The female prisoner was fierce

He glanced at the crowd and immediately spoke:

"What's the panic!"

"Even if the Northern Barbarians don't come, we'll still go find them!"

"Since they've delivered themselves right to our doorstep, it saves us the trouble of running around."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable force.

These words calmed the restless atmosphere in the lobby somewhat.

Those old men who fought alongside Xiao Jianyang in the Battle of Zhuoshan and the Battle of Dongshuang County know that this Lord Xiao never fights a battle he is not confident of winning. If he says he can win, he definitely has a way!

Xiao Jianyang's gaze first fell on Lin Qingxue, and he gave the order:

"Qingxue, immediately select two of the fastest scouts and have them ride back to Xiao Family Village on Zhuoshan Mountain. Order Zhao Tiechui and Su Wanruo to halt all construction work within the village."

"Bring all the saltpeter, sulfur, and gunpowder you can carry. Transport as much pottery, nails, and gravel as you can. Work your best to produce the Heavenly Punishment and get it to Tiger Ridge, twenty miles north of the city, within four hours to meet me."

"yes!"

Lin Qingxue clasped her hands in response, without saying a word, and quickly turned and went out to make arrangements.

She knew very well that divine punishment was the Xiao family army's greatest source of confidence; with enough gunpowder, even thousands of Northern Di cavalrymen would be nothing more than a bunch of live targets.

Xiao Jianyang then looked at Defang:

"Defang, take the entire First Division and set off lightly equipped. Immediately head to the bottom of Tiger Ridge Valley, seize the high ground on both sides, clear the firing line, and dig pits and set up barricades at the valley entrance and end. Do not engage the enemy head-on. First, occupy the terrain and wait for the main force to arrive before receiving orders."

"Yes, sir!"

Defang was dressed in full armor, with an official sword hanging at his waist, and his fists clasped together crisply and neatly.

Her top female subordinates are all elite members of the women's army. Scouting and reconnaissance, as well as lightly armed raids, are their strengths. They are the perfect people to be assigned to this kind of task of seizing ambush positions.

"Li Tiezhu".

"exist!"

Li Tiezhu took a step forward, his voice booming.

"You will take three hundred men from the Second Capital to garrison Dongshuang County, reinforce the four city gates, keep the gates tightly closed, and no one may enter or leave without my order."

"If there are any disturbances or spies causing trouble in the city, arrest them first and report them later; they will be dealt with according to military law."

"The provisions, prisoners, and wounded are all under your care. If anything goes wrong, I will hold you responsible."

"Rest assured, Lord Xiao! I, Li Tiezhu, have already risked my life; I will absolutely defend the county town!"

Li Tiezhu patted his chest and guaranteed, his face turning bright red.

He knew that the responsibility of defending the city was heavy, and he also knew that Lord Xiao trusted him.

Therefore, his facial expression became even more serious!

"Zhao Daniu".

"Your subordinate is here!"

Zhao Daniu, who came from the border army, stepped forward, exuding a fierce aura.

"Take the entire Third Capital and two hundred able-bodied men from the Fourth Capital and follow my main force out of the city to ambush. All grenadiers must assemble, each carrying three pottery jars of divine punishment. Check the fire tumblers three times, and do not allow the slightest mistake."

"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"

Zhao Daniu's voice was so loud it made the roof beams vibrate, and his eyes were full of excitement.

At the same time, I was also moved!

He wasn't looked down upon because of his status as a surrendered general; in fact, the Heavenly Punishment Squad was even sent over. This shows the extent of their trust.

Of course, this is also an opportunity!

"No matter what, I absolutely cannot let Lord Xiao down in this battle!"

With these thoughts in mind, Zhao Daniu's resolve strengthened.

Xiao Jianyang finally looked at Xiao Xing and Xiao Tao:

"You two will take the remaining men of the Fourth Capital and assist Li Tiezhu in defending the city. You will also be in charge of the logistics and medical camp, ensuring proper arrangements for treating the wounded and distributing provisions."

"Yes, Lord Xiao."

The two women responded in unison.

