After crossing the Xutuo River and entering the territory of Daming Prefecture, Zhao Muyun's troops did not flee north in panic as the Northern Di generals had expected.
Instead, they stopped in an area with sparse villages and undulating terrain, where they built simple fortifications using a few abandoned villages and a dense forest, and began a short rest.
The soldiers finally got a precious chance to catch their breath.
The cooks set up their pots and started cooking, and wisps of smoke rose from the wilderness, but they were strictly ordered to keep the amount to a minimum.
The medics were busy changing dressings for the lightly wounded, and the craftsmen were inspecting weapons and equipment, especially the warhorses of the heavy cavalry, which needed careful care to restore their strength after continuous marches.
Liu Yi, along with the Shenji Battalion, carefully counted the thunderbolts and crossbow bolts.
Inside the central command tent, Zhao Muyun was listening to Tang Yanhai's report.
"Great Commander, the main force of Arahan has crossed the Sudo River, and its vanguard cavalry has explored as far as thirty miles to our southeast."
"They split into three groups, each with about three thousand cavalry, and advanced in a fan shape, while another one thousand cavalry served as reserves."
"Judging from their attitude, they're determined to find us."
Tang Yanhai's voice carried a hint of weariness, but his eyes remained sharp.
His scouts have been working almost non-stop these past few days, engaging in countless small-scale battles and maneuvers with the Northern Di cavalry on the vast plains.
They paid a considerable price, but gained a valuable intelligence advantage in return.
Zhao Muyun nodded, her gaze still fixed on the map.
Arakhan's reaction was as he expected. Dividing his forces to search was a standard cavalry tactic, attempting to use his mobility advantage to encircle the enemy.
"What's going on in Youzhou?" He was more concerned about Han Yanshou's reaction.
"Han Yanshou was very surprised when he learned that our army had abandoned Zhuozhou. After we drove him back to Xiongzhou, he sent an additional 5,000 troops from Youzhou."
"At the same time, he also increased his troops at Juyong Pass in Youzhou and Daizhou in Hedong."
"Juyong Pass..."
Zhao Muyun tapped his fingers on the pass on the west side of Youzhou on the map, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips. "It seems our old friend is quite uneasy."
He pondered for a moment, and a bold plan gradually took shape in his mind.
Since you, Han Yanshou, are worried about the western front, then I'll add fuel to the fire for you!
"Murong Chunhua, Namtso, Huanwu!"
"Your subordinate is here!" The three foreign light cavalry generals stepped forward in response.
"I have a task for you."
Zhao Muyun's eyes gleamed. "Divide all your light cavalry into fifteen teams, each carrying more flags and cutting tree branches to drag behind their horses."
"Using our current location as the center, we will move westward and northward in a large-scale offensive!"
"We must create the impression of an army of at least tens of thousands marching mightily towards Juyong Pass!"
He paused, then emphasized, "Remember, the scale must be huge! If you encounter small groups of Northern Di troops, fight if you can, retreat if you can't. The main task is to create chaos and spread panic!"
"We must let all the Northern Di spies see that our main force from Hedong is aimed at Juyong Pass!"
"Understood!" Although the three did not understand the deeper meaning, they accepted the order without hesitation and left.
Soon, three thousand light cavalrymen were quickly assembled in the resting camp.
They dismantled the tents, collected everything that could create a show of force, and even hung upside down the captured Northern Barbarian flags, mixing them with the red-and-black-cloud flags.
At Murong Chunhua's command, more than a dozen plumes of "dust" shot off like arrows towards the northwest.
The thunderous sound of hooves, the fluttering banners, and the dust kicked up that blotted out the sky created an imposing sight, truly resembling a vast army.
Standing on a high slope, Zhao Muyun watched the dust settle in the distance and said to Xi Sheng and Liu Yi beside him, "It's time for us to move too."
"Grand Commander, where are we going?" Xi Sheng asked.
“Back to the south bank,” Zhao Muyun said, surprising everyone.
"Back to the south bank?" Liu Yi was taken aback. "Arahan's main force has just arrived. Wouldn't it be like walking into a trap if we went back?"
"The most dangerous place is often the safest place."
Zhao Muyun explained, "Arahan's attention has been drawn to the north bank by us, especially the illusion created by Murong Chunhua and the others, which will make him think that our main force is heading west."
"His forces left on the south bank must be weak. Moreover, he would never expect that we would dare to cross the river back right under his nose!"
He glanced at Liu Yi: "How much flammable oil does the Divine Machine Battalion have left?"
“There are still a thousand bags left,” Liu Yi replied.
"Use it sparingly; it can save your life in a critical moment."
Zhao Muyun nodded and then ordered, "Send word to Wu Shangzhi, Guo Luo, and Xi Sheng that the main force of the central army should prepare immediately, abandon all unnecessary baggage, and only bring weapons, five days' rations, and essential medicines."
"At midnight tonight, we will find a secluded spot and cross the Sudatta River again!"
As night fell, Murong Chunhua and his men created a disturbance in the northwest, drawing the attention of Arahan's main force. At that time, Zhao Muyun personally led the main force of the central army, numbering less than 7,000 men, including heavy cavalry, Mo Dao soldiers, Shen Ji soldiers, and some auxiliary troops, to break camp and leave.
Like a ghost in the dark night, it moved silently towards another secluded river bend in the southeast.
This is an extremely risky operation.
If they were discovered by the Northern Di cavalry and attacked while crossing the river, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Tang Yanhai's scout battalion was almost entirely deployed, forming an invisible net to sweep away all possible Northern Di spies and informants along the army's route and near the crossing.
At midnight, the moon was dim and the stars were few.
The murmuring of the Sudatta River masked the faint sounds of people and horses.
The soldiers, with gags in their mouths and their horses' hooves wrapped, used rudimentary river-crossing tools to cross the river quietly in batches.
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