Chapter 256

Leaving the tent, after issuing orders to Ha Er Luo, she immediately went to the Sai Wen soldiers' camp to visit the seriously injured Sir Mei Sen Sai Wen; unfortunately, when she entered the tent, the knight had already fallen unconscious, Mei Yi did not want to wake him, and after confirming his condition was stable, she went around greeting the other seriously injured officers and soldiers in the Sai Wen main tent.

Actually, aside from needing to promise Sir Mei Sen Sai Wen a castle, taxes, and land, she didn't need to bother with anyone else from Sai Wen.

But Sir Mei Sen Sai Wen is different; he will be her direct vassal. But he truly wants to become a vassal, and he himself cannot obtain full support from Sai Wen City; whether he can effectively govern the territory after the war, Mei Yi is very doubtful.

This problem exists not only with Mei Sen Sai Wen; she already has quite a few subordinates under her who hold viscount titles in the Streams Region, and not a single one of them can be trusted to let her feel at ease controlling the territory. Even if the war ends in the future, with her and Lin Dong City's backing, she cannot even estimate how many 'viscounts' and future 'earls' will be killed by dissatisfied former lords, landlords, manor owners, mill owners, and farm owners on the road to becoming vassals.

At that time, she will also have to send troops to suppress the rebellions sparked by these people, which is a huge trouble and burden.

But having her lend soldiers to accompany these meritorious individuals as they become vassals is not realistic either, and she does not have that much strength to spare.

She wanted to sigh.

The feudal system inherited over hundreds or thousands of years has locked the pattern of land interests; wanting to break it easily is really too difficult. Those who can completely exterminate rival families like Tai Wen Lan Ni Si Te are few and far between, and after exterminating the original family, to still stably rule the original land is even rarer. From this perspective, Duke Tai Wen does have admirable qualities.

But the Northern Border and Western Border are completely different. The Western Border's main output does not rely on land but on mines and trade, so controlling Ta Bei Ke Ting and Ka Si Te Mei is far easier than the vast Northern Border...

She could no longer be bothered to think. Let them do as they wish.

If they are willing to become vassals, she will not stop them. They can use their own abilities, they can marry the daughter of the original lord or the daughter of the supervisor, or use other appropriate means to gain control of the locality, as long as they can control the newly subdued land for her.

She had no ambition to break the several-thousand-year-old feudal system.

She quietly entered the barracks built by the imperial guard cavalry.

The youths' barracks were far cleaner and tidier than the Sai Wen family's; although it was noisy outside, as soon as she appeared, it instantly fell silent—except for the side rooms where simple wooden forts had been erected for the wounded.

Sir Rui Ka Pu Er was wildly roaring, 'Ah! Get out! Get out! Get out!'

After falling from his warhorse, he had slain the Bolton cavalry who tried to assassinate her, but on the subsequent battlefield he was struck by a heavy hammer and knocked unconscious. When everyone found him, his legs had been broken by the collapsed wooden frame, and he was now suffering excruciating pain from the fractures, his whole body gone mad.

"Has our flower milk run out?" Mei Yi asked Ha Er Luo beside her.

"Our supplies are insufficient; they were already used up on the first day. Your Highness, the scholar has confirmed with me multiple times that he clearly mentioned the flower milk request in his letter, and Earl Man De Le will not forget it as soon as he sees the letter!"

"Ah!" Rui Ka's cries of pain came again, followed by a series of gasps.

Actually, if Mei Yi hadn't come, his wails wouldn't be so noticeable. Inside the tent, some of the injured soldiers were groaning, gritting their teeth and unable to bear it, but after everyone fell silent and restrained themselves, his pain stood out even more.

"Have Scholar Kai Er send another raven specifically."

"Demand flower milk?"

"Of course it's flower milk!" she sighed, "He won't even send his granddaughter!"

"If you want it, he will certainly be willing to send it." Ha Er Luo laughed, leading him into the side camp.

