n
The thunder of battle drums shattered the silence of the summer night.
\n\u201cYour Majesty, we are under attack!\u201d The captain in charge of the sentries staggered in to report, two arrows buried in his back.
\nThat was the last thing he said before he collapsed and breathed his last.
\n\u201cFind out the strength of the enemy,\u201d I ordered.
\nYou-yan, the captain of my bodyguard, rushed out of the command camp immediately.
\nI did not even have to wait for her report to know we were in an unenviable position.\u00a0 The Emperor had taken the bulk of the army with him in pursuit of the Qiang rebels, following up our earlier victory.\u00a0 I had cautioned him for his over-confidence but as expected, he did not heed advice easily.\u00a0 When he led his troops out of the Dajie camp, I had to brush off an ominous thought that I would never see him again.
\nFor nights, I had nightmare that he had walked into an ambush set by the cunning Yao Chang.\u00a0 But I was wrong.\u00a0 Yao was even more cunning that I thought.\u00a0 Instead of waiting for my husband, Fu Deng, Emperor of Qin, he had made a detour and attacked our main base here in Dajie.
\n\u201cYour Majesty,\u201d You-yan rushed back to report, \u201cWe cannot ascertain the size of enemy force but from the torches they carried, we estimated at least twenty to thirty thousand riders.\u201d
\nThirty thousand.
\nWhen we had only a token force of no more than ten thousand here, many of them wounded from the previous battle trying to recuperate.\u00a0 Anyone could see the outcome of the coming battle.
\n\u201cSend fast riders to inform His Majesty.\u00a0 We will try to hold out as long as possible.\u201d
\nTwo warriors assigned to such duties went out and leapt on their mounts and sped into the night.\u00a0 I knew it was mere gesture. Even if the riders could reach my husband, we would be all dead by the time he came back with his troops.
\n\u201cYour Majesty, can we break out?\u00a0 We will cover you with our lives.\u201d You-li, the younger sister of Yan came forward.
\nI shook my head.\u00a0 Yao-chang was well prepared for this.\u00a0 The chance of our successful breaking out simply did not exist.
\n\u201cMost of our troops were foot soldiers.\u00a0 They would never have a chance to outrun the fresh Qiang heavy cavalry.\u201d
\nThere was silence in the tent.
\n\u201cWe fight and we die.\u00a0 Those who are not ready to give up their lives can leave now and try her best to stay alive.\u201d
\nI looked around the faces of the young women who made up my personal guards.
\nNo one made any move.
\n\u201cGood. Then, we die together. Prepare for battle!\u201d<\/p>\n
The battle had already started.
\nOn the outer defense, warriors of our Di tribe were trying to hold back the heavily armored Qiang riders.\u00a0 Torched arrows criss-crossed the summer sky like a thousand wisps in a mad dance. The noise of dying men and panicky horses mingled the thundering of drums and the blowing of horns. Some of our tents were burning. Flames and smoke was everywhere and the smell of burning flesh wafted with the wind.
\n\u201cBattle formation!\u201d You-yan shouted.
\nMy bodyguards, the five hundred hand-picked young women warriors, quickly formed three long lines in front with another two in the rear to ensure we would not be surprised from behind.
\nI had put on my light armour: a leather bustier with metallic breastplates over my white riding shirt. You-li helped me to fasten my helmet as I fastened my sword to my side.\u00a0 The bow and quiver was then taken up.\u00a0 Lim-wei, a girl of only eighteen who joined my bodyguard only two months ago brought my stallion.\u00a0 When she helped me to my saddle, I caught hold of her hand and said, \u201c Make a run for it.\u00a0 You are too young to die.\u201d\u00a0 Lim-wei just smiled and shook her head.\u00a0 Then, she took up her halberd and joined her sisters in the front rank.
\nOur outer defense was quickly overrun.\u00a0 The battle had begun to take the form of a massacre.\u00a0 Men fell like flies.\u00a0 Heads rolled down from shoulders even when the rest of the body was still moving forward before they collapsed.\u00a0 Those who were wounded could expect no mercy.\u00a0 The Qiang army took no prisoners, apart from beautiful women.\u00a0 Our men who lost their ability to fight would get a stab from a spear or a slash over the throat.\u00a0 I could not let them die helpless.
