Although Geng Tianrong was still groggy, he immediately snapped awake upon hearing the words "Bian'ai County".
"Someone come here."
Madam Geng entered and said, "Husband, you're awake."
"What were you talking about, Bian'ai County? What's going on?"
Geng replied, "This is a message sent by Qi Xiuwu from Bian'ai County."
Where are they?
"They're still waiting outside."
"Let him in!"
The messenger was none other than Pei Yuanyi, who had just wiped out a mountain stronghold.
"It's you?" Clearly, Geng Tianrong recognized Pei Yuanyi.
“Uncle Geng, it’s me.” Pei Yuanyi remained calm.
"So you've joined the Bian'ai County gang?" Geng Tianrong had long heard that the Pei family had been wiped out by bandits, but he didn't expect Pei Yuanyi to still be alive and to have joined the Bian'ai County gang.
"Yes, it was Qi Xiuwu, the commander of the troops in Bian'ai County, who saved me."
Geng Tianrong nodded: "It's good that you're alive. Your father and my father-in-law used to be on good terms. I never expected them to end up like that."
Pei Yuanyi was not particularly affected. His father had once served as an official in the same place as Xue Chusen, but after being transferred, they did not have much contact.
"Uncle Geng, I've come to deliver a letter to you."
"Okay, bring it here so I can take a look."
Pei Yuanyi took out the letter and handed it over.
After reading the letter, Geng Tianrong remained silent.
Pei Yuanyi also remained silent, giving Geng Tianrong time to react.
In the letter, Qi Xiuwu said that they could join forces with Geng Tianrong to fight the bandits, but Geng Tianrong would have to obey the administration of Chenxi in Bian'ai County from now on.
Geng Tianrong was naturally unhappy.
He was an official appointed by the imperial court; it would be a joke for him to listen to the words of a local religious sect leader.
Yes, outside, when people talk about Chenxi, they call him the leader of the Heavenly God Sect. This title originated from the common people and spread from Xianghe Prefecture.
Throughout history, many religious sects have been known for their ability to mislead people, especially during times of disaster. They have even misled some government officials, leading them down the path of rebellion.
Is Chenxi the same?
"Uncle Geng, if you don't agree, then we'll each fight the bandits. These bandits have already offended my leader, and we must wipe them out."
However, Uncle Geng, all your letters were intercepted by bandits; it's possible that not a single one was ever sent.
"What?"
Geng Tianrong panicked.
He was hoping that his father-in-law or Yu Dakai would send troops to rescue him.
There was another important reason why they did not withdraw from the county town: the area surrounding the county town was full of bandits, both large and small.
However, none of them were as big as the bandits in the county town, and the vast majority of those bandits obeyed Boss Zhao.
There are quite a few bandits outside the city.
But to his surprise, all the messengers he sent out were hijacked.
Geng Tianrong gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, as long as the bandits are driven back, I am willing to obey your commander."
Pei Yuanyi didn't say much: "If you agree, you'll have to fight the bandits during this time, and then we'll coordinate an attack from the inside when we arrive."
"good."
Geng Tianrong would agree to anything Pei Yuanyi said.
Pei Yuanyi turned around and left.
He was able to get in by bringing dozens of skilled men with him.
Once I came in, I never thought about leaving.
Without trying to avoid being followed by Geng Tianrong's men, they went directly to the Qi family's residence.
When the Qi family heard that Qi Xiuwu from Bian'ai County had sent a messenger, they respectfully welcomed him inside.
Old Qi immediately smiled and said to Pei Yuanyi, "Nephew Pei, what brings you here?"
They live relatively close to each other and have business dealings.
Pei Yuanyi repeated the same words he had spoken to Geng Tianrong to Elder Qi.
Old Qi agreed without any hesitation.
Upon learning that Pei Yuanyi had no intention of venturing out, they directly settled them in a side courtyard of the Qi family.
After Pei Yuanyi was settled, both Geng Tianrong and the Qi family held a meeting.
Geng Tianrong's wife asked, "Husband, do you really agree to become Chenxi's subordinate in the future?"
This is outrageous! He's an official appointed by the imperial court.
Geng Tianrong chuckled coldly: "It's just a counter-strategy, otherwise how would we escape?"
Once things have settled down, we can summon my father-in-law or Lord Yu to drive them away.
Madam Geng smiled and said, "My husband is amazing. Didn't they go to the Qi residence?"
"That's alright. I need to take over the Qi family's military power. I've already sent people to take control."
The Qi family is just rich; they don't have any official backing, so they're easy to deal with.
"As long as my husband knows what's going on."
Geng Tianrong was also uneasy, because things were really chaotic right now, and one wrong move could lead to complete defeat.
Geng Tianrong's words quickly reached Old Qi's ears. Old Qi snorted coldly: "Fool, still trying to play dirty tricks? I'd rather follow Bian Ai County than you."
Old Qi understood that once Shanghe County was stable, he would be the first one to be dealt with.
With the ability to recruit enough men to oppose the imperial court, it's no wonder Geng Tianrong would find it hard to tolerate him.
Therefore, if the people of Chenxi were to manage this place, they might be better off.
So after discussing it with the clan elders, they decided to seek refuge with Chenxi.
So, the next day, Old Qi sent men to fight the bandits directly.
Zhao Laoda was completely bewildered. How could they have talked yesterday and started fighting today?
The bandits didn't think too much; they just assumed that the money demanded must be too much for them to attack.
Let's fight then, who's afraid of who?
So the bandits swarmed forward.
After several battles, both sides lost 1,800 men, and the city was filled with blood.
Geng Tianrong didn't want to fight and ordered his men not to advance. As a result, the people he sent in to recruit from the Qi family either disobeyed or died in the war.
Geng Tianrong then realized that something was wrong.
But it was too late to turn the tide. He had to send his own three thousand men to join the battle, otherwise Bian Ai County would find that he hadn't put in enough effort and would surely wipe him out when they attacked.
Geng Tianrong dispatched dozens of people to expedite the delivery of the message.
He still needs outside help; he can't rely on the Qi family.
Bian Ai County will eventually lose faith in him; only with the arrival of outside help can he save his position.
Geng advised, "Husband, why don't we just run away and leave this place?"
Geng Tianrong sighed: "We ran away because we had no other choice. There are many bandits, big and small, south of Shanghe County. If we go out, we will be too conspicuous and easily become someone else's prey."
It's uncertain whether the messenger will be able to deliver the message safely; staying here is safer than fleeing right now.
Geng didn't know any of this, but as soon as she heard that running away was even more dangerous, she immediately shut up.
Qi Xiuwu's situation wasn't easy either. There were many bandit strongholds, and they were wiped out one by one. By the time they reached the outskirts of Shanghe County, almost a month had passed.
Some bandits are also skilled in guerrilla warfare. When you attack, the stronghold is deserted, and they go back to their village once you leave.
Suppressing bandits can sometimes be even more difficult than fighting with regular troops.
At this moment, a messenger brought news: "Reporting to the general, one of the pigeons has returned."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
