Too many female prisoners, a special forces soldier transmigrates and marries wildly.

"Yan Qing, the garrison inside the pass, be prepared to cross the pass at any time to support the 'Wild Fox' and 'Lone Stone' fortresses. If the two fortresses show signs of distress, you will lead two thousand cavalry out of the pass to coordinate with Lei Bao's operation, striving to annihilate the Northern Desert army crossing the river on the south bank of the Grey River, and never let them threaten Cangyun Pass!"

"yes!"

"Furthermore," Lin Feng said, looking at Bai Xiaohe, "notify the rear to expedite the transport of the second batch of provisions and military equipment, especially to stockpile more oil and crossbow bolts. This battle may end sooner than we expect, or it may... drag on longer. We must be fully prepared."

The group accepted the order and went off to prepare.

The air was thick with fear, and everyone was on edge. Lin Feng successfully used psychological warfare and special operations to corner the Northern Frontier.

The northern barracks on the north bank of the Grey River.

Batel paced anxiously inside the central command tent.

On the table lay several bloodstained secret letters—arrows from the Yan army found on the bodies of messengers sent to the royal court for help, who were intercepted and killed en route, along with a threatening letter written in a crooked, northern script, warning him to "retreat immediately, or plague and poisoned arrows will follow you all the way to the royal court." This was clearly the work of a Yan spy, and a blatant act of defiance.

Worse still, the number of people "falling ill" in the camp was slowly increasing. Although there was no large-scale outbreak, the unknown fear that could come at any moment was more tormenting than the clear threat of swords.

Fetching water and patrolling became synonymous with death, and morale plummeted to rock bottom. The leaders of the Vulture Tribe and the Snow Leopard Tribe had come together today, hinting at a retreat, but Batel temporarily suppressed the threat with the royal court's strict orders and the harsh words that "anyone who undermines morale will be executed." However, he knew that this suppression would not last long.

"General, we can't wait any longer!" a trusted centurion whispered. "The warriors' bowstrings are loose, their sabers are rusty. If this continues, we'll collapse even before the Yan people attack! We must do something to boost morale, or... teach the Yan people a lesson they won't forget!"

Batel stopped in his tracks. "A lesson? How? We can't cross the Greywater River, the 'ghosts' of the Yan people lurk on the south bank, and the walls are high and sturdy..."

"We don't necessarily have to cross the river, nor do we necessarily have to break through the fortified walls." Another elderly advisor's eyes gleamed with cunning. "General, the Yan people are so arrogant simply because they rely on the natural barrier of the Grey River and those two fortified outposts ('Wild Fox' and 'Lone Stone') as their defensive flanks. Why don't we... use a feint to the east while attacking the west?"

"A feint?" Batel looked at him.

"Exactly." The old man walked to the sheepskin map and pointed to a spot upstream on the Greywater River. "According to reports from scouts a few days ago, there's a place called 'Old Ox Bay' thirty li upstream on the Greywater River. The river bends, the current is slower, and the riverbed is full of pebbles. In winter, when the water is shallow, there might be shallows to wade through. This place is far from the main force of the Yan army, so the defenses will inevitably be lax. We can send an elite force to cross the river quietly at night from 'Old Ox Bay,' then march rapidly along the south bank of the river, heading straight for the rear of 'Wild Fox Fortress'! If we can capture 'Wild Fox Fortress' in one fell swoop, a gap will appear in the Greywater River defense line, and our army can cross the river here, threatening the flank of Cangyun Pass! At that time, the Yan people will surely be thrown into chaos!"

Batel stared at the map, his eyes gleaming. "Old Ox Bay... what's the terrain like there? Is the Yan army prepared?"

