An opportunity to make a profit

Of course, in addition to training in killing techniques and physical fitness, Gao Yuan also established tactical training.

In fact, he was only a half-expert himself; what did he know about profound tactical theories?

Everything he knew came from watching war movies, and of course, the core was the Instructor's sixteen-character mantra.

"When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue. Everyone must remember these sixteen characters."

Gao Yuan scanned the officers sitting below him. Fortunately, there was no resistance; their eyes were filled only with a thirst for knowledge and admiration for him.

Clearing his throat, he continued his lecture.

"For a long time to come, we will not have the advantage in numbers during combat;"

"Therefore, we must engage in mobile warfare as much as possible, destroying the enemy's effective strength while on the move;"

"We must strive to create local numerical superiority and fight small-scale battles of annihilation."

Instead of just lecturing, Gao Yuan made a sand table and demonstrated to everyone what a local battle of annihilation meant.

"Look, when General Xia begins to divide his forces for garrisoning and searching, I will have the numerical advantage in these areas..."

After several rounds of deduction, these officers increasingly felt that these tactics were highly effective.

In the following days, besides daily training, these officers spent all day around the sand table playing deduction games.

Even some soldiers with creative ideas joined in, and soon the three sand tables Gao Yuan had made were no longer enough.

On the other side, a merchant caravan sent by Gao Zhong, escorting over a dozen horse-drawn carriages, arrived outside Dehong City.

After showing their token, the caravan entered the city smoothly and went straight to the prefectural yamen to see Mu Sheng.

"This lowly one is under Shopkeeper Gao of the Guangzhou Firm, ordered to escort the firm's profits, personnel, and supplies back;"

"There is also a secret letter written by Shopkeeper Gao himself that must be presented to the duke of anle county in person."

Mu Sheng happily took the supply list, only glancing at the letter tube.

"The County Duke is currently training troops at the First Division camp outside the city. I will send someone to escort you there."

"Many thanks, Marshal Mu!"

The messenger left, and Mu Sheng's face was beaming as he looked at the list.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I didn't expect this ice shop to be so profitable. Even after giving fifty percent of the shares to others, it could still earn this much in half a year;"

"I must mention this to the County Duke later. The summers here in the Southwest are also very hot!"

Back at the military camp, Gao Yuan received the secret letter and immediately ducked into the commanders tent, pulling out a copy of the Analects to begin translating.

That's right, since he had Gao Zhong responsible for transmitting intelligence, how could he not teach him a code?

Soon, the contents of the secret letter were translated:

The second prince of Lan Xang, Wen Huan, has borrowed ten thousand troops from Tokyo with the intention of reclaiming his kingdom. The timing of the move is unknown.

Gao Yuan calculated the time; it had been over a month since this secret letter was sent.

Based on the preparation time for a large army mobilization, two or three months should be about right.

In other words, in about a month—which would also be the hottest time in the Southwest—Wen Huan would make his move.

Gao Yuan immediately realized this was a good opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

He currently had no grain, so it was unrealistic for a large army to march out and seize territory.

But pulling chestnuts out of the fire and snatching a few chickens amidst the chaos was definitely doable, and it would also serve as a way to train the troops.

"Someone, go and invite General Xia over."

Xia Luqi soon arrived at the commanders tent, and Gao Yuan handed him the translated secret letter to read.

"Does the Lord wish to take this chance to make a fortune, or to expand our territory?"

"With our current strength, even if we take a city, we won't be able to hold it. It's better to grab a haul and run;"

"In the next few days, I will return to Dehong to arrange the matters for the expedition. You continue training the soldiers;"

"Also, give the soldiers extra rations for the next few days."

"Rest assured, Lord, there will certainly be no slackness."

Hearing that Gao Yuan was going on an expedition again, the women's first reaction was to object.

"We've only had a few days of peace, and you're going to war again."

"That's right, Husband. We are not like we were at the beginning; we have strong soldiers and sturdy horses now..."

