Just as Shen Xi was instructing everyone to clean up the "battlefield," Zheng Ankang whispered back, "Commander, as you predicted, they've arrived."

Shen Xi smiled. She didn't believe that with such a brave and strong young man who could kill wolves right here, the other party wouldn't want to make a move!

"Okay, let's wait for them to come."

"Remember, I'm your sister!"

Zheng Ankang's lips twitched: Who would dare to really think you're his sister!

Lin Yanqing came over and glanced at the "battlefield." There were seven or eight dead wolves. He shouted, "Which brave men killed the wolves and rid the people of this scourge?"

The guards who were cleaning up the wolf carcasses: ...

Who are you?

Zheng Ankang clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Chief Lin, we killed them. Could you perhaps give us some of the wolves?"

He had already asked under Shen Xi's instructions that even if the wolves were killed by the refugees, they should be offered as tribute to the Lin family's militia. Whether the refugees could stay or not was up to the Lin family's militia.

Lin Yanqing looked Zheng Ankang up and down. Although he was a bit thin, his muscles were full, and he was a strong and powerful refugee.

He nodded: "Which of the people you brought with you?"

Zheng Ankang waved his hand, and the guards put down the wolf carcass and gathered around.

"You and your brothers can join us now, and you'll be able to eat wolf meat." Lin Yanqing was very satisfied; they were all energetic young men!

Envious glances were cast all around; it was common knowledge that joining the Lin family's rebel army meant a life free from worries about food and drink.

Zheng Ankang was very excited: "If Boss Lin wants us, we will naturally follow."

Then, he hesitated for a moment and said, "I have a younger sister, can I bring her along too?"

I had already inquired and learned that the Lin family's rebel army only accepted able-bodied men and not women or children.

Lin Yanqing frowned.

Zheng Ankang called out Chen Xi, who was mixed in with the crowd: "This is my younger sister, Xiao Xi. She's quick and hardworking and can do everything!"

Lin Yanqing was initially unwilling. He already had several women, all of whom were from respectable families. How many women from the common people were pretty? Besides, if his sister was a child, he would be even less willing to take her in.

But when he glanced at Chen Xi's face, his eyes lit up: What a beautiful girl, even prettier than those ladies from prominent families.

He immediately put on a smile: "Since she's the brave warrior's sister, she's also my sister. Take her with you! I don't need her to eat anything."

Shen Xi looked very grateful, but didn't hesitate: "Thank you, Boss Lin."

Lin Yanqing was even more satisfied. Although the girl was still young, her speech and manners were far superior to those of a farmer.

He affectionately took Zheng Ankang's arm and said, "Come on, come inside and have some meat, all you can eat."

Then, turning to Chenxi, he said, "Little sister, you have a good older brother."

Shen Xi maintained her grateful expression, bowing her head as she followed behind Zheng Ankang.

Zheng Ankang slightly moved the corners of his mouth, and Zheng Anxiang almost laughed out loud. With the leader looking like a little girl, no one would guess that she was the leader of hundreds of people.

Lin Yanjun, standing behind Lin Yanqing, had a grim expression and stopped Zheng Ankang, saying, "Take your men and leave now, we don't need you!"

Not only were the many refugees stunned, but Zheng Ankang was also taken aback: "Why?"

"For no reason, I just don't like people bringing women in."

Lin Yanjun ordered his confidants to step forward and drive away Zheng Ankang and the others.

Lin Yanqing was furious and ordered his trusted subordinates with a stern face: "What are you all standing there for? Bring the second brother's men back."

"Yes." A large group of people rushed forward and grabbed Lin Yanjun's confidants.

Lin Yanqing glared at Lin Yanjun: "Second brother, you've defied me time and time again. What, do you want to be the leader?"

"No." Lin Yanjun remained expressionless, his tone curt.

"That's good. I'm taking these people with me."

Lin Yanqing turned to Zheng Ankang, his expression changing to a bright smile: "Brother, don't worry, my second brother has a strange personality, he doesn't have the final say!"

Zheng Ankang's lips curled up slightly, as if to indicate his approval: "Don't worry, Boss Lin, I won't argue with someone who's mentally ill!"

Lin Yanjun's men were brought under control, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he sneered at Zheng Ankang, "Like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, not recognizing a kind heart."

Zheng Ankang, of course, did not show any dissatisfaction or other expression, but let Lin Yanqing lead him by the hand to the temporary encampment.

The cleared area was filled with large stones.

Lin Yanqing warmly led Zheng Ankang to sit at the largest table and ordered, "Serve the warriors some meat!"

"yes."

Then he asked Zheng Ankang, "What is your honorable name, brave warrior?"

"Zheng Ankang".

"Good name, may you live a long and peaceful life. Brother Zheng, you can call me Big Brother from now on."

"Okay, big brother."

Zheng Ankang readily accepted good advice.

"Hahaha, today I, Lin Yanqing, have gained a new brother. Come, Brother Zheng, let me toast you with water instead of wine."

At this time of year, the availability of clear, sweet water is a precious resource.

Chenxi has been drinking filtered kudzu root water all day.

Didn't you see those refugees outside? Their lips were basically cracked and dry!

If this continues, some of the refugees will risk their lives to forcibly abduct Lin Yanqing and his group.

Lin Yanqing wasn't stupid, which is why he marched quickly to leave behind the poorly equipped refugees.

It will also gradually absorb the young and strong among the refugees.

At this moment, several girls around fourteen or fifteen years old brought out the food.

It's rice!

Shenxi was feeling a bit hungry; it had been so long since she had eaten rice.

The guards' eyes also became "greedy," and even if they were given special meals again, Chenxi couldn't conjure up rice.

Looking at their expressions, Lin Yanqing laughed heartily: "From now on, if you follow me, you'll have plenty to eat and drink, and you can eat as much white rice as you want!"

Alarm bells rang in Shenxi's mind: Could it be that all of them can eat rice?

She glanced around discreetly and saw that many of the rebels were also eyeing their rice with great "greed".

Even those graceful women were swallowing.

Shen Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that this was a welcome banquet specially prepared for them.

Chunks of wolf meat and dried horse meat strips were laid out one after another, and even a plate of green vegetables appeared on the stone table of Chenxi and Zheng Ankang.

Green vegetables are practically a luxury!

Chenxi took a bite and found that the pickled radish greens, after being blanched and mixed, were quite refreshing and delicious.

It seems that Lin Yanqing spared no expense in entertaining them.

The guards looked at the green vegetables in front of Chenxi with great envy; it had been so long since they had eaten green vegetables.

I'm so hungry!

Seeing this, Chenxi probably chewed it a few times with a crisp sound, feeling great!

Guards: ......

The leader is despicable!

I shoveled the rice down my throat, and it smelled so good! Besides, why not eat it while it's still delicious!

The appetite of the young and strong was no joke; Lin Yanqing's mouth twitched slightly as he ate more than twenty young and strong men.

But considering the ruthlessness they displayed when killing wolves, and how these people had already come to belong to him, this meal was worthwhile.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, it was still quite dark. Chen Xi yawned, and Zheng Ankang cupped his hands and said, "Brother, can we rest for now?"

Zheng Ankang laughed heartily: "Of course, we'll get up a little later tomorrow morning, let the brothers get enough sleep first!"