The female prisoner was fierce

but…

For the sake of the city's people, he finally gritted his teeth, stared at the map on the table, and his eyes became deep.

"Can an unknown nobody, from a tiny county, really turn the tide?"

"No, that's impossible!"

He didn't believe it.

But now, he has no other choice.

"Let's try anything, even if it's a dead end."

With a long sigh, Wu Huawen suddenly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes:

"Go immediately and select the most elite and trustworthy assassins, twenty of them! Each of them should carry two secret letters from me, and they should split into four groups, heading to Dongshuang County, Pingzhou, Yunzhou, and Dingzhou respectively."

"As long as there's a route that can deliver the letter, there's hope!"

"Tell them that if they are captured, they must commit suicide immediately and absolutely not reveal the truth about the city!"

"Your humble servant obeys!"

The captain immediately clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, turned around, and ran out quickly.

"I hope Heaven will not destroy Youzhou, otherwise not a single person in the city will survive."

As the other person left and disappeared from sight, Wu Huawen murmured bitterly to himself.

That night, it was pitch black.

The four hidden doors of Youzhou City were quietly opened a crack.

Twenty assassins dressed in black, carrying bundles on their backs, short knives at their waists, and daggers in their mouths, were lowered down the city wall one by one by rope.

After landing, the four of them split up and quickly made their way in four different directions.

Outside the city were the camps of the Northern Di, with campfires burning everywhere and patrolling cavalry moving back and forth, the sound of their hooves particularly clear in the darkness.

"Be careful, follow me."

The leader was Captain Zhang Yong, the same person who had made the suggestion to Wu Huawen during the day.

He led five men, specifically taking the small road to the east, with their destination being Dongshuang County and the other states.

Of course, the other states were not only far away, but also already divided up by warlords, so the chances were slim.

Even so, I have to go!!

The group crouched low, using the terrain and the cover of night to slowly make their way out.

However, after walking less than a mile, a loud shout suddenly came from the side:

"Who goes there!"

It was none other than a patrol sentry from the Northern Barbarians!

"run!!!"

Captain Zhang Yong gave a decisive shout and then turned and ran.

But then, a hail of arrows came from behind.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Immediately, two soldiers groaned and fell to the ground, struck by arrows. They were then hacked to pieces by the Northern Di cavalry who caught up in the instant.

Captain Zhang Yong didn't have time to look back and ran forward as fast as he could:

"Walk!"

"Run!!"

He was shouting as he ran.

The sound of horses' hooves grew closer behind them, accompanied by shouts of battle.

He ran for an unknown amount of time, and soon only one personal guard remained by his side.

"Captain, running away like this isn't going to work! I'll draw them away! You take the letter and go!"

The only personal guard shouted with red eyes, already resigned to his fate.

"No!"

Captain Zhang Yong's eyes also turned red, and he shook his head in opposition.

"My lord! Trust is of utmost importance!"

The guards did not carry out the order.

Instead, after saying that, he decisively turned around and ran in another direction, shouting as he ran, deliberately attracting the attention of the Northern Di cavalry.

Zhang Yong gritted his teeth, tears streaming down his face mixed with snow water.

After taking a deep look, he didn't dare to stop and plunged into the nearby woods to hide.

Behind them, the sound of pursuing horses' hooves quickly headed towards the direction of the personal guards.

After everyone had left, Zhang Yong came out and quickly ran towards Dongshuang County.

Thus, most of the twenty assassins died under the arrows and swords of the Northern Di.

In the end, only three people managed to break through the encirclement.

One went to Pingzhou, the other to Yunzhou, leaving Zhang Yong, covered in wounds, clutching the secret letter tightly in his arms, and running wildly towards Dongshuang County.

He dared not take the main roads, choosing instead mountain trails. When hungry, he would nibble on a frozen, dry meal; when thirsty, he would grab a handful of snow and stuff it in his mouth. He had been struck by an arrow in the back, and the wound was numb with cold, making every step excruciatingly painful.

