Chapter Thirteen: A Deadly Crisis
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Luo Fang said decisively, “What that brat Xue said has awakened me. We originally have no way out. If we run elsewhere, it’s not entrusting our lives to heaven, but to the blades of the northern barbarians!”
“Since that’s the case, we might as well fight with the resources we have in Wangjiang!”
Xue Chengqian nodded slightly.
Luo Fang was indeed a man of courage. When there was no retreat, he preferred to grasp his fate with his own hands.
Kang Yu and Wang Huzi opened their mouths, wanting to persuade Old Luo not to do anything foolish.
But recalling Xue Chengqian’s “twisted reasoning,” they found no grounds to argue.
Perhaps that kid Xue had indeed clouded their understanding of their predicament. With no way out, they could only fully obey Old Luo’s decision.
...
The next day, Luo Fang released all his brothers and gathered the displaced people nearby.
He not only had to arrange their accommodations but also select subordinates from among them!
Damn it!
Wasn’t Lu Xiaoyuan just giving him an honorary rank of captain?
At least that old fellow was still the city defender of Wangjiang, which meant his words represented the government! Who could say Lu Xiaoyuan wasn’t an official of the court?
Xue Chengqian’s first idea for Luo Fang was “using the tiger’s might to intimidate others.”
Ordinary displaced people didn’t really care about what rank Luo Fang held or how many people he managed.
They only knew that since this man was officially recognized by the government, that alone was enough. Obedience to officials was ingrained in their bones. With Luo Fang’s official title, his words carried weight, and most dared not disobey.
Moreover, they had previously built brick houses, deciding who got to live in the big brick houses first. Who would dare defy their orders?
“Listen up, everyone! From today on, you are soldiers of the Zhenyi Camp! As long as you obey, once the court drives away the northern barbarians, Defender Lu will surely reward you handsomely!”
Xue Chengqian stood beside Luo Fang, loudly encouraging people to sign up, without a hint of embarrassment.
He wasn’t the only one who could make empty promises like Lu Xiaoyuan!
If Lu Xiaoyuan had the guts, he could come out of the city and refute them face to face.
Since many people were present and had heard Lu Xiaoyuan officially appoint Luo Fang, everyone believed what Xue Chengqian and Luo Fang said without doubt.
Kang Yu glanced at Xue Chengqian with a strange look.
Wasn’t this kid usually sympathetic toward the displaced people? Why was he so calm and composed when deceiving them now?
Xue Chengqian truly felt no psychological burden.
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Not only did he and Old Luo have no way out, but how could the people outside Wangjiang City have any retreat?
They were all pawns in chaotic times. To survive, there was little room for scruples.
For the displaced people now, being tricked by Xue Chengqian was something they would later be grateful for!
With Lu Xiaoyuan’s name backing them, everything proceeded smoothly.
Of course, Ya Pozi and others were unwilling to let Luo Fang further expand his power and influence.
But even though they saw Luo Fang surrender his weapons, they dared not publicly challenge the official appointed by Lu Xiaoyuan.
More and more displaced people with just a little strength were recruited into the so-called Zhenyi Camp.
With so many people, even if they temporarily lacked weapons, they were still a force to be reckoned with.
However, just as Luo Fang was slowly organizing order among the displaced, even “recruiting” soldiers, a large group of displaced people suddenly surged over from the opposite bank of the Nu River.
Compared to those who had arrived earlier, these people were in worse shape—not only were their clothes more tattered, but fear was etched on their faces from fleeing.
Luo Fang was shocked and immediately led dozens of brothers to stabilize them, preventing them from scattering the already obedient displaced people.
Yet, the words they cried out in terror chilled Luo Fang and the others to the bone.
“Bad news! The northern barbarians! The northern barbarians are coming!”
“They’ve already reached the opposite bank of the Nu River!”
“Quick, close the city gates! Run into Wangjiang City, or no one will survive!”
...
If the harsh winter was a threat of death,
the displaced people felt not fear but numbness.
Countless people died in their sleep through the cold night.
The dead were numb; those carrying and throwing bodies were numb too.
Their greatest fear was the unknown arrival of the northern barbarians.
They couldn’t gauge the military situation nor knew what lay beyond, but everyone understood the barbarians likely hadn’t retreated. They coveted the prosperity of the Da Liang dynasty and would eventually set their sights on Wangjiang City’s riches.
Lu Xiaoyuan’s ill intentions toward Luo Fang and Xue Chengqian’s appointments stemmed directly from the threat of the northern barbarians.
Heeding Xue Chengqian’s advice, Luo Fang was determined to use his official status to organize the displaced and fight the barbarians.
Yet, in their hearts was a sliver of hope.
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What if the northern barbarians plunder enough and then retreat to the steppes?
What if they find Wangjiang City too strong and deliberately avoid it, pillaging elsewhere?
Then Luo Fang and Xue Chengqian would have gained an official title for nothing. Lu Xiaoyuan wouldn’t bother with these small players, maybe even accept them out of relief at the barbarians’ retreat.
At worst, if the barbarians still attacked, it would at least give them time to prepare and organize the displaced.
But unexpectedly, just as Luo Fang began organizing, and the so-called Zhenyi Camp was barely taking shape, the northern barbarians really came!
...
“Brother, I heard the northern barbarians are terrifying. Even the soldiers can’t beat them.”
“Are we going to die?”
Little Luzhu’s voice made Xue Chengqian’s heart ache.
He and Little Luzhu hadn’t truly seen the northern cavalry.
They only heard many exaggerated rumors from displaced people across the regions.
Though Luzhu was innocent, she had formed an impression that the northern barbarians were even worse than Ya Pozi and the other villains.
“Don’t worry, brother will never let you die!”
But Luzhu said obediently, “Brother, you don’t have to comfort me. I’m not afraid at all. You’re stronger than me. Why don’t you run away yourself?”
“When I die, maybe I’ll see father and mother again.”
Her voice was soft but distinct in the heavy silence.
Though usually carefree, Kang Yu was touched by Luzhu’s words and his eyes reddened.
Xue Chengqian clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging and knuckles turning blue.
He first glanced at Luo Fang and the others, then returned his gaze to Luzhu.
“Don’t worry, brother won’t go anywhere, and I definitely won’t let you die. We will survive! Do you believe me?”
Luzhu was young but knew her brother best.
She felt his words were not just for her, and she nodded obediently and earnestly.
“I believe you, brother. If you say it, you will do it!”