The female prisoner was fierce

Bai Huatong suppressed the urge to refute, took a deep breath to calm the shock in his heart, and asked again:

"Sir Xiao, you were also a soldier before?"

"I guess so."

Xiao Jianyang didn't say much and continued walking forward, his expression remaining unchanged.

Bai Huatong's face showed deep thought!

Recalling the entire process of Xiao Jianyang's attack at the foot of the mountain!

Ruthless!

sinister!

But it was very decisive!

It's neither a martial arts style nor the approach of the Great Wu army.

Kick the groin, lock the throat, stab the waist.

Every move was deadly, every strike drew blood!

Moreover, the timing of his charge was very clever!

Just as the Northern Di cavalry were turning around...

The formation was the most chaotic, the horses were the most crowded, they couldn't run fast if they wanted to, and they couldn't fight if they wanted to.

At this critical juncture, it's the perfect time!

It was too late; the Northern Barbarians had already fled!

It's too early; the Northern Di people can still organize a counterattack!

This kind of grasp of the timing of a battle cannot be learned by fighting a few battles.

That was battlefield experience gained from countless times dancing on the edge of a knife, risking one's life.

Bai Huatong was absolutely certain:

"This person is definitely not an ordinary person."

"In these chaotic times, he will surely achieve great things in the future; this village is a glimpse into his future."

"It doesn't look like a village at all; it's more like a military camp!"

But he was a smart man; he knew what he should ask and what he shouldn't.

Suppressing his doubts, he leaned on his horse spear and followed Xiao Jianyang deeper into the village.

In no time at all.

Arriving at a thatched hut that had been prepared in advance, Lin Qingxue, who had been accompanying them, stepped forward to open the door.

Xiao Jianyang led his men in and arranged for all the other party to stay inside.

He told them not to wander around, and that someone would bring them medicine and food later, then he prepared to leave.

"Xiao Zhuangshi".

At this moment, Bai Huatong, who had just sat down, suddenly spoke:

"I saw from down the mountain that there are women, old people, children, blacksmiths, carpenters, and soldiers training in your village."

"Excuse my bluntness, but are you planning to settle down here long-term?"

Xiao Jianyang was puzzled, but his face remained expressionless as he asked in return:

"What does General Bai think?"

Bai Huatong's expression turned serious, and he spoke each word with utmost earnestness:

"Brave Warrior Xiao, Yanbei City has now fallen, and the Northern Di people have occupied the city. It's only a matter of time before the entire Yanzhou is swallowed up."

"Although your Table Mountain has a strategic location, it is still just a mountain, and not a large area. If the Northern Di people are determined to remove this thorn in their side, and send one or two thousand men to besiege it, how long can your village hold out?"

Xiao Jianyang looked at him with a cold gaze:

"What are you trying to say?"

Bai Huatong made up his mind, his eyes becoming even more serious, and said:

"Brave warrior Xiao, to tell you the truth, I am on General Yang's dying wish to go to Dongshuang County."

"Dongshuang County?"

"right."

Bai Huatong pulled a crumpled map from his pocket and spread it on the table:

"Dongshuang County is located to the east of this place, about fifty li away from here."

"That place is surrounded by mountains on two sides and water on one side. The terrain is quite treacherous, and it is also close to the Jurchens to the east."

"Since the Wei River Incident, the Jurchens and the Northern Di peoples have become complete enemies. This is something we can exploit!"

"Moreover, Dongshuang County has not yet been captured by the Northern Di people. There are still more than 300 county soldiers in the city. Add to that the defeated soldiers and civilians who fled from Yanbei City, and you can put together a force of about a thousand people."

He paused, looked at Xiao Jianyang, and said with great sincerity:

"Brave Xiao, although you don't have many soldiers, they are all capable fighters, and you are knowledgeable in training troops."

"If you're willing to bring your men with me to Dongshuang County, we can join forces and try to unite with the Jurchens. Perhaps we can hold back the Northern Di people's southward advance and prevent the people of my Great Wu from being slaughtered like cattle and sheep!!"

As he spoke, his eyes were filled with fervor, and his body even trembled.

But to his surprise, Xiao Jianyang didn't react much to his impassioned speech; his expression remained calm.

"General Bai".

"I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot go to Dongshuang County with you for the time being."

Bai Huatong was taken aback:

Why??

"Does Mr. Xiao have any concerns? If so, just say so, and I, Bai Huatong, will definitely find a way to resolve them."

