After crossing, I surrounded the capital from the countryside

The bailiff showed disdain and sneered, "Volunteering? Who would be willing to come back to farm after the war is over? Stop talking nonsense and hand the people over!"

"The Emperor has issued an order that to protect the country, conscription is urgent. Anyone who obstructs will be severely punished!"

After these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the village became even more depressing. Old Li let go of Li Qiang in despair and let him be taken away. The villagers looked at each other, their eyes full of anger and helplessness.

"This is going to force us into a dead end!" someone cursed in a low voice.

The villagers gathered around, their faces full of anger and helplessness. Some old people beat their chests and stamped their feet, some women covered their faces and cried, and some children hugged their parents' legs tightly, fearing that they would be the next to be conscripted.

"This is simply robbery!" a young man shouted angrily, "We work hard just to have enough food and clothing, why do we have to suffer such hardships?"

"Yes, doesn't the emperor know how hard we work?" another villager said in anger. "He sits on a high throne, how can he understand our sadness and helplessness?"

The rain finally poured down, washing the land stained with tears and blood. The emperor was still sitting in his magnificent palace, unaware of all this, thinking only of how to quell the rebellion and then sit firmly on the throne under his buttocks.

The rain continued to fall mercilessly, as if it was crying for these innocent people. The rain and tears intertwined, blurring people's vision, but also unable to dilute the resentment and dissatisfaction in their hearts.

And those young and middle-aged people who were forcibly conscripted embarked on a road to an unknown destiny with hearts full of anger and helplessness.

While the Great Zhou was in chaos and turmoil due to forced conscription, the situation on the northern border also quietly changed. The Northern Barbarians, a powerful tribe that had long coveted the territory of the Great Zhou, keenly captured the turmoil in the Great Zhou.

On the vast grasslands of the northern border, the wind blew through the sparse yellow grass tips. At this moment, the camps of the northern barbarians were unusually lively, with blazing bonfires reflecting the determined and excited faces.

In the center of the camp, in the most magnificent tent, the leader of the Northern Barbarian tribe, Helian Temujin, was sitting on a throne made of wolf skin. His figure looked particularly tall and mighty in the flickering firelight.

His eyes seemed to be able to penetrate the darkness and look directly into the distant heartland of Da Zhou, which was experiencing an unprecedented turmoil.

"My fellow warriors, the Great Zhou, the behemoth that once caused countless of our ancestors to fail, is now falling into unprecedented chaos. Hahahaha." Helian Temujin's voice was low and powerful, with a mockery of the Emperor of the Great Zhou.

"This is God's will, a godsend opportunity for us Northern Barbarians to avenge our previous humiliation and bring that rich land into our territory!"

Cheers suddenly rang out in the tent, and the warriors rubbed their hands together, their eyes flashing with desire for victory.

Helian Temujin continued, "But we must act with caution. Although the Great Zhou is in chaos, its foundation is still there. I want you to infiltrate the Great Zhou border with the fastest speed and the most elite troops, explore the truth, and find weaknesses."

He turned to the side and his eyes fell on a young general. That was his nephew, Helian Feiying, a young general who was brave, good at fighting and extremely intelligent.

"Flying Eagle, you will lead the team in person for this mission." Helian Temujin spoke with unquestionable authority, "I want you to not only bring back intelligence, but also let the people of Da Zhou know that the iron hoofs of the northern barbarians have already stepped on their borders!"

Helian Feiying knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "Uncle, rest assured, Feiying will live up to the mission and let the people of Dazhou see the power of our Northern Barbarian warriors!"

As Helian Feiying took orders, the atmosphere in the tent became more lively.

The warriors asked for battle one after another, vowing to fight for the glory of the Great Barbarians. Helian Temujin nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, you are worthy of being the warriors of our Northern Barbarians, you are so courageous!"

At the same time, the chaos and turmoil caused by the forced conscription in the Great Zhou were intensifying. In the capital, the people were boiling with resentment, and the streets were full of fleeing civilians, their eyes filled with fear and confusion about the future.

In a corner of the northern border, Xu Qingqing's residence is like an isolated island, quiet and profound, in sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

It was late at night, and the candlelight in the study flickered, stretching Xu Qingqing's figure long and reflected on the mottled wall.

Outside the window, the occasional noise was mixed with the sighs and dissatisfaction of the rebels. They intertwined together, weaving a picture of unrest and turmoil in the Great Zhou.

Xu Qingqing sat in front of her desk, tapping the table lightly with her fingers. Every tap seemed to be a silent protest against the emperor's policy of forced conscription.

"This emperor is so foolish!" she whispered. Although her voice was soft, it revealed anger and helplessness that were difficult to conceal.

In her heart, she was worried about the fate of the people and indignant about the emperor's short-sighted behavior.

But Xu Qingqing quickly suppressed her emotions and turned to more practical thinking.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm her mind.

The policy of forced conscription was repeatedly deduced in her mind, and its pros and cons gradually became clear.

She knew very well that although it might increase military strength in the short term, in the long run, it would be like drinking poison to quench thirst. It would only intensify public grievances, damage the economy, and ultimately push the country into the abyss.

"I can't just sit there and do nothing. At least I can't let Zhou Shijie destroy the Great Zhou Kingdom." Xu Qingqing thought to herself.

So she called Xu Li.

Xu Li walked into the study and saw Xu Qingqing's serious expression, so he knew that there was something important to discuss. He stood aside respectfully, waiting for the master's instructions.

"Xu Li," Xu Qingqing's voice was low and powerful, "Go and inform Mrs. Chen Furong immediately. Tell her that it's time. The money of our Gongfu Bank cannot continue to stay in this system that is about to collapse."

Xu Li's face changed slightly when he heard this, but he quickly regained his composure.

He knew that Xu Qingqing's decision was of great importance, and he also understood that he had a heavy responsibility as the messenger. He nodded and said in a deep voice, "Yes, Sect Master. I'll do it right away."

Xu Qingqing nodded, and there was a hint of darkness in her eyes as she looked at Xu Li.

She added: "Remember, we have to do this quietly and not let anyone know. At the same time, you have to notify the other major shareholders and let them be prepared to act immediately once the time is right."

Xu Li took the order and left, and the study returned to peace. Xu Qingqing sat alone in front of the desk, thinking about Xu Li's performance in the past few years. In fact, she had discovered a few years ago that Xu Li was Chen Furong's spy around her.