Chapter 666: Bei Jing Cold Tide

October 25, Bei Jing Governor's Office.

Shi Dun pushed open the doors of the war council chamber, bringing in a blast of wind and snow.

"The grasslands have risen in revolt."

He tossed his whip onto the table and shed his heavy fur cloak.

The officers in the hall rose to their feet.

Yue Fei sat at the left of the main seat, asking in a low voice:

"The details."

Shi Dun walked to the sand table, grabbed a handful of small flags representing the tribes, and scattered them across the vast grasslands beyond the Chen Dynasty's Bei Jing borders.

The sand table clearly divided into two parts: the south side marked the Chen Dynasty's prefectures and passes; the north side showed the scattered banners of the grassland tribes.

"Three days ago, the Bo'erzhījin Tribe raided the Keli Tribe, seizing three thousand sheep and two hundred horses."

"Yesterday, the Keli Tribe allied with the Naiman Tribe counterattacked, burning three camps of the Bo'erzhījin Tribe."

"This morning—" he pointed to the edge of the sand table, "the Zhada lan Tribe took advantage of the fire to loot, ambushing the flank of the Naiman Tribe engaged in battle."

On the north side of the sand table, the small flags lay scattered and intertwined.

"At least six major tribes have been drawn in, with countless smaller tribes."

"Why?" Yue Fei asked.

"Grain." Shi Dun sat down, gulped hot tea, "This year's snow came early, the pastures froze early. The cattle and sheep couldn't eat enough, stores were insufficient. These steppe tribes are always looting others—better than starving to death."

The hall fell silent.

Bei Jing's winters have always been written in blood.

But the Chen Dynasty today is no longer the power that, a century ago, needed to pay tribute and seek peace with the grasslands.

Since Chen Wen founded the state, after three generations of development, the Northern Frontier has long been stable.

Today the steppe tribes nominally submit to the Chen Dynasty but retain their nomadic habits; only under the deterrent of the Chen Dynasty's strong military do they dare not launch large-scale southern invasions.

But small-scale raids have never ceased.

"Any movement from the Iron Crow Army?" Yue Fei looked toward the west side of the sand table—where the position of the Light Curtain was marked.

"Not yet." Shi Dun shook his head, "but the Jing'an Office's Scouts reported that black‑robed figures were moving among several tribes—not directly intervening, more like… observing."

"Selecting agents."

A sound came from the doorway.

Chen Wen entered.

Everyone rose and saluted.

"Be seated." Chen Wen waved his hand and walked to the sand table.

He glanced at the scattered flags, then looked at the Chen Dynasty's clear border line on the sand table.

"All the steppe tribes now lie within our realm," Chen Wen said slowly, "but the land is vast and sparsely populated, making direct governance like that of prefectures difficult. Ultimately, this is our internal affairs."

He pointed to several outposts along the border.

"How effective is the new defense system?"

"Effective." Shi Dun pointed to those outposts, "mobile cavalry tactics have paid off. Though the steppe tribes are feuding internally, seven small units tried to slip south for profit amid the chaos—all were intercepted by our mobile cavalry beyond the border."

He elaborated:

"October 23: two hundred Naiman cavalry raided Black Mountain Pass. Our thirty mobile cavalry had advance warning, using the mountain terrain to block them step by step, delaying them for two hours. By the time reinforcements arrived, the enemy cavalry had lost over half and fled north in disarray."

"October 24: five hundred Bo'erzhījin cavalry attempted to ford the Horse‑drinking River. Riverbank fortifications combined with crossbow carts volleyed fire, shattering the enemy cavalry in three rounds."

"October 25, that is today—" Shi Dun looked toward the door, "the Zhada lan Tribe sent a thousand cavalry in three routes to infiltrate, but our mobile cavalry detected them and lured them into a pre‑laid minefield. Casualties unknown, but they have withdrawn."

Three battle reports, clean and swift.

"Casualties?" Chen Wen asked.

"Our side lost nine killed and twenty‑seven wounded." Shi Dun said, "enemy cavalry casualties are estimated at over four hundred."

A one‑to‑forty casualty ratio.

The officers' eyes gleamed slightly.

"The key to mobile cavalry tactics lies in early warning and delay." Yue Fei added, "Rather than seek a pitched battle, we use terrain, fortifications, and weapons to maximally attrition the enemy's manpower."

"This approach was distilled from the Bei Jing Mother Nest Battle." Shi Dun looked toward Chen Wen, "Your Majesty back then taught us—when facing a numerically superior foe, we must peel them like an onion, layer by layer."

Chen Wen nodded.

