Chapter 202

Your Highness, which road should we take?

After leaving a mountain valley and a stretch of deep, dense forest, the road split into two: one followed a gentle slope straight north, appearing all the way as hill road, narrow and winding, like a loach coiled on a clod of earth; the other slanted south, with dense woods on both sides, but its road was wider than the northern one.

None.

The water system flowing from Tuolun Lake split the most prosperous tract of land in the southwest of the North into two parts; the Tuolun River west belonged to Laisweir, east to Dustin. In fact, whichever road they took, they would have to cross the river, but the southern route led directly to a ford that required boats to get her over a thousand cavalry across; with current organization, it would take at least a day to get everyone across. She had already seen the cavalry's chaos and did not want to see them milling about in disarray on the riverbank.

This road looks unfavorable for troop deployment.

It's equally unfavorable for the enemy to deploy, but I don't want to fight them here. We'll camp by the road tonight, which will save us a lot of trouble.

None.

The Huangzhong Hall has already issued a summons to the vassals, forcibly conscripting soldiers; perhaps she won't need to spend time gathering troops, but convincing the vassals to fight for her rights is never that simple, and working out the terms will take some time...

Viscount Painred

She and Lu Si Botun are so close, perhaps she won't undress people but skin them." Mei Yi gave him a cold smile. "Once we cross the river, we'll have time to learn what terms she has offered."

None.

Mei Yi glared at Ge Luo Fu; she is not an omniscient old god, even if she could transform into birds, she wouldn't need to fly to Huangzhong Tun just to see whether a certain widow had set out.

"If the map Lord Ai De gave is accurate, taking this road will get us to Huangzhong Tun more quickly," Mei Yi feigned confidence, "likewise, we can bring the army and go see for ourselves." If a thousand cavalry counts as an army.

Lady Dustin

That would be better; the one watching the chaotic troops by the river would be Lady Dustin, not her. "It's simple: after crossing the river we head south and turn in, flanking her. If their forces are at full strength—perhaps the Huangzhong Hall will have a few fewer—I can charge straight to the Huangzhong Hall and take her nest." She whipped her reins, took the lead, and Ge Luo Fu spurred his horse to keep up. "Even if we can't take Huangzhong Tun, the west‑then‑east strategy is already perfectly fulfilled; we can just head straight back to Lindong City."

It's been so long; Lu Si Botun should have already returned to the North," he sighed.

I've already smelled his stench," the sour tang of magic, "that fellow has most likely returned to Horror Fort." She couldn't forget the cold wind that had unexpectedly disturbed things before the Battle of Cao Tun, and the strange reaction of the furry dog.

She didn't believe some mysterious deity was working against her; it was more likely the enemy's doing. From such a distance, saboteurs could only do so much. In this battle she lost half her troops, and the enemy's little tricks also had some effect.

No one would think it wasn't worth it except her. The small consolation was that they ultimately took Changxi City, and Ha Li Si Mo Lan was still alive.

Harris Moran

The guards and silent sisters who had accompanied him north to escort Lord Ai De's remains have vanished, most likely dead.

As the commander of Lindong City's guard, Mei Yi dispatched thirty cavalrymen via another northern route to escort him and Lord Ai De's remains through Tuolun Fangcheng back to Lindong City, leaving them to continue advancing against the enemy.

That day they marched along the narrow hill road; apart from the splendid mountain scenery, there was nothing distinctive.

None.

On the second day, when they reached the river bridge, the vanguard of Kongqi Kongdun had already bound the Huangzhong Tun garrison guarding the bridge and were waiting at the bridgehead.

The bridge was made of ordinary timber, with newly laid planks stacked on top, looking quite sturdy, but when warhorses crossed it, the deck groaned under the weight; Viscount Luofu ordered the cavalry to dismount and proceed on foot, carefully guiding the horses across.

The garrison occupying the bridgehead controlled the pace of the crossing.

The soldiers at the rear shoved and cursed each other, piling up in a heap; Mei Yi saw this and really wanted to draw her sword and kill, but these soldiers were all young, many still bearing a youthful air, so she firmly suppressed that urge in her heart.

The newly enlisted soldiers, especially those from the south, still didn't quite grasp her military system. The new cavalry recruits from Changxi City had officers who were either close relatives of families that had recently defected or their close comrades; these men wore the expressions of losers and were confused about the present and future.

This is easy to understand: they belong to the northern people of the stream lands; their fathers and grandfathers had served under Laisweir, and many of their relatives and friends might still be dying on the chaotic battlefield at Mei Yi's hands… In a short while, Mei Yi also couldn't expect them to immediately switch sides and fight to the death for her.

After crossing the river, Mei Yi ordered the entire army to form up in the wheat field. The wheat had already been harvested; in deep winter, the soil was soft, still suitable for riding.

She rode her horse at a trot between the three cavalry battalions' formations, running two laps along the lines before stopping and returning, feeling that the anger she had just built up had dissipated.

You cavalry warriors have seen the scattering and chaos on the march; the crowding and brave fighting while crossing the river, some of you have even experienced it firsthand… Tell me, should an invincible cavalry unit look like this?" She shouted at the troops before her, but her voice wasn't suited to commanding an army; still, as long as everyone could hear her, it would be better than any commander.

The cavalry stood silently in the wheat field; apart from the occasional neigh of the warhorses, the only clear sound was the faint tinkling of the bells hung beneath the horses, swaying with the wind.

If we're about to enter Lindong City right now, that's great—I could race with you to see who's faster; I've never lost…" The wind was stronger and colder than in the hills; Mei Yi quickened her speech, suppressing an untimely laugh, hoping to keep the atmosphere solemn and to end the boring lecture swiftly, "but now we have entered the enemy's territory; you all know what they did to my father, Lord Ai De Stark, and you can surely imagine what their troops will do to us."

She actually wished for passionate combat, but behind all those fleeting bursts of passion lay endless boredom and tedium, just like sailing.

Let me put it bluntly: we are in enemy territory, constantly facing enemy attacks and deadly life‑or‑death battles. For victory, everyone must obey the cavalry marching rules. Discipline is the foundation of our victory. If you don't understand, step forward now and I will personally recite the rules for you to hear. Perhaps the newly enlisted cavalry learned different rules earlier, but I am willing to repeat them for you.

None.

After long years of war experience, the cavalry's marching rules, combat rules, and those concerning stationing, feeding, and pulling, etc., have been highly refined; the specific wording used by the great families of the North may vary somewhat, but the differences are never great.

Mei Yi finished speaking, then recited the rules line by line in the wind, after which the cavalrymen followed along in the field, loudly repeating them.

By the time she felt her face flushed from exertion, she noticed the troops' demeanor had changed.

Cavalry, form up and march at quick time!" she ordered.

The front column moved first, with dozens of cavalry in a file, each keeping proper distance and spacing; then came the second cavalry battalion.

Your Highness, since we have already entered enemy territory, should we pay attention to concealment?" After Luofu Geluofo drew slightly nearer, he looked at the advancing cavalry and asked.

No need." This road was chosen correctly, "she has already spotted us."

None.

Lady Dustin

She finished speaking, spurred her horse and galloped to the front of the formation, her cavalry guard squad closely following.