The imperial court is ceding territory from our northern border? Then we'll rebel!

The fifth day of the army's expedition.

The marching column of 400,000 people, like a giant dragon winding its way through the vast snowfield, moved slowly but steadily.

The sky was overcast, and the wind and snow felt like knives on my face.

The temperature had dropped to an extremely low level, and your breath would instantly freeze into white frost on your beard and eyebrows.

"Damn it, this awful weather!"

A young soldier from the North tightened his wool coat and breathed on his hands, which were red from the cold.

"Little Liu, stop complaining." An old soldier patted him on the shoulder, took out a leather water bag from his pocket, and handed it to him. "Take a sip and warm yourself up."

The young soldier took it, uncorked it, and a strong smell of alcohol wafted out. He took a big gulp, the spicy liquid flowing down his throat, and a warm current instantly spread throughout his body.

"Hey, Master Zhang's wine is really strong!" He wiped his mouth, looking much more refreshed.

The old soldier smiled, a hint of pride on his face: "Of course, how could we mistreat our prince's soldiers? Back in the day, when we were guarding the city in winter, we couldn't even get a hot soup, let alone wine. Now look at us, new winter clothes, Uzi steel knives, meat at every meal, and strong liquor to warm us up. We never dared to dream of such a life before."

"Yes." Xiao Liuzi touched the brand-new battle sword at his waist, a surge of excitement coursing through him. "So, this time heading south, I'm determined to cut off as many enemy heads as possible and bring glory to the Prince!"

"That's spirited!" The veteran nodded approvingly. "But remember, once you're on the battlefield, don't just think about killing people. Preserving your own life is the only way to kill more. Stay close to me, and don't wander off."

"Understood, Uncle Wang."

Such conversations were commonplace in the marching ranks.

Despite the harsh weather and arduous march, the morale of the entire army was exceptionally high.

Because they had ample supplies, excellent equipment, and, most importantly, faith in their hearts.

Xiao Jingchen, mounted on his horse, silently observed everything.

He knew that this army had already begun to possess the qualities of a kingly army.

"Your Highness," Cang Jia rode up to his side, a hint of excitement on his face, "Twenty li ahead is 'Black Wind Pass.' After Black Wind Pass, we'll be in Youzhou territory."

"Youzhou..." Xiao Jingchen murmured the name, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Black Wind Pass is a natural dividing line between the northern border and Youzhou.

In the past, this place was a natural barrier, the first line of defense preventing nomadic tribes from migrating south.

Today, they will cross this barrier and bring the flames of war to the heart of the Great Yan Dynasty.

"Have the vanguard move faster. We must take Blackwind Pass before nightfall," Xiao Jingchen ordered. "Don't alert anyone. Clean up all the guards at the pass."

"Yes!" Cang Jia accepted the order, cracked his whip, and led a group of personal guards, galloping forward.

As Xiao Jingchen watched his retreating figure, he knew very well that from the moment they stepped through Black Wind Pass, there was no turning back in this war.

He had considered the consequences of failure.

With an army of 400,000 deep in enemy territory, if they were to be entangled by Zhao Kuo's 500,000 troops and fall into a protracted war, their supply lines would be cut off, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

But he knew even better that if he hesitated and waited until spring, allowing Zhao Kuo to calmly deploy his forces, that would be a true dead end.

When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave one will prevail.

What he was betting on was this courage and a surprise attack that the enemy would never expect.

As evening fell, the army arrived at Black Wind Pass.

Just as Xiao Jingchen had predicted, the defenses here were shockingly lax.

There were fewer than three hundred Youzhou soldiers stationed at the pass. They were dressed in thin winter clothes, shivering from the cold, huddled in the dilapidated barracks by the fire, and there wasn't even a proper sentry.

They never dreamed that hundreds of thousands of troops would descend from the sky on such a snowy night.

The vanguard led by Cang Jia didn't even have to exert much effort.

Like ghosts in the night, they silently eliminated the few sentries on the perimeter before swarming in.

While the garrison inside the pass was still asleep, cold blades were already pressed against their necks.

Throughout the entire process, not a single shout was uttered, and not a single torch was lit.

Black Wind Pass, the northern gateway to Youzhou, changed hands silently and without fanfare.

When Xiao Jingchen led the main force of the central army to arrive, Cang Jia had already come to report, carrying the head of the gatekeeper.

"Your Highness, it's all taken care of. Three hundred and twenty-seven people, not a single one escaped." Cang Jia's face showed a hint of disdain. "These kinds of scum are fit to guard the nation's borders? It's a joke."

Xiao Jingchen glanced at the head that remained closed-eyed in death, his face expressionless.

"Has it been reviewed?"

"I've interrogated him," Cang Jia replied. "This kid said that Zhao Kuo's main army is concentrated in the 'Panlong Valley' area south of Youzhou City. Their orders are to hold out until spring and wait for the main army to march north. Nobody believes we'll attack in winter."

"Panlong Valley..." Xiao Jingchen walked to the map and found the location.

Panlong Valley, with its strategically important and easily defensible location, was indeed an ideal place to station troops. Zhao Kuo's choice to camp there was consistent with his consistently prudent military style.

"Very well." A cold smile appeared on Xiao Jingchen's lips. "He wants to play the coward, but I'm going to drag him out of his shell."

He turned to the messenger: "Pass down the order: the army will rest for the night at Black Wind Pass. Tomorrow morning, advance at full speed. Target: Youzhou City!"

"Your Highness, shouldn't we go directly to Panlong Valley?" Cang Jia asked, somewhat puzzled.

"No." Xiao Jingchen shook his head. "Zhao Kuo has an army of 500,000. If we charge into Panlong Valley, even if we manage to take it, we will suffer heavy losses. This is not what I want."

"My target is Youzhou City."

"Youzhou City is a crucial stronghold in the entire north, serving as the food and logistical hub for Zhao Kuo's army. Once Youzhou City is threatened, do you think Zhao Kuo can still remain safely in Panlong Valley?"

Cang Jia's eyes lit up suddenly, and he instantly understood Xiao Jingchen's intention.

To relieve the siege of Wei by attacking Zhao!

No, this is even more ingenious than the strategy of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao"!

This is a direct attack on the enemy's heartland, a strike at their vital point!

"Your Highness is wise!" Cang Jia exclaimed sincerely.

Xiao Jingchen ignored his flattery; his gaze had already moved beyond Youzhou City on the map and was fixed on a more distant place.

Taking Youzhou is only the first step.

What he needed to do was to completely break down Zhao Kuo's psychological defenses in the shortest possible time, turning his 500,000-strong army into a disorganized mess.

As night deepened, the campfire blazed brightly in the Black Wind Pass campsite.

The soldiers ate hot meat soup, wiped their weapons, and prepared for tomorrow's forced march.

They have crossed the border.

Ahead lies the prosperous Youzhou Plain.

There were bustling towns they had never seen before, and fierce battles awaited them.

But no one was afraid.

Because their king has shown them the way.

That direction leads to victory.