If I made you cannon fodder, how did you manage to achieve your goal of conquering the wolf's l

As dawn broke, a cold wind swept across the towering walls of the inner fortress, carrying wisps of snow.

One hundred and eight soldiers stood in formation on the training ground of Blackstone Fortress.

After last night's distribution of supplies and changing of gear, the team has shed its previous dejection and frailty.

Each person was dressed in intact thick cotton-padded clothes, covered with captured and repaired leather armor, and had a sharpened steel sword hanging at their waist.

Xu Qingshan stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping over the array below.

"Yesterday's bloody battle has established the rules; today, we will reward those who have distinguished themselves!"

Xu Qingshan's voice was full of energy and resonated throughout every corner of the training ground.

"Tie Niu, Zhou Laoqi, Hou San, and Xiao Qi, step forward!"

The four of them took three big steps forward together, chests out, heads held high, faces full of pride.

"You four followed me to fight the enemy and break through their lines last night, displaying bravery and fearlessness. From today onwards, you are promoted to platoon leaders! Each of you will command ten men, receive double rations, and have priority in choosing your equipment!"

"Thank you, Centurion!" the four shouted in unison.

A subtle commotion arose within the ranks.

The fifty guards who had been disarmed in the inner fortress and were now re-incorporated into the ranks were somewhat resentful.

In their eyes, these four veterans on the outer wall were nothing more than beggars, yet now they had climbed over them.

Xu Qingshan took in these subtle changes in expression, but said nothing. Instead, he stepped aside to let Xiao Hongluan behind him pass.

"The inner fortress and outer wall structures will be immediately dismantled and mixed together. All subsequent training will be conducted by Instructor Xiao. Her rules are my rules."

Xiao Hongluan, carrying a white waxwood spear, strode to the front of the stage.

She was tall and slender with a cool and aloof gaze. Although she was a woman, she exuded a composure that came from years of experience.

One of the elite soldiers from the inner fortress could no longer contain himself and stepped forward from the crowd.

"Centurion!" The soldier clasped his hands and looked up, his tone stiff. "The brothers admire your skill in killing the enemy and are willing to follow you. But it's not good to have a woman training us men who wield knives."

Instead of being angry, Xiao Hongluan smiled, walked down the steps, and stood three steps in front of the group.

"You're not convinced?" Xiao Hongluan held up the white ash wood spear with one hand. "Draw your sword."

The soldier didn't hold back. With a clang, he drew his sword, stepped forward, and delivered a fierce, powerful split-hitting blow.

This strike was extremely powerful, accompanied by a whooshing sound, clearly indicating the user possessed genuine skill.

Instead of retreating, Xiao Hongluan advanced, her wooden spear moving like a serpent emerging from its hole.

The spear tip skillfully touched the side of the blade, using the opponent's force against them, and deflected the blade.

Immediately afterwards, she flipped her wrist, and the gun swung horizontally, striking the soldier in the back of the knee.

The soldier lost his balance and knelt on one knee. Xiao Hongluan took the opportunity to retract her spear, and with a flick of her wrist, the spear stopped precisely half an inch in front of the soldier's throat.

Three moves in quick succession, flowing smoothly like clouds and water.

"If you were on the battlefield, you would already be a corpse." Xiao Hongluan sheathed her wooden spear, her voice cold and stern.

The soldier's face turned red, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

He knew perfectly well that if it had been an iron spear, his throat would have been pierced long ago. He lowered his head, sheathed his sword, and returned to the ranks.

"Is there anyone else who disagrees?" Xiao Hongluan surveyed the entire room.

Silence reigned.

"Since there isn't one, then we'll proceed as ordered." Xiao Hongluan pulled out the "Elementary Battle Formation Manual" from her bosom. "Within three steps, spears are no match for swords; beyond ten steps, when fighting in formation, barbarian cavalry charges, relying on mere brute force is just suicide. From now on, everyone will form the 'Three Talents Formation' in groups of three to a squad, and three squads to a platoon."

She called Tie Niu, Zhou Laoqi, and Hou San to the front and personally practiced the drill.

"Swordsmen and shieldmen provide cover on the left front, spearmen thrust from the center, and short-swordsmen roam and cover gaps on the right. A balanced offense and defense, with each element supporting the other. Anyone who doesn't master this formation won't get dinner tonight!"

The harsh training orders were issued, and the 108 soldiers dared not utter a single complaint, quickly forming groups and battle formations according to the instructions.

The sounds of wooden swords and spears clashing, along with the orderly shouts, quickly echoed across the inner fortress training ground.

Xu Qingshan stood on the steps and observed for a moment. Seeing that the procession was gradually becoming more organized, he turned and walked into the main hall.

The side rooms on the side of the main hall have been converted into a temporary camp for wounded soldiers.

Qin Yuenu was with two servants, changing the bandages of the soldiers who were injured last night.

The potent blood-nourishing powder that Xu Qingshan redeemed using the system had excellent effects; when applied to the wound, it immediately stopped the bleeding.

Several veterans who were on the verge of death due to excessive blood loss not only survived but were even able to sit up against the wall and drink porridge.

"The centurion is here." A veteran with a missing finger struggled to get up and salute.

"Lie still." Xu Qingshan stepped forward, pressed down on his shoulder, and examined the healed wound.

The veteran's eyes reddened, and his voice trembled: "I can't thank you enough. In the past, when we suffered such injuries, we could only be left to die in the snow. The centurion gave us such precious medicine; I owe you my wretched life."

