In the city, the sounds of shouting and killing, drumming, and knocking were earth-shattering.

Until the edge of the sky gradually brightened, this chaos finally ceased, but the fear caused by the turmoil still spread within the city, leaving the townspeople in a state of panic and unease.

Because during this invasion of the rebel army into the city, too many townspeople were looted. It's one thing to lose money and belongings, but their wives and daughters were raped, and some citizens found their families ruined overnight.

Even though the chaos had begun to subside, they were still apprehensive, afraid of when such looting might start again.

For they had heard that the rebels in the north, after breaching a city, would severely plunder for five days. Who knows if these invaders are in league with the rebel army in the north.

"Da-da…"

At this moment, a group of riders came, shouting as they went: "Who is a doctor? If you're a doctor, step forward. We need the help of doctors. Our leader has said that there will be great rewards, and informants will also be rewarded. Those who hide the truth will bear the consequences."

"All residents, listen up. At least one person from each household must come to the government office for a gathering. Our leader has something to announce."

"…"

To help the townspeople understand better, Zhang River and the others referred to Chen Mo as our leader at this moment.

"I... I am a doctor." An elderly man with white hair stepped forward. He originally didn't want to admit it because he didn't know what the invaders wanted doctors to do, but hearing "informants will also be rewarded, and those who hide the truth will bear the consequences" made him more afraid that someone might betray him.

As Zhang River and the others spread the word throughout the city, the townspeople started heading to the government office in groups of three or four.

...

Wang Family, before nightfall, Wang Cultivator ordered all family members to gather at the ancestral home, with the businesses prepared as well. After the turmoil began, the Wang Family's gates were tightly closed, with over a hundred guards stationed in front of the courtyard.

As a result, this chaos did not have much impact on the Wang Family.

Main hall.

"Father, the chaos in the city seems to have subsided, the noise outside has diminished a lot." Said the eldest son of the Wang Family.

"Master, it seems the rebel army has completely taken over the county government office, and this Pingting County is about to change hands."

"..."

The Wang Family members discussed heatedly.

The patriarch of the Wang Family, Wang Cultivator, who had not slept all night, heavily stomped his cane, and after they quieted down, said in a deep voice: "Since our Wang Family has already become an insider for the Celestial Master Army and joined the Righteous Army, we are now part of the Righteous Army. From now on, don't mention the rebel army anymore…"

As he spoke, Wang Cultivator glanced at Wang Ran, who had returned home, and then said: "When it gets bright, Ran'Er, take your father to meet this Immortal Master Chen..."

Since the Wang Family has already boarded the ship, they can't get off. Being old and astute, he knew that now the "Celestial Master Army" controlled the city, and at this time, the people most to be feared are those who are indecisive.

"Yes."

The people in the hall responded in unison.

Just then, outside the ancestral home, the voice of the Divine Brave Guard was heard, dozens to hundreds of people shouting at once, making it hard to miss.

Wang Cultivator pondered for a while and said: "Looks like we don't need to wait until daylight. Ran'Er, call all the family members who know medical skills to go over and help."

Wang Cultivator knew it was time to invest, and he looked at his eldest son again: "Chong'Er, take out all the medicine for treating injuries and stopping bleeding from our family's pharmacy and offer it to the Celestial Master Army. As for food, keep enough to eat, and donate the rest."

His eldest son, Wang Chong, was taken aback: "Father, there's no need for the food, right? Our Wang Family has already given so much, and the wealth Ran'Er took out of the city was all looted by them. To donate food as well, the cost would be too great."

In Wang Chong's view, if Chen Mo wanted to govern the county without chaos, he would need the Wang Family's help and could do without the food.

"Foolish." Wang Cultivator lightly rebuked, saying: "Can't you see? This Chen Mo, though claiming to be with the Celestial Master Army, acts very differently. The chaos has been quelled so quickly; the group in the north couldn't do that.

If I'm not mistaken, he now wants the townspeople to gather at the government office, likely to soothe the populace, and food is indispensable. He's bound to come to us, and it's better to offer it voluntarily than to be asked, which can also gain us some favor. Besides, rebels are different from officials. What they need most are the heads of officials and prominent families to appease the people's anger."

Wang Cultivator understood too well the nature of a group formed by farmers after they became the Righteous Army — after breaching a city, they seize wandering people and force the townspeople to join them after robbing the place, thus expanding rapidly.

But Chen Mo exhibited a completely different behavior.

This statement made Wang Chong's heart shiver. He nodded and went to handle it immediately.

...

Yi Family, main hall.

"Well, well, this old fox acted so decisively, siding with the enemy before the city even fell." Yi Qianchi, as the patriarch of the Yi Family, knew a thing or two about the happenings outside.

Below, all the members of the Yi Family gathered here, each with a troubled expression, whispering and murmuring, the atmosphere quite oppressive.

With the Wang Family siding with the rebel army, now among the noble clans in the city, only their Yi Family remained. With the County Magistrate dead, the rebel army might soon target the Yi Family.

"Master, what should we do?" Someone asked in panic.

"Why panic?"

Yi Qianchi shouted deeply: "Our Yi Family didn't help the official soldiers to resist the rebel army… no, Righteous Army. Besides, with Chen Mo, I have some acquaintance. At worst, we can cut some meat and find a way to draw closer to the Righteous Army."

This time, when the rebel army breached the city, he was the first to receive news from the Defense Army, asking him to send the Qinghe Gang to assist. But he didn't take action and instead planned to help the winner, letting the tiger fight from the mountaintop.

But he never expected the Wang Family to act so quickly and decisively.

...

The sky hadn't brightened yet when a red sun began peeking in the east.

