344: Chapter 344 I've Been Here

"Not attacking the city... could the Barbarian Army be planning to attack the nearby towns and villages instead?"

"At a time like this, they're still looting for food? Surely not?"

General Zhao Kuan and the others couldn't figure it out.

Xiao Qingxuan said, "There are two reasons for why they won't attack the city."

"First, in order to save time, the Barbarian Army didn't even bring enough supplies; they are traveling light. How could they possibly bring heavy siege equipment?"

"They returned from Western Qiang this time and decided to attack Baishui on a whim. Since the battle in Western Qiang took place on the grasslands, they wouldn't have brought siege equipment there either."

"Without equipment, this cavalry would be extremely inefficient at besieging a city. It would be playing to their weaknesses rather than their strengths. Marshal Suhe isn't that foolish."

Everyone nodded repeatedly. It was true; without siege equipment or infantry to advance with shields, even getting close to the city walls would be a struggle!

Furthermore, Baishui had been reinforced with cement. Even if they had powerful martial artists, it would be difficult to forcibly breach the city!

"As for the second reason, everyone, think about it: the Golden Tent Khanate of the Northern Desert has reached the end of its road. Is there any need for Marshal Suhe and his men to conquer territory for a regime that no longer exists?"

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head and said, "It is true that Marshal Suhe is an excellent commander, but he is skilled at warfare, not governance. What use would he have for a city?"

"Even if we take a step back and assume he manages to capture Baishui, once Lin Xiao and the two marshals return, he would still be defeated. So, what would be the point of him attacking the city?"

Everyone suddenly realized!

That made perfect sense!

In the past, the Barbarian Army came to attack cities because they had Khan Jilun behind them, enabling them to expand the territory of the Northern Desert royal court!

But now, the capital is gone. Why would he want a city?

"Then... then, what do you think Marshal Suhe's goal is this time, General's Lady?" Wei Dongxue asked nervously.

Xiao Qingxuan's expression became somewhat grave, even tinged with a hint of sorrow.

"Marshal Suhe... wants to die."

"..."

General Zhao Kuan and the others fell silent. They weren't fools; once they put themselves in Marshal Suhe's position, they suddenly understood!

"Marshal Suhe... intends to lead the Barbarian Army soldiers and fight for the Northern Desert until they die!?"

Xiao Qingxuan sighed, "As a veteran who watched the Golden Tent Khan unify the Northern Desert tribes, Marshal Suhe dedicated his entire life to the Golden Tent Khanate."

"Now that the nation is gone, he certainly wouldn't be willing to submit to the Central Plains dynasty."

"To him, using his final strength to resist the Great Gan and fight to the death is the best outcome."

General Zhao Kuan slumped into his chair, his expression a mix of shock and uncertainty, yet also tinged with admiration.

"Sister-in-law, your logic is sound. Marshal Suhe... is indeed that kind of man."

Wang Chong frowned and said, "If that's the case, if we don't stop him, does that mean Marshal Suhe intends to drive straight through and slaughter his way to the capital?"

"Yes, he will kill and loot all the way, until the very last soldier!"

Xiao Qingxuan said sternly, "Therefore, we must not let Marshal Suhe pass through Baishui Prefecture. Once this Barbarian Army enters the heart of the Northern Territory, they can split into multiple groups!"

"The Barbarian Army has high mobility. Once they start fighting and running, it would take several times our current forces and perhaps a year or two to completely eliminate them!"

"By then, the entire North will be plunged into crisis, and the common people will not be able to sleep at night!"

Hearing this, the generals turned pale; just thinking about it gave them a headache!

"General's Lady, you are wise and courageous. We will listen to you. Tell us, what should we do?"

Wei Dongxue was completely convinced. He felt that only Xiao Qingxuan could anticipate Marshal Suhe's thoughts. If it were up to them, they would have all been busy preparing to defend the city.

If the Barbarian Army had simply bypassed Baishui and driven straight through, they would have been completely dumbfounded, and might even have become sinners for all eternity!

Xiao Qingxuan thought for a moment and said, "Although we don't have much time, we can at least set up a defensive line."

"Furthermore, the Militia system that my husband fostered has actually given our towns and villages a certain capacity for resistance."

"We must fully mobilize the enthusiasm of the Militia and the common people, set up traps as quickly as possible, and drag down the enemy's cavalry."