As soon as she entered, she smelled a strange odor.

The barracks were low, with simple planks stacked around the walls; small holes were opened in the walls, and branches were used to support shielding boards, barely lighting the interior.

Shaggy beds were covered with worn-out pelts, and the tree branches at the heads of the beds, with their split bark, had not been properly treated, exposing fresh cuts in the wood.

After she entered, the wounded all stared at her while enduring the pain.

The sickbay was rudimentary, but she had done everything she could, as well as possible.

Given Rui Ka's condition, it would be best to house him in a castle, but unfortunately she could not allocate personnel to send him back to the rear in an inconspicuous way.

Seeing Mei Yi arrive, Rui Ka panted heavily, stopping his wails. But Mei Yi could tell he was enduring enough pain to almost cry; perhaps he had already cried, but his face was drenched in sweat, and she couldn't tell.

"I have some good news to tell you." Mei Yi sat sideways beside him, pressing his sweat-soaked hand, indicating he need not struggle to sit up.

He looked noticeably thinner, his eyes full of bloodshot lines.

Not only were his legs broken, but several ribs were fractured as well, and the armor he cherished could not fully protect him.

Mei Yi glanced at the nearby arrangement; the armor was haphazardly tossed in a corner by the bed, the left chest plate of the breastplate was dent inward a large chunk, from which anyone could infer the injury he had suffered.

At that moment, Rui Ka swallowed with difficulty, then panted, enduring the pain, staring blankly at her, waiting for her to speak.

"The good news is, although you've broken bones, with my help you probably won't become a cripple. I've already saved many like you, and they've all gotten back on their feet healthy. So at least you don't need to worry about that."

"I... never worry." He drew in air, his chest rising and falling, each breath painful, and it was clear he was enduring extreme agony: "I'm only worried... that I can no longer serve you." The corners of his eyes began to moisten, and Mei Yi could finally tell those were tears.

He felt embarrassed trying to pull his hand free from Mei Yi's grip to wipe his tears, but Mei Yi beat him to it, taking the towel Sasha handed over with her left hand and drying his face.

His face turned bright red.

"Oh, you can certainly continue." Mei Yi gave a light smile; he was just a young lad, only growing fast: "My only worry is that by the time you can ride and fight again, I will have already finished the war in the north. I always fight quickly, and among this bunch of youths, you understand best, right?" She held Rui Ka's hand, watching his face relax.

She could ease his pain and would not stint her power, but she could not stay by his side as she had once accompanied Brandon.

"Magic, Your Highness?"

"However you think, as long as it can treat your illness and lessen the pain, that's fine. Anyway, I said you won't die or become cripple. After all, the Pu Er family needs you to hold up!" She didn't know whether the Pu Er family had already suffered heavy losses from Fu Lei, "In two days, Earl Man De Le will be able to bring the flower milk; just endure these two days."

"I don't care about this pain!" His eyes flashed with light, wanting to say something but unable to speak.

"I know, you are a northern warrior," Mei Yi stood up and smiled at him, "I'm leaving now; for you lot of lads, I need to capture many castles to give you noble ladies to adorn, and to provide for your children to play."

"I also don't care about any ladies," his face turned even redder, Mei Yi found it somewhat strange, "I also don't care about any children, nor any castles, and I am no longer a lad! I…"

"Oh? What do you want to say, lad?" Mei Yi felt slightly odd.

"I, I can stay by your side, to fight for you, protect you, guard you," he paused, then continued, "I, I can also become your queen's iron guard…"

His eyes burned with fervor, making Mei Yi feel unfamiliar.

"Lad, I am not a queen." Also, no protection needed.

Mei Yi collected her smile, feeling that this was fitting for the youth's enthusiasm.

"You have always been, at least in my heart." He actually raised his hand and began to cry, then covered his eyes, "I, I can definitely stay by your side and protect you." He finally spoke, his voice choked with tears, no longer embarrassed, "I can die for you, I can prove that I am not merely the 'lad' beside you."

