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

Shen Qinghe handed the grain register to Xu Qingshan.

The numbers on the paper are very clear.

Sixty-three shi and four dou.

More than 300 military households and 46 soldiers, plus wounded soldiers, captured cavalrymen and bandits, were being consumed every day.

Xu Qingshan closed the grain register.

Sixteen days should be enough.

Shen Qinghe glanced at him.

"Who are you planning to rob within the next sixteen days?"

"That's too harsh a way of putting it; it's called spoils seized during bandit suppression."

"What if Black Wind Stronghold escapes?"

"The eight cartloads of grain are still here; they can't bear to run away."

Shen Qinghe followed his gaze to the valley.

Qi Biao escaped back wounded, and Black Wind Stronghold would soon learn that Broken River Fort had fallen into the hands of the Northern Army.

If they want to keep the shallows, the supply lines, and the loot they've accumulated over the years, they have no choice but to continue.

Xu Qingshan wasn't afraid of them coming.

The more troublesome thing for Duanhebao right now is that if a large group of bandits really appears outside, the other three forts will not receive any news at all.

After capturing the side gate, Liang Shun had already sent people to inspect the beacon tower.

The result was just one sentence.

It won't light.

…………

The next morning, Bai Zhi stood at the highest point of Duanhe Fort, holding a handful of damp grass in her hand.

The beacon tower was built next to the corner tower on the north wall.

The stone platform is still relatively intact, but only half of the wooden frame on top remains. Several load-bearing crossbeams have been sawed off, and the cut edges have turned black.

The beacon pit was filled with damp hay, and at the bottom there were even two buckets of river mud.

Bai Zhi threw the wet grass back into the pit.

"Can this thing be set on fire?"

Liang Shun stood to the side, his face grim.

"Ma Rong said that the wind is strong in spring, and the dry grass piled on top is easy to catch fire, so he replaced it with wet grass."

Xiaoqi peeked out and took a look.

"If barbarians really come, we can stuff Ma Rong in."

"He's got a lot of oil on him, maybe he'll catch fire."

Hou San, who was in charge of escorting the equipment, walked up the city wall, supporting his back.

"That's a good idea."

"The person is in jail, so it's easy to access their resources."

Bai Zhi glanced at him.

"Qin Yuenu told you to lie down."

"I lay there all night."

"and then?"

"I'm tired of lying down."

"Then keep bothering me."

Bai Zhi points to the area below the city wall.

"Get out of here."

Hou San stopped in place.

"I'm just here to watch you repair the beacon towers, I'm not doing anything."

Xu Qingshan climbed up the wall ladder.

"Let him stay."

Hou San had just smiled when he heard the second half of the sentence.

"You'll be in charge of testing the smoke later. If you get dizzy from the smoke, we can carry you back to lie down."

"Centurion, my wound has just been stitched up."

"You don't need to smell the smoke from your wound."

Xiaoqi couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Bai Zhi ignored them and squatted down to examine the area around the stone platform.

The beacon tower and the iron gate fort are separated by two low hills.

On a clear day, one can see the ridge to the north from the corner tower of Duanhebao. As long as the smoke column is high enough, Tiemenbao can receive the signal.

The problem lies with the wooden frame and the fuel.

In two months, Ma Rong removed six crossbeams and converted the shed where hay was stored into a private warehouse.

Even if Duanhebao had been attacked by Heifengzhai last night, the defending troops could not send out a single alarm.

"Rebuild the scaffolding."

Bai Zhi took out a charcoal pencil and drew the position on the edge of the stone platform.

"Place dry firewood at the bottom, and put sheep dung, withered grass, and scraps of felt in the middle."

"To make the smoke travel far, cover it with another layer of damp grass."

Liang Shun was somewhat puzzled.

"Do you want more wet grass?"

"Using damp grass on top can reduce the density of the smoke."

Bai Zhi pointed to the river mud at the bottom of the pit.

"Burying them all down like this will only attract a swarm of mosquitoes."

Several soldiers from Duanhebao quickly carried over the timber.

The old furniture in Ma Rong's private warehouse was also dismantled, and the bed boards, box lids, and door frames were all sent to the city wall.

