Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 550: Border Army (Part 2)
Yu Chong transported a large batch of military provisions to Si State. With this batch, the border army has enough food for half a year. Even when the Rouran Cavalry approached the city and they held their ground, the border soldiers remained unperturbed, thanks to these provisions. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Just for this, General Fan had to acknowledge the goodwill from the Nanyang County Princess, and naturally treated Yu Chong with extra courtesy and respect.
Moreover, the Nanyang Army, during several skirmishes with the Rouran Cavalry, demonstrated formidable combat strength. Despite the unfavorable overall battlefield situation, the Nanyang Army repeatedly achieved victories.
To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. With strict military discipline and valiant combat strength, the Nanyang Army quickly established themselves in Si State, earning General Fan’s respect.
"As of now, the military situation is at a stalemate, with the Rouran Cavalry dividing their forces, and half are wreaking havoc in the counties near Si State, setting fire and killing. Six occupied county cities exist now. I do not know how many innocents have died in vain. As Border Army Commander, I truly feel I’ve let down the court and disappointed the people!"
General Fan appeared calm but was inwardly extremely anxious, having not slept well for several days. His voice was hoarse when he spoke, indicating a hint of seeking advice: "General Yu, do you have any strategies to break the situation?"
Yu Chong was hesitant, torn between speaking the truth or saying something comforting to appease General Fan.
"There is no one else here, both of them are my trusted aides, General Yu, feel free to speak your mind!" General Fan noticed Yu Chong’s hesitation and said in a low voice.
Yu Chong steadied his nerves, lowering his voice: "If that’s the case, I’ll be bold enough to speak my mind."
"First, let’s talk about warfare. The Rouran Cavalry are skilled in mounted archery, moving swiftly, far surpassing the border army in combat strength. The border army can barely defend the city, but once they engage the Rouran Cavalry in open battle, they will be defeated."
To say defeated, would be putting it politely. In reality, each proactive engagement by the border army ends in a rout, with heavy casualties, making it no different from sending troops to die. After several attempts, the border army has lost its courage, trembling in fear at the thought of fighting outside the city.
General Fan has been holding the ground in Si State, as a last resort.
Upon hearing this, General Fan was filled with bitterness, sighing heavily: "General Yu speaks the truth. Even defending the city these days, casualties are not few. The weakness of the border army’s combat ability truly exceeded this general’s expectations."
Military generals don’t speak in roundabout ways like civil servants, they speak plainly.
Yu Chong spoke directly: "General Fan has always been stationed in the Capital City, his soldiers have sufficient pay and training daily. The border army guards a harsh and cold region, reportedly receiving only seventy percent of their pay, with food often deducted, and not paying much attention during military drills. Moreover, the border army lacks horses and weapons, and during these cold winter days, the soldiers wear old clothes from two years ago, without even warm new cotton clothing. Under such circumstances, it’s fortunate that there are no deserters among the border army."
General Fan was speechless, unable to deny the facts Yu Chong stated.
One of General Fan’s trusted aides couldn’t help but interject: "Every member of the Nanyang Army has horses, armor, and weapons are brand new, and everyone has thick cotton clothing and shoes. Indeed, your conditions are better."
Yu Chong proudly puffed out his chest: "All the Nanyang Army’s pay comes from the Nanyang Prince Mansion. The Commandery Princess not only ensures we are well-fed and warm, but our daily meals are excellent, with meat every day. Being well-fed gives us the strength to train, so it’s only natural for combat strength to be somewhat stronger."
General Fan perked up, smiling: "Not just somewhat stronger. Compared to the border army, every member of the Nanyang Army is elite and fearless."
Another trusted aide chimed in: "In my opinion, even compared to our previous Divine Martial Camp, the Nanyang Army is no less competent."
You should know that the Nanyang Army is a stationed force. Within the Da Liang Army, the Capital’s military units are the strongest, followed by the border army, while regional stationed forces vary greatly in combat strength.
On ordinary days, they are just adequate for suppressing mountain bandits and maintaining local peace. But when facing the Rouran Cavalry on the battlefield, they are essentially fodder.
Yet, the Nanyang Army is an elite force, a hard nut to crack. Not only does the border army admire them greatly, but even General Fan and his two trusted aides are full of praise continuously.
Yu Chong expressed modesty for a moment: "The Nanyang Army has been training for a few years, barely looking the part. In terms of true elite status, we are far inferior to the Personal Guard Camp of the Commandery Princess."
In the Personal Guard Camp, everyone has two horses, with the latest and best weapons and armor, trained in battle formations skillfully, with individual combat strength being formidable.
General Fan had heard Yu Chong praise the Personal Guard Camp several times and could not help but yearn: "Is the Personal Guard Camp really that formidable?"
Yu Chong responded matter-of-factly: "If they were not formidable, how could they fit to be the Commandery Princess’s personal guards!"
The pride and admiration when speaking of the Nanyang County Princess was undeniably genuine.
A strange thought crossed General Fan’s mind. As a military general, leading troops in battle, risking his life, once deciding whom to follow and be loyal to, even raising the flag in rebellion is not out of question... Anyway, at this moment, there’s no leisure to worry about future matters.
General Fan steadied his mind, speaking quietly: "Holding the city defensively can only await the Rouran Cavalry’s attack, which really is somewhat passive. The court’s reinforcements are on their way but will take half a month to arrive. I intend to request the Nanyang Army to quietly exit the city from the north, maneuvering for two or three days, infiltrating behind the Rouran Army Camp. Set fire to their supplies! Perhaps force the Rouran to retreat without a fight!"
"Such a deployment is indeed perilous. However, it is the best strategy I can come up with to defeat the enemy right now. I wonder if General Yu is willing to take the risk to venture out?"
Yu Chong was indeed courageous, unafraid in the slightest, promptly accepting with hands cupped: "I am here at the command of the Commandery Princess to deliver provisions, and these four thousand Nanyang Army troops are here to support the border army. I am willing to follow General Fan’s orders!"
General Fan felt invigorated, vigorously patting Yu Chong’s shoulder: "Good! Good! Good!"
Uttering the word ’good’ three times in a row.
The two trusted aides exchanged glances, deeply grateful to Yu Chong.
The Nanyang Army had come to deliver military provisions, and could have left long ago. Yet, they remained in Si State, voluntarily assisting the border army. The Nanyang Army’s food and drink are self-supplied, not taking a penny from the border army’s pay. Even the injured soldiers did not use the border army’s military doctors—the main reason being the border army had too few doctors, and insufficient during battles.
The Nanyang Army brought over twenty military doctors along with several carts of medicinal supplies and various drugs. This abundance made others extremely envious.
Now, Yu Chong accepted such an important and dangerous military order without hesitation; such bravery and boldness deserve utmost respect.
General Fan admired talent desperately, couldn’t help but entertain the thought of poaching: "Once this battle is over, I will personally submit a memorial, recommending merits for General Yu. A man in this world should strive for achievements in battlefields. Being cooped in Nanyang County isn’t worthwhile, join the border army. I guarantee you a promotion of three ranks!"
