Chapter 19: Modern Equipment Has Arrived!

Xiao Qidi looked toward the sea of people in the sunset's afterglow and said:

"The soldiers and civilians are thinking that if each eats a little less, others can have a bit more."

"The elderly, weak, women and children feel that food should be given first to laborers and soldiers, while the laborers and soldiers think their strong bodies can endure more, so food should be given to the elderly, weak, women and children."

"Everyone is thinking of each other, thus saving a lot……"

Upon hearing this, Ning Jinli remained silent for a long time.

She had thought it was a matter of taste or texture, but she hadn't expected it to be such a moving reason.

Her nose felt sore, and her vision blurred a little.

Xiao Qidi said softly: "The bags used to hold biscuits and the metal boxes for meat are also good things; everyone keeps them as daily tools, making full use of them, unwilling to waste even a bit."

Ning Jinli wiped the tears spilling from her eye sockets and said, "Tell everyone to eat freely! Don't worry about shortage—I guarantee there will be enough."

"In the future I will bring you better food, more supplies and tools; once the enemy siege is resolved, I will certainly help you rebuild your homes!"

She thought that by merely providing the most basic life‑saving items, the people here regarded them as treasures, and she felt increasingly uneasy.

They really have suffered too much……

Productivity is extremely backward, unable to cope with natural disasters.

They also have to face frequent outbreaks of war.

The era and country I live in have improved enormously.

Even if my life with Aunt Su after age twelve was extremely hard, compared to these ancient commoners it is still tens of millions of times better……

Xiao Qidi again performed a solemn salute, saying, "If Miss Ning can in the future help the people here rebuild their homeland, I, on behalf of the people, first thank Miss Ning."

"No need, no need!" Ning Jinli sniffled, "Oh right, the stuff I bought a couple of days ago is being delivered; it should arrive soon, wait a moment for me!"

Xiao Qidi nodded, "Yes, Miss Ning."

The sun set, night fell.

Torches were lit outside the cave, but they were not enough to illuminate the long queue of people.

After Zhou Da Kui and his several companions received their water and food, they took advantage of the night's cover and quietly slipped to a secluded spot in the village.

Seventy thousand people crowded into Lin Xian Village; basically every place where one could stand was arranged as a soldiers' camp or a civilians' resting area.

Only while most people were still queuing on the cave side could Zhou Da Kui and his companions find a place suitable for secret discussion.

They took off their outer garments, wrapped the water and food they had just received, and tied them to their backs.

"Brother Kui, this is a map of Lin Xian Village I drew based on information gathered from the brothers."

Someone produced a piece of coarse hemp cloth, laid it on the ground and unfolded it, then took out a fire‑folding tool for illumination.

Zhou Da Kui squatted down to examine it carefully, then bit his fingertip to draw blood and added to the map.

Each horizontal line he drew with blood represents the position of a wall.

Lin Xian Village has steep mountains on both its north and south sides, so over the past two days Xiao Qidi has mobilized tens of thousands to hastily build walls mainly at the eastern and western ends.

However, within the mountainous natural barriers there are also some intermittent gentle slopes, which have likewise been fortified.

Zhou Da Kui marked each of these locations.

"Looking at it this way, it really is impregnable." Someone sighed, "If the weaponry gap weren't large, Lin Xian Village, relying on the fairy's food and water, might actually be able to withstand the Yu Guo army's assault."

Zhou Da Kui sneered, "No 'ifs'—the Yu Guo army's troops, whether in numbers or equipment, crush our ragtag remnants. In just a few days they will realize the siege is useless and switch to a full assault. Therefore we must defect to the Yu Guo army before they discover this ourselves, so we can earn merit by providing intelligence."

As he spoke, he drew a long thin line on the northern position.

His companions wondered, "There are no fortifications here—why draw a line?"

"You'll find out after we defect to the Yu Guo army," Zhou Da Kui said with a smug smile, keeping it a secret.

Afterwards he stuffed the map into his pack and, with his companions, vanished into the vast night……

……

Two hours later, Ning Jinli finally waited for the delivery truck to bring her the items she had bought online two days ago.

