Attila finally released Deida, looking at her and wiping away her tears.
The maiden before him held a look of apprehension in her eyes.
"Deida, I am not surprised that you would speak up," Attila said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, I..."
Before Deida could explain, Attila took her hand, pulled her to sit down, and spoke with earnestness.
"I understand that you do not wish for the empire's subjects to be plunged into misery again, to lose this hard-won glory, or even face the danger of national demise. However, the Xiongnu Empire has long since passed the point of no return."
"There is no turning back...?" Deida's eyes were filled with despair.
"The only opportunity for us to collectively merge with Da Qian was during the battle when Liang Xiao ventured deep into the desert. That is to say, if we had surrendered from the beginning, we would have had a chance to become subjects of the Qian Dynasty. But at that time, we bore a deep-seated hatred for Liang Xiao and the entire Da Qian; how could we have surrendered?"
"And now, if we abandon this battle, my authority will vanish completely, and the Xiongnu Empire will crumble in an instant. Because the entire Xiongnu Empire, including myself, was galvanized by a single belief that allowed us to sweep across the West. That belief was hatred. We managed to transform our fear into overwhelming rage, and even after yesterday's defeat, not a single Xiongnu cavalryman uttered a word of retreat."
"Hatred sustained me, allowing me to achieve extreme rationality after several nights of losing my mind. I swept across the European continent with iron-fisted methods, showing utmost benevolence to those who submitted and utter brutality to those who resisted. All of this was a stark contrast to my past demeanor, but I endured it for the sake of one day returning to that land. For no matter what, I could not afford to fail and disappoint these warriors who placed their faith in me."
"Once the empire collapses, we will face true national demise, for the Xiongnu Empire does not possess the capacity to relocate all its subjects to that land."
Looking at Deida, who nodded with shame, Attila said softly, "Deida, would you be willing to do as Braid did, and lead some of the Xiongnu subjects by sea to seek refuge with Da Qian?"
Deida immediately shook her head. "Someone else can handle such matters. I only wish to remain by Your Majesty's side..."
Attila sighed and said, "Rest assured, regardless of the outcome of this battle, as long as I am here, the Xiongnu Empire will not collapse! It is too dangerous here, you should return. After this battle, if your mind has not changed, I will marry you, and the Xiongnu Empire will have an Empress."
Deida finally felt a sense of relief, and with tears, bid farewell to Attila.
A portion of the Tianri cavalry bypassed Yumenguan Pass, harassing the Qilian Mountains stud farm. The troops stationed at the farm were on high alert, ready for battle.
This place was defended by thirty thousand elite soldiers, guarding various crucial passes. It was impossible for the enemy's main force to break through.
However, small units could indeed traverse the mountain paths, which presented an opportunity for the Tianri cavalry.
But when they arrived at the stud farm, they found it heavily fortified, making any plundering impossible. At most, they could only cause a disturbance.
The Tianri cavalry managed to sustain themselves with the wild grasses and beasts in the mountains and did not retreat immediately.
The Qilian Mountains stud farm was also constantly bothered. It was only when cavalry from Yumenguan Pass arrived with news that they felt reassured enough to send troops to drive away the cavalry that had entered the mountains.
As long as Yumenguan Pass did not fall, and with heavy defenses at all strategic points, enemy cavalry would find it difficult to continue their harassment.
After being driven away, this group of Tianri cavalry did not give up. Instead, they changed direction northeast, harassing the Mobei region.
As they entered the desert and prepared to unleash their might on the grasslands, a formidable force approached from afar, clad entirely in white robes.
"Why are there White Robe soldiers in the desert?"
The Tianri cavalry were astonished and uncertain, turning their horses to flee. However, they were successively caught up by this contingent of White Robe soldiers.
The general at the forefront charged ahead, killing a Tianri cavalry general.
It was Lü Changhe!
"This is your chance to earn your permanent commission!"
Lü Changhe roared, and the two thousand auxiliary White Robe soldiers charged like wolves and tigers, rushing forward and engulfing this force of less than a thousand men.
To gain permanent commission as soon as possible!
The horses of these Tianri cavalry were of superior quality, no less than the specialized warhorses of the White Robe soldiers. However, due to their long journey and the relentless pursuit by the White Robe soldiers, they were ultimately annihilated...
The White Robe soldiers numbered seven thousand, but they still had over three thousand auxiliary personnel.
After completing the defense arrangements in the desert, Lü Changhe personally led a team towards Yumenguan Pass. The defense of the desert was entrusted to Zuo Wuji, the Deputy Marshal of the Northern Pacification Army.
At this time, Nie Yuan, who had returned to the capital to report, also received an urgent dispatch from the imperial court. He took his prized horses and personal guards, boarded a train, and accelerated towards the western frontier.
Nie Yuan, the Grand Marshal of the Eastern Pacification, and Qin Feng, the Deputy Marshal of the Eastern Pacification, had both gone to the western front. The defense of Liaodong and the Taiji Peninsula was left to Mo Hongming and other officials dispatched by the court, including three advisors who had followed Liang Xiao in the past and were Mo Hongming's classmates.
The Da Qian Dynasty had completely shifted its military focus to the western front, channeling resources towards it. Half of the nation's canned goods were being used in the western region.
At Yumenguan Pass, after inspecting with his generals, Liang Xiao ascended the city wall on the west side, gazing into the distance.
The enemy was a hundred li away, but due to the high elevation of Yumenguan Pass, they could faintly see a dark, pressing mass.
Liang Xiao surveyed his generals and, seeing Nan Jiyun gazing intently westward with a look of longing, he couldn't help but smile.
"General Nan, when we first met, we recognized each other's spirit. Do you still remember your vow?"
Nan Jiyun said resolutely, "This subject dares not forget for a single day. I shall interpret the spirit of the Da Qian army with my life!"
Liang Xiao waved his hand. "I do not wish for you to have another tragic ending."
"Again?" the generals were startled.
Liang Xiao smiled and explained.
"In the divine realm I once visited in a dream, there was also a period of great chaos. A person with the same name as General Nan tragically died a martyr at Suiyang. I absolutely will not allow such a tragedy to repeat itself."
The generals suddenly understood.
Liang Xiao continued to gaze quietly at Nan Jiyun, a sense of emotion welling up in his heart.
Here, he had become the "Flying General."
"This subject will certainly pay attention to safety!" Nan Jiyun declared, patting his chest.
Liang Xiao then turned his gaze westward.
"For this battle, my expectation is simple: let the Flying General carve his name in history! Of course, all of you should also seize this opportunity and, with me, shatter the Kushan Dynasty."
The generals were filled with heroic spirit.
"We shall not return until we have defeated the Western barbarians!"
Now, the soldiers strongly disapproved of Liang Xiao personally leading charges. Therefore, even if he appeared on the battlefield, he would be stationed in the central army, issuing commands.
Naturally, Liang Xiao also intended to give his soldiers opportunities, especially since the enemy lacked firearms.
The Da Qian soldiers bestowed another contemptuous nickname upon the Western allied forces.
Xirong (Western Barbarians).
The Western allied forces had not abandoned their attempts at harassment and attack, for this battle was crucial to the fate of the Tianri people, far more important than the conflict between the Peacock Dynasty and the Da Qian Southern Pacification army.
"Due to the harassment by our cavalry, Yumenguan Pass was forced to deploy troops to drive them away. This proves that we have effectively tied down the enemy's cavalry. Attila, should we not dispatch a large cavalry force to launch a surprise attack, crush the cavalry units used for expulsion, and even annihilate them?"