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

"Don't worry, Master Huang. I don't intend to exterminate all the refugees. Half of them will suffice. At most, there are only forty or fifty people defending Lingtou Village. Three hundred will be enough."

Wang Laoqi said again.

Huang Chengyue remained unmoved, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

"Master Huang, think about it. Anyway, the imperial court doesn't know how many refugees there are in this area. If a few more mouths to feed are lost, then what about Master Huang..."

Wang Laoqi paused deliberately as he spoke.

"If you can find it, then go find it. You've come to me today just to ask for food, haven't you?"

Huang Chengyue finally looked at Wang Laoqi properly and understood the guy's intentions very well.

"Master Huang, I don't ask for much. I just need you to get the government to send a dozen or so people to supervise these refugees. That will guarantee the mission is accomplished."

Wang Laoqi assured him.

Huang Chengyue pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I can only give you five hundred catties of grain, that's all. You'll have to figure out the rest yourself. If you can't take Lingtou Village, you'll have to return it all."

"Don't worry! That's enough! Master Huang, wait for my good news..."

Wang Laoqi nodded repeatedly.

Although it wasn't much, this amount of food was enough to get the group of refugees to work.

After bidding farewell to Huang Chengyue, Wang Laoqi immediately got to work.

He led the officials from the northern city government to the gathering place of the refugees and announced that the government was distributing grain.

Upon hearing that the government was releasing grain again, the group of refugees immediately rushed forward.

Today, there are nearly a thousand displaced people in the northern part of the city.

To survive, they sold their children, even resorting to cannibalism, clinging to life by sheer willpower.

Wang Laoqi, accompanied by government officials, carrying several bags of grain, arrived in front of the group of refugees.

"Listen up! The government has issued an order: rebels have appeared in Lingtou Village, seizing fertile land and harming the people. We are now recruiting you all to join the government in suppressing the rebels. Once we take the village, you can eat its food anytime!"

Wang Laoqi shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, the crowd stirred.

"That village has only twenty or thirty people; I need three hundred!"

Upon hearing this, the group of refugees completely lost their minds and raised their hands to sign up.

"Men, come with me. No sick people, leave immediately!"

Wang Laoqi waved his hand in greeting.

Subsequently, the government began selecting able-bodied men.

Most of these refugees were emaciated, but there were still quite a few men among them.

Before long, Wang Laoqi organized a team of about three hundred people. He first set up a pot to cook rice and fed them a full meal. Then he immediately led the troops towards Lingtou Village.

An hour later, the troops arrived at the foot of Black Wind Ridge. After walking another two miles, they reached Lingtou Village.

The soldiers carried several wooden boxes, which were full of old and worn-out knives, spears, and halberds.

"Grab your weapons and go wipe out the bandits now! If you dare to back down, execute them on sight!"

Wang Laoqi gave the order.

The group of refugees stepped forward and took the worn-out weapons in their hands.

Although they didn't know what the enemy was like, at least they had the opportunity to eat, and they were willing to do anything.

Wang Laoqi looked at the group of refugees and a sly smile appeared on his lips.

He led the government's supervisory team and continued to approach Lingtou Village.

At this moment, Lingtou Village is still bustling with activity.

Throughout the day, the able-bodied men of the village were all moving supplies.

Even the elderly, women, and children in the village joined in to help prepare to evacuate the village.

Chen Mo was in front of the village, helping everyone to move.

It's just past noon now, and including yesterday's half-day, half a day has already been spent on the relocation, and only most of the village's supplies have been moved.

Some villagers were unwilling to discard their belongings and wanted to bring them up the mountain, which slowed down the process.

It will take at least two more days to transfer all the supplies.

Just two days later, they sent government troops.

"Brother Mo!"

Just then, a shout came from behind.

Chen Mo turned his head and saw a villager running up the village, panting, to report: "A large group of people has appeared down the mountain, at least three hundred people."

"Are they government troops?"

Chen Mo was immediately startled.

"It shouldn't be. Those people were dressed in rags and looked like refugees, but there were government officials following behind them."

The villagers replied.

More refugees?

Chen Mo's eyes sharpened, and he quickly climbed the watchtower, looking down the mountain.

Before long, a procession of several hundred people appeared on the road outside the valley.

"That old dog Wang Laoqi is pulling this trick again."

Chen Mo said coldly.

He had realized that Wang Laoqi was trying to use the refugees as cannon fodder to delay the relocation of Lingtou Village.

"Now that half of the villagers have gone up the mountain, we only have about forty people left to guard the village."

The villagers standing nearby looked uneasy.

"Let everyone be on guard."

Chen Mo gave the instructions.

Upon hearing the news, Sun Dazhu ran over with his hunting bow and suggested, "Brother Mo, why don't we build a wall first, and then fire arrows to scatter them before they get too close?"

"Don't rush, let's see how things go first."

Chen Mo raised his hand to stop him.

Chen Mo did not take action when the group of refugees besieged Lingtou Village.

He knew perfectly well that these refugees only wanted a meal.

Wang Laoqi likely took advantage of this to try and get the army of refugees to deal with Lingtou Village.

"Go and move today's potatoes to the village first."

Chen Mo then gave the order.

"Brother Mo, are you sending them food again?"

Sun Dazhu was slightly taken aback.

Recalling the last time, Chen Mo had driven away the group of refugees by distributing food to them.

This time, however, the other side had a full four hundred people, and government officials were also with them, making it not as simple as last time.

"Do as I say, and call Brother Liang over while you're at it."

Chen Mo did not offer any further explanation.

Although Sun Dazhu was very puzzled, he still called over a few people and hurriedly went to carry the potatoes over.

A moment later, Liang Ming also arrived at the village. Looking at the approaching group of refugees in the distance, his expression remained calm.

"What's going on? Have the government troops arrived?"

Liang Ming showed no sign of tension.

"They are not government soldiers, but refugees."

Chen Mo explained.

At this moment, the refugee caravan had approached the village gate and was about to reach the first village, which was only a few dozen steps away.

"Refugees? The government is forcibly conscripting these refugees to deal with us; they're really looking down on people."

Liang Ming gripped the knife, his expression becoming slightly more serious.

Chen Mo felt it wasn't that simple, and looking into the distance, he indeed spotted a familiar figure.

Outside the village, Wang Laoqi, riding his horse, stood behind the refugees and shouted, "Listen up, all of you! Charge in! There's an endless supply of food inside. If you take the village, everyone will get an extra ten taels of silver!"

Ten taels of silver?

Upon hearing this, the refugees' eyes immediately filled with longing.

"Charge in! Don't let a single bandit live! There are only about twenty of them. Don't be afraid. The first to reach the stronghold will be rewarded with twenty taels of silver!"

Wang Laoqi shouted again.

Since these refugees might not survive anyway, it's better to offer them some promises first.

He turned his head and looked towards the village.

Apart from that figure he hated to the core, the village was currently deserted.