Travel through troubled times and escape famine with the system

"Thank you!"

Hearing Lu You's reminder, Lang Zhengping clasped his hands together, saluted Lu You solemnly, then turned to look at the thin middle-aged man behind him.

"Master Xia, follow the Luyou siblings and go to the east gate to pass on my command. Open the city gate and let them leave."

"Then write down everything you just heard in a letter at the Ximen Post Station, and send a postman with a flag and a bronze gong to deliver it to Qingzhou Prefecture over a thousand miles."

"Qian Zhaode, select two constables with strong legs and call all the scattered constables back to the county government office."

"Tell everyone to bring their weapons and keep quiet, so as not to cause panic among the people."

Following Lang Zhengping's instructions, Xia Yi and Qian Zhaode behind him both clasped their fists and accepted the order.

Lang Zhengping turned around and ran out of Buhou Street with the others. No one even looked at Lu You.

Seeing everyone leaving in a hurry, Lu You's tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

In fact, ever since Lang Zhengping appeared, Lu You has been communicating with the storage space with his mind, ready to summon weapons and take action at any time.

Especially after she had just revealed the movements of the Jin soldiers, she was even more worried that Lang Zhengping would turn against her.

But now it seems that I was too petty.

On the side, Xia Yi stood with his hands hanging down.

"Miss Lu, let's go and send you out. I have other things to do."

Lu You turned to look at the smiling Xia Yi: "You can still laugh now? Aren't you afraid of death?"

"Everyone will die eventually." Xia Yi nodded, but his tone was still so relaxed.

"I really was wrong!" Lu You chuckled, then he led the warhorse beside him and walked into the darkness.

On the way to the west gate, Lu You originally wanted to take a detour to tell Zhao Wenbo and others, but was directly rejected by Master Xia.

As for the reason, first, this matter is urgent and involves the safety of the people, and there can be no delay.

The second reason is that such things are not easy to spread. Otherwise, once the news leaks out, it will inevitably cause panic among the people.

By then, there might be no need for Jin soldiers, as the city would be broken from the inside!

Seeing that Lu You was still a little confused, Master Xia even revealed some unspoken rules to Lu You and the others.

In fact, the constables and bailiffs in the county government often have some connections with the masters in the city.

Generally speaking, when something happened, the constables and yamen runners would immediately pass the news to the masters' homes in exchange for some reward money.

Especially for a newly-appointed scholar like Zhao Wenbo, there were countless people who wanted to take the opportunity to show their goodwill.

Therefore, by tomorrow morning at the latest, Zhao Wenbo and others will know all the news about the Jin soldiers.

When the city gates are opened, even if Zhao Wenbo and others leave, it will not cause much commotion.

After hearing Master Xia's explanation, Lu You felt a little relieved, but he was still worried.

"According to what you said, before the Jin soldiers arrived at the city, the masters in the city would know the movements in advance and flee for their lives."

"What about us civilians? Should we wait in this city for the Jin soldiers to slaughter us?"

Upon hearing this, Master Xia chuckled and shook his head.

"Miss Lu, I know you are worried about the safety of the people in this city."

"But have you ever thought about it? When have you ever heard of a precedent where two countries cleared out the civilians from a city before going to war?"

Hearing this, Lu You was also stunned.

"I haven't heard of this, but... Qingshi Town is just a small town. How can it resist the aggressive Jin soldiers?"

"If the Jin soldiers attack the city tomorrow, won't all the people in the city be in trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Master Xia sighed.

"If it's really as you said, the weaker side could just clear out all the people and cede the city and land, then there would be no need to fight this war."

"If we give up a city today and another city tomorrow, it won't be long before the country is no longer a country."

"So, even if Qingshi Town is just a small town, we must defend it to the death."

"Only in this way can we buy enough time for the Wu army to arrive."

Stick to it?

Lu You frowned and looked at Master Xia.

"The entire Jianhe County Office has only thirty or forty constables. Even if you count the two shifts of soldiers guarding the city gates and the old servants, there are less than a hundred people at most."

"Besides, they haven't killed many people yet, so they are definitely no match for the Jin soldiers who have experienced fighting on the battlefield."

"With just this few people, even if they are all determined to die, how can they resist the Jin army?"

Upon hearing this, Master Xia slowly stopped and looked at Lu You. His eyes were filled with arrogance and contempt.

"It is true that the county constables are no match for the Jin soldiers, but so what?"

"I'm sorry to offend Miss Lu. As a warrior, you can kill an entire banner of Jin soldiers by yourself, but didn't you still choose to save your life and leave the city overnight?"

Lu You was silent.

She couldn't refute this statement.

She had no feelings for the Wu Kingdom, and if Lu Yao's family had not been killed, she might not have hated the Jin soldiers.

As long as the people she cares about are alive and well, let alone losing a city or a county, even if the entire Wu Kingdom changes its surname to Jin, she, Lu You, can still make a living by selling cakes.

Therefore, the matter of defending the city had never appeared in Lu You's options.

On the contrary, because of her hatred for Lang Zhengping, she had actually long ago labeled Mr. Xia, Captain Qian and other people in the county government as those who exploited the local people.

But now it seems that no matter how evil, greedy, and how they abuse their power to bully others, these people are still very young.

But the loyalty displayed at this time was pure and noble.

She can't compare to this!

Seeing Lu You remained silent, Master Xia chuckled.

"As for our small number... the girl is also wrong."

"Aren't all the people in this city human beings?"

Lu You's heart was shocked when he heard that. Looking at Master Xia's indifferent look, he felt his scalp tingling.

He actually wanted to use the lives of all the people in the city to delay the Jin soldiers!

"They are just ordinary people. How dare you?"

"Why shouldn't we?" Master Xia said calmly, "This city not only belongs to us, Jianhe County Government, but also to them. Shouldn't they contribute to defending the city?"

Having said this, Master Xia took a step forward again.

"Miss Lu, there's actually no point in us arguing about this."

"The master promised to let you out of the city, so I will do it. You can take your people and leave."

"As for the people in this city, no matter how much you feel heartbroken and reluctant, what can you do about it?"

"You never meant to save them, did you?"

Following Master Xia's words, the few of them turned a corner and finally arrived in front of the east gate.

"We're here. I'll go over and ask the soldiers guarding the city to open the gate."

"Anyway, you have brought back such important news and helped us prepare. It has been a great help."

"Xia, apart from thanking you, can only wish the young lady a safe journey."

As Master Xia spoke, he bowed respectfully to Lu You and the other two, then strode towards the city gate to negotiate with the soldiers guarding the city.

At this moment, Lu Yi, who had been following silently all the way, reached out and gently tugged at the corner of Lu You's clothes.

Lu You turned his head to look, only to see Lu Yi approaching him and speaking in a low voice.

"Second sister, something is wrong!"

"I saw all those merchants on both sides of the city gate when I went to the market to buy cakes at noon."