Chapter 493: Chapter 493: Zhan Huang!

Muer Hong watched Huang Gun’s lips moving up and down rapidly; this man was terrifying, and even the physical fear couldn’t compare to the mental torment he inflicted.

“Everyone says these moldy grapes are full of bad ideas, but I think you’re the worst!”

Muer Hong looked at Huang Gun and pleaded, “Master, please spare me. The further we go towards the Western Rong, the more powerful those tribes are, with more cavalry. I won’t have a solution then!”

Huang Gun looked towards Zhan Lan, “Main General, he says the further we go towards the Western Rong, the more powerful the tribes are, with more cavalry.”

Zhan Lan nodded, “Stop, set up camp!”

“Yes.”

The army set up camp, and Zhan Lan along with Xiao Chen and others entered the tent.

Zhan Lan unfolded the map, “From the map, we can take this small path to enter the Western Rong, but the road to the Western Rong is more dangerous and not suitable for an army of fifty thousand.”

Everyone agreed.

Zhan Lan folded the map, “Having already eliminated thirty thousand Western Rong cavalry, and today nearly ten thousand more, we’ve killed close to forty thousand. We are three hundred li from the Western Rong’s capital, and our food supply is ample. We will rest for the night and continue marching tomorrow.”

“Yes, Main General!”

…

Two days later, the news of the Western Rong massacre finally reached Ding’an City, and the people’s anger was hard to extinguish.

Emperor Qingwu was anxious in the palace, but fortunately, he suppressed the promises he had made to the Western Rong, and the people were unaware of the truth.

Someone reported.

“Your Majesty, the main general of the Zhan Family Army, Zhan Lan, leads fifty thousand soldiers towards the Western Rong, with frequent victories. They’ve currently occupied thirteen Western Rong tribes and killed fifty thousand cavalry!”

Emperor Qingwu did not feel joyful at the good news; the more victories Zhan Lan had, the more fearful he became of the day she would return triumphant.

He secretly went to a place to see someone, and eventually returned to the palace in a much better mood.

…

The news of Zhan Lan occupying thirteen Western Rong tribes, slaughtering fifty thousand cavalry, spread back to Fengyu Pass, then to Ding’an City.

The people were emotionally charged.

An elder, with tears in his eyes, said, “The Western Rong killed our Nanjin people; General Zhan Lan went to avenge us!”

“The Zhan Family Army is invincible!” a young swordsman excitedly raised his sword.

A scholarly-looking man smiled and said, “This time, besides the Zhan Family members, the Zhan Family Army and the Brave Army’s former units are on the battlefield with General Zhan’s most competent subordinates!”

“Then let’s wait for General Zhan to return victorious!”

A day later, Zhan Lan led the army to occupy fifteen Western Rong tribes.

Three days later, Zhan Lan led the army to occupy eighteen Western Rong tribes.

Five days later, Zhan Lan led the army to occupy twenty Western Rong tribes.

During this campaign, Zhan Lan defeated eighty thousand Western Rong cavalry in total.

These victories were reported one after another to Ding’an City, reaching the ears of the Nanjin people.

Every day, the people awaited news from the front lines.

When they learned that Zhan Lan, with a few subordinates and the Zhan Family Army, occupied twenty Western Rong tribes.

Someone ran down the main street shouting, “General Zhan’s divine power!”

Someone was moved to tears, “Although General Zhan is a woman, she fights on the battlefield no less than any man!”

A mysterious old monk smiled and said, “Phoenix Nirvana, reborn from the ashes, battles across miles, becoming a phoenix!”

The people listened to the monk’s Zen-like voice and quieted down. Moments later, someone suddenly shouted, “Bathed in blood, she is Zhan Huang!”

Someone exclaimed, “She is our Zhan Huang!”

“General Zhan Huang!” The voices of the people rose wave after wave.

The old monk hunched over, smiled, and left the crowd.

