As the reconstruction of the General's Mansion progressed smoothly and the new strategy was gradually implemented, the entire mansion was revitalized. Throughout this process, Lin Wan'er's presence was ubiquitous; her wisdom and abilities made outstanding contributions to the development of the General's Mansion, all of which Xiao Yichen witnessed and remembered.
During an inspection of the city wall restoration project, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er walked side by side on the wall. Sunlight shone on them, and a gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness. The city wall was mostly restored, with new stones neatly stacked and craftsmen busily working, hammering the stones to make them fit together better.
"Wan'er, look at this city wall. Thanks to everyone's efforts, it will soon be restored to its original state, and even stronger than before. You deserve a lot of credit for this." Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, his eyes full of admiration.
Lin Wan'er smiled and replied, "General, this is the result of everyone's joint efforts. I only did my part, hoping that the General's Mansion can always be peaceful and stable."
"You're too modest. From the post-war inventory of supplies to the treatment of the wounded, and now to the supervision of the city wall restoration project, you've handled every step perfectly. Your meticulousness and thoroughness are truly admirable," Xiao Yichen said earnestly, stopping in his tracks.
Lin Wan'er's cheeks flushed slightly: "General, this is all I should do. The soldiers of the General's Mansion are fighting bravely on the battlefield, and I am just providing them with support from the rear. Compared with their sacrifices and contributions, my efforts are insignificant."
“No, Wan’er, don’t underestimate yourself. The battles on the battlefield are important, but the stability at home is even more crucial. Everything you’ve done is like a lubricant, allowing the massive machine of the General’s Mansion to run smoothly. Without you, our reconstruction work wouldn’t have gone so smoothly,” Xiao Yichen continued, his eyes filled with sincere emotion.
Inside the barracks, soldiers were testing newly developed weapons and equipment. Lin Wan'er picked up a newly crafted shield and examined it closely. This shield was lighter than the previous ones, yet its defensive capabilities remained undiminished.
"The design of this shield is really ingenious; it's lightweight yet effectively blocks attacks," Lin Wan'er exclaimed.
"These are all your suggestions, Wan'er. You proposed to create a lighter yet more defensive shield, and the craftsmen experimented repeatedly according to your ideas before creating this shield," Xiao Yichen said. "Your suggestion not only allows soldiers to move more flexibly on the battlefield but also reduces physical exertion, greatly improving our combat effectiveness."
Lin Wan'er gently stroked the shield: "I only put forward some ideas based on the actual situation on the battlefield. It was the craftsmen who truly made it a reality."
“You’re always so humble. But you should know that a good idea is sometimes more important than a thousand troops. Your wisdom has brought us these advantages, giving us more confidence when facing our enemies,” Xiao Yichen said with a smile.
In intelligence work, Lin Wan'er also demonstrated extraordinary talent. Her suggestion to strengthen ties with the surrounding populace to gather intelligence began to take effect. More and more people were willing to provide information to the General's Mansion, making the intelligence network more comprehensive.
"Wan'er, your insights into intelligence work are truly unique. Establishing connections with the people makes our intelligence sources more extensive and reliable. How did you come up with this idea?" Xiao Yichen asked curiously.
Lin Wan'er replied, "General, the people are the masters of this land, and they are most sensitive to the movements around them. Moreover, the enemy's actions will more or less affect their lives, so they are willing to help us. As long as we can give them enough trust and protection, they will become our strongest intelligence support."
"You're right, Wan'er. It's very rare for you to be able to think from the perspective of ordinary people. In this way, we not only obtained intelligence but also won the support of the people, which is a double gain for us." Xiao Yichen nodded in praise.
Lin Wan'er also played an important role in the joint defense cooperation between the General's Mansion and the surrounding towns. She actively participated in discussions and put forward many constructive suggestions, which made the cooperation between the two sides closer and more efficient.
At a joint defense meeting, Lin Wan'er elaborated on the joint training plan: "We can mix the soldiers from the General's Mansion and the town into small teams for live-fire drills. This will not only improve our teamwork but also allow us to learn from each other and make up for each other's weaknesses."
