Words Strategize for the World

In the dim light of night, the earthen road resembled a white ribbon inlaid on the earth.

On the white silk ribbon, a group of men were gathered together. Behind them, a group of well-armored, gleaming cavalrymen from the Hegemon Kingdom were making their way forward in threes along the official road.

Meanwhile, the men were arguing with Fang Hao about whether to fight their way back. Hearing their sincere words, Fang Hao was somewhat moved, but he absolutely refused to allow them to go back.

"Our enemy is a hegemonic nation, and we will certainly avenge it, but not today. I have decided that you will all come with me. Anyone who dares to say they will fight back will be dealt with according to military law."

With too many people around and too much chatter, and with the Ba Kingdom's cavalry right behind them, Fang Hao didn't dare waste any more time.

Tian Ming was very quick-witted. As soon as Fang Hao finished speaking, he immediately said loudly, "I'm going with you, sir. Anyone who dares to say they're going back to fight is going against me, Tian Ming."

"I'll go with you, sir."

"I, Xu Feng, will go with you, sir."

"I, Yuan Kang..."

After the men finished shouting, some soldiers started shouting along with them.

Soon after, many names reached Fang Hao's ears. Although he couldn't remember them all, the fact that these people were willing to trust him made him feel a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

The danger lurks under the cover of night, and wasting even a second is tantamount to suicide.

Therefore, once everyone had calmed down, Fang Hao led them forward at a jog.

It was nighttime, and unfamiliar with the route, they could only proceed along the official road. Fortunately, the cavalry were in the light, while they were in the dark, so for the time being, they were still safe.

Two legs can never outrun four legs.

Soon, Fang Hao heard the rumble of horses' hooves.

Tian Ming hadn't misheard; it really was the Ba Kingdom's cavalry coming after them. Fang Hao was very curious about Tian Ming's past, wondering what he did to be able to hear from so far away.

The cavalry was getting closer and closer, and they had to hide. As everyone entered the woods on either side of the official road, the thunderous sound of hooves approached.

From afar, the cavalrymen, all dressed in black, sped past like a group of ghosts.

The number of Ba Guo cavalry surprised Fang Hao. He originally thought there would only be a small number of cavalry, but now he saw that there were actually about 3000 cavalry.

Isn't this here to chase after me?

Fang Hao was self-aware; they only had a little over 200 men, and the Ba Kingdom could wipe them out with just 500 cavalry.

Where are we going to attack?

Is it...

Fang Hao recalled the events in Hexia County. Because of the death of Prefect Liu, he couldn't figure out the conspiracy he suspected of luring the enemy into a trap.

If the plot to lure the enemy into a trap is true, could it be that my intrusion disrupted the plans of the Hegemon Kingdom, forcing them to urgently leave the city to fight?

Fang Hao wasn't sure about this.

If a battle is to be fought, it will certainly not be just cavalry that is deployed; infantry will also be included.

Now we can only wait. If there are indeed infantrymen in the rear, then we can confirm the plot to lure the enemy into a trap.

While Fang Hao was pondering, the cavalry, who came and went like the wind, had already all run far away.

"Tian Ming, take a few men and head towards Hexia County. Keep an eye out for any infantry coming from the rear. Remember, if you spot any Ba Kingdom infantry, be sure to come back and report to me immediately."

Upon hearing this, Tian Ming quickly led his men away.

"My lord, why did you assign Tian Ming to focus on the infantry of the Hegemon Kingdom?"

Lai Fengwu was puzzled by Fang Hao's arrangement.

This was due to both the sheer number of Ba Guo cavalry and Fang Hao's arrangements.

"No rush, we'll know when Tian Ming gets back."

Since Tian Ming had been sent to scout out the Ba Kingdom's infantry, Fang Hao simply let everyone rest, eat some dry rations, and conserve their energy.

The darkness before dawn was chilly. But soon, the east began to lighten with the pale glow of dawn.

Tian Ming is back.

He ran back quickly, looking very anxious.

Seeing Tian Ming's expression, Fang Hao roughly knew the answer.

"My lord, you are truly amazing. There are indeed a large number of Hegemon infantry in the rear."

As expected, it seems I guessed correctly.

How many people are there?

Tian Ming thought for a moment and said, "I'm not sure of the exact number, but judging from the lineup, there should be 700 or 800 people."

That's it then.

When leaving the city, the commander of the Ba Kingdom who blocked the road referred to him as "Captain." Therefore, these 7000-plus people match up perfectly.

