Before the hour of Shen arrived, Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Kuan divided their forces. Zhao Hanzhang led the two thousand cavalry away, while Zhao Kuan took the remaining men and the captured spoils back to the city.

Fu Tinghan went with her too. He now served as her living map—she had to ask him about things she couldn’t remember clearly enough.

The group circled around the battlefield and headed straight for Anling.

Zhao Hanzhang had predicted everything correctly. Xun Xiu and the others had successfully ambushed the Xiongnu reinforcements in the Changfu Mountain area.

Messages were transmitted in both directions—one reaching Liu Cong’s main army, the other reaching Anling.

Anling was occupied by Wang Mi’s main force. When he heard that his reinforcements had been ambushed, he thought briefly before dispatching another relief force. Liu Cong was Liu Yuan’s son. Now that he was held up at Chen County, Wang Mi had to rescue him, or he wouldn’t be able to escape the consequences.

The scouts had advance intelligence. Zhao Hanzhang and her men all hid silently in the mountain forest, waiting for this relief force to pass before emerging.

Fu Tinghan said, “Two hundred cavalry, approximately three thousand infantry. Wang Mi was quite generous.”

Zhao Hanzhang watched them disappear into the distance, then beckoned a scout over and immediately wrote a military order for him. “Deliver this to Anling immediately. Order Liu Jing, who is stationed at Anling, to counterattack at the hour of You. Tonight we’ll spend the night inside Anling.”

Anling was just a rather large town, but this position was crucial. Whoever controlled this place could block the southern and northern passage along this western route.

If Zhao Hanzhang wanted to rescue Guancheng, Anling was a necessary waypoint. Moreover, if Fu Zhi later brought reinforcements, he would also have to pass through Anling.

Yuzhou had previously lost Anling but hadn’t completely lost it. Liu Jing led a contingent of troops occupying half of Anling. Both sides occasionally traded blows, with you hitting me once and me seizing a piece of your territory. Currently, Wang Mi hadn’t completely captured Anling either.

However, given the current situation, it was only a matter of time. Because Chen County couldn’t spare help for Liu Jing.

Liu Jing himself had already prepared to flee if things went south. Then Zhao Hanzhang’s military order arrived.

He read it over and over, confirming repeatedly with the scout, “Our Jin army really has reinforcements coming? “

The scout said, “Our general is personally leading troops here. How could this be false? Time is running short. Please mobilize troops immediately, General.”

Liu Jing looked at the time. It was indeed almost the hour of You. He hesitated for a long while before finally nodding.

However, he kept a backup plan. Although he mobilized troops, he didn’t immediately attack. Instead, he planned to wait for the reinforcements to make the first move.

If there really were reinforcements, he would execute a pincer attack from left and right. If there weren’t, everyone would just disperse and go about their business.

Zhao Hanzhang had already reached the outskirts of Anling. There were no city walls here, but there was a checkpoint to enter the town. As long as they could break through the checkpoint, they could enter.

Zhao Hanzhang slowed her horse and turned to Fu Tinghan. “Once we drive out the Xiongnu, I want to build a city wall here and establish a county.”

Fu Tinghan nodded. “Alright.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him. “Are you afraid?”

They were the attacking side, and this was enemy-occupied territory. Danger lurked everywhere, so Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t planned to leave Fu Tinghan behind. Everyone would charge in together.

Fu Tinghan shook his head. “We’ve been through this before. I’m not afraid anymore.”

When they escaped from Luoyang, he had already experienced it once. Over this past year and more, although he hadn’t practiced horsemanship daily or studied martial arts like Zhao Hanzhang, he had still exercised regularly.

Charging together, he didn’t expect to kill many enemies himself—he only hoped not to become a burden to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curved upward. She told Qiu Wu, “Protect the young master well!”

Qiu Wu and his men knew Fu Tinghan’s importance. They respectfully acknowledged the order.

Having received his assurance, Zhao Hanzhang released the reins and kicked the horse’s belly. “Men, let’s go!”

Those behind her responded in unison, shouting and waving their sabers. They leaned slightly forward, urging their horses faster toward Anling town…

The Xiongnu soldiers at the checkpoint heard the commotion. While quickly reacting to mount a defense, they also tried to sound the alarm drum. But just as one soldier grabbed the drumstick and before he could strike, an arrow shot through the air, piercing through his back and out his chest…

Fu Tinghan lowered his hand, carefully hanging the bow on his saddle. For this, he even slowed his horse and looked down to make sure it was secure. Accuracy was the only skill he could bring to the battlefield.

Someone else picked up the drumstick and raised his hand to strike. A horse had already leaped over the checkpoint, and a spear pierced through his body. He didn’t even have time to turn around before the opponent swept away the large drum before him with one stroke and shouted loudly, “Kill!”

Zhao Erlang and the others following close at her sides also quickly vaulted over the barrier, dispatching enemies with one slash of the saber or one thrust of the spear. Some quickly dismounted to clear the checkpoint, and the cavalry behind encountered no further obstacles as they charged into the small town.

Zhao Hanzhang had already taken the lead charging in. Soldiers who heard the commotion came running out. Seeing what was happening, they immediately raised their weapons to block her path. The town center instantly descended into chaos.

The townspeople, who had already been reduced to very few by constant killing, heard the sounds of battle and immediately slammed their doors and windows shut, huddling tightly inside their homes without daring to move.

Wang Mi heard the report but didn’t panic and run outside. Instead, he first put on his armor while issuing a series of commands. “Mount up immediately. Have the first and second battalions advance to block them.”

He paused before adding, “Immediately send someone to the rear to guard against Liu Jing…”

At that moment, Liu Jing had also seen the signal and heard the sounds of battle. His eyes lit up immediately. He drew his great saber and roared loudly, “Men, let’s take back Anling!”

“Take it back, take it back!”

Liu Jing led the charge. “Charge—”

Wang Mi was instantly caught between two fronts, but he couldn’t spare attention to counterattack Liu Jing because Zhao Hanzhang had led her men straight to him.

Wang Mi watched Zhao Hanzhang on horseback, fierce and unstoppable, dispatching enemies with nearly one thrust of her spear per person. Almost no one could get close to her. He immediately leaped onto his horse and charged toward her, shouting, “Yellow-mouthed child, I am here!”

Zhao Hanzhang thrust her spear through an approaching Xiongnu soldier, piercing clean through. Hearing the shout, she looked over, pulled out her spear, and immediately charged to meet him. Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head to dodge a slash, then blocked with her spear shaft. The two passed each other.

After running some distance, Zhao Hanzhang wheeled her horse around to face Wang Mi, sneering coldly. “Though I may be a yellow-mouthed child, I still know propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame—unlike you, old scoundrel. You’re an utter disgrace to your ancestors. Today, as the current Magistrate of Runan, I shall teach you proper etiquette and rules on behalf of your grandfather!”

Wang Mi’s face flushed red with anger. “What a sharp tongue! Let me see if you have the ability to back it up.”

Wang Mi was skilled in mounted archery, swift in action, and possessed exceptional arm strength. He spun the saber in his hand and charged straight at Zhao Hanzhang…

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze focused intently. Without the slightest fear, she advanced to meet him. Wang Mi was fast, but she was even faster and more agile. In just one exchange, the two had traded three or four moves.

Zhao Hanzhang became absorbed in the combat. Fu Tinghan, under Qiu Wu and the others’ protection, had also charged onto this main street. He glanced around and said, “They’re gathering. Should we scatter them? Perhaps you should insert forces from the east?”

Qiu Wu: …He was just a guard. How could he be asked such things?