She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

"Thank you so much for saving my life, young master!"

An old man walked forward shakily, his voice trembling with sobs, “These Japanese invaders come every day, and we are suffering terribly. They have looted all our food and possessions, and many of our relatives have been killed. We are almost out of hope to survive.”

Chu Zhiyi helped the old man up and said in a deep voice, "Old man, don't be afraid. Now that I'm here, I won't let them run rampant anymore. From today onwards, I will protect everyone and drive all these Japanese out of Rongzhou."

"Alas, young master, you are new to this place and do not know this." The old man wiped away his tears, his face full of sorrow. "These Japanese are very cunning. They come without warning, fire a shot and then move on to another place. They are also good at hiding their tracks."

The officers and soldiers stationed here were either passively resisting and unwilling to put in any effort, or they were so frightened by the ferocity of the Japanese that they fled in disgrace after just one encounter.

We have repeatedly appealed to the government for help, but all we've received are perfunctory responses and excuses. We don't know when this will end.

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhiyi's brows furrowed, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Don't worry, old man, I am different from those people. I have studied martial arts since childhood and am well-versed in military strategy. I have come here to protect the peace of the people in this region."

I have surveyed the terrain of Rongzhou. The Japanese are skilled in naval warfare, but we have the advantage on land. I will quickly assemble a crack team, strengthen patrols, ascertain their movement patterns, and formulate a comprehensive countermeasure.

The old man listened, a glimmer of hope igniting in his eyes, but when he saw that Chu Zhiyi only had two attendants behind him, the light in his eyes dimmed again in an instant.

"Young master, that is true, but you have no official position or post. How easy is it to build a team? The people are exhausted both physically and mentally by the Japanese. There are less than one in ten able-bodied men left in their families. Even if they want to help, they are powerless to do so."

Moreover, purchasing weapons and preparing provisions require a large sum of money, which…

Chu Zhiyi nodded slightly, already having a plan in mind. "Old man, I understand these difficulties. As for manpower, I will first select healthy and spirited young people and train them. Even if the number is small, as long as they are well-trained, they can play a great role."

As for money, I will use my own savings and solicit donations from the merchants in the city. Rongzhou belongs to everyone, and they surely wouldn't want to see their homeland trampled upon. As long as we work together, we will definitely be able to drive the Japanese away completely.”

"Young master, our prefect Ran Sheng is utterly heartless!"

The old man looked around, lowered his voice, and said with anger and fear, “He secretly colluded with the Japanese. Every time the Japanese attacked, he would receive the news in advance, but he never notified the people and allowed the officials and soldiers to do nothing.”

The people suffered, yet he seized the opportunity to profit from the national crisis, using the people's hard-earned money to curry favor with the Japanese!

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhiyi was furious, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "How could there be such a heartless and traitorous villain! Rest assured, old man, I will not let such a villain go unpunished."

"Once I defeat the Japanese pirates, I will expose their crimes to the public and ensure that the imperial court punishes them severely, restoring justice to the people of Rongzhou."

After speaking, Chu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and then said, "The most urgent task at present is to resist the Japanese. Although I do not hold any official position, it is the duty of every citizen to protect our country."

I will immediately go to the city to post notices and recruit those who are willing to join. To reassure everyone, I will specify the training plan and combat strategy in the notices, so that everyone knows we are not acting blindly.

The old man said worriedly, "Young master, you must be very careful. That scoundrel Ran Sheng will definitely not sit idly by; he might even try to harm you."

Chu Zhiyi's lips curled into a cold smile. "If he dares to obstruct the resistance against the Japanese pirates, he will be making an enemy of all the people of Rongzhou. I want to see just how bold he is."

After calming the old man down, Chu Zhiyi found an inn in the city to settle down, washed up, changed his clothes, and began to make preparations.

He had Xun Yan buy him writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and personally wrote a notice detailing the strategy for fighting the Japanese and the guarantees that those who joined the team would receive.

Afterwards, he took Zhimo and Xunyan, along with several enthusiastic citizens, and posted notices throughout the city.

For a time, the people in the city were talking about it. Many people were moved by Chu Zhiyi's sincerity and determination and came to inquire.

At the same time, Chu Zhiyi did not forget the prefect Ran Sheng.

He made careful preparations and, accompanied by two attendants, went to the prefectural government office.

Upon arriving at the mansion, the gatekeeper, seeing his simple attire, intended to stop him. However, Chu Zhiyi's piercing gaze and unwavering demeanor intimidated the gatekeeper, who could only hastily go inside to report.

Ran Sheng, the prefect of Rongzhou, had already heard about the anti-Japanese proclamation posted in the city and was planning to send someone to arrest the person, but he did not expect that the person would come to him on his own.

"Bring him in immediately. I want to see if he's got some nerve, daring to cause trouble in my Rongzhou Prefecture."

Chu Zhiyi strode into the hall with his head held high, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at Ran Sheng, who sat high above him, without any fear.

Ran Sheng sized up the young man in front of him, a fake smile on his face, and said in a sarcastic tone, "You're the young master Chu who posts notices everywhere and shouts about fighting the Japanese pirates? Young man, this matter of fighting the Japanese pirates is not as simple as you think. Don't overestimate yourself, or you'll lose your life."

Chu Zhiyi snorted coldly and said without any politeness, "Prefect Ran, I think you've been scared out of your wits by the Japanese! As an official appointed by the court and the people's father, you do nothing while the Japanese are rampaging and the people are suffering. How can you bear it?"

Ran Sheng's face darkened, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Insolence! What right do you, a mere nobody with no official position, have to criticize me?"

Resisting the Japanese pirates requires a massive amount of manpower, material resources, and financial resources. Rongzhou, in its current state, is simply unable to bear this burden. Acting rashly will only lead to more deaths.

Chu Zhiyi stepped forward and said passionately, "Prefect Ran, stop making excuses! I observe the terrain of Rongzhou. Although the Japanese have the advantage in naval battles, we have many advantages to take advantage of in land battles."

I have drafted a detailed battle plan and am willing to give away all my wealth to recruit and train local militia. As long as the army and the people are of one mind, how can we not eliminate the Japanese invaders?

It is you who secretly colluded with the Japanese, profiting immensely from the national crisis. Your actions have truly plunged the people of Rongzhou into misery!

Upon hearing this, Ran Sheng's face turned deathly pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but he still stubbornly retorted, "You...you mustn't make false accusations! You have no proof whatsoever. You accuse me of colluding with the Japanese, where is your evidence?"

Chu Zhiyi sneered: "Ran Sheng, don't think you've covered your tracks perfectly. Since I dared to expose your crimes, I naturally have evidence. Those people you plundered, those records of secret transactions with the Japanese—if I wanted to investigate, I could expose your crimes to the world."

Ran Sheng was startled, but he forced himself to remain calm and waved his hand, shouting, "Guards! This brat is spouting nonsense and disturbing the government. Seize him!"