Stockade Takeover

The heavy iron door of the treasury creaked open with a dull groan.

Liu Lao Liu, who had been waiting outside, immediately bowed and greeted him, his face full of fawning smiles:

"My Lord, you've come out! That Body Tempering Pill... did it suit you? Do you feel stronger?"

Lin Mo flexed his wrist and nodded with satisfaction, "The medicinal effects are good. My body feels lighter and more agile."

Looking up at Liu Lao Liu, Lin Mo continued to ask:

"What other places in the stockade should I see next?"

"Right this way, my Lord!" Liu Lao Liu immediately stepped aside and retreated half a step, guiding the way with an almost backward posture, "Next, I'll show you our stockade's stables and workshops.

The stables are at the west end, next to the training ground where the brothers usually drill.

The workshop area is to the east, by the cliff face of the back mountain. We've separated them so they don't disturb each other..."

The two walked side-by-side through the central square, which was compacted earth, flat, and wide.

As they passed through the compacted earth square, Lin Mo saw Lin Yi directing dozens of clones to set up defenses.

The stockade walls already had about ten clones holding bows, and figures could be seen moving within the arrow towers.

The entire mountain stockade's defenses were being rebuilt in an orderly fashion.

"Well done," Lin Mo transmitted his praise to Lin Yi through their mental link.

"Don't worry, my Lord. With us here, not even a bird can fly in," Lin Yi's response echoed instantly in his mind.

Lin Mo nodded with satisfaction.

Although these clones shared his memories and personality, they each had independent consciousness, making their division of labor and collaboration extremely efficient.

This ability to instantly share information and have global control without speaking made Lin Mo deeply realize the terrifying power of "Infinite Clone" once again.

This was not just an army that was absolutely loyal and fearless of casualties, but also a core for management and execution with synchronized thinking and outstanding efficiency.

One person was an army, and also a nation.

Turning past the training ground, the stables appeared before them.

It was a long, rectangular shed built with rough wood, about twenty zhang long, divided into more than ten stalls.

Currently, eight horses were tethered in the shed, leisurely chewing on fodder.

"My Lord, please look," Liu Lao Liu pointed to the stables and introduced, "Our stockade has eight fine horses in total. They were all 'confiscated' from passing merchant caravans over the years..."

He clearly paused when he said "confiscated," stealing a glance at Lin Mo's expression.

Lin Mo didn't pay attention to these details and scanned the stables.

These horses had glossy coats and robust physiques; they were clearly well-fed and good horses.

The horse on the far left, a dark bay, was particularly magnificent. It stood nearly six feet at the shoulder, with smooth muscle lines. It wasn't startled by the strangers; instead, it raised its head and snorted.

Seeing the dark bay horse, Lin Mo suddenly remembered the one outside the Water Curtain Cave.

Yesterday, he had captured Hou San's mount. He had tied it to a large tree outside the cave, intending to use it for transportation.

However, during a skirmish this morning, the horse was hit by stray arrows and died within fifteen minutes.

What a shame.

Lin Mo shook his head inwardly. Although that horse wasn't as magnificent as these, it was still a good horse.

"Who takes care of these horses usually?" Lin Mo asked.

"Replying to my Lord, it's the stablehand, Old Wu," Liu Lao Liu quickly answered. "He used to take care of horses in the army in his early years, and he's very skilled! Should I call him..."

"No need," Lin Mo waved his hand. "Tell him that the stables are still under his charge. If he works diligently, he will be rewarded."

"Yes, yes, yes! My Lord is benevolent. I will definitely pass on your words!" Liu Lao Liu's face bloomed into a smile, and he bowed even lower.

After seeing the stables, the two went to the workshop area on the east side.

This area was much larger than the stables and was divided into several sections:

The blacksmith shop's furnace fires had already been extinguished, but hammers, tongs, and anvils were neatly arranged on the tool rack;

The wood workshop was piled with various types of lumber and half-finished arrow shafts;

In the leather workshop, several cured animal hides were hung up, along with some leather armor being sewn.

What surprised Lin Mo the most was that in a corner, there was actually a small winery, with a faint aroma of wine wafting from several large ceramic vats.

"These were all built by the three leaders," Liu Lao Liu explained. "Leader Zhao said that if the stockade is to last, we can't just rely on robbing. We also need to be able to produce things ourselves."

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.

This Zhao Tieshan is quite farsighted!

He walked to the tool rack in the blacksmith shop and picked up a hammer, weighing it.

The hammerhead was heavy, and the handle was smooth, clearly indicating frequent use.

"Where's the blacksmith?" Lin Mo asked.

"Old Chen went into town to buy wrought iron the day before yesterday and hasn't returned yet," Liu Lao Liu said cautiously. "By my count, he should be back today or tomorrow..."

Before he could finish, Lin Mo issued an order to Lin Yi via their mental link:

[Send two people down the mountain to guard the main path. If you see the blacksmith returning, bring him straight up the mountain. Don't startle him.]

[Understood.] Lin Yi responded immediately.

After dealing with these minor matters, Lin Mo began to consider the relocation of Water Curtain Cave.

Through their mental link, he could clearly sense Lin Jiu and the others who remained at Water Curtain Cave.

The heavily injured were lying on the ground. Although their wounds were slowly healing, they would be unable to move for some time.

The other ten clones were sorting through the various items stripped from the mountain bandits.

Moving these supplies would require manpower, and the mountain paths were treacherous, meaning the heavily injured would need to be carried.