But he did not stop.

Not even for a moment!!

He had only one thought in mind: deliver the letter!

The letter must be delivered to Lord Xiao!

Tens of thousands of people in Youzhou are still waiting for reinforcements!

They walked like that for three days and three nights.

Finally, on the morning of the fourth day, Zhang Yong saw the city walls of Dongshuang County.

At that moment, his tense nerves relaxed instantly, his legs went weak, his vision went black, and he collapsed directly onto the snow.

He has fallen into a coma!

But at some point, a voice inside him kept telling him that he couldn't give up.

Then, under the influence of this sound, he forced his eyes open, struggled to get up, and staggered toward the county town.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I reached the foot of the south gate and shouted with all my might:

"Brothers on the city wall... open the door... I am a messenger from Youzhou... requesting an audience with Lord Xiao..."

After shouting, he could no longer hold on and collapsed to his knees in the snow with a thud. His head lolled to the side, and he completely lost consciousness.

The guards on the city wall had noticed him long ago. Seeing that he was covered in blood and his clothes were tattered, unlike a Northern Barbarian, and hearing that he was a messenger from Youzhou, they immediately became serious.

The sergeant guarding the city dared not delay. He ordered the drawbridge to be lowered and the gate opened to let the people in, while he ran quickly toward the county government office.

Then, Zhang Yong was carried into the city by soldiers.

Coincidentally, Chu Yiran and her female medical team were treating patients in nearby houses.

We happened to encounter it and quickly began treatment.

First, he squatted down, checked her breathing, then felt her pulse, and his expression changed slightly instantly:

"He's lost too much blood, and is suffering from both cold and hunger. Quickly, take him to the wounded soldiers' camp!"

"Yes, Captain Chu!!"

The soldiers responded loudly, then quickly found a stretcher, carried the person, and ran towards the wounded soldiers' camp.

Just as they were moving things, a secret letter wrapped in oil paper fell out of Zhang Yong's arms.

Chu Yiran subconsciously bent down to pick it up and saw that it was sealed with sealing wax and read "To Lord Xiao Jianyang".

"This…"

Chu Yiran instantly realized something was wrong, quickly put the letter away, and then instructed the female medical team soldier next to her:

"I'll save the people first, and you can personally hand the letter over to Lord Xiao."

"yes!"

The two female soldiers answered earnestly.

On the other side, inside the county government office.

Xiao Jianyang and Wanyan Chuyu were finalizing the details of the subsequent trade agreements. They had just discussed the pricing of the glassware when a personal guard rushed in, looking very anxious.

"Lord Xiao! Something terrible has happened! The messenger from Youzhou is covered in wounds and is dying! Captain Chu has already gone to treat him; this is a secret letter she sent with a female member of her medical team!"

As he spoke, the guard handed over the letter wrapped in oiled paper.

Xiao Jianyang frowned, took the letter, removed the sealing wax, and unfolded the letter.

The writing on it was very neat, but it was all stained with blood. The signature was Wu Huawen's own handwriting.

The letter contained the following content:

Youzhou has been besieged by 80,000 Northern Di troops for three months. Their food supplies are running out, and their soldiers have been almost wiped out. The city will surely fall within ten days.

We earnestly request Xiao Jianyang to send troops to our aid, considering that we are both citizens of the Great Wu Kingdom.

If the siege of Youzhou can be lifted, half of the city's grain, fodder, and military equipment will be given to him. Wu Huawen will then petition the court for him to be rewarded and honored.

At the end of the letter was the official seal of the garrison commander of Youzhou.

Xiao Jianyang's face darkened after reading it.

Seeing that his expression was off, Wanyan Chuyu asked softly:

"Lord Xiao, what has happened?"

"Youzhou can't hold on any longer."

Xiao Jianyang handed her the letter:

"Look, the Northern Barbarians have besieged the city with 80,000 troops, and Wu Huawen has come to ask for help."

