I became a prince in a martial arts world.

"Where did these cavalrymen come from?"

"Are they cavalry from the Prince of Zhenxi's mansion?"

In the midst of the chariot formation, Niu Zilian was terrified. Although their force numbered over three hundred, they were all infantry. Although equipped with bows, arrows, spears, swords, and shields, they were no match for a similar number of cavalry in open field battles.

They were already overwhelmed by the three hundred Iron Eagle Cavalry. Now, seeing the dust rising from the north, it was clear that the number of cavalrymen was over a thousand. If they were reinforcements from the Prince of Zhenxi's mansion, Niu Zilian felt that he didn't need to fight anymore.

While Niu Zilian was in a state of panic, Wang Yu was also extremely surprised.

"Are they cavalry from Loulan? Does Loulan have that kind of audacity?"

"Are they cavalry from the northern Cheshi Kingdom? Have they also set their sights on this treasure?"

Wang Yu knew, of course, that he only had three hundred cavalrymen with him and no follow-up support, and that the Northwest Army would certainly not leave the pass easily. But if it was just Western Region cavalry, he was not afraid.

As is well known, the combat strength of the Western Regions cavalry has always been worrying. The Iron Eagle Cavalry can at least fight five against them.

But suddenly a black wolf-hair flag appeared in the smoke and dust, and a centurion of the Iron Eagle Cavalry let out a sharp blast.

"Black Qiang Cavalry!"

The loud bang was heard not only by Wang Yu, but also by Niu Zilian, who was in the car formation not far away.

Niu Zilian's face was extremely ugly. "Why are the Qiang people joining in the fun too?"

Although the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions were a behemoth when combined, the problem was that they couldn't unite. Even the strongest of the thirty-six kingdoms, such as Wusun and Dayuan, were not actually taken seriously by Niu Zilian.

But the Qiang people are different.

As one of the three major nomadic tribes threatening the northern Central Plains, the Qiang people were the weakest and were divided into Black Qiang and White Qiang. However, in the eyes of the people of the Central Plains, they were still full of the fierceness of the grassland people and were far superior to the miscellaneous soldiers of the Western Regions.

"How could the Qiang people, living so far away in the northern deserts, know about the Loulan treasure?" Niu Zilian couldn't help but curse. "Is the imperial court really as riddled with holes as it is now?"

At this moment, Song Chengyue and his sister Song Qingchuan were also in the Shuntian Army's ranks, and they couldn't help but feel embarrassed upon hearing this.

"The Iron Eagle Cavalry is in the south, and the Black Qiang Cavalry is in the north. Strategist, what should we do?" Duan Rui asked anxiously.

Niu Zilian's face was so gloomy it could drip water.

Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice. The two sides combined have over a thousand cavalry, while he only has three hundred infantrymen, and they're on the open Gobi Desert. What can he do?

Should we summon a meteor to crush them all?

Upon discovering that the opposing force consisted of Black Qiang cavalry, the Iron Eagle Cavalry quickly entered a state of serious combat readiness. The 100th commander observed carefully for a moment, then approached Wang Yu and reported, "The opposing force should be a thousand-man unit of Black Qiang. I suggest we do not engage them in direct combat. Instead, we should wait until they and the Shuntian Army have both suffered heavy losses before making a decision."

The appearance of the Black Qiang cavalry at this time was clearly also aimed at the Loulan treasure, which was currently in the hands of the Shuntian army.

What was originally something the two sides were fighting over suddenly became a hot potato.

The meaning of the 100th household is very clear: the Iron Eagle Cavalry consists entirely of cavalry, and if they want to leave, the Black Qiang cavalry simply cannot stop them.

The Black Qiang cavalry's goal is the Loulan treasure, and if the Shuntian army does not want to hand over the treasure, then a conflict between the two sides is inevitable.

The Black Qiang were cavalry, and although they were numerous, the Shuntian Army had powerful bows and chariot formations. If they were determined to hold their ground, they could definitely take a piece of the Black Qiang cavalry.

Although the Black Qiang cavalry will ultimately prevail, they will inevitably suffer losses and be burdened by an additional hundred carts.

