Fortunately, during this period, Qingyu Trading Company and Sunji Trading Company continued to purchase grain and supplies.
Despite the Crown Prince's faction's numerous attempts to obstruct them, they still managed to procure some grain from Jiangnan, Qiantang, Silla, and Ezo.
Sun's Trading Company even opened trade routes to places like Annam and Champa.
Thanks to the help of the merchants, there is no shortage of food in Dongning City.
Moreover, because soap, cement, and other products sold very well, they were able to make a profit.
With logistical support secured, Li Xin gained confidence in defending the city.
Immediately, Li Xin ordered Wei Jun's infantry to garrison the lookout towers at Shuibin River and Dongshan, as well as the trench defense line, and to defend the area day and night.
The soldiers of the Shence Battalion and Shenji Battalion also began to set up catapults and prepare supplies such as thunderbolts.
Hunting teams, gathering teams, and engineering teams within the city were also mobilized and entered the defense line to participate in the city's defense operations.
Even the elite cavalry were not idle; relying on the mobility of their warhorses, they monitored the movements of the grassland bandits in the surrounding mountains and forests.
The entire city of Dongning was in full swing.
In Dongning City, everyone is a soldier!
Although the Prince's Guard was not large, with tens of thousands of civilians as backup, it was more than enough to defend Dongning City!
"Mu Yunyan, keep an eye on the movements of the grassland bandits!"
Li Xin remembered something and quickly instructed, "Whatever you do, don't let the grassland bandits change course and attack Dingli County."
"The troops there are insufficient, and the area has only recently been recaptured; it would be dangerous to go there."
"OK!"
Mu Yunyan quickly agreed.
After the entire city of Dongning mobilized, Li Xin thought it over and decided to have Zhang Cheng lead the Shenwei Battalion and the people of Dingli County back to Dongning City.
Nowadays, there are not many of them.
If we continue to disperse and are picked off one by one by the grassland bandits, then we will suffer a greater loss than we gain!
Or just clench your fist and smash someone!
...
After the order was issued, Dingli County also began to take action.
On the way Zhang Cheng's troops retreated, scouts and intelligence agents from the north also reported the latest movements of the grassland bandits.
The grassland bandits split into three groups and headed towards Dongning City to encircle it. They were expected to arrive in Dongning City in two days.
"Increase vigilance!"
With the latest news, Li Xin felt somewhat at ease.
What's meant to happen will happen eventually!
With a relatively definite timeframe, one can be less anxious and nervous, and instead be able to calmly plan and prepare.
Over the course of two days, all logistical preparations were underway.
The trenches were also reinforced and repaired.
The defensive supplies, including thunderbolts, gunpowder, rolling logs and stones, tung oil, and three-bow crossbows, were all prepared.
Even the soldiers on the front lines have begun to get some rest.
This was the last peaceful night before the great battle.
Although spring has arrived, the nights in late spring in Northeast China are still quite cool.
The night was cool and still.
A crescent moon hangs in the distant sky, casting its silvery light upon the earth.
In the trenches, some new recruits couldn't even sleep.
Her eyes were fixed on the moon, her thoughts drifting off somewhere else...
Gradually, the sky brightened.
Delicious meals were also delivered from within the city. The royal guards and various work teams in the trenches all received tasty meals, which even included meat and eggs.
With a major battle imminent, we can still guarantee that the soldiers will be well-fed!
After the soldiers had breakfast, as the sun hung low over the trees, the sound of horses' hooves came from the north.
Woohoo—
The watchtower also sounded a mournful horn.
In an instant, the trenches, the city walls, and all the soldiers and civilians of Dongning City sprang into action.
Even Li Xin came to the city wall, his eyes fixed intently on the distant mountains and forests.
In the mountains and forests, a cloud of dust drifted into the air, startling countless birds into flight.
Before long, squads of fully armed grassland bandits appeared in front of the mountains.
These grassland bandits, each wielding a curved knife, had ferocious and terrifying faces.
Unlike last year, there are now more people, and the team is more stable.
After these grassland bandits appeared in the open field ahead, they did not take immediate action, but instead lingered at the edge of the forest.
Gradually, the escort soldiers from the rear also arrived.
These escort soldiers were all soldiers from the Tufu (local chieftain) forces in the north who had fallen to bandits on the grasslands.
The escorting soldiers were numerous and carried baggage and rations.
Among them, one can clearly see siege engines and ladders.
Clearly, they were prepared and wanted to take Dongning City in one fell swoop.
However, the grassland bandits were also stunned when they arrived this time.
"Nahatai, this is the shabby Dongning City!"
Commander-in-Chief Embark frowned, pointed to the watchtowers and trenches in the distance, and said coldly, "What's that up ahead?"
"this……"
Nahatai was also stunned.
You should know that when I left Dongning City last year, it was just a dilapidated and small isolated city.
I never expected that things would change like this after only half a year!
They also built city walls and watchtowers in the north of the city. Were they trying to expand Dongning City?
Nahatai stood there, stunned, and murmured, "Great Commander, these... these are very likely things they just built."
Last year, when we attacked Dongning City, we really didn't see any of these..."
"snort!"
Commander-in-Chief Embok snorted coldly and ordered, "Immediately find out the troop deployment in Dongning City and report back. We will convene a battle planning meeting tonight!"
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