Chapter 11

Amidst the cries of agony, the traps and wooden stakes that had been dug beforehand proved effective. Although many had been trampled by the fleeing government troops, the remaining parts were enough to thin out and slow down the dense wave of attackers.

In fact, these densely packed small traps and wooden stakes were not lethal. The small traps were designed for horses; if a person stepped on them, they would at most sprain their foot.

For these few-inch-long wooden stakes, a good pair of thick-soled leather boots would almost prevent any injury, unless one fell and the stake hit a vital spot like the eye. However, for these enemies wearing straw shoes and cloth sandals, it was a matter of life and death.

Almost in groups, they clutched their feet and sat on the ground, screaming in pain. They also obstructed their comrades' advance, disrupting the aggressive pursuit formation. After all, if someone died, they could simply be stepped over, but if they were injured, someone had to help them.

But I had underestimated their cruelty and determination. Some clearly commanding figures appeared and pushed the injured to the ground, using them as stepping stones. If the injured resisted, they were killed; if they did not resist, they were trampled to death. It was a matter of dying sooner or later.

"Hold your ground, hold your ground..."

Some people, unable to contain their nervousness, shouted and thrust their spears through the fence, only to have the enemies easily dodge and grab the spear, pulling the person to the front and stabbing them to death through the gaps.

However, the majority, under the supervision of the officers' whips and sword handles, mustered their remaining courage and stood a step behind the fence, thrusting their spears in a staggered manner according to the commands. The enemies who were climbing over, chopping at the fence, and shaking it to loosen it, fell like dominoes, their cries of agony echoing in waves as they dropped like leaves.

Then another group rushed forward, thrusting again. The officers surrounded and hacked to pieces the few brave souls who had managed to climb over the fence.

In the end, the mutinous local troops could only leave behind a pile of corpses and hastily scatter. I sighed in relief, realizing my fists were drenched in sweat.

The outer defenses I had constructed had finally proven effective. Unfortunately, there were too few arrows, so we had to use spears and thrust them at close range, taking advantage of the height and slope.

On my suggestion, the few archers were concentrated on platforms made of stacked firewood, targeting the apparent leaders and front-line soldiers.

This was mainly because the enemy was also a local militia, lightly armed with short weapons and almost no protection. Even a thrust from a pointed wooden pole would create a bloody hole, and once the leaders fell, their fighting spirit waned significantly.

Thus, the casualties in the camp were quite limited, with only a dozen or so dead or injured.

After a few rounds, the government troops, emboldened, rode out to chase and cut down the enemy until they were completely routed. They returned covered in blood. Unfortunately, Jiang An was very protective of his dozen or so mules and horses, or the victory could have been even greater.

Seeing that the enemy was not as formidable as they had feared, Jiang An and the official's faces visibly improved.

"Who would have thought that there are talents among the local troops?"

The official's sharp, duck-like voice made us realize he was a eunuch with a fake beard.

"Putting you in such an unimportant place is a waste..."

"But it doesn't matter now. After this, I will certainly give you a future..."

"The messenger has been sent out. We just need to wait for reinforcements from other routes..."

At this point, my impression of this eunuch improved slightly. At least he understood the situation and knew how to reassure people with a mix of kindness and authority.

"Yes, yes..."

"Your Excellency is right..."

"Our future depends on you, Your Excellency..."

Jiang An and his companions' faces bloomed with smiles as they nodded vigorously.

It wasn't until I whispered a reminder that it was time to relieve the troops for food that he seemed to remember something. He patted my shoulder affectionately and said,

"Thank you, Master Xia. It's all thanks to your ideas..."

"Our wealth and status will not be possible without your contributions..."

"Your Excellency plans to fill the quota of the Dangzhou troops, and you will certainly be given a position as a military advisor or a historian..."

"For now, we can only rely on your efforts. If you have any requests, speak up..."

"Use them as you see fit... I'll have Fuer follow you..."

I could only nod in agreement. As for the future of this militia, I could only chuckle.

More steamed buns and slaughtered livestock were wrapped into sandwiches and hot water was distributed to the soldiers, who began to take turns eating.

Although most of the fighting was behind the fence, it was extremely exhausting for these new city troops. Many collapsed on the ground, too exhausted to stand up again.

