Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 197 New Challenges

Before the saltiness of sea salt could fully settle into reassuring figures in the royal city's treasury accounts, a biting wind from further north, carrying with it the scent of ice, snow, and blood, swept across the newly built border wall of the Star Kingdom's northern frontier, reaching the Royal Palace of Chengyun in the capital.

Autumn on the grasslands should be a tranquil time when cattle and sheep are plump and herdsmen prepare for winter. However, this year is different. Pound's scouts stationed at the northernmost "Juma Fort" have reported for several days that they have discovered unusually frequent hoofprints and ashes of temporary camps deep in the grasslands more than a hundred miles outside the fort. These traces are small in scale but unusually fresh, and their movements are elusive, clearly not the work of ordinary herdsmen or small groups of bandits. Even more alarming, several small reconnaissance teams have been ambushed by unidentified riders with arrows. Although there were no major casualties, several warhorses were wounded. The attackers fled immediately after the initial attack, disappearing into the vast grasslands, displaying remarkable agility and ferocity.

"This is not the usual autumn and winter raiding party of the Snow Wolf Clan," Pang De judged in his urgent military report. "Their horsemanship, archery, and tactics of small-scale infiltration and harassment are more refined and troublesome than the Hu cavalry we have encountered before. Moreover, they seem to be deliberately avoiding our main patrol routes, targeting weak points. Their purpose is probably not to plunder, but more like... reconnaissance and probing."

Almost simultaneously, several smaller tribes with closer ties to the Star Kingdom, located further north, also sent envoys or fled directly to join them. They brought more concrete and chilling news: in the far north, in the harsh, desolate plains known as "White Mountains and Black Waters," a powerful tribal alliance called the "Snow Wolf Clan," after years of dormancy and internal consolidation, had completed the centralization of power. Their new chieftain, named Uwei, was said to be young, violent, and ambitious, comparing himself to a wolf of the grasslands and declaring his intention to "drink from the North Sea and gaze south towards the Central Plains." Last winter, they swiftly annexed or subjugated dozens of surrounding tribes; this autumn, with the grass turning yellow and the horses fat, their military might had already begun to point south. The mysterious riders appearing outside the barricades were likely the Snow Wolf Clan's vanguard scouts.

"Under Uvi's command are elite cavalry known as the 'White Wolf Guard,' all riding white steeds, clad in light armor, and skilled in raids and fighting in blizzards," a fleeing tribal chief described with lingering fear. "They also possess a specially made shortbow with immense power, its arrows poisoned, capable of piercing leather armor at a hundred paces. Even more terrifying, they seem impervious to the cold, able to march and fight through blizzards, appearing and disappearing like ghosts..."

Military reports and intelligence reports poured into the capital like snowflakes. Chen Xing, Jia Wen, Chen Wei, Murong Mingyue, and Su Xiaoxiao, who had just been commended for her achievements in salt administration, gathered again at the Military Equipment Hall. The atmosphere was heavy; the relief of the triumphant return from the southern campaign and the sense of accomplishment in domestic development were quickly overshadowed by this sudden threat from the north.

On the map, the northern part of the Star Kingdom's territory was marked with a striking wolf head symbol with fangs by Jia Wen in vermilion ink, labeled "Snow Wolf Clan". Its territory vaguely covered a large blank area south of the North Sea, and the arrow pointed directly to the Star Kingdom's northern border defense line.

"The Snow Wolf Clan..." Chen Xing tapped his fingers on the table. "The Western Liang region has just been pacified, the Jiangnan region is still unstable, internal reforms are in full swing, and yet another change has occurred in the Northern Frontier. There is truly no peace for even a moment."

Chen Wei's expression was solemn: "Your Majesty, according to General Pang De's report and the Hu tribe's account, this enemy is no small matter. They are tactically flexible, cold-resistant, and skilled in combat, and with the new emperor on the throne, their morale is high. If they launch a large-scale invasion southward, the pressure on the northern border defense line will increase dramatically. Our new army's training is not yet fully completed, and we lack special forces and equipment, especially those suitable for combat in frigid regions."

Murong Mingyue frowned slightly. Having spent a long time in the north, she had a deep understanding of the Hu cavalry: "I heard of the Snow Wolf tribe when I was with my father on the grasslands in my early years. They are a large tribe in the harsh and cold land of the North Sea, brave and fierce but closed off. They have not had much interaction with the southern tribes in the past. Now that they have suddenly marched south, I fear their ambitions are not small. The northern border defense line is long. Although new border forts have been built, the troops are scattered, and fighting in winter and spring is disadvantageous to the defenders in terms of both weather and terrain."

Jia Wen stroked his beard, a cold glint in his narrow eyes: "Your Majesty, this is indeed a serious threat, one that must be guarded against, yet not overly worried about. Although the Snow Wolf Clan is strong, they have come from afar, their supply lines are long, and they are new to the south, unfamiliar with the geography, and their relations with the local Hu tribes may not be harmonious. Their vanguard may be probing to ascertain the enemy's strength or to intimidate and subdue the surrounding tribes; they may not launch a full-scale invasion immediately. However, we cannot be complacent. The most urgent task is to immediately strengthen intelligence gathering in the northern border region, ascertain their true strength, intentions, and route of advance. At the same time, the defenses of the northern border region must be adjusted immediately, with the deployment of elite troops, the stockpiling of winter supplies, the reinforcement of fortifications, and a strict order to Pang De to resolutely strike down any small-scale enemy infiltrations, capturing them alive to obtain more information."

