Chapter 207: 207

“Why will it be easier to recover those grasslands from the Dark Ram Tribe as opposed to the Shatu Seven Tribes?” Sun Bingchen’s interest seemed to be piqued, given how he immediately followed up with a question after Yan Liqiang had finished speaking .

“That’s because Mount Qiyun separates those grasslands from the Dark Ram Tribe’s territories . During the winter, that place is practically an enclave to the Dark Ram Tribe . They won’t be able to send army provisions or reinforcements through the area, so their supplies will be cut off . Therefore, the Dark Ram Tribe won’t be able to mobilize a large number of people around the territories which were once occupied by the Shatu Seven Tribes during that time . Even if they manage to deploy some troops, the number will be limited . The Dark Ram Tribe will find it easy to hold, but they will find it difficult to attack from the Shatu Seven Tribes’ previously occupied territories due to the separation by Mount Qiyun . However, such an obstacle isn’t present to us . Since we also have a few important Shatu Seven Tribes checkpoints and strategic passes in our hands, we will be in a different position and we will also have the preemptive authority . Naturally, it will be even easier for us to chase the Dark Ram Tribe back to the west of Mount Qiyun under such circumstances!”

“In that case, aren’t we betraying both the Shatu Seven Tribes and the Dark Ram Tribe?”

“Even if you didn’t tell me, I knew that the Shatu Seven Tribes were definitely involved in colluding with the Ye Clan, sir . They have been harboring malice and are beginning to stir up trouble . They have long forgotten who offered shelter and means to make a living when they were being chased by the Shatu Alliance like stray dogs . Now that they have slightly recovered their strength after being given a place to rest, they went on to collude with the Shatu Alliance again . Now that’s a true betrayal! As for the Dark Ram Tribe who has been eyeing us covetously, as long as they can occupy those territories under the Shatu Seven Tribes, their ambition will swell . They will definitely assault our strategic passes on the border as soon as we show any signs of weakness to satisfy their insatiable desire . We can stay still in the beginning and let the Dark Ram Tribe strike first so they will be labeled as the traitors before we deploy our army to chase them back to the west of Mount Qiyun . With that, no one can say anything about us!”

After listening to Yan Liqiang’s words, Sun Bingchen was silent . The way he looked at Yan Liqiang felt even creepier to Yan Liqiang for some reason .

Sun Bingchen suddenly sighed . “If only those high-ranking officials in the imperial court shared the same wisdom as Liqiang, perhaps the world would be a lot more peaceful!”

Yan Liqiang laughed dryly . “Well, those were merely theories I blindly made up . Given how short-sighted I am, I have probably overlooked many unexpected situations . And reality may not even be the same as what I thought . Please don’t mind me, sir!”

“From what you have said, are you implying that the empire will be in turmoil in the future, Liqiang?”

Yan Liqiang recalled the events that would happen inside and outside of the Great Han Empire in the next few years . Based on those events, he couldn’t really say that the Great Han Empire would be in turmoil right now . However, he couldn’t say that the events that would occur were good either . Putting aside the friction at the border of Great Han Empire with the Chaman people, there were the incidents caused by the White Lotus Society at the southern part of Great Han Empire and the fact that a few vassal states severed their ties with the Great Han Empire in succession to throw themselves into the arms of the New Crescent Dynasty . The Great Han Empire was rapidly becoming unstable as their control over the internal and external affairs of the empire was quickly weakening . This definitely did not look good!

Of course when Sun Bingchen asked, Yan Liqiang didn’t dare to tell him anything about the events that would happen in the next few years . If he did, he probably would be captured and sliced up into pieces for microscopic examination . Therefore, he could only give him a vague answer . “I don’t know if it will be in turmoil . That’s a really tough question from you, sir . I have merely observed that the Shatu Seven Tribes in Pingxi Prefecture and Gan Province becoming more arrogant and brazen . As the saying goes, ‘Everything happens for a reason . ‘ The daring action from Shatu Seven Tribes is definitely not a good omen!”

After listening to Yan Liqiang, Sun Bingchen stared at the mountains in the distance apprehensively for a moment before he let out a long sigh and told him, “Remember Liqiang . If something unexpected or dangerous happens during our journey, your task is to keep yourself safe . You don’t need to push yourself or worry about the rest, including my safety . I will now issue an order to you — your most important mission from now on is to return to the Imperial Capital alive . Two days ago, I sent someone on the fastest steed from the posthouse to send your details to the Imperial Capital . As long as you arrive at the Imperial Capital alive, your position will be ascertained and you will officially become an Armed Battalion Commandant of Rank Eight Secondary Class…”

Sun Bingchen’s countenance became extremely solemn, and the tone of his voice was even slightly stern at the end of the sentence . This was the first time Yan Liqiang had ever seen Sun Bingchen with such an expression on his face .

If Yan Liqiang wasn’t wrong, this was the second time he had received such a reminder . Last time, it was from Liang Yijie . He could take a reminder like that as mere concern had it only been once . But given it twice, especially with Sun Bingchen’s expression and tone of voice and the additional order to make it back to the Imperial Capital alive, it really made Yan Liqiang’s heart suddenly skip a beat . He could only think of one possibility — had Sun Bingchen deliberately given him such a reminder because he already knew what was waiting for them in their path ahead and the dangers they’d encounter?

As soon as Yan Liqiang heard Sun Bingchen, he instantly grew tense .

. . . .

One would only understand the saying, ‘The mountain in sight will run a horse dead,'[1] when they were truly rushing their journey .

The mountain summit several li away might seem to be within reach and could be reached in just a short amount of time, but one would realize that the winding road could instantly stretch the distance a dozen times greater when one really started walking it . Sometimes you might walk a distance of seven or eight li in half a day only to find that you had only bypassed a mountain by several dozen meters, or bypassed a giant rock lying across the road .

Since there were carriages among the party, everyone had to take the bridleway . Carriages were fussier when it came to rough terrain . Therefore, the journey was slowed down with more detours . Watching the creaky heavy carriages, Yan Liqiang’s once extinguished desire to invent a four-wheeled carriage couldn’t help but be rekindled again . When it came to journeying over long distances like this, the flexibility, carrying capacity, and speed of a four-wheeled carriage was totally incomparable to that of these old-fashioned two-wheeled carriages . The difference between these two vehicles was akin to that of an ordinary train and a high-speed rail .

Fortunately, everyone in the party brought enough food rations and water so no one had to starve . Everyone only had to stay on their steed and didn’t need to walk . Even so, after traveling for half a day, they hadn’t even made it out a hundred li by evening if the distance was measured in a straight line .

Yan Liqiang once again reunited with Liang Yijie and the few others at a fork in the road . . .