As Murong Xuan's army crumbled like a receding tide, the camp of Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's troops was instantly filled with cheers of victory. The soldiers jumped and embraced each other excitedly, their faces beaming with the joy and pride of surviving a calamity. At this moment, they forgot the bloodshed and cruelty of the battlefield; their hearts were filled only with the immense glory brought by victory.
Standing on the high platform in the center of the camp, Xiao Yichen looked down at the cheering soldiers below, his heart filled with emotion. He slowly drew his sword from his waist, raised it high, and the blade gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, as if it too were celebrating the victory. "Brothers, we won!" Xiao Yichen's voice resounded throughout the camp, powerful and resonant, filled with boundless joy and satisfaction.
Upon hearing Xiao Yichen's shout, the soldiers stopped what they were doing and looked up in unison at the high platform. Their eyes were filled with reverence and admiration as they responded in unison, "General, you are mighty! General, you are wise!" Their voices were as loud as thunder, echoing throughout the camp and causing the surrounding tents to tremble slightly.
Lin Wan'er rode her horse slowly to Xiao Yichen's side. Her white robes fluttered in the wind, making her look like a fairy descending to earth. A faint smile graced her face, a smile that contained tenderness and joy, yet also a touch of heroism. "Yichen, this is our shared victory," Lin Wan'er said softly, her voice clear yet reaching Xiao Yichen's ears.
Xiao Yichen turned to look at Lin Wan'er, his eyes filled with deep affection and gratitude. "Wan'er, without your wisdom and courage, this victory would have been impossible," he said sincerely.
Lin Wan'er gently shook her head. "No, this was earned with the lives and blood of every soldier. They are the true heroes." Her gaze swept over the soldiers below the stage, her eyes filled with respect.
At this moment, the soldiers in the camp spontaneously began to organize a celebration. They took out their long-treasured wines and delicacies from the camp's warehouses and laid them out in the open space in the center of the camp. Before long, the open space was filled with abundant food and wine, emitting an enticing aroma.
The soldiers sat around the food, sharing their battlefield experiences. A young soldier exclaimed excitedly, "You know what? When those poisonous bees flew out of the ball, Murong Xuan's face turned green! Hahahaha!" His words drew laughter from the surrounding soldiers.
Another soldier added, “Yes, I’ve never seen so many poisonous bees before! The enemies were stung so badly they were running around like madmen.” As he spoke, he gestured wildly, as if he were back on the fierce battlefield.
In a corner of the camp, several soldiers surrounded a wounded comrade. Though pale, the wounded soldier's eyes shone with pride. "Brothers, this wound is nothing. As long as I can see our victory, I'd die happy!" he said firmly.
The other soldiers comforted him, saying, "You'll be alright. We'll fight side by side again!" With that, they picked up their glasses, prayed for their wounded comrade, and then drank them down in one gulp.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er descended from the platform and joined the soldiers. They laughed and drank with them, savoring this rare moment of joy. Xiao Yichen picked up a glass of wine, walked up to an older soldier, and said, "Brother, I've seen your performance on the battlefield. Your experience and courage have set an example for everyone."
The old soldier quickly stood up, respectfully accepted the wine cup, and said, "General, this is what I should do. It is my honor to fight alongside you!" After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp.
Lin Wan'er went to the wounded soldier's side, knelt down, carefully examined his injuries, and then took out a bottle of medicine from her bosom, handing it to the medic beside her. "This is my specially made medicine; it's very effective in treating wounds. Please use it on him quickly," Lin Wan'er said.
The military doctor took the medicine and said gratefully, "Thank you, Miss Lin. With this medicine, his injury will definitely heal faster."
As night fell, the celebrations in the camp reached their climax. The soldiers lit bonfires, the roaring flames illuminating the entire camp. They sang and danced around the fires, freely expressing their joy.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er stood by the campfire, hand in hand, quietly watching the soldiers' celebration. They knew this victory was only temporary, and many more challenges awaited them in the future. But at this moment, they only wanted to share the joy of victory with their soldiers and cheer for this hard-won triumph.
"Yichen, what do you think Murong Xuan will do next?" Lin Wan'er asked softly, a hint of worry in her eyes.
Xiao Yichen frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "He has suffered a major blow this time, so he probably won't launch any large-scale operations in the short term. But he certainly won't let this go, and he will definitely be secretly accumulating strength, waiting for the opportunity to take revenge. We cannot let our guard down, we must strengthen our vigilance, and at the same time, we must actively develop our own power."
Lin Wan'er nodded. "You're right. We can use this time to train new recruits and improve the army's combat effectiveness. We can also form alliances with surrounding forces to jointly fight against Murong Xuan."
"Yes, we need to plan these things carefully. But let's celebrate tonight first," Xiao Yichen said, then gently pulled Lin Wan'er into his arms.
