This woman is mine.

The eldest sister and fifth sister Zhao Xiyao mentioned were the two daughters of the old Emperor, Emperor. They were stunning figures of their generation and the dream goddesses of many young noblemen in Luoyang.

Unfortunately, they both became political sacrifices, sent away for marriage alliances with the Turks to buy time.

The Grand Princess, unable to endure the bitter cold of the grasslands and the poor medical conditions, passed away due to a difficult childbirth just a few years after her marriage.

Following her, the Fifth Princess left the frontier and married two successive Great Khans of the Turks.

Later, Emperor crushed the Turks and brought back his daughter, but she was merely a dull-eyed woman, long since stripped of her former peerless grace.

Now she lives in the Princesss Residence, never stepping out, her fate a source of endless sighs.

It was no wonder Zhao Xiyao was so tense and afraid upon hearing about the Lan Xang people's actions; it made Gao Yuan's heart ache for her.

Unable to find words of comfort, Gao Yuan turned with a grim expression and pulled out a token from his robe.

"Gao Fu!"

"This old servant is here!"

"Pass the order: the entire First Division is to assemble and prepare for further instructions!"

"Understood!"

Gao Fu naturally knew his master was enraged and that war was imminent. Daring not to delay for a moment, he took the token and dashed out.

The others also knew what Gao Yuan intended to do. None dared to dissuade him, only asking tentatively:

"Is the County Duke preparing to go to war with Lan Xang?"

Gao Yuan glanced at the person who asked, his eyes seemingly saying, 'Isn't that obvious?'

"They're practically shitting on my head. If I don't strike back, won't every random person think they can just jump all over me? Do I not care about my reputation?"

He walked out of the hall huffing with anger. Just as he stepped into the courtyard, a system notification arrived.

"S-rank series event: 'This Woman is Mine' triggered;"

"S-rank series event: 'This Woman is Mine' Phase One: 'The Covetous' triggered;"

"As a real man, how can you tolerate those who covet your woman? You must strike back fiercely;"

"Event Goal: Defeat the invading enemy;"

"Event Reward: The rating for the S-rank series event 'This Woman is Mine' will be significantly increased;"

"Failure Penalty: Event ends; rating set to the minimum F; the heroine Zhao Xiyao's favorability toward the Host will drop to the minimum."

Ten thousand alpacas stampeded through Gao Yuan's mind, and a 'Motherfucker' almost burst from his throat. This damn system was stirring up trouble again.

But on second thought, the system's goal seemed aligned with his own, so he said nothing more.

The three women entered the courtyard almost immediately after Gao Yuan. Seeing him taking armor from the rack, they stepped forward in silence to help him don it.

Half an hour later, the entire household saw Gao Yuan off at the main gate as he rode away on his warhorse.

Only when Gao Yuan's figure was no longer visible did Song Yao sigh and say with a weary expression:

"War is coming again."

"Although my husband has a feminine appearance, his heart is more resolute than anyone's. In this situation, no man could hold back."

Zhao Xiyao looked in the direction where Gao Yuan had disappeared, praying silently in her heart.

"I hope you return soon."

Gao Yuan went to the military camp. Although the campaign would surely take a few more days to launch, time was very tight.

Everyone returned to the main hall and began to get busy, allocating military funds and provisions, conscripting laborers, and attending to many other matters.

While everyone was spinning around in preparation for the war, the First Division's headquarters was filled with righteous indignation.

"Is it not just fifteen thousand men? Rest assured, my Lord, This humble general needs only a thousand troops to flatten Luang Namtha in one stroke."

"Indeed! As long as the General gives the command, all soldiers of the First Division are willing to fight to the death."

Seeing everyone's indignation, Gao Yuan was very satisfied; the army's morale was high.

However, his anger had passed, and his mind had cooled down. He pressed his hand down to quiet everyone.

"As the saying goes, a lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit. We must not underestimate the Lan Xang people. Bang Jie!"

"This humble general is here!"

