Chapter 10, Town Governance

Upon hearing Han Dong's words, Zhao Qingfeng said nothing and quickly walked outside. The wind continued to rage, cutting painfully against his face, while the snow kept falling, accumulating on the shocked face of Zhao Qingfeng. Before long, his body was covered in snowflakes.

Zhao Qingfeng stood motionless in the snow, carefully inhaling the faint scent of blood in the air. After a while, he ran outside, quickly making his way to the northern earthen embankment. The faint scent of blood was carried by the wind from the northeast. Zhao Qingfeng stood for a moment in the wind and snow, saying nothing, and hurriedly ran down the embankment, shouting to Han Dong, "Go summon all the leaders to an urgent meeting at my location immediately, hurry up." The faint scent of blood was carried by the wind from the northeast. Zhao Qingfeng stood for a moment in the wind and snow, saying nothing, and hurriedly ran down the embankment, shouting to Han Dong, "Go summon all the leaders to an urgent meeting at my location immediately, hurry up."

Sima Ping advised a few words, "If you go to the battlefield, everything must be approached with caution, remember!"

"Yes," Qi Silima said loudly

Having spoken, Han Dong mounted his horse and rode out. Everyone else quickly mounted their horses and followed Han Dong as they headed outside.

Having seen countless people reveal genuine expressions upon hearing this news, Han Dong instinctively glanced at Yuan Chongwu after Sima Ping announced it, only to feel disappointed. Yuan Chongwu's face still bore a hint of weariness as he quietly listened to Sima Ping. After a while, he inquired, "What about Zhao Qingfeng now"

The entire camp remained as tranquil as ever; those who were sleeping continued to do so, while those who were drinking had all gone out. Only the personnel on duty remained in the camp area. Han Dong had no time to say anything and hurriedly rushed to the office of the coordination unit. He knocked on the door and entered.

The soldier then disappeared from the city wall. After a while, four or five heads appeared on the wall, and one person, who seemed to be the leader, said, "We do not recognize your identity. Since you claim to have urgent military information to report, you should first put down your weapons. We will lower a basket; you can sit inside and come up."

The metallic scent of blood in the air made Han Dong's mind involuntarily tense. Perhaps the bandits had indeed launched an attack, or perhaps he was about to step onto the battlefield for the first time. This was a real battlefield, not the simulated confrontations during military training. Han Dong's heart was pounding violently, and he covered the area over his heart with one hand as he quickly ran back through the snow.

When Han Dong saw Sima Ping at the entrance of the military department, he quickly stepped forward to greet him, "Chief Sima, why are you back again? Didn't you go home?"

The residence of the town chief is located behind the military headquarters, surrounded by a tranquil environment, with thick snowflakes accentuating the unique charm of this area

"Where have you reached?" Zhao Qingfeng heard Han Dong's words, immediately put down the pen in his hand, stood up, and looked at Han Dong's face with a look of shock.

Han Dong listened to Sima Ping's admonition, replied with a thank you, and then parted ways with Sima Ping.

The soldier arrived at the city gate and shouted, "Urgent military situation, open the gate quickly"

Han Dong observed that these usually composed individuals were so flustered at such a critical moment, and he nodded, articulating the reason.

After Han Dong entered the door, he followed the sound and saw a man in the room, who appeared to be in his fifties with a grizzled beard. The man had a tall and robust physique, and his age of over fifty did not diminish his strong build in the slightest. Dressed in a simple and unadorned cloth shirt, he presented himself as a person of upright character.

Everyone is aware that the key now lies in how to respond to this phenomenon. Although there is still some surprise at this news, everyone knows that being astonished or shocked at this point is futile. The crucial matter is how to address it, so everyone quietly listens to Zhao Qingfeng's arrangements

The five battalions consist of five commanders, five deputy commanders, along with one coordinator, two deputy coordinators, and Han Dong himself, totaling fourteen individuals. They are all gathered at Zhao Qingfeng's residence, looking at each other with puzzled expressions. Due to the urgency of the matter, Han Dong did not explain anything to them and simply instructed them to come here.

Listening to Zhao Qingfeng's orders, everyone went out to begin executing their respective tasks

Han Dong knew that this was the commander of the border troops, the garrison commander of the Seven Towns, Yuan Chongwu.

"What? When did this happen?" Sima Ping, listening to the words from Han Dong, immediately exclaimed, took a deep breath, then turned to look around and whispered, "Is this true?"

