Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

There were many types of cavalry. However, in this era, there was no detailed division of the armed forces. There was no variation in the branches of the armed forces. For example, the cavalry of the North borderline was mostly made up of light cavalry.

They lacked mineral veins in the North borderline. Of course, the troops’ armors were not made of copper and iron. They were all woven with special rattan. This was almost the same as their ancestors, the Qiangwu tribe. The rattan armors of the Qiangwu tribe were repeatedly soaked with oil. With the help of unique craftsmanship, they were very tough and their defensive ability was quite good. Their lightness was the key benefit.

However, the hundreds of thousands of cavalry of the Qiangwu tribe had ended up being burned to death by Prime Minister Huangfu. The three tribes of the North borderline learned the lesson and reformed the craftsmanship of the rattan armors. The improved rattan armors did not seem to catch fire easily anymore.

The infantry of the North borderline was similar to the cavalry. Clad with rattan armors, they held either swords or spears. What about the division of the armed forces and the cooperation between them?

Oh, was there such a thing?

Jiang Pengji had only battled with the Tsing Yi Army so far. The Tsing Yi Army was just a regular army without armor and they were just scums whose combat power was below level five.

The third-rate Tsing Yi Army could not compare to the cavalry and infantry of the North borderline. The number of people that they had in the cavalry and infantry was already frightening enough. To fight against such an enemy, one definitely had to be serious and show them what the art of war was. Therefore, it was very important to classify the armed forces into several branches. It would be a nightmare if the unvaried armed forces encountered a restraining branch of the armed forces.

Jiang Pengji talked about her own ideas. She planned to divide her army into different arms and carry out targeted training.

Feng Jin said, “We have too little time and we don’t have enough troops. I’m afraid that it’ll be very difficult…”

“We have to give it a try no matter how tough it is. Otherwise, we can only await our doom.”

The North borderline definitely needed time to prepare if they were to dispatch their troops. Jiang Pengji could seize the time and train the new recruits.

In the ancient times, many men were recruited into the military camp. They could be dragged onto the battlefield after just days of training. However, the combat power and quality of those troops were awful. The new recruits whom Jiang Pengji recruited must be trained for at least six months. The training would mainly be carried out during summer and winter. The harsh weather could better temper one’s will and body.

What about spring and autumn?

The recruits would help out with the spring ploughing in spring and the autumn harvest during autumn. They would continue to train in their spare time. They could not stop at any rate. In Jiang Pengji’s military camp, training was carried out in all seasons. The troops were only given a day off each month.

Under such training, the troops were definitely considered as elites, not to mention that most of them had participated in more than one war. Their combat experience and quality was far stronger than those of new recruits. Regular troops who were there just to make up the numbers were not comparable to them. One elite could easily defeat five regular troops.

The news of An Yina’s sudden death had also spread to the other three districts in Fengyi County within almost a day’s time.

It was dark when Qiguan Rang received the news. He was processing documents with the light from an oil lamp. He was so tired that his eyes were struggling to stay open. When he heard the news, it was as if thunder had struck him in the head and penetrated through to his feet. He was so frightened that he woke up immediately.

Xu Ke had a similar reaction as well. He abandoned his work and wrote a letter to be delivered to Xiangyang District overnight. The only ones who were perfectly calm and collected were Wei Ci and Yang Si in Chengan District.

To be precise, Wei Ci was the only one who was composed.

Yang Si asked, “Why aren’t you worried? The North borderline has wolfish ambitions. The troops dispatched this time will definitely be strong. How can we resist their force just by relying on the military in Congzhou? Once the border is breached, I’m afraid that Dongqing will follow in Nansheng’s footsteps… Your lord may not be able to keep his head!”

Yang Si did not care about who would become the emperor of Dongqing, but it definitely could not be the foreigners from the North borderline!

Wei Ci was not anxious and smiled instead. “Don’t worry. I think the North borderline won’t be able to start a war here. They still have a lawsuit.”

