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

"Dad, most of the villagers Chen Mo won over used to farm for us, but now they've all run off with him. Who will farm our land? How will we collect rent and lend money in the village in the future?"

Wang Mang was still in a hurry.

"Do you even need to tell me?"

Wang Laoqi looked at his son impatiently.

There's no use in just being anxious now; we need to come up with a better solution.

Wang Laoqi was silent for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up.

"I just remembered something. Don't those two Zhang brothers in the village still owe us three taels of silver? Zhang Yan is always timid and cowardly, so we can start with them."

"Father means to start with the Zhang brothers?"

Wang Mang was taken aback at first, but then he realized what was happening.

"The Zhang brothers also followed Chen Mo up the mountain. They definitely can't repay those three taels of silver. We'll use some grain to coerce and bribe them, and threaten them with their son. They definitely won't dare to refuse."

A ruthless glint flashed in Wang Laoqi's eyes.

"Father, I understand! I'll do it now!"

Wang Mang immediately understood, after all, he was most skilled at coercion and enticement.

After saying that, he immediately called Zhao Si and the others, and they rushed to the village in a hurry.

It was already dark.

The Zhang brothers lived in a dilapidated courtyard, with the two families crammed together.

The mud walls inside the house were dilapidated, and the courtyard gate was also in disrepair and half-open.

Zhang Yan had just finished cleaning the fish and was calling his family to eat together.

After today's fishing experience, he no longer harbored any illusions.

I initially followed Chen Mo up the mountain to clear the land with the intention of just watching the fun, but I never expected that Chen Mo would actually be serious about it.

Now, in order to feed his family, he feels he should work hard to pay off the family's debts.

Just as the family was having dinner, they suddenly heard a series of noises coming from outside the yard.

Zhang Yan frowned and quickly gestured to his younger brother to grab his weapon and go outside to take a look.

After all, there are quite a few thieves these days.

But as soon as he opened the door, Zhang Yan froze.

"Young Master Wang... what brings you here?"

Zhang Yan quickly put down the stick in his hand and smiled obsequiously.

"You were just holding a stick, were you going to hit me?"

Wang Mang's face showed no kindness whatsoever, and he was followed by several of his men.

"No, no..."

Zhang Yan shook his head repeatedly.

"Brother Mang, what brings you here?"

Zhang Shi approached Wang Mang, attempting to block his view.

"You know best what's going on."

Wang Mang looked around and was suddenly drawn in by the smell inside the room.

He shoved Zhang Shi aside and walked straight into the house.

Inside the house, Zhang's parents, wife, and children were having dinner, looking at Wang Mang with expressions of panic.

Wang Mang's attention, however, was drawn to the pot of fish soup on the table.

"Hey, you two brothers are doing pretty well these days, you can even afford fish now. You dared to complain to me about being poor before!"

Wang Mang was furious.

"Brother Mang, you've misunderstood. I just happened to find this fish when I went up the mountain. You know my family's situation; how could I possibly have spare money to buy fish..."

Zhang Yan hurriedly went to Wang Mang again, fearing that the latter would take his anger out on his family.

"I don't care about your stuff, but your family owes us three taels of silver, plus five hundred coins in interest. When are you going to pay it back?"

Wang Mang went straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's face immediately showed distress, and he pleaded, "Brother Mang, given my family's situation, where would I get the money to pay back? Didn't we agree to give us another two months?"

"Brother Mang, why is there another 500 coins of interest? Didn't we agree on 100 coins a month?"

Zhang Shi also came in, his tone quite helpless.

"Are you trying to renege on your debt?"

Wang Mang said fiercely, then gave a look to his followers behind him, and the men immediately rushed into the house.

"No, no! I won't renege on my debt!" Zhang Yan quickly reached out and grabbed him, kneeling down and saying, "Brother Mang, please have mercy and give me a little more time."

"Have mercy? Didn't you say you could pay it back when you borrowed the money?"

Wang Mang remained unforgiving.

"Please give us a little more time, please."

Zhang Yan immediately kowtowed.

The Wang family had acquired their land at a low price, and the Zhang brothers had no choice but to borrow money from the Wang family in order to survive.

Given the current situation, it's definitely impossible to come up with that much money.

"It's not impossible for me to give you some more time."

Wang Mang suddenly changed his mind.

"Brother Mang, just tell me your conditions, and I will definitely comply."

Zhang Yan raised his head.

"You two brothers, come out here and we'll talk."

Wang Mang waved his hand and led them to a corner of the courtyard.

"Brother Mang, just say what you want. As long as it's not about selling your children, I'll definitely be willing to risk my life for you."

Seeing that Wang Mang wanted to discuss things, Zhang Shi immediately patted his chest and guaranteed it.

"It's very simple." Wang Mang patted Zhang Yan's face and said in a stern tone, "Aren't you following Chen Mo up the mountain to reclaim wasteland? Tell me the exact location of that land. If you succeed, the three taels of silver can be reduced by half, and I'll give you three catties of grain."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's expression froze instantly, and his face showed great difficulty.

Zhang Shi also frowned, unsure how to answer.

They had just promised Chen Mo today that they would work hard, and if they agreed to Wang Mang now, it would be a betrayal of all the villagers. If they caused any more trouble, Chen Mo would definitely not let them off the hook.

Moreover, Zhang Yan understood that Wang Mang would not do anything good if he found the cultivated land in the village.

Then all the villagers' efforts over the past few days will have been in vain.

The Zhang brothers were in a dilemma. Working with Chen Mo these past few days had been enough to fill their stomachs and even improve their family's meals.

But the Wang family is right in front of us, and refusing will definitely not end well.

"Brother Mang, it's not that I don't want to, but I usually go up the mountain with them and I still can't find the way. Besides, it's already dark now, and if I go up the mountain rashly, I might get lost."

Zhang Yan's tone clearly carried a hint of evasion.

"Since that won't work, I'll have no choice but to take your children to work for the Wang family to pay off the debt. That will be enough to offset those three taels of silver."

Wang Mang's face darkened.

Upon seeing the other party threaten him with his family, Zhang Yan's face turned deathly pale.

"No, Brother Mang, if you have a problem, come at me. Don't touch my family."

Zhang Yan knelt down and begged for mercy again.

"Brother Mang, I'll do anything for you, even be your slave."

Zhang Shi also looked uneasy.

"Stop talking nonsense, are you going to do it or not?"

Wang Mang spoke sternly again.

"I, I..."

Zhang Yan was caught in a dilemma.

Now it seems he has no choice but to accept the label of traitor.

"Okay, I promise."

Zhang Yan sighed deeply.

"That's right," Wang Mang said with a cold laugh. "Remember, before you go down the mountain tomorrow, mark the area. Lead us into the mountain tonight. If you dare to play any tricks, you'll be severely punished!"

Wang Mang threatened again.

After saying that, he left with his men.

As Wang Mang gradually disappeared into the distance, Zhang Shi looked panicked and stepped forward to help his elder brother up.

"Brother, do we really have to do this?"

Zhang Shi was extremely hesitant. Although he had been scolded by Chen Mo for slacking off today, Chen Mo had always been kind to the villagers.

If he really betrayed the villagers, the infamy would be unbearable...