First-rank palace maid Su Jixiang

Chapter 448 Turkic Movements

Indeed, as Wei Ling had said, during the years he had been stationed in the North, the Turks had occasionally harassed him on a small scale. However, as the North grew stronger, the Black Tiger Army's pressure also grew. Furthermore, border trade had flourished in the North, and surrounding tribes were eager to do business there. By purchasing the Black Tiger Army's escort services, they were actually helping Wei Ling strengthen the Black Tiger Army's patrol area.

At the turn of autumn and winter last year, there were no Turkic troops even in small groups coming to plunder.

Although the peace of the North is inseparable from the management of Wei Ling and Su Jixiang, His Majesty does not see it that way.

He always felt that it was because he had given the Black Tiger Army too many resources that the Black Tiger Army was able to grow to its current size.

This can be seen from the fact that he summoned Wei Ling and Su Jixiang to the capital in the name of the Queen Mother's birthday.

How could a general who was guarding a place easily leave the place he was guarding? Moreover, according to Your Majesty's arrangement, Wei Ling was away for such a long time.

Wei Ling has been in the capital for more than a month.

Not to mention that the Empress Dowager’s birthday is still some time away.

Even after the Queen Mother's birthday celebration, it would still take Wei Ling and Su Jixiang quite some time to return to the Northland.

Such a long time is enough for the Turks to prepare.

In fact, Wei Ling had received intelligence from the north that the Turks would have a hard time this winter. Because of the rise of the Black Tiger Army, not only were the Turks unable to attack Daxie, but even the smaller tribes around them could no longer reap as freely as before because they were protected by the Black Tiger Army.

So the Turks have had a harder and harder time in recent years.

This year, they had already experienced a sudden heavy snowfall at the end of summer. This sudden snowstorm froze many newborn livestock to death, making their situation even worse.

Therefore, the news from Wei Ling has already shown that the Turkic King of the Golden Horde has been contacting several of his tribes with relatively strong troops, preparing to form an alliance and march south together.

These days, the Turks have begun to mobilize food and supplies.

According to Wei Ling's understanding of the Turks, it would not take the Turks long to prepare food and fodder. These people are born bandits. As long as they can collect enough food for the journey, they will attack like a swarm of locusts.

They attacked cities and conquered territories in order to plunder resources and property. Wherever they arrived, if they really ran out of food, they would even use the enemy as food.

This is what makes them terrifying and hateful.

However, such battles with no way of retreat often make the Turks extremely brave.

Since its establishment, the Daxie Dynasty has been in constant conflict with the Turks on the border.

Before Wei Ling took charge of the northern land, those corrupt officials of Daxie even sold out the people on the border directly to the Turks for their own achievements and prospects, allowing them to burn, kill and loot. As long as they could grab food and women, they would naturally only pick on the soft persimmons and not the hard bones.

The Turks are cruel, not stupid!

So by betraying some of the people in the border towns, the officials of Daxie made a fortune.

However, after Wei Ling took over the northern land, he actually fought several tough battles with the Turks.

It was thanks to these tough battles that Wei Ling established his reputation in the north.

Later, Wei Ling joined the King of Huainan in an uprising and handed over the northern cities to Nangong Rui for management. It must be said that Nangong Rui was still very brave in combat at that time.

As for other aspects, it is difficult to describe them in a few words.

"If you are not in the north and the Turkic army approaches, how long can the north hold out?" Su Jixiang said a little worriedly.

"Don't worry too much. Before I left, I left behind a plan to deal with a massive Turkic invasion." Wei Ling reassured Su Jixiang, "I'll temporarily hand over the Black Tiger Army to General Tian Huitian. He holds a high reputation within the Black Tiger Army. Although his age may have diminished his swordsmanship, he's upright, thoughtful, and experienced. He should have no problem defending the city for a while. As long as he evacuates the civilians and then defends the city-states, he'll be able to hold out until I return to the north."

Su Jixiang knew Tian Hui. He had a really good temper and was loved and respected by the soldiers in the army.

With him in command, they can indeed hold out until Wei Ling returns to the north.

"Then when you followed His Majesty south, why did you give the management rights of the Black Tiger Army to Nangong Rui instead of Tian Hui?" Su Jixiang couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Madam has a good brain. She figured out this problem so quickly." Wei Ling said with a smile.

"The situation back then was different from now. Back then, the Black Tiger Army needed a young, brave fighter to lead them," Wei Ling said. "After all, the Black Tiger Army back then didn't have much else to offer besides their fearlessness and fighting spirit. But now it's different. Thanks to your improvements, the Black Tiger Army's structure has undergone tremendous changes. The commander of the Black Tiger Army can no longer be a fierce warrior like before. Now, they need someone calm and steady. Tian Hui is the best candidate."

Su Jixiang thought about it carefully and realized that this was indeed the case.

When Nangong Rui replaced Wei Ling in charge of Mangcheng, the Black Tiger Army was indeed like a newborn calf, relying on the young people's fearlessness, fighting spirit and daring to take risks.

But now the Black Tiger Army has a complete organization and is well-equipped. The soldiers are well-trained, and they are all proud to be a member of the Black Tiger Army.

Therefore, the person who leads them now cannot be the one who didn’t care about anything back then.

It is indeed Tian Hui who is more suitable to lead the current Black Tiger Army to defend the city.

"I just hope there won't be so many wars." Su Jixiang sighed softly, "Although we are not afraid of war, war will eventually result in bloodshed and death."

"Yeah. I also hope that the Turks will not come, but at the moment, the possibility is very small. They are already mobilizing troops, and it is only a matter of time before the army comes south and attacks the border." Wei Ling thought about it and decided to tell Su Jixiang the true military situation.

Su Jixiang frowned. "I finally understand why you suddenly stopped me from pretending to have a falling out with you. With the arrival of the Turks, even Your Majesty wouldn't dare to easily detain me in the capital. After all, if the north were conquered by the Turks, Your Majesty would have to deploy more troops and more food to fight them, and the defenses in the south would inevitably become weaker. If the Prince of Chenliu were to launch an attack at this time, Your Majesty would be attacked from both sides. He can't afford it. The imperial court in the capital has already reduced tax revenue for three consecutive years."

"Madam is very smart! She really understands it immediately." Wei Ling said with a smile.