\n\u201cAttack!\u201d I gave the order.
\nThe first three ranks advanced.\u00a0 The spears and halberds of the first rank were leveled, poised to strike. Those in the second rank held small round shields and long swords, ready for close combat. And along the third rank, archers notched their arrows.
\nI led my small contingent of riders forward.\u00a0 Those on foot moved to the left and right to let us pass.
\n\u201cMay the Qin Empire reign forever!\u201d I shouted the battle-cry and charged.
\nThe archers let go their arrows, ensuring a shower of missiles would shield us in front.
\nThe Qiang soldiers busy slaughtering our wounded were taken by surprise and they broke.\u00a0 I took hold of my bow, notched an arrow and let go.\u00a0 An officer in the distance toppled down his saddle as his hand clutched at the shaft of the arrow buried in his neck.\u00a0 I did not pay any more attention to him, notched another arrow and let go again.\u00a0 This time, it was the one holding a large banner with the Qiang totem on it, a ram with a huge pair of horns.\u00a0 The Qiang were original shepherds.
\nOur men and women cheered.\u00a0 Toppling the enemy banner was a minor victory.
\nI continued to shoot, as many of my riders.\u00a0 The sing of bows was certainly the most pleasant sound to hear on this night.
\n\u201cRegroup! Do not give chase!\u201d I shouted to You-yan who rode by my side.\u00a0 She nodded and took up her horn and blew.\u00a0 Like receding waves, our troop fell back in order, taking those who was wounded but still capable to fight with us.\u00a0 Not many though.\u00a0 Our strength grew by around two hundred.\u00a0 The rest was lost.<\/p>\n
We were just in time to reform our defense.\u00a0 As expected, a second wave of enemies emerged from the smoke. Heavy cavalry!\u00a0 The pride of the Qiang Army.
\nHeavily armoured, it would take a very accurate or lucky shot to down one of them.\u00a0 Even their horses were covered with chain-mails.
\n\u201cStand fast.\u00a0 Do not give in!\u201d You-li, as second-in-command had dismounted and was shouting encouragement to the girls.
\n\u201cHere they come!\u201d
\nA wall of metal advanced towards us at a trot.\u00a0 They did not charge because their armour was just too heavy and the horses would tired out if they were at full speed.
\nEven so, they were formidable.
\n\u201cYour Majesty. What should we do?\u201dYou-yan asked.
\n\u201cUse fire!\u201d I said.
\nYou-yan understood immediately.
\nQuickly, the arrow-tips of the archers were wrapped with cotton-gauze dipped in thick oil.
\nThe first line of enemies were within range.
\n\u201cNow!\u201d
\nWe did not shoot at the riders. We aimed at the horses, eye level.
\nIt worked.\u00a0 The flight of hundreds of burning arrows threw the enemy formation into disarray.\u00a0 Some tumbled down, bringing down the riders together.\u00a0 Some turned back and clashed with those from behind.\u00a0 Those who rode on were impaled by our long spears and halberds.
\nSlain men and braying horses carpeted the space before us.
\nBut we were also in trouble: we were running low on arrows.
\nIt was then the enemy mounted archers launched their attack.
\n\u201cArgh!\u201d Ling-er, who was holding my battle-banner was hit by an arrow on her right breast.\u00a0 She rolled down from her saddle. You-yan grabbed the banner just in time so as not to let it fall to the ground. I looked at Ling-Er lying spread-eagled in the dust. She wiggled a little and then was still. She had followed me for five years since she was sixteen.
\nBut I could not afford the luxury to mourn for her.\u00a0 The battle was raging around us.
\nSome of the Qiang cavalry had made it through our lines and my girls were battling them with all they had. I emptied my quiver, bringing down at least ten mounted enemies.\u00a0 You-yang handed me her quiver and I downed another five.\u00a0 We finally ran out of missiles.\u00a0 One of my girls handed me my halberd.
