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Wang Jian heard a hurried knocking sound from outside and turned back to whisper, "General! Let Chang Yu protect you and leave from the back. I will stay here with the brothers to hold off the enemy."
This was probably the best plan at the moment! Chang Yu, not daring to hesitate any longer, quickly switched his sword to his left hand and turned back to help Luzi leave in a hurry.
Luzi waved his hand to signal and then placed the teacup on the table, shouting loudly, "Who is it outside? It's late at night; can't anyone get some sleep?!"
Hearing the inquiry finally come from the courtyard, the soldiers knocking on the door quickly put down the door knocker and turned to look at the officer waiting in the alley.
With someone responding, at least they could discuss lodging. The officer on horseback cleared his throat and shouted, "Listen up, owner of this house! I am Centurion Lu Youdao of Zhao Army's Fifth Division, Twenty-First Battalion! Our army is passing through and would like to borrow a place to stay for the night!"
As Luzi reached out to open the door, he whispered to Chang Yu, "Let the brothers come down; they should rest if it's time to rest!"
What was going on now!?
Wang Jian wiped the sweat from his forehead and glanced at Chang Yu, who was also wiping sweat.
Even if everyone put down their weapons now, they had to listen. Chang Yu said nothing further and jumped into the courtyard, raising his hand to signal. More than a dozen shadows jumped down and whispered a few words. Upon receiving orders, everyone sheathed their weapons and quickly dispersed back into the house.
These actions were actually quite quick; it only took a moment for those ready for action to return to calmness. Lu Zi was prepared before he loudly responded, "The army outside, please wait a moment; we will be right there!" After saying that, he personally led Wang Jian out to open the door. As the door swung open, soldiers from outside immediately appeared before them.
The soldiers outside were almost all injured, clearly having retreated here after a battle. Upon seeing the door open, they raised their weapons to protect their centurion. Lu Youdao saw that it was an old man and a young man who opened the door; he dismounted and walked through the crowd.
"Apologies for disturbing you at this late hour. We are from Zhao Army, returning from the front lines to meet with our army stationed in Changzi County City. Due to difficult travel on Night Road, we would like to borrow a place to stay for one night. We will leave tomorrow without overstaying."
Luzi listened carefully and quickly stepped aside to let Wang Jian pass. Since they referred to him as an elder, it was best not to linger around pretending otherwise.
Wang Jian, with his long beard, replied, "No problem! I must inform this general that there are many inconveniences in the courtyard. However, those houses outside are empty; let the brothers stay there as they please."
Lu Youdao had already sent soldiers to search the surroundings, and indeed, there was not a single person in the village. It seemed that the villagers had all fled with their families to escape the war between the two nations. The pressing issue at hand was not rest but that they had not eaten a full meal in two days. Their faces were pale from hunger!
According to the marching map, even if they pressed on without stopping, it would still take a day to reach their destination. If they could not find food, it was uncertain whether they could hold out until Changzi County City tomorrow. Therefore, the purpose of finding someone was not only for rest but also to borrow some provisions for a meal. As for how they dared to confirm that this place had people, it was naturally due to the lingering aroma of food in the air. For those who could eat their fill every day and did not think about the rise and fall of nations, it was hard to understand how hunger could miraculously allow one to smell food from a distance.
"May I ask if you have any surplus grain at home? We can buy it!" Lu Youdao said, signaling the soldiers beside him to pull out a large number of bronze knife coins.
Upon hearing this, Luzi couldn't help but sigh that Old General Lian Po indeed knew how to manage his troops. Under such chaotic circumstances, it would have been easy to kill a few civilians and seize their food without any issues as long as no one spoke of it afterward. Yet this ragged army still had the quality to offer money to buy food from the common people.
Wang Jian initially wanted to decline and say there was no grain but saw Lu Zichao giving him a look. He quickly changed his words and said, "Since we are all family, even if there isn't much grain, we will give it. As for buying grain, General Lu is too polite!" He then turned around and shouted, "Dafu! Bring us some grain for our troops!"
Who is Dafu!? Of course, it was himself! The temporary stand-in Chang Yu agreed and came out from inside with a bag of rice.
Luzi seemed somewhat unsatisfied and reminded him, "My lord! Since outside is our own army, isn't there still some meat in the kitchen?"
My lord!?
Lu Youdao truly heard this clearly and carefully observed the old man standing at the door by the light of the torch.
Lu Zi seized the opportunity and signaled Chang Yu to hurry and get some meat. Then he stepped forward and said, "General Lu! This is my family's master, Huayang Jun!"
If it were someone else, these soldiers might take some time to recall who he was. But when it came to Feng Ting, no soldier of Zhao Army would be unaware. They had trekked through mountains in winter to reach Shangdang County thanks to this person! Hundreds of brothers had encountered a small group of Qin Army; after one charge, only a few dozen remained!
The soldiers who had just put down their weapons raised them again, wanting to rush forward to avenge their fallen brothers. The dozen or so younger brothers who had already reached the door saw that things were getting out of hand and quickly drew their swords to protect Luzi and Wang Jian.
Lu Youdao saw the chaos in the hall and immediately frowned, angrily shouting, "How dare you! Who dares to lay hands on Your Majesty? Step back at once!"
Centurion spoke as if giving orders! The Soldiers had no choice but to step back a few paces, begrudgingly sheathing their weapons.
Wang Jian also ordered his brothers to put away their weapons, reprimanding, "The brothers outside are fighting bravely on the front lines against the Qin Army. How dare you draw swords against these heroes!? All of you, retreat!"
Heroes!?
Upon hearing this word, Lu Youdao smiled bitterly and shook his head. He stepped to the doorway, bowed slightly, and asked, "Forgive me for not being able to pay full respects while in armor, but what brings Your Majesty here at such a late hour?"
Luzi hurriedly explained for Wang Jian, "General Lu may not know! The master learned that the Qin Army Offensive is too fierce and has been restless at home. He took this risk to come out in search of you."
"We!?" Lu Youdao was puzzled by this statement. "Why would the lord risk coming to the battlefield to find us when he is not even in the city?" After speaking, he noticed that meat and grain were being brought out and quickly ordered the Soldiers to inform their brothers guarding outside the village to settle around this courtyard.
Seeing the Soldiers dispersing, Wang Jian then took Lu Youdao's hand and returned to the courtyard. The meat and rice were raw; even if they were hungry, they needed to be cooked before eating. Since it would take some time to start a fire and cook, they might as well take this opportunity to discuss important matters.
The two sat down inside, and Wang Jian began to explain the actual situation within the county town. Most of the Soldiers helping defend the city were militia, while the regular troops consisted of only a few hundred from the original Korean Army. Analyzing the current situation and the speed of advance of the Qin Army, it was feared that they would reach Changzi County City in just two or three days.
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