Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 204 Dominating the North

Winter's arrival, accompanied by increasingly fierce snowstorms, completely dominated northern Xinjiang. Juma Fort became an isolated island nestled between the vast snowfields and treacherous mountains, surrounded by a white expanse where the boundary between heaven and earth blurred. Only the torches burning day and night on the fort walls and the white breath exhaled by the patrolling soldiers proved that life still tenaciously persevered here.

Murong Mingyue stood atop the highest watchtower within the fortress. Even in her thick fur coat, the biting wind still cut like a knife through the gaps in her skin. Her binoculars slowly swept across the northern plains and the undulating mountains to the west. In the north, the main force of the Snow Wolf Clan remained dormant; beneath the vast snowfield lay a ferocious beast ready to devour its prey. Occasionally, scouts could be seen moving like black dots in the distance, but there was no longer any sign of a large army pressing in. In the west, the mountains lay silent, covered in snow, like a herd of silent behemoths, burying all secrets and deadly intent deep within.

Following the new instructions, the third scout team successfully established secret lookout points at several treacherous locations. Their reports confirmed the presence of scattered, unidentified individuals on the mountain's edge, but no clear indication of large-scale troop movements. Pound sent men to cautiously contact a tiny hunter's village on the mountain's edge, paying with salt, tea, and ironware in exchange for fragmented information: "Outsiders" were indeed active in the mountains, not just in groups, their movements secretive and extremely hostile to strangers; deeper into the mountains, even the oldest hunters dared not venture easily, for legends of "mountain spirits" and "bewitching fog." As for roads suitable for large armies? The old hunter shook his head vigorously: "Unless one can fly, or wait for glacial meltwater to carve out ravines in the spring, perhaps a single rider could pass, but a large army? Absolutely not! Those are places that devour people."

The news was disheartening, but it also offered another perspective: Uwi might indeed be searching for or attempting to open a western route, but progress was far from smooth. The harsh cold, treacherous terrain, and the potential presence of hostile or isolated indigenous tribes were all slowing down or even hindering his plans. For now, he could likely only rely on direct pressure combined with small, elite mountain raids.

"He's waiting, waiting for even worse weather to exhaust our will and supplies, waiting for his so-called 'surprise attack' to be in place, or... waiting for some unforeseen event." Murong Mingyue put down her telescope and said to Pang De beside her, her breath quickly dissipating in the wind. "But we can't just passively wait. Our advantage lies in our high walls and ample food supplies, in the morale of our troops, and in the support of the entire Star Nation. His advantage lies in our mobility and the initiative to choose our direction of attack, but the harsh winter and the long supply lines are also his enemies."

"What does the Queen mean?" Pound asked.

"Maintain high alert, but allow for moderate rotations and rest to conserve the soldiers' energy. The targeted training of the Divine Arm Battalion and the Trapped Camp must continue. In addition, organize small elite units, not to scout ahead, but to conduct 'counter-hunting' operations." A cold glint flashed in Murong Mingyue's eyes. "Since his cavalry and small mountain units dare to approach, we cannot simply hold our ground. Select the best fighters skilled in snow-covered infiltration and close combat, using the fortress as a base to radiate outwards, actively searching for, ambushing, and eliminating his reconnaissance forces and harassment squads. Firstly, this will dampen their arrogance and gather more real-time intelligence; secondly, it will deter them from approaching easily, pushing their operational range outwards."

Pang De's eyes lit up: "Understood! An eye for an eye! Leave this to me, and I'll select the toughest bastard to go!"

Murong Mingyue nodded, taking one last look at the north. She knew that this winter, Juma Fortress and even the entire northern frontier would be accompanied by harsh cold, loneliness, and the ever-present threat of bloody battles. And she had to be here, like the hardest nail, firmly driven into this land.

Almost simultaneously, in the Star Kingdom's capital city, a thousand miles away, at the Hall of Succession.

Inside the palace, a blazing fire provided warmth and comfort, a stark contrast to the frigid outside. Chen Xing had just concluded a lengthy meeting with Jia Wen and Su Xiaoxiao regarding year-end financial settlements and the budget for the coming year. The profits from the sea salt project, spearheaded by Su Xiaoxiao, exceeded expectations, commercial taxes steadily increased, and coupled with the extraction of annual tribute from the south, Xing Kingdom's finances, while supporting the war in the northern frontier, still had a surplus available for some domestic development—undoubtedly encouraging news.

"Your Majesty, the latest secret report from Queen Murong of the Northern Frontier." Chen Wei strode into the hall, holding a secret letter in his hand. His face bore the marks of a long journey, as he had just returned from inspecting the border defenses of Xiliang.

Chen Xing took the report and quickly read it. In the report, Murong Mingyue gave a detailed account of the current situation at Juma Fortress, the setbacks and adjustments made during the western reconnaissance, the analysis of Uwi's intentions, and the new "counter-hunting" strategy she had adopted. Between the lines, she conveyed calmness, resilience, and an unwavering determination, while also objectively describing the harsh cold, loneliness, and continuous pressure faced at the front.

"Mingyue did a great job." Chen Xing passed the secret report to Jia Wen and Su Xiaoxiao for review, his tone filled with undisguised praise and a hint of heartache. "She adapted to local conditions, balanced offense and defense, and did not advance rashly because of setbacks, nor did she become discouraged because of being trapped. With her in the Northern Frontier, I can feel a little more at ease."

After reading the report, Jia Wen pondered and said, "Your Highness the Queen judged that the strategy of bypassing the western route to Wuwei has been thwarted, and the harsh winter is also a major enemy for them. Therefore, in the near future, the focus will remain on stalemate and small-scale attrition warfare. This old minister deeply agrees with this assessment. However, we must guard against their desperate measures, or they might launch a larger-scale offensive when the snow melts in spring and the roads become somewhat accessible. The Xiliang border army has strengthened its mountain patrols as ordered by the King, and fortifications and checkpoints have been built at several key passes, which should be able to delay their small-scale infiltrations. The current strategy is still to seize the time. The faster our internal integration, the stronger our national power, and the more solid our northern border defenses, the more bleak Wuwei's chances will become."