\n\u201cCharge!\u201d
\nThe thin line of female riders crashed into a new wave of heavily armoured riders.
\nI used my halberd to thrust left and right and felt the satisfaction as metal drilled into flesh.\u00a0 But we suffered losses too.\u00a0 Zui-bik was fighting two riders at the same time. She cut down one but the other buried his battle-axe into her chest and she gave a cry and arched back in pain. The axe-wielder pulled the weapon out and in the midst of a curtain of red, brought the axe down and cut off her pretty head.
\n\u201cSee! A good trophy!\u201d He was laughing.
\nA sudden anger rose in me.
\n\u201cAie!\u201d I shouted and spurred my horse into a charge.\u00a0 The axe-man saw me riding towards him and dropped the head, bracing his pole-axe to meet my onslaught. I found a hole in his defense and made a hole in his neck.\u00a0 His eyes were open wide when he fell from his horse.
\nLim-wei had lost her helmet and armour.\u00a0 They were torn from her in close fighting.
\nHer white riding shirt was also in tatters and the indigo underwear was now visible.\u00a0 So was the better part of her breasts. Still she fought on, her sword swinging at any moving image near her.\u00a0 It was a futile fight thought. She was quickly overpowered, her sword snatched, the indigo underwear pulled down to expose her beautiful breasts and two daggers were plunged above the nipples.\u00a0 She arched back, eyes open wide and fell onto the pile of bodies of her slain comrades.
\nI heard a cry from behind and turned.
\nIt was You-yan.
\nA halberd from a rider had cut open her breast-plates and continued to slice down the entire length of her body. She rolled off her saddle and upon hitting the ground, tried to rise again but only managed to get into a kneeling position.\u00a0 A passing rider beheaded her\u00a0 He did not even stop to pick up her head.
\nOver half of my body-guards were slain.
\nThe rest fought on, like lionesses.
\nWhen their main weapons were blunted, they drew out their daggers to stab and slash and when these too were no longer useable, they used nails and teeth.\u00a0 They died bravely, their honour as daughters of Di upheld.
\nI was ready to die too.
\nThen I saw You-Li in trouble.\u00a0 She was surrounded by four men with heavy weapons and she was desperately fending off their attacks with a sword.\u00a0 I charged at the men and decapitated one of them.\u00a0 You-Li seized the chance and dispatched another.\u00a0 But the third one had caught hold of the rein of my mount. I hacked at his arm and once he let go, I pulled my horse back to let it stamped him to pulps. But others were rushing in and lacking space to maneuvered, my horse was brought down by a multitude of hands.\u00a0 I rolled down the saddle but sprang to my feet and warded off the attacks of two spearmen. The halberd was of little use now, being too clumsy to fight on foot.\u00a0 I used it as a javelin and impaled two Qiang warrior rushing in. Then I drew my sword.\u00a0 I had lost my helmet in the fall and my long black hair was now flying in the wind.
\nYou-li was now fighting back-to-back with me.
\nI slew another three enemies with my sword. Then came a sound of metal breaking and I was holding only half a sword in my hand.
\nBoth of us knew the battle was lost.
\n\u201cKill me!\u201d I said.
\n\u201cNo!\u201d She shook her head.
\n\u201cKill me! I order you as your Empress.\u00a0 Do not let me fall into their hands alive!\u201d
\n\u201cForgive me, Your Majesty.\u201d She finally made up her mind and aimed her sword at my heart.
\n\u201cYes, do it!\u201d I open wide my arms.
\nBut she was too late.
\nJust as her sword was to run me through, her mouth open wide in surprise, dropping her sword.
\nI put out my arms to hold her falling body.
\nThere were three arrow shafts sticking out from her back.
\n\u201cI am sorry\u2026\u201d she glided down.
\n\u201cRest, my sister. I do not blame you.\u201d
\nAnd she died in my arms.
\nI was taken prisoner.<\/p>\n
They striped my armor and had me taken to Yao Chang after binding my wrists behind my back.
\nHe was old, much older than I expected.\u00a0 But his eyes were still flooded with lust.
