# **Chapter 34: Ghosts in the Snow**
The third assault never came.
For two weeks, the Oirats stayed in their staging areas. Visible. Armed. But not attacking.
Wei watched them from Shanhaiguan's walls every morning. Twelve hundred cavalry, eight *li* north, just sitting there.
"What are they waiting for?" Commander Zhao asked on day ten.
"Winter." Wei pointed at the northern sky. Dark clouds massing. "First snow will hit in a week, maybe less. They're waiting to see if we're still here when the passes freeze."
"They're trying to outlast us?"
"They're trying to starve us. Winter logistics are brutal. We need supply convoys from the capital. Those convoys need clear roads. Snow closes the passes, we're isolated for three months."
Zhao looked at their supply stores. "How long can we hold without resupply?"
"Current stores? Sixty days at full rations. Ninety at reduced. After that..." Wei didn't finish.
"The other garrisons?"
"Similar situation. Jiayuguan has better stores—mountain garrison, always prepared for isolation. Datong and Juyongguan are worse off."
"So we're in a race. Can we hold longer than they can sustain the siege?"
"No. They have the entire steppe to draw from. We have whatever the capital can ship before the passes close." Wei turned from the wall. "But they don't know our supply situation. And we don't know theirs. So we both wait and hope the other breaks first."
---
The first snow fell on day twelve.
Light at first. Then heavier. Within three days, the passes were closing.
Wei received final convoy notification from the capital.
> Last supply convoy departing tomorrow. Three wagons. Food, ammunition, medical supplies. This is final resupply until spring thaw.
>
> Make it count.
>
> Ministry Logistics Command
Wei distributed the supplies immediately. One wagon to Jiayuguan. One to Datong. One kept at Shanhaiguan.
Not enough to be comfortable. But enough to survive winter if they were careful.
On day fifteen, the Oirat camp started breaking down.
Wei watched through his telescope as tents came down, wagons loaded, cavalry formed up for movement.
"They're withdrawing," Zhang said beside him.
"Looks like it. But where?"
They got the answer three hours later when scouts reported.
"Oirat main force withdrawing north! Six hundred cavalry moving into winter quarters! But—" The scout hesitated.
"But what?"
"Four hundred cavalry moving east along the frontier. Not withdrawing. Redeploying."
Wei pulled out his tactical map. "East. Toward the smaller garrisons. The ones we evacuated."
Commander Zhao: "Why? Those positions are abandoned."
"Exactly. No defenders means no resistance. They can occupy abandoned garrisons, establish forward positions, and use them as staging areas for spring offensive." Wei traced the route. "And they can raid our supply lines from those positions all winter."
"So we lost those garrisons permanently."
"Unless we retake them. Which we can't do in winter with limited forces." Wei made notes. "Send message to all garrison commanders—increase patrol activity. Oirats are establishing forward positions. We need early warning if they approach our remaining garrisons."
---
The pattern became clear over the next week.
Oirat cavalry occupied five evacuated garrisons: Gubeikou, Qingshanguan, Ningwuguan, Pianguan, and Yanmenguan.
They weren't garrisoning them heavily—maybe fifty troops per position. Just enough to hold and use as forward bases.
Wei tracked it on his map with growing concern.
"They're creating a network. Forward positions connected by mobile patrols. They can raid our supply lines, harass our garrisons, and withdraw to fortified positions before we can respond."
Zhang studied the map. "That's... sophisticated. Not typical Oirat strategy."
"Someone smart is commanding them. Someone who understands positional warfare and logistics interdiction." Wei marked patrol routes. "We need to disrupt this before it becomes permanent."
"How? We barely have enough troops to hold our four garrisons. We can't spare forces for offensive operations against five fortified positions."
"We don't attack all five. We hit one. Hard. Make it too expensive for them to hold forward positions." Wei pointed to Gubeikou. "This one. Closest to our lines. Fifty troops garrison. If we commit Zhang's mobile reserve plus a raiding company from Shanhaiguan, we can overwhelm them quickly."
"And after we retake it?"
"We burn it. Demolish the defenses. Make it unusable as a forward position. Then withdraw before their relief force arrives."