Wanyan Chuyu frowned, quickly took the letter, glanced at it, and then her expression changed.

An army of 80,000!

This is no small amount!

The Tiger Tribe's entire force, even combined, numbered only a little over two thousand, making them incomparable.

"What does Lord Xiao intend to do?"

Realizing that this was no small matter, she immediately looked at Xiao Jianyang, her tone questioning.

In her view, sending troops rashly would be too risky.

If we don't send troops, once Youzhou falls, the next target of the Northern Barbarians will likely be Dongshuang County.

Even if the Northern Barbarians continued their southward advance, sending only a few thousand men would still be a tremendous pressure, or even a catastrophic disaster.

She understands the principle of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold"!

"Let me think about it."

Xiao Jianyang stood up and gave the following instructions to those outside:

"Issue the order: all officers of battalion rank and above, immediately proceed to the county government hall for a meeting!"

"yes!"

The guards immediately responded and ran out.

Before him, Wanyan Chuyu, being quite sensible, immediately spoke:

"Lord Xiao, the meeting is urgent, I must excuse myself for now."

"No need."

However, to her surprise, Xiao Jianyang shook his head and refused, saying:

"Since we are allies, this matter is also related to your tribe. Princess, you might as well listen to it."

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Chuyu nodded slightly, feeling grateful, and then said nothing more.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the generals who had received the orders arrived one after another at the county government hall.

Bai Huatong, Bai Muyi, Lin Qingxue, Li Tiezhu, Defang, Su Wanruo, Zhao Tiechui.

They're all here!!

When everyone entered the hall, they saw Xiao Jianyang's solemn expression and knew that something serious had happened. They all stood at attention and no one spoke.

Xiao Jianyang disliked the roundabout way of speaking, so he simply explained the situation in Youzhou and then passed the secret letter down to everyone.

After reading the letter, the lobby erupted in uproar.

"Eighty thousand Northern Barbarian troops! That many!!"

Zhao Daniu stared wide-eyed, his face filled with shock.

"They couldn't even defend a city as big as Youzhou? Our small force wouldn't even be enough to fill a tooth gap!"

Li Tiezhu felt a lingering fear.

"Exactly! They wiped out 20,000 troops defending Youzhou. What good would it do us if we went?"

Zhao Tiechui also joined in the discussion, his face showing extreme worry.

The disparity in strength is too great; if we were to actually go to provide support, the consequences would be no different from a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Wu Huawen was naturally aware of this as well.

Therefore, the letter stated that the aid army would arrive together.

Because outside of Dongshuang County, there might be some activity in the other states of Yunzhou.

Bai Huatong's side.

He was deep in thought.

After thinking everything through, he immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiao Jianyang, and said in a calm tone:

"Lord Xiao, this humble general believes that the troops must be dispatched!!"

Xiao Jianyang:

"Oh? Tell me why."

Bai Huatong:

"yes!!"

Because "Youzhou is an important town in the north. Once the city falls, the 80,000 troops of the Northern Di will be free to attack. At that time, whether it is to attack Dongshuang County or to attack the Jurchen tribe, it will be a piece of cake."

"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold; this principle needs no further explanation from me."

"But we can't send out all our forces. Dongshuang County is our foundation. We've just stabilized, and we need people to guard the workshops and the refugees."

"If our main force leaves, and the Northern Barbarians send a small group of cavalry to flank and attack from behind, and our home base is raided, then we'll be in a dilemma."

Xiao Jianyang:

"Tell me your suggestions."

Bai Huatong:

"yes!!"

"This humble general suggests that we send out a portion of our elite troops to attack, while leaving enough troops to defend the city."

"It can both aid Youzhou and protect our own territory."

Xiao Jianyang fell into deep thought.

The other party's words were fair and steady, befitting his status as a veteran border general.

However, there are still some issues.

