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

"Lord Garrison Commander."

The door opened.

Hou San stood behind the small door on the west side, his short knife still dripping blood.

Zhou Laoqi had already led the Zhenbei cavalry towards the city gate.

As hooves thundered across the narrow street, the soldiers of Iron Gate Fortress scrambled to the sides. Several of Sun Kui's personal guards tried to close the small gate, but were forced back by Hou San's cavalrymen with short crossbows as soon as they approached the hinges.

Xu Qingshan mounted his horse.

"Leave five people to protect the wounded and the refugees."

"The rest of you, follow me into the fort."

A cheer suddenly erupted from the thatched hut outside the city.

More than ten adult men carrying wooden sticks and farm tools followed behind the riders from the north of the town, intending to go into the city together.

Xu Qingshan turned around and shouted, "Stay outside!"

The broad-shouldered man at the head of the group stopped in his tracks.

"Sir, we can fight too."

"There are also bows and arrows and longswords in the city."

Xu Qingshan pointed to the two porridge pots.

"Safeguard the food supply and take care of the elderly and children."

"Once Iron Gate Fortress is stabilized, not a single person who is willing to join the army will be left out."

The man gripped the wooden stick in his hand, and finally nodded.

"As you command, sir."

The cavalry from the north rushed into the fort along the west side street.

Ordinary soldiers had already gathered near the small gate, while the six personal guards left behind by Sun Kui were surrounded by spears.

The young soldier wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and immediately knelt down upon seeing Xu Qingshan.

"My name is Chen Liu, my lord."

"The one who was shot by Sun Kui just now was my sister-in-law."

"There are still forty-nine soldiers at Iron Gate Fort, but only a dozen or so are actually working for Sun Kui."

Xu Qingshan asked, "Where are the rest of the personal guards?"

"Sun Kui took it to the granary."

"Where is the granary located?"

"Southeast corner inside the fortress, near the collapsed wall."

Chen Liu stood up, supporting himself with his spear.

"He hid oil cans in the granary. Last year, when a caravan came to inspect the goods, he threatened them by burning the grain."

Xu Qingshan looked at the soldiers of the Iron Gate Fortress surrounding his personal guards.

"Those who participated in shooting refugees and looting caravans shall lay down their weapons and stand trial on the spot."

"The remaining soldiers guarded the four city walls and sealed off the fort gates."

"If Sun Kui tries to escape, whoever lets him go will be punished the same as him."

The soldiers gathered in the street exchanged glances.

An old soldier with gray hair and beard stepped forward.

"My name is Guo Shan, and I have been guarding Iron Gate Fort for fifteen years."

"Sun Kui's confidants are all in the granary, and the rest are willing to obey orders."

Xu Qingshan nodded.

"Guo Shan will temporarily lead the defense of the city."

"Uncle Zhou, leave five riders to assist him."

"The rest of you go to the granary."

Zhou Laoqi asked, "You brought Hou San with you?"

Xu Qingshan glanced at the blood seeping from Hou San's waist.

"He went to the medical staff."

Hou San quickly said, "I opened the door. Sun Kui hasn't been caught yet, how can I be left out?"

"You're walking crookedly."

"The drainage ditch was too narrow, and I scraped myself while climbing it."

How much did the wound reopen?

"Just a little bit."

Zhou Laoqi reached out and pressed down on the burlap at his waist.

Hou San's face immediately paled.

"Uncle Zhou, are you preparing to die prematurely for me?"

"He can still talk, he won't die."

Zhou Laoqi handed him over to two cavalrymen.

"Take him away to treat his wounds."

Hou San was looking back as he was being carried away.

"Centurion, spare Sun Kui's head!"

Xu Qingshan said, "If you keep talking nonsense, I won't even tell you where it's buried."

Hou San finally calmed down.

…………

Outside the Iron Gate Fort granary, more than a dozen torches have been lit.

The granary was built in a stone courtyard, with walls that were higher than those of ordinary houses, and two carts full of sacks were parked in front of the gate.

Sun Kui stood at the back of the cart, surrounded by thirteen personal guards.

Three oil tanks were placed at the entrance of the grain warehouse.

A pungent odor wafted out on the night breeze.

A soldier carrying a wooden bucket poured oil onto sacks and a wooden door.

When Sun Kui saw Xu Qingshan arrive with his men, the panic on his face quickly turned into a ruthless expression.

"Take one more step, and I'll burn down the granary!"

Zhenbei stopped his motorcycle outside the courtyard gate.

Xu Qingshan glanced around.

The granary was located near the collapsed city wall on the east side, beyond which lay a barren slope. Sun Kui had gathered all his confidants here, clearly preparing to set the fire and escape through the breach.

Xu Qingshan asked, "How much grain does Iron Gate Fort have?"

Sun Kui laughed and said, "Want to know?"

"Kneel down and beg me."

"Perhaps if I'm in a good mood, I might leave a few bags for those hungry ghosts outside the city."

