Li Man'er smiled faintly, her eyes devoid of any warmth. "General Yan, it is you who is going too far! All the generals present have seen it. From the moment I entered this council hall, General Yan has treated me with disdain, constantly making things difficult for me and mocking me with every word. He merely sees that I am young and a woman, and thinks that after the Marquis fell ill, no one is there to support me. He wishes to control me!"
Every word Li Man'er spoke was the truth. Even Yan Fang, his face exposed in such a manner, couldn't help but blush.
"I, Li Man'er, am not a clay figurine to be molded at will. You should also consider this: I lost my mother before I was even a year old. I have lived under my stepmother's care for so many years. If I didn't have some skills, wouldn't I have been bullied to death?" She simply detested Madam Guo, and even in death, she would seize any opportunity to expose Madam Guo's evil deeds.
"What exactly do you want?"
Li Man'er scoffed, "If no one offends me, I will not offend anyone. I will sign the military order, but let's change the wager."
"You say."
"If I win, General Yan will take me as his master, and from now on, you will perform the rites of a disciple every time you see me."
"You, you..." Yan Fang trembled with rage, his eyes turning green as if he were about to devour someone. "And if you lose?"
Li Man'er sneered, "I will not lose."
"And if you lose?"
"I've already said I won't lose."
That Yan Fang wasn't angered to death on the spot was due entirely to his excellent physical condition. For someone with a weaker constitution, perhaps a funeral would have been necessary.
"Miss Li, Miss Li."
Ding Yan could no longer bear to watch and finally spoke, attempting to smooth things over. "Miss Li, a wager involves back and forth, wins and losses. Everything must be considered in the present moment. Don't worry, General Han and I will be witnesses for you."
"Alright, since you are speaking for him, then it's like this: if I lose, I will do as you please, whether you kill me or flay me."
Yan Fang agreed without a second thought. In his eyes, Li Man'er was bound to lose no matter what. He would make sure to humiliate her thoroughly then. To make him a disciple of hers? Dream on!
With that settled, let's get back to the main topic.
Regarding the matter of attacking the barbarians' camp, Li Man'er's primary roles were clearing snow and acting as the vanguard.
After clearing the snow, before the main army departed, a small detachment would be sent to cause chaos within the barbarian camp, whether by poisoning or arson. In short, they were not to have a moment's peace. Once the barbarians were in disarray, the main army would have a better chance of a successful assault.
Ding Yan quickly assigned the tasks: who would lead the frontal charge, who would flank, all were clearly explained.
As Li Man'er left, Yan Fang was still sarcastic, implying that not only would Li Man'er lose, but she would likely lose her life on the battlefield.
Li Man'er couldn't be bothered to respond. Such a big man, his mind smaller than a needle's eye, would be an insult to the words "standing tall and upright."
Ah Si had been worried that Li Man'er lacked the charisma to find helpers. Who would have thought that Li Man'er had no intention of seeking help from others? The brothers of the Iron Gallant Battalion were sufficient to complete this important task.
Furthermore, she didn't require many people this time, only the forty from last time. Although two brothers were lost then, including herself and Ah Si, there were exactly four people, so no need to search further.
"Miss, isn't this a bit too risky?"
"Don't worry, I have it under control."
Ah Si dared not ask further and said, "Then when do we act?"
Li Man'er looked at the sky and said meaningfully, "When it snows again!"
On days without snow, Li Man'er led the brothers who had participated in the previous raid, practicing clearing snow by tying the snowplows to the chariots.
Actually, the function of this snow-clearing chariot was not very significant. Li Man'er was merely using it as a cover.
In less than two days, it snowed again. Initially, the snowfall was light, and there was no wind. However, by nightfall, the wind grew stronger, the snowflakes turned into pellets, and the visibility was no more than five meters.
Li Man'er knew the time had come and immediately summoned her men, ready to depart. They had been waiting all afternoon. When the sky was overcast, they had already made their preparations. Now, all they needed to do was grab their equipment and they would be good to go.
Li Man'er stood in the thatched shed, giving her pre-battle speech. "This terrible weather outside can freeze a person to death. With visibility less than five meters, if you follow me out, you might not come back. What's more, after the snow melts, we will have to become the vanguard and charge towards the barbarian camp. I repeat, it's not too late to back out now. At least you'll have your lives."
No one moved.
"I'll ask again, is there anyone who wants to back out?"
A tall soldier, in his twenties, said, "General, fighting the barbarians with you is exhilarating. Even if we die, we'll have barbarians to cushion our fall!"
"Exactly!"
"Damn it, let's see who dares to back out."
No one withdrew. The wind and snow outside, the swords and sabers of the barbarians, could not instill fear in them.
"Good. Now, drink this parting wine, everyone put on your protective gear, and depart with me."
Everyone raised their wine bowls and drank them dry. They checked their equipment, chariots, and snowplows, ensuring everything was in order. Ah Si nodded at Li Man'er.
Li Man'er said to Zhang Jingfeng, "Although you are not going this time, remember what I told you. Your mission is even more important."
Zhang Jingfeng clasped his fists and bowed deeply. "General, you must return safely."
"Don't worry, I'm still waiting for that bastard Yan Fang to become my disciple!"
Her words somewhat dispelled the somber atmosphere.
Li Man'er put on her gloves, donned her straw cloak, and tightly fastened the ties of her conical hat. With a wave of her hand, they departed.
A company of forty men turned and vanished into the wind and snow. Four snow-clearing chariots accompanied them.
Zhang Jingfeng immediately reported to Qi Yihan. In fact, even if he hadn't, Qi Yihan knew that Li Man'er intended to act that night.
They had agreed before that when it snowed again, it would be time to attack the camp.
The snow in Mobei fell one after another, ceaseless. Tonight's heavy snow and strong winds were the perfect opportunity to act.
Li Man'er and her group still took the north gate. Qi Yihan stood atop the city wall, watching the group depart. The snow was heavy, and despite their full gear, every step was arduous.
"In such terrible weather, even a group of strong men would struggle to adapt. Let alone General Li, who is so delicate," Ding Yan held an umbrella for Qi Yihan, whether out of genuine concern or a test.
"You are mistaken."
"What?"
Qi Yihan said very seriously, "She is not delicate at all."