"Summon someone, prepare a feast."
Han Yetang turned and returned to the back garden, taking her seat before her breakfast. At the same time, she ordered servants to bring Lin Zhao and Zhuo Zhi each a portion of food: a plate of roast chicken, a plate of stir-fried dishes, a pot of fine wine, and a stack of white steamed buns, identical to Han Yetang's own breakfast.
"Shanhai Pass is harsh and cold, two thousand li from Baidi City, and a full thousand li from the nearest Yunzhou capital, Tianji City. The route is all snowfields and mountains, with rugged official roads, making the transportation of supplies inconvenient."
Han Yetang smiled faintly and said, "So, the best food Shanhai Pass can offer is probably just this. Don't be too picky."
"Why would we be picky?"
Lin Zhao sat down on the ground, tore off a chicken drumstick just as Han Yetang had done, and took a bite. The taste was indeed ordinary, merely seasoned with oil and salt. As Han Yetang had said, Yunzhou had always been a harsh and cold region in the north, and Shanhai Pass, bordering Yunzhou, although one of the northern strongholds of the Great Shang Dynasty, was not affluent either.
Zhuo Zhi picked up her chopsticks, tasted a mouthful of stir-fried vegetables, and a smile appeared on her lips. Life in Shanhai Pass was not easy, but compared to the Snow Region Heavenly Pond, this place was practically a paradise. Not only was it protected by the majestic Shanhai Pass, but there was also a continuous flow of supplies transported from all over the Great Shang Dynasty, and countless fine horses galloped back and forth within and outside the pass.
After Lin Zhao finished an entire roast chicken in one go, he picked up the wine pot and took a swig. "Commander," he said, "since we're family, I won't beat around the bush. We actually have a request for you."
"Mm."
Han Yetang smiled calmly. "I know. Tell me what it is first. I'll help if I can, and if I can't... even family can't do anything about it."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Zhuo Zhi, Mu Ge, and Xiang Ji and I have recently rebuilt a stronghold on the Snow Region Heavenly Pond. We have recruited over a thousand armored soldiers and plan to re-establish a human army on the Snow Region Heavenly Pond to counter the demon race's southward momentum."
"Ah?"
Han Yetang's willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed. "Although the Great Shang Dynasty's topographical maps still show the Snow Region Heavenly Pond, everyone knows that the human presence there has long been nominal. Tianchi Mountain is actually under the control of the demon race. Are you stationing troops on the Snow Region Heavenly Pond? Isn't that like sending prime meat into the mouths of the demons?"
"Not necessarily."
Lin Zhao said, "As long as we have an army in the Snow Region Heavenly Pond, it's a signal to the demon race that we humans have never abandoned it. If they want to advance south, they must consider the power in the Snow Region Heavenly Pond. But if we don't station troops, the demon race will see our lack of strength, and the countdown to their southward advance will likely be greatly shortened."
"..."
Han Yetang's expression turned serious. Lin Zhao's words struck a crucial point, and she deeply agreed. "So, what do you need me to do?"
"I want to..."
Lin Zhao frowned. "Purchase 2,000 warhorses from Shanhai Pass. This will turn my over a thousand men at the Snow Region Heavenly Pond into human cavalry. This way, even if we are outmatched by the demon forces, we can still retreat with ease and have the capital to contend with the demon race in the northern territories. Otherwise... if the demon race breaks through the Snow Region Heavenly Pond, our group will truly have nowhere to turn."
"2,000 warhorses..."
Han Yetang gritted her silver teeth, her expression filled with hesitation.
In fact, although Han Yetang was the Commander, the Vermilion Bird Camp only had 50,000 soldiers. The troop strength of warhorses for the Vermilion Bird Camp was only around 60,000 to 80,000. If 2,000 fine horses were suddenly gone, Han Yetang would have difficulty accounting for it to the Ministry of War. After all, every battle and every loss required detailed statistical reports to be submitted to the Ministry of War.
"Is there a difficulty?"
Lin Zhao looked at Han Yetang's indecisive demeanor. "If it's really impossible, then forget it. We can think of other ways. You don't need to be too troubled."
"No, it should be possible."
Han Yetang said in a deep voice, "Our Great Shang's elite cavalry units have always been equipped with two horses per soldier, as it's conducive to combat and long-distance riding. You have over a thousand men, so 2,000 warhorses are not enough. How about this, I'll give you 3,000 Yunzhou fierce horses. These warhorses have been trained for over two years and can be used directly as warhorses."
Saying that, she looked to the side and said sternly to a robust Cavalry Commander, "Assign 1,000 warhorses from the First, Second, and Third Battalions to them."
"My Lord!"
The Cavalry Commander was anxious. "These warhorses... are what our Vermilion Bird Camp worked so hard to get from those old foxes in the Ministry of War! Moreover, suddenly reducing our warhorses by 3,000, if the Ministry of War's inspectors inquire, we won't be able to explain ourselves!"
"Don't worry."
Han Yetang frowned. "Just say that I led the army out of the city to fight a demon cavalry and suffered heavy losses, and it was my incompetence, Han Yetang, not the fault of the soldiers. I don't believe those people in the Ministry of War can do anything to me."
Her willow-leaf eyebrows rose. What could the Ministry of War do? At most, they could scold her a couple of times. After all, Shanhai Pass needed a cultivator of the Upper Five Realms to guard it, and she, an Eleventh Realm Sword Immortal, was the best candidate. What could the people from the Ministry of War do even if they were angry? They lived in the imperial city, surrounded by concubines, and it was people like her who guarded the borders so they could live in peace.
