When Ning Chen and Tantai Qingyue got back to the prefectural office, Niu Anguo was already there.

"Greetings, my lord prince!"

Ning Chen waved a hand. "No need for ceremony. Let's talk inside!"

They went into the study.

Ning Chen got straight to the point. "General Niu, did you bring the terrain map of Gaoan City?"

"I did!"

Niu Anguo took out the map and presented it with both hands.

Ning Chen took the map and spread it out on the desk. As he studied it closely, he asked casually, "Do you know how many troops are garrisoned in Gaoan City?"

Niu Anguo said, "My lord prince, fewer than thirty thousand... The Gaoli Kingdom has been at war with Nanyue all along, and it keeps out of the Great Xuan's way, so most of its forces have been sent to the front. There aren't many troops in Gaoan City."

Ning Chen gave a slight nod, his eyes fixed on the terrain map of Gaoan City.

Before long, a smile spread across his face.

Ning Chen tapped the map, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had a plan, by the look of it.

Next, Ning Chen drew up his orders and settled on a route.

They would spend tomorrow preparing and move out tomorrow night.

The next day, as night fell.

Ning Chen led twenty thousand men of the Southern Frontier Army out of Qingzhou in secret, braving the bitter cold, and marched on Gaoan City.

At first the snow was deep and the going was very hard.

Fortunately, Ning Chen had sent men to scout during the day and clear some of the snow so the wagons could get through.

The march was grueling, but nothing went wrong.

And the closer they got to Gaoan City, the easier the road became.

A great mountain stood on the border between Qingzhou and Gaoan City and blocked most of the cold air.

So Gaoan City hadn't been hit by the snow disaster.

If they hadn't had to circle around the mountain, a forced march could have reached Gaoan City in a day.

Ning…