"Internal strife among the steppe tribes is to our short‑term advantage." He gestured at the sand table, "Tribal infighting leaves them unable to launch large‑scale southern invasions. But in the long run……"

He paused.

"The Iron Crow Army will not let this chance slip."

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Shi Dun asked.

"They are observing, selecting." Chen Wen said, "Among the steppe tribes, whichever is the fiercest, greediest, and easiest to control—that's the one they will try to influence."

He gazed toward the vast expanse to the north of the sand table.

"Once the Iron Crow Army picks a target and covertly backs it, that tribe could swiftly grow into a genuine threat to our Chen Dynasty's Bei Jing."

The hall grew heavy with solemnity.

"Then what shall we do?" Shi Dun clenched his fist.

"Accelerate border defense construction." Chen Wen said, "Mobile cavalry tactics must be continually refined, fortifications strengthened, and energy‑field weapons deployed as soon as possible."

He looked toward Yue Fei.

"The Martial Academy's winter training must add a specialized course against steppe cavalry, especially tactics for small units opposing large cavalry forces."

"Understood." Yue Fei nodded.

Chen Wen then looked toward Shi Dun.

The Bei Jing Governor-General's Office enters level-two combat readiness effective today. All border troops, cancel off-duty rotations.

Yes!

Moreover," Chen Wen finally said, "send capable scouts deep into the grasslands, avoid contact with tribes, and do just one thing—record the frequency, locations, and contacts of all black-robed individuals.

Shi Dun's eyes turned sharp.

My lord, you mean to—

Grasp the Iron Crow Army's selection criteria." Chen Wen said calmly, "Knowing what kind of targets they seek lets us prepare in advance.

He turned and looked out the window.

The wind and snow intensified.

This winter, the grasslands will run with much blood.

He said softly.

What we must do is ensure that this blood—

Not a single drop shall flow inside the Great Wall.

The officers stood at attention.

As you command!

After the military council dispersed, Shi Dun retained Yue Fei.

General Yue, can we draw a batch of instructors from the Martial Academy to Bei Jing?" Shi Dun said, "Scout tactics need real-world drills; training alone isn't enough.

Yue Fei pondered.

Possible, but in batches, no more than fifty each time. The duration can't be too long—half a month per rotation.

Enough." Shi Dun slammed the table, "When can the first batch arrive?

Within three days.

Good.

The two walked out of the council hall.

Outside the gate, the drill field, Bei Jing's border troops were training.

In the wind and snow, soldiers split into squads to simulate scout tactics—vigilance, engagement, delay, withdrawal, regrouping, counterattack.

The movements were still somewhat unskilled, but a basic form had emerged.

These kids learn quickly," Shi Dun laughed.

Because it's practical." Yue Fei gazed at the drill field, "On the battlefield, the ways to survive are always learned fastest.

A sound of horse hooves approached from afar.

The messenger rode in at full gallop and reined his horse to a stop.

General! Urgent military news!

Shi Dun took the bamboo tube and pulled out the sealed letter.

He glanced over it quickly, and his expression shifted slightly.

What's wrong?" Yue Fei asked.

The Iron Crow Army has moved." Shi Dun handed him the letter, "Not our side—it's west of the Light Curtain, the Liaodong of the Script World.

Yue Fei took it.

The sealed letter bore only one line:

【October 24, 300 li southeast of Jianzhou Garrison, yuan energy fluctuations abnormal, intensity surpassing all prior records. Nearby Jurchen tribes collectively migrated, heading—toward Jianzhou Garrison.】

They're concentrating resources." Yue Fei said in a low voice.

Right." Shi Dun gazed toward the northeast, "It seems the Iron Crow Army's main thrust is still the Script World. On our side, they're merely observing for now.

The two exchanged a glance.

Both understood the Iron Crow Army's strategic focus.

Looks like we need to hurry." Shi Dun gripped his horsewhip.

Exactly.

Yue Fei turned and headed for the stables.

I'm returning to Xijing now. The Martial Academy's instructors will arrive at the latest the day after tomorrow.

Thank you for the trouble.

Yue Fei mounted his horse and turned back.

General Shi.

Hmm?

Please take care of things here in Bei Jing.

Shi Dun grinned.

Rest easy. With me here, not a single wolf on the grasslands will make it past the Great Wall.

In the wind and snow, Yue Fei spurred his horse away.

Shi Dun stood at the edge of the drill field, watching the training soldiers, then gazing toward the vast northern grasslands.

This land had long been part of the Chen Dynasty's territory.

The unrest here is an internal matter the Chen Dynasty must handle.

And this winter, he must ensure—

The border will be secure, the nation's gates free of peril.