One link after another

What Gao Yuan didn't know was that just as he was planning a northern expedition, the people of Western Kang were also planning to head south.

In the past, the Southwest was sparsely populated with little arable land, so they preferred to attack the Sichuan region via Song Prefecture.

But now, places like West City and Menge had been transformed by Gao Yuan, becoming highly attractive grain-producing regions.

Thus, by a twist of fate, both sides had the same idea at the same time.

Liu Rengui's march route was to head north from Puer to attack the eastern line, and the Western Kang people also chose the eastern line, targeting West City directly.

At this time, besides those three thousand troops, another twenty thousand plus soldiers had gathered, preparing to attack the southern pass.

Realizing that the visitors had ill intentions, Gao Yuan dispatched two groups of messengers while on the way to reinforce the area.

One group returned to Dehong to mobilize troops, while the other went to Puer to notify Liu Rengui to seize the opportunity and advance rapidly.

On the third day after Gao Yuan returned to the southern pass, the Western Kang army arrived.

As the saying goes, when numbers exceed ten thousand, they seem boundless; Gao Yuan was also startled when he quietly slipped out of the pass to scout.

This camp of twenty thousand men was truly like Xiahou Dun looking at Louis XVI—one couldn't see the end of it in a single glance.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Gao Yuan ordered troops to monitor the Western Kang merchants while immediately sending others to fell trees and transport stones.

In Dehong, a Red Plume Messenger shattered the city's tranquility.

Upon hearing of the large-scale southern invasion by Western Kang, Zheng Wan and Song Yao were so anxious they were at a loss for what to do.

Finally, Zhao Xiyao remained relatively calm, soothing the two women before turning to look at Mu Sheng.

“How many troops can still be mobilized from various places now?”

Mu Sheng quickly ran through the numbers in his head.

“Only about 1,200 to 1,300 men are still available for mobilization. I suggest dispatching General Huo to provide reinforcements;

I've heard the County Duke praise General Huo Jun several times as a genius at defending cities. With his help, there should surely be no problem.”

“Only 1,200 men? How could that be enough...”

“Perhaps from General Liu's side...”

Mu Sheng still understood some military matters and immediately stopped the three women's line of thought.

“No, the key to everything now lies with General Liu. As long as things go smoothly on his end, the Western Kang army will surely retreat to defend, and the crisis will naturally be resolved.”

“Then... then let's first mobilize the troops and recall General Huo. As for the southern defenses...”

Although Mu Sheng had abandoned the martial path for the civil one, he had once been a Local Chieftain and led troops, so he volunteered.

“If you three trust this old man, then let me go.”

The three women finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Then we leave everything in your hands, Uncle Mu.”

Once Mu Sheng left, the three women's hearts began to race again, filled with unease.

With the situation critical, Mu Sheng did not dare to delay in the slightest, heading to Luang Namtha with his Personal Guards that same day.

Upon learning of the crisis Gao Yuan faced, Huo Jun handed over the defenses to Mu Sheng and then led three hundred troops to Dehong, traveling day and night.

Combined with the troops mobilized from Menge, Huo Jun arrived in Dehong three days later with five hundred men.

Ordering the soldiers to rest where they were, he entered the city and went to the Prefectural Office.

No matter how urgent, the necessary procedures could not be skipped; he had to meet with Zhao Xiyao and the others.

“This humble general, Huo Jun, pays his respects to Your Highness the Princess and the two Madams!”

Zhao Xiyao sat in the seat of honor, extending her right hand and raising it slightly.

“General Huo, you may rise. I have often heard the Prince Consort say that General Huo is a rare master of defensive warfare. That is why I have summoned you in haste, hoping you will lead the reinforcements north.”

“The Lord overpraises me. Please rest assured, Princess and Madams, This humble general will travel day and night to reinforce the Lord.”

“Very well, we leave everything to you, General.”

Zhao Xiyao nodded slightly and exchanged glances with Zheng Wan and Song Yao, seeking their agreement.

“There aren't many troops for this expedition, but I have over fifty elite guards here. General, take them all with you.”

