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

North City, Huang Mansion.

Huang Chengyue stood under the corridor of his own courtyard, feeling inexplicably anxious.

The Northern Army had been besieging and suppressing the enemy at Black Wind Ridge for quite some time.

At that time, good news kept coming. In less than half a month, the bandits in Lingtou Village and Qingfeng Mountain had been wiped out.

However, since learning that Chen Mo's main bandit force had slipped away from Xiling Peak, there has been no news from the Yunzi Camp.

Moreover, the local government troops used to assist the Zhenbei Army in suppressing bandits, but now the government officials are mostly assigned to guard the perimeter, as if the man surnamed Xiao no longer trusts the government.

Huang Chengyue could not rest easy as long as the bandit leaders remained alive.

No one can guarantee that the bandits won't rise again and threaten the Huang family.

"Master Huang, the Zhenbei Army has returned to the city."

Just then, the steward of the manor came to report.

"Finally, there's some movement."

Huang Chengyue was overjoyed.

Since the entire Zhenbei Army has returned, does that mean that Chen Mo and the other bandits have been wiped out?

After thinking it over, Huang Chengyue set off for the military camp where the Zhenbei Army was stationed.

"My name is Huang Chengyue, and I request an audience with General Xiao."

Upon arriving at the military camp, Huang Chengyue led a group of local gentry to request an audience, but after a while, Xiao Yunling did not appear.

A moment later, Liu Zhixiu slowly walked over, looking at Huang Chengyue and the others with a serious expression, and asked, "What do you want?"

"Greetings, sir. May I ask where General Xiao is? We have heard that the bandit suppression campaign was a great success, and we have prepared some small gifts to celebrate the victory for the general and his soldiers."

Huang Chengyue said with a smile.

Other local gentry echoed this sentiment, their primary concern now being whether Chen Mo, the traitor, was dead or alive.

"No need for gifts. The bandit suppression has gone very smoothly. Chen Mo, the bandit leader of Lingtou Village, was killed on the spot in the chaos of battle."

Liu Zhixiu said calmly.

"Chen Mo is dead?"

Someone exclaimed in surprise, a smile spreading across their face.

"Great, that traitor is finally dead!"

"Now we can rest easy. We won't have to worry about him stealing our grain carts anymore."

"If that old man from the Wang family finds out, he'll probably throw a banquet with dozens of tables."

The local gentry were all beaming with joy and chattered amongst themselves.

With Chen Mo dead, everyone finally felt relieved.

At this moment, Huang Chengyue still looked solemn.

He stared intently at Liu Zhixiu, sensing that something was amiss.

"I wonder if General Xiao has returned to the city, and what the next steps are for the Zhenbei Army?"

Huang Chengyue inquired.

"General Xiao has other important matters to attend to and has already returned to the Zhenbei Army camp to report. I will temporarily take over the defense of the northern city. If there are any bandit suppression operations, I will inform you in advance."

Liu Zhixiu said calmly.

"I see."

Huang Chengyue nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

He knew in his heart that he wouldn't get any more information by asking any further questions.

"Also, just a reminder: there are still some bandits roaming deep within Black Wind Ridge. For your safety, it's best not to go up the mountain for the next few months."

Liu Zhixiu reminded him in a serious tone.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed again.

I thought the bandits had been wiped out, but how come there are still some left?

Well, since the bandit leader is dead anyway, this group of bandits is at most a bunch of scattered soldiers and won't pose much of a threat.

"Please leave."

Liu Zhixiu said calmly, then turned and left.

The group of local gentry stood at the entrance of the military camp, still discussing the matter.

"Do you think Chen Mo is really dead?"

"How could it be fake? Anyway, with the Zhenbei Army around, we'll just have to spend a little more money to bribe them."

Huang Chengyue turned around without saying a word.

He felt somewhat uneasy not seeing the aloof female general.

That's fine, as long as Chen Mo is dead. Anyway, the Huang family's biggest worry is gone, so we can do what we need to do.

Shannan Town.

The Wang family residence.

Old Wang walked slowly in the courtyard, sighing repeatedly.

The old injury on my shoulder is still flaring up, and even the slightest movement causes excruciating pain.

He has been lying in bed for more than half a month since he was struck by Xiao Yunling's sword.

Thinking back on what the Wang family has been through these past few days, it's hard for me to calm down.

He longed for Chen Mo's death day and night, hoping to avenge himself.

At this moment, the steward hurried over and reported, "Master, Chen Mo has been killed by Zhenbei!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Laoqi became agitated and, ignoring the pain in his wounds, hurriedly asked, "Chen Mo is dead? Are you sure?"

It's like my wish came true!

"Sir, it's true, it was said by the Zhenbei Army himself."

"The housekeeper said breathlessly."

Wang Laoqi was stunned for a moment, and his eyes instantly turned red.

My revenge has been achieved!

The resentment that had been building up inside him was finally released.

"Good! This traitor is finally dead! It's just a pity I couldn't kill him with my own hands!"

Wang Laoqi said excitedly, coughing several times.

"Sir, please be careful with your wound."

The butler quickly helped him sit down.

Wang Laoqi took a sip of hot tea, and his emotions gradually calmed down.

Before long, his face darkened again.

Now that Chen Mo is dead, the Wang family has gotten their revenge, but what about the losses they've suffered these past few days?

Today, most of the shops in Shannan Town, and even the farmland in Lingtou Village, are under the control of the Huang family.

It's completely impossible for Wang Laoqi to take it back now, especially since he still owes the Huang family a debt.

Now that Chen Mo is gone, does that prove that Black Wind Ridge has been taken over by someone else?

Those fields reclaimed in Black Wind Ridge are now under the control of the Shannan Town government, which is the Wang family.

He learned from Hu Jin that the potatoes Chen Mo planted in Black Wind Ridge had a very high yield.

Now that Chen Mo is dead, those reclaimed fields can't just fall into the hands of that old bastard Huang Chengyue again.

For the Wang family to turn their fortunes around, they must take control of all those fields.

"Summon all the able-bodied men in the household immediately; I'm going to Black Wind Ridge."

Wang Laoqi suddenly stood up and said.

"Master, please don't! Your wounds haven't healed yet, and I've heard there are still some bandits and remnants in Black Wind Ridge."

The butler quickly reached out to stop him.

"What are those remaining bandits? Chen Mo is dead, and the rest are just a rabble. We must take control of the fields in the mountains now, and we absolutely cannot let them be taken away again."

Wang Laoqi said sternly.

Nowadays, the location of most of those fields is known only to the Wang family.

He had made up his mind. Ignoring all advice, he immediately summoned all his servants, pulled Hu Jin, who had come to join him, and prepared to go up the mountain to farm.

"Master Wang, perhaps we should wait a little longer, let me..."

Hu Jin pleaded.

Since joining Wang Laoqi's side, he has been nothing more than a tool. Back then, the Beicheng government tortured him severely in order to find out Chen Mo's location. Now that he has finally gained Wang Laoqi's trust, his life is not as good as before.

"What are you waiting for? Get those potato seeds now and go plant them on the mountain right now."

Wang Laoqi no longer wanted to wait.

Let's take over the land first. Anyway, those fields are so well hidden that the Huang family won't be able to compete with the Wang family for them.

After thinking it over, Wang Laoqi pulled Hu Jinyi and the others along and quickly headed towards Black Wind Ridge.