Whoosh, whoosh...
The bitter wind swept flying snow through Shenshang Gorge, its howling drowning out hoofbeats, footsteps, and every other sound.
He Can trudged along the uneven gravel path. Finally free of his hood, he grumbled as he went:
"Of all times, you had to force a march in heavy snow. A dozen or more men have already died of exhaustion. With just these ten thousand men, won't we be handing ourselves over if we get out only to face enemies on every side?"
On horseback, Xiao Zhen, the Prince of Andong, wore a thick fox-fur cloak over his shoulders. He studied a map of the defenses around Capital City and replied:
"Warfare is the art of deception. This route leads out into Chengze County, where we can bring quite a few of Capital City's powerful clans under control. Turn south for another hundred and twenty-odd li, and we reach Black Armor Pass. Its defenders will never expect an attack from behind. Once we seize the pass, my fifty thousand iron cavalry can drive straight through and reach Yanjing in three days..."
He Can nodded. "Not a bad idea, but are you sure we can get out of this damned place? We've been winding around for a whole day and night."
"Rest assured. Guo Zihuai has done little else these past years but send private troops to scout and build roads. Another twenty li ahead lies Chengze County. Even if Capital City sends troops to intercept us, they'll be too late. Of course, they have no attention to spare for this area right now..."
As Xiao Zhen spoke, he put away the map and looked into the snow-filled sky.
"Come to think of it, we should have acted during the Young Emperor's birthday celebration. Guo Zihuai would have struck at