Han Dong saw that the coordinating officer Zhao Qingfeng was still sitting at his desk handling documents, so he saluted him and said, "Officer Zhao, the barbarian invaders have arrived"

Zhao Qingfeng looked at these people, scanning left and right, and said, "The barbarian bandits are attacking, and it seems they are currently assaulting Changli Prefecture"

"Alright, get ready immediately, we will gather here in a quarter of an hour," Han Dong said loudly to the more than fifty people.

Han Dong looked at the tightly closed city gate in the distance and sent a soldier to call out to the gate.

Han Dong rode his horse to the city under the fireworks in the sky and said to the soldiers on the city wall, "I am Han Dong, the captain of the first team of the Fifth Battalion of the Fifth Division of the Seven Towns of the Frontier Army. I have urgent military matters to report."

After bidding farewell to Sima Ping, Han Dong left the city and returned to the camp

A soldier holding a lantern leaned out from the city gate, peering down as bursts of fireworks lit up the sky. Below, he saw another soldier dressed in the same military uniform as himself, and in the distance, approximately forty to fifty soldiers. After observing for a moment, he asked, "Who goes there?"

Han Dong observed the actions of the leader and did not voice any objections. After all, this was an urgent time, and they were uncertain about their own identities, so he refrained from opposing the leader's decisions and proceeded to the military headquarters along with the others.

Upon seeing that it was the military training department's coordinating officer, Sima Ping, at the city gate, they said, "Alright, now it's fine, we will take our leave first"

The soldier above looked at the one below who claimed to be a member of the border army, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Wait a moment."

Listening to what Han Dong said, along with Yuan Chongwu's evaluation, Sima Ping nodded and remarked, "Zhao Xietong's approach is prudent and steady, a rare quality in a general who maintains the status quo." Observing Yuan Chongwu deep in thought, Sima Ping softly inquired, "Zhen Tong, what should we do now?"

Sima Ping did not allow Han Dong to continue speaking and hurriedly pulled him inside

Knowing that it was time to introduce the situation to Yuan Chongwu, Han Dong took a step forward, saluted, and said, "The coordination command has now ordered the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 5th Brigade to gather intelligence in Donglin Town, while the 3rd and 4th Battalions are to gather intelligence in Hailuo Bay. The 5th Battalion is prepared for maneuvering, and they are instructed to refrain from taking independent action upon encountering scouts."

Han Dong, who took three steps but moved as if taking two, quickly arrived at the station. After registering at the gate, he walked inside

Han Dong looked at the bamboo basket that had been set down, handed his weapon to the soldier beside him, and stepped into the bamboo basket.

Yuan Chongwu listened to Han Dong discussing the situation of the Five Associations, smiled and nodded, and said, "Zhao Qingfeng's abilities are becoming increasingly prominent; he is capable of being a general. He is doing very well"

Sensing the faint smell of blood permeating the air, Han Dong quickened his pace

Han Dong, take your men and immediately go to the city to report to the military headquarters. By the way, inform Commander Yuan about our arrangements and ask him to make the final decision, stating that we are currently stationed here and cannot return for the time being

Alright, everyone, immediately gather your respective teams and assemble at once!" Zhao Qingfeng said with a serious tone as he issued his final command, "Hurry up and execute it!"

Watching the soldiers depart, Sima Ping looked at Han Dong and hurriedly asked, "What happened? Han Dong?"

Upon entering, before Sima Ping could speak, a voice was heard saying, "Sima Xie, what is the matter? Why are you visiting me so late?"

Han Dong quickly returned to his base and promptly summoned his subordinates. Before long, those who could be gathered had assembled. Han Dong looked at everyone and had them report their numbers; there were only fifty-six people. Han Dong said, "The Northern Barbarians have already reached Changli Prefecture and may soon attack Liaoxi County. It is almost time for you to go to the battlefield to fight and serve the country. If we do not strive at this moment, when will we?"

Sima Ping reported to Yuan Zhen Tong, "The Northern Barbarians have already begun their attack, in Changli Prefecture"

Everyone was shocked and looked at each other upon hearing the news from Zhao Qingfeng. Although they all knew that one day the marauders would counterattack here, they did not expect the fighting to begin on New Year's Eve. This left everyone completely unprepared.

