Chapter 180 Say Hello
In the early morning of Ning Jiao City, the crowd surged.
This surge came not only from within the city but also from outside.
Xu Han, who had not fallen asleep all night, frowned as he stood on the city wall of Ningjiao City. Looking at the increasing number of refugees, his heart was gloomy.
After hearing the news, Ye Hongjian, Mr. Lu and the others also rushed over. Everyone had not slept for a night.
"Lord Manor Master." At this time, the fat Ningjiao City Governor, who was almost unable to walk, climbed up the city wall with difficulty, supported by his two followers. He had not slept all night, and his face was somewhat pale. However, at this moment, his face was full of flattery. He came to Xu Han's side, and his face was filled with a fleshy face that was almost squeezed into a ball by an ugly smile.
"There are a total of 178,000 people." He said that under Xu Han's instructions, the more than 2,000 soldiers guarding Ningjiao City stayed up all night and finally counted the number of refugees.
"Yes." Xu Han nodded, his expression becoming even more serious. "Are they all refugees from Jizhou?"
"Most likely." The fat satrap said, "The news of the fall of the Sword Dragon Pass and the fall of Jizhou is so big that I haven't received a single letter. I've already sent someone to send the news to Chang'an quickly. I believe it will arrive soon."
"The two hundred thousand Mu Clan guards of the Sword Dragon Pass and Wang Mu Ji of the Northern Region are here. How could they fall so easily? The Imperial Court did not receive any news at all?" Mr. Lu, who was behind him, frowned and said.
"What's so strange about this little one? However, they couldn't explain it to the refugees. They just said that Xia Jun had suddenly entered seclusion. They were also fleeing in the wind. How could they understand this?" The fat satrap agreed, but he secretly planned what he would do if Big Yellow City was also destroyed.
"I'm afraid there's something fishy about this. Young Master, I think we need to hurry up and return to Chang'an as soon as possible." Mr. Lu did not have much hope for the fat satrap's reply. He turned to Xu Han and said with a serious expression.
"Yes." Xu Han nodded. He knew that Mr. Lu was like his dead master. His mind was filled with righteousness. After such a big incident, the other party was naturally anxious.
But very quickly, he seemed to have thought of something, Turning around, he looked at the black sea of people gathered at the city gate. The Tiance Prefecture Army, dressed in white armor, was distributing rice porridge to everyone under Qin Keqing's arrangement. However, the number of people was simply too large. It was unknown when such a large amount of rice porridge would be finished. Moreover, the amount of food that could be found in Ningjiao City was far from enough to feed so many people.
"Then what should these refugees do?" Xu Han asked in a deep voice.
Everyone present turned their gazes to the fat satrap when they asked this question.
"My lords, please stop joking. It's already not bad for Ningjiao City to be able to feed itself. How can I accommodate so many refugees? Besides, there are so many people in Jizhou, how can a mere satrap like me be able to control them?" Seeing that everyone was looking at him, his expression immediately changed and he waved his hand repeatedly.
Although these words were merely evasive words, the truth was not bad.
If Jizhou really fell, the number of refugees would definitely not be as simple as 170,000. Ning Jiao City could not hold them, nor could they survive. The 170,000 yuan in food, clothing, shelter, reclamation, and the year before the harvest was a shocking figure. Moreover, with Great Zhou's recent situation, it was still uncertain whether he would be able to obtain a bumper harvest or a grain harvest in the coming year.
When the group of people looked at me and you, they were obviously helpless.
Even Mr. Lu could only frown deeply at this moment, feeling helpless.
"Leave it to me." However, at this moment, a bright voice suddenly sounded out from the crowd. Everyone was stunned and looked at the voice one after another, only to see that the person who spoke was actually the young master of Heavenly Battle City, Yue Chengpeng.
His voice caused the Great Commander Yu Xiao behind him to be somewhat dissatisfied. He frowned slightly, but in the end, he did not say anything to stop him.
"Brother Yue has a way?" Xu Han asked in a deep voice. He did not know this Yue Chengpeng very well. Yesterday, he had only exchanged some information with each other, not to mention how to understand his character. At this moment, his sudden voice was quite unexpected.
"Xuzhou is a land of fish and rice. Even though the past few years have not been very good, Xuzhou can still be considered to be in good weather. These 170,000 people have gone to Xuzhou, so I don't think it is difficult for them to have a livelihood. Besides, my father and Xuzhou Mu have always been good friends. I think I have to give them this face." Young Master Yue said with a smile, as if he had full confidence in this matter.
However, after spending half a day together, Xu Han still felt that this young master Yue's actions were somewhat irrelevant. The lives of 170,000 people had been handed over to him, and he was somewhat worried.
Therefore, he turned his head to look at Mr. Lu and asked him what he meant.
Mr. Lu nodded his head knowingly and stood out at that time. "Young Master Yue has a kind heart. It is truly my great fortune to be able to do so." The satrap of Xuzhou has always had a good reputation for loving the people. This matter should not be a problem. However, the journey to Xuzhou is far and Young Master has brought so many refugees with him. I'm afraid he will have to walk for a month. Does Young Master understand the troubles involved? "
170,000 refugees were no longer as far away as the army. Not to mention the uprising and departure, how to control the 170,000 people, how to obtain rations, how to transport them, and even where to set up camp were all problems.
