The Longxi Dao of the Great Qian Dynasty is divided into three prefectures: Quezhou, Dingzhou, and Bingzhou.
These three prefectures form a triangular stronghold, guarding the western border against the invading Western Qiang tribes.
For many years, the Western Qiang have repeatedly invaded, committing acts of arson, murder, and plunder. If it weren't for Longxi Dao standing in the way, the interior of the Qian Kingdom would have been engulfed in flames of war long ago. However, this has also brought suffering to the people of Longxi Dao, with border residents enduring the ravages of war year after year, struggling to survive.
Luo Yu, being from Quezhou, naturally joined the Quezhou border army. After parting with his parents, he hurried to the recruiting center in Quezhou, which is also a key frontier defense point: Yunyin Pass.
In the large square, hundreds of people were crammed together, and the noise was deafening. Luo Yu felt like his eardrums were about to burst.
These were new recruits summoned from various places. As Luo Yu knew, most of them were forcibly conscripted strong men and prisoners released from jail, while those like him who volunteered were rare.
Hundreds of people stood in ragged clothes as government clerks distributed military uniforms and weapons in a haphazard manner.
"This is yours; take it."
A military uniform featuring the character "Qian" embroidered on the chest and a weapon were shoved into his arms. Luo Yu looked at the rusty curved blade and sighed; its quality was leagues below that of the long sword from the Eastern General's residence. As for the uniform, it didn't even have a piece of iron armor—it was merely a thicker piece of cloth.
"Everyone, quiet down!"
"Shut up, dammit! What's all this noise about?"
A middle-aged man resembling a military officer stood at the front of the training ground, his large belly straining against his armor. Yet his booming voice quickly silenced the crowd.
Clearing his throat, the middle-aged officer raised his nose proudly and declared, "From today on, you are members of the Quezhou border army! The Western Qiang army is pressing down, continuously harassing us, attempting to breach our Great Qian border! For the sake of your fellow countrymen and your families at home, we must…"
His impassioned rhetoric fell flat as many in the crowd stared blankly, some chattering away.
"What's the point of all this? Let's eat already; I'm starving."
A burly man turned back and smiled at Luo Yu. "Brother Yu, are you hungry?"
Luo Yu glared at him. "I'm not hungry! All you think about is eating!"
Meng Hu, the first person Luo Yu got to know after arriving at Yunyin Pass, had a name that suited him well, as he was broad-shouldered and strong. However, he had an insatiable appetite and was always thinking about food.
The two had met simply enough; they signed up for the army one after the other, and since Meng Hu couldn't read, Luo Yu had helped him write his name. Meng Hu then graciously shared half a cake with him as thanks.
"That's enough of the speech!"
The middle-aged officer finally finished his long-winded speech and took out a roster. "You are now assigned to various forts at the frontlines to serve as garrison soldiers. I hope you will fight bravely and protect our homeland!"
"Dammit, I thought we'd be guarding Yunyin Pass, but we're going to some remote forts!"
"We're dead for sure, aren't we?"
The faces of the new recruits turned gloomy, and even Luo Yu was taken aback.
The so-called forts were outposts built on the outskirts, meant to guard key points and serve as warnings to slow down Western Qiang cavalry.
In other words, these forts were further west than Yunyin Pass, right under the noses of the Western Qiang, posing significant danger!
Luo Yu wasn't afraid; he was just shocked that these new recruits had received no training and were being sent to the front lines unfamiliar with orders and drills—as if they were being sent to their deaths!
"Liu Ermazi, Erdao Gou Fort!"
"Zhang Badan, Sanhe Fort!"
"God help us, don't let me be assigned to the very front!"
"Yeah, just give me some corner fort; I just hope I don't run into those Qiang barbarians!"
The people around him were praying. There were more than a dozen forts outside Yunyin Pass, some flanking the sides and others positioned at the front. The closer to the front, the more dangerous it was. No one wanted to go to the front forts and face death.
Names were read out like a sentence of judgment, determining the fate of the new recruits.
"Luo Yu, Jiming Fort!"
"Meng Hu, Jiming Fort!"
