You’re a Company Commander Now

At first sight of Black Gully Fort, Luo Yu's head ached, almost dropping his jaw.

He had thought Black Gully Fort would be like Jiming Fort, a fortress with high walls for protection. In reality, Black Gully Fort was just a camp surrounded by wooden fences on a hill, completely exposed.

These wooden fences would collapse with one charge from warhorses. How could they resist Qiang cavalry?

There was no defensible terrain.

Walking into the fort, a wave of depression and decadence hit him. Defeated soldiers from various forts huddled in corners, either staring blankly or chatting idly, showing no sense of tension before the impending war.

Luo Yu shook his head slightly. These were all defeated and weak troops, their spirit long broken, not at all like proper border soldiers.

In contrast, their troops stood tall and confident, even new recruits like Xiao Wu instinctively straightened their backs.

Come on, Jiming Fort wiped out nearly a hundred Qiang soldiers, a great victory! Which other forward fort could claim such a feat?

Sure enough, whispers spread around:

"Look, those are the people who retreated from Jiming Fort. They say they killed all the hundred Qiang soldiers besieging their fort."

"Is that true? So few people could kill a hundred Qiang soldiers? Those Qiang cavalry are ruthless killers, not easy to deal with."

"I don't believe it either, but that's what Hundred-man Commander Xiao said when he returned to camp this morning."

"That must be true then. Hundred-man Commander Xiao never lies. Damn, these people are really impressive."

The admiring gazes made the Jiming Fort soldiers even more proud. So this was what it felt like to win a battle!

Besides the defeated soldiers, there were also some well-disciplined troops in the camp, probably under the command of the two hundred-man commanders. According to Luo Yu's estimate, there were now over a hundred people in the camp, giving him a bit of security.

Luo Yu's group was assigned a row of barracks. Everyone found places to rest, and Shen Li and the refugees were placed in the innermost room.

Just as he sat down, Luo Yu asked: "Brother Dong, what exactly is this Nu Ting place?"

On the way, Luo Yu had carefully observed the refugees. Apart from Shen Li, the others were all dejected, like walking dead. Shen Li, around his age, seemed to be the guardian, taking care of the elderly and children.

He had also asked, and these people weren't her family, just fellow villagers they had met while fleeing.

"Ah, that place is quite tragic."

Dong Chuan sighed and explained:

"West of our Longxi is the Qiang people, and to the north is Shu Kingdom. Nu Ting is located at the intersection of our Great Qian, Western Qiang, and Shu Kingdom, separated from Longxi border by two or three hundred miles of desert.

They say many years ago Nu Ting was also a small country. Later, the Qiang people invaded and destroyed it in one battle, killing the entire royal family. Since then, it has become an unclaimed wasteland, ignored by everyone.

Over the years, whenever the Qiang people needed slaves, they would go there to capture people, pulling thousands upon thousands to the grasslands. Over time, this place became known as Nu Ting, where generation after generation were slaves.

Some people are too attached to their homes to leave, while others flee to other places to find a way to live. Since we're close to Nu Ting in Longxi, many people escape here every year."

Luo Yu was greatly shocked. To be born destined to be a slave, how tragic? For a moment, he even admired Shen Li. A weak woman could escape so far, there must be a resilient heart beneath that frail body.

"Brother Luo?"

A soldier poked his head in:

"Hundred-man Commander wants you to come over!"

"Are you Luo Yu?"

"Company Commander Luo Yu from Jiming Fort, reporting to Hundred-man Commander Zhang!"

In the tent sat a middle-aged man, clearly Hundred-man Commander Zhang Lu. His face was dark and weathered, a typical border warrior. Deputy Hundred-man Commander Xiao Shaoyou, whom he had met before, sat to the side, giving Luo Yu a smile.

"Xiao Shaoyou has told me. You led your troops to wipe out nearly a hundred Qiang cavalry at Jiming Fort, a great achievement indeed."