Guo Shan arrived with the soldiers of Iron Gate Fortress, and his face darkened upon hearing this.

"Fortress Commander, what happened to the grain sent from Yunzhou last year?"

"The brothers only have a bowl of thin porridge each day, yet you say the granary is empty."

Sun Kui turned and cursed, "You old bastard, you dare betray me?"

Guo Shan gripped his spear tightly.

"I'm guarding the Iron Gate Fortress, but you're burning the food that sustains our brothers."

Sun Kui's gaze swept across the faces of the ordinary soldiers.

"Don't forget, I've been guarding this place for eight years."

"If Xu Qingshan can get in today, the Yunzhou army can take him away tomorrow."

"Kill him for me now, and when General Chen returns, you'll still have official positions and food to eat!"

The streets were quiet.

Chen Liu stood at the front of the line and spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto the ground.

"You almost shot my sister-in-law to death. You can leave the position of officer to your personal guards."

More spears were raised, all pointing towards the granary.

Sun Kui's facial muscles twitched a few times.

"it is good."

"Since you all want to die with Xu Qingshan, I'll grant your wish!"

He snatched the torch from the guard and reached for the grease-soaked sack.

call out!

An arrow shot out from Xu Qingshan's side.

The torch was knocked away by the arrow and landed in the open space outside the granary.

Zhou Laoqi put down his short crossbow.

"As he gets older, his eyesight is indeed not as good as Hou San's."

"Shooting a torch is alright."

Sun Kui roared, "Light the fire!"

Two guards turned and grabbed the oil tank.

The Zhenbei cavalry fired their crossbow bolts simultaneously.

One man was struck in the shoulder by an arrow and crashed into a wooden door; another man's hand was grazed by the arrow, and the oil jug slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground, the black grease flowing out along the cracks in the stone.

Ordinary soldiers then approached from both sides.

"Put down your weapons!"

"Leave the granary!"

Sun Kui's personal guards leaned against the cart, but the swords in their hands became increasingly unsteady.

Xu Qingshan drew his long sword.

"Sun Kui refused the order from the Fourth Fortress and whipped the messenger."

"Detaining caravan goods and illegally accepting goods passing through."

"They withheld military rations and allowed their personal guards to oppress military households."

"Today they shot and wounded a woman outside the city, and attempted to burn down the granary."

Each time a statement was made, the soldiers of the Iron Gate Fortress surrounding the courtyard would take a step forward.

Two of Sun Kui's personal guards quietly lowered their knives beside him.

Xu Qingshan continued, "Whether you colluded with Black Wind Stronghold will be investigated further after the granary is opened."

"The crimes you've committed are enough to take your head."

Sun Kui stared at him.

"You think you can really kill me just because you have a garrison seal?"

"I am the fortress chief appointed by the imperial court!"

Xu Qingshan said, "I am also the garrison commander of the four forts appointed by the imperial court."

"His official rank is higher than yours."

Zhou Laoqi added a sentence.

"It seems the knife is a bit faster than yours."

Sun Kui's face quickly darkened.

He tore off the bearskin cloak, revealing the chainmail underneath, and gripped the long sword at his waist with both hands.

"I've heard about what happened at Luoyan Valley."

"Ashina fought all day and was exhausted, which is why you got the advantage."

"Does he really think he can walk around the north wall with impunity just because he killed a barbarian chieftain?"

Xu Qingshan flexed his wrists.

I usually walk upright.

"They buried all the ones that were lying horizontally."

A few laughs came from the surrounding area.

Sun Kui's forehead veins throbbed, and with a push of his feet, he leaped out from behind the cart.

The blade whistled as it slashed toward Xu Qingshan's shoulder.

This strike was extremely powerful.

If it were an ordinary soldier, he would be cleaved down along with his sword.

Xu Qingshan took half a step to the side, raising his long sword close to the opponent's blade.

clang!

The two knives collided.

Sun Kui's arm suddenly felt heavy, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

"Your strength..."

Xu Qingshan flipped his wrist, and the blade slid down the opponent's longsword to the back of his hand.

Sun Kui hurriedly drew his sword and retreated.

The tip of the knife still drew a trail of sparks across his chainmail.

The surrounding guards wanted to come forward to help, but the soldiers of Iron Gate Fortress immediately pointed their spears at them.

Guo Shan shouted, "This is a matter between the garrison commander and Sun Kui."

"Anyone who dares to interfere, take them down!"

A space in the courtyard was quickly cleared out.

Sun Kui took several steps back and firmly gripped his longsword again.

"When I was killing those barbarians at the North Wall, you were probably still playing in the mud somewhere!"

The longsword swept across again.

Sun Kui was burly and his swordsmanship was characterized by its sweeping and powerful strokes, with each strike aimed at the chest, abdomen, head, and neck.

Xu Qingshan charged forward, facing the flashing blades.

The first cut was parried.

The second cut grazed the nail plate.

The third slash was only halfway up when Xu Qingshan crashed into Sun Kui's arms, his shoulder pressing against his chest.