Just as they were considering, Bai Muyi stepped forward, dressed in a close-fitting outfit, her eyes sharp:

"Lord Xiao, this humble general agrees to send troops! I am familiar with the fighting tactics of the Northern Di cavalry and am willing to lead the vanguard to outflank the Northern Di army and launch a surprise attack on their supply lines!"

"The Northern Barbarians are numerous and have a large appetite. If their supply lines are cut off, their morale will surely collapse."

"At that time, they will definitely send troops back to defend, and the pressure on Youzhou will naturally be less."

"We don't need to fight them head-on. We can just hit them and run; they can't catch us!"

When she said these words, her tone was firm and resolute, and she volunteered for the mission without showing any of the fragility typical of women.

Lin Qingxue, who had remained silent until now, frowned slightly, then stepped forward, her tone cold:

"Lord Xiao, I believe that sending troops is too risky and we should proceed with caution."

"Dongshuang County has only been under our control for less than a month. The displaced people have not been fully settled yet, and the cement kilns and glass kilns are just getting on track. This is the time when we need manpower."

"Besides, our main force only adds up to a little over a thousand people. If we take most of them away, there will only be a few hundred people left in the city. If the Northern Di cavalry or the nearby mountain bandits and fortresses take the opportunity to attack, we simply cannot defend it."

"Moreover, the Northern Barbarians have an army of 80,000. If we, with only a few hundred men, were to encounter them head-on, we would be doomed."

"Therefore, I also suggest that we send only one or two hundred elite troops to harass the supply lines from the rear, instead of engaging them in a direct confrontation."

"It can help Youzhou share the pressure without diminishing our strength too much."

Lin Qingxue's words were conservative, prioritizing defense, which is consistent with her usual personality.

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Tiezhu also stepped forward and said:

"Lord Xiao, I believe that dividing the troops is a viable option."

"Our archers and grenadiers have great ranged power. They don't need to charge head-on. They can just hide in the back and fire arrows and throw grenades. This can tie down a lot of the Northern Di people."

Defang, who hadn't said much until now, nodded in agreement:

"I agree with Commander Li."

"The grenadier squad will follow, find a good spot to ambush, and with a wave of divine punishment, even the numerous Northern Barbarians will be thrown into chaos."

At this moment, Su Wanru stepped forward, holding the account book, and said softly:

"Lord Xiao, I have calculated the grain and fodder reserves."

"The county's current grain reserves are enough to feed the people and soldiers for two months."

"If we send out 600 people, carrying ten days' worth of dry rations and dried meat, it will be no problem at all."

"But if the number of people is too large, or if the time is too long, food supplies will become scarce."

"Then there's medicine. There's still plenty of wound medicine and strong liquor. Captain Chu made it himself according to your instructions. It's no problem to bring some with the army."

"But if there are too many wounded, it might not be enough."

Finally, Zhao Tiechui chimed in with a muffled voice:

"Lord Xiao, since you want to fight, then let's fight!!"

"Don't worry about the weaponry! The blacksmiths will work day and night, and within three days they can produce another twenty pulley crossbows, over a thousand crossbow bolts, and a hundred Heavenly Punishment grenades! They can also finish another twenty sets of horse tack! We guarantee that all the brothers going on the expedition will have the right tools!"

Everyone chimed in, each expressing their own views and opinions.

Xiao Jianyang sat in the main seat, listening quietly.

After everyone had finished speaking, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice steady and powerful:

"Everyone's points are valid."

"Youzhou must be saved; if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. I don't need to elaborate on this principle."

"Once Youzhou falls, the Northern Barbarians will be next, and we'll be their next target."

"But we can't fight them head-on. They have 80,000 Northern Di troops, while all our resources combined amount to only a little over a thousand. A direct confrontation would be like throwing an egg against a rock."

"Therefore, I also agree to the plan to attack the Northern Di people's supply lines."

