Calm Before the Battle

Ning Shu walked along the majestic city wall, her gaze drifting down to the corpses hanging below. She then turned her eyes toward the horizon. Beyond the vast prairie lay snowy mountains, a breathtaking sight unique to the borderlands.

Cai Sang, clad in armor, followed closely behind and asked, "Princess, the people of North Mongolia have such vast lands. Why do they still insist on stealing from us?"

"Stealing can become addictive. It's easier to reap without sowing," Ning Shu replied mildly. "The Tartars aren't the kind to endure the hardships of cultivation and nurturing."

Perhaps because He Lianying had been injured, the Tartars had not disturbed the border recently. These days, aside from practicing martial arts, Ning Shu spent her time devising strategies to counter the Tartars' cavalry.

The Tartars' greatest strength lay in their cavalry, both their horses and their warriors possessing remarkable physical resilience. Ning Shu knew she had to find an effective way to combat them. She couldn't bear the thought of exchanging a hundred of their soldiers' lives for one North Mongolian Tartar. Such losses would crush her spirit—it would be throwing lives away needlessly.

Surely, there was another way.

As Ning Shu strolled leisurely along the city wall, she encountered Duan Xinghui. He approached and saluted her with a cupped fist. "This general greets the Princess."

Ning Shu responded with a cold "En" and continued walking past him.

However, Duan Xinghui couldn't hold back and asked, "Princess Jiahui, will you leave with the Second Prince of North Mongolia?"

Ning Shu halted and turned to him, her brows furrowing. "Bodyguard Duan, this matter has nothing to do with you. Moreover, it's not your place to question the relationship between this princess and the Second Prince of North Mongolia. If you dare spread such rumors within the military, this princess will not let you off lightly!"

Duan Xinghui bowed slightly. "This general understands."

With a cold humph, Ning Shu returned to the barracks with Cai Sang following close behind.

The Tartars excelled in looting, but their infantry was no match for their formidable cavalry. Large snowflakes began to fall from the sky like delicate feathers, and by day's end, the ground was blanketed in white.

Shen Feng's expression grew grim. In weather like this, livestock such as sheep and cows often froze to death, making it prime time for the Tartars to raid. He sent elite scouts to monitor the area.

Although Ning Shu had yet to find a perfect solution for the cavalry, the most straightforward method was to use bows and arrows to eliminate them.

Shen Feng, being older, didn't hold much confidence in securing a decisive victory. His approach was more cautious: avoid mistakes and focus on defending the border.

Ning Shu, on the other hand, wanted to deal a severe blow to the Tartars. She suggested to Shen Feng that they stockpile a large number of bows and arrows along the city wall.

Shen Feng agreed and implemented her suggestion. Meanwhile, Duan Xinghui, who had been assisting Shen Feng, tried to offer some consolation to Ning Shu. "Princess, in reality, merely defending the city walls can be considered a victory."

Ning Shu found his words baffling. What was he trying to say?

She dismissed him and focused on her preparations for the upcoming battle.

"Princess, please let us join the fight this time," Cai Sang pleaded earnestly. "The others want to fight as well."

When Ning Shu stepped out of her tent, she was greeted by the sight of the female army standing in perfectly organized rows.

These women weren't particularly beautiful, nor did they possess alluring figures. But their commanding presence and steely determination eclipsed anything Ning Shu had seen in men.

Their expressions were serious. The moment they spotted her, they knelt on one knee and greeted her in unison. "Greetings, Left Vanguard!"

Ning Shu raised her hand and shouted, "Rise! A great battle lies ahead. Are you afraid?"

"We're not afraid!" their voices rang out, clear and resolute. While their tones were higher than men's, the harmony of their declaration carried an unexpected strength.

"From this moment, you will practice using the bow and arrow," Ning Shu instructed. "Arm strength is key when shooting. Crossbows are the most effective weapon against the Tartars, so you must master them."

She pointed at a target. "Shoot toward the target!"

Demonstrating, Ning Shu drew her bow with practiced ease and released the arrow. It soared through the air and struck the target dead center, piercing straight through the heart of the mark.