The rebel army's foremost master craftsman forged a million iron pylons!

They worked in pairs, frantically digging tunnels, changing shifts every half hour.

As for the small hole above, according to Li Tian, ​​wild rabbits often appear here, and most people would just think it's a rabbit's nest and wouldn't think much of it.

The most urgent task is to dig out this lifeline before nightfall.

……

brush!brush!brush!

The passage in front of us kept expanding forward.

Li Tian and the others were sweating profusely.

After an unknown amount of time, Wu Laoliu and the others were so exhausted that they lay down on the ground.

Wu Laoliu gasped, "Squad leader, I can't go on, I can't dig anymore, I can't lift my arms."

Li Tian glanced at the long passage behind him and estimated it to be about 500 meters long.

Li Tiandao said, "Alright, let's rest for half an incense stick's time, then dig upwards and see where we are now."

After resting for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the group continued digging.

As they dug upwards along the terrain, the soil on the ground became thinner and thinner with each pass.

Finally, with a bang, another large hole was dug out of the ground.

The same old method.

Li Tian stepped on Wu Laoliu's shoulders and peered out of the hole.

What greets the eye is a vast expanse of green.

Looking further ahead, there was a long dirt road, and behind the dirt road was a continuous mountain range.

"It's done!"

A surge of joy welled up in Li Tian's heart.

Once inside the mountains, hunting is possible, as there are countless animals to hunt, and no one needs to worry about food.

The mountains are vast and lush, so even if one occasionally encounters imperial cavalry, as long as one is careful to avoid them, one will not be discovered.

They were the ones who eventually found a way out.

Li Tian jumped down from Wu Laoliu's shoulder and gave a brief account of the situation outside, which made Wu Laoliu burst into laughter.

"Good, I knew we weren't meant to die."

"What can these damned imperial armored soldiers do to us?"

Then Wu Laoliu asked again.

"Sergeant, what should we do next?"

Li Tian laughed and said, "Now that we've found a way out, we should naturally lead everyone to safety."

"Old Wu, go back and tell all the brothers that the passage to survival has been dug."

"Tell them to assemble this way. They don't need to bring anything else, just some rations for each person."

"Okay."

With this lifeline, Wu Laoliu seemed to come alive again, and he excitedly rushed towards the center of the cemetery.

The site of the former arsenal has long since been extinguished, its earthen furnaces shut down.

Sun Sheng, the one-eyed dragon, leaned against a wall with his arms crossed, seemingly resting with his eyes closed. His broadsword, which he always carried, lay at his feet.

Thirty-six blacksmith apprentices sat on the ground, huddled together. Although no one made a loud noise, they were all whispering among themselves.

"What should we do? We're surrounded by the imperial armored forces. Is there any way we can escape?"

"How many days will the grain last? The corporal said it would last twenty days, but I just went to check, and it seems it will only last about twenty days."

"Sigh, these days, even blacksmithing is a nerve-wracking experience."

Just as everyone was discussing this, Wu Laoliu ran in, glanced at Sun Sheng, and then announced loudly.

"Brothers, I have some good news to tell you all."

"Just now, Li Wuzhang and I dug a tunnel at the west end of the passage."

"The tunnel leads directly to the Seven Wolves Mountain Range. Once inside the mountains, everyone will be safe."

"real?"

With a whoosh, everyone sitting on the ground stood up in unison, their eyes gleaming with surprise.

Nowhere to be found!

They all thought they were doomed this time.

But I didn't expect that a new way to make a living would appear so quickly.

"Of course it's true. Corporal Li has seen it for himself. Now, as long as everyone brings some food, we can hide in the mountains to escape the Ironclad Army's pursuit."

Wu Laoliu's words were like a shot in the arm for these people. Overjoyed, they began to divide the meager amount of grain according to Wu Laoliu's instructions.

Each person put some in a small cloth bag and carried it on their own back.

Sun Sheng, who was leaning against the wall, slowly opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his lips. "Squad Leader Li, you're truly amazing."

"Heh~" Old Wu grinned, "You don't need to tell me that."

Once the group was in order, Wu Laoliu led them towards Li Tian's location.

Li Tian's side was certainly not idle. As soon as Wu Laoliu left, the group quickly started digging.

When Wu Laoliu arrived with his men, they had already widened the entrance to the cave to a size large enough for one person to climb up.

"Sergeant, all the brothers have been brought here."

Wu Laoliu shouted excitedly.

Li Tianqing counted them; there were exactly thirty-six, no more, no less.

"Alright, everyone, come up with me. Once we're up, we'll find a new place to stay together."

Li Tian shouted loudly and was the first to step onto the newly dug slope, quickly climbing up to the ground.

then,

Wu Laoliu is the second one...

Chen Junshan is the third...

One by one, the people in the cemetery crawled out of the holes in the ground.

Although everyone was covered in dust and dirt, everyone's face was beaming with a warm smile.

They escaped with their lives from the encirclement of two thousand armored soldiers.

This is their greatest glory.

Before long, everyone had climbed to the ground. The mountain wind rustled, making everyone's clothes flutter.

Li Tian stood at the front of the group, looking at the young faces, wanting to say something, but all his words ultimately boiled down to two words—"Go into the mountains!"

There's a way to make a living in the mountains. We can gradually develop our business after this encirclement and suppression campaign.

As the sun set, a group of fewer than forty people, dressed in tattered clothes, slowly stepped into the mountains.

……

Three days later

Above the original cemetery.

Su Xiong looked at the dark cave entrance ahead with a face full of surprise.

Su Xiong couldn't help but burst into laughter, "You little bastards, we've finally found your lair. General Qin said there are only six of you in Wolf Head Fortress."

"Once I've beheaded you, I'll have accomplished a great feat."

After speaking, Su Xiong glanced at Master Zhou, who was standing behind him with a wry smile on his face, smiled slightly, and gently patted Zhou's shoulder with one hand.

"Master Zhou, you've done an excellent job. Once we capture these rebel traitors and behead them, General Qin will surely reward us handsomely."

A bitter smile appeared on Zhou Sanye's lips as he cupped his hands in greeting to Su Xiong. "As long as it doesn't interfere with the Captain's important business, that's fine."

Su Xiong laughed wildly, ignoring Master Zhou, and pointed to a group of soldiers behind him.

"You lot, come with me down there and arrest them."

"If you can capture all of Li Tian and his gang of thieves, you will each receive two military merits."

The group slowly made their way towards the cemetery. They were all armored cavalrymen of the imperial court, and their armor was strong enough to withstand ordinary arrows.

They are fearless.