"You have already protected me; on the battlefield, have you forgotten? Come to think of it, I still haven't thanked you." Mei Yi smiled, somewhat surprised but more moved, and then she squatted down again, leaning on her sword to look him levelly, "I have heard your words; rest and heal your wounds, wait for my return. Stark still has many battles."

"There's nothing to thank me for." Tears welled in his eye sockets, making him look extremely miserable, "That's what I should do, and it's also my pride."

She touched his shoulder and turned to leave.

"Your Highness!" he shouted loudly, his voice trembling. Mei Yi turned her head at the sound, knowing the pain from the vibration, "I am not a lad; I am a knight, you personally knighted me."

"I remember!" Mei Yi gave a radiant smile, spoke firmly, and finally walked out of the barracks.

The next morning, she personally led a thousand cavalry onto the road of the eastern campaign, carrying out the dangerous plan of action.

The cavalry showed no worry; through rumors and the firsthand accounts of most people, her leading cavalry south to settle the situation in Hejian and the story of several hundred cavalry sweeping the Streams Region had long been ingrained in their minds; to them, the eastern campaign was just another ordinary battle.

But Mei Yi didn't think she could handle Terror Fort as she had Changxi City—she didn't shy away from seizing a ripe opportunity—rather, she wanted to shake the vast Bolton territories in Hedong with her actions, using a bit of 'frontline great victory' news to accumulate as much advantage as possible before the truth arrived, weakening Bolton's strength.

Stark had been lord of the North for over a thousand years; wanting to change this deeply rooted tradition, Bolton had to win many battles, but Bolton not only failed to win, they suffered a crushing defeat, which greatly favored her swift advance war plan.

In fact, even if they got nothing according to the plan, cutting off the link between Terror Fort and Howard Fort would leave the Boltons big and small trapped in Howard Fort like fish in a barrel; then she could easily strike Bolton soldiers who might rescue between the forts, destroying all Bolton's mobile forces—on this point she has always been confident, and after this great battle, her soldiers will have a greater psychological edge when facing Bolton.

But she hoped her actions would yield more.

Bolton will not sit and wait for death; as long as Bolton acts, it can create opportunities for her, and how much result those opportunities bring depends on what kind of loophole appears within Bolton.

Magic is a sword without a hilt, and he obviously hasn't realized he is not a competent swordsman; at best he is just a child who should train with a wooden sword.

"Woo—" the horn blew long, this is the sound of marching to battle.

The winter dawn in the North was bitterly cold, frost fell, the ground turned hard, warhorses stood in the cold winter, snorting unwillingly, while soldiers quietly and apprehensively mounted their warhorses. Officers' commands, low coughs, and the clashing of swords constantly echoed in the winter air.

As Mei Yi led the charge out of the camp, the thunder of hooves behind her shook the earth; she believed even Lusi Bolton, abed in Howard Fort with featherbed, could hear it.

"Your Highness?" After entering a forest, Ha'erluo spoke up. Continuing forward, they would have to choose a road.

By then the sky was gradually lightening; when they stopped, the warhorses were exhaling steam, which drifted through the empty forest.

"We'll advance on both routes at once," Mei Yi declared directly, "You lead the cavalry on the main road straight to the outpost, but I suggest you rest a while longer in the woods ahead, eat, then set out."

Mei Yi dismounted directly, took the sword bag slung on the warhorse, and fastened it to herself.

"My guard cavalry will dismount and follow me on the side path." Maomao gou had already found a hunter's trail along the stream below the side path, enough for them to cross a mountain and appear behind the outpost, which would help them take the fort directly.

Ha'erluo nodded at the sound, then turned his warhorse and rode to the rear of the troop; soon some cavalry pushed to the front, imitating Mei Yi by dismounting and putting on waterskins, sword bags, bows and arrows, and ropes.