"Jiming Fort?"
Finally hearing his name, and being unfamiliar with the situation at the border, Luo Yu asked in confusion, "Where is that?"
The people nearby cast him sympathetic and pitying looks. "One of the three forts at the very front."
…
Dust swirled in the air, and the cold wind howled.
Luo Yu leaned against the wall with a shovel, sweating profusely as he surveyed his first military stop: Jiming Fort.
It was essentially a small fortress made of wooden planks and sand, situated among the rolling dunes—barely larger than a landlord's estate.
The walls were about two meters high, far less grand than Yunyin Pass, but they were more than enough to withstand the charge of Qiang cavalry.
Several dilapidated bows and crossbows were mounted atop the walls, and nearby, weapons were strewn about. Inside, there were two rows of wooden houses where the soldiers slept, and the overall environment was harsh, with a faint unpleasant smell lingering in the air.
After three days at Jiming Fort, Luo Yu had a rough understanding of the fort's situation. There were about a dozen new recruits, while the garrison consisted of only around sixty soldiers. The company leader was named Wang Shuang, and the deputy leader was Zhang Gui.
"Dammit, I'm exhausted."
Meng Hu plopped down on the ground, his hands already blistered from work.
"Let's take a break; you won't die from doing less."
Recently, scouts from the Qiang had been moving close to the fort, indicating that the main Qiang forces could arrive at any time, so they were hurriedly reinforcing the fort walls. The new recruits hadn't had a day of rest since their arrival.
Unlike the other anxious new recruits, Luo Yu was quite eager for the Qiang to come sooner.
How could he gain military merit if the Qiang didn't show up? Without merits, how could he fulfill the five-year pact?
Meng Hu's gaze accidentally spotted Luo Yu's arm and remarked in surprise, "Brother Yu, you're really built! I never noticed before."
Luo Yu appeared slender, but when he rolled up his sleeve, the muscle definition was evident, revealing a sturdy physique.
"Hehe, I've built it up from farming."
Luo Yu laughed it off. In this world, there was no high martial arts or qi cultivation—everything depended on physical strength.
So, he followed those special memories to strengthen his body, keeping in shape and honing his combat skills, making him highly capable in fights. Three to five ordinary opponents wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Otherwise, how could he dare come to the border to enlist?
"All new recruits, stand up! Stand up!"
A sharp voice echoed as Deputy Leader Zhang Gui climbed onto the wall with his hands on his hips. The new recruits hurriedly lined up. Zhang Gui was known for his foul mouth and frequent beatings, so the recruits were frightened by him.
With a cold glare, Zhang Gui addressed them, "Look at you, standing all crooked like this—what kind of discipline is that?! Get some spirit into you!
Listen up! In the past few days, Qiang scouts have been probing near the fort. The company has issued an order for Squad Leader Wu Mazi to lead a team to deal with them—five veterans and five new recruits.
I've already selected the veterans; who wants to go among the new recruits?"
Upon hearing this, the new recruits all lowered their heads, afraid to make eye contact with Zhang Gui.
Having already been assigned to the front line at Jiming Fort, finding some safety hiding behind the fort walls felt preferable. Who would dare to go out and fight the Qiang?
Everyone in Longxi knew that the Qiang were skilled in archery and cavalry and exceptionally tough in battle. What good would a group of untrained new recruits do against them?
"Look at you all, so spineless!"
Zhang Gui sneered. "Just a bunch of men standing around—how did you become so cowardly?"
"I'll go!"
A clear, resonant voice suddenly called out, causing everyone to stare in shock at Luo Yu, the one who had just volunteered to go out and fight.
"Oh, there's actually someone with guts."
Zhang Gui was taken aback as well. The seventeen-year-old face seemed too youthful in his eyes, and he scrutinized Luo Yu intently. "Aren't you afraid?"
Luo Yu calmly replied, "Is being afraid useful?"
"Well said; fear doesn't help."
Zhang Gui observed Luo Yu with interest and then pointed out a few more people. With a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Get ready to set out. Wu Mazi, take them out to taste blood; with that, the new recruits will become veterans."