Hot flashes

The next three days became a nightmare for Huo Yijun on his retreat.

As expected, Wang Hui's cavalry were waiting to meet him in a sheltered valley northeast of the "Ghost's Sorrow" pass.

But soon he received several urgent reports of enemy activity, the scale of which was unknown, but it was clear that they were targeting him.

He attempted to send out a small cavalry unit to scout ahead, but they were repeatedly harassed by stray arrows and traps, losing dozens of riders, without even managing to find a trace of the enemy's main force.

Xiao Juejun's first and third battalions' feint was remarkably effective, thanks to their familiarity with the terrain and the cover of snowy weather.

Wang Hui dared not take any risks and had to withdraw his cavalry and strengthen vigilance. At the same time, he quickly sent someone to contact Huo Fei's troops who were marching towards "Ghost's Sorrow".

When Huo Yi received the news, his heart sank even further. He knew that Xiao Jue's military tactics were unpredictable, and the "main enemy force" that Wang Ben encountered was likely a feint, but what if there really was an ambush?

His two thousand exhausted infantrymen were his last remaining elite force, and they could not withstand any further losses.

"Speed ​​up the march, get through 'Ghost's Bane' as soon as possible, and rendezvous with Wang Hui!" Huo Yi ordered through gritted teeth.

The team struggled forward through the increasingly deep snow and biting wind. Frostbite and those falling behind began to increase, but no one dared to stop.

When they finally reached the "Ghost's Sorrow" pass, they were exhausted. The pass was quiet, with only the howling wind.

Huo Yi sent a small, elite squad through first to confirm there were no ambushes before ordering the main force to proceed quickly. Only after everyone had crossed the pass and met up with Wang Ben's cavalry outpost, Huo Yi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, before they could even breathe a sigh of relief, scouts brought more bad news: twenty miles south, at the inevitable "Rock Slope," they discovered enemy troops hastily building fortifications! Judging by their banners, they were Xiao Jue's elite troops!

Huo Yi and Wang Hui exchanged a glance.

"As expected... he never intended to fight us to the death at 'Ghost's Bane,' but rather to block our path layer by layer." Huo Yi smiled bitterly. "We're blocked ahead, and although there are no pursuers behind for now, the main force at Eagle's Beak Cliff is watching us closely. Our army is exhausted, our supplies are running low, and we're short of arrows..."

"General, let's charge! I'll lead the cavalry to clear the way, and the infantry will follow. Let's take advantage of their weakened fortifications and press on!" Wang Hui gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

Huo Yi looked at the soldiers behind him, panting and emaciated, leaning against their weapons, and then at the snow-covered mountain path ahead, and slowly shook his head.

"That……"

"Change course." Huo Yi drew a line on the map, pointing to an abandoned mountain road that was further north, more treacherous, and almost covered in snow. "Take this route, bypass 'Rotten Rock Slope.' Although it's difficult and the journey is longer, it will lead directly to 'Cangyun Ridge' behind Ningwu Pass."

That's a concealed supply point we planned when we advanced; there might still be some stored food there. We'll make further plans once we get there.

This is a more difficult and risky path, but it is also the only option to escape Xiao Jue's relentless pursuit and gain a chance to catch his breath.

Wang Hui stared at the marker that barely resembled a road, his Adam's apple bobbing, before finally clasping his hands in a fist salute: "Your humble servant obeys!"

Exhausted, Huo Yijun turned again, like a wounded goose forced to change its course during migration, disappearing into the more desolate and frigid mountains and snow-capped peaks of the north.

Looking back, the "Ghost's Sorrow" pass was gradually covered by wind and snow, while the direction of Eagle's Beak Cliff was silent, like a lurking beast patiently waiting for the next opportunity to pounce.

Southern Capital, the warm pavilion of the Imperial Palace.

The young emperor, draped in a fur coat, frowned as he looked at the latest battle report from the north.

The battle report was written by Huo Yi himself, detailing the victory at Wild Wolf Valley, but also truthfully reporting the difficulties faced by the army, such as disease, burning of provisions, exhaustion of soldiers, and being forced to change routes and take detours. He earnestly requested the court to quickly allocate provisions, medicine, and winter clothing, and urged the rear guard to follow up and provide support as soon as possible.

"General Huo, you have indeed lived up to my expectations, achieving victory even in adversity." The Emperor's voice carried praise, but even more so, concern. "However, this situation is truly difficult. Why have the various supplies requested by General Huo from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue not been shipped in full yet?"

The Minister of War and the Vice Minister of Revenue exchanged a glance.

