Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 682 There are too many ways

Hua Rujin and Luo Mao had already returned to their respective homes. The three county officials of the border county town could not all be absent from their posts, otherwise, if the enemy army attacked, there would be enough heads to go around for these officials in Liangzhou City.

Only Meng Changqing remained, accompanying Zheng Jie as they waited outside Xunxian Town for news of Luo Mao.

They waited until the early morning of the next day, when, just as dawn was breaking, someone emerged from the main road of Xunxian Town.

The leader was dressed as a yamen runner. Ignoring his subordinates' advice, Zheng Jie peeked out and took a few steps, asking, "Are these people yamen runners from Bishan County?"

The man replied loudly, "That's right, Lord Luo has arrested more than twenty people and is on his way this way."

The group of people came out and indeed saw Luo Mao among them.

Upon seeing Zheng Jie, Luo Mao hurriedly stepped forward to report the situation: "This humble official wiped out three strongholds in one night and has captured all the resisters."

Zheng Jie patted Luo Mao on the shoulder, "Well done!"

Meng Changqing had looked through all twenty-odd people they had captured, and after looking them over, he wondered to himself, why were they all young and middle-aged?
According to what Fang He had learned, of the four chieftains, apart from Lao Man, the other three were quite old.

That makes sense; why would the chieftain personally confront the enemy?

If we don't capture the one in charge, what kind of resistance is it to capture all the resistance fighters?
She didn't want to interfere in matters that weren't her responsibility; although she had many thoughts in her mind, she wouldn't say a word more than necessary.

Those who had been captured were mostly barely alive. As Meng Changqing walked past them, they gritted their teeth and glared angrily. Some, fearing that Meng Changqing might not understand, even kindly cursed him in Mandarin: "You corrupt official! Die!"

Meng Changqing memorized his appearance.

"Nonsense!" Meng Changqing was daydreaming when he heard Zheng Jie suddenly raise his voice a few steps away, rebuking Luo Mao: "How can we let them get away with this?"

Meng Changqing quickly focused on listening.

Then Zheng Jie continued, "The government troops are already in front of them, how can we allow them to negotiate with you?"

Luo Mao wiped the sweat from his forehead. He looked haggard from not sleeping all night. He looked pitifully at Zheng Jie and said, "It's not that I'm being lenient, but they are cunning. Seeing that they were no match for us, they abandoned their houses and retreated into the mountains."

"I dare not send my men deep into the territory rashly, for fear of heavy casualties." Zheng Jie was naturally disappointed in Luo Mao. Luo Mao saw Meng Changqing standing to the side and secretly winked at him, meaning to quickly put in a good word for him.

Meng Changqing hurriedly stepped forward and rudely interrupted their conversation, "Lord Luo, how many people are still left in Xunxian Town? Who is in command now?"

"Apart from the few dozen men I brought out, everyone else stayed inside, under the command of Jiang Ming, the county magistrate."

After Meng Changqing's interruption, Zheng Jie quickly calmed down. The important thing now was not to reprimand anyone, but to figure out what to do next.

"Have someone bring in food and cooking utensils," Zheng Jie said. "Let the people inside take turns eating and resting."

"Yes." Luo Mao remained standing after accepting the order, still having a crucial question to ask: "Sir, should we attack or defend next?"

What he really wanted to ask was whether to hold the position or retreat; he had no intention of attacking.

Fortunately, Zheng Jie did not allow him to attack, telling him to "hold the line first."

"Yes."

After Luo Mao left, Zheng Jie frowned and paced back and forth. Meng Changqing, not wanting to get in his way, quickly retreated. Looking at the sky, she thought that she had seen enough of the excitement and should find an excuse to leave.

Before he could even speak, Zheng Jie stood in front of him. "Magistrate Meng, do you have any good ideas?"

Meng Changqing really wanted to say something, but her ideas were too malicious.

Hang up those people who were arrested and call out to lure their families out. It's impossible that they are all orphans and living alone, right?

It just so happens that they are all men. Don't some people in Xunxian Town like to throw women up the mountain and say they are sacrificed to the mountain? Now it's like they're being sacrificed to the heavens. Let's see what their parents will choose. Will they accept it with pain as before, or will they fight to the death? Meng Changqing is really curious.

If no one comes out, then burn down their houses. Destroying their entire fortune will be a worthwhile outcome.

If that doesn't suffice, so many soldiers will take axes and saws and cut down trees. Don't you like to hide in the woods? If we destroy your hiding place, where will you hide?
There were simply too many trees in the high mountain mist forest. Even with the support of soldiers from two counties, they couldn't cut them all down. So they only cleared enough land to reach the size of Xunxian Town. Those who wanted to retreat could do so deeper into the mist forest.