Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

The information obtained from interrogating Wuzhuer was like a boulder thrown into a deep pool, stirring up ripples in the hearts of the core members of Xinghuo Fortress that were far deeper than the attack of the Hu cavalry.

The Wild Fox Barut tribe is not a immediate threat; its thirty elite cavalrymen have been wiped out, its centurion captured, its internal forces weakened, and it is at odds with its neighbors. Its leader, Tuoba He, is preoccupied with his own problems and has no capacity for further southward invasion in the short term. However, the name "Black Mountain Commander" hangs like a heavy, ominous cloud over Starfire Fortress, which has just won a victory and is riding high on morale.

The atmosphere inside the council chamber was heavy. Chen Xing spread out the summary of Wu Xuejiu's confession, along with a simplified situation map pieced together from the scattered information Li Shu had previously gathered, on the long, rough wooden table. Chen Wei, Zhao Tiezhu, Zhou Dashan, Wang Jian, Wu Xuejiu, and Li Shu sat around it, the flickering candlelight illuminating their faces, which were either somber, fearful, or thoughtful.

"According to Wujuer, the Black Mountain Commander occupies several counties north of the Black Mountain, commanding thousands of soldiers. He holds the power of life and death over the surrounding Hu and Han tribes, acting like a local tyrant." Chen Xing traced the thick black line representing the Black Mountain range on the map with his finger. "The extent of this Liao territory is only about two hundred li away from my Xinghuo Fortress as the crow flies. Although the Black Mountain is treacherous and the roads are difficult to traverse, and there are Hu tribes like Yehuyuan acting as a buffer, since they can force the Balut tribe to pay tribute, it's hard to guarantee that their reach won't extend southward."

Chen Wei frowned deeply: "Several thousand soldiers... even if they are only nominally so, taking half of them would still be a formidable enemy that we cannot currently match. Moreover, since they are called 'commanders,' they are probably not ordinary bandits, and may have generals under their command who are skilled in attacking cities and capturing strongholds. My lord, we must guard against this threat."

Zhao Tiezhu gasped, "Good heavens, several thousand men? At most, we can only muster about three hundred men to fight... If they attack, even with the strongest walls, it won't last long!"

Zhou Dashan remained calm and analyzed, "Wuzhu'er also said that the Black Mountain Commander's main focus is on the north, confronting the remnants of the imperial forces or other warlords further north. To him, these Hu tribes in the south are perhaps just a minor nuisance, something to extort some tribute from. As long as we don't provoke them, he may not launch a major campaign or go on a long expedition to deal with our newly established fortress in the short term. The key is that we cannot appear too weak and easily bullied, nor can we let him think that there is something to gain and that it is worthwhile to rob us."

Wang Jian also said, "What Deputy Commander Zhou said makes sense. Our most important task now is to quickly build a strong fortress, fill up the granaries, and train our troops to be strong. If we are strong, others will have to think twice before trying to take advantage of us."

Wu Xuejiu stroked his beard and said slowly, "In my opinion, the Black Mountain Commander's power is both a danger and an opportunity for our fortress. Firstly, his power intimidates the surrounding areas, and the Wild Fox Plains tribe, suppressed by him, is temporarily unable to focus its efforts on the south, giving us a chance to catch our breath and develop. Secondly, the Black Mountain Commander is locked in a standoff with the northern forces and has no time to look south, which is precisely the time for us to quietly accumulate strength. Thirdly, in chaotic times, there are no permanent enemies or friends. Our fortress is newly established, so it is not unreasonable for us to send envoys to make peace with him, feign compliance, and buy time."

Li Shu timidly added, "Mr. Wu is right. Perhaps... perhaps we could follow the example of the Barut tribe and... perhaps send something as well, to buy some peace of mind?"

"Tribute?" Chen Wei sneered, a fierce glint in his eyes. "My Starfire Fortress soldiers fought bloody battles to gain this foothold today. How can we cower before the battle even begins, bowing and scraping to others? Besides, these warlords are insatiable. If you pay tribute today, they'll demand double tomorrow, and the day after that, they'll make you submit. You'll never have a peaceful day!"