Her plan was recognized and supported by everyone. In subsequent joint training exercises, the results were remarkable; the soldiers' coordination became smoother, and their combat effectiveness was enhanced.
"Wan'er, your plan played a crucial role in the success of this joint training exercise. You always manage to offer the most appropriate suggestions at critical moments, pushing things in a better direction," Xiao Yichen said to Lin Wan'er on the training field.
"General, I just hope we can better deal with the enemy. Through joint training, we can become a stronger whole and protect our common homeland." Lin Wan'er looked at the soldiers training, her eyes filled with anticipation.
As time went by, all the work in the General's Mansion proceeded smoothly, thanks in no small part to Lin Wan'er's efforts. Xiao Yichen's praise for her spread throughout the General's Mansion, and the soldiers and servants alike were filled with admiration for Lin Wan'er.
At a banquet, Xiao Yichen once again expressed his admiration for Lin Wan'er in front of everyone.
"Everyone, we are gathered here today to celebrate the reconstruction and development of the General's Mansion. In this process, there is one person we must thank, and that is Miss Lin Wan'er." Xiao Yichen raised his wine glass, his gaze sweeping over everyone, finally settling on Lin Wan'er.
"Miss Lin's wisdom, kindness, and courage have brought hope and strength to our General's Mansion. She has excelled in every aspect, whether it is military strategy, logistical support, or cooperation with neighboring regions; she has done an impeccable job. She is a treasure of our General's Mansion, and I am very fortunate to have her by our side." After saying this, Xiao Yichen finished his drink in one gulp.
Everyone raised their glasses and shouted, "To Miss Lin!"
Lin Wan'er stood up, tears of emotion glistening in her eyes: "Thank you, General, thank you everyone. I will continue to work hard and protect the General's Mansion together with everyone."
The banquet continued in a warm and joyful atmosphere. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er exchanged glances amidst the happiness, their friendship deepening with each shared experience. They knew that many more challenges awaited them, but as long as they worked together, the General's Mansion would surely stand firm in the chaotic world, becoming the guardians of the people and the beacon of hope for peace.
The laughter and joy of the banquet still seemed to echo in the air above the General's Mansion, but the peaceful days did not last long. A scout rushed in with urgent news: after their previous defeat, the enemy seemed to be preparing an even larger offensive. They had not only amassed more troops but had also joined forces with other factions, intending to breach the General's Mansion in one fell swoop.
The atmosphere in the council hall instantly became tense. Xiao Yichen sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed, listening to the scout's detailed report. Lin Wan'er, standing beside him, also became serious; she knew that the enemy's attack was fierce, and the General's Mansion would face an unprecedented challenge.
"According to reliable sources, the enemy has significantly increased its cavalry force, making them extremely mobile. They are also equipped with a new type of siege weapon, which is incredibly powerful. We are still investigating the details," the scout reported.
One general said worriedly, "General, the enemy's forces have increased significantly this time, and they have new weapons. We are under considerable pressure."
Xiao Yichen nodded slightly: "The enemy will not let this go easily, which we should have expected. However, we are not unprepared. Our reconstruction and strategic upgrades during this period were precisely to deal with this situation."
Lin Wan'er continued, "We need to quickly learn about the enemy's new siege weapons and see if we have any countermeasures. At the same time, given their large number of cavalry, we need to adjust our defensive deployment."
“That’s right. We should reinforce the barricades around the city walls to prevent cavalry from getting close. In addition, we can deploy some archers specifically to target the cavalry, focusing on the horses to disrupt their charging formation,” Xiao Yichen said.
"General, we need to increase the number of our catapults and improve their firing angles and accuracy so that we can better counter the enemy's siege weapons and dense formations," another general suggested.
While discussing military defense, logistical support also became an important topic.
