James Grant frowned, his mood sour. All around him, the generals murmured in hushed voices. After three days of rigorous selection, James had chosen fifty thousand cavalry, one hundred fifty thousand infantry, and nearly three hundred thousand reserve troops to move with the army.
The logistics and provisions issue was resolved, but now he was furious. King Jiang had summoned him to the palace immediately and demanded that he reduce the cavalry to just ten thousand.
James found this completely unacceptable. Just the day before, a general had seen Nathan Shea spend several hours in the palace with King Jiang.
James had only visited the Grant Domain once, but he knew its terrain well. The western forests were ideal for mobile warfare, making cavalry crucial. If they managed to drive out the enemy and reached the grasslands, cavalry would be even more vital. Jiang Territory only had a hundred thousand cavalry, so it was reasonable for James to mobilize half.
"General Grant, what now? It must be something Nathan Shea said to King Jiang."
Angry, James snapped his riding crop and quickly left the camp. As he reached the gate, he pulled the reins, and his horse neighed to a halt.
"What do you mean by this, Nathan Shea?"
James spoke with a hint of anger, staring at Nathan Shea, who was leaning drunkenly against the doorframe.
"About to set out, huh? Why such a foul mood, General Grant? Heh."
"General Grant, hurry up and go. King Jiang is waiting!"
Once inside the palace, James immediately asked why the cavalry numbers had to be cut—ten thousand simply wasn't enough.
"There’s only one way now. I’ll lead a few thousand cavalry to the Grant Domain as quickly as possible and join up with the Grant Family’s forces. At least we’ll get familiar with the terrain and scout the enemy’s positions."
"The envoy we sent a few days ago hasn’t returned yet, but the outcome is already clear. Yuna Grant won’t come easily, and she’ll likely demand that Zhi marry her. Such a reasonable answer can’t be refused, and we have no grounds to object. Do you understand, James?"
James nodded. He hadn’t considered this, but King Jiang’s explanation made the stakes clear. If the king sent his son, it would make Zhi a hostage in the Grant Domain. If he refused, it would be a breach of etiquette. The real issue now was the question of mobilizing troops.
"There’s only one solution. It takes at least half a month to reach Grant City from here, but cavalry could do it in seven or eight days. So, James, slow your march to a month. When war breaks out and the Grant Family is in trouble, you’ll intervene. How you handle it is up to you. Do you understand?"
James nodded. This was a way to pressure the Grant Family to send Yuna over. If the Grant Family couldn’t resist the Ying and Si Domains, and Grant City was threatened while his forces were still en route, they’d have no choice but to comply.
"But ten thousand cavalry is far too few, King Jiang. Please reconsider. The results with fifty thousand cavalry are completely different than with ten thousand."
"Get this straight, James Grant. Are you from Jiang Territory or Grant Domain? This isn’t about driving out the Ying and Si Domains—it’s about seizing Grant Domain."
The matter was settled. James’s plan to drive out the Ying and Si Domains within a month was ruined, and he couldn’t swallow his anger. The real culprit was Nathan Shea.
War isn’t as simple as politicians imagine. Though it’s tied to politics, it never goes as they wish. If the enemy penetrates the western region, driving them out will be extremely difficult. These two hundred thousand troops might all perish.
Jiang Territory had been stable for many years. Though there was a war over the Yun Domain before, it was only at the border, with just over a hundred thousand involved. Now, this war would see over a million participants, and the scale was completely different.
James wasn’t confident of total victory. Most of his soldiers had seen battle, but real large-scale war was nothing like skirmishes. The enemy had been fighting for over half a year, while many of his men approached this campaign with a casual attitude.
Now, with King Jiang’s order to stretch the march to over a month, the soldiers’ morale would erode, and any chance to bond with Sage Domain troops would be lost.
When James returned to the camp gate, Nathan Shea was still there, even more drunk than before.
"What’s wrong, James? Where’s all that fire from a few days ago? Hahaha..."
James dismounted and rushed over, grabbing Nathan Shea by the collar.
"You’re playing with the lives of soldiers, you bastard! Don’t you realize what your advice to King Jiang will cause?"
"How can you say that? Isn’t General Grant’s strategy supposed to be brilliant? A little problem like this shouldn’t stump you. Just do your best."
Nathan Shea’s voice grew suddenly forceful as he shoved James’s hands away, laughing loudly as he strode off.
It was late at night, but James was still discussing the deployment with his generals.
"There’s only one way now. I’ll lead a few thousand cavalry to the Sage Domain as quickly as possible and join up with the Grant Family’s forces. At least we’ll get familiar with the terrain and scout the enemy’s positions."
"Will that work?"
A general asked with a doubtful look. James smiled.
"We’ll set out as the vanguard. By the time the others arrive, they won’t even see us. You just follow King Jiang’s orders and slow the march as instructed."
Two mornings later, under a thin veil of mist, Liang Bing and Lian Shui arrived in the south.
"Looks like Commander Si Chen has managed the south well."
Liang Bing gazed at the dense crowds working the fields. Lian Shui also looked relieved.
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