Chapter 481: First Volume, Chapter 481: Tianji Camp Engineers

First Volume, Chapter 481: Tianji Camp Engineers

For any army, civilian laborers are indispensable. Besides transporting materials and grain, they build temporary camps, dig moats around the camp, construct horse-tripping ditches, and even help light fires for cooking.

To the Chariot and Cavalry General, any man—even the old, weak, sick, or injured—could handle the role of civilian laborer; why bother with "upgrading" them? And why give them the ridiculous title of "Engineers"? Qin Feng always has these baffling, eccentric ideas.

But since they'd been brought along, the Chariot and Cavalry General didn't refuse—he simply treated them as ordinary civilian laborers.

Under the Chariot and Cavalry General's leadership, the Beixi Transport Team slowly entered the County City.

That night, Lu Ming immediately assembled the Engineers and began constructing defensive facilities for Yongshou County, not a moment to be wasted.

Meanwhile, Li Xiaolan led the two thousand accompanying Infantry to set up camp outside Yongshou County, forming the final defensive line to protect the city.

Standing at the City Gate, the Chariot and Cavalry General watched the bustling scene outside and shook his head with a bitter smile: "Building city defenses is certainly good, but timing matters. Right now, the best choice is to withdraw all forces inside the city and hold it firmly."

"Now that the Northern Di army has invaded, they've surely sent countless Imperial Spies. The news of Yongshou County building defenses will reach the enemy commander soon, and they'll send a large force to crush us—only increasing our defensive burden."

"Forget it. We ate their food, we took their supplies—we can't interfere. Beidi War Command: ignore the defenses outside. Soldiers, just prepare for the worst and hold the city to the death!"

The Deputy General bowed and replied. He had no hope for the outer defenses and murmured, "General, you haven't slept in days. Tonight is calm—go rest."

Though the Chariot and Cavalry General was uneasy, fearing a Northern Di night raid, he saw the Engineers working outside weren't useless—they at least provided early warning.

With that thought, he no longer hesitated and turned back toward the Yamen to rest.

…

Within Northern Di territory, Yangchang Mountain.

Ning Hu and two hundred sixty-three Tianji Camp Guards crouched among the forest, gripping their Bow and Arrow tightly, their weary yet resolute tiger eyes fixed on the distant flickering firelight.

Beside him, the SecondPlatoonLeader hadn't eaten in four days, only drank dew—he'd become gaunt and monstrous, and didn't need to lower his voice; his weak, breathless tone was already barely audible.

"Commander Ning, the Imperial Spy reports the enemy force sent to crush us numbers in the thousands. Yangchang Mountain is now sealed like an Iron Barrel. If we fight, we may…"

Before the SecondPlatoonLeader finished, Ning Hu cut him off coldly: "Death? What's there to fear? We knew this was coming the moment we stormed into enemy territory. Or are you afraid?"

Meeting Ning Hu's icy gaze, the SecondPlatoonLeader showed no shame or retreat—he argued back: "Afraid?! To die in armor, wrapped in horsehide—that's the soldier's finest fate. To give my life to repay Young Master Qin's trust and mentorship? It's my honor!"

"I only fear dying here and never breaking the enemy camp!"

Hearing this, Ning Hu's cold, fierce eyes softened with approval. He turned and scanned his Guards—none showed fear.

Ning Hu felt nothing but pride. To die alongside such comrades? Not a wasted life.

Ning Hu adjusted his breathing, his gaze locking on the Enemy Army now barely thirtySteps away, their shapes barely discernible. He raised his hand—signal the final battle.

Since penetrating the Northern Di rear area, the Tianji Camp Guards had fought over a dozen battles—all night raids—with great success: two Granaries burned, four Supply Train camps destroyed. As for enemy casualties, even the Guards themselves didn't know. Of the three hundred who set out, nearly forty had fallen.

According to Tianji Camp tradition, no matter where a Guard dies, his body must return home.

Ning Hu buried each fallen Guard on the spot, marked the graves, and recorded every name in his personal journal. Even if the entire unit perished, future generations could use the journal to retrieve their bones and bring them back to Shedynasty.

But when they'd truly "go home"? Only when Northern Di bowed to Shedynasty.

At this moment, the Tianji Camp Guards and the Enemy Army were only Ten Steps apart.

With the night dark and windy, and the forest thick, the enemy had no idea the tigers crouched before them—even at this distance.

In contrast, the searching enemy troops were clearly illuminated by their Fire Torches.

"Kill!"

At Ning Hu's roar, the Tianji Camp Guards released their Bow Strings simultaneously. Arrows flew toward the firelight, killing dozens on the spot. Before the searching troops could react, the Guards dropped their bows, drew their Infantry Spears, and charged forward with fearless ferocity.

One charge—another dozen enemies speared to death.

Only now did the searching troops realize—they sounded gongs and whistles across the entire Yangchang Mountain.

"Ambush! Ambush!"

"Tianji Camp Guards here! Come quickly!"

"Kill them! These cowardly thieves have burned, killed, and looted in our great Di territory—today we massacre them all, for revenge!"

"Where are they? Where's everyone? Hurry! Damn it, you charged up the mountain like an army—now where are you when it's time to fight?!"

Yangchang Mountain's terrain was gentle, but its ground area vast—stretching five to six Li continuously. Though over five thousand soldiers participated in the encirclement, they were scattered across the hills, making their numbers invisible. The largest search party numbered only three hundred.

Moreover, Yangchang Mountain was one hundred fifty Li from the Front Line. Mobilizing elite troops from the Front Line to crush them was impossible. Thus, all soldiers involved were local Garrison Troops.

With no numerical advantage and vastly inferior Combat Effectiveness, the searching troops were slaughtered, thrown into chaos, losing helmets and weapons.

Only one Incense Stick Time had passed since the battle began, yet over three hundred enemy soldiers lay dead beneath the Tianji Camp Guards' Infantry Spears. But the Guards themselves were now beginning to fall.

All Guards had long since eaten their rations. Deep in enemy territory, under constant high tension, they'd received no proper rest. Now, they were starving, exhausted, and sleep-deprived—pushed beyond their limits.

Guards kept collapsing from exhaustion, their movements slowing, leaving openings for the enemy to strike.

"Comrades, hold on! Break through Yangchang Mountain—we still have a chance!" Ning Hu speared the enemy soldier before him, then turned and roared to his Guards, fighting fiercely to boost military morale.