For this border reinforcement mission, I've granted maximum autonomy, refraining from intervention in any matter. Had I foreseen the outcome, I never would have delegated authority. But words are futile now. Even superior troops cannot withstand inept leadership. Zhang Guan or any other candidates recommended by Pang's faction are mere Dushi (unreliable figures). The Twin Kingdoms has long been war-free and lacks competent talent entirely—especially among Pang's people, whose skills amount to nothing but backstabbing machinations.

With four spacecraft unloading grain supplies, someone quickly set up cauldrons over the square's firepits as soldiers rotated for hot porridge rations. Though merely a few bowls of steaming broth, the news that imperial troops led by myself and the Crown Prince were en route sparked all-night cheers across the city, as if marauders would be repelled at dawn tomorrow. It was an unshakable faith rooted in blind hope.

"Sir, you've seen it with your own eyes—our hopes rest entirely upon you. Please never abandon us again," Sun Chang said anxiously.

"I cannot blame Zhang Guan fully," I replied. "These raiders were well-prepared and amassed forces too swiftly to be mere chance. Even if I'd commanded the frontlines, such an ambush might have been unavoidable."

Kong Wu insisted, "But you'll never shift blame or engage in internal power struggles! We have absolute confidence in your leadership. With these new weapons you've brought..."

"It's difficult," I admitted. "I must first assess their tactics and armament before making decisions. Without such knowledge, effective strategy is impossible."

Sun Chang reported, "Our soldiers struggle against their mounted advantage. Though most raiders don't wear horse armor now, our troops still falter under repeated cavalry charges. They parry arrows with light shields while slicing through ranks with curved sabers on all sides. With numerical superiority, we've lost every engagement so far—Fourth and Fifth Armies lack heavy weaponry. If trebuchets were available, results might have been better."

Initially I intended to sell those trebuchets but the Ministry of Revenue blocked it citing fiscal constraints. I'd already subsidized these troops at great personal cost, risking bankruptcy if I continued. Another factor was underestimating the threat—the raiders weren't numerous then.

Even with trebuchets victory would be uncertain," I warned. "Modern models remain cumbersome to transport and deploy. Against fast cavalry charges, their effectiveness would still be limited."

"Then build anti-cavalry stakes!" the generals urged as they sipped porridge. "Design them reinforced—I'll sketch specifications immediately! Recommission ten-man squads into twenty-man units: ten outside with stakes, ten inside firing arrows. Reinforcements will bring more firearms soon enough to increase our firepower."

Several commanders declared, "We knew you'd find solutions unlike that power-hungry Zhang Guan who contributes nothing but scheming. You spared his life this time—consider it a lucky escape!"

Hu Tuo and Qi Lianshan sat dejectedly at the table's edge. I reassured them, "This was my decision alone—you needn't fear even if Pang Hu arrives. The Fourth/Fifth Armies are mine to command but never meant for personal gain. Any attempt by Pang or Zhang to seize control through treachery will face my absolute opposition. Rest assured—I'll report all this to the Crown Prince and Emperor."

Hu Tuo, who I'd once treated for "serpent coiled sores" (a royal ailment), was one of few court nobles showing me decency. He said, "Sire Zhao, we too despise Zhang's treachery but fear his patron Pang Daishi's retaliation..."

"I have plans," I assured him. Let's not discuss further now. After honoring fallen comrades with just punishment for Zhang's crimes, let's inspect the city walls before my return to Twin City."

The palisades had already consumed most of our stockpiled defensive materials during early skirmishes. With war dragging on and Zhang Guan neglecting self-sufficiency, arrows and weapons were nearly depleted despite marauders' reluctance to mount frontal assaults.

Nearby a pile of white substance caught my eye. "What is this?" I asked Sun Chang. "Seems like lime?"

"Yes, Sire," he confirmed. "With no rain lately Zhang Guan wants to renovate his command pavilion—he's burning limestone for plaster."

Zhang planned to establish himself at Feilong as base of operations toward three subordinate counties and Feiying prefecture. Yet while soldiers slept outdoors he prioritized constructing personal quarters—clearly a man unfit for leadership.

"Pack some quicklime in paper," I ordered. "If battle erupts it can blind enemy cavalry eyes. It's underhanded but effective—I've used similar tactics before with smoke bombs."

Sun Chang beamed, "Your ingenuity is boundless! We'd never considered using lime this way..."

"Not surprising," I mused. "Our own smoke grenades contain it already—just no trebuchets to deploy them yet. Let's improvise manually for now."

