The wind on the border at night was strong and cold. The sentries showed no signs of slackening, clearly a calm before the storm.
"Faster, faster, be quiet, try not to be discovered by them."
"General, this is where they research elixirs. We've scouted it in advance. At this time, only the experimental subjects are here."
"You take three brothers and circle around to the back. An Qi, you know the drill."
"Understood."
"Got it."
As mentioned before, Li Yi was leading the team.
It was now four in the morning, and the sky was just beginning to lighten. While everyone was still asleep, Xiao Wangye's plan began.
"Leopard, you take your men to the captured nomads and persuade them. They don't have to leave with us, but you must ignite their fighting spirit."
Leopard, true to his name, was incredibly fast, and the squad he led was also known for their speed.
"The rest of you, proceed to the target locations as planned. We'll commence operations in half an incense stick's time."
Four fifteen in the morning, commence operations!
Inside the experimental room were over a dozen large cylindrical vats, some even containing people. In the center stood a large table with dozens of bottles and jars. Two shelves stood upright, divided into compartments, filled with various Chinese herbs, and even the corpses of wild animals.
Sensing someone's entry, the children tied to the side became flustered. But upon seeing that it wasn't their usual captors, they looked at Li Yi and his men with frightened eyes.
"Hush, don't make a sound. We're here to rescue you."
The children's eyes remained filled with fear and disbelief. They exchanged glances, having heard such words many times before, each time leading to further harm.
"I know you don't believe me. Have you heard of Prince Xiao? You can trust his character." Li Yi knew they would be wary, but they could also trust the Regent's integrity.
Xiao Wangye had three major principles when waging war: first, no raping women; second, no arbitrary execution of hostages; and third, no wanton burning, killing, or looting of disarmed men.
Any soldier under Xiao Wangye who violated any of these principles would face military law for minor offenses and capital punishment for serious ones.
In the areas where battles took place, the affected populace was more willing to submit to the Regent.
Upon hearing Prince Xiao's name, the children visibly relaxed. The slightly older ones even asked, "Are you telling the truth? If you're lying to us, even if we die, someone will report it to Prince Xiao."
"I, Li Yi, have you heard of me?" He even pulled down his face covering to show sincerity.
Xiao Wangye's four renowned generals were known to both adversaries and allies. Legend had it that assassinating any one of them would guarantee the Central Plains' defeat.
Only then did the children dare to leave with Li Yi and his men. There were too many children, making their evacuation inconvenient. However, their mission was now half-complete. The remaining task was to find the so-called sorcerer.
They unlocked the chains and assigned the dark guards to stay there. As soon as trouble arose with the army, they were to lead the children away.
Perhaps to better control the nomads, the army stationed with them was not far from this location. They were mostly acquainted with each other from the various tribes. The prolonged oppression had angered them all, but they were forced to comply because their parents and children were in the hands of the barbarians.
Now, this opportunity was their only hope. Upon hearing that their children had been rescued, the suppressed men rose up to fight.
Thus, the war began, and Xiao Wangye's reputation started to strike fear into the barbarians.
On the battlefield, Zhou Hu and Deng Dabiao wore armor and wielded weapons personally gifted by Xiao Wangye. The renown of their weapons was no less than that of their owner.
Weapons clashed on the battlefield, blades striking to the bone, arrows piercing the heart. Warhorses galloped, and smoke billowed. The yellow sand was stained red, and even the wind was tinged with crimson. As one fell, another immediately took their place, while the logistical staff worked tirelessly, bandaging and stemming the bleeding.
"Quick, take these severely wounded inside. They need surgery immediately. Prepare the anesthetic powder."
"We're short on bandages here, fetch the rest from the warehouse quickly."
"Tell the mess hall to ensure an ample supply of hot water for us."
"Doctor Wen, come quickly, a brother here is bleeding heavily."
"Doctor Xiao Ye, another one has been shot here."
While the battle raged on, the rear logistics personnel never stopped. Everyone was in their designated positions, doing what they should be doing, cooperating with each other.
The hostages rescued from the barbarians were housed in a tent. Their hearts tightened as they saw the soldiers being carried in, knowing their sons or husbands were now on the battlefield.
The war lasted for five full hours, ultimately ending with the barbarians' unconditional surrender. The death toll reached fifteen thousand, with twenty thousand being barbarians.
It was undoubtedly a victory, but it also brought about many issues that were hoped to be resolved quickly.
"Your Highness, your subordinate has not failed your trust," Xiao Wangye's four renowned generals knelt before him, shouting respectfully amidst the battlefield smoke.
"Soldiers, we lost five thousand brothers in this war, but we have once again defended our land. From now on, any invaders, no matter how far, will be punished!" Xiao Wangye encouraged the soldiers returning from their great victory.
The fallen soldiers would receive posthumous honors from the court, and their families would be properly settled, ensuring no one would feel disheartened.
The rear logistics units gradually ceased their activities, leaving only the changing of dressings and administering of medicine. Since Ye Qingcheng was not needed, she walked to the front to find Xiao Wangye.
"Are our losses still minimal?" Xiao Wangye was alone in his tent.
"Not minimal, five thousand people."
"Ding, Host, the war is over, but we still need to handle the aftermath." "I know, the matter of the sorcerer, right?" "Yes, Qingcheng is so clever."
Ye Qingcheng's face involuntarily showed a triumphant expression. In Xiao Wangye's eyes, it looked like pride for him.
"Has that sorcerer been apprehended?"
"No," Xiao Wangye replied with regret. If only everything could be so smooth.
"Are Zhou Hu and the others unharmed?"
"No."
"If possible, I wish to personally investigate the sorcerer's whereabouts," Ye Qingcheng suggested directly.
"No, what use is a doctor like you going there?" He rejected her without hesitation.
"Whether I can or not isn't for you to decide, Prince Xiao." She retorted with great confidence. "By the way, you must attend the victory banquet tonight. I'm leaving now." She waved goodbye and left.
"Qingcheng, although the sorcerer is a problem that needs to be dealt with, you don't actually need to investigate among the barbarians," San San prompted in her mind.
"Are you saying he will return to our Central Plains?"
"Yes, Host. According to the original novel's setting, the sorcerer is a major turning point. Resolving him is the beginning of the next stage."