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

"What is it?"

Xiao Yunling looked at Chen Ling'er with a puzzled expression.

"The people here are not bandits; we are just ordinary villagers from Lingtou Village."

Chen Ling'er said calmly.

"So you're in cahoots with them?"

Xiao Yunling's face grew even more somber.

She simply couldn't believe that this innocent girl in front of her would collude with a traitor like Chen Mo.

Chen Ling'er didn't say anything more, but picked up the porridge next to her and fed it to Xiao Yunling.

"Sister, no matter what, please eat something first. We can talk about other things after you've recovered."

Chen Ling'er said gently.

As Xiao Yunling gazed at the food before her, her hunger grew stronger, and she felt a growing inner struggle.

"If I were to die like this, who would save these deceived villagers?"

She thought to herself.

Finally, Xiao Yunling slightly opened her mouth.

She is only bowing her head temporarily for now. Once this period is over and her subordinates come looking for her, she will definitely be able to execute Chen Mo, this traitor!

The outer perimeter of Black Wind Ridge.

On Nanshan Road, a Yun-character battalion is setting up camp.

The commander, Xiao Yunling, has been missing for nearly three days, and the soldiers of the Yun Battalion are more anxious than anyone else.

They have now searched almost the entire Black Wind Ridge, but still cannot find Xiao Yunling.

Could it be that General Xiao has really fallen into the hands of bandits?

If this news gets out, not only the Yun Battalion, but the entire Zhenbei Army will lose face.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the camp.

Upon seeing someone approaching, the soldiers immediately became alert.

"Who is it?"

The soldiers, armed with spears, blocked the men on horseback.

The man in the lead was none other than Chen Mo.

He stopped and said loudly, "Who holds the highest official position here? Please have him come out. I have information about General Xiao's whereabouts."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers' expressions changed immediately, and one of them quickly turned around and ran into the camp to report.

Before long, the soldiers escorted a burly man out.

This man was Liu Zhixiu, Xiao Yunling's deputy general. During the time Xiao Yunling was missing, he had been the one commanding the Yun Battalion.

"Who are you people?"

Liu Zhixiu said sternly, feeling that the person in front of him looked very familiar.

"Chen Mo from Lingtou Village".

Chen Mo said calmly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire military camp tensed up.

They all knew that Chen Mo was the biggest enemy of the Yunzi Camp.

Liu Zhixiu instantly flew into a rage, drew his long sword from his waist, pointed it at Chen Mo, and roared, "Traitor, you dare to come here on your own initiative?"

The soldiers behind them drew their swords and raised their spears, instantly surrounding Chen Mo and his men.

Liang Ming and Dong Shuo, who were standing nearby, immediately gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes wary.

Chen Mo remained calm and unfastened the sword at his waist, displaying it to everyone, and said, "Take a moment, and see what this is."

Liu Zhixiu's gaze fell on the longsword in Chen Mo's hand, and his expression suddenly changed.

He was very familiar with this sword; it was General Xiao's personal sword.

"General Xiao is in your hands? What have you done?!"

Liu Zhixiu was furious.

"Don't rush, General Xiao is safe and sound. I'm not here to fight you, but to negotiate."

Chen Mo said calmly.

"Negotiation? Where is General Xiao? If you dare to harm her in the slightest, I will lead my entire army to raze Black Wind Ridge to the ground!"

Liu Zhixiu continued in a stern voice.

"As I said, we have no intention of being enemies with the Zhenbei Army. I know that your purpose in coming here is to suppress bandits, but the people of Lingtou Village are not bandits either."

Chen Mo spoke slowly.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Liu Zhixiu glared at him.

"If you want General Xiao to return to the army safely, you must grant me one request."

Chen Mo continued.

Why should I believe you?

Liu Zhixiu's eyes were filled with hostility.

"If you still choose to fight me with knives, then General Xiao will surely die. But if we get along peacefully, she will not have any accidents. If you don't believe me, I can have her write you a letter."

Chen Mo replied.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhixiu's expression became more hesitant.

Now that General Xiao has fallen into the hands of bandits, the Yun Battalion is undoubtedly in a passive position.

"What exactly do you want?"

Liu Zhixiu questioned.

"It's very simple. We'll cease hostilities for three months. During these three months, we'll only operate within the Black Wind Ridge area and will absolutely not leave. Not only that, I can also provide you with the locations of other bandits around Black Wind Ridge to help you eliminate them."

Chen Mo suggested.

Nowadays, it's not just Chen Mo and his group that are called bandits outside Black Wind Ridge.

Compared to Chen Mo and his fellow villagers, other bandit groups were also a threat to the imperial court.

It's hard to say whether these bandits will enter Black Wind Ridge one day.

Liu Zhixiu frowned and remained silent.

"After the three-month period is over, I will personally escort General Xiao back. At that time, whether to fight or make peace will be up to General Xiao to decide."

"Do you think I'm a fool?" Liu Zhixiu said angrily. "If we let you recuperate in Black Wind Ridge, you will surely become a great threat in the future. Who knows if you are telling the truth? We need to confirm General Xiao's safety."

"General Xiao is in our hands; you have no other choice."

Chen Mo said in a calm tone.

"You're asking for it!"

The soldier standing nearby panicked and almost took action.

"Even General Xiao couldn't annihilate us, let alone you."

Chen Mo continued.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of the Yun Battalion all wore solemn expressions.

Now that General Xiao has fallen into enemy hands, morale in the army is low. If this continues, not only will the bandit suppression be impossible, but the Yun Battalion itself may also be in trouble.

The Yunzi Battalion is where it is today entirely because of General Xiao.

"Everyone, step back."

Liu Zhixiu suppressed his anger and said.

The soldiers nearby also put down their weapons and took a few steps back.

Liu Zhixiu said, "I need to confirm first whether General Xiao is still alive."

"No problem, as long as you agree to a truce."

Chen Mo nodded.

"I'll give you three months. If you dare to break your promise and harm the general in the slightest, the Yun Battalion will make you pay for your crimes in blood."

Liu Zhixiu said in a deep voice, his heart filled with helplessness and resentment.

The Yun Battalion has achieved nothing in recent days, and for the sake of the general's safety, they have no choice but to agree to the man's request.

"Don't worry, I keep my word. Also, please announce to the public that General Xiao has returned to the Zhenbei Army to report, and the so-called banditry on Black Wind Ridge has been eliminated."

Chen Mo said calmly.

Liu Zhixiu did not answer and fell into deep thought.

If word gets out that General Xiao has been captured, someone will surely take the opportunity to cause trouble. The Yun Battalion will not only lose all its dignity, but may also be replaced as a result.

More importantly, the local gentry in the north of the city, though seemingly respectful, were actually very ambitious.

"I understand, and I've remembered that none of you are allowed to be disrespectful to General Xiao."

Liu Zhixiu said in a somewhat warning tone.

In his heart, Xiao Yunling had always been a noble being.

Now, the Yunzi Battalion can only wait for news from General Xiao, and then take revenge three months later.