Despite sustaining considerable injuries, Sene was a barbarian, and as his vital points remained untouched, he recovered quickly. After a few days of rest, only a few scars remained, which did not impede his ability to fight on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Zu'an invited Sene into his tent. Seeing the worried expression on Zu'an's face, Sene asked, "Does Zu'an still feel that things are not right?"
Zu'an nodded, "The tribal leaders have no will to fight, and the tribes have no morale. If it continues like this, how can we win this war?"
Sene exclaimed in surprise, "Why does Zu'an say that? As long as we follow Zu'an's strategy to defend the Chan River and block the Saint Roman army, they will have difficulty crossing the Chan River. Moreover, the conditions in our western territory are extremely harsh, and the Saint Roman army will certainly not be able to last long. We only need to hold the Chan River, wait for their retreat, and then pursue them, and Swain will be defeated!"
As Sene spoke, confidence and heroism in battlefield warfare naturally flowed from his words.
Zu'an looked at Sene's fearless demeanor, born of ignorance, and shook his head, "If we don't defeat them in one battle, by the time they retreat, the morale of all tribes will be lost, and what talk of fighting spirit can there be? Furthermore, Swain is insidious and cunning. Even if he retreats, who knows if it won't be a trap?"
Sene pondered in silence. Zu'an's words were all to the point. He dejectedly said, "Then according to Zu'an's intention, our army is bound to lose?"
Zu'an smiled leisurely, "If we proceed like this, our army will surely lose! But since you want me to take charge, I must turn the tide of defeat for the Barbarian King!"
Sene respectfully said, "I hope Zu'an will grant me guidance!"
Zu'an waved his hand to stop him, "Barbarian King, you guard the Chan River. In half a month, wait for me to obtain the weapon to defeat the enemy!"
He then added a reminder, "Remember! Absolutely no one must know that I have left the camp!"
Sene thought to himself, with his hundred thousand troops defending the Chan River against the Saint Roman army, how could he not even hold out for fifteen days?
He immediately agreed to Zu'an and instructed his attendants to spread the word that Zu'an was formulating a strategy to defeat the enemy in his tent and that no one was to disturb him.
Zu'an truly left. Sene did not know where he went to find what powerful weapon, but he knew what he had to do—stabilize the army's morale and resist the Saint Romans by defending the river.
Although Sene was a barbarian, he was not a brute. His rapid rise in his many years of military career was due in part to his talent, but more importantly, to his strategy.
The barbarian tribe had already been defeated twice by Xiao Xun, and their morale was low and their spirits were dampened. Sene had to pacify the army.
Therefore, he acted extremely unrestrained, drinking with the leaders day and night, as if he had no fear of Xiao Xun.
But at the same time, in the depths of Sene's heart, he was very wary of Swain. His subordinates were also actively building fortifications and preparing for battle, and more patrols were dispatched to prevent the Saint Roman army from launching a surprise attack.
Xiao Xun led his army westward, singing loudly all the way, his momentum like a rainbow, his troops pressing towards the Chan River.
When the Saint Roman army reached the Chan River, they saw the opposite bank lined with continuous stockades, with banners and tents of various colors stretching for miles as far as the eye could see. On the banks of the Chan River, barbarians had also erected simple arrow towers, trenches, and other defensive fortifications, exuding a menacing aura.
Furthermore, the Chan River was unfathomably deep, not only wide but also with a swift current, forming a natural barrier for the barbarian army.
Xiao Xun had spent immense human and material resources on this westward expedition. How could he turn back halfway?
He immediately ordered his men to find boats to cross the river. However, Sene had anticipated this, and all boats along the Chan River had already been requisitioned and were docked by the riverbank.
As for the Saint Roman army's attempt to build boats, they lacked shipbuilding equipment and craftsmen. Even if they had both, shipbuilding would take time.
Seeing the Saint Roman army being held back by the barbarian army at the Chan River, the generals felt as if they were hitting a sponge, with no force to exert against the enemy on the opposite bank.
Xiao Xun saw the low morale of his generals and smiled leisurely, "Sene is not skilled in warfare. He fears my tactics and wants to use the Chan River to block me, but he doesn't know that the best defense is offense. Everyone, do not worry. Capturing Sene will be done within these two days!"
The generals exchanged glances, all wondering what excellent strategy Xiao Xun had. However, seeing Xiao Xun's relaxed and natural demeanor, which did not seem feigned, and recalling Xiao Xun's previous brilliant use of troops, they all believed him.
It was the peak of summer, and the western territory was hot and humid, making it unbearable.
Xiao Xun ordered his generals to set up camp in the shade and contemplate strategies to defeat the enemy.
