In the famine, others ate Guanyin soil, but he had space to build a farm.

At the edge of the vast mine, Zhang Shan stood alone, his eyes as sharp as a torch, looking into the misty distance. His figure looked lonely and resolute in the afterglow of the setting sun, and the faint worry between his eyebrows was like an unresolved war drum, beating his heart all the time.

After several days of continuous fighting, his team successfully occupied two nearby towns, but the joy of victory was overshadowed by the shadow of food shortage. He knew that this was not only a shortage of materials, but also a severe test of the team's morale. Every night when it was quiet, he could hear the sound of soldiers tossing and turning due to hunger, and that sound was like a needle piercing his heart.

"Brother Zhang, we have to think of a solution!" A young soldier with a thin face and eyes full of anxiety and helplessness said. His words broke the silence around him and made Zhang Shan feel even more depressed.

Zhang Shan took a deep breath, turned around, and looked at me with a firm and deep gaze: "I know that what we need is not just the food we have now, but long-term security. The county town has the county treasury we need, as well as the food hoarded by those corrupt officials. As long as we can take over the county town, we can solve the current dilemma."

However, as soon as he finished speaking, someone asked worriedly: "But the county town's guards must be much stronger than the town. Can we really capture it?"

Zhang Shan clenched his fists, as if he wanted to concentrate all his strength at this moment. He said in a deep voice: "I know this is difficult, but we must try. We can't sit and wait for death, and we can't let our brothers fight on an empty stomach. We must do our best for our future and our homeland!"

His words were like a flash of lightning, piercing the dark night sky and igniting the fire in the hearts of the soldiers. Their eyes began to flash with a firm light, which was a spark of faith and the dawn of hope.

Therefore, Zhang Shan began to make a detailed plan to attack the county. They will use their wisdom and courage to defeat those corrupt officials and seize their food and future.

However, at this moment, someone suddenly ran over in a hurry, panting and shouting: "Brother Zhang, someone from the county town is here to see you!"

Zhang Shan was moved when he heard the news. He knew that the county's defense force must be much stronger than the town, and there was also grain stored in the county treasury and by corrupt officials. If he could reach some kind of agreement with the people in the county, perhaps they could solve their current predicament.

He signaled the person to bring the people from the county up. After a while, a man in official uniform was brought to Zhang Shan. The man bowed and said, "I am the chief clerk of Xishan County. I am here on the orders of the county magistrate to discuss a matter with the hero Zhang."

Zhang Shan nodded slightly, signaling him to continue. Shi Zhubu continued, "The county magistrate knows that the troops led by Zhang Daxia are brave and good at fighting, and have effectively governed the surrounding towns. He hopes to reach an agreement with Zhang Daxia to jointly maintain peace in this area."

Zhang Shan's heart moved, and he asked, "Oh? I wonder what the county magistrate thinks specifically?"

The clerk said, "The county magistrate is willing to give a portion of the county's grain to Zhang Da Xia in exchange for Zhang Da Xia's protection of the county. At the same time, he also hopes that Zhang Da Xia can restrain his brothers and not harass the people of the county at will."

Zhang Shan fell into deep thought after hearing this. He knew that this was a rare opportunity to solve the food problem and establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the county. However, he also knew that this opportunity was not without cost. He had to ensure that the county officials could truly fulfill their promises, rather than just make hypocritical concessions for the sake of immediate peace.

So he said, "I can agree to the county magistrate's request, but I have one condition. The corrupt officials in the county must be punished. Their food and property should be used to help the people instead of being hoarded by them. How about this, all the officials in the county government take out half of their property, and we will distribute it to these suffering people! I will agree to your request!"

After hearing Zhang Shan's words, Li Zhubu showed a trace of embarrassment on his face. He knew that Zhang Shan's request was not unreasonable, but a warning and punishment to the county officials. However, he also knew that it would not be easy to get these officials to willingly hand over half of their property. But he also knew that if he did not agree to Zhang Shan's request, there would be no peace in the county.

So, he nodded and said, "I will convey Mr. Zhang's conditions to the county magistrate. I believe he will make a wise choice."

In this way, Zhang Shan temporarily stopped his plan to attack the county town. Li Zhubu hurried back to the county town and reported the situation to the county magistrate.

"How is the Li Zhubu doing?" asked County Magistrate Chen anxiously.

The official sighed and said, "Zhang Shan asked the county magistrate to take out some of the grain to help the people and asked all the officials in our county to take out half of their property."

County Magistrate Chen's face suddenly changed and he snorted coldly, "This kid is so arrogant that he actually dares to target us!" He was very angry. He originally thought that Zhang Shan was just a country bumpkin, but he didn't expect that he would dare to make such a request. This was simply a challenge to their authority!

"Besides this, does he have any other requirements?" asked County Magistrate Chen.

Li Zhubu shook his head and said, "No, there are only these two conditions."

County Magistrate Chen frowned and said, "What! He actually plans to target us!" He felt very shocked and angry. This was simply cutting their flesh!

Li Zhubu sighed and said, "Yes, he is serious this time. We have to find a way to deal with it."

"Then what do you think we should do?" asked County Magistrate Chen.

Li Zhubu thought for a moment and said, "We can first agree to his request and give him some food and property, then secretly send someone to contact the state government and ask them to send troops for reinforcement. As long as we can hold out until the reinforcements arrive, we will have a chance to fight back."

County Magistrate Chen nodded and said, "Okay, let's do it! Go and make the arrangements!"

"Let's go report this matter to the county magistrate and he will make the final decision!" County Magistrate Chen said after thinking for a while!

As the night deepened, the lights in the Xishan County government office were on. The county magistrate sat in his study, frowning. On the table in front of him was a map with the movements of Zhangshan's troops and the county's defense layout marked on it. The chief clerk and Chen Xiancheng stood aside, and the atmosphere seemed a little solemn.

"Zhang Shan is such a tough opponent." The county magistrate sighed and ran his finger across the map. "If we don't agree to his terms, he will capture the county. Then our life will be even harder."

"Sir, why don't we agree to his request first, give him some food and property, and keep him stable." Chen County Magistrate suggested, "At the same time, we can secretly send people to contact the state government and ask them to send reinforcements. As long as we can hold out until the reinforcements arrive, we will have a chance to fight back."