Although the faces of the Song Army displayed panic, their formation remained orderly. The vanguard opened up on both sides to create a path, letting them in.

A few moments later, screams echoed out.

Shortly after they went in, a rope buried in the snow was suddenly pulled taut by the Song Army on both sides.

The charging speed of the warhorses was already extremely fast, and the sudden appearance of the rope gave the Dragon Oath Guard no time to react. The front-line warhorses had their hooves tangled by the thick rope and plunged headlong into the ground.

The horses toppled over, and naturally, the Dragon Oath Guard atop them couldn’t avoid the fate of falling either.

As the front rows fell, the Dragon Oath Guard following closely behind, unable to stop their momentum, also flipped over in disarray.

As the Dragon Oath Guard attempted to get back up, the Song Army suddenly closed in from both sides, each soldier stabbing their spears into the guards’ faces.

Blood spilled across the snowy ground.

The remaining Dragon Oath Guard immediately split into two orderly teams, continuing to charge towards the area without trip ropes.

Another portion began retreating.

But at that moment, the Song Army immediately sealed the gap they had just opened.

They split into a squad, quickly forming a formation at the front to prevent those Dragon Oath Guards who hadn’t yet entered the gap from charging once more.

It was clear to everyone that they had fallen into a trap.

Ling Zhi, commanding from the rear, turned pale, and the general beside him urgently exclaimed, "General, we’re in an ambush."

"I can see that." Ling Zhi replied grimly, seeing that at least nearly ten thousand Dragon Oath Guards had been ensnared.

"General, let’s charge once more, tear open the gap, and rescue all our brothers," urged another general.

Though furious, Ling Zhi retained his reason. The enemy had sealed the gap well and formed a formation, clearly prepared. Another charge might tear open the gap, but it would come at a great cost.

And every member of the Dragon Oath Guard was extremely valuable.

As a main general, one must be prepared to make a difficult decision in critical moments.

"Retreat!" Ling Zhi sorrowfully made the decision, turning his horse around. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Li Weiqiu, who was organizing the formation to face the incoming charge, felt somewhat disappointed as he anticipated the enemy’s charge.

"Quick, go report to the lord that the remaining barbarians of the Desolate Kingdom have retreated," Li Weiqiu instructed a subordinate.

"Yes, sir."

...

Amidst the encirclement formed by the Song Army, Chen Mo observed the enemy troops with surprise.

These barbarians from the Desolate Kingdom were extraordinarily strong.

If they didn’t kill him the moment he dismounted and wasn’t prepared, once he steadied himself, even two or three Imperial Guards couldn’t touch him.

Moreover, the weapons of the Imperial Guard could not break through the armor of these Desolate Kingdom barbarians in a short time.

Therefore, even though they were surrounded, they didn’t collapse immediately. Instead, they held on for a while and caused some casualties to the Imperial Guard.

While cleaning the battlefield, Gao Zheng approached, holding a token taken from an enemy’s corpse, muttering curses:

"Damn it, these barbarians from the Desolate Kingdom were so fierce, they killed many of our brothers. Sir, look, this token was taken from a Desolate Kingdom general."

On the token was inscribed a character from Great Song, "Dragon."

Before heading north, Chen Mo specifically learned about the Desolate Kingdom, also known as Loulan.

Loulan was initially composed of various tribes, operating under a slave system. The tribes were constantly in conflict, leading to the term ’Desolate Kingdom.’

The people of the Desolate Kingdom were also referred to as barbarians by those in the Central Plains.

Two hundred years ago, a woman named Dugu Nanmu emerged out of nowhere. She was the wife of the chief of the largest tribe, taking on his surname.

After her husband was ambushed and killed while vying for territory, Dugu Nanmu somehow became the tribal chief.

Through decades of warfare, she united the tribes and founded Loulan, becoming its first queen under her birth name, Yue Nanmu.

Recognizing the strength of Great Song, they learned from Great Song in many aspects, including language and writing.

As a result, Loulan still used the script of Great Song.

"Is it possible that these are the elite cavalry of the Desolate Kingdom, the Dragon Oath Guard?" Dai Xishan exclaimed in shock.

"Dragon Oath Guard?!" Li Weiqiu, just arriving, was also surprised upon hearing the mention of the Dragon Oath Guard.

"So, we’ve just arrived and are already facing Ling Zhi’s army?" Zhang Lie wiped the blood off his broadsword with his bent left arm, sheathed it, and approached, looking somewhat excited.

Ling Zhi, renowned within the Desolate Kingdom for capturing the southwest and breaching Hulao Pass, was well known to Zhang Lie.

After Zhang Lie’s left arm was severed, Chen Mo had sent for the best Imperial Physician to reattach it.

However, the reattached limb was not as good as before, and it was damaged by True Qi, making it several centimeters shorter than his right arm.

The mention of the Dragon Oath Guard made Chen Mo realize that these were indeed the iron cavalry of the Desolate Kingdom, established specifically to counter the Celestial Dragon Army.

Soon, the tallying was completed.

The enemy killed numbered eight thousand, with one thousand three hundred and twenty captured.

Our own casualties were over one thousand seven hundred.

"Indeed, sir, wise and powerful, to anticipate the enemy’s moves so well, achieving a decisive first victory and severely dampening the morale of these Desolate Kingdom barbarians. Sir, you are mighty," Gao Zheng flattered Chen Mo at the right moment.

Li Weiqiu, Zhang Lie, and others, in their first meaningful battle, also expressed admiration for Chen Mo.

If they had arrived unprepared at this Anchang Plain, facing the aggressive Dragon Oath Guard, they wouldn’t have had any means of stopping them.

In the era of cold weapons, infantry couldn’t be compared to cavalry.

Especially in this vast plain, without cover, unprepared infantry stood no chance against heavy cavalry.

Even with preparation, over one thousand seven hundred were lost.

Without preparation, the toll would have been unimaginable.

"Enough flattery, it’s getting late. Pass the order, make camp here. Tonight, all commanders above the rank of battalion come to my tent for a meeting." Chen Mo commanded.

"Yes, sir."

...

In the Northern Lands, darkness fell swiftly.

Tens of thousands of Imperial Guards were camped on the Anchang Plain, their lights stretching to the horizon, their banners conspicuous in front of the commander’s tent.

In the center of the army, inside the commander’s tent, Chen Mo changed into a simple white robe, staring at a map made of cowhide, while discussing the newly arrived situation with the various generals.

Chen Mo said, "If we’re going to drive out these Desolate Kingdom barbarians, we can’t operate like before. We must take the initiative in the attack."