The female prisoner was fierce

"Sir...Sir, are you telling the truth?"

The man in front of him asked incredulously:

"They're really going to give us land???"

"Of course it's true."

Xiao Jianyang nodded and said calmly:

"The people of Dongshuang County all have land to cultivate and food to eat."

"If the Northern Barbarians attack, we will protect you."

"I'll go! I'll go with you!"

The man immediately shouted, "Anyway, we have no one left in our families. Going back would just mean certain death. Following the soldiers, we'll have food to eat and land to cultivate. It'll be worth dying for!" "I'll go too!" "Count me in!" The laborers raised their hands one after another, their eyes full of longing. They were all unfortunate people in this chaotic world, homeless. Having a safe place to stay was better than anything else.

Xiao Jianyang glanced around and saw that almost all of the more than two thousand laborers were willing to go. Among them, more than 1,200 were young and strong, and the rest were the elderly, women, and children.

"it is good."

Xiao Jianyang nodded. "Bai Huatong, make the arrangements. Pick out the young and strong and temporarily assign them to the auxiliary troops so they can go with us. Arrange for the elderly, weak, women, and children to ride in the grain carts back to Dongshuang County."

"This subordinate obeys!"

Soon, the laborers were organized. Upon learning that they would indeed have enough to eat and would be allocated land, everyone was incredibly excited and worked exceptionally hard, helping to clean up the battlefield and transport supplies without needing to be urged.

Wanyan Chuyu rode over, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at the endless rows of grain carts and laborers. "Lord Xiao, you fought a brilliant battle," she exclaimed sincerely. "To eliminate a thousand Northern Di soldiers in half an hour with such minimal casualties is simply unbelievable."

"They just took advantage of the terrain."

Xiao Jianyang said calmly, "We've seized the grain, and the Northern Di will definitely not let this go. We can't stay any longer. We need to clean up the battlefield immediately, take the spoils and laborers, and return to Dongshuang County tonight."

"The Northern Barbarians have suffered such a great loss, they will definitely send troops to retaliate. Our best course of action is to go back and defend the city, waiting for them to tire themselves out."

Wanyan Chuyu nodded in agreement:

"Lord Xiao is right. My tribe's reinforcements should be arriving soon, and we can return in time to defend the city. With this batch of provisions, we can hold out for several months without any problem."

"Moreover, we have over a thousand more able-bodied men to reinforce the city's defenses, so we have enough manpower to defend the city." Xiao Jianyang said no more and immediately ordered, "The entire army packs up and will retreat to Dongshuang County in half an hour!"

"yes!"

Everyone sprang into action immediately. The bodies of the fallen soldiers were loaded onto wagons, the wounded were properly cared for, and all the captured provisions, weapons, and warhorses were organized.

The captured Northern Di soldiers were bound and strung together, following the column. The laborers drove the grain carts, following behind. Half an hour later, the column set off on time, retreating quickly towards Dongshuang County under the cover of night. The wind and snow continued, but everyone's hearts were warm. This battle was won! And with such a large spoils, Dongshuang County would be even more secure back home.

……

At this time, the main camp of the Northern Barbarian army was located twenty miles north of Youzhou City.

Inside the large leather tent, a charcoal fire burned, making it warm and cozy. Temur, the fourth prince of the Northern Di, sat in the main seat, toying with a jade cup in his hand, a smug look on his face. Youzhou City wouldn't hold out for more than a few days; its fall was imminent. Once he took Youzhou, the entire northern border would be his.

When the time comes, we'll march south, conquer the Central Plains, and maybe even contend for the emperor's throne. Just as he was thinking this, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the tent.

"Report—!!"

A messenger stumbled in, fell to his knees with a thud, his face deathly pale and his voice trembling. "Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!"

"Black Wind Pass...the grain convoy at Black Wind Pass has been robbed!"

"What??"

Temur's jade cup clattered onto the table, spilling wine all over himself. He jumped up, glaring fiercely at the messenger: "Say it again! The grain convoy was robbed? Who did it?! Where's Wang Baojun? Are all those thousand guards just sitting around doing nothing?"

