121: The Xiongnu moved south

"Lord Commandant, General She Jian has summoned you," a Soldier reported.

"Alright, I understand." Lin Yue nodded, finished his cultivation, and stood up to walk out of the barracks.

"Zi Long, follow me to the Central Army tent."

"Understood," Zhao Yun said.

He brought Zhao Yun to General She Jian's Central Army tent and found people constantly heading towards it. It seemed something significant was happening. After announcing his name to the Soldiers outside, he stepped into the tent.

"General!" Lin Yue entered the tent and saw She Jian sitting at the head. The atmosphere inside was somewhat oppressive.

"Mhm, sit." She Jian nodded without saying much. Lin Yue found a seat near the entrance and sat down.

Before long, the seats in the tent were filled, leaving only one last spot next to Lin Yue.

"General!" Pan Feng entered the tent. His eyes lit up when he saw Lin Yue, and he sat down beside him.

"Pan Feng, do you know what's going on?" Lin Yue asked softly.

"My Lord, I don't know either," Pan Feng replied in a low voice.

"Alright." Lin Yue nodded helplessly. He looked ahead and counted about a dozen people, all of whom were Generals at the Commandant level. Could there be a war?

"Is everyone here?" She Jian asked in a deep voice.

"Reporting to the General, all eleven Commandants have arrived!" a man stood up and said. It was the Supervisor who had been in a private meeting with She Jian when Lin Yue arrived.

"Mhm, I assume you all know why you're here," She Jian said. He then suddenly remembered Lin Yue and Pan Feng. Seeing their confused expressions as they looked at each other, he suddenly laughed:

"I'll explain it then.

Every autumn, the Xiongnu people head south to raid. This has become a custom over the years.

In recent days, Xiongnu Scouts have been constantly harassing the border, looking for opportunities to plunder the commoners.

Yesterday, Scouts reported that the Xiongnu are restless. They will likely head south soon."

Lin Yue and Pan Feng exchanged a glance, finally understanding why they had been summoned. There really was a war coming!

And it wasn't a small one!

"This year, the Great General's order is to advance five hundred miles north and repel the enemy outside our national gates!

As long as we hold out for a month until winter arrives, the Xiongnu people will retreat. Then, we can return to Shang Commandery," She Jian said solemnly.

In the past, they always defended against the Xiongnu people near the Great Wall; the front line had never been extended into the grasslands!

Once infantry give up their cities or fortresses and enter the grasslands to fight the Xiongnu people on their home turf, there would be many uncertainties, and the danger level would skyrocket. This was a severe challenge for the army under his command!

Seeing everyone remain silent, She Jian continued:

"For this operation, there are three defensive lines.

One is five hundred miles outside the Great Wall, one is three hundred miles outside, and one is near the Great Wall.

The Great Wall Legion has mobilized five million troops to fill these three lines.

Fortunately, the Great General accepted my request and placed us on the first defensive line. We depart this afternoon and must arrive within ten days.

If you want military merit, go take it yourselves. The heads of the Xiongnu people are waiting for you!"

The atmosphere in the tent was heavy. Marching fifty miles a day while carrying grain and supplies, and having to be constantly on guard against Xiongnu attacks...

One must realize that most of them were infantry, yet they had to face the Xiongnu people, who had lived on horseback since childhood. There were far too many uncertain factors!

"What, are you afraid?" She Jian smiled playfully as he saw the Generals whispering with furrowed brows.

These words were like a stone causing a thousand ripples. The men from gender own all stepped forward with bloodshot eyes to volunteer:

"This humble general is willing to be the vanguard to wipe out the Xiongnu people for the army!"

"This humble general is not afraid! If I were afraid of death, I would have gone home to nurse babies long ago. This humble general is willing to be the vanguard. Please grant this, General!"

"This humble general wants to let those Xiongnu brats know that even on the grasslands, I am still their grandfather!"

"General, This humble general is willing to be the vanguard and cut down all the Xiongnu people from their horses! Please grant this, General!"

One by one, the Commandants in front stood up and shouted. To be questioned by their commander was the greatest insult to Soldiers, especially those of the Great Wall Legion!

Seeing the Generals' excitement as they volunteered one after another, the Supervisor smiled and stroked his beard, thinking to himself that She Jian truly lived up to his background in the Golden Fire Cavalry. He really knew how to mobilize morale before a battle. Now, the army's spirit was ready for use!

But She Jian's face remained as calm as water, without the slightest change in expression.

Lin Yue was a bit surprised to see some infantry Commandants also clamoring to be the vanguard, but since this was a moment to boost morale, there was no need to be pedantic.

After the man in front of him volunteered with a ferocious look, Lin Yue also stood up immediately.

"This humble general is willing to be the vanguard to suppress the rebels for the army and annihilate any enemy who dares to invade!"

"Good!" She Jian slammed the paperweight onto the table and laughed loudly:

"Lin Yue, I appoint your unit as the vanguard. You do not need to ask for instructions to kill any Xiongnu people you encounter. I want to ensure that not a single living thing is seen on the army's path forward!"

Lin Yue's eyes widened. Why did everything change when it came to him!

But he still shouted loudly, "Understood!"

"Yan Mao, your unit will stay behind to guard Shenmu Military Camp. The rest of the troops will assemble at the first quarter of the Wei hour to set out with me!" She Jian said.

"Understood!" the Generals and Soldiers replied.

Then, under a sea of envious gazes, Lin Yue was the first to walk out of the tent.

"My Lord, what's wrong?" Zhao Yun asked immediately upon seeing Lin Yue's solemn face.

"We'll talk back at the camp. Summon all officers at the rank of Military Marquis and above to the tent," Lin Yue said.

This expedition had a tight schedule and heavy tasks. Once his White Horse Righteous Cavalry suffered a loss, it would jeopardize the safety of the entire army. He couldn't afford any carelessness!

"Understood!" Zhao Yun jogged away. By the time Lin Yue returned to the camp, he found the Generals already assembled.

"We set out at the Wei hour. We will serve as the army's vanguard and advance five hundred miles north. Go and prepare immediately!" Lin Yue said.

"Are we fighting the Xiongnu people?" The Generals' faces were now full of excitement.

"Excellent! This humble general's broadsword has long been thirsty!" Liu Sandao laughed.

They were a bunch of bloodthirsty warriors, getting incredibly excited at the mention of war!

"Yes. To prevent the Xiongnu people from raiding south, we are pushing the front line five hundred miles north.

The Great Wall Legion is deploying five million troops this time. It'll be enough for you to fight. Now go and prepare," Lin Yue said.

"Commandant, what about the grain and supplies?" Li Mu was the first to ask.

"Take ten days' worth of dry rations first. There shouldn't be too many enemies in the first few days. We'll consume them as we go. By the time we encounter the enemy, the supplies won't be a burden on the army.

Once we reach our destination, we won't have to worry about supplies," Lin Yue said to Li Mu after thinking for a moment.

"Understood!" Li Mu replied. There really wasn't a better way at the moment.

"Go now!" Lin Yue said. There was less than two hours left until the departure time.

"Understood!" the Generals replied, and soon the sound of clamor echoed throughout the camp!

"Hurry up, you brats! Stop training and pack up immediately! It's an emergency mission!"