Pingshan County, a small town on the southern border of Zhongzhou, was now the campsite for a hundred thousand troops of the Huaxia Army.
The night was as dark as ink, and campfires flickered across the encampment, casting their glow on the tired yet vigilant faces of the patrolling soldiers. The autumn wind swept up withered leaves, spinning them between the tents and rustling softly.
Inside the command tent, candlelight wavered, casting the shadows of the men against the rough walls like dormant giant beasts. A massive sandbox occupied the center of the hall, where mountains, rivers, cities, and strategic passes were clearly visible in miniature relief. The Luoshui River wound across the sandbox from north to south like a meandering blue ribbon, shimmering faintly in the candlelight.
Chapter 252