Baozhu had made up her mind. She immediately took Yuan Shaobo, Lü Qiao, and four personal guards out to survey the terrain, traveling light on horseback with only a small escort.
Using Shiyi as their base, they rode out to inspect the surrounding sites suitable for an ambush, analyzing and discussing tactics. The four guards-the brothers Xu Lai and Xu Xing, Shi Jing, and Zhangsun Ming-kept watch for the commanders.
Watching the solemn manner of Yuan and Lü, Shi Jing asked his companions quietly, "Not counting those convict soldiers, there are only fifty of us altogether. Does the princess really think each of us can fight a thousand men? It's one thing for a young girl to be so naive, but how can Commander Yuan and the others indulge her nonsense?"
Xu Lai glanced at him and said unhurriedly, "Right, you only joined her household just before we left Chang'an. You've never gone hunting with the princess."
Xu Xing picked up with a laugh. "You're the naive one. When princes and nobles hunt, they bring two or three hundred men at the least, and thousands at the most. Nor do they simply charge off in a swarm the moment they spot their quarry. They have to survey the terrain beforehand, then direct their followers to scout, lure, and encircle the prey according to its species, driving great numbers into traps before catching them all in one net. The tactics are no different from those used in battle. They're simply killing animals rather than people.
"The princess began serving as Hunt Commander at seven. First boars, second bears, third tigers-she's slain countless beasts with her own hands. The spring hunts, autumn hunts, winter hunts-the Sage took her every time. Reckoned that way, she's been commanding troops in action longer than Commander