Chapter 54: Lanna's Military Resources

During a private conversation, Li Chuan expressed his concerns to Lana regarding the training of the troops. He realized that while the existing forces possessed a certain degree of combat capability, they lacked systematic training and equipment support, rendering them unable to achieve maximum efficiency in complex battlefield environments. As a member of the royal family, Lana had received military education since childhood and was thoroughly familiar with the kingdom's armed forces. Li Chuan believed that securing her assistance would elevate the troops' combat effectiveness to unprecedented heights.

"Your Highness, the discipline and basic qualities of this force are not bad, but they lack the combat awareness and tactical formations of elite troops," Li Chuan said, flipping through the report in his hands with a slight frown. "If we do not train them in the short term, they are likely to become a burden during critical battles."

Lana raised her head, her gaze resolute. "Li Chuan, I have already witnessed the potential of this troop. However, they indeed require more professional guidance and equipment. In this regard, I can help you."

Hearing this, a gleam of relieved gratitude appeared in Li Chuan's eyes. He nodded and said, "Your Highness, I know you hold many of the royal family's resources. But will this provoke internal backlash?"

Lana chuckled softly. "Are you questioning my abilities? If I cannot even quell these dissenting voices, how could I call myself a princess of Raen?"

Her confidence commanded Li Chuan's admiration. He knew that Lana was not without rivals within the royal family, but her decisiveness and strategic mind secured her a prominent position in the power struggle. Now, her willingness to pour these resources into his plan was undoubtedly a massive gamble.

Two days later, Lana summoned a squad of elite instructors from within the palace. These instructors belonged to the Raen Kingdom's Royal Guard, and every single one of them had endured brutal battlefield trials, forming the core of the Raen military might.

"Starting today, you will assist Li Chuan in training this force," Lana said, standing in the center of the martial training grounds, her voice clear and majestic. "I do not wish to see them remain merely 'barely capable of fighting.' I want them to become true elites, an iron army that strikes terror into the hearts of our enemies."

The instructors shouted their compliance in unison, with not a single person questioning her command.

Training officially commenced on the third day. Li Chuan gathered all his subordinates, assembling them in neat ranks upon a vast, open plain. Although most of these soldiers possessed a certain foundation, when faced with the professional instructors of the Royal Guard, they quickly exposed their technical shortcomings.

"You lot look like a bunch of undisciplined rabble!" a towering instructor shouted loudly, his gaze piercing like a torch. "There is no room for error on the battlefield! Today, we start with the most basic discipline and will hone you bit by bit!"

The first day's training focused primarily on physical endurance and discipline. The instructors mercilessly pointed out every single flaw, forcing the soldiers through dull and grueling exercises. Some collapsed from exhaustion on the spot, yet no one dared to complain. Everyone present understood that this served not only to enhance their combat prowess, but also as a joint test administered by their commander and the princess.

Subsequent training entered the tactical phase. Drawing upon his own combat experience, Li Chuan proposed several tactical formations suited for the current environment, such as the "Fish-scale Formation" designed to flexibly counter small enemy raiding parties, and the "Anti-Cavalry Formation" specifically engineered to repel cavalry charges. Lana highly approved of his proposals and assigned her most experienced instructors to assist him in refining the tactics.

During the drills, Lana personally stood at the sideline to observe. Clad in a streamlined knight's tunic, while she lacked Li Chuan's firsthand combat experience, her eyes revealed a calm and perceptive judgment. From time to time, she offered suggestions regarding troop positioning adjustments and coordination between archers and infantry, drawing high praise from Li Chuan.

"Your Highness, your comprehension of tactical formations seems no less inferior to veteran generals seasoned by decades of warfare," Li Chuan remarked couldn't help but say after a drill session concluded.

Lana smiled faintly. "I received a military education from a young age, and these formations and tactics are matters I heard endlessly. However, were I to step onto the battlefield myself, I might not possess your composure under fire."

Her modesty deepened Li Chuan's respect. He knew that Lana was not merely engaging in armchair theory; her understanding of the overall military system was indeed more comprehensive than his own. This complementarity made their cooperation flow all the more smoothly.

After a week of high-intensity training, the transformation of the troops was plain for all to see. The soldiers were no longer as loose as they had been initially, and their coordination during tactical drills grew increasingly proficient. In a mock battle, this force even successfully defeated a small squad of Royal Guard elite soldiers—an outcome unimaginable just a few days prior.