In the government office, Wang Ping said: "Reporting to Immortal Master Chen, we have captured a total of 1768 troops of the Defense Army, among whom 368 are injured."

"What are our casualties?"

"Seventy-three dead, eighteen critically injured, ninety-six lightly injured."

Chen Mo ordered: "Tell each captain and group leader to handle the comfort work well."

"Yes."

"By the way, what about the treatment costs?"

"Immortal Master Chen, I was about to tell you, the Wang Family sent word that they'll cover the treatment costs this time, and the medicine is also provided by them. Additionally, the head of the Wang Family has offered to donate some grain to us." Wang Ping said.

Regarding this, Chen Mo, being both surprised and expected, instructed: "First send someone to make contact with the Wang Family, and then observe the reaction from the Yi Family."

"Understood." Wang Ping cupped his hands and left.

As soon as Wang Ping left, Zhang He, Han Wu, and Hu Qiang entered in succession, and Zhang He said, "Brother Mo, the people are almost all gathered."

"Immortal Master Chen, the hooligans and ruffians you wanted me to catch for taking advantage of the chaos have all been pressed to kneel outside the government office." Hu Qiang said.

"Immortal Master Chen, the executioners are also fully prepared." Han Wu said.

Chen Mo nodded, then instructed Su Wen: "Bring the clerks from the government office, follow me."

"Everyone, bring out the money and wealth from this main hall, and come out with me."

"Understood." Everyone responded in unison.

Outside the government office and on the nearby streets, they were all surrounded by the people.

Their eyes were fixed on the temporary execution platform, where dozens of people were bound and kneeling.

The executioners Han Wu spoke of were the constables from the government office who had switched sides.

Each of them held a great saber, standing behind these criminals.

"Clang!"

Suddenly, a sound from a golden gong resonated, drawing all their eyes.

Zhang He, walking in front, struck the gong and said: "Everyone, quiet down, our leader is coming out, listen to what he has to say."

Zhang He stepped to the right side, pointing his hand toward Chen Mo.

Around them, the Divine Brave Guard maintained order, and the scene quickly calmed down.

Chen Mo stepped onto the high platform. Han Wu and others moved large boxes filled with wealth behind Chen Mo, and Han Wu even handed Chen Mo a small box, capturing all eyes onto Chen Mo.

Chen Mo's gaze swept over everyone, and he loudly declared: "I am the leader of the Righteous Army, my name is Chen Mo, a native of Fu Ze Village in Pingting County."

At this point, Chen Mo deliberately paused, opened the box in his hand, and lifted the head inside it.

Seeing the head in Chen Mo's hand, the people erupted in shock, recognizing it as County Magistrate Chang's head.

"The County Magistrate is dead. From now on, Pingting County is under my command. You may call me Immortal Master Chen or County Magistrate." Chen Mo said.

Upon hearing this, Zhang He, Han Wu, and even all the Divine Brave Guard were overwhelmed.

After all, they were merely grassroots farmers, and even after becoming the Divine Brave Guards, overseeing some people, they still viewed themselves as commoners, even as rebellious rebels.

But now that Chen Mo became the County Magistrate, those who followed him also became minor officials.

And Chen Mo's words implied that the future order of Pingting County would be maintained by them, not just managing the two villages outside.

With Chen Mo as County Magistrate now, in the future, if they occupied a prefecture or even a state...

A sudden ambition and expectation inexplicably arose in their hearts.

Later, Chen Mo spoke of Chang Yuan's crimes, such as oppressing the people, exploiting them ruthlessly, and committing atrocities.

Chen Mo knew he had to justify his siege actions to better win over the people's hearts.

Sure enough, after hearing Chen Mo's words, the people were shocked, showing expressions of surprise.

"Our entrance into the city this time was to eliminate corrupt officials, having nothing to do with you. This official declares here, from now on, anyone committing murder or arson in Pingting County shall face death, and those who harm others or steal will be punished. The two-year exemption of exorbitant taxes and levies allows everyone to live peacefully."

Chen Mo had already assumed the role of County Magistrate. He knew that the ordinary families inside the city were as destitute as those outside, so impoverished that extracting any taxes would be futile. He simply used this to win over the people's hearts.

Bang!

Chen Mo's words were like a bomb, instantly igniting the crowd.

Not collecting taxes for two years meant that all harvests from the fields and business profits would belong to them.

Ultimately, they didn't care who the County Magistrate was, only their own interests. Whoever favored them, they would recognize as their leader.

But that wasn't all.

Chen Mo continued, "These people were bandits who took advantage of last night's chaos to burn, kill, and loot, and now they have been caught. According to what this County Magistrate just said, they will be executed."

Turning his gaze to the execution platform, Chen Mo shouted loudly, "Execute!"

As the words fell, on the execution platform, the constables raised their blades, and dozens of heads rolled in unison.

A breeze gently blew, and the thick stench of blood instantly filled the street.

The people were so frightened their necks shrank, but soon someone cheered the good kill.

Because his wife had been violated by the bandits.

By employing both grace and might, one can better win the people's hearts.

Chen Mo waved his hand, and the large boxes behind him were opened by Han Wu and the others, revealing the gold and silver treasures inside. He did not mention that these treasures were obtained from Chang Yuan, but said:

"This official acknowledges that many of your homes were slaughtered and plundered during last night's chaos. I am deeply saddened, and thus I've decided to personally compensate you for your losses."

"Su Wen."

"I am here." Su Wen took a step forward.

"Bring in the clerks from the government office to count everyone's injuries and losses."

"Understood."

The eastern sun finally climbed to the top of the mountain, illuminating the entire city. The people's eyes turned to Chen Mo, feeling as if he were the Immortal Gods.

PS: This chapter is 3500 words.

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