This place is extremely far from the northern grasslands, giving the Iron Eagle Cavalry ample time to wear them down. They could even go to Yumen Pass to call for another troop of Northwest Army cavalry to help.

Therefore, retreating for the time being and watching the Black Qiang cavalry fight against the Shuntian army is the best solution.

"Not necessarily." Li Yunxiu observed for a moment. "There are a thousand cavalrymen right in front of us, and we don't know if there are any behind them. Even if there aren't, they can pack the treasure in different places. Even if they can't take everything, taking most of it shouldn't be a problem. We might not be able to catch up."

Ma Bojun, spear in hand, his eyes blazing, declared, "A mere thousand Black Qiang cavalry? I'll be the spearhead, and we'll rout them!"

While Wang Yu was still considering countermeasures, Niu Zilian was already in dire straits, because the Iron Eagle Cavalry still had options, but they had none.

Zhao Lu brandished his spear and ordered his men, "Prepare horses and escort the strategist and the Song siblings away!"

"General Zhao!" Niu Zilian was startled upon hearing this, already knowing Zhao Lu's plan.

Zhao Lü said solemnly, "The Shuntian Army can do without Zhao Lü, but it cannot do without its strategist. Everyone here is a brother in the army. If we scatter in a fit of anger, we will only be slaughtered by the Qiang people. It is better to fight to the death and kill as many as we can."

Duan Rui laughed heartily, "To die on the battlefield in the Western Regions is to die on the battlefield."

Song Yuanjing had already led over a horse. "Strategist, please mount!"

Niu Zilian's face turned red. He never expected that despite his perfect planning, his westward journey would be fraught with mistakes, and the appearance of the Black Qiang cavalry would ultimately drive his group to their doom.

A dead end... a dead end... is there a way to survive by putting oneself in a dead end?

Niu Zilian's eyes flickered, and suddenly he saw Song Chengyue and his sister beside him. Recalling what Song Chengyue had said to him, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

"The Prince of Zhenxi's Mansion and the imperial court are not of one mind!"

"The Prince of Zhenxi's Mansion and the Black Qiang are also enemies!"

"If we allow the Black Qiang cavalry to kill us, they will never get the treasure!"

"The Black Qiang only have a thousand-man squad, but this side has six or seven hundred men in total, plus experts like General Zhao and Ma Bojun. We can fight them!"

Niu Zilian immediately pulled Song Chengyue over, "Brother Song, the lives of these three hundred of us depend on you!"

Song Chengyue asked in surprise, "Why does the strategist say that?"

Niu Zilian finished his analysis quickly and then said to Song Chengyue, "The Prince of Zhenxi promised General Wang to spare your life and his words were full of goodwill towards you. Please take your sister to the Iron Eagle Cavalry and tell them that the Shuntian Army is willing to join forces with the Prince of Zhenxi's Mansion to fight the enemy. After the Black Qiang Cavalry is defeated, the two sides will share the treasure."

Song Chengyue glanced at Duan Rui and Song Yuanjing, who were resolute in their resolve to die, and nodded emphatically, "I will definitely persuade the Prince of Zhenxi. If the Prince of Zhenxi refuses, I will die with you all!"

The brother and sister mounted their horses and galloped out through a passage cleared by the chariot formation, heading straight for the Iron Eagle Cavalry.

"Greetings, Prince Zhenxi! Song Chengyue has important matters to report!"

Song Chengyue and his sister came to Wang Yu's side and told him about Niu Zilian's suggestion, earnestly requesting Wang Yu to send troops to help.

Wang Yu couldn't help but chuckle, "He certainly has a good idea."

Li Yunxiu laughed and said, "What a clever move to survive in the face of death! Originally, the entire army was wiped out and the treasure was lost, but he not only wanted to use their strength against them, but also wanted to keep half of the treasure?"

Song Chengyue said, "But it also benefits the Prince's Mansion. There are ninety-four chests of treasure in the caravan. In addition to gold, silver coins and utensils, there are countless pearls, agates, gemstones and jade discs, worth tens of millions."

Upon hearing Song Chengyue's words, the Iron Eagle Cavalry around him also began to breathe heavily.

Song Chengyue continued, "Moreover, the Black Qiang are a major enemy of the Royal Palace. If they obtain the Loulan treasure and recruit soldiers, they will inevitably threaten the three prefectures in the northwest."

