6kv Chapter 45: A Bountiful Harvest
Chapter 45: A Bountiful Harvest
About an hour later, the campfire was lit, and it was now afternoon.
Zhou He walked over, covered in sweat: "This time we've finally struck gold. We've collected all thirty-two of your heads, and they're all wearing fine bronze armor, plus a lot of silver, totaling two thousand two hundred taels."
I've packed them in a basket for you; we'll take them all back tomorrow.
If we also include those captured alive.
These men have accumulated four or five hundred military merits; you're aiming for the position of centurion.
After saying that, he gave Lu Yuan a thumbs up.
"Thank you for your kind words. If I really become a centurion, I'll put you under my command."
"That's great! I'd be overjoyed to work for you," Zhou He said immediately.
During these few trips, Lu Yuan discovered that the other party was truly a talented individual; in a battle, besides the commander's skill, the logistics were also crucial.
During his time away, Zhou He made sure everything was arranged perfectly.
He's exactly in need of someone like that.
At this moment, Old Huang also came over: "Sir, I've looked around, and there are no Northern Barbarians around. We should be able to have a peaceful night."
"Old Huang, did you get any loot this time?" Lu Yuan asked, looking up.
The other party chuckled and said, "Thanks to you, I killed one of the wounded."
"Well, if you can enter the country, you should try it when you get back. That way, even if you don't achieve much merit when you come out, at least you'll be safer," Lu Yuan said.
He picked up a basket and tossed Old Huang a few silver ingots, probably around a hundred taels.
No one was envious of this, after all, to be honest, they were people who had been running around outside the city for many years, but they really didn't know the way as well as Old Huang.
Zhou He also advised, "Yes, Lao Huang, everyone is hoping you'll continue to lead the way. You'll be healthier after you enter the country."
"Yeah, I'll give it a try when I get back this time," Old Huang grinned.
"We lost quite a few people this time, over a hundred of us came out, and now there are only about sixty left in the team. That's counting Zhou He's men. So we need to improve our strength as soon as possible so that we can survive better."
After reminding him once again, Lu Yuan said no more.
He was just drinking with the two of them.
Meanwhile, in Huangsha City, Zhang Zhe was drinking with Bai Hong in the living room of their mansion.
The former took a sip and said, "Sir, the order has been given from above. This time, the one coming to our Three City Fortress is the Silver Arm Iron Falcon. The Helian family has already reported it, so this matter is no longer our concern."
"That's good. The family sent a letter saying they'll be recruiting some skilled fighters from outside the country to help you out. Starting tomorrow, you need to focus on studying military formations, as this will be extremely beneficial for leading troops in the future."
Once you master the Five Tigers Mystic Gate Formation, venturing out of the city will be much safer. This is a true Tier 1 military formation, incomparable to the Arrowhead Formation.
Like martial arts techniques, military formations are divided into nine levels, from low to high, with the first level being the lowest and the ninth level being the highest.
The higher the level of the cultivation technique and military formation, the stronger the power that can be unleashed.
The "Arrowhead Formation" is a military formation that does not require rank.
The Five Tigers Mysterious Gate Formation is a formation that Bai Hong is proficient in.
"Yes, I'll listen to you, sir. But you said that within the three cities, no one will actually wipe out the Iron Falcons during this time, right? I heard that there's a team still outside Icefield City."
"The one leading the team is the same guy who shot down the Iron Falcon last time," Zhang Zhe said somewhat uncertainly.
It would be one thing if no one could defeat this Iron Falcon.
But if the Zhou family really succeeds, the Helian family will definitely take their anger out on him.
"Don't worry, Silver Arm Iron Falcon, even the Silent Riders of the Helian family can't beat him."
Bai Hong gently comforted his disciple.
Although Zhang Zhe wasn't particularly outstanding, he was still above average in appearance, and more importantly, he had a family backing him up.
He knew very well that Zhang Hong, the head of the family, was a man of great hidden talent.
Don't be fooled by his unassuming demeanor; he might just rise to the next level and become a governor of a state.
At that time, Zhang Zhe only needs to follow the family's arrangements.
Even at the very least, he could become a general.
"That's good. The most feared thing in the military is comparison."
After Zhang Zhe finished speaking, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
In his mind, Bai Hong was quite capable, and since he had deduced that it was impossible, then it was definitely impossible.
Meanwhile, in Yanzhou City, inside the Grand Governor's Mansion, Hong Cheng sat in his hall. Behind him was a huge painting of a tiger descending a mountain, with the ferocious tiger's front paws pressed against a large rock, as if it were about to come to life.
Below Hongcheng stood a middle-aged man.
He appeared very respectful at this moment.
He was the commander of the elite border guards under the command of the Marquis of Jiusai.
The border guards were formed by Hong Cheng a long time ago. They were all young men from his hometown, and each one of them was someone you could entrust your life to.
I've followed him all these years and I don't know how many contributions I've made.
"Hong Luo, if we were to bring back a hundred men from your ranks now, how long would it take?"
Hong Cheng's voice was low, his eyes filled with barely suppressed anger.
He was very disappointed by the Zhou and Helian families this time.
"It will take at least half a month," Hong Luo said hurriedly.
"Alright, then tell them to come back. I'll head to Icefield City first thing tomorrow morning and wait for them there," Hong Cheng said coldly.
This time, he will personally inspect the front-line fortresses and give his generals a warning.
"Yes, sir!" Hong Luo replied and then withdrew.
Meanwhile, inside Icefield City, Zhou Hongling was very anxious. She had just returned to her residence overnight and immediately dispatched several teams out of the city, hoping to find Lu Yuan and his group.
Get him back as soon as possible; Silver Arm Iron Falcon, that's no joke.
My own father said that even the family's night watchmen would be no match for him.
Although the men Lu Yuan led were not weak, they were still inferior to the Iron Falcons, let alone the Silver-Armed Iron Falcons.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Lu Yuan; it was mainly that the difference in the abilities of his subordinates was quite significant.
While everyone was paying attention to this iron hawk.
Lu Yuan, on the other hand, slept soundly all night. After having breakfast, he ordered his men to return.
This place is about a hundred miles away from Icefield City, but if they move quickly, they should be able to get back before dark.
A short while later, the group set off.
All the prisoners were bound and laid sideways on the horse's back.
Therefore, the speed was not reduced.
Everyone ate their meals on horseback along the way.
As darkness fell, Li Huzi, who was in charge of guarding the gates of Icefield City that day, was about to order the city gates to be closed when he saw a troop approaching the city from afar.
"Da da!"
Then, a rider galloped over first. It was Zhou He. As soon as he stopped his horse, he shouted, "Old Li, don't close the city gate yet. Lu Yuan and the others will be back soon."
Li Huzi glanced at the sky: "Alright, tell them to hurry up. There's an important person in the city today, so we have to close on time. I'll wait at most for an incense stick to burn."
"Okay!" Zhou He replied and went back to urge them on.