Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace-Chapter 145 Offend Gao Fen

Huangfu Hao and his light cavalry had just reached the borders of Nanyang at dawn, preparing to rest and replenish themselves when the scout ahead reported.

"Grand General, it’s not good, the Governor of Nanyang has fallen in battle. There was a traitor among the defenders of Nanyang City who opened the gates to the Yellow Turban rebels, and Nanyang City has fallen."

"What?"

Huangfu Hao’s face changed.

Back in Bianliang, he knew that Nanyang City was still in the hands of his own people, so he hurried day and night to reach Nanyang.

Firstly, he intended to use Nanyang City for resupply, as they were cavalry, specifically light cavalry, carrying only one day’s ration.

Secondly, by holding Nanyang City, he could prevent the situation from becoming too disadvantageous.

But with the loss of Nanyang City, the Yellow Turban rebels had greatly expanded their influence.

The situation had become difficult.

"General, Nanyang City has just been occupied by the rebel army not long ago, they haven’t fully taken control of the situation. If we speed up now, we might be able to recapture Nanyang," a commander suggested.

"It’s too late. We have been hurrying the troops overnight and are exhausted, the horses can’t bear it either. Attacking the city now, we’d be fatigued and susceptible to defeat.

Moreover, we are cavalry, not equipped with siege equipment, unsuitable for a siege," Huangfu Hao replied.

"Then, Grand General, what shall we do now?" the commander asked again. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Huangfu Hao sat on the grass, deep in thought for a moment, and then asked, "Did you bring the map of Nanyang County?"

"Yes." The commander took out the map from his chest and spread it on the grass, pointing to a spot on the map, "Grand General, we are here now, and the nearest place is Beijiang City."

"Beijiang City..."

Huangfu Hao pondered for a moment and then said, "Beijiang City is just a small city with not many people. The rebels surely wouldn’t station many troops there..."

After analyzing, Huangfu Hao immediately said, "Huangfu Xin."

"At your command." The commander who had spoken earlier replied with respect.

"In a moment, I will lead a thousand men to attack Beijiang City. You stay with the rest outside the city. When you receive my signal, bring your men in," Huangfu Hao ordered.

"As you command."

The troops rested for a quarter of an hour before heading towards Beijiang City.

...

Meanwhile, on Chen Mo’s side.

The infantry carried large siege equipment.

Their marching speed was, of course, slower than the cavalry’s.

The march was slow, with frequent stops.

By noon.

They had only covered a third of the journey.

"General Xiao, we need to speed up. At this rate, I’m afraid we’ll miss the opportunity," Wei Xian, the Military Supervisor, said.

Xiao Teng responded, "Officer Wei, you may not know, but in the summer heat, if the troops hasten, they won’t be able to bear it, and although several nearby counties said they’d supply provisions...

So far, we’ve seen no sign of them. There’s a saying that troops march on their stomachs; now we’re doing it backwards, and to avoid unexpected issues, this is already the fastest we can go."

Wei Xian didn’t understand military matters much, but he knew the longer the delay, the more dangerous Nanyang became, so he urged again, "General Xiao, please try to hurry."

As the Military Supervisor, Wei Xian’s request was something Xiao Teng had to consider. After a moment’s thought, he looked at Gao Fen and said, "Brother Gao, pick some of the best runners and form a vanguard of five thousand to move ahead quickly and join the Grand General."

"As you command."

Though both Xiao Teng and Gao Fen were deputy generals, Gao Fen’s seniority was considerably lower than Xiao Teng’s.

Moreover, before the campaign, Gao Qiu told him that he was sent to Nanyang to gain promotion through good performance, the more achievements, the higher the promotion.

As part of the Vanguard Army, Gao Fen could seize achievements ahead of others.

Thus, Gao Fen obediently followed Xiao Teng’s instructions.

The so-called best runners.

In reality, it just meant stronger soldiers.

And as a vanguard, they didn’t need to carry siege equipment.

Chen Mo from the Eastern Capital was chosen.

After all, the Eastern Capital’s Fourth Camp was fairly well-known in the Infantry Department.

Though difficult to discipline, their overall strength was indeed slightly superior.

Originally, Chen Mo was just a minor captain.

Normally, he wouldn’t catch the eye of a deputy general like Gao Fen.

But Chen Mo’s Snow Dragon Steed was too conspicuous.

It was white.

Strong and beautiful, and combined with Chen Mo’s light black armor, the black-and-white contrast made its owner all the more impressive.

So Gao Fen had his personal soldier summon Chen Mo.

The reason Gao Fen called Chen Mo over.

Was because he had his eye on Chen Mo’s Snow Dragon Steed.

The Snow Dragon Steed was a luxury with no market, even as Gao Qiu’s son, Gao Fen didn’t have one.

But to directly take Chen Mo’s Snow Dragon Steed, as a deputy general, Gao Fen couldn’t stoop to that.

So he subtly hinted that Chen Mo should present the Snow Dragon Steed to him.

In return, during battles, he could look after Chen Mo.

Allowing Chen Mo to stay back and not charge.

As casualty rates in charges were high.

Especially during a siege.

But Chen Mo pretended not to understand and declined gently.

So Gao Fen considered swapping steeds with Chen Mo instead.

Chen Mo refused again.

This was akin to what occurred in last night’s simulation, only sending himself on the most dangerous siege.

If the city fell, it would be his greatest success.

Moreover, he had backing above him, naturally, he wasn’t afraid of Gao Fen.

After Chen Mo left, Gao Fen’s face darkened.

A little captain dared to refuse his goodwill.

"Bring me the roster," Gao Fen instructed his personal soldier.

Soon after, the soldier brought the roster.

Gao Fen found his name on it.

"Chen Hong?"

Gao Fen didn’t know him.

"Reporting to the General, I’ve heard he’s arranged by the Xiao Family," the personal soldier said in Gao Fen’s ear.

"The Xiao Family."

Gao Fen frowned, then said, "No wonder that kid has a Snow Dragon Steed."

The sale of Snow Dragon Steeds was controlled by the Xiao Family.

"Don’t think that because you’re from the Xiao Family, this general can’t deal with you. In the army, I have plenty of ways to handle you," Gao Fen mused to himself.

...

Chen Mo returned to the Eastern Capital.

Gao Zheng and others gathered around him.

Among them, Gao Zheng asked, "What did Deputy General Gao want with you, Captain?"

"Was there some good news?" Xu Dabeng also chimed in.

Knowing the general course of what would follow, Chen Mo smiled and said, "Yes, it’s good news. We might be going on a siege."

"Ah!"

Their faces changed upon hearing that.

Laying siege, it was the most casualties incurring action.

It was often the least elite soldiers who were sent to siege cities.

"You’re kidding, right, Captain?" Liu Dan laughed nervously.

He wasn’t afraid to fight.

But the thought of a siege made his legs tremble.

"Very likely. But if we are the first to break into the city, the glory will also be ours," Chen Mo said.