Chen Xing listened quietly to the discussion, his fingers unconsciously tapping the location of Starfire Fortress on the map. Only after everyone had finished speaking did he slowly begin to say, "What you all say is true. Commander Black Mountain is indeed a sword hanging over our fortress. However, fear is useless, and flattery is futile."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "Mr. Wu's statement that 'there is opportunity within danger' is indeed correct. The existence of the Black Mountain Commander has temporarily suppressed the northern barbarian tribes, which is a golden opportunity for us. We should take advantage of this time to fully develop the wasteland, stockpile grain and fodder, train our troops, and strengthen the city's defenses. At the same time, we need to spread our spies widely to gather accurate information about the area north of Black Mountain, to know its strengths and weaknesses, and to ascertain its movements."

"As for paying tribute and establishing friendly relations..." Chen Xing paused, his tone turning cold, "My Xinghuo Fortress neither provokes trouble nor fears it. If the Black Mountain Commander doesn't offend me, I can temporarily refrain from being his enemy, and may even allow border residents to trade, each getting what they need. However, if he tries to use his power to coerce me into paying tribute and becoming a vassal, that is absolutely impossible! I, Chen Xing, established this fortress not to bow to anyone, but to create a safe haven in this chaotic world, a place where we can protect ourselves and become strong, free from bullying! This will never change!"

The resoluteness and arrogance in his words infected everyone present. Chen Wei straightened his chest, and Zhao Tiezhu's eyes rekindled with fighting spirit.

"However, we must not blindly make enemies." Chen Xing changed the subject. "The Black Mountain commander is powerful, while our fort is newly established. The disparity in strength is too great, and we cannot confront him head-on. The current priority is to 'build high walls and store up grain,' and to develop patiently. To the outside world, we can spread the word that our fort is a self-organized stronghold formed by merchants traveling north and refugees traveling south, with no great ambitions, only seeking to survive. At the same time, we should show them our strength—we can exaggerate the annihilation of the thirty cavalrymen of Wild Fox Plain, so that they know we are not to be trifled with and that any invasion will come at a price."

Zhou Dashan nodded: "The Fortress Master's strategy is sound. We should appear weak on the outside while strengthening ourselves on the inside. Once we are fully capable, we can discuss other matters."

Chen Xing continued his deployment: "Chen Wei, starting tomorrow, the Xinghuo Battalion's training will be intensified. In particular, the garrison must practice city defense techniques, archery, the use of rolling logs and stones, and nighttime defense. In addition to regular drills, the elite troops must increase their training in mountainous and narrow terrain combat to prepare for unforeseen circumstances."

"promise!"

"Zhao Tiezhu and Zhou Dashan, the reclamation on the north slope must not stop and must be accelerated. As for the 'Western Regions Miraculous Medicine' garden, we must assign more people to guard it. This matter is fundamental and cannot be lost. In addition, we must organize auxiliary soldiers and idle laborers to dig cellars and build more granaries in the fort. We must make sure that the stored grain is dispersed and hidden to prevent fire and attack."

"Understood!"

"Wang Jian, the management of the hard labor camps and newly attached camps needs to be stricter. We also need to pay attention to whether there are any refugees from north of Heishan among them, and try to find out information. As for Nawjur and other prisoners, the wounded should continue to receive medical treatment and be given basic food, but they should be kept separately to prevent them from colluding. Do not kill them for now, nor release them, but keep them for future use."

"Yes, I will certainly keep them strictly under control!"

"Wu Xuejiu and Li Shu, you two are responsible for compiling all the intelligence and drawing a more detailed map of the surrounding area. Pay special attention to the north-south passages, strategic passes, and water sources in Black Mountain. Future merchants may be able to obtain information from this map."

"This old man (this humble servant) obeys!"

After these arrangements, although lingering concerns about Commander Heishan remained, the group's thinking was clear, and their direction was defined. Fear was replaced by pragmatic solutions, and confusion was dispelled by a firm goal.

