Rebirth (Bing Hu Chong Sheng)

This is a magnificent land!

The sky was a pure azure blue, the air carried the breath of freedom, the firmament stretched high and far, and snow-white eagles circled overhead with sharp cries as they beat their wings. As far as the eye could see, the tall grasses of October spread boundlessly into the distance. The wind was cold and sharp, lifting the soldiers’ swirling greatcoats, their heavy armor clinking against their scabbards with crisp sounds. In the far distance stood Beishuo Pass, Yanbei’s first major military stronghold—the gateway from the Eastern Continent into Yanbei. The towering fortress lay like a silent dragon, coiled quietly at the horizon’s edge.

Before Beishuo Pass lay the renowned Huolei Plain. It was on this very land that Yanbei’s Lion King, Yanshicheng, and his sons had once sworn to resist the Daxia Army to the death, ultimately resting forever with the soil of Yanbei. Across the vast Huolei Plain, fiery red Fire Cloud Flowers bloomed everywhere. Legend had it that these flowers grew from decaying flesh, often found only in graveyards and mass burial grounds—the more blood and flesh accumulated, the more brilliantly they blossomed. Yet after that great battle years ago, the Fire Cloud Flowers on Huolei Plain had bloomed for nine consecutive years, each year as crimson as the last, regardless of spring or summer, autumn or winter.

In an instant, Chu Qiao seemed to witness the passionate and tragic war of years past.

Iron cavalry swept across the wilderness, the earth stretched vast and desolate, crimson clouds stained the sky like blood, and banners fluttered densely. In the boundless sea of grass, the lush and dense forests, the towering snow-capped peaks, and the endless bloody desert—everywhere, soldiers’ sabers gleamed and bloodthirsty roars echoed. Warriors clad in armor fell in battle across every corner of Yanbei’s land. Women and children took up arms to defend their homeland. Everywhere, mournful songs resounded, and the powerful Yanbei chants filled the air. One generation perished, but their eyes never closed. Their hearts, which revered freedom, never ceased beating; their blood still ran hot and pulsed fiercely. They transformed into scarlet flowers, blooming as fervently as blood across every inch of the land, reminding and watching over the next generation of Yanbei’s children—interpreting the sanctity of this land with passion and loyalty!

This is a magnificent land! No words can capture even a fraction of its essence. Every blade of grass, every tree, every stone, and every grain of sand here has witnessed the land’s calamities and, even more, how its people rose again and again with unyielding resilience after each disaster!

Yanbei! Yanbei!

Over the past nine years, she had silently repeated these two words in her heart countless times. She and Yan Xun had endured humiliation and borne heavy burdens, facing life and death repeatedly, all for this day of returning to Yanbei. Now, she finally stood on Yanbei’s soil, breathing in its cold, dry wind, gazing upon its herds of cattle, sheep, and horses—and suddenly, she wept.She had always been so strong, no matter what adversity she faced. But at this moment, tears poured down uncontrollably like an unstoppable flood. Seated on horseback draped in a snow-white fox fur cloak, Chu Qiao held her head high and her back straight. She wasn’t sad, nor was she disappointed, yet a whirlwind of complex emotions surged within her chest—the thrill of a long-cherished wish fulfilled, the weariness of returning from countless battles, the stirring excitement of mixed feelings. She knew that from now on, they would no longer live in constant uncertainty, no longer need to tread carefully at every step, no longer fear losing their heads at any moment, no longer have to scrutinize the expressions of everyone around them. No one could casually kill them anymore, no one could easily threaten them anymore. They finally no longer had to take turns staying awake in fear, finally freed from the fate of being manipulated and slaughtered at will—they had truly stood up!

Yanbei, I’ve finally arrived!

A horse stepped forward slowly. The man, clad in a black greatcoat, had sharp, sword-like eyebrows that slanted upward.

He had remained silent all along, standing quietly behind her with the entire army, watching her in silence, watching her tremble, watching her tears fall quietly.

In this world, only he could understand her. Only he knew what she was feeling now, because they were the same. On the day he first laid eyes on the Beishuo Pass, he too had been unable to control himself. He hadn’t shed tears before the people and soldiers of Yanbei, but once he returned to his tent, as soon as the flap dropped, his tears fell—silent yet scalding, burning his long-enduring, resilient face.

That day, for the first time in nine years, he allowed himself to get thoroughly drunk. In his haze, he seemed to see his father again, his broad hand slapping his shoulder heartily as he laughed loudly, “You rascal, you’re almost as tall as your old man now!”

“This is Beishuo.”

The man guided his horse to her side, pointing at the gray city under the setting sun, his voice low and calm.

Chu Qiao turned her head, her eyes blazing as she looked at Yan Xun.

The setting sun cast golden rays upon them. The man sat on his horse, his gaze steady, his voice even. Dressed in a black combat uniform—military attire, riding boots, trousers, and a black greatcoat identical to those of his soldiers—he appeared sharp and unadorned. He was only twenty years old: young, lean, upright, handsome, with dark eyes that held a restrained brilliance, like a deep well whose bottom could not be seen.

Time alone does not age a person; it is experience that forges one’s resilience.

