A family of loyal martyrs, starting with nine wives to continue the family line.

Huo Qingluan was holding a command flag, correcting the new recruits' positions.

She was dressed in simple cloth clothes, her hair tied back, and her cool eyes were focused intently on the flag signals on the sand table.

Upon hearing Wei Zhao's voice, she turned around, her movements somewhat stiff.

"understood."

She only said three words before turning around and continuing to torment the new recruits.

Wei Zhao watched her retreating figure, mentally calculating the progress.

At this rate, it's not impossible to recruit 100,000 new soldiers before reaching Yumen Pass.

But the fighting strength of these 100,000 people is the biggest hidden danger.

"Husband, what are you thinking about?"

Su Qingyun walked up to him without him noticing, holding an account book in her hand.

"Thinking about the war with the Western Qiang."

Wei Zhao opened his eyes, his gaze deep.

"In mountain warfare, our advantage in heavy armor will be weakened. If we cannot break the deadlock in a short time, this battle will be very difficult."

Su Qingyun paused in her flipping through the account books, looked up at him, and said softly:

"As long as we win, this money is well spent."

"Even if I have to sell all of the Su family's properties in Jiangnan, I will still make sure you have enough food."

Wei Zhao glanced at her but didn't say anything.

These sisters-in-law are all ruthless.

Liu Jingshuang must safeguard the soul of the Wei family army, Huo Qingluan must safeguard the essence of the formation, and Su Qingyun must safeguard the Wei family army's purse strings.

They were all gambling.

We're betting that Wei Zhao can lead the Wei family army to survive and avenge this blood feud.

…………

half a month later.

As the army entered the edge of the mountains, their marching speed slowed down.

Huo Qingluan's array training has also entered its most rigorous stage.

On the drill ground, the new recruits were divided into dozens of square formations, each holding a small flag.

Huo Qingluan stood on the high platform, waving the command flag, and the formation changed accordingly.

"Left flank advance! Right flank cut in!"

"Don't panic! Follow the flag signals!"

Huo Qingluan's voice was clear and cold, echoing throughout the entire training ground.

Wei Zhao rode his horse and led a thousand new recruits, whom he had just enlisted from a nearby town, to the training ground.

Most of these thousand people were miners, strong and wild.

When Huo Qingluan saw Wei Zhao approaching, the command flag suddenly stopped, and the noise on the training ground instantly disappeared.

Wei Zhao dismounted and handed the roster of new recruits to Huo Qingluan.

"These thousand men are of good quality; I'm entrusting them to you."

Huo Qingluan took the roster, but her gaze didn't fall on the words on the paper; instead, it landed on Wei Zhao's face.

He has lost weight.

Despite his robust physique, the relentless work over this period has left him looking somewhat tired.

Huo Qingluan's eyes flickered, and she subconsciously tried to look away.

Ever since the great victory at Yanmen Pass, that matter had been weighing on her mind.

She thought of that night in front of the mourning hall, watching Wei Zhao's back, and the crazy thought that crossed her mind.

"What's wrong?"

Wei Zhao noticed her unusual behavior and raised an eyebrow to ask.

Huo Qingluan's cheeks flushed an unnatural red. She suddenly lowered her head and stared intently at the roster in her hand.

"No...it's nothing."

Her voice was barely audible, completely different from the cold-faced female general she usually was.

Wei Zhao found it somewhat strange.

This woman is usually as cold as ice, what's wrong with her today?

"Thank you for your hard work in training the troops."

Wei Zhao said casually.

"If you need anything, just go to the accounting office and find Su Qingyun."

Huo Qingluan took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart.

She raised her head, her gaze lingered on Wei Zhao for a moment, and then quickly looked away.

The taxi drivers around were all busy training and no one paid any attention to this area.

Huo Qingluan took a small step forward, shortening the distance between the two.

A hint of urgency flickered in her usually cool and aloof eyes.

Wei Zhao looked at her, feeling somewhat puzzled.

This woman is usually quiet and reserved, what's wrong with her today?

Just as Wei Zhao was about to ask a question, Huo Qingluan suddenly stepped forward, her body almost touching his chest.

She lowered her voice, so soft it seemed to be squeezed out of her throat, yet it clearly reached Wei Zhao's ears.

"tonight……"

Huo Qingluan's ears turned bright red. She didn't dare to look Wei Zhao in the eye, and just kept her head down, her voice trembling violently.

"Come find me."

After saying that, she seemed to have used up all her strength, turned around abruptly, and strode towards the platform, her back view showing a hint of panic.

…………

The night was as dark as ink, and the camp was unusually quiet except for the footsteps of the night patrol soldiers and the occasional neighing of warhorses.

Wei Zhao walked slowly toward Huo Qingluan's tent, stepping on the gravel ground.

The wind carried the dry smell of sand. He pulled his cloak tighter around himself, his thoughts as chaotic and heavy as the turbulent world around him.

From Yanmen Pass to here, every day has been a race against time and a struggle against fate.

He commands an army of 150,000 and bears the blood debt of the entire Wei family. Every step he takes requires careful planning of the subsequent moves.

But besides these, there are also personal matters he has to face.