I departed swiftly aboard spacecraft but left firearms with Sun and Kong to suppress Zhang Guan's potential mutiny.

"Return home?" Yun Yao asked me.

"Linglong, shall we detour through Hulucun village first?" I inquired. The girl had arranged relocating her parents to the Imperial Stables but found them unaffected by raiders and unwilling to leave. Laski and Vahani had returned there after Feiyu's fall, so their workshop would remain closed until later.

"No need," Linglong declined. "We must rest for tomorrow's campaign."

That night passed uneventfully. At first light I entered the Inner City palace to escort Princess #15 before our audience with Emperor Mada and departure.

Her chamber was dark but pulsing with strange noises. Ma Xiaowei should have been vigilant. "Your Highness, it's time to rise—we must attend court soon!" I called through the locked door.

"Ah!" Two startled female voices answered before Ma Xiaowei demanded, "Wait outside while we dress—don't barge in or there'll be trouble!"

Suddenly Ma Xiao'ri's mocking voice emerged: "Brother-in-law, why not enter? Capture your sister's 'lover' yourself!"

Of course I refused to intrude. Servants were already awake and if caught it would create scandal for poor Xiaowei through gossip. So I waited in the antechamber instead.

The door creaked open as Ma Xiao'ri emerged wearing only a robe, smirking. "Brother-in-law, safe travels—remember to write."

She must know about her sister's new role but oddly offered no objections. As she turned away, someone seized me from behind—her again. The petite princess whispered in my ear: "I committed sins... Will you spank me? I'm terrified."

I grabbed both cheeks and teased, "What kind of sins? If they please me you might earn rewards instead."

Ma Xiao'ri kissed me fiercely, her tongue snaking into my mouth as she said, "I don't know if it'll please. Tell me when you visit... but now I know your preferences with women. Next time let me demonstrate?"

She forced a kiss down which I swallowed before pulling away. She giggled and vanished.

The light switched on inside. "Enter Zhao Qian," Ma Xiaowei called, fully clothed. After checking the hallway was empty, I slipped in to find her slumped at the bed looking exhausted but oddly flushed in complexion.

"What's wrong? Didn't sleep well before our journey?" I asked.

She collapsed dramatically, "My beloved husband has killed me!"

"Explain," I said gently. "When have I ever harmed you?"

"I was already drained from serving you," she groaned. "Then Xiao'ri attacked unprovoked! We..."

"You two... had an affair?" I teased.

"How dare you call it that!" she retorted. "It was for your pleasure—don't make me repeat!"

I pulled her close, "What exactly happened? Sounds exciting—is this her new game with you?"

"Very complicated," she said as her hand wandered to my crotch. "Let me check if you've been stimulated—it's already swollen! I wonder if Xiao'ri discovered something last night..."

She revealed red bite marks on her chest and breast, "I climaxed multiple times before collapsing but she woke me again in the middle of the night... Sorry my husband, I must have misbehaved."

Another confession of misconduct. I smoothed her hair, "What exactly happened? Would you expect me to care if it wasn't with another man?"

"Of course not," she pouted. "But Xiao'ri... used her mouth on sensitive areas!"

She hid her face in my chest as I asked, "Did it feel good?"

She hesitated, "Are you truly angry?"

"Very."

Her hands flew to her ears, voice trembling: "I'll never do it again! It was sudden and she caught me sleeping. I lost control... forgive me this once!"

I laughed, "I'm angry because you didn't record evidence—just hearing your account isn't enough!"

Her hands suddenly grabbed my ears as she hissed, "Of course I knew that! Pervert, maybe next time you'll get to watch secretly—but Xiao'ri might even perform for you live!"

She was unaware of our prior intimacy but that revelation could wait. "Did you reciprocate?" I asked.

She nodded, revealing soaked bed sheets, "This is so embarrassing. On Star Twin women's fluids flow freely. You'd be surprised how common it really is on Earth."

I reassured her, "Ignore gossips—life isn't about others' opinions. As long as you feel good and choose to do things willingly..."

She cheered up instantly, "Then you approve? I love the sensation but found it dirty until Xiao'ri didn't care. I still feel shy though when initiating."

"I saw no hesitation last night," I said, hugging her tighter.

"Because you're special!" she whispered. "But with women there's always some guilt..."

"I'm easy-going as long as you don't wear another man's ring," I joked.

She bit my cheek, "Don't talk nonsense! If any other man touches me even once I'd die immediately—also did Danchi really not see anything?"

Their loyalty was beyond question. Reassuring her, "No chance—he saw at most what you were doing for me."