"The mountains there are steep, the forests dense, and the roads treacherous; it's not a route for a large army. The Yan army will at most set up one or two lookout posts. Our army only needs to send five hundred... no, three hundred of our most elite warriors, lightly armed and equipped with grappling hooks and short weapons, to cross the river in the dim light of the moon in the latter half of the night. After crossing, we will avoid the main road, traverse the mountains, and head straight for the back gate of 'Wild Fox Fortress.' The garrison at 'Wild Fox Fortress' numbers only a few hundred, and they believe that with the Grey Water River and 'Lone Stone Fortress' as shields, their rear will be vulnerable. Caught off guard, we can surely take it in one fell swoop!"

"After taking 'Wild Fox Fortress', how do we hold it? What if the Yan army counterattacks?" Batel pressed.

"Once captured, immediately light the beacon fires in the fortress to inform the general. The general can then gather his main force and launch a feigned attack on the main crossing of the Greywater River to draw the attention of the Yan army's main force. Simultaneously, send the Vulture Cavalry to attempt a swim across from another possible crossing point downstream, creating the illusion of multiple attacks and overwhelming the Yan forces. If even a portion of the general's main force can cross the Greywater River and join the surprise attack on 'Wild Fox Fortress,' the overall situation will be settled! This will boost our morale, intimidate the Yan forces, and provide a satisfactory report to the royal court!"

This plan was bold and risky, but it seemed to be the only way to break the deadlock and avoid defeat without a fight. Batel was intrigued.

"Good! Let's proceed according to this plan!" Batel slammed his hand on the table, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. "Select three hundred daredevils, all the bravest and most familiar warriors of the Blood Falcon Tribe! They shall be led by my personal guard captain, Agula! They shall bring three days' worth of dried meat and mare's milk, only short swords, bows and arrows, and grappling hooks, and shall remove their heavy armor! They shall depart at midnight tonight and must capture 'Wild Fox Fortress' before dawn tomorrow!"

"Yes!" The centurion and the old man perked up.

"Furthermore, order the Vulture and Snow Leopard units to prepare. Tomorrow at dawn, upon my command, they will attempt a forced crossing from the two downstream ferry crossings to draw the Yan army's attention! Tell them this is their last chance to wash away their shame and seize glory! Anyone who dares to shrink back will be court-martialed!"

The order was quickly relayed.

However, what the people of Mobei didn't know was that their every move was already under the surveillance of the "Night Owl" team and the "Falcon" snipers lurking on the south bank of the river. When the three hundred elite Blood Falcon troops quietly left the camp under the cover of night and moved upstream, the news had already been transmitted back to Cangyun Pass in the fastest way possible.

Inside the Marshal's Mansion, the lights were on.

"As expected, they couldn't hold back any longer." Lin Feng looked at the intelligence report that had been sent back, a cold smile appearing on his lips. "Trying to sneak in from 'Old Cow Bay' and launch a surprise attack on 'Wild Fox Fortress'? Not a bad idea, but unfortunately, they chose the wrong opponent and the wrong time."

"Immediately notify Lei Bao to lead his troops to the south bank of 'Laoniu Bay' and set up an ambush nearby!"

"Yan Qing, you immediately lead two thousand men, including one thousand crossbowmen, to closely monitor all the ferry crossings downstream. If the Vulture Tribe and the Snow Leopard Tribe dare to cross the river, welcome them with a hail of arrows! Don't be stingy with your arrows; I want them to be feeding the fish in the river! Remember, let them all cross the river, and then attack them once they enter the ambush zone!"

"Yes! This subordinate will make sure they never return!" Yan Qing replied.

Just past midnight, with the moon hidden and stars sparse, it was the darkest hour before dawn.

The upper reaches of the Greywater River, "Laoniu Bay".

Three hundred elite Blood Falcon warriors, led by Agula, arrived silently on the north bank like a pack of wolves hunting for prey. They had removed their conspicuous leather armor, wearing only dark, close-fitting clothing, their faces smeared with mud and ash, gags in their mouths, and their horses' hooves wrapped in thick cloth. Agula carefully observed the opposite bank, finding only deathly stillness, with only the rushing river. He felt somewhat reassured and waved his hand.