Border Soldiers: My granaries are full of grain and meat, and I guard this region.

Qi Feng watched the scene on the street for a while, and seeing the miserable state of the group of refugees, he couldn't help but shake his head. He then turned around and went to check the shops in the north of the city.

When Qi Feng returned, he did not go back to Ye Family Restaurant, but went to the county government office.

Inside the county government office, Zhong Shao was reviewing documents, while Zhao Tongchuan stood beside him, frowning in thought.

There was a map on the table, and a bowl of tea in front of each of them, indicating that they had been talking for a while.

When Qi Feng entered, Zhong Shao looked up at him and put down the documents in his hand.

"Brother Qi, you've come at the perfect time. I was just looking for you."

Qi Feng stepped forward and, before Zhong Shao could speak, recounted what he had seen and heard in Fuxing County over the past few days.

After listening to Qi Feng's words, Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan exchanged a glance, and Zhao Tongchuan spoke first.

"I've also received news that seventeen refugees registered at the city gate this morning, double the number from yesterday. I had someone ask them, and they all came from Qing Shi Ao. Over the past few days, there have been more than a hundred people here and there."

Zhong Shao stood up and walked to the map, pointing to the open area on the west side of the map.

"Qingshi'ao is the last mountain pass on the west side of Fuxing County. After passing that pass, it's flat plains, and cavalry can reach the foot of Fuxing County in half a day. People from the villages there started migrating eastward last winter, but in the last few days, the number has suddenly increased, which is a bit strange."

Qi Feng frowned slightly and stared at the map for a few moments.

"Young Master Zhong, do you still remember what you said last winter?"

Zhong Shao narrowed his eyes upon hearing this.

"Of course I remember. The Great Rong may shift the battlefield, and Shuofeng County will be the first to be affected. Fuxing County is the westernmost part of Shuofeng County, so it is very likely that the Great Rong will target it."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tongchuan's face turned pale.

"If it really is the Rong people who sent us, we can't even hold the city gates with our small numbers."

"Military Advisor Zhong, in my opinion, this matter should be reported to the Prefect's Office as soon as possible. But even if we report it at the fastest speed, it will take at least half a month for the official document to mobilize troops to return. We can't just wait for half a month. Spring is coming soon. If the Rong cavalry really want to attack Fuxing County, they can reach the city gate in a few days."

Zhong Shao nodded.

"First, send someone to scout the west side of Qing Shi Ao to find out whether they are bandits or the Great Rong, how many have come and where they are. We need to find out all of this."

After saying that, Zhong Shao turned to look at Qi Feng.

"I've already arranged the reconnaissance personnel. I've selected a few veterans from Duma Village. They'll set off first thing tomorrow morning, but..."

Qi Feng didn't ask any more questions and waited for Zhong Shao to continue.

Qi Feng knew that Zhong Shao didn't have many capable people around him. Although he was just a commoner, his abilities were undeniable, and Zhong Shao would definitely employ him.

"Reconnaissance is one thing, but if the other side really pushes to the foot of Fuxing County, we need to make plans early. The eight hundred men in Duma Village cannot be moved; they should be used as a mobile force outside the city. The defense line inside the city will have to rely on the three hundred county soldiers."

"I'm planning to select a squad from the county soldiers to train in the city. That way, when war really breaks out, we can at least pull them out. Would you be willing to take these men?"

Zhong Shao looked at Qi Feng and spoke carefully. Originally, the training and command of the county soldiers should be under the jurisdiction of the county lieutenant, but Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan both knew the level of the county lieutenant here, so they wanted Qi Feng to select some people from among them for training.

Qi Feng did not immediately agree, but instead asked:

How many people are there?

Zhong Shao held up three fingers.

"There are three hundred soldiers in the county. I will select thirty for you. These thirty men will not be required to enter the city for defense. They will only be responsible for patrols and mobile operations. You will train them normally, and they will be at your command when needed."

"However, you will only lead the team under the guise of assisting in patrols, without receiving any official rank. I only require this unit to serve as a supervisory force when battles occur, how about that?"

Qi Feng pondered for a moment and nodded.

"OK."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Shao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"You don't need to worry about Duma Village, I'll keep an eye on it."

Qi Feng didn't ask about it further, only asking, "When will you be selecting people?"

"Now."

After saying that, Zhong Shao led Qi Feng to the county soldiers' camp. Three hundred county soldiers were standing on the drill ground. They were dressed more neatly than the people of Duma Village, but they didn't stand properly and were whispering to each other.

Zhong Shao stood in front and called out, which brought everyone together. He then turned to look at Qi Feng.

"The people are all here; you can pick any thirty."

Qi Feng stepped forward and scanned the room.

"Thirty patrolmen are coming. Those who are willing to come, step forward and stand on the left."

As soon as Qi Feng finished speaking, a commotion arose in the crowd, but no one moved.

Qi Feng waited for a while and repeated himself, but still no one moved.

Just as Zhong Shao frowned and was about to speak, the last person stepped forward.

Count me in!

Qi Feng looked closely and recognized him as Liu, the constable he had seen at the county government office before. Liu was one of the constables in charge of the county soldiers.

Liu, the head constable, stood to the left, glanced at Qi Feng, and said nothing.

He stepped forward not for Qi Feng's sake, but because he knew that Zhong Shao had brought Qi Feng to select people.

Others may not have to come out, but as the head constable, he cannot. That's why he was able to climb to the position of head constable, while others couldn't.

Once someone started, another twenty or so people followed, making a total of thirty when Liu, the head constable, joined them.

"That's enough! You'll all gather at the South City Training Ground first thing tomorrow morning!"

After saying that, Qi Feng turned and left without lingering.

When Qi Feng arrived at the South City Training Ground early the next morning, the thirty people had already arrived.

Perhaps Zhao Tongchuan had said it privately, but in any case, none of these thirty people showed any sign of disregarding Qi Feng.

Liu, the head constable, stood at the front, while the others were scattered around, some squatting and some leaning against the wall, lazily basking in the sun.

Qi Feng stood in the middle of the training ground. He had already figured out how to train these people last night.

"Everyone stand up, run a couple of laps to warm up!"

Everyone was stunned when they heard Qi Feng's words; they had never seen this kind of training method before.

"What are you all standing there for! Finish the run first, then we'll talk!"

Hearing Qi Feng's reprimand, everyone finally reacted, and Liu Dutou was the first to run away.

Seeing Liu Du leading the way, the others followed behind him and started running along the edge of the training ground.

Qi Feng stood there watching them run two laps. To his relief, none of the thirty people cheated or slacked off; they all ran two laps obediently.

After everyone had stopped breathing heavily, Qi Feng finally spoke:

"Today we'll learn to line up. Arrange yourselves in three rows from left to right, according to height, with ten people in each row!"

The group already found it strange that Qi Feng had arranged for them to run, and now they were even more confused when they heard that they had to train by standing in lines.

One of the county soldiers couldn't help but mutter, "What's the point of standing in line?"