Chapter 167: The March of Fate
The following morning, the imperial army sets out from the capital, marching toward the southern provinces. Lin Yuer rides at the front, her steely resolve visible in every movement. The troops are nervous but determined, knowing that their leader's strength is what has brought them this far. She is the symbol of their unity, their hope for a better future.
The march is grueling, with no rest for the soldiers. They move swiftly, their goal to catch General Shen before he has a chance to gain any further support. But despite their haste, Lin Yuer knows that the journey will not be easy. The southern terrain is difficult to navigate, and the further they march, the more dangerous their path becomes.
One evening, as they set up camp in a dense forest, Li Mei approaches Lin Yuer with a worried look on her face.
"Your Majesty," she begins softly, "there's a report that General Shen has begun to rally the local militias. His forces are growing stronger by the day. He might have more support than we anticipated."
Lin Yuer doesn't flinch. "I expected this. Shen is a man of ambition, but he's also a man of pride. His arrogance will be his downfall. He's underestimating the strength of my forces and the loyalty of those who stand by me."
Li Mei bows her head, but there's still concern in her eyes. "But what if he's not just rallying the militias for his own cause? What if he's planning to turn the entire southern provinces against us?"
Lin Yuer looks at the stars above them, her thoughts far away. "If that happens, we'll be forced to fight on two fronts. We cannot allow that to happen. We will stay ahead of him, and when the time comes, we will strike first."