Chapter 58 Ambush and Prepare Horses
Winter in northern Xinjiang comes swiftly and fiercely.
After several heavy snowfalls, the world was reduced to a vast expanse of white and a biting wind. The military camp was located in a leeward valley, its tents covered in thick snow. From afar, it resembled a silent white hill.
Shen Zhiwei had been in the military tent for over a month, her health gradually recovering, and she was able to carry out her daily life without any major problems. Xiao Wangqing did not assign anyone to serve her personally, but arranged her diet and daily life according to her habits, with meticulous care and consideration.
He was busy with military duties and couldn't come every day, but every two or three days, he would find time to sit in her tent for a while, sometimes to ask her opinion on a certain military matter, sometimes just to sit in silence for a while, drink a cup of tea, and then leave. He always treated her with more respect than intimacy.
The entire military seemed to accept the return of Lord Shen with complete ease. When the generals encountered a difficult issue during a meeting, they would still consult her, and when the soldiers saw her from afar, they would still stop and salute respectfully.
Everything was exactly the same as when she was in the Northern Frontier, as if she had just left for a while to handle military affairs and was now back, which was as it should be.
The snow had subsided slightly, but the sky remained gloomy, with leaden clouds hanging low, seemingly poised to collapse at any moment. Shen Zhiwei, wrapped in a thick fur coat, sat by the brazier in the tent, reading a book. Next to him sat a steaming cup of milk tea, brewed by the army cook using traditional northern border methods. The strong flavor had been difficult to get used to at first, but now he was finding it quite warming.
The curtain was lifted, bringing with it a chill, and Xiao Wangqing strode in. He was not wearing armor today, his face was paler than usual, and his lips were a little pale.
"Your Highness." Shen Zhiwei put down the book and stood up to greet him. She noticed the lingering fatigue between his brows and the dark circles under his eyes becoming more and more obvious.
Xiao Wangqing nodded to her, walked to the brazier and stretched out his hand to warm it, his fingertips were a little red from the cold.
"Just got back from patrolling the camp," he explained. "The snow is heavy this year, and several checkpoints have reported that the roads are blocked by snow. Transporting supplies is more difficult than in previous years."
Shen Zhiwei poured him a cup of hot milk tea and handed it to him: "It's bitterly cold at the border, and the soldiers are working hard. Your Highness also needs to take care of your health."
When Xiao Wangqing took the cup, his fingertips touched hers. He lowered his eyes, withdrew his hand, and took a sip of milk tea.
"Hmm," he replied, sitting down on a low stool beside the brazier, his gaze drifting a little further away. "The baggage is a small matter. The border has been quite unstable lately."
Shen Zhiwei frowned slowly.
Xiao Wangqing was silent for a moment before continuing, "Several small tribes in the northwest have lost their livelihoods due to the snowstorm, and there are signs that they are converging and moving south. Scouts report that although they are small in number, they are fierce and aggressive. They specifically target scattered villages and caravans along the border, burning, killing, and looting. They move extremely quickly, striking and fleeing, making them difficult to track."
"The border guards failed to intercept?"
"It's impossible to defend against them," Xiao Wangqing shook his head. "They're familiar with the terrain, breaking up into smaller groups and using the wind and snow for cover. They appear and disappear with incredible speed. The border is too long, and the defenders are scattered, making it difficult to reach every corner. Three villages have already been attacked, resulting in heavy casualties and the looting of all their food and livestock."
Shen Zhiwei put down his book and thought, this wasn't just a simple rebellion by bandits, but rather the result of natural and man-made disasters. Those tribesmen were trying to survive, but their methods were cruel and affected innocent people. They had to be stopped.
"How does Your Highness plan to respond?"
"We've dispatched additional patrol troops, and issued strict orders to all checkpoints to heighten vigilance and immediately signal the enemy in the event of an attack." Xiao Wangqing looked at her, hesitated, and spoke with a weak voice. "But passive defense is not a long-term solution. I intend to personally lead a team of elite troops deep into the snowfields, seek out the enemy's main force, and annihilate it in one fell swoop."
Going deep into the snowy plains and tracking down the elusive enemy is extremely risky. The blizzards in the northern border are ever-changing, and if you lose your way or are attacked by the enemy, the consequences will be disastrous.
Shen Zhiwei put the scroll down.
"Your Highness, why don't you go in person?" She certainly disagreed. "There are many capable generals in the army. Why should Your Highness take the risk yourself?"
