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

The next day, in the northern part of the city.

It was just dawn, and there weren't many people on the streets.

Wang Laoqi was filled with trepidation. He led a few servants and drove a carriage, hurrying towards the Huang residence.

There were many gifts on the carriage, which would later be given to the newly arrived officers and soldiers.

As soon as Wang Laoqi arrived at the gate of the Huang residence, he saw Huang Chengyue standing in the courtyard with a rather gloomy expression.

Judging from the atmosphere, Wang Laoqi had already sensed that something was wrong.

"Master Huang?"

Wang Laoqi quickly stepped forward and bowed.

Huang Chengyue turned around, snorted coldly, and seemed somewhat angry.

"Master Huang, what has happened?"

Wang Laoqi asked.

"The government grain has been robbed again!"

Huang Chengyue said angrily.

Upon hearing this, Wang Laoqi's face turned pale.

No wonder the twenty men sent out last night haven't returned with any news all day.

The robbery of government grain was secondary; the deaths of so many people were undoubtedly adding insult to injury for the Wang family.

"These traitors are utterly lawless! It must be Chen Mo again!"

Wang Laoqi also gritted his teeth and said.

"But please don't be angry, Master Huang. Once the Zhenbei Army arrives today, Chen Mo will surely die!"

Hearing Wang Laoqi's words, Huang Chengyue was still furious.

Being robbed every few days is something even a wealthy family like the Huangs simply cannot withstand.

Huang Chengyue wished he could wipe out Lingtou Village and the bandits of Qingfeng Village right now.

Just then, a series of noisy footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

A group of local gentry dressed in fine clothes rushed in, all of them looking indignant.

"Master Huang, have you heard? The government's grain supplies were robbed by bandits again last night!"

"They're incredibly audacious! Do they really think no one in the North City can handle them?!"

"Fortunately, the government troops arrived today. I'd like to see how these bandits will fight the imperial court!"

Everyone looked furious.

Many of the people who escorted the government grain last night were from this group of local gentry.

Besides the heavy casualties suffered by the government officials, they also suffered considerable losses.

Huang Chengyue's anger did not subside in the slightest after hearing these words.

"Stop arguing, let's put aside the fact that the government grain was robbed."

Huang Chengyue said in a deep voice.

"Have you ever considered that Chen Mo and his band of bandits dare to rob even government grain? In a few days, won't he lead his men into the north city to seize our property and kill all our people?"

These words immediately startled the local gentry present.

Now, besides Qingfeng Village, there's also Lingtou Village. I've heard that Chen Mo has gathered quite a few people again and even dared to rob government grain. If he really goes crazy one day, it's not impossible for him to sneak into the North City to rob.

The scene of the rescue at the execution ground is still vivid in everyone's mind.

"We absolutely cannot allow this traitor to continue his rampage! The Zhenbei Army will be here soon; we must have the government troops take action to suppress the bandits!"

Huang Chengyue gritted his teeth and said.

Prior to this, he had already booked a private room at Fulailou Restaurant, waiting to curry favor with the Zhenbei Army and help suppress bandits in the northern part of the city.

"Then let's hurry, I heard the Zhenbei Army is almost here."

The local gentry also spoke up, saying that they had come today to welcome the arrival of the government troops.

The group arrived at the city gate, ready to personally greet the guests.

Time passed slowly, and it was already noon.

At the foot of the North City Gate, Huang Chengyue and others eagerly awaited their arrival.

Before long, a cloud of dust rose from the official road in the distance.

Soon, the sound of horses' hooves filled the air.

"They're here! The Zhenbei Army is here!"

Someone shouted, and everyone was immediately startled.

Since Zhao's army withdrew, they had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the imperial army.

As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, a force of nearly a thousand men appeared before everyone.

The troops were in perfect formation, and each soldier was on horseback, wearing armor, and exuding a murderous aura.

This is a truly elite force!

The Zhao family army they had before was no match for them at all.

Huang Chengyue quickly led his men forward with smiles on their faces.

"Gentlemen of the Zhenbei Army, you have worked hard and must be tired from your journey. On behalf of the people of Beicheng, I, Huang, would like to extend my warmest welcome to you!"

The local gentry behind him also bowed and exchanged polite greetings.

The procession slowly came to a stop, and the leader, riding a black horse, spurred his horse forward a few steps.

Huang Chengyue met the gaze of the person and was about to say a few words when he suddenly froze upon seeing the person's face.

Not only him, but the group of local gentry behind him also stared wide-eyed, their faces showing surprise.

The leading general looked quite young, with an extremely handsome face and even a touch of feminine beauty in her features; she was exceptionally beautiful.

Although her face shows some signs of aging, with a little dressing up and wearing women's clothing, she would definitely be a beauty.

Could this general have a woman's face?

Everyone was filled with doubt.

Or is the leading general a woman?

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, nonetheless shocked.

They didn't know much about the Zhenbei Army, and dared not speak at all.

The leading general was dressed in full armor with a sword at his waist, exuding an imposing aura and showing no trace of a woman's fragility.

She sat on horseback, her gaze quite imposing; looking directly into her eyes, one could feel a sense of oppression.

That was a terrifying look in his eyes, the look of someone who had killed.

She has an extremely beautiful face, yet she inexplicably possesses a chilling aura.

"Make way, this general is leading his troops into the city to rest and reorganize."

The general spoke slowly, his voice quite cold.

These words immediately confirmed everyone's guesses.

She really was a female general!

The surprise on Huang Chengyue and the others' faces was no longer concealed.

The Zhenbei Army is an elite force guarding the northern border and one of the most capable troops of the imperial court. How could a woman become a general in such an army?

Huang Chengyue concealed his shock and stepped forward, saying solicitously, "General, you must be tired from your journey. May I ask your name so that I can instruct my servants to prepare a welcoming banquet?"

He did have some setbacks in the court, but he had never heard of such a female general in the Zhenbei Army.

No sooner had she finished speaking than a burly lieutenant stepped forward from behind the female general, shouting sternly, "Insolence! You invited the Zhenbei Army to suppress the bandits, yet you haven't even heard of General Xiao's name?"

General Xiao?

Huang Chengyue was startled and quickly turned to look at the local gentry behind him.

Wang Laoqi and the others were also completely bewildered, having no recollection of it at all.

The northern border is very far away, and they don't know much about the Zhenbei Army, let alone this General Xiao.

"So it's General Xiao! My apologies for not recognizing you!"

Huang Chengyue quickly cupped his hands, bowed, and turned to acknowledge him.

The group of gentry also realized what was happening and knelt down, shouting, "Greetings, General Xiao!"

The lieutenant snorted coldly and slowly said, "We are the Yun Battalion of the Zhenbei Army, ordered by the imperial court to suppress bandits in Beicheng. Which of you is the magistrate of Beicheng County?"

"General, you may not know this, but the magistrate of Beicheng County was injured by bandits and is still bedridden. I am Huang Chengyue, the head of the Huang family in Beicheng, and also the magistrate of Beicheng. I am currently in charge of all affairs in Beicheng."

Huang Chengyue quickly replied.

General Xiao merely glanced at him indifferently, her eyes extremely cold, yet her icy face still exuded immense authority.