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

The atmosphere in the camp became tense again.

A somber look appeared on everyone's faces.

Chen Mo briefly recounted what had happened to everyone.

Upon learning of the strength of the Zhenbei Army, the villagers inevitably felt fear.

"Don't be discouraged, everyone. As long as we're alive, we can always rebuild. Although the village is gone, we still have plenty of food stored up, and this time is enough for us to start making new plans."

Seeing everyone's dejected appearance, Chen Mo spoke up to comfort them.

"I know everyone is feeling bad right now, but we can't just give up like this. The government troops aren't familiar with Black Wind Ridge, so we can use that to our advantage and slowly outmaneuver them."

Hearing these words, many people echoed them.

Even the locals of Lingtou Village wouldn't dare say they were familiar with Black Wind Ridge; if it weren't for Chen Mo leading the way, they would often get lost.

"But don't worry, I won't keep you all stuck here forever. After you've rested for a while, I'll go out and look for opportunities."

Chen Mo continued.

Although Black Wind Ridge is vast, if they remain trapped in the sinkhole, they cannot guarantee they will not be discovered. Only by taking the initiative can they have a chance of survival.

Hearing Chen Mo's words, the others gradually calmed down.

Compared to those who stayed in the village, these villagers were clearly more fortunate.

As long as Chen Mo is there, there is a chance to survive, after all, Chen Mo has never let them down.

During the worst of the famine, if Chen Mo hadn't led them into Black Wind Ridge to reclaim the land, none of them might be alive today. Although the village is gone now, as long as the people are still here, they will surely overcome this hardship.

"Chen Mo, why don't I go to Qingfeng Village again and have them send troops to distract the government forces? That way, we'll have more time to rest."

Liang Ming suggested from the side.

As the former second-in-command of Qingfeng Village, he knew very well that if the brothers of Qingfeng Village could take action, they would definitely keep the government troops busy and be attacked from both sides.

Moreover, Liang Ming was well aware of the principle of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold"; if Chen Mo's side was wiped out, the government army's next target would definitely be Qingfeng Village.

Regardless of the circumstances, Liang Ming still harbored feelings for Qingfeng Village.

"That's a great idea! Didn't Qingfeng Village help our village back then?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Liang."

Others chimed in with agreement.

The best solution now is to call for reinforcements.

It's uncertain whether the Qingfeng Village people, whom the villagers consider bandits, will actually lend a hand, since the village had given them a lot of food when they asked for help.

At this moment, Chen Mo shook his head and said, "No need. There are government people everywhere around Black Wind Ridge, and the road down the mountain is likely to be blocked. It would be too dangerous for you to go."

In Chen Mo's view, Qingfeng Village is likely already in dire straits, and the government troops' main target is not just Lingtou Village.

Moreover, Qingfeng Village and Lingtou Village no longer have any shared interests, so Liang Ming might not be able to persuade the people of Qingfeng Village.

Liang Ming is Chen Mo's most capable fighter and an important fighting force for the village. We can't let him take such a risk.

"Brother Mo, are we just going to wait like this?"

Sun Dazhu looked slightly disappointed.

"Don't worry, I'll find a way."

Chen Mo's tone was firm.

……

Qingfeng Village, Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness.

Everyone looked at their leader, Xu Yuan, with solemn expressions.

"I heard that Lingtou Village has been captured by government troops, and the one who did it was the Zhenbei Army."

Upon hearing this, the crowd below began to whisper among themselves again.

Although Qingfeng Village and Lingtou Village were not close friends, they had interacted a few times, and Liang Ming had even gone to Lingtou Village with Chen Mo.

Liang Ming was the former second-in-command of Qingfeng Village. He and Xu Yuan fought together to build Qingfeng Village. Even though he left later, their friendship remained.

"What about my second brother? Is there any news about him?"

Cai Sheng suddenly stood up, looking anxious.

He couldn't understand why Liang Ming wanted to stay in Lingtou Village.

After all, in his heart, Qingfeng Village was one of his own, so why should Liang Ming stay and help a group of outsiders?

"There's no news. Lingtou Village is in chaos. The Zhenbei Army has sealed off the area around the village. Nobody knows whether Liang Ming is dead or alive, or where he is."

Xu Yuan shook his head, his face turning even uglier.

Upon hearing this, Cai Sheng's face darkened even further.

Liang Ming treated him like a younger brother, and now that he's out of touch, how can he sit still?

Xu Yuan was also feeling bad at this moment. When Liang Ming left, he had tried to persuade Liang Ming to return to Qingfeng Village.

But perhaps Liang Ming still harbored resentment because of what happened before, or perhaps because of Lin Lang's faction, he was unwilling to act recklessly.

The atmosphere in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness became somewhat somber.

The fate of Lingtou Village is right before their eyes; the strength of the Zhenbei Army is clearly not something these mountain bandits can easily contend with.

"The boss!"

At that moment, a scout rushed in.

"What is it?"

Xu Yuan frowned.

"The vanguard of the government troops has already reached the foot of Qingfeng Mountain and set up camp. Judging from their posture, it won't be long before they come up the mountain to encircle and annihilate us!"

"They're here so fast?!"

Everyone was taken aback.

The government troops arrived at the gate of Qingfeng Village just after Lingtou Village was destroyed. That was incredibly fast.

"Don't panic, how many people are on the other side?"

Xu Yuan asked in a deep voice.

"About a hundred people, probably the vanguard."

The scout replied.

"Everyone, what countermeasures do you have?"

Xu Yuan turned his head and asked.

The Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness fell silent again, and all eyes were on the leaders.

Cai Sheng spoke first: "Chief, I think we need to find Second Brother first. He's still alive since we haven't heard from him. Once we find him, we can join forces and deal with the government troops..."

He was interrupted as soon as he finished speaking.

"Looking for Liang Ming? Cai Sheng, are you out of your mind?"

Lin Lang stood up from his seat, a mocking smile on his lips, his eyes sweeping over Cai Sheng with disdain.

"The government troops are already at our doorstep, and you're still thinking about finding someone who's disappeared? Liang Ming chose to leave Qingfeng Village himself; are we supposed to beg him to come back?"

Lin Lang didn't care at all whether Liang Ming lived or died.

In his view, the moment Liang Ming left, he was no longer a member of Qingfeng Village.

Moreover, he had long disliked Cai Sheng and his group of Liang Ming's old subordinates, and now was a good opportunity to suppress them. How could he possibly be willing to send troops to find Liang Ming?

Upon hearing this, Cai Sheng instantly flew into a rage, glaring at Lin Lang and saying, "Lin Lang, what did you say? Even if Second Brother isn't here, he's still a member of Qingfeng Village! Now that we've lost contact with him, can we just ignore him?"

"How should we manage it?"

Lin Lang took two steps forward and confronted Cai Sheng.

"Send all our manpower to Black Wind Ridge to search? What about Qingfeng Village? If the government troops attack, will we just open the gates and let them in? Cai Sheng, don't act rashly and gamble the lives of the entire Qingfeng Village."

"When Lingtou Village was besieged, I said I would send reinforcements, but none of you agreed! Now that Lingtou Village is gone, the government troops are right at our doorstep. This is a classic case of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'!"

"With that rabble from Lingtou Village, even if we went, wouldn't we just die along with them?"