"A sound plan? I wouldn't call it that."
Liu Qingcang sighed, then slowly began to explain.
"Nearly ten years have passed since the Sky Wolfers last invaded the south in force."
"They're coming with fierce momentum this time. The danger will be immense."
"The Military Command's forces are tied down on the Sirius Plain front. They can spare little to reinforce us-at most, a deputy general to hold the town, and even he won't arrive for another two days."
"How many troops he can bring is still uncertain."
At this, he walked halfway around the sand table and circled a large city east of Everlasting Prosperity Town with his bamboo pointer.
"This is Cloud Prefecture, a vital military city in the rear. It has a garrison of three thousand and a Military Academy, and it can mobilize the garrison militia from several nearby counties."
"Our only option now is to go to Cloud Province and request troops, then bring them back at full speed to help defend Everlasting Prosperity Town. Only then can we preserve this hub of land and water routes."
Chen Mu and the others were startled by Liu Qingcang's arrangements.
Go to Cloud Province for reinforcements? Would there be time?
The Sky Wolfers would move in three days. The Golden Tent's barbarian cavalry would surely coordinate with them, invading south on the same day.
Even with Chen Mu's speed and Qishan's extraordinary swiftness, a round trip to Cloud Province would take more than two days.
By the time they actually brought troops back, the enemy might already be at the walls.
As though he had seen through their thoughts, Liu Qingcang said calmly:
"This is not a plan I devised alone, but a secret order from the Military Command. You need not overthink it."
"I will now