Looking at him, Chu Qiao suddenly recalled the young man from years ago at the hunting grounds who had misfired an arrow, the young Crown Prince strolling leisurely in the streets of Zhenhuang, and the youth by the shimmering Chishui Lake, his eyes smiling as he gazed at her, a bright full moon hanging above his head, its light translucent and hazy like mist. She also remembered the dark prison cells of the imperial city, the cold snowflakes drifting into the courtyard, the howling north wind, and two children clutching each other’s hands tightly through a thick wall…

At that moment, gazing at Yan Xun’s resolute profile, Chu Qiao felt as if she were reliving those eight turbulent years—watching a man rise slowly from the mud and blood, trudging forward with difficulty as he embarked on his long and arduous journey.The wind was bitterly cold, and the eagle banners fluttered fiercely overhead. The Yanbei Plateau had welcomed its new master, and Chu Qiao's blood gradually began to boil. She could almost foresee it: one era had ended, and another would begin right here!

She felt fortunate to be the most direct witness to all of this, because she had always stood by that person's side, unwavering!

Yan Xun turned his head, urged his horse forward a step, and said to Chu Qiao with a faint smile, "A Chu, welcome home."

A sudden eagle's cry echoed in the sky, and the sound of orderly hoofbeats from Daxia's army approached from ahead. The ancient city gates of Beishuo City slowly opened. Yan Xun slightly raised his head, and the setting sun cast a crimson, blood-like glow upon his forehead.

The large contingent began to advance. Chu Qiao gently urged her horse forward, staying one horse-length behind Yan Xun as they slowly proceeded.

Let history remember this day—the first day of the tenth month in the year 775 of the Bai Cang Calendar. On this day, the voice emanating from Beishuo City would shake the entire world.

Chu Qiao was escorted by guards to a lavishly decorated room in the city commander's residence. Four young maids knelt trembling in the inner chamber and hurried forward to attend to her upon her entry.

The former city commander's residence now served as Beishuo's wartime military command center. As soon as they entered the city, Yan Xun had hurriedly departed without even a word of explanation. The officials and generals of Beishuo City offered only superficial courtesy toward Chu Qiao's arrival—neither excessively warm nor impolitely cold. Yet, from their expressions and conversations, Chu Qiao could clearly sense the tension pervading the city.

After a quick wash, Chu Qiao said to A Jing, "Take me to see His Highness."

A Jing was taken aback and quickly replied, "Miss, you've had a long journey. You should rest first. The kitchen will bring food shortly, and I've ordered hot water to be prepared for you..."

"If you cannot make the decision, you may go and seek instructions first."

A Jing immediately fell silent, then nodded and said, "His Highness has ordered us to follow all of your instructions. Since you insist, please come this way."

Chu Qiao took the heavy fur cloak from the coat rack and draped it over her shoulders. The four maids rushed forward to assist, but Chu Qiao gently waved them away and said calmly, "I can manage myself."

The wind outside was fierce, forcing Chu Qiao to pull up her hood. Although Beishuo City was reputed to be the foremost city on Yanbei's eastern defensive line, Chu Qiao was deeply disappointed upon her first sight of it. Not to mention comparing it to capitals like Zhenhuang or Tang Capital, or even important border cities like Xianyang and Baizhi Pass, Beishuo fell far short of even second-tier cities within Daxia and Biantang, such as Wupeng City.

The city walls were low and ancient, bearing the scars of countless battles. The place was in disarray and dilapidation. Clearly, over the past eight years, Daxia had paid little attention to this desolate land, with even basic repairs being rare. Several major breaches in the city walls showed signs of recent patching, but the materials used were mostly cheap earthen bricks. It was foreseeable that if they were to engage in real combat with Daxia's regular army, such walls might not hold for even an hour—a single wave of catapults would likely cause the city to crumble.Moreover, the city had very few residents. The original 300,000 permanent residents had secretly left Beishuo when they learned of Yan Xun's return to Yanbei. The luckier ones moved deeper into Yanbei's interior, while most fled directly into Daxia territory. Thus, aside from a handful of residents who couldn't bear to leave or missed their chance, the city was now entirely occupied by Yanbei's military. The long streets were desolate, littered with withered leaves and dry grass.

This was far from the peaceful, prosperous, and hopeful Yanbei that Chu Qiao had imagined.

Inevitably, she felt a twinge of disappointment. But she quickly steadied herself. After all, when faced with so-called national loyalty, most people prioritized their families' safety first. Beishuo was the closest city to Daxia and had once been under the Batuha Family's control. Most residents here were merchants who had migrated from the interior, lacking a sense of belonging or loyalty to Yanbei. Although they had once fervently hoped for the Yan family's return to Yanbei, under Daxia's sharpening blades, no one could maintain unwavering fervor. These were ordinary civilians—what level of loyalty could one expect from them toward the military?

Chu Qiao shook her head, dismissing those thoughts. She quickly pieced together the intelligence she had gathered along the way, hoping to offer Yan Xun some advice later.

After all, in this seemingly weak Beishuo City, they were not the only dominant force.

"Who goes there?"

A cold, stern voice suddenly called out. A Jing halted and signaled for Chu Qiao to stop, replying, "Imperial Guard Commander A Jing, here to see His Highness on urgent business."

