In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 728 Meeting

"I drank a bit too much, but I won't get drunk!"

Yang Erlang stepped forward and stood next to Yang Zheng, gazing at the scenery outside the window, and said, "Commander Yang, do you think the people of Liangzhou can live the same life as the villagers of Chenjia Village?"

Upon hearing this question, a look of confusion flashed in Yang Zheng's eyes, and he said, "I don't know."

Yang Zheng certainly hoped that the people of Liangzhou could live a life as prosperous as the villagers of Chenjia Village, but he also knew very well that this was not realistic.

Liangzhou has barren land, so even if Yang Zheng governs it well and the people work hard, the land's output is still limited.

unless……

We were able to obtain ice wheat seeds from Chenjia Village.

With the availability of ice wheat seeds, grain production in Liangzhou can increase significantly, ensuring that the people of Liangzhou have enough to eat.

To obtain the ice wheat seeds from Chenjia Village, Yang Zheng needs to persuade Zheng Qing and other officials from Taicang County.

To be honest, Yang Zheng wasn't very confident about this matter. He was just a rough man who came from a cowherd background. How could he possibly persuade those well-read officials?

"Yang Shuai, how about we make a move..."

"no!"

Yang Zheng knew what Yang Erlang was going to say; it was nothing more than using force to compel Chenjia Village to hand over the ice wheat seeds.

However, Yang Zheng would never resort to such a desperate measure unless absolutely necessary.

This doesn't mean that Yang Zheng was really that afraid of losing popular support, but rather that he didn't believe the Yang family army had any hope of victory in terms of military force.

Because... through today's observation, Yang Zheng discovered that Chenjia Village not only has those 300 Chenjia Army warriors, but also extremely powerful alien beasts!

Whether it was the two giant dogs he saw in the farmland or the giant bird that kept circling in the air, they all gave Yang Zheng a terrifying sense of danger.

Yang Zheng had no doubt that if Chen Dao harbored even the slightest ill will towards them, their dozen or so men would probably not have been able to leave Chenjia Village.

In short, in terms of high-end military strength, the Yang family army is completely incomparable to the Chen family village. The only way to defeat the Chen family village is to launch a massive military offensive and use a human wave tactic.

Even if a human wave tactic could capture Chenjia Village, the casualties on our side would likely be terrifying.

In the past year, far too many people have died in Liangzhou. Unless absolutely necessary, Yang Zheng really does not want to see a large number of his soldiers die.

"So what should we do?"

Seeing Yang Zheng shake his head, Yang Erlang said urgently, "If we can't get the ice wheat seeds, how can the people of Liangzhou have enough to eat?"

"Erlang, there's no need to rush."

Yang Zheng reassured them, "We'll discuss everything after we meet Zheng Qing and the others tomorrow."

"Alright! Hopefully those officials won't make things too difficult for us."

…………

…………

The next day.

As soon as dawn broke, the entire Chenjia Village came alive.

After a night's rest, the workers in Chenjia Village left their homes after breakfast and went to their respective work posts, busily and orderly getting to work.

Meanwhile, Yang Zheng opened his eyes in the guest room.

After waking Yang Erlang and washing their faces with the water brought by the restaurant staff, Yang Zheng and the others left Chencun Restaurant.

As soon as Yang Zheng stepped out of the restaurant, he saw Chen Cheng, who was already waiting outside.

Good morning, Brother Chen Cheng.

"Good morning."

After exchanging greetings, Chen Cheng said, "King Yang, come with me. Brother Dao is already waiting for you."

"Please lead the way."

Led by Chen Cheng, Yang Zheng and his group arrived at a brand-new building in less than fifteen minutes.

This building, named Chencun Building, is constructed entirely of brick and stone. It was specially built by Chenjia Village for the village's management. On weekdays, the village chief and the management of Chenjia Village would work here. There is also a conference room in the building, which is used for meetings by Chen Dao and the management of Chenjia Village.

Today, Yang Zheng is meeting with Zheng Qing and others in the conference room of the Chencun Building.

Led by Chen Cheng, Yang Zheng and the others arrived at the conference room on the second floor, where they met Chen Dao, Zheng Qing, and the four county magistrates of Taicang County.

"This must be Yang Tianwang from Liangzhou?"

Hearing footsteps, Zheng Qing turned his head to look at the door, and then saw the famous King Yang Zheng of Kyushu!

Unlike the "King Yang" Zheng Qing had imagined, Yang Zheng's simple clothes and not-so-tall stature made him look more like a farmer than a "King".

Not only Zheng Qing, but also the four county magistrates of Taicang County, Xu Zhiwen, Li Qingyun, Zhang Jun, and Cui Rong, were sizing up Yang Zheng.

Yang Zheng's name resounded throughout the land, and even farmers who worked in the fields all day knew of his reputation. Xu Zhiwen and others naturally had heard of him.

only……

The Yang Zheng who appeared before them at this moment was somewhat different from the Yang Zheng in the rumors.

According to rumors circulating in the city, Yang Zheng is a devil with superhuman strength, three heads and six arms, and who kills without blinking an eye.

But it's obvious that the rumors are false.

The real Yang Zheng obviously doesn't have three heads and six arms. As for whether he has superhuman strength or is ruthless in killing, we can't tell yet.

"Prefect Zheng!"

Although Yang Zheng had never met Zheng Qing before, he recognized Zheng Qing's identity immediately and bowed to her.

Upon seeing this, Zheng Qing returned the greeting and then said, "King Yang, please sit down."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zheng gestured for his personal guards to wait outside the door, while he led Yang Erlang into the meeting room and took their seats.

"Squeak!"

The conference room door closed.

The atmosphere in the meeting room immediately became serious.

Perhaps sensing the somewhat somber atmosphere, Xu Zhiwen smiled and said, "King Yang is quite bold. The biggest rebel designated by the imperial court actually dares to appear before us five imperial officials."

"An official appointed by the imperial court?"

Yang Zheng also laughed: "Officials of the imperial court would not collude with those who murder the king, much less kill the emperor's confidants."

Yang Zheng was referring to Zheng Qing and the others who had colluded with Chen Dao and, together with Chen Dao, killed the commander of the Black-Clad Guards.

Zheng Qing and his associates, who were capable of doing these things, were clearly not "officials appointed by the imperial court".

Because as soon as the imperial court finds out about these things, Zheng Qing and others will immediately lose their official positions, be arrested and imprisoned, and their only fate will be to die in prison.

"King Yang knows quite a lot!"

Zheng Qing glanced at Chen Dao. It was obvious that Chen Dao had told Yang Zheng all this, otherwise Yang Zheng, who was far away in Liangzhou, would not have known that they had killed Li Gang.

After all, when Li Gang was killed, the entire South Gate area had been cleared out by Li Qingyun, and the city guards who witnessed the incident had all been silenced by Li Qingyun, so it was impossible for outsiders to know about it in a short period of time.

"Gentlemen, let's not play these cryptic games!"

Noticing Zheng Qing's gaze, Chen Dao smiled and said, "Since you have all come here, you must be here with the intention of cooperating. Let's keep it simple and have an open and frank discussion."