Chapter 106: Chapter 106 Barbarian Tribe Arrives at Yan Countyi

Translator: 549690339

The Barbarian Tribe was rushing toward Yan County with their utmost speed, and the vast army of Great Sum, seventy thousand strong, was also marching at its swiftest pace, as if racing against time itself.

However, from the grasslands to Yan County stretches a boundless plain, and no matter how fast Lin Xiuming’s forces were, they couldn’t possibly catch up to the speed of the Barbarian cavalry.

In just a few days, the three hundred thousand-strong Barbarian Army had already drawn near to Wanning Valley.

Early in the morning.

Lu Chen got up amidst the gentle jade fragrance of Bai Qingqing, who took the initiative to dress Lu Chen herself. The once haughty and reserved Bai Qingqing had now transformed into a chilly young matron.

She had completely embraced her role as a concubine maid, diligently caring for Lu Chen’s daily needs.

As soon as Lu Chen was dressed and left the room, a female guard hurried over and said, “Prince, urgent news from the front, the Barbarian Tribe has reached Wanning Valley!”

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen replied with some surprise, “So soon?”

The arrival time of the Barbarian Tribe was obviously much earlier than Lu Chen and his people had anticipated from spy reports, but that wasn’t a major issue since they had already made their preparations.

Just the thought of the imminent decisive battle with the Barbarian Tribe made Lu Chen’s blood surge with excitement.

Although he had killed before and witnessed killings, he had never seen what a real battlefield looked like.

Without even having breakfast, Lu Chen hurried to the tower of Yan County.

By this time, Mu Changtian, with thirty thousand soldiers, was ready for battle, Mu Xingping had stationed the Artillery camp on both sides of Wanning Valley, and the Black Cavalry was also on the move; everything was waiting for the Barbarian cavalry to enter Wanning Valley.

Just then, a scout soldier approached Lu Chen and said, “Prince, the Barbarian troops haven’t entered Wanning Valley immediately, but have encamped on the grassland outside the valley.”

Upon hearing this, the soldiers on the city tower became tense all of a sudden.

They couldn’t help but wonder if the Barbarian cavalry had discovered something, or if their own deployments had been leaked.

If that was the case, then it would indeed be troublesome.

Not only might they fail to defeat the Barbarian cavalry, but the Artillery camps stationed on both sides of Wanning Valley could be stealthily eliminated by the Barbarian soldiers.

If the howitzers, these devastating weapons, fell into the hands of the Barbarian Tribe, Yan County could be breached with a single attack, leaving no capability to resist.

At this moment, Mu Changtian spoke up, “Prince, why don’t 1 lead the troops out of the city to lure the Barbarian Tribe into Wanning Valley?”

After hearing Mu Changtian’s suggestion, Lu Chen didn’t reply immediately. After thinking for a moment, he then asked the scouting soldier, “When did the Barbarian army reach the outskirts of Wanning Valley?”

The scout replied, “This morning.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen immediately commanded, “Immediately have the soldiers of the Artillery camp on both sides of Wanning Valley conceal themselves, and do not reveal themselves before the Barbarian Army has entered the valley.”

“Furthermore, there is no need for us to hurry. Since the Barbarian soldiers have just arrived this morning, it is highly likely that they traveled through the night and are now resting in the camp.”

“Let the frontline scouts keep an eye on their movements. If the Barbarian Tribe sends soldiers to scout, let them enter Wanning Valley; ignore them.”

The reporting scout quickly replied, “Yes, Prince.”

“I shall take my leave.”

After the soldier left, Mu Changtian spoke again, “Prince, the Barbarian Tribe seems to be prepared for a long siege of Yan County.”

“Otherwise, they would not have set up camp outside Wanning Valley, but would have chosen to enter directly.”

Lu Chen pondered before speaking, “It seems Xiao Hongbo is no fool either; he knows Yan County won’t be easy to take.”

If Xiao Hongbo truly believed that the first wave of attack on Yan County could defeat the city, then why would they set up camp at all? They should just rest briefly and directly send the army into Wanning Valley.

After taking down Yan County, wouldn’t it be better to rest there?

The Barbarian Tribe setting up camp outside Wanning Valley demonstrated, on one hand, their cautiousness towards the terrain of Wanning Valley, and on the other hand, indicated that they did not believe they could capture Yan County today.

Just then, another scout soldier returned from the front line.

“Prince, the Barbarian Tribe has dispatched a scouting cavalry, which has already entered Wanning Valley and is headed straight for Yan County,” the soldier reported.

Lu Chen asked, “How many are there?”

The soldier replied, “Only a few dozen people.”

Lu Chen thought for a moment and said, “Don’t bother with them, continue monitoring.”

“Yes, Prince,” the soldier acknowledged.

Outside Wanning Valley.

Xiao Pengthian stood by the riverbank, looking at the terrain of Wanning Valley with a grave sense of crisis.

Originally, Xiao Hongbo planned to lead an army of three hundred thousand directly into Wanning Valley and then to attack Yan County, aiming to capture it before midday.

However, Xiao Pengthian, using various persuasive arguments, pointed out that the soldiers were exhausted from traveling all night and needed rest; he even brought up the Princess to strengthen his case, eventually convincing Xiao Hongbo to camp outside Wanning Valley for rest.

Xiao Pengthian was well aware that Xiao Hongbo was severely dissatisfied with him. During their campaign southward to attack North City, he said many things that Xiao Hongbo did not want to hear, and even invoked the Princess’s name several times.

In fact, Xiao Hongbo’s discontent with him was not a recent development. Back when they were with the Sky Wolf King tribe, a rift had already formed between them due to their similar strengths. Xiao Pengthian was the strongest contender against Xiao Hongbo for the title of Sky Wolf King.

Nevertheless, following the mediation by the Princess, the Elders of the Sky Wolf King tribe ultimately bestowed the kingship upon Xiao Hongbo.

Even though Xiao Hongbo had become the Sky Wolf King, having someone by his side who was a constant threat to his throne still made him uncomfortable.

Xiao Pengthian was no fool; he could clearly see Xiao Hongbo’s aversion towards him. However, to ensure that there were no issues during the Sky Wolf King tribe’s campaign to take North City, he had to speak up.

Considering the terrain of Wanning Valley, if their army of three hundred thousand charged directly in and failed to take Yan County, with the Great Sum troops potentially coming in from behind, they would all be trapped within Wanning Valley.

Just then, a servant from Wu Yuan’s trading caravan approached Xiao Pengthian and said, “General Xiao, did you summon me for something?”

They were escorting Wu Yuan’s trading caravan on their campaign southward; after all, the plundered treasures needed to be transported, and Wu Yuan’s caravan provided a convenient means.

Xiao Pengthian inquired, “Has your caravan picked up any information about the movements of the Great Sum court, such as whether they are sending a large army to reinforce North City?”

The servant from Wu Yuan’s caravan promptly replied, “Yes, General, the court has dispatched an army of seventy thousand to support North Prince.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Pengthian couldn’t help but wonder, was he overthinking the situation?

Only seventy thousand troops?

It was highly probable that this force was meant to help North Prince defend Yan County and would not take the offensive, let alone encircle them from behind.

If the Barbarian Cavalry charged, the seventy thousand troops would be scattered instantly. If the encirclement failed, those soldiers would instead be marching to their deaths.

At that moment, a Barbarian soldier rode up to Xiao Pengthian and said, “General, the King summons you..”