Gao Yuan knew they were actually worried about his safety. He smiled and patted the two women's soft hands, explaining,

"It's true that we have strong soldiers, but it's also true that the treasury is empty. I'm thinking of taking this chance to make a haul;"

"Don't worry, there won't be any large-scale pitched battles this time. I'm just going to act as a bandit, raiding and plundering."

"Then Husband, can you please not charge into the fray yourself? Just let Bang Jie go."

"Yes, Husband. With a fierce general like Bang Jie, why must you risk yourself?"

"Fine, fine. I will stay in Luang Namtha to oversee things, alright?"

Only after Gao Yuan's repeated assurances were Zheng Wan and Song Yao finally pacified.

That evening, after dinner, Zhao Zhao Xiyaos informal address appeared in Gao Yuan's small courtyard.

"Zhao Xiyaos informal address, why have you come to my place so late?"

Zhao Zhao Xiyaos informal address stepped forward and, like a young wife, helped Gao Yuan tidy his bedding.

Her thin silk skirt could not hide her graceful figure; as she bent over, her exquisite curves were revealed, making Gao Yuan's throat go dry.

"The Consort must remember that you are no longer alone. You must, must take good care of yourself."

Gao Yuan was a bit speechless. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the beautiful girl.

"This isn't my first time going on an expedition. Why have you all suddenly become so sentimental this time?"

Zhao Zhao Xiyaos informal address turned and sat down beside Gao Yuan.

"Actually, every time you go on an expedition, we are so worried that we can't eat or sleep; we just don't dare to say it;"

"Last time, when the two sisters heard the news of you being surrounded in Puer City, they almost fainted, so..."

Gao Yuan reached out a hand and gently pulled the girl's fragrant shoulder, letting her head rest on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, this time it definitely won't happen."

After the two of them shared a moment of tenderness, Zhao Zhao Xiyaos informal address returned to her own courtyard.

Although their relationship had progressed rapidly, since she was not yet eighteen, Gao Yuan could only sleep in a separate room from the girl.

It was for no other reason than the girl being too beautiful and moving; if that delicate voice were to start whimpering, it would surely steal his soul away.

Gao Yuan had very little confidence in his own self-control.

After all, having been a single dog for two lifetimes, it would be a miracle if he could hold back when facing such a peerless woman.

Early the next morning, the three women came to Gao Yuan's courtyard early, watching him do his morning exercises and accompanying him for breakfast.

They attended to his bath and changed his clothes, helping him put on the heavy mingguang armor, and then watched him mount his horse and depart.

Soon, Liu Rengui and Huo Jun received their orders and began to conscript laborers, prepare pack horses, and transport supplies.

Gao Yuan led a hundred men on horseback and rushed to Luang Namtha first; he wanted to watch from nearby and look for an opportunity to strike.

Meanwhile, Xia Luqi followed with the remaining one thousand two hundred men and the supply train.

In the Lan Xang capital, Vientiane City, Khon Kham, who didn't yet know he was being targeted, also received news of Wen Huan borrowing troops to return to the country.

By now, he was no longer the unfavored third prince he once was; during his time in power, his temperament had changed greatly, and he increasingly possessed the air of a monarch.

Upon receiving the news, he did not panic at all and began to make calm arrangements and deployments.

In addition to drafting elites from various places to defend Meng Wei and other Locations, he also took necessary precautions against Khon Kham, where Wen Huan's maternal clan was located.

"Second Brother wants to emulate our father's past act of borrowing troops to expel our great-grandfather and grandfather;"

"Unfortunately for him, I, Khon Kham, am not our great-grandfather; I have not yet reached the stage of being old and muddled."

However, the Wen Huan who returned this time was no pushover either, and he soon dealt Khon Kham a heavy blow.

In the twelfth year of the Taichu era of Great Qian, on the twenty-third day of the fifth month, Wen Huan and ten thousand troops, who had shown no movement, suddenly appeared.

Only, the place they appeared was neither Meng Wei nor Xiangkhouang, but suddenly at the rear in Gammon.

How could Wen Huan not know his younger brother's plans? Thus, the army bypassed the front and marched along the foot of the Annamite Range through the gaps all the way to Gammon before launching their attack.