"Wait!" she gasped. "He saw this? What am I to do?!"

I laughed it off, "Why worry about exposure when he has no proof? If anyone believes his accusations they'll just call him a deluded fool spreading malicious rumors against the princess."

She sighed, "If you're happy with it then fine—but my body feels limp from so many sessions. Xiao'ri gave me three more before I left... Let me bathe first."

I licked my lips at the strange taste and asked, "Are you saying you were still doing this moments ago?"

"Yes!" she admitted. "You think we're too much? Next time I'll control frequency—the first time was overwhelming! Please forgive me!"

"I don't mind," I said honestly. "But did she really do it three times last night as well?"

Her face turned crimson, voice trembling: "The front and back... my chest is swollen now. Can we even travel today? She's a sexual tornado—I'm terrified unless you're happy with it..."

I chuckled wryly, "Still some reluctance then. Well at least I have no modesty issues."

She didn't understand about the "plot," of course. "How did she calculate this?" I muttered. The sinister smile had been foreshadowing all along.

Her softness in my arms was intoxicating—I squeezed her butt and asked, "Be honest—how many times last night? You look like Xiao'ri's plaything."

She blushed, "Three... three times..."

"Impossible," I said, squeezing harder. "With this state you must have done more!"

She panicked, "Three before sleep, then another three just now! Now do you believe me?"

I threatened to squeeze again as she squealed, "Five in total during sleep..."

"And afterwards?" I pressed.

"Just two quick ones when getting up to use the bathroom. She followed and... you know," she said guiltily. "I protested because it was unclean after urination but she forced me down anyway!"

Her vulnerability made my erection firm—what a temptation! These two had surely exhausted themselves all night. The girl's shy, flushed expression wasn't complaint at all—it was deliberate provocation to excite me.

She trembled as if expecting another intimate assault...

Despite her exhaustion we eventually reached Wenchengwude Hall where the decree was quickly drafted and sealed by Emperor Mada himself. With no time for ceremony and recent battlefield losses, our departure remained discreet.

Rescue forces led by A Si marched toward Feilong while we traveled faster via spacecraft to avoid straining Ma Xiaowei who collapsed upon arrival—scaring attendants into thinking she was ill until Hua Qingqing diagnosed exhaustion.

After morning court and preparations at the Imperial Stables, we reached Feilong just before noon. Sun Chang and Kong Wu reported that raiders were attempting to break their cavalry advantage and switch to direct assaults—either impatient or aware of reinforcements arriving from Twin City.

With ample wood supplies, Sun had already gathered more defensive materials last night while our anti-cavalry spears numbered in hundreds now. Ground limestone was powdered into bags ready for deployment against the impending threat.

Ma Xiaoda's first command on the battlefield was a comedy of errors. Though clueless about military affairs, he insisted on micromanaging everything with theatrical gestures from the parapet. A sudden javelin aimed at his head forced Ma Liu to dive and pin him down as Dali Wan deflected it with an upgraded iron staff - a weapon now possible due to improved metallurgy techniques.

Wiping cold sweat from his forehead, Ma Xiaoda barked orders for capturing the archer while I roughly pushed him behind cover. "This isn't chess," I warned as arrows rained onto the battlements. The marauding bandits had launched their assault with ladders and siege towers, depleting our fifth army's stockpiles of iron-tipped arrows. Though we'd hastily produced wooden ones overnight, they lacked effectiveness against hardened combatants.

As the enemy climbed our walls, I spotted a pile of quicklime below. "Toss the sacks!" I ordered as soldiers began hurling caustic powder into the fray. The blinding dust incapacitated both sides - but particularly the bandits who were forced to fight from disadvantageous positions.

"Warn the men not to rinse with water," I instructed Kong Wu, handing him cumin oil for treating eye injuries. "Quicklime reacts violently when mixed with water." My words earned a startled nod from the wounded captain as we watched the battle unfold.

The lime cloud decisively halted the enemy advance. Favoring conditions and our elevated position minimized friendly casualties while maximizing damage to the attackers blinded by their own chemical warfare. Some desperate bandits attempting to wash away the blinding powder instead triggered violent reactions, leaving them permanently sightless - a grim lesson in battlefield chemistry.

Remaining bandits retreated under heavy fire from our towers as Ma Xiaoda resumed his theatrical commentary: "Genius! This ordinary lime has become our secret weapon!" His military ineptitude contrasted sharply with my silent observation of the terrain and enemy movements.

