Chapter 43: Studying Hard for the Sake of a Flashlight

The Yuezhi Ambassador prepared to leave the Beijiang.

Suddenly, Abu looked up and saw a large herd of sheep in the open space, along with a mountain-high pile of fresh vegetables, so shocked that his eyeballs nearly fell out.

"How is it that the Beijiang Camp's supplies are so abundant?"

There were rumors in the outside world that the soldiers under the Prince of Northern Suppression lived in poverty, eating one meal while starving for the next.

But now—

Not only were there live sheep!

There were also Western Regions carrots, potatoes... and even precious tomatoes...

These were all foreign vegetables, extremely rare; even the Yuezhi royal palace would have to spend a great price to purchase them.

The Beijiang Army was actually eating them casually!

At this moment, Xiao Dabao walked leisurely past from the front, gnawing on two cucumbers, juice splashing everywhere with every crisp, crunchy bite.

Several Yuezhi ambassadors stared involuntarily, swallowing in unison.

These were Western Regions Tribute, cucumbers worth ten taels of silver each...

And they were so succulent, with a refreshing fragrance...

They were even bigger and fresher than the cucumbers brought by the Western Regions merchant caravans!

Abu changed his mind!

With the Beijiang being so prosperous, he had to sign a long-term trade agreement to avoid having the business opportunity snatched by other merchant groups in the future.

Abu found Xiao Moting and explained his intentions.

Xiao Moting narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing across them.

The Yuezhi Kingdom was a vital transportation hub for the Western Regions to reach the Central Plains; if they could be on good terms, it would be of great benefit to boosting the economic strength of the Beijiang Army.

"Since you want long-term trade, become a commercial ally with the Beijiang, and I will reduce your transaction prices by ten percent."

Which meant a ten percent discount.

"This..." Abu was in a difficult position.

The Yuezhi Kingdom was too small and never participated in any wars; once they formed an alliance, it would be equivalent to defecting to the Beijiang.

He could not make the decision himself and had to return to seek instructions from the Yueshi King.

After the Yuezhi Ambassador left the Beijiang, the camp began to tally the spoils of yesterday's battle.

Now, the camp had over eight thousand warhorses, over four million catties of stored grain, and over five hundred thousand catties of vegetables, fruits, and meat.

Even if the Beijiang Army ate to their hearts' content, they could eat until the end of spring!

When the snow melted in spring, they could plant crops!

Xiao Moting distributed rewards to the Night Raid Squad members, rewarding them according to their merits.

Each person was given a bag of rice, and those with battle achievements received an additional bag of Refined Rice.

In the afternoon, they were given time off, allowing soldiers with families in nearby towns to take their rewards home so their families could also have a full meal.

Xiao Liujin performed excellently and also received a reward.

His family members were all dead, leaving only his big brother, Xiao Dabao.

Xiao Liujin did not want the rice or grain; he requested the Prince to reward him with a Triangular Military Dagger.

He sat by the river with an expressionless face, grinding the Triangular Military Dagger until it was sharp and gleaming.

From now on, whoever dared to slander the Goddess, he would use this military dagger to send them to their end.

Xiao Moting stood on the city tower, surveying the prosperous Beijiang Camp.

This year's winter was particularly cold.

Other military camps, including Great Ye, had many soldiers freeze to death; only the Beijiang Army was recuperating, with soldiers wearing the Down Jackets and Cotton Clothes sent by the Goddess, eating Refined Rice and flour, and roasting by the stove, all having gained a layer of fat, and even the warhorses were plump and strong.

In the school, over seven hundred people had finished the primary school curriculum and successfully received a bag of Refined Rice and a box of Instant Noodles.

Bai Wei had sent over more books like "Farming Guide," "Construction Standards," and "Basic Nursing"... letting these seven hundred people study them separately.

Those who passed the exams were given even more generous rewards—two bags of Refined Rice and half a side of raw pork!

The top fifty also received a Flashlight and ten Batteries!

The soldiers were excited.

With rice, meat, and even a divine tool like a Flashlight!

No fire, no oil, yet it could emit light on its own.

At night, taking a Flashlight to the latrine, one press would illuminate the area, the light as bright as day, and it even prevented falling into the pit!

It was a hundred times better than a lantern!

The soldiers wanted the Flashlight and began studying late into the night!

