Ch. 546..550: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 546-550

Chapter 546: Chapter 546: Frontier (4)_1

"Noodles are practical." Chu Suifeng offered all the slices of meat from his bowl to Lin Ziyin, "Spiced meat and ham are great too. They could use them to have a warm meal when marching."

"If I can help the Prince even a little bit, I am pleased," Lin Ziyin playfully responded before cheerfully shifting her meat slices back into Chu Suifeng’s bowl. "Sitting in the wagon all day with pastries and snacks to munch on; I’m not starved."

"The weather will get colder at night, eat more." Chu Suifeng urged while trying on move some meat slices back into her bowl again.

"Prince," Lin Ziyin looked at him with a bitter smile, "I usually eat less at night. I can’t finish such a big bowl of noodles. Besides, we’ve just left the estate and have enough food in our stomach."

Seeing her insistence, Chu Suifeng had no choice but to devour his food himself, feeling sweet as honey inside. He realized how blessed it was to have a woman willing to share the highs and lows and care for you.

"I can’t eat all this," Lin Ziyin looked troubled at the big bowl. To meet the hurry they were in, all the soldiers had oversized bowls. She lowered her head, barely fitting her face into the bowl’s mouth.

"Give it to me." Chu Suifeng realized she truly can’t finish and stretched his bowl towards Lin Ziyin.

Lin Ziyin was slightly taken aback.

Chu Suifeng chuckled softly, eating up the rest of the noodles in his bowl in a few bites, then used his chopsticks to transfer a large portion of her noodles into his bowl, "I don’t mind."

Lin Ziyin laughed out loud. This guy, high in IQ, slightly lacks EQ. What’s supposed to be a touching line to please girls, lost all its romantism when he said it, too straightforward.

"I really thought the Prince would mind," Lin Ziyin stared at him, then transferred the rest of her noodles into his bowl too. "Wonder if the Prince would mind leftovers from others?"

She playfully winked at Chu Suifeng.

Lin Ziyin always played the wise and steady part in front of Chu Suifeng. He had never witnessed this little girl’s lively and mischievous side and was momentarily awestruck.

"Do you want another bowl?" Lin Ziyin asked, blushing slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"No need." She ate little while Chu Suifeng just had portions for two.

Pine branches were ablaze on fire, occasionally emitting crackling sounds. Congyi and Hong Ying went to sit somewhere a bit further away. Chu Suifeng poked the fire with a branch making the flame surge, "It will be colder at night. Wrap up with more quilts and sleep in the wagon, I’ll guard you."

"Hmm." Even though Chu Suifeng treated her like a flower in a greenhouse, Lin Ziyin wasn’t bothered by this new feeling at all.

They were in a hurry. After the meal, the orders came quickly for everyone to rest. Being a part of the troop, Lin Ziyin opted not to be treated specially and instead rested early like the others.

She had the best sleeping conditions, in a spacious wagon lined with thick quilts and blankets with a comforter on top of her.

Peeking out, she saw Chu Suifeng was resting right next to their wagon only wrapped in a blanket. She felt sorry for this man. "Go, take the comforter to the Prince."

She grabbed the comforter and gave it to Hong Ying.

"But Miss.." Hong Ying accepted the comforter hesitantly.

"I have enough quilts underneath me; a blanket is enough. And I’m in the wagon and have you with me, I won’t be cold." Lin Ziyin answered, frowning.

Chapter 547: Chapter 547: Frontier (5)_1

At the sight of her expression, Hong Ying undoubtedly deduced that she was upset, so she quickly picked up the quilt and left the room.

Outside, she handed the quilt over to Congyi and whispered a few words to him. Congyi glanced over in her direction, then walked over to Chu Suifeng with the quilt.

As Chu Suifeng took the blanket, he too glanced over at her, Lin Ziyin gave him a faint smile and waved her hand.

Even though it was hard to clearly see each other’s expressions in the darkness, they both understood the sentiment involved. On Chu Suifeng’s part, seeing Lin Ziyin’s dismissive hand action prompted him to abandon the thought of returning the quilt.

Lin Ziyin had been in the carriage the entire day. This quilt seemed to still preserve her scent on it. Chu Suifeng covered himself up with it, and soon slipped into a dream.

"Miss, time to wake up for the meal now," Lun Luo gently woke up Lin Ziyin inside the carriage.

Despite having switched places last night, Lin Ziyin still had a heavenly deep sleep. Upon waking up by Lun Luo’s call, she opened up her hazy eyes. The carriage’s inner light was nothing much, but outside, even the low murmuring and shuffling noises of the soldiers crept into her ears.

She really had slept heavily. Lin Ziyin just laughed at herself. It seemed like, as long as Chu Suifeng was around, she felt extraordinarly secure.

