The government was sending out wives, and I ended up with a princess from the previous dynasty!

The next morning.

Jia Daoshi and Shen Li got up early.

With the war situation pressing, the two of them couldn't stay immersed in their romantic relationship forever.

Jia Daoshi meant that they should survey the surrounding terrain today.

Although the northwest is a plain, behind the cliff city, there are rolling mountains and the terrain looks very complicated.

When outnumbered, the worst thing you can do is be outflanked and surrounded by the enemy.

Jia Daoshi and Shen Li rode out of the city, while Xiao Rongyu stayed at Shen Li's residence, accompanied by Rouya.

Xiao Rongyu, having just experienced the Qing Turban Army's crushing defeat, has absolutely no interest in what's happening on the battlefield.

Soon, a group of more than a dozen riders arrived at the military camp behind the cliff city and met up with the eldest prince, Wu Ce, who had been waiting there.

Jia Daoshi had met the other party a few times in Yilan County before, and had left some impression on him.

Wu Ce actually held Jia Daoshi in some contempt.

It's true that you are highly skilled in martial arts, but do you know how to lead troops and fight battles?

He had already surveyed the area behind the cliff city countless times, so there was absolutely no need to survey it again.

He didn't believe that a soldier living in a small mountain village could have much military expertise!

I guess I just came out to relax.

However, considering the other party's high level of martial arts and the presence of Shen Li, Wu Ce still led his guards to wait at the entrance of the army camp.

After the two sides met, they rode their horses up the mountain path.

Before long, the group rode their horses to a mountaintop. This place was at a high altitude, with excellent visibility, allowing them to see very far.

"These are the famous Yinshan Mountains in the northwest of our Great Jing."

Jia Daoshi looked around and pointed to a large mountain not far away, saying, "Why is that mountain all dark and gloomy?"

Wu Ce sighed and said, "The Yinshan region in the northwest of Great Xia, the Cliff City, and even the entire southwest region, although they are all part of our Great Jing, have never been truly valued by the imperial court."

"Because the climate here is harsh, and droughts and floods are frequent, it is impossible to grow crops, and there are often famines. It is far less prosperous than the land of fish and rice in the south!"

"Even in the Yinshan Mountains, many of the mountains are barren, looking like they've been scorched from a distance. The Ministry of Works of the Imperial Court sent people here to investigate, saying that what's on these mountains is some kind of unknown ore, but it's not gold, not silver, not even iron! What kind of ore is this? It's just some broken rocks."

"In addition, there are many bandits in this place. Some of them even collude with the barbarians from the Kushan Empire to rob passing caravans. Before I came, the officials and generals of the city of Juebi were either in cahoots with these local bandits or died in the war."

"Many officials and soldiers, upon hearing that they were coming to the Cliff City, would rather resign than come here."

"In the end, only I, the prince, can come."

Wu Ce's words carried a hint of helplessness.

The soldiers following behind him also had very serious expressions.

Looking at the dark, barren mountains not far away, they truly resembled a hellish inferno!

"Jatis, look at us..."

Shen Li turned to look at Jia Daoshi, but she also felt there was nothing more to see.

The surrounding mountains and terrain are complex and not easy to march in. Small-scale raids would not be very effective, so there is no need to worry at all.

However, at this moment, Jia Daoshi looked at the dark mountain range in front of him with a strange look in his eyes.

"This mountain...and this smell in the air...why does it feel so familiar?"

Jia Daoshi murmured to himself.

"Hmm? Lord Tiss, what are you talking about?"

Wu Ce turned his head, somewhat puzzled, as he hadn't clearly heard Jia Daoshi's words.

"Oh...it's nothing."

"Everyone, please rest where you are. Your Highness, you've been here a long time, why don't you take me for a walk around?" Jia Daoshi said.

“I’ll go too,” Shen Li quickly said.

“No need, just stay here. It’s so sunny here, and there’s some shade. If you keep running around with me, you’ll get a tan,” Jia Daoshi said with a laugh.

The weather was indeed hot and sunny this time of year, and Shen Li did not insist after hearing what Jia Daoshi said.

“Alright, if Lord Ti Si wants to take a look around, then let him.” Wu Ce agreed very readily.

The two followed a path to the other side of the mountaintop.

Stepping onto the other side reveals yet another breathtaking view.

Jia Daoshi shaded his eyes with his hand, glanced around, and suddenly exclaimed, "This place is wonderful!"

Wu Ce looked completely bewildered: "Lord Ti Si, what's so special about this?"

"This place is wonderful, and the location of the Cliff City is equally wonderful. No wonder it can hold off ten thousand men! The Yinshan Mountains are full of cliffs and precipices, which are the best barriers!"

"These rocks are the best fortresses. If we hide our soldiers among these rocks, we can catch the invading enemy off guard!"

"This... Lord Ti Si, do you also know how to deploy troops?" Wu Ce asked with a suspicious look.

"Of course, I am the champion of the Special Forces Wargame Competition." Jia Daoshi chuckled.

"Oh? A special forces war game competition?" Wu Ce was bewildered. "Why have I never heard of such a competition before?"

Jia Daoshi then realized he had let something slip and couldn't help but laugh, "That's not important."

"Your Highness, how about we play a little game?" Jia Daoshi suddenly said after looking around.

A glint flashed in Wu Ce's eyes: "Wargaming simulation?"

Jia Daoshi laughed and said, "That's right. Let's use this canyon as our base. You defend, and I'll attack. How about that?"

Hearing this, Wu Ce perked up and immediately nodded: "It's rare to see Jia Tisi in such an interest. May I ask what the rules of the game are?"

Such war simulations were not unfamiliar to Wu Ce, who was stationed in Juebi City year-round and would often conduct them with his soldiers whenever there was a situation.

Jia Daoshi said, "The rule is that each side will bring 20,000 troops, of any type, for a limited time of one day. How about that?"

“Hmm? This doesn’t seem quite fair.” Wu Ce shook his head. “This place is inherently easy to defend and difficult to attack. The attacking side needs to charge into the canyon from the plains outside. Even with five times the number of troops, they might not be able to gain an advantage. The terrain here is equivalent to the defending army having an extra 100,000 troops. So it’s not fair to use the same number of troops in the simulation!”

"If the defending force is 20,000 men, I think the attacking side should have at least 150,000 men!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Daoshi chuckled and said, "Your Highness, who can say for sure what will happen on the battlefield? Why don't we give it a try? It's just a simulation anyway, and even if I lose, I won't lose anything. Let's begin!"

Seeing Jia Daoshi's enthusiastic appearance, Wu Ce couldn't help but sigh. He could tell that Jia Daoshi knew nothing about war and was probably just having a sudden whim to try something new.

Since that's the case, then I'll let him learn a lot so that he won't give random orders and mess up my important plans.