"To ensure everything goes smoothly, I will personally lead the expedition this time, selecting the elite troops from the three capitals, a total of six hundred men."

"Among them, there are fifty cavalry, one hundred archers, fifty grenadiers, and the rest are four hundred infantry as the main force."

"The objective is not to relieve the siege of Youzhou, but to circle around to the rear of the Northern Barbarians and specifically attack their grain transport teams and small patrol groups, burn their supplies, and disturb their peace."

"This will force them to divide their forces and return to defend, thus relieving the pressure on Youzhou."

"Furthermore, the defense of the city will be handled by Li Tiezhu. Su Wanruo, you will be responsible for coordinating the refugees, workshops, and provisions within the city."

"Bai Huatong, you will lead the Second Battalion and come with me on this expedition."

"Bai Muyi, you will lead the cavalry as the vanguard."

"Lin Qingxue, you will lead the main infantry force of the First Battalion."

"Defang, you will command the grenadier squad."

"Zhao Tiechui's blacksmith battalion remained in the county, leading the blacksmiths to rush to produce military equipment and ensure the supply to the front line."

Upon hearing this, everyone present nodded in agreement:

"clear!"

Xiao Jianyang:

"it is good."

"In that case, everyone has three days to prepare, and we will set off on time three days later!!"

"Yes, sir!!"

Everyone clasped their hands in unison again, their voices booming, without any objection.

The meeting then concluded, and everyone immediately returned to their respective posts to prepare.

Xiao Jianyang had just stepped out of the ceremonial office when he needed to prepare for the deployment of troops.

Then, he saw Wanyan Chuyu standing outside waiting for him.

"Lord Xiao."

"I heard your discussion just now."

"Since we are now in an alliance, and the situation in Youzhou is related to the safety of my Tiger Tribe, I cannot stand idly by."

She looked at Xiao Jianyang, her tone very firm.

"Actually, there's no need. Even if you intervene if we can't win, we won't take the bait."

Xiao Jianyang shook his head and refused.

"Is Lord Xiao being wary of us Jurchens?"

Wanyan Chuyu was puzzled.

"This…"

Xiao Jianyang had no choice but to nod.

"Alright, then your men will go to war with me."

Wanyan Chuyu then smiled and nodded immediately:

"Can."

"Don't worry, Lord Xiao, we won't cause you any trouble. Moreover, the hundred or so Jurchen cavalrymen I brought this time are all elites and can all accompany you on the expedition."

"In addition, I will immediately write a letter back to the tribe and ask my father to send a thousand elite soldiers to provide assistance."

"Once the main force arrives, we can join forces and have a greater chance of winning."

Before him. Xiao Jianyang looked at her, somewhat surprised.

He thought Wanyan Chuyu would wait and see, but he didn't expect her to be so decisive. With only 2000 people in her coffers, she directly transferred 1200 people over.

That's a huge investment!

"Your Highness is very understanding and righteous; I thank you greatly."

Xiao Jianyang sincerely clasped his hands in gratitude and said:

"With so many Jurchens helping us, raiding the supply lines will be much easier."

"You're too kind, Lord Xiao."

Yan Chuyu smiled slightly:

"Alliance members should support each other."

"Furthermore, I also believe in Lord Xiao's abilities."

Xiao Jianyang hummed in agreement and said no more. The two exchanged a glance, and although they didn't speak, they both understood that some things were unspoken.

……

For the next three days, the entire Dongshuang County was running at high speed.

Everywhere was bustling with activity.

In the blacksmith camp west of the city, the furnace fires burned day and night, illuminating half the sky.

Zhao Tiechui, shirtless, swung a sledgehammer, sweat streaming down his dark back, steaming in the cold wind.

"Hurry up! Give it your all! The brothers on the front lines are waiting for their weapons!"

"Sharpen the crossbow bolts! Make sure the grenade fuses are accurate! Not even a fraction off!!"

