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

"A bunch of country bumpkins dared to storm the execution ground; it's probably not that simple."

Zhao, the adjutant, murmured.

Thinking back to that person from yesterday, he felt even stranger.

The enemies the government faces are probably not just Lingtou Village.

Zhao, the military officer, suspected that Qingfeng Village might have been involved.

Fortunately, Zhao's army was about to withdraw from the north city, so there was no need to deal with such an opponent.

"Are you sure Chen Mo isn't dead?"

He asked again.

"They're not dead. Our men saw it with their own eyes. They fought their way out of the city gate and must have escaped back to the village."

The guards returned.

"Chen Mo is indeed no simple man."

General Zhao sighed.

Next, the government will definitely send troops to suppress the bandits.

Chen Mo has become a new enemy of the imperial court, and Zhao Canjiang is curious whether Chen Mo can survive this time.

"Let the brothers continue training, pack up, and return to Hedong as soon as the imperial edict arrives."

Zhao, the adjutant, gave another instruction.

Zhao, the military officer, has already received the transfer order from the imperial court.

Since Huang Chengyue was unrighteous first, then don't blame Zhao's army for being unjust.

If it weren't for the interference of those local gentry, Zhao's army would likely have been able to gain Chen Mo as an ally.

Now that the situation is becoming increasingly complicated, Zhao's army is able to withdraw unscathed.

……

Beicheng, Fulai Restaurant.

Several people were sitting in a private room on the second floor.

Huang Chengyue, dressed in a brocade robe, held a teapot in his hand and personally poured tea for the people in front of him.

"Thank you, Lord Wang."

Wang Laoqi quickly raised his cup to accept the toast, his face still bearing that fawning smile.

Those sitting next to him at this moment were all prominent members of the gentry from the northern part of the city.

"Master Wang, your biggest worry is going to be executed today. Why don't you go to the execution ground and see it for yourself, so you can vent your anger?"

Huang Chengyue put down the teapot and smiled faintly.

"Mr. Huang is joking."

Wang Laoqi smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"I'm a kind-hearted person and can't bear to see those bloody scenes. Besides, with Lord Yang in charge, what could possibly go wrong? Being able to gather with Master Huang and everyone else today is much more exciting than watching some execution."

He spoke calmly again.

Wang Laoqi did want to see Chen Mo beheaded to vent his anger, but compared to that, the invitation he received from the several aristocratic families today was more important than anything else.

As long as the Wang family can cling tightly to the Huang family and get to know more of these aristocratic families, their future is limitless.

It's definitely worth celebrating.

"What Master Wang said makes sense. Seeing blood in the first month of the lunar year is already considered unlucky. It's just killing a criminal, why bother joining in the fun?"

Others laughed and echoed his sentiments.

"Master Wang is truly a kind and benevolent man. With Chen Mo's arrival, it seems that the area around Shannan Town will be more peaceful from now on, and your Wang family's business is bound to reach new heights."

Huang Chengyue said calmly, still politely refilling everyone's tea.

Wang Laoqi quickly stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, "If it weren't for Master Huang's words, Chen Mo, relying on General Zhao's support, might have continued to be arrogant for who knows how long."

In order to get on Huang Chengyue's good side, Wang Laoqi gave up half of the business in Shannan Town, which was a considerable price to pay.

But as long as we can take advantage of the Huang family's momentum and completely swallow up that lucrative Lingtou Village, this sacrifice will be worthwhile.

"Master Wang, you are too kind. We are all prominent local gentry, and it is only right that we help each other."

Huang Chengyue replied politely.

The two exchanged another smile, each harboring deep hypocrisy.

Both sides got what they needed, and they didn't interact much on a daily basis.

"Who is this Chen Mo, that's worth Master Wang going to so much trouble for?"

At this moment, Huang Chengyue spoke again.

He was puzzled as to how a country bumpkin could help General Zhao.

"Master Huang, you are unaware of this."

The mere mention of Chen Mo made Wang Laoqi grit his teeth in hatred, and the smile on his face faded considerably.

"This kid was indeed just a dog under the control of our Wang family before. Who knows what methods he used later to lead the unruly people of Lingtou Village to oppose the Wang family time and time again."

Wang Laoqi said angrily.

"Seriously, such a thing exists?"

Huang Chengyue was very interested.

"Previously, General Zhao favored this man on many occasions in order to suppress the Wang family, ruining our Wang family's plans. If it weren't for your intervention, Master Huang, Lord Yang wouldn't have sentenced him to death so quickly."

Wang Laoqi said.

"General Zhao?"

Huang Chengyue scoffed, his tone full of disdain.

"He's just a military commander. Does he really think he can have absolute power in the North City just because he holds some power?"

"Master Huang is absolutely right!" Old Wang quickly flattered, saying, "Throughout the entire North City, who doesn't know that Master Huang has the greatest influence? Let alone a mere military officer like Zhao, even the prefectural government has to give Master Huang some face!"

Several other gentry members nearby also bowed and scraped, praising Huang Chengyue to the skies.

Huang Chengyue's smile deepened, and he was about to say something.

boom!

Suddenly, the door to the private room was kicked open.

A servant stumbled over, his face filled with anxiety, and said, "Master!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Wang Laoqi's face instantly darkened. He slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Insolence! Can't you see I'm having tea with Master Huang? What kind of behavior is this, all flustered and unseemly!"

The servant was so frightened he almost lost his footing. He wiped the sweat from his brow and cried out urgently, "Master! Something terrible has happened!"

"What's the panic?" Old Wang Qi frowned, his voice trembling with impatience. "Has that brat Chen Mo's head rolled?"

"No...it's not you, sir..."

The servant stammered again.

The faces of everyone present turned grim.

"Someone's storming the execution ground!"

The servant continued.

Upon hearing this, the entire private room fell silent.

Wang Laoqi was taken aback, then suddenly stood up, grabbed the servant by the collar, and roared, "What did you say? Say it again!"

"They stormed the execution ground... Suddenly a group of thieves attacked and rescued Chen Mo."

The servant replied in a panic.

"Impossible!" Old Wang Qi's face paled in shock, and he roared, "There are so many soldiers around the execution ground, how could someone have managed to abduct them? Are you out of your mind?"

He simply couldn't believe that someone could rescue someone while surrounded by soldiers.

If Chen Mo really wasn't dead, Wang Laoqi would be restless and unable to eat or sleep.

"I saw it with my own eyes: those thieves rescued Chen Mo right in front of the soldiers."

The servant repeated himself.

Upon hearing this, Huang Chengyue's face instantly showed a hint of anger.

He suddenly stood up, swept the table, overturning all the teacups, and roared angrily, "Where's Yang Lide? What kind of work is he doing?!"

As the de facto rulers of Beicheng, how could someone have managed to storm the execution ground right under their noses? Wouldn't they become a laughingstock if word got out?

"Lord Yang...he's been shot with an arrow, and his fate is still unknown!"

The servant replied, trembling.

Upon hearing this, all the noble families present were taken aback.

This is not a rescue operation at the execution ground, but a complete and utter rebellion!

"How could this happen..."

Wang Laoqi's eyes were vacant.

He just couldn't understand how Chen Mo, who was clearly doomed, could be rescued...