The Border
The Border
The border was located less than a day's journey.
They departed early in the morning and managed to reach the border by night. After all, they couldn't move that quickly with Princess Ji Xiaoli was still in the crowd. Even as the sky darkening in the horizon, Wei Liuying could see the border clearly.
The high wall seemed imposing as it separated them from the Xiong Tribe. Thousands of soldiers were standing on top of the wall, ready to protect the area as much as necessary. They were fighting for the sake to protect their homeland. The atmosphere was completely different now that she was standing here rather than back in the capital city.
One thing for sure.
There would be a completely intense battle here soon.
"The commanders are gathering in the meeting room," Prince Ji Sheng informed in unhurried tone. "I'll only introduce you to them."
"I understand."
"I'll settle Princess Ji Xiaoli first and join with you two later," Yang Xian added. He still had to arrange the soldiers back in their previous position and also settled Princess Ji Xiaoli in a temporary dwelling in this border city.
Even though it was called as border, it was also a city at the same time. The city was completely surrounded by tall walls that would protect it from the attack of Xiong Tribe and all. There were not many people living here as usually only the families of the soldiers would want to stay here.
Some of them also stayed back in Dong Shan City as they were afraid to get involved in battle if they stayed in this city.
Wei Liuying followed Ji Sheng inside. The layout of the border was clear as it was circling to the center. It seemed that Ji Sheng made it like a circle fortress to make sure that he would be able to protect those who were at the very center. The meeting room was located not far from the center but slightly to the north.
"General Sheng!"
The commanders quickly kneeled on the ground when they saw Prince Ji Sheng came in.
"You may rise."
"Thank you, General!"
The commanders then noticed that Prince Ji Sheng was not alone. There was a young boy following behind him. From his age, he should be around 12 years old? They were not too sure since the boy's growth was indeed a bit slower than girls and would not grow in height that much when they were in their early stage.
"This is Liu Ying, Yang Xian's apprentice. I bring him here to introduce him to all of you."
"Strategist Yang's apprentice?" they were surprised. Some of them sent a look of pity to Wei Liuying while some others were astonished. They all knew how eccentric Yang Xian was and what he could possibly do, but at the same time, they knew that his standard for intelligence was extremely high.
So far, there was no one who was smart enough to attract his attention amongst those in the army. Who would have thought that he would finally find one after his visit to the Capital City?
Strategist Yang is lucky.
"Hello, my name is Liu Ying," Wei Liuying began her introductions. The commanders soon followed suit and tell them their names. It was hard for her to remember all of their names, but she realized that they were all commanders under Ji Sheng. She had to memorize their names at the very least.
Ji Sheng walked to the table in the center and tapped the surface. "How's the condition?"
"The one who attacked us are Nu Tribe. We manage to fend them off, but they seem to be trying to rob us at even earlier time," one of the commanders replied.
Earlier time?
Wei Liuying furrowed her brows, trying to follow the conversation. Her knowledge regarding the north was limited to what the books had told her. As for the real situation, she had to see it with her own eyes to be able to be sure about what was needed to survive in this place.
"They can't wait until winter?"
"I think they want to increase their stockpile and fight earlier so that they would not meet with other tribes who attack in the Winter," one of the commanders gave his speculation.
Ji Sheng nodded. The chance was there. Han Shi Kingdom was a big and rich kingdom with plenty of resources. On the other hand, those tribes were living nomadically and moved to wherever resources exist. They would do their best to make sure that they would able to earn enough food to live by.
And robbing was the easiest when food was scarce during Winter.
"Tighten the security. We'll sweep the area tomorrow morning," Ji Sheng said after a while. "Protect the surrounding small villages and make sure that there's no attack to their crops."
"Yes, General."
Ji Sheng gave a few more instruction before he turned to Wei Liuying. "Tomorrow morning, you'll depart with Commander Zhao."
"Yes, General!" Wei Liuying turned to look at Commander Zhao and cupped her hands. "I'll be in your care, Commander."
Commander Zhao was a man in his forties. His hair had partially gone bald, but he was still full of vigor. Even if one compared him with men who were in their prime, he would not lose in the slightest bit. His body was a big on the large side, but it didn't look like it would hinder his movement.
Commander Zhao scrutinized Wei Liuying and nodded. "We'll depart before the sun rise."
"Yes, Commander."
Wei Liuying was racking her brain when the meeting was over and Prince Ji Sheng brought her out of the place. If she was not wrong, Commander Zhao was a commander of 3000 men. It was in the middle of rank, but it was still pretty good in overall.
"Oh, the meeting is over?" Yang Xian had only arrived.
Ji Sheng nodded. "You'll stay in the city to supervise the defense tomorrow. I'll be leading for the battle after the scout has returned."
"Got it. How about the little one?"
"He'll go with Commander Zhao tomorrow."
Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. "Commander Zhao is not that good when it comes to teaching newbies. Make sure that you don't make any mistake tomorrow, Xiao Ling."
Wei Liuying was speechless at the new nickname that Yang Xian gave to her. Why did she have to be termed as small now? She knew that she was a bit smaller than average children her age, but it didn't mean that she would be this small forever!
However, she pushed the thoughts and went back to the matter on hand.
"I don't think I'm a complete newbie, Strategist Yang."
"Are you sure?" Yang Xian asked back. "Well, as long as you can implement what you learnt back in the Capital City, you'll be fine. I'll not be able to help you this time. You have to think by yourself how to make sure that they will follow your order. It'll all depend on your action."
Strategist don't usually participate in the battle directly. Their role was to supervise the battle from a distance and then made proper arrangement to make sure that everything was done well. Because of that, many strategists couldn't protect themselves without the soldiers around them.
It would be hell.
Wei Liuying put on a slight smile. "There's no need to worry, Strategist Yang. I'll be able to do well."
"If it's you, I believe you can." Yang Xian laughed. "I'll be waiting for the report of your performance tomorrow. Also, take note that Commander Zhao usually strategize on his own, so you don't have any rival."
"Thank you, Strategist Yang."
Wei Liuying had been thinking about whether there was strategist in Commander Zhao's army or not. Hearing what Yang Xian said, she felt relieved.
"Also, you're going to stay with Xian." Ji Sheng suddenly dropped a bomb to Wei Liuying.
"…Excuse me?"
Yang Xian was walking at the front. "It'll be hard to hide your identity if you have to mingle with the soldiers in the city. I don't mind if it's in the battlefield because there's only few chances you'll ever open your armor, but it's dangerous in the city. I still need to teach you a lot, so you'll stay in my residence."
Wei Liuying's gaze was cold. She turned to look at Ji Sheng as if saying, 'Can't she got her own residence?'
Ji Sheng shook his head. "It'll be better for you to stay with him. There's no new residence around his place where you can commute easily."
"But…."
"Don't worry, I won't let you starve."
Wei Liuying: "…" that's not the point.
She decided to give up when she saw that neither one of the bulge from their decisions. It seemed that she had to live with this annoying strategist for the time being.
Hopefully, the day when she could have her own residence would come soon.