These items are rather special; they need to be explained thoroughly to Xiao Qidi.

She took one sample of each type and first brought them to the cave.

"Little brother, quickly summon the leaders here; I want to introduce you to some good things." Ning Jinli slapped the ** box and said.

Xiao Qidi, without a word, immediately summoned people.

Soon, the four chief officers of the Xi Tun Guan garrison and the two leaders of Lin Xian Village militia gathered in the cave.

"Greetings, Jinli Fairy!" the six exclaimed in unison as they performed the salute.

Ning Jinli commanded, "Come, form a circle and sit down."

The six stared at each other, none daring to move their legs, feeling that sitting beside the fairy would be offensive.

Xiao Qidi said lightly, "Sit down."

"Yes…… Your Majesty." Only then did they sit on the ground.

A mischievous glint flashed in Ning Jinli's eyes as she pointed at Xiao Qidi and said, "Xiao Qidi, you sit too."

Xiao Qidi: ……

He slowly sat down, legs crossed, hands on his knees, back straight, head raised to look at Ning Jinli.

Ning Jinli opened the bullet‑proof vest set, put on the vest inside, then casually pointed at an officer and said, "Come here."

"Yes, fairy."

"How should I address you?"

"Replying, fairy, I am the low‑rank officer Duan Wu."

"All right, General Duan, draw your sword."

"Yes, fairy."

Duan Wu drew his battle sword and stood respectfully before Ning Jinli.

Ning Jinli pointed to her chest and said, "Come, cut here."

"Yes, Fairy… huh? No!" Duan Wu was startled, quickly set down his warblade, knelt on one knee and clasped his fists, "Fairy! I, your subordinate, would never dare lay a hand on you!"

"If I tell you to cut, just cut. I guarantee you'll be fine, trust me."

Ning Jinli had learned before ordering that this top‑grade civilian bulletproof vest can effectively resist slashing, chopping and stabbing by sharp weapons.

Even modern knives can't pierce it, let alone bronze weapons from over two thousand years ago.

"How about I wear it, Fairy, and you cut me?" Duan Wu asked cautiously.

Ning Jinli shook her head, "I'm not as strong as you, so you'll have to use your full killing force to cut. I just want you to see the effect clearly."

Duan Wu's face went rigid, "Huh? I still have to cut with force? Then that's even worse!"

Ning Jinli said, "You don't trust me?"

"I can trust you." Xiao Qidi said expressionlessly as he rose.

Before Ning Jinli could finish preparing, he hooked the bronze warblade on the ground with his toe, gripped the hilt with one hand, and whooshed it forward.

Clang!

The warblade snapped into two pieces.

Ning Jinli was knocked back repeatedly by the tremendous force, her back slamming into the cave wall before she stopped.

Several commanders were so frightened they nearly leapt up.

"Sss… little brother, you really hit hard." She clutched her chest, gritting her teeth.

The bulletproof vest stopped the slash, leaving only shallow scratches on its surface.

But Xiao Qidi's strength was terrifying; with a casual swing, his force seemed larger than a bull's.

Ning Jinli felt it wasn't a knife cut but a blow from a massive iron club.

Fortunately the gear had shock‑absorbing properties; otherwise she would have needed a hospital.

"So sturdy?" Xiao Qidi's eyes were full of disbelief. "Even though I used only a third of my strength, it was enough to split armor. I didn't expect it to remain unharmed, and instead it broke my blade."

Ning Jinli exhaled, "This is a bulletproof vest. In addition there are elbow guards, groin guards, leg guards and a helmet—it's a complete set of Protective Gear. I'll give you three thousand sets first; you can make do with them."

Several commanders shouted in unison, "Three thousand sets?!"

Xiao Qidi's eyes flickered.

If he had three thousand sets of such impenetrable armor, he could form an elite force of three thousand men!

Even just those three thousand elite troops could at least stand toe‑to‑toe against ten thousand Yu Guo soldiers!

"Next is this." Ning Jinli opened another box.

The commanders didn't blink, all staring in unison at the slowly opening box, their gazes burning, heads tilted in anticipation.

What divine treasure will Jinli Fairy produce next?