"Most importantly, we must shatter the confidence of the Northern Barbarian Army and make them lose their guiding force!"

"Only when those generals, including Marshal Suhe, are eliminated will this desperate gamble of the Northern Barbarians cease!"

Wei Dongxue smiled bitterly, "General's Lady... we know that to capture the bandits, one must first capture the king. But the fierce generals under Marshal Suhe's command are all top-tier experts of the Northern Desert."

"If Lin Xiao and the others were here, they would certainly be nothing to fear. But with our current strength, it would be quite difficult to slay the enemy generals amidst the chaos of battle."

General Zhao Kuan heard this and slapped the armrest of his chair, "We must go anyway! Even if we have to risk our lives, we must dampen the Barbarian Army's spirit!"

The other generals nodded, their expressions showing determination.

Once they failed to stop the Northern Barbarian cavalry, they wouldn't have the face to see anyone, even if they survived.

"Everyone... actually, we also have experts with high martial arts skills on our side."

Xiao Qingxuan smiled reassuringly, "My husband long ago anticipated that such a time would come. You only need to follow my arrangements; it is not impossible to defend Baishui Prefecture."

Upon hearing that Lin Xiao had actually left experts here in advance, everyone was overjoyed!

Lin Xiao really is the best!

"Sister-in-law, where are these experts?" General Zhao Kuan asked excitedly.

Xiao Qingxuan pursed her lips, feeling a bit embarrassed to speak for a moment...

...

The next day.

Ten miles outside Baishui.

On a high slope, Marshal Suhe of the Northern Desert, clad in full armor, stood on his war chariot, looking as vigorous as ever despite his age.

He scanned the army of over thirty thousand before him. The eyes beneath those helmets were burning with intense fighting spirit!

Marshal Suhe took a deep breath and, using his profound internal energy, shouted loudly:

"Warriors of the Northern Desert!! Just yesterday, I received confirmed news... Khan Jilun has been killed by the people of the Central Plains!!"

"The royal court has been occupied by the people of the Central Plains!! The Holy Maiden has submitted to the Zhenbei Army!!"

"I ask you! Do you submit!?"

A roar like a mountain collapsing and a sea churning erupted from the scene—

"We do not submit! We do not submit! We do not submit!!"

"Clang!!"

Marshal Suhe drew his golden bear-headed scimitar and pointed it toward the sky!

"I, Suhe, am just like you! Born a person of the Northern Desert! In death, I am a soul of the Northern Desert!!"

"People of the Central Plains! Don't even think about making us surrender! I swear I will die rather than be captured!!"

A roar erupted from the scene once again—

"No capture! We will never surrender!—"

Marshal Suhe pointed his blade toward Baishui Prefecture:

"Warriors of the Northern Desert!! Let the people of the Central Plains know that the people of the Northern Desert can die, but they will never submit!!"

"Kill!!"

Following Marshal Suhe's order, the thirty thousand Northern Barbarian cavalry transformed into several surging torrents, rushing wildly toward the two sides of Baishui Prefecture!

A general wearing a metal ghost mask accompanied Marshal Suhe.

"Adoptive father, with the Holy Maiden mediating in the middle, you could completely return to the royal court. Lin Xiao would surely employ you heavily. Is it really necessary to go this far?"

Marshal Suhe grinned, "Tulishen, what do you think... why did the Holy Maiden submit?"

"Of course, it's because it can spare many sacrifices and allow the people of the Northern Desert to live a good life as soon as possible," Tulishen said.

"Do you think a good life is obtained by compromising and begging?"

Marshal Suhe held his head high and said, "Listen to me, the Holy Maiden's submission will only buy a temporary cessation of war. But if we want the people of the Northern Desert to be treated as real human beings, rather than the 'barbarians' and 'lowlifes' in the mouths of the Central Plains people... that depends on us!!"

"If in the future, the children of the Northern Desert can grow up carefree, without having to chew on grass roots, without having to be slaves..."

"That will not be because the people of the Central Plains are kind, but because... we were here once!!"

After saying this, Marshal Suhe whipped his horse and charged toward Baishui Prefecture, pressing forward with indomitable will!

Tulishen, with hot tears in his eyes, led a squad of elite cavalry and spurred his horse to follow.