Su Xiaoxiao also spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty, if there is war in the northern border, military expenditures will inevitably increase significantly. Although the benefits of sea salt are beginning to show, various domestic expenditures are also enormous. We need to make overall plans in advance, adjust the budget, and ensure that the northern border has sufficient supplies of food, winter clothing, medicine, and military equipment. Perhaps we can postpone some non-essential projects and prioritize the defense of the north."

Chen Xing listened to everyone's opinions, his gaze never leaving the menacing wolf head symbol on the map. He knew that this was a new adversary, vastly different in nature from Han Sui of Xiliang and the Southern Allied Forces. They came from a more harsh and unfamiliar region, and their tactical style and survivability were highly uncertain. Xing Kingdom had just undergone expansion and was in a critical period of internal digestion and integration. If it were to get bogged down in a large-scale, high-consumption, protracted war in the north at this time, it would undoubtedly severely hinder its development and might even trigger internal turmoil.

However, we must not show weakness. If the Snow Wolf Clan believes that the Northern Frontier is weak and easily bullied, their southward invasion will only intensify. We must demonstrate sufficient determination and strength from the outset to contain them, or at least force them to act cautiously.

"What you all say is very true," Chen Xing said slowly, his voice steady and powerful. "The Snow Wolf Clan is the most severe challenge that our Star Kingdom has faced in the north since its founding. However, challenges are also opportunities. If we can blunt their advance and safeguard the peace of the northern border, the military might of our Star Kingdom will reach new heights, and the hearts and minds of the Han and non-Han people within our borders will be more united."

He stood up and began to give instructions:

"First, appoint Pang De as the commander-in-chief of the northern frontier, in full charge of military affairs against the Snow Wolf Clan. Reinforce the camp with a unit of the Trapped Camp, a unit of the Divine Arm Camp, and five thousand elite infantry and cavalry, and send them north immediately to his command. Instruct him to thoroughly investigate the enemy situation, hold the line, seek opportunities to annihilate small groups of the enemy, and find ways to contact the northern tribes that have not yet submitted to the Snow Wolf Clan, explaining the advantages and disadvantages to them and dividing and weakening them."

"Second, Murong Mingyue," Chen Xing said, looking at his wife, "you will be in charge of the military affairs in the Northern Frontier. You will oversee the garrisoning of troops in various border counties, the transportation of provisions, the repair of fortresses, and liaison and support with Pang De's forces. You are granted the authority to make decisions on the spot. In case of emergency, you may handle the situation first and then report it. The Royal Military Council will provide full cooperation."

"Third, Jia Wen, all stations of the Supervisory Office in the northern border region should operate at full capacity, infiltrate and investigate, and spare no effort to obtain core intelligence on the Snow Wolf Clan, especially the temperament of its chieftain Uwei, internal factions, actual troop strength, and possible marching routes. At the same time, strengthen the supervision of officials and generals in the northern border region to prevent them from being negligent, colluding with the enemy, or claiming credit for others."

"Fourth, Su Xiaoxiao, the Imperial Household Department must immediately recalculate the annual budget, reduce unnecessary expenditures, and prioritize the military supplies for the Northern Frontier. The profits from sea salt need to be realized as quickly as possible. At the same time, we should explore whether we can use the newly opened sea routes to transport some supplies from Liaodong and Bohai Commandery to Liaoxi and the front lines of the Northern Frontier to alleviate the pressure on land routes."

"Fifth, Chen Wei, the entire army is entering a level-two combat readiness state. The training of the new army is being accelerated, especially in subjects that adapt to cold and mountain warfare. The combat battalion needs to expedite the research and production of cold-weather clothing, specially made anti-slip horse tack, and bows and arrows that can maintain their effectiveness in ice and snow."

The commands were clear and unambiguous, and everyone responded with resentment.

"The threat to the northern frontier is unlikely to be eliminated overnight," Chen Xing concluded solemnly. "We must prepare for a long-term confrontation. We must project strength externally, strengthen our internal defenses, and divide their forces while awaiting the opportune moment. A temporary respite in the south and internal reforms must all give way to the defense of the north. This is a new challenge concerning the fate of the nation. I urge all of you to unite and work together!"

"Your Majesty, we obey!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices a mixture of fighting spirit and solemnity.

A new challenge, like an early cold snap in the north, arrived suddenly. The giant ship of the Star Kingdom, having just entered a relatively calm stretch of water, adjusted its sails once more, turning its bow toward the unknown, snow-covered, and treacherous waters of the north. And Murong Mingyue would officially step into the limelight, shouldering the heavy responsibility of leading the military of the northern frontier, facing yet another severe test after becoming regent.