Commander Zhao looked skeptical. "That's scorched earth. We're destroying our own garrison."
"We're denying it to the enemy. Better unusable than occupied." Wei's voice was firm. "We can rebuild in spring. But we can't fight a winter war with Oirat forward positions deep in our territory."
---
Wei planned the raid over two days.
**Force composition:**
- Zhang's mobile reserve: 100 troops
- Shanhaiguan raiding company: 50 troops
- Total: 150 troops
**Objective:**
- Retake Gubeikou
- Eliminate garrison
- Demolish fortifications
- Withdraw before Oirat relief arrives
**Timeline:**
- Night approach: 6 hours
- Assault: 2 hours
- Demolition: 3 hours
- Withdrawal: 6 hours
- Total: 17 hours
Tight. Risky. But achievable.
Wei briefed Zhang personally.
"You're commanding. I'm staying at Shanhaiguan for strategic coordination. Hit fast, demolish thoroughly, withdraw clean. No heroics."
Zhang nodded. "Rules of engagement?"
"Eliminate the garrison. They're occupying our territory—they're legitimate targets. But avoid casualties among your own troops. This is demolition raid, not glory operation."
"And if we encounter larger force than expected?"
"Abort and withdraw. We're not risking a hundred fifty troops for symbolic victory. Mission success is good. Mission survival is acceptable. Mission failure with high casualties is unacceptable."
"Clear."
Wei handed him demolition supplies. "Burn the gates. Collapse the wall sections. Destroy the wells. Make it worthless as a garrison."
"Understood. When do we launch?"
"Tomorrow night. Weather forecast shows snow—provides cover for approach and masks withdrawal."
---
The raid launched at midnight.
Wei watched from Shanhaiguan's command tower as Zhang's force disappeared into the snowy darkness.
One hundred fifty troops. Moving fast. Professional.
Then—waiting.
Commander Zhao sat with Wei through the night. "Think they'll make it?"
"Zhang's good. The force is experienced. Gubeikou garrison is only fifty troops—we have three-to-one advantage." Wei poured tea. "But winter operations are unpredictable. Weather can shift. Enemy reinforcement could arrive early. Equipment can fail in cold."
"So you're worried."
"I'm realistic. Raids always have risk. We minimize it through planning but can't eliminate it."
They waited in silence.
Dawn came. No word.
0800 hours. Still nothing.
Wei's anxiety increased. The raid should be complete by now. Withdrawal should be in progress.
0930 hours. Messenger arrived.
Covered in snow. Exhausted. But alive.
"Sir! Raid successful! Gubeikou retaken! Garrison eliminated! Demolition complete!"
Wei felt relief. "Casualties?"
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
"Eight wounded. Two killed during assault. Enemy casualties—forty-seven killed, three captured."
"Withdrawal status?"
"In progress. Force is six hours out. Oirat relief cavalry spotted ten *li* north but not pursuing. Estimate arrival at Shanhaiguan by 1500 hours."
"Good work. Get warm. Get food."
After the messenger left, Zhao looked at Wei. "Two killed. Eight wounded. Was it worth it?"
"We denied the enemy a forward position. Demonstrated offensive capability. Forced them to increase garrison sizes at other positions—tying down more troops." Wei marked the map. "Worth it? Strategically, yes. Emotionally? Ask me when the dead soldiers' families get notification."
---
Zhang's force returned at 1530 hours.
Exhausted. Frozen. But intact.
Wei met them at the gate. "Status?"
Zhang dismounted, stamping feeling back into his feet. "Gubeikou is gone. Gates burned. North wall collapsed. Wells poisoned. The Oirats can camp there but can't garrison it effectively."
"Enemy response?"
"Relief cavalry arrived twenty minutes after we withdrew. Maybe two hundred riders. They tried pursuit but we'd already put five *li* between us. They gave up after an hour."
"Equipment losses?"
"Minimal. Some ammunition expended. Three crossbows damaged in the cold—wood cracked. Otherwise intact."
Wei nodded. "Get your troops warm. Medical check for everyone. Debrief tomorrow."
After Zhang left, Wei compiled the after-action report for General Fang.
