Two days later, the cavalry regiment passed by Dragon-seeking Forest's Dragon-rock Mountain. Looking from afar, the three blood-red words "Dragon-rock Mountain" appeared on the towering stone wall. From afar, they could almost see the fluttering flag on Dragon-rock. It was the flag of the Longdan Army Camp. At the same time, at the foot of Dragon-rock Mountain, the scene of a village appeared. All the houses were newly built, and many civilians had moved here. There was even a market in the village center at noon.
…
The accompanying Tianchong Army Captaincy, Qi Ying, looked up at Dragon-rock Mountain and asked, "General, it is said that there is a mercenary group called 'Longdan Army Camp' on this mountain range. They are quite powerful. Since we are passing by, should we go up the mountain and 'borrow' some weapons and provisions from this Longdan Army Camp?"
He grinned wickedly.
Lin Muyu shook her head. "No need. You can camp at the foot of the mountain and rest for a while. I will go up the mountain to discuss with the Longdan Army Camp and invite them to go to Cangnan Province to destroy the House of Chivalry. Otherwise, I'm afraid we may not be able to do it with just our 5,000 cavalry."
"What!?"
Qi Ying was stunned and hurriedly said, "General, you must not … Although this Longdan Army Camp is registered in the capital, but … the mercenaries are cruel and arrogant. I'm afraid it will be dangerous for you to go up the mountain alone."
"Don't worry, it will be fine. Set up camp here and do not disturb the civilians along the way."
"Yes! General, please be careful. "
"Okay."
…
Lin Muyu only led Wei Chou and Xiahou Sang up the mountain. However, she found that the Longdan Army Camp was getting stronger and stronger. The mercenaries were no longer as unruly as before. Instead, they were in high spirits. Luo Yu and Fengxi's training methods were evident.
Not long after, Luo Yu and Fengxi walked out of the meeting hall with radiant faces. They greeted her with a respectful smile. "Madam, you are here!"
"Yes."
Lin Muyu nodded and asked, "How is the development of the Longdan Army Camp recently?"
Luo Yu smiled and said, "Everything is fine. We've cleared out all the Wandering Mercenary Groups and the House of Chivalry's forces within a 500-mile radius, excluding the Flame Dragon Mercenary Group. We've already expanded our numbers to 5,417 people!"
"More than five thousand?!"
Lin Muyu grinned from ear to ear. "How about the warhorses and weapons?"
Luo Yu cupped his fists and said, "Everyone is equipped with a warhorse and a weapon of varying lengths. These five thousand people are cavalry when mounted and infantry when dismounted. Don't worry about their battle prowess."
"That's good!"
Lin Muyu smiled complacently and said: "Immediately select 5000 people, bring three days' worth of dry rations, and follow me into Cangnan Province to train the troops."
"Oh?" Luo Yu was stunned. "Where does Sir want to attack?"
"Purge all the forces of the House of Chivalry in Cangnan Province."
"So that's how it is. This subordinate will immediately gather the troops."
"Alright!"
… …
Less than an hour later, 5000 elite Longdan Army Camp mercenaries had gathered at the top of the mountain, all mounted on their horses. The scale was unprecedented, and these people's weapons and warhorses were even better than the Tian Chong Army's. It was good to be rich!
"Descend the mountain!"
Raising the flag, the dragon-shaped image fluttered in the air. It was truly a beautiful sight.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, Qi Ying raised his spear and mounted his horse from afar, shouting: "The enemy is attacking, prepare to defend!"
The Tian Chong Army's heavy cavalry all mounted their horses, holding their spears to the top of their warhorses' heads, each of them brimming with killing intent as they prepared to welcome the attack from the Longdan Army Camp.
But Lin Muyu urged her horse forward, shouting: "General Qi Ying, they're on our side, it's fine."
Qi Ying was surprised, then smiled: "General is so brave, you really managed to convince these Longdan Army Camp mercenaries?"
Wei Chou came forward, smiling faintly: "They're your men to begin with, there's no need to convince them. Alright, let's go to Cathaya City!"
"Yes!"
… …
Just like that, the ten thousand heavy cavalry left the borders of Lanyan City and headed straight for Cangnan Province. Two days later, they entered Cangnan Province and could already see the small city of Cathayfir City in the distance. Two messengers galloped over to inform the new city lord.
Lin Muyu had mixed feelings. The last time she'd left Cathaya City, she and Chu Yao had fled from Hua Tian and his son's pursuit. She hadn't expected that she'd come to Cathaya City with over ten thousand men, and that she'd even become the General of the South.
Not long after, a group of people galloped out of the city, one dressed in the garb of a civil official, the other a military official.
"This humble one is the governor of Cathaya City, Zhang Yida. Greetings, milord!"
"This humble one is the commander of Cathaya City's garrison, Wang He. Greetings, general!"
Both of them wore extremely respectful expressions, and Lin Muyu didn't find it strange at all. The Qin Empire was very strict about the hierarchy of military ranks, and her position as the General of the South was almost god-like in this small city.
Zhang Yida's face was full of flattery as he dismounted and kneeled on the ground, smiling: "Milord, as the emperor's adopted son, it is this lowly one's greatest honor to have you graced Cathaya City with your presence. If milord does not mind, please follow this lowly one into the city. This lowly one has already prepared a feast to welcome milord's arrival!"
Wang He also cupped his fists: "Please enter the city, milord!"
