On the vast plain, wheels rolled ceaselessly.
Nearly a thousand soldiers of the Black Hat Army marched in four columns, moving forward at a steady pace.
Their leather boots trampled the ground, stirring up dust and gravel.
The long spears resting on their shoulders clinked against each other, emitting a crisp sound.
Behind them, nearly a thousand strong-armed laborers followed.
Sandwiched between the laborers and the Defensive Army were nearly a hundred wagons loaded with provisions and mortar.
These auxiliary troops crowded and jumbled behind the Black Hat Army, turning the previously orderly procession into an odd and unwieldy sight.
It was an unavoidable situation, as the saying goes, "an army marches on its stomach."
Despite Horn's attempts at streamlining, the ratio of military to non-military personnel remained at 5:2.
Which means a 500 strong army requires at least 200 support personnel to maintain logistics.
