My lord, spare his life!

"You didn't lie?"

Zhang Yang was not satisfied with this answer.

The general, suppressing the metallic taste in his throat, staggered to his feet, his body swaying but his eyes unwavering: "Even if you kill me, this is my answer. If I'm lying, may I be struck by lightning!"

Zhang Yang was at a loss for words and turned to look at Fan You.

The military officer followed her gaze and noticed the handsome scholar sitting in a wheelchair. The latter was dressed simply in plain clothes, but a thick, warm, and attractive blanket covered his knees. He seemed to be the strategist of this group.

"Please think carefully, sir! If you want to enter the city, I will not stop you. But if you want to let these refugees outside the city enter, I'm afraid that's not an option!" He knew whether to let the refugees outside the city die or let everyone inside and outside the city die in this chaos.

Fan You asked, "Ordinary households usually keep a supply of grain for at least half a month, and sometimes several months. How can you say, General, that it will only last for half a month at most?"

The general tried to explain, but accidentally aggravated his wound and coughed up blood.

After a pause, he said, "Sir, you may not know this, but a few months ago the royal court forcibly collected the regular taxes and added more than a dozen new miscellaneous taxes. In order to make up for that amount, all over Tianyue had to tighten their belts, and every household had very little grain left. On top of that, there was chaos..."

This year's chaos could ruin the entire year's harvest.

Let alone next year, we won't even make it through this year.

Fan You: "What is the population of each of the eight counties in Tianyue?"

The military officer had considered dozens of questions Fan You might ask, but he never expected him to ask how many people were in the eight counties, and he was momentarily stunned.

He couldn't answer that question.

Fan You then asked, "How much tax silver was collected?"

Military officer: "This is not my duty, I was unaware."

It wasn't a provocation or a cover-up; he genuinely didn't know.

Furthermore, in what capacity did Fan You inquire about these matters? Even if he was defeated by Zhang Yang, it doesn't mean the city had been captured. Fan You's questions constitute overstepping his authority.

Zhang Yang was also confused: "What's the explanation for this?"

Fan You said, "I want to know how many hidden households there are in the Heavenly Gate."

Since Zhang Yang advocated for a "clean sweep," believing the root cause lay in "not scarcity but inequality," then Fan You would grant her wish. Let her see just how difficult the path she had casually chosen truly was! Let's see if she dared to actually lay down this deadly hand!

Zhang Yang asked, puzzled, "What is a hidden household?"

Fan You's smile was laced with sarcasm: "Who does my lord think is honestly bearing the burden of exorbitant taxes and levies, not daring to be late on even a single penny? Naturally, it's the ordinary people who have no money, no power, and no influence. On the other hand, those wealthy and powerful families will find any loopholes they can to exploit. Otherwise, how would they accumulate their wealth and power?"

Hidden accounts are a very important piece of data.

Since they are said to be hidden households, the county government's household registration system naturally cannot find these people, but other account data can corroborate them.

Zhang Yang said, "What's the use of knowing this?"

Fan You made no attempt to hide his words, saying in front of the military officers, "Of course it's useful. When we go to borrow grain later, we'll have a better idea of ​​what to expect."

The more hidden accounts there are, the more money and grain are hidden.

What do you mean the city can only hold out for half a month at most?

Hmph, to be honest, the average person in the city could only last for half a month at most.

The savings of wealthy and powerful families could probably last for hundreds or thousands of lifetimes.

Zhang Yang: "...Are there any other places where we can borrow grain?"

This was unexpected. Could it be that the "family" Fan You mentioned ran a grain bank? And had overseas leasing and loan business?

Zhang Yang and his companion spoke as if no one else was around, discussing matters that terrified the military commander. At the same time, the commander found it somewhat absurd. How dare these few people make such boastful claims? Or did they think that defeating him alone would allow them to roam freely in Tianyue?

"Yes, it depends on whether my lord dares to."

There's nothing I wouldn't dare to do.

A true player wouldn't say "I dare not".

This is also what Zhang Yang concluded from observing so many samples: the player group is extremely confident, extremely arrogant, and extremely self-centered. The players' motto when ganging up on a boss is—life is no object, equipment can be destroyed, but the boss must die!

Zhang Yang had even witnessed hundreds of thousands of players attacking the super BOSS zombie king's army. They would die, then resurrect and charge again, fighting for seven or eight days, gradually wearing down the health bars of the big and small BOSSes and their armies through sheer numbers.

Finally, they took a group photo while standing on the zombie king's head.

Yes, her smile is brighter than the sun.

Fan You clapped his hands: "Excellent! Excellent! My lord, you have great courage!"

Zhang Yang frowned, feeling that Fan You's words were neither praise nor criticism. The military officer also sat up cross-legged, closed his eyes, and took a dozen breaths to calm the turbulent blood in his chest. He was both angry and amused, coldly watching what these people could accomplish.

They have a small number of people, but they talk big, and they have no legitimate reason to do so!

Fan You: "We have a legitimate reason for our attack."

He asked Zhang Yang to produce the rather crude appointment document.

The military officer naturally didn't believe it. When he opened it and took a look, his expression changed drastically, and he became more uncertain about the actions that Zhang Yang and the other man had mentioned.

He hadn't expected Zhang Yang and her group to be former rebel warlords, who had specifically appointed her to take over Tianyue County. If he didn't agree, Zhang Yang and his dozen or so men naturally couldn't do anything to Tianyue, but the rebel forces behind her were another matter entirely. The general felt a chill in his heart.

This is truly a case of misfortunes never coming singly!

The chaotic seasons have caused countless deaths and injuries throughout the land, and now there is also the threat of rebel forces. One wrong move and he could be caught in the crossfire! In his distress, he noticed a piece of information.

"You're not a woman?"

The prefect the rebels pointed to was a young man.

Zhang Yang said expressionlessly, "So what if the genders don't match?"

She could dismember herself and still be alive and kicking—such a bizarre thing could actually happen. It's not surprising that her true gender doesn't match Ren Shu's. Fan You chimed in, "My lord's 'Star Descendant' acted up, it's just a reversal of yin and yang."

Military general: "...But she's not one of the Four Symbols?"

The Three Enclosures produce many prime ministers, and the Four Symbols produce many generals. Zhang Yang is such a formidable fighter, yet he was defeated before he even saw her star—though much of the blame lies with his underestimation of her incredible strength and ability to perform miracles, a loss is a loss, and he doesn't try to deny it—he suspects Zhang Yang likely belongs to one of the Four Symbols, and whose element even counters his own. The Yin-Yang reversal, the descent of evil stars that Fan You spoke of, mostly belongs to the Three Enclosures.

Fan You: "No."

The military officer asked no further questions.

There are some capable fighters among the three guardians, but not many.

"Let us into the city first, and we can discuss the rest later."

Zhang Yang rejected Fan You's words.

She had another idea: "Why don't we send out those who can work in the city, and then try to solve the problem outside the city?"

Fan You glanced at Zhang Yang.

"Your Majesty's considerations are not without merit, and they are acceptable."

If the generals turn against them after entering the city, they will easily be at a disadvantage.

Fan You asked the military officer, "What do you think, General?"

The general's already pale face became even more stiff.

"Can."

Before Zhang Yangliang was appointed, military officers might have made excuses to refuse, but this appointment letter proved that she was in league with the rebels, and that the rebels were adept at burning, killing, looting and massacring cities. How could they afford to offend her?

Guan Zong whispered, "It looks like a big fish."

This military officer holds some status in the city.