The Southern Border forces were severely weakened, while Tianqi's morale soared.
On the fourth day, the twenty-odd veteran armies led by Duke Weiguo and Marquis Wuyang arrived.
Inside the study, everyone analyzed the situation. Duke Weiguo and the others were astonished beyond words upon hearing that Jun Mo had already depleted nearly 100,000 enemy troops in just a few days.
Marquis Wuyang, after listening to Lan Canghai's assessment of the situation, spoke, "Currently, the combat strength on both sides is evenly matched.
Tianqi has a total of 330,000 troops, while the Southern Border still has around 220,000. Although the Southern Border is fewer in number, they boast superior equipment and a greater number of cavalry."
Wei Xiyong nodded. "That's right. If a full-scale battle were to erupt, even if Tianqi ultimately won, the casualties would be heavy. The best approach is to win through strategy."
Wei Yuanling said, "Our equipment isn't as good as theirs; that truly is a major weakness. Are we just to wait for them to besiege the city, dragging this out?"
"For now, that seems to be the only option. If we engage them head-on, the casualties would be too great," Marquis Wuyang replied.
Lan Canghai sighed, "If only we had enough equipment and horses, we would have fought them head-on long ago, instead of hiding within the city walls like this."
Wei Xiyong also sighed, "There's nothing for it. We just fought a war with Northern Flame four years ago. It's already difficult enough to gather sufficient provisions and fodder; how could we possibly have extra horses and weapons?"
Jun Mo tapped his teacup with a finger, remaining silent.
Thus, the stalemate continued for several more days, with minor skirmishes against the Southern Border, each resulting in casualties on both sides.
That day, as everyone was again in the study, Lan Yan rushed in. "Father, our medicinal supplies are almost depleted!"
Everyone was startled. Lan Canghai asked, "How much longer can they last?"
"At most, two more days! We're out of Mafeisan. Soldiers can grit their teeth and bear it, but if the wound medicine runs out, then the injured soldiers can only wait for death!"
A wave of panic spread through the group; this was a serious matter! It was too cruel to die a painful death after surviving the battlefield.
Lan Canghai thought for a moment. "You go tell the army physicians to follow me up the mountain this afternoon to gather herbs! Every bit we find helps!"
Lan Huanian warned, "Father, it looks like it's about to rain. The mountain paths are rugged and steep; it's too dangerous!"
Lan Canghai replied, "Dangerous or not, we must go. Am I to watch my soldiers wait for death?"
Jun Mo stood up and said, "How about this, I will personally lead the army physicians."
"Your Royal Highness is a person of immense value; how can you risk yourself? Moreover, Your Royal Highness is unfamiliar with the terrain. I should be the one to lead the men," Lan Yan stepped forward and said.
Ultimately, it was Lan Yan who led the way, with Wei Yuanling and a troop of soldiers accompanying the army physicians.
By nightfall, the group returned, braving the heavy rain. Despite their immense effort, they had found very few herbs. This greatly distressed everyone.
Some wounded soldiers had already started having their medication withheld. Watching comrades struggle on the brink of death filled everyone with a deep sense of helplessness. These soldiers had left their homes, followed them into battle, defended their homeland, and braved death, only to lack the very medicine to treat their wounds.
Everyone sat in the study, a silence hanging heavy in the air.
Just then, Mo Yang hurried in with someone else.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highness!"
Jun Mo frowned. "Mo Yu? Why are you here? Has something happened to Princess Consort Li?"
Mo Yu stood up and said, "Your Royal Highness, please don't worry. The Princess Consort is fine. She sent me to deliver medicinal supplies."
Everyone's faces brightened, and they quickly went outside.
What a sight! Several carts brimmed with supplies! Lan Canghai quickly told Lan Yan to summon the army physicians for inspection.
"The Princess Consort said these are all wound medicines, and some cold medicines too. The Princess Consort estimated that your supplies would be running out soon, so she had me rush a batch over. The next batch of medicinal herbs is currently being prepared for harvesting and drying at the estate," Mo Yu explained.
Lan Canghai exclaimed excitedly, "This timing couldn't be more perfect!"
Wei Xiyong smiled, "Princess Consort Li truly is thoughtful!"
Marquis Wuyang had the several carts of medicine unloaded and thoroughly inventoried by the army physicians.
"The medicines are very complete! This is the first time this old man has seen such a large quantity of Mafeisan; it's incredibly time-consuming to produce! The Princess Consort even... even prepared bandages! Truly meticulous and thoughtful!" the army physician said excitedly.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that the medicinal supplies were resolved. The army physicians quickly found soldiers to carry them back.
