The response strategy meticulously devised by Su Ran was like a grand game of chess, set to be played out across the vast territories of the Great Qing. Yet, reality proved to be an insurmountable mountain, riddled with obstacles that made every step of implementation a struggle.
**The Dilemma of Northern Border Defense**
On the northern frontier, the monumental task of constructing military fortifications was akin to hacking through a thicket of thorns. The terrain was complex and volatile, defined by undulating peaks and deep ravines, while the harsh climate—oscillating between biting cold and scorching heat, and plagued by raging storms—posed challenges beyond imagination. The remoteness of the supply routes only compounded the crisis, leading to frequent shortages of building materials. Stones and timber, initially expected to arrive with the flow of a river, were often delayed by treacherous roads and sudden weather shifts, causing construction to crawl at a snail's pace. Though the craftsmen worked with fervor and the soldiers assisted with all their might, laboring day and night to overcome one daunting hurdle after another, a vast amount of time remained before the intended robust defense system could be completed.
Chapter 122