The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

“The reason we were able to escape every time before was because the local area was chaotic and the government was incompetent. The situation is different now. After Shen Lian came, he first stopped all kinds of exorbitant taxes and levies. He also cleaned up the notorious corrupt officials and gentry in the area. The people of Taiwu Lindao all regard him as a benevolent ruler.”

"This time, they've even dispatched a new army to wipe out all the bandits and outlaws in the entire Thai-Burial Road. How long do you think we can keep hiding?"

“Husband, Shen Lian is so powerful! At worst, we can leave Taiwu Lindao and go somewhere else. Why do you have to walk into a trap?” The woman in red beside him tugged at the scholar’s ​​sleeve and shook it.

"Heh heh! Where can he run to? This Lord Shen has done so many great things, do you think he'll just stay in Taiwu Lindao forever? If I'm not mistaken, the whole of Shandong will fall into his hands sooner or later."

"Can we still escape to another province?" The young scholar shook his head.

“Now that you’re pregnant, I don’t want our child to become a robber like us.” The young man patted his wife’s hand.

"Their bandit suppression has only just begun, and I believe I still have some use to them. If the officers in charge here are smart, they shouldn't arrest me!"

"However, just in case, you will all evacuate the city tomorrow. Await my message!"

"If I really get caught, don't come to rescue me. And don't even think about revenge. Just go your separate ways and live a long, peaceful life!"

"Big brother..." Several people below stood up and spoke up.

"I've made up my mind, so you'd better stop talking!" The young scholar waved his hand dismissively.

. . . . . .

"Company Commander, the summary of this battle is out." Jiao Long handed the materials in his hand to Mo Biao.

"Hmm! What kind of commendation are you planning to give them?" Mo Biao took the materials but didn't rush to look at them. Instead, he looked up and asked.

"Although the entire company's performance in this battle wasn't perfect, it's still quite an achievement for our first battle since the unit's formation. Is it too much to ask for a commendation?"

"The best performing squad below is the first squad of the first platoon! They have a strong fighting spirit and are skilled in tactical maneuvers. They were the first to scale the walls and also the squad that killed the most bandits. I'd like to nominate them for a collective third-class merit, and then nominate squad leader Zhang Tieniu for a second-class merit, and Sun Chuanwu for a third-class merit. What do you think?"

"Hmm! Very good! Although eliminating these bandits isn't much, they're all new recruits, so it's still necessary to report their achievements. It's also a way to encourage everyone." Mo Biao nodded.

"Company commander, political instructor, someone is requesting an audience at the camp gate?" Just as the two were discussing, a sentry came in to report.

"See us? Who is he?" Mo Biao and Jiao Long exchanged a glance.

“He said his name is Jiang Shan!” the sentry said.

"Jiang Shan, Jiang Xiaobai?" Mo Biao suddenly stood up.

"Hahaha, I was just looking for him, and he actually delivered himself to my doorstep. Let him in."

A short while later, a tall young man in his thirties, dressed in a white long robe, followed the sentry in.

"Student Jiang Shan greets the two esteemed gentlemen!" Jiang Shan bowed respectfully with clasped hands.

"You're Jiang Xiaobai from Jiangshan?" Mo Biao stood up and looked him up and down.

"Exactly!"

"I've heard you've killed countless people, and the authorities are after you everywhere. How dare you come to my military camp? Have you come to turn yourself in?"

"It should be said that I have pledged my allegiance!" Jiang Shan said with a respectful bow.

"Hahaha, what do you think our New Army is? Would we want a notorious bandit like you?" Mo Biao said disdainfully.

"The students are also educated, not indiscriminately killing innocent people. I was forced into this situation! What we robbed and killed were all people who deserved to die. We were simply eliminating a scourge for the people!"

"Heh! If everyone were like you, wouldn't the world be in chaos!" Jiao Long said sternly.

"I am aware of my grave sins, which is why I have come to serve you two gentlemen and am willing to make a contribution to the new army to atone for my transgressions!"

"What skills do you have that make you worthy of our taking you in? The things you've done are serious, each one a capital offense!" Jiao Long shook his head.

"My lords, I was originally from Yanzhou. In recent years, I have been active in several prefectures and have a very good understanding of the terrain, local customs, and especially the bandits in the central prefectures of Shandong."

"Lord Shen wants to wipe out the bandits and outlaws in various prefectures and counties, and I'll do my part. For example, I'm confident I can persuade Zhao Da Nao from Peiwei Mountain to come down and surrender!" Jiang Shan said confidently.

"Whether Zhao Da Nao surrenders or not is irrelevant; it just wastes a day or two of our time. Your crimes are too serious; we have no authority to pardon you. We can only hand you over to our superiors!" Jiao Long shook his head. This kind of notorious bandit was not someone their company-level unit dared to harbor.

"My lords, you can certainly wipe out Zhao Da Nao. But it will take some ammunition, and there might be casualties. Why commit further bloodshed when you can persuade them to surrender? After all, they aren't exactly bad people!"

"According to you, we can just send someone to persuade them to surrender. Why would we need you?" Mo Biao said, pursing his lips.

"Hehe! Zhao Da Nao has a deep-seated grudge against the government, so it won't be that easy. If the two lords pardon me and let me go and persuade him to surrender, it will be a different story. If you can persuade someone like me to surrender, they will feel much more at ease. Besides, I have done Zhao Da Nao a favor."

"I have a bit of a reputation in Shandong, which will be of great benefit to you two gentlemen in your upcoming bandit suppression campaign. I suppose the new army also values ​​merit, right? Hehe!" Jiang Shan cupped his hands again and said.

Upon hearing these words, Mo Biao was immediately tempted. With Jiang Shan's help, the subsequent bandit suppression would certainly go much more smoothly. His company's contribution would naturally be greater than others.

Unfortunately, he couldn't make such a decision if the instructor didn't agree!

"Company Commander, Political Instructor! How about I talk to him first?" Just as Mo Biao and his colleague were hesitating, the clerk, who usually didn't like to speak, suddenly said.

Although this person was their company clerk, he was only assigned to the company just before departure. It was said he came from headquarters, and the battalion commander personally instructed two people to take good care of him. They were also to listen to his advice on important matters, and even to prioritize his suggestions.

Mo Biao and Jiao Long had been speculating about the clerk's identity, but the man hadn't said much along the way. He usually liked to doodle and write in his notebook, and he was quite capable of doing things well when given the task.

Unexpectedly, he suddenly asked to talk to Jiang Shan today, and although the two were suspicious, they agreed. In order to give them some private space, Mo Biao and Jiao Long simply went out to check the sentry post together.