water and watering 。 Tedious and arduous, but no one in the Li family complained. 。Compared to when we were living on the steppes, fleeing as refugees with the constant danger of being beheaded by ba..."Good, the esteemed adult is deep in danger and yet shows no fear. How can we, mere mortals, retreat!" The County Magistrate and Deputy Magistrate both agreed loudly.

The City Defense Camp Commander even drew his saber, showing his determination.

In fact, it's not that they are truly so passionate and loyal. It's just that there are too many people outside.

If this continues, what if the city walls are breached Their families are all inside the city.

And this time, the mob's attack on the city must definitely be reported to the imperial court.

This is their golden opportunity to make a name for themselves and achieve great things.

No one wants to stay in this position forever, making no progress at all!

Now, the county magistrate bears most of the risk. If he doesn't dare to take a gamble anymore, he'll truly be ridiculed as a turtle with its neck retracted!

Thus, the secret and swift arrangements on the city wall were made.

As expected, in less than half an hour, the mob outside the city gates began to attack again.

Over thirty disciples of the Milarepa sect, along with over a hundred brainwashed newcomers, surged to the front.

The remaining populace trailed behind, shouting encouragement and making a show of their support.

The soldiers on the city this time didn't use boiling oil, but replaced it with rocks.

Actually, I could shoot arrows, but at night it's impossible to see clearly. Besides, knowing most of them were ordinary people, I couldn't bear to harm them.

Even the followers of Maitreya Buddhism aren't all pushovers, they've got some real skills.

They temporarily felled trees and tied them together to make a ladder, leaning it against the halfway point of the wall. They were about to use it to jump onto the wall.

At this moment, a squad of over ten people suddenly surged from behind the mob, charging in like tigers into a flock of sheep.

In the blink of an eye, he plunged forward and slashed down, felling seven or eight Mi Le Jiao followers.

Before the followers of Maitreya could understand what was happening, the city gate burst open with a thunderous roar.

The city defense soldiers, county officials, and Li's militia also rushed out, immediately surrounding the followers of the Miaolei Sect who were making dumplings.

When fortunes reversed, the followers of the Miaofa religion panicked. The head priest loudly urged the people to take action.

"Come on, everyone! The city is full of food. Charge in and fight for our lives!"

As a result, louder than his clang of the copper basin, a sudden din arose from all sides, deafening everyone in the darkness.

Li Jiaren stood atop a makeshift carriage, his voice booming as he addressed the gathered populace.

Fellow countrymen, I am the County Magistrate of Fengshan! I know that you have been instigated and misled tonight, wanting only to grab some food for your families.

"I now tell you, there is no need to fight anymore. I will open the granary tomorrow to distribute grain for disaster relief!" "You just put down your weapons and stop aiding the tyrant. Today's crimes will be forgiven!"

"Don't help the bandits fight against the imperial court and Tianwu! The people you are facing are also your fellow villagers from Fengshan, who have parents and relatives. We should face natural disasters together instead of fighting each other here!"

Hundreds of common people are honest and simple folk. They wouldn't resort to this unless it was a matter of survival.

To be honest, they were trembling and lacked confidence even when cheering.

At this moment, someone in the crowd immediately threw a stick and shouted in agreement.

"Lord Li is a good official; he always keeps his word when he says he'll release grain. I can't fight anymore; I have the elderly and children to care for at home!"

As he spoke, the man stepped out of line and walked away.

The rest had no idea what to do, seeing that some were taking the lead, they all rushed to follow and threw their sticks before running away.

The followers of the Mi Le sect were furious, but they were so busy stuffing dumplings that they had no time to spare.

Li Jiarren still stood on the roof of the car, shouting, "My fellow countrymen, you are all the citizens of Fengshan County. I am the county magistrate, and I will not harm you! Throw down your weapons quickly and let bygones be bygones."

"Tomorrow, when we open the warehouse, if you're afraid of retribution from the Mi Le Sect, you can take your families into the city for safety! I promise you safety! Don't be complacent, retreat quickly, retreat! Be careful not to get hurt!"

The people gradually retreated, leaving only a hundred or so who continued to resist.

Li Jiaren waved his hand at the city gate, and more soldiers surged out to carry out the final encirclement.

With victory in sight, both inside and outside the city walls, a collective sigh of relief was let out.

Suddenly, a tall commoner rushed out from the crowd and leaped onto the top of the carriage.

Two old soldiers guarded under the carriage, drew their knives and attacked, but were easily dodged by the oncoming person.

Seeing this man's long blade about to fall on Li Jiaren, the county magistrate on the city wall was so frightened that his eyes nearly popped out.

Li Jiaren has been waiting for this person to appear.

After all this time observing, that so-called master never showed his face.

It's not that they ran away out of fear of death, but rather they hid among the people, secretly controlling the siege.

At this moment, he calmly drew a sword from behind his back and with all his might, swung it out.

With a clang, the visitor's blade snapped in half mid-swing and crashed onto the car roof.

Li Jiaren's long knife remained undiminished, directly chopping off the incoming person's arm.

The newcomer screamed and fell from the carriage, being pinned down by the old soldier who snapped his tendons and bound him up.

Li Jiaren, covered in blood, stood on top of the car with a sword, shouting loudly, “The leader of Mi Le Church has been captured, Fengshan will surely be victorious!”

Inside and outside the city gate, it was as if time had stopped. No one expected that the seemingly frail county magistrate, who couldn't even tie a chicken, would be so brave!

But this was only for a moment, soon everyone inside and outside the city were shouting crazily, "Fengshan is mighty, Fengshan is mighty!"

Especially the soldiers in the fortified camps, their eyes burned with fervor.

Fearless in the face of danger, slaying the bandits with his own hands, fighting valiantly amidst a bloody battle!

Such an official, who are parents like this, who wouldn't like and respect them!

Even those commoners who had been driven back couldn't help but shout incessantly.

How could they be so foolish as to follow these so-called monks and cause trouble

With such officials, how could the people starve

Soon, all the followers of the Miaolei sect were captured.

All who stood against Fengshan fell in the battle. The city was completely conquered.

Li Jiaren was ushered into the city gate, greeted by the throngs of citizens.

Some people bowed their heads, while others offered the best food and drink from their homes. The scene was lively, as bright as day.

Even those proud wealthy families and minor branches of noble houses lowered their heads and bowed respectfully.

Li Jiaren responded one by one, but did not stay too long.

The people outside the city need to be settled, and we also need to discuss opening the granaries. Moreover, we need to send a message to the Lu family at the border to remind them to take precautions.

Of course, the most important thing is to send an eight hundred-mile urgent report to the imperial court.

Natural disasters and man-made calamities combined, the court must have a response.

Otherwise, when the spark ignites into a prairie fire, it will not be easily extinguished...

When the sun was high in the sky, even the laziest idlers in the border town were out working to make a living.

At this moment, the sound of urgent hooves suddenly echoed outside the palace gates, causing a commotion in the front courtyard.

Soon, the head steward of the Wangfu brought a messenger to the study to deliver a message.

"General, General! The Empress of Xin Du has passed away!" The steward gasped and panted as he rushed into the courtyard, shouting.

Although news had come to Xin'du long ago that the Empress had died, it was kept secret.

But only General Lu and the military advisor knew this news, keeping it a secret from everyone else.

At that moment, a shout from the steward startled everyone.

Today's update is here! ~~e you're happy, my son has something going on, and none of your family will live!"Second Madam was no pushover either, she snatched her sister-in-law's hair bun back and scolded even more gleefully, "...