Chapter 85: Yangguangzhai's Notoriety Spreads

He was initially reluctant when he received the County Magistrate's order, saying that officials one rank higher crush people, and as a detachment commander of a small-town garrison soldier, his authority was naturally less than the magistrate's.

Moreover, his position was lucrative—most of the daily gate revenue went into his pocket—so he didn't want to cause trouble and obeyed the magistrate's command.

He had already heard the smashing noises last night, but he paid no heed because of the magistrate's order.

The magistrate didn't tell him the truth, only saying that the refugee issue remained unresolved and that he needed to stage a scene—letting a few refugees into the city to cause panic and draw the governor's attention.

The detachment commander thought, since the trouble was his idea, he's just following orders and can't be blamed.

When the appointed time arrived, the commander led his soldiers out, expecting only a formality, but the city had already descended into chaos.

The refugees were wreaking havoc everywhere, and the flames nearly engulfed Jiangcheng.

Seeing that the situation differed from the magistrate's description, the commander lost his composure and rushed to find the magistrate to inquire.

To his surprise, he found the magistrate's body dismembered and the residence empty, looking exactly like a place that had been robbed.

Liu, the County Magistrate, got what he deserved; he lied because he didn't want to share the benefits with the commander, causing the commander to blame all the culprits on the refugees.

Though the magistrate was dead, the commander could not stand idly by as Jiangcheng fell.

So he led the garrison soldiers to intervene, locking up the rioting refugees, sealing the city gate, fighting fires, tallying casualties—busy enough to feel his feet leave the ground.

Even so, the commander knew his position was doomed; many townsfolk could testify, his arrival was late, and at best he faced a charge of dereliction of duty.

And Liu was already dead; even if he tried to shift blame onto him, it would be useless.

He still couldn't understand how things had come to this state.

Not everyone was kept in the dark; many learned the truth through various channels, and it was the bandits on Lianhuan Shan who did it.

The rumors naturally came from the neighboring outlying area; at first someone said that no one knew the details, but the story sounded logical and convincing, so everyone believed it.

In just one day, Yangguangzhai's notorious reputation spread around, leaving everyone anxious and even daring not to travel the official road beneath Lianhuan Shan.

Even when Menghuzhai once occupied Lianhuan Shan, its notoriety was unlikely to be as frightening as Yangguangzhai's now.

Rumors said the big boss of Yangguangzhai drank a dou of blood each day, and it had to be from children under eight.

Moreover, the bandits of Yangguangzhai ate only human flesh, using skulls as bowls and ribs as chopsticks.

Such outrageous rumors were numerous, and now mentioning Yangguangzhai provoked countless shouts and curses.

The people of Yangguangzhai were still unaware, and even if they knew, they wouldn't care; after all, those who care about reputation wouldn't turn to banditry.

The vast Beijiang harbored countless bandit hideouts, but Yangguangzhai was indeed the first to dare raid a city successfully.

Consequently, Yangguangzhai's name spread among the bandits, and many believed it would be wiped out by troops sent by the Prince of North Defense; now Yangguangzhai was like an autumn ant, soon to fall!

Others thought that Yangguangzhai, fierce and bold, would make a mark in Beijiang, though such opinions were rare.

Moreover, the news quickly reached Liu Family Village, and when Jiang Jinshi's eldest uncle learned of it, he immediately set out for Da Jiang Cun.

"No, I have to go to Da Jiang Cun to check on my little sister; it's close to Jiangcheng."

The second uncle grabbed a hatchet and followed, "I'll go with you, keep an eye out."

Jiang Jinshi's grandfather shouted to his two sons already on the road, "On the way... be careful, it's chaotic out there!"

When Jiang Jinshiyi's family was impoverished, the two uncles would occasionally bring grain to help, so last time Liu's mother, seeing the household conditions improved, sent some grain back.

Since Jiang Jinshi wasn't home then, he didn't discuss it with him; later Jiang Jinshi didn't inquire, only knowing his mother had visited his grandfather's house.

His grandfather's home wasn't wealthy either, but the two uncles were diligent and skilled, so the family hasn't reached the point of being unable to cook a meal.

However, after the two uncles left, the family kept worrying, and even the eldest aunt disapproved of the uncle's actions.

In her view, if Da Jiang Cun were raided by bandits, her husband going there would be useless and dangerous.

Yet she dared not voice it, fearing her husband's scolding, and could only anxiously linger at the doorway, hoping to see him return safely soon.

On the way, the two moved cautiously, avoiding the road and taking a forest detour, which made their arrival at Da Jiang Cun take longer than usual.

They hid at Da Jiang Cun's entrance, peering inside cautiously, but the silent village startled them, and they hesitated to step forward.

"We've come so many times, yet even at night it's never this quiet!"

"Indeed! Da Jiang Cun has more people than our village; why is it quieter than Liu Family Village?"

After half a day of discussion without an answer, they finally decided to sneak in and investigate.

This abnormality made the two uneasy; they couldn't rest until they saw Liu Yu safe.

At this moment, in Jiang Jinshi's home, three people were having lunch, chatting idly.

"Why do the uncles and aunties in the village seem so odd these past two days?" Xiao Lizi swayed her twin ponytails, which Li Xinyue had tied for her, and she liked them.

"What's strange about it?"

Liu Yu lowered her head, stitching by the bedside; now they had cloth, so she needed to quickly make new clothes for the whole family.

Li Xinyue stayed silent, apparently listening to their chat, but was actually browsing the system mall, craving hot pot!

Otherwise, sneak off to a deserted spot and indulge?

Jiang Li lifted her head, thought, and replied to Liu Mother, "It's... they invited me to eat with them."

Liu Mother still didn't look up, "That's not surprising! Do you remember what mother told you?"

Jiang Li nodded seriously and said, "I remember! Mother said, they're just being polite; if you actually eat their free meal, they'll be displeased!"

But Jiang Li had more to say; just as she was about to speak, a voice came from the doorway.

"Great! Little sister and Xiao Lizi are both fine!"

Jiang Li turned and saw two burly men holding hatchets at her doorstep, their faces wearing ecstatic smiles.