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

"Yunzhou Vanguard Battalion".

After Su Jinniang uttered those five words, the area outside the council hall fell silent for a moment.

Zhao Wu's gaze swept across her face.

"The vanguard battalion purchases warhorses from various places every year, and there are at least a dozen merchants in charge of this matter."

"What does Ma Qingfu's collusion with the barbarians have to do with this captain?"

Su Jinniang said, "Every time he collects horses from Bailangji, he sends them to the horse farm on the west side of the Vanguard Camp. The person who receives the horses is surnamed Cao, and he wears the Vanguard Camp supply badge on his waist."

Zhao Wu sneered.

"How could a woman from a merchant caravan read a military badge so clearly, even from across the military camp?"

"Cao Junxu likes to drink and also likes to boast in front of the women of Bailangji."

Su Jinniang looked at him.

"Commander Zhao, you can bring the person here, and I will identify him in person."

Zhao Wu's expression changed slightly.

Tang Su placed the request for help on the table.

Who is Cao Junxu?

"A minor official in charge of horse feed for the vanguard battalion."

"Where is he?"

"I did not accompany the army this time."

Where is Ma Qingfu?

"This humble general is unaware."

Tang Su stared at Zhao Wu for a moment.

"Order the vanguard battalion outside the city to seal all documents related to Ma Qingfu, and forbid any person in charge of the procurement, inspection and distribution of warhorses from leaving the camp."

Zhao Wu said, "Sir, the vanguard battalion has many military affairs. If we seal the documents based on a merchant's confession, it may affect the operation of the army."

"Sixteen soldiers died at Qingya Fort, and the rest nearly starved to death. Yet three hundred barbarians managed to bypass other border forts and rush directly to the breach in the city wall."

Tang Su's voice gradually turned cold.

"So you're worried about whether a few documents will disrupt the operation of the military camp?"

Zhao Wu lowered his head.

"This humble general is merely reminding you, sir, to be cautious."

"I am being very cautious."

Tang Su looked at his personal guards.

"You will personally lead the men there. After the documents are sealed, no one in the Vanguard Battalion may inspect them without authorization, let alone burn them."

"Yes."

The guards received their orders and left.

Zhao Wu stood still, his grip on the hilt of the knife gradually tightening.

The supplies at Black Stone Fortress were intercepted, and Chen Huaishan's warrant was discovered.

Wang Zongqi was assassinated, and the assassin was carrying the Vanguard Battalion's waist token.

Now even the merchants who leaked information about the border fortress to the Vulture Tribe have become involved with the Vanguard Battalion.

If the investigation continues, the three hundred people Tang Su brought will likely be thoroughly investigated.

"grown ups."

Zhao Wu suddenly spoke.

"There is something I do not understand."

Tang Su looked at him.

"explain."

"Xu Qingshan murdered his superior and seized his official seal without authorization, and even formed the Zhenbei Cavalry without permission. Now, based on a few battle achievements, can all his crimes be temporarily set aside?"

"When did I ever say that it was being shelved?"

"Then why not continue the trial?"

Tang Su said, "The military register, request for aid, and prisoner confessions that Qingya Fort just sent over must all be verified. The matter concerning Commander Chen and Chen Huaishan must also be investigated further."

"Xu Qingshan has remained in Black Stone Fortress. The timing of his trial is up to this envoy."

Zhao Wu raised his head.

"This humble general is worried that you, sir, will be blinded by superficial military achievements."

Hou San stood by the door and couldn't help but chuckle.

Zhao Wu turned around and shouted, "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm wondering, when Commander Zhao mentioned 'superficial battle achievements,' does he mean the more than a thousand corpses in Luoyan Valley, or the three hundred cavalrymen who escaped outside Qingya Fortress?"

"presumptuous!"

That's enough.

Tang Su interrupted the two.

Zhao Wu took a deep breath and looked at Tang Su again.

"You've seen the battlefield with your own eyes, but you've never seen how Blackstone Fortress trains its troops."

"Xu Qingshan's victory may have relied on ballistae, pitfalls, and terrain. He also used a feint in the battle of Qingya Fort."

"These methods are indeed effective, but the defenders of the North Wall will ultimately have to confront the barbarians head-on."