"We need to ensure we have enough food and supplies, and we also need to check our medicine and weapons reserves again. This battle may last a long time, and we cannot afford to run out of supplies," Lin Wan'er said.
“I will arrange for someone to handle it, and at the same time notify the surrounding towns to prepare. This time we need closer cooperation,” Xiao Yichen replied.
After the meeting, the general's mansion sprang into action. Soldiers began setting up more chevaux-de-frise outside the city walls. These chevaux-de-frise, composed of sharp wooden stakes, were arranged in an crisscross pattern to form obstacles. Archers gathered at specific locations on the city walls to conduct shooting training against cavalry, practicing how to accurately hit fast-moving targets.
The craftsmen were also working overtime to improve the catapult. They adjusted the mechanical structure of the catapult, increased the power and range of the projectiles, and installed some aiming aids to improve shooting accuracy.
Lin Wan'er personally oversaw the preparation of logistical supplies. She went to the warehouse and carefully inspected every bag of rations, every bottle of medicine, and every weapon.
"These medicines should be stored separately for easy access. Weapons should be wiped and maintained regularly to ensure they won't cause problems on the battlefield," Lin Wan'er said to the servant in charge of warehouse management.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen dispatched more scouts to try and obtain detailed information about the enemy's new siege weapons. After some effort, the scouts finally brought back some useful intelligence.
"General, the enemy's new siege weapon is a huge ballista that can fire enormous bolts with a long range. These bolts are also incendiary, and if they hit the city walls or tents, they can easily start a fire," the scout reported.
Xiao Yichen and his generals felt a chill in their hearts upon hearing this. This weapon posed a tremendous threat to the General's Mansion, and if it was not dealt with, the consequences would be unimaginable.
“We can set up some fire prevention facilities on the city walls, such as water tanks and sandbags. Once we detect flaming crossbow bolts coming, we can immediately extinguish the fire with sand and cool it down with water from the tanks,” Lin Wan’er suggested.
"At the same time, we need to find a way to destroy the enemy's ballistae. We can send a suicide squad to raid the enemy camp at night and burn their ballistae," a general said.
“This method is too risky. The enemy camp must be heavily defended, and the suicide squad may not return. We can try using catapults to attack the ballistae and destroy them before they get close to the city walls,” another general countered.
Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment: "Both methods have their merits. We should prepare a suicide squad as a last resort. At the same time, we should adjust the deployment of the catapults to try to strike the ballistae from a distance."
During the intense preparations for battle, reinforcements from surrounding towns arrived one after another. They brought more troops and supplies, and together with the soldiers of the general's mansion, they prepared to deal with the enemy's attack.
The allied forces assembled in the square in front of the General's Mansion. Xiao Yichen stood on the high platform and addressed the soldiers: "Brothers, we are about to face a fierce battle. The enemy is coming on strong, but we have our advantages. We have strong city walls, advanced weapons, and a united will. We fight to protect our homeland and our loved ones; we cannot back down!"
The soldiers shouted, "For the General's Mansion! For our homeland!" Their voices resounded through the sky, filled with fighting spirit.
Lin Wan'er watched the soldiers with high morale, her heart filled with emotion. She knew this was a battle of life and death, but as long as everyone worked together, there was hope for victory.
The enemy finally launched their attack. They surged towards the general's mansion like a black torrent, with cavalry charging ahead, their hooves kicking up clouds of dust. Huge ballistae slowly advanced behind them, their massive bolts gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
"The enemy is coming! Prepare for battle!" Xiao Yichen shouted.
The archers on the city wall immediately drew their bows and fired at the enemy cavalry. Arrows rained down, many horses were hit and fell to the ground, and the cavalrymen were thrown from their horses, causing the charging formation to fall into disarray.
The enemy's ballistae began firing, the huge, flaming bolts whistling towards the city walls. The general's soldiers quickly responded with sand and water, successfully extinguishing some of the flames, but parts of the city walls were still hit, igniting small flames.
"Catapults, attack the ballistae!" Xiao Yichen ordered.