"Today's password."

"Let Zhao Che eat shit."

A Jing said this with a straight face. Chu Qiao was momentarily taken aback, never expecting Yan Xun to set such a password. She found it amusing—how unruly he was becoming, his true nature slowly emerging since returning to Yanbei.

In truth, Chu Qiao was misjudging Yan Xun. Just before the meeting, a soldier had asked for the day's password. At the time, the deputy commander of the Beishuo infantry was briefing them on Daxia's intelligence, mentioning how Daxia's envoys had recently come to deliver a superficial surrender ultimatum. Zhao Che, as Daxia's current military representative, had addressed the nation from Zhenhuang, claiming that Daxia was a peace-loving people who had always embraced the world with broad-minded compassion. Regarding Yanbei's repeated provocations, Daxia had maintained paternal tolerance, hoping this misguided child would repent and return to the empire's embrace. Yan Xun snorted disdainfully and said, "Let Zhao Che eat shit."

The guard at the door, acting rashly, took this as the day's password. By the time Yan Xun realized it, the phrase had already spread throughout the city.

The guard at the door heard the password and verified A Jing's unit designation before allowing them to pass, showing no leniency despite A Jing's status.

As they walked past, Chu Qiao noticed that the soldier was someone she recognized. Back in Zhenhuang City, he had often helped Miss Yu deliver messages. Originally from the imperial capital and serving as a guard in the royal city, he had followed Yan Xun all the way when he fled Zhenhuang.It felt wonderful to see a familiar face. The soldier grinned at Chu Qiao, revealing a set of white teeth, his youthful eyes brimming with vitality as he said cheerfully, "Miss, it's so good to see you."

Chu Qiao nodded with a smile. "Likewise. Is His Highness inside?"

"Yes, His Highness is in a meeting with the generals."

"Alright, I'll head in. Thank you for your hard work."

The soldier's eyes instantly filled with gratitude. Knowing Chu Qiao's status, he felt immensely honored that someone of her standing would speak so much to an ordinary soldier like him. Immediately standing at attention, he snapped a crisp military salute and declared resolutely, "All for Yanbei!"

Chu Qiao smiled and walked inside. Passing through a long corridor, she arrived at the door of the innermost meeting room. After explaining her purpose to the guard at the door, the soldier cautiously knocked. A moment later, he returned and said, "His Highness invites you in."

"Thank you."

The door opened a crack, and Chu Qiao stepped through slowly. Immediately, several sharp gazes turned toward her. The long, wide conference table was surrounded by Beishuo generals clad in black military uniforms. Unlike the customs in Daxia and Biantang, where only senior generals sat during meetings while the rest stood on either side, here everyone was seated. Back in the imperial city, Yan Xun had once heard Chu Qiao speak of modern military systems. Clearly influenced by these advanced theories, the current Yanbei Army radiated the brilliance of sophisticated military management everywhere.

"A Chu, come here."

Yan Xun, seated at the head of the long table and wearing white gloves, beckoned to her.

Chu Qiao nodded slightly to the others and walked to Yan Xun's side.

"Everyone, allow me to formally introduce you. This is Chu Qiao, who once single-handedly led four thousand officers and soldiers to escape Zhenhuang, resisted the fierce northwestern troops, traversed nineteen provinces and counties, and defeated forty-seven routes of the imperial coalition forces. She is also my finest companion and comrade-in-arms."

Yan Xun stood up, introducing her with evident pride. The generals on both sides of the table immediately rose, their gazes varying as they looked at Chu Qiao, each showing varying degrees of surprise, though they concealed it well. For a moment, the room was filled with exclamations of "Long have we admired you."

"Chu Qiao, this is General Xia An, commander of the Beishuo Army. He is a senior member of the Great Alliance Society and has been active for years across the Yanbei continent, leading Yanbei's sons and daughters in resisting the imperial forces. For nine years without interruption, he has been a meritorious hero of our Yanbei."

"Long have I heard of the General's great name. Meeting you today is an honor I shall cherish for life."

General Xia An, in his forties with a short beard, looked quite amiable and smiled gently. "Miss Chu is the one renowned far and wide, acclaimed as a top-ranking female general of our time, on par with Princess Nalan Hongye of Huai Song. I just never expected you to be so young. Truly, heroes emerge from among the youth."

"General Xia flatters me too much. That one battle was won by chance—thirty percent due to the soldiers' bravery, thirty percent to the unwavering support from all of you in the rear, thirty percent to His Highness's ability to unite the people, and the remaining ten percent must be credited to fortune favoring Yanbei. My own contributions are hardly worth mentioning, let alone comparing to the General's years of dedication and hard-fought campaigns across the northwest."Chu Qiao stood beside Yan Xun and spoke with impeccable courtesy. Her words brought a beaming smile to General Xia's face as he waved his hand and said, "You flatter me, it's nothing worth mentioning." Yet his evident delight clearly indicated that Chu Qiao's remarks were far from insignificant—especially considering she had never even heard of Xia An until moments before.

"This is General Cheng Yuan, deputy commander under General Xia An. He leads the First Cavalry Regiment and is a loyal warrior of the Great Alliance Society."

