Chapter 408: Accepting the Challenge

Chapter 408: The Battle

The Mobei people came prepared, with 200,000 soldiers taking turns to fight after being well-fed and rested. In contrast, the Daizhao soldiers were hastily assembled, fighting on empty stomachs without food or water.

War is extremely draining, and after two hours, the Daizhao soldiers began to weaken, while the Mobei army attacked with increasing ferocity.

Yu Cheng leaned against the city wall, watching the soldiers struggle against the enemy. He glanced at the rising sun and urgently said, "Go and hurry the rear service camp to bring food immediately."

"Yes," someone acknowledged and left.

About half an hour later, dozens of carriages arrived at the base of the city wall, and a military officer reported to Yu Cheng that the food had been delivered.

Yu Cheng ordered the soldiers to take turns eating and resting.

On the city wall, there were also many soldiers, and the rear service team brought up several barrels of provisions.

"Your Grace," Yang Quan presented a plate of rice cakes and steamed buns.

Yu Cheng took it and was about to eat when he noticed some familiar figures.

It was the group of beggars he had met earlier.

At that moment, they were quickly handing out provisions to the soldiers.

Yu Cheng walked to the other side of the wall and looked down. Sure enough, he saw many children, not yet adults, working hard to carry food buckets from the carriages and delivering them to the soldiers.

Yu Cheng's heart was slightly moved, and he turned to ask the children on the wall, "How did you get here?"

The children replied, "We can't cook, but we can do this, so the uncles and older brothers have time to do other things."

Carrying food was simple and not too strenuous, something they could easily handle.

"But this is a battlefield. Aren't you afraid?" Yu Cheng asked.

The children said, "No, when we grow up, we will also go to battle."

Yu Cheng was moved and sighed, "I hope that when you grow up, you will embrace a peaceful world, living in safety without war."

The children were stunned, somewhat confused.

Since they could remember, the concept of war had been deeply ingrained in their minds. They had no idea what a peaceful world without war, as Yu Cheng described, would look like.

The sounds of battle below were overwhelming, and they even doubted if such a day would ever arrive.

The rice cake in Yu Cheng's hand quickly grew cold. He took a bite and said, "Once you're done delivering, return. It's dangerous here."

The children nodded and continued distributing the food efficiently.

When they finished and left with empty buckets, the children curiously and bravely looked down at the battlefield below.

Swords and spears were in chaos, corpses were scattered everywhere, and the snow was dyed red...

Seeing the battlefield so vividly for the first time, the children were horrified, their pupils widening in shock. Witnessing the two armies clash, blades piercing flesh, and blood splattering, they were filled with terror.

War was far more brutal and horrifying than they had imagined.

But fear was useless. If the Mobei people didn't leave, they would never have peace.

The sun gradually rose higher, casting golden rays on the distant snow-capped mountains, creating a beautiful scene.

Unfortunately, beneath this beautiful scenery lies the cruelty of slaughter. People are too busy fighting and vying for power, with no one to appreciate the sun shining on the snow-capped mountains.

After eating and drinking her fill, Cheng Jinchu descended from the city wall and, along with other generals, relieved the generals on the battlefield, leading the troops into battle.

During the rotation, Cheng Jinchu finally caught sight of Shen Changze.

Shen Changze was almost entirely drenched in blood, and it was unclear if he was hurt. Although Cheng Jinchu was worried, she knew this was not the time to inquire.

"Be careful," Shen Changze said gravely as they passed each other on horseback.

Hearing this, Cheng Jinchu felt a surge of warmth in her heart, as if greatly encouraged. She tightened her grip on her spear, filled with fierce determination.

"Kill!" With a sharp cry, Cheng Jinchu fearlessly charged into the battlefield, her red-tasseled spear flashing nimbly as she swiftly dispatched a northern enemy.

"Kill!"

Accompanied by the thunderous beat of war drums from the city wall, the soldiers' spirits soared as they bravely fought the enemy.

Shen Changze stood on the city wall, observing the battle while munching on a pastry.

Cheng Jinchu, in her red military attire, stood out strikingly.

For a moment, Shen Changze seemed to glimpse the Cheng Jinchu of years past, and his chewing halted briefly.

Yu Cheng, standing nearby, praised, "Marquis Shen's wife is both brave and skilled in battle, truly a heroine among women."

Yu Cheng had heard rumors about Cheng Jinchu in the capital, but here at the border, she was truly admirable.

Shen Changze remained silent, taking another bite of the pastry, his cheeks bulging.

The sun rose a bit higher, casting its light over the battlefield, illuminating the chaotic piles of corpses.

After finishing his pastry and drinking some water, Shen Changze rested for an hour before returning to the battlefield, alternating with Cheng Jinchu and other generals.

The battle continued until sunset, ending in mutual devastation with heavy losses on both sides, the northern forces and Daizhao's army.

After the northern army retreated, Yu Cheng looked at the countless corpses scattered across the battlefield, his expression grim.

In a single night, tens of thousands of soldiers from both sides had perished.

The cold, setting sun bathed the still-warm bodies in its light, filling those who saw it with sorrow.

As darkness fell, Yu Cheng returned to the military camp, his face grave as he listened to the generals' debrief.

"...Our army lost 6,471 soldiers, with 28,000 lightly wounded and many more severely injured..."

"Is there enough medical supplies?" Yu Cheng asked solemnly.

The logistics officer replied, "Barely enough, but if this continues, supplies will run short."

Yu Cheng frowned upon hearing this, and the generals in the tent also looked somber.

After a day of fighting, they were exhausted and more or less injured.

Yu Cheng knew they had a tough time, so after discussing urgent matters, he allowed them to tend to their wounds and rest, planning to reconvene after they had eaten.

With so many wounded, the military doctors were overwhelmed, and the logistics camp was bustling non-stop.

It wasn't until midnight that things gradually quieted down.

After concluding the meeting with the generals, Yu Cheng urged them to return and rest quickly, to conserve their strength and stay alert for another northern desert surprise attack.

On the way back to the general's mansion, Yu Cheng shared a carriage with Shen Changze.

Yu Cheng rubbed his temples and said, "Today's casualties were heavy, and the army's morale seems a bit low."

Shen Changze replied, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry too much. The casualties on the northern desert forces' side are almost the same as ours; they didn't gain much of an upper hand."

Yu Cheng sighed, "This is only the beginning. The northern desert forces are determined not to give up, and we need to plan for the long term."

"What do you mean, Your Highness?" Shen Changze inquired, puzzled.

Yu Cheng said, "I have some initial ideas, but they need more thought and discussion. We'll talk about it later."

Too tired to press further, Shen Changze leaned his head against the carriage wall to rest.

In the quiet of the night, the sound of the wheels on the ground was especially clear.

After a while, the carriage gradually stopped. Yu Cheng and Shen Changze got out and entered the mansion, each heading to their own quarters to rest.

As soon as Shen Changze pushed open the door to his room, Cheng Jinchu approached to greet him.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Shen Changze was slightly surprised.

Earlier, Cheng Jinchu had intended to follow him to the military camp, but he had asked her to return and rest first.

After bathing and changing clothes, Cheng Jinchu looked at Shen Changze's weary face with concern and asked, "Honey, how bad are your injuries?"

After the battle ended, they had briefly exchanged a few words. Cheng Jinchu knew that Shen Changze was injured but was unsure of the extent.

Shen Changze removed his armor and said, "Not serious. I've already treated and bandaged it. It doesn't affect me much."

Cheng Jinchu scanned him from head to toe, confirming that he only had a minor injury before feeling relieved. She then had the servants bring hot water to help Shen Changze with a simple wash.