Isolated town in northern border region

The wind was strong on the grassland, making the flags flutter loudly.

Xiao Lie rode on Ta Xue's back, leisurely walking at the front of the group, holding a piece of dried meat in his hand, taking a bite every now and then, as if he were on a picnic.

The Trapped Camp and the Wolf Riders behind them were also happy to relax. Although they remained vigilant, they chatted and laughed along the way.

But the 120,000 new recruits were not so calm.

They carried swords and guns, and carried provisions, trudging across the grassland with uneasy expressions on their faces.

"Your Highness, which way are we going?"

"Weren't we supposed to be going to war? How come we haven't seen a single Tartar after three days?"

Xiao Lie turned around, glanced at it, and smiled.

"What's the rush? War isn't urgent."

He rode his horse up a small hill and took out the map from his pocket to look at it.

"This place is nice, let's rest for a while."

Xiao Xiong was taken aback.

"Your Highness, we've only traveled less than twenty li..."

Xiao Lie dismounted.

"Chen Hu led the new recruits to set up camp on the spot, while the Canglang cavalry circled back to Bianzhou City from the west, and I led the Trapped Camp back along the original route."

Xiao Xiong narrowed his eyes.

"Your Highness, are you afraid that Tuge will not behave himself?"

Xiao Lie nodded.

"I've said it before, that's a wolf cub, it can't be tamed."

"Who knows, this bastard might actually take over the charade and seize Bianzhou City."

Xiao Xiong nodded, opening his mouth as if to offer a reminder, but seeing the unwavering confidence on Xiao Lie's face, he refrained from saying anything more.

"This subordinate obeys."

…………

Bianzhou City.

Xiao Yu sat in the makeshift command tent, holding a secret report delivered by a scout, his brows furrowed in a frown.

Xiao Lie marched less than twenty li each day, spending most of his time camping and training in place, neither advancing nor retreating, as if he were sunbathing on the grassland.

"What on earth is this useless guy doing?"

Xiao Yu slammed the secret report on the table.

The lieutenant said cautiously.

"Your Highness, could it be that Prince Ning has discovered something...?"

"What did you find?"

Xiao Yu sneered.

"So what if he's discovered it? I am the supreme commander of the army. If he dares to disobey orders, I can rightfully kill him!"

"What about Tug's movements?"

"Tug Khan has sent word that he has assembled his elite troops and is ready to ambush us."

Xiao Yu's eyes lit up.

"good!"

"I refuse to believe it! Without the advantage of a fortified city, that piece of trash can't possibly defeat the Northern Barbarians on the grasslands!"

"At that time, I will use the excuse of being unable to provide timely assistance to watch him and the Northern Barbarians fight to the death, and then reap the benefits."

He stood up, walked to the map, and pointed heavily at the location of the water bubble.

"Pass down the order: the entire army is ready for battle. Once the order is given, they must proceed at top speed!"

The deputy general accepted the order and left.

Three days later, in Bianzhou City.

Before dawn, the earth began to tremble.

It wasn't an earthquake, it was a horse's hoofprint!

It was thousands upon thousands of horseshoes!

Xiao Yu was startled awake from her sleep and rushed out of the tent barefoot.

On the city wall, the sentries' horns sounded heart-wrenchingly, one after another, like a rooster being strangled.

"The Northern Barbarians! The Northern Barbarians are here!"

Xiao Yu climbed up the city wall, and after just one glance, his pupils suddenly contracted.

On the grassland, a black tide is surging toward the border prefecture at an alarming speed.

On the Khan's banner at the very front, there is an embroidered giant golden wolf.

"What's Tugg doing here?"

"Didn't he discuss this with me beforehand? He wants to join forces to eliminate Xiao Lie?"

Xiao Yu's face turned pale instantly.

"Defend the city! Get to the city walls quickly!"

He roared, his voice distorted.

The imperial guards were startled awake and rushed up the city wall in a panic.

Those young noblemen who originally planned to follow Xiao Yu to gain military merits had never seen such a scene before.

Some people burst into tears on the spot!

Some knelt on the ground praying to Buddha for protection, while others packed their things and ran away.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Yu felt a chill run down her spine.

Is this the Imperial Guard of the Great Chu?

When those powerful families were sending people in, they all boasted about their abilities, making those young masters seem like they were invincible!

Now that they've witnessed a real battlefield, not a single one of them can stand firm!

"Your Highness, the Northern Barbarian cavalry are too fast! They're almost at the city walls!"

The lieutenant ran over, his face covered in sweat.

Xiao Yu gritted her teeth.

