My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

Dou Jiande's supply depots—the wagon forts—are in the distance, and the Xia army has suffered heavy casualties. If they launch another attack, they will most likely be able to take it.

While continuing their fierce attack on Dou Jiande, Li Xiuning's women's army was positioned on the flanks and rear, ready to flank him from behind at any moment.

Besieged on two fronts, even if they eventually manage to capture Dou Jiande's supply lines, it will be a Pyrrhic victory.

How much does he have left? At most, a little over five thousand cavalry.

If he were to lose his remaining five thousand cavalry, would he still be able to hold his head high in front of the Turkic tribes?

"Obsession leads to loss of thought."

"exist."

"What do you think we should do next?"

Zhi Shi thought carefully about his words.

"Tegin, rather than fighting a bitter battle here and being attacked on two fronts, it would be better to temporarily cease hostilities and regroup our troops. Report the current situation truthfully to the Khan and ask for his decision."

After a moment's thought, Dubi nodded.

A cavalry commander approached, his face filled with worry.

"Special forces, if we remain locked in a prolonged stalemate with the Sui and Xia armies, we could be surrounded if Sui reinforcements arrive."

Dubi gave a cold laugh.

"Reinforcements? The main Sui army is all at Junziguan; Li Ju can't get away. All we can muster from here are auxiliary soldiers and laborers for transportation and logistics. What fighting power do those men carrying shoulder poles have?"

"Order—Sound the retreat and consolidate your formation."

"They formed a ring defense by relying on the high ground and embankments, keeping an eye on Dou Jiande on one side and guarding against the Sui army on the other."

"At the same time, send a fast messenger to report to the Khan on the battle situation at Boyeyuan, the losses of troops, and the current predicament. Request the Khan to send reinforcements or give instructions on whether to advance or retreat."

The bugle sounded.

The Turkic cavalry slowly retreated to a high embankment and formed a circular formation.

The cavalrymen dismounted, shields facing outwards, while the archers stood in the center.

The fast messenger rushed out from behind the formation and galloped towards the Gentleman's Pavilion.

Inside the grain fortifications.

The Turks halted their offensive, and the Xia army finally caught its breath.

The soldiers slumped down against the grain carts, panting heavily with their faces up to the sky; some even lay on the ground for a long time without getting up.

Dou Jiande walked around the formation with his sword in hand, taking stock of the casualties.

Of the 12,000 soldiers, less than half are still standing.

Wang Fubao was carried to the back of the grain cart, with five arrows stuck in his body and most of his armor broken.

The army doctor was removing the arrow and bandaging him. He was sweating profusely from the pain, but he bit down on the cloth and didn't make a sound.

Dou Jiande walked over, squatted down, and took a look.

"How is it?"

"Your Majesty, the arrow wound is deep, but it didn't hit a vital spot. You need to rest and cannot fight any longer."

Wang Fubao spat the cloth out of his mouth.

"Your Majesty, I can fight."

"Take a break."

"Your Majesty—" Wang Fubao struggled to his feet, "The Turks have only paused their offensive; they could launch a counterattack at any moment. This humble general can still hold the line—"

"I'm telling you to rest; that's a military order."

Wang Fubao had no choice but to lie back down.

Ling Jing strode over from behind the formation, his face grave.

"Your Majesty, the Turks have withdrawn their troops, but they haven't retreated. They've retreated to the high ground and formed a circular formation, seemingly to guard against us. I wonder what they're planning."

Dou Jiande stood up and glanced into the distance.

"Regardless of his intentions, we should take advantage of his withdrawal to quickly repair fortifications and reinforce wagon fortifications. If the Turks launch a counterattack, our army will be unable to hold out in its current state."

Ling Jing cupped his hands in greeting: "Understood."

Dou Jiande glanced back at the soldiers and laborers in the formation.

"Those who can still move, get up! Repair the wagon fortifications and fill in the trenches! Those on sentry duty, keep a close watch; report back immediately if the Turks make a move!"

Scattered responses rang out from the ranks. Soldiers and laborers, dragging their weary bodies, got up and began moving grain carts and digging ditches.

On one side of Boye Plain, the Women's Army's position.

By the time Li Xiuning rode back to his camp, it was already dark.

Du Yao came up to her: "Sister Xiuning, the casualties have been tallied."

"explain."

"One hundred and thirty-seven archer cavalrymen were killed and over three hundred were wounded. The casualties of the Mo Dao battalion were less, less than one hundred."

"So many?"

Li Xiuning frowned deeply; this was the heaviest casualty record the women's army had ever suffered since its formation.

These riders are all elites honed over many years, seasoned by countless battles, each one worth several ordinary soldiers.

Each one is precious, and the loss of each one is heartbreaking.

"Remember the names of the fallen brothers, and provide them with compensation later, leaving no one out."

"clear."

Li Xiuning then asked, "Where is Dou Xianniang?"

"Over there," Du Yao pointed behind the formation, "the army doctor is bandaging her up."

Li Xiuning walked over and saw Dou Xianniang leaning against a grain cart, her whole body covered in blood.

Her armor was removed and placed aside, studded with broken arrows, and a medic was bandaging her.

Her face was pale and her lips were dry, but her eyes were still open. When she saw Li Xiuning walking over, she tried to stand up.

"Don't move." Li Xiuning pressed on her shoulder and squatted down beside her. "Where are you hurt?"

"It's just a flesh wound, no bone damage. I can fight again after a rest."

"You've had enough. Go down and recover."

"But--"

"The Turks haven't retreated; they've formed a ring formation. Tonight might not be peaceful, and tomorrow will likely be a tough battle." Li Xiuning looked into her eyes. "If you exhaust yourself now, how will you go into battle tomorrow?"

Dou Xianniang thought it made sense and didn't argue anymore.

Li Xiuning stood up and said to Du Yao, "The entire army should set up camp, with men still in armor and horses unsaddled. Send scouts to keep an eye on the Turks' movements, rotating them every hour."

"Understood, I'll arrange it right away."

Night falls on the lower reaches of the Hutuo River, at Qilijing.

The river bend was pitch black.

One by one, the cargo boats silently docked, their bow decks lowered and placed on the shallows.

What emerged from the cabin were not ration bags, but fully armed soldiers, their armor gleaming dimly in the night.

Wang Yu stood at the bow of the first ship, his hand on his waist sword, watching the soldiers disembark and assemble in formation.

On the shore, the scout strode over and knelt on one knee.

"General, we have scouted the situation at Boye Plain. The Duobi attacked Dou Jiande's supply depot, but their detachment was completely annihilated by the women's army. The Duobi then retreated to the high ground and embankment, where they formed a defensive ring."

"Dou Jiande's remaining troops held their grain fortifications; the Women's Army set up camp on the Turkic flank, and the three sides ceased fighting and remained in a stalemate."

After listening, Wang Yu turned around.

"Order—the entire army to assemble without rest, and advance westward to Boye Plain under cover of night."

"Send another messenger, on horseback, to Dou Jiande's and Li Xiuning's armies, and tell them—tonight we will encircle and kill the Hu!"

"Yes, sir!"

Eight thousand escort naval troops were already lined up, a dark mass.

With a soft rustling of the armor plates, the blade disappeared into the darkness.

This is the Water Transport Guardian Corps that Li Ju established single-handedly when he was in the Water Conservancy Bureau.

They usually keep a low profile, escorting grain and protecting the canals, but these eight thousand men are seasoned veterans skilled in both land and water transport.

Wang Yu mounted his horse and pointed his whip forward.

"The entire army sets off, marching swiftly to the Boye Plain!"