To put nearly a million lives in such incompetent hands would be literally destroying their own army. The fact that the quality of Yan Bei soldiers had fallen so low as to let a bunch of inexperienced generals command such an important battle was unimaginable. If Yan Xun had been around, he could still suppress this folly with his influence. But just with Chu Qiao alone, how could she reverse everything? Did Yan Xun know about all these problems? If he did, how could he still hand over command to that idiot named Cao? And if he didn’t…

　　Chu Qiao helplessly frowned. How could he not know? It was Yan Xun! But why had he gone to Meilin without so much as to brief her on the situation? Furthermore, he had instructed her to look for Lady Yu. If she were to leave Beishuo, over half of the Yan Bei territory would be lost! Yan Xun, what exactly were you thinking?

　　These elders of the Da Tong guild were better than anyone when it came to arguing, stirring trouble, and picking fights, and they were also unparalleled when it came to cheering people on and creating seeding discord amongst civilians against the enemies. But making them lead armies, create strategies, and to see through the enemy’s plans would be an inappropriate task for them!

　　The rage within Chu Qiao had been rising uncontrollably, and she could no longer suppress it. She had already sent seven groups of people to inform Lady Yu, and none had returned. If someone who could control the situation did not come, Yan Bei would lose this battle, without any doubt!

　　The sunlight of the dusk shone down like blood, as the sounds of the soldiers cheering could be heard in the distance. Amidst the cheering, one could even hear the sounds of children’s laughter. Chu Qiao did not know how much longer this laughter could last, and neither could she predict how much longer they could live for. If she had any forces, even if she had only a hundred, she could tie up those corrupted generals up. But she did not have any. All the bodyguards that Yan Xun had given her had been sent to find Lady Yu. Now she did not even have a messenger with her. Should she secretly infiltrate tonight and get rid of all those old idiots? This thought flashed through her mind, but she immediately rejected it, frowning. If she had an assault rifle, that plan might actually be feasible.

　　The sky darkened as Chu Qiao stood up gradually. The pristine white moonlight shone on the ground. In the dark, her silhouette was frail and lonely, and exuded an intense helplessness and loneliness.

　　Just as she left the Mayor’s office, she saw a few soldiers running in her direction clumsily. The leading one bumped into her, and seeing how she was wearing high-class clothes, he suddenly realized his folly, as he kneeled to apologize. They were all farmers, and they had yet to get used to the changes made in Yan Bei. When they meet officer along the way, they would habitually kneel down to greet them. Chu Qiao realized that these were all child soldiers, and the eldest was at most 14 years old, with the youngest possibly not even 10. Each was holding a wooden stick, with a metal stick attached to the tip acting as a spear point. Such a weapon would not be able to last even one round against the enemies on the battlefield. The blades of the Xia Empire were of the best quality and greatest sharpness, and could easily cut through all armor, much less break those sticks which these kids called “spears”.

　　Rather than calling them soldiers, it would be more appropriate to merely label them as paupers. Yet, they were the backbone of the million-strong Beishuo army. Chu Qiao was once again overwhelmed by an intense sense of helplessness, as though she had been dropped into a sea, and the seaweed wrapped around her feet. No matter how she struggled, she could not swim back to land.

　　Chu Qiao frowned, as though her heart had been gripped tightly by the hands of a devil. After Yan Xun left, Cao Mengtong had authorized mass conscription. Within a hundred miles, all the refugees were gathered. The women were brought in as comfort women, and the men were conscripted as soldiers. Even the elders were assigned tasks in backline support. At that moment, the entire Beishuo turned into a monstrous hell. These officers of Da Tong behaved like beggars who went from having nothing to suddenly becoming emperor. Such greed and violence were beyond that of even the Xia Nobles. Chu Qiao had sent multiple requests for a meeting, but she had been rejected and ignored. After killing a few soldiers who had been bullying the civilians, those who refused to be enslaved would either escape the city or hide in the Military Staff Office. By now, that office had already been brimming with people. Such was the democracy of Yan Bei! Such was the leadership that Yan Bei had struggled for! Such was the future and hope that Yan Bei civilians had faith in!

　　Chu Qiao took a deep breath. These people were truly unfortunate. They had welcomed and supported those who would ultimately lead them to their demise! Her fist clenched tightly, as though she wanted to crush something. When Yan Xun came back…when he came back, she must…

　　“Master,” the leader of the group of kids asked timidly, “are you Master Chu from the Military Staff Office?”

　　Lowering her head, Chu Qiao saw that the kid was merely 11-12 years old. His arms looked as though they would break with just a slight twist. With a pale complexion, it was obvious that he was undernourished. Yet his black round eyes still sparkled with the shine that was unique to kids. He only wore a rag with an oversized coat that already started falling apart.

　　“How did you recognize me?”

　　“There is only one female master in the army!” the kid happily responded. “Master, we’ve all heard that you were a kind person!”

　　The kids behind all crowded over and started talking. “My elder sister is in the Military Staff Office. She was saved by you, Master. Do you know her?”

　　“My mother was also there!”

　　“Master, we saw you beheading that big soldier a few days ago. You are really so strong!”

　　“Indeed, Master, can you please teach us some moves? We are about to head to the battlefield!”

　　“Yes, Master, teach us how to kill the enemies!”

