Mo Tailai pondered for a moment, then walked over to the sand table and beckoned Fang Yizhi over. Once he approached, Mo Tailai pointed at the table and said, "Here is Gulang City. It fell in a single day, the day before yesterday."
He moved his finger slightly downward and continued, "Here is Yongdeng City. Our city is Lanzhou's last line of defense. Once it falls, the enemy can split into three columns and besiege Lanzhou. If Lanzhou falls too, their cavalry can drive straight into our empire's heartland. The consequences would be unthinkable. Just now... I discussed this with Magistrate Li. He will gather all the city's able-bodied young civilians to help defend it, while you will lead five hundred elite soldiers to escort the elderly, children, women, and infirm to Lanzhou. You are an outstanding disciple of the Knowledge and Practice Institute. Over this past year of tempering yourself here, you have performed better and better. I have seen it all. You're still young, with a bright future ahead. You shouldn't..."
At this point, Fang Yizhi interrupted him. "I am a man of Great Chen, and above all, a soldier. To die on the battlefield would be a worthy death. I will never be a deserter."
Mo Tailai said, "I'm not asking you to desert. When you escort the civilians back to Lanzhou, the enemy will certainly try to intercept you. Your mission is to do everything in your power to protect them. They are all subjects of Great Chen. As the highest-ranking officer of Yongdeng's Border Defense Army, it is my duty to protect every inch of land and every one of our people. I order you to assemble five hundred elite soldiers immediately and prepare the civilians. Depart tomorrow during the hour of the Ox, without