Once she got her clothes in order and stepped down from the carriage, Lin Ziyin realised that it wasn’t her oversleeping, but rather everyone else arose too early. Because right now, besides the campfire brilliantly illuminating spots in all directions, everywhere else was under the veil of darkness.

"We need to have breakfast soon and then the army will march out." Chu Suifeng was already up, still in yesterday’s robe. Lin Ziyin guessed that he must have gotten very little sleep. Even so, she couldn’t discern any distress on Chu Suifeng’s face.

"Little girl, regret coming along now?" Master Hui Zhen cheerily walked over, asking her.

Lin Ziyin faintly smiled, "Why should I regret anything?"

"To get up this early, how hard it must be. If you had stayed back at the manor, who would dare disturb you at this time. And I tell you, this is just the beginning." Hui Zhen jested. "Do you want me to send you back?"

"No need." Lin Ziyin answered promptly.

"You, young lady, are indeed following your fellow around nowadays." Hui Zhen widened his eyes, looking amusingly surprised.

"Master, seems like you’re just jealous." Lin Ziyin also laughed.

"You little girl, to even dare mock a monk, be careful you get struck by lightning." Hui Zhen glared at her.

"I’m not scared." Lowering her voice, Lin Ziyin added, "What if the Host knew you’ve been secretly enjoying non-vegetarian dishes, hmm."

"You need to control this girl, she’s way out of line." Hui Zhen complained to Chu Suifeng, pointing at Lin Ziyin.

"Is what she saying wrong?" Chu Suifeng shot a cold look at Hui Zhen, "I heard that the Flying Dragon Brocade Chicken on the back mountain wilts when a certain someone approaches it. And the fish in the river seem to be getting less, probably because some of them have ended up in a certain someone’s stomach..."

As he spoke, Chu Suifeng eyed Hui Zhen with an ill-intentioned gaze.

So wicked! They’re indeed a perfect match, birds of a feather, Hui Zhen had no comeback in the face of the combined offensive of the two.

Lin Ziyin knew Hui Zhen was intentionally reminding her to brace herself for the future challenges.

She was grateful for his kindness, but Master Hui Zhen had no idea how profoundly she understood a soldier’s life. She had already passed through all the ordeals a soldier faced, except for taking a life.

When outdoors, it’s always difficult to experience home’s comforts. Especially when an army is marching, the journey holds countless hardships. Lin Ziyin held her tiny cup, brushed her teeth with a special toothbrush, and gargled. Even in these harsh conditions, she still diligently maintained her personal hygiene, as much as the situation permitted.

Chapter 548: Chapter 548: Frontier (6)_1

However, this move was contemptuous to many soldiers.

During the rush, only a few upper-level leaders knew Lin Ziyin’s identity. Most of the team was very curious about her identity. After all, there were few people who could earn the respect of the Prince and many generals. After observing Lin Ziyin’s every move, many people became confused. How could a pretty boy like Lin Ziyin, who was so effeminate, gain the Prince’s favor?

Some secretly guessed that Lin Ziyin might be a member of the Tianji Building. Even if he was from the Tianji Building, he would technically be under the Prince, and it was unexpected for the Prince to be so courteous to him.

If it wasn’t for the strict discipline in the Prince’s team, Lin Ziyin would probably have been cornered by curious soldiers for questioning.

The morning meal was surprisingly rice, a bit luxurious, but reasonable. After all, at noon, everyone could only fill their stomachs with a few pancakes, so the morning and evening meals had to be good enough to sustain their strength for a day.

"Eat a bit more," Chu Suifeng advised her while serving her a slice of meat. He seemed to have gotten used to caring for the one he loved.

Lin Ziyin ate honestly. She wouldn’t upset her stomach, as this breakfast had to last a whole day. After eating, the eastern sky was just beginning to lighten up, but the army was ready to set off.

After seven days of strenuous travel, the army finally arrived at the Border City by noon on the eighth day.

Upon entering the Border City, Lin Ziyin immediately felt the tense atmosphere of war. The once bustling streets were now rarely seen with pedestrians, and there was no trace of merchants selling goods. Even the shops on either side of the street were seldom open.

Lin Ziyin observed carefully and found that among the open shops, two sold food, while the others sold miscellaneous goods. She breathed a sigh of relief. Seems like the efforts she and Chu Suifeng had made were not in vain. After all, as long as the city remained, necessities like food and salt should not be interrupted. Only then would the people feel secure.

"General Luo greets the Prince." After the army entered the camp and immediately began setting up the camp, Luo Heng rushed over with his soldiers to meet Chu Suifeng. However, Si Jinhan and Situ Gong, who had already settled in Border City, were nowhere to be found.

"Sit." Chu Suifeng pointed to the seat and instructed.