　　Looking at these kids, Chu Qiao suddenly felt as though her heart had stopped. She started to question her own beliefs, her value, the justification for whatever she had done. The thought of completing that ludicrous plan that she had formulated just now resurfaced in her head. But ultimately, logic won over, as she stood still. Without any movement, she watched on as the crimson light from the torches shone brightly onto the innocent young faces. She lowered her voice, and with a melancholic tone, she replied without skipping a beat, “When charging, do not stay at the front.” After that, as though she could no longer stand talking with them, she turned around and walked away, leaving behind a bunch of kids who watched as she left, dumbfounded by her advice. The kids scratched their heads in confusion. Why did Master Chu tell them things that were different from what their instructor said?

　　After going around a corner, Chu Qiao stopped in her tracks. She no longer had the courage to face those bright, anticipating gazes of those innocent children, much less encourage them to do their best to contribute to the country. She thought she had already been toughened by war, but realized that her experiences were still lacking.

　　“Master Cao finally won a battle, yet you said that it was due to the Xia Empire purposely losing to numb everyone’s senses. Naturally, he would not believe you.” An emotionless voice sounded off beside her. Turning around, Chu Qiao saw that Xue Zhiyuan was leaning on a wall with his arms folded while looking at her from the corner of his eyes. That expression exuded a tinge of amusement.

　　Chu Qiao was completely done with the local officers of Da Tong. With a cold snort, she turned and wanted to leave.

　　“Did his highness decide to abandon us?” after just one step, Xue Zhiyuan suddenly asked.

　　That question was so shocking, that Chu Qiao immediately stopped in her tracks. With a piercing glare, she snapped, “What did you say?”

　　“His Highness and Mister Wu are both rare military talents in Yan Bei. Yet they both left, leading the elites of the First Army to attack the Meilin Pass without leaving anyone to guard Beishuo. With that, the Second Army had to fight head-on with the Xia Army. Lady Yu, a similarly skilled strategist, was left guarding Lan City and did not send reinforcements to Beishuo. Likewise, Master Chu, you are also a competent strategist, yet he did not give you any real power. The entire Beishuo was handed over to a group of incompetent fools who barely understand the art of war. Hurhur, if not for the fact that Master Chu had not left Beishuo yet, I would have confirmed that suspicion.”

　　In that instant, it was as though lightning had struck Chu Qiao’s head. It was not that she had not thought of that yet, it was that she chose not to believe it was true.

　　Would Yan Xun really not know the incompetence of Cao Mengtong, the Second Army, and the Da Tong Guild? What was his intention in picking this very moment to attack the Meilin Pass? Was it really to strike them when they least expected an attack to remove the possibility of fighting on two fronts simultaneously, and to flank the bulk of the Xia forces? Or was his real intention to let the Xia Army and the Second Army wear each other out? Why else would he grant control to Cao Mengtong? Why else did he not leave Mister Wu to guard Beishuo? Why else did he inform her to look for Lady Yu at Lan City? Why else did her seven waves of soldiers who were sent to look for Lady Yu not return? What reasons were there beneath all that? Or was it really as Xue Zhiyuan had stated, everything was Yan Xun’s deliberate arrangement such that the strength of the Second Army could be weakened, and he could stabilize his own position within Yan Bei by making use of the Xia empire? But for such a purpose, he would throw away over a million civilians, and to place Yan Bei in a precarious spot, would it be worth it? Would he really do something like that?

　　“But even if his highness truly intended it that way, Master Cao is not an idiot either. In one month’s time, even if we use a human wave tactic, the hundreds of thousands of conscripts would surely be able to withstand the assault. By the time His Highness returns, only the civilians will be exhausted. The bulk of the Second Army would not even be touched. His Highness would not stand to gain much from this plan.”

　　“In our hometown, guessing our superior’s intentions could be punishable by death!” The young woman flicked an eyebrow, while coldly snapping at the young general.

　　Xue Zhiyuan was taken aback by her fierce retort. Before he could reply, Chu Qiao continued, “You need not sew doubts between us. Even if Yan Bei suffers from internal instability, and the power struggle within Da Tong was deplorable, His Highness has not reached a point where he would wager all of Beishuo City! Even if everything was as you said, I still believe that he’s not someone who would resort to any means necessary to gain more power! Tactically speaking, His Highness attacking Meilin Pass would be a definite surprise attack. Lady Yu not being able to reply to us may be due to some unforeseen circumstances! This battle will affect the survival of Yan Bei, and only myopic fools will still be struggling for power in this situation. If Yan Bei were to be decimated, all will be lost. If you are so free, why not go and train some of the new conscripts so that they will not die such a horrible death?”

　　Xue Zhiyuan’s eyebrow twitched, as he coldly countered her, “Since you are brimming with confidence, why did you send so many waves of men to look for Lady Yu? If it was really like what Master Chu had said, three days would be more than sufficient for a round trip to Lan City. Why is Lady Yu still nowhere to be seen? If Lady Yu had not received orders from above, do you think she would really just observe this fiasco?”

　　Chu Qiao’s heart sank. Just as she was about to debate, a horse quickly approached at top speed, causing the crowds in the streets to disperse to avoid the charging horse. The rider shouted at the top of his voice, “Master Chu! Where is Master Chu?”

　　“I am here!” Seeing the man, Chu Qiao’s face shone, as she got on her tippytoes and called out.