Chapter 268: First Volume, Chapter 268: Beidi War Campaign

First Volume, Chapter 268: Beidi War Campaign

Night.

Beixi County.

In the Beixi County Courthouse, lanterns flickered; it was already the Zishi Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour, yet Lin Quqi continued reviewing official documents.

Though he had no prior official experience, his years of rigorous study in Journeyman Studies had finally proven useful.

Moreover, Qin Feng had already established the overarching policy for governing the people and enriching the county—merely following it strictly saved him effort and worry.

Most crucially, the Back Residence was guarded by Qin Cheng Clan and Li Xiaolan, aided by Qi Meng and twenty garrison soldiers, relieving him of many rear concerns.

At the end of the Zishi Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour, under repeated insistence from the County Assistant Magistrate, Lin Quqi finally set down his work, stretched vigorously, and turned toward the Back Residence.

Just as Lin Quqi reached to lift the curtain, a rapid clatter of hooves came from outside the Yamen.

Lin Quqi froze mid-step, turned toward the sound, his gaze growing grim as he muttered under his breath: "Late at night—who's riding hard down the Street? The garrison hasn't reported anything—could this be an Imperial Urgent Report?"

Lin Quqi moved toward the Yamen himself; after only a few steps, he saw Qi Meng gallop into view at the Door, dismounting and shouting loudly: "County Magistrate, disaster! Beidi Raiding Cavalry have attacked under cover of night!"

At these words, Lin Quqi's eyelid twitched violently; until now, he had only dealt with literary classics and had zero experience in warfare. Facing the elite, fierce Beidi Cavalry, his heart leapt to his throat.

Fortunately, recalling Qin Feng's trust in him, he forced himself to calm down.

"If they're only Raiding Cavalry, why panic?"

In Lin Quqi's understanding, Raiding Cavalry were always small units, primarily meant for ambush and plunder.

And according to records in military texts:

Small, swift infiltration units are Raiding Cavalry.

Medium-sized units striking unexpectedly are Light Cavalry.

Large formations advancing in formation are Heavy Cavalry.

If it's merely a small force of Light Cavalry, Beixi County's defenses can easily handle it.

But Qi Meng's eyes widened, bloodshot, as he cried: "They're Raiding Cavalry, yes—but in overwhelming numbers! Ten per platoon, over a hundred platoons, spreading across the entire Beidi Frontier. Of the sixteen scout posts we set up, fifteen have been massacred; only one managed to escape and deliver Beidi War Intelligence."

"Along the route, every village has been slaughtered, every house burned, women and livestock all plundered. And a separate force of three hundred Light Cavalry is advancing straight toward the County City."

Lin Quqi's face turned instantly ashen; he stood frozen for one Cup of Tea Time.

In his panic, he remembered Qin Feng's pre-departure strategy, rushed back to the Shushu, and found the Beidi War Response military strategy—just as expected.

He immediately issued a frantic order per Qin Feng's instructions: "The enemy's large-scale advance means they've changed tactics—aiming to swallow Beixi County whole. If the Beidi take it, not only will the county's people be slaughtered, but Brother Qin in Jingdu will face impeachment and utter ruin. Beixi County cannot fall!"

"Deploy all North Creek County Garrison immediately to evacuate and rescue villagers along the route; relocate all civilians to the North Creek County Southern Relocation Zone. Recall the garrison to defend the County City."

"Send word to the Yizhan—relay the message to Jingdu at full speed!"

Qi Meng bowed and departed.

Meanwhile, at the newly built Beixi County scout post, fifteen sentries lay dead in pools of blood; two squads of twenty cavalry surrounded the post.

Deputy General Chen Si gazed across the endless, empty plain and said gravely: "Has the Vanguard reached the County City?"