"It's...it's Xiao Jianyang from Dongshuang County!"

The messenger stammered, "They ambushed us at Black Wind Pass and used the Heavenly Punishment Artifact! We...we were completely wiped out! Lord Wang Baojun is dead, and most of our supplies...were also stolen!"

"Xiao Jianyang?!" Temur's pupils contracted, and he gritted his teeth as he uttered the name.

Harbala and Baturu died at his hands, and a thousand elite troops from Menghu Ridge were wiped out. This debt has not yet been settled, yet he still dares to come and rob grain.

"How dare you!" Temur slammed his fist on the table, denting the solid wood surface. "I didn't even go looking for him, yet he dares to provoke me!" "A mere tiny county, with a few hundred rabble, dares to mess with me!"

His chest heaved with rage, his face contorted with rage. The hijacking of the supply convoy had a devastating impact on the army.

Food supplies were already scarce, and this only made matters worse.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger." General Yelü Deguang stepped forward and said in a deep voice.

"Xiao Jianyang dared to seize our grain supplies because he knew we were tied up in Youzhou and couldn't spare any troops. This man is extremely cunning, and he also has the power of Heavenly Punishment; he shouldn't be underestimated." "Underestimated?" Temur sneered, his eyes turning sinister. "I'll show him what happens when he messes with me!"

"Yelü Deguang, heed my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I hereby give you ten thousand elite cavalrymen. Immediately launch a surprise attack on Dongshuang County!"

Temur's voice was icy. "Raze the county town to the ground! Kill everyone! Bring me back Xiao Jianyang's head! I'll make a wine bowl from his skull!" "Your subordinate obeys!" Yelü Deguang clasped his hands, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Remember, leave no one alive," Temur added. "All Han Chinese, kill them all. Let everyone know the consequences of opposing me!"

"yes!"

Yelü Deguang turned and left immediately to muster his troops. Ten thousand elite cavalrymen, all veterans of the Northern Di, were incredibly fierce and brave. In Temur's view, ten thousand cavalrymen were more than enough to deal with the small Dongshuang County. Even if Xiao Jianyang had divine punishment, ten thousand cavalrymen could still trample him into mincemeat.

Inside the main tent, Temur was still seething with anger. He walked to the map, staring at the location of Dongshuang County, his eyes filled with ruthlessness. "Xiao Jianyang... you've courted death, so don't blame me for being ruthless."

"After I destroy you, I'll turn around and deal with Youzhou. By then, no one in the entire Northern Territory will dare to disobey me!" The fighting continued atop the city walls of Youzhou.

But as the fighting went on, Wu Huawen sensed something was wrong. The Northern Di people's offensive seemed to have weakened considerably.

They were charging forward like madmen just moments ago, but now they're gradually retreating. There's also movement in the main camp below the city, as if they're redeploying troops. "What's going on?" Wu Huawen frowned, leaning against the crenellations to look down. "Why aren't the Northern Barbarians attacking?"

The captain beside him looked puzzled. "I don't know, General. Look, it seems they have cavalry heading east." Wu Huawen looked in the direction he pointed and indeed saw a large cavalry unit marching eastward, raising clouds of dust. Eastward? Eastward is the direction of Dongshuang County.

Could it be...? Wu Huawen's heart skipped a beat, and a thought popped into his head.

"Quickly! Send scouts out to investigate! See where the Northern Di have moved their troops! Is something wrong in Dongshuang County?" "Yes!" The scouts immediately left the city.

Two hours later, the scout returned, running excitedly up into the city:

"General! Great news! Incredibly good news!"

"Lord Xiao! Lord Xiao of Dongshuang County led his troops to raid the Northern Di's grain supply route! He annihilated the entire Northern Di grain convoy at Heifeng Pass!"

"Temur, the fourth prince of the Northern Barbarians, was furious and dispatched his general Yelü Deguang with 10,000 cavalry to attack Dongshuang County! That's why the siege force was reduced!"

"What?!" Wu Huawen's eyes widened suddenly, and he grabbed the scout's arm. "Are you telling the truth? Xiao Jianyang really raided the grain convoy?" "Absolutely!"

