Chapter 81: Don't Try to Fool Me

Muttering to himself, he repeated several times: “A gentleman does not hold petty grudges, fine jade does not compare itself to rotten stones, if one cannot endure small matters, great plans will fail…” and other comforting words of wisdom, until his heart finally calmed.

Lu Hu lowered his eyes to the map of the Kingdom of Hilot spread on the table before him, carefully calculating his next move.

In the western part of Hilot, there were twelve sites storing military supplies. On the vast grasslands, horses were of utmost importance, so the supplies were mainly forage for horses, hence these places were called forage depots.

The twelve forage depots were named after the twelve earthly branches.

From the map, it was clear that Hilot had been expanding its territory and building forage depots along the way; the depot closest to them now was called the Hai Depot.

Lu Hu had heard from the centurions that Hai Depot served as an advance supply base for further expansion towards the Eolent tribe. It was the largest in area and richest in supplies among all depots.

Two companies of a hundred men each guarded the place.

As for the distance—even in good weather, with swift horses, it would take a full day’s ride.

It was about six or seven hundred kilometers away.

The grasslands were vast and sparsely populated, the regions immense.

With heavy snow, even a forced march for a day and night might not reach it.

The consumption of food and fodder was enormous; they needed to seize the forage depot swiftly to use it as a base, otherwise they could not stabilize their position for further attacks.

Over breakfast, Lu Hu had already discussed the plan with Quan Meiyu; now, all that remained was to arrange the details.

“Gentlemen, how many ox carts do we have in camp?”

He addressed the centurions with his question.

The acting thousand-man commander, Shi Gengxiang, glanced at Shi Zhenxiang, who nodded, so Shi Gengxiang stood and replied respectfully to Lu Hu, “Divine Lord, twenty companies, each with ten ox carts. Prince—Slave Sun Zi himself has fifty carts. That’s about it.”

You could have just told me there are two hundred and fifty, Lu Hu thought to himself, but he didn't show any displeasure to Shi Gengxiang; after all, he had only been a centurion and couldn’t be expected to know everything.

“Take only the tents and essential supplies in the ox carts; fill the rest with game from hunting. Any unused tents and items, Your Majesty, have your men haul back to your camp,” Lu Hu said, directing his words to the dull-witted Quan Dounan.

Quan Dounan and Little Guanyin were startled: why had the original plan changed? Would the troops of Changli not follow along?

Lu Hu noticed their doubt. “The snow outside is heavy, the roads slippery and cold—it’s hard to travel. When the weather improves and we have captured Hai Depot, the Changli main force can proceed safely.”

Quan Dounan was still in a daze, but Little Guanyin nodded secretly: her son-in-law had thought of everything. Most of Changli’s people were old, young, women, and children. Moving camp in this icy wilderness was nothing less than courting hardship.

“Lord Zhenxiang, once the ox carts are packed, leave seven companies to escort them slowly. The other five companies will be led by Shi Gengxiang, marching swiftly with me to seize Hai Depot.” Lu Hu assigned Shi Zhenxiang to guard the supply train.

Shi Zhenxiang showed some displeasure; he only wanted to join the battle, preferably to avenge his parents with his own hands.

Lu Hu saw through him. “The supply train is vital. If we lose it, our troops will starve and be defeated without a fight. No one else can be trusted with this task.”

“Troublemaker!” Shi Zhenxiang, whether happy or not, had to accept the assignment with cheerful obedience.

“Slave Sun Zi’s heated carriage is for the royal family, with Little White Tiger riding inside.”

“The former sorcerer’s heated carriage is for me and the royal maids, with the Eagle King’s family also inside.”

“Both heated carriages will travel with the supply train; Shi Zhenxiang is responsible for their protection.”

With this, Quan Dounan and Little Guanyin were finally at ease. Their hearts were set on restoring their kingdom, and traveling with the main force would help gather their people and strengthen their power.

“Yakexi will lead a hundred Changli guards to protect the royal family,” Lu Hu said, giving his mother-in-law’s family double security, and also intending Yakexi to keep an eye on Shi Zhenxiang.

Apart from himself, Shi Zhenxiang was the most skilled in martial arts—cunning and ambitious, with the powerful Ashi clan behind him. Lu Hu had to be cautious.

“Your Majesty, send trusted ministers and generals with two hundred guards back to protect the main camp; the remaining ministers prepare to expand the army. Also, are there any heated carriages left in your camp?”

Quan Dounan was lost in thought, so Little Guanyin answered, “There are seven heated carriages left.”

Lu Hu nodded. “Send people to fetch five heated carriages for Kameda Rice Bucket Jiro. I’ve instructed Kameda to freely select people in the camp to train a night raid team; no company is allowed to interfere.”

Lu Hu’s tone became stern. “Whoever Kameda picks, you must let them go unconditionally. Anyone missing will be replaced later.”

“Troublemaker!” The generals all felt a chill, stood up in unison, and responded.

“Jiro-san,” Lu Hu said to Kameda Rice Bucket Jiro, who would not sit down no matter what, insisting on standing by his side, “Go and pick anyone you like in the camp now. Select fifty people first; you will travel with the supply train, sleep in the heated carriage by day, and train or assist Lord Shi in guarding the temporary camp at night.”

“Hai!” Kameda Rice Bucket Jiro bowed deeply, almost to one hundred and ten degrees.

Lu Hu had just rewarded him with fifteen gold bars, and now Kameda was ready to die for him.

“Lord Zhenxiang, the supply train moves slowly; be extra careful. When night falls, find a safe place to camp. Move again at dawn. No need to rush.”

“Troublemaker! Rest assured, Divine Lord, Zhenxiang will do everything to ensure the supply train’s safety.”

“Gengxiang, after loading the carts, four companies will follow our tracks. Give me your original company; I’ll lead them out immediately.” Lu Hu stood up as he spoke. “Does everyone know what they’re supposed to do?”

“Troublemaker! Understood!”

“Zhenxiang, if the snow gets too heavy, I’ll send the White-headed Eagle King to guide you from the air.”

“Troublemaker!” Shi Gengxiang replied, instinctively glancing up, only to see the tent roof.

“Go and make arrangements, hurry. Anyone who dares to delay will be executed!”

“Troublemaker!” The crowd dispersed swiftly.

Lu Hu pulled Quan Pearl behind the tent, and whispered to White Dabai and Lonely Little Five, who were gnawing on spare ribs, “Dabai, you’re with me. The child and this girl ride in the heated carriage. Little Five, stay and guard the carriage.”

“We obey Divine Lord!” White Dabai and Lonely Little Five replied.

Lu Hu took Quan Pearl, called over Ma Lihong and Zhu Xiaoying, and went to the Eagle tent. He cooed to the White-headed Eagle King, “Brother Whitehead, you’re with me. The child and these two girls ride in the heated carriage, and your wife guards the carriage.”

“We’ll do as the Divine Lord says,” the Eagle King and Queen cooed.

Leaving the Eagle tent, Lu Hu suddenly pulled Quan Pearl into his arms and kissed her.

Quan Pearl went soft all over, her heart trembling.

After a long while, Lu Hu stopped and said, “Pearl, your brother entrusts you with an important task.”

Quan Pearl, her eyes dreamy, nodded.

“You command the maids and Yakexi, protect father and mother, watch over Little White and Huahua. Everything at home is in your hands now.”

Lu Hu placed a towering hat on her head.

Quan Pearl nodded, then suddenly shook her head. “No, you’re trying to trick me!”