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

After leaving the potato field, Chen Mo prepared to lead his men back to the camp.

After walking for about an hour, the mountain where the camp was located came into view. After crossing two more mountains, they could return.

Chen Mo deliberately chose a side road to avoid the patrol routes of the government troops.

Just as the group was about to leave the forest, the sound of horses' hooves came from not far away.

"stop……"

Chen Mo suddenly raised his hand, and everyone stopped in their tracks instantly.

The sound of horses' hooves grew closer, accompanied by shouts from officers and soldiers.

Looking through the gaps in the branches and leaves of the forest, one could see more than thirty government cavalrymen walking along the mountain path.

Chen Mo frowned and carefully observed the direction the group of soldiers were heading.

It's the hill where the sinkhole campsite is located...

Chen Mo's face darkened, and he looked around again.

At the foot of the mountain, another troop of mounted government troops was patrolling, and there were quite a few of them.

It seems that the two groups are coordinating with each other, searching for Chen Mo and his group's location.

If we were to make a move at this point, it would definitely alert another enemy team and expose our own position.

This place is just a hill away from the main camp. If the government troops are alerted, they will definitely search this place extensively.

Chen Mo stared intently at the approaching cavalry, a plan forming in his mind.

"Put off all your weapons."

Chen Mo said in a low voice.

Everyone was stunned; they were all ready to make a move.

"What's wrong?"

Liang Ming was quite puzzled.

"We changed into the weapons we had previously confiscated and showed ourselves."

Chen Mo urged.

"Wouldn't going out now expose us?"

A bystander asked in confusion.

Everyone was puzzled, but they still trusted Chen Mo's judgment and started to act.

Chen Mo tidied his appearance slightly, making sure there were no flaws, gave Liang Ming and the others a look, and then the group of them walked out of the dense forest openly and headed straight for the middle of the mountain path.

The sound of horses' hooves came to an abrupt halt.

The cavalrymen became alert the moment they saw Chen Mo and his group suddenly appear.

The soldiers tightened their reins, drew their swords, and some even raised their bows and arrows, aiming them at Chen Mo and his companions.

"Who goes there? Stop right there!"

The leading officer shouted sternly.

Because Chen Mo and his group appeared so openly, the officers and soldiers couldn't distinguish friend from foe for a moment.

Chen Mo and the others did not stop, nor did they take the opportunity to make a move.

"Hey, what are you all standing there for? Our men have already located the bandit's headquarters at Xiling Peak. You need to hurry up and reinforce them. Are you trying to let the bandits escape by dawdling like this?"

Chen Mo raised his head, his face showing some impatience, and took the initiative to question him.

Liang Ming couldn't help but turn to look at Chen Mo, finally understanding his purpose.

This is meant to mislead these officers and soldiers.

The leading officer frowned, turned to the others, and asked in a low voice, "Are they from our side too? Isn't it just our Shannan government office searching this area?"

The soldiers beside him also looked bewildered and replied, "We don't know. These people look very strange. Could they be bandits in disguise?"

The officer in charge nodded, realizing something was amiss.

He turned his head, looked at Chen Mo again, and shouted sternly, "Who exactly are you people? Are you bandits in disguise?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the group of mounted soldiers raised their bows and arrows, aiming them at Chen Mo and his companions, ready to attack.

Liang Ming gripped the knife tightly, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

He knew that once the fighting started, it had to be quick and decisive.

The atmosphere on the mountain path was frozen at that moment.

Chen Mo remained unfazed and shouted, "Insolence! We are a search team personally dispatched by Master Huang. Who are you?"

"Master Huang?"

The officer in charge was taken aback.

"We were transferred from the Shannan Town government office. How can you prove you're Master Huang's men?"

The officers and soldiers asked again.

"What else do you need to prove? General Xiao's troops just arrived at Qingfeng Mountain today to suppress the bandits. The main force is not near Black Wind Ridge. We have already located the bandit's lair at Xiling Peak. If the bandit leader takes the opportunity to escape, can you bear the responsibility?"

Chen Mo issued another stern warning.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers' expressions changed instantly.

General Xiao led his troops to besiege Qingfeng Mountain. They only received the news this morning, and apart from the people in the government, no outsiders could possibly know about it.

The person in front of me can tell this story so accurately, so he can't possibly be a bandit trapped in Black Wind Ridge.

Now all entrances and exits to Black Wind Ridge have been guarded, and the bandits are trapped in the mountains, unable to receive any news from the outside world, let alone the deployment of the Zhenbei Army.

Could it be... that these people are really Master Huang's men?

The leading officer waved his hand, signaling the men behind him to put down their bows and arrows, and then looked at Chen Mo and the others again.

His gaze fell on the weapon in Chen Mo's hand.

The style of those weapons was basically the same as that of those used by government offices.

Moreover, since they were connected to the forces under Master Huang's command, they didn't dare to offend them too much, and their suspicions instantly dissipated.

The soldiers sheathed their swords and bowed to Chen Mo, saying, "So you are Master Huang's men. We apologize for our earlier rudeness."

"That's enough."

Chen Mo adopted an arrogant and condescending attitude.

He knew very well that the group of soldiers in front of him dared not provoke the Huang family.

"Now that we've found the bandits' lair, let's lead our team to reinforce them. Brothers, shall we mount our horses together?"

The officers and soldiers spoke politely.

"No need, we have other important matters to attend to. We need to stay here and block the bandits' retreat. You go ahead first."

Chen Mo's face still showed some impatience.

"Alright then, let's go..."

The officer in charge waved again.

"etc."

Chen Mo suddenly called out to him.

"Any instructions?"

The officers and soldiers stopped what they were doing.

"If you have horses, immediately send someone back to inform Master Huang of the location of the bandits' lair. Remember, it's Xiling Peak. Also, you should surround the mountain first and do not act rashly. Wait until General Xiao's troops have destroyed Qingfeng Mountain before sending in the government troops. Do not alert the enemy."

Chen Mo gave specific instructions.

Seeing that Chen Mo was taking it so seriously, the soldier's doubts vanished, and he quickly nodded and said, "Brother, don't worry, our yamen knows what to do."

"Then set off quickly and send all your men there. Don't delay the appointed time."

Chen Mo continued.

"clear."

The thirty-odd cavalrymen immediately spurred their horses forward, turned around, and headed towards Xiling Peak.

Before long, the cavalrymen below the mountain also gradually disappeared at the end of the mountain path.

Only when the sound of horses' hooves could no longer be heard did everyone finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Brother Chen, that move of yours is far too dangerous."

"Those soldiers almost attacked just now, thankfully..."

The bystander wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Liang Ming walked to Chen Mo's side, his brows furrowed, and asked in a low voice, "Are the government troops really besieging Qingfeng Mountain?"

Chen Mo nodded and said, "It should be correct."