In this joyful atmosphere, time slipped away quietly. As the dawn broke, the soldiers gradually dispersed and returned to their tents to rest. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, however, returned to their camp to discuss their next strategic plan and prepare for future challenges.
As dawn broke, the camp, which had been celebrating victory the previous night, now resembled a hangover, filled with weariness and languor. However, the shadow of war had not truly dissipated; the remnants on the plains served as a constant reminder that peace was but a fleeting respite.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er got up very early. They knew that the post-battle cleanup was just like fighting on the battlefield, and there was no room for the slightest slack. Stepping out of the tent, the air was still filled with a faint smell of blood and gunpowder, and the soil on the ground was stained with blood, showing a dark brown mottled appearance.
They first arrived at the area where the wounded were being cared for. The medics bustled about, changing dressings and bandaging wounds, the sounds of the wounded groaning in pain filling the air. Xiao Yichen frowned and said softly to Lin Wan'er, "We must quickly allocate more medicine and supplies. These wounded are our brothers; we can't let them suffer because of inadequate treatment." Lin Wan'er nodded, her eyes full of concern: "I've sent people to nearby towns to purchase supplies, but it will take some time to transport them back. In the meantime, we can only have the medics do their best to stabilize the wounded's conditions."
During their patrol, they encountered a severely wounded soldier. His abdomen was pierced by an enemy spear, the wound deep enough to expose bone. His face was ashen, and his lips were bloodless. Despite the medic's emergency treatment, his life hung by a thread. Xiao Yichen knelt down, grasped the soldier's cold hand, and said, "Brother, you're a hero. Hold on, we won't abandon you." The soldier slightly opened his eyes and weakly smiled, "General, to have contributed to victory, I have no regrets even in death..." Before he could finish speaking, he fainted from the excruciating pain. Lin Wan'er's eyes welled up with tears. She turned to the medic and said, "Do everything you can to save his life."
After leaving the wounded zone, they arrived at the heart of the battlefield. The scene was like a carnage, with corpses lying haphazardly, some unrecognizable. Soldiers were diligently clearing the battlefield, carefully moving their own soldiers' bodies aside for a proper burial. Enemy corpses, on the other hand, were piled together, awaiting further processing.
Looking at the devastation, Xiao Yichen was filled with mixed emotions. He knew the cruelty of war all too well, but each time he witnessed it firsthand, he still felt a profound shock and pain. "Bury our brothers as soon as possible, so their souls can rest in peace," Xiao Yichen said in a low, hoarse voice. Lin Wan'er nodded silently, and began directing the soldiers to dig the graves, their movements gentle and solemn, as if afraid of disturbing the spirits of these fallen heroes.
During the transport of the bodies, a soldier discovered a wounded enemy soldier who was still breathing. He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Xiao Yichen. After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yichen said, "Take him back for treatment. Although war has made us enemies, life should not be given up so easily." The soldier obeyed and carried the wounded soldier to the medic's station.
As the corpses were cleared away, the weapons and equipment abandoned on the battlefield gradually came to light. Various longswords, spears, and shields lay scattered across the ground, along with numerous pieces of broken armor. Xiao Yichen realized that if these weapons and equipment could be properly repaired and utilized, they would greatly enhance his side's strength. He immediately summoned the craftsmen and ordered them to inspect and repair these weapons. "Select the usable parts, reforge them, and distribute them to the soldiers. Those that cannot be repaired, keep them as raw materials and store them away." Xiao Yichen's eyes revealed decisiveness and wisdom.
However, just as the craftsmen were busy, a soldier came to report some suspicious signs. At the edge of the battlefield, there were traces of deliberate digging, suggesting someone had secretly returned after the battle. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er exchanged a glance, a sense of unease rising within them. "Strengthen vigilance and carefully investigate the surrounding area. We can't let the enemy have any opportunity," Xiao Yichen ordered, and then he and Lin Wan'er went to investigate themselves.
When they arrived at the suspicious location, they found some strange symbols and markings on the ground. Lin Wan'er squatted down and carefully studied the markings, her expression gradually becoming serious: "These may have been left by Murong Xuan's people. They seem to be searching for something, or conveying some kind of message." Xiao Yichen frowned: "Whatever their purpose is, we cannot ignore it. Pass down the order to strengthen the patrol area, especially at night. There can be no slackening."
After dealing with these matters, the sun was already high in the sky. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er returned to camp, knowing full well that this was only one part of the many post-war tasks. Next, they would need to tally the casualties, calm the soldiers, and prepare supplies, among other things. Murong Xuan's threat hung like a Damocles' sword over their heads, ready to fall at any moment. But they were fearless, for they knew that only by facing everything with unwavering strength could they protect this land and the people they cherished.
As the initial clearing of the battlefield and the resettlement of the wounded progressed, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er began to focus on the far-reaching impact of this battle. They knew that although the victory had temporarily repelled Murong Xuan, it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake; the ripples it created would inevitably spread among various forces, reshaping the power structure of the entire region.
