The Broken Axe

Eight men, including Meng Hu and Dong Chuan, gathered around Luo Yu. He had divided the seventy-three men into eight teams, carefully selecting these eight as squad leaders, each leading a team.

Shen Li squatted in the corner, holding a basket of flatbread, her eyes wide with curiosity. She had come to deliver food and, seeing them in discussion, wisely didn't interrupt.

The eight were stunned when they heard Luo Yu's plan to defeat the Qiang cavalry outside the fort. That was nearly a hundred and fifty Qiang cavalrymen - was this Commander Luo really that fierce in battle?

Luo Yu used stones to lay out the surrounding terrain:

"You see, to the east of the fort is a narrow mountain pass, several miles long. On both sides of the pass are black forests, dense and windy. In the past, we always used this mountain pass to transport supplies and military equipment. Taking other routes would require detours, wasting time and effort.

Our fort is named Black Gully Fort because it's built at the entrance of this mountain pass.

You've seen the fort's situation - no brick walls, no defensible terrain. Those wooden fences can't stop Qiang cavalry horses. One charge and they'll collapse.

Then we'll have to fight Qiang cavalry with our bare flesh and blood. We're not fools - how many could survive?"

The eight men were silent. A group of infantry facing Qiang cavalry on open ground was no different from suicide.

"Brother Yu, just tell us how to fight."

Meng Hu rolled up his sleeves:

"We all have one head on two shoulders. If we have to die, we'll die in Black Gully Fort. We'll follow you!"

"Right, you say what to do!"

Four of the eight had come from Jiming Fort with Luo Yu, following his orders without question. The other four, though unsure of their confidence, also nodded in agreement.

Luo Yu got straight to the point:

"To win, we need to meet one condition - force the Qiang army to dismount and fight on foot!

My plan is to abandon Black Gully Fort. All brothers will retreat into the black forest to set traps, then lure the Qiang cavalry into the forest. Once in the forest, their forces will be scattered, significantly reducing their combat effectiveness.

I see you've all trained well with the Three-Three System. Fighting Qiang infantry in familiar terrain is our best chance. Add in our pre-set traps, and we might just win!

Are you guys willing to take this bet?"

"Agreed!"

Dong Chuan, the most experienced, was the first to agree, knowing Luo Yu's plan was their best option.

"We'll follow you, Commander! Let's fight them!"

The others nodded fiercely. Since they were already in a desperate situation, following Luo Yu was their only choice.

"But there's one problem."

Dong Chuan said gravely:

"The Qiang aren't fools. When they find Black Gully Fort empty, they'll chase east along the mountain pass. Why would they dismount and enter the black forest?

How do we lure them in? That's a big problem."

"I already have a plan."

Luo Yu silently turned to look at Shen Li squatting nearby. Everyone instinctively followed his gaze.

Everyone immediately understood Luo Yu's intention.

There were five or six women among the refugees. Qiang soldiers were like lustful wolves when they saw women, and would chase them relentlessly. If there were any bait, these women were the best bait available.

Shen Li understood Luo Yu's meaning, her face changing, unsure if it was fear or hesitation.

"Commander, that's not right."

Dong Chuan smiled bitterly: "We're all grown men. Should we let a group of refugee women lure the enemy for us?"

"Or I can be the bait."

Meng Hu waved his fist:

"I'll catch two Qiang soldiers and beat them to death. They'll be furious and chase after me. That would work, right?"

Everyone's faces darkened. With your big build, the Qiang would shoot you dead from far away.

"This is a battlefield. When the Qiang attack, they won't care if you're soldiers or civilians."

Luo Yu's expression was particularly cold:

"If we lose this battle, we'll all die. Their fate will be even worse. And I said, to survive, everyone must fight with all their might.

Soldiers must, and so must refugees!"

Everyone was stunned, knowing Luo Yu was right but shocked by his ruthlessness. No wonder he could lead his men out of Jiming Fort's desperate situation.

"I'll go!"

The silent Shen Li finally stood up, her tone firm:

"I'll go!"

"Aren't you afraid?"

"What good would being afraid do?"

Shen Li said quietly: "If being afraid helped, fewer people would have died in Nu Ting. You're right, to survive, everyone must fight with all their might."

Everyone was astonished - this girl was much stronger than they imagined.

"Then it's settled!"

Luo Yu clenched his fist:

"Dong Chuan, Meng Hu, immediately lead all the brothers into the black forest to set traps and familiarize yourselves with the terrain. That's where we'll fight the Qiang to the death!

Remember, we don't live for others, we live for ourselves!"

In one night, the soldiers withdrew completely. The fort was filled with scarecrows holding torches, looking like a full camp from a distance.

Only a few women remained in camp. These women from Nu Ting seemed much stronger than women from Central China. Knowing they would be used as bait, they didn't cry or complain - their eyes showed more desire to live.

Luo Yu saw Shen Li.

The little thief had changed.

Before, her face was always smeared with mud and dirt, looking dirty. But now she had washed her face, revealing a particularly fair complexion.

Her skin wasn't flawless, but it was absolutely pure white, with a pair of touching eyes filled with determination.

A beauty in the making.

"You're very smart."

Luo Yu said after a moment of distraction: "Escaping from Nu Ting, that face would bring you a lot of trouble. Dressing as a man was actually a way to survive."

"What, only you can be smart?"

Shen Li glared at him:

"The soldiers have all withdrawn, why haven't you left?"

"Leaving now."

Luo Yu said expressionlessly:

"Remember what I said. No matter what, you must lead the Qiang into the black forest. That's our only chance to win.

Also, be careful."

"Understood."

Shen Li was silent for a long time, then spoke hesitantly:

"If, if we die, please take care of those old people. They're weak and can't do much work. Just think of it as pitying them, and take them to safety."

These past two days she had seen Luo Yu's decisiveness, fearing he would abandon the elderly and children if they died.

"Don't worry, I'm not that heartless."

"Thank you."

"Leaving."

Luo Yu turned to leave. Shen Li tucked the broken axe into her chest, looking calm but taking deep breaths to calm her emotions.

Small girl, broken axe.

Could she really not be afraid?

"Don't be afraid."

Luo Yu's cold voice floated from afar:

"I said, I'll take you all through this alive."