Chapter 464

According to the current temperature, in another half month, the ice will probably melt, the natural barrier will be lost, and if the army launches an attack, we probably need to make preparations early. A vice general looked at Jiang Fengsheng, his eyes full of anxiety.

It seemed they had gained the upper hand, but the city walls were already in ruins, the ice‑sealed walls blocked the enemy's advance and also blocked their own repair efforts.

When the ice melts, the whole city will become something that can be slaughtered at will.

Jiang Fengsheng looked at the map and unconsciously furrowed his brow.

If it weren't for the Princess Consort's plan, this city would have fallen three months ago.

We've gained three extra months, buying time for other fronts—this is a huge profit! At this moment, a vice general burst out laughing.

At this moment, in the military tent, everyone's eyes were filled with hope.

Even the person who just suggested making early preparations showed no pessimism at all, but simply dealt with the matter at hand.

At this time, as vice generals of the main army, how could they not understand that morale is even more important?

The reason they have held out until now is largely because, at the very beginning, they steadied the army's morale.

"News should have arrived by now." Jiang Yun Chu tapped the table lightly with her finger, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Jiang Fengsheng looked at her and said, "Could something unexpected have happened?"

Jiang Yun Chu looked at the sand table; on sheet after sheet of white paper, it seemed she was constantly calculating something.

Finally she shook her head: "It shouldn't be."

Marching and fighting involve countless variables.

But this time, it shouldn't be.

"Why then?" Jiang Fengsheng also didn't quite understand; the enemy was at the city gates, and the three‑party allied army.

"Xijiang may be changing." Jiang Yun Chu sighed; she had considered many factors, but she had overlooked the fickleness of human nature.

At this moment, an elderly voice spoke from the side: "People's hearts are changeable; prepare for a hard battle."

"After years of dealing with Xijiang, we have finally reached the moment of a decisive battle to the death."

"Then let's see whether my Jiang Family Army or the Xijiang Army is stronger." Old General Jiang's eyes were sharp; these days he had not taken action, fearing that Xi Lang would discover his troop movements and doubt whether he was really dead.

Warfare is the way of deception.

His appearance could boost the Jiang Family Army's morale and also allow a desperate all‑out effort.

Xijiang differs from Da Ning: aside from relying on special mountains on its east, Da Ning is surrounded by enemies on three sides, constantly eyeing it like tigers watching their prey.

Xijiang's position is special: it faces Da Ning on only one side, while all other directions are guarded by natural barriers, making crossing them extremely difficult.

Over the years, the reason this small state of Xijiang has been able to live in peace is…

Of course, Da Ning also has its reasons: the fertile, rich land of Da Ning is like a piece of meat, making other countries mere side characters.

"Ning Lao Da, what's the plan?" Kang Wu and Kang Nai Xin looked at Ning Hanmo; it had been several months, their black robes were now in tatters, and each of them bore some wounds.

Their interference might be negligible in the grand scheme, but it played a decisive role in disturbing the enemy's morale.

Ning Hanmo pointed at the map, his eyes full of calculation.

"Seven days ago I secretly infiltrated the city once." Ning Hanmo's words made everyone look up; but after a year, his face had lost its former faint smile, now carrying a cold aura.

It made people feel uneasy involuntarily, and the aura of killing grew more intense.

"The Dean said that when we don't know what to do, we should open the silk pouch." Ning Hanmo gave a light smile; his just‑frozen face, like spring snow in sunshine, instantly melted.

Now the Xijiang army, after several raids, has become smarter, strengthening the guard of its grain and fodder supplies.

Now they try to take shortcuts, but they have no chance of winning and might even lose their lives.

Ning Hanmo secretly sneaked into the city, letting his mother point out the way.

"Open it." Kang Nai Xin nodded.

Their earlier influence was great; they disrupted Xijiang's plans and sowed distrust among the Three Kingdoms Allied Army.

But as time passed, they could do less and less.

Now there is nothing they can do.

Ning Hanmo slowly opened the silk pouch, took out a slip of paper on which the current situation was written and several possible later changes of the three‑kingdom allied forces were introduced.

As for what to do and how to do it, nothing had been arranged.

"It seems the Dean's plan succeeded, but an accident has also occurred." They knew better than anyone that the three‑kingdom allied forces had not retreated and were still firmly holding their position below the city.

Ning Hanmo's eyes brightened, "Based on the current weather, how much longer will the thaw take?"

"Less than half a month." Han Wen Jun nodded; he liked farming and had some skill in predicting the weather.

Kang Nai Xin looked at Ning Hanmo, "Boss Ning, do you have a plan?"

"Listen to me." Ning Hanmo gathered several people together, his voice low, only a hint of breath, and his eyes seemed to flash with light.

"Understood!"

"I understand."

Several people nodded, Kang Nai Xin smiled, "Then I'll go south."

Kang Wu shook his head, "Nai Xin, I'll go."

Ning Hanmo looked at the two of them, smiled helplessly, "I'll go south, you go north—let's decide that."

A Unit can have only One Voice; this had been agreed upon long ago.

Kang Wu and Kang Nai Xin exchanged a glance, feeling helpless but with no room for objection.

"Yes."

"Boss Ning, take care."

"Ning Hanmo, when you come back alive, we brothers will drink together, pear blossom white!"

"Boss Ning..."

Ning Hanmo smiled, looked at these companions, his aura calm, "In this parting, be careful in all things, be cautious in every matter; if it cannot be done, retreat immediately, do not be greedy for battle."

"You should know that your lives are more important than the mission."

He stretched out his hand; the hand that once was fair and tender, holding a brush, had at some point become covered in wounds and calluses.

"Life is important."

Kang Wu closely followed behind.

Kang Nai Xin merely smiled, placing her hand on top.

Everyone else, each person's mouth corner was tugged into a smile; no one argued, there was no other sound.

They were partners, partners for life.

If one were to say, the person most trusted in the world, it must be each other.

In a moment, the three troops split into two routes, one heading south, two heading north.

Whipping their horses, they quickly disappeared.

And the people sent out by Xilang to search saw not a single shadow.

Seven days later, a group of people, whipping their horses, came from the south.

Report! That group seemed to have undergone something; they all bore some wounds, but upon seeing the Southern Barbarian troops, they widened their eyes.

What's going on? Where are our people?

The Southern Barbarians dispatched troops, aided Xijiang, and signed the treaty to equally divide Da Ning.