, there's still your stepfather! Your stepfather's house has plenty of food, so don't worry about eating too much."Plenty of food, eat a lotJia Yin blinked twice, suddenly reacting, and kicked her lit..."Sir, it seems there's a situation in the county! Someone is attacking the city!" Lao Hei was the first to draw his waist knife and shield Jia Ren.

Jiarren also furrowed his brows and quickly ordered, "Send people to investigate and find out what happened in the county town Who is attacking the city"

The old soldiers under Lao Hei immediately split into four or five groups and dispersed to run towards the county town.

Lao Hei and others escorted Jia Ren for seven or eight miles, when at this time the veteran soldiers immediately brought back a ragged city defense soldier.

Two more were bound, lying across the horse's back.

"Sir, amidst the chaos, we captured two "tongues" from among the attackers, and also received a message carrier."

The city guards recognized Jia Ren and immediately rolled off their horses, kneeling down and weeping. "County Magistrate, sir! When the city gates were about to close tonight, a group of people started causing trouble. As soon as our guards went to handle it, they suddenly drew their waist knives and began slashing at people."

"We led our brothers, fought to the death to shut the city gates. But these people were mad, carrying wood and rammed against the gate, we rolled boiling oil from the walls, set fire."

"That barely managed to hold them back. The commander sent our squad out to find you and report, requesting reinforcements from the border. On the way, we were discovered, and our squad...only I'm left!"

Perhaps he thought of his fellow soldiers, and the young soldier cried even harder.

Lao Hei didn't like his appearance, kicked him, and shouted, "Why are you crying You're such a coward. Our brother died in battle, so take up the knife and fight back to avenge him! What good is crying Drown your enemies with tears!"

The little soldier wiped his tears, choking back sobs and unable to cry any more.

Jiaru inquired carefully about the number of people who had arrived and their strength, his heart filled with some guesses.

As expected, the two "tongues" were pushed up.

Both of them were thin and pale, with clothes that barely covered their bodies. They wore a waist knife on their necks, shaking like chaff. The smell of urine gradually spread between their legs.

"Spare us, sir, please! Spare us! We have wives and children at home. We haven't committed murder!"

"Wooo, master spare me! My mother is starving to death! I'm just out here begging for some food!"

Jia Ren coldly interrupted them, saying, “Are you the people from nearby villages and towns Why are you attacking the county town Who is your leader”

“Yes, yes! Sir!” a man quickly replied, “My home is in Qing Shan Village. There’s really nothing left to eat at home. The well has dried up and all the grass on the mountain has been taken. My mother and child are starving, so I came out looking for something to eat.”

There was a head monk named Amitabha who preached, saying that the heavenly immortals were furious and that there would be no rain this year. The crops would fail, we would all starve, and only by following them would we have a way to survive.

"Then I ate two meals of steamed buns with them, and was brought here!"

Another person was also afraid of missing the chance to confess and be lenient, so they quickly agreed.

“We didn’t even have knives, we just found a stick and yelled from behind. The leader said there was a granary in the county town, with endless food inside. As long as we break through the city, he will open the granary and give us food!”

Jiārén was startled. In a year of famine, the worst thing wasn't a decrease in grain production, but someone inciting riots.

Needless to say, he stumbled into it.

During the past six months since his appointment, he has spent most of his time outside the city.

I have visited and personally inspected all the villages and towns.

Sow seeds, dig water reservoirs, strengthen the training of city defense troops, and keep a close eye on every grain in the granary.

Now it seems that all these efforts have been in vain.

Natural disasters are still unstoppable, and even the granaries of peace have become targets for bandits!

"How many people are there in this Amitabha sect" Jiaren asked again, "Where is their headquarters"

Two commoners shook their heads. One replied, "I don't know, sir. This headman brought over thirty people, all with swords. They didn't say where the lair was, only that some big shot would be coming in a few days, so the headman is anxious to make his mark!"

Jiaren looked at the several old soldiers, "They were indeed behind just now, didn't they hurt anyone"

"Yes," replied a veteran, "it's easy to catch them. Just kick them down."

Jiā Rén gestured to Lǎo Hēi to untie the two men and said, "You go back and tell the people in your village to bring their families to the county as soon as possible. I'll ensure you won't starve. I'll wait for three days. After three days, if you don't enter the city, I will treat you as bandits and you will no longer be allowed to enter the county."

Both commoners were overjoyed. They hadn't expected to be released so easily and given the chance to seek a living in the county.

"Thank you, sir/madam! Oh wow, thank you so much!"

The two quickly kowtowed and then helped each other to run away.

Old Hei stepped forward and asked, “Sir, do you have any arrangements”

Jia Ren nodded. "Uncle Heish, this matter still needs your help, but it's a bit dangerous."

"Go ahead, sir. We came here because the county princess wasn't at ease and wanted us to visit you. Now that this has happened, we naturally can't stand idly by; otherwise, how could we face the county princess when we return" Old Hei said with a swagger.

Several other veterans also nodded.

"Indeed, sir, we are border guards. We have slain countless barbarians and fear not these few bandits."

"Command as you see fit."

Jiarren bowed deeply, thanked them, and then arranged things...

On the city head of Fengshan County, the county magistrate and the county lieutenant, along with several other officials like the commander of city defense, gathered together. Gazing down at the sea of people thronging beneath the city gate, they couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts.

Today is no different from any other day, it's just that the county magistrate is out of town.

But the county magistrate rarely sat in his office as he was out every day, and everyone had gotten used to it.

Over the past six months, they had grown accustomed to the new county magistrate's temperament.

As long as they each do their own job and don't secretly undermine each other, the County Magistrate won't interfere with their work.

Even, the magistrate's family had sent new things from Xin'du, and they would also get a share of them.

As a result, when they closed the city gates, they did not wait for the county magistrate to return but instead welcomed bandits.

Inside the city gate, there were over thirty corpses covered with white cloth. They were soldiers who had died in battle and civilians caught in the crossfire.

There are still so many bandits and robbers down there, the hot oil hasn't driven them away. Who knows when they will attack again The casualties will definitely continue to increase.

At this point, they were utterly demoralized, their eyes burning with desperation. They wished desperately for the county magistrate to appear and save them!

Suddenly, a soldier led by Li's steward climbed onto the city wall and came over.

"My lords, we have returned. But he is currently behind the ranks of these ruffians and has learned their true nature."

Li Jia's steward was quick-witted, and in a few words he left everyone both astonished and worried.

"My lord is in danger, should the city defense camp send someone to escort and protect him" The County Magistrate did not forget his duties and spoke up.

The steward of the Li family replied, "County Magistrate, rest assured, our master is safe. Our master has devised a strategy of both internal and external cooperation, aiming to capture the thief and the king. We need everyone's cooperation. Please, for the sake of Fengshan's safety, give it your all."

Today's update is here!nd them other paths. Though they've been at the academy for a while and have become more sensible, their studies are average, and they prefer playing around.""How about this: let them take two or thre...