Xiao Wangqing curled his lips. "It's precisely because of the high risk that I need to go. An ordinary general might not be able to calm the situation or handle it decisively. This matter concerns the stability of the border and we cannot afford to lose anything."
"Besides, only a quick victory can minimize casualties among the people living on the border. The longer it drags on, the more variables there will be."
Shen Zhiwei looked at him for a moment and knew that he had made up his mind. Xiao Wangqing was not a reckless person. He made this decision after weighing the pros and cons.
He was still so stubborn, she had no choice but to sigh and ask, "When are we leaving?"
"Half a day later," Xiao Wangqing said, "we need to prepare some supplies and select personnel."
"How many people are you bringing?"
"Three hundred elite cavalrymen, lightly equipped and with a simple following, each with two horses, and sufficient dry food and fuel for ten days."
Three hundred people, in the vast snowy plain, are like a drop in the ocean. Shen Zhiwei stopped trying to dissuade him and said, "Your Highness must be careful. On the snowy plain, the weather and terrain are all in the enemy's hands, so you must be extra cautious."
"I understand." Xiao Wangqing nodded, his eyes fixed on her face for a moment before moving away. "While I'm away from the camp, the military affairs will be temporarily handled by the deputy general. If there is any emergency, you can consult Qin Huaiyu. Miss Shen...stay here and hold the rear until I return."
Shen Zhiwei just nodded.
It was almost dusk when Xiao Wangqing left. Shen Zhiwei stood at the tent door, watching him and his three hundred elite cavalrymen disappear into the vast snow. The sound of horses' hooves crunching the snow gradually faded away, eventually swallowed by the wind.
The camp seemed to become much quieter in an instant.
As usual, Shen Zhiwei read in her tent, processed some documents sent to her, and occasionally chatted with the generals who came to discuss matters. She tried her best to appear calm, but whenever the wind suddenly blew outside or she heard the sound of hurried horse hooves, she would subconsciously look up at the tent door.
It's not that she doesn't trust his ability, but... she can't help but feel worried.
This anxiety wasn't entirely due to the overall situation. Shen Zhiwei knew that if Xiao Wangqing were only the commander of the Northern Frontier, she might worry about border security and consider strategic gains and losses, but she would never be as restless as she was now, unable to even read the words in her book.
Qin Huaiyu came several times to report on border patrols and material deployment. This female general was efficient and had no objection to Xiao Wangqing's decisions. She was focused on executing orders and stabilizing the rear.
Shen Zhiwei learned from her that after Xiao Wangqing left the camp, he had sent out several small groups of scouts as planned, disguised as caravans or refugees, trying to lure those tribal cavalry to show up, while the main force marched in secret, waiting for the opportunity.
The strategy sounded sound, but Shen Zhiwei felt a lingering unease. To survive the harsh winter and the snowy plains and to launch frequent raids, the tribesmen must be extremely familiar with the environment and possess unique methods of communication and concealment.
Although Xiao Wangqing was skilled in combat, he was not as familiar with the terrain and enemy habits of this particular area as the locals. Taking the initiative to attack was extremely risky.
On the evening of the fifth day, the sky was extremely gloomy, and a strong wind blew snow particles against the tent. Shen Zhiwei was lost in thought, staring at a map, trying to deduce Xiao Wangqing's possible route and the location of the encounter. The tent curtain was suddenly thrown open, and a scout stumbled in, covered in ice and snow, his face pale.
"Lord Shen! Urgent military information!"
Shen Zhiwei's heart sank, and when he stood up, he almost knocked over the teacup beside him: "Talk."
The scout knelt on one knee, his voice trembling, "The general and his troops were ambushed at Eagle's Beak Cliff! The enemy's numbers far exceeded our estimates, and they used the blizzard to set a trap. Our army... our army was scattered!"
Shen Zhiwei's health had not yet fully recovered. When he heard this, his vision went dark. He held onto the edge of the table and asked, "How is the general now?"
"When I broke through during the chaotic battle, the general was still leading his personal guards to fight to the death at the cliff mouth, buying time for the main force to retreat..." The scout looked up, his face cut and smeared with snow and blood. "But the blizzard was too strong, and the cliff mouth was treacherous. When I left, I could no longer see the general..."
"The enemy's main force's movements?"
"It seems that after closing in at the cliff mouth, it fled westwards towards the Black Valley."
"Casualties?"