The scout exclaimed excitedly, "I saw it with my own eyes! The entire Northern Di supply convoy was wiped out, and all the provisions were taken away! Yelü Deguang led ten thousand cavalrymen and hurriedly headed east!"

On the city wall, all the soldiers were stunned. Then, a burst of cheers erupted. "Great! Lord Xiao is amazing!" "We've seized the Northern Di's grain, they won't last much longer!" "We're saved! Youzhou is saved!" The soldiers were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes. Their hearts, which had been filled with despair, were instantly rekindled with hope.

Wu Huawen let out a long sigh of relief, his nerves, which had been taut for months, finally relaxing a little. He gazed eastward, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He had initially thought it was just a desperate attempt, but unexpectedly, Xiao Jianyang had actually succeeded.

A few hundred men dared to raid the supply route of an army of 80,000, and they actually succeeded. That courage and skill are truly remarkable.

"General, what do we do now?"

Wu Huawen composed himself and said in a deep voice, "The Northern Di have divided their forces, reducing the number of troops attacking the city and easing our pressure considerably. However, we cannot let our guard down; we must continue to hold our ground and wait for a turning point."

"Also, send word throughout the city that reinforcements have arrived, and tell the people and brothers that everyone should hold on a little longer!"

"yes!

The news quickly spread throughout Youzhou City. When the people heard that Lord Xiao of Dongshuang County had led his troops to raid the Northern Di's grain route, they were so excited that they cried.

"Great! Finally, someone has come to rescue us!"

"Lord Xiao is a good man! He's our savior!"

"Hold on! You must hold on! Wait until Lord Xiao drives out the Northern Di!"

The once lifeless city of Youzhou suddenly came alive.

The people spontaneously organized themselves to deliver water and food to the soldiers on the city walls, and able-bodied men also volunteered to go up the walls to help defend the city. Everyone was holding their breath, waiting for good news from Dongshuang County.

Yunzhou Prefectural Governor's Office.

Lin Wenyuan had just finished his tea and was leaning back in his chair, resting with his eyes closed. His advisor rushed in, pale-faced and speaking urgently:

"My lord! My lord! Something terrible has happened!"

Lin Wenyuan slowly opened his eyes, frowning as he said, "What's with the panic? What's going on? What's wrong?"

"Xiao Jianyang of Dongshuang County... he really sent troops!" the clerk gasped. "He led several hundred men to ambush the Northern Di's supply convoy at Heifeng Pass and robbed them! A thousand Northern Di guards were wiped out, and all their provisions were stolen!"

"What?" Lin Wenyuan sat bolt upright, his relaxed expression vanishing instantly, replaced by shock. "Impossible!" he blurted out. "With so few men, how could he possibly raid the Northern Di's supply convoy? The Northern Di's thousand guards are all elite troops; what could he possibly use?"

"It's true, sir!" the clerk said urgently. "Our scouts saw it with their own eyes; the Northern Barbarians' grain convoy is indeed gone. Moreover, Temur is furious and has already sent Yelü Deguang with ten thousand cavalry to attack Dongshuang County!" Lin Wenyuan stood frozen in place, speechless for a long time.

He had initially thought that Xiao Jianyang would either be too afraid to send troops, or that sending troops would be suicidal. But not only did Xiao Jianyang go, he won, and wiped out the entire Northern Di supply corps. How could this be?

How could a bandit who only occupied a small county town have such strong power?

"What method did he use?" Lin Wenyuan asked in a deep voice. "It is said... he used a kind of firearm called Heavenly Punishment, which is extremely powerful and can destroy a large area with a single explosion. The Northern Di soldiers were stunned by this thing and then ambushed," the advisor said. "Also, the crossbow he had was very powerful; it could pierce three layers of animal hide at eighty paces."

"firearm……"

Lin Wenyuan narrowed his eyes, his expression shifting.

He suddenly remembered a rumor that Xiao Jianyang possessed a divine artifact of divine punishment, which he claimed was responsible for blowing up the gates of Dongshuang County and the great victory at Menghu Ridge. He had initially thought it was just a rumor, something the common people had spread. Now it seemed to be true.