Inside the tent, Xiao Yichen summoned his generals and solemnly convened a military meeting concerning the future. "Gentlemen," Xiao Yichen said, "although we were fortunate to win yesterday's battle, we cannot be blindly optimistic. Murong Xuan's defeat will undoubtedly deal a heavy blow to his power, but his foundation remains, and he will certainly not give up so easily." Xiao Yichen's voice was steady and powerful, his eyes revealing a clear understanding of the situation.
One of the generals spoke first: "General, Murong Xuan has suffered a great loss of strength this time, and the people in his territory must be in a state of panic. Why don't we take advantage of this opportunity to send troops to strike his stronghold and wipe him out in one fell swoop, eliminating any future troubles?" As soon as this suggestion was made, the camp was filled with discussion.
Xiao Yichen shook his head slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "Although this move seems feasible, it is actually fraught with danger. Although Murong Xuan was defeated, he has been building up his territory for many years, and his fortifications must be solid. Moreover, we have just experienced a fierce battle, and our soldiers are exhausted. If we launch a rash attack, we will be at a great disadvantage if we get bogged down in a protracted war. Furthermore, other forces around us are eyeing us covetously. If we send out all our forces, our rear will be vulnerable to a sneak attack."
The generals nodded in agreement with Xiao Yichen's analysis. Lin Wan'er continued, "Right now, we should strengthen our defenses and recuperate while closely monitoring Murong Xuan's movements and the reactions of surrounding forces. We can send spies deep into Murong Xuan's territory to investigate his troop deployments, food reserves, and the morale of his people, so as to make full preparations for future actions."
“Miss Lin is absolutely right.” Xiao Yichen gave Lin Wan’er an approving look. “Not only that, we also need to strengthen our ties and cooperation with friendly forces in the surrounding area. Previously, many forces suffered greatly due to Murong Xuan’s expansion. We can take this opportunity to form an alliance with them and jointly fight against Murong Xuan’s revenge.”
Therefore, the meeting decided to dispatch capable envoys to the surrounding forces to convey the intention to cooperate and to explain in detail Murong Xuan's ambitions and threats. Meanwhile, within the camp, the soldiers began intensive rest and training. The military medics did their utmost to treat the wounded, using their superb medical skills and rich experience, with limited medical resources, to help the wounded recover and return to their units as quickly as possible. At the same time, newly recruited soldiers joined the camp one after another. Under the guidance of veteran soldiers, they underwent rigorous military training, practicing formations, weapons handling, and tactical coordination, striving to improve their combat effectiveness as quickly as possible.
On the other hand, Murong Xuan led his defeated troops back to his territory in a sorry state. Morale was low, the soldiers were exhausted, and filled with uncertainty and fear about the future. Looking at this once glorious but now shattered army, Murong Xuan was filled with bitterness and regret.
Upon returning to his territory, Murong Xuan immediately set about reorganizing the military. He took stock of the remaining troops and discovered that more than half of them had been lost, many of whom were elite soldiers, which pained him deeply. In order to replenish the troops, he had no choice but to order a large-scale conscription within the territory. However, upon hearing of the devastating defeat, the people were largely resistant to enlisting, and the conscription work progressed extremely slowly.
At the same time, Murong Xuan also faced a shortage of food supplies. The war's depletion and the chaos following the defeat had led to a significant reduction in granary reserves, and the agricultural production of the people within his territory had been severely damaged by the war, making it impossible to provide sufficient food supplies to the army in a timely manner.
Faced with both internal and external troubles, Murong Xuan knew that to exact revenge, he had to resolve the internal problems first. On the one hand, he increased support for agricultural production, reducing taxes, distributing seeds and farming tools, and encouraging people to cultivate wasteland and restore production. On the other hand, he strengthened the training and management of the army, personally supervising the soldiers' training in an attempt to boost morale. However, these measures did not yield immediate results, and Murong Xuan's territory remained shrouded in gloom, with the future fraught with uncertainty.
Meanwhile, at Xiao Yichen's camp, the envoys brought back responses from the surrounding forces. Some forces showed great interest in cooperation, knowing full well the threat posed by Murong Xuan and understanding that only by uniting could they contend with him; however, others remained hesitant, weighing the pros and cons, worried that cooperating with Xiao Yichen would backfire, or perhaps hoping to reap the benefits of the conflict between Xiao Yichen and Murong Xuan.
Faced with this complex situation, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er discussed countermeasures again. They decided to offer sincere promises and practical support to those forces willing to cooperate, and jointly formulate strategic plans for defense and offense; as for those forces that were taking a wait-and-see attitude, they would maintain close contact, demonstrate their strength and sincerity, and try to win them over.
In the aftermath of this series of battles, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were like helmsmen in a stormy sea, carefully steering their own ship, struggling forward amidst the power struggles and complex situation. Every decision was a matter of life and death, and every step was full of challenges and unknowns.
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