Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The chapter describes the strategic importance of Loufan Pass as the last defense against the Turkic forces for the Northern Sui army. After taking control, the Northern Sui army reinforced the pass, increasing troop numbers and fortifying the walls. General Fan Wen Chao, a former rebel who surrendered to the Wagang army, is now in charge of defending the pass. He demonstrates his logistical acumen by maintaining an organized supply warehouse and implementing an efficient system for delivering supplies to the soldiers on the walls. Zhang Xuan, inspecting the defenses, is impressed by Fan's innovations, particularly the use of Da Huang crossbows over catapults for their effectiveness in battle. However, Fan's unilateral decision to replace the catapults raises concerns about military protocol, prompting Zhang Xuan to instruct him to report to General Pei about the changes. As the chapter concludes, snow begins to fall, hinting at the impending conflict with the Turkic forces.

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