The blacksmiths worked tirelessly, sweating profusely, their hammering echoing day and night.

Batch after batch of crossbows, sabers, and clay pot grenades were manufactured, cleaned, packed, and transported to the armory.

Along the city wall, laborers carried buckets of cement and applied it to the wall.

The originally mottled earthen wall became hard and smooth after being coated with bluish-gray cement.

Li Tiezhu led the city defense soldiers to patrol back and forth, supervising the progress of the project.

"Be careful, everyone! Make sure the plaster is applied evenly on the walls! Especially near the city gates, make sure it's thick!"

"The north, west, and south walls must be completely plastered with cement within three days!"

"clear!"

"Rest assured, sir, Dongshuang County is our home, and we absolutely cannot allow foreign enemies to set foot here!!"

The people worked with great enthusiasm, carrying sand, transporting cement, and mixing mortar; not a single person slacked off.

Among the crowd was Zhao Dazhuang, a migrant worker, carrying two bags of cement, his steps unusually steady.

His mud house leaked wind and rain, and Lord Xiao said that after the war, he would build cement houses for the people in batches.

What's a little tiredness compared to the fact that my wife and kids can live in a warm and sturdy house in the future?

"Honey, you stay home and look after the baby. Once I finish this work, I'll sign up for the labor team to transport supplies for the army!"

"Lord Xiao is leading the brothers to fight the Northern Barbarians; we can't hold them back!"

While he took a break, he muttered to his wife who was working alongside him.

The woman nodded seriously, wiped her husband's sweat with her sleeve, and said:

"I know, I'll also go and make dry rations with the sisters in the logistics team."

"Make plenty more, so the brothers can have a good meal on the road and then slaughter the Northern Barbarians!"

"Um."

The couple nodded in unison, then smiled at each other before getting back to work.

In terms of logistics, Su Wanru led hundreds of women to work day and night.

Baskets of brown rice balls were steamed, cooled thoroughly, and then bagged.

Chunks of cured meat and dried fish were wrapped in oil paper and stuffed into each soldier's baggage.

Thick cotton-padded coats, cotton-padded shoes, and woolen socks were counted out and distributed to the soldiers going into battle.

Chun Ya also led the teenagers in the literacy class to help mend clothes and organize medicine bags.

"Sister Chun Ya, do you think Lord Xiao and his men can win?"

A little girl asked while threading a needle.

"Definitely!"

Chun Ya pursed her lips, her hands moving swiftly with the needle and thread:

"With Lord Xiao's power and divine punishment, he'll definitely drive the Northern Barbarians away! Once they return, we can install glass windows in our classrooms, and it won't be cold when we study anymore."

The thought of the clear glass windows made the little girl's eyes light up, and she worked even faster.

In the wounded soldiers' camp, Chu Yiran and her medical team prepared medical supplies for the expedition.

Cut the catgut to the required length, disinfect it, and then wrap it up.

The spirits were repackaged into small glass bottles for easy carrying.

Wound medicine and hemostatic powder were neatly stacked in individual packets.

There were also dozens of simple stretchers, made of wood and linen, which were lightweight and sturdy.

"Each team is assigned a medic, and they've memorized all the methods for stopping bleeding, bandaging, and disinfecting."

As Chu Yiran packed her things, she gave instructions to the female soldiers beside her:

"Also, the situation on the battlefield is urgent; we must save as many lives as we can."

"Yes, Captain Chu!"

The female soldiers responded in unison.

Seeing this, Chu Yiran stopped talking and got busy.

then…

For some reason, she suddenly remembered the day she fainted and Xiao Jianyang saved her.

"No, no, no, Yi Ran, don't think like that. Lord Xiao did that to save you, not because he likes you. Don't overthink it."

Shaking his head to forcefully suppress these chaotic thoughts, he continued to organize the medicines.

On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; she must prepare everything in order to help Lord Xiao and more brothers.

The night before the expedition, at Bai Huatong's residence.

