Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

The late spring sun shone warmly on the newly expanded Starfire Fortress controlled area, illuminating the unprecedentedly bustling scene on this land. Nearly two months had passed since the great victory at Wild Wolf Slope, and the ripples caused by the annexation of the surrounding areas had gradually subsided. Starfire Fortress's territory, like a piece of carefully tanned and stretched leather, had quietly and firmly expanded several times over, initially outlining the prototype of a base centered on Starfire Fortress and radiating in all directions.

Standing on the newly constructed ramparts of the northern city wall, Chen Xing's view was much wider than before. The once isolated fortress now extended outwards with a clear network of life and defense.

The closest point is the "outer wall," an extension of the fortress wall. This area, originally wasteland and some captured camps, is now occupied by neat, simple houses, warehouses, artisan quarters, livestock sheds, and training grounds. Most of the newly surrendered 1,500 people are settled here. Although the houses are mostly mud-brick with thatched roofs, and the streets are simply rammed earth roads, the layout is orderly, complete with wells, public toilets, and garbage collection points, and patrols are conducted regularly. Smoke rises from every household, and the sounds of children playing, the hammering of tools in the artisan quarters, and shouts from the training grounds blend together, creating a noisy yet vibrant atmosphere. This is the core population area directly controlled by Starfire Fortress, and the first line of defense.

Looking into the distance, a newly widened dirt road, like an artery, stretches south for about fifteen miles, leading directly to the former site of "Pan Shi Wu" (Rock Rock Fortress). That place has been renamed "Southern Outpost Camp," where a less-than-full-strength thousand-man squad of the Xinghuo Battalion is stationed, along with approximately three hundred garrison soldiers composed of outstanding performers from the Guihua Battalion and some able-bodied men from the original Pan Shi Wu. The camp, reinforced and expanded based on the existing fortress walls, controls the southern mountain pass and the passage to the more distant plains, becoming a crucial stronghold and outpost on the southern side of Xinghuo Fortress.

To the east, another road connects to two newly incorporated refugee villages, which have been integrated into "Dongtun". The area is mainly engaged in land reclamation and animal husbandry, and a joint defense and guard system has been established. Tax officials and educators are stationed there to ensure the smooth implementation of government orders and the collection of grain.

To the west lay the expanded "mutual market" area agreed upon with Grey Valley Fort, forming a small border market where Starfire Fort traded its salt, ironware, and grain for medicinal herbs, furs, and even information from afar. The market was maintained by troops jointly dispatched by both sides, appearing bustling on the surface, but secretly countless eyes were observing each other.

To the north, separated by hills and a river, lies the still heavily fortified Iron Rock Fortress, its atmosphere tense and imposing. Occasionally, scouts from both sides would gaze at each other from a distance in the buffer zone, both refraining from crossing the border and provoking any conflict, maintaining a fragile balance of power.

"As of yesterday, according to the latest statistics from the household registration office, our fort directly controls over 6,700 people. If we include the population of Dongtun, Nanshaoying, and the newly attached villages, the impact is nearly 10,000 people." Li Shu reported to Chen Xing, holding a stack of newly made booklets, his face showing both fatigue and excitement. "More than 400 hectares of new farmland have been reclaimed, half of which have been planted with spring millet, and the rest are being planted with the second batch of potatoes. The granaries in each village have been built according to regulations, and the stored grain can support the entire population for six months."

Chen Wei then reported on the military situation: "After replenishment and reorganization, the Xinghuo Battalion now has 3,200 combat soldiers, including 1,500 swordsmen, shieldmen, and spearmen, 800 archers, and 900 cavalry. The South Outpost has 1,000 troops stationed there, and the East Garrison and other key points have a total of 800 troops stationed and patrolling. In addition, the 'Education Camp' still has more than 300 able-bodied prisoners who can serve as auxiliary troops, and the 'Naturalization Camp' has no fewer than 500 young men who can be selected. In terms of weaponry, the blacksmith workshop in Xincheng produces 200 infantry spears, 150 ring-pommel swords, 3,000 arrows, and 50 sets of leather armor per month. The forging of cavalry harnesses and lances is also on track."

Murong Mingyue added: "The cavalry has completed the re-equipping and intensive training of three hundred-man squads according to the new law, and the scout cavalry has been expanded to two hundred riders, with the monitoring range extending thirty li to the north and west respectively. In the direction of Tieyan Fort, the scout cavalry's activity range seems to have shrunk, and they are more concentrated in the area around the fortress within ten li. In the direction of Huiyu Fort, the trade has brought a lot of intelligence. Hu Yong seems to have been secretly reinforcing the low wall on its east side recently, probably because he is still wary of me, or to prevent the Black Mountain Army from escaping."

Wu Xuejiu stroked his beard and said, "In terms of administration and education, the 'Spark School' within the fort already has more than sixty children, and there is also a night school to teach adults basic arithmetic, literacy, and the 'Fort Rules.' Each garrison has also sent literate people to give lectures. The newly arrived people were inevitably fearful at first, but in recent months, seeing that the laws are implemented impartially, taxes and corvée are reasonable, and merit is rewarded, most of them have gradually calmed down. However, in the past few months, more than ten households in two villages on the original border of Tieyan Fort have secretly asked people to inquire about the conditions for moving into our 'Eastern Garrison.' Sun Han seems to have noticed this and has strengthened control over them."