Hou San watched as a patterned bed board was sawed in two.

"Ma Rong slept for so many years, but in the end he still did his part for Duanhebao."

Liang Shun lifted the sawn wood onto the stone platform.

"He also has a table in his private vault."

"It was demolished too."

"Tear it down cleanly."

Hou San said, "That will save him the trouble of finding a place to eat when he goes out in the future."

The wooden frame was gradually erected.

The craftsmen brought by Bai Zhi re-secured the crossbeams, reinforcing the four corners with iron nails and leather ropes. The soldiers of Duanhebao emptied the beacon pits and carried away all the river mud and rotten grass.

Xiaoqi stood on the north side of the city wall, holding a small flag in her hand.

"People from Iron Gate Fortress have already been sent to the stage."

Last night, Xu Qingshan sent out fast riders to have Guo Shan repair the beacon tower at Tiemen Fort, and at the same time notified Qingya Fort and Heishi Fort to prepare to return to Yan.

Today, after the Broken River Fortress is repaired, the four fortresses will undergo their first full fire test.

Xu Qingshan asked, "What's the wind direction?"

Xiaoqi licked her fingers and raised them into the air.

"North-northeast."

"The smoke will head towards Iron Gate Fortress."

Bai Zhi brushed the sawdust off her hands.

"Then let's order."

Liang Shun picked up the torch and walked to the beacon pit.

He guarded Duanhebao for more than ten years.

The beacon towers were lit in the past, but in recent years, Yunzhou has reduced its border patrols, and the smoke from Tiemenbao and Qingyabao has become less and less frequent.

Sometimes, when the police smoke is raised at Duanhebao, no response is received even after waiting for half a day.

After Ma Rong came to power, the beacon tower became completely useless.

Liang Shun extended the torch into the dry firewood.

The flames spread rapidly along the branches of the wood.

After the dry grass and sheep dung burned, black smoke billowed upwards along the wooden frame.

Bai Zhi had people cover the area with scraps of felt and damp grass, and the originally scattered smoke quickly gathered into a thick plume that shot straight up into the sky above the city wall.

The soldiers and their families in the fortress came out of their houses one after another.

The child, holding a half-eaten wooden bowl, looked up at the plume of smoke.

Feng Baozhang was also carried up to the corner tower.

His body was still weak, and he was covered with a thick blanket, but his gaze remained fixed on the beacon tower.

"How many years has it been?"

Liang Shun walked to his side.

"What?"

"When was the last time someone lit a cigarette at Duanhebao and there was a response outside?"

Liang Shun thought for a moment.

"At least four years ago."

"That time, the barbarian cavalry marched south along the river valley, and Iron Gate Fortress sent back two plumes of smoke."

Feng Baochang looked north.

"Did they return to Qingyabao later?"

"Qingya Fort could still muster more than eighty people at that time."

Liang Shun said, "Feng Shouyi led his troops to block the mountain pass for half a day before driving away that group of barbarian cavalry."

As the two were talking, a column of smoke suddenly rose from the ridge to the north.

At first, there was only a thin strand.

Soon, more black smoke billowed from behind the mountain, gathering into a clear second signal.

Iron Gate Fortress responded.

A cheer erupted from the city wall.

Liang Shun gripped the wall, his Adam's apple bobbing a few times.

Xiaoqi raised the small flag in her hand.

"Iron Gate Fortress received!"

"Let's keep waiting for Qingya Fortress!"

The beacon fires at Duanhebao are still burning.

The north wind pushed the smoke over the mountains.

A moment later, a black shadow appeared on the summit of Qingya Mountain in the distance.

The plume of smoke was very far away, only half a finger thick when it reached the horizon, but it was still clearly visible.

Qingyabao also received the signal.

Feng Baozhang closed his eyes and slowly exhaled.

"Blackstone Fortress is still missing."

Blackstone Fortress cannot be seen directly from Broken River Fortress.

The fireworks had to be passed through Iron Gate Fortress first, then through Green Cliff Fortress, turning southwest, before finally reaching Black Stone Fortress.

