After achieving an annihilating victory over Ulf's Sparrow Corps at Tar Fort, Karl did not let victory go to his head, nor did he dare underestimate the underhanded tricks the Empress Dowager in the south might employ.
He knew full well that the return journey after a great victory, laden with spoils and prisoners, was often when an army was at its most lax—and most vulnerable to attack. Empress Dowager Katerina would never sit by and watch him return to his stronghold in such glory. She would surely do everything in her power to obstruct him, perhaps even seek an opportunity to deal him a devastating blow.
Therefore, on the road leading his army south back to Carnford, Karl was exceedingly cautious—one could even call him conservative. He abandoned the usual methods of rapid light marches or forced marches in stages, instead following the tradition of ancient Roman legions marching through enemy territory or dangerous regions.
Each day, after breaking camp at dawn, the army advanced in tightly ordered battle formation. Scouts ranged ten li ahead, while elite cavalry patrolled and stood guard on both flanks and at the rear. Yet the march lasted only half a day. At roughly noon, once the forward scouts had confirmed that the next suitable campsite was safe, the entire army halted.
The following half-day was spent constructing a fortified camp. Under the guidance of the accompanying militia and engineers, each unit worked within its designated area, making use of local materials. With the shovels and axes carried by the army, they felled trees and dug trenches.
A standard field camp, complete with an outer ditch, inner rampart, wooden palisade, and watchtowers, rapidly took shape on the selected high ground with astonishing efficiency. Its layout was orderly, its roads crisscrossing, its functional areas clearly