Lin Zhao said, "Commander, we don't intend to take these warhorses for free. We wish to purchase them with money."
"Oh?"
Han Yetang smiled faintly. "You have money?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao looked at the Cavalry Commander. "Sir, approximately how much would these warhorses from the Vermilion Bird Camp cost per horse at market price? We can pay for them."
"Those are all fine Yunzhou steeds, renowned horses within the Great Shang Dynasty."
The Cavalry Commander's expression was like that of a housewife in distress. He muttered, "If these Yunzhou fierce horses fell into the hands of black market horse dealers, each warhorse would cost at least... about 50 Qingfu coins!"
"Understood."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "So, 3,000 warhorses would cost 150,000 Qingfu coins, which translates to fifteen Jinzizhi coins. We certainly won't make things difficult for you, Commander. Here are fifteen Jinzizhi coins, please accept them. You can then purchase fine horses from the horse dealers to replenish this deficit."
Saying that, he stepped forward and placed the 15 Jinzizhi coins in front of Han Yetang.
"..."
Han Yetang was naturally straightforward and did not stand on ceremony. She put the Jinzizhi coins into her money pouch and smiled. "Lin Zhao, I won't take this money for nothing. In addition to the 3,000 fine horses, I will also prepare one thousand swords for Yunzhou cavalry, one thousand charging iron spears for Yunzhou cavalry, and one thousand sets of armor and shields for Yunzhou cavalry. Only one thousand sets, no more. Otherwise, if the Ministry of War's scoundrels really investigate, I'll be hard-pressed to deal with it. I will assign five hundred men from the Vermilion Bird Camp to escort these supplies until you reach the Snow Region Heavenly Pond. However... the pontoon bridge and ferry across the Xiujian River were dismantled when the demon race attacked back then. Do you have a way to transport these supplies across the river?"
"I have a way."
Lin Zhao smiled. "I have an elder in my family by the Xiujian River. Crossing the river will not be a problem."
"That's good."
Han Yetang narrowed her eyes, guessing about eighty to ninety percent of the truth. An elder by the Xiujian River who could escort such a large quantity of warhorses and supplies across the river... besides the River God's daughter of Xiujian River, Lin Xingchu, a cultivator of the Thirteenth Realm, who else could it be? Moreover, Lin Zhao's surname is Lin, and Lin Xingchu's surname is also Lin. Everything makes sense.
...
In the evening, the convoy set off, accompanied by 500 brightly armored Vermilion Bird cavalry, most of whom were female. Women were meticulous and less prone to causing trouble. Han Yetang had considered this thoroughly, not wanting any unpleasantness during the journey, especially when passing through the Fusu Great Wall, where the sword immortals and martial artists were not to be trifled with. It was best for this transport team to remain as low-key as possible.
Not long after, the caravan set off.
After the entire convoy had departed, Lin Zhao stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhuo Zhi, cupped his fists in a salute to Han Yetang, and smiled, "Thank you again!"
Han Yetang, clad in armor, with a smile on her pretty face, waved her hand, signaling Lin Zhao to leave. As she watched Lin Zhao and Zhuo Zhi's retreating backs, Han Yetang felt a deep sense of envy. As an Eleventh Realm Sword Immortal, how she wished she could go to the Snow Region Heavenly Pond and fight demons side by side with Lin Zhao and Zhuo Zhi. She didn't need to be in charge, even a thousand cavalry commander would be fine. It was better than being a mere Commander in the tortoise shell of Shanhai Pass, living a tedious and boring life, spending her days refining her sword and dealing with the officials of the Great Shang Dynasty, which was a constant annoyance.
"My Lord."
A Cavalry Commander respectfully said from behind, "An inspector has arrived from Tianji City, the capital of Yunzhou, to take stock of our grain and fodder at Shanhai Pass. Do you require a banquet at the Marshal's residence this evening to entertain him?"
"Entertain my ass."
Han Yetang frowned. "Is that person from the officialdom?"
"Yes."
"After he finishes counting the grain and fodder, take him to a nearby town and let him visit a brothel. The expenses will be covered by the Marshal's residence treasury. Don't ask me about such trivial matters in the future. A banquet at the Marshal's residence? Does he deserve it?"
Her beautiful eyes glowed faintly. She, a dignified Eleventh Realm Sword Immortal, had to deal with such mundane matters? He was just a mere inspector, not Chen Xi from Tianji City.
...
Night fell.
The carriages and horses did not stop. Lin Zhao and Zhuo Zhi each rode a warhorse, leading 500 Vermilion Bird cavalry, escorting a large number of warhorses and supplies to the Fusu Great Wall. After nightfall, the streets of this Fusu Great Wall were almost completely dark. Only establishments like the Mingyue Tower and the residences of some influential figures in Fusu Great Wall still had lanterns hanging, flickering with sparse light.
Lin Zhao frowned and said in a low voice, "Quietly exit the city. Try not to make any noise."
"Yes, my Lord!"
The group of Vermilion Bird cavalry simultaneously lowered their voices.
On the city wall, a woman dressed in snow-white robes looked down at the transport team passing through the Great Wall. She couldn't help but furrow her delicate brows. Thousands of warhorses, carts laden with weapons, armor, and shields... Who was so extravagant? Such a large quantity of resources could equip an entire cavalry army, couldn't it? Immediately, she saw Lin Zhao and Zhuo Zhi.
"So it's him..."
Lin Wanhua's gaze was gentle, but then she became worried. What if he died in battle again in this life? Doesn't this guy know how to be safe at all? He only knows how to make people worry...