The accompanying Colonel bowed, voice booming: "By timing, they've arrived. But the Vanguard is only three hundred Light Cavalry—attacking the County City directly would be like trying to crush a stone with an egg. Though Beixi County has been plundered for over a decade by Chen Li, its people impoverished and its governance weak, it remains a Beidi War Front town—its city defenses cannot be underestimated."

Chen Si waved his hand, eyes gleaming: "No matter! No need to rush the siege—just have the Vanguard encircle the County City and cut off all outside contact. Inside, the garrison plus county troops total barely a hundred men. Even if they hold the walls, it's only desperate last resistance—no threat."

"Transmit my Beidi War Command: burn and slaughter every village north of the County City—kill everyone except women and livestock—to sacrifice to Zhong Ling!"

Two days later, the Yizhan messenger, having changed horses thirty times without rest or water, raced to Jingdu—but did not enter the city; he headed straight for the Tianji Camp.

Qin Feng, at the Liuli Workshop, smelting various glassware with Lu Ming, watched the exhausted messenger being carried in by garrison soldiers; his right eyelid twitched violently as he said grimly: "Has something happened in Beixi?"

The messenger trembled as he handed Qin Feng the Military Dispatch.

Qin Feng unsealed it, his expression darkened instantly; he dropped the iron tongs and sprinted out of the Tianji Camp, shouting as he ran: "Ning Hu! Go to the palace immediately for Imperial Audience—report the Beidi War Report! Qin Xiaofu? Where the hell are you?!"

Normally, Qin Xiaofu clung to Qin Feng's side like a shadow; today, even after three shouts, no one appeared.

With military intelligence urgent, Qin Feng had no time for that brat—he grabbed a nearby garrison soldier and snapped: "Go to the Ministry of War—draft the Beidi War Mobilization!"

As Qin Feng sprinted toward the Camp Gate, he suddenly remembered something and turned to shout at Xu Mo: "Immediately assemble the garrison and both New Army camps—arm, equip, and feed the horses full!"

Xu Mo, who had lain dormant in the Tianji Camp for months, heard this and his blood boiled instantly—he began mobilizing troops at once.

Qin Feng left the Tianji Camp and rushed to the Qin Residence, finding Liu Hongyan reporting the Qin Residence's finances to Qin Tianhu.

"Second Sister! Help me prepare money—everything you can get."

Qin Tianhu and Liu Hongyan were startled by Qin Feng's sudden intrusion.

Seeing Qin Feng drenched in sweat, Qin Tianhu realized something was wrong and demanded urgently: "What's happened? Speak quickly!"

Qin Feng took two deep breaths, then steadied himself, his gaze more severe than ever: "I thought the Beidi would change tactics—only after several months, giving Beixi County time to develop and strengthen defenses. I never expected they'd strike so soon."

At this, Qin Tianhu shot to his feet; Beixi County was tied to Qin Feng's fate—if it fell, all his achievements would vanish.

After all, Qin Feng's "unbeaten" reputation had elevated him to near-infinite favor in the Liang Emperor's eyes—no failure could be tolerated.

One defeat cancels ten thousand victories!

Qin Tianhu frowned, turned, and strode toward the door: "I'll go to the palace for Imperial Audience myself."

Qin Feng grabbed his father's arm and shook his head: "I've already sent Ning Hu to the palace, and garrison soldiers to the Ministry of War to have the Vice Minister draft the Beidi War Mobilization. Within one Envoy, this will spread through the Manchu Civil and Military. Father, you only need to secure the Beidi War Supply Chain—prevent the Ministry of Revenue or Grand Commandant from obstructing us at every level and delaying the war effort."

Hearing this, Qin Tianhu turned without hesitation and left.

Liu Hongyan understood the gravity of this emergency and cut straight to the point: "How much do you need?"

Qin Feng didn't answer—he asked: "How much do you have?"

Liu Hongyan thought quickly: "Most silver has already been spent or is locked. The only funds immediately available are one million tael…"

Qin Feng nodded firmly: "Take it all."