Thankful, Luo Heng respectfully sat down, but after sitting, he glanced at Lin Ziyin sitting next to Chu Suifeng.

Lin Ziyin had previously met Luo Heng in Border City, so she smiled and nodded at him when she noticed his gaze, "General Luo, we meet again."

Luo Heng was a military general, but he was not a fool. Knowing that Lin Ziyin was a woman, he quickly guessed her identity upon considering that the Prince was engaged.

Once he realized, he immediately stood up, bowed to Lin Ziyin, and said, "I pay my respects to Miss Lin."

Lin Ziyin and Chu Suifeng were not yet married, so the title he used was appropriate.

"You needn’t be so formal, General Luo." Lin Ziyin smiled and acknowledged. Given her current status, she naturally did not need to stand and return Luo’s bow.

"Thank you, Miss." Luo Heng sat back down, keeping his eyes steady.

"Has the Tatar army arrived at the Border City yet?" Chu Suifeng, pleased with Luo Heng’s respect for Lin Ziyin, asked in a somewhat softer tone.

"The Tatar vanguard arrived at the Border City five days ago, according to our spies. In another five days, their main force will undoubtedly arrive at the Border City. We’ve had few skirmishes these days. It seems like the Tatars are waiting for their main troops to arrive and have been ignoring our challenges. Master Situ has been advising us to prepare more and go out less in the past few days to respond to the Fire Bull Formation they’ll be deploying. A fierce battle is expected this winter, as the Chief Commander leading the army this time is Bayal, touted as the strongest Military General in the North Country. State Preceptor Billy, serving as a strategist, follows him, and the Fire Bull Formation is his creation.", explained Luo Heng, the commander of the Border City, who is well-informed about the military forces of the North Country.

Chapter 549: Chapter 549: Frontier (7)_1

Chu Suifeng, as the king of the Northern Land, had a clear understanding of the situation and personnel in the North Country.

Fearing Lin Ziyin might not fully understand the North Country, he specifically explained a few things to her, "State Preceptor Billy is the teacher of Prince Brukan and is also a staunch supporter of the prince. This man is well-versed in military strategies and especially adept at deploying formations and strategizing. If he goes with the army, I’m afraid it won’t be easy to deal with."

Lin Ziyin listened attentively, secretly making a mental note of the characters they mentioned.

Luo Heng was somewhat surprised by Chu Suifeng’s behavior. He was unclear as to why the prince would explain so much to a girl like Lin Ziyin.

"The Fire Bull Formation is very powerful. According to spies, Billy has tied sharp knives to the horns of the bulls. These tamed bulls are very obedient. If they also tied torches to their tails, a startled herd charging at our army could cause significant casualties," Luo Heng expressed his concern.

"How is the spear team trained by Si Jinhan?" Chu Suifeng asked again.

"The people trained by the Third Prince are intensifying their practice every day, and they hardly ever miss their target. However, dealing with the Fire Bull Formation still presents some difficulty," Luo Heng voiced his concerns.

"Difficulty? Speak up," Chu Suifeng commanded.

"The startled herd of bulls charges very fast. I’m not sure if the cavalry responsible for piercing the bulls’ legs can do it in the midst of the chaos. Furthermore, Billy will certainly not allow our troops to get close to the herd. If the cavalry doesn’t take down the target in one hit, the main force of our army would pay an extremely heavy price," as the Chief Commander, Luo Heng’s consideration of the battle was very thorough, and his analysis of possible incidents in the battle was spot on.

Chu Suifeng listened to Luo Heng’s words, his expression not showing worry but instead turned to Lin Ziyin, "The Tatar’s horses are more robust and ferocious than those of our Northern Lands. The startled Fire Bull runs very fast as well. The situation that General Luo is worried about is very likely to occur. Ziyin, what do you think? Do you have any countermeasures?"

"General Luo, what did Mr. Situ say?" Lin Ziyin didn’t respond directly but first asked Luo Heng, wanting to understand Situ Gong’s opinion. She had always had great respect for Situ Gong, Chu Suifeng’s advisor.

"Mr. Situ believes that our army has crossbows, which have a longer range than the Tatar archers. With the assistance of the archers, the cavalry can get close to the Fire Bulls," Luo Heng expressed with slight surprise. The king’s attitude was strange, frequently asking for Lin Ziyin’s opinions. Even if the prince was uxorious, he should not rely on the queen’s advice when arranging military affairs.

"What Mr. Situ said makes sense. Our crossbows have a longer range than theirs, which is an advantage. If we can take down the first row of charging Fire Bulls with the help of our ballista, the subsequent lines will be much easier to handle. The Long Snake Formation can fully resist their coordination. Even if the Tatar’s main force were following the Fire Bulls, they would still need time to break through the ranks. Indeed, while the Fire Bulls act as their vanguard, they could also be a hindrance to their charge," Lin Ziyin agreed with Situ Gong’s opnion.

