Yun Ye’s camel city was once again disassembled, transformed into fifty camels each carrying a small wooden lattice. The time to assemble it into a fortified city was also extended threefold. But considering the terrible terrain of the Gobi Desert, this was the only way.

On the vast wilderness, the camel city continuously spread out and slowly gathered together, repeating this process endlessly. It could even produce several variations. The Turks this year seemed to have vanished without a trace. Cheng Chumo’s patrol range continuously expanded, yet he still gained nothing. This made him extremely melancholy. His luck was poor! When he wasn’t here, siege warfare in Beiting was not uncommon. Once he arrived at Beiting, don’t mention siege warfare—he hadn’t even encountered a skirmish battle.

“This old Cheng has bad luck!” Cheng Chumo sat under a large tree continuously gulping down wine in melancholy. Yun Ye accompanied him on the side, tossing a bean into his mouth and patting Cheng Chumo’s shoulder, saying: “You’re cursing me. What I, this great general, most hope for is no military affairs. What’s wrong with playing with the camel city all day? Look, right now it’s a single-file serpent formation. Camels wearing battle armor slowly moving can divide and surround enemies one by one, finally swallowing them in one gulp.”

Cheng Chumo raised his head to glance at the camel city, his mood becoming even more dejected. Pounding his chest, he said: “What I want is hard-collision warfare, not your game-like warfare. You’re cheating. The camel city is your greatest cheating tool.”

“That’s nonsense! Don’t speak carelessly. I’m counting on this thing to obtain a duke title. How is it cheating? According to your logic, we should throw away our clothes, armor, and weapons, bare our bottoms, and use our teeth to bite—only that would be true combat.”

“Only beasts do that. What we’re competing with now isn’t physical strength but wisdom. If we can use tools to eliminate enemies, why must we ride horses and desperately hack at each other with blades?”

“You should settle your thoughts and go be an officer on the camel city. Only this way can you quickly reach the general position. A dignified Prince Consort, now still a lieutenant—aren’t you ashamed?”

Cheng Chumo turned a deaf ear to Yun Ye’s words. He simply left his chair and squatted at the opening of the karez, staring blankly at the gurgling flowing water inside.

The martial skills forged through sleeping at the third watch and rising at the fifth watch now had no place to be used. Many weapons had already disappeared from the army, such as enormous trebuchets, formidable Mo swords, and horse lances woven from rattan strips. Replacing them were crossbows, powerful crossbows, and eight-ox crossbows—these long-distance lethal weapons. For close combat, adding new-style gunpowder weapons was sufficient.

Wielding swords and blades, Cheng Chumo alone could deal with ten people without problem. But dealing with three soldiers armed with crossbow bolts and gunpowder weapons would lead him into a desperate situation. This was the reason for his sudden sense of melancholy.

Liu Zhengwu had only one arm remaining. This in no way affected his command. As the flag in his hand continuously changed, the camel city would instantly transform into various postures. Three days from now, they would undergo inspection by the Ministry of War. He didn’t have much time to waste.

Tomorrow the cavalry would need to coordinate with the camel city in combat. How to release the attacking cavalry at the appropriate time was something Liu Zhengwu needed to pay special attention to. For this, he and the academy students researched the fastest gate-opening method without sleep or rest. The most marvelous aspect of the camel city was that any direction could become the city gate—extremely sudden, certain to catch enemies off guard. Then the Great Tang cavalry could launch the fiercest attack on the enemy from the most comfortable position.

Cheng Chumo strongly demanded to personally command the cavalry. No one in the army could compete with him. Liu Zhengwu could only go up onto the camel city to serve as the camel city’s commander. After two months, he discovered he had already fallen in love with this camel city.

The soldiers on the camel city were best if literate. This had already formed a consensus among the decision-making level. Not to mention anything else, just wanting to recognize all the various connection fasteners on the camel city required considerable time, much less the numerical markings and instruction manuals on them.

However, Yun Ye’s plan for army-wide literacy completely fell through. The fierce soldiers would barely manage to recognize two characters in the morning, but by evening, they would swallow them down into their stomachs together with rice. The next morning when asked again, they fundamentally didn’t remember what learning they had studied the previous day.

Only a very small portion of people could master written characters. Watching those literate soldiers board the camel city and swagger to show off the red sashes on their bodies, they could only curse their mothers once, then swear to definitely make their own sons study and become literate. Otherwise, in the future, they couldn’t even be common soldiers.

Training was very bitter. The summer below Flaming Mountain was simply hell on earth. Not only could people not endure it, even camels would raise their heads and roar twice. As long as someone came down from the camel city, they would immediately draw up a bucket of cold water from the karez, first stick their head in to drink a few mouthfuls, then pour the water on themselves to cool down. After a full day, having drunk too much water, a person’s belly would clang and clatter like livestock when walking.

Noon was rest time. Under the tall poplar trees lay people sprawled every which way. As for the cool karez tunnel, it was even more overcrowded. Only the camels seemed not to mind, lying beneath the wooden frames of the camel city, leisurely chewing green grass.

Du Ruhui came in person. This exceeded everyone’s imagination. A seventy-year-old elder traveling ten thousand li was truly too arduous. Wearing a short jacket and waving a palm-leaf fan, accompanied by Yun Ye, he toured the entire camel city. Looking at the red Flaming Mountain in the distance, he smiled and said to Yun Ye: “Everyone says this place is the extreme heat of the human realm. Observing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation!”

