After the surprising and devastating victory in the night attack on the enemy camp, Li Wei wasted no time reorganizing and strengthening his position at the Blue Lion Fortress. The reinforcement of his unit was immediate, with the arrival of 1,000 recruits who, combined with the 2,000 soldiers already under his command, made a total of 3,000 men.
The structure of this combined force was carefully designed to maximize efficiency in defense and future offensives:
1,000 recruit spearmen, young and inexperienced, but trained to be the first line of defense, equipped with basic armor and rectangular shields.
1,000 experienced spearmen, battle-hardened veterans with reinforced armor and great skill in formation and close combat.
200 elite heavy knights, exceptional soldiers with imposing armor and specialized training to break enemy lines.
200 elite mounted archers, the unit's elite in ranged combat and mobility, capable of maneuvering with lethal precision from their mounts.
200 logistics soldiers, responsible for supplies, maintenance, and support within the camp.
100 medics and assistants, an invaluable gift from his grandfather to ensure the health and recovery of the troops — a key differentiating factor in maintaining combat capability.
100 elite heavy infantry colossi, gigantic soldiers wearing four-layered full armor, able to withstand intense attacks and break enemy formations.
200 light cavalry knights, fast and mobile, specialized in flanking attacks and reconnaissance.
A crucial advantage that gave Li Wei a decisive edge was the loot obtained from the night raid: all the weapons, armor, and supplies from the enemy camp. These were captured and distributed among the Blue Lion troops. This allowed every soldier, from recruits to veterans, to be fully equipped with superior-quality weapons and armor, matching or even surpassing their adversaries' gear.
Li Wei personally oversaw the redistribution of equipment, making sure no one lacked proper protection. "The difference between life and death lies in the steel we carry and the discipline with which we fight," he told his men. "Every spear, every shield we have now is a symbol of our determination."
As the soldiers adapted to their new equipment and reinforced the fortress defenses, morale rose. The colossi unit trained more rigorously, practicing their impenetrable formation under Li Wei's direct supervision, who also established strict hygiene and care routines to prevent illness — a lesson he had learned from his grandfather that had already saved lives before.
The arrival of medics and assistants was vital to maintaining this discipline, overseeing sanitary conditions and ensuring wounded soldiers were attended to quickly. The combination of well-equipped, cared-for, and organized men was the best possible preparation for the imminent counterattack that loomed ahead.
From the heights of the fortress, Li Wei watched the horizon, where the first columns of the reinforcement army sent by Chu and the Ye clan appeared, totaling more than 8,000 men determined to reclaim the strategic pass at all costs. The storm was about to break, but he was ready to face it.