After the autumn harvest, the weather became increasingly cold.

The temperature at night even dropped below zero, and the whole city of Dongning felt chilly.

The cold weather has actually made coal stoves a hot seller.

Upon learning of the existence of such a product, some skilled workers came to purchase it.

A coal stove wasn't expensive, only 800 coins, and the coal briquettes weren't expensive either.

For families who can afford a new house, they can buy one if they save money.

Most importantly, winter won't be so unbearable anymore.

Despite being a coal stove, it sold very well.

Even heated brick beds have become scarce.

Xiao Wang, along with his technical team, vigorously promoted the construction method of heated brick beds in the communities near Dongning City.

As autumn arrives, some families are also building heated brick beds (kang) inside their homes.

With these warm measures in place, we should be able to get through this winter.

As heated brick beds and coal stoves were widely promoted, the grassland bandits in Xiande Prefecture in the north also became more docile.

Seemingly having learned of the formidable strength of Prince Xin's army in Dongning City, the grassland bandits have refrained from launching any large-scale military operations during this period.

Instead, on ordinary days, they would send out small groups of troops to take advantage of the high mobility of the grassland bandit cavalry to roam, harass, and attack the area near the official road between Shuangcheng Prefecture and Dongning City.

This tactic left the supply transport team in a rather disheveled state.

To ensure the smooth transport of supplies, Mu Yunyan led his elite cavalry to escort the goods along the official road.

Even the scouts of the infantry were scattered throughout the forest, and when they discovered traces of the grassland bandits' cavalry, they immediately reported the news.

In addition, armed personnel were also deployed in the supply transport teams as a means of self-defense.

With the implementation of multiple measures, the safety of the material transport team was ensured.

In particular, the elite cavalry battalion had encountered small groups of cavalry bandits from the grasslands many times in the field.

Although the elite cavalry suffered some losses in actual combat, their combat capabilities and skills were gradually improving.

The two sides were in a state of equilibrium, with neither taking the initiative to attack, and both using small units to carry out harassment operations.

When the news from Shuangcheng Prefecture in the north reached Dongning City, Li Xin frowned slightly, shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "This is not good news for us."

Our elite cavalry battalion is small in number and weak in strength.

Although they were skilled in guerrilla warfare in the mountains and forests, they couldn't withstand the relentless pressure and gradual attrition from the bandits on the grasslands.

If this continues, I wonder if the elite cavalry can withstand it!

"Your Highness need not worry too much,"

Zhao Bingzhang waved his hand and said, "When it comes to guerrilla warfare in the mountains and forests, I'm afraid no one can match the soldiers of the Swift Cavalry Battalion!"

Even though we are outnumbered, we can still protect ourselves!

If all else fails, we can have Zhang Cheng, Liu Zheng, and Wang Zhong send a portion of the infantry battalion out of the city to conduct guerrilla warfare in the mountains and forests.

Although the infantry battalion has poor mobility, it still has its advantages in mountain guerrilla warfare!

He still has the Thunderclap Bomb in his hand!

If we can't win, we'll retreat and gradually wear down the strength of the grassland bandits!

"Hmm, that works too!"

Li Xin nodded and said, "Mr. Zhao, write a letter to Shuangcheng Prefecture and give them some instructions."

"good!"

Zhao Bingzhang readily agreed.

He pondered for a moment and said, “Your Highness, there are many infantry battalions in Shuangcheng Prefecture, as well as the Xiaoji Battalion and Shenji Battalion. Without unified leadership, orders are issued from multiple sources, which may be inappropriate.”

I suggest that General Wei Jun be dispatched to Shuangcheng Prefecture to oversee and unify command.

General Wei Jun has considerable prestige; presumably, He Chaojun, Mu Yunyan, and the infantry battalion will all obey his orders.

"Alright!"

Li Xin nodded and said, "There shouldn't be any major battles in Shuangcheng Prefecture."

Sending Wei Jun to Shuangcheng Prefecture is not only for guerrilla warfare in the mountains and forests and ensuring the smooth transportation of supplies, but also to seize the time to build city defenses.

In addition, we must strengthen the training of each battalion!

"yes!"

Wei Jun quickly stood up and replied.

"sit down."

Li Xin waved his hand and continued, "During this period, we fought several battles with the grassland bandits. Although we have the advantage, our disadvantage is also very obvious."

There are still too few cavalry.

The elite cavalry only numbered a few hundred men; how could they possibly compare to the grassland bandits?

Therefore, while expanding the Prince's Guard, we must also strengthen the recruitment and training of cavalry.

Just then, in the battle of Shuangchengfu, the leaders of the northern Nahe tribe, Nahedoro, and the Nalin tribe, Nalinbulu, were captured.

Mr. Zhao, how has the communication with the Nach and Nalin departments been going lately?

"Could we bring the Nah and Nalin tribes back under the command of Dongning Province?"

"Your Highness,"

Zhao Bingzhang couldn't help but laugh and said, "When you're under someone's roof, how can you not bow your head?"

These Nakhdoro and Narinbulu are not invulnerable to weapons; with a combination of persuasion and coercion, how could they not submit?

The agreement has been reached. The Nahe and Nalin tribes will bring all their sons, nephews, and family members to live in Dongning City. Then, Nahedoro and Nalinbulu, along with one hundred close associates, will be released back to their respective tribes.

After returning, the Nahe and Nalin tribes once again revered the Daqian Dynasty and obeyed the orders of the Dongning Xinwang Mansion.

Your Highness, I have also reached an agreement with Nakhdoro and Nalinbulu. Their two tribes will pay five hundred fine warhorses as tax each year.

In addition, we purchased warhorses from the Nah and Nalin tribes at market prices and engaged in border trade with them.

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