Han Dong looked at Sima Ping and, without holding back, said, "Sima Xie, the Northern Barbarians have already launched a major attack on Changli Prefecture."

Han Dong looked at the soldier who stood motionless in the snow, quietly listening to him speak, and continued, "Now we will carry out our mission and head to Liaoxi County. Immediately take the horse and prepare to depart. Qi Si, you stay here; when the others arrive, let them wait here first."

Sima Ping, accompanied by Han Dong, informed the guards. After a while, the guard came out and said to Sima Ping, "The town commander allows you to enter"

Zhao Qingfeng glanced at Han Dong and said, "You come too later."

Looking at all the soldiers who were ready in no time, he nodded and said, "Alright, now we will head to Liaoxi County City, let's depart."

Sima Ping, you are to have the personnel from the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Associations stand by immediately, and be ready to heed the next course of action.

Sima Ping looked at the soldiers, then turned to glance at Han Dong, who nodded at him. Sima Ping then said, "Alright, you may return first."

Zhao Qingfeng did not allow everyone to remain in shock for long. He glanced at everyone and said, "Now we need to arrange the next course of action"

"There is nothing to do at home, and given the current urgent military situation, I have not been staying at home." Sima Ping glanced at the soldiers around Han Dong and quickly asked, "What happened, Han Dong?"

The wind and snow continued unabated, adding a touch of cold atmosphere to this tense moment. Han Dong glanced at the snowflakes drifting in the sky, turned to the soldiers following him, and shouted, "Hurry up and keep up."

Listening to Zhao Qingfeng assign such a task to him, he couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled as to why he was being sent to the city. Han Dong, not wanting to think too much about it, immediately stood up and replied, "Yes"

The wind continued to rage across the land, and the snow still fell in a flurry. The entire world was immersed in the storm, quietly enveloped in the night, with only the sound of footsteps crunching in the snow, "crunch, crunch." Han Dong tightened his clothing and quickened his pace on the way back.

After reaching the city wall, Han Dong showed the proof to that person along with the book. Without hesitation, the person took three or four others and accompanied him towards the military headquarters.

Riding a horse is certainly much faster than walking, and before long, we arrived at the north gate. Even now, there are still people in the city setting off fireworks, and the brilliant fireworks illuminate the entire sky, creating a continuous expanse of red.

Seeing everyone rushing to prepare, Han Dong did not remain idle. He ran back to his residence, took the White Dragon Blade and the Huangyang Bow gifted by Liu Yuan, saddled a horse, and quickly arrived at the training ground

Han Dong listened to the person's words and felt that this was the only way, so he agreed with his statement

Han Dong understood that it was an urgent moment and quickly replied, "Yes." He then turned around and prepared to run.

Sima Ping and Han Dong received their orders and then left

Zhao Qingfeng glanced at everyone and said, "The First and Second Battalions will go to Donglin Town to gather intelligence, the Third and Fourth Battalions will head to Hailuo Bay for reconnaissance, and the Fifth Battalion is to prepare for mobility. Remember to report immediately upon encountering enemy scouts."

Just as Han Dong was about to run off, he was momentarily taken aback by Zhao Qingfeng's subsequent words. However, he quickly dismissed the thought and went to call the leaders of each battalion.

"There is already a smell of blood outside." Han Dong looked at Zhao Qingfeng's shocked face, feeling somewhat surprised. This is indeed a significant matter, as it involves the invasion of barbarian bandits, and their five alliances are still stationed outside the city. Although they have finished tidying up and can return to the city immediately, they have not yet done so. If the enemy truly attacks here, their alliance will...

Yuan Chongwu glanced at Sima Ping, then turned to Han Dong and said, "Go back and tell Zhao Qingfeng that his approach is correct, but he must still be cautious. If there are any developments, return to the city immediately." After looking at Han Dong, Yuan Chongwu remained silent for a moment before continuing, "Tell him that my decision is for the Five Associations to continue gathering intelligence, but to gradually expand the scope. We must closely monitor the movements of the Northern Barbarians and also keep an eye on the situation in Qian'an and Lulong. Future actions will depend on the intelligence we receive."

The snow-covered ground in the night makes the entire world appear so desolate, as the wind howls and rustles through the bare branches, producing a continuous mournful sound. Snowflakes drift down gracefully, blanketing the ground and settling on Han Dong, on his conical hat, yet he does not shake them off, allowing them to continue falling.