Xu Qingshan asked, "What does Commandant Zhao want to say?"

"Testing the soldiers."

Zhao Wu took a step forward.

"The Yunzhou Vanguard Battalion and the Black Stone Fortress each dispatched troops to engage in a military formation confrontation."

"Neither side uses real swords, but wooden spears wrapped in cloth with the arrowheads blunted. Anyone hit in a vital area, falls off their horse, or loses their weapon is removed from the exercise. The winner is the one who captures the opponent's main flag."

Hou San touched the wound on his side that had just been bandaged.

"Is Commandant Zhao unable to resolve the case and is trying to save face elsewhere?"

Zhao Wu ignored him.

"Hasn't Blackrock Fortress always claimed to be able to win with fewer troops?"

"The three hundred men I brought are all regular troops from Yunzhou. If you can't even defeat them, what makes you think you can take over the defense of the north wall?"

Tang Su frowned.

"Zhao Wu, your military command remains suspended."

"This humble general will not personally command."

Zhao Wu said, "Zhou Tong, the deputy commander of the vanguard battalion, can lead the troops to be tested. I will only watch from the sidelines."

"Besides, this is the fastest way for the master to confirm Xu Qingshan's ability to train troops."

Tang Su turned to look at Xu Qingshan.

What do you think?

"It can be verified."

Xu Qingshan answered very decisively.

A slight smile appeared on Zhao Wu's lips.

"Three hundred against a hundred, Centurion Xu is indeed courageous."

"When did I agree to let you send three hundred men?"

Zhao Wu's smile froze instantly.

Xu Qingshan continued, "The vanguard battalion has brought a total of three hundred men. If you bring them all into the drill ground, who will guard the camps outside the city? Who will examine Lord Tang's evidence?"

"Besides, this is just a test of the troops; there's no need to cram everyone in."

Tang Su nodded.

"The vanguard battalion will send out 150 men."

Zhao Wu frowned.

"My lord, Blackrock Fortress now has at least a hundred warriors capable of fighting."

Xiao Hongluan walked in from outside the council hall, holding a newly compiled military register in her hand.

"Blackstone Fortress originally had 123 soldiers."

"Eight people died in the battle of Luoyan Valley, seven were seriously injured, and fifteen of the lightly injured are temporarily unable to participate in the battle."

"Fifteen Zhenbei cavalrymen were left behind at Qingya Fort. The cavalrymen who returned with Xu Qingshan today also need to rest."

Tang Su asked, "How many soldiers are currently eligible to participate in the military examination?"

One hundred and eight people.

General Xiao Hongluan placed the book on the table.

"Among them, there were seventy-eight infantrymen and thirty cavalrymen from the north."

Zhao Wu said, "The difference between 108 men and 150 men from the vanguard battalion is not significant."

"You just wanted to use three hundred people."

Hou San said, "Now that half is gone, is Commandant Zhao a little panicked?"

"I simply want the testing to be closer to the real battlefield."

Xu Qingshan looked at him.

"On the actual battlefield, when did the barbarians ever ask us how many people we had?"

Zhao Wu sneered.

"So, you're saying you accept 150 to 108?"

"I will only send eighty people."

The eyes of everyone in the hall fell on Xu Qingshan at the same time.

Tang Su asked, "Eighty?"

"Fifty infantrymen and thirty cavalrymen."

Xu Qingshan said, "The rest of the men will guard the city, watch over the prisoners, and protect the wounded. Black Stone Fortress won't abandon its real defenses just to test its troops."

Zhao Wu almost thought he had misheard.

"Eighty people versus one hundred and fifty people?"

"Not enough?"

"I'm afraid that if you lose, you'll use the disparity in troop strength as an excuse again."

Xu Qingshan smiled.

"The battles fought at Blackrock Fortress have never been fair."

"I wasn't prepared to lose either."

Tang Su pondered for a moment.

"Drills can be conducted, but the rules must be clearly defined."

"Both sides used wooden weapons, with arrowheads wrapped in cloth and dipped in white lime. Anyone with white lime on their chest or neck was immediately removed."

"If a cavalryman falls off his horse, he must also withdraw and is not allowed to continue fighting on foot."