Although Xiao Xun had ordered that the civilians not be disturbed upon entering the barbarian territory, and the Saint Roman army had committed no transgressions against the residents after entering, he now feared that the Saint Roman army might vent their anger on the nearby barbarian populace. Therefore, he repeatedly strictly ordered the three armies not to disturb the civilians, a move that earned him considerable public goodwill.
After arranging the three armies and their soldiers, he heard that Pei Lisha had arrived with supplies.
The barbarians had a fierce temperament. Once a supply convoy entered the barbarian territory, Pei Lisha would meet them. Thus, another supply convoy arrived in recent days.
Xiao Xun was overjoyed to hear of Pei Lisha's arrival at the front lines.
The Saint Roman army, being blocked at the Chan River, had their fighting spirit dampened, but Pei Lisha's supply convoy had arrived at the perfect time.
He had marched triumphantly, pushing Sene all the way to the Chan River, while Pei Lisha's troops had just achieved a significant accomplishment, their fighting spirit at its peak, eager to prove themselves further.
Moreover, Pei Lisha's supply army was composed of her own troops, the Northern Ridge Iron Cavalry, who had roamed the harsh and cold Northern Ridge and were highly adapted to adverse terrain.
Such a force was inherently powerful, and their arrival at the front lines was crucial for defeating the enemy. Therefore, Xiao Xun summoned Pei Lisha to the main camp to discuss strategies for defeating the enemy.
The Chan River was turbulent, its waters fast and deep, and with the barbarian defenses blocking their way, crossing was impossible without means of transit. However, according to the compiled maps of pacifying the barbarians, the Chan River stretched for hundreds of miles, and about 150 miles downstream, there was a gentle flow where the water was shallow and slow, allowing for crossing.
However, Xiao Xun was not fighting on his home turf. Sene had many eyes and ears, and it was impossible to distinguish between ordinary barbarians and warlike barbarian soldiers.
Although Xiao Xun treated these barbarians very well, they did not seem to appreciate it and still looked at him with hostility.
Xiao Xun ordered Pei Lisha to cut off Sene's supply lines when she returned downstream along the Chan River.
As Xiao Xun had predicted, Sene had gathered a large force along the Chan River. Although their military presence was immense, their consumption was also immense.
Furthermore, the roads in the barbarian territory were rugged, and to transport supplies to the front lines, one had to pass through "The Sky's Only Way." By using this strategic point to cut off the barbarian army's supply lines.
Then, he would take the opportunity to contact Sircas and Giusudan, incite them to defect, and seize the opportunity to achieve his goals.
After all, barbarians valued martial prowess and respected strength. Xiao Xun's continuous victories had already broken the spirit of the barbarian army, leaving them with little will to fight, which was why Xiao Xun devised this plan.
When Xiao Xun finished explaining the mission, Pei Lisha's brow furrowed deeply, a stark contrast to the joy she felt when she first received the order.
Seeing Pei Lisha's expression, Xiao Xun knew her concerns and smiled lightly, "Don't worry! Although the Witch people are fierce, they respect strength. These two have been defeated by me before and know the might of our Saint Roman army. As long as you appeal to their sense of justice and reason, you can persuade these two generals. If they still refuse, I have other means to force them to comply."
Pei Lisha, knowing Xiao Xun's capabilities, then gladly accepted the order and, leading her troops, rode for nearly two hours for a hundred miles to the downstream of the Chan River.
As Xiao Xun had said, although the water flow in this section of the river was fast, it was not deep, and one could see the bottom.
Pei Lisha ordered her soldiers to build rafts to cross the river. Most of these soldiers were from the northwest. Although many were not skilled swimmers, some were.
It was midsummer, and the heat was unbearable. Some who were good swimmers were eager to try, but due to the strict discipline of the Northern Ridge army, they did not dare to enter the water privately.
Pei Lisha ordered a few who were good swimmers to swim across and scout the opposite bank. This delighted the men. Seven or eight men took off their armor and shirts and jumped into the water, carrying only their waist swords as they swam towards the opposite bank.
Although the current was swift at first, it was not very deep. Everyone was just wading across. But as they reached the middle of the river, the water was chest-deep, and they had to swim to the other side.
Pei Lisha made all the arrangements and sat on the bank, a blade of grass in her mouth, watching the men frolicking in the water. Just as a few men were about to reach the opposite bank, the leading ones suddenly swayed and fell into the water.
Pei Lisha immediately jumped up in alarm, "Quick, save them!"
The people in the water grabbed two of them with their hands and feet, while the rest were swept away by the swift Chan River, disappearing into the surging waters in an instant. The remaining few were also swaying precariously, their legs feeling weak. The people on the shore, seeing this, knew something was amiss and immediately rushed into the water to help.