> Sir,
>
> Offensive operation against Gubeikou completed successfully. Forward Oirat position eliminated. Garrison demolished. Enemy denied use of position.
>
> Friendly casualties: 2 KIA, 8 WIA. Enemy casualties: 47 KIA, 3 captured.
>
> Assessment: Oirat forward position strategy is vulnerable to concentrated assault. Recommend similar operations against other occupied garrisons as conditions permit.
>
> Captain Wei Zhao
Fang's response came the next day.
> Captain Wei,
>
> Well executed. But be cautious with winter operations. Casualty rates increase exponentially in cold weather.
>
> The Ministry is satisfied with offensive action. Political pressure has decreased for now.
>
> However, new problem: Oirat raids on supply convoys. Three convoys attacked in the past week. Two destroyed completely. One barely escaped.
>
> Your garrisons are isolated for winter. Plan accordingly.
>
> General Fang
Wei read it twice.
"Supply convoys destroyed. We're isolated."
Zhao: "For how long?"
"Until spring thaw. Three months minimum."
"And our current stores?"
Wei checked the inventory. "Ninety days at reduced rations. Sixty days at full. We need to go to half-rations immediately."
"The troops won't like that."
"The troops will like starving less. Cut rations. Preserve what we have. We're in winter siege now."
---
The announcement came that evening.
Wei assembled Shanhaiguan garrison in the courtyard. Five hundred thirty-five soldiers. Professional but nervous.
"Supply situation has changed. Oirats are raiding convoys. We're isolated until spring. Therefore, effective immediately, all personnel go to half-rations. Food is preserved for maximum duration."
Murmurs through the ranks. Not rebellion. Just concern.
A soldier called out: "How long can we hold on half-rations?"
"Ninety days. Spring thaw is eighty-five days out. We'll make it."
Another voice: "What if the Oirats attack while we're weakened from hunger?"
Wei's answer was blunt. "Then we fight hungry. Better than fighting dead." He paused. "I know this is hard. I know you're already exhausted from constant defense. But winter isolation is part of frontier warfare. We knew it was coming. Now we deal with it professionally."
Captain Liang stepped forward. "The evacuee companies are already demoralized. Reduced rations will hurt morale further."
"Morale doesn't fill stomachs. Preserved food does. We maintain discipline, execute our duties, and survive winter. That's the mission."
"And if morale breaks completely?"
Wei's voice turned cold. "Then we enforce discipline through the command structure. I'd prefer willing cooperation. But I'll accept forced compliance if necessary. The garrison survives winter. That's non-negotiable."
---
The first week on half-rations was rough.
Soldiers complained. Energy levels dropped. Training intensity decreased.
Wei compensated by reducing physical drills and increasing mental preparation. Tactical discussions. Scenario planning. Equipment maintenance.
Keep minds occupied. Preserve physical strength.
But the real problem emerged on day eight.
Black market food trading.
Soldiers with savings were buying extra rations from those desperate for money. Creating inequality. Undermining unit cohesion.
Wei found out when a fight broke out in Third Company. Two soldiers brawling over stolen food.
He convened company commanders immediately.
"Black market trading stops now. Full inventory of all personal food stores. Anything beyond official rations gets confiscated and redistributed equally."
Captain Song objected. "That's theft. Soldiers brought personal supplies—"
"Those personal supplies are now garrison resources. We're in winter siege. Individual hoarding creates collective risk." Wei's tone allowed no argument. "Conduct inventory today. Confiscate excess. Redistribute fairly. Anyone caught hoarding after inventory gets disciplinary action."
"The troops will hate this."
"The troops will survive this. Hate me all they want—I'll still be the commander who kept them alive through winter."
---
The inventory revealed significant hoarding.
Eighty pounds of dried meat. Forty pounds of rice. Various preserved foods stashed in personal quarters.
Wei had it all collected and redistributed to the communal stores.
Extended their survival timeline by another week.
But the morale cost was severe.
Soldiers glared at Wei during formations. Conversations stopped when he approached. The resentment was palpable.
Commander Zhao noticed. "They're turning on you."
"They're angry they can't hoard food while others starve. I can live with that anger."
