I asked you to go hunting, and you ended up wearing a yellow robe?

Just as tensions were about to rise, a rough voice came from the street corner. It wasn't loud, but it clearly drowned out all other sounds.

"What a show of power! Since when can the border troops collect taxes on behalf of the county government?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Then, Chen Chong, the county magistrate, dressed in military uniform, walked slowly towards them, his hand on the sword at his waist.

She was alone, without any soldiers following her, but the chilling aura emanating from her very bones sent a shiver down the spines of those arrogant border guards.

"Why haven't I, the county constable, received any official document from Commander Li requesting an increase in border defense taxes?"

County Commandant?!

The leading officer's expression changed.

The county constable was a military officer in the county government, in charge of maintaining order and apprehending thieves in the county, and was directly under the county magistrate.

Their border troops were under the jurisdiction of the garrison, and the two systems were different, but when it came to local taxation, it was definitely the responsibility of the county government.

The officer's arrogance immediately diminished, and he forced himself to say, "County Lieutenant Chen..."

"We are acting under the orders of Commander Li. This...this is an internal matter for our border troops. Is County Lieutenant Chen going to interfere?"

He emphasized the words "General Manager Li" heavily, trying to use his superior status to intimidate people.

"You mean, we're going to make enemies of Commander Li?"

County Lieutenant Chen approached, his gaze sharp as a knife, staring directly at him:

"Commander Li? What an arrogant official he is! Creating arbitrary charges and extorting money—is he trying to get the newly appointed county magistrate to impeach him for exploiting the people?"

"Or does Commander Li think that the newly arrived county magistrate is in cahoots with your border troops?"

Cold sweat beaded on the officer's forehead.

This matter can be big or small.

To put it mildly, it's extortion;

On a grander scale, it undermines the very foundation of the nation.

In particular, the "newly appointed county magistrate" was mentioned. Everyone knows that a new official always makes a big splash when he takes office, and they are just worried about not being able to find a typical example. Aren't they just walking into the line of fire?

Li, the sergeant, might not be afraid, but he, the errand boy, would definitely be the first scapegoat to be pushed out.

The officer quickly sheathed his sword, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace:

"No, no!"

"It's all a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding! We're leaving now, we're leaving now!"

After saying that, he glared at Wang Erlai and slunk away with his men.

When Wang Erlai saw that his backer had run away, he was terrified and turned to flee as well.

"stop!"

A sharp shout rang out, and a figure flashed by.

It's Su Yue!

She rushed forward, grabbed Wang Erlai by the collar, and then, with all her might, kicked him hard between the legs with her small, cloth-shoe-clad foot!

"Awooo—!"

Wang Erlai let out a scream that was not human, his whole body curled up like a shrimp, his hands covering his groin, he rolled on the ground in pain, tears and snot all over his face.

"Grandma, have mercy! Third Grandma, have mercy! I was wrong! I'll never do it again!"

He was convulsing while kowtowing repeatedly.

After kicking, Su Yue was startled and her face turned pale as she hid behind Qi Shan.

But seeing Wang Erlai's miserable state, I felt incredibly relieved.

Qi Shan looked at Wang Erlai, who was convulsing on the ground, with icy eyes: "Get out. If there's a next time, it won't be as simple as breaking a leg."

Wang Erlai felt as if he had been granted a pardon and fled in a panic.

The courtyard finally returned to peace.

Zhou Xue and Lin Wan finally came to their senses, looking at County Lieutenant Chen standing in the courtyard, and then at Qi Shan who had a calm expression, their minds were a complete mess.

"Husband, how...how do you know the county magistrate?" Zhou Xue asked in a trembling voice.

Before Qi Shan could speak, County Lieutenant Chen stepped into the courtyard, looking directly at him: "Let's talk inside."

……

Inside the main room.

Chen Chong poured himself a glass of water and drank it all in one gulp.

The three women stood awkwardly to one side, not daring to breathe.

This is the county constable, a very important figure in the entire county!

When did my husband get into this kind of relationship?

"What's your decision?" Chen Chong asked bluntly.

Qi Shan knew what she was asking and said calmly, "Soldiers are paid and therefore subject to the rules."

Chen Chong shook his head, his expression turning serious:

"Black Dragon Village has been making big moves lately. Scouts report that they have gathered no less than three hundred men. It seems they plan to take advantage of the autumn harvest and the weakened state of the imperial forces to raid the village. They won't dare touch the county town because of its walls, but none of the surrounding villages will escape."

Three hundred ruthless bandits!

Zhou Xue and the other two girls were terrified and their hands and feet turned ice cold.

"The county government and the border troops don't care?" Qi Shan asked.

"Manage? How?" Chen Chong chuckled self-deprecatingly. "There are only thirty constables in the county government. Those soldiers from the border army are like big shots when nothing happens, but they run away faster than anyone else when something does happen. The county magistrate is willing but powerless, so he wants to secretly organize a group of good men to take the initiative and crush their arrogance."

"If you can achieve the greatest merit this time, the magistrate will be very generous, and the position of head constable of the county government will be within your grasp."

Head Constable!

That's a proper official position!

The three women's eyes lit up, and they looked at Qi Shan with anticipation.

Qi Shan remained calm: "Three hundred men, and you think you can take on just a few of us?"

"Of course not," Chen Chong said. "I will personally lead the team and gather over a hundred skilled fighters. But we need a decisive, swift striker. Your ability to single-handedly take down ten ruthless bandits demonstrates your proficiency in archery and swordsmanship. You are the only one suitable for this role."

Qi Shan fell silent.

He looked at the expectation in his three wives' eyes, and thought about his family's impoverished situation.

In chaotic times, to live a peaceful life, one needs either money or power.

The position of head constable is undoubtedly an excellent shield.

"I'll think about it." He ultimately didn't agree immediately.

After all, once you agree, you take on the responsibility.

Rather than taking on responsibility, he still wants to live a free and happy life.

Chen Chong didn't insist. He stood up, walked to the door, and then turned back and said, "Be careful of Commander Li. He's vindictive and has two hundred border soldiers under his command. He's no pushover."

After saying that, he turned and left.

……

Meanwhile, in the east of the county town, at the Li residence.

Li Long, also known as Li Ba Zong, was embracing a glamorous woman and drinking heavily.

A trusted aide strode in and whispered, "Sir, the men we sent... were stopped by County Lieutenant Chen."

"Snapped!"

Li Long slammed his wine cup to the ground, his face so dark it seemed to drip water: "Does he really think that just because he's a county constable, he can boss around my border troops? He's asking for it!"

The alluring woman said in a coquettish voice, "Oh, sir, it's not worth getting angry over a country bumpkin. There are plenty of women in the world; what kind of woman don't you want?"

"You don't know anything!" Li Long shoved her away, his eyes flashing with greed and ruthlessness.

He lowered his voice and addressed the confidant:

"A woman? Do you think I care about that?"

"A letter has arrived from above: someone has offered a thousand taels of gold to take the villager's life!"

"And they have to kill them stealthily!"