Su Xiaoxiao also said, "The supply transfer channels in the northern frontier have been further optimized, and the plan to transfer supplies to western Liaoning by sea is being tested. If successful, it will greatly alleviate the pressure on the land routes. After the spring tax next year, the finances will be more abundant, enough to support a long-term standoff or even a medium-sized decisive battle. The Imperial Household Department will give priority to ensuring the Queen's needs for all necessary supplies, and there will be no shortage."

Chen Wei reported on the patrol situation of the Xiliang border defense. The newly formed "mountain patrol battalion" has taken initial shape, and many guides familiar with the local mountain conditions have been recruited. Although it is impossible to completely eliminate small-scale infiltration, the early warning capability has been greatly enhanced.

Listening to the reports from his high-ranking officials, Chen Xing slowly walked to the enormous map in the hall. The map showed that the territory of the Star Kingdom covered the entire north, extending south to the Yangtze River, north to the edge of the desert, west to Liangzhou, and east to the sea. Red Star flags were planted in every strategic location; a vast kingdom dominating the north had already taken shape.

The court boasts wise ministers and fierce generals: Jia Wen is a man of profound strategy, who is steadfast in his investigation and anti-corruption efforts; Su Xiaoxiao is skilled in financial management, adept at increasing revenue and reducing expenditure; Chen Wei is a strict commander, adept at training troops, and loyal and courageous; there are also valiant generals such as Dian Xiong and Pang De who gallop across the battlefield, and veteran ministers such as Zhao Tiezhu who diligently govern the people.

Externally, there are powerful enemies surrounding the region. The Southern Dynasty, its "ally" in the south, under the guise of peace presented by the "Jiangpu Treaty," is undoubtedly preparing for war, harboring treacherous intentions, and will pounce like a hungry wolf at the first sign of trouble on the northern border of the Star Kingdom. The Snow Wolf Clan of the north, Uwei, is ruthless and cunning, having unified the grasslands, and is a constant threat, posing the most direct and dangerous challenge at present. Further west, northeast, and even beyond the vast ocean, are there unknown threats lurking?

However, Chen Xing felt no fear, only a calm yet burning ambition. He had risen from humble beginnings as a commoner, through his visionary for his time, the support of a systematic approach, and his own hard work and courage, step by step reaching his current position. He had established a state, dominating the north, ruling over millions of people and hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers, achieving new heights in both civil and military affairs. This was not merely the pinnacle of power, but also a heavy responsibility—a responsibility to these millions of people, and to the survival and revival of Chinese civilization in this chaotic world.

He extended his finger and gently touched the winding blue line representing the Yangtze River on the map, then slowly moved it southward, sweeping across the prosperous lands of Jiangnan, finally stopping at the point representing Jiankang, the capital of the Southern Dynasties. His gaze was sharp, as if he could see through the map and into the decadent yet turbulent palaces.

"The wolves of the Northern Frontier must be deterred or eradicated with swift and decisive action to prevent future troubles and stabilize the rear." Chen Xing's voice echoed in the warm hall, calm yet containing undeniable power. "The agreement with Jiangnan is merely a temporary measure. Once the Northern Frontier is somewhat stabilized and the internal situation is secure, that will be the time for this star banner to cross the Yangtze River and unify the world."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over Jia Wen, Chen Wei, and Su Xiaoxiao: "My lords, the second volume, Chapter Two, 'Dominating the North, Winning the Hearts of Beauties,' can now be concluded for the time being. We have already seized half the land and established an unparalleled foundation. However, our hegemony is not yet complete, and the world is not yet at peace. I hope that you will not forget your original aspirations, but forge ahead with determination, and together with me, plant this banner of revolution across the world!"

"We, your subjects, swear to follow Your Majesty to the death! As long as the flame burns, your great cause will surely be accomplished!" The three bowed solemnly and answered in unison, their eyes burning with the same light as Chen Xing's.

The meeting adjourned, and Chen Xing dismissed his attendants, ascending alone to the highest observation deck in the palace. It was late at night; the sky was as black as ink, the stars shone brightly, and a crescent moon hung obliquely in the heavens. A cold wind swept across the palace walls, carrying the scent of distant snow and ice. He stood leaning against the railing, his sable cloak swaying slightly in the wind.

Dominating the North, captivating beauties. Technological superiority, a nation built on a sound system, renowned generals surrendering, the North reigning supreme… Scenes flashed through my mind. Murong Mingyue's heroic figure standing guard on a snowy night, Su Xiaoxiao's focused attention while managing accounts, the glint in Jia Wenxian's eyes during a battle, Chen Wei's strictness during troop training, Dian Xiong's roar as he charged… and those ordinary soldiers who fell in countless battles, their names perhaps forgotten.

All of this forms the foundation of his success today, and also provides him with the steps and responsibilities to reach even greater goals.

My gaze passed over the faint lights of the myriad homes in the capital city and turned to the endless darkness in the south. It was as if I could see the mighty Yangtze River, the misty pavilions of Jiangnan, and even more distant, unexplored lands.

The road ahead remains long, and the challenges are still formidable. From the north lie wolves, from the south crouching tigers; internally, there are the difficulties of governance, and externally, the dangers of expansion. But his heart is as clear as a mirror, and his will as firm as iron.

With the system in hand, talented individuals by my side, the people's hearts at my disposal, and the tide turning in my favor.

This imperial ambition and the unification of the world have only just begun.