Just as the Beijiang Camp was developing in an orderly fashion.

An urgent war report was delivered to the Imperial Court in Shengjing!

The court was in chaos.

"What? Great Ye has issued a declaration of war against Daliang!"

"The Great Ye Prince Wanyan Yi spoke wildly, saying... saying he would slaughter the Imperial City and take the Emperor's head as a sacrifice to heaven!"

"The barbarian general Chishu has brought twenty thousand remnants to defect to Wanyan Yi, threatening to wash the Beijiang in blood and annihilate the Prince of Northern Suppression!"

Emperor Xuanjing was furious, smashing a teacup in the court and ordering them to meet the Great Ye in battle!

The first pass that the Great Ye Army would attack was the Beijiang!

Two mobilization edicts were sent to the Prince of Northern Suppression, Xiao Moting, and the Vanguard General Yang Wei, who was stationed at Heyuan, ordering the two to jointly face the enemy, with Xiao Moting serving as the Chief Commander!

At the Beijiang Camp, Xiao Moting received the imperial decree and immediately summoned his generals to prepare the troops for war.

On the battlefield.

An endless stretch of troops and horses stood in neat formation.

Xiao Moting sat on his horse, scanning the dense mass of soldiers.

Wanyan Yi is a famous general of Daye with illustrious military achievements; he commands 280,000 elite troops and has fought over twenty battles without a single defeat.

The Beijiang Camp has over 100,000 men, most of whom are old, weak, sick, or disabled.

Those truly capable of taking the field to kill the enemy number fewer than 50,000.

Xiao Moting asked Qin Zhan.

"Is there any news from Yang Wei's side?"

"General Yang says that a Time Plague has broken out in the camp and soldiers are falling ill one after another; he has dispatched Deputy General Zhang Zhao to lead 10,000 troops to the Beijiang, and he will lead more troops to arrive later."

Xiao Moting was cold.

Yang Wei sits on 120,000 troops, yet he only sends 10,000 as reinforcements!

As expected, he cannot be relied upon!

The Zhang Zhao he sent is old and plagued by severe illness; he cannot possibly take the battlefield.

That force of 10,000 is likely mostly old, weak, sick, and disabled as well.

The disparity in numbers between the two sides is truly too great!

Plus, Yang Wei is slacking off.

It is no wonder Wanyan Yi dares to be so arrogant!

This battle is indeed hard for the Beijiang Army to win!

But this battle must be fought!

Fengsha Pass is the first line of defense for Daliang; once the city falls, the commoners behind the pass will be slaughtered.

Most of the families of the Beijiang soldiers also live here.

A black horse galloped in.

"Prince, the Prefect of Xuancheng is willing to let the Garrison Army join the ranks and follow your orders!"

Qin Zhan scoffed, "Jia Shun knows what's good for him; once Fengsha Pass is broken, his Xuancheng will be gone too!"

Han Guiying, in full military attire, led a group of female soldiers forward.

"Prince, we are also willing to join the fight and kill the enemy on the battlefield!"

Xiao Moting said in a deep voice, "I am obliged, General Han!"

The Xuan City Garrison has only 5,000 men, plus over a hundred female soldiers, and with the 10,000 troops brought by Zhang Zhao, the total count is less than 60,000.

It is not even a fraction of Daye's forces.

Even if Shennü Daren provides equipment, the numbers are still far off!

"Chirp!"

A crisp eagle cry!

The gyrfalcon swooped down from the sky!

Xiao Moting frowned.

"Cangyun, what have you discovered?"

Suddenly, a piercing alarm gong sounded from the watchtower.

"Pri, Prince... there are refugees outside the pass, a huge crowd of refugees is coming!"

Xiao Moting immediately climbed the city wall.

He looked up and was instantly shocked!

... On the horizon, a massive, dense crowd of people had appeared!

Thousands upon thousands of refugees, supporting the old and leading the young, were walking toward Fengsha Pass.

The number is at least several tens of thousands!

"Prince!" Xiao Dabao ran up, panting, "The scouts report that the Second Prince sent troops to drive the refugees to the Beijiang, intending to use them to wear you down."

Xiao Moting held his breath, his heart shaking violently.

... What was meant to come has finally come.

According to the prophecy of Shennü Daren, this is his time of death.

The refugees will bring a pestilence.

And he will die in this pestilence.