Their words and actions were very cordial, but Lin Muyu only felt boundless coldness from them. She smiled slightly: "There's no need, the army will not enter the city, and we will not disturb the citizens. We will set up camp in the Seven Star Forest outside the city. City governor, please immediately prepare food, water, and horse rations for us. I'll be relying on you for this."
Zhang Yida was stunned: "Milord, you … you are not entering the city?"
"Yes, I am not entering the city."
Lin Muyu respectfully cupped her fists and smiled: "I will have to trouble the governor and General Wang He. Please immediately prepare for us!"
"Yes …"
Zhang Yida and Wang He were flabbergasted, and they hurriedly led their men away.
Lin Muyu watched them leave, indifferently saying: "Set up camp in the Seven Star Forest nearby, do not occupy the main road. Prepare to cook, and rest well today. We will attack the headquarters of the House of Chivalry tomorrow morning."
Qi Ying cupped his fists respectfully and said: "Yes, general!"
… …
At night, the sky was filled with stars, and the temperature dropped sharply. It seemed like it was going to snow again.
The men Lin Muyu had brought with her this time were all cavalry, and they had to end the battle as quickly as possible. Otherwise, even the fodder for the warhorses would be a huge problem. Cathaya City was just a small city, and it could support ten thousand warhorses for a day or two, but it would be a stretch to say the least for a month.
Under the flickering firelight, Wei Chou unfurled a map of Cangnan Province and pointed at the red mark on it, saying: "The headquarters of Cangnan Province is located on this mountain ridge called 'Fire Axe Mountain'. Fire Axe Mountain is not tall, but its terrain is extremely steep and shaped like a fire axe, hence the name. According to my intelligence, there are currently more than 4200 members of the House of Chivalry on Fire Axe Mountain, one Grand Wandering Chess Envoy, and two Wandering Chess Envoys. Cough cough … Milord, you killed one of the Wandering Chess Envoys last time, so these people should hate us very much."
Qi Ying said: "The House of Chivalry has many eyes and ears. They will definitely know that we have come to Cathaya City in such a grandiose manner, so we must plan slowly. I think … why don't we wait for Lord Shen Yang to arrive with fifteen thousand foot soldiers and attack together?"
"It's too late."
Lin Muyu shook her head: "By the time the foot soldiers arrive, it will be too late. Send some people to scout the terrain and gather intelligence tonight, and prevent them from setting up an ambush along the way. Tomorrow morning, we will attack the mountain."
"Yes!"
After Qi Ying and the other generals dispersed, Wei Chou's eyes dimmed as he asked: "Milord, why are you in such a hurry to attack the mountain? This doesn't seem like your personality … "
Lin Muyu exhaled a mouthful of mist, saying: "If we delay, the situation will change. The House of Chivalry and Five Valleys City are inextricably linked, so we must finish this battle quickly. Otherwise, if Five Valleys City reacts, it will not be so easy for us to destroy the House of Chivalry."
"Governor Hu Tiening dares to openly defend the House of Chivalry?"
"No, he doesn't dare, but he won't let things go too smoothly for us."
"Yes, your subordinate understands …"
… …
The next morning, the army of ten thousand set off for Fire Axe Mountain. The mountain was less than two hundred li from Cathaya City, and only half a day's journey for cavalry. Lin Muyu's gaze fell on the crowd. The Sky Rush Army's heavy cavalry were equipped with small round shields, long spears, and sharp swords, and were skilled in close combat. The heavy cavalry of the Longdan Army Camp were equipped with powerful bows. This was an absolute advantage. If they wanted to kill without losing any casualties, they had to be equipped with long-range weapons. The mercenaries of the Longdan Army Camp were skilled with bows and horses, and seemed more suited to fighting in the mountains.
Along the way, the scouts frequently reported that the terrain had been surveyed, and it was almost impossible for the House of Chivalry to ambush them.
They arrived at the foot of Fire Axe Mountain before noon!
Looking up, Fire Axe Mountain looked like a fiery red battle axe lying between heaven and earth. The rocks were crimson, and banners fluttered in the air in the middle of the mountain. Houses stood in great numbers, and a stone fortress was built at the mountain gate to defend against any invasion.
It was difficult for warhorses to travel in the mountains, much less on a forty-five degree slope.
Qi Ying's brows furrowed, "General, how do we attack?"
"There is no need to attack."
Lin Muyu rode on a warhorse, and smiled, "I have already received information that although there is sufficient food on the mountain, water is brought up from the spring at the foot of the mountain. Their headquarters has more than four thousand soldiers, and the daily consumption of water is very large. If we surround them and do not attack, they will definitely descend the mountain to fight us within three days."
As she said that, Lin Muyu smiled, and said with confidence, "They chose Fire Axe Mountain as their base, but they forgot about the water source. They are digging their own graves!"
Qi Ying was shocked, and cupped his fists, "I did not expect General to be so powerful at such a young age … …"
"No need to flatter me."
Lin Muyu raised her hand, and said, "Surround the mountain, and have the archers ready at any time. Wait for them to descend the mountain themselves."
"Yes, General!" Everyone's face was filled with joy.
Originally, many of the soldiers thought that forcefully attacking the mountain would result in heavy losses, but now it seemed that with a wise commander like Lin Muyu, there was no need for them to suffer heavy losses.
The Art of War had said that an army was based on food, but if it was water, it would be the same.
… …
Lin Muyu thought that he only had a superficial understanding of the Art of War, but compared to the Great Wandering Chess Envoy on the mountain, he could be said to have a deep understanding of the Art of War.
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