Chapter 30 Digging a Hole

Lin Changning had rested for three days. On the fourth day, he went to the garrison to report for duty on time and took over the job of a fallen squad leader under Zheng Baihu.

After the personnel were reassigned, he was given a number of soldiers, totaling several dozen. Wan Jin was lucky enough to get a minor officer position under her command.

The wound is slowly scabbing over. Fortunately, we are still stationed at the watchtower. Although the watchtower is a bit remote and dilapidated, everyone takes turns on duty, so it is not too tiring.

However, this watchtower is somewhat dilapidated, and I always felt that it would not be able to withstand the attack of the Tartars. It might collapse after just two rounds of arrows.

To put it bluntly, it was a shoddy construction project.

This watchtower was built on a low hill about ten miles outside the city. It was called a low hill, but it was actually just a small earthen slope. From its high vantage point, the view was very expansive.

The vast grasslands, horse ranches, and the shimmering river in the distance under the sunlight create a truly beautiful landscape.

However, this location is not very good because it is remote and in the front, so the Tartars can see it immediately when they attack the border. It is a second line of defense, with a wide field of vision but also close proximity.

If the Tartar cavalry charge up, this watchtower will most likely fall, and she and her few soldiers... well, they won't be able to escape.

Thinking this, Lin Changning began to have doubts.

The young soldier standing nearby, though not very old, was very perceptive: "Commander, what's wrong?"

Lin Changning frowned slightly as she looked at the boy who seemed to be a few years older than her: "Tell me, if the Tartar cavalry charges, can this watchtower be defended?"

The soldier paused for a moment, seemingly not expecting the young captain to ask such a question. After thinking it over, he hesitated and said, "Well, it seems that the watchtower is in disrepair and probably can't be defended."

Lin Changning raised an eyebrow: "That's what I was thinking too. Go and call everyone over except those on duty."

The soldier responded and quickly ran outside.

Before long, dozens of men gathered around.

Lin Changning was young and had a delicate appearance. At first, she was afraid that people would not obey her, so she thought of finding two troublemakers to practice on and establish her authority.

Unexpectedly, a group of people arrived quickly and efficiently, without showing any dissatisfaction on their faces; in fact, they all seemed completely convinced.

This saved her a lot of trouble.

Little did she know that, under the influence of a gossipy Jin and Qi's personal guards, she had become a Yama, a king of hell, standing shoulder to shoulder with Qi.

Now, when this junior officer is mentioned, he managed to take down more than a dozen enemies on his first battlefield appearance, and everyone would say he's amazing.

Furthermore, she dared to fight alongside the commander, even stealing a kill from his hands, and the commander even handed her a knife. Everyone would say, "She's a real daredevil!"

Now, this burly man grinned slyly at his dozens of brothers: "Brothers, do you want to eat meat and drink wine? Do you want to get promoted? Do you want to make a fortune?"

Although the group was a bit confused, they still had to give face to the head of the company.

They all responded loudly.

Behind Lin Changning, there seemed to be a wolf's tail swaying back and forth: "Alright, then let's lead the brothers to get rich, get promoted and make a fortune!"

Then he began assigning tasks...

If anyone were to pass by, they would surely find it strange that a group of men were digging a large pit in front of the platform with their buttocks sticking out.

If a modern person saw it, they would find it even more familiar.

Isn't this the kind of tunnel that was dug in the tunnel warfare?

Lin Changning held the blueprints with satisfaction, watching a group of men dig trenches. No matter how fierce the cavalry was, it would be useless if they fell into the pit.

Thinking about this, Lin Changning began to ponder again: warhorses are good things, it would be a waste if they were damaged after falling in.

If only people could dismount and fall into the pit, while the warhorses remained outside.

Thinking this, a sudden flash of inspiration struck Lin Changning.

Why not just use a barricade?

"Someone! Take a few of the idle brothers and find some timber so we can make a barricade."

Wan Jingang, covered in dirt from digging, climbed back onto the platform and heard Lin Changning calling for reinforcements. Resigned, he led a few men to cut down trees in the surrounding woods.

After a half-month shift, the pier was almost finished.

The platform was reinforced with earth, stone and wood, and there were countless well-covered tunnels in front of and to the left and right. There were even two rows of barricades in front of the tunnels.

If someone unfamiliar with this area comes here, they're bound to fall into a huge pit.

Falling into a big pit is fine, but falling into a trap is really bad luck.

Lin Changning felt that the tunnels alone were not safe, so he forced people to change them. Of the dozen or so earthen trenches, only three were correct.

The remaining area is filled with sharpened wood or bamboo splinters. Small animals that fall in might have a chance of survival, but if a person falls in...

Tsk, it's been turned into a sieve.

As soon as it was built, a group of illiterate soldiers felt a chill run down their spines. No wonder everyone said that this young junior officer was a living devil.

He really did deserve it. Not to mention the Tartars, even our own people, those unfamiliar with this area, would have stumbled.

Scholars have black hearts.

Fortunately, he is their commander. Recently, following this young commander, although the work has become more demanding and complicated, the standard of living has improved considerably.

Rabbits and wolves would occasionally fall into the trenches and traps, and sometimes pheasants would also fall in.

We gave them extra meat, and everyone shared some of the skin. We sold the rest and used the money to pickle some chicken and duck eggs.

The food was better, the clothes were better, and the wives at home were happy. They kept nagging them to listen carefully to what the young commander was saying.

That goes without saying; people in their area live much better lives than those in other places.

They had meat to eat, furs to collect, and occasionally a share of the profits from selling them. Although the junior officer was ruthless, that was only towards the Tartars. He was incredibly good to his brothers, and all he did was to save their lives.

These soldiers may be uneducated, but they're not stupid. If they can live a safe and comfortable life, why would they want to suffer and be stationed elsewhere?

When they first arrived, there were those petty and resentful people who looked down on this place, thinking that the young commander was too young to be anything special, and that he had been assigned to a high-risk post. They said that they would definitely suffer if they followed the young commander.

It hadn't been long, less than a month, and they were already eating meat and bringing back some money for their wives. Although it wasn't much, the soldiers at the surrounding watchtowers were green with envy.

Those who were unwilling to come back then are probably regretting it to the core now.

When other families catch wild animals, their captains and lieutenants use the catch to supplement their own income. Unlike their captains, who mostly share the catch to support their brothers.

This intricate trap is quite elaborate; if the Tartars come again, they'll be skinned alive.

Lin Changning, standing to the side, still felt it wasn't enough. He climbed around, feeling that the platform was too simple.

Moreover, they can only attack from the highest point downwards; it would be great if there were a pillbox.

Although there were no cannons, it was much safer for a group of people to shoot arrows inside.

Thinking this, Lin Changning waved his hand again: "Wan Jin, come on, where can we get bricks and stones here..."