"Take five hundred men, all lightly equipped, and rush to Menge overnight to assist Huo Juns style name in defending the key passes."

"This humble general obeys your command!"

"Remember, regarding defense, you must follow the commands of Huo Juns style name. Do not be impulsive."

"Understood!"

Xia Luqi took the order and left. Gao Yuan then looked at the others.

"Everyone, go and prepare. The army sets out in five days!"

"Understood!"

After everyone left, Gao Yuan finally had time to think things through.

This King Fawang of Lan Xang was indeed a cunning old fox. Relying on his strength, he chose to cause trouble right during the spring plowing season.

Gao Yuan was fortunate that most of the spring plowing on his side had already finished; otherwise, conscripting laborers would have certainly affected this year's grain harvest.

Thinking about it calmly now, this fellow was truly malicious, which made Gao Yuan hate him even more.

For the next few days, Gao Yuan did not go home. He stayed in the military camp, which was also a way to share joys and sorrows with his soldiers.

As Gao Yuan had expected, the conscription of laborers did not go smoothly. In three days, barely over a thousand people were gathered.

Fortunately, there were many pack horses saved up from before, and since they were fighting on home ground, this manpower was just barely enough.

On the other side, after five days and nights of marching, Xia Luqi had arrived at Menge.

Huo Jun had already begun preparations. People from some areas had been settled in the mountains and the city.

The troops had also begun to contract. Now, besides two hundred men in the city to maintain order, the remaining eight hundred were stationed at two fortresses.

Seeing Xia Luqi's arrival, Huo Jun breathed a sigh of relief.

"Bang Jie, you've arrived just in time. I was worrying about the lack of troops."

"It's all thanks to our Lord's brilliant foresight; he specifically ordered me to lead troops here. What is the current situation?"

Huo Jun pulled Xia Luqi to the main hall and began gesturing at the spread-out map.

"The Lan Xang people have already crossed the border. They are now less than fifty li from the two passes my army has built."

"Before I came, our Lord instructed me to follow your arrangements."

Huo Jun secretly breathed a sigh of relief. According to official rank, Xia Luqi's position as the First Division Commander was higher than his as the Menge City Defense Commandant, and he was also the Lord's absolute confidant.

If Xia Luqi did not follow his orders, it would be very troublesome.

At the same time, he was very grateful. He hadn't expected Gao Yuan to trust him so much, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of devotion—the kind where a soldier would die for the one who recognizes his worth.

After some thought, Huo Jun pointed to a fortress on the map.

"This place is the middle ground between the two passes I've set up and can support both sides. So, I hope you can rush here as soon as possible, Bang Jie, and reinforce us at any time according to the battle situation."

"Good, I'll set off now."

Xia Luqi was also an impatient person. After glancing at the map, he prepared to depart.

Huo Jun hurried to stop him.

"Bang Jie, rest for a day before setting off. There's no rush for this moment."

"I cannot. The battle situation changes in an instant. How can I be negligent?"

"You have to at least give me some time to prepare some provisions."

After much persuasion from Huo Jun and seeing that the soldiers were indeed exhausted, Xia Luqi finally agreed to rest in Menge for one night.

Huo Jun had already sent people to purchase meat so that the soldiers of the First Division could eat their fill.

After a full meal and a good night's sleep, five hundred elites set out early the next morning under Xia Luqi's leadership.

In the Lan Xang military camp, the commander Khon Kham was also full of worry after hearing the scouts' report.

"I didn't expect the Great Gan side to react so quickly."

"Your Highness, it's only a few hundred people. We can attack directly and take it in less than half a day."

Khon Kham was a cautious man, and he shook his head decisively.

"There are only a few hundred people at the pass, but who knows if there are reinforcements behind them?"

For this Prince, this battle could be avoided, and he could accept the result of not winning, but these troops had to be preserved.

Among these fifteen thousand men, the main force was the foundation of his maternal clan; it was his backbone, and he could not afford to lose it!"