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

Chapter 80 Someone's knocking on the door? It's me knocking.

The fire on the hilltop gradually died down, and the valley was plunged back into darkness.

Xu Qingshan looked at the bandit who was being held down on the ground.

"What's your name?"

The bandit tilted his head, his jaw clenched tightly.

Aman took a narrow piece of wood out of his leather bag.

One side of the wooden piece is engraved with wind patterns of Black Wind Village, while the other side bears several fresh knife marks.

"Three short and one long."

She handed the wooden piece to Xu Qingshan.

"This is proof of the confirmation signal."

Zhou Laoqi looked towards the direction of Duanhebao.

"It will take more than an hour to get there from here."

"The Black Wind Stronghold people should be waiting near the valley. Once the signal is activated, they will set off soon."

Xu Qingshan asked, "Where nearby could eight grain carts be hidden?"

Su Jinniang unfolded her portable map.

"There is an abandoned brick kiln on the west side of the valley."

"In the past, when caravans encountered heavy rain, they would drive their carts into the area to take shelter from the flood. Judging from the direction the grain carts left, Black Wind Village likely hid the goods there first."

Xu Qingshan looked at the two cavalrymen carrying Li Mao.

"Send him back to Iron Gate Fort, and then tell Guo Shan to send ten Zhenbei cavalrymen over."

"Let Hou San lead the team as well."

Zhou Laoqi frowned.

"His injury..."

"Tell him that we're only going to rob the gatehouse tonight."

"If he dares to jump over the wall, when we get back, I'll have Qin Yuenu sew his legs back on too."

A cavalryman, suppressing a laugh, mounted his horse.

"I will relay your words verbatim."

Xu Qingshan then looked at another person.

"Go find Xiao Qi."

"Is Xiao Qi at Iron Gate Fortress?"

"Bai Zhi delivered a batch of short crossbows and crossbow bolts this afternoon, escorted by Xiao Qi."

Xu Qingshan said, "Let him lead the crossbowmen to the other side of Duanhe Fort. He doesn't need to come and meet us."

"Upon seeing the torches light up at the side gate, they sealed off the city walls."

The two riders quickly left the forest.

Upon hearing these arrangements, the captured bandits finally turned around.

"You intend to impersonate Black Wind Stronghold members and infiltrate the fortress?"

Xu Qingshan asked, "Are you finally willing to speak?"

The bandit sneered.

"Deputy Chief Ma knows the people leading the team in the village. Once you arrive at the gate, they will see right through you."

"Who's leading the team?"

Why should I tell you?

Xu Qingshan picked up the black wooden plaque.

"Because you're still alive now, but once I find the grain cart, there will naturally be people there who know the way and the code, and then you'll be useless."

The bandit's sneer froze.

Aman squatted down in front of him.

"After Black Wind Stronghold takes Broken River Fortress, how many people will be left alive?"

"You should know better than us what Ma Rong promised."

The bandit's eyes gleamed.

Su Jinniang said, "Your chieftain wants soldiers and women, while Ma Rong wants the granary and the garrison position in the fortress."

"After the matter was accomplished, the first people he killed were mostly the bandits who knew the inside story."

"fart!"

The bandit struggled for a moment.

"Deputy Chief Ma has agreed to share the river valley trade route with Black Wind Stronghold!"

As soon as he said it, he realized he had let something slip.

Old Zhou chuckled.

"Go on."

The bandits shut their mouths.

Xu Qingshan got up and walked towards his warhorse.

"Take him with you."

"He can keep quiet all the way, but when we get to the brick kiln, tie him up at the front first. If the Black Wind Stronghold's arrows mistake him for someone else, it'll be a case of them cleaning up their own house."

The bandit's expression changed.

"I said! Tonight's leader is the third leader of Black Wind Stronghold, nicknamed One-Eyed Wolf."

"When you reach the side gate, the guards on the city wall will ask, 'Which way does the river flow?'"

The answer is, "After passing Black Wind Pass, only head south."

"Ma Rong would also ask how many grain carts there were."

"Eight vehicles, not one less."

Xu Qingshan asked, "What are the characteristics of the Third Leader?"

"His left eye is blind, and he wears a black leather eye patch on his face."

"How's your figure?"

"About the same height as you, but stronger."

Zhou Laoqi glanced at Xu Qingshan.

"It's not going to be easy to pretend now."

Xu Qingshan said, "Who said that? Once we catch the person, it'll be easier to pretend."

…………

The abandoned brick kiln is hidden below a low slope on the west side of the valley.

