Chapter 47: The Envoy of the Great Warlord

The lingering echo of the harvest has not yet faded, and the warning words brought by the merchants still ring in the ears.

The "visitor" that Jiao Tu Zhen had been worrying about arrived in an extremely oppressive manner.

At noon that day, the scorching sun hung high in the sky.

On the road west of the town, a rolling cloud of dust rose.

Unlike the disordered merchant caravans, this troop, though only a little over ten riders, maintained strict formation and uniform steps.

The hoofbeats were dull yet powerful, striking the dry land.

They also struck the hearts of every Jiao Tu Zhen villager who saw them.

The militiamen on the watchtower first sounded the warning horn.

The mournful horn blast instantly shattered the town's tranquility, and the people laboring in the fields all straightened up.

The clanging in the workshop stopped abruptly; everyone instinctively looked west, their faces showing tension and unease.

Chen Wen was in the workshop discussing the forging of a new batch of farming tools with Shi Dun.

Hearing the sound, his face turned solemn; he put down the iron in his hands and said to Shi Dun:

"They're here!"

"As we discussed earlier, let everyone return to their posts; don't panic, but stay alert."

Having said that, he strode swiftly toward the town gate.

Zhang Cheng and Aunt Wang also heard the news and rushed over, following behind him with solemn expressions.

Climbing onto the wooden wall, that troop was already near.

Uniformly sturdy mules and horses, each rider wearing semi-worn leather armor.

They wore standard waist swords at their belts, their expressions arrogant, eyes sharp, exuding a fierce air forged by long battlefield experience.

The leader, about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, had a slightly dark complexion.

A knife scar ran from his brow bone to his cheek, adding a touch of ferocity.

He reined in his horse and surveyed Jiao Tu Zhen's wooden wall, which was not particularly tall but unusually sturdy and neat.

And the militiamen on the wall, though dressed plainly, stood tall and held weapons.

A faint flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, hardly noticeable.

"Who is in charge here?"

The scar-faced rider's voice was loud, carrying an air of superiority.

"We come by order of Commander Liu Du Tou to announce an important matter!"

Chen Wen stepped forward and stood on the wall.

He calmly met the other's scrutinizing gaze:

"I am the person in charge of Jiao Tu Zhen, Chen Wen. I do not know what instructions Commander Liu Du Tou has."

【Entering the "Earnest Selflessness" state! Aura, perception, and negotiation abilities increased eightfold!】

Eightfold perception allowed Chen Wen to instantly notice many details:

Though this cavalry unit is elite, they are dusty and weary, with white foam at the corners of the mules' mouths, clearly having traveled a long distance;

Their equipment, while uniform, shows worn leather armor and nicked scabbards, indicating they are not pampered guards but soldiers who frequently carry out missions;

The scar-faced leader's tone may be arrogant, but a hint of caution lurks deep in his eyes; he is no mere brute.

Seeing Chen Wen's youth yet steady bearing, the scar-faced man

Facing his own force of over ten elite riders showing no fear, he thought even more highly of him.

Yet his tone remained harsh:

"Instructions? Hmph, Chen Wen, listen well!"

"Commander Liu Du Tou is benevolent; considering how hard it is for you to carve out a living in these troubled times, he specially permits you to submit!"

"Effective immediately, Jiao Tu Zhen must obey Commander Liu Du Tou's orders!"

"Each month you must deliver five hundred piculs of grain, one hundred hides, and fifty able-bodied men to serve in the army!"

"No mistakes allowed!"

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar broke out both on and below the wall.

Zhang Cheng flushed with anger, his fists clenched until they cracked.

Aunt Wang also sucked in a breath of cold air.

"Five hundred piculs of grain per month?"

"That is nearly half of Jiao Tu Zhen's summer harvest this time!"

"Plus the hides and fifty able-bodied men?"

"This is not pacification; it is outright plunder, seeking to drain Jiao Tu Zhen's lifeblood!"

Chen Wen's anger rose in his heart, but eightfold calm kept his expression unchanged.

