Is this even cavalry?

The Eastern Palace's court deliberation unified the central government's opinion with a tough stance.

Stimulated by Zhu Zhanjun's "wolf-tiger medicine," Zhu Gaochi unleashed astonishing political energy.

As the Regent Crown Prince, he forcefully suppressed all doubts, making the entire Great Ming war machine revolve around Zhu Zhanjun's Ruin the Barbarians Vanguard Camp.

However, issuing an order is one thing, and its execution is another.

The next morning, the atmosphere in the Ministry of War was oppressive.

Fang Bin, the Minister of War, had two huge dark circles under his eyes, having not slept all night.

He had been publicly humiliated by Zhu Zhanjun yesterday and then reprimanded by His Highness the Crown Prince. The more he thought about it after returning home, the angrier and more fearful he became.

He wasn't afraid of Zhu Zhanjun retaliating against him, but rather of Zhu Zhanjun actually winning.

If Zhu Zhanjun succeeded in rescuing the Emperor, would he, the Minister of War who led the call for relocating south, get away with it?

Given Emperor Zhu Di's temper, it would be a great act of imperial grace if he didn't flay him and stuff him with straw.

Therefore, the only thought in his mind now was that Zhu Zhanjun would be defeated.

It would be best if his entire army was wiped out and he died on the northern grasslands.

A Ministry of War Official cautiously entered to report, "Minister, the Ministry of Revenue has already allocated the grain and fodder."

"Lord Xia said that this was a death order from His Highness the Crown Prince, asking us in the Ministry of War to quickly formulate a logistics and transportation plan to ensure the supply for Prince Zheng... oh no, for the 'Ruin the Barbarians Vanguard Camp'."

"Supplies? How do we supply them?"

Fang Bin slammed the table irritably, "Have you calculated how much grain and fodder three thousand fully armored heavy cavalry consume in a day while marching in freezing weather?"

"The horses eat better than the elite Imperial Guards!"

"How are we supposed to catch up?"

"On our own two legs?"

He pointed to the map on the wall and sneered, "They set off yesterday, where can they reach at most today?"

"Changping? Huailai? At most!"

"From the Capital City to Xuanfu is five hundred li. This kind of heavy cavalry would take at least seven or eight days to travel!"

"By the time they leisurely reach the border, His Majesty's bones will likely be cold!"

Although these words were harsh, they were common military knowledge.

Heavy cavalry were powerful but lacked mobility, and their logistical burden was terrifying. They were always used as trump cards for decisive battles, not as tools for long-distance raids.

Several Directors and Officials from the Ministry of War also wore grim expressions.

"What the Minister says is true. Logistics are indeed a major challenge. Our supply carts simply cannot keep up with their speed."

"Also, the heavy snow blocks the roads, making it difficult for carts and horses in many places. We can only carry supplies by hand. This... this is simply a bottomless pit."

Just as everyone was at a loss, hurried footsteps could be heard from outside the door.

A Postman responsible for border military intelligence rushed in, scrambling, his face drained of color.

"Report--! Report--!"

"What are you shouting about! Has the sky fallen?"

Fang Bin, already annoyed, berated him.

"Min... Minister..."

The Postman gasped for breath, unable to speak clearly, "Urgent report from Xuanfu!"

"The Ruin the Barbarians Vanguard Camp, this morning... at the hour of Mao, has... has arrived at Xuanfu!"

"What?!"

Fang Bin shot up from his chair and grabbed the Postman by his collar, "Say that again! Where have they arrived?"

"Xuanfu! Minister!"

"They set off from the Capital City yesterday evening, traveling five hundred li overnight, and arrived under the walls of Xuanfu city this morning!"

The Postman cried out, almost in tears.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Fang Bin's eyes bulged, and he pointed at the map, roaring hysterically, "Five hundred li overnight! In this infernal weather!"

"Do you think they are gods?"

"Or do they have wings and can fly?"

"Reporting false military information is punishable by death! Guards, drag him out and execute him!"

The entire Ministry of War was stunned by the news.

Five hundred li overnight, a thousand li in a day, eight hundred at night – these were just exaggerations from storytellers.

In reality, even the most elite Light Cavalry, with one rider and two horses for alternating mounts, and disregarding the horses' stamina, could at most cover three hundred li in a day.

And Zhu Zhanjun's unit was a monster with both men and horses clad in heavy armor.

How could they possibly move so fast?

It completely defied the laws of physics and common military sense.

"Sir! I wouldn't dare lie to you!"

The postman, terrified, stammered, "This is a military report personally written by the Xuanfu Grand General, Yang Hong!"

"He also said... he also said that after the Ruin the Barbarians Vanguard Camp entered the city, the soldiers and horses were spirited and showed no signs of fatigue. They only replenished their water supply, didn't stop for even an hour, and immediately went north beyond the pass!"

As he spoke, he pulled out a sweat-soaked military report from his bosom and tremblingly handed it over.

Fang Bin snatched the report and unfolded it. It indeed bore Yang Hong's personal signature and official seal.

In the letter, Yang Hong's words conveyed an unspeakable shock and fear.

He described the army marching silently, with only the muffled thud of the earth shaking.

Their warhorses didn't exhale white mist from their nostrils, but a warm breath with a faint scent of alcohol.

At the end of the letter, Yang Hong also attached a list. It was left for him by Zhu Zhanjun, who requested that the Xuanfu garrison not prepare any provisions for them. Instead, they were only asked to prepare some "special supplies" according to the list.