The female prisoner was fierce

Not long after Liu Xiuqing and his men set off.

Bai Huatong was also ready to depart.

After two days of treatment by Chu Yiran, except for one person who died from infection due to severe injuries, the other six people were able to walk on their own.

The soldier with two missing fingers was now moving his bandaged hand, a look of curiosity on his face.

"General, the medical skills of Xiao Family Village are truly amazing. In just two days, the cut on my finger doesn't hurt as much anymore."

"When I was in the border army, I saw a lot of brothers with wounds. Eight out of ten of them died from festering wounds."

"But the fact that this place can treat this kind of injury is unbelievable. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought anyone who told me was a fraud."

Bai Huatong nodded without saying a word, but he was deeply moved.

For many of them, the level of injury was so severe that it could be considered a death sentence.

But to everyone's surprise, only one person died in the end; the medical skills were truly astonishing.

"General Bai".

Just as I was feeling sentimental, Xiao Jianyang's voice came from behind me.

Bai Huatong turned around subconsciously and saw Xiao Jianyang leading Lin Qingxue and more than a dozen people over.

This group of about a dozen people was led by two young girls.

They also brought wheelbarrows, three temporarily modified horse-drawn carriages, and a fast horse for each person.

However, the horse was carrying quite a lot of things.

"Xiao Zhuangshi".

Bai Huatong withdrew his gaze and responded with a fist and palm salute.

Xiao Jianyang had already walked up to him, waved his hand to stop the people behind him, and then said:

"General Bai, I'm having Xiao Xing and Xiao Tao lead a group of people to go with you to Dongshuang County."

"Firstly, we're here to escort you, and secondly, we'll take the opportunity to buy some salt, iron, cloth, and medicinal herbs in Dongshuang County. The village is almost out of supplies."

Bai Huatong's eyes lit up, and he immediately gave another military salute, clasping his hands in thanks:

"Thank you so much."

"If you don't mind, Mr. Xiao, may I address you as Brother Xiao?"

Xiao Jianyang did not refuse:

"Of course, Brother Bai."

Bai Huatong immediately responded:

"Brother Xiao, this time you not only rescued us and sent people to treat us, but also sent people to escort us."

"I am not an ungrateful person. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will repay you handsomely!"

A rare smile appeared on Xiao Jianyang's face as he nodded.

"Can."

"I happen to need Brother Bai's help right now."

Bai Huatong was curious:

"What brings you here, Brother Xiao?"

Xiao Jianyang:

"My men need to purchase some items in Dongshuang County, such as medicinal herbs, iron blocks, grain, and cloth. If Brother Bai can help, I, Xiao, will be extremely grateful."

Bai Huatong immediately agreed:

"Brother Xiao, you can rest assured about such a small matter. As a military officer under General Yang, I have some influence and will certainly do my best to help."

Xiao Jianyang returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute:

"In that case, thank you very much, Brother Xiao."

Bai Huatong also performed a fist-and-palm salute again:

"Brother Xiao, you flatter me."

"In that case, we will not disturb you any longer and will set off now."

Xiao Jianyang:

"it is good."

Then, watching the other side mount their horses, the six remaining soldiers followed closely behind, with Xiao Tao and Xiao Xing leading their men to catch up.

Turn around.

"drive!"

Bai Huatong flicked the reins and led his men galloping toward the south gate of the village.

Upon arrival, we exited the village gate, mounted our warhorses, and rode down the narrow mountain path.

The remaining soldiers behind him, along with Xiaoxing, Xiaotao, and the others, also spurred their horses to follow.

Xiao Jianyang stood on the stockade wall, watching the group of people walk further and further along the mountain path until they disappeared into the woods at the foot of the mountain.

then.

For some reason, my heart suddenly started beating faster, and my right eyelid started twitching faster too.

A twitching left eye means good fortune, while a twitching right eye means bad luck.

"Are people from the Northern Barbarians coming?"

Xiao Jianyang murmured to himself, his gaze unconsciously drifting westward toward Yanbei City, a sense of vigilance settling in his mind.

Lin Qingxue, standing beside him, suddenly asked softly:

"Lord Xiao, although Dongshuang County is not large, its location is special. Could it be targeted by the Northern Di people?"

Xiao Jianyang's tone was serious:

"It's only a matter of time."

"However, I suspect that the Northern Di people are probably busy heading south to attack Youzhou right now. That is the richest place in the northern border of the entire Great Wu. They probably can't pay attention to the barren places in Yanzhou for the time being, as can be seen from the fact that they only send troops to patrol near Yanbei City."

"But once they free up their resources, the entire Yanzhou, and all places like Dongshuang County, will be doomed."

Lin Qingxue nodded in agreement:

"Therefore, we must hurry up and stockpile enough supplies and train our troops well, because there will definitely be a major battle to be fought next."

Xiao Jianyang nodded:

"Yes, we don't have much time left!"

"and…"

His gaze turned cold:

"Our current territory consists only of Table Mountain, which is not enough. If we are besieged by the Northern Di army for a long time, we will be an isolated island and eventually run out of supplies and die."

Lin Qingxue naturally understood this principle and offered her opinion:

"Lord Xiao, how about we build a few more strongholds on the nearby hills?"

Xiao Jianyang shook his head:

"It's not enough, and there's no time to catch up. Besides, Liu Xiuqing from Qinglong Mountain is keeping an eye on things."

Lin Qingxue frowned, a hint of worry appearing between her brows:

"Lord Xiao, what should we do then?"

Xiao Jianyang turned his gaze eastward, his tone serious:

"First, we need to grow rapidly and expand. Then, if we can find an opportunity to expand eastward, we won't have to worry about anything."

Lin Qingxue followed Xiao Jianyang's gaze to the east and instantly understood what he meant.

"Lord Xiao, I understand."

He nodded immediately, his expression turning serious.

At present, Xiao Family Village is still too weak. If they want to find a glimmer of hope, they can only go east.

However, strength is the fundamental prerequisite; otherwise, going east would be futile!

……

Bai Huatong's side.

After descending Table Mountain, the group headed east along the mountain path.

From Zhuoshan to Dongshuang County, it's a 50-mile mountain road, or 25 kilometers, which isn't actually that far.

However, heavy snow blocked the mountain roads, making them difficult to traverse.

Even on horseback, it would take until dark to arrive.

Throughout the journey, Bai Huatong remained silent, his mind replaying everything he had witnessed in Xiaojiazhai over the past two days.

Those female soldiers, those refugee soldiers, that unheard-of training method, and that medical skill of stitching up wounds with needle and thread.

Everything was swirling in his mind.

"Just who is this Xiao Jianyang?"

He asked himself the same question over and over again, but he still had no answer.

However, he knew one thing in his heart.

If the Great Wu had more people like Xiao Jianyang, perhaps the Northern Di and Turks wouldn't have been able to invade.

Thinking of this, he gripped the lance in his hand tightly.

Regardless of who the other party is.

Bai Huatong was a border military officer in Dawu.

"As long as I have a breath left, I will continue to fight the Northern Barbarians!!"

"This is what I owe Lord Yang, and also what I owe to those fallen brothers!!"

With that thought in mind, he suppressed his thoughts.

"drive!"

With a flick of the reins, the horse sped up even more.

Behind them, six remaining soldiers and Xiao Tao, Xiao Xing, and others followed closely.

After walking for nearly three hours, we finally emerged from the Northern Tiger Ridge in the afternoon, crossed the Northern River, and stood before the town of Dongshuang.

…………