Chapter 51: The Secret Letter from Li Family Village

Jiao Tu Zhen operated in a frantic rhythm of outwardly lax but inwardly tight for nearly a month.

Weapon stockpiles in the workshops grew higher, militia drills became increasingly proficient, and defensive works steadily improved.

The "peace" bought with humiliation was like a taut string, tugging at everyone's nerves.

The agreed-upon day for the first tribute payment drew near, and the atmosphere grew ever more oppressive.

That evening, Chen Wen had just returned from the drill field, covered in sweat and dirt, and was about to verify the final tribute list with Aunt Wang.

— fifty pieces of tanned leather, ten dan of sun‑dried herbs, and fifty shi of grain that hurts to part with.

Just then, a slight commotion came from the town gate.

A militiaman led a dust‑weary, farmer‑clad man walking briskly over.

Upon seeing Chen Wen, the man glanced around warily.

Then he produced from his bosom a small bamboo tube tightly wrapped in oilcloth and whispered:

"Chief Chen, I am a clerk of the Li Family Village Goods Shop; by the master's order, I must deliver this letter into your hands personally."

Li Family Village? Li Chong?

Chen Wen's heart stirred, but his face remained unchanged; he took the tube and signaled Aunt Wang to have people arrange rest for the messenger.

He alone returned to the council hut, shut the doors and windows, then carefully unwrapped the oilcloth and took out a thin scroll of silk from inside the bamboo tube.

Unfolding the silk, one saw Li Chong's familiar, somewhat rough yet vigorous and powerful handwriting. The letter's content was brief, yet every word weighed a thousand jin.

"Dear Brother Chen Wen,"

It's been over a month since we parted; I hear your town has wiped out Black Wind, enjoyed a bountiful harvest—cause for joy and celebration.

Yet where there is great fame, danger follows.

The suspected troublemakers within the village have already been eradicated.

He confessed, having been directed by the Scout Commander under Liu Du Tou's command, tasked with scouting the surroundings, especially watching your town's movements.

According to his confession, Liu Du Tou has resolved to consolidate the western advance, regarding your town as a must‑take target, for no other reason.

Simply "too rich to be controlled."

The time of action is likely after the first tribute payment, when your guard may lapse—just right for a thunderbolt strike.

Beware! Beware!

Moreover, news comes from the east!

Several villages were successively raided, people and livestock lost; the scene left only scorched earth and strange crow feathers, their modus operandi closely resembling the "Iron Crow" heard of in the northern lands last year.

This affair is mysterious, yet possibly far‑reaching; I therefore inform you, hoping you will weigh it yourself.

The world is perilous; I hope you will plan early and keep safe myriad beings.

Li Chong's handwritten letter.

The letter trembled slightly in Chen Wen's hand, not from fear but from a violent emotional surge caused by the sheer weight of the information.

Although I had anticipated it, Li Chong's letter undoubtedly confirmed the worst suspicions.

Moreover, it gave an almost precise timetable—after the tribute payment, Liu Du Tou will strike!

The reason is bluntly "too rich to be controlled"; in this chaotic age, to hold a jade is to invite crime.

And the news at the letter's end about the "Iron Crow" was like a cold current shooting up Chen Wen's spine.

Iron Crow Army!

That mysterious army that left him a deep psychological scar—its tendrils have actually reached this region?

Could the strange happenings in the east actually be linked to them?

This is undoubtedly a longer‑term threat more dangerous and unpredictable than Liu Du Tou.

【Obtained critical intel, confirming the urgency and gravity of external threats; crisis insight increased (x Bonus)! Diligence Points (WP) +120!】

【Current WP: 8151】

Pressure surged like a collapsing mountain and tsunami, yet Chen Wen's eight‑fold thinking grew icier and clearer under the extreme strain.

He drew a deep breath, held the silk to the oil lamp to ignite it, and watched it turn to ash.

All hopes of luck have shattered; the only path left is to prepare for battle!

He immediately summoned Zhang Cheng and Aunt Wang.

"Liu Du Tou will surely strike after we pay the tribute."

Chen Wen got straight to the point, his tone calm yet carrying an indisputable resolve.

"Time is short—it could be just these few days."

Zhang Cheng and Aunt Wang's faces instantly turned pale; although they had been mentally prepared, the definite news still dealt a huge blow.

"The letter from Master Li also says," Chen Wen continued.

"The Iron Crow Army has appeared in the east."

"Iron Crow Army!!"

Zhang Cheng gasped in shock, and Aunt Wang trembled all over— they had already heard Chen Wen speak of the Iron Crow Army's rumors.

"They probably won't directly threaten us for now, but this is a dangerous sign."

Chen Wen said in a low voice.

"Now we must focus all our efforts to meet Liu Du Tou!"

"Our previous war preparations must be adjusted at once, entering the highest combat readiness!"

He spoke extremely fast, issuing a series of orders:

"Zhang Cheng! Effective immediately, cancel all nonessential outings; the militia shall stand guard in shifts, sentries posted ten li out, and all roads to the town closely watched!"

"Tribute preparations proceed as usual, but the transport detail must be escorted by your finest squad, with the route repeatedly checked!"

"Go quick and return quick; if any abnormality arises, abandon the supplies and retreat to the town at once!"

Aunt Wang! Immediately activate the emergency plan, and transfer the elderly, weak, women and children, and important supplies in advance to the concealed points prepared behind the mountain!

Only combat personnel and three days' rations are to remain in the town.

All food supplies must be ready to be burned if necessary, leaving nothing for the enemy.

Also, notify everyone that the decisive battle could come at any moment; the life or death of Jiao Tu Zhen hangs on this battle!

The order was clear and decisive, carrying an indisputable force.

Zhang Cheng and Aunt Wang recovered from their initial shock, infected by Chen Wen's calm and decisiveness.

He gave a solemn promise, turned and ran off to carry it out.

Once again, only Chen Wen remained inside the house.

He walked to the window, gazing at the town outside gradually shrouded in dusk.

Beneath the tranquil surface, a tremendous force was being mobilized, like a volcano about to erupt.

His consciousness sank into the System Interface, where the WP number had already reached 8151, seemingly having reached a certain critical point.

The System seemed to be stirring, faintly transmitting the fluctuations of a prompt, tempting him to upgrade.

A sixteenfold increase in ability would undoubtedly greatly enhance his personal combat power, possibly creating a miracle in this seemingly lopsided battle.

But Chen Wen's gaze lingered on that tempting prompt for a moment, then he firmly turned away.

Not now.

The changes brought by an upgrade are unknown, possibly requiring an adaptation period, and what we lack most right now is time.

More importantly, he cannot place all his hopes on a surge of personal martial power.

This is a war concerning the survival of the entire collective; he needs overall strength, meticulous planning, and everyone working together in unity.

He forcibly suppressed this urge to upgrade, like sheathing a drawn sword temporarily.

This will be kept as a last resort, a trump card for a desperate counterattack or to face a more terrifying enemy.

Liu Du Tou… if you want to swallow my Jiao Tu Zhen, just see if your teeth are hard enough!

Chen Wen muttered under his breath, his eyes burning with a calm flame.

Jiao Tu Zhen, this war machine, finally tore off its disguise and entered full-speed operation.

The war clouds have already pressed down on the city.