My phone buzzed with reconnaissance updates from the Qingqing spacecraft orbiting overhead. Studying satellite images of the camp, I pointed out the strategic vulnerability in the horse stables: "These beasts may be herbivores, but desperation can make them dangerous to their own men."

Later that night, as mice and oil were prepared for another surprise attack, Ma Xiaoda's antics took a dangerous turn. The prince had slipped past his guards by drugging our sentries - an act I swiftly thwarted before he could endanger the entire operation.

"Next time," I warned him sternly while we watched flames engulf the enemy camp, "I'll send Cloud Orchid to take you back in chains."

A Qianhu officer chuckled, "My Lord, fortune favors you. Townsfolk sent us a dog today and we've stewed it into broth for your Majesty and the Crown Prince's midnight meal. You both toil day and night for our Dual Cities Kingdom - this nourishment is most fitting."

I replied, "Everyone shares in the labor. Have the kitchen add more water first. Once those fire-starters return safely with rats we'll all partake together."

Though merely a pot of dog meat soup, it deeply moved Ma Xiaoda: "Soldiers who've bled for our homeland! If not for my personal presence here I'd never believe you'd fight on empty stomachs daily. Upon returning to Dual Cities I shall host lavish feasts for all!"

The crowd bowed in unison: "Thank Your Highness, but soon we'll have roasted horse meat - just brew more wine and sing under the moon! What grand spectacle is this? Facing a sea of fire and fireworks like this... how often does one witness such sights in a lifetime? To serve His Majesty and Lord Zhao is our greatest honor."

Inspired by their optimism, Ma Xiaoda declared robustly: "Excellent! You're all bold heroes. Ma Liu, fetch wine for me - we'll drink under the moon!"

The Commander's residence already stored wine and food; upon the Crown Prince's command no one dared disobey. Large bowls of dog meat soup were first removed to simmer anew in the pot. When the broth again boiled violently, signals echoed below. The hanging basket descended swiftly with returning fire-starters.

"How goes it?" they asked anxiously despite seeing flames burning, "Reply: I've failed you..."

The crowd blinked - he clearly lit fires yet claimed failure, "I've disappointed your expectations by failing to return brothers whole. One brother was accidentally gored by a camp barrier."

*Bam!* A soldier immediately overturned the Qianhu officer for a beating: "You dared trick us?"

As baskets continued rising, over ten warriors emerged first. Ma Xiaoda now displayed royal bearing, addressing each personally on the city wall: "Excellent work! You've burned our might into them!"

I reminded Ma Xiaoda: "Have everyone sit and sip broth quickly."

Ma Xiaoda replied: "Formal address waits until morning - please sit... Wait! What is this?"

Proximity to the wall proved fatal for Ma Xiaoda who suddenly screamed as yet another basket rose. This one held no stealthy warrior but a tightly bound prisoner like an overwrapped dumpling.

The Qianhu leader hurriedly explained: "Your Highness needn't panic - we captured this horse bandit by chance. Perhaps Second-in-Command may extract useful intelligence."

Ma Xiaoda rejoiced at the unexpected bounty, just as I'd taught him in strategy: knowing both sides ensures victory. Intelligence work was crucial indeed.

As people sat under torches on the city wall, Ah Mao arrived swiftly. Fewer than two hundred East Workshop agents traveled this time compared to previous bandit raids - their primary role being intelligence gathering that night's fire routes originated from aerial photos taken by Qingqing.

Ma Xiaoda raised a bowl of dog meat soup: "In name of Dual Cities' Crown Prince I offer you all this broth. You ensure our nation's stability and prosperity. Our Ma family thanks you! With soldiers like you, Dual Cities shall soon dominate twin stars and crush those barbarian nations eyeing us!"

With the Crown Prince's encouragement everyone raised bowls to finish their soup. Someone then added wine fetched from Commander's residence. Ah Mao advised: "Your Highness, Lord Zhao - we should question this bandit immediately. We know too little about Wanma Kingdom."

Ma Xiaoda agreed: "Quickly! If he refuses to cooperate let the torture begin!"

But fate had other plans. Everyone forgot a vital detail - Wanma people spoke Horse Language. No matter how East Workshop agents threatened, the prisoner only whimpered in incomprehensible syllables.

Ah Mao ordered citywide search for anyone understanding Horse Language, but all responses returned negative.

I remarked: "Only Xiao Wei can help. He understands Horse Language as I've known long ago - though now I wonder if he's still with his concubine..."

Sun Dasheng's little dwarf indeed mastered Horse Language and once served as my interpreter. But he remained in Dual Cities, requiring a ship to retrieve him. I wouldn't trouble Yun Yao or Hua Qingqing for this, though they'd trained pilots available.

