A veteran of the frontier army, after marrying a wife, fought his way through the northern border.

"Oh, please come in, please come in."

Li Dakai looked relieved.

Even though the sergeant's apprentice was dressed like a beggar, he could not be neglected.

Li Dakai took the initiative to introduce the daily tasks of the guards and even took out the equipment manual for Luo Yunxiao to look through.

Luo Yunxiao also gained a general understanding of the current situation of the beacon tower.

Four fine bows of two stones each, and thirty arrows.

One powerful bow made of mulberry wood, and ten armor-piercing arrows.

One repeating crossbow.

Records of other weapons such as ring-pommel swords, iron spears, and shields.

His only mounts were an eight-year-old chestnut horse and a donkey.

We don't have much food left, but thankfully we replenished it with 300 catties of millet today.

There is a reservoir to the west of the beacon tower, which holds twenty shi (a unit of dry measure) of water, enough for daily drinking.

There is a rainwater collection device above the reservoir, but since there has been no rainfall recently, it needs to be used sparingly.

The third layer contained kerosene and firewood, used to ignite the beacon fire.

There were also some first-aid herbs, ropes, and so on.

Luo Yunxiao went to the second floor for inspection.

Looking down from the observation window, one could see a moat five zhang wide and three zhang deep in front of the main gate of the beacon tower.

Sharpened wooden stakes were buried at the bottom of the ditch to prevent enemy troops from climbing.

There is a detachable wooden bridge inside the platform, which is set up for our own people to cross.

They would be withdrawn during wartime.

"Squad leader, look, we've dug a horse trap just an arrow's length north of the beacon tower."

They are distributed in a plum blossom pattern, and there are more than two hundred of them.

As instructed by the military commander, after digging, the area was covered with dry grass and tree branches.

You can't see it at all unless you look closely.

This can prevent the Tartar cavalry from launching nighttime raids.

Li Dakai explained.

A horse trap is a type of trap designed to target cavalry.

Dig a pit with a diameter of 1.2 feet and a depth of about 2 feet in front of the position.

It's designed so that the warhorse's hooves can sink into it without being easily noticed.

The horizontal and vertical distance between the pits is about four to five feet.

The purpose of the horse trap was not to kill or wound the enemy.

Instead, it disrupts the cavalry charge.

Horse traps could prevent large-scale night raids by Tartar cavalry.

However, if the Tartars take the western route, they can still launch a surprise attack on the beacon towers.

Only by observing in advance can we take precautions.

Luo Yunxiao nodded and went to the third floor to check.

From this vantage point, one can see the situation and beacon signals within a ten-mile radius.

You can also see the beacon towers three miles to the east and west of the White Wolf Mountains.

There are three beacon towers on the east side, covering the defense line from the pass to Linhebao.

There are also three on the west side, covering the western entrance to the mountain forest and concealing the path to prevent the enemy from flanking them.

Each beacon tower is spaced about three miles apart, arranged in a long, serpentine line along the mountainsides on both sides of the pass.

Centered on the beacon tower where Luo Yunxiao was located, an east-west early warning chain was formed.

To ensure that enemy activity is detected in one location, signal fires can be lit to transmit information across the entire front.

At present, the vanguard of the Tartar cavalry, numbering eight hundred, is stationed in Lingzhi County, more than fifty miles to the north.

It is said that the eldest prince of the Wuhuan, Qiuliju Louban, also took charge of Lingzhi County.

Fortunately, the weather is cold right now, and the Tartars are in a period of rest and recuperation.

There will be no large-scale southward advance in the three months leading up to spring.

They would only send out scout squads to establish outposts, launch probing attacks, capture slaves, and requisition provisions.

They robbed people of money and women.

"Squad Leader Luo, to be honest, a month ago our former squad leader Chen Hu received an order from Zhao Junhou."

Investigate the disappearance of Dongyi Beacon Tower.

Squad Leader Chen led four brothers to scout ahead, and on the way they encountered an elite Tartar scout team.

As a result, none of the five men, including the squad leader, survived.

"You've come, and brought food; now we have someone to rely on."

Li Dakai finished speaking and sighed.

"Is that so? It seems the Tartar scouts are trying to remove the eyes and ears of the beacon towers and clear away any obstacles."

Luo Yunxiao thought to himself, "Sure enough, that Wang Kui guy wants me to come here to die."

How could I let you have your way!

He learned that Cuihua, the convict in the beacon tower, had been doing hard labor there for two years and was now Li Dakai's woman.

If we don't count this woman and Liu Qinghe.

Including himself, Li Ergou, Qin Hongxiu, and Liu Honghe, there were only eight guards at this beacon tower.

It's not at full strength yet.

Zhao Xiao meant that the squad leader could recruit soldiers on his own.

