Pick up a princess to be your wife

“Lingnan is in dire straits. If we send troops to suppress the bandits again, it will be a waste of resources and manpower. I’m afraid that before the Wu bandits even enter the area, Lingnan will be in complete chaos. For the safety of tens of thousands of people in Luyang County, I must admit that I cannot comply,” Yu Rong replied.

Yu Rong cursed the two men's ancestors for eighteen generations in his mind several times.

The same applies to Xiao Yunfei and Ge Desheng.

Who do you think you are, Yu Rong? Don't you have any self-awareness?

Driven by selfish interests, they relentlessly exploit the people. And now they have the audacity to talk about protecting the safety of ordinary citizens?

If you really care about the people, why don't you use the mountains of gold and silver you've embezzled to help them overcome their difficulties?

“Magistrate Yu, I’m not here to ask for your opinion. If you disagree, I’ll write a letter right away and someone else will take your place in no time. If you don’t want to do things, there are plenty of others who will,” Xiao Yunfei said coldly.

If Xiao Yunfei wanted to get rid of Yu Rong, it would only be a matter of writing a letter. Moreover, he could take down Yu Rong right now and confiscate all of Yu Rong's property.

Xiao Yunfei had already made his point, leaving Yu Rong no choice but to agree.

The other party was bullying him, and Yu Rong had no choice but to accept it. After all, the other party's father was a second-rank general in the imperial court.

"These bandits are wreaking havoc in this area, even daring to rob Zero Bank! This is outrageous! I, Yu Rong, will do everything in my power to wipe them out and protect the peace of this region!" Yu Rong's expression changed, and he said indignantly.

"Young General, how many militiamen do you think are appropriate to conscript?" Yu Rong's expression immediately changed, and he became all smiles.

“At least three thousand people,” Xiao Yunfei said.

"Three thousand it is! We will definitely wipe out Tiger Head Stronghold and rid the people of this scourge!" Yu Rong shouted.

He knew he had no choice, so since he was going to do it, he had to make his stance clear regardless of whether it could be accomplished.

Anyway, he won't personally take the risk.

"All one thousand officials and constables of Luyang County must join as civilians, under my unified command, and must not be exposed," Xiao Yunfei said.

"What? All the officials have been transferred? Won't Luyang County become a ghost town? What if refugees come into the city?" Yu Rong asked.

Upon hearing this question, Xiao Yunfei looked troubled; he hadn't expected this.

But Ge Desheng had an idea.

“The refugees outside the city are still not a significant force, and how would they know that all the government officials have been mobilized? Furthermore, seeing that Luyang County can still mobilize several thousand people to suppress the bandits, they are even less willing to approach Luyang County,” Ge Desheng said with a smile.

"Manager Ge is the smartest. Let's transfer all the officers and soldiers away," Yu Rong said.

Yu Rong could roughly guess what Ge Desheng and Xiao Yunfei were thinking.

Although the soldiers under his command were not as good as the regular army, their fighting strength was definitely not comparable to that of the bandits.

However, if we want to attack Hutou Village, which is entrenched in Zhangxian Ridge, we cannot succeed by force; we must use strategy.

He didn't know exactly how they outsmarted him, but he certainly didn't have command. In any case, the fact that these officials were mixed in was definitely a foreshadowing.

"Please have the county magistrate issue an official document to select militia members by lottery. Everyone on this list must join. But this matter must not be revealed to anyone." Ge Desheng said, handing the list to Yu Rong.

“I’ll get it done right away. I’ll definitely have three thousand people by tomorrow morning! Oh no, I’ll have them before dark today,” Yu Rong said.

“Lord Yu is a man of great wisdom and integrity, a truly upright and just official. On behalf of the people of Luyang County, I thank Lord Yu.”

Ge Desheng stood up and bowed.

"It's what I should do, Manager Ge, there's no need for such formalities."

You represent the people of Luyang County like a lousy fool.

In the morning, Yu Rong issued an official document summoning all able-bodied men in the city to the square in front of the county government office, and delivered a passionate speech.

"To ensure fairness and impartiality in this conscription, I have decided to select 3,000 militiamen by lottery. Whoever is lucky enough to be selected will have the opportunity to rid the people of evil and protect the country. Those who are not selected should not be discouraged; there will be another chance next time."

Yu Rong raised his hand and waved, and the officials carrying boxes walked into the crowd, allowing everyone to draw lots.

The three thousand people who drew lots stayed in the square to listen to Yu Rong continue his impassioned speech.

"Erlang, you won?" Li Tian asked in a low voice.

"Mm," Li Mu nodded.

"That won't do. Give me your signature right now, and I'll go and be a militiaman for you." Li Tian said, trying to snatch the signature from Li Mu's hand.

Li Tian struggles even to kill a chicken, let alone take up a knife to kill someone? He'd be lucky to avoid being killed himself.

“My elder brother has a family and children, and he is the head of the household. He cannot risk his life,” Li Mu said in a deep voice.

"You must listen to me," Li Tian said coldly.

He couldn't bear to let Li Mu take the risk and genuinely wanted to go in Li Mu's place.

Li Mu was deeply moved by having such an older brother.

“You’re still young and more capable than your older brother, so you shouldn’t risk your life. Even if I don’t come back one day, I’ll be at ease knowing you’re taking care of your sister-in-law and nephew,” Li Tian said.

"Brother, stop talking. I'll go. I won't die."

“You’ve always listened to me since you were little, and you have to listen to me this time too.”

“Brother, I’m of age now and should be able to make my own decisions. I’ve been out in the world for three years and have more experience than you. I survived the chaos and returned home alive, so I’m sure I won’t be in trouble this time either. Please don’t say anything more,” Li Mu said.

"you……"

Li Tian had long noticed that Li Mu had changed a lot since his return.

He has had his own opinions since he was a child, and now his character is even more resolute than before.

As the eldest brother, he really can't keep up with Li Mu.

"Sigh!" Li Tian sighed heavily.

When Li Tian followed Zhou Wanfu out of the city to collect rice, he had seen how ferocious the refugees were. Those mountain bandits were probably many times more ferocious than the refugees.

If something were to happen to Li Mu, how would he face his deceased parents?

"Brother, don't worry too much. When I leave the city with the army, just wait for me to come back at home," Li Mu said with a faint smile.

Having said all he could say, Li Tian, ​​who was not good at speaking to begin with, didn't know what else to say.

In the evening, Li Mu went to Jubaoge.

While getting a free meal, I also want to ask Xiaolan something.

"Miss He, have you worn the Ice Silkworm Jade Robe?" Li Mu asked.

Li Mu started with such private questions, making He Xianzhi blush.

She was wearing this dress, and it felt magical. Even though it was a size too small, it fit her perfectly, as if it had been tailor-made.

As for whether it looks good or not, only she knows.

"Did you get selected for the county's conscription today?" He Xianzhi asked instead of answering Li Mu's question.

"I was selected," Li Mu replied.

"It's not a bad thing."

"It's not a bad thing after all. By the way, where is Miss Xiaolan?"