073 The Final Showdown at the High Court: The Pre-Battle Rally
Northern Plains
Highcourt
In recent days, Yang Jie had grown increasingly certain of the authenticity and accuracy of the anonymous letter’s contents. He immediately relayed the information to Wendy. Wendy, not one to hesitate, promptly dispatched one million units of grain to support him, along with ten carts of arrows. She also informed him that she was in the midst of assembling her troops and would soon be ready to depart.
Yang Jie spent the entire night pondering, unable to sleep. At last, he resolved to make the news public. Early the next morning, he convened a pre-war meeting, and as soon as he disclosed the enemy’s impending invasion, the meeting room erupted in collective uproar.
Nearly twenty thousand strong—the human coalition forces—and lurking in the rear, the black elves, poised to make their move. The enormity of this threat instantly set the room ablaze with tension.
Yang Jie sat upright at the head of the long conference table, allowing the assembled officers to discuss amongst themselves. They needed time to digest the news.
Victor and Old Sha were seated at Yang Jie’s left and right, respectively, silent and somber. They had learned the news the night before, and like Yang Jie, had not slept a wink.
This time, there were many ratfolk in attendance, almost two hundred. Aside from the dozen or so key officers at the round table, the rest were there to listen, without the right to speak. It was the first time the ratfolk had participated in a meeting of such scale, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
All the officers of the tribe were present, save for Tuchi, who was away and unreachable.
Initially, Yang Jie had intended to keep the news under wraps for another two days, but after careful consideration, he decided to announce it early. If the news was true, suppressing it would only waste precious time needed to prepare for war.
With nearly two hundred officers present, Yang Jie’s intention was clear: he wanted these listeners to spread the news throughout the entire tribe.
Yang Jie tapped the table several times, and the room fell silent.
“We have no retreat in this war; we must fight!”
“Our enemies this time are formidable and come well-prepared!”
“Conservative estimates place their numbers at nearly twenty thousand!”
“From this moment, we are in a state of war. The entire tribe must prepare; I’ve already instructed Wendy to arrange the pre-war mobilization order!”
The terrifying number, once announced, sent a ripple of whispers and murmurs through the ranks.
The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense and oppressive, as if the blazing sun outside had cooled the air within.
“From now on, all of Highcourt enters wartime mobilization! Everything will serve the victory in this war.”
Yang Jie’s expression was calm, his tone steady, as though discussing something entirely unrelated to himself. Even if the sky were to collapse, he showed no sign of panic. But only he knew his true thoughts—uncertain prospects, but only battle remains.
“Now! Everyone, listen to orders!”
“Present!”
At that moment, Yang Jie raised his voice sharply.
“Salidi!”
“Present!”
“From now on, I order you to halt all construction projects. Focus entirely on fortifying our existing defenses. Expand the depth of our defenses, and prepare for the possibility that the city may be breached. Mobilize the populace to modify every usable structure within Highcourt. In ten days, you must transform Highcourt into a military fortress! Dismantle all ships captured in the past months and use their timber to reinforce the walls and build the internal defense system.”
“Mission will be accomplished!”
...
“Wendy!”
“I’m here, Chief!”
“Starting today, launch an initiative through the Women’s Union. Send the strong and able to assist Old Sha in fortifying the city. Everyone else must go to Old Jill for grain, make portable rations for the warriors, and keep everyone busy.”
“Understood!”
...
“Victor!”
“Present!”
“This period, your task is equally heavy. Our current combined forces—machine battalion, city defense troops, Black Flag Army, and reserves—barely amount to 5,500 combatants. This is far from enough! I hereby authorize you to requisition grain at will. Whatever means you use, in these ten days, increase our ranks to the scale of W-rat. This is not a negotiation; you must achieve it, with no upper limit!”
“Understood. Mission will be accomplished!”
After more than half a year of frenzied bulking, now it’s time to cut!
Second task: I foresee this may become a prolonged conflict, so we must prepare for a drawn-out war. Not only in material reserves, but throughout the city, I will not tolerate any disorder. During wartime mobilization, anyone found spreading rumors or disrupting morale will be executed without mercy! A curfew will be enforced; anyone caught outside without permission will face military justice!”
“Understood!”
Victor’s voice rang out, loud and clear.
...
“Jill!”
“Your old servant is here!”
“How long can our current food reserves last?”
“We’ve maintained a steady increase in stored food. At present, we can hold out for two months without issue, Chief.”
Yang Jie nodded thoughtfully.
“As the primary manager of supplies in Highcourt, your burden is heavy. Within ten days, distribute all weapons in the warehouse to every household. Ensure every adult in the tribe has a weapon for self-defense. If, after ten days, there is even one man without a weapon, I will hold you accountable!”
“I understand!”
...
“Billy!”
“Present!”
“Your task is to have all farmers collect every bit of grain beneath Horseshoe Mountain. Gather all usable resources, not leaving the enemy a single useful thing—even the fish fry in the artificial lake must be netted clean. Do you understand?”
“Understood!”
...
“Johnny!”
“Present! Issue your orders, Chief!”
“Your city defense force has just been formed. I won’t burden you too heavily; your sole task is to lay traps along the gentle slopes of Horseshoe, and seal off all paths leading down from Highcourt Mountain. Do you understand?”
“Understood!”
...
“Carl!”
“I’m here, Chief!”
“These days, the enemy will surely try to infiltrate Highcourt to probe our defenses. Disguise yourself and blend into the crowd, covertly protect me, and at the same time, root out any spies.”
“Understood!”
...
“One-Eye!”
“Speak, Chief!”
One-Eye sensed that being left for last meant the chief had a particularly arduous task for him.
“Your task is relatively challenging. Early tomorrow, assemble your troops and head north. Along the road where the enemy follows the Tam River south, set ambushes for them.”
“Understood!”
“Your mission has three main objectives:
First, quickly ascertain the composition, structure, and leadership of their forces. These are vital intelligence—we must know our opponent in advance!
Second, lay the groundwork for Highcourt’s preparations. Ten days is too short; even if you can buy us one extra day, it could tip the balance of the coming conflict.
Third, we must weaken their morale. As a coalition, they are not a unified force—grasp this and act accordingly!
In short, do everything possible to delay their advance and wear down their fighting strength. Only fight when prepared, avoid unnecessary losses, and never become obsessed with battle!”
“Understood!”
With that, Yang Jie rose and surveyed the room full of officers.
“One last word: our opponent this time is unlike any before—unprecedentedly strong. Be cautious and prepared to fight to the bitter end! This battle rests on all of you!”
“To live and die with Highcourt!”
“To live and die with Highcourt!”
“To live and die with Highcourt!”
The cry was thunderous and relentless.
Thus, in preparation for the coming bloodshed, the ratfolk plunged Highcourt into a full state of wartime mobilization.
...
Meanwhile, three hundred kilometers upriver from Horseshoe Mountain along the Tam River.
As the last warship docked on the eastern bank of the Tam, after two days and nights of transport, nearly twenty thousand coalition troops under Xue Hui had arrived in the Norma Corridor.