The pace of the North Border Army's march remained steady, and the whole column seemed to thrive in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, especially the rear where laughter, and even occasional singing, could be heard, provoking bouts of hearty laughter among the men.
The Marquis of Zhenbei had not tried to stop them; on the contrary, the relaxation of the troops in the rear caused the men leading the way to overlook the tension ahead and remain extremely courteous as they sporadically responded to the Marquis of Zhenbei's remarks.
"I've heard that in recent years, since Yulin County opened its canals, many traders from the Southern Frontier have come to Yulin County, selling furs to the Southern Frontier and bringing back tea from there, is that true?" The Marquis of Zhenbei asked with a smile, while the laughter from his trusted aides was sparse, their thoughts clearly elsewhere.
However, up till now, they had not discovered any soldiers lying in ambush.
