Chapter 74: Dark Clouds Press the Border·Covert Schemes First Revealed

In Jiao Tu Zhen's spring, amid the bustle and clamor, half of it quietly passed.

In the newly opened fields, the seedlings were green and lush, while the workshop area's clinking sounds continued day and night.

The flow of people coming and going at the market also became noticeably denser.

The peace and resources brought by regional submission allowed this emerging force to flourish with vigorous vitality.

However.

Beneath this prosperity, a hidden undercurrent was quietly surging.

That day, Qian Gui hurried into the garrison headquarters.

His face lacked its usual smoothness, replaced by a rare solemnity.

Behind him followed a dust‑weary man dressed as a traveling merchant.

He was a capable scout sent by the Inspection Bureau to the more eastern regions.

"Chief, there is urgent news!"

Qian Gui didn't bother with pleasantries and reported directly.

Chen Wen was discussing the specifications of a new batch of crossbow bolts with Shi Dun.

Seeing this, he immediately dismissed the attendants, leaving only a few core members present.

"Speak."

After the scout stepped forward and saluted, he lowered his voice and said:

"Chief, I was ordered to go east out of the mountains, mingling in several county towns to gather intelligence."

"Regarding that 'Iron Crow Army,' we have indeed made an astonishing discovery!"

He swallowed and continued.

"Their activities are extremely covert, their movements elusive."

"But after extensive inquiries, combined with earlier prisoners' testimonies, I found that their actions seem to be linked to the northern border..."

"Especially around Taiyuan Prefecture, there are close contacts!"

"Taiyuan Prefecture?"

Chen Wen's eyes narrowed.

"Northern Han Liu Chong's territory?"

(Note: At this time, the Later Han was in internal turmoil; Liu Chong had already proclaimed himself emperor in Taiyuan and established the Northern Han.)

"Exactly!"

The scout affirmed.

"There are signs that the Iron Crow Army's grain and fodder supplies, even troop reinforcements, are likely being secretly transported via the Northern Han."

"Moreover, they appear to be helping the Northern Han with some... unsavory matters."

"What exactly?"

Zhang Cheng couldn't help but press further.

"Eliminate opponents, eradicate dissenters."

The scout's voice dropped even lower.

"Within Northern Han territory, as well as the border regions adjoining the Later Han."

"Any leader of a force that refuses to submit to the Northern Han, or that might obstruct its southward ambitions, and any local magnate."

"In the past half year, there have already been several incidents of bizarre deaths or forces being utterly eradicated."

"The method is clean and neat; the scene often leaves behind... black crow feathers."

The hall fell instantly silent.

Everyone felt a chill rise from their feet.

If one says the Iron Crow Army's earlier village massacres were to gather Nether Energy Crystal Ore,

the act, though brutal, could still be understood as a frenzied resource plunder.

then, colluding with the Northern Han to carry out targeted political assassinations and force eliminations,

this is entirely another matter!

This means the Iron Crow Army is no longer an isolated, unpredictable terror force.

but rather a deadly hidden pawn embedded in the world‑contending chessboard!

The plot behind its "master" is clearly closely tied to Northern Han Liu Chong's expansionist ambition.

"Northern Han... Liu Chong..."

Chen Wen slowly repeated that name.

Liu Chong relied on the Khitan, held sway over Hedong, and has long eyed the Central Plains' heartland with a tiger's gaze.

If the Iron Crow Army truly is a sharp hidden blade in his hand, then their "purge" plan

is likely not just aimed at a few villages, but to clear obstacles for the Northern Han's southward advance!

Jiao Tu Zhen occupies a strategic point and has developed rapidly in recent years.

Could it already have been placed on the list to be "purged"?

"Moreover!"

The scout added.

"On my way back, I noticed that the activity of unidentified scouts on the mountain paths leading to our side has clearly increased."

"Although they disguise themselves well, that gloomy vibe is somewhat like... like the Iron Crow Army's scout horses."

Each piece of news was heavier than the last.

The conspiracy of the Iron Crow Army colluding with the Northern Han surfaced.

And the other side's tentacles seem to have reached out toward Jiao Tu Zhen once again.

It seems the peace of Black Pine Forest is even more fragile than we imagined.

Qian Gui sighed.

The Mountain-piercing Leopard itself isn't scary; what's scary is the possible collusion behind it.

If Northern Han and the Iron Crow Army really intend to move against us, could the Mountain-piercing Leopard become their vanguard?

Zhang Cheng snapped:

Bring it on! I'm not afraid! This is a perfect chance to test the blades of our Elite Soldier Battalion!

Chen Wen raised his hand, stopping everyone's discussion.

He walked up to the map, his gaze deep.

The situation instantly became clear and extremely severe.

The enemy is no longer the vague 'Mountain Sprite' or 'Iron Crow'.

but a militarized terrorist organization with clear political aims, allied with a separatist regime.

We don't have much time.

Chen Wen said in a low voice.

Northern Han and the Iron Crow Army are colluding, their aim being Zhongyuan.

As for Jiao Tu Zhen, we must either submit to the iron hooves of Northern Han and the butcher's blades of the Iron Crow Army,

or we must quickly find a way to break the deadlock.

He pointed to the southwest on the map:

The Chanzhou Chai Rong mentioned by the Imperial Court envoy, as it turns out,

perhaps not just an option, but more likely a path to survival.

If he is indeed as wise as the rumors say, he could become an important force to counter Northern Han and resist the Iron Crow.

Pressure, immense pressure!

Like a tangible dark cloud, it looms over the Garrison Command.

It also weighs on everyone's hearts!

But this time, the pressure did not bring panic; instead, it sparked a resolve to fight with one's back to the wall.

Zhang Cheng, intensify the training of the Elite Soldier Battalion!

Make them into a true spearhead!

Shi Dun, prioritize armaments production, especially armor-piercing crossbow bolts!

Qian Gui, deploy more scouts to closely monitor the Northern Han direction and every move of the Mountain-piercing Leopard!

I need to know when they will act!

Lady Wang, have the Internal Affairs Bureau coordinate grain and supplies, preparing for a long-term hold!

Orders were issued one after another, and Jiao Tu Zhen, this war machine, began to operate with greater efficiency.

Chen Wen's mental 【Growth Progress Bar】 quietly rose to 70% under this immense external pressure and his insight into the complex situation.

And the intangible 'Fortune Momentum' vortex also seemed to sense this imminent crisis, spinning faster.

Binding the will of everyone on this land more tightly together.

Dark clouds have already pressed in, and covert plots begin to show their traces.

The fate of Jiao Tu Zhen has come to a crucial crossroads.