These domineering bandits never thought that the people of Lingdong County would resist and do so fiercely.
As the returning government officials returned to the defense and both sides attacked, the besieging bandits finally broke up and fled in all directions.
Countless people standing on the city tower watched this scene, waving and shouting.
"Great, we won! We won!"
The bandits in Lingdong County were defeated, and the news quickly spread to the Song family mansion.
Song Wen, who was able to get out of bed and sit up, was stunned. He stared at his subordinates and kept asking.
The excitement made the subordinates feel scared, but they had to bite the bullet and say what they just said again.
"Damn it! Damn it! How is this possible? Thousands of people can't even defeat civilians. What a bunch of useless trash."
No matter how angry Song Wen was, he could not change the fact that it happened.
Compared to Song Wen's anger, Song Qing was calmer. He frowned, remained silent, and said after a while.
"Now is not the time to be angry. This Zhou Qi is really capable. We can't sit still and wait for death."
"Go, let me know, prepare some money and food, and go and congratulate you."
"Father, why do you want to congratulate? This Zhou Qi relies on someone to support him and doesn't take the Song family seriously at all. If he goes to congratulate him now, his arrogance will become even more arrogant!"
Rong Wen was very puzzled. Rong Qing shook his head and said, "Zhou Qi is not a fool for what we did in the city. When the bandits retreat, Zhou Qi will definitely take action on me."
"It's time to congratulate. Even Zhou Qi can't say anything. Moreover, we can go find out who is behind Zhou Qi's arrogance."
"By the way, Wen'er, don't be idle. Tell your sister the news here. No matter what, we must be prepared."
Song Wen's face was solemn and he didn't say much. Soon Song Qing and his son divided their troops into two groups and began to take action.
…
At the Lingdong County Gate Tower, the bandits' retreat did not allow the supporting people to retreat.
Except for some selected young adults who followed the county officials out of the city to pursue them, the others began to repair the city tower and take care of the wounded according to Zhou Qi's arrangements.
The bandits were defeated, but the people in the city still suffered a lot of casualties.
But even so, the faces of these people showed no fear at all, and they were all excited.
The bandits they regarded as a nightmare were actually repelled by them today and were still running away.
This gave everyone an unreal feeling, but seeing their injured companions in front of them pulled them back.
On the tower, Zhou Qi, whose official robes were stained with blood, was holding a broadsword. Although he was a little tired, his old face was flushed.
Zhou Qi raised his arms and shouted to the dense crowd of people below the tower.
"Everyone, as long as we work together, you have seen that even the vicious bandits can be defeated by us!"
"I swear to protect our homeland to the death! If there is a next time, I will definitely kill no one."
"Yes, Mr. Zhou is right. If we unite as one, no matter how many bandits there are, we can still kill them until they dare!"
In an instant, the people below the city tower were infected by Zhou Qi's excitement, and everyone raised their arms and shouted.
This is the power of the human heart! As long as we unite as one, this nightmare will be over today!
At this moment, a congratulatory voice sounded from a distance.
"Mr. Zhou is worthy of being the father-in-law of our county. Today's heroic feat made Mr. Song very impressed."
"Song, as a member of the county, should make a contribution. I hope you won't dislike this money and food."
After a while, at least ten carriages came slowly behind Song Qing.
There were large boxes piled on the carriage. The boxes were opened and a large amount of money and grain appeared.
The onlookers immediately widened their eyes.
There are at least five thousand taels and one thousand catties of grain in these boxes.
These two things are currently in short supply and most valuable in Lingdong County.
The Song family is indeed a wealthy family, and this move is really a big deal.
If they hadn't retained their sense, I'm afraid they would have snatched it away at the next moment.
Unfortunately, these things do not belong to them, but were given to Magistrate Zhou by the head of the Song family.
If he tried to rob him, he would probably be imprisoned immediately.
Although he was envious, there was obviously an inexplicable atmosphere on the court.
That kind of atmosphere, with different thoughts, was very cold, and it suddenly dispersed the people's hearts that had just been gathered together.
Song Qing smiled, but he was sneering in his heart.
He came forward at this time, partly to gain fame, but more importantly, to break away the people's respect for Zhou Qi.
When encountering a situation that threatens the life of a city, it is right to unite as one and unite at this time, but when the danger is relieved and rewards are given with materials, it is difficult to judge the people's hearts at this time.
After all, people are selfish, even if the people present are silent because of fear, as long as this jealousy is planted in their hearts.
One day, this kind of jealousy will turn into hatred! How much respect and reputation Zhou Qi has gained now will be returned to him doubled when the time comes.
Song Qing's ability to survive in Lingdong County for so many years was not only due to the huge Song family behind him, but also to his manipulation of people's hearts.
