Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 361: Chapter 361: Caliber

February 29th.

Imperial City, Jingxi Town Governor’s Office.

Shen Hao arrived around noon. Jiang Cheng was entertaining guests outside, and Shen Hao dared not disturb him, so he could only wait in the government office.

It wasn’t until early 3:00 p.m. that Jiang Cheng returned, carrying the scent of wine.

After entering the public office, the deputy brought hot water for Jiang Cheng to wash his face and sober up, and also brewed a cup of tea and served it to him.

After some fuss, the deputy tactfully withdrew. Only then did Jiang Cheng speak: "I heard you’ve been waiting here a while?"

"Not too long, my lord. You are busy with affairs; it’s I who have disturbed you."

"I just finished last year’s official evaluations. At noon, there was a banquet at the Commander’s Office, Lord Pang was also present, so I couldn’t slip away. Since you came all this way, it must be important. Is there news from the south?"

Shen Hao nodded, replying, "Yes, my lord. These past days, a string of reports have come in. I found it hard to judge, and so must trouble you to decide."

Jiang Cheng leaned back in his chair and smiled, "Tell me about it. Since when have you had something you couldn’t judge?"

Shen Hao took out a sketch map of the Barbarian Territory from his storage bag and spread it out on the long table before Jiang Cheng, pointing to a marked spot: "My lord, please look here. This is White Head Gorge, located in the central section of the Barbarian Territory, also the furthest point reached by the slave caravans after years of exploration.

Because of the limitations of their supply trains and transfer points, the slave caravans know almost nothing about the land south of White Head Gorge. But this time, our Black Banner Battalion secret agents went straight past White Head Gorge and discovered the truth in the southeast region of the Barbarian Territory.

According to the agents’ reports, even before crossing White Head Gorge, they noticed something odd: the barbarians had begun dispatching organized large-scale hunting parties within the region north of White Head Gorge and south of Wu Lake, gathering up the population. This already encroaches on the core interests of the Slave Trade Association. I believe it won’t be long before the Association notices something’s wrong."

"Hmm? Was it deliberate?" Jiang Cheng asked in a mix of surprise and suspicion, but he didn’t interrupt, sitting upright to listen more closely.

"Soon after, the scouts captured three Red-eyed Wolf Cavalry from the Red-eyed Wolf Race. Interrogation revealed that the Red-eyed Wolf Race has raised the Frost Moon Banner atop Sangbi Hill and intends to establish that place as their Land of the Flag, formally issuing a call to establish the Royal Court. It’s just that, for now, the Royal Court hasn’t been set up yet—seems to need a bit more time. But it’s likely not far off.

Once this intelligence was secured, the scouts split into two groups: one returned to report, the other kept heading south. I’ve already sent people to Xiaochuan to set up a transfer point. The latest news is that our southernmost scouts, after entering the lands south of White Head Gorge, found that the Dynasty’s understanding of the barbarians is totally inaccurate, even the opposite.

In the northwest, that is, the area where the Slave Trade Association hunts—specifically north of White Head Gorge—it is indeed barren and wild. But once you cross the Gorge, it’s like entering a whole new world. It’s anything but desolate; on the contrary, it’s a scene of prosperity. Whether fields or villages, they’re not much different from those of the Dynasty."

"Moreover, just a few dozen miles south of White Head Gorge—yes, right here—there’s a massive military camp. It stretches for over ten miles, and it’s estimated that more than a hundred thousand are stationed within."

Jiang Cheng stared at the map before him, brows tightly knit. The military camp Shen Hao indicated was directly behind White Head Gorge, blocking the most tactically advantageous corridor. With years of military experience, Jiang Cheng saw this wasn’t the best defensive position; rather, it served better as a forward base for launching a concealed offensive thrust.

"Besides this camp, on the night of February nineteenth, our scouts happened upon a Barbarian army marching in haste. They tailed them and discovered a mixed force nearly fifty thousand strong—mostly Wolf Race but with contingents from the Long-toothed Elephant Race, Gray Ridge Bear Race, and other powerful tribes. This force didn’t enter White Head Gorge or garrison at that military camp; instead, it force-marched to this spot."

As Shen Hao spoke, he pointed to a mark north of White Head Gorge on the map.

"This place is called Jianchuan, three hundred li north of White Head Gorge. It’s mostly hilly terrain and rather complex, but there’s an old road carved out by the barbarians forty years ago. It runs across the entire Jianchuan region, extending a hundred li to the northwest. Although it’s been long neglected, with some quick repairs, horses and some heavy wagons could still pass.

I believe the barbarians are deliberately trying to seize control of this strategic route, most likely as preparation for war."

Jiang Cheng did not reply, instead studying the map Shen Hao had handed him.

After a while, Jiang Cheng finally said, "Not just about controlling the route. By holding Jianchuan, they can form a mutual defensive position with the camp at White Head Gorge—able to defend if they retreat, to attack if they advance. However... a wedge formation like that is less suited for offense than a pincer—if I were commanding, then here! There should also be an army in a position similar to Jianchuan."

"Hu Zhu Yuan?"

"Yes, Hu Zhu Yuan. If they take that as well, then with White Head Gorge, Jianchuan, and Hu Zhu Yuan, they’d form a perfect three-point pincer formation—favoring the offense."

Shen Hao was not a military man, but as he watched Jiang Cheng mark the map, he began to grasp it. He immediately asked, "My lord, you have years of experience in battle array; you could not be mistaken. When I return, I’ll dispatch scouts to Hu Zhu Yuan to check—if it’s as you say, then the barbarians must be about ready to move."

Jiang Cheng shook his head. "That’s just a posture. To actually make a move, they’re still far from ready. Unless they’re able to take the whole line at Wu Lake in one decisive strike, they’re just dreaming if they think a pincer formation like this alone can let them seize the initiative."

"A posture?"

"Heh, you... never mind. Let me put it this way—the barbarians may look ready for action, but most likely it’s just posturing. They must have other plans. Besides, they haven’t even set up a Royal Court and they dare to put on this show—you don’t think that’s strange?"

"I was puzzled as well, but I think it’s the Red-eyed Wolf Race leveraging this posture to deliberately create a crisis and quickly consolidate internal unity—so as to establish the Royal Court and seize its command."

Jiang Cheng reacted quickly. As soon as Shen Hao spoke, he turned it over in his mind and understood. He stood up and began pacing the room, his brow furrowed.

"My lord, if the barbarians, with the Red-eyed Wolf Race leveraging the situation, manage to establish a Royal Court, they’re bound to rapidly expand northward. Their goal would be to recover all the idle land in the north, which would inevitably lead to a clash with the Slave Trade Association. Should we alert the Association to minimize their losses, and let the Dynasty prepare for contingencies as well?"

This was Shen Hao’s main reason for seeking out Jiang Cheng today.

The situation on the barbarians’ side could change at any time, and they had likely restored their strength in secret years ago. This would be a direct threat to the Jingjiu Dynasty. The earlier they prepared, the better their odds.

But the Jingjiu Dynasty now had too many internal problems, especially within the Ministry of War, which remained in chaos. What if, when the fighting started, someone directly opened Zhuo Huo Pass to let the barbarians through?