Dual Transmigration: Starting from being captured and brought to the Hehuan Sect!

The Hezhou government must immediately release all detained members of the Yue family, unseal all confiscated businesses and properties, and compensate for all losses.

If the Hezhou Prefecture refuses to comply, the Lianhai Self-Defense Army will consider this an act of hostility, pacify Hezhou, and show no leniency.

At the same time, it warned other surrounding counties and prefectures that anyone who dared to attack the Yue family's industries would be making an enemy of Lianhai County, and that the Lianhai Self-Defense Army's shells would not discriminate.

The release of this announcement caused an uproar throughout the entire southeast region.

Some people slammed their fists on the table and angrily denounced Lin Mo for his audacity, saying that a mere county magistrate dared to threaten an official of the imperial court, which was tantamount to rebellion.

Some were secretly alarmed. Lianhai County had defeated an army of 50,000 with the strength of a single county, and even the prefectural government office had been bombed into ruins. Who would dare to underestimate such strength?

Rebel forces from all over the country also sensed an opportunity and sent envoys to Cangwu County to test the waters.

Some offered gold and silver jewelry, while others promised high-ranking positions and generous salaries, hoping to win Lin Mo over to join them in their grand scheme.

Faced with the attempts of various forces to win him over, Lin Mo had Yang Liu publish a formal statement in the latest issue of the Lianhai Daily.

The statement was clearly restrained in its wording.

Lianhai County is an integral part of the Great Xia Kingdom, and has always been loyal to the court and supported the Empress's rule.

The Hezhou incident was caused by the former prefect Cheng Qian abusing his power for personal gain and retaliating against others. All the actions of Lianhai County were legitimate self-defense forced upon them.

At the same time, we solemnly warn all rebel forces that Lianhai County will not collude with any rebel forces and should not send any more envoys.

After the statement was published on the front page of the Lianhai Daily, the newspaper's reputation soared.

Originally distributed only in Lianhai County and Cangwu County, this newspaper instantly spread throughout the entire southeastern region.

The news spread by word of mouth through post stations, caravans, and江湖人口 (jianghu people, people of the martial arts world), and each batch of newspapers that were reprinted was snapped up as soon as it left the printing plant.

The vernacular text in the newspapers was easy to understand, unlike the obscure announcements posted by the imperial court. Even illiterate people in teahouses could understand what others were reading.

What's even more surprising is that each issue of the Lianhai Daily includes some common sense tips at the end, such as that water must be boiled before drinking, what foods should not be eaten together, and what foods are poisonous.

These contents may be insignificant in the eyes of court officials, but they are extremely popular among ordinary people, which has improved the reputation of Lianhai County.

A few days later, a copy of the Lianhai Daily was delivered to the Imperial Study by a messenger from the capital.

The Empress unfolded the newspaper and read it from beginning to end, her gaze lingering for a long time on the line "Always loyal to the court and support the Empress's rule."

She placed the newspaper on the imperial desk, a complex expression flashing in her phoenix eyes.

Yes, I am angry!

A mere county magistrate dared to send troops to threaten officials appointed by the imperial court and even bombed the prefectural government office; his arrogance was outrageous.

But she also had to admit Lin Mo's talent.

It's worth noting that although Lianhai County is called a county, it's actually just a poor little fishing village.

Lin Mo has only been in office for a short time, yet he has managed to govern a county so well that even an army of 50,000 men couldn't take it down!

At the same time, this vernacular version of the Lianhai Daily is also a rare and precious item.

Having ruled the court for many years, she knew that it was common for government orders not to leave the capital. In remote rural areas, it often took several months to receive government orders from the capital, and they could even be misinterpreted by some ill-intentioned people!

But with the Lianhai Daily, her decrees could spread throughout the country within a few days. Moreover, since it was written in vernacular Chinese, it would be even more difficult for those intellectuals to misinterpret her intentions!

Based on this alone, Lin Mo is no ordinary person.

