I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

Everything in this world has a cost and benefit.

This principle applies to both business and warfare.

The three hundred men under Shen Lie's command were the foundation of his business and the seeds for his future settlement in Yaozhou.

If, for the sake of a few bags of grain, most of it is lost at Zhangjiawu, then even if we fill our stomachs, we will only be a dish for Zhao Kuangzan when we reach Yaozhou.

Moreover, Zhangjiawu was a fortified village built by a noble family in the Central Plains to avoid disaster, so its sturdiness goes without saying.

These powerful clans in the north lived together in clans, building deep moats and high walls, turning each village into an impregnable fortress.

Since that "Sky-Turning Hawk" was able to lead four or five hundred defeated soldiers to occupy this place, he was clearly not a good-for-nothing who only knew how to eat.

To launch a fierce attack on a fortified stronghold with four or five hundred defenders and ample supplies with only three hundred exhausted soldiers is, in military strategy, a siege is considered a poor tactic, and in business, it's a losing proposition.

A direct assault is the worst possible strategy.

If we cannot attack head-on, then we must outsmart them.

Since they were defeated soldiers, there were two things in their bones that they couldn't get rid of.

First, there was greed—greed for money, provisions, and troops; second, there was fear—fear of the official government and its legitimacy.

Although these people ruled the mountains and lived a carefree life, they were ultimately risking their lives.

If they could have a chance to clear their names and go ashore, even if it was just a hollow title, these people would be more than happy to accept it.

Liu Zhiyuan declared himself emperor in Taiyuan at a time when he needed talented people.

In previous years, in order to compete with Shi Chonggui, Liu Zhiyuan was ruthless in Hedong. As long as you had men and knives, he would recruit anyone, whether they were mountain bandits or defeated soldiers, as long as they were given a banner.

This matter is common knowledge in Hedong.

This is the bargaining chip in Shen Lie's hand.

Thus, the plan was finalized.

Shen Lie did not send the main force to advance directly, but instead had Liu Qing lead the main force to ambush in a mountain gully five miles away from the fortress, waiting for the signal fire.

He himself, along with Yang Ting and twenty of his chosen elite troops, rode two horses each and swaggered towards Zhangjiawu.

Although the group of twenty-two men did not carry any banners, the horses they rode, along with their well-tailored armor, were a symbol of status in this dilapidated world.

Upon reaching the gate of the fortified village, Shen Lie reined in his horse and stopped.

It must be said that the patriarch of the Zhang family back then was a master of construction.

The fortified village was built against the mountain, with a moat about two zhang wide in front of it. Although it had dried up most of the way, the deep ditch was still there, and the bottom was full of sharpened wooden stakes.

A large crowd gathered atop the stockade walls.

The wall was about ten feet high, and it was made entirely of rammed earth mixed with glutinous rice juice, making it as hard as stone.

If it were a real all-out attack, let alone three hundred people, even a thousand people would not be able to take it down in less than ten days or half a month.

Several bows were already fully drawn, locked onto the uninvited guest.

"Who goes there?!"

A sharp shout came from the top of the wall, "This is Zhang Family Village. We do not keep guests. If you wish to pass through, leave your toll!"

Shen Lie sat on his horse, his face calm, not even lifting his eyelids.

He didn't reply, but simply turned his head slightly.

Yang Ting understood, spurred his horse forward, and cracked his whip in mid-air with a sharp sound.

"You're all blind!"

Yang Ting shouted, perfectly capturing the arrogance of a veteran scoundrel.

"Shen, the Military Commissioner of Yaozhou and Commander-in-Chief of Fuwei Commandery of the Great Han Dynasty, is here! Tell that scoundrel of yours to get out here and answer me!"

These words caused a stir on the wall.

Defense Envoy?

This is a high-ranking official.

If it were an ordinary caravan or refugees, these bandits would have already riddled them with arrows.

But when faced with this group of government troops riding tall horses and exuding a menacing aura, these bandits, who were originally defeated soldiers, subconsciously felt inferior.

Before long, the gate of the village opened a crack.

A man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face peeked out from the crack and stood under the door, his thieving eyes darting around Shen Lie and his group of twenty-odd people.

Especially when he saw those dozens of warhorses, the man's Adam's apple visibly bobbed.

"May I ask which government troops you are?" the man asked, bowing slightly, his tone somewhat probing.

Shen Lie took out the official document from his pocket and casually tossed it over.

"Take this to your chieftain."

"I am traveling south to Yaozhou by imperial decree, and I am passing through this auspicious place. I have heard that your chieftain also comes from a military background? If you know what's good for you, this could be a promising future; if not..."

He sneered and said no more, only gently stroking the sword on the saddle.

The man hurriedly took the document, opened it, and although he couldn't recognize all the characters, the large vermilion seal on it was unmistakable.

"Please wait a moment, Your Excellency, I will go and inform you immediately!"

The man didn't dare to be negligent; he grabbed the official document and slipped back into the village.

This is the logic of the game of interests.

To that "Sky-Turning Hawk," Shen Lie's twenty-odd men were a joke if they came to attack the city, easy prey if they came to do business, but if they came to offer amnesty...

That would be a tremendous opportunity.

The Khitans have not yet established a firm foothold in the Central Plains, and Liu Zhiyuan has just declared himself emperor in Taiyuan.

In these times of great chaos, who wouldn't want to seize the opportunity to obtain an official position so that they have a way out in the future?

Moreover, Shen Lie only brought twenty people with him.

In the eyes of the other party, this is sincerity, and also a kind of confidence that makes them fearless.

It was as if if these twenty people were moved, a thousand troops would trample this small fortified village to the ground.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The gate of the village slowly opened.

"We are deeply sorry for not welcoming our distinguished guests properly!"

A burly man with dozens of attendants came out to greet them.

This man was none other than the "Sky-Turning Hawk," but now he was dressed in an oddly fitting silk robe, his face beaming with smiles.

"My name is Zhang Heng, and I greet Defense Commissioner Shen!"

Shen Lie rode his horse across the bridge, looking down at the bandit leader who exuded a bandit-like aura.

"Chief Zhang has quite the airs."

Shen Lie said calmly.

"I am on official business in Guanzhong, ordered by Commander Shi. I have heard that Chief Zhang has gathered a group of people here for self-defense and is quite renowned for his bravery. Why don't you invite me in for a cup of tea?"

A glint of light flashed in Zhang Heng's eyes.

He was observing.

They observed Shen Lie's horse, Shen Lie's armor, and even more so, the quality of the twenty guards behind Shen Lie.

The twenty guards all had stern faces, their hands on their sword hilts, and their eyes as sharp as knives.

These are definitely elite troops who have seen blood, far superior to those bandits.

Looking at Shen Lie again, although he was young, his calm and composed demeanor was definitely not an act.

"How dare I! How dare I!"

Zhang Heng laughed heartily and stepped aside to make way. "It's our good fortune that Magistrate Shen thinks highly of us poor folks! Please come in! We've prepared wine and meat to welcome him!"

This is gambling.

Zhang Heng was betting that Shen Lie was genuinely interested in recruiting him, since the Han Dynasty was currently short of manpower. Shen Lie was also betting that Zhang Heng wouldn't dare to touch him, given the authority of the official position.

Shen Lie dismounted and tossed the reins to Yang Ting.

"Walk."