Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Spring Gathering in the North: Military Formation (Part 5)

The evening mist envelops a thousand mountains, the archer climbs the platform to watch;

The horse neighs, the horn sounds, the general draws his sword.

 

During this hunting expedition, Si Cang Qing only attended the opening ceremony on the first day and then did 

not participate further, mostly handling court affairs within his tent. On the third day, after giving instructions to 

the accompanying civil and military officials, he took Cheng TianYang and several commanders from Luoshan 

and Luoshui to Yeshan, thirty miles north of the camp. 

On the dirt road in the mountains, several fine horses galloped away, raising a cloud of dust.

After half a day's journey, Si Cang Qing and his group arrived at the valley between Yashan and the nearby 

Meishan. There were already a dozen people waiting there.

Seeing Si Cang Qing dismounting, Feng Lan, who had arrived earlier, hurried to meet him and told him with his 

eyes the results of the training in the new military camp - expectations should have been met.

Si Cang Qing nodded slightly, waved his hand to exempt everyone from kneeling, and looked at General Ye Lou 

who was in charge of training the new army, "Lead the way!"

"Yes, Your Majesty..." Although Ye Lou responded like this, he did not move, and his eyes drifted towards 

Cheng TianYang beside Si Cang Qing.

Seeing this, Si Cang Qing said calmly: "No problem."

The emperor spoke like this. Ye Lou looked embarrassed and hesitated for a moment, then half lowered his head 

respectfully, and said in a panic, "Your Majesty, military secrets are of great importance. The new military camp 

has long established military regulations. Those who are not from our camp are not allowed to enter without 

permission."

This drill is aimed at another great nation, Hongcheng, which is on par with Canghuan. Cheng TianYang, 

although he has heard that he is favored by the Emperor, as a general, he must be responsible for the safety of 

Canghuan.

Ye Lou's words were sincere yet tactful. Cheng TianYang, who was always good at reading people's expressions, 

naturally understood that Ye Lou was referring to him. He smiled faintly and turned to the emperor, saying 

softly, "Your Majesty, military discipline is as solid as a mountain. Since Tianyang is not a person of the military 

camp, it would be better not to follow."

Si Cang Qing frowned slightly, appearing somewhat frightening in the eyes of the several generals, but he was 

not displeased by Ye Lou's words. He looked at Ye Lou calmly, "Military rules and orders must not be violated. 

General Ye, since you are not a person of the military camp, you should not enter without permission. Just cover 

the eyes of me and the two empresses with a cloth!"

The reason Ye Lou is so cautious is probably because he is worried that this secret base will be discovered by 

someone with ulterior motives!

Hearing this, Ye Lou was taken aback and hurriedly said, "I wouldn't dare! Your Majesty is the commander of 

our six armies and is not bound by this military regulation."

Si Cang Qing did not respond, his gaze coldly fixed on him. Ye Lou slightly bowed, though fearful, still exuding 

a hint of determination. The other generals also dared not speak, standing respectfully and properly behind 

Ye Lou.

A low laugh diffused the oppressive atmosphere of the standoff. Cheng TianYang smiled gently and said, 

"General Ye is right. His Majesty is the commander of our army; how can he be considered an outsider? 

However, although I am the Empress of the Western Palace, I am not a member of the military. Today, fortunate 

to have His Majesty's favor, I have come to the military camp to observe the valiant demeanor of our Canghuan 

soldiers. I shall strictly adhere to the rules of the army... General Ye, blindfold me according to your Majesty's 

method!"

Feng Lan immediately chimed in, smiling, "Of course, I will do it too."

Although he had stayed here for several days before, everyone knows that this is just to give each other a way 

out! The identity of Cheng TianYang in the Canghuan Kingdom...

Ye Lou stiffened for a moment, then replied, "This subordinate will obey the order." Although he still disagreed 

with letting Cheng TianYang delve deep into the new army camp, given the current situation...

A small unpleasantness was quickly overlooked by both parties without further investigation.

Si Cang Qing followed the generals deeper into the valley, and the two empresses, under their guidance, advanced

cautiously. This was a forest shrouded in thin mist and a hint of the supernatural, and it took the ten or so people 

more than half an hour to navigate through the winding paths before finally emerging.

