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

Hearing Qi Feng's words, everyone's faces showed a hint of doubt.

I've never heard of a horse-slaying sword before.

Qi Feng pointed to the blade of the horse-slaying sword and said:

"This knife is much longer than a regular military knife. It's not for you to kill people, it's for you to kill horses, specifically their legs."

Hearing Qi Feng's words, the people around him were even more confused. In their minds, knives were used to cut people.

If you cut down horses, what if people attack them?

Qi Feng continued:

"With ordinary swords in your hands, if you face cavalry, who are attacking from above, you won't be able to hit them at all and will be killed by those cavalrymen with a single blow. But with the horse-slaying sword, its long blade is enough for you to cut off a horse's leg with one strike."

"If you encounter a cavalry charge again, you only need to form a battle formation and stay in place. When the cavalry is about to arrive, use your horse-slaying swords to cut off the horses' legs first. The enemies on horseback will lose their balance and fall off."

"At that time, we will be the fish on the chopping block, and you can do whatever you want with them. With this knife, you will never have to be afraid of cavalry again."

After hearing Qi Feng's explanation, everyone's eyes lit up instantly, and Liu Si even slapped his thigh.

"Yes, it's such a simple principle, how come I never thought of it before!"

"In the past, when those Rong cavalrymen came, we just stood there dumbfounded, waiting for them to charge. Every time we tried to cut them down, we couldn't reach them. They were on horseback, far away, and we couldn't catch them. With this sword, we're not afraid even if there are 100 of their cavalrymen!"

Qi Feng smiled lightly and asked Qi Xiaoliu to fetch a few straw figures from the woodshed, and then asked Liu Si to bring over an old horse.

This horse was a captured cavalry horse from the last battle, but it lost a hind leg in the war and can no longer run. It can only be used to pull carts, and Qi Feng can demonstrate it.

Qi Feng had the straw figure tied to the saddle, and Liu Si led the horse as it trotted slowly in the field.

Qi Feng drew his sword and charged forward. In the instant the warhorse passed by, he turned sideways and pressed down on the blade, a cold light sweeping across the old horse's two front legs along the ground.

The horse's leg snapped instantly, and the old horse collapsed to the ground, along with the straw figure on its back, which rolled off the horse.

There was a moment of silence on the field, followed by a burst of exclamations.

"This knife is incredibly sharp!"

"Yes, one stroke severed the horse's leg!"

"If we encounter the Rong cavalry again, we won't be afraid!"

But some people showed a hint of heartache.

"But wouldn't that mean we wouldn't get any warhorses?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone next to him slapped him on the head:

"Fool! People are about to die, and you're still thinking about Ma Qian? If a war really breaks out, do you want the horse or your life?"

Upon hearing this, the man immediately realized what was happening and chuckled awkwardly.

Qi Feng sheathed his sword and stood up, slowly speaking:

"The reason why cavalry is so powerful is that they rely on the horse's strength. Once the horse is running, you can't reach the rider or catch up with the horse. With this, you just need to lower your blade and focus on cutting the horse's legs. Once the horse falls, the rider is like a pig waiting to be slaughtered."

Liu Si's eyes lit up, and he was the first to come over.

"Master Qi, when can we get these knives fitted with?"

Qi Feng scanned the crowd.

"There will be 20 swords in 5 days. You all need to practice your strength these few days. This sword is twice as heavy as the ring-pommel sword. If you can't swing it, don't blame me for not telling you in advance."

That afternoon, Qi Feng had Liu Si select twenty of the strongest soldiers from the county to practice holding and swinging the horse-chopping sword.

He personally demonstrated, repeatedly breaking down the three most basic moves—chopping, sweeping, and picking—to show them how to use their waist and hips to generate power, rather than relying solely on their arms to swing.

"Using the horse-slaying sword is that simple; you only need to learn these three moves."

Following Qi Feng's explanation, everyone imitated him and did it in a very serious manner.

Qi Xiaoliu, Qi Shitou, and Qi Daniu were all on the first list. In particular, Qi Daniu wielded his broadsword with great force, leaving Liu Si and Qi Feng speechless.

However, Qi Feng had noticed some clues in recent days: Qi Daniu had a huge appetite, and his super strength probably came from eating too much.

Once he's fully trained, he'll be a formidable general on the battlefield.

Four days later, as Qi Feng was teaching the group to practice swordsmanship, a fast horse rode into the city from the west gate. The rider was covered in dust, and a flag was hanging on the side of the saddle.

Qi Feng saw the flag from afar, and his heart tightened immediately.

This is a scout sent by Zhong Shao towards Qing Shi Ao. The fact that he is returning in such a hurry suggests that he has discovered some military intelligence.

Thinking of this, Qi Feng put down his knife and immediately rushed to the county government office.

In the back hall of the county government office, Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan both looked rather grim.

The two looked at the map on the table. A line drawn with charcoal pencil stretched from outside Zhenxiguan to Qingshi'ao, and then continued eastward, with the arrow pointing directly to Qijia Village.

When Qi Feng entered, Zhong Shao was pacing back and forth. Seeing him arrive, he didn't beat around the bush, but pointed to the thick line on the map and said:

"The scouts have just returned. The Great Rong camp west of Zhenxi Pass has mobilized about four or five hundred cavalrymen, heading east along the route we spotted the scouts last time. The vanguard has already reached thirty li west of Qing Shi Ao. Even at a slow marching pace, they should reach Qijia Village by tomorrow evening!"

Qi Feng approached the map and pointed to the open area west of Qi Family Village: "How many people are in the vanguard?"

"The scout said there were more than thirty people, but there was a large force behind them. He didn't dare to get too close, but he estimated there were at least four hundred riders."

As Zhong Shao spoke, his voice became somewhat heavy.

"This time, the Great Rong are serious. It's not the last time they were just testing us with twelve men. They probably already know about the disappearance of those twelve scouts. Whether they're gathering intelligence or testing the waters for an attack, we must be cautious!"

Zhao Tongchuan sat to the side, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table:

"Four hundred cavalrymen... At most, Fuxing County only has your fifty men to fight. As for the remaining garrison at Duma Village, you saw what they were like last time. The fortifications at Qijia Village are only enough to hold off twelve cavalrymen, let alone four hundred..."

He didn't continue, but Zhong Shao and Qi Feng both understood what he meant.

Zhong Shao sighed: "Why don't we withdraw the people back to Fuxing County and then report to the authorities for reinforcements?"

Hearing Zhong Shao's words, Qi Feng quickly replied:

"No! The Great Rong's purpose this time is still unknown. If they've only come to probe our strength and see us retreating, they'll assume the defenses are weak and attract even more troops!"

"If they really want to come and start a war, and we are trapped here, even if we ask for reinforcements, how can those reinforcements withstand the attack of four hundred Rong cavalry in the open plains around us?"