\n\u201cAh, such a beauty!\u201d He seized me with his wolfish eyes.\u00a0 With only a flimsy white undergarment to cover my breasts, I felt as if I was naked.
\n\u201cKill me!\u201d I said.
\n\u201cWhy so eager to die, Empress Mao?\u201d he said. \u201cYou have been an empress.\u00a0 You can still be an empress if you are willing: the Empress of the Qiang.\u201d
\n\u201cI would rather die!\u201d
\n\u201cWhat a pity?\u201d he chuckled, one of his hands put out and cup my left breast over the silk.
\nI knew what he was gong to do next.
\n\u201cYou Qiang dog! You have already betrayed your master, the late Emperor Fu Jian, strangling him at Xinping.\u00a0 Now you wanted to insult the reigning Empress.\u00a0 How can Heaven and Earth allow this despicable creature like you to live on?\u201d
\nI saw his face went dark.
\nThe betrayal and murder of the former emperor had always been a heavy burden on him, not that he felt remorse but he feared retribution in form of his ghost.
\n\u201cSo you are not going to yield?\u201d
\n\u201cOver my dead body!\u201d I spat on his face.
\n\u201cSo be it!\u201d He wiped the saliva off with his hand. \u201cTake her out and behead her. Hang her head high for all to see the sad end of Empress Mao.\u00a0 But leave her body to me.\u201d
\nI shuddered at his last words.\u00a0 What was he planning to do?\u00a0 But I knew that was outside my power to change anything.
\nI was taken outside by strong hands.
\nAt the entrance to the camp, they striped me waist up. My breasts bounced free.\u00a0 I looked at them.\u00a0 Only one pair of male hands had touched these. Now, they were gazed upon by thousands of eyes.
\n\u201cLet me pray first.\u201d I said.
\nThe officer nodded and they left me in a kneeling position.
\nI turned to face the direction where my husband should be and made a silent prayer, asking for forgiveness for dishonouring the imperial banner.
\nWhen I finished praying, I looked round once again at the carnage around me.\u00a0 Many heads were already hanging on poles.\u00a0 I could see those of You-yan and her sister, and that of young Lim-er, her long raven black hair dancing in the night wind.
\nThey had fought bravely and were loyal to the last.
\nIt was my honour to have fought with them and die with them.
\nI turned to the officer and said \u201cI am ready.\u201d
\nOne of the soldiers was ordered to hold the tip of my long hair and stretched it in front of me.\u00a0 In this way, it would not get in the way of the executioner\u2019s sword.
\nI felt my head being pulled forward, my neck exposed.
\nIn the glow of the dying fire, I saw the shadow of a man, half naked, raising the board sword.
\nI closed my eyes and waited\u2026<\/p>\n
(Epilog)<\/p>\n
The Battle of Dajie was a decisive battle that determined the fate of the Qin (former Qin) Empire.\u00a0 It was fought in AD 389.\u00a0 The Di tribe lost, Empress Mao was captured and upon refusing to surrender, was decapitated.\u00a0 Fu Deng never recovered from the loss. He was later killed in battle in AD 394.\u00a0 Yao Chang crowned himself emperor but he reigned only very shortly and was succeeded by his son Yao Xing, one of the most able rulers among the barbarians who had been controlling the northern half of China since AD 304. This period of incessant wars ended only in AD 589 when China was again united under one ruler.<\/p>\n
It was said that Yao Chang, while unable to satiate his lust due to the Empress\u2019s refusal to surrender, committed necrophilia with her corpse after she was beheaded. The body was then burned together with the head, taken down from the pole.<\/p>\n
Empress Mao was possibly the only ruling queen to die in battle in the history of China.\u00a0 Her exploit was recorded in official Chinese history, a rare honour indeed in a male-dominated China. The historian Sima Guang who lived nearly seven hundred years after her demise described her as \u201cyoung, beautiful and brave; holding off the Qiang army with her few followers and shot dead many enemies before her capture.\u201d\u00a0 The necrophilia bit was left out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Empress leads her troops into battle with unfavorable odds. Continue reading