Xiao Jianyang answered calmly:

"Our primary task now is to protect ourselves."

"First, establish a firm foothold in the village, train the soldiers well, and stockpile enough grain."

"I'll think about these things once I've established myself."

That's only half the story.

Xiao Jianyang didn't mention the other half.

He doesn't like to be on equal footing with others.

Table Mountain is indeed not suitable for long-term cultivation, but at least it is your own territory, and you can make the decisions.

As for Dongshuang County.

Even if it's just a matter of managing to win them over, it's still better than living under someone else's roof and having to be subservient to them.

before.

Bai Huatong took a deep breath, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Xiao Zhuangshi".

"I apologize for my abruptness. Since that's the case, I won't insist. However, I have another request."

Xiao Jianyang was curious:

"What is it?"

Bai Huatong:

"Brave Warrior Xiao, could you sell me a few of the crossbows from your stronghold?"

Xiao Jianyang:

"Not for sale."

Bai Huatong's face immediately showed disappointment, but he was still unwilling to give up:

"Sir Xiao, what conditions are you willing to sell?"

He had been captivated by the strangely shaped crossbows when he fought the Northern Di cavalry.

Its power is terrifying.

If we could get our hands on some, we'd have a much better chance of fighting the Northern Barbarians in the future!

before.

Xiao Jianyang's tone remained calm:

"If you have the money, I can sell you some."

Bai Huatong looked bitter and sighed:

"in this way…"

"After I go to Dongshuang County, I will ask the local magistrate for some silver, and then I will come back to make the purchase."

Xiao Jianyang:

"it is good."

"Please rest for now, everyone. Someone will come to treat your injuries later."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the thatched hut while the other person was watching.

Lin Qingxue stood guard at the door outside the thatched hut.

Upon seeing him come out, he immediately asked in a low voice:

"Lord Xiao, can these people... be trusted?"

Xiao Jianyang said as he walked:

"It's always good to be cautious. Make arrangements to add two more sentries around their residence and have someone keep watch at night as well."

"Yes."

Lin Qingxue immediately responded.

"Oh, right."

Xiao Jianyang continued to give instructions:

"Deploy more patrolling sisters and Xiao family soldiers at the north and south gates. The group of Northern Di people who escaped may very well come back again."

"In addition, inform Zhao Tiechui's blacksmith Shi to double the production speed of pulley crossbows, and have him find more helpers. Supply all materials to the mountain stronghold and strive to make more pulley crossbows and crossbow bolts in the shortest possible time."

"Also, the construction of the kiln needs to be accelerated!"

"yes!"

Lin Qingxue responded again and immediately turned to do it.

Xiao Jianyang then turned around and headed to his office, which was Liu Xiuqing's original room.

at the moment.

Apart from food, the mountain stronghold has almost run out of many other things.

Youzhou to the south is too far, a full two hundred li away, but Dongshuang County is very close.

After all, it's a county town; you might still be able to buy some salt, iron, cloth, and medicinal herbs.

Unfortunately, time was too tight, coupled with the restrictions of the dead of winter, and the people sent out to look for minerals also received no news.

Otherwise, there's no need to be so reserved.

"We must send a team with Bai Huatong to Dongshuang County to try to buy some supplies and also gather some information."

Xiao Jianyang was making plans in his mind.

As for the candidates, he planned to send Xiaoxing and Xiaotao.

Both women were skilled riders, quick-witted, and had also learned martial arts from Lin Qingxue. They were able to handle small groups of defeated soldiers or bandits they encountered on the road.

The key is trustworthiness!

Of the original 99 female prisoners, fewer than 30 are still alive today.

But these people are all trusted confidants, and for such an important task, they must be the first to be considered.

Then he took a few female soldiers from the guard detachment and a few male soldiers from the first guerrilla detachment with him.

They also provided a dozen or so horses to make the journey easier.

While he was making plans, he picked up a brush and paper and began to write down the types of supplies he needed.

Meanwhile, on Bai Huatong's side...

Inside the thatched hut, screams of terror could be heard:

"What...what kind of method is this? Sewing flesh up with a needle??"

"Good heavens, what's the difference between this and sewing clothes?"

"Don't move! Sergeant Chu said, if you move even a little, things will go astray. Do you want to do something wrong?!"

"Hiss~~ This is human flesh! How could you stitch it up? Doctor Chu, are you some kind of divine physician descended from heaven?!"