The soldiers, who were bored and complaining about not being able to go out of the city to fight, were hurriedly gathered and set off before they could rest properly. ng Tian’s orders allowed only four hours, so no one could hesitate, and they set off at full speed toward the Stone Peak Fortress. However, upon hearing that they were going to the battlefield, everyone imdiately showed their vigor, morale was high, and even though the road was rough, no one fell behind. So military equipnt was also moved intact.
"Lord Han, how is your injury recovering?"
"Ah, it’s Ye. Don’t worry, these are just minor injuries, and I’m fine now." Han Hao waved his spear a few tis, his arm seed flexible and nimble, so he should be almost recovered.
"It was my negligence, setting up camp on the plain after splitting up the troops, which gave the Wolf Clan cavalry a chance. Sigh, they were just three or four hundred cavalry, but made us pay several tis over." Recalling the surprise attack by the Wolf Clan, Han Hao felt a pang of heartache. Six or seven hundred comrades died, and more than half of the others were injured, while the Wolf Clan suffered minimal losses.
"You don’t need to bla yourself too much, sir. The Wolf Clan is very mobile. Once there’s a lapse, they imdiately gather forces and make a surprise attack, resembling how wolves hunt." This is part of why they’re called the Wolf Clan. They not only use the wolf as a totem, but their systems and thods also resemble those of a wolf pack.
"I am already in my forties or fifties, and in a few years, I will have to leave the army. I only hope that the sons of Heyang County, who have campaigned with , can survive." Han Hao, having fought many battles, has a broader vision than those newly enlisted soldiers. Most crucially, he understands the harshness of war. In ancient tis, life spans were short, largely because of ongoing wars, displacent caused by war, famine, plague, natural and man-made disasters. Only when the world is at peace can there be a Peaceful Age.
"Entire army, accelerate forward." Han Hao shouted, and the soldiers responded by quickening their pace.
One and a half hours later.
"This should be the Stone Peak Fortress." Everyone looked at the fortress in front of them, feeling a sense of pressure. The Great Wall was built along the mountain line to make full use of the terrain, but where there are peaks, there are cliffs and valleys. This fortress was built under a valley, with towering mountains on both sides blocking the sunlight. This place might not see sunlight all year round.
"I am Han Hao, Commander of the Heyang County Garrison, following the orders of General ng to take over the defense of Stone Peak Fortress. The original garrison here will also follow my commands." Han Hao shouted up toward the fortress, and soon the gate slowly opened. A team of cavalry ca out, and upon seeing Han Hao, the leading officer dismounted and bowed.
"I am Ma Peng, commander of the Stone Peak Fortress garrison. Welco, Lord Han. You’ve had a hard journey. Please co in quickly; I’ve prepared food for everyone." Officer Ma Peng was very enthusiastic, eagerly getting the soldiers to welco their brothers into the fortress.
"Lord Han, you’ve co from afar, it’s been hard on you. Bring the tea." In the barracks, Ma Peng had the soldiers bring out the rare fragrant tea, acting obsequiously, one might say "bootlicking." Though seemingly enthusiastic, it made people feel quite uncomfortable. Shangguan Jian, in particular, looked serious. A truly competent general would never take such a posture.
"I am following the orders of General ng, overseeing everything in the fortress, and I hope General Ma can cooperate sincerely with us to resist the Wolf Clan." Han Hao said indifferently, not seeming to have a favorable view of Ma Peng either. Compared to an upright warrior, Ma Peng seed more like a petty man. However, since they were new here and unfamiliar with the place, and since Ma Peng had two thousand soldiers, gaining their compliance with Han Hao’s orders was not possible without Ma Peng.
"Lord Han, please take a look here." After the al, Ma Peng took everyone to inspect the fortress.
"The outer wall is built with solid boulders, impervious to the Wolf Clan’s catapults; not even a pebble can be dislodged." Ma Peng pointed at the outer wall and said.
"The outer gate has been blocked with stones to prevent a surprise attack by the Wolf Clan."
They entered from the south gate, which is essentially the inner gate. Reinforcents can enter from the south gate, while the north gate faces the Wolf Clan’s camp, which is the front line of the battlefield.
Han Hao looked up at the high mountains on both sides, making the outer wall seem significantly lower. Although the Wolf Clan is not skilled with bows, they are fierce and fight as if they have nothing to lose. If they use ladders to launch an unyielding assault, ignoring casualties, it would pose a formidable threat.
"General Ma, the outer wall is solid but not very high." Han Hao said calmly. Ye Shikai estimated it to be slightly less than ten feet, which, though not too short, was crucial because the Stone Peak Fortress is a strategic choke point connecting the steppe and the central plains and cannot afford to be sloppy.
"Lord Han may not know, but in recent years, building the Great Wall has consud too much manpower. The Stone Peak Fortress was originally ant to be built higher, but due to the shortage of manpower, it was delayed. When the war with the Wolf Clan broke out, I imdiately had soldiers raise it. Without stones, we use wood and small stones." Ma Peng showed a helpless expression. Ye Shikai observed closely, noting that the archery platform above was made of wood. Although it appeared sturdy, if struck by a catapult...
"With the battle imminent, any lapse could lead to the fall of Stone Peak Fortress. Order the wall to be raised by five feet within ten days."
"Yes, yes, I will get to it imdiately." Ma Peng nodded repeatedly and replied.
..................
"Old Ye, don’t you find this Ma Peng a bit strange?" At night, Shangguan Jian ca to Ye Shikai’s tent, having led n to closely inspect the Stone Peak Fortress, especially checking those two thousand garrison soldiers. There were no major issues, and with the battle imminent, they were ready to engage at any mont. Shangguan Jian randomly inspected a few barracks, finding that their spears and armor were well-maintained, with no rust.
"Indeed, he commands two thousand n, stationed at the Stone Peak Fortress for years, facing the ferocious Wolf Clan, yet he is so timid. It’s unclear how he has managed to hold the place." Ye Shikai nodded, saying Ma Peng’s sycophantic deanor hardly matched that of a general.
"A single Ma Peng doesn’t matter much, but did you inspect those two thousand soldiers?" What Ye Shikai cared about were the soldiers. Since Ma Peng was now under Han Hao’s command, his presence or absence was not much of a difference, but the quality of those two thousand soldiers would decisively affect the overall situation.
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