The four border forts were separated by mountains and valleys. In the past, each fortress guarded its own territory, but when they encountered the enemy, they could only wait to die.

Now, as soon as a wisp of smoke rises, the other three fortresses will know at the same time.

After waiting for nearly fifteen minutes, a second plume of smoke rose from the direction of Qingyabao.

This means that Blackrock Fortress has responded, and Green Cliff Fortress has sent back the reply.

The Sibao Beacon Fire was successfully completed for the first time.

The soldiers living below the city wall couldn't understand the specific signals, but they could see the plumes of smoke rising one after another in the distance.

A woman holding a child asked, "Are there our people over there too?"

The old soldier next to him nodded.

"Iron Gate Fortress, Green Cliff Fortress, and Black Stone Fortress."

"They could all see what happened at Broken River Fortress."

The woman looked up and gazed for a long time.

"If the bandits come again, will we not have to wait to die?"

The old soldier looked at the Zhenbei Banner on the city wall.

"We must defend the city first."

"As long as the smoke is sent out, reinforcements will arrive."

Upon hearing the words spoken below the city, Chief Feng turned to look at Xu Qingshan.

"Can the four fortresses really reinforce each other?"

"We have few soldiers now, and the only ones who can run fast are the Zhenbei Cavalry."

Xu Qingshan said, "Once the expansion is complete, each fort will have its own garrison and reinforcement routes."

"Duanhebao is closest to Tiemenbao. Once the signal fire is lit, scouts should arrive within an hour."

"If it's a large barbarian tribe, Qingya and Heishi will also send troops."

Feng Baozhang remained silent for a moment, then untied an old seal from his waist.

The copper seal had been corroded by the moisture from the water prison, and its edges were covered with green rust.

"This is the seal of the chief of Duanhe Fortress."

Liang Shun quickly said, "Fortress Chief..."

"My body won't allow me to go to the city anytime soon."

Chief Feng placed the old seal in front of Xu Qingshan.

"Liang Shun is familiar with his soldiers and dares to lead men to kill the enemy."

"Leave the routine military affairs to him."

Liang Shun hurriedly knelt down on one knee.

"My subordinates are not qualified enough."

Chief Feng cursed, "When I was imprisoned in the water dungeon, why didn't you complain about your lack of seniority?"

Liang Shun opened his mouth.

"At that time, Ma Rong wanted to sell military households."

"In the future, there will be more bastards from Black Wind Stronghold, barbarians, and Yunzhou."

Chief Feng stuffed the old seal into his hand.

"Are you going to use your seniority to take the fall when they arrive?"

Xu Qingshan did not take away Feng Baozhang's title.

"You will remain the commander of Duanhe Fortress."

"You are responsible for verifying the old military registers, identifying missing soldiers and military households, and also helping me identify the old people in the fort."

"Liang Shun will temporarily serve as the squad leader, in charge of patrols, training, and shallow water defense."

Feng Bao nodded.

"That's the safest approach."

Liang Shun held the fort chief's seal in both hands.

"Your subordinate obeys."

Three plumes of smoke still lingered in the distance.

The soldiers of Duanhebao stood on the city walls and streets, watching the black smoke rising and falling in response to each other, and the fear on their faces finally subsided a little.

The system text appeared before Xu Qingshan's eyes.

The beacon fire at Duanhebao has been restored.

The Sibao beacon fire communication chain has been established.

The level of military and civilian loyalty in Duanhebao has reached a stable standard.

The third border fortress has entered a stable control state.

[Current territory mission progress has been increased.]

The firewood in the beacon tower gradually burned out.

Just as Liang Shun was about to have someone add more fodder, a bowstring suddenly rang out from outside the valley.

call out!

An arrow flew across the shallows and lodged itself in the wooden post above the side gate.

A piece of black cloth was tied to the fletching of the arrow.

Two soldiers approached with shields raised and pulled the arrow out.

A blood-stained piece of paper was rolled up inside the black cloth.

Hou San took it and smelled it.

"The blood is still fresh."

Xu Qingshan unfolded the paper.

Only four characters are written at the top.

Black Wind Village Post.