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

The next day.

Wangfu.

Wang Laoqi screamed and woke up from his nightmare.

In his dream, his son begged him to kill Chen Mo and avenge his family.

But in Wang Laoqi's dream, he himself was killed by a group of refugees...

Recalling the scene of the refugees turning against him last night, Wang Laoqi felt a wave of fear and broke out in a cold sweat.

He quickly got up, wiped his face, and tried to calm his unease.

He had tried every method to deal with Chen Mo, but still to no avail.

He won't have a moment's peace until Chen Mo is dead!

Now, instead of capturing Lingtou Village, they've sent over three hundred people to Chen Mo.

Although he couldn't swallow this insult, Wang Laoqi was powerless to do anything about it.

The Wang family's fortune has long been emptied.

Now, he can only cower in Shannan Town, guarding his remaining possessions, fearing that something else might go wrong.

What troubled him even more at this moment was how to explain things to Huang Chengyue.

Before setting off yesterday, he confidently assured everyone that he would be able to take over Lingtou Village.

Huang Chengyue was certainly dissatisfied with the botched job.

Wang Laoqi became increasingly agitated, so he put on his coat and paced around the yard.

He is extremely worried now, because in six months, he will have to give the Huang family a large amount of grain.

If we can't take over Lingtou Village, we can forget about getting those fields back.

Even if we take it back, with those bandits from Black Wind Ridge watching over us, who would dare to farm the land...

Spring planting season has arrived; if we delay any longer, we won't even be able to plant the seeds.

If there's no hope of a harvest, they'll have to continue selling off assets. Not to mention the Wang family's shops, they might not even be able to keep their house.

"master."

Just as Master Wang was frowning in worry, the steward came over anxiously.

"What is it?"

Wang Laoqi's tone was full of impatience.

The butler bowed and reported, "The Huang family has sent someone to say that Master Huang requests your presence."

"Master Huang?"

Wang Laoqi was immediately startled.

What I feared most came to pass.

He just wanted to stay in Shannan Town and not go anywhere else, but he couldn't refuse Huang Chengyue's invitation.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Wang Laoqi could only suppress his unease.

After dressing up a bit, he nervously headed to the north of the city with his servants.

Upon arriving at the Huang residence, after passing through several corridors, Wang Laoqi finally reached the backyard garden.

At this moment, Huang Chengyue was sitting in the pavilion, drinking hot tea with a contented expression.

He looked up and immediately saw Wang Laoqi.

"Master Wang, you've finally come. Please have a seat."

Huang Chengyue said calmly.

Wang Laoqi quickly bowed and forced a smile, saying, "Master Huang, what brings you here?"

As he spoke, he carefully sat down opposite him.

Huang Chengyue put down his teacup, stared at Wang Laoqi, and said, "I've heard about what happened yesterday too."

Wang Laoqi was instantly startled.

"Master Huang, it is my incompetence that I failed to manage Lingtou Village."

Before Huang Chengyue could reprimand him, Wang Laoqi rushed to kowtow and admit his mistake.

Anyway, there's no point in saying anything at a time like this.

"inability."

Huang Chengyue simply said two words, his tone clearly showing some dissatisfaction.

"I told you long ago that those refugees are nothing but a rabble, and you can't rely on them to do anything."

"Master Huang is right; I was shortsighted!"

"If your Wang family hadn't handled things so poorly before, would things have come to this?"

Huang Chengyue rebuked again.

"Please forgive me, Mr. Huang!"

At this moment, Wang Laoqi wished he could leave this awful place immediately.

"Sit down."

Huang Chengyue suppressed his dissatisfaction and didn't seem very angry.

Seeing that Master Huang's tone had calmed down, Wang Laoqi sat down again and said with his head down, "Master Huang, please don't be too angry. Although those refugees have sought refuge with Chen Mo, Lingtou Village only has so much grain that it can't support so many people. Before long, they will start fighting amongst themselves."

Huang Chengyue took a sip of tea but did not reply.

Wang Laoqi added, "Moreover, I have clues and know Chen Mo's hiding place in Black Wind Ridge. Once the government troops arrive, we'll bring our troops directly and guarantee to wipe out the rebels in one fell swoop!"

Hearing this, Huang Chengyue was slightly moved.

He stared at Wang Laoqi for a moment before slowly saying, "The government troops are indeed arriving soon."

"Really? That's great!"

Wang Laoqi managed to force a smile.

"The troops sent by the Zhenbei Army will arrive in Beicheng tomorrow," Huang Chengyue said calmly. "When they arrive, you should come over and bring some souvenirs to treat them well."

Upon hearing this, Wang Laoqi instantly understood.

If we want to win over this government army.

When General Zhao first arrived in Beicheng, these local gentry pooled together a lot of money to host a grand welcoming banquet.

Only by serving the government troops well will they be willing to obey and suppress the bandits; otherwise, they will end up like the Zhao family army in the past, raising bandits to maintain their own power.

"Understood!" Wang Laoqi nodded repeatedly. "I will prepare well and make sure to satisfy the officers and soldiers."

"Prepare some decent gifts, don't embarrass the gentry of the North City."

Huang Chengyue nodded in satisfaction.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Although Wang Laoqi verbally agreed, he was inwardly filled with dissatisfaction.

The Wang family's wealth was gradually eroded.

But he dared not utter a single complaint and could only grit his teeth and agree.

After a moment of silence, Wang Laoqi couldn't help but ask, "Master Huang, how many men did the Zhenbei Army send this time? And who is leading them?"

"I don't know."

Huang Chengyue quickly shook his head.

Wang Laoqi was taken aback.

Huang Chengyue added, "No one from the imperial court has sent a message, and I don't know the specific generals and troops involved."

Wang Laoqi didn't press the matter further. Since even Huang Chengyue didn't know, this army must have some influence.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I need your help with."

Huang Chengyue's tone suddenly became serious.

"Please speak, Master Huang. I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life."

Wang Laoqi quickly expressed his opinion.

"The imperial court recently transferred a batch of official grain, which should arrive in Beicheng tonight," Huang Chengyue said in a low voice. "As you know, the bandits of Qingfeng Village have been very active lately, and the government is short-handed. So, your Wang family has also sent some people to help escort it."

Upon hearing this, Wang Laoqi's face instantly turned ugly.

Where does the Wang family have any manpower left?

Besides protecting shops and other properties, there were only so many guards and servants that could be mobilized.

"Master Huang, this..." Old Wang Qi looked troubled. "To be honest, the Wang family is really short-handed right now."

"not enough?"

Huang Chengyue frowned immediately, and his tone turned cold.

"This batch of government grain is of utmost importance. If anything goes wrong, no one can bear the responsibility."

"Master Huang, it's not that I'm unwilling, it's just that I have no other choice. The Wang family can only mobilize about twenty or thirty people right now."

Wang Laoqi quickly explained, already covered in sweat.

If we transfer everyone away, and Chen Mo's gang of bandits finds an opportunity, what will we do then...?