The sand and earth were used to extinguish the fires on the fence and scattered flames. The camp gates were opened, and a group of empty-handed brave soldiers rushed out to quickly retrieve the weapons and arrows from the corpses, arming more people and boosting morale.

The few pieces of armor and dozens of relatively intact uniforms, still warm and stained with the blood of their former owners, were quickly divided and worn.

Among the dozen or so leaders of the militia, some were already flushed with excitement, envisioning the various privileges and enjoyments they would have once the reinforcements arrived and they became regular government troops, or what military titles and honors they might receive.

Their buns and meat fell to the ground again. The only ones who remained calm were the uninformed me and the veteran Deng Fang.

"They are Dangzhou troops..."

In a trembling voice,

"Dangzhou troops from the overseas rebels..."

Apart from Jiang An, the government troops also showed signs of shock, while I was still at a loss. Later, I learned about the famous Dangzhou troops.

The Dangzhou garrison was known for its well-equipped and fierce troops, with the three armies of Pinghai, Zhenyuan, and Yongxing rotating across the sea to fight in the territories of Andong, Silla, and Bohai, gaining extensive combat experience against the defiant local chieftains and wandering barbarians. They were a formidable force.

Thus, the appearance of just one battalion's banner had already shaken the rear of the army. But now, they had become the greatest threat to this small camp. The mutinous local troops with white headscarves and other mixed-uniformed units were also converging on this area.

In front of our isolated camp, they calmly killed and disposed of the injured government troops, hunting down the last group of fleeing soldiers and cutting them down just ten feet from the camp gate. A few riders fell into the hoof pits, but they quickly got up, dragging their comrades, and ran out of our range as we debated whether to attack and capture them.

"As long as you can escort me back to the state city..."

The eunuch loudly promised,

"You will all become state troops..."

"Each of you will be rewarded with ten bolts of silk..."

He glanced at the leader Jiang An, thought for a moment, and added,

"At least a major commandant or a brave officer..."

"We will swear to protect Your Excellency with our lives..."

Jiang An, leading the way, loudly declared.

Outside the camp, the Dangzhou troops showed no intention of negotiation. They formed ranks and pushed forward, step by step.

With a grating sound of wheels and a whistling noise, the sparse wooden fence suddenly snapped at the base, and splinters flew. I saw the only archer leader of the militia, propelled by a massive force, fly through the air, taking down a shield-bearing government soldier before landing diagonally on the ground.

They were not yet dead, instinctively struggling and moaning, reaching out to the nearest person for help. This extinguished the courage and enthusiasm I had mustered, like a bucket of ice water.

I remembered the young archer, a hunter by trade, who had asked me moments ago,

"Master, can we really make it back alive? I want to use the reward money to marry a wife."

Now, he was crying and screaming, trying to push his intestines back into his body, as if that would save him, repeating the action until he died.

At that moment, I suddenly felt a deep hatred for my own powerlessness, unable to do anything for them.

"Ballista..."

Seeing what they had pushed out, there was a commotion.

"Surrender or die?"

A Dangzhou officer, clad in bright armor, holding a winged tiger flag, rode forward and shouted through a megaphone.

Behind him, thousands of soldiers roared in unison,

"Surrender or die..."

The overwhelming aura made the camp tremble with fear. Many dropped their weapons in shock, and even the small group of government troops turned pale. The eunuch trembled, and a foul smell emanated from him as he lost control of his bladder.

After exchanging glances, Jiang An signaled and shouted,

"Block the front gate with your lives..."

"Absolutely no surrender..."

"Quickly escort the nobleman to safety..."

Hearing this, the government troops relaxed, letting go of their sword handles, only to be tackled from behind or struck on the back of the head, dragged to the ground.

Only the leading officer, quick and alert, blocked the ambush with his sword hilt, drew his saber, and cut down several attackers, but was then shot in the shoulder and ribs by several crossbows from the fence, falling heavily to the ground.

The others, despite their shouts and roars, were no match for the overwhelming force and were quickly pinned down, stripped of their armor and weapons, and tied up naked.

Seeing the blood, there was no turning back. Wearing the fresh, blood-stained mountain-pattern armor of the fallen officer and a helmet, Jiang An forced a smile and said to the eunuch, who was paralyzed with shock,

"Your Excellency, for the sake of my brothers' lives, we need to borrow your body..."

Well, it seems my bad luck hasn't ended. I'm about to be a captive again.