"My lord, what should we do now?" the advisor asked. "Ten thousand Northern Di cavalry are attacking Dongshuang County. Do you think Xiao Jianyang can hold it?" Lin Wenyuan was silent for a moment, then shook his head.

"It's hard to say."

"If his firearms are really that powerful, he might be able to hold out for a while. But ten thousand cavalry is no joke. Dongshuang County is just a small county town with low walls, so it will be difficult to defend."

He paused, his eyes turning cold: "Send the order to keep the city gates tightly closed and strengthen defenses. Whether the Northern Barbarians win or Xiao Jianyang wins, it has nothing to do with us."

"In addition, Xiao Jianyang should be listed as the number one person to be wary of."

"This person is so young yet possesses such skill and strange firearms. If he survives, he will surely become a great threat in the future."

"Send someone to keep an eye on Dongshuang County, and report back immediately if there's any news. Let's sit back and watch the fight, and neither of us should provoke the winner."

"Yes, sir." The clerk bowed and withdrew. Lin Wenyuan walked to the window, gazing eastward, his face grim. Xiao Jianyang… he remembered that name. He hoped Xiao Jianyang would die at the hands of the Northern Di.

Otherwise, the situation in the North would become even more chaotic.

The next day at noon, Xiao Jianyang led his troops back to Dongshuang County. Li Tiezhu had already received the news and led his men to greet them at the city gate.

Upon seeing the long procession of grain carts and more than a thousand laborers, the people and soldiers on the city wall cheered.

"They're back! Lord Xiao and the others are back!"

"We've won the battle! We've also captured a lot of grain!"

"Great! Now we're even less afraid of the Northern Barbarians!"

The people crowded on both sides of the city gate, watching the triumphant procession with excitement and admiration on their faces. Xiao Jianyang rode at the very front, his armor still stained with undried blood, his expression calm.

As they passed by the people, everyone bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with deep reverence.

"Lord Xiao is mighty!"

"You've worked hard, Lord Xiao!"

Shouts rose and fell. Upon entering the city, Xiao Jianyang immediately arranged for the follow-up matters.

"Li Tiezhu, count and store the captured grain and fodder properly. The 1,200 laborers, the young and strong, should be incorporated into the auxiliary troops and trained first. The elderly, weak, women and children should be provided with lodging and distributed grain according to the standards for refugees."

"Yes!" Li Tiezhu immediately replied.

"Bai Huatong, the troops will rest for half a day. This afternoon, we will begin to reinforce the city's defenses. We will move all the logs and stones we brought back to the city walls."

"clear."

"Defang, the grenadier squad is counting the grenades. The newly made grenades from the blacksmith camp are all being brought out and distributed to the various city gates."

"Okay!"

"Zhao Tiechui, the blacksmiths' camp is working day and night to increase the quantity of crossbow bolts and hand grenades. The Northern Barbarians will be here soon, and we must have enough weapons."

"Rest assured, Lord Xiao! I guarantee there won't be any problems!"

With each order issued, everyone sprang into action. Although they were exhausted from the victory and the long night's journey, no one complained. Everyone knew that the Northern Barbarians' retaliation was imminent.

This is just the beginning; the real battle is yet to come.

Wanyan Chuyu immediately wrote a letter and sent it by fast horse back to the Tiger Tribe, urging reinforcements to arrive as soon as possible. After arranging military affairs, Xiao Jianyang led his men to the city wall to inspect the city's defenses.

The city walls, now plastered with cement, were sturdy and thick, more than twice as strong as before. The walls were piled high with rolling logs, thunderstones, molten gold, and baskets of earthenware jars of divine punishment. Puller crossbows were set up behind various emplacements, and archers were in position. "Lord Xiao, will the Northern Di really come?" Li Tiezhu asked nervously, standing beside him.

Although he had fought many battles, he was still somewhat intimidated by the sight of 10,000 Northern Di cavalry.

