In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible."

"If the transport is carried out according to the original plan, it will definitely be late, and it may be a long time late."

"Last time we just didn't have enough manpower and vehicles, but this time even if we did, it wouldn't work. The weather is raining heavily, the ground is muddy, and the route to Da Mengchang is hilly and uneven. How are we going to deliver it?"

He bluntly pierced through this barrier, leaving everyone feeling somewhat hopeless.

Those who escort grain supplies are most afraid of bad weather.

Li Yuanchang continued, "The Ministry of War chose this road because it is flanked by mountains and forests, which are not conducive to the movement of cavalry and provide sufficient concealment."

"However, the ground is mostly loess, and the soil is soft and uneven, making transportation difficult. Once it rains, it becomes a swamp."

"If we change the route to another low-lying riverbed, which the scouts have already scouted, there will be more gravel, so we don't have to worry about the vehicles getting stuck. We can travel faster and also save 20 or 30 miles."

Gong Yun hesitated: "But Your Highness, that road... is too open, with no cover on all sides. If we encounter the Xueyantuo cavalry who have infiltrated, we will have no way to run or hide."

"The Ministry of War can't even take care of the cavalry guarding the border."

"It's difficult to get help."

Li Yuanchang nodded: "I know that."

"But there's no other way now. Whether we stick our necks out or not, we'll be killed anyway. It's wartime now, and the fighting might have already started on the front lines. We have to get there on time."

"This time, Vice Marshal Xue won't be there to help."

Upon hearing this, Gong Yun and everyone else were caught in a struggle and hesitation.

Putting aside the risks, what they are best at is defying imperial orders, since the escort routes are already set.

Li Yuanchang understood their difficulties. After all, their statuses were different. He was the Prince of Han, so he dared to do so, while the other officers had no background.

"How about this?"

"Let's compromise and split into two groups."

"General Gong, Yu Yixiao, you take your men and continue escorting the goods along the original route."

"I will lead my men to deliver the most important supplies via the dry riverbed. Once we arrive, I will lead my men back to meet you."

"As long as the supplies arrive first, there shouldn't be a big problem."

Gong Yun's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. Doing so would mean that Li Yuanchang would bear all the risks alone.

"Your Highness, this is too dangerous!"

"Let's go together!"

Li Yuanchang laughed and said, "General Gong, trust me. I was able to defeat tens of thousands with only two hundred men back then. Now, with four hundred men, why should I be afraid of some cavalry?"

"Even if we encounter it, we can get away unscathed."

"How about we prepare for both possibilities and not put all our eggs in one basket?"

Li Yuanchang was also worried that if he didn't follow the established route, someone might complain or accuse him later. He wasn't afraid, but it would be bad if it ruined the future of this group of captains.

After all, the influence of the Five Clans and Seven Families was everywhere. He didn't want to implicate anyone, but the problem needed to be solved, so he stepped forward and took on the responsibility.

Upon hearing this, Gong Yun felt even more guilty.

"Okay, let's do it this way!"

Li Yuanchang spoke in a deep voice, his eyes resolute.

Ultimately, after being persuaded by him, Gongyun agreed to the matter.

He also specially entrusted Li Yuanchang with fifty of his most experienced fellow villagers' soldiers, worried that he might have bad luck on the road and actually encounter Xueyantuo's cavalry.

Li Yuanchang initially refused.

Adding fifty more people won't make a difference, and losing fifty people won't make a difference either.

But Gong Yun insisted that he would not allow them to split up if Li Yuanchang did not take him along.

In the end, Li Yuanchang had no choice but to accept it.

The rain did indeed stop early the next morning after the plan was finalized, but the weather was extremely gloomy, giving people a very oppressive feeling.

All the personnel of the Lantian County Granary Office immediately split into two groups. One group continued along the route prescribed by the Ministry of War to transport supplies, miscellaneous items, and livestock.

Li Yuanchang took on the responsibility, daring to take a shorter but more dangerous route.

Four hundred and fifty people, along with eight hundred laborers, led a large convoy of grain carts down the mountain and turned onto a small road.

Before leaving, Li Yuanchang gave Gongyun a gift: a telescope!

This thing is not rare in later generations, but it was a divine artifact in ancient times. It could detect enemies miles ahead and even discover some ambushes.

For the grain transport team, it was like divine assistance.

Aside from the military officers in Liangzhou, Gongyun was the first to obtain this item.

After the team split up, Li Yuanchang led the team along a muddy road for three or four miles before quickly entering the riverbed.

The terrain here is low-lying and extremely open, making it extremely dangerous if one were to encounter an enemy.

But Li Yuanchang was no fool. He dared to take this path because he had some courage, firstly because of the hundred guards, the telescope, and the composite bow.

Secondly, he was certain that even if he encountered Rangers, it wouldn't be on a large scale; these Rangers could only infiltrate in small squads.

"Brother, why don't we turn back and call General Gong and the others over?"

"Look at this road. Although it's rough on your feet, you can walk so fast that your wheels never get stuck."

"Yes, it's too slow for them to go the same way."

Many people suggested that there used to be a river here, but after it dried up, all the pebbles under the riverbed were exposed, which meant that cars could still drive through even when it rained.

Li Yuanchang shook his head.

"No, what we're doing is already disobeying orders. If we don't run into anyone, it'll be fine, but if we do, we'll be held accountable."

"I am not afraid."

"But they might not be able to handle it; they'll still be serving in the military afterward."

He knew perfectly well that the enemy wouldn't dare to openly cause him trouble, but if something really happened, they would still kick him while he was down.

"All right."

"Hehe, do you think we might run into Xueyantuo's cavalry?" Cheng Chuliang muttered.

"It's good that we met them! Damn it, if I kill a hundred or two, I'll have military merits all at once. When I get back, my dad will have to come and pick me up in person!" Yu Chi Baoqi said, rubbing his fists, his fighting spirit was strong.

"Isn't 180 too few?"

"I've been dancing since I was a kid, wrestling with bulls, I could easily chop down two or three hundred of them!"

"Chu Liang, your father and my father have been competing their whole lives. Let's have a competition then, and see who can cut more!"

"..."

Hearing their conversation, everyone's foreheads were covered in black lines!

They did not know the specific identities of Cheng Chuliang and his companion, who were hiding their identities.

They wondered what kind of family could raise such formidable talents as Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong. Everyone was begging the Xueyantuo cavalry not to show up, but these two were eager for them to come.

The most ruthless thing is that they start by cutting off hundreds or even thousands of people right off the bat.

Li Yuanchang almost choked on his water at this point.

There are countless skilled warriors in the army, but very few can achieve the feat of killing a hundred men. Historical records show that only a handful can be counted, and even then, it would take two or three hundred men to kill.

So, if either of them manages to cut down that many enemies, their fathers will have to offer them a toast when they return home. People like Li Jing and Hou Junji will be astonished, and Li Shimin will even have to personally receive them and call them "good nephew"!

"Shut up!"

"Be careful while transporting goods!"

"Guo Chao, take thirty men on horseback and scout ahead."

"Tusitong, you take men and cover the rear."

"You two will remain with me in the central command. Without my orders, no one may slack off, and no one may light a fire!"

"yes!!"

"..."