Although it was a pity that they couldn't go to the front lines to fight, military orders are absolute, and they would never disobey.

"Now, listen carefully."

After issuing all the commands, Xiao Jianyang stood up and said in a high-pitched voice:

"Half an hour later, they will gather at the North Gate."

"Everyone, bring three days' worth of dry rations, travel light, and follow me to Tiger Ridge to meet these Northern barbarians!"

"Yes, sir! Lord Xiao!!"

The crowd shouted in unison, their voices filled with barely suppressed murderous intent, and then filed out of the county government hall.

In an instant, the entire county government and even the entire Dongshuang County were mobilized!

Soldiers were jogging and gathering everywhere on the streets.

Footsteps and commands rose and fell, and the people quickly retreated into their houses.

I closed the doors and windows tightly, only daring to peek out through the cracks in the door, my heart pounding with anxiety.

The new recruits who had just joined the army that morning were pale-faced, and their hands gripping their spears were sweating profusely.

They were fighting and killing people as soon as they joined the army, with no time to prepare at all.

Fortunately, someone was there to help.

The veterans, all with calm expressions, silently inspected the bows and arrows and the pottery jars, their eyes revealing a fierce determination.

After Xiao Jianyang put on his armor, he walked to the courtyard gate. Lin Qingxue had already returned after arranging the scouts, and she was holding a simple map in her hand.

"My lord, the scouts have been dispatched, with the fastest horses. They should be able to reach Table Mountain within two hours."

She handed me the map, her fingertips red from the cold.

"I've examined the terrain of Tiger Ridge in detail, and this location is the best."

Pointing to a valley above, he explained:

"Lord Xiao, this valley entrance is narrow, but the interior is wide, making it an ideal place for an ambush, however..."

Xiao Jianyang:

"But what?"

Lin Qingxue:

"However, I am very afraid that the Northern Di people will send scouts to explore the way, which would easily expose us."

Xiao Jianyang glanced at the map and then said:

"Right here, this is the only way. When we ambush you, have everyone bring plenty of white fabric to cover their bodies. If we're not very close, it will be hard to spot us."

Lin Qingxue's eyes lit up, and she immediately clasped her hands in a fist salute:

"Yes, Lord Xiao!"

This is a clever idea. There is still plenty of white cloth in the city, especially in coffin shops.

There's something to be a little superstitious about.

But in the face of the battlefield, all of these have to take a backseat.

At the same time.

East Street, Jurchen shops.

The boss, Wanyan Shi, wearing a thick animal skin coat, had just squeezed back from the alleyway near the county government office.

His face was frozen purple, but his heart was in turmoil.

He had just witnessed a large contingent of Xiao's army heading towards the north gate.

Swords and spears stood in a forest, and many soldiers were carrying pottery jars in their arms, hurrying along, clearly indicating that something big was about to happen.

The people on the street were filled with fear. Some people were secretly talking about how the Northern Di army had attacked and was going to massacre the city.

Wanyan Shi dared not delay. He went around to the back door of the shop, and after confirming that no one was following him, he gently pushed open the wooden door and slipped inside.

In the main house in the backyard, the charcoal brazier was burning brightly, making the room warm and cozy.

A woman dressed in a moon-white brocade dress was sitting by the window, holding a scroll of Han Dynasty military treatise in her hand.

She had deep-set eyes, a high nose, and a healthy honey-colored complexion. Her long hair was tied up with a silver hairpin. She possessed both the gentle and scholarly air of a Han Chinese woman and the heroic and sharp spirit of a daughter of the grasslands.

It was none other than Princess Wanyan Chuyu of the Jurchen Tiger Tribe!

Behind her stood a burly man as tall as an iron tower.

He was eight feet tall, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with two heavy spiked clubs hanging from his waist. His eyes were fierce, and he stood there like a high wall.

This man was none other than Wanyan Hu, the number one warrior of the Tiger Tribe, and also Princess Wanyan Chuyu's personal bodyguard.

"Princess."

Wanyan Shi strode into the room, knelt on one knee, and lowered his voice.

"Something terrible has happened."

……