Isolated Army

Early in the morning, Luo Yu watched as Hundred-man Commander Zhang Lu led his troops and supplies away from Black Gully Fort. He didn't even glance at Luo Yu before leaving.

In Zhang Lu's eyes, Luo Yu was already a dead man.

Xiao Shaoyou left a bit later, looking guilty:

"I'm sorry, I didn't know Zhang Gui was Zhang Lu's cousin. Otherwise, I wouldn't have…"

"I understand. I killed him, so I should take the responsibility."

Luo Yu smiled calmly. Who would have thought Zhang Gui had a brother who was a hundred-man commander? But he was surprised that Xiao Shaoyou, a deputy hundred-man commander, would explain himself with such a guilty expression.

He had heard that this Xiao Shaoyou was quite respected in the camp, truly hating evil and being incorruptible. Many soldiers mentioned him with awe.

Xiao Shaoyou looked into the distance:

"I sent scouts to investigate. About a hundred Qiang cavalry are patrolling a hundred miles to the west. They're still unsure about our intentions in abandoning so many forts, so they won't dare to act rashly for now.

But based on my understanding of the Qiang army, in four or five days they'll realize we're gradually retreating. Then they'll advance directly to attack Black Gully Fort. That means you need to hold out for five days."

Luo Yu was silent.

Black Gully Fort had no defensible terrain, and there were only dozens of defeated soldiers in the fort. That meant using flesh and blood to resist Qiang cavalry. Against a hundred Qiang cavalry, they probably couldn't hold out for five hours.

"I noticed you seized some warhorses. I specially left you some cavalry lances and plenty of food."

Xiao Shaoyou looked at Luo Yu: "That's all I can do."

"Thank you, it's enough."

Luo Yu smiled, showing no signs of despair.

Such a calm expression made Xiao Shaoyou very puzzled:

"You're a smart person. You know how difficult it is to defend Black Gully Fort. Can you hold it?"

"I don't know."

Luo Yu spread his hands and asked the same question:

"If Hundred-man Commander Xiao were stationed here, could you hold it?"

"If it were my troops, I'd have a seventy percent chance."

Xiao Shaoyou frowned at the defeated soldiers:

"But them, no way."

Luo Yu was surprised. With just dozens of men under his command, he could have a seventy percent chance of holding Black Gully Fort. This Xiao Shaoyou must be a capable warrior.

"Nothing is absolute." Luo Yu stretched his back: "How would we know without trying?"

"Then good luck."

Xiao Shaoyou rode away, couldn't help turning back to shout:

"I hope we meet again!"

"Definitely!"

As the lone rider disappeared into the distance, Luo Yu muttered to himself:

"Strange guy, actually quite nice."

The empty camp was filled with people. All the soldiers who had retreated from the front line were here, seventy-three in total. Shen Li and the refugees were huddled in a corner, looking around nervously.

According to Qian military regulations, a company should have fifty men. Luo Yu now had a reinforced company.

The defeated soldiers looked at Luo Yu blankly. They had heard he was the newly appointed company commander, their new leader. The battle of Jiming Fort was being talked about wildly, getting more and more exaggerated. Some even said Luo Yu had superhuman strength, able to kill several Qiang cavalry with one slap.

The rumors were exaggerated, but they did add to Luo Yu's reputation. Standing there, the chatter gradually quieted down.

Luo Yu looked around and said loudly:

"I've gathered everyone here today to say two things!

First, Hundred-man Commander has led his troops back to Yunyang Pass, leaving us with the task of holding Black Gully Fort for ten days. According to the latest scout reports, there are at least a hundred Qiang cavalry patrolling the border, who will reach the outskirts of Black Gully Fort in five or six days.

You know the forts on both flanks are already empty, which means we're an isolated army.

So when the Qiang soldiers arrive, there will be a bloody battle!

Hundred-man Commander Zhang said before leaving that if we can't hold Black Gully Fort, the whole company will be executed!"

"What! With just us to hold Black Gully Fort for ten days? Impossible!"

"There's not even a proper wall here, how can we stop Qiang cavalry?"

"Finished, finished, this is sending us to our deaths…"

The moment he finished speaking, the camp was filled with wailing. Most people looked like they were already dead, having just escaped from the jaws of death, only to step right back in.

"I know this battle will be very difficult, but orders are orders, we must follow them!"

Luo Yu said coldly:

"Now I'm giving you a choice. If you don't want to die, leave now. I won't stop you. Whether you'll encounter Qiang cavalry on your escape route or be executed as deserters when you return to Yunyang Pass, I can't control.

But if you stay, from now on you're under my command. You must follow every order I give.

Anyone who disobeys, will be killed without mercy!"

A wave of killing intent suddenly emanated from Luo Yu, making the entire camp fall silent.

Before the battle, he needed to ensure everyone would follow his orders. Those who wouldn't listen should leave now.

The soldiers looked at each other.

Leave or stay?

"What bullshit, we're all men who stand to urinate! Better to die fighting than be executed as deserters!"

Meng Hu waved his fist and shouted:

"We escaped from such a desperate situation at Jiming Fort, what's so scary about Black Gully Fort? Qiang soldiers don't have three heads and six arms, what's there to be afraid of!"

"Right!"

"We'll stay!"

The first to respond were the dozens of men from Jiming Fort. That battle had transformed them, showing them that Qiang soldiers weren't that hard to deal with. The remaining soldiers hesitated for a long time, but in the end, no one chose to leave.

The reason was simple: deserters would be executed if caught. This was their only chance.

Dozens of eyes turned to Luo Yu. He was their mainstay now.

"Very good."

Luo Yu waved his hand: "Bring up the things!"

Dong Chuan and Xiao Wu carried in a small wooden box. Luo Yu kicked it over, revealing white silver coins, over a hundred taels:

"The second thing, this is the silver we seized from Qiang soldiers at Jiming Fort. I'm sharing it with you today!

As long as we survive, the silver is yours!"

The soldiers who had been looking like they were already dead suddenly had bright eyes. Even if each person only got two taels, it wasn't a small amount, giving them something to look forward to.

"I'm sure you've all heard that at Jiming Fort we killed nearly a hundred Qiang soldiers with just twenty men. There's nothing to fear from Qiang soldiers!"

Luo Yu's tone gradually rose, trying to boost morale:

"Everyone here, whether you joined the army for silver or were forcibly conscripted, are all unfortunate people. I won't give you any patriotic speeches about defending the country and protecting the people. You'd find them annoying, and I'd find them annoying to say.

One sentence!

We don't live for others, we live for ourselves!

I, Luo Yu, promise that as long as you follow my orders, I'll bring you through this alive!"

The soldiers' eyes flashed with light, the desire to live. They wouldn't believe anyone else saying this, but this young man had just achieved a great feat, even created a miracle. Maybe there was hope!

"Survive!"

"Survive!"

It was Meng Hu who led the charge, the whole camp shouting. Who doesn't want to survive?

Shen Li, huddled in the corner, had a flicker in her eyes. This annoying Luo Yu was actually quite good at inspiring people.

"All done, we don't have much time, let's get to the point."

Seeing everyone's high spirits, Luo Yu was satisfied:

"In the next few days, we need to improve our combat effectiveness, otherwise we'll be helpless when the Qiang army attacks."

"Um."

Dong Chuan was taken aback, cautiously asking:

"Boss, what can we do in four or five days? It takes months of training to improve combat effectiveness. Shouldn't we focus on repairing the camp walls to strengthen our defenses?"

"Who says we can't?"

Luo Yu smiled slightly:

"I'm going to teach you a combat tactic! Named…"

"Three-Three System!"