Border Soldiers: My granaries are full of grain and meat, and I guard this region.

Zhong Shao narrowed his eyes slightly, took a sip of tea, and did not answer directly.

"Brother Qi, are you aware that our Great Sui Dynasty is currently at war with the Rong tribes in the west?"

Qi Feng nodded. "I know a little."

Zhong Shao put down his teacup. "Our Great Sui Dynasty has nine provinces and twenty-eight prefectures. Shuofeng Prefecture belongs to Longxi Prefecture of the Great Sui Dynasty. Although most of the area does not directly border the Great Rong, there are still some areas that are in contact with it."

"It's the dead of winter now. This war has been going on since summer and has reached a stalemate. Now, taking advantage of this time, the higher-ups want to thoroughly investigate these places, and Duma Village is one of them."

"Before I came here, I heard that Ma Shuo, the tyrant of Duma Village, was rampant in the countryside. Relying on his eight hundred men, he was even more despicable than bandits!"

"If these people encounter a battle, let alone whether they can fight effectively, they'd be lucky if they didn't desert!"

Zhao Tongchuan, who was standing to the side, stiffened slightly upon hearing this. The fact that Duma Village had become what it was today was actually quite related to him, the county magistrate.

"Furthermore, it seems the Great Rong are looking to shift the battlefield. If our defenses here are relaxed, they might find an opportunity!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Feng was startled, and even Zhao Tongchuan visibly panicked.

"Young Master Zhong! Fuxing County is a small town; it can't possibly stop the Rong army!"

Qi Feng looked at Zhong Shao and said, "Young Master Zhong, what do you want me to do by telling me all this? I'm just a hunter, and I, an ordinary citizen, have no way of getting involved in these things."

Zhong Shao looked at Qi Feng with some surprise, and finally took a deep breath.

"I also witnessed Brother Qi's skills at the restaurant today. Although those thugs were scoundrels, they still had some basic skills. Brother Qi was able to take down six of them in an instant, which is not something an ordinary hunter could do."

"In addition, your superb archery skills back in Liupanling left a deep impression on me. Therefore, you must be no ordinary person."

Qi Feng didn't speak. He was indeed no ordinary person; he was a field army king.

But Qi Feng couldn't possibly tell anyone about this.

"Brother Qi, I came from this place, and Ma Shuo's power is not small. If I push him too far, he may become disloyal. Right now, we are fighting against the Sui Dynasty on the border. If we push Ma Shuo too far and make him rebel, it may be detrimental to the war. So we can only boil the frog slowly."

"I need someone I can trust."

Zhong Shao stared intently at Qi Feng.

"You were able to help my siblings and me back in Liupanling, which shows your loyalty."

"You are brave to protect your wife without fear of power at the Ye Family Restaurant."

"Ma Shuo has been entrenched in Duma Village for many years, and the village is completely impenetrable. It's difficult for me to take direct action, but I can't just let it go unchecked either."

"I need someone to keep an eye on things in Duma Village. I heard that these people have become so lawless that they dare to disguise themselves as bandits and go out to rob."

"Brother Qi, could you do me this favor?"

Zhao Tongchuan, who was standing to the side, also coughed lightly at this moment.

"Hunter Qi, Young Master Zhong is a military advisor of the eighth rank, in charge of military supplies warehouses and documents. Moreover, Young Master Zhong's father is the governor of Shuofeng County. The Zhong family has contributed a lot to this battlefield. Once we defeat the Rong, he might be promoted to the governor of Longxi Prefecture."

Zhong Shao waved his hand, "It's all for the country, nothing to mention."

After saying that, Zhong Shao looked at Qi Feng, waiting for his reply.

If an ordinary person were to hear such a earnest and sincere request from an official of the eighth rank, they would probably agree on the spot.

But Qi Feng did not speak rashly.

Although he looked down on these scoundrels and was annoyed that Ma Su was after Yu Yourong, the matter was too big for him to get involved rashly.

Qi Feng is not alone; he also has Yu Yourong, and he needs to consider Yu Yourong.

"Brother Qi, I won't force you. I still remember how you saved my Zhong siblings at Liupanling."

"But Brother Qi, now that the Sui Dynasty and the Rong Dynasty are at war, this is a golden opportunity. With your skills, it would be easy for you to escape your humble origins."

"If this succeeds, I will have done a great service, and I will tell my father that this is an opportunity for you."

Qi Feng thought for a moment and then said:

"Young Master Zhong, I'm actually just an ordinary hunter who used to be addicted to gambling."

"Ma Shuo bullied my wife in front of me, and his actions were truly despicable, which is why I took action."

"As for what happened at Liupanling, I was just going into the mountains to hunt that day, and rescuing people was just something I did on the side."

"Young Master Zhong comes from a prominent family. It's only a matter of time before Ma Shuo is dealt with by Young Master Zhong. I am just a commoner and I really can't afford to get involved."

Zhong Shao's face was somewhat gloomy, and Zhao Tongchuan, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but sigh.

"However, I will remember Young Master Zhong's concern for the country and its people. In addition, Young Master Zhong helped me today by arresting those scoundrels. If I find anything wrong with Duma Village in the future, I will naturally pay more attention."

"If Young Master Zhong ever needs my skills, I will definitely help if I can."

Qi Feng did not directly refuse Zhong Shao. Zhong Shao was a powerful figure, and had just helped him at the Ye Family Restaurant. If he directly refused, he would probably be disliked.

Therefore, Qi Feng came up with a solution that would benefit both sides. He didn't rule out the possibility of help, but only said that he would help if he could.

Zhong Shao was taken aback for a moment, then smiled gently.

"With Brother Qi's words, I feel much more at ease!"

"If you encounter any problems in the future, you can come to the county office to find me or Magistrate Zhao at any time!"

After saying that, Zhong Shao took out a wooden plaque from his pocket.

"This is a token that represents my identity. I will be staying at the county government office for the next few days. If you bring this to me, no one will stop you."

Qi Feng took the wooden plaque, which read "Military Advisor".

Qi Feng put away the wooden plaque and bowed slightly to Zhong Shao.

"Thank you, Young Master Zhong!"

"No, I should thank Brother Qi for his help!"

Zhong Shao took a sip of tea, feeling much more relaxed.

"May I ask what brings Brother Qi to Fuxing County today?"

"I'm going to buy some food and household goods."

Zhong Shao nodded and turned to look at Zhao Tongchuan.

"Magistrate Zhao, please arrange for a few people to accompany Brother Qi. If he needs any help along the way, please lend a hand."

Zhao Tongchuan nodded and smiled slightly at Qi Feng.

Qi Feng cupped his hands in thanks to Zhong Shao, "Thank you!"

Zhong Shao nodded. "Be careful on the road. Remember to come find me at the county office when you have time."

"Um!"

As soon as Qi Feng left the county government office, Zhao Tongchuan immediately arranged for more than a dozen constables to follow him. Qi Feng still remembered one of them; it was the same constable who had delivered Yu Yourong to his house before!

Qi Feng and the constable exchanged a glance. The constable remembered Qi Feng and immediately froze on the spot.

"It's you?!"