The Great Qian soldiers at Yanzhi Mountain were sharpening their weapons and selecting fine horses. Lü Yi also gifted his other prized horse, the fiery red Liu Huo, to Liang Xiao as a backup.
In the capital, at the West Palace Garden, Xiao Qing and Zhen Mi were admiring Liang Xiao's poetry. They had already received news from Yanzhi Mountain that Liang Xiao was confirmed to lead the army north into the desert.
"Ze guo jiang shan ru zhan tu…" Zhen Mi recited, completely captivated.
"Isn't my Xiao Gege amazing? After Sister Qin Wan got married, the Saint of Medicine returned that part of the poetry to me, and the 'Man Jiang Hong' to Zhuo Ling Jun!" Xiao Qing said happily, then changed the subject, "However, your Xiao Gege is now conquering the barbarians. We should also write something for him, not just admire his." With that, Xiao Qing made a grand stroke and wrote a line.
[A thousand li, he fought across the land.]
"Mi'er, can you add a line~" Xiao Qing asked with a smile. Zhen Mi recalled Liang Xiao's heroic image, with the Fu You sword at his waist, commanding the wind and clouds. After a moment's thought, she completed the line.
[A thousand li, he fought across the land, one sword once held the might of a million men!]
Xiao Qing's eyes lit up, "Mi'er, you're truly amazing! Let's send this line to the front line, though I'm afraid he might have already set off by the time it arrives!" Zhen Mi looked a little disappointed, seemingly eager for her Xiao Gege to praise her.
"Don't be sad, Consort Mi, come and serve me~" Xiao Qing teased. This line, jointly written by Princess Ning Shuang and Consort Mi, soon spread throughout the capital, astonishing everyone. It was so fitting!
At this moment, Liang Xiao was unaware that two young girls had unexpectedly penned a renowned verse from the homeland of the "Heavenly General."
"Marquis, can we discuss something!" As Liang Xiao emerged from the military tent, Yue Qingtian trotted over.
"Just say it, no need to be hesitant. It's not like you," Liang Xiao chuckled. Yue Qingtian rubbed his bald head and grinned, "I'm going to the desert with the Marquis, and I might even earn merit. But can I petition His Majesty not to promote me?"
"Why?" Liang Xiao asked curiously, while Nan Jiyun and the others behind him were bewildered.
"I want to remain the Marquis's household guard, his personal bodyguard, forever. If I'm promoted too high, and still remain the Marquis's household guard, it would give people cause for gossip!" Yue Qingtian said with utmost seriousness.
Liang Xiao paused, then said, "Having your wife and children honored is a great thing…"
Yue Qingtian quickly replied, "My life belongs to the Marquis. I know my own capabilities. General Li Feng is already enough. Being able to continue to follow the Marquis is great!" Liang Xiao was touched and nodded, "Understood. I will send someone to remind His Majesty to change it to a monetary reward or something similar."
"This is also acceptable? Marquis, can you also speak for me, don't promote me!" Nie Yuan, standing next to Yue Qingtian, quickly exclaimed.
Liang Xiao couldn't help but give Nie Yuan a look, "You are meant to defend one side in the future. How can you always be my household guard?" Nie Yuan was speechless.
"Can you boy show some ambition!" Yue Qingtian chided. Nie Yuan pouted, his words caught in his throat. Who was the one who lost their ambition first, anyway?
As members of the Qingtian Guard, Nie Yuan and Yue Qingtian were both prepared to follow Liang Xiao into the desert. Only the veteran household guard, Liang Zhan, who was a bit older, was to stay behind to assist Lü Yi in training new elites, given Liang Zhan's experience in training the Great Qian Iron Guards and Qingtian Guards.
"Vice Marshal, Commander Ding has arrived!" A messenger rushed in with urgent news. Liang Xiao and Lü Yi immediately went out to greet them. Zuo Wushang, Hong Qu, and three thousand Shadow Guards followed behind Ding Wuyi.
