A daily intelligence report; in chaotic times and famine years, grain is plentiful.

Lin Lang's men started making a ruckus again, their mocking remarks continuing.

Liang Ming ignored him, his eyes fixed firmly on Xu Yuan.

"Brother, I only ask that you lend me fifty men. After rescuing Chen Mo, I will take him to form an alliance with Qingfeng Village. We will fight the government together and never have to risk our lives again."

Hearing these words, Xu Yuan's face still showed some hesitation.

He knew Liang Ming was right, but rescuing a criminal from Beicheng was no easy task.

The northern city was the main base of the government army, where the elite troops of the Zhao family army were gathered. Going there to rescue people would be tantamount to sending them to their deaths.

"Time is running out. I've received word that Chen Mo will soon be taken to the execution ground. Brother, there's no time to think about it."

Seeing Xu Yuan's hesitation, Liang Ming hurriedly tried to persuade him.

Xu Yuan fell silent.

On one side was the village, and on the other was his trusted second brother; it was a difficult choice.

"Brother, I'm confident I can prevent the government troops from intervening."

Liang Ming suddenly spoke again.

Hearing this, everyone was puzzled.

"Isn't Chen Mo a wanted criminal? How could the government troops not take action?"

Some people were puzzled.

"Before I went up the mountain, I had already heard that the government troops under Zhao Lieutenant General would be transferred away soon, and that the government troops also had conflicts with those local gentry. As long as we act quickly, the government troops will not have time to react."

Liang Ming explained.

Prior to this, he had personally gone to the north of the city to inquire and confirm that the information was correct.

Xu Yuan listened, feeling even more conflicted.

"Our enemies aren't just the government, but also the Wang family of Shannan Town. They feigned cooperation with Qingfeng Village, but secretly colluded with the government troops, causing the deaths of countless brothers in Qingfeng Village. Have you forgotten?"

Liang Ming shouted loudly.

"Now the Wang family is also an enemy of Lingtou Village. Since that's the case, why not cooperate and wipe them out?"

Mentioning the Wang family instantly ignited anger among the people in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness.

The Wang family initially cooperated with Qingfeng Village, claiming they would seize grain together. However, the Wang family leaked Qingfeng Village's whereabouts to the government army, resulting in heavy losses for Qingfeng Village, with over a hundred brothers killed or wounded.

Later, Qingfeng Village also tried to rob the Wang family's grain carts several times, but these were all minor skirmishes and could not quell their hatred at all.

"Second brother is right!"

"Kill those sons of bitches from the Wang family!"

The brothers were immediately filled with indignation.

Seeing this, Lin Lang couldn't think of a reason to refute it for a moment.

It was Lin Lang who proposed the collaboration with Wang Laoqi.

Putting aside his agreement with Liang Ming, Lin Lang at least wished he could get rid of that scoundrel Wang Laoqi as soon as possible.

But when it comes to saving Chen Mo, Lin Lang doesn't want to lose any of his men.

"What practical benefits will Qingfeng Village gain after this is accomplished?"

Xu Yuan inquired, his attitude clearly having changed drastically.

Liang Ming immediately said, "Lingtou Village has already promised me that if Chen Mo can be rescued, they will send three thousand catties of grain to Qingfeng Village first. If Qingfeng Village is in danger later, I will definitely find a way to get Lingtou Village to help."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present changed slightly.

Although the number is not large, it can alleviate the village's situation to some extent.

The village's stored grain won't last much longer.

"Big brother, don't hesitate, I, Cai Sheng, will personally go with second brother!"

Cai Sheng added.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Yuan finally raised his head and slammed his hand heavily on the table.

"Alright, second brother, I'll trust you this time. Make sure you get it done properly."

"Big brother!"

Lin Lang suddenly raised his head, full of confusion.

Xu Yuan raised his hand, signaling him not to say anything more.

"Thank you, Brother Xie!"

A smile finally appeared on Liang Ming's face.

"It's just saving someone, what's so difficult about that!"

"I've wanted to go down the mountain and slaughter those government soldiers for a long time!"

Cai Sheng and his men immediately became excited.

Lin Lang's face turned ashen as he looked at Liang Ming and the others, a new idea forming in his mind.

This time, Liang Ming led Cai Sheng's men down the mountain, so their plan to break into the prison and rescue people is bound to fail.

If Liang Ming and Cai Sheng both die in the North City, then Qingfeng Village will lose a force that opposes him.

Thinking of this, the anger on Lin Lang's face gradually dissipated, replaced by a cold smile.

He no longer objected, but merely snorted coldly and left with his men.

"Second Brother, the brothers are all ready, we can leave right now!"

Cai Sheng said excitedly.

"No rush, let's show up first thing tomorrow morning. My second brother just got back, and I'd like to catch up with him."

Xu Yuan spoke up.

Seeing that their elder brother had said so, Cai Sheng and the others had no choice but to step back and go to make preparations.

"Brother, thank you for trusting me this time."

Liang Ming turned his head and said sincerely.

"We're all on the same side, no need to be so polite. Let's go, have a couple of drinks first and then talk more."

Xu Yuan smiled.

Liang Ming's return has shown Xu Yuan another way out.

Nowadays, in Qingfeng Village, his voice as the leader is becoming increasingly weak.

Many people followed Lin Lang and were about to sideline Xu Yuan.

If Liang Ming can return to Qingfeng Village, he will surely be able to balance these two forces.

into the night.

Qingfeng Village was more lively than ever before.

The next day.

Before dawn, a commotion could be heard coming from the village.

Cai Sheng, riding his horse, kept urging his men to speed up their work.

……

Lingtou Village.

The village gate was tightly closed.

Since Chen Mo was arrested, the atmosphere in the village has become increasingly oppressive.

The crowd, armed with weapons, nervously guarded the village, fearing that the Wang family would send people to cause trouble again.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from outside the mountain road.

"Someone's coming!"

The villagers guarding the village shouted, and everyone instantly tensed up.

Soon, a group of figures appeared not far away.

The villagers gripped their weapons tightly, not daring to relax for a moment.

"It's Liang Ming!"

Sun Dazhu shouted excitedly.

Looking at the dozens of men on horseback behind Liang Ming, he immediately felt a surge of joy.

Could it be that Liang Ming really found reinforcements?

"Why do these people look like bandits?"

Someone said in a panic.

Sun Dazhu also frowned.

He knew Liang Ming's identity was not simple, but with so many people suddenly appearing before him, who knew what their background was?

Before long, Liang Ming led his men to the foot of the village.

"Second brother, this is Lingtou Village. It looks no worse than Qingfeng Village..."

Cai Sheng observed his surroundings.

"You all wait here and do not act on your own."

Liang Ming turned and gave him some instructions, then rode off alone toward the gate of the stockade.

"Open the door, I've brought some help."

He shouted towards the village.

"Open the door quickly!"

Upon hearing that reinforcements were on their way, Sun Dazhu dared not delay for even a moment.

A moment later, the village gate opened, and Liang Ming rode in alone.

"Brother Liang, Brother Mo is going to be..."

Sun Dazhu rushed forward anxiously.

"I know."

Liang Ming interrupted him, jumped off his horse, and came to the front of the crowd.

"Brother Liang, who are the men outside...?"

Li Laogen spoke with some hesitation.

He sensed something was wrong the moment they approached the village.

Liang Ming did not answer, but said, "Let's not talk about anything else for now. Listen to me. If we can rescue Chen Mo, then we will proceed according to my plan."

Everyone fell silent instantly.