In the days that followed, Starfire Fortress operated with unprecedented efficiency, like a tightly wound mechanism.

On the fortress walls, the soldiers' drill slogans grew louder, and their crossbow accuracy improved quietly with each passing day. Inside the drill ground, elite troops practiced how to launch attacks in narrow spaces and how to use the terrain to divide and encircle cavalry. Chen Wei even designed several ambush and counter-ambush tactics suitable for the local mountains and forests based on his experience with the "One Line Sky" ambush, organizing small units to conduct combat drills.

The reclamation on the north slope has entered a new phase. The newly turned forty mu of land has already sprouted green seedlings, and Zhao Tiezhu has organized people to expand to the east and west sides, planning to reclaim another thirty mu. The "miracle medicinal herb from the Western Regions" in that hidden vegetable garden is growing more and more well, with thick stems and leaves. Zhao Tiezhu goes to check on it almost every day, and his expectations are growing day by day.

Inside the fortress, new cellars were being dug discreetly, and reinforced granaries were scattered throughout. The blacksmith's furnace burned day and night, repairing weapons and armor, and they began experimenting with using captured Hu (non-Han) scimitars and locally discovered small-scale iron ore to forge more arrowheads and spearheads. Wu Xuejiu, along with several literate boys, meticulously organized and copied various pieces of information, and the maps became increasingly detailed.

However, beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were stirring. Several days later, the furthest sentry to the northwest reported back: in the direction of Wild Fox Plains, there were indeed scattered Hu cavalry loitering on the more distant mountain ridges, but they never approached the ten-mile radius of Starfire Fortress again. It seemed they were observing from afar, or perhaps they were on guard.

A few days later, two auxiliary soldiers who had gone to the northern mountains to collect stones encountered three suspicious-looking men on horseback on their return journey. The men were all dressed as Han Chinese, but their manners were fierce, and their horses were powerful, far from ordinary woodcutters or hunters. Upon meeting, the men's sharp eyes scanned the tools the soldiers carried and the direction of Xinghuo Fortress. Without exchanging a word, they immediately spurred their horses and rode away, disappearing into the northern mountains.

Upon receiving the report, Chen Xing and Chen Wei concluded that these three individuals were likely scouts sent by the Black Mountain Commander! The news that Xinghuo Fort had annihilated more than thirty Hu cavalrymen may have already reached the Black Mountain Commander's ears through some channels, attracting the attention of this warlord.

The crisis is no longer just a distant rumor, but has become a real, watchful gaze, like a cold, sinister snake's tongue, already licking the edge of Starfire Fortress.

Upon hearing this news, the high-ranking officials inside the fortress felt a chill in their hearts. Black Mountain Commander's attention had indeed been drawn to this place.

"Intensify preparations for battle. Meanwhile, daily activities within the fortress will continue as usual. There's no need for excessive panic, lest we disrupt our own formation," Chen Xing ordered in a deep voice. "Tell everyone that we are surrounded by wolves, and it is precisely because of this that we need to unite and work together. Whether Starfire Fortress can stand firm does not depend on how fierce the wolves are, but on how tough we ourselves are!"

The order was relayed, and although the soldiers and civilians inside the fort didn't know the details, they could feel the increasingly tense atmosphere. Drills became more rigorous, labor more diligent, and patrols and scouts more vigilant. A sense of shared hatred of the enemy and a determination to overcome difficulties together quietly grew under the invisible pressure.

Chen Xing knew that a direct confrontation with Black Mountain Commander might not erupt immediately, but the probing, maneuvering, and wariness between the two sides had already begun. Starfire Fortress was like a small boat on the sea before a storm, seemingly calm, but in reality, it was already on the edge of a huge whirlpool.

Whether we can weather this impending storm depends not only on the high walls and sharp arrows, but also on every steadfast and unyielding heart within the fortress.

Just as a storm was brewing, on the eastern mountain path, another ill-fated group was being besieged by a fierce Hu tribe and was about to come into the sight of Xinghuo Fortress, adding an unpredictable variable to this complex situation.