The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!-Chapter 1050 - 882, Su Hongxin Defects

After the military supplies arrived, Xiao Yeyang didn’t let the transport team enter the city, but had them delivered directly to the Frontier Army Barracks stationed in Gan State Guard.

Cao Dan, watching carriage after carriage of military equipment enter the barracks, felt a surge of excitement.

Because he had no connections at the Commandant Office, every time he reported a request for new military supplies, he was rejected, and his troops hadn’t had new weapons for several years.

Once, a small unit encountered Xiliao forces, and due to the dullness of the soldiers’ swords, when they struck a Xiliao man, the blade got stuck and wouldn’t come out. After that encounter, only a few from that unit returned alive.

"Thank you so much, Lord Xiao!" Cao Dan looked at Xiao Yeyang with heartfelt gratitude.

Ever since this man arrived, supply of food and military needs were gradually getting resolved. He didn’t care about the shifting powers within Gan State Guard; whoever cared for his soldiers and valued their lives, he was willing to follow.

Xiao Yeyang smiled and said, "You don’t need to thank me. Now that I’ve taken charge of Gan State Guard, naturally, it is my responsibility to ensure your troop is well shaped."

Having said that, he glanced at the soldiers training on the drill ground.

"Come, accompany me to see how the soldiers are training."

As for Cao Dan, Xiao Yeyang had the Jinling Guard investigate his background, and he had personally assessed him as well.

This was a leader who had climbed from the bottom step by step solely on military merits and had no powers behind him, reliable to employ.

The military forces in Xiliang were more complex than he had imagined. Due to the Imperial Court’s negligence in management, there were many instances of local military leaders becoming too autonomous, similar to some inland local officials, who, far from the emperor, felt like they were emperors of the land themselves.

He wanted to establish an unbreakable and comprehensive defense system in Xiliang, and there was still a long way to go.

For now, he could only start by managing Gan State Guard well, and proceed from there step by step.

"The soldiers seem much stronger than when I first came," he observed.

Xiao Yeyang and Cao Dan walked on the drill ground, slowly observing the training soldiers.

Cao Dan laughed and said, "All thanks to Lord Xiao. Now that the soldiers can eat their fill daily, their spirit and vigor have naturally improved."

Xiao Yeyang glanced at him and said, "Rest assured, as long as I am here, the soldiers will not go hungry again." After saying this, he walked towards his tent.

Cao Dan looked at his retreating figure, then at the training soldiers, and quickly caught up.

Xiao Yeyang entered the tent and stood before the sandbox. Hearing Cao Dan enter, he did not turn around but said directly, "The border region that Gan State Guard shares with Xiliao is too vast. If Xiliao forces were to break through at any point, it would be very difficult for us to respond in time."

This was precisely why Xiliao people dared to raid Xiliang every year—the defense along the border was far too weak.

Cao Dan looked at Xiao Yeyang and said, "My lord, what are your orders?"

Xiao Yeyang pointed with his finger toward the easternmost and westernmost borders shared with Xiliao, as well as a central location, and said, "I plan to establish three military strongholds in these three places. What do you think?"

Cao Dan was very familiar with the region bordering Xiliao and Gan State Guard and immediately nodded, "If we indeed build them, that would be ideal. Then, no matter where Xiliao forces invade from, we’ll be able to respond quickly. However..."

Cao Dan hesitated, glancing at Xiao Yeyang.

Xiao Yeyang looked at him and said, "Speak freely, Cao Dan. You know this area better than me. I came here today not only to deliver military supplies but also to hear your thoughts."

Without further hesitation, Cao Dan spoke, "Lord Xiao, to truly build military strongholds, the expenses and investments might be very large. Moreover, this matter might need to be reported to the Commandant Office first."

Xiao Yeyang shook his head, "No need, I will report directly to the Emperor. As for the Commandant Office, once it’s built, we’ll just notify them. It prevents them from causing any trouble."

Uh...

Cao Dan was suddenly speechless, thinking that those with backing were indeed different, their actions are quite... forceful!

"Also, there’s another issue. My troops were originally to number fifty thousand, but in recent years, due to casualties, we now have fewer than forty thousand. The Commandant Office has not replenished our numbers."

"With forty thousand together, our defensive capability is passable. But if we spread out to three military strongholds, our defense will be greatly reduced."

Xiao Yeyang fell silent for a moment and said, "I am aware of the issue, and I will find a solution. For now, let’s discuss specifically how we are going to build these military strongholds."