"This is Staff Officer Yue, Chief of Staff of the First Restoration Army Corps, representing them at this meeting."

"This is Deputy General Yu Xin, Major General of the Second Restoration Army Corps."

"This is Deputy General Liu Ou, Quartermaster of Beishuo, responsible for logistics, provisions, recruitment, and training of new recruits at the Beishuo camp. He is also a veteran member of the Great Alliance Society."

"This is Deputy General Chen Xi, Commander of the Second Cavalry Regiment..."

...

After completing the introductions, Yan Xun said with a smile, "Let's maintain close contact from now on. We are comrades in the same trench, fighting side by side for the swift liberation of Yanbei and the ideals of the Great Alliance."

Everyone responded in unison, "All for Yanbei!"

"Please, be seated and relax. A Chu, sit beside me. Since you're unfamiliar with military affairs, observe for now and learn from the generals' experience," Yan Xun said amiably.

Chu Qiao nodded. "Yes."

"Where were we? General Liu, was it your turn?" Yan Xun asked.

Seated behind Yan Xun, Chu Qiao watched as General Liu Ou stood up. He cleared his throat lightly, forming a loose fist with his right hand and bringing it to his lips as he subtly sniffed. It was a simple gesture, but Chu Qiao keenly noticed that as he did so, he cast a quick glance toward General Xia An. The commander of the Beishuo corps was sipping tea, not even glancing in Liu Ou's direction, yet his ring finger tapped lightly on the table.

In contrast, Yan Xun remained composed and unusually genial. Since Chu Qiao's arrival, a smile had not left his face, making him appear like an exceedingly affable young man.

"Your Highness, the situation is dire. Our grain reserves are nearly depleted. The August uprising did not go smoothly. Although the Daxia Army was defeated, they managed to set fire to the grain depot at the Northern Camp at the critical moment. Supplies in towns like Baixi, Mohe, and Anda were also destroyed. Currently, the majority of our provisions are allocated to General Wu Daoya of the First Restoration Army and General Cao Mengtong of the Second Restoration Army, as they bear the brunt of resisting the Batuha Family and the Daxia forces holed up at Meilin Pass. However, other corps, such as Major General Lu Jie of the Third Restoration Army, have repeatedly urged that without immediate support, his troops will be reduced to eating their trousers."

"Indeed," Chen Xi of the Second Cavalry Regiment stood up and added, "The shortage of provisions is severe. Medical supplies are almost exhausted, and we have less than thirty percent of our arrows remaining, most of which are damaged. Without timely replenishment, it will be difficult to face the impending operations on the eastern front.""Your Highness, I have received news that Daxia has issued a declaration. Several northwestern armies have completed combat preparations. Old Batu is mobilizing nationwide, and provinces like Suolun have received mobilization orders, currently actively recruiting new soldiers. Daxia recently completed its capital relocation. The next step will be an imminent attack against us. According to reliable intelligence, the Fourteenth Prince Zhao Yang has returned to Zhenhuang. His hundred-thousand troops have completed assembly and will merge with the Seventh Prince Zhao Che's Elite Cavalry Camp to form the main northern expedition force. Though the commander remains undetermined, our staff predicts this offensive will be unprecedentedly powerful - perhaps tomorrow, the day after, but certainly before November ends. This means even with favorable conditions, we have less than a month to prepare."

Yue Dian from the First Restoration Army spoke with a grim expression. This young man in his twenties still possessed some impulsiveness and fervor, unlike the legion commanders present. He made no attempt to conceal his anxiety, his face clouded with worry as he continued: "Regarding how to confront this Daxia Army, I implore Your Highness to make timely adjustments. Should we withdraw troops besieging Meilin Pass and concentrate forces at Beishuo to await the Daxia soldiers?"

"Absolutely not!" Major General Yu Xin said decisively. "Our army has fought all the way to reclaim the thirteen northern counties. If we withdraw our troops now, all our previous efforts will be wasted, and we'll give the Daxia soldiers in Meilin Pass a chance to recover. Then when we go to war with Daxia in the future, we'll inevitably face a two-front battle."

All eyes instantly focused on Yan Xun's face. Yan Xun didn't answer directly. He slightly restrained his smile, but didn't appear particularly tense or worried. He turned slightly to look at Xia An and said, "General Xia, you have distinguished achievements and rich experience. What are your thoughts and opinions on the current situation?"

Xia An smiled amiably. If not for his military uniform, Chu Qiao might have mistaken him for the kindly old village chief teaching children songs at the village entrance. He spoke slowly: "The current situation is perilous, but our determination to resist is firm. I believe if we withdraw from Meilin, we could consolidate a greater force, giving us more confidence against the Daxia soldiers. If we don't withdraw from Meilin, the stubborn Daxia soldiers in Meilin Pass definitely won't last through this winter. That way, come next spring, we won't have to face such a two-front predicament. So, withdrawal has its advantages, and non-withdrawal has its merits too. It's truly difficult to decide. Your Highness is young and heroic, winning every battle—a great talent bestowed upon our Yanbei by heaven. You must surely have a way to defeat the enemy. Whatever decision Your Highness makes, I am willing to pledge my loyalty unto death, without any second thoughts."