"Second Young Master Liang, I will still accompany you to the desert to provide support!" Ding Wuyi, though filled with worry, did not forget to address Liang Xiao this way.
"Eunuch Ding, please stay. There is no need to worry about my safety. After all, you have more important tasks," Liang Xiao shook his head.
Ding Wuyi sighed and said, "I will allocate a thousand Shadow Guards for you to command!" Liang Xiao nodded, and the two exchanged a knowing look. These Shadow Guards, while accompanying the army, were to provide cover for Bai Ye Fei Ying for Liang Xiao.
Earlier, when Liang Xiao visited Bai Ye Fei Ying in the stable, he learned from Hong Xiu that Bai Ye Fei Ying seemed to sense an impending major battle. Because it couldn't participate, it was throwing a tantrum and refusing to bathe. It was only after Liang Xiao and Hong Xiu pacified it for a long time that Bai Ye Fei Ying finally calmed down. Starting from the East Sea King's Bai Long Ying, this lineage of divine steeds seemed to be born for battle, unwilling to be idle. In the past, divine steeds would even venture into the mountains to drive away jackals and tigers when bored.
To conceal Bai Ye Fei Ying, Liang Xiao also procured a rather bulky gray horse vest for it. Zuo Wushang, acting under the identity of Liang Ke, Liang Xiao's household guard, reported to him, "Marquis, we can serve as guides!" Liang Xiao smiled and nodded. Zuo Wushang and Hong Qu had both been to the Barbarian King's Court. Hong Qu, in particular, was reportedly familiar with the geography of the barbarian lands.
Hong Qu said with a smile, "Marquis, rest assured, with me here, we won't get lost! My sense of direction is amazing, astonishingly so!"
"How astonishingly so?" Liang Xiao asked. Hong Qu looked around, then leaned close to Liang Xiao and whispered, "More astonishing than Hong Jie's taste in aesthetics!" Liang Xiao suddenly remembered Hong Jie, who held his two-hundred-jin wife with a look of infatuation. His expression changed, "Alright, it's settled then!"
The guides for the hundred thousand cavalry were not just Hong Jie alone. Zuo Wushang, some surrendered subordinates, and over a hundred apprehended barbarian captives would also go. These barbarian captives, after facing a barrage of tortures from Liang Xiao, finally confessed. With one hundred people providing their testimonies, cross-referenced with each other and supplemented by Hong Qu and others, there was no fear of them leading the army astray. If they dared to try anything, torture would be their fate.
Although ten thousand troops were deployed, the actual combat cavalry numbered eighty thousand, including two thousand soldiers responsible for logistics who would occasionally participate in battles. In addition, before the hundred thousand cavalry departed, thirty thousand supply troops would escort the provisions, and once the army entered the desert, these supply troops would return to Yanzhi Mountain to report. The eighty thousand combat troops included the Qingtian Guard, the Great Qian Iron Guard, some Shadow Guards, and some former reserve cavalry. These cavalrymen had undergone cavalry training, but in battle, they often fought as infantry. Now that they finally had their own warhorses, they were ravenous for battle, eager to achieve merit and success.
Liang Xiao had specially prepared four hundred thousand warhorses for the hundred thousand soldiers, with two to three spare horses per person, ensuring easier pursuit and retreat. It was unrealistic for cavalry to conduct long-term, long-distance operations with only one horse. These warhorses could also carry provisions and fodder, and even the heads of barbarian cavalry.
After discussing with the remaining generals, Lü Yi finally decided: The entire army would wait for Liang Xiao's troops to return from the desert before celebrating their victory and returning to the northern territories! They would have plenty of food while stationed here anyway. In late spring and early summer, it was also slightly cooler here than in the three northern regions, and there were ample training grounds, making for a more comfortable training environment.
By the end of April, the road leading to the desert was finally completely repaired, sufficient for the ten thousand cavalry to march north safely.
"Water the horses in the vast sea, to comfort our martyrs!" After the Great Qian soldiers offered sacrifices to their ancestors, the ten thousand iron cavalry and supplies were finally ready. Liang Xiao personally led the troops north!