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Every day, Su Li would inquire about the medicinal herbs and horses.
Occasionally, she would visit the estate to check on the growth of the herbs.
She observed that some of the first planted herbs were already ready for use. Calculated this way, common herbs could be harvested twice a year.
Keeping busy like this felt fulfilling.
But whenever night fell, the image of that figure in her mind refused to fade.
"Ziyan, what are you doing?"
At this very moment, Jun Mo was leading the main army south.
Because Shuiyong City had been massacred, hundreds of thousands of soldiers felt a suffocating rage. Everyone simply focused on pressing on, day and night.
That night, in the main army tent.
"This can't go on," Marquis Wuyang said gravely. "Although General Lan is defending Lan'an, he only has a hundred thousand troops, while the Southern Border has as many as three hundred and fifty thousand. He won't be able to hold out for long."
Duke Weiguo nodded. "Indeed, though we've been traveling day and night, we're still too slow. Therefore, I believe we can split into two groups. Let the cavalry go first, taking some provisions, and the main army can follow. That's the only way."
Jun Mo stood up. "Then we younger ones will lead thirty thousand cavalry and the Divine Machine Battalion ahead. At our speed, we can reach Lan'an in no more than five days at the very latest."
Ji Huaiyan nodded. "Our cavalry is few, but this is the only option. Every moment counts."
To imagine the Southern Border conquering Lan'an again was simply unthinkable.
They had already experienced the Southern Border's brutality.
Duke Weiguo said, "Good, you all go on ahead, and we will follow shortly."
Though the cavalry was small in number, their combat effectiveness was far superior to that of the infantry.
Adding the five thousand men from the Divine Machine Battalion, it could be said this was the main force of their three hundred thousand strong army.
Among the infantry, there were many skilled archers and riders, but the shortage of warhorses and weapons remained a major weakness for Tianqi.
Before dawn the next day, Jun Mo and the two others led these thirty-five thousand elite troops and set off.
They continued their journey for another three days.
"Report! Five kilometers ahead is the territory of Lan'an City."
Jun Mo waved his hand: "Halt!"
"Rest where you are, then enter the city."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone dismounted and rested beside their horses.
For cavalrymen, their horses were a part of their lives.
Wei Yuanling looked at the scorching sun overhead, walked over, and tossed him a water skin. "Ziyan, catch."
Jun Mo took the water skin and drank.
"General Lan Canghai has always guarded the thirteen southern prefectures and counties without a single mishap. Facing such a massive invasion this time, I wonder how he's faring?" Ji Huaiyan looked towards Lan'an City.
Jun Mo's gaze was deep. He said coldly, "What happened at Shuiyong City cannot be blamed on General Lan Canghai. The thirteen prefectures are vast; by the time he could arrive, being able to protect Lan'an would already be an accomplishment."
Even they had thought that if war broke out, it would be a month or two later. Who knew the Southern Border would be so deranged?
This time, he would make sure the Southern Border knew Tianqi was not to be trifled with!
Fifteen minutes later, they resumed their journey.
About a mile outside Lan'an City, a troop of people waited, as if specifically for them.
The two leading figures, a man and a woman, were both on horseback.
The woman appeared to be fourteen or fifteen, and it was rare to see such a beautiful girl in the Border City.
Upon closer inspection, she bore a striking resemblance to the Crown Princess Consort, Lan Yu, though her skin was not as fair as the capital's women due to her constant presence in the border region.
Beside her was a boy of the same age, who was currently sizing them up with his chin raised.
Seeing them stop, the two rode their horses forward.
"Presumably, this is His Royal Highness Prince Jing?"
Jun Mo nodded. "Indeed."
The young boy beside the girl immediately rode forward, excitedly saying, "You're Prince Jing? The Prince Jing who defeated Northern Flame at eighteen?"
Admiration shone in the boy's eyes.
"I am Lan Huanian, and this is my second sister, Lan Yan. My father is waiting for you!"
Jun Mo smiled faintly. "So, it is General Lan's esteemed daughter and son."
General Lan Canghai commanded a hundred thousand troops, stationed across Tianqi's thirteen southern prefectures and counties.
Lan Canghai had two daughters and one son; his eldest daughter was the Crown Princess Consort, Lan Yu.