After night had completely fallen, two bonfires were lit outside the cave dwelling.

Eight grain carts were parked behind the slope, and the sacks on the carts had been re-tied up.

More than thirty bandits were scattered around, weapons at hand, waiting to head to Duanhe Fort at midnight.

The one-eyed wolf sat by the fire, holding a piece of roasted meat in his hand.

Jiang He and several of the Iron Gate Fort's personal guards were also there.

"The mountaintop has already sent the signal."

Jiang He frequently looked towards the valley.

"If we don't leave now, Deputy Fort Commander Ma will be getting impatient."

The one-eyed wolf took a bite of meat.

"What's the rush?"

"The gates to Broken River Fortress are in his hands; what difference does it make whether it's a moment earlier or a moment later?"

"The chieftain instructed us that we must arrive before midnight."

"Once Ma Rong opens the gate, we'll first take control of the city wall, then kill all the disobedient soldiers."

Jiang He asked, "What about the military households in the fort?"

The one-eyed wolf laughed.

"The men stay behind to do the work."

"We'll discuss how to divide the women and the grain when the chieftain arrives."

"Don't worry, you'll get your share."

As the two were talking, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the slope.

One of the bandits grabbed a long knife.

"Who?"

A reply quickly echoed from the woods.

"If you see fire on the mountain, come back and report it."

The captured bandit rode at the very front, flanked by a Zhenbei cavalryman on each side.

The darkness concealed the armor of the people behind them, while the Black Wind Stronghold sign hung beside the saddle.

The one-eyed wolf stood up.

"What did they say from Broken River Fortress?"

The bandit swallowed hard.

"Ma Rong urged the third leader to set off quickly."

"The new garrison commander at the North Wall has captured Iron Gate Fortress and may arrive at any time."

The one-eyed wolf's expression changed slightly.

"Xu Qingshan?"

"Yes."

How many men did he bring?

The bandit looked to his side.

Xu Qingshan was wearing a black leather coat that he had taken from the corpse, and his face was hidden under the hood.

"More than twenty riders."

The one-eyed wolf picked up a long knife.

"Then what are we waiting for?"

"Hitch up the carriage, let's go!"

The bandits all stood up.

Just as he took the bow and arrow and the longsword into his hands, a short bird call suddenly came from the hillside.

The one-eyed wolf raised its head.

"What's that noise?"

Xu Qingshan pulled down his hood.

"The sound of sending you on your way."

More than ten short crossbows were raised at the same time, and the bolts shot out into the firelight.

The bandits near the weapon rack fell one after another. One-Eyed Wolf raised his arm to shield his face, and a crossbow bolt pierced his shoulder.

Zhou Laoqi led the Zhenbei cavalry out from behind the low slope, their hooves trampling over the campfire and forcing those who wanted to escape to the grain carts back into the cave.

Jiang He turned and ran.

But after only a few steps, Ah Man's lasso had already wrapped around his neck.

As the rope tightened, Jiang He fell backward, his head hitting a rock, and he immediately lost consciousness.

One-Eyed Wolf pulled out a crossbow bolt from his shoulder, drew his knife, and charged at Xu Qingshan.

"I'll kill you!"

Xu Qingshan dodged the blade and grabbed his wrist with his other hand.

One-Eyed Wolf felt as if his arm was locked in an iron clamp, and then his knee was kicked, causing him to kneel heavily into the mud.

A blade was pressed against his neck.

Xu Qingshan said, "Take off the blindfold."

Old Zhou pulled off the black leather eye patch.

Below is an eye that has long since shrunk.

Xu Qingshan put the blindfold on his face and then draped the One-Eyed Wolf's robe over his shoulders.

Zhou Laoqi glanced at him a few times.

"His physique is still lacking."

Su Jinniang stuffed a piece of linen into the shoulder of her outer robe.

"Don't worry, you can't see clearly through the doorway at night."

Xu Qingshan looked at the bandit kneeling on the ground.

"Those who want to live, lay down your weapons."

"Once the matter at Broken River Fortress is resolved, we'll investigate the murders on your records."

After a brief hesitation, the weapons landed one after another.

Those who tried to resist were quickly subdued by the Zhenbei cavalry.

The eight grain carts were remounted.

The cart was covered with thick straw curtains, but underneath the straw curtains were Zhenbei cavalrymen holding short crossbows.

One-Eyed Wolf and Jiang He and the others were gagged and tied to the bottom of the last car.

When Hou San arrived at the brick kiln, everyone was already ready to set off.