Yan Xun and Chu Qiao exchanged a meaningful glance, their eyes conveying the same message: "Old fox."

The old fellow had rambled on for so long without actually saying anything substantial. Everyone knew that Yanbei's two main military forces were Wu Daoya's First Restoration Army and Cao Mengtong's Second Restoration Army, representing the new and old factions of the Great Alliance Society respectively. Although the Third Restoration Army existed in name, it had fewer than thirty thousand troops, mostly elderly or weak, primarily responsible for tasks like transporting provisions or winter clothing—not even trusted with flanking support missions in battles. Though Xia An was the commander of a major city's garrison, he didn't dare easily offend either of the other two factions.

Chu Qiao frowned slightly, her heart growing somewhat cold. It seemed her previous assumptions had been too naive. Where there are people, there is conflict—even within the Great Alliance Society, factions abound. Yanbei's path to restoration was truly fraught with obstacles.

"I understand your difficulties," Yan Xun said. "Regarding the provisions and military supplies General Liu Ou mentioned, they will be resolved shortly. There's no need to worry."

Everyone was momentarily stunned, even Xia An's eyes flashing with a glint of surprise. Deputy General Cheng Yuan cautiously asked, "May I ask how Your Highness plans to resolve the provisions issue, and what exactly does 'shortly' mean? To be frank, we've prepared for the worst. If absolutely necessary, we'll have to slaughter large numbers of horses to survive the winter, as we can't imagine who would support Yanbei at this time."

Yan Xun smiled faintly. "I spent many years in Zhenhuang and still have some friends. Within ten days, provisions, medicine, and weapons will all be resolved. Consider this matter settled."Knowing Yan Xun wouldn't reveal the source, everyone stopped questioning, yet they didn't immediately express joy either. Only Yue Dian said happily, "That's wonderful! I must inform Mr. Wu right away—the entire army will be uplifted. Your Highness, you've resolved a major dilemma for us."

The Yanbei regime had been hastily established. Though Wu Daoya held the title of general, his subordinates still habitually called him Mr. Wu, unable to break the habit just yet.

"Now, the issue is how to prepare for battle. Your Highness, we have a proposal."

Yan Xun turned to see Lei He, the military advisor of the Beishuo army seated at the table's end. He was Xia An's nephew, nearly thirty years old with a scar on his face. Having remained silent throughout the meeting, he appeared rather dull. Now, holding a notebook, he clearly had prepared in advance and recited mechanically, "Given our army's poor performance in the first Huolei Plain battle and the first Huihuizhe battle, where a hundred thousand troops couldn't defeat thirty thousand Daxia soldiers, I propose a military reform."

"Reform?"

Yan Xun's eyes sharpened slightly as he said, "General Xia, why wasn't this discussed with me?"

Xia An smiled. "It's a minor issue. Besides, you've been away from Yanbei, and the military situation is urgent, so we took the initiative. The main problem is that Yanbei's newly recruited forces are composed of militiamen without formal training, resulting in poor individual combat skills. Thus, we hope Your Highness can allocate some troops from your Black Hawk Army to integrate into other legions to boost morale."

Yan Xun's smile grew gentler, his tone faint. "In that case, should the Black Hawk Army be disbanded and its designation canceled?"

"Of course not!" Xia An declared righteously. "We'll replenish the Black Hawk Army with soldiers transferred from elsewhere. As Your Highness's personal guard, it must remain fully staffed to represent Yanbei's glory and honor."

Indeed, by transferring and dispersing the troops loyal to Yan Xun, then replacing them with elderly, weak, or disabled soldiers to form a "stronger" army, Yan Xun would become a toothless tiger—merely holding the empty title of Heir of Yanbei without real military power. Truly, it was a proposal that couldn't be better.

Yan Xun's brow twitched slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curling at his lips, carrying an unspoken ferocity. These old fools were growing increasingly audacious. His eyes turned icy, hinting at brewing hostility.

"Yes, our army's structure is bloated and cumbersome. Though large in numbers, its combat effectiveness is low. I support reorganizing the military structure!"

A clear voice suddenly rang out. Everyone was startled and turned to see Chu Qiao, who smiled apologetically, stood up, and bowed in apology. "Sorry to interrupt, everyone."

Having spent years with Chu Qiao, Yan Xun knew her well—she never spoke lightly. He immediately encouraged her, "A Chu, if you have a good suggestion, feel free to share it."

"Yes, Your Highness, General Xia, deputy generals, and military advisors. Though my words carry little weight, I'll boldly offer a few thoughts. If anything is inappropriate, please provide feedback."

Seeing the young woman's gentle smile, Xia An felt a twinge of tension, his brow furrowing slightly as he remained silent."General Xia is absolutely right. Our army's individual combat capability is poor, most soldiers are militiamen or even peasants by origin, lacking combat experience. Our military structure is bloated, with large numbers but weak combat effectiveness, and each unit fights independently as cliques. The massive army is sluggish and inefficient—these are all reasons why we have been repeatedly defeated by Daxia troops whose numbers are inferior to ours."

