Hunkering Down, the Grand Trend of the Realm!

[That year, you personally led the army north.]

[Before North Wind had even fought, it abandoned the lands of two provinces: Xu Province and Bo Province.]

[Xu Province was mostly a vast, boundless plain. After a thousand years of unceasing erosion by the Yellow River and the Zhi River, it had nurtured incomparably fertile soil and was one of the granaries within North Wind's territory.]

[Bo Province was also a vital region, famed throughout the realm for its aquatic produce and salt fields. It was known as the "Province of a Thousand Lakes."]

[Both provinces had flat terrain, with no natural defenses to rely upon.]

[The north chose to station heavy troops at Yuanchong City in Yue Province, hunkering down and refusing to emerge.]

[To travel from Hulao Pass to Huanglong Prefecture, one had to pass through Yuanchong City.]

[The scene seemed like a reenactment of Yan Kingdom's northward advance before the White Horse Covenant.]

[The difference was that, after that battle years ago, "avoiding battle" had become the national military policy North Wind used against Yan Territory.]

[A large number of veteran generals skilled in defense were brought back into service.]

[Defend only, never attack!]

[For ten years, they had continuously built great cities and massive strongholds here. The city's trenches had been expanded severalfold, fertile fields had been reclaimed within the walls, and canals had been dug. The soldiers were self-sufficient.]

[Using the perilous terrain, it was like a heavenly sword driven into the earth!]

[Now!]

[North Wind's forces had heavily fortified this place. Four hundred thousand troops were divided into two wings, glaring like tigers watching their prey.]

[Four hundred thousand elite soldiers held the city in firm defense. They had also built blockhouses hidden along the mountain slopes on both sides, laying down a vast "pocket