The rebel army's foremost master craftsman forged a million iron pylons!

"It was indeed Li Tian who said that. He also said that although young and strong men can fight for us."

"But the elderly, women, and children can also cook for us, transport supplies, and those who can't go to the battlefield can send us intelligence and dig trenches!"

"The power of the people is the greatest power in the world!"

The soldier's words were like the resounding toll of a great bell, making General Chen's ears ring.

For a long time, the rebel army did the same things as the imperial court: after capturing a city, they would loot it clean, then conscript soldiers and collect grain. When the imperial army arrived, the rebel army would run away, and the imperial court called them bandits.

After three years of fighting, the Loyal Army captured three cities, but only Nankai City remained in their hands.

This is under the premise that the imperial army did not come to attack.

The will of the people!

Li Tian's words were like a thunderclap, giving General Chen a great wake-up call.

Nankai City has a population of 300,000. If the people of Nankai City are of one mind with the righteous army and defend Nankai City together, why should they be afraid of the imperial army?

"Go, give me a thousand troops, and send them to Stone Village!"

General Chen immediately gave the order.

"General Chen, you absolutely mustn't! The centurion only failed to conscript soldiers as ordered; his crime doesn't warrant death!"

The soldier thought General Chen was going to execute Tie Niu, and he was so frightened that he knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"General, Tie Niu has been through thick and thin with you for three years, and the brothers under his command have a bond with him that transcends life and death."

"You killed Tie Niu, I'm afraid the brothers are not convinced."

General Chen was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Who said I was going to kill Tie Niu? I'm going to harvest wheat for the people!"

"Near Stone Village, there are also Big River Village, Little River Village, Pear Blossom Village, and Peach Blossom Village, making a total of twelve villages!"

"What can Tie Niu do with only 12 people?"

"Tell the brothers, this time we're not bringing knives or guns, just sickles. Oh! If we don't have sickles, short swords will do, as long as they can cut wheat."

The soldiers' eyes were red. They had been forced to follow the rebel army because the imperial court had made life unbearable. Now, General Chen was showing concern for the people.

This is not a blessing for the people, what is it!

"I'll go gather the men right away!" The soldier ran out of the tent excitedly.

Half an hour later,

The iron hooves kicked up dust.

General Chen led a thousand soldiers directly toward Stone Village.

Unlike before,

This time they didn't bring long spears or swords, and most of them didn't wear armor, only a short blade tucked into their waistbands. From a distance, they looked like a group of farmers.

As the mountain wind howled, General Chen suddenly recalled the scene of planting rice seedlings with his parents when he was a child, and he couldn't help but feel a little lost in thought.

"The will of the people, the will of the people, is the sharpest weapon!"

"For so long, it seems I've almost forgotten my roots!"

General Chen recalled Li Tian's words, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

"That kid Li Tian, ​​he's a real talent!"

……

The rebels were originally farmers who were skilled at farming.

By the time General Chen arrived, the rebel army had already finished eating and were working in the fields.

This is the scene he saw.

At the village entrance lay a huge donkey skeleton, next to a large iron pot. There was no meat left in the pot, only the aroma of meat wafting out, enticingly enticing.

A dozen or so large black porcelain bowls lay on the ground, emanating a strong aroma of wine. It seemed the rebels were being treated well here, with not only donkey meat to eat but also wine to drink.

The arrival of this group of over a thousand people in Stone Village immediately caused a stir.

The farmers harvesting wheat in the fields, regardless of age or gender, all stopped what they were doing and looked at General Chen and his entourage, whispering among themselves.

"Who are these people? They look like soldiers, but they're not wearing armor."

"They're dressed like farmers, but not like locals. Could they be refugees who escaped from Nankai City?"

"What nonsense! Have you ever seen refugees riding tall horses? Those are warhorses!"

Just as everyone was discussing this, a rough voice rang out from the field.

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

"It's our General Chen!"

"Judging from their appearance, they've come to help us harvest the wheat."

Immediately afterwards, a huge body, as big as a bull, came running up the ridge from the field.

As he ran, he waved his arms at General Chen, who was riding a tall horse.

"General Chen, this is Tie Niu, and I'm right here!"

Sigh~

General Chen pulled on the reins, jumped off his warhorse, and stood quietly.

When Tie Niu ran up to him, he suddenly put on a stern face and asked coldly.

"Tie Niu, do you know your crime?"

"Huh? I..."

Tie Niu had already taken off his armor and was dressed in shorts. Upon hearing this, he looked around and suddenly knelt down in front of General Chen, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"General Chen, I know it was my fault for disobeying military law. If you must kill someone, kill me, Tie Niu. My brothers are innocent!"

"And Brother Li Tian, ​​he's right, General Chen absolutely must not be killed!"

General Chen smiled.

Her smile was as radiant as the sunset over the mountains.

"Who said I was going to kill you?"

"You did the right thing!"

"The unity of the army and the people will henceforth be the primary principle of our Loyal Army."

"As for Li Tian, ​​he deserves the most credit!"

Then General Chen shouted to the soldiers behind him.

"Dismount!"

The soldiers dismounted and drew their short swords, heading towards the fields.

When the farmers in the fields realized that these rebels had not come to rob grain or people, they immediately cheered.

"Good, the righteous army leader is here again to collect our grain."

"This year's food supply has been saved!"

"Strive to do it before the corrupt officials of the imperial court arrive."

"Hide the grain in the cellar!"

These soldiers were all farmers before, and now that they've returned to the fields, it's like going back to their old profession. Their faces are beaming with smiles.

After all, harvesting wheat is a more satisfying thing than beheading people.

Someone smelled the wheat ears in the field and exclaimed, "Excellent! This year's wheat ears are so full; it's a bumper harvest!"

Some even grabbed the sickle from the old man next to them, saying, "Sir, go cool off in the shade. We'll do this little job!"

Some people didn't say anything, but were already bent over in the field cutting wheat. Their movements were swift, and one sickle cut down a large area.

This made the people of Stone Village feel embarrassed.

The village chief chuckled and said, "Gentlemen! Gentlemen! This...this makes this old man ashamed!"

"They're truly the people's army; they've even harvested the wheat for us!"

"I've never seen an army like this before!"

"What do you mean you've never seen this before! This doesn't even exist in historical records!"

The villagers also praised it highly.

Even the children were jumping and singing nursery rhymes at the village entrance.

"The righteous army is good, the righteous army is strong, the righteous army has come and we will not pay taxes!"

Before long, the soldiers and civilians were united. Those with less strength bent over to cut the wheat, while those with more strength carried bundles of wheat on their backs to the fields.

The village women no longer hesitated; they took water jugs and mingled among the men, offering water to the rebel soldiers.

……

Seeing this bustling and busy scene, General Chen couldn't stop smiling.

"Good! Good! This is the army I want."

"Li Tian's idea this time really hit the nail on the head."

Then, General Chen turned to Tie Niu and asked, "Where is Li Tian?"