Lana stood at the edge of the training ground, gazing upon all this, feeling a sense of deep gratification within her heart. She turned her head to look at Li Chuan and discovered he was watching her as well.

"Li Chuan, I believe that in a few months' time, they will become true elites," Lana said, a hint of pride coloring her tone.

"Your Highness, your trust in them is the driving force that keeps them going," Li Chuan replied. "Without the resources and support you provided, none of this would have been possible."

Lana gently shook her head. "No, this is not solely my achievement, but your leadership as well. The soldiers' loyalty to you is the crucial factor that drives them to train with their lives on the line."

The two exchanged a smile, their mutual understanding deepening further. Lana began to realize that Li Chuan was not only an exceptional strategist, but also a leader capable of genuinely winning people's hearts. Meanwhile, Li Chuan understood that Lana's wisdom and courage formed the cornerstone for the realization of his plans.

As training continued, Lana poured even more royal resources into the venture. She not only requisitioned a batch of high-quality weapons and armor from the palace but also persuaded the kingdom's treasurer to secure superior logistical support for the force.

Li Chuan was immensely grateful, yet he also understood that Lana's support came at a price. Behind all this lay the reality that she had completely bound her own future to his plan. Should the venture fail, not only would his own efforts turn to dust, but Lana would also lose her internal support within the royal family.

"Your Highness, we no longer have a way back," Li Chuan said in a deep voice late one night while discussing subsequent plans with her. "We must win this gamble."

Lana raised her head, her gaze burning like a torch. "I know. But precisely because there is no retreat, we must give it everything we have. I believe in you, and I believe in everything we are doing."

Li Chuan nodded deeply. He saw determination in Lana's eyes, alongside a growing, profound trust between them. This trust stemmed not only from shared goals, but from the deep bonds forged through fighting side by side time and time again.

A new journey was quietly unfolding. And this force, jointly trained by Lana and Li Chuan, would become the sharpest blade in their hands, carving out their own legend on future battlefields.

The cooperation between Lana and Li Chuan not only elevated the overall strength of the troops but also lifted troop morale to unprecedented heights. After a month of intensive training, the appearance of the force had taken on a completely new look, possessing the preliminary capability to contend with elite forces. The two decided it was time to let these soldiers truly take the field and face the test of actual combat.

Just as the troops completed their training preparations, an urgent dispatch arrived from the coastal region. A faction known as the "Crimson Flame Gang," capitalizing on the chaotic situation along the coast, was pillaging merchant vessels and villages on a massive scale. Armed to the teeth and boasting a group of unruly fighters, the gang left the local government utterly powerless to respond.

Lana's brow furrowed tightly. "The Crimson Flame Gang has begun threatening the safety of the trade routes. If we sit idly by, not only will the coastal populace grow resentful, but merchants will also lose faith in us."

Li Chuan nodded. "Perfect, this serves as a test for this troop. Successfully quelling this disturbance will not only demonstrate our strength but also pave the way for our subsequent large-scale trade plans."

After a brief contemplation, Lana spoke, "Since it is a test, I suggest letting you command this operation. Though fierce, the Crimson Flame Gang is relatively loose in its organization. As long as we strike at their weaknesses, we should be able to shatter them in one fell swoop."

Li Chuan understood that this was not merely a battle, but another manifestation of Lana's trust in him. He solemnly accepted the charge. "Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will make them understand the cost of provoking us."

Early the next morning, Li Chuan assembled the troops for a pre-battle mobilization. Standing before the ranks with a steadfast expression, his gaze swept over every single soldier: "You all know what this period of training was for. Today, we finally step onto a real battlefield. The bandits of the Crimson Flame Gang are not only plundering wealth; they are trampling upon the very people we protect. Remember, you fight not only for honor, but for the common folk."

The soldiers shouted their response in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit. Following a month of rigorous training, their trust in Li Chuan and Lana had grown unshakeable.

Li Chuan and several core officers swiftly formulated an operational plan. He decided to exploit the Crimson Flame Gang's lax management and undefended outposts by launching divided strikes—first breaking them apart individually, and then concentrating forces to mop up their core stronghold. Lana offered a proposal: disguise a small squad of elite soldiers as a merchant fleet to deliberately lure the Crimson Flame Gang into taking the bait, thereby creating an ambush opportunity for the main force.