Lan Yan said, "You arrived faster than expected. Let's go; I'll tell you about the situation in Lan'an on the way."
The young boy kept trying to get closer to Jun Mo, directly pushing Wei Yuanling aside.
Wei Yuanling rolled his eyes, having no choice but to walk alongside Lan Yan.
"We've been defending the city for nearly ten days now," Lan Yan said as they walked. "The Southern Border launches two to three attacks daily. We originally had a hundred thousand men, but now we have less than seventy thousand. Casualties are heavy."
Her clear, cool voice carried no hint of feminine fragility, completely unlike her sister's.
Jun Mo frowned, asking, "How many losses has the enemy sustained?"
Seeing him speak, Lan Huanian quickly chimed in, "I know that! Lan'an has a good terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Although we've lost over thirty thousand soldiers, the enemy has lost more than fifty thousand! Our Tianqi soldiers are excellent!"
Jun Mo silently calculated. The Southern Border still had over three hundred thousand troops, several times their number.
It seemed the situation was dire. They couldn't engage in direct confrontation; they would have to rely on tactics.
Lan Yan looked back. "I wonder when Duke Weiguo and Marquis Wuyang will arrive?"
Wei Yuanling replied, "No more than three to five days at most."
Lan Yan looked at him and asked, "And this is?"
"Wei Yuanling, son of Duke Weiguo."
Lan Yan nodded, then looked at Ji Huaiyan.
Ji Huaiyan said, "Ji Huaiyan, eldest son of Marquis Wuyang."
Lan Yan gave him a slight nod as well.
The group arrived at Lan'an City. Jun Mo ordered his soldiers to rest thoroughly. Lan Huanian led them to their quarters.
Lan Yan led Jun Mo and the other two into the City Lord's Residence.
Before they even entered, a tall, imposing man in armor, with a stern face and powerful presence, emerged from inside.
Lan Yan called out, "Father."
Lan Canghai nodded, then looked at Jun Mo beside her and cupped his hands in a salute.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highness Prince Jing!"
Jun Mo offered a hand to stop him. "General Lan, there's no need for such formalities."
Lan Canghai stepped aside. "Your Royal Highness, let's speak inside."
Once Jun Mo and the two others entered the room, Lan Canghai said to the soldiers by the door, "Go tell everyone to come over."
"Yes, sir!"
Before long, a dozen more people entered from outside.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highness Prince Jing!" Everyone saluted Jun Mo.
Jun Mo nodded slightly. "Please, all of you, take a seat."
After everyone was seated, Lan Canghai introduced them. "Your Royal Highness, these are all my capable officers."
Jun Mo nodded. "All of you are fine sons of Tianqi! If we win this battle and avenge the people of Shuiyong City, this Prince will personally request commendations for each of you!"
"Another two hundred thousand troops are still rushing here day and night. For these next few days, we must hold the line," Lan Canghai said.
Lan Canghai stood up and walked to the sand table. "Everyone, please look."
Everyone gathered around, listening as Lan Canghai analyzed the battle situation.
Finally, Jun Mo pointed out deficiencies and redeployed their defenses.
"Let the cavalry and Divine Machine Battalion rest well. Tonight, we will launch a surprise attack on the enemy camp!" Jun Mo declared.
Lan Canghai said, "How about waiting until tomorrow? They've traveled a long distance; their stamina might not be sufficient."
Jun Mo shook his head. "No, we're exploiting the time difference and information gap. Half a day of rest is enough. While the enemy doesn't know we've arrived early, tonight is the night!"
Ji Huaiyan nodded. "Indeed. You've been only defending and not attacking for days, making the enemy believe our tactics are predictable. A surprise attack will be extraordinarily effective!"
Wei Yuanling rubbed his hands together. "I'm going tonight too! It would be best if I could cut off Liang Xuanting's head while he's still sleeping!"
Lan Yan scoffed. "If it were that easy to cut off, this war would be simple."
Indeed, a pampered young master from a noble family, speaking such unrealistic nonsense. He's probably just here to earn military merit.
Stung by the retort, Wei Yuanling immediately shut his mouth.
He knew he was being underestimated, but one day, he would do something great for everyone to see!
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