Chu Suifeng was delighted, since both Lin Ziyin and Situ Gong believed that they could stop the first row of Fire Bulls, their chance of winning the war greatly increased. As for the frontal confrontaion , he was never scared. His soldiers trained by Luo Heng and Si Jinhan for so long would definitely not disappoint him.

Luo Heng didn’t expect that Lin Ziyin could analyse the situation of both enemy and ally so thoroughly, so he looked at her with curiosity.

"Our army’s east and west flanks are cliffs, and there is no need to worry about them coming from there. The south is guarded by Si Jinhan, and the north is the real battlefield. However, if the enemy is defeated, they will definitely hide in the mountains to the rear. The significant number of cliffs there will make it hard to attack," Chu Suifeng pointed at the map and analyzed.

"Shouldn’t that area also be our Northern Land’s territory?" Lin Ziyin looked at the map and asked.

"Beyond Dangkou ahead, several hundred li farther north is entirely our Northern Land’s territory. However, the population of our Northern Land is small, and we simply can’t take that into account," Luo Heng replied with a bitter smile.

The population is indeed crucial for a piece of territory.

The Northern Land, unfortunately, lacks population the most. Watching large expanses of land being occupied by the Tatars, yet being powerless to resist, was a kind of torment for the soldiers of the Northern Land.

Chapter 550: Chapter 550: Surprise Attack (1)_1

Lin Ziyin was speechless, unable to change the uncrowded situation in the Northern Land.

She was uncertain if the new "migration" plan would bring any returns. The idea of bringing wives and children of the soldiers to the Northern Land didn’t harbor much hope for Lin Ziyin and Chu Suifeng. After all, the Northern Land is known for its barren and cold climate, and being a border region also makes it less attractive. Who would willingly come to this harsh place?

"Under the command of Sir Situ, all city walls have been fortified. With cliffs on both sides, it would be pointless for the enemy to attempt to breach the city." As the Chief Commander of the Northern Land, Luo Heng spoke with a heavy yet dominant tone.

Chu Suifeng nodded approvingly, "General Luo, your work is appreciated. However, we cannot let our guard down. Billy is crafty, and his pupil, Vanguard Timur, is just as tactically astute."

"Rest assured, my prince, the city gates are heavily guarded. They can’t possibly sprout wings and fly in." Luo Heng joked, a rarity for him.

"Don’t be so sure about that." A lazy voice echoed from the entrance.

Lin Ziyin didn’t need to lift her head to recognize who the speaker was.

"I pay my respects to you, Prince." Dressed in a white robe, Si Jinhan walked in. The daily training under the scorching sun had made him tanned and leaner than before. He had lost some of his initial flamboyance, gaining a more masculine and regal aura instead.

Military was indeed a good place for reshaping a person.

"Miss Lin." Now that Lin Ziyin was the future princess, even an old acquaintance like Si Jinhan couldn’t dare to undervalue her in the slightest.

"Sit." Chu Suifeng seemed happy to see Si Jinhan, his face softened. "So, where do you think the attack will come from?"

"Border City has many travellers and residents; it is extremely chaotic. Add to that the convicts sent by Daqin over the years, the city is full of all sorts. Not every person is loyal to the prince among them, and for their own interests, they wouldn’t be loyal to Daqin either," Si Jinhan began, a cold smirk on his face.

"So, you’re saying there are traitors within our own walls?" Luo Heng asked in surprise.

Although he was the commander of Border City, the jurisdiction over civil matters was not under his purview, instead handled by civil officials. Over these years, Border City had been peaceful due to their presence, without any noticeable civil unrest.

As for warfare, they had battled with the Tatars several times. If there were traitors, shouldn’t they have made their move already?

However, if Si Jinhan made such an assertion, Luo Heng couldn’t afford to doubt it. He knew Si Jinhan and his brother Luo Yan were both trusted aides of the prince, often assisting in highly confidential matters.

The darker the matters, the more they were tasked with handling it. More importantly, Si Jinhan specialized in intelligence work.

If he said there were traitors, there must be traitors.

As a military commander, Luo Heng was mortified at the thought of not noticing any such movement within the city.

"Have they all been rooted out?" Chu Suifeng asked coldly.

"Most of them have been found but there might still be some who slipped through the net," Si Jinhan didn’t hide his failure. "The traitors we’ve found in the city are Brukan’s men. The men of the second prince, Alhatu, seem to be deeper undercover."

"Alhatu?" Chu Suifeng quietly repeated the name.

Upon hearing the name, Lin Ziyin instantly remembered a young man’s face. She had known this person briefly. To be honest, she had a good impression of him. At least, in the face of danger, he had not lost his humanity, making him quite the hero in her eyes.