Bai Muyi was wiping his long sword.

"A little something."

Bai Huatong walked in, saw that his younger sister was still awake, and couldn't help but say:

"We're setting off tomorrow. Don't act rashly on the battlefield. Follow Lord Xiao's orders completely, understand?"

"Okay, bro."

Bai Muyi didn't even look up:

"I'm not a child anymore; I know the limits of warfare."

"You understand."

Bai Huatong sighed and continued to give instructions:

"Lord Xiao is no ordinary person. If we work hard under his guidance, our Bai family will have a chance to rise in the world."

"Don't be hesitant about the marriage alliance. There are countless people who would love to be associated with someone like Lord Xiao but can't even dream of it."

Bai Muyi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she said stiffly:

"I know! You don't need to tell me! I'll give you a resounding victory tomorrow and prove I'm not just living off my brother or through arranged marriages!!"

Looking at his younger sister's stubborn expression, Bai Huatong couldn't help but smile and shake his head, saying nothing more.

His younger sister is all talk and no action!

Despite his outward resentment, he secretly admired Xiao Jianyang immensely.

But I see through it but don't say anything, after all, she's my own sister.

Meanwhile, at Lin Qingxue's residence.

Under the oil lamp, she was checking the troop roster and the weapons list overnight, verifying each item with utmost care.

"Qingxue, you're still awake?"

At this moment, Defang pushed open the door and came in, carrying a stack of grenadier rosters, and said:

"I've checked the grenadier roster. There are fifty of them, all veterans, and their accuracy is impeccable."

"Put it here."

Lin Qingxue raised her head and rubbed her temples.

"Sister Qingxue, don't overwork yourself."

"We're setting off tomorrow, so get some rest."

Defang looked at her pale face and felt a little sorry for her.

"fine."

Lin Qingxue smiled faintly:

"Make sure everything is checked carefully, so there won't be any chaos on the battlefield."

"Lord Xiao trusts us, so we can't let him down."

Upon hearing this, Defang nodded, but couldn't help but say:

"Sister Qingxue, don't worry, Lord Xiao knows what he's doing. You've been with him for so long, no one can replace you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingxue's fingers paused abruptly, then she continued flipping through the account books, saying softly:

"Enough of that, fighting is the priority."

Seeing that she didn't want to say more, Defang sighed and didn't bring it up again.

From the days when she was a female prisoner's army to now, she has a very clear understanding of Lin Qingxue's temperament.

That's the kind of person she is; she keeps everything to herself and never argues about anything.

Fortunately, Lord Xiao is not a heartless person.

He murmured to himself, then stopped thinking about it and went back to rest.

……

Silent all night.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking.

The north gate of Dongshuang County was wide open, and six hundred soldiers stood in neat rows at the city gate.

At the very front were fifty cavalrymen, their armor gleaming, their warhorses magnificent.

The warhorses, all equipped with three-piece sets, were full of vigor, their hooves firmly planted on the snow!

Behind them was an infantry square, a forest of spears, and bows and crossbows nocked!

The grenadiers carried clay pot grenades on their backs, short knives at their waists, and had solemn expressions.

The medical team followed at the back of the procession, pushing a stretcher and carrying a medicine kit.

Wanyan Chuyu led over a hundred Jurchen cavalrymen, who lined up on the side of the column, also fully prepared for battle.

On the city wall, Li Tiezhu, along with the soldiers who remained and thousands of civilians, stood there to see them off.

Xiao Jianyang, dressed in black armor, rode a tall horse with an official sword at his waist and a crossbow on his back, looking very smart and exuding the aura of a commander!

He glanced back at the people on the city wall, then at the soldiers behind him.

"Set off!!"

At a command, the bugle sounded.

Then, the troop slowly started moving, trudging through the thick snow, heading towards Yanbei City, the only route the Northern Di people could take for their grain supply, and marching in a grand procession!

…………