I've been scouting the surrounding terrain these past few days, and I'll also take a look at the nearby villages. It would be best to bring a few able-bodied young men with me.

Soon it was noon, and Li Dakai asked Cuihua to prepare a meal.

Wang Shitou took out his treasured rice wine and some dried meat for Luo Yunxiao and Qin Hongxiu to taste.

The group ate and chatted.

Luo Yunxiao learned that the beacon tower did not have a map, so he asked Li Dakai and the others about the location of nearby villages and the general terrain.

The approximate location of the Tartar supply line.

Sun Tieshou mentioned that there were two smuggling routes between the Han and non-Han peoples near the beacon tower, one of which was the salt railway.

One is the fur trail.

To prevent anyone from holding anything back from him, Luo Yunxiao questioned Li Dakai and the other three, and even asked Cuihua.

Finally, they pieced together the topography and landforms within a 30-mile radius of the beacon tower from the accounts of several people.

This includes the village's location, size, population, and demographics.

Information such as local customs and traditions.

Once you are familiar with these things, you can take the initiative on the battlefield.

A plan gradually took shape in Luo Yunxiao's mind.

"Sergeant, the meal is ready. Shall we eat now?"

Seeing that Luo Yunxiao was still talking to the four people, Cuihua tentatively asked.

"You gossipy woman, have no manners at all? The magistrate is asking questions, what are you doing interrupting!"

Li Dakai glared at Cuihua and scolded her in a low voice.

"Yes, I'm sorry, I just..."

Cuihua was somewhat apprehensive, her eyes showing a hint of panic.

"It's alright, everyone's probably hungry, let's eat."

When Luo Yunxiao spoke, Li Dakai naturally nodded in agreement.

As soon as they heard it was time to eat, everyone perked up.

"The squad leader has spoken, hurry up and serve the food, what are you all standing around for?"

Urged on by Li Dakai, Cuihua quickly served the food.

She cooked four large pots of millet rice to feed nine people.

He ate the leftovers last.

For the first time in nearly three months, Liu Honghe and his sister had a full meal and even got to eat dried meat.

Tears welled up in my eyes with emotion.

Li Ergou also ate heartily; he had never been full in the auxiliary troops camp.

"From now on, the three of you will be stationed here."

You must learn how to use a bow and arrow; here are four good bows with a yield of two stones each.

Er Gou, Hong He, you two must be able to draw a three-stone bow, and Qing He must be able to draw a two-stone bow. This is my requirement for you.

After the meal, Luo Yunxiao held a meeting with Li Ergou and the Liu siblings.

"Squad leader, this is too difficult. I can't even draw a two-stone bow, let alone a three-stone bow."

Li Ergou looked worried.

"It's alright. Starting today, I will teach you the art of border defense."

From now on, you will practice your skills ten times every morning, and then practice archery and weapon sparring.

"The greater the strength, the greater the chance of survival against the Tartars."

So Luo Yunxiao began teaching the eight people the first level of the Border Defense Technique: Qi Sinking to the Dantian.

In addition, there are several matching boxing techniques.

The first level is body refinement.

Li Dakai, Wang Shitou, and two others had a certain foundation and made rapid progress.

Li Ergou and the Liu siblings are physically weaker and progress more slowly.

However, after several sessions, everyone realized the significant physical benefits of guarding the border.

"After mastering the first level, you can improve your endurance and combat power, and you can also resist the severe cold when on duty."

I need to practice more diligently in the future.

Li Dakai, from now on you will be the squad leader, and you will supervise the cultivation of these six people.

No one, including you, can slack off!

"Yes, sir!"

Li Da was overjoyed and continued to lead the group in practice.

After supervising for a moment, Luo Yunxiao turned to look at the two horses grazing in the stable.

It's just past noon, there's still plenty of time.

He was thinking of riding horses with Qin Hongxiu to explore the nearby terrain.

They also recruited soldiers in nearby villages.

You need at least ten people under your command, right?

But looking at the warhorse, he suddenly felt a little worried.

He has traveled through so much time.

I can't ride a horse yet.

Previously, people in Chenjia Village would drive donkey carts into the city.

The original owner had no memory of riding a horse.

New recruits to the army must learn horseback archery, and being able to ride a horse is an essential skill.

However, on the third day, he was assigned to be a squad leader at the beacon tower and had no opportunity to study.

"Hongxiu, can you ride a horse?"

"Of course, I could ride a horse when I was ten years old."

Children who grow up in military camps all know how to ride horses.

Qin Hongxiu said with considerable pride.

As she spoke, Qin Hongxiu led the chestnut horse over and easily leaped onto its back.

The movements were very smooth.

She rode her horse from the beacon tower high ground to the flat ground.

After going back and forth twice, she returned to Luo Yunxiao's side.

"Madam, teach me."

Luo Yunxiao looked on with envy and humbly asked for advice.