He had a burlap sack wrapped around his waist, and ten Zhenbei cavalrymen followed behind him.

Hou San was stunned for a moment when he saw the blindfold on Xu Qingshan's face.

"Centurion, how did you go blind so suddenly?"

"Stop talking nonsense."

Xu Qingshan pointed to the map of Duanhebao.

"Duanhe Fort was built on the east bank of the river valley, with its main gate facing the official road and a small gate on the west side close to the river beach."

"Ma Rong will let the bandits in through the side gate tonight."

Hou San asked, "What am I supposed to do?"

"After the convoy enters, you and five people will take control of the gatehouse."

"Just grab the door, don't chase after people."

Hou San patted his side.

"In my current state, I can't run fast even if I wanted to."

Zhou Laoqi said, "You rode faster than anyone else the whole way just now."

"That's because they were worried that if they arrived too late, the centurion would have already chopped off all the heads."

Xu Qingshan continued to assign tasks.

"Uncle Zhou led ten riders upstream."

"There is a shallow beach on the north side of Duanhebao. If Ma Rongruo escapes through the back gate, that is the only way."

"Aman is with Uncle Zhou."

"Xiao Qi has reached the other side of the river and will lead crossbowmen to keep an eye on the city wall."

"Upon hearing three short whistles, immediately shoot the archers and messengers on the gate tower."

Su Jinniang asked, "And me?"

"Take the wounded and prisoners back to Iron Gate Fortress."

"After dawn, deliver all the evidence of Sun Kui's collusion with Black Wind Stronghold to Tang Su."

Su Jinniang nodded.

"I will bring grain over after the matter at Duanhebao is resolved."

Xu Qingshan turned over and sat on the first grain cart.

"Set off."

…………

At midnight, a thin mist rose in the valley.

Eight grain carts slowly moved along the riverbank.

The wheels rolled over the gravel, the squeaking sound carrying far across the water.

Broken River Fortress gradually appeared behind the fog.

The fort walls were built close to the riverbank, and there were no lights on the city gates, except for a lantern covered with cloth hanging next to the small gate on the west side.

Ah Man is right.

There was only one narrow road between the riverbank and the city wall.

Once the side gate is closed, the entire convoy will be stuck by the water.

Hou San lay prone under the straw curtain of the second grain cart.

"Centurion, this place is indeed suitable for burying people."

Xu Qingshan, wearing an eye patch, sat on the carriage shaft.

"If you say less when the fight breaks out, you'll take fewer arrows."

I talk a lot when I'm nervous.

"Then just hold it in."

The convoy approached the side gate.

A small light appeared on the city wall.

Several bows emerged from behind the battlements, their arrows all pointed at the grain carts.

A voice came from inside the door.

"Where does the river flow?"

Xu Qingshan pulled on the reins.

"After passing Black Wind Pass, head only south."

The city wall was quiet for a moment.

How many vehicles?

"Eight vehicles."

"I wouldn't have come if there wasn't one more."

Xu Qingshan imitated the one-eyed wolf's rough and hoarse tone.

Laughter came from behind the door.

"That's the third leader's temper, isn't it?"

The heavy door bolt was lifted.

The side door slowly opened.

Ma Rong stood behind the doorway, wearing an old suit of armor, surrounded by more than ten trusted men armed with knives.

He looked at the blindfold on Xu Qingshan's face by the light.

"The third leader is taking too long to arrive."

"I encountered a few rats on the road."

Xu Qingshan urged the horses pulling the cart to start.

"I tidied it up while I was at it."

Ma Rongchao glanced behind him.

"Where is Jiang He?"

"I was drunk on the last bus and couldn't get up."

Ma Rong cursed.

"That piece of trash."

The first grain cart entered the gate.

Then came the second and the third.

Ma Rong's confidants walked to both sides, their eyes fixed on the grain sacks, and none of them noticed the crossbows peeking out from under the straw curtain.

When the fifth vehicle entered the fortress, Hou San saw the wooden stairs leading to the gate tower through the gaps in the straw curtain.

He tapped the car floor three times with his fingers.

The last car also passed through the side gate.

Ma Rong smiled.

"Send the grain to the granary first."

"Once the garrison changes on the city wall, I will take you to the military quarters."

Xu Qingshan jumped off the cart shaft and removed his blindfold.

The lamplight illuminated his face.

Ma Rong's smile froze instantly.

Xu Qingshan glanced at the open side door.

"The door opened well, but it's a pity it's time for a new owner."

The straw curtains on all eight grain carts were lifted at the same time.