The captain led 10000 troops, which consisted of more than 7000 infantrymen and about 3000 cavalrymen, totaling 10000 men.

Judging from Ba Guo's various actions, he has determined that Ba Guo has a conspiracy. Now it remains to be seen whether he can help Chi Guo out of its predicament.

However, his unexpected entry into the county town had already done a great favor for the Chi Kingdom's army.

According to Tian Ming's estimate, the Ba Kingdom's infantry were no more than 3 kilometers away from them, and they were advancing on foot.

The Ba Kingdom's infantry advanced swiftly, and Fang Hao became certain of the Ba Kingdom's conspiracy. Even knowing the Ba Kingdom's plot, with his current strength, he could only watch helplessly.

Fang Hao led his men forward.

They are now positioned between the cavalry and infantry of the Hegemon Kingdom, and if they are not careful, they will be discovered by the Hegemon Kingdom's army and suffer annihilation.

Therefore, Fang Hao assigned Tian Ming and Xu Feng as scouts to keep a close eye on the situation of the Ba Kingdom's army at all times.

Fang Hao's current actions are like walking on a knife's edge; any more or less than that will result in bloodshed.

He had to proceed with caution.

They hadn't gone far when it was broad daylight.

As dawn breaks, the light is boundless, making travel faster. However, this also increases their chances of being exposed.

After walking for two hours, Fang Hao heard shouts of battle. He immediately sent men to find Tian Ming and Xu Feng, and just then, Xu Feng returned to report to him.

"My lord, there is a military camp near the official road ahead, and the cavalry of the Hegemon Kingdom are harassing the area."

After listening to Xu Feng's words, Fang Hao took two steps forward and looked ahead.

Ahead was a mountain hollow, to the right a pointed mountain peak, and to the left a small hill. The straight, flat official road sloped down from the hollow between the two mountains. Fang Hao couldn't see what was ahead, but could vaguely hear some shouts.

All indications suggest that the Hegemon's army has completely grasped the whereabouts and movements of the Chi Kingdom's army.

It's truly pathetic that Chi Kingdom has encountered an opponent who is not only stronger in battle but also adept at strategy. It's a real tragedy.

Tian Ming has not returned yet, and it is unknown where the Ba Kingdom's infantry has gone.

Just as Fang Hao was thinking about Tian Ming, Tian Ming appeared at the end of the road.

"Tian Ming, why are you back so soon?"

Speak of the devil, and he appears. Fang Hao was somewhat surprised, not expecting Tian Ming to return so quickly.

"My lord, I heard a sound ahead, so I rushed back immediately."

Seeing this, Fang Hao seized the opportunity to ask the question that had been on his mind. It turned out that Tian Ming came from a family of hunters. When he hunted with his father from a young age, he often listened to the sounds of the prey. Over the years, he developed an exceptional hearing ability.

Now, with the cavalry of the Hegemon Kingdom ahead, they cannot advance any further. Fang Hao has no choice but to lead his men into the mountains to hide.

After entering the mountains, Fang Hao left Lai Fengwu and Xu Feng behind to keep watch over more than 200 people. Then he selected a few men and, along with Yuan Kang and Tian Ming, sneaked towards the military camp.

Traveling through the mountains and forests was extremely difficult, as thorns easily scratched their bodies. Fortunately, the distance wasn't far, and they reached the vicinity of the military camp in no time.

The entire military camp was built against the small hill on the right, about 200 meters from the official road. The hill behind was quite high and steep, making an attack from the top impractical. The camp's three gates were tightly closed, and the tents in the middle were arranged in a neat and orderly manner, showing considerable organization.

The military camp wasn't large; judging from its size, the number of personnel was probably around 5000. The one leading the group was likely the Grand Commander.

Outside the military camp, the Ba Kingdom's cavalry, numbering about 1000 men, harassed the Chi Kingdom's camp in groups of 10 or 5. Meanwhile, on the official road not far away, a large contingent of cavalry was preparing to charge, ready to attack if the Chi Kingdom's army dared to come out and resist.

There were no warhorses in the Chi Kingdom's military camp, so there were probably no cavalry either.

However, the Chi Kingdom's army camp was not without countermeasures against the harassment from the small groups of Ba Kingdom cavalry. Whenever Ba Kingdom cavalry approached, the camp would fire arrows.

As things stand, without external influence, the military camp and the cavalry are locked in a stalemate.