"Block it! You must block it!"

"Aren't there ballistae on the city wall? Fire! Fire now!"

The ballistae were fired, dozens of giant arrows piercing the sky and landing among the Northern Barbarian cavalry, splashing up a few sprays of blood.

But a torrent of 70,000 cavalrymen cannot be stopped by a few dozen arrows.

Tuge didn't even slow down, charging straight to the city of Bianzhou.

"Attack the city!"

Ladders, ramming vehicles, and grappling hooks—the grassland tribe came prepared this time.

Standing on the city wall, Xiao Yu watched the Northern Barbarian soldiers climb up like ants, and his calves began to cramp.

A young man from a prominent family next to him suddenly threw down his knife, covered his head, and squatted down.

"I'm not fighting anymore! I don't want to die!"

Xiao Yu kicked him.

"Get up! If you dare to desert your post, I'll chop off your head!"

Despite her tough words, Xiao Yu had lost all courage in her heart.

Looking at the dark mass of northern barbarian cavalry below the city and the ever-increasing number of siege ladders on the city walls, only one thought occupied his mind…

run!

"Retreat! Retreat!"

The lieutenant was stunned.

"Your Highness, where should we retreat to?"

"Retreat...retreat to the south! Retreat to a safe place!"

Xiao Yu didn't bother putting on his armor and ran barefoot down the city wall.

On the city wall, the imperial guards saw their commander flee and completely collapsed.

Everyone started running for their lives!

Xiao Yu, accompanied by several hundred personal guards, rode south at breakneck speed.

After riding for about twenty miles, he reined in his horse and looked back.

Thick smoke billowed and flames shot into the sky from the direction of Bianzhou City.

He gritted his teeth and was about to continue running when he suddenly heard a commotion ahead.

He looked up and froze.

Ahead of him was a group of young men on horseback, dressed in fine clothes, galloping in his direction.

Some were wearing armor, some were wearing casual clothes, and some weren't even wearing shoes.

Each person was followed by several attendants, with a large amount of luggage and horses, resembling a caravan fleeing a disaster.

Xiao Yu recognized several of them...

The son of the Vice Minister of Revenue, the nephew of the Minister of Rites, and the younger brother of the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of War were all young noblemen from prominent families who came to the northern frontier with him to gain experience.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, save me!"

A young nobleman saw Xiao Yu and ran over crying.

"The northern barbarians are attacking! All our soldiers have fled!"

Xiao Yu's face turned ashen.

"Stop talking nonsense! Head south! We'll talk again when we're in a safe place!"

Xiao Yu spurred his horse, ready to keep running.

Just then, a muffled drumbeat came from behind.

thump -- thump -- thump --

Everyone stopped.

Xiao Yu turned around abruptly, her pupils contracting sharply.

In the direction of Bianzhou City, the banner of the King of Chu Ning was raised on the city wall.

Half an hour ago.

Xiao Lie was leading the Trapped Camp towards Bianzhou City when a scout rode up to them.

"Your Highness! Seventy thousand Northern Barbarian cavalry have besieged Bianzhou! Bianzhou city is about to fall!"

Xiao Lie's smile vanished instantly.

"Order! All troops march at full speed! Target: Bianzhou!"

"Luo Daniu, send someone to inform Chen Hu to order his entire army to break camp!"

"They don't need to follow."

Xiao Lie mounted his horse.

"The Vanguard Battalion, follow me! New recruits, cut off Tug's retreat!"

The vanguard troops rushed towards the border city.

When Xiao Lie arrived at the city of Bianzhou, Tuge's 70,000-strong army had just entered the city.

The city gates were wide open, and there were few guards on the city walls; the imperial guards inside the city had long since fled.

Xiao Lie drew his longsword.

"The Vanguard Camp! Block the city gate!"

Three thousand soldiers drew their swords in unison, with sword-wielding soldiers in front and spearmen behind, forming an iron wall that blocked the north gate of the border town.

The next moment, the Wolf Riders, who had circled around from the west, arrived.

"Grey Wolf Cavalry! Engage the enemy formation!"

Three thousand wolf riders charged from behind Tug, and they were no match for him along the way.

Tug turned his head to look when he heard the sound.

The Wolf Riders, who previously relied on speed to defeat their opponents, have now completely changed.

The riders and horses were clad in armor, with plates made of fine steel. When they charged, they were like ancient beasts that were impervious to swords and spears!

Xiao Lie raised the spear on the hook, his eyes fixed on Tuge in the opposite formation.

"Those wolf cubs are impossible to tame!"