Outside the forest, there was an inconspicuous stone path winding through the interspersed rocks. There, a few 

soldiers were guarding, and a small carriage was parked nearby. Si Cang Qing, Feng Lan, and Cheng TianYang 

squeezed together, and then the carriage started moving, bumping along the rugged mountain road towards an 

unknown destination.

After another half a day, they finally reached their destination.

Standing halfway up the hillside, Cheng TianYang looked in awe at the vast and flat basin below—an expanse 

of dark soldiers, divided into three square formations, each practicing their drills.

The first thing that catches the eye is the iron-clad phalanx, dressed in heavy armor and wielding spears and 

shields. From this vantage point, one can clearly see the resolute faces of the soldiers, full of vigor, practicing 

and chanting slogans, their voices echoing through the skies.

A bit further away, that square formation consists of light infantry not wearing iron armor. Their drills seem to 

lack the momentum and offensive power of the armored troops, but their movements are quick and agile. 

Cheng TianYang couldn't clearly see the weapons in their hands; they were probably knives or swords lighter 

than spears.

The final square formation is made up of cavalry. Although it is far from here, one can still see their excellent 

offense and defense, and the cavalry work very well together.

After observing the drills of several elite battalions, Cheng TianYang carefully surveyed the surroundings. This 

area is a continuous mountain range, the largest in the Canghuan Northern Frontier, which is primarily a plain. 

Not to mention that thirty miles away to the north is a royal hunting ground that few dare to approach, even this 

garrison, nestled between the Southern Peak Yashan and the Northern Peak Meishan, has a complex terrain and 

interwoven mountains that ordinary people would not dare to visit

Who would have known that hidden among these mountains, there lies such a basin plain? Although Si Cang 

Qing had briefly informed that there were two hundred thousand elite soldiers hidden here, he could not 

imagine what the situation was like. Now...

Such a secretive and convenient place must be extremely hard to find! No wonder General Ye Lou is so cautious 

and even dares to defy Si Cang Qing...

◇Cang◇Huan◇Seven◇Palace◇

Looking further into the distance, this basin actually winds around the mountains. Among the dense forests 

on the opposite mountains, there seem to be houses hidden—quite peculiar.

Finally, after carefully observing the entire valley, Cheng TianYang turned his head to look at Si Cang Qing, 

who was seriously watching the soldiers training on the field. His eyes were filled with obvious and genuine 

admiration, "Your Majesty, this place is indeed a treasure!"

Si Cang Qing slightly nodded, still maintaining his usual cold demeanor. It wasn't until the soldiers finished a 

round of drills that he coldly looked at Ye Lou and said, "Not bad."

Hearing this, Ye Lou's eyes flashed with a look of relief, but his face remained respectful. "I am very 

apprehensive. The new army has generally completed its training goals, but it still lacks some skills. From now 

on, I will train the soldiers more strictly and train them into a mighty army for Cang Huan." 

"It's a good wish," Si Cang Qing commented calmly, "don't rush into it."

"I will remember Your Majesty's teachings."

"Mm," Si Cang Qing nodded in satisfaction, looking at the mountains across the way, "Take me to see somewhere 

else!"

The new military camp's site is not much different from other military camps. As seen earlier on the hillside, 

aside from the training ground for soldiers, which could be called a basin, this place is even deeper into the 

northern peak Meishan area.

The campsite, sheltered by the mountains, is not far from a wide lake at the foot of a cliff, fed by the melting 

snow from Meishan Peak. Now it's early spring, and with less snow melting from the high mountains, the water 

flow here has also decreased significantly.

On the cliff, there truly was a dense cluster of houses, with towering chimneys that looked particularly strange, 

still emitting black smoke.

Calmly taking everything in without showing any emotion, Cheng TianYang was not curious either. Ye Lou 

seemed to still have some reservations about his identity and did not explain what that place was to them. He 

only said, "Your Majesty, the forged weapons are over here," and then led Si Cang Qing and the others towards 

the back of the camp.

The place where the weapons are stored is inside the cliff. It is unknown what methods were used initially, but the 

bottom of the cliff has been hollowed out into a huge storage room, where various weapons are neatly arranged.

Si Cang Qing began to inspect the weapons placed on the inner rock shelf one by one.

