Normally, this vanguard position is taken on by lower-ranking noble families on a rotating basis; it would never be the turn of a top-tier aristocratic family like Qin Mo's. Even when Qin Mo was still the heir apparent, he followed closely behind the central army of the military commander.

"Qin Mo, if both our families contribute some manpower, it won't be too difficult for us to proceed at a slower pace..."

"Mozi, both of our families have brought a lot of auxiliary soldiers, which we plan to use to set up supply depots along the way. Let's work together to clear roads and build bridges!"

"Forget it, I know my limits. If I really argue with him, it would make me seem petty."

Although if Qin Mo were to cause trouble, the vanguard position would most likely fall to someone else, those unfortunate families would certainly harbor resentment towards the army. It would be unreasonable for Qin Mo to create conflict before the army even sets out.

The next day, more than a dozen groups of people arrived outside Qin Mo's military camp. They were all sent by various noble families to help him. There were quite a few nobles who had made their fortunes by relying on high-ranking officials over the years, but there were still many nobles who were loyal and righteous.

However, they didn't help much during the subsequent march, but they did learn a lot of skills.

Each of Qin Mo's battalions had about 1,500 men, and within them there was always an engineering corps of about 100 men. They were used to practicing various skills such as opening mountains, paving roads, and digging fortifications. After a series of professional operations, the noble private troops who came to help were dumbfounded.

A steep slope appeared ahead, making it difficult for the horse-drawn carts to climb. Several artillerymen from the engineering corps began drilling holes and planting explosives. Then, with a few loud "booms," flying sand and stones blasted the steep slope into a gentle slope. After tens of thousands of infantrymen passed through first, the road was tamped down, and the horse-drawn carts and supplies followed the column and sped away.

When encountering rivers or narrow bridges, the engineers would use specialized pontoons, ropes, and metal fasteners to build a flat pontoon bridge in the time it takes for the soldiers to eat a meal, without delaying their march.

"Your Highness, we haven't been able to help much, and we've even gained weight from eating here. We're really sorry... But the Japanese here are eating so well!"

Qin Mo was a generous person; you can't expect people to bring their own food when they come to help repair the road! As a result, the food provided by the army made the straightforward men who came to help feel very embarrassed, as if they had gotten a good deal.

"Whether they are Japanese or Koreans, once they come to Daegu, they are Daegu people, and I will never treat them unfairly!"

"Your Highness is truly kind. Um... I have a relative by marriage who was stripped of their title this time, and they'd like to seek a living with Your Highness... What do you think...?"

Emperor Zhaowu was unaware that while he swiftly stripped many people of their titles, he also bestowed upon Qin Mo a large number of Han soldiers, which triggered a strong ripple effect. In the years that followed, countless Han men from the Great Xia Dynasty joined Qin Mo's ranks in pursuit of their dreams, becoming another type of "new imperial nobles."