Infiltration, Assassination and War
Wan Ki Lo, Group 3: Fiction, Diocesan Boys' School
Prologue
he northern breeze made the tent flaps blow here and there. It was nearly dawn. A figure crept near a
tent. Soundlessly, he crept towards the open flap, through which a steady snoring issued forth. The
knife in his hand glinted as he sneaked towards the sleeping person on the mat. With a quick flick of
his wrist, the assassin finished the deed he was commissioned to do. Now, it was just a matter of
getting out…
Chapter 1
Zhang, an officer of the Ming Army moved swiftly down the rows of tents towards the general’s quarters.
He had been ordered to appear before his leader at noon. The guards in front of the tent loudly announced his
arrival to the general. A tired voice said, “Come in!”
Zhang hesitated. That wasn’t the general’s voice. Then the flap burst open in his face, revealing the fierce
face of captain Yuan, the second- in-command.
“
Well? What are you waiting for? Get in!” he growled.
Zhang blinked, and then went in after the captain. The tent wall beside the mat, usually spotless, was
splattered with a substance in the colour of apples.
“
Sir, Where is the general?” he asked tentatively.
The captain grimaced, and motioned towards the sanguine stains on the fabric. With a sudden chill, Zhang
realized the spots were blood.
“
The guards were alerted to a fire last night a few tents away. In their confusion, they all went to put the
fire out, leaving the tent unguarded. When they returned, they found a figure coming out of the tent. When the
guards caught him, he laughed and said, ‘Kill me then. Just know that your Great Wall has just been breached.’
Then he threw himself upon one of the guard’s spears. Then they found the general lying in the tent with a knife
stabbed in his chest. He went to his ancestors within the minute.”
There the captain stopped for a moment to honour the general’s name.
“
But what am I to do?” Zhang asked, confused.
“
Simple. The assassin’s clothes have already been cleaned. I know you’re one of the smartest people here.
You look like the assassin too. Use your wits to get into the Mongolian army’s ranks. You’ll probably see their
leader Nurhaci, seeing how this...dog was entrusted with such a mission. Find out how they breached our
defenses. Kill him afterwards.” Captain Yuan replied curtly. “You shall leave within the hour. Avenge the
general, and you’ll be rewarded. If you fail…”
Chapter 2
It was late afternoon when Zhang reached the camp of the Mongolians. He had gotten through
Shanhaiguan with ease; the newly appointed General Yuan had ordered the soldiers there to let him go through.
As he neared the camp, his stomach started to feel like butterflies. He knew some Mongols and their etiquette,
but he didn’t know any codewords for entering the camp. To his surprise, the men at the gate bowed when he
neared.
“
Sir, You’re back!” they cheered enthusiastically.
Zhang was quickly offered a horse and soon a crowd had gathered around him, all saying something.
“
Did you kill the leader?”
“
Were you spotted by anyone?”
Before he had time to reply, he was already taken to a huge tent. Zhang’s breath caught in his throat. He
was sure Nurhaci was inside.
Nurhaci was a menacing figure. With broad shoulders and coal black hair, he sat relaxed on a golden chair.
Zhang quickly knelt and said in Mongol, “Your Majesty, I have done as you’ve ordered me. I have killed the
general holding the pass. Their forces are now in disarray.”
Nurhaci laughed, “You are truly who you say you are, my dear nephew. What swift execution! Now, we
celebrate, for you have done as you have said and returned safely.”
Nephew? We killed Nurhaci’s nephew? Zhang thought, shocked that they had incapacitated one of the
core leaders of the Mongolians so easily. Quickly composing himself, he replied gratefully, “Thank you, Your
Majesty.”
Chapter 3
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