The main weapons include the spear used by armored soldiers, the curved sabers and short swords used by 

light infantry, the long halberds used by cavalry, and countless bows and arrows. Beyond these weapons, there 

are heavy siege weapons, primarily two types: one is the trebuchet catapult, used for long-range attacks; the other 

is the battering ram, used for storming the city.

After checking each weapon and armament one by one, it was already completely dark.

Inside the general's main tent, Ye Lou, taking today's drill as a reference, carefully analyzed it for Si Cang Qing, 

and then went on to explain the roles of various weapons in the armory on the battlefield one by one. 

After silently listening to the generals' reports, Si Cang Qing slowly spoke, casually looking at Cheng TianYang, 

"What do you think?"

As soon as these words were spoken, several generals' expressions stiffened slightly, and they turned their heads 

to look at Cheng TianYang, whom they were guarding against.

Unfazed by others' gazes, Cheng TianYang smiled slightly and said bluntly, "Since Your Majesty holds Tianyang 

in high regard, I shall embarrass myself in front of the generals."

Picking up several formations laid out on the table, he continued, "Today, I personally witnessed the drills of 

these three formations. They are indeed majestic and valiant. As for these formations, they are truly impeccable."

After a moment of admiration, his tone shifted slightly, "However, I believe that even the most tightly organized 

military formation has its oversights..."

Upon hearing this, Deputy General Yi Cou quickly spoke up, his tone slightly dissatisfied, "Your Highness, 

please give me some guidance."

"Xiao Yi!" Ye Lou hurriedly called out to stop him, then turned to Si Cang Qing and Cheng Tian to apologize, 

"Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, I have not been strict in my duties..."

Not having time to deal with this, Si Cang Qing waved his hand, signaling Cheng TianYang to continue. 

Cheng TianYang smiled at Yi Chao, who was momentarily taken aback, his previously indignant face turning 

slightly red. Then, a clear voice echoed in the large tent:

"I have also spent a year or two in the military camp, so I have some understanding of the soldiers of Hongcheng. 

In terms of bravery, the soldiers of Hongcheng would not be a match for our soldiers."

"But," Cheng TianYang turned to look at Si Cang Qing, smiling meaningfully, "Hong Cheng has been eyeing 

our country covetously, and a war between the two nations is inevitable. With the strength of our Canghuan 

soldiers, breaching the three passes of Hong Cheng is only a matter of time. However, if we want to march 

south, I believe this formation still needs some adjustments."

"If we want to capture the capital of Hongcheng Kingdom, we must first take Yao Mountain Ridge. The layers 

of mountains and the dense forests there are treacherous, unlike the Twin Peaks of Beiye. Today's formation, 

though perfect, is often of no use."

"Even if the capital is breached, the people of Hongcheng can retreat south. The southeastern region of 

Hongcheng is a hot forest, with unpredictable weather and numerous obstacles on the roads, making it difficult 

for cavalry and armored troops to advance."

"Light infantry, on the other hand, are light and agile, and quick in movement, but they are good at attacking but 

not good at defending."

"Hongcheng Kingdom also has a kind of light infantry. They have light defensive weapons, and their weapons 

are double-headed scimitars. Our light infantry daggers are difficult to resist."

Based on the military formations and weapons he had seen today, Cheng TianYang connected the environment, 

military strength and weapons of Hongcheng Kingdom, and analyzed the shortcomings of these 200,000 new 

troops one by one.

Several generals who originally disliked him all sat upright and listened carefully to his detailed explanation.

"…trebuchets and battering rams are necessary weapons for taking down several large cities. However, they still 

have the same shortcoming: insufficient defense. Battering rams should not be used lightly, and trebuchets 

often fail to hit the target."

"Hongcheng State has a kind of wooden tower and shield cart, which are much simpler and more practical than 

catapults and battering rams. They can be used directly on the battlefield between the two sides, and can be 

used for attack or defense."

After answering all the questions in one breath, Cheng TianYang picked up the tea, took a sip, cleared his throat, 

and then slowly said: "Your Majesty, these are all Tianyang's opinions." He spoke to Si Cang Qing, but his eyes 

were fixed on the generals in the lead, "If there is anything unreasonable, please forgive me, generals!"

【Reference】Weapon information comes from the Internet {Author’s note}

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