Presumably, Mr. Lu was also afraid that Yue Young Master would agree to this matter for a moment, but he didn't know what to do afterwards. He gave up halfway and wasted 170,000 lives.
But who would have thought that Yue Da Young Master would only smile brightly when he heard this. He said very freely, "Mr. Lu has thought of a way to ask this question. Teach me. I only promised that as long as they arrive in Xuzhou, I will protect him."
Yue Chengpeng's words caused everyone present to be stunned. Previously, Yue Chengpeng's various behaviors had made everyone secretly think that Young Master Yue was more like an ignorant young master, but these words had clearly seen through everyone's thoughts. However, he wasn't angry at all. Such bearing made everyone secretly ashamed of their "heart of a lowly person" that they had secretly guessed just now.
"Young Master Yue, are you serious?" Mr. Lu asked.
"There is absolutely no falsehood." Yue Chengpeng replied confidently.
At that time, the corners of his mouth rose and a smile appeared in his eyes. Although he still looked like a slacker, it inexplicably caused the hearts of the crowd to tremble, and they were secretly broken by his graceful appearance at this moment.
..
In the end, Mr. Lu was the head of the three thousand red-robed officials of the Tian Ce Mansion. He had only taken two days to arrange for the migration of the 170,000 refugees.
First, he forced the fat satrap to lend out a thousand troops, then haggled for a bit, and finally, he took out his four private houses to coerce and entice him, causing him to give 170,000 people rations for seven days. This was not a small sum. In addition to the grain used by the refugees during their stay, half of Ningjiao City's grain depots had been looted.
After that, Mr. Lu divided the 170,000 people into several groups, and each of the 1,000 garrisons was responsible for more than 170 people. He also issued a warrant. If one person was lost for no reason, he would have to ask for the person responsible. Another three hundred people from the thousand Tiance Prefecture troops were taken out to escort the grain. Only then could the arrangements be considered proper.
On the morning of the third day, Xu Han's group arrived at the city gate and bid farewell to Yue Chengpeng, who was about to bring 170,000 refugees on his way.
The few of them exchanged greetings and wanted to say goodbye.
At that time, Mr. Lu pulled Yue Chengpeng to the side and handed him a map that outlined the route to Xuzhou. Moreover, a special symbol was drawn on the four cities of Ning Jiao, Page Ming, Hu'an, and Liu Mu.
"This is the safest route for this trip. Please take it with you, Young Master Yue. Don't lose it." Mr. Lu said.
"Thank you, sir." Yue Chengpeng took a closer look. Mr. Hidden Deer was extraordinary. Although this route was not the closest, it was always an official road. Whether it was convenient or safe, it was the best choice. However, he soon discovered the markings and asked, "But what is the meaning of the markings?"
"The journey is far. Young Master Yue has only brought seven days' worth of grain. How can he? Apart from Ning Jiao, the remaining three cities are Page Ming, Tiger Peace and Willow Eye City. When Young Master arrives, you can take nine more days' worth of grain just in case, but you can't take too much and spare the livelihood of the people in the city." Mr. Lu narrowed his eyes and said.
Hearing this, Yue Chengpeng was stunned for a moment, and then he revealed a troubled expression. "But how can I, the son of Heavenly Battle City, summon the satrap of Liang Zhou? If he doesn't.."
"The cities I picked for Young Master are all small cities, but their grain reserves are extremely abundant. Most importantly .." Mr. Lu paused for a moment before a faint smile appeared on his aged face. "The armaments are much weaker than in Ningjiao City."
Yue Chengpeng's face was still filled with distress, but his eyes clearly revealed a crafty expression like a fox's. "Sir, what you mean is .. but I am a person with a lot of respect after all. If someone finds out about this matter, the Imperial Court will pursue it .."
Mr. Lu glanced at Yue Chengpeng and said, "Young Master Yue is the son of Yue Jianxian. He is open and honest, so he naturally can't do such a thing. However, my 300 Manor Army is used to advising and making decisions without permission. What does this have to do with Young Master Yue?"
Hearing this, Yue Chengpeng's eyes narrowed and a smile appeared on his face.
"Sir, you're so scheming, so scheming." He sighed repeatedly, causing the crowd to be confused.
At this time, Yu Xiao, who was in charge of commanding and dispatching, walked over and told everyone that everything was ready to go.
When Yue Chengpeng heard this, he was about to bid farewell to everyone, but at that time, Mr. Lu suddenly hooked his body and bowed towards him.
Seeing this, Yue Chengpeng's expression changed. He hurriedly extended his hand to help the respected old man up. "What do you mean, sir? Don't ruin this junior!"
"Young Master is very righteous. I will worship you for these 170,000 refugees." Mr. Lu said this as he insisted on paying his respects.
Yue Chengpeng had failed to stop him several times. He could only return the favor and bid farewell to the crowd. He then led the 170,000 refugees on their way to Xuzhou.
At that time, the crowd watched his departing figure and remained silent for a long time.
Only Mr. Lu sighed deeply.
"Like father, like son.."
"Yue Fuyao has a successor.."
Xu Han came back to his senses and looked at Mr. Lu, asking, "By the way, sir, I just saw you and Yue Young Master talking happily. I wonder why?"
At that time, this highly respected red-robed princess calmly replied, her eyes observing her nose and heart.
"Tell him to say hello to Yue Jianxian on my behalf."
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