"Attacks on those who have already left are strictly prohibited, and it is even more forbidden to use this opportunity to settle personal scores."

"Anyone who dares to hoard ironware will be dealt with according to military law."

Zhao Wu said, "This subordinate agrees."

Xu Qingshan nodded as well.

Tang Su continued, "The exercise will take place at the old training ground south of Black Stone Fortress, with each side guarding one main flag."

"Form ranks in one hour."

"So urgent?"

Zhao Wu looked at Xu Qingshan.

"Commander Xu just returned from Qingya Fortress, doesn't he need a day of rest?"

"If you're tired, you can reschedule for tomorrow."

"I've remained at Blackrock Fortress the entire time; how could I be tired?"

"Then in one hour."

Xu Qingshan turned and walked out of the council hall.

Xiao Hongluan, Hou San, and Xiao Qi followed immediately.

Zhao Wu watched their retreating figures and said in a low voice, "Sir, Blackstone Fortress has offered eighty men on their own initiative. If they lose too badly, don't blame the vanguard battalion for outnumbering them."

Tang Su looked down and flipped through the military register of Qingya Fort.

"Think about Ma Qingfu's matter first."

Zhao Wu's face darkened.

"I will cooperate with the investigation."

"That would be best."

…………

The old drill ground is located south of Black Stone Fortress.

In the early years, hundreds of border troops were stationed here, but the number of troops decreased year by year, and the training ground gradually fell into disrepair.

The ground was covered with withered grass that was half a person tall, the wooden wall on the east side had collapsed most of its length, and a few abandoned archery targets remained on the west side.

When Tie Niu and his men were clearing the site, they found a lot of rotten wood in the grass.

"Move all these things out?"

Xiao Hongluan glanced at the ground.

"Need not."

"Pick out the thicker logs and saw them into two-foot lengths."

Tie Niu asked, "What are we going to do with it?"

You'll find out soon enough.

On the other side, Xiao Qi led ten crossbowmen to inspect the blunt arrows.

Each arrow was wrapped in three layers of linen and then dipped in white lime.

Hou San stood outside the stable and pointed out thirty Zhenbei cavalrymen.

The fifteen cavalrymen had just returned from Qingya Fort, and their waists and legs were exhausted.

Xu Qingshan glanced around.

"Those who went into battle last night remained in the city."

Hou San hurriedly said, "Centurion, I can still mount my horse."

"Your back injury just got stitches."

"Riding a horse uses your legs, not your waist."

Qin Yuenu came from behind.

"Then I'll remove your waistband, and you'll just go on the field with your legs?"

Hou San immediately shut his mouth.

Xu Qingshan pointed out that Zhou Laoqi should temporarily take over the command of the cavalry.

"Hou San stayed off the field."

"I can come up with ideas."

"Keeping your mouth shut is the biggest help you can give."

Hou San looked at Qin Yuenu.

"When did you two agree on this?"

Qin Yuenu said, "Now."

Fifty infantrymen quickly assembled on the north side of the drill ground.

Long shields were placed in front, wooden spears behind, and ten crossbowmen were positioned on both sides.

Although they were few in number, their ranks remained perfectly orderly.

On the south side of the drill ground, 150 infantrymen from the vanguard battalion had also entered the field.

Three rows of wooden shields were erected at the very front.

Spears peeked out from the gaps in the shields, and there were at least thirty archers behind them.

A Yunzhou vanguard flag was planted behind the formation and guarded by twenty personal guards.

Zhao Wu stood outside the arena, a smile returning to his face.

"Zhou Tong has served in the vanguard battalion for many years and is most skilled in frontal military formations."

"You only have fifty infantrymen, how can you possibly hold off three ranks of shields?"

Xu Qingshan did not answer.

Tang Su walked between the two armies and read out the rules again.

Then, he looked at the two team leaders.

"Any more questions?"

Zhou Tong, deputy commander of the vanguard battalion, clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"This humble general has no problem."

Tang Su turned to Xu Qingshan.

Xu Qingshan, however, looked at Xiao Hongluan.

"The infantry is yours."

Xiao Hongluan asked, "How long do we need to stay?"

"There's no need to guard it."

Xu Qingshan pointed to the main flag behind the vanguard battalion.

"Within ten breaths, pull down their flag."