143: Chapter 0143 Dark Night Fire Dragon

The driver said: "The road administration team is specifically responsible for the roads; they are the ones who build and maintain the cement roads."

"One station, two people on rotating shifts, responsible for ensuring there is no snow accumulation on the road and no debris blocking the way."

"The snow on this road has melted because they have been guarding this stretch of road for a long time, sprinkling salt from time to time."

"If there is any emergency, they can also light wolf smoke to send a message in advance."

The driver spoke enthusiastically, and then added: "Besides the road administration team, there is also the logistics team. They are responsible for delivering food and drink to each station."

"The meals you infantry eat are all delivered by our logistics team. You all rely on our Militia to have food to eat, haha!"

The soldiers were deeply moved upon hearing this.

They usually only focused on combat training. They never imagined that from food, clothing, housing, and transportation, to going on an expedition, so many people were making contributions behind the scenes?

It was precisely because every link was executed in an orderly manner that they had this lightning-fast efficiency!

At this thought, a flame ignited in the soldiers' hearts, and they felt all the more that this battle must be won beautifully!

Otherwise, how could they live up to those brothers standing guard in the cold wind?!

On the city tower, Old Yu took a big gulp of wine, his eyes full of gratification.

"Magnificent! Haha... I never expected that setting out on an expedition with a motorcade could have such spirit!?"

Lin Xiao was not particularly satisfied. If it weren't for the tight schedule and insufficient cement, he would have wanted to build a two-way, four-lane road.

However, Baishui Prefecture was, after all, just a border region. When he eventually controlled the Central Plains, it wouldn't be too late to build major roads.

Mu Wanying, watching the expeditionary motorcade which now looked like a giant dragon of fire, was also deeply shaken!

Every single vehicle represented more than a dozen soldiers.

A full eight thousand Zhenbei Army troops were rushing to the front line at twice the speed of a normal march!

"Logically speaking, it would take at least a whole day to reach Lincang City during a winter march."

"But now, it will only take two to three hours to reach the city walls..."

Mu Wanying took a deep breath of cold air, feeling her whole body tremble!

As a soldier, she knew full well what such an innovation meant!

"My husband, am I dreaming?"

Lin Xiao patted the woman on the back. "Let's go. Once we reach the front line, you will know whether it is a dream or not!"

Mu Wanying nodded, flicked her long ponytail with high spirits, and followed her husband to the expedition.

Lincang City.

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

Zhang Erwa, a garrison soldier on the city tower, came to change shifts after an hour.

"Old Jiang, wake up!"

Seeing that Old Jiang was still standing and seemed to have fallen asleep, Zhang Erwa gave him a push.

As a result, Old Jiang fell over stiffly!

Zhang Erwa was stunned for a long time before shouting loudly: "Captain Zhou! Captain Zhou!! Old Jiang... has frozen to death!!"

Captain Lao Zhou hurried back, reached out to check the breath, his face filled with sorrow.

"He has been dead for a while..."

The eyes of several veterans nearby turned red.

"This winter, this is already the sixth one... How many more people have to freeze to death."

"Old Jiang was in good health, how could he freeze to death?"

"It's because of hunger! Even if a person is made of iron, they still need to eat!"

"It's bad enough that we aren't fed enough, but there isn't even hot soup. That Prefect Wu Yonghe doesn't care about our lives at all!"

"If he just gave us two more coal briquettes every day, we wouldn't be so stingy and unwilling to boil some hot water."

Captain Lao Zhou frowned. "Stop talking, carry Old Jiang down..."

Several veterans shook their heads and sighed, understanding that saying more was useless.

Every winter, thousands, if not hundreds, of soldiers in the northern border froze to death.

Zhang Erwa wiped away his tears and was just about to take over the post, but when he looked forward, he found something wrong?

"Captain Zhou, over there... why does it seem like there are many more people?"

Upon hearing this, Captain Lao Zhou didn't take it too seriously, but when he looked closely, his face changed abruptly!

He hurriedly rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things...

"How... is that possible!?"