The catapults launched huge stones, hurling them at the enemy's ballistae. Some ballistae were hit by the stones, their parts scattered all over the ground, but the enemy had a large number of ballistae, and many continued to advance.
Enemy infantry, under the cover of cavalry and ballistae, advanced towards the city walls. They carried ladders, preparing to scale the walls. The general's soldiers countered with spears, stones, and hot oil, and the battle intensified.
During the fierce battle, Lin Wan'er discovered that some of the enemy's crossbow carts were concentrated on the left flank, where the defenses were relatively weak.
"General, the enemy has more crossbow carts on their left flank. We need to strengthen the defenses there, otherwise the city walls may be breached," Lin Wan'er shouted to Xiao Yichen.
Xiao Yichen immediately made arrangements: "Move a team of catapults and archers to the left flank to stop the enemy's ballistae from advancing. Send a portion of the central army to support the left flank of the city wall."
The soldiers of the general's mansion swiftly carried out the orders, and the defenses on the left flank were reinforced. However, the enemy also realized the general's mansion's intentions, and they intensified their attacks on the left flank, making the battle even fiercer.
At this critical moment of life and death, the combined forces of the General's Mansion and the surrounding towns did not back down. They fought a desperate battle with the enemy, shedding their blood on the battlefield to protect their homeland and for the beliefs in their hearts.
The left flank of the General's Mansion was under intense enemy fire and was in dire straits. Huge ballistae continuously unleashed tongues of fire, the city walls crackling and popping under the scorching flames, and cracks beginning to appear in sections. Siege ladders were erected one after another on the walls, and enemy infantry scrambled up like ants, their shouts and screams mingling together like a symphony of death.
Xiao Yichen personally came to the left flank of the defense line to direct the battle. His eyes showed no fear, only unwavering determination. "Brothers, we cannot let the enemy break through here! Use your strength to defend our homeland!" He brandished his sword, inspiring his soldiers.
The soldiers, emboldened, were greatly encouraged. Archers, disregarding the danger, stood on the edge of the city wall, firing wildly at the enemy ballistae and infantry below. Their fingers were bleeding from the bowstrings, but they did not stop. Soldiers beside the catapults strained to adjust their angles and power, trying to hit the enemy ballistae more accurately. However, the enemy's attack was too fierce; several catapults were hit by crossbow bolts and burst into flames.
"Put out the fire! We can't let the catapults be destroyed!" a general shouted, and the soldiers quickly grabbed buckets of water and rushed towards the catapults. But enemy crossbow bolts continued to rain down, and many soldiers fell while trying to put out the fire.
Lin Wan'er ran along the city wall. Seeing an enemy soldier about to scale a ladder, she immediately drew her sword and charged. Her swordsmanship was swift and fierce, and in the blink of an eye, she had felled several enemy soldiers to the ground. "Don't panic, everyone! Hold every corner!" Her voice rang out clearly across the chaotic battlefield, calming the surrounding soldiers.
Beneath the city walls, enemy cavalry were also charging towards the chevaux-de-frise. Although the chevaux-de-frise effectively halted some of the cavalry, some still broke through the lines and charged towards the walls. The general's spearmen immediately formed ranks, ready to meet the cavalry. Their spears, like a forest, gleamed coldly in the sunlight. As the cavalry drew near, the spearmen roared in unison and thrust their spears forward with all their might. In an instant, horses neighed, men screamed, and blood splattered.
But the enemy did not retreat because of this resistance; they continued to adjust their tactics and intensify their attacks on the left flank. Just when the situation was becoming increasingly critical, a turning point suddenly appeared. It turned out that the general's suicide squad, led by a brave commander, took advantage of the enemy's concentrated attack on the left flank and successfully broke through the enemy's defenses from the right flank, circling around to the rear of the enemy's ballistae.
"Light the fire! Burn these ballistae!" the suicide squad leader shouted. Soldiers threw torches at the ballistae, and the fire spread rapidly. The enemy, thrown into disarray by the sudden attack, turned to fight the suicide squad.
