When two nations go to war, not only must the attackers be slain, but the provisions must also be secured first.
The soldiers on the border had already made grand preparations for war, yet they had yet to receive official orders. This was causing extreme frustration among the subordinate generals.
Especially Wuyi of Zongsheng Kingdom, who hadn't been on the battlefield or engaged in slaughter for a long time. His Cold Cloud Spear was practically rusting.
Now that a bloody opportunity had finally presented itself, how could he possibly miss it?
Unable to hold back any longer, he went to find the commander-in-chief, only to run headfirst into a scrawny sprout of a girl, utterly insignificant, standing beside her father, Fan Zehao, and General Shi Haoming.
Wuyi's face was grim, but he still stepped forward respectfully, cupping his hands towards Fan Zehao. "Your Highness, we've been here for three days. If we delay any longer, it will likely be disadvantageous to us. The battlefield is in constant flux; we cannot afford to waste more time."
Fan Zehao nodded slightly, but remained unhurried. He said, "Zonghan has instructed you to obey this king's command. Rest assured and wait. Furthermore, the commander-in-chief for this attack on the Axi tribe is not me, but Fan Yumeng. You will take orders from her. I and General Shi will accompany her throughout."
This announcement stunned not only Wuyi but also Leng Han, the cold-faced young general of Yun Kingdom. He looked at the girl, who was shorter than him and dressed in men's attire, with utter disbelief.
Leng Han frowned. "Regent King, the battlefield is not a child's game. A moment's hesitation can cost hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of lives. I have heard that the County Princess has been tutored by General Shi, but this concerns the lives of our soldiers. Your Highness, please reconsider."
Fan Zehao chuckled heartily. He held a rather low opinion of this General Leng. Anyone who questioned his daughter was striking at his heart. How could these bachelors understand his protective feelings for his daughter?
However, he had to address the issue at hand. Leng Han's question was likely on the minds of most people, so he couldn't entirely blame them.
"General Leng, you haven't personally led troops into battle yourself, have you? Yet Huangfu Xi still granted you fifty thousand soldiers. Everything has a first time, and then many times after. Do not underestimate anyone. Haven't you heard, 'Never belittle a poor youth'?"
Leng Han was rendered speechless by the retort, his face flushing crimson. His hands clenched and unclenched, his lips pressed tightly together, clearly indignant at the Regent King's words.
Seeing his evident unwillingness, Fan Yumeng realized that even if they went to the battlefield, he might not obey her commands.
As they had said, the battlefield was a place of constant change. If the commander's heart wavered, it would lead to heavy casualties, an undeniable disaster.
She stepped forward, pointing at Leng Han, and declared, "This County Princess knows you are unconvinced, but that's alright. Let's have a one-on-one duel. You choose the terms. If I win, you must obey my orders unconditionally. Do you dare accept!"
Leng Han's eyes gleamed with a mischievous light at her words. He glanced at Fan Zehao and Shi Haoming beside him. If they nodded, he would accept.
A mere yellow-beaked duckling, a child, wanting to duel him? He could crush her with one arm. This was akin to a stone smashing an egg. What was there to fear?
Yumeng saw his hesitation. She turned to Fan Zehao. "Father, the military has its own rules. If I wish to lead troops into battle, the subordinates must acknowledge my capability and be willing to follow. Otherwise, I am merely a marshal in name only, unable to command a single soldier."
"I have been trained by you and Master, and I have studied under Chief Commander for over two months. My daily diligence is for the sake of combat. At this moment, you, Master, and Chief Commander Master should be testing my progress, not shielding me and turning me into a hothouse flower that cannot withstand the wind and rain. How can one see a rainbow without going through storms?"
Most importantly, she did not want to disgrace her father and masters.
Shi Haoming smiled and gently patted her head. He felt deeply gratified and sighed, "The child has grown. Your Highness, let this child go. Let her prove herself with strength, and then see who dares to gossip behind her back."
The Chief Commander, his lips curving into a slight smile beneath his scarf, thought that his disciple, whom he had personally trained, was by no means inferior to these common folk.
He also advised the Regent King, "My Lord, your subordinate is confident that the County Princess will win."
Fan Zehao's smile grew even more radiant. He looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with immense love. "Since that is the case, let us have a competition today. Whether it is from Zongsheng Kingdom, Yun Kingdom, or our own internal generals, anyone who disagrees with the County Princess as the commander-in-chief can participate in the challenge."
Upon hearing this, Yumeng's face almost turned green. The generals from these three regions numbered at least several dozen, all tall and sturdy. If she were to swing her arms in a wide circle and face them in a series of battles, would her physique even survive?
Warfare relied on intelligence. Physical strength was first used for killing, and second for escaping.
"Father, I will not compete with weaklings!"
Her single word, "weaklings," caused Wuyi and Leng Han's eyes to redden. They gnashed their teeth, grinding them audibly, and their gaze towards the little girl became even more displeased.
Wuyi waved his large hand and declared, "I am the strongest general of Zongsheng Kingdom. I will fight you. If you win, the Zongsheng Kingdom will completely heed your command for this war."
He concluded by excitedly thumping his chest, which echoed loudly.
Yumeng rolled her eyes at the sight. "You're just showing off that you have a few chest muscles? What's so great about that?" she thought. "I have two flesh balls too, and I don't flaunt them!"
"It's a deal!"
Leng Han, as the general appointed by Huangfu Xi, commanded the entire army's obedience. He naturally would not back down. He would be the one to compete.
"I am like General Wu. However, if you lose, I will be the commander-in-chief for this campaign. Do you dare to accept?"
Yumeng met his enraged gaze, raising an eyebrow slightly. "What is there to dare not? I'm afraid you'll lose face and won't be able to hold your head up in front of the generals afterward."
Leng Han was not afraid. He said coldly, "I am a man of integrity. I can bend and I can stretch."
She had indeed ignited the fighting spirit of these two men.
"Since that is the case, both of you must exert all your might. Do not underestimate me, or you'll make excuses if you lose and refuse to honor the deal. To be clear, I will show you no mercy."
Wuyi and Leng Han exchanged glances, then both said, "I, Wuyi, will certainly use my full strength against you. If you lose, don't cry. Then I'll acknowledge you as a man."
Leng Han added, "If you lose, don't go crying, throwing tantrums, or hanging yourself. I don't care who your father is; I will show you no mercy."
Well, both of them had issued stern warnings. She had to muster all her spirit, or her little face would be utterly disgraced.