Torrent Gallop had nearly turned completely white. Riding Torrent Gallop, Xiang An strolled along the road toward Yan Kingdom.
Nine days had already passed. In another day, they would reach Yan Kingdom's borders. Xiang An had already sent Liao Ye ahead to notify Yan King Zang Tu. By now, he had presumably prepared provisions and fodder, waiting for Xiang An to receive them.
Providing supplies for three thousand men was a matter of courtesy; refusing would mean making an enemy. Zang Tu was not foolish over such a small quantity.
What puzzled Zang Tu was why Western Chu's general would choose this particular moment to take a trip along the Great Wall.
"General, Nao County lies a little farther ahead. Its defending commander, Chu Dun, has already prepared to welcome us." Liao Ye rode back on a swift horse and clasped his hands as he reported to Xiang An.
Xiang An pulled on Torrent Gallop's reins and glanced back at the column. After considering it, he said, "Go again and tell Chu Dun there's no need for a welcome. We're in a hurry and merely passing through. We'll leave right away and won't linger."
"Yes, sir! I obey!"
With that, Liao Ye rode off. After following Xiang An for so many years, he had become much sharper. Xiang An now entrusted him with all sorts of miscellaneous battlefield matters, including passing messages among several close commanders. Though he held no high military post, everyone knew that Xiang An had a trusted attendant—a lackey—by his side.
"Second Brother, how many more days until we reach the Great Wall?" Zi Juan urged Jujube Steed forward a few steps until she rode alongside Torrent Gallop. Stroking Jujube Steed's mane, she asked Xiang An.
"At our current pace of marching three days out of