"They'll definitely come." Xiao Jianyang gazed at the snow-covered plains outside the city, his tone calm. "Temur won't let this go unpunished after they robbed their grain. Yelü Deguang's cavalry will arrive in three days at most."

"Ten thousand cavalrymen may sound like a lot, but we have city walls, cement, divine punishment weapons, and pulley crossbows. We can hold them off." His tone was confident, carrying a reassuring power. Li Tiezhu nodded, feeling much more at ease.

"Yes, Lord Xiao is so capable, and he has so many powerful things. He can definitely hold the line." Beside him, Bai Muyi leaned against the battlements, gazing into the distance, her eyes filled with fighting spirit.

"Ten thousand cavalry is just right." She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly. "It's a good opportunity to test just how powerful our cavalry's three-piece set really is." Xiao Jianyang glanced at her and said calmly, "The main focus is on defending the city; the cavalry don't need to charge head-on."

Once they are exhausted from the siege, we will find an opportunity to harass them from outside the city.

"understood."

Bai Muyi nodded obediently. The longer she spent with Xiao Jianyang, the more unfathomable she felt he was.

It's formidable in warfare, amazing in creation, and even its temperament is unpredictable. Despite its seemingly aloof demeanor, it always manages to provide a strong sense of security at the most crucial moments.

She couldn't help but steal a glance at Xiao Jianyang's profile, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly turned her head away.

Xiao Jianyang didn't notice her subtle movement; his gaze remained fixed on the distance. Snowflakes swirled, obscuring the vast, desolate landscape.

A fierce battle is inevitable.

Ten thousand elite cavalrymen from the Northern Barbarians are far more formidable than the previous thousand grain convoy guards.

This battle is crucial for Dongshuang County to establish its authority. If they win, the entire northern border will have to take the Xiao family army seriously.

If we lose, everything will vanish.

Xiao Jianyang gave the order in a deep voice:

"Pass down the order: the entire army is on high alert, with shifts day and night."

"We'll start fighting whenever the Northern Barbarians arrive."

"This time, we will let the Northern Di people know that Dongshuang County is not a place they can come and go as they please."

"Yes!"

Then, all the generals echoed in unison.

Instantly, the entire Dongshuang County sprang into action, like a finely tuned machine. Everyone was waiting, waiting for the arrival of the Northern Di cavalry.

……at the same time.

In the vast northern snowfield, the cold wind whips up snowflakes and ravages the wilderness, leaving the world a desolate gray-white expanse.

A black torrent was rushing from west to east, crushing the frozen earth. Thousands of iron hooves fell in unison, the thunderous roar shaking the ground and even the swirling snow seemed to be forcibly cleaved apart by this overwhelming force.

This is a force of 10,000 elite cavalrymen from the Northern Di under the command of Yelü Deguang.

Every soldier was clad in heavy armor, with curved swords at their waists, and thick felt blankets covering their horses' backs for warmth. Their quivers were full and sharp. The jet-black cavalry formation stretched for miles, banners fluttering in the wind, the Northern Barbarian wolf banners, their wolf heads menacing and fierce, exuding a bloodthirsty aura. The cavalrymen were all seasoned veterans, their eyes cold and sharp, their breath forming puffs of white vapor. They possessed the unique, iron-blooded ferocity of battle-hardened soldiers, and the entire army was disciplined and unstoppable.

Yelü Deguang, clad in gilded black armor, sat atop a jet-black warhorse, his posture upright and imposing. His gaze, sharp as an eagle's, was fixed on the direction of Dongshuang County, his eyes brimming with icy killing intent and absolute certainty of victory.

Temur's furious rebuke before departure still echoed in his ears; the military order to massacre the city and destroy the county, and to take Xiao Jianyang's head was etched into his bones. In his eyes, a mere small county with low walls and thin walls, defended by only a few thousand soldiers, mixed with newly conscripted young and strong refugees, was utterly vulnerable.

Even though Xiao Jianyang possessed strange firearms and powerful crossbows, all his unorthodox methods were useless against the charge of ten thousand battle-hardened cavalry. The loss of a thousand guards of the grain convoy was merely due to the enemy's lucky ambush and their advantage of timing and terrain. If they were to engage in a head-on confrontation, the ragtag garrison of Dongshuang County would be crushed to dust in an instant.