With a dull thud, Sun Kui staggered back several steps, his back slamming onto the cart.

The pile of sacks rolled to both sides.

Xu Qingshan's blade then fell.

Sun Kui raised his knife to block, but his legs got stuck among the scattered grain sacks, and he could no longer get any foothold.

Xu Qingshan raised his knee and struck him in the abdomen.

Sun Kui bent over, spitting out a mouthful of bloody foam.

"Didn't you want me to kneel?"

Xu Qingshan severed the long sword in his hand with a single stroke.

"Now it's your turn."

The broken blade flew several steps.

Sun Kui tried to steady himself by holding onto the cart, but Xu Qingshan had already grabbed his shoulder armor and pulled him out of the sack.

Knees hit the ground.

Sun Kui knelt in front of the granary, his fierce expression finally turning into terror.

"Xu Qingshan!"

"I am General Chen's man!"

"If you kill me, General Chen will not let you get away with it!"

Xu Qingshan glanced at the granary, then looked towards the outskirts of the city.

The wounded woman was still waiting for medical staff to remove the arrow.

More than two hundred refugees are also waiting for a meal.

The soldiers of Iron Gate Fortress, guarding granaries full of grain, were so hungry they could barely hold their spears.

Xu Qingshan raised his long sword.

"This strike clears the way for the border troops."

The blade flashed.

Sun Kui's head rolled over the stone slab and crashed into an oil tank.

The surroundings became completely quiet.

The remaining guards threw down their weapons.

Guo Shan looked at the headless corpse kneeling in front of the granary and slowly exhaled.

"Open the position."

The wooden door to the granary was quickly pushed open.

A rich aroma of grain wafted out.

Rows of burlap sacks were piled up almost to the roof beams, and near the inner wall were salt bricks, furs, cloth and dozens of sealed wooden boxes.

The soldiers of Iron Gate Fortress looked at the full warehouse of supplies, and their expressions gradually changed.

Chen Liu grabbed a handful of wheat grains.

"So much grain..."

"Sun Kui kept saying that it was only enough for his personal guards to eat for half a month."

Zhou Laoqi went into the granary and inspected it.

"It should be enough to feed the soldiers and civilians inside the fort for at least a few months."

Xu Qingshan said, "The granary will be sealed off."

"Tonight, distribute food according to the number of people, treating soldiers and refugees equally."

"All supplies were re-registered, and Sun Kui's personal guards interrogated them separately."

Guo Shan clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Your subordinate obeys."

Xu Qingshan looked at him.

"You will be in charge of Iron Gate Fortress for the time being."

"Tomorrow, take stock of the soldiers in the city. Those who are willing to continue guarding the border can stay, while those who participated in looting and oppressing the military households will be handed over to Zhou Laoqi for verification."

"Ten veterans will remain at Blackrock Fortress to assist you in training and fortifying the city."

Guo Shan paused for a moment.

"Does the garrison commander trust me?"

"The soldiers of Iron Gate Fortress trust you."

Xu Qingshan said, "First, guard this fortress well, and don't let me misjudge the person."

Guo Shan straightened his back.

"Even if I die on the city wall, I will never let Iron Gate Fort become Sun Kui's private residence again."

As night deepened, the refugees outside the city finally lined up to enter the fortress.

Two porridge pots were also moved outside the granary, and for the first time, they were filled with wheat grains.

The injured woman survived after the arrow was removed. Chen Liu held his nephew and stayed by her side until he heard his sister-in-law wake up. Then he squatted down by the wall and cried.

When Su Jinniang arrived at Tiemenbao, it was nearly noon the next day.

She walked around the granary and soon stopped in front of a few wooden crates.

A mark resembling a wolf's fang was branded on the corner of the box.

"These are goods from the Zhao family's merchant caravan in Bailangji."

She then opened the two rolls of cloth next to her.

"This batch of cloth belonged to the Wei family and went missing south of Tiemenbao six months ago."

Zhou Laoqi asked, "Was it really stolen by Black Wind Stronghold?"

"That's what the caravan always said."

Su Jinniang pointed to the knot on the wooden box.

"Sun Kui's men resealed the goods, but the knot on the outside was the slipknot that Black Wind Village usually used."

Xu Qingshan looked at the warehouse full of goods.

Sun Kui's embezzlement of goods was only the surface.

It is highly likely that Iron Gate Fort and Black Wind Village have been sharing this trade route.

Just as he was preparing to have his men continue searching Sun Kui's residence, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from outside the fortress.

A horse galloped along the official road on the south side to the city gate.

The soldier on horseback was covered in blood, his left arm hanging limply at his sides, and his chest armor had several cracks.

The gatekeepers helped him off his horse.

Upon seeing Guo Shan, the man grabbed his arm.

"Grain carts..."

"The grain wagons destined for Duanhebao have gone missing."

He took a few breaths, the fear still lingering in his eyes.

"The person leading the team has also disappeared."