Seeing Song Qing's smiling face, Zhou Qi cupped his fists and cupped his hand and said, "I admire the Lord Song's generosity. In this case, I will thank the Lord Song on behalf of the people in the city."
Song Qing nodded, and the smile on his face became even wider, but after a while, his smile became stiff.
"Wait a minute, for the whole city..."
A thought flashed across Song Qing's mind, and he suddenly had a bad feeling.
The next moment, Zhou Qi's voice sounded, "Come here, distribute these money and grains, and one share will be counted among the people in the city."
Soon, his subordinates stepped forward to maintain order and began to distribute money and food. This move not only made Song and Qing stunned on the spot, but also the common people who had other thoughts were in a state of confusion.
If it weren't for the greetings from their companions, they wouldn't have believed that the scene in front of them was real.
Compared to the thousands of people who came to support the city, even if the money and food were distributed to everyone, it would not be too much.
But this is not a matter of more money or less, but an attitude.
Zhou Qi really saw their hard work in his eyes.
This is a sense of identity, which is particularly important for the people living at the bottom.
Many people had tears in their eyes and shouted loudly, "Sir Zhou's great kindness will be unforgettable for the rest of our lives. As long as we are useful in the future, please give us your orders!"
Zhou Qi stepped forward and greeted everyone. He looked very harmonious.
Looking at Song Qing, the corners of his mouth were twitching, and his face looked unspeakably ugly.
He didn't expect that Zhou Qi would do this. What a good trick.
Song Qing quickly returned to normal. He lost this game. He underestimated Zhou Qi. As expected of an old fox, this is not the end!
Song Qing looked at the joyful people in front of him, turned around and left.
At this time, Zhou Qi's voice sounded.
"Master Song, why are you leaving in such a hurry? I still have some things to trouble Master Song."
After hearing this, Song Qing turned around with a smile on his face, but it was perfunctory.
"Haha, Mr. Zhou, Mr. Song is very happy to see the adults and the people unite as one. But there are still some things at home, so I won't stay here any longer."
"If Mr. Zhou needs anything, just ask him. Song will definitely do whatever he can."
After saying that, Song Qing turned around and left without any intention of staying.
At this time, Zhou Qi's voice sounded.
"The bandits outside the city have been defeated, and the crisis in Lingdong City has been resolved. Now I have to solve the monopoly on price points in the city. This matter will trouble the Song family head."
As soon as these words came out, Song Qing was startled, turned around and asked, "Oh, what does this matter have to do with Song? Song doesn't understand what the Lord said."
Zhou Qi nodded and said with a smile, "That's good. Since it has nothing to do with the head of the Song family, this matter will be easy to handle. Come here and pass on my order to seal down Qingwen Grain Store and Songji Bank immediately."
"Master Zhou, what do you mean?" Song Qing couldn't sit still this time and shouted coldly.
"It's nothing interesting. It's just that these two grain stores and banks were suspected of monopolizing prices a few days ago. I am just investigating and handling it in accordance with the law. Moreover, I have just asked the head of the Song family about this matter. The head of the Song family was very happy. What's going on now?"
Zhou Qi showed a very innocent look, and Song Qing clenched his hands.
As long as an individual can know, the two grain stores and banks sealed by Zhou Qi are originally the property of the Song family, and they are the two largest ones. They are the money trees of the Song family.
Once sealed, the Song family's vitality will not only be severely damaged, but they will also suffer from physical pain for a long time.
Zhou Qi did this to completely break up with the Song family, and he did so without leaving any room.
Song Qing took a few steps forward with a smile on his face, but his deep voice revealed his anger and threats.
"Master Zhou, today you have to give Song some face, and you have to make the matter bigger."
"Is it making a big fuss? A few days ago, Master Song came to Lingdong County Government Office. His attitude was not very obvious. Could it be that Master Song didn't tell you, a father? If that's the case, then it shouldn't be."
Song Qing's face at this moment was livid with anger, and his eyes could spit out fire. Anyone could see that Song Qing's anger had reached its peak.
The people around him retreated one after another for fear of being affected.
Just when the people around him thought that a big battle would break out between the two sides, Song Qing's clenched fists suddenly relaxed.
The angry expression on his face returned, and he stretched out his palm, gently placed it on Zhou Qi's shoulder, and whispered.
No one present knew what they were going to say. After Song Qing finished speaking, he turned around and left.
But Zhou Qi, who was smiling, said softly, "If you want to kill me, let's see if your Song family has the ability."
When Song Qing walked away, Zhou Qi turned his head and said to the subordinate beside him, "Don't be stunned. Didn't you hear what I just said?"
"I'm going to tell you again, if there is resistance during the seizure, we will kill without mercy!"
The subordinates nodded repeatedly after hearing this. On the one hand, they were shocked by Zhou Qi's order. On the other hand, their faces were obviously excited, which was a feeling of elation.