Wang Yu shook his head. "What the Qiang people lack is not jewelry, but food, ironware, salt and tea."

Although he denied it, Wang Yu knew that if the Black Qiang obtained this treasure, it would indeed strengthen their power. Given the Black Qiang's hostility towards the Central Plains, it would be enough to make them launch a war that would threaten the Northwest.

Wang Yu pulled Li Yunxiu, Ma Bojun, and the three centurions of the Iron Eagle Cavalry aside, asking, "If we add the three hundred elite soldiers of the Shuntian Army, can we win this battle?"

"We can fight!" The three centurions nodded in unison.

The Iron Eagle Cavalry's combat strength was already superior to that of the Black Qiang Cavalry, not to mention the Shuntian Military Chariot Formation defending them, and the fact that a master like Ma Bojun could single-handedly lead an army, making them more than capable of winning.

"Alright!" Wang Yu agreed, and said to Song Chengyue, "The two sides can join forces, but I want 70% of the treasure, and once the two armies merge, I want command of the Shuntian Army."

Song Chengyue left Song Qingchuan with the Iron Eagle Cavalry and then rushed back to the chariot formation to report.

Niu Zilian readily agreed, and even Zhao Lu did not object.

Just kidding, the fact that they didn't want everything is already a favor to them; they can't be ungrateful.

The reason Wang Yu did not go any further was simple: if he wanted too much, the Shuntian Army also had the option of destroying all the wagons and scattering the treasure all over the grassland, which would be enough to slow down the Black Qiang cavalry and allow the main force to break away.

Red flags fluttered in the formation of vehicles, indicating agreement with Wang Yu's suggestion.

The Shuntian military chariot formation shrank again, with bows strung, swords drawn, guns mounted, and shields erected, ready to hold their ground.

The Iron Eagle Cavalry began to maneuver in circles, preparing to take advantage of the Black Qiang cavalry's attack on the chariot formation while looking for an opportunity to launch a ranged attack or strike the flanks.

The Black Qiang cavalry are getting closer.

Both sides could now see each other's armor and appearance.

The next moment, the Black Qiang cavalry split up, one group surrounded the wagon formation, and the other group charged towards the Iron Eagle Cavalry.

The hundredth household's eyes lit up. "How dare they! They underestimate us so much!"

If it were a thousand Black Qiang cavalry, the 100th commander would have to think twice, but now that there are only five hundred men on the other side, he has no hesitation whatsoever.

Ma Bojun's eyes lit up as well.

Although some branches of the Ma family occasionally served in the military, the main branch was clearly a martial arts family. Ma Bojun had never been a vanguard in battle before, and when facing the enemy, he was not nervous at all, but his blood was boiling.

Wang Yu said to Li Yunxiu, "Please give instructions, Madam."

Li Yunxiu smiled faintly and said without ceremony, "Three hundred cavalrymen will fire in three columns to suppress the Black Qiang cavalry. Then, please have Uncle lead the army to charge and break through their lines!"

"Yes, sir!"

"boom--"

The Iron Eagle Cavalry roared out.

Wang Yu, along with Li Yunxiu and Qianqian, and a dozen or so guards from the Prince's Palace, remained on the small sand dune where they had been.

The Iron Eagle Cavalry unleashed a three-volley attack, felling at least dozens of Black Qiang cavalrymen. The Black Qiang cavalry retaliated, but only five or six of the fully armored Iron Eagle Cavalrymen fell from their horses.

The next moment, the two cavalrymen clashed violently, and Ma Bojun led the way into the Black Qiang cavalry's formation.

"He's a master of innate level!"

The Black Qiang people quickly realized Ma Bojun's strength. His silver spear moved like a dancing pear blossom, and his body was covered in snowflakes. Any Black Qiang cavalryman who blocked his way was pierced through the chest and fell off his horse.

Everyone's eyes were on one person in the group, but that person remained unmoved. Instead, he spurred his warhorse, broke out of the formation, and headed straight for Wang Yu and his group on the small sand dune.

Two riders followed him, one on his left and one on his right. One looked excited, the other had a ferocious look in his eyes. "Zhao Yu, how is my junior sister?"