He saw that the camp, which originally only had two or three thousand people, had suddenly multiplied several times in number!?

A vast army, at least ten thousand people!

Not only that, but a large number of catapults and scaling ladders were also set up!?

"Zhenbei Army! It's the Zhenbei Army!!"

Zhang Erwa shouted in panic: "Captain Zhou! That god of slaughter Lin Xiao is here!!"

"Nonsense! Do you think I don't know it's the Zhenbei Army?!"

Captain Lao Zhou's face was filled with shock and uncertainty: "The key is... how did so many people suddenly appear!?"

"Did they march over in the middle of the night!? How come there was no sound at all?"

"Are they crazy!? Those are all infantry. In such cold weather, coming from Baishui City, wouldn't they have to run all night? Can they still fight like this?!"

"How many people must have frozen to death on the road?! For our Lincang Prefecture, is it worth it?!"

Captain Lao Zhou felt his scalp tingle; it was truly hellish!

"You guys keep watch, I'm going to find Assistant Minister Cai!!"

An incense stick later.

After witnessing the "miracle" on the city tower, Prefect Cai Heng rushed to the Prefects Mansion in a panic.

Prefect Wu Yonghe, who was sleeping while holding his concubine, was so angry when he learned that Prefect Cai Heng had come early in the morning that he ordered the butler to drive him away.

But Prefect Cai Heng, like a wild bull, rushed directly into the backyard.

"My Lord!! The Zhenbei Army is here to attack the city!! —"

With a loud roar, Prefect Wu Yonghe was so scared he almost peed on the bed!

Prefect Wu Yonghe put on a thick robe, pushed open the door, and walked into the courtyard.

Looking at Prefect Cai Heng, whose hair was disheveled and unkempt, he realized the seriousness of the situation.

"Three thousand Zhenbei Army troops, do they really dare to attack the city!?"

"Not three thousand, at least ten thousand!!"

"What?!"

Prefect Wu Yonghe staggered back two steps.

"How could this be... When did they come!? What is the scout battalion doing? From yesterday until now, why hasn't there been any news!?"

Prefect Cai Heng looked helpless: "My Lord, these Zhenbei Army troops seem to have descended from the sky; they suddenly appeared overnight!"

"I suspect it is because of the cement roads that their marching speed has increased!"

Prefect Wu Yonghe cursed angrily: "Nonsense!! It's not like that cement road won't have snow or ice!"

"Besides! Ten thousand troops, even if they ran over, it would take half a day, right!? How could they arrive so suddenly!?"

Prefect Cai Heng lowered his head. "This subordinate... this subordinate also cannot understand. Even if it were truly possible to do, it would cost them dearly."

"It is truly unbelievable that Lin Xiao is willing to pay such a price for our Lincang..."

Prefect Wu Yonghe's face turned gloomy. "Prefect Cai Heng, did you deliberately hide military intelligence? Do you want to defect to that rebel Lin Xiao!?"

"My Lord! I am wronged!! —"

Prefect Cai Heng hurriedly knelt down, saying with heartbreak: "This subordinate has always been grateful for your Lord's cultivation; how would I dare to betray you?!"

"Good, since you say so... then prove it to me!"

Prefect Wu Yonghe said sternly: "I order you to immediately take all the garrison troops and defend the city gates to the death! Hold out for two days, and wait for the reinforcements of Prince Bai!!"

"My Lord, the enemy has ten thousand elite troops and siege equipment... How can we hold out for two days?"

Thinking of those starving and freezing garrison soldiers, Prefect Cai Heng's heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.

Three thousand against three thousand would be one thing, but ten thousand fighting their three thousand, who were the elites who had fought the barbarians... How could they defend against this?!

Wasn't this just asking their soldiers to die in vain?!

"As the Prefect of Lincang, I swear to live and die with Lincang City!"

Prefect Wu Yonghe said with a dark face and righteous indignation: "I will ask you one more time, are you willing to defend to the death with me!?"

Hearing this, Prefect Cai Heng had to grit his teeth and say: "This subordinate... swears to follow to the death!"