Zhao Tiezhu mainly reported on reclamation and engineering: "Spring plowing is nearing its end, and the irrigation canal network covers most of the newly reclaimed land. However... manpower is still tight. The people in the Guihua Camp are not as reliable as the people in our own fort, so we have to keep an eye on them at all times. In addition, as you instructed, the main road leading to the South Outpost Camp and the East Village has begun to be paved with gravel, so that large carts can pass even in the rain, but it is labor-intensive and costly."

Listening to everyone's well-organized reports, Chen Xing's vision of the "foundation" became increasingly clear and solid. The population was growing, food production was increasing, the army was expanding and being refined, workshops were producing, roads were extending, government orders were permeating, and people's hearts were being united... All of this revolved around Starfire Fortress as its core, expanding and solidifying outwards in circles like the rings of a tree.

"You've all worked hard." Chen Xing nodded, his gaze sweeping across the faces of each core member present. "We've initially established a foothold, with our own territory and people. But how can we truly say that this foundation is solid?"

He dismounted and went to a platform with a wide view inside the city wall, gesturing for everyone to follow. "A solid foundation lies, firstly, in the combination of 'land' and 'people.' We control the land, but we must also ensure that the people on the land genuinely recognize this as their home, not just a place of refuge. Li Shu, the household registration office must expedite the compilation of more detailed household and land registers to ensure fair land allocation, clear taxes, and that everyone has land to cultivate, a house to live in, and a fair return on their labor. Mr. Wu, education cannot be neglected. We must not only teach rules but also impart skills, and more importantly, make everyone understand why they are fighting and for whom they are defending."

"Secondly, it lies in the joint defense of the military and the people." Chen Xing looked at Chen Wei and Murong Mingyue. "The army must not only be able to defeat the enemy in the field, but also protect the homeland. The joint defense system of each outpost and village needs to be further improved, and regular drills should be conducted. Some retired or lightly wounded veterans should be assigned to various outposts as militia instructors or security chiefs. They are experienced and can strengthen the connection between the outposts and villages. Outposts like the South Outpost should be gradually converted into military settlements to reduce the pressure on the rear supply lines."

"Thirdly, it lies in the balance between 'internal' and 'external' factors." Chen Xing turned to Wu Xuejiu and Li Shu, who was in charge of intelligence. "Internally, fair rewards and punishments, and equal opportunities are fundamental. Externally, Iron Rock Fortress is a minor ailment; for now, the main approach is to contain it, continue to apply pressure, and wait for its development. Gray Valley Fortress is a fence-sitter; we can try to win it over and deepen our ties through trade, making it difficult for it to easily side with us. Black Mountain Commander is a formidable enemy; his movements must be closely monitored at all times. All preparations are ultimately for dealing with his swift retaliation."

"Fourthly, it lies in the balance between 'urgency' and 'delay'." Chen Xing finally looked at Zhao Tiezhu and Zhou Dashan, "Roads must be repaired, city walls must be fortified, and military equipment must be improved. These are matters of life and death and cannot be delayed. But we must also be considerate of the people's strength. Spring planting and autumn harvest are of paramount importance and should not be excessively conscripted. Innovation in craftsmanship can be encouraged, but its promotion must be prudent to ensure that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."

His words were meticulously analyzed, breaking down the vast and complex construction of the base area into clear and feasible directions. As everyone listened, the initial chaos and anxieties caused by the rapid expansion seemed to subside, transforming into more concrete ideas.

"Report—!" A messenger rushed up the city wall, knelt on one knee, and reported urgently from the South Outpost! A patrol team discovered a small group of unidentified armed men, about thirty in number, on the edge of the forest twenty-five li to the south. They are behaving suspiciously and appear to be spying on our camp and the road. Commander Chen has already dispatched troops to drive them away and investigate. This is to report!

They had just been discussing the stability of their foundation when external probing arrived. Everyone's expression tightened.

Chen Xing remained calm: "Tell the Southern Outpost to proceed with caution, ascertain their route, and drive them away. Do not pursue them rashly, lest they be lured away from the mountain. At the same time, notify all outposts and patrols to strengthen their vigilance."

"Yes, sir!" The messenger hurriedly left.

Chen Xing gazed towards the lush, verdant mountains to the south, an area yet to be fully explored, possibly leading to the flank of the Black Mountain Commander's territory. "Look," he said slowly, "this is the constant surveillance and probing that must be faced when the foundation is not yet secure." "Our torches, once lit, will naturally attract moths and also reveal the jackals lurking in the shadows. A solid foundation is never simply a matter of building high walls. It requires internal resilience, as well as external awareness and strength."

He turned, his gaze sweeping over his core team once more: "Gentlemen, we've had a good start. But the real test may have just begun. Let's solidify this foundation even further."