The voices of the people echoed through the streets and alleys.

…

Emperor Qingwu sat in the Imperial Study Room with a sullen expression, holding the victory reports, his eyes gradually darkening.

The people even gave Zhan Lan the name “Zhan Huang!”

Now the people of Nanjin all call Zhan Lan General Zhan Huang!

These people simply do not regard him as the emperor!

Zhan Lan is simply not human; a woman who fights without concern for her life, and now she is about to break into the capital of the Western Rong.

There are still three of the strongest tribes left, and Zhan Lan can claim the head of the King of the Western Rong.

If Nanjin annexes the Western Rong, expanding its territory, Eastern Wei will not sit idly by, and Nanjin, which could have lived peacefully among four nations, will now become a thorn in Eastern Wei’s side.

If Eastern Wei attacks Nanjin, what benefit would it bring to them!

Emperor Qingwu gritted his teeth and cursed in his heart: Foolish and stupid Zhan Family Army! Damn Zhan Lan!

“Has the Regent King not returned yet?” He looked at his confidant beside him.

“Replying to Your Majesty, there is no news of the Regent King.” The confidant replied respectfully.

Emperor Qingwu snorted coldly, “That’s good.”

…

Fifty li from the Western Rong capital.

Along the way, the Zhan Family Army occupied Western Rong tribes, requiring all troops to station there.

Marching to this location, Zhan Lan was left with only Zhan Hui, Xiao Chen, Li Sui, Huang Gun, Dugu Yan, and five thousand Zhan Family Army.

They were dressed in Western Rong attire. At the desert’s edge in a forest, Zhan Lan sat in a simple tent eating a piece of cornbread.

The further into the Western Rong they went, the more scarce the water became.

Xiao Chen stealthily poured the water he had saved into Zhan Lan’s water flask outside the tent.

Upon entering the tent and seeing Zhan Lan’s face cracked by the wind and sand, her formerly silky hair was braided into two plaits, tangled as well, and the white fur cap on her head had changed color.

Xiao Chen pretended he had just finished drinking water, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and handed Zhan Lan the flask, “Don’t choke, drink some water.”

Zhan Lan took the flask, drank, and asked, “Once we cross the desert, we will reach the Western Rong. There are still three tribes left, one being the Liao Tribe; you know they are the most powerful tribe in the Western Rong. They could swallow the Western Rong in less than a year.”

“Yes, the leader of the Liao Tribe is more brutal than the current Western Rong King. He is the greatest danger now.”

Zhan Lan looked outside the tent at the endless expanse of yellow sand, recalling how Xiao Chen had managed to escape from the Western Rong years ago was truly remarkable.

“You haven’t had water?” Zhan Lan noticed Xiao Chen’s dry lips.

Xiao Chen shook his head, “Not thirsty.”

Zhan Lan pulled Xiao Chen’s flask from his waist, pouring all the water from her own into it.

“Don’t waste words, drink up. You are the most familiar with the Western Rong; you can’t fall.”

With a sense of urgency in her voice, Zhan Lan pressed Xiao Chen, who raised the flask and took a sip.

“When will the rear supplies arrive?” Zhan Lan swallowed the last bit of cornbread, brushed off the crumbs from her hands.

Xiao Chen nodded, “Reportedly tomorrow; our food and water will only last for a day.”

Zhan Lan knitted her brows, noting there were still twenty thousand Western Rong cavalry left to deal with, and they had to keep securing the occupied tribes while ensuring the supply route for food and water. Thus, only five thousand of the Zhan Family Army were available.

After more than ten days of combat, many soldiers were starting to struggle with their physical stamina.

Now, she could only rely on strategy.

After staring at the map for half a day, Zhan Lan looked at Xiao Chen, “You are familiar with the Western Rong language, help me send out a message.”

“Alright.” Xiao Chen didn’t ask further, as he was accustomed to Zhan Lan’s commands being absolute.