Chapter 1157

First Volume, Chapter 1157: The Cavalry of the Northern Border

The news from Gusu City reached Jingdu five days later.

Qin Feng, who had originally planned to head south after spring, abruptly changed his plans and prepared to advance toward Nan Jing ahead of schedule.

Qin Feng told only his father, Qin Tianhu, about this matter—he dared not inform the women of the household.

After all, the women were still immersed in the joy of the New Year, and if they learned Qin Feng was leaving early, it would surely dampen the festive mood.

Even Qin Tianhu did not wish Qin Feng to depart so soon.

"Feng'er, although our vanguard army failed in this siege, the rebel forces in Nan Jing must now understand our strength and dare not stir up trouble in the short term."

"Even if you go to Nan Jing now, you'll have no way to break through Gusu City's defensive posture."

"Why not proceed methodically? Use this time for strategic planning, and strike with one-strike victory to capture Gusu City."

Qin Feng shook his head and sighed helplessly.

If he could, Qin Feng would also prefer to stay in Wang Du and keep his family company.

Unfortunately, the greater one's ability, the greater one's responsibility—for the stability of Shedynasty, Qin Feng had no choice.

"Twenty thousand vanguard troops were shattered in a single battle; morale has hit rock bottom."

"If, at this moment, Gusu City shifts from defense to offense, the vanguard army will be in grave danger."

Hearing this, Qin Tianhu frowned: "After the great battle on New Year's Eve, Gusu City suffered heavy losses—could they still have the nerve to launch an offensive?"

Qin Feng gave a bitter smile: "The garrison lacks the courage—but Lin Wenwan does."

At the mention of "Lin Wenwan," Qin Tianhu fell silent.

As a former Imperial Consort, who in the Imperial Court did not know Lin Wenwan's methods?

Moreover, Lin Wenwan has been locked in open and covert rivalry with Qin Feng to this day, and she understands him completely. Facing such a dangerous enemy, one must be on full alert.

Otherwise, a single misstep could mean falling into Lin Wenwan's hands, dying without even a grave.

Qin Feng spoke solemnly: "Our vanguard's failure in this siege was precisely because Lin Wenwan was in command."

"According to intelligence gathered by the Brocade Guard, Lin Wenwan has seen through all my plans."

"Had she not been a woman, unable to command full obedience in the army, we would never have been given the chance to seize the city gate."

"This battle, while making the defenders aware of our tactical advantage, has also caused their loyalty to Lin Wenwan to surge unprecedentedly."

"If the entire Gusu City is under Lin Wenwan's control, it becomes a disadvantage for us."

Qin Feng knew Lin Wenwan was both skilled and fearless—even under the dual pressure of the vanguard army and Beixi Light Cavalry, she would inevitably launch an offensive.

Although Nan Jing has relatively few cavalry, it is still Lin Wenwan's home ground.

Assembling several thousand cavalry would be effortless.

Once Lin Wenwan ordered cavalry raids to harass Sun Bo's vanguard, then deployed infantry for tactical encirclement,

Sun Bo's situation would be nine deaths, one life.

Qin Feng's early advance to Nan Jing aims to exert military pressure on Gusu City and create a favorable environment for the gradual deployment of the main army onto the battlefield.

Although Qin Tianhu was reluctant to let Qin Feng go, he knew the greater good must come first.

If Nan Jing could be captured, the Qin Family could enjoy peace for a long time, and Qin Tianhu could retire early and reunite with his wife.

The only thing now troubling Qin Tianhu was the women in the household.

After all, Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying were due to give birth soon—he didn't know if Qin Feng could return in time…

"Feng'er, since you've made your decision, go ahead."

"I'll handle all matters in Jingzhong for you."

…

Beixi County was bustling with activity.

Under the urgent mobilization of Xu Mo and Lin Quqi, a force of ten thousand had already assembled.

Almost all ten thousand were cavalry.

Even Lin Quqi, standing atop the City Wall and gazing at the endless sea of cavalry, couldn't help but marvel.

"To assemble such a force in so short a time—throughout Heaven and Earth, only Beixi County could accomplish this."

Standing beside him, Ning Hu couldn't resist teasing: "Isn't this thanks to your excellent governance, County Magistrate?"

Lin Quqi shook his head with a faint smile: "What merit is there in my efforts?"

"Anyone in my position would do no worse."

"In truth, it was Brother Qin who laid the solid foundation for Beixi County—I merely stand on the shoulders of giants to shine."

"Little Marquis, have you ever seen such a spectacle?"

In response to Lin Quqi's question, Ning Hu also shook his head.

His eyes burned with excitement, brimming with high morale.

"Assembling ten thousand cavalry—whether for Shedynasty or the Di—is no great feat."

"But for Beixi County, a single county, to muster a cavalry army of this scale—this is unprecedented, never seen before or since."

"Moreover… compared to national power, Beixi County's mobilization and logistics are clearly more rapid."

"Today, the Northern Border is undoubtedly an independent kingdom caught between Shedynasty and the Di."

Though this statement was highly sensitive, Lin Quqi knew well—given Beixi County's current strength,

it could stand equal to any nation, one-on-one.

Most crucially, the Northern Border's war potential was terrifying.

Through Qin Feng's tireless efforts, the Northern Border had become the foremost warhorse breeding ground.

Whether Highland Horse, Beidi Horse, or Liang Native Horse, all could be raised in large numbers in the Northern Border.

Due to the ever-growing scale, Shedynasty now needed eighty to ninety taels of silver to breed one qualified warhorse.

And the Northern Border can reduce costs to nearly half.

This undoubtedly further enhances the Northern Border's advantage in warhorses.

To get this cavalry army to Gusu City as quickly as possible, nearly every warhorse carried a cloth sack.

Inside were filled the required military rations and military equipment.

Thus, the cavalry would not need to stop frequently for rest and resupply.

But due to its massive scale, should logistics fail, the impact would be fatal.

Therefore, for safety's sake, in addition to the military rations carried by the cavalry themselves, the Logistics Regiment also set out alongside the cavalry.

In addition, all other logistics support had already begun synchronized deployment.

This ten-thousand-strong cavalry army was divided into three routes.

The Vanguard totaled three thousand, while the Left Wing and Right Wing Armies each had four thousand.

At the command, the vast cavalry army marched toward Nan Jing.

The Main General leading this army was Xu Mo.

After all, such large-scale strategic battles were not Ning Hu's strength.

Once the army reached Nan Jing, Xu Mo would join Zhao Yuxiong, and the Vanguard Cavalry and Black Cavalry would all come under Zhao Yuxiong's unified command.

Xu Mo needed only to command the left and right wing armies.