With the timely arrival of reinforcements, the Western Defense Army repelled the enemy's powerful forces for the first time. Some cheered while others wept with grief.
Since the start of the war, Liang Country had dispatched a total of 400,000 troops. At that time, all the troops garrisoned on Ye Country's borders added up to only 300,000. Not only did they lose two cities in a row, but they also suffered countless casualties.
The imperial court later transferred 100,000 troops from the south, but they were still no match for the overwhelming enemy forces. They lost another city and suffered exponentially more casualties.
Nearly a month into the war, Ye Country's imperial forces had already lost nearly 150,000 officers and soldiers, and morale was declining day by day.
In contrast, Liang Country's casualties were less than 80,000. Having won several consecutive battles, morale was high as they advanced westward like a hot knife through butter.
Ye Country urgently needed a victory to boost sagging morale. So the Western Defense Army general hoped the imperial court would send more troops to provide support, hoping to outnumber Liang Country's forces and defeat them.
But before the reinforcements arrived, Liang Country launched another attack. Just as Western Defense Army was about to abandon another city, the reinforcements arrived in the nick of time. The vanguard of these reinforcements was brave and good at fighting, greatly boosting the army's morale. For the first time since the western front opened, they repelled the enemy forces.
General Chen was a second-rank general, while the Western Defense Army general was third-rank, so the command of the western front naturally fell to General Chen, with the Western Defense Army general assisting.
The Western Defense Army general was very grateful to the imperial reinforcements. Having lost three cities in a row, he knew what would become of him. Now seeing hope, he hoped to redeem himself on the upcoming battlefield.
Inside the main tent of the Western Defense Army, the generals and commanders of the allied forces gathered.
"Western Defense Army General Zhang De and subordinates pay respects to General Chen!"
General Chen helped Zhang De up and said, "Generals, please rise." He then walked to the head of the tent and sat down, saying to the generals, "Generals, please be seated."
The generals sat down on both sides of the tent, with the commanders standing behind them.
"Today, thanks to the general arriving in time to turn the tide of battle. Otherwise, who knows how many more soldiers and commoners would have died at the hands of Liang Country's forces."
"It is our duty. And we will continue to rely on the generals to assist wholeheartedly."
"Of course."
"Let me introduce you all to the imperial supervisor of armies appointed by His Majesty."
Qin Chuyuan and Zhang De and the other generals saluted each other.
"General Zhang."
"Supervisor Qin."
"Next, generals, please introduce yourselves and get acquainted with each other. In the future, we will join hands in battle."
"I'll go first. Under General Chen I am..."
"I am..."
They took turns introducing themselves.
When it was Gong Xiaohua's turn, she stood up, saluted, and said, "I am Western Garden Army General Gong Xiaohua, currently under General Chen. Pleased to meet you, Generals."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang De immediately stood up in disbelief and asked, "Are you really that female third-rank general personally conferred by His Majesty?"
"Yes, I am."
"Haha! I've heard the name but never met the person. As expected, the fairer sex is not inferior. And the generals and soldiers under you are exceptionally brave and good at fighting, earning our admiration."
Zhang De sincerely praised them. Having seen her lead troops charging straight into the enemy camp earlier, their momentum like a raging flood, it was as if heavenly soldiers had descended. This greatly buoyed their morale, which was exactly what Ye Country's forces sorely needed - true ace troops.
"Yes, yes, today I have this little brother here to thank for saving me from the enemy's blades." One of Zhang De's commanders said to He Lianyu.
Seeing Western Defense Army lavishly praising Xiyuan Army's men, the generals under General Chen were instantly unhappy, as if they hadn't contributed at all.
Hearing the praise, He Lianyu and the others immediately stood taller, growing arrogant, and didn't forget to show off in front of General Chen's men.
Seeing their behavior, Gong Xiaohua was annoyed. A bunch of nobles' sons clearly knew nothing of humility.
It was just as the saying goes, a dog can't stop eating shit, and their arrogant bones couldn't be altered.
She truly worried they would make enemies the longer they stayed in the military. It seemed she would have to ask her uncle to keep a close eye on them.
"Ahem!" Gong Xiaohua loudly cleared her throat twice, throwing them a warning look.
Receiving the signal, He Lianyu's group hurriedly restrained themselves and stood properly.
Gong Xiaohua saluted Zhang De and said, "General Zhang flatters us."
"General Gong is too modest."
"General Zhang, shall we discuss arrangements for what comes next?" General Chen interrupted them and said.
"Yes, yes."
"General Zhang, please brief us on the situation with Liang Country's forces."
"Liang Country dispatched a total of 400,000 troops this time. The commander-in-chief is Liang Country's Prince Runan who has long garrisoned Liang Country's borders and is valiant and skilled in battle. He is Liang Country's only prince allowed to command troops. The deceased Liang Country princess who died was his eldest daughter. He undoubtedly came to seek vengeance for his daughter..."
"Currently, Liang Country should have around 320,000 troops left, camped ten li from our city of Yu. Our forces, including injured soldiers, probably only number around 250,000. Adding General's 50,000 troops this time, our total strength is about 300,000, still 30,000 fewer than Liang Country."
"It seems we still don't have an absolute advantage against Liang Country's forces."
"We're ashamed at failing to preserve more of our military strength."
"The situation being what it is, General should not blame himself. Making up for it with achievements on the battlefield going forward is what matters now."
"Yes. We will fight to the death."
"General Zhang, could you talk about how the previous battles against Liang Country's forces went?" Gong Xiaohua asked.
"Of course. The first battle, General, you mounted a surprise attack..."
...
"In the third battle, the enemy directly killed our commanding general, scattering our military discipline and making our soldiers inclined to retreat. We were routed and only managed to regroup thanks to the general's timely arrival." Zhang De gave a detailed account of all three previous battles' events.
"It seems this Prince Runan is not only brave and skilled in battle but his tactics are ever-changing too. Attention, all units!" said General Chen.
"Yes, sir!"
"Starting today, 12-hour shifts for guard duties in rotation. All units reinforce security and report any abnormalities immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
"Very good. You have all worked hard today. Dismissed to rest."
"Yes, sir!"
Zhang De and Gong Xiaohua led their subordinates out of the tent, with Qin Chuyuan following closely behind.
After the crowd exited the tent, General Chen's men were unhappy.
"General, seems like Xiyuan Army gets all the credit for this battle, and that imperial army supervisor is so close with that female general too. Going forward, won't they get all the glory for victories?" said one of the generals, dissatisfied.
"Silence! With the enemy at our doorstep, discord must not be sown. It jeopardizes morale."
"But..."
"Enough. Dismissed."
"General? What is the plan?" General Chen's most trusted advisor asked. He of course did not believe the general would tolerate Xiyuan Army showing him up.
"Qin supervisor is close to the Crown Prince and trusted by His Majesty. Superficially we cannot show any rift. But in war, one need not only fight on the battlefield—cities also need defending."
"The general is wise."
Meanwhile, Gong Xiaohua did not expect that on just the first day at the western front, she had attracted envy already.
