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

After Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan welcomed Ma Shuo to his seat, the other civil and military officials of Fuxing County then took their seats.

Once everyone had arrived, the invited musicians slowly entered and began to perform for everyone.

Ma Shuo's originally tense body gradually relaxed in this soothing rhythm.

Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan exchanged a glance, their confidence growing even stronger.

"Magistrate Zhao, Military Advisor Zhong, come, let me offer you a toast! Last time, I was leading the garrison troops of Duma Village in training, so I missed Military Advisor Zhong's business. I am truly sorry!"

Ma Shuo picked up his wine glass and drank the wine in one gulp, which served as his opening remark.

He knew in his heart that Zhao Tongchuan and Zhong Shao wanted to deal with him, and he was prepared.

After glancing at the two of them, Ma Shuo coughed lightly.

"Recently, the security situation in Fuxing County has been quite bad. Perhaps it is because spies from the Da Rong have infiltrated and secretly incited refugees and bandits, causing many surrounding villages to be attacked by bandits."

Zhao Tongchuan remained silent, while Zhong Shao smiled slightly.

"Ma Zhai's actions demonstrate his dedication to the country and its people, and his unwavering commitment to his duties; he is truly a role model for us all!"

The audience, both civil and military, echoed in agreement, and a chorus of praise rang in Ma Shuo's ears.

Ma Shuo stroked his beard and said calmly:

"I was merely fulfilling my duty as a subject. However, the recent series of bandit suppressions has allowed me to uncover some clues about the Great Rong."

Everyone was taken aback when they heard Ma Shuo's words, and then looked at him.

The Sui Dynasty and the Rong Dynasty have been at war for half a year. Now Ma Shuo says that he has found clues about the Rong Dynasty in Fuxing County. Does this mean that Fuxing County is the next place the Rong Dynasty is preparing to make its move?

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Ma Shuo smiled slightly and took a sip of his drink.

"A few days ago, through a servant's report, we learned that there was a hunter in Qijia Village who was acting strangely."

"This man was originally a gambler, a well-known gambler. Everyone knows what kind of person he is; getting him to change his ways is harder than climbing to heaven!"

"But this gambler was able to completely kick his gambling addiction overnight, and his skills were ridiculously high; he could easily take on five or six soldiers. Do you think there's anyone like that in the world?"

The others nodded subconsciously upon hearing this.

"This person is not behaving normally; there's clearly something wrong with them!"

"Exactly! Chief Ma has such keen insight; he must have discovered something!"

Ma Shuo glanced at Zhao Tongchuan and Zhong Shao in the main seat, and seeing that neither of them spoke, he looked away and continued:

"This man's name is Qi Feng. In my opinion, the real Qi Feng is long dead. This man must be a spy sent by the Great Rong! His purpose is to incite the bandits around Fuxing County and sow discord among the people!"

"Just yesterday, my men reported that there was a mountain stronghold of over a hundred people hidden in the nearby Liupanling Mountains, full of bandits!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding civil and military officials gasped in shock. A dozen or so ordinary bandits would be enough to give anyone a headache, but this group of over a hundred bandits could be said to have transcended the definition of bandits; you could even call them rebels!

More than a hundred people, an organized group, could even storm Fuxing County!

Seeing the panic on everyone's faces, Ma Shuo smiled faintly.

"Don't panic, everyone! Fortunately, my men discovered it early, and last night I sent troops to wipe out this gang of bandits! If you don't believe me, you can go and see for yourselves at that mountain stronghold!"

Upon hearing this, an official immediately stood up and flattered Ma Shuo with a smile.

"Chief Ma is truly wise and resourceful! He nipped the danger in the bud, bringing great benefit to the people of Fuxing County!"

Ma Shuo looked pleased, but then said:

"However, one or two managed to escape. I suspect they are related to Qi Feng from Qi Family Village. If you encounter any of them, please be extremely careful!"

"Furthermore, I have come here to report this matter to Magistrate Zhao. Magistrate Zhao, while those people have not been gone for long, please issue an arrest warrant as soon as possible! To prevent them from continuing to harm the people in my Fuxing County!"

Ma Shuo spoke with righteous indignation and a serious expression.

If Qi Feng hadn't come over last night to tell them about this, Zhao Tongchuan and Zhong Shao would have been completely kept in the dark.

But looking at Ma Shuo's expression now, Zhao Tongchuan and Zhong Shao felt that this person was a superb actor.

However, this also confirms what Qi Feng said; what Ma Shuo said and what Qi Feng said corresponded one by one.

Seeing Ma Shuo's expression, Zhong Shao raised his wine glass and pointed it at Ma Shuo from afar.

"Chief Ma's preventative measures are truly a blessing for the people of Fuxing County!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Shuo was overjoyed, thinking to himself that his crisis had been resolved.

But then Chung Shao changed the subject.

"However, why did I hear that the mountain stronghold that was massacred in Mazhai was not a bandit stronghold, but a village of ordinary people with more than a hundred people?"

After Zhong Shao finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence. Even the singers who were performing noticed something was wrong and quickly retreated.

Ma Shuo remained expressionless and drank the wine in one gulp.

"I'm afraid there are treacherous people around Military Advisor Zhong causing trouble. I, Ma Shuo, served as the head of Duma Village for seven years, and I worked diligently and conscientiously during those seven years. How could I have done such a heinous thing?"

"I, Ma Shuo, swear to God that if I am truly as Military Advisor Zhong says, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

Those around him were startled when they heard Ma Shuo's vow.

This is an oath to God, and in the minds of some officials, it is enough to prove that Ma Shuo did not do this.

Immediately, officials who wanted to curry favor with Ma Shuo came out to defend him.

"Military Advisor Zhong, Magistrate Zhao, there must be something fishy about this. Why would Chief Ma abandon perfectly good village affairs to commit the act of killing innocent people and claiming credit for them?"

"Yes! Chief Ma has worked diligently in Fuxing County for many years, which everyone has witnessed..."

Zhong Shao narrowed his eyes, his gaze towards Ma Shuo filled with murderous intent.

No wonder Ma Shuo has been entrenched in Fuxing County for many years, and no one can do anything to him.

Looking at the current situation, Zhong Shao understood why Zhao Tongchuan was completely helpless against Ma Shuo.

But the more this happened, the angrier Zhong Shao became.

Firstly, Ma Shuo is lawless and arrogant. He is just a low-ranking eighth-grade military officer, yet he is still so arrogant in front of me.

Secondly, Ma Shuo was able to kill more than a hundred people without hesitation, all for his own selfish reasons!

"How dare you, Ma Shuo! You're about to die and you're still being stubborn! Guards! Seize Ma Shuo!"

Zhong Shao slammed the wine glass in his hand to the ground. The next second, twenty county soldiers on each side of the hall rushed in!

Ma Shuo was taken aback when he saw this, but then immediately stood up and pulled out a long knife from his waist, which was hidden by his clothes.

"Let's see who dares!"