Gu Yun: "I've heard that when pretending to retreat, it's necessary to be in disorder, severing your own flags to trick the opponent into chasing after. Unfortunately, those soldiers failed to grasp the spirit. They cut the flagpole themselves, I saw it just now."

Shen Yi: "..."

Gu Yun frowned and said: "What are those people rebelling for, do you know? Cannot afford to live any longer?"

"Not at all," said Shen Yi with a sneer, "You think too well of these vagrants. Even if there is no job, most of the good people will open small businesses or learn a craft, it is not to the extent where they would not be able to survive. These vagrants from the Central Plains to Sichuan are just idle hoodlums, who are then grouped together by someone with intentions. Besides harassing General Cai, they are usually engaged in the business of robbery. They would run as soon as the army chased them and would come back after things calmed down a little.

"I've heard that besides robbery they also had one rule. If an adult man of a family follows them in rebellion, the family will no longer be attacked by thieves. Their wives, daughters, and sisters can also be protected. There is no need to worry about being robbed from time to time."

"..." Gu Yun said: "Slow down, this sounds familiar. Isn't it the same as the slavery system of Great Liang? Military households do not have to pay taxes."

Shen Yi could not bear it: "Marshal, which side are you on?"

"Alright, alright, don't be angry," Gu Yun said. "In this way, aren't there more and more bandits? Not only is it tax-free, but there's a team of people following them, it is also possible to avoid conflict. Who is the leader?"

"They say that he is an old bandit who appears very terrifying. He has been working in this business for many years. His body is covered in scars, even his face was burnt in the past, he calls himself 'Huo Long'." Shen Yi sighed and said: "What do you think should we do? Should we quickly travel for two days to get around the mob and go directly to General Cai's Northwest reinforcement station?"

Gu Yun strolled for a moment with his hands behind his back. "There are both internal and external troubles, let's resolve anything we can. There are wolves and tigers in front, there should not be any worry at the back. Think up a report and send it to the Grand Council. Say that we will be here for three to five days."