Chu Qiao stood up and spoke eloquently: "Moreover, the massive army has placed tremendous pressure on our logistics and supply departments. From the August uprising until now, merely two months, we have already recruited one million soldiers, and the army continues to expand without limits. This number is terrifying—it's almost one-tenth of Yanbei's population. Furthermore, the troops are of mixed quality. Along the way, I even saw several white-haired elderly men over sixty years old wearing military uniforms, leaning on walking sticks and following the ranks. I find it strange and would like to ask General Liu Ou, who is responsible for recruiting new soldiers: What is the use of recruiting such soldiers? They cannot lift with their hands nor carry on their shoulders; they need support even to run. Can they go and fight Daxia with cavalry sabers? Or can they draw bows and crossbows? Aside from eating, what else can they do?"

Liu Ou was taken aback. He hadn't expected Chu Qiao, a newcomer who had just arrived in Yanbei and hadn't even firmly established herself, to dare question him like this. He was stunned for a moment, thought for a long time, but couldn't come up with a decent excuse. He could only say with an unpleasant expression, "The people's enthusiasm is high. As a soldier of Yanbei, I..."

"Enough, General Liu, there's no need to say more. What you want to say is probably understood by everyone. But the fact is, we are building an army to fight a war, not to go on an outing. The people can have enthusiasm, but we cannot casually accept their enthusiasm. If a three or four-year-old child waves their arms and shouts, 'I want to join the army,' should we also give them a battle sword and encourage them, saying, 'Go, everything for Yanbei, fight those Daxia dogs?'"

Liu Ou's expression turned ugly, while the others had varied reactions. Yu Xin of the Second Restoration Army even chuckled softly.

Chu Qiao said solemnly, "The liberation of Yanbei is a long-term war. From a long-term perspective, an excessively large army is a catastrophic disaster for us, especially since Yanbei is not a grain-producing region. Therefore, I support General Xia An's proposal to reform the army, but the primary step is not to restructure the army—it's to reduce troops!"

"Reduce troops?"

Cheng Yuan immediately exclaimed, his face displeased. "With Daxia troops invading imminently, instead of actively recruiting new soldiers to fight, we want to reduce troops?"

"Yes," Chu Qiao said calmly. "Facts have proven that one hundred sheep are no match for one wolf. What we need is an army capable of fighting, not a rabble formed by common people. Our equipment is backward, and our combat effectiveness is poor, so we have always relied on human wave tactics to confront the enemy. Every battle results in huge losses, so we conscript more civilians, which further reduces our combat effectiveness. This creates a vicious cycle that will not only bankrupt Yanbei's economic system and exhaust our last resources but also turn our army into a complete peasant organization. Remember, our slogan is to liberate Yanbei and create a world of great harmony for the people, not to send them all to their deaths."Chen Xi frowned deeply, let out a cold snort, and said in a low voice, "Miss Chu, aren't you being overly alarmist? We've always fought this way in the past. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to secure a foothold in Yanbei while being pursued across the entire Eastern Continent."

His words were extremely blunt, yet Chu Qiao merely smiled faintly and replied, "Times have changed. In the past, Daxia ruled Yanbei, and everyone fought guerrilla warfare with militias. Of course, I deeply admire the courage of those who dared to confront Daxia soldiers with nothing but carrying poles. However, facts have proven that relying on pole-wielding troops cannot withstand a regular military system. The enemy only needs one charge to completely disrupt your formations. An army must have a strict, iron-blooded system and highly skilled professional soldiers. What we need are strong men aged eighteen to forty, not twelve- or thirteen-year-old youngsters or elderly men in their fifties and sixties."

"Miss Chu is a true expert in military affairs, having repeatedly defeated powerful enemies with just four thousand elite troops. No wonder she looks down on our crude methods."

Xia An chuckled softly and spoke slowly, his expression very amiable, yet instantly stirring up hostility toward Chu Qiao among all the generals present. Even the representatives from the First and Second Restoration Armies showed subtle changes in their expressions.

Chu Qiao, however, paid no mind and continued, "General Xia, you flatter me. However, from a long-term perspective, troop reduction is imperative. We hold the geographical advantage in Yanbei, and a standing army of two hundred thousand elite soldiers is entirely sufficient to confront Daxia. Yanbei is our heartland; a scorched-earth policy will only weaken it further. The people support us now only because we've promised them a bright future. But if they gradually realize that following us is worse than under Daxia's rule, and as their loved ones die one after another, if we lose the support of Yanbei's people, what will we have left to fight Daxia with?"

At these words, everyone fell silent. They all knew what had brought them to sit here today. Though Chu Qiao's words were somewhat exaggerated, they were not without reason.

"Furthermore, the troops we reduce don't necessarily have to be disbanded on the spot. They can be sent back to their hometowns to engage in grain and livestock production, while also appropriately forming militias, establishing local armed forces, setting up urban and rural self-defense teams, and organizing small-scale guerrilla units to sweep through the Daxia troops entrenched in Yanbei's interior. This way, we solve the issue of provisions, greatly enhance our combat capabilities, and allow the militias to gain experience in actual combat, preparing for any unforeseen needs in the future."

