Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 575: Retreat (Part 2)

Liu Hengchang’s question hit right at the border army’s sore spot.

Over the years, the border army has barely held on by relying on the fortifications of the city walls when the Rouran Cavalry invaded. It could be said that as long as the Rouran Barbarians retreated, it was considered a major victory for the border army.

The large number of civilians abducted by the Rouran Barbarians were beyond the border army’s ability to rescue.

General Fan sighed with some shame: "Commander Liu, this general feels the same pain for the abducted Da Liang citizens. But you have seen the actual situation of the border army. In reality, there are only about ten thousand cavalry capable of fighting. Once the infantry enters the grassland, they can’t even find a trace of the Rouran Barbarians."

"These ten thousand cavalrymen are the true backbone of the border army. If I were to act rashly and send them out of indignation, not only would I fail to save anyone, but I’d also risk losing the entire cavalry camp."

This isn’t the fault of the border army. In fact, in all of Da Liang’s armies, only a few garrison forces in the Capital City mostly have cavalry. Da Liang doesn’t have enough warhorses, nor can it afford to spend so much money and grain to maintain many cavalrymen.

Even if all the cavalry from the Capital City were dispatched to the grasslands to chase the Rouran Barbarians, they would still not be a match for the Rouran Barbarians in horse warfare.

This is the current state of the war between Da Liang and the Rouran. Whether we attack or retreat, the initiative has always been with the Rouran Barbarians.

Liu Hengchang understood this very well. When he spoke now, it was not to intentionally hit General Fan’s sore spot, but to remind General Fan not to be blinded by the so-called major victory.

"I understand the difficulties of the Great General," Liu Hengchang said slowly. "I say this to ask the Great General to always remember the blood feud between Da Liang and the Rouran."

"The Rouran Barbarians may retreat this time, but when they will return, no one knows. I urge the Great General to actively train the border army."

"I often train cavalry in the military camp and have some insights. Here is a training strategy I wrote myself, please have a look during your leisure time, it might be of some help."

Liu Hengchang had come prepared and pulled out a thin booklet from a hidden pocket in his sleeve, presenting it forward.

General Fan immediately accepted the booklet, flipped through a few pages, and his eyes lit up: "Wonderful! Wonderful! Commander Liu is indeed a talent for leading troops and excels in training formations. This generous gesture, this general will gladly accept."

General Song, feeling itchy with curiosity, thickened his skin and said: "Could the Great General let me have a look too?"

General Fan happily handed the booklet to General Song.

General Song read it for a while, his eyes also brightened, and he held onto the booklet tightly, unwilling to let go: "Commander Liu, may I have someone copy this booklet for future training?"

Fearing Liu Hengchang might refuse, he quickly added: "Song Yuan is my nephew, the late Princess Nanyang was my cousin. By seniority, the Commandery Princess should call me granduncle."

Liu Hengchang smiled: "General Song is correct. The Song Family and our Nanyang Prince Mansion are in-laws, and we have always maintained close ties. Before I came, the Commandery Princess specifically instructed me to get closer to General Song. This training strategy, as long as General Song finds it useful, feel free to copy and take it."

General Song, overjoyed, patted Liu Hengchang’s shoulder vigorously: "Thank you, thank you! Commander Liu is straightforward. I, Song, am determined to befriend Commander Liu!"

Liu Hengchang smiled as well, engaging in friendly conversation with General Song.

General Fan observed this, and his heart stirred with a sense of wistfulness.

Under the banner of the Nanyang County Princess, there truly are talents in abundance!

...

The joyous news of the Rouran retreat spread swiftly throughout the North, reaching Nanyang County.

The newly-wed Nanyang County Princess, Jiang Shaohua, upon hearing the good news, smiled warmly and said to Chief Historian Chen and others: "The border army’s great victory, with the Rouran soldiers defeated and retreating, is truly a cause for celebration."

Chief Historian Chen replied with a smile: "Both General Yu and Commander Liu have made great contributions and the court is sure to award them. I also congratulate the Commandery Princess for bringing glory to Da Liang."

Nanyang County supplied both grain and soldiers and achieved two decisive victories in key battles. This achievement is rightly attributed to the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua, however, said: "Only temporarily driving the barbarians back, what’s so great about that? This time, the Rouran Barbarians occupied six county towns, slaughtered countless civilians, and abducted many young men during their retreat. This blood feud can only be cleansed with blood."

Thus, the Commandery Princess must continue to train troops and prepare for war.

Both Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng understood this.

The two historians exchanged a glance and responded: "The Commandery Princess’ words are indeed reasonable." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"The Rouran Barbarians have always been covetous of Da Liang, treating our citizens like livestock, which is utterly detestable."

The other officials also voiced their support.

With the Commandery Princess’ broad vision and ambition, the officials of the Nanyang Prince Mansion unwittingly adopted a bold and fierce spirit, completely forgetting that driving away the Rouran Barbarians and rescuing Da Liang citizens is the court’s responsibility, not directly related to the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

Jiang Shaohua contemplated briefly and said to Chief Historian Feng: "The recent Nanyang Army suffered significant losses; when the soldiers return, they must be richly rewarded and consoled. New recruits must also be recruited to reinforce our forces. Please prepare early, Chief Historian Feng."

A substantial amount of pension silver and an equally large sum for recruiting new soldiers. Maintaining an army has never been an easy task.

Chief Historian Feng readily agreed.

A month ago, during the Commandery Princess’ wedding, the gifts received could not even fit in the warehouse. Lately, the Prince Mansion’s warehouse has been quite plentiful.

Ma Yaosong interjected with a smile: "In any case, the Rouran retreat is a joyful event, and we should hold a banquet for celebration. Shall I arrange it?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled and nodded in agreement.

The important officials of the Prince Mansion aren’t numerous, so two tables for the banquet would suffice.

Jiang Shaohua sat at the place of honor, while Elder Changning, Cui Du, sat at the next seat with composure. Everyone raised their cups and drank together, while Cui Du focused on serving his newlywed wife food.

Jiang Shaohua softly laughed: "You don’t have to bother taking care of me."

Cui Du winked, laughing quietly: "I enjoy serving you food. Seeing you eat happily makes me happy."

Jiang Shaohua gave him a playful look.

Cui Du stealthily reached out and held her hand, hidden under his sleeve.

As a newlywed couple, though they were affectionate in private, they avoided excessive intimacy in public, yet exchanged glances often.

Initially, everyone tried to be discreet, fearing that the Commandery Princess or Elder Changning might be embarrassed. But soon they realized the couple wasn’t shy at all, and everyone became accustomed to it.

After the banquet dispersed, the couple walked out hand in hand.

Yin Zhutu Bai, already used to it, was stationed outside the door. The two engaged in casual conversation: "Elder Changning has been in the inner courtyard of the Prince Mansion for a month, perhaps he doesn’t want to go to the field manor!"

"I don’t think so. Elder Changning has proper duties; he can’t stay by the Commandery Princess’ side every day."

Inside, the couple embraced closely, whispering softly.

"I’ve already asked people to pack, tomorrow I’m going to the field manor," Cui Du said, reluctantly lowering his voice.

Jiang Shaohua made a sound of acknowledgment, kissed him on the cheek, and said: "You go about your duties, I’ll find some free time to visit you at the field manor."