Chapter 690: Choking Up

"... Is that really the banner of Shuofang Pass? It looks like Great Jin had prepared long ago; that place is over a hundred li from Shuofang Pass… sigh! The news has already leaked."

"The vanguard battalion faced Shuofang Pass and actually had no power to fight back… this… seems a bit different from what the Chanyu said."

"You're scared? Being scared is too late! That brat from the Central Plains isn't easy to fool; now that the news has leaked, we have to go all in. You've come this far and then turned back to flee—he'll hold it against you. Turning back won't just offend the Northern Border as usual; you'll also be laughed at by all the tribes of the steppe."

"What the Chanyu said is correct. Those who came are merely from Shuofang Pass, not the Xuanjia Cavalry of You Prefecture. We've dealt with Shuofang Pass for half a lifetime—would we fear them?!"

"... Budugen has something to say, I don't know if it's appropriate, but since Shuofang Pass has received the news and come out, they must have sent elites; the interior of the pass is empty now—should we just go straight to Shuofang?" The suggestion came from a young Xianbei chief; the Xiongnu burst out laughing.

"You're far from Shuofang Pass—haven't you seen Shanggu Pass? The Northern Border King probably spent all his silver fortifying the gate; it's high and long, easy to defend, hard to attack, completely nullifying our cavalry's advantage—wishful thinking!"

"You…"

"Enough!" Punu shouted to stop them.

"Everyone go back to rest; we'll strike camp at dawn." To prevent long nights and many dreams, he decided on a quick battle.

The sky wasn't bright yet, but it was getting close; not long after the Great King thought he'd just lain down, he'd actually slept for quite a while.

Right now the whole camp was stirring; the Great King was already the slowest to get up. Bailihu was experiencing this for the first time—an alleged 200,000-strong steppe enemy was about to arrive, and this was also his first time on a real battlefield; frankly, he was younger than the Great King, so he couldn't help but feel nervous.

The soldiers took down his tent, and after a moment's hesitation he slipped into the Great King's tent; he wanted to watch the carefree San Pangzi to calm his anxious heart.

As it turned out, the Great King was sitting with his eyes closed, waiting for Weishen to wipe his face, muttering something under his breath; when I leaned in to listen… he was cursing someone.

All right, as expected of you.

The Great King had finished packing and stepped out just as a glimmer of light appeared in the east, though the sky above was still dark. He yawned, looked at the neatly assembled warriors, and said, "Follow the plan, perform normally and we'll surely win—don't be tense, eat if you're supposed to, grab something ready to eat; without food you won't have the strength to lift a blade! Rotate guard duty, and boil some hot soup or congee!" Fighting the North Beard on an empty stomach at dawn? Even the Great King felt like going on strike.

Bailihu's heart pounded as he watched the cavalry unpack the dark-green iron boxes, handing out compressed biscuits, then unfold the shiny iron kettle, pour in hot water, and start brewing tea bags…

Wait, you even made the kettle this elaborate?

No, you actually boiled water in it?! What time is it now?!

The Great King also tore open a pack and started chewing right in front of everyone. Bailihu stepped closer: "It's been so long… the enemy might be just ten li away—can you still eat?"

The Great King took a big bite, stretched his neck to swallow it, then honestly shook his head: "I can't eat it…"

Bailihu finally exhaled in relief—yeah, that's right! Then he heard the Great King add: "…I'm choking up~"

His nearby guards heard that, jumped up, and ran to urge the water-boilers to hurry.

Bailihu: …

The Great King had drunk half a bowl of soup when the sky grew dimly light; the enemy also appeared on the horizon. Tens of thousands of troops formed a dark mass, and from afar they looked visually imposing.

At a distance of over a thousand meters, they halted their march; the Great King observed through his spyglass for half a day, seeing three riders emerge from their formation and gallop toward him.

Yo, they sent envoys? And they're preparing to talk—how the heck did those frank and rugged steppe wolves start acting like old fogies?

Weishen: "…It's not appropriate to speak of the former emperor's merits and faults in front of the Prince Jing, is it?"

Bailihu: …

So this 'old fogey' actually refers to his father? Let me savor the meaning of those words… San Pangzi is really filial!