Ma Xiaoda insisted: "State affairs come first! Drag him from his bed immediately!"

After several cups of wine everyone's faces reddened when the dwarf arrived with scholar Lao Liu and Sun Dasheng. Their presence proved they hadn't been entertaining mistresses - otherwise such haste would be impossible!

The bandit had just felt smug about speaking incomprehensibly, but the dwarf first slapped him then unleashed an indecipherable Horse Language tirade. Ah Mao finally intervened: "Little Brother, focus on our task. His Majesty and Lord Zhao watch."

The dwarf laughed nervously: "Of course! Second-in-Command - how could we not be angry? If not for these rascals we'd never have left home to seek fortune in Dual Cities!"

Ah Mao countered: "You know I understand this. Reclaiming Feiyu County is imminent. But... if you hadn't left home, would you enjoy current comforts?"

The dwarf replied with a chuckle: "That's loss and gain - let's question him. What does Second-in-Command intend to ask?"

Ah Mao revealed: "I fear he'll lie. Bring forth these items!"

Two tiger seats and red pepper water were hoisted up by agents. Few had seen East Workshop interrogations, all eyes widening in fascination as Ah Mao demonstrated the tools' uses through translation. The dwarf then added dramatic emphasis for the terrified prisoner.

Without asking questions first, two agents forced him onto the tiger seat while bricks squeezed his thighs - he screamed like a butchered pig with each question answered.

Through the dwarf's translations we learned: Wanma Kingdom's invasion plan wasn't recent. Their tribes had long remained dispersed until months ago when Tama tribe unified them under one banner. Now over 50,000 cavalry occupied border strongholds including 20,000 bandits in Maluo - half of which attacked Feilong Fortress led by warlord Tadan who'd plagued our borders for years.

Tama's unification relied on a shadowy strategist never seen publicly. The daytime attack resulted from Dual Cities' carrier pigeons - they hadn't expected our first reinforcements arriving so swiftly or the quicklime disrupting their plans.

This bandit was no ordinary prisoner but a Qianhu officer himself, explaining his knowledge of such secrets. This linked to both Ma Xiaoda's previous Feiyu County visit and current intelligence leaks suggesting Dual Cities harbored spies capable of carrier pigeon use - an extremely rare skill in our kingdom.

Once the bandit revealed all, Ah Mao ordered him away. Sun Dasheng, sensing their presence was unsuitable for such affairs, led his men back to Dual Cities while Ma Xiaoda's flushed face glowed with newfound confidence from battlefield victories.

"I Ma Xiaoda have always dreamed of becoming a territorial-expanding warrior king! Though our nation now suffers internal and external crises, I thank you all for protecting our family. May I vow before you: I'll never forget your kindness or the people's suffering! Any who dare challenge our mighty empire - SLAY!"

Cheers erupted as everyone drank heartily. The Crown Prince's humility made them eager to please him even when some were already drunk. They'd never forget this night sharing hot dog meat soup, watching enemy camps burn with stampeding horses while toasting ideals under moonlight.

Dawn broke like rising smoke. Ma Xiaoda slumped on the table sleeping soundly as Linglong dozed beside me. My restored powers made several nights without sleep bearable. Removing my robe for her, she woke briefly smiling and covering Ma Xiaoda instead - in her eyes he was just a child.

Unnoticed by others, Linglong massaged my temples asking: "Still headache? You drank half the night like it's soda water?"

I replied: "Such matters are unfathomable to women."

Linglong laughed: "I don't need to understand."

Standing at the city wall, morning fog revealed no enemy camps left - only scattered remains. Horses had returned to normal while bandits vanished entirely after their crushing defeat.

Kong Wu and Sun Chang joined me later: "Sir! Our 10,000 horsemen failed for days until your 300 rats achieved this miracle surpassing the rebellion suppression at Yumaji!"

I replied: "We merely borrowed fire. But this reminds us of critical fire safety - especially with explosives in artillery and cavalry camps that may be startled by nighttime fires."

Ah Mao woke up: "Fire is good, but Sir's plan was genius! If we'd sent soldiers to ignite fires we'd risk half as much success and heavy casualties while 300 rats slipped undetected like ghosts. The court will surely create legends from this report!"

"Legends aren't needed," I replied, "Just don't let them scheme against me."

"Who dares!" Ma Xiaoda suddenly appeared, "Any who oppose Lord Zhao opposes ME! I'll never show mercy!"

To Sun Chang: "First gather those horses outside. Transfer to cavalry once they arrive."