The Jiang brothers were spies sent by the Liangzhou rebels. They were planning to disguise themselves as refugees and infiltrate the city, waiting for the crucial moment when the main army arrived to control the general guarding the city and open the city gates to let the Liangzhou rebels in.

To this end, they deliberately led countless refugees to the city gates of the provincial capital, hoping to soften the hearts of the officials inside and make them open the gates to let them in.

Who knew that the prefect of Guanggu City was so slippery? They stood outside for two whole days, starving and dizzy, while the people inside refused to open the city gate.

Jiang Dashan slapped his thigh and decisively said, "We've been discovered by these lackeys, so we definitely can't get back into the city. We might as well observe these people carefully and see what they're up to!"

The two quickly stepped forward and heard a group of refugees gathered outside the flatbed cart, asking questions.

"Where exactly is this barren mountain you're talking about? Is it really only a three-month work period? You need to make it clear that you'll let us leave once the three months are up!"

"Is there any food on that barren mountain? We can't work on an empty stomach every day, can we?"

"Actually, if these people could really send a cotton coat, I could work for three months. I'm just afraid they're all lying!"

A group of people were talking at once.

Niu San picked at his ear, then slammed his hand on the flatbed cart: "Everyone, be quiet!"

"Since we've invited you to work here, we'll definitely provide three meals a day, and you can eat as many sweet potatoes as you want every day!"

"And each person will receive ten copper coins a day, which you can use as you see fit!"

"As for what kind of work it is? It's not that tiring, just building houses and firing bricks in the kiln!"

"To tell you the truth, I used to work there. I worked in the barren county for more than a month and got a cotton-padded coat for free! The one I'm wearing is it!"

Niu San turned around and showed the group his thick cotton-padded coat.

His cotton-padded coat was specially made for the barren mountains. It was military green and looked very similar to a modern military overcoat. It was incredibly warm to wear.

If it weren't for going out to sell cotton-padded clothes and sweet potatoes, Niu San would never have dared to wear them out!

Even other workers in the barren county would be extremely envious of such clothes, but he was so devout to the Mountain Goddess that he was fortunate enough to receive the cotton-padded clothes sent from the barren mountain.

During this time, Niu San was extremely smug and had completely forgotten that his godfather was still anxiously waiting for news in Zixian County.

When everyone saw the thick cotton coat he was wearing, they instinctively held their breath.

So those barren mountains and counties are so rich, were these thick cotton coats given away for free?

"If you're willing to work, you can put on your cotton-padded coats now. Our Huangxian County has no shortage of cotton-padded coats. I guarantee that if you work for a month, you can buy cotton-padded coats for your whole family!"

"Besides these cotton-padded clothes and sweet potatoes, our Huangxian County also has potatoes and corn. You don't know, the taste of stir-fried potatoes is even better than meat, and boiled corn is even better, soft, sweet and fragrant..."

Niu San wasn't very eloquent, but he spoke very sincerely, and because he genuinely loved the grains, he wanted to praise every single food to the skies.

Those refugees were already starving, so how could they resist such temptation?

"Niu Zhong, can we buy the potatoes and corn you mentioned if we go to Huang County?"

Someone asked instinctively.

"Of course! Not only can we buy it, we can eat it every day!"

"Their daily meals consist mostly of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn. Every two weeks, they also have a lucky draw where you can win a cotton-padded coat!"

"Brother Niu, I trust you. When shall we leave?"

"Brother Niu, even if we've been cheated today, we'll accept it. But could you please bring me my cotton-padded coat first? I feel like I'm frozen numb..."

A group of people gathered around, and Niu San grinned from ear to ear.

Seeing that so many people were willing to follow Brother Niu, the group of people who had paid for cotton-padded clothes and sweet potatoes panicked.

Why should they have to pay money to buy it when others give it away for free, providing not only three meals a day but also money?

They couldn't go on like this any longer! Since they were already homeless, they gritted their teeth and joined another group.

In the end, only the two brothers, Jiang Dashan and Jiang Le, remained, and they were still hesitating.