To the Emperor and the ministers in the capital, glass goblets were rare treasures. But to Ian Song, a set of glass goblets wasn't worth as much as a few hundred taels of silver.
A few days later.
Ian Song escorted Bruce Summers out of Frostmarch City. From then on, all of Frostmarch was under his sole command.
Half an hour later.
Ian Song met with Derek Hill, now the Zhonglang General of Frostmarch, at the prefectural yamen.
After more than a month of training, the fifteen thousand new recruits had barely formed an army. But to become true elite troops, they still needed to see real combat!
Only after being tempered on the battlefield would the new recruits become battle-hardened veterans.
Meanwhile, after some rest, the Northwest rebel army had already started advancing on Longyou Province.
Longyou Province had five prefectures and thirty-six counties, but only three military garrisons, with less than ten thousand troops in total.
But even that ten thousand was just on paper—corrupt officers pocketed wages for phantom soldiers. By the time the rebels actually invaded, the three garrisons would be lucky to field three thousand men.
So, the fall of Longyou Province was only a matter of time.
As for the imperial court’s hastily assembled army, it barely reached fifty thousand men, commanded by Minister of War Martin Ward.
But Martin Ward was just a scholar—he knew nothing about leading troops or fighting battles.
Expecting him to lead fifty thousand men to defeat the rebels was almost impossible—in fact, he’d probably lose.
If Martin Ward lost, the court might turn its eyes to Frostmarch’s troops. But if Frostmarch’s soldiers were sent away, the Red Wolf Tribe would definitely seize the chance to attack.
So, Ian Song decided to deal with the three barbarian tribes before any imperial orders arrived.
Of the three barbarian tribes, the Black Eagle Tribe was the largest, with over three million people.
Next was the Red Wolf Tribe, with a population of over two million.
Finally, the Tigerclaw Tribe, with just over one million people.
Anyone else wouldn’t dare attack the three barbarian tribes with less than twenty thousand troops—heck, even with a hundred thousand they’d hesitate. But Ian Song dared.
After three days of preparation.
Ian Song left three thousand troops to guard Frostmarch City, then set out with the remaining fifteen thousand men.
Of those fifteen thousand, four thousand were cavalry.
One thousand cavalry were veterans who had fought alongside him against the eight thousand Red Wolf cavalry, while the remaining three thousand were new recruits.
The march of fifteen thousand men made for an impressive spectacle.
So, the army had only been on the move for a day before the Red Wolf Tribe caught wind of it.
The Red Wolf Tribe lived on the Sirius Grasslands, organized into clans. Small clans had just three hundred people, while large ones had up to two hundred thousand. The largest clan on the Sirius Grasslands was the Tasha Clan.
The Red Wolf soldiers who attacked Westwind County before were all from the Tasha Clan.
The Tasha Clan had just over two hundred thousand people, but boasted eighty thousand elite cavalry—an intimidating force. Losing eight thousand men hadn’t affected their dominance on the Sirius Grasslands.
Sirius Grasslands. Tasha Clan. Inside the Khan’s tent.
Morgan Tasha, khan and leader of the Tasha Clan, sat at the head of the tent, with the clan’s senior officers seated to his left and right.
To his left was his younger brother, Monty Tasha; to his right sat a woman named Lily White. Lily was a remarkable figure—though a woman, her martial strength had already reached the Grandmaster level.
Morgan Tasha looked around and said in a deep voice, “I’ve received word that Ian Song, the Frostmarch Military Commissioner, is leading a large army toward the Sirius Grasslands!”
Hmph, this Ian Song really doesn’t know his place! Khan, let me lead our troops and wipe out this arrogant fool!
Monty Tasha declared loudly.
Monty Tasha was thirty-two years old, in his prime, and born with great strength—a rare martial talent. He’d reached the Grandmaster realm with just a basic martial manual, and when he fought at full strength, he could reach the peak of Grandmaster. On the Sirius Grasslands, he was known as the Number One Warrior of the Red Wolf Tribe.
Khan, I’m willing to lead our troops too!
Lily White stood and spoke. The people of the Red Wolf Tribe were naturally dark-skinned, but Lily White’s skin was strikingly pale, and her figure seemed delicate.
The Red Wolf Tribe considered robust figures beautiful—big chests and hips meant better childbearing.
But a beauty like Lily White was considered ugly.
Monty Tasha glared at Lily White. “If you want to steal my glory, you’ll have to beat me first!”
Lily White laughed. “General Monty, I’m not trying to steal your glory. I just think the Frostmarch troops aren’t worth the trouble of sending out the Number One Warrior of the Sirius Grasslands. If they hear your name, they might run back to Frostmarch City. Wouldn’t that be a shame?”
Monty Tasha was pleased by her flattery and said, “You’re right—if the Number One Warrior of the Sirius Grasslands rides out, the Frostmarch troops might flee. All right, I’ll let you have this one.”
“Thank you, General Monty!” Lily White replied quickly.
In the end, Morgan Tasha assigned Lily White eighteen thousand cavalry to wipe out the Frostmarch troops.
After three days of marching.
Ian Song’s army finally reached the edge of the Sirius Grasslands.
“Sir, should we keep going?” Derek Hill asked.
“No need!”
Ian Song waved his hand. “Set up camp here!”
They marched openly, so the Red Wolf Tribe had already gotten word. With their pride, the Red Wolf Tribe would never wait until the army entered the Sirius Grasslands to strike.
Most likely, they’d send troops to intercept.
Before the camp was fully settled, the sound of thunderous hooves echoed across the grasslands.
“Sir, the Red Wolf Tribe’s army is coming!”
Derek Hill came to report.
“Form up and prepare for battle!” Ian Song ordered.
The camp sprang into action, but most of the soldiers were new and had never been in battle. With the Red Wolf cavalry closing in, chaos reigned.
They barely managed to form ranks before the Red Wolf cavalry got within five hundred meters of the camp.
“Who’s Ian Song? Get out here and let me see you!”
At that moment, a clear and powerful female voice rang out, echoing through the camp.
“That’s me. And you are?”
Ian Song rode up to the front with four thousand cavalry, smiling as he asked.
“So you’re Ian Song!”
Lily White looked Ian Song up and down, then smirked. “You’ve got smooth skin—I like that. I’m going to catch you and make you my male slave!”
Barbarian! How dare you!
Derek Hill couldn’t help but shout.
Ian Song waved him off, looking Lily White over with interest. “I didn’t expect the Red Wolf Tribe to have a beauty like you. How about you become my personal maid after I defeat you?”
When Ian Song called Lily White a beauty, all the Red Wolf officers rolled their eyes, then burst out laughing. On the grasslands, Lily White was famous as an ugly woman.
Lily White was stunned—no one had ever complimented her looks before. It felt strange, but when her subordinates laughed, she grew angry and shouted, “Shut up! Laugh again and I’ll cut out your tongues!”