He clearly realized this was not a negotiation but an ultimatum.

The other side's purpose is twofold: to probe and to plunder.

"This general..."

Chen Wen's tone remained calm, yet it held a hidden edge.

"I appreciate Commander Liu Du Tou's goodwill."

"However, Jiao Tu Zhen has few people and struggles to sustain itself; such a heavy tribute is truly beyond our ability."

"Moreover, the townsfolk have all come here to escape disaster, seeking only a peaceful life; they have no intention of joining the army."

The scar-faced man raised his eyebrows and shouted sternly:

"Chen Wen! Don't be shameless!"

Liu Du Tou's order—how could you possibly defy it?

Within a hundred li around, who dares not to obey?

Looking at your settlement, it's neatly built; I suppose you've gathered a lot of grain.

Could it be you want to imitate Black Wind Stronghold and declare yourself king?

His words were an undisguised threat, equating disobedience with rebellion.

Chen Wen's gaze swept over the opposing troops, noticing when the scar-faced man mentioned Black Wind Stronghold.

A few cavalrymen behind him had slightly shifting eyes, seeming quite concerned about Jiao Tu Zhen's ability to wipe out Black Wind Stronghold.

He knew full well they were not ignorant of Jiao Tu Zhen.

General, your words are overly grave.

Chen Wen said slowly.

Jiao Tu Zhen seeks only self-defense and has never harbored unreasonable ambitions.

Black Wind Stronghold brings disaster to the countryside; eradicating it is carrying out Heaven's will.

If Liu Du Tou were truly a benevolent ruler, he ought to sympathize with our hardships rather than demand tribute we cannot bear.

He paused, then raised his voice somewhat.

Not only to the scar-faced man, but also to all the townsfolk within the walls listening closely, he said:

Every grain of Jiao Tu Zhen's food is watered with the sweat of our fellow villagers;

Every able-bodied man is the mainstay of his family.

If you demand we hand over our survival rations and give up our sons and husbands, how is that different from forcing us to die?

Such 'submission'—we cannot obey!

From within the walls came subdued echoes and heavy breathing; Chen Wen's words struck the hearts of all the townsfolk.

The scar-faced man hadn't expected Chen Wen to be so unyielding; his face darkened to the point of dripping water.

He fixed Chen Wen with a hard stare, as if trying to overwhelm him with his gaze.

But Chen Wen's calm and resolve, bolstered by an eightfold aura, actually made him feel an intangible pressure.

He realized this youngster before him was no ordinary opponent!

And Jiao Tu Zhen was certainly no soft persimmon to be easily intimidated.

Good! Good! Chen Wen, you've got guts!

The scar-faced man laughed angrily.

I'll take your words back to Liu Du Tou unchanged!

I hope you can still be so stubborn then!

Let's go!

Having said that, he turned his horse, rode off full of anger and a hint of apprehension, dust rising again.

Watching the departing cavalry, Zhang Cheng urged anxiously:

Chief, we've thoroughly offended Liu Du Tou now!

Chen Wen gazed at the dust vanishing at the road's end, his eyes deep:

If we don't offend them, will they let us off?

In this chaotic world, showing weakness only brings a quicker death.

At least we've let them know Jiao Tu Zhen is no soft persimmon to be pushed around.

【Facing the great warlord's threat, neither humble nor arrogant, protecting collective interests, leader's bearing and diplomatic skill enhanced (x Bonus)! Diligence Points (WP)+120!】

【Current WP: 7301】

Though the envoy has left, a heavy pressure looms like wind filling the tower before a mountain rain.

Everyone understands that the facade of peace has been completely torn apart.

Liu Du Tou's will will not change because of a single refusal.

Next time they come, it will likely not be an envoy but true weapons of war.

Jiao Tu Zhen must make full preparations for the impending storm.

Chen Wen turned, gazing at the tense yet determined faces within the town, and said in a low voice:

Have you all seen this? If you want peaceful days, you must have the ability to guard them! From today on, everyone, prepare for battle!