"Hurry up the march!"

Yelü Deguang roared, his voice like cold iron, "Within three days, we will surely reach Dongshuang!"

"Raze the city to the ground, leave no one alive!"

The messenger beside him immediately raised his voice to relay the order, which was passed down through the ranks and resounded throughout the entire army.

The already speeding cavalry accelerated once more, their iron hooves crushing the snow and stirring up a cloud of snow mist. A black torrent surged forward, filled with murderous intent, determined to crush all resistance in Dongshuang County in one fell swoop.

Meanwhile, at the Jurchen Tiger Tribe's encampment, a hundred miles away.

On the vast grassland, tribal tents stretched as far as the eye could see. The cold wind howled past, making the tent canvases rustle. Wanyan Muzhen sat upright in the main tent, clutching the urgent secret letter sent back by Wanyan Chuyu tightly in his hand, reading it over and over again, his expression solemn and grave.

The tribal generals stood on both sides of the tent, all holding their breath, the atmosphere so heavy it was almost suffocating.

"Yelü Deguang led 10,000 elite Northern Di troops in a surprise attack on Dongshuang. Xiao Jianyang, with the strength of a single county, single-handedly withstood the overwhelming onslaught." Wanyan Muzhen spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below the tent, "Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?"

An old general stepped forward and solemnly advised, "Chief, this matter is extremely dangerous! The Northern Barbarians are powerful, and their ten thousand iron cavalry are battle-hardened elites. It is still unknown whether Dongshuang County can be defended. Our tribe has a weak foundation. If we send the entire army to their aid, and are defeated, the Tiger Tribe will be in danger of annihilation! It would be better to hold back and observe the situation."

Most of the generals under his command echoed his sentiments, all harboring apprehension. The Northern Barbarians had dominated the northern border for many years, possessing formidable military strength that the small Tiger Tribe could not possibly contend with. To rashly choose sides would be tantamount to putting oneself in danger.

Wanyan Muzhen remained silent for a long time, then looked up at the east, his gaze deep and firm, concealing a resolute determination.

He knew better than anyone that Xiao Jianyang was no ordinary city-defending general. In the Battle of Black Wind Pass, he ambushed and annihilated the Northern Di grain convoy with a small force, severely damaging the enemy's morale. He shattered the myth of the Northern Di's invincibility with firearms and powerful crossbows. His courage, combat prowess, and strategy were unmatched in the entire northern region.

In chaotic times, following the rules only leads to a life of mere survival; only by daring to gamble and take risks can one find a chance to live.

If the Northern Barbarians break through the Eastern Frost, they will inevitably unify the northern border. At that time, the weak Tiger Tribe will be the first to suffer and will be unable to escape being swallowed up and slaughtered.

Conversely, if Xiao Jianyang can hold Dongshuang, he can hold back the main force of the Northern Di and become the biggest barrier to restrain the Northern Di. The Tiger Tribe can also break free from its shackles and gain a foothold.

This situation, seemingly perilous, is actually the Tiger Tribe's only chance to break the deadlock.

Wanyan Muzhen clenched his fist tightly, a sharp glint in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "No need for further words, my mind is made up!"

"By order of my chieftain! Martial law is hereby declared throughout the Tiger Tribe. All able-bodied men must don armor, and the entire tribe's military force is to assemble immediately and rush to the aid of Dongshuang!"

"This time, our Tiger Tribe is betting the entire nation on whether Xiao Jianyang can win and whether Dong Shuang can defend our northern border!"

The military order resounded throughout the tent, shaking everyone to their core.

A moment later, the Tiger Tribe sounded their horns in unison, the desolate and distant sound spreading across the grassland, and the once silent tribe instantly came to life.

The remaining 1500-plus Jurchen soldiers, clad in armor and armed with weapons, assembled in formation, their iron armor gleaming in the snow.

And they rushed to Dongshuang County at an extremely fast speed!