Afterward, Mei Yi left the main cavalry outside the forest, while they ventured deep into the dark woods, stepping on layers of leaves and un-melted snow, making a puff-puff sound as they went forward.

Maomao gou often appeared ahead somewhere; when it noticed Mei Yi's gaze falling on it, it would turn and vanish into the dark thicket.

The forests of the North were deep and the mountains treacherous; Mei Yi needed to constantly look back, checking if the boys behind were falling behind, and Maomao gou seemed to mean the same.

The boys followed her silently; apart from their heavy breathing, all Mei Yi could hear were the calls of crows and sparrows in the forest.

Tall oaks, soldier pines, and beeches were scattered along the streambed, their thick roots casually hooked onto the valley sides. Mei Yi felt time had frozen in this difficult valley.

When the morning mist cleared and the boys were obviously exhausted, Mei Yi ordered a halt. After replenishing food and water, they immediately set out, and finally, when the sun rose to mid‑sky, they detoured and appeared behind the outpost.

Ha'erluo's cavalry detachment had already appeared before the outpost fort. Mei Yi hesitated not; as Maomao gou tore the throats of two enemy soldiers and a third let out a scream, she led her guard cavalry out of the woods and attacked the sentry soldiers.

When Ha'erluo led his cavalry charging into the gate walls, the guard cavalry seemed only then to realize how smoothly the battle was going—almost unbelievably so.

"Leave fifty to defend, rest then continue forward!" Mei Yi directly ordered Kongqi Kondun Sir.

"Your Highness, perhaps you should hear what he has to say—what news he actually knows." Seeing Mei Yi, Kongqi Sir immediately laughed and shoved a tightly bound officer toward her, quite showily.

"Hurry up and speak, I'm still in a rush."

"Damn it, what do you want me to say?" His hair and the beard under his chin were equally messy, his face round and red.

Kongqi Sir stepped forward and kicked him hard; he immediately fell to the ground crying out in pain, as if about to vomit his entrails. Seeing Kongqi Sir about to kick a second time, Mei Yi immediately stopped him.

"This guy isn't honest, he clearly knows what I want him to say!"

"Fuck you!" the prisoner shouted angrily, "Damn you all! I know nothing!"

Mei Yi shook her head, instantly drew her treasure sword, and thrust it through his palm: "If the next sentence isn't what Kongqi Sir wants you to say, the thrust will be your throat."

"Ah, fuck!" he wailed, then immediately became a bit more honest: "Lord Bolton, Roose Bolton returned last night after clearing the pass."

"This damn isn't what I wanted you to say!" Kongqi Sir gave him a light kick, and he wailed again.

"The Frey army suffered an attack by wildlings and mountain soldiers, a great defeat, so Lord Bolton chose to retreat…… Viscount Mott last night……"

"Enough!" Kongqi Sir kicked him again, "This weakling!" He burst out laughing, "Your Highness, Winterfell is now worry‑free, Bolton has retreated to defend, hahaha, last I didn't see the moon, so if we pursue now we'll surely catch up!"

"Hmph, what are we waiting for?" She drew her enthusiasm, resheathed her sword, very pleased with this unexpected news, "Set out at once!"

"Yes!" Kongqi Sir replied loudly.

"What do we do with these prisoners?" Ha'erluo asked.

"Give them to the garrison as winter food." Kongqi Sir said cruelly.

"I have news!" the prisoner shouted again.

"You'd better have news. Waste our time and I'll hang you right away!"

"If you release us." He shouted loudly, one hand holding his injured trembling hand, "Please, we're not Bolton people."

"I promise you." He should have said the last sentence earlier.

"Good, good, I, I last night passed by the Bolton officers' quarters and by chance overheard, overheard a Bolton officer say that Qiongsi Feilte will immediately lead a great army to attack Winterfell; I don't know why, but his tone was so certain I'm sure I didn't mishear."

"Whatever, that weakling will be handed over to the right person." Mei Yi sneered, "Now set off."