"In my camp, as long as you don't betray us, no one's life is worthless." Xu Qingshan's tone was calm, but every word struck the hearts of everyone. "Take good care of your injuries. Once you're healed, there are other positions in the camp that need you to fill."

After comforting the wounded soldiers, Xu Qingshan returned to the main hall and sat down. Just as he picked up the hot tea on the table, a slender figure flashed in from outside the door.

Liu Ruyan moved with light steps, but her face was solemn. She walked quickly to the table and handed a small bamboo tube to Xu Qingshan.

"Centurion, something's happened."

Xu Qingshan put down his teacup and took the bamboo tube: "Where did this come from?"

"Half an hour ago, Hou San apprehended the servant responsible for delivering meals to the side courtyard," Liu Ruyan reported in a low voice. "I noticed that the servant was a quarter of an hour late delivering the meals for the past two days. Hou San secretly kept an eye on him and caught him red-handed. The servant had taken the gold leaves that Chen Baihu had hidden in his undergarments and was planning to use the opportunity of going out to empty the swill to hand the bamboo tube over to the mole who was going out to make purchases."

Xu Qingshan unscrewed the bamboo tube and poured out a silk book that was rolled up very finely.

Upon unfolding it, one finds a secret letter written in blood.

The handwriting was messy and illegible, but the content was extremely malicious.

In his letter, Chen Baihu appealed to his cousin, the garrison commander of Yunzhou City, for help, claiming that a mutiny had suddenly broken out in Heishibao, and that the traitor Xu Qingshan had incited the soldiers on the outer wall to collude with foreign invaders to seize power and usurp the throne.

The letter was earnest, requesting that Yunzhou City quickly dispatch a large army to suppress the rebels and restore military discipline.

"That old fox, even locked up in the side courtyard, he still won't stop causing trouble." Xu Qingshan spread the silk scroll on the table, his gaze icy.

Liu Ruyan frowned slightly and suggested from the side, "Centurion, keeping Commander Chen around is ultimately a hidden danger. Now that we've intercepted this secret letter and the evidence is conclusive, why not just kill him..." She made a gesture as if cutting off a neck.

Xu Qingshan did not answer immediately.

Killing Commander Chen was easy; one stroke was all it took to eliminate any future trouble.

However, if Yunzhou City does not receive news from Black Stone Fortress for a long time, or if Commander Chen fails to submit routine reports for an extended period, it will inevitably arouse the vigilance of the Yunzhou garrison commander.

Yunzhou City is garrisoned with 5,000 elite troops. If troops are sent to besiege it now, the newly formed army of about 100 men from Black Stone Fortress would be like throwing an egg against a rock.

He needs time.

We need time for Bai Zhi to forge more defensive weapons, time for Xiao Hongluan to train her troops effectively, and even more time to digest the military achievements and supplies gained in the past few days.

"The bond must not be broken." Xu Qingshan was resolute. He turned to look at Liu Ruyan. "Miss Su said you are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Is it difficult to imitate other people's handwriting?"

Liu Ruyan was taken aback for a moment, then realized what she meant, and a glint of intelligence flashed in her eyes: "As long as we have the official documents that Commander Chen usually writes as a basis, it's no problem to forge them to about 70 or 80 percent accuracy."

"Very good." Xu Qingshan threw the blood-written letter into the charcoal brazier, watching it curl up and burn to ashes. "Go to the storeroom and get a few of Chen Baihu's old official documents. Draft a new letter."

"The letter reads: Last night, a hundred-man squad of the Black Wolf tribe attacked the gate, causing heavy casualties to Black Stone Fortress. Fortunately, thanks to the soldiers' valiant efforts, they fought a fierce battle all night and repelled the barbarians, killing the enemy's commander. The fortress's defenses can still be maintained, but winter supplies are in short supply. Please request Yunzhou City to send a batch of grain and military equipment as reinforcements in a month."

Liu Ruyan understood perfectly. This letter not only concealed the fact that Blackstone Fortress had seized power, but also conveniently explained the casualties by saying that "barbarians were knocking on the gates." Most importantly, it delayed the request for reinforcements until a month later.

They not only reported that everything was safe, but also dispelled the idea of ​​Yunzhou City immediately sending troops.

"The centurion's plan is brilliant." Liu Ruyan smiled lightly, turned around and walked to the side table, took out a pen and ink, and spread out the paper.

Before long, a letter requesting help, with handwriting exactly the same as that of Commander Chen, was produced.

To make it look realistic, Liu Ruyan even pricked her fingertip and pressed a blurry bloody fingerprint at the signature, creating the illusion that it was hastily written in a moment of crisis.

After Xu Qingshan checked and confirmed that everything was correct, he put the letter back into the bamboo tube and sealed it.

"Give this bamboo tube to the spies who left the fortress, let him go, and don't alert him." Xu Qingshan tossed the bamboo tube to Hou San, who was waiting outside the door. "As for the messenger, find a secluded corner to dispose of him. Just say that he accidentally fell into an ice hole while emptying swill outside the fortress."

"Understood, you're very efficient." Hou San took the bamboo tube, accepted the order, and left.

The crisis was resolved silently.

Xu Qingshan walked outside the hall and looked up at the leaden-gray sky.

With power firmly in hand in the inner fortress, the troubles in Yunzhou City can be temporarily postponed.

In the days to come, we'll see how sharp Bai Zhi's forge and Xiao Hongluan's training ground can hone the fangs of Black Stone Fortress.