Surprised, Yang Si hurriedly asked, “You’re such an annoying fox. Spill the beans. Aren’t you afraid of getting beaten up for leaving people hanging? Explain in detail. Why can’t the North borderline start a war? They’ve been coveting Dongqing for a long time. Now that the wars in the north and south are unceasing, it’s a good opportunity for the North borderline to dispatch their troops and make their way through to the south. Could it be that there’s internal disorder among the three tribes of the North borderline?”

Wei Ci shook his head. “The incumbent king of the North borderline is extremely dignified. He’s in his prime and he has strong imperial control as well. He has already unified the forces in the North borderline when he ascended the throne. Before his declining years or demise, there won’t be internal disorder in the North borderline.”

Yang Si could not understand. If there was no internal disorder in the North borderline, why would they not be able to make their way through to the south?

Wei Ci said, “Buddha says that I can’t reveal it.”

Yang Si responded in anger, “Nonsense! You’re just looking for a beating.”

He had mistakenly befriended a bad influence!

Regarding this question, Wei Ci had already sent a letter to Xiangyang District. Others could not get the point, but he believed that Jiang Pengji would definitely believe his words.

Qiguan Rang, Xu Ke and Wei Ci’s letters had almost arrived one after another. All three messengers had travelled on horses overnight. Jiang Pengji tore the wax seals and took out the neatly folded letters inside.

She first read Qiguan Rang’s letter which had arrived first. She read Xu Ke’s letter next and Wei Ci’s last. Compared with the previous two letters which asked about countermeasures, there were only a few words in Wei Ci’s letter.

Those few words eased Jiang Pengji and there was a look of delight in her eyes.

“Early in the 11th month in the 20th Tianwu Year, the horses in the North borderline were afflicted with influenza. The battle steeds have contracted the influenza and have died suddenly. Out of 10 horses, there are only one or two which have survived.”

After reading the letter, she took a coarse paper roll and burned the letter to ashes.

“If so, it looks like I’ll have to ask Uncle Gu to reap some profits in the North borderline for the last time and make a fortune!”

Her eyes seemed to be glistening. She unfolded a piece of paper, rubbed the ink stick on an inkstone and wrote a letter.

“Call for the person in-charge of the brick kiln. I have something important to discuss.”

Among the armed forces of the three tribes of the North borderline, the infantry and cavalry had achieved a 1:2 ratio. If the battle steeds died in large numbers due to influenza, it would be tantamount to chopping off their arms. They did not have to think about restoring their combat power back to its peak in the short run, let alone making their way to the south. This gave Jiang Pengji lots of time to expand her military.

She previously felt that she was running out of time, but now she felt a little more relieved.

However, she did not completely believe in the contents of the letter. It was not that she doubted Wei Ci, but it was because of the butterfly effect. Who knew whether the horse influenza in the North borderline would break out on time? It might die out due to the butterfly effect or perhaps it would be delayed.

Before obtaining absolute affirmation, Jiang Pengji would not let down her guard. The preparations still had to continue.

However, no matter whether the North borderline was capable of dispatching their troops and making their way through to the south, the business there would not last long. Jiang Pengji planned to rake in profits for the last time and defraud them of millions.

The head of the brick kiln travelled overnight. Jiang Pengji ordered him to open up another brick kiln to bake a large number of exquisite glassware.

A limited number of glassware was baked to trick the North borderline last time. It was also sold slowly, creating an illusion that glass was very valuable.

Almost every aristocrat in the North borderline owned a glass tea set as a trend. The aristocratic ladies in the North borderline loved to collect glass jewelry. They felt very classy wearing the jewelry which made them the focus at banquets. But many aristocratic ladies did not manage to buy it even though they were rich.

Now that Dongqing and the North borderline were about to be at war, Jiang Pengji intended to make a fortune before the ties between the two countries were broken.

A small goal would be set. She would earn millions of cash first!