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

"The bandit leader Chen Mo has now fled into Black Wind Ridge. Your government in the North City should immediately send people into the mountains to search for him and find his whereabouts."

Xiao Yunling gave the order in a cold voice again.

"I understand, I understand!"

Huang Chengyue and the others nodded repeatedly.

They were even more eager to kill Chen Mo than Xiao Yunling was. When they learned that Chen Mo was still alive, they were all seething with hatred.

Back then, Chen Mo led his men to rob their grain carts, causing heavy losses to the local gentry. As long as he lives, he remains a threat to Beicheng.

After explaining everything, Xiao Yunling mounted his horse again and continued to patrol the entire village.

Huang Chengyue and the others stood there, watching Xiao Yunling ride away, their smiles vanishing instantly.

It seems that during this period, they had no choice but to submit to this woman.

Although she currently appears aloof and superior, she hasn't yet touched upon the fundamental interests of the local gentry. We cannot afford to offend her, lest the Zhenbei Army fail to exert its efforts in suppressing bandits and instead, like the Zhao family army, nurture bandits for its own benefit.

"Master Huang, today she wants us to provide 70% of the land we cultivate, and tomorrow she might make us provide military rations..."

A local gentryman leaned over and complained in a low voice.

Huang Chengyue said with a gloomy face, "There's nothing we can do if she wants grain. We'll just have to bear with it for now and wait until the bandits are wiped out."

"But I've heard that the Zhenbei Army will be stationed in the northern city for at least a year. When that happens, we'll have to support these old folks."

"Yes, this female general is not as easy to control as Lieutenant General Zhao..."

There was a hint of unease in the voices of those around them.

"Stop talking now. Go back and send some men up the mountain to search for Chen Mo. Make sure he's eliminated!"

Huang Chengyue was well aware that their biggest enemy now was still that group of bandits.

As for Xiao Yunling, there are plenty of ways to deal with her.

……

Deep within Black Wind Ridge, all was silent.

About twenty people were hiding in the dense woods.

Chen Mo led his remaining troops to continue evading the pursuit of government soldiers.

At this moment, they were still quite a distance from their stronghold on Black Wind Ridge.

Fearing that government troops might be patrolling the mountain roads, they had no choice but to risk taking some treacherous trails.

Standing halfway up the mountain, one can vaguely see a corner of Lingtou Village in the distance.

In the direction of Lingtou Village, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys.

The Zhenbei Army troops have obviously been stationed in Lingtou Village.

It is no longer realistic for them to want to retake Lingtou Village.

Moreover, with their current troop strength, they are no match for Zhenbei at all.

"Chen Mo."

Liang Ming's voice came from behind.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Mo turned his head.

"The government troops have already sent men up the mountain; they're on the opposite hilltop."

Liang Ming said in a low voice.

Their situation is not safe now, and in order to conceal their whereabouts, they have not gone too far from Lingtou Village.

"Hurry up and get out of here first."

Chen Mo gave the instructions in a low voice.

Everyone immediately stood up and quietly followed behind him.

Using his familiarity with the terrain, Chen Mo led the group behind him toward the forest stronghold.

After an unknown amount of time, I suddenly heard a few noises.

"Damn it, why did we have to come looking for them? If some bandit jumped out, they'd kill us all..."

On the mountain path, someone was cursing and swearing.

Upon hearing the sound, Chen Mo and the others, who were hiding in the woods, immediately stopped in their tracks.

"Let's keep looking. Master Huang has given instructions that anyone who finds even the slightest trace of bandits will be richly rewarded."

The group continued chatting as they passed by not far from Chen Mo.

Chen Mo observed quietly without making a move.

It seems that the government troops are still not giving him a chance to breathe. Now they've sent those local militia up the mountain, just to lure Chen Mo out.

Once the voices of those people had faded into the distance, Chen Mo calmed down and waved to signal everyone to continue walking forward.

After a long time, they finally arrived at a messy jungle.

Walking further in, pushing aside the vines, we finally saw a hidden cave.

Chen Mo walked in front, carefully observed the surroundings, and then let the others follow.

This is one of the caves he had previously discovered in Black Wind Ridge, where he had stored some food and water beforehand.

They have been on the run for almost a day now, without any rest.

The group hid and leaned wearily against the rock wall.

Chen Mo stood guard at the cave entrance, cautiously observing the outside world.

The loss of Lingtou Village was expected; as long as the people are still alive, there is a chance for a comeback.

However, that female general is not so easy to deal with.

……

North of the city, the yamen (government office).

"Hu Jin, right? I'll ask you one more time, where exactly is Chen Mo hiding in Black Wind Ridge?"

Huang Chengyue's eyes were fierce as he stared intently at Hu Jin in front of him.

At this moment, Hu Jin had already been beaten up.

He initially wanted to seek refuge with Wang Laoqi, but unexpectedly, Wang Laoqi sold him to Huang Chengyue instead.

Now that Huang Chengyue wants to search for Chen Mo's whereabouts in Black Wind Ridge, he naturally has to interrogate the people of Lingtou Village in front of him.

Because of his suspicions, Huang Chengyue never believed Hu Jin's words and chose to use torture to prevent Hu Jin from playing any tricks.

After taking several punches, Hu Jin's old bones couldn't take it anymore, and he begged for mercy repeatedly, "Master, I've said everything I need to say. I really wasn't an inside man sent by Chen Mo. Please believe me..."

"I'm asking you where Chen Mo is hiding?"

Huang Chengyue continued to press him for answers.

Hu Jin couldn't help but complain at this moment. He had already left Lingtou Village, so how would he know where Chen Mo was hiding?

"Master Huang, Black Wind Ridge is so big, I really don't know exactly where Chen Mo is hiding. All I know is the location of those fields."

Hu Jin said with a helpless expression.

Seeing that the other party still maintained the same explanation, Huang Chengyue had no choice but to stop.

"You lead the way now, take our people up the mountain, and find all those strongholds."

After Huang Chengyue finished speaking, he ordered someone to take Hu Jin away and prepare to head to Black Wind Ridge.

With Hu Jin leading the way, Huang's men found several plots of land that same day.

These fields are located halfway up the mountain and show clear signs of having been cultivated.

They just wondered, what could possibly grow in such a place?

After confirming the location of these fields, the Huang family ordered someone to secretly stay and guard the area, and then informed Huang Chengyue of the news.

"Master, the brothers haven't found any trace of Chen Mo's bandits yet, but they have indeed found the fields on the mountain."

The subordinate reported this.

Hearing these words, Huang Chengyue was not very satisfied.

How many?

Huang Chengyue asked.

"It's about forty or fifty acres, and we haven't planted any grain yet."

"No wonder these bandits fled into Black Wind Ridge..."

Huang Chengyue stroked his beard.

I heard that Chen Mo led people up the mountain to farm and harvested a lot of grain.

If we can destroy all these fields, those bandits will only be able to stay in the mountains eating dirt today. Sooner or later they will have to come down the mountain, and it will only be a matter of time before they are wiped out.

Thinking of this, a smile gradually appeared on Huang Chengyue's face.

"Aside from these, are there no other clues?"

Huang Chengyue asked again.

"Don't worry, sir. The brothers have been searching as hard as they can. Chen Mo doesn't have many men at his disposal right now. As long as he dares to make a move, we can wipe them out..."