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

Duma Village.

The atmosphere in the tent was somewhat oppressive. The four commanders of Duma Village were gathered together, and the one on the stage was none other than Ma Su, the son of Ma Shuo.

The four commanders below the stage exchanged glances, then bowed slightly to Ma Su.

"Why has the young master suddenly gathered us here?"

Ma Su slightly raised his eyes and said calmly:

"As you all know, the newly arrived registrar, Zhong Shao, wants to cause trouble for my father. I am worried that my father's trip to Fuxing County will be fraught with danger, so I have gathered you all here to discuss this matter."

Upon hearing this, the four commanders frowned, and one of them stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Young Master Ma, do you really think they'd dare to take action against Ma Village? They're just a bunch of civil officials. If they dared to do anything about Ma Village, wouldn't they have to think twice before attacking us?"

Ma Su shook his head. "Before my father left, I told him that this operation was too dangerous, but my father was not worried. However, I am still afraid of unexpected situations. So I invited you all here to make preparations so that if anything happens, you can take measures in advance."

The four commanders below the stage breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. They had been worried that Ma Su might try to cause trouble while Ma Shuo was away, but it seemed that their worries were unfounded.

Just then, a messenger rushed in from outside.

"Report! Military Advisor Zhong Shao, holding the military tally, has entered Duma Village and is heading this way!"

Upon hearing the messenger's words, the atmosphere in the tent suddenly fell silent; the entire tent was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The messenger, confused, repeated the message, but Ma Su waved him away.

"Gentlemen! It seems my father has indeed encountered some misfortune in the city!"

Ma Su looked up at the crowd, his eyes filled with urgency.

"My father always carries a military tally with him, and even if something happens, he would send a personal guard to inform him. How could Zhong Shao have come with the tally? This must be a trap!"

The four commanders looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Even if they did realize that something was wrong, the person who came this time was a military advisor of the eighth rank, who also held the military tally. In name, Zhong Shao was their direct superior.

Now that Ma Su keeps saying these things, isn't he just encouraging them to take action against Zhong Shao?

However, just as Ma Su was about to say something more, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from outside the tent. Then Zhong Shao pushed open the tent and walked in. Following behind Zhong Shao was none other than Qi Feng.

As soon as Zhong Shao entered the tent, he raised the military tally in his hand and headed straight for the commander's desk.

Upon seeing the military tally in Zhong Shao's hand, the four commanders in the camp instinctively bowed in reverence.

But Ma Su immediately questioned Zhong Shao in a stern voice.

"Zhong Shao! Where is my father now? And why do you hold the military tally?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Shao narrowed his eyes. Although the situation in the tent was somewhat unexpected, he remained expressionless.

"Ma Zhai is currently drinking at the county government office, so it is inconvenient for him to come."

Ma Su narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly.

"Even if my father was drunk, the military tally should not be in your hands! You must have deceived my father and stolen the tally to seize military power!"

"Gentlemen! The preservation of the military tally is of paramount importance. How could it be here? There must be a trap!"

The four commanders around seemed somewhat tempted upon hearing this, and Zhong Shao instinctively panicked upon seeing this scene.

Logically speaking, even as an eighth-rank military advisor, he did not have the authority to deploy troops. His unauthorized use of the military tally to take over military power was already a taboo.

Even if these people were to take him down on the spot, they wouldn't be able to find any fault with him.

But at that moment, Qi Feng, who had been following behind Zhong Shao, stepped forward.

When Ma Su saw Qi Feng, his expression changed even more, confirming his suspicions.

"So it was you! My father was indeed framed by you! Commanders, what are you waiting for if not to act now!"

However, the next second, Qi Feng's figure was as fast as a ghost. He directly drew the long knife from his waist, instantly appeared on the table, and stabbed Ma Su in the abdomen.

"Ma Su intended to incite a rebellion, and I have already executed him. Why are you all still so stubbornly unrepentant?!"

"Zhong, the military advisor, is an eighth-rank registrar, whose position is even higher than Ma Shuo's. What's wrong with him taking over Duma Village at this time?"

Ma Su clutched his stomach, staring at Qi Feng in disbelief.

He never expected Qi Feng to be so bold as to kill him right here in front of everyone.

Not only Ma Su, but even the four commanders who were originally eager to make a move were stunned at this moment.

Immediately, someone stepped forward and drew a steel knife.

"How dare you! You actually harmed Ma Zhai's only son!"

However, before the man could finish speaking, Qi Feng instantly drew his sword and knocked the weapon out of his hand, then kicked him away.

"How dare you lay a hand on an official of the imperial court? Are you plotting a rebellion?!"

"According to the laws of the Sui Dynasty, anyone who plots rebellion will have their entire family (nine generations) executed!"

"Before you start, think carefully about how many heads you have to chop off!"

Qi Feng's voice wasn't loud, but it sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

Seeing that everyone was intimidated by him, Qi Feng gave Zhong Shao a wink.

Upon seeing this, Zhong Shao quickly stepped forward, holding the military tally, and went to the table.

Qi Feng drew his long sword and looked coldly at the four commanders.

"Now that you've seen the commander-in-chief, why don't you bow down!"

Finally, the four of them lowered their heads somewhat reluctantly and paid homage to Zhong Shao on the platform.

Seeing this, Zhong Shao finally felt relieved, and his gaze towards Qi Feng was filled with gratitude.

Qi Feng also felt relieved, as such a power grab had to be swift.

They were already somewhat surprised to see the four commanders gathered together when they entered. Now, they needed to use swift and decisive measures to subdue and win over the crowd without hesitation.

If Qi Feng hadn't immediately killed Ma Su, the consequences might have been unpredictable.

Once the four commanders are persuaded by Ma Su, not only will the two of them be unable to leave Duma Village, but the plan against Ma Shuo will also completely fail.

Seeing the four commanders paying homage below the stage, Zhong Shao realized what was happening and coughed lightly.

"Gentlemen, please excuse your formalities. It is already a merit that you have come to your senses. I will certainly recommend you for credit in the future."

Zhong Shao knew the principle of giving a big stick and a sweet date, but the four commanders below him didn't quite understand his words.

One of them mustered his courage, cautiously looked at Zhong Shao, and asked softly:

"I wonder what Military Advisor Zhong means by this?"

Zhong Shao and Qi Feng exchanged a glance, then said slowly:

"Are you aware that Ma Shuo sent men to massacre the Ye family village yesterday?"

Upon hearing Zhong Shao's words, the four commanders felt a chill run down their spines, realizing something was amiss.

"This matter has been thoroughly investigated by us. Ma Shuo killed innocent people and claimed credit for it; he has been captured!"