Chapter Nine: An Unusual Scent

[Ding! A key turning point for the Destiny System has been triggered.]

[You have assisted Luo Fang in establishing a settlement, housing refugees, and expanding his influence, even earning him the attention of high-ranking figures within Wangjiang City. Everything seems to be improving, and there is even a chance to gain official recognition, finally shedding the status of a refugee.]

[As long as you follow Luo Fang and satisfy the dignitaries of Wangjiang City, you will have the opportunity to escape your life-or-death crisis, and people like the human trafficker Madam Ya will no longer pose a threat to you.]

[Have you clearly perceived the crisis facing Wangjiang City? Have you made a choice regarding the path ahead? Are there more deadly traps hidden in the shadows waiting for you? Should you help Luo Fang stay the course, or warn him to keep a backup plan in secret?]

Xue Chengqian had sensed that something was off for a while, and upon seeing the system prompt, he stepped forward immediately.

"Boss! We can hand over the weapons, but we must retain the ability to defend ourselves against emergencies!"

It was already a foregone conclusion that the City Guard and others would come out to meet them, and Captain Huang’s request seemed reasonable on the surface. However, given Captain Huang’s attitude, the Imperial Guard cavalry that had just galloped into Wangjiang City, and the subtle way Captain Huang had spoken about figures from the Zhongzhou Prefecture, there was an unusual atmosphere.

Even though Xue Chengqian did not know the current state of external affairs or the complex political struggles of the higher-ups, he did not hesitate to urge Luo Fang to play it safe.

"Boss Luo, even though you wish to curry favor with the powerful, do not forget that we are still refugees, and we still cannot set foot inside Wangjiang City!"

"Right now, the foundation of our influence among the refugees and the very basis of our survival lies in the strength we hold in our own hands! I hope Boss Luo will consider this!"

Luo Fang’s expression shifted, and a realization dawned on him. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded and said, "The boy is right. Take Kang Yu and Old Man Wang aside; I have further instructions for them. But still, notify the other brothers to bring their weapons and assemble!"

...

Action within Wangjiang City was swift.

Xue Chengqian rushed back and forth, notifying the confused brothers to gather with their weapons. No sooner had they piled the weapons in the open field than Captain Huang personally arrived with a troop of Imperial Guards to confiscate them. Xue Chengqian noticed that such a commotion had already drawn many refugees to gather around. He was certain that among them were spies for Madam Ya and other factions.

This time, Huang Xiaoyong offered a few polite words to Luo Fang. While a detachment of Imperial Guards escorted the weapons into the city, more remained behind to stand guard. Soon, several carriages rolled out from the main gate of Wangjiang City. They stopped steadily before them, and a personal guard stepped forward to announce their arrival.

"Lord Lu, Governor of Wangjiang Commandery of the Great Liang, has arrived! Lord Liu, Assistant Prefect of Zhongzhou, has arrived! Everyone, pay your respects!"

Before the carriage curtains were even lifted, the surrounding Imperial Guards brandished their spears, pointing them toward the gathered refugees. The refugees, having never seen such a display of power and possessed by an instinctive fear of the authorities, fell to their knees in a flurry.

Of all those present, excluding the Imperial Guards and the officials, only Luo Fang and Xue Chengqian remained standing. Even the usually headstrong and assertive Kang Yu knelt with a look of panic. Luo Fang, however, stood his ground and performed a formal military salute, refusing to kneel like the other brothers and the common refugees—a testament to his pride and the value he placed on his identity as a military household descendant.

Xue Chengqian, who had no desire to kneel, followed suit and performed the same military salute.

"Hmm?"

Lu Xiaoyuan, dressed in purple robes, stepped down from the carriage with the help of his guards. Seeing this, his expression darkened slightly. However, he quickly put on a smile and adopted a cordial demeanor.

"I had heard from Captain Huang that you, Luo Fang, are from the border army, and that your men are all families of border soldiers. You are indeed not to be compared with common refugees."

Although Luo Fang insisted on the military salute, he knew full well the massive gap in status between them. Hearing Lu Xiaoyuan’s words, he quickly replied, "The defeat at the border fills me with shame, and I feel I have failed the Imperial Court."

"Though I have been reduced to living outside Wangjiang City alongside the refugees, I think constantly of avenging the border. If the Governor has need of us, I, Luo Fang, will lead my brothers to fight the Northern Barbarians to the death!"

Hearing him lay bare his heart, Xue Chengqian could only sigh inwardly. This Boss Luo had his wits about him, but as a military man, he was too straightforward. Especially when facing a high-ranking official who could change his fate, he was far too eager to reveal his true intentions.

Lu Xiaoyuan smiled slightly and changed the subject.

"You are too modest. I have already learned that it is thanks to you, Luo Fang, that order has been maintained among the refugees outside the city, and that the people have shelters to live in."

"Oh, and I hear there is a lad named Xue among your men—not very old, but quite capable. Was this your idea? Helping the Imperial Court settle the refugees is a great service, and I have taken note of it."

Luo Fang did not dare to persist with his own requests and quickly motioned for Xue Chengqian to step forward for the official to see.

Xue Chengqian, however, felt nothing but disdain.

"Helping" the Imperial Court settle refugees? Since the arrival of the masses of refugees outside Wangjiang City, what had the so-called "Imperial Court" ever done to settle them?

Never mind opening the city gates, they hadn’t even provided a single grain of rice from within Wangjiang City, nor a single piece of cotton clothing to ward off the cold! They had not only left the refugees to fend for themselves but even viewed them as bandits, terrified that they would lead the Northern Barbarians straight to the gates of Wangjiang.

Xue Chengqian could not openly contradict them in front of everyone, so after offering a few humble remarks, he spoke some "plain truths."

"I have only used some petty cleverness; I am unworthy of such praise from you, my Lord."

"However, to settle the refugees outside the city, these shelters alone are not enough; we must rely on the Imperial Court."

"I hope the Governor will show compassion for the people and distribute grain and cotton clothing to help everyone survive the winter."

Xue Chengqian felt his request was not excessive. Although Wangjiang City was not a frontier fortress, it was a vital town in the North and the hub for grain logistics supporting the border. For years, the Imperial Court had accumulated countless resources here; even sweeping the scraps from the floor of the granaries would be enough to feed the refugees for a long time.

Lu Xiaoyuan turned his gaze calmly to Luo Fang. "Luo Fang, what do you think?"

Luo Fang had always felt a lingering sense of guilt over the defeat at the border. He believed that as border soldiers, they bore some responsibility for the plight of the refugees in the North. He replied frankly, "I believe Xue Chengqian’s words are very reasonable. The refugees outside are also subjects of the Imperial Court. With the threat of the Northern Barbarians still looming, we have no homes to return to, and the Court truly should provide proper care."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaoyuan suddenly threw his head back and laughed.

But there was no joy in that laughter; instead, it sent a chill down one's spine.

Xue Chengqian’s heart tightened. He could not understand how such a simple request could have offended the Governor. Even if it had, with so many commoners watching, as the Governor of Wangjiang, should Lu Xiaoyuan not have uttered some polite platitudes and praised him and Luo Fang?

The fact that the Governor had personally come out to "observe the people’s plight"—this was truly ominous.