"What if it becomes mutiny?"
"Then I deal with mutiny. But I don't compromise on equal rations. Everyone eats the same or no one eats."
Zhang approached that evening. "The evacuee companies are talking about desertion. Heading south before the passes close completely."
"How many?"
"Maybe fifty. Mostly from Ningwuguan and Qingshanguan companies. They think they can make it to the capital before starving."
Wei did the math. "They can't. It's eight days to the capital in good weather. In winter? Fifteen days minimum. They'll run out of food after five days and freeze after ten."
"Should we stop them?"
Wei was quiet for a moment. "No. Let them go."
"What?"
"Announce it. Anyone who wants to leave can leave. But they get three days' rations—no more. And they sign a discharge acknowledging they left against orders." Wei's expression was hard. "We can't hold people at gunpoint. If they'd rather risk winter travel than winter siege, that's their choice."
"You're just... letting them desert?"
"I'm letting them choose. The ones who stay want to be here. The ones who leave were going to be problems anyway. Better to filter them out now."
---
Twenty-three soldiers took the offer.
They signed their discharges. Took three days' rations. Left through the south gate.
Wei watched them go without comment.
Commander Zhao: "Think they'll make it?"
"No. But I can't force them to stay. And having twenty-three potential deserters in the garrison during winter siege is more dangerous than losing twenty-three troops."
"That's cold."
"That's triage. I prioritize the soldiers who'll fight over the ones who won't."
The departing soldiers looked back once as they crested the southern ridge.
Then they were gone.
Five hundred twelve troops remained.
Reduced. Hungry. Angry.
But committed.
---
The winter settled in hard after that.
Snow fell daily. Temperatures dropped. The frontier became a frozen wasteland.
Oirat patrols appeared occasionally. Testing defenses. Looking for weakness.
But no major assaults. They were conserving strength too.
Both sides locked in winter stalemate.
Wei established new routines. Survival routines.
Morning: minimal drill. Preserve energy.
Midday: equipment maintenance. Keep weapons functional in cold.
Afternoon: tactical instruction. Keep minds sharp.
Evening: rationing. Carefully measured portions. Equal distribution.
Night: watch rotation. Professional vigilance despite hunger.
It worked. Barely.
Casualties from cold increased. Frostbite. Hypothermia. Illness.
But combat casualties stayed low.
They were surviving.
On day thirty of winter isolation, messenger arrived from Jiayuguan.
Emaciated. Barely standing. But alive.
"Sir... Jiayuguan reports... successful defense. Two minor Oirat probes... repelled. Garrison intact. Supplies... adequate for fifty more days."
Wei gave him food and water. "Rest. You did well."
After the messenger was taken to medical, Zhang approached.
"Fifty days for Jiayuguan. We have sixty days remaining. Datong?"
"No word. But they had the worst supply situation. They're probably down to thirty days."
"And Juyongguan?"
"Also no word." Wei marked his map. "We're isolated. Fighting separate battles. Connected only by occasional messenger."
"Can we hold?"
"We hold or we die. Those are the options."
---
On day forty-five, the desperate idea came.
Wei was reviewing supply manifests when he noticed the discrepancy.
"We're burning through firewood faster than food."
Commander Zhao: "Because it's winter. We need heat or we freeze."
"But we're using garrison firewood. What if we use... something else?"
"Like what?"
Wei pointed to the evacuated garrisons visible in the distance. "Like abandoned garrisons. They have firewood. Stored supplies. Maybe preserved food the Oirats didn't find."
Zhao stared. "You want to raid Oirat-occupied positions for firewood and food?"
"I want to send small teams—five troops each—to slip into abandoned sections of those garrisons at night, scavenge what's useful, and slip out before the Oirat garrison realizes."
"That's insane. The risk—"
"Is balanced against freezing or starving. We're at day forty-five. We have forty-five days of food left. Every pound of grain we scavenge extends that timeline."
Zhang entered during the conversation. "You're talking about scavenging raids?"
"I'm talking about survival. We can't get supply convoys. We can't reduce rations further without losing combat effectiveness. So we scavenge enemy positions for resources."
"How many teams?"