"Though the strategy is simple, ensuring the main force's position isn't exposed while drawing out the enemy requires extreme execution," Lana noted. "Fortunately, this is precisely the fruit of our training."

That same evening, the elite squad, disguised as merchant vessels, sailed along the shipping lanes frequently haunted by the Crimson Flame Gang. Sure enough, no sooner had they entered the gang's active zone than two enemy ships tailed close behind.

"Prepare quickly, adjust the formation, and fake panic," the squad commander ordered calmly. The soldiers immediately feigned helplessness, tossing "cargo" into the water in an attempt to "lighten the vessel's load." This act completely lowered the guard of the Crimson Flame Gang; the enemy ships accelerated their approach, preparing to plunder.

At that precise moment, the ambush force hidden along the shoreline sprang into action. Hundreds of soldiers surrounded the Crimson Flame Gang's pursuing fleet, completely annihilating this enemy boat squadron in less than half an hour, with only a few gang leaders fleeing in panic.

This minor victory swiftly ignited the troops' confidence. However, Li Chuan knew deep down that these were merely the outer elements of the Crimson Flame Gang; the true test still lay ahead.

According to the confessions of prisoners, the core stronghold of the Crimson Flame Gang was located inside a secluded cave on a stretch of coastal wasteland—a terrain complex, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Li Chuan decided to alter his strategy, abandoning frontal assault in favor of a surprise raid utilizing the terrain's advantages.

Lana volunteered to accompany the expedition. Initially, Li Chuan hesitated; after all, the enemy stronghold had not been fully reconnoitered, presenting extreme danger. Yet Lana's attitude was resolute: "I am not merely your ally, but a participant in this operation. If I lack even the courage to personally take part in battle, how can I command the soldiers' conviction?"

Given Lana's persistence, Li Chuan eventually consented, though he stipulated that she remain at the rear to command throughout and strictly avoid the front lines of combat.

The surprise raid commenced late at night. Leading a hundred-man elite squad under the cover of night, Li Chuan quietly skirted around to the rear of the Crimson Flame Gang's stronghold. Utilizing ropes to scale the perilous sea cliffs, they infiltrated from the completely undefended top of the cave system. Meanwhile, the frontal force feigned a full-scale assault on the stronghold, drawing the entirety of the Crimson Flame Gang's attention.

On the front lines, Lana remained composed amidst crisis, commanding the troops to engage the enemy in skirmishes. She understood that her duty was to tie down the hostile forces for as long as possible, buying time for Li Chuan.

"Archers, draw your bows to the full! Do not engage in melee; we need only consume them!" Lana stood upon higher ground, issuing calm and powerful instructions.

Every arrangement she made was pinpoint accurate, effectively pinning down the enemy while maximizing the safety of her soldiers. The soldiers murmured among themselves in awe, "The Princess is truly a born commander; following her gives us total peace of mind!"

Simultaneously, Li Chuan's raiding party had successfully infiltrated the cave. They discovered vast stores of supplies belonging to the Crimson Flame Gang, along with the core leaders who were directing the defense. Li Chuan made a decisive split-second judgment, dividing his force into two groups: one tasked with igniting the piled gunpowder to utterly destroy the supplies, and the other striking directly at the enemy leadership.

As flames soared skyward, the enemy stronghold descended into chaos. Lana immediately realized the moment had arrived and ordered the troops to launch a full-scale offensive. Under this dual blow, the morale of the Crimson Flame Gang rapidly collapsed, and they were utterly routed in less than an hour.

When the battle concluded, Li Chuan and Lana stood outside the cave, gazing at the distant, subsiding flames, both experiencing an indescribable sense of fulfillment. This was not merely a successful military operation, but yet another victory for their cooperative partnership.

"Li Chuan, this operation has proven that our team possesses the capability to handle formidable foes," Lana said, her gaze resolute. "From here on out, whether it concerns the safety of trade routes or grander plans, we have the footing we need."

Li Chuan nodded, a trace of deep emotion in his tone. "The growth of this force is inseparable from your support. Your Highness, this victory belongs not only to us, but to everyone who participated."

Lana smiled faintly, her tone softening slightly. "If I am their backing, then you are their leader. Li Chuan, we fulfill one another—that is what matters most."

Their gazes met. Though words were unnecessary, a tacit understanding quietly blossomed between them. This battle made the two of them even clearer on the fact that their cooperation transcended immediate gains, pointing toward a grander future. And this army would become the solid force with which they realized their ideals.