“The Gobi is like this, especially in this area. The stones on that mountain can cook meat cakes. Crack eggs and place them on it—in just a while they’re cooked. Not a few drops of rain fall all year. If not for Joluoman Mountain behind us, this place could only be a hell where drought demons run rampant.”

Yun Ye invited Du Ruhui to tour the karez. Such a water conservancy project received Old Du’s vigorous praise. He requested that during Yun Ye’s garrison at Beiting, he absolutely must not forget to continue extending the karez toward distant places. He discovered that wherever the karez reached, that place became an oasis.

After touring for an entire day, it wasn’t until dinner time that Du Ruhui asked Yun Ye about the Turks’ movements. According to Guo Xiaoke’s information, the Turks were already preparing for an expedition. He suggested the Great Tang should immediately advance west, rapidly controlling the entire Western Regions, not allowing Tubo people to interfere.

“Marquis Yun, Guo Xiaoke’s memorials like this exceed ten. Discord between generals and commanders is a great taboo! Marquis Yun should be cautious.” Du Ruhui spoke with profound meaning.

Yun Ye smiled: “My qualifications are insufficient to make people submit. Old Guo is also someone with high aspirations and pride. For him to issue such differing opinions is natural. However, in my view, advancing west is inadvisable. At least for three years it cannot be mentioned. Last year when horse bandits ran rampant, I wasn’t very worried. Since the beginning of spring this year, the horse bandits have all vanished without trace. This makes me extremely worried. The situation is too bizarre. Prime Minister Du, I feel this year great events will occur. Therefore, this year I won’t cross the snowy mountains to return to the old Beiting site. Instead, I’m prepared to firmly defend Gaochang. As long as I defend Gaochang and don’t let them roam into the grasslands or Longxi, I’ll be completely satisfied.”

“As for Old Guo, since he doesn’t like staying under my command, then let’s separate him out. A melon picked by force isn’t sweet. I don’t care about his ten thousand-plus men. On the contrary, I’m extremely worried he’ll stir up great disaster. Actually, if he just watches the Tubo people and doesn’t let them come down from the plateau, that’s already a great achievement. I don’t understand why he would be so aggressive. Perhaps once he becomes commander himself, he’ll be quieter. The memorial requesting to separate him out should have a response by now, right?”

Du Ruhui nodded and said: “I came from Guo Xiaoke’s place, then arrived at yours. Guo Xiaoke’s reaction was extremely intense. Since you’re also unwilling, then let’s restore the old system. I said the same thing to Guo Xiaoke. As for his crime of disrespecting superior officers, when he returns to the capital, the Ministry of War will naturally have public judgment.”

Yun Ye shook his head and said: “This is a small matter. I only hope he won’t forget to guard against the Tubo people. Once the Tubo people tear through his defensive line, they’ll have troops at the gates of Luanshi City. Luanshi City has more than enough to defend firmly but insufficient for advancing. The Tubo people need only dispatch a small number of troops to watch over Luanshi City. The remaining great army could very possibly knock on our gates. At that time, Shazhou, Yang Pass, and Jade Gate Pass would bear the brunt. This crime is one he cannot bear. Since you’ve brought me ten thousand reinforcements, I hope they can quickly join training. I always feel time isn’t plentiful.”

Du Ruhui took out the military tally and handed it to Yun Ye. After Yun Ye received it, he handed it to Vice General Cheng Chumo. Cheng Chumo immediately went to inspect the troops and horses. For a moment, the room was somewhat stifling.

Du Ruhui brought fifteen thousand troops and horses. He left five thousand for Guo Xiaoke and brought back ten thousand for Yun Ye. Yet the number of reinforcements Yun Ye requested was at least thirty thousand. Ten thousand cavalry didn’t reach Yun Ye’s expectations.

“Since the beginning of this year, the court has withdrawn thirty thousand troops from the Guanlong region, sending them far to the Western Regions. But His Majesty and the old generals believe that Shazhou, Jade Gate Pass, and Yang Pass are the most important places. Hexi cannot be lost. If Hexi has alarm, the whole realm will be shaken. Therefore, fifteen thousand troops and horses were supplemented to Su Dingfang. Marquis Yun, you must understand the Ministry of War’s difficulties.”

“I know. You, an old man about to retire from office, specially made this trip just to stabilize the soldiers’ hearts. I also understand His Majesty’s thoughts. Inside the passes cannot be lost. Outside the passes, even if smashed to pieces, doesn’t matter. I feel His Majesty’s wishful calculation won’t succeed.”

Du Ruhui chuckled and said: “This old man’s final official duty. After finishing, I’ll enjoy my grandchildren and not concern myself with worldly affairs. The state dynasty must ultimately be handed to you young people to manage. These past years, this old man has been extremely confused, discovering I can no longer understand this world. Now the Zhangsun family’s hot air balloons fly all over the world. I’ve heard they’ve already begun carrying people and goods. Prince Wei’s manufactured airship can already fly as far as three li, but at the end, it always explodes.”

“Those young officials’ memorials about court finances and goods—poor Fang Xuanling needs to find academy students to specifically explain clearly to him before he can thoroughly understand. Fang plans, Du decides—hehe, we’re old!”