A moment later, the Empress picked up her vermilion brush and spread out an imperial edict on her desk, ordering Lin Mo to come to the capital to serve as a Chamberlain and assist in governing the country.

Such a talented person cannot be killed; the only option is to win him over again.

If they could be recruited, they might be of use to the court and perhaps change the current chaotic situation.

The imperial edict was intercepted in Cangwu County. When Liu Si delivered the telegram, Lin Mo and Long Qingxue were cultivating.

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

They sent Cao Dahai to kill me before, and now they're sending me to the capital to become an official?"

Lin Mo snorted coldly and instructed Liu Si through the wall:

"Just say I'm not feeling well, and make up some excuse to get rid of me."

"Yes, sir!"

Liu Si stepped down.

The news of Cheng Qian's disappearance was like a boulder thrown into a pond, and the ripples it created quickly spread throughout the western part of Hezhou.

Several rebel forces, which had been fighting independently, sensed an opportunity almost simultaneously. Hezhou City was now leaderless, and the imperial army's reinforcements were too far away to be of immediate help. Whoever captured Hezhou first would occupy the most prosperous territory in the southeast.

In an instant, rebels from all sides poured out and pressed towards Hezhou City from the west and south.

Outside the west gate of Hezhou City, the setting sun shone like blood.

The city walls were riddled with arrows, the crenellations were damaged by hurled stones, and several watchtowers were still emitting black smoke.

Zhao Kang, the commander of a thousand men guarding the city, stood on the city gate tower, leaning on his dull-edged sword. His left arm was wrapped in a bandage soaked in blood. He looked at another group of rebels surging in from the foot of the mountain in the distance, his eyes bloodshot.

Behind him stood the remaining three thousand garrison troops of Hezhou City, most of whom were temporarily conscripted laborers. Some of them did not even have a decent knife and stood trembling on the city wall, holding sharpened bamboo poles and farm tools.

"Sir, another force is coming from the east!"

The lieutenant pointed to the newly risen trail of dust in the distance, his voice hoarse.

Zhao Kang didn't speak, but slowly drew his sword. The blade reflected the densely packed heads below the city, and the edge trembled slightly in his palm.

He took his last breath, his hoarse voice piercing through the smoke rising from the city walls:

"Brothers, hold the line today."

If reinforcements don't arrive soon, Hezhou will be lost.

But even if it's gone, these traitors still need to know!

The soldiers of Hezhou are not cowards!

The soldiers on the city wall let out their final roar, gripping their makeshift weapons so tightly that their knuckles turned white.

When news of the siege of Hezhou by rebels reached the capital, the Empress was sitting in her study reviewing memorials.

The personal female official quietly presented the urgent military report from Hezhou. She unfolded it and glanced at it, her phoenix eyes instantly replaced by anger.

Cheng Qian fled, and rebels in western Hezhou seized the opportunity to rise up. Several forces simultaneously attacked Hezhou City. The imperial garrison fought desperately, but the defense line was on the verge of collapse, and memorials requesting reinforcements came one after another.

She slammed the military report heavily onto the imperial desk, causing the teacups to rattle.

Hezhou is the southeastern gateway; if it falls, one-third of the territory of the Great Xia will be lost.

The Empress clutched the reply letter. At present, there was no one available. Most of the court's capable generals were tied up on the northern and western fronts, and with Cheng Qian's escape in the southeast, there was no one to replace him.

Seeing her furrowed brow, the eunuch standing nearby cautiously spoke:

"Your Majesty, I have a humble opinion."

Since Lin Mo refuses to go to the capital, why not let him become the prefect of Hezhou?

In the current situation, Hezhou is a hot potato!

Several rebel groups in the west were eyeing that lucrative prize, and the imperial army couldn't defeat them.

If Lin Mo can hold onto Hezhou, then Hezhou will at least still belong to Great Xia.

Even if we can't hold it, at least we've rid the court of this arrogant fool, so we won't lose out either way.