The Minister of War stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Heavy snow in the north has blocked the roads, making transportation extremely difficult. Several supply trains are already stranded on the way."

Furthermore, the northern expedition has been extremely costly, and the national treasury... the national treasury is indeed quite strained. We are doing our utmost to raise the funds requested by General Huo."

The Vice Minister of Revenue quickly added, "Indeed, indeed! Your Majesty, we deeply sympathize with the hardships endured by the soldiers on the front lines. However, the nation's expenditures are all fixed, and relief for the floods in the southeast, repairs to river works, and salaries for officials... are all indispensable."

"We have ordered the prefectures and counties in the north to make advance payments, but it is only a drop in the ocean. We...we have truly done everything in our power!" After saying this, he even lifted his sleeve to wipe away non-existent tears.

The emperor, seeing their excellent singing and acting, felt even more irritated.

He was not unaware of the sordid affairs beneath the throne, but having just ascended to the throne, his foundation was not yet secure, and many things were subject to numerous constraints.

He sighed and waved his hand wearily: "That's enough. Issue my decree that another 200,000 taels of silver be allocated from the imperial treasury, specifically for the urgent needs of the Northern Expeditionary Army."

Order all prefectures and counties along the route to do their utmost to ensure the passage of the Northern Expeditionary Army's supplies; any delays will be severely punished! Furthermore, an imperial edict will be drafted to commend Minister Huo and the meritorious soldiers, hoping they will overcome all difficulties and achieve complete victory as soon as possible!

"Your Majesty is wise!" the ministers exclaimed in unison.

After leaving the warm pavilion, the Minister of War and the Vice Minister of Revenue walked side by side. Once they were far away from the palace servants, the Vice Minister of Revenue lowered his voice and said, "Two hundred thousand taels... coming from the imperial treasury saves us trouble. But how much of that amount will be left after it reaches the north?"

The Minister of War sneered: "Huo Yi is inflexible, and most of his men are just soldiers."

As for those who escorted and handled the shipment... it's bitterly cold up north, and making this trip must be tough. They deserve some compensation for their hard work, right? His Majesty is pressing us hard, so we need to motivate our subordinates to get things done, don't we?"

The two exchanged a knowing smile and disappeared beneath the deep eaves of the palace.

The cold wind of the North, carrying snowflakes, whipped at the thin clothes of Huo Yi's soldiers.

They were unaware of the Southern Capital's intentions and schemes; all they knew was that the dry rations in their arms were hard and cold, almost empty, the road beneath their feet was becoming increasingly difficult, and the way home still seemed impossibly far away.

Huo Yi walked at the front of the group, probing the road that was almost buried in snow with his spear. His figure appeared lonely and stubborn against the vast sky and earth.

On Eagle Beak Cliff, Xiao Jue received confirmation that Huo Yijun had changed course and headed north.

"He went to Cangyun Ridge?" He found the inconspicuous mark on the map. "It's a path to survival, but also a dead end. The terrain there is more treacherous, and supplies are more difficult to obtain. He wants to regroup there and wait for the imperial court's support or a turning point."

Zhou Heng stared at the winding route on the map, imagining the army struggling to advance through the icy snow, a complex and indescribable emotion welling up within him. "Will he wait until then?"

Xiao Jue remained silent for a moment before saying, "Then it depends on whether he waits for a turning point first, or whether I clear away the other unstable factors in the Northern Territory first, leaving him completely isolated."

It also depends on how much determination and efficiency the emperor of the Southern Capital and his court have in supporting this old general.

He turned away, no longer looking at the map. "Order the First and Third Battalions to withdraw to Black Wind Valley for rest and reorganization. The Fourth Battalion's 'Rough Rock Slope' troops will leave a small number of scouts to monitor the northern passage, while the main force withdraws."

The entire army entered a period of rest and reorganization, reinforcing the defenses along the line from Eagle's Beak Cliff to Black Wind Valley, inventorying supplies, providing compensation to the wounded and injured, and training new recruits.

"Should we leave Huo Yi alone for now?" Zhou Heng asked.

"Cangyun Ridge is freezing cold; he needs time to recover. I need time too." Xiao Jue's gaze fell upon the swirling snow outside the tent. "This winter is still long. The next battle may take place when the ice and snow melt. And then, the situation may be different."

The pace of the war has temporarily slowed down due to Huo Yi's unexpected counterattack and Xiao Jue's strategic encirclement without annihilation.

But both sides knew that this was just a brief silence before the blizzard arrived.