"This is wonderful! Those critically wounded soldiers are saved now! Princess Changning's merit is boundless!"
Those who were severely wounded and without Mafeisan had been in excruciating pain, almost to the point of death! The medicine had arrived just in time!
The wounded soldiers had heard that the medicine was gone, watching their companions cry out in agony. A few others, whose conditions worsened without medicine, had suffered for days before dying right before their eyes. The wounded soldiers lay on their bedding, their expressions numb. They thought it would have been better to have killed a few more enemies and died on the battlefield then!
"We have medicine! We have medicine!" a wounded soldier with a crutch hobbled in, shouting loudly.
"Dazhuang, don't joke, where would medicine come from?"
"It's true! It's Princess Changning! Princess Changning sent it! Several huge carts full!"
Everyone propped themselves up, asking in disbelief and surprise, "Really?"
"Really! The army physicians have already had the medicine transported over!"
A cheer erupted in the large tent.
"This is great! My leg is saved!"
"I can recover faster too! I'll be back on the battlefield fighting the enemy soon!"
"Princess Changning is truly a living Bodhisattva! My whole family has benefited from her kindness!"
"Oh? Tell us about it."
"I'm from Shuzhong. Last year, Shuzhong suffered a disaster, and my family had no harvest. My family relied on the Princess Consort's grain!"
"My family too! My family was poor, and my mother's illness cost a lot of money. It was cured at Apricot Grove Hall, and it didn't cost a thing!"
A group of wounded soldiers gathered together, recounting the various good deeds of Princess Changning. She wasn't in the military camp, yet her legend was everywhere within it.
...
In an instant, Su Li, despite being a thousand li away, gained a resounding reputation within the army. And that wasn't all. The very next day, the Mo Guards transported back a batch of weapons and tens of thousands of fine horses.
Each warhorse had sleek, smooth coats, elegant lines, and a spirited, handsome demeanor.
As soon as Wei Yuanling saw them, he couldn't resist mounting one. It was a fiery red horse. The moment he mounted it, the horse began to run. Its four hooves pounded, and its long mane flew.
Lan Yan emerged and saw Wei Yuanling in the open space, riding a horse, his brows raised in exhilaration, his face fair and bright, his smile clean and hearty, instantly inspiring goodwill in anyone who saw it.
After a circuit, Wei Yuanling reined in the horse and laughed loudly, "Truly, 'brave and mighty thus, wind light in four hooves!' What a fine horse!"
Dismounting, Wei Yuanling patted the horse and said, "From now on, you'll be with me. We two will defeat them utterly! Since your fur is entirely red, I'll call you Little Red."
The horse snorted loudly and turned its head away.
Seeing this, Lan Yan chuckled.
Wei Yuanling looked over and exclaimed, "So you can laugh!"
Lan Yan ceased her smile, shot him a glare, and turned to walk away.
Wei Yuanling rubbed his nose, then asked Ji Huaiyan, who was standing nearby, "Did I say something wrong?"
Ji Huaiyan smiled, "Second Miss Lan doesn't not know how to smile; it's probably related to her upbringing."
Wei Yuanling contemplatively watched Lan Yan's retreating figure.
Ji Huaiyan stepped forward and patted the horse. "It seems it doesn't like the name 'Little Red'."
"Little Red is such a nice name! It's Little Red, Wei Little Red!"
Ji Huaiyan couldn't help but laugh. He wondered how Duke Weiguo, such a serious man, could have fathered such a live wire.
"Princess Changning truly lives up to her reputation as an extraordinary woman, making such grand gestures with a single move," Ji Huaiyan marveled.
"Of course! If my cousin were a man, she would surely be famous throughout history and revered by future generations!" Wei Yuanling said proudly.
"Come on, Little Red, I'll take you for another spin—no, you take me for a spin!"
Because of her delivery of medicine, horses, and weapons, Su Li's prestige in the army directly rivaled that of Jun Mo. No matter where one went, soldiers could be heard discussing her.
Jun Mo looked at the sky.
You are not by my side, yet you are everywhere.
🔥 WANT TO READ AHEAD? STOP WAITING!
Support the translation and get instant access:
✅ 400+ Advance Chapters (Binge the next arcs right now!)
✅ 2 New Chapters Updated Daily!
👉 Join the Patreon: patreon.com/flokixy
🛍️ Hate Subscriptions? Unlock full story bundles in the Patreon Shop! Pay once and binge instantly
Thank you for your support! ❤️