Zhang Lu looked at Luo Yu with appreciation: "Now with the Qiang army approaching and the war situation tense, we need young heroes like you to serve the country."

"Thank you for your praise, Hundred-man Commander! Your subordinate will do his utmost to resist the Qiang invaders!"

"Good, you have spirit!"

Zhang Lu changed his tone: "Tell me, what about Wang Shuang and Zhang Gui's deaths?"

Luo Yu had known this would come up, so he answered straightforwardly:

"Reporting to sir, Commander Wang Shuang conspired with the Qiang invaders, intending to open Jiming Fort to surrender. He fought with Commander Zhang and was killed. As for Deputy Commander Zhang Gui, he embezzled military funds, bullied soldiers, and committed all kinds of evil deeds, causing outrage. Your subordinate had no choice but to execute him for the stability of Jiming Fort."

"So that's what happened."

Zhang Lu's gaze narrowed:

"Heh, Wang Shuang betrayed the country, deserved death. As for Zhang Gui, you're a new recruit who killed a deputy commander. Aren't you afraid of taking the blame?"

"Your subordinate had no choice. Besides, Zhang Gui's actions were truly unforgivable. Not killing him would not quell the anger in the army!"

Luo Yu said solemnly:

"If your subordinate has violated military law, I'll accept whatever punishment Hundred-man Commander sees fit!"

"Heh, you're a hero, why would I punish you?"

Zhang Lu chuckled:

"Not only will I not punish you, I'll promote you!

From now on, you're a company commander! All the defeated soldiers who retreated to Black Gully Fort will be under your command!"

Luo Yu's eyes lit up, hurriedly saluting:

"Your subordinate thanks Hundred-man Commander for the promotion!"

This was unexpected good fortune, jumping from squad leader directly to company commander, bringing him one step closer to the five-year agreement of becoming a fifth-rank general.

Zhang Lu waved his hand:

"Don't thank me yet, I have a military task for you.

Superior orders that all outer troops must retreat to Yunyang Pass. Xiao Shaoyou and I will also lead our troops back to the city, but Black Gully Fort needs troops to garrison, to buy time for the rear forts to retreat.

Since you've defeated the Qiang army and achieved great merit, you'll defend Black Gully Fort. Don't disappoint me."

Luo Yu was taken aback. This wasn't a good assignment.

Before he could speak, Xiao Shaoyou hesitantly said:

"The terrain of Black Gully Fort is too flat, no defensible position. The Qiang cavalry will be hard to stop.

When we take our troops away, there will only be sixty to seventy defeated soldiers left to garrison Black Gully Fort. Isn't it inappropriate to leave so few people?"

"What's wrong? As a soldier, are you afraid before the battle even starts?"

Zhang Lu looked at Luo Yu with deep meaning: "Company Commander Luo, are you going to disobey orders?"

"Your subordinate accepts the order!"

With words like that, could Luo Yu refuse? But he was puzzled by the growing hostility in Zhang Lu's tone.

"Indeed, you have courage!"

Zhang Lu's lips curled up, saying coldly:

"Orders are orders, no room for error.

Ten days, within ten days Black Gully Fort must not fall! Defending Black Gully Fort is a great achievement, I'll personally recommend you to higher-ups! But if you can't hold it, I'll have to deal with you according to military law, demote and execute you!"

The hostility grew thicker. Luo Yu couldn't understand why this guy suddenly wanted to kill him - he hadn't offended him, had he?

Xiao Shaoyou was shocked, hurriedly saying:

"Head, a few dozen people can't hold off the Qiang army for ten days. Shouldn't we leave more troops?"

"What's wrong? Is no one listening to my orders now?"

Zhang Lu glanced at Xiao Shaoyou, giving him no chance to plead.

He walked slowly to Luo Yu's side, whispering:

"There's something I've never told anyone, no one in the army knows. I might as well tell you now."

"Please speak, Hundred-man Commander."

"Zhang Gui was my cousin."