These words struck Lu Qingwan as rather strange. "Since the strategist has already made his arrangements, why not attack immediately? Why must you wait for me to reach the Northwest?"
Lu Qingwan knew very well that she was only bringing the advantage of thousands of years of fame from her previous life, capable of making some money and solving logistical issues. In terms of military formations, any junior general from the Xuanjia Army was superior to her. The timing on the battlefield was fleeting, and she truly didn't see why Lian Yu couldn't do without her.
And the reason Li Su gave her was indeed quite unexpected. She said, "His Highness and the strategist intend to deplete the Northern Wei's national strength as much as possible while taking Yunqiang. Therefore, the strategist has been leading the Northern Wei reinforcements on a chase during this time, and the opportune moment has not yet arrived. Furthermore, His Highness said that when he and Marquis Lu suffered setbacks in the Northwest, you bore a nightmare of blood for over a year. Now, he wants to let the Xuanjia Army rebuild its glory in front of you, so that you can stop having nightmares for the rest of your life and continue to wear your favorite rose red."
Li Su spoke clearly and precisely, and after finishing, she even moved herself to tears. It was a pity that Lu Qingwan was romantically allergic. After listening to Li Su's words, she asked stiffly, "Are these His Highness's exact words?"
"Not exactly." We all knew that His Highness aspired to conquer the world, but we also knew that things hadn't gone smoothly in recent years, and what His Highness wanted to do might be postponed for several years. He himself probably thought the same as us, so he shelved many plans. Li Su pursed her lips, as if about to cry. "But as soon as Li Jin and the others told His Highness that the blood on the snow mountain in the Northwest had left you with a psychological shadow, he immediately searched for the military deployments of the three kingdoms and one region over the past three years in Ban Yue Ge. In the warehouse of Ban Yue Ge, he prepared a whole courtyard full of red clothes for you, intending to give them to you when you recovered. Xie Shiluan, Xiao Jingan, the then father and son of Marquis Xuanwu, and that Nie Wuming who forced you to kill people, are all on His Highness's blacklist. So, we subordinates all thought that His Highness had actually forgotten his ambition long ago, and his return this time was just to vent your anger..."
Perhaps Lu Qingwan's early warnings had taken effect; Si Fengwu had never been stingy in expressing his feelings. Therefore, Lu Qingwan had always been very clear about his profound affection for her. Yet, hearing others speak of his schemes for her still made her heart warm like a young girl experiencing first love.
"My revenge must be taken, and His Highness's ambition must not be forgotten." Lu Qingwan gathered her thoughts and calmly said, "Accelerate the advance, reach the Northwest as soon as possible, and don't delay matters."
"As you command!" Duan Yue outside responded, cracking her whip on the horse's back. The horse immediately galloped away at high speed.
Even though they were told to travel at full speed, the journey that could be completed in ten days by horse in summer, due to environmental constraints, took more than twenty days. Lian Yu personally sent people to escort Lu Qingwan, allowing her to safely bypass the combat zone and head directly to the main army camp.
The thick felt tent blocked out the howling north wind. Lian Yu rubbed his hands and said joyfully, "Your Highness, you have arrived at just the right time. I received news that the Northern Wei army has run out of supplies. We won't be fighting here anymore; we'll turn our attention to Yunqiang, which is perfect." Having stayed in the Northwest for a long time, Lian Yu had acquired a bit of a rough demeanor, and his voice was as if he were shouting.
Lu Qingwan, so cold she felt like she was sitting on a stove, exhaled with a hiss and asked Lian Yu, "There was heavy snow just a few days ago. Do our brothers have experience fighting in the snow? If their skills in cold and frost protection and snow navigation are not mature, their biggest opponent will not be the Yunqiang barbarians but the harsh weather conditions? Have you discussed launching a war at this time with His Highness?"
Lian Yu nodded vigorously. "Your Highness, please rest assured, the Xuanjia Army has experience fighting in the snow; they won't freeze to death or get lost. His Highness said that for this war, he will focus on the capital, and I will be in charge of the Northwest, telling me to fight as I see fit."
Lian Yu's combat capabilities were recognized by Si Fengwu, Emperor Jingyou, and Lu Zhenting. Lu Qingwan, being half-baked, dared not presume to act as a great expert. She immediately said, "Since His Highness has said so, then we will follow his word. You handle this battle as you see fit. I only have one request: use whatever military equipment and supplies you need. Except for lives, nothing needs to be spared for me."
As she finished speaking, a hearty laugh was heard. The small wooden door of the tent was pushed open, and several generals walked in. Among them, a tall and strong man, like an iron tower, was the most conspicuous. His gaze fixed on Lu Qingwan, and he said boisterously, "This must be the Princess Consort, right? I've long heard that our Prince married a female god of wealth. This sounds great!"
Lu Qingwan's mind quickly ran through the roster of the Xuanjia Army's main generals. She responded in kind, "And this must be General Jiang Canjun of the Iron Cavalry, whose name strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies? He certainly lives up to his reputation; looking at this physique, one feels he can fight."
Everyone was stunned, and then they burst into laughter. "Your Highness has sharp eyes; this is indeed Jiang Jun." Lian Yu chuckled and added, "These are all generals who were previously stationed in various border cities. Knowing that the Princess Consort was coming, they specifically rushed back, wanting to see for themselves what the Princess Consort who designed so many firearms for the Xuanjia Army looked like."
Lian Yu's words were tinged with teasing, and those generals felt a bit embarrassed. Lu Qingwan laughed heartily, "Then I apologize. I only have one head, two eyes, and two legs. I don't have three heads and six arms, so I will likely disappoint you generals."
Seeing her so casual, unlike the delicate and pretentious noblewomen they usually encountered, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. The leading General Jiang Canjun said frankly, "The Princess Consort's wisdom far surpasses three heads and six arms; how could we be disappointed? This time, besides wanting to behold the Princess Consort's grace, we also wish to consult you on matters concerning the use of firearms. We beg the Princess Consort to impart your knowledge."
"Gladly." Lu Qingwan sat down at the main seat with a cheerful demeanor. "With the battle imminent, I won't waste time with pleasantries. Please take your seats, generals, and let's get straight to the point."
It was likely that they had prepared in advance to arrange for Lu Qingwan to meet these generals. The main camp tent was already set up. A square table that could accommodate more than twenty people displayed a detailed and realistic sand table, and opposite it was a wide map of the three kingdoms and one region. Everyone sat around the table, their expressions solemn.
Lian Yu tentatively asked, "Your Highness, as you have just arrived, may I first brief you on the general situation?"
Lu Qingwan spoke confidently, "No need. I have already understood the battlefield situation on my way here. Strategist, just brief me on your upcoming strategic deployment. I will only serve as a consultant for firearm strategy. I don't understand anything else, so the strategist need not waste time on me."
The generals' expressions varied as they all looked at Lian Yu. The latter's expression remained calm as he began to explain the Xuanjia Army's latest combat plan.