"Three. Five troops each. Targeting different evacuated garrisons. Night operations. In and out before dawn."
"Casualty expectations?"
Wei was honest. "Twenty percent. Maybe higher. Winter scavenging in enemy-occupied territory is brutal."
"So we sacrifice three to five soldiers for maybe a week of extra food?"
"We try to extend our survival timeline using available resources. Success extends timeline. Failure costs lives. Command decisions are never clean."
Zhang and Zhao exchanged looks.
Finally, Zhang spoke. "I'll lead one team. Gubeikou—I know the layout from the demolition raid."
"I'll lead second team," Zhao said. "Qingshanguan."
"Third team goes to Ningwuguan," Wei said. "I'll lead it."
"You're the garrison commander—"
"Which is why I lead the most dangerous option. If I'm asking troops to risk their lives scavenging, I risk mine too."
---
The scavenging raids launched on day forty-seven.
Three teams. Fifteen troops total. Moving into winter darkness.
Wei led his team toward Ningwuguan. Five soldiers. Experienced. Professional.
The approach took four hours through snow.
They reached Ningwuguan's outer perimeter at 0200 hours.
The Oirat garrison—fifty troops—was mostly asleep. Guards on the main gate only. Interior sections unwatched.
Wei's team slipped over the east wall. Silent. Controlled.
They moved to the storage sections. Found what they were looking for.
Firewood: two cords, stacked and forgotten.
Grain: sixty pounds, in sealed containers the Oirats hadn't discovered.
Preserved meat: twenty pounds, hidden in a collapsed storage room.
They loaded it onto improvised sleds. Started withdrawal.
Then—alarm.
An Oirat guard had seen something. Shouted.
"MOVE!" Wei hissed.
His team ran. Dragging sleds. The Oirat garrison mobilizing behind them.
They made it over the wall. Into the darkness.
Arrows followed. One hit Private Chen in the leg. He stumbled.
Wei grabbed him. "Keep moving!"
They ran through snow for two *li* before the pursuit stopped.
Chen was bleeding but functional. The supplies were intact.
They'd done it.
---
All three teams returned by dawn.
Zhang's team: Successful. Two cords firewood, forty pounds grain. No casualties.
Zhao's team: Successful. One cord firewood, thirty pounds grain, ten pounds meat. One soldier wounded—arrow graze.
Wei's team: Successful. Two cords firewood, sixty pounds grain, twenty pounds meat. One soldier wounded—Chen's leg wound.
Total haul: Five cords firewood. One hundred thirty pounds grain. Thirty pounds meat.
Casualty cost: Two wounded. No deaths.
Extension of supply timeline: Eight days.
Wei compiled the results. "Was it worth it?"
Zhang answered. "We risked fifteen troops. Got eight extra days of survival. Wounded two soldiers. From pure math? Yes. From command perspective? That's for you to judge."
Wei thought about Private Chen, being treated for an arrow wound because Wei sent him scavenging in enemy territory.
"It was necessary. Whether it was right is different question."
"Welcome to command," Zhao said quietly.
---
The scavenged supplies were distributed that evening.
Extra rations for three days. Firewood to keep barracks warm.
Morale improved slightly. Troops could feel the extra food. See the extra warmth.
They didn't know the cost. Didn't know two soldiers were wounded getting it.
Wei kept that information among the officers.
Let the troops have their improved morale. The officers could carry the burden of knowing the price.
On day fifty, scouts reported Oirat movement.
"Main force withdrawing further north. Winter quarters. Only skeleton garrisons remaining at forward positions."
Wei marked his map. "They're settling in for winter too. Both sides conserving strength until spring."
"So we made it?" Commander Zhao asked.
"We made it to midwinter. Thirty-five days until spring thaw. We can hold that long."
"And then?"
"And then the real war begins. Both sides will be hungry, angry, and ready to fight." Wei looked at his depleted, exhausted garrison. "But we'll still be here. That's what matters."
The winter dragged on. Cold. Hungry. Brutal.
But Shanhaiguan held.
Five hundred twelve soldiers surviving against the season.
Against the enemy.
Against the odds.
One frozen day at a time.
---
**End of Chapter 34**