"Well done! Brothers, it's time to counterattack!" Xiao Yichen saw the chaos in the enemy's rear and seized the opportunity to give the order.
The general's soldiers poured out from the city walls and gates, charging towards the enemy. The enemy on the right flank, under the combined assault of the suicide squads and the main force's charge, began to crumble. They scattered in all directions, many being killed by the general's soldiers.
Seeing the situation on the right flank, the enemy troops on the left flank were somewhat flustered. However, their commander quickly rallied the troops and continued to organize the attack. The soldiers in the general's mansion used this opportunity to readjust their defenses.
"Concentrate fire on the enemy commander!" Lin Wan'er shouted to the archers, having identified the enemy's key position. The archers immediately targeted the enemy commander, and after several volleys of arrows, he was struck and fell from his horse. The enemy army, having lost its command center, descended into chaos.
"Charge!" Xiao Yichen led his soldiers towards the enemy's left flank. Like tigers descending a mountain, they swiftly broke through the enemy's defenses. Caught in a pincer attack, the enemy could no longer mount an effective resistance and began a complete rout.
On the battlefield, the general's soldiers pressed their advantage, chasing and killing the enemy, driving them out of the general's territory. The fierce battle lasted all day, only gradually subsiding as night fell.
Although the general's mansion achieved victory, it paid a heavy price. Many sections of the city walls were damaged, catapults and other defensive structures were destroyed, and the number of soldiers killed or wounded was enormous. The battlefield was littered with corpses, and blood stained the earth red.
Standing on the battlefield, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er looked at the horrific scene, their hearts heavy with sorrow. "Immediately organize the treatment of the wounded and clean up the battlefield," Xiao Yichen said in a hoarse voice.
Soldiers and servants busied themselves. Medical teams crisscrossed the battlefield, searching for survivors. They carried the wounded onto stretchers and transported them to medical tents for treatment. Other soldiers began clearing away corpses and collecting weapons and supplies.
Inside the medical tent, the groans of the wounded filled the space. Doctors and nurses were frantically busy, their clothes stained with blood. Lin Wan'er also came to the medical tent to help care for the wounded.
"We must do everything we can to save them," Lin Wan'er said to the doctors. She looked at the wounded soldiers, her eyes filled with heartache. Some had lost arms, others were covered in wounds; they had all been injured while protecting the General's Mansion.
Xiao Yichen was inspecting the damage to the city walls and other defensive structures. "Repair the city walls as soon as possible; we cannot give the enemy another chance to attack," he said to the general in charge of the project.
After a busy night, the battlefield was basically cleared, and the wounded received proper medical treatment. However, the atmosphere in the general's mansion remained heavy, as this battle made everyone clearly aware of the cruelty of war.
The next day, Xiao Yichen and his generals held a post-war meeting in the council hall.
"Although we won this battle, we cannot let our guard down. The enemy will come again. We must learn from this experience and further strengthen our defenses," Xiao Yichen said.
A general stood up and said, “General, this suicide mission was very successful, but it was also too risky. We can consider more of these surprise tactics in the future, but we must be better prepared.”
“That’s right, we need to strengthen our intelligence gathering. If we can find out the weaknesses of the enemy’s ballistae earlier, we can reduce our losses,” another general said.
Lin Wan'er continued, "Our logistical support also needs improvement. During this battle, the supply of medical materials and weapons was somewhat strained at critical moments. We need to establish a more comprehensive reserve and allocation mechanism."
Everyone nodded in agreement and began discussing the improvement measures in detail. In the days that followed, the General's Mansion once again threw itself into the intense work of reconstruction and preparation for war. The city walls were gradually repaired thanks to the craftsmen's efforts, and new defensive structures were constantly being built. The intelligence network was further expanded, and logistical support was improved. Having experienced this bloody battle, the soldiers of the General's Mansion had become even more resilient. They knew that only by constantly strengthening themselves could they protect the homeland they loved.
But this is only the beginning...
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