"Preliminary estimates indicate nearly a hundred casualties, and an unknown number of missing persons."
The tent was dead silent. Shen Zhiwei was silent for a moment and asked, "Does General Qin Huaiyu know anything?"
"General Qin has received the report and is mobilizing troops to provide support, but the snow is too heavy to quickly reach the rescue..."
"Got it," Shen Zhiwei interrupted him, "You go down and treat the wound, and report the detailed terrain and enemy characteristics to General Qin."
The scouts withdrew upon receiving the order. Shen Zhiwei immediately walked over to the massive hanging map of Northern Xinjiang and scanned the area from Eagle's Beak Cliff to Black Valley. The steep mountains and ravines there made it an extremely vulnerable spot for ambushes and loss of position. The enemy had chosen that spot during the blizzard, clearly intending to exploit the favorable conditions to completely annihilate Xiao Wangqing's elite troops.
He was too impatient, eager to achieve his goal in one go, and instead fell into the opponent's trap.
Shen Zhiwei turned and walked towards the tent door, and said to the personal soldiers guarding outside: "Prepare the horses and go to General Qin's tent."
The guard was stunned for a moment: "Sir Shen, the snow is blowing hard outside, you..."
"Prepare the horses."
The atmosphere in Qin Huaiyu's military tent was solemn. Several generals gathered in front of the sand table, all with frowns. Seeing Shen Zhiwei come in, Qin Huaiyu immediately greeted him: "Master Shen, why are you here?"
"I already know the situation," Shen Zhiwei walked directly to the sand table. Her heart was beating so fast that she was a little breathless. She looked at the sand table without showing any emotion. "What are General Qin's plans now?"
Qin Huaiyu pointed at the sand table and said, "We've sent three light cavalry scouts to explore the snow, but they all report that visibility is less than ten feet, making it difficult to search. If the army were to move out now, not only would they be unable to rescue, they would also be in danger. We can only wait until the snow subsides..."
"I can't wait," Shen Zhiwei shook his head. "We don't know when the blizzard will stop. Your Highness and hundreds of soldiers are trapped in the snow. Every moment we wait increases the danger. The enemy is heading towards the Black Valley, which means they have a stronghold in the valley or a pre-set retreat route. If Your Highness is ambushed at Eagle's Beak Cliff and wants to break out, which route is the most likely choice?"
An old general pointed to a narrow ravine on the sand table and said, "There are only two paths behind Eagle's Beak Cliff. One leads to open land, but is vulnerable to pursuit. The other is Chuanyun Stream. There is a hidden river at the bottom of the ravine, and the terrain is complex, but it can directly penetrate the flank of the Black Valley. Given the general's temperament, he must choose Chuanyun Stream and win in this dangerous situation."
"Chuanyunjian..." Shen Zhiwei stared at the winding thin line, "Is the underground river at the bottom of the ravine completely frozen at this time of year?"
"Based on past experience, the ice should be thick, but in a snowstorm, the ice condition is unpredictable."
Shen Zhiwei pondered for a moment, then looked up at Qin Huaiyu: "General Qin, give me fifty elite soldiers who are familiar with the terrain of Chuanyunjian. Prepare enough ropes, grappling hooks, medicines, and fire. I will lead the team to Chuanyunjian to search for His Highness."
Everyone in the tent was shocked. Qin Huaiyu was stunned. "Master Shen! This is too dangerous! How can you take the risk yourself? I have already sent people to search..."
"A large-scale search is futile in a snowstorm and will only alert the enemy," Shen Zhiwei raised her voice impatiently. "A small group of elite troops can sneak in quietly and unexpectedly. I'm familiar with his military tactics and have some knowledge of geomancy. This is more reliable than a blind search. Besides," she paused, "if His Highness is truly trapped at the bottom of the ravine, ordinary soldiers may not be able to deal with his complex injuries."
Qin Huaiyu was about to persuade him again, but Shen Zhiwei raised her hand to stop him, "No need to say more. His Highness entrusted the rearguard to me before he left. Now that he is in danger, I have no choice but to help. Gather the men immediately and set off in half an hour."
Qin Huaiyu stared at her eyes for a few seconds, then finally gritted his teeth and clasped his fists.
"I obey your command!"
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Author's words: Xiao Wangqing's last thought before he lost consciousness:
If the general of Northern Frontier was Miss Shen, if he was her adjutant, the situation would definitely be better than it is now.
If only it were really her.
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