Chu Qiao went on to describe several modern, high-quality methods of irregular warfare, leaving everyone stunned. For a moment, no one could interject.

"Secondly, regarding General Xia's proposal to integrate the military structure and reorganize the Black Hawk Army by placing its elite officers in other legions to improve overall military quality, I personally find it highly feasible. However, some minor adjustments need to be made in the approach."Chu Qiao smiled faintly, and Xia An suddenly felt a tremor in his heart. Then he heard Chu Qiao say, "The Black Hawk Army consists of elite soldiers with extensive combat experience. I propose embedding them into the mid-to-upper leadership structures of various military units to assist in training and integration. However, given the current troop shortage, there's no need to reassign additional soldiers to fill the Black Hawk Army's vacancies. Instead, the officers dispatched from the Black Hawk Army can retain their original designation and continue to be addressed as core commanders of the Black Hawk Army. They will be stationed in various regiments as allied forces. This approach not only conserves manpower but also leverages the prestige of His Highness's personal guard to gain acceptance among lower-ranking soldiers, ensuring the Black Hawk Army officers can carry out their duties more effectively."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned. Xia An felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if he had been stabbed. His fox-like eyes scrutinized Chu Qiao, and he couldn't help but inwardly exclaim, "Brilliant!"

On the surface, Chu Qiao's proposal seemed almost identical to Xia An's, but upon closer examination, there was a fundamental difference.

If Xia An's proposal were adopted, the Black Hawk Army would be stripped of its power and reduced to a unit of the old, weak, and disabled, further diminishing Yan Xun's actual authority. Chu Qiao, however, made a slight adjustment to the organizational structure: by preserving the designation of the Black Hawk Army's core officers, they would be dispatched to lower-level regiments under the identity of His Highness's personal guard. With this status, they would effectively become Yan Xun's eyes and ears, monitoring and supervising the lower ranks, wielding significant power and becoming a crucial military force for Yan Xun.

Yet, these implications could not be openly stated. Xia An gritted his teeth in frustration, almost envisioning the impeachment he would face from the elders upon returning to the Great Alliance Society. If this decree were implemented, Yan Xun would openly seize supervisory authority over all military forces. Combined with his prestige in Yanbei, how could the Society possibly control him?

As he looked at these two young individuals before him, Xia An suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness. Had the organization made the right choice by desperately bringing Yan Xun back and investing all their resources in supporting him over the years? But he failed to consider: without Yan Xun's prestige, how could the Great Alliance Society establish itself on the Yanbei plateau?

Unaware of Xia An's complex inner turmoil, Chu Qiao stepped up to the map and continued, "Additionally, I believe that aside from integrating the troops, reducing manpower, arranging logistics and supplies, and training an elite force, our top priority is to expedite the conclusion of the Meilin Pass campaign. Before Daxia launches its offensive, we must eliminate the northern enemies and then focus all our efforts on confronting the eastern front."

"That's impossible!" Deputy General Yu Xin flatly refused. "Meilin Pass is the continent's largest fortress, primarily built to resist the Quanrong People from the north. Its walls are towering and thick, at least twenty to thirty times the size of Beishuo Pass. Although there are only twenty thousand rebel troops inside, breaching it would require a force at least twenty times larger. Even if we commit all our current troops, we lack that many elite soldiers. Our only option is to lay siege. Once we survive this winter, the situation will turn in our favor."

"But by the time this winter ends, the entire Yanbei regime might already be annihilated by Daxia."Chu Qiao coldly rejected the proposal and pointed out sharply, "Whether in terms of financial resources or manpower, we are incapable of fighting on two fronts."

"But Meilin Pass is the greatest pass under heaven..."

"Enough, Deputy General Yu Xin. Let's not debate whether Meilin Pass is the greatest pass or not. Even if it is, that doesn't mean it cannot be captured. Everyone, think about it—this year our grain harvest has failed, so what about the Quanrong? Yanbei is cold, but the Quanrong lands are even colder. I heard they've had several heavy snowstorms in succession, and all their sheep flocks have frozen to death. How will they survive this winter?"

The young woman smiled slightly and continuously laid out her plan. The expressions of those present gradually shifted from alarm to stupefaction as they looked at each other, unable to interject. They listened as Chu Qiao spouted an endless stream of strategic systems and military theories, leaving the Great Alliance Society members—who had risen from peasant soldiers—utterly dumbfounded. Even Yan Xun raised his eyebrows slightly. He knew A Chu was highly skilled in martial arts and quick-witted, but he hadn't realized her military theory was so solid. For a moment, he too was somewhat stunned.

"Just like this, within twenty days, Meilin Pass will surely fall. Of course, that's assuming they can survive those twenty days."

The young woman spoke with a radiant smile. Seeing no reaction from the crowd, she paused slightly in confusion and looked toward Yan Xun, asking, "Is there a problem with what I said?"

"No problem," Yan Xun shook his head, forcibly suppressing his urge to laugh aloud, and gestured, "Please continue."

Chu Qiao cleared her throat and went on, "Additionally, we must urgently repair the city walls of Beishuo City. When I came here, I saw them—can those even be called city walls? I suspect a strong wind could blow them over. It's predictable that within two months, Beishuo will become a crucial battlefield in Yanbei. The rise and fall of Beishuo is tied to the survival of Yanbei's political power, so we must immediately reinforce Beishuo."

