484: Chapter 484 Engineer Team

General Zhao Kuan immediately ordered the two high-mobility units—the two thousand cavalry and the Engineering Corps—to set out first.

The main infantry force would follow behind as support.

Xie Juner ran back to the rear and explained the plan to Xie Yu and the others.

"That's great!"

Xie Yu slapped his thigh and said excitedly, "I've been waiting for this! How long were we going to keep moving at this snail's pace before we finally got to work?"

He hurriedly called over his two capable subordinates.

"Zhang Cheng! Colonel Liu Kun! Hurry up, our Engineering Corps is heading to the front! We're going to save people first!"

"Yes, sir!"

Zhang Cheng and Colonel Liu Kun responded loudly.

The two were originally Militia commandants from Wansong County. Having experienced multiple actual battles and proved themselves courageous and strategic, they were selected for the Arsenal's Engineering Corps.

At first, the two weren't clear on what the Engineering Corps did, thinking it was just about protecting the Arsenal, patrolling, and guarding.

But once they arrived, they realized they were actually going to operate the Arsenal's new equipment.

After all, the craftsmen at the Arsenal were not soldiers and lacked combat experience.

As for the regular army, they generally had a foundation in martial arts, and some even had internal cultivation.

They weren't very willing to serve as engineers and test various weapons all day long.

Therefore, these elite Militia members, who didn't have high martial arts but possessed combat experience, were the best choice.

Zhang Cheng and Colonel Liu Kun had now been promoted from Militia commandants to Engineering Corps Captains.

Although the two engineering teams numbered fewer than a hundred people, they were all elites selected from the Militia.

This mission to intercept the Khitan would be the Engineering Corps' first actual combat, and they were incredibly excited.

"Princess, let our Medical Team go first as well?"

Zhao Cailing ran over at this moment. Upon learning that the Engineering Corps was going ahead to save people, she was also very anxious.

As the Dean of the New Northern Academy's Medical School, she had personally brought over twenty students to form the Medical Team.

"There will definitely be people injured among the refugees. If we are there, perhaps we can provide timely treatment," Zhao Cailing said.

Xie Juner thought it made sense, so she ran to suggest it to General Zhao Kuan.

General Zhao Kuan hesitated for a moment before agreeing; they were going all out anyway.

"Everyone, make way! Let the Engineering Corps and the Medical Team through first!"

As the formation opened up to clear the main road, carriage after carriage carrying various large objects sped toward the front.

Two horses pulled each carriage, which were covered with sackcloth, making it impossible to see what was inside.

A long line of dozens of carriages sped down the main road toward Hanyang.

The two thousand cavalrymen were led by Commander Bai Buhei, flanking the main road as an escort.

The cavalrymen were somewhat confused as they watched the large carts.

"What exactly does this Engineering Corps do? There are so few of them, yet so many carts?"

"I heard they're powerful weapons built by the Arsenal. This is their first time on the battlefield."

"Aren't they all from the Militia? Is it really okay to let them take the lead?"

"Didn't you hear? They're going to save people. They'll probably come back after that. Fighting the Khitan people will definitely still depend on us!"

Hearing the cavalrymen's private discussions, Xie Yu, who was sitting on one of the carriages, showed a look of fierce determination.

"A bunch of country bumpkins. I'm definitely going to open their eyes this time!"

"Who says only those with high martial arts can go to the front and kill the enemy?"

Xie Juner, riding alongside, gave him a sidelong glance. "Brother, this is your first time on a battlefield. Don't go wetting your pants from fear."

"I am the dignified Heir of the Marquis of Linyuan. How could I be afraid of those Khitan barbarians?"

Xie Yu looked high-spirited, his eyes full of confidence.

"As my Prince brother-in-law put it so well, 'Heaven has endowed me with talents, and they must be put to use.' Today is the day I, Xie Yu, shall make a name for myself!"

Su Wansha, traveling alongside them, chuckled. "Juner, your brother's personality has become much more cheerful than when he first arrived in Baishui City."

Xie Juner gave a forced smile, appearing quite helpless herself.

Su Wansha thought of something and asked, "Are you worried about Miss Hu?"

"Sister, you saw through me."

Xie Juner sighed. "Although the Hu Family has various issues and the Prince doesn't favor them, Xinyi has been my good friend for many years. Now that Hanyang has fallen, I don't know how she's faring."

"The Hu Family is so wealthy; they must have hired expert guards. Miss Hu will be fine."

"I hope so..."

The Engineering Corps' carriages sped along the concrete road.

An hour later, some blurry figures of carriages and horses appeared ahead.

These vehicles were of various sizes, and some had people lying on them, their status unknown.

Presumably, the large crowd of refugees fleeing on foot was still further behind.

"Refugees! Stop the convoy!"

Xie Yu hurriedly shouted, "Zhang Cheng, lead the First Engineering Team to unload! Colonel Liu Kun, lead the Second Team to assemble on the spot!"

"Right away!"

Zhang and Liu immediately took their orders and began pulling back the waterproof tarps on the carriages.

Soon, various strange-looking components were exposed to everyone's sight.

Although Xie Juner and Su Wansha had seen some of them before, they had never seen the complete versions.

Seeing so many large objects up close at once left them a bit stunned.

The most obvious feature was that they were built from hardwood, reinforced with iron plating in the middle, and the outer layers were tightly wrapped in several layers of ox hide.

It would certainly be exhausting for the engineers to carry these heavy objects, weighing hundreds of catties, by hand.

However, the carriages were equipped with wheeled transport carts, so they could be moved immediately upon unloading.

"Brother, what are these?"

Xie Juner was a bit worried. These things looked like large pieces of furniture; could they really be used in battle?

"Don't you worry about it. Just let the cavalry take the refugees and run. Once the fighting starts here, we'll hold them off!"

After Xie Yu finished speaking, he went off to direct his men.

Su Wansha pointed ahead. "Juner, look! Isn't that Miss Hu?!"

Xie Juner quickly looked over and indeed saw a carriage approaching, and the person driving it was none other than Hu Xinyi herself!

At this moment, as the banners of the Zhenbei Army appeared, the fleeing civilians were overjoyed.

When the two sides met, the civilians broke into tears, crying out for help in a state of emotional collapse.

"Soldiers! Please, save my daughter, she's injured!"

"The Khitan are behind us! They're about to catch up!"

Commander Bai Buhei and the others rushed up to comfort them, giving out water and dry rations, and telling the refugees to continue retreating toward Xiangyang.

The injured were left to Zhao Cailing and her team for treatment.

Hu Xinyi was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing Xie Juner. She jumped off the carriage and rushed forward to give her friend a tight hug.

"Princess! I... *sob*..."

Xie Juner's heart felt heavy as she looked at Hu Xinyi, whose hair was disheveled, her body covered in dirt and even bloodstains.

"It's alright now, it's alright. Xinyi, you're safe here."

Xie Juner glanced at the women and children peering out from the carriage behind her.

These people were dressed differently, and some didn't seem to be from the Hu Family.

"They are..."

"It's my mother and some civilians I met on the road..."

"Where is Squire Hu? Why are you driving the carriage yourself?" Xie Juner asked in confusion.