novelraw Chapter 565 66 Black Dragon Flag_3
Chapter 565 66 Black Dragon Flag_3
"Present!"
"Present!"
"You two will lead ten thousand troops as the right wing, with Wang Ge in command."
"This subordinate complies!"
"Xiao Mingxuan, Li Dingdong."
"Present!"
"Present!"
"You two will lead ten thousand troops as the left wing, with Xiao Mingxuan in command."
"This subordinate complies."
"This Marquis will depart a day early, leading my personal contingent of ten thousand cavalry. We will rendezvous with the three thousand cavalry of Shengle's vanguard to form the central army. We shall be the first to enter the Snow Plains. The left and right wings will trail behind, providing cover and support for the central army under my command."
The generals chorused,
"This subordinate complies!"
It was called a strategy meeting, but in truth, there wasn't much discussion. The overall battle plan was simple: I will lead the central army, and you will all follow my path. There's no need to concern yourselves with marching routes, strategic objectives, or tactical plans. Just follow my lead.
So, this is Lord Jingnan's plan for the battle, Zheng Fan realized. It's clearly based on Tian Wujing's personal reconnaissance of the Snow Plains. The Snow Plains are vast, an entirely unfamiliar battlefield for the Yan Army. Venturing into them for the first time to wage war, everyone is essentially flying blind. Even the most brilliant battle plan would be useless; a single misstep could lead to them getting lost. Thus, an approach that seems simple, direct, even a bit haphazard, is actually the most prudent. He then mused, The crucial factor will be Tian Wujing's performance—our 'guide dog.'
After the generals departed from the command tent to make their preparations, Zheng Fan remained behind. He helped move a few things, as he was idle anyway.
Once everything was settled, Tian Wujing mounted the Pi Beast.
Zheng Fan looked at the Pi Beast before him, and the Pi Beast stared back at Zheng Fan. Then, the Pi Beast actually rolled its eyes at him.
... Zheng Fan was left speechless.
"After we return from this expedition, this Marquis will help you request one from the palace."
"Thank you, Lord!"
Zheng Fan had coveted this Pi Beast for a long time. Moreover, a Pi Beast that Tian Wujing helped acquire would surely be of a high pedigree, unlike Fatty Hui's unicorn. Then, perhaps I could feed it some spiritual elixirs, or even some vampire or zombie blood, to see if I can stimulate its bloodline and hasten its growth.
The central army of ten thousand cavalry quickly finished their preparations and departed ahead of schedule. A day later, they rendezvoused with the vanguard led by Liang Cheng. Numbering over thirteen thousand riders in total, they began their exit from the mountains.
「...」
"Angda, these tribespeople are utterly useless! They are a disgrace to the powerful physiques bestowed upon them by the stars."
"Quemu, my good brother, please put aside your complaints. They've already given us food and water; what more could we ask for?"
"Angda, these tribes are rich! They should contribute their warriors to the King's great cause!"
My brother here is so endearingly naive, Angda thought, stroking his beard.
They were here under the King's command, having led five thousand warriors west to this location. Word had come some days prior that the Yan people were making significant moves in the mountains of this region. Consequently, many of the wild people who originally inhabited these mountains had been forced to flee their homes and seek survival on the Snow Plains. This contingent of theirs was, in fact, here as a precautionary force.
Numerous tribes already existed in this area. Due to their proximity to this side of the Skybreak Mountain range, these tribes had learned to engage in trade over the decades. As a result, they lived more comfortably than other tribes elsewhere in the Snow Plains. Back when Angda accompanied the King on his trading expeditions, they had passed through here many times, so he naturally understood the considerable benefits commerce could bring to a tribe.
Even though the lion's share of the profits was taken by those black-hearted merchants from the Yan, Jin, and Qian States, the tribes on the Snow Plains were still able to acquire some of the most valuable resources.
"Quemu, don't be angry with them. The King's renown has already spread this far. Didn't you see how these tribes proactively offered us food, water, tents, and herds of sheep upon our arrival?
They do not resist the King's leadership. Once the King resolves the conflict at the Snow Sea Pass, his banner will personally reach this place, and the warriors of these tribes will become his most loyal followers."
"But, but why do others get to fight the Jin people at Snow Sea Pass, while we have to be sent so far away to this place? All the Jin forces are at Snow Sea Pass. Who are we supposed to be guarding against here?"
This was what Quemu couldn't comprehend. Both he and Angda were warriors under the King. He yearned to tear apart the Jin people on the battlefield—those who had once oppressed his people—not to be dispatched here to drink sheep's milk!
Angda's gaze grew profound. The perspective of the wild people is still too narrow, he mused. The King has lamented this to me more than once. And as a warrior who had once journeyed with the King in the outside world, Angda knew just how vast that world truly was.
"We are guarding against the Yan people," Angda said seriously.
"The Yan people? How could the Yan people come here?" Quemu found it unbelievable.
"Can you be sure that the Yan people definitely won't come here?"
"This… But…"
Angda said solemnly, "Are the Jin people formidable?"
"The Jin people have already been defeated by us! We even defeated their Emperor!"
"Foolish. That's only a part of the Jin people. The Jin State has three major houses, and for all these years, it's only one of them that has been constantly warring with our tribes."