Xia An finally found an opportunity to interject and quickly said, "Building city walls isn't something that can be done overnight. We've been working hard recently, but Huolei Plain lacks stone materials, and the soil structure is too fragile to support the construction of major fortifications."

"I know, I know," Chu Qiao gently massaged her temples and slowly replied, "There should be a solution for this. I know a method for creating building materials for city walls—it's simple and effective, and most importantly, it's fast. With enough manpower, I estimate we could renovate the entire circumference of the city walls to a height of twenty meters in about ten days."

"Ten days?"

Everyone exclaimed in unison. Supply Officer Liu Ou loudly declared, "That's impossible!"

"General Liu, please stop saying things are impossible. There's nothing in this world that's truly impossible as long as you're willing to open your eyes and take action."

Yan Xun smiled faintly and said in a drawn-out tone, "Even something like the merchants of Xianyang taking away Yanbei's entire annual tax revenue could happen—what else could be impossible?"

At these words, Liu Ou was greatly startled. As Beishuo's supply officer, he couldn't have been unaware when Elder Liu and others from Xianyang passed through here, and he must have benefited from it himself. Hearing Yan Xun mention it now, how could he not be alarmed?Yan Xun inwardly sneered, thinking he probably still didn't know about the Xianyang situation. Was this what they called great harmony? Yan Xun gave a faint, scornful smile. Thanks to Chu Qiao's proposal regarding the Black Hawk Army's organization, today's meeting had successfully achieved its objectives. He leaned back leisurely in his chair, his smile calm and composed.

Chu Qiao continued speaking eloquently for a full two hours. When she finished, the young woman immediately reverted to her humble and cautious demeanor, saying softly, "My apologies for getting carried away. These are just my shallow views—please forgive me."

Everyone silently lamented inwardly. If these were shallow views, then this was truly an insult without using a single vulgar word.

Yan Xun smiled gently and said, "A Chu's profound insights have enlightened us all. I propose appointing Chu Qiao as the Assistant Chief of the General Staff Department. Does anyone have any objections?"

The attendees exchanged silent glances. What exactly was this General Staff Department? They had never heard of it before.

Xia An wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked quietly, "Your Highness, what exactly is this General Staff Department? What position is an assistant, and what affairs do they oversee?"

"Well," Yan Xun was momentarily taken aback. He had only heard about it from Chu Qiao before and couldn't really explain it properly. "It's a newly established institution, just for offering suggestions."

Everyone immediately nodded in understanding—so they were merely advisory officials—and expressed their agreement.

Chu Qiao, however, looked at them with pity. If they knew the specific authority of the General Staff Department, would they all drop dead tomorrow?

After the meeting concluded, Xia An and the others left dejectedly. Chu Qiao followed Yan Xun back to his room. As soon as the door closed, Yan Xun swept her up into his arms. Startled, Chu Qiao's cheeks flushed red, and she cried out, "Ah! Put me down!"

Yan Xun laughed heartily, his eyes filled with joy, and set her down. He gave her a thumbs-up and said, "A Chu, well done!"

Chu Qiao smiled shyly. "It was alright."

Then she asked, "Yan Xun, why are all the key positions held by people from the Great Alliance Society? What exactly is your relationship with the Great Alliance? Are they trying to sideline you?"

Yan Xun smiled and said, "They wouldn't dare."

"But they..."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I won't let myself be taken advantage of. We've just returned, and it's not the right time for a major confrontation with them. Just give it some time, and we'll deal with them one by one."

Yan Xun's smile was icy cold, sending a slight chill through Chu Qiao's heart. She thought to herself that she might have been overthinking things—Yan Xun must have been prepared all along.

Just as she was about to speak, a commotion erupted outside the door. It seemed to be the guards, accompanied by a sharp, piercing female voice.

"Step aside! How dare you stop me? Who are you? Which army are you from? Who is your commanding officer?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am. His Highness has given orders not to be disturbed. You..."

"Step aside!"

The girl's clear, sharp voice rang out authoritatively. Yan Xun frowned, strode forward, and pulled the door open. A young woman in military attire stood tall and graceful at the door, her heroic demeanor unmistakable as she argued angrily with the guard.

"Her commanding officer is me. What do you intend to do about it?"

The girl's face lit up with joy at the sight of Yan Xun, and she exclaimed happily, "Brother! I heard you were back and rushed over as fast as I could. You..."

But as soon as she caught sight of Chu Qiao standing behind Yan Xun, the girl's words abruptly stopped. Her gaze sharpened like a blade, shooting over with unmistakable hostility. Pointing at Chu Qiao, she demanded in a low voice, "Who is she?"

————Divider————

I didn't finish writing yesterday, so I'm posting more today." In the future, I'll try to reduce similar military theories. This chapter was necessary to introduce Yanbei's military structure and system, even if it might not appeal to female romance readers. I'll be more mindful going forward. After two transitional chapters, we'll reach the first minor climax.

Also, please support Dong'er's reader community—"Four Seas City." The link is below the synopsis.