Huo Jun was shocked and quickly tried to stop her.

“You must not. As the saying goes, 'a person of great wealth should not sit under the eaves of a house'; Your Highness is of noble status and cannot be left without guards. This is absolutely out of the question.”

Zhao Xiyao's delicate voice carried a firm resolve that brooked no refusal.

“I am right here in Dehong; what danger could there be?”

After much persuasion, Zhao Xiyao finally agreed to keep twenty men, while the remaining thirty would be taken by Huo Jun to protect Gao Yuan.

After seeing Huo Jun off, the three women finally felt a slight sense of relief and sat there in silence.

After a long while, Song Yao spoke, as if asking the other two or perhaps herself.

“He... should be alright, right?”

“He will definitely be fine. General Huo has already gone to reinforce him, and his own martial skills are not lacking. Even if he can't hold the pass, he can certainly fight his way out.”

“He will surely be safe.”

Previously, Zhao Xiyao had been uncertain about her feelings for Gao Yuan.

Their union was originally the product of a political marriage, with no affection to speak of.

A few years ago, when her heart first began to stir with love, she had also fantasized about what her Prince Consort would be like.

She hoped for a graceful, talented young gentleman in flowing white robes, or at the very least, a heroic young general. She never expected him to be a useless pretty boy from the General's Mansion.

At that time, Gao Yuan had no redeeming qualities whatsoever, aside from his face.

He couldn't carry anything on his shoulders or lift anything with his hands. Forget about writing poetry—even his handwriting looked like chicken scratch. He was nothing like she had imagined.

If she hadn't seen through The Emperor's true nature, she would never have fled with Gao Yuan all the way to this southwestern borderland.

It was this very escape that led the two to support and rely on each other, bringing them to where they were today.

She had also witnessed Gao Yuan's transformation, which increasingly overlapped with the image of the young talent she had once imagined.

It wasn't until Gao Yuan was in danger this time that she finally felt that restless anxiety, and she finally confirmed that she had fallen in love with her Prince Consort.

“If he can return safely, I will...”

She secretly made a decision in her heart, her small hands clenching tightly.

At the pass a hundred miles away, Gao Yuan climbed the city wall and looked at the distant Western Kang army camp.

As the saying goes, when numbers exceed ten thousand, they seem boundless. At this moment, the camps of over twenty thousand Western Kang soldiers stretched on endlessly—it was truly like Xiahou Dun looking at Louis XVI, one couldn't see the end of it.

Everyone had a solemn expression, and Gao Yuan was no exception.

Everyone knew their County Duke possessed courage that no ten thousand men could withstand. Outside Vientiane City, he had charged into the enemy ranks alone and slain dozens, earning a reputation as a Warrior of Ten Thousand comparable to Xia Luqi.

Gao Yuan could only brazenly accept this. He felt quite helpless; he couldn't exactly tell people that he had been so brave because he was using a cheat.

Who would believe that?

However, looking at his system warehouse, it was truly empty; he had no trump cards left.

“If only I had another Martial Soul Trial Card!”

“Strong desire from the Host detected. Temporary special event: 'Unrivaled Among Ten Thousand' triggered;”

“The prestige of an overlord should awe the world. Since the Host has already achieved the reputation of being Unrivaled Among Ten Thousand, he must naturally continue to strengthen and consolidate it;”

“Event Objective: The Host must personally kill at least five enemy officers;”

“Event Reward: Based on the final assessment of the quantity and quality of officers killed by the Host, obtain a corresponding level General Trial Card;”

“Failure Penalty: None.”

This system really couldn't be talked about; an event truly appeared as soon as it was mentioned.

Still, a system event without a penalty was quite nice. As for killing five officers, with his current strength, it shouldn't be difficult.

“System, give me more events like this in the future, don't always give me a bunch of penalties.”

In a good mood, Gao Yuan found his dinner particularly delicious that night and slept very soundly.

He slept until dawn and was awakened by the sound of horns outside the city.

At this time, the soldiers within the pass were already busy; it seemed the Western Kang people were about to attack.