The air in the grand pace was thick with tension. Queen Pan Lian sat atop her jade throne, her regal presence casting a long shadow over the chamber. The room was silent, save for the rhythmic drumming of her fingers against the armrest. Before her, General Lu Sang stood at attention, his expression unreadable.

  "One thousand men securing a vilge is commendable," Pan Lian began, her voice smooth yet ced with an unmistakable edge, "but the time for small victories has passed. Our enemies grow bolder, and our allies falter. We must act decisively."

  Lu Sang remained silent, awaiting her decree.

  She gestured, and a servant stepped forward, presenting a finely carved wooden box. When the lid was lifted, hundreds of small jade-green pills were revealed, their surface shimmering under the torchlight.

  "Lesser Cultivation Pills," she stated. "One hundred thousand of them."

  Lu Sang's brow furrowed. Such a quantity was an immense boon, capable of elevating the strength of his forces significantly. But he knew there would be a price.

  "With these, your soldiers will surpass their limits, their strength and speed multiplied," Pan Lian continued. "However, I do not grant these gifts without expectation."

  She leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "Your forces must grow to one hundred and fifty thousand. Immediately. The south cannot handle the barbarian incursions alone. If you fail, I will have no choice but to relocate your family—and those of your officers—to the southern front."

  Lu Sang stiffened. The south was a graveyard. Pgued by both ruthless invaders and unrelenting famine, the region cimed a third of its popution every month. The combination of enemy raids and scarcity turned it into a slow, inevitable death sentence.

  "You are the Empire’s sword, Lu Sang. I trust you will not disappoint me."

  A heavy silence followed.

  Then, with a deep breath, Lu Sang bowed. "Your Majesty, it will be done."

  Forging an ArmyThe city barracks were already teeming with soldiers when Lu Sang arrived, his officers awaiting his orders.

  "Summon every avaible officer. We move at dawn."

  Within the hour, the war room buzzed with activity. Maps of the Empire sprawled across the table as Lu Sang’s commanders gathered, their faces shadowed with concern.

  "We need an additional fifty thousand men," Captain Wei said grimly. "That is no small number."

  "Then we shall find them," Lu Sang replied. "Recruit from the vilges, the outskirts, the farms. Offer nd to those who enlist. If that is not enough, conscription will be the next step."

  Cao Suyin, arms crossed, leaned against the table. "You're pying a dangerous game. These aren't seasoned warriors; they're farmers, merchants, and artisans."

  Lu Sang met her gaze. "Then we will make them warriors."

  The meeting continued te into the night. Directives were sent across the province, and messengers rode in all directions. Notices were posted in marketpces, promising rewards and status for those who joined the ranks.

  By the week's end, the first wave of recruits began to arrive.

  The Trials BeginThe training grounds roared with the sounds of battle. Recruits, some barely of age, struggled under the weight of their new armor. Hardened veterans oversaw their training with ruthless efficiency. Those who could not hold a spear were given bows. Those who could not wield a bow were given shields.

  Lu Sang walked among them, his sharp eyes scanning the faces of his new soldiers.

  "Discipline will make up for experience," he said to Captain Wei as they observed the drills. "The Cultivation Pills will provide the rest."

  With careful precision, the pills were distributed. Within days, the effects were evident. Soldiers who had struggled to lift their weapons now moved with newfound vigor. Their strikes became sharper, their endurance greater.

  Cao Suyin watched from the sidelines, arms folded. "You're turning them into beasts."

  "I'm turning them into survivors," Lu Sang corrected. "They will face horrors beyond imagination. If they are not strong, they will perish."

  The Queen's ApprovalBy the end of the month, the numbers had swelled. One hundred and fifty thousand stood ready, forged from desperation and ambition.

  Word reached the pace quickly. Lu Sang was once again summoned to the throne room, this time met with a rare sight—Pan Lian’s faint smile.

  "You have exceeded expectations, General," she said. "The south shall hold, and the Empire shall endure."

  Lu Sang bowed deeply. "The Empire’s strength lies in its people. They will fight. They will not fall."

  Pan Lian nodded approvingly. "Then you will lead them to war."

  The rhythmic creak of wooden wheels echoed through the capital streets as a grand caravan assembled before the pace gates. Dozens of wagons, den with supplies, gleamed under the sun, each marked with the imperial sigil of the Fanism Empire. Their destination: the Great Mud Wall, a centuries-old bulwark of sticks, cy, and hardened earth that had withstood five generations of war and strife.

  Queen Pan Lian herself stood atop the pace steps, her piercing gaze sweeping over the gathered soldiers and their cargo. She had chosen to inspect the caravan personally, a rare honor that sent waves of anticipation through the ranks. Dressed in regal battle robes embroidered with golden dragons, she exuded an aura of power and control.

  Lu Sang stood at attention, his expression unreadable as Pan Lian descended the steps. Her footsteps were deliberate, her presence a force unto itself. As she moved between the rows of soldiers and wagons, she closed her eyes briefly, her senses extending outward. A faint energy flickered around her fingers, unseen to most but felt by those attuned to the flow of power.

  She opened her eyes and smiled, a rare expression of approval. "Good," she murmured. "Your men are strong, their spirits steady. I sense no weakness among them. You have done well, Lu Sang."

  Lu Sang inclined his head. "We are prepared to fulfill the Empire’s will, Your Majesty."

  Pan Lian pced a gloved hand on one of the wagon’s wooden frames. "This caravan will take you to the Great Mud Wall, our first line of defense against those who would see the Empire crumble. It has stood for five generations, built with the hands of warriors long before you and I. And now, it falls to you to ensure it stands for five more."

  A murmur rippled through the gathered officers. The Great Mud Wall was more than just a structure; it was a symbol of the Empire’s endurance, a reminder that even the simplest materials—sticks, cy, and mud—could form an impenetrable shield when bound by duty and sacrifice.

  Pan Lian turned back to Lu Sang. "Defend it well. Failure is not an option."

  He met her gaze without hesitation. "It will hold, Your Majesty. I will see to it personally."

  With a nod of satisfaction, Pan Lian stepped away, allowing the final preparations to continue. The weight of the mission settled on Lu Sang’s shoulders, but he welcomed it. This was not just a test of his leadership—it was a test of his legacy.

  As the caravan rolled forward, bound for the ancient battlements of the Great Mud Wall, Lu Sang knew that history itself would watch his every move.