"They came too suddenly, and there were too many of them."

"It's almost as if this was planned in advance. I'm afraid... there's a problem." Song Ke's expression was grave.

Upon hearing this, Su Hong was slightly taken aback, but quickly replied in a deep voice:

"This number of people is definitely not right."

"This is too sudden. Could it be... that there are Japanese people inside trying to sneak into the city using the crowds?"

Song Ke nodded, "Hmm... very likely."

"Then... shall we not open the city gates?" Su Hong said hesitantly, his gaze fixed on the refugee tide.

Most of those people were dressed in rags, and included both the old and the young. They were calling for help from a distance.

Song Ke did not reply immediately, and Su Hong continued, "But at a glance, there are our people in there."

"What will they do if the city gates aren't opened?"

"Should we screen them first before letting them in?"

"Tell them to stop making such a mess, line up in an orderly queue, and then screen them one by one."

Song Ke pondered for a moment, then said, "At this time, everyone is thinking about survival, so I'm afraid these people may not be able to listen to reason."

"Whether they listen or not, we still have to say it. We can't just let it go like this!"

"I'll have someone call it!" Su Hong said in a deep voice.

After Song Ke nodded, Su Hong immediately ordered the soldiers to shout into the distance.

"Don't panic! Line up!"

"If everyone rushes in at once, the city gates won't be opened!"

But the crowd was now filled with all sorts of chaotic noises, some shouting for help, others demanding that the city gates be opened quickly.

Everyone looked panicked and couldn't listen to a word. They remained huddled together as before.

Song Ke frowned and sighed, "Just as I thought."

Just then, another large group of people surged out from behind the crowd. Unlike the refugees, most of them were on horseback and were a group of soldiers who were galloping towards them.

The leader was a middle-aged man, dressed in armor, his body stained with blood, looking disheveled.

He was shouting loudly at that moment:

"Quick! Run!"

"We can't hold them off! The Japanese are chasing us! Get into the city quickly!"

"Only by going to the city can we survive!"

The soldiers around him also joined in the shouting.

These shouts threw the refugees into chaos, and they ran forward frantically, many with tears streaming down their faces, wishing they had two more legs.

On the city wall, Song Ke, who had witnessed everything, frowned even more deeply.

"Look, that group of men is wearing our armor."

Su Hong stared intently, his expression unusually grave. He nodded and said, "That's right, they're our people!"

"So many refugees, and the Japanese are chasing us, this is troublesome!"

As they were talking, the troop of soldiers behind the refugee wave rode around from the side, galloping quickly.

As the distance closed, Su Hong could see the troops clearly. The leader was none other than Qian Shouyi, the garrison commander of Cangyang City!

At this moment, Qian Shouyi looked anxious and shouted loudly:

"I am Qian Shouyi! The Japanese are pursuing us from behind, why haven't you opened the city gates to let the people in!"

Su Hong was about to speak when Song Ke stopped him. Song Ke, lying on the battlement, shouted:

"General Qian! With so many refugees arriving suddenly, how can we let them into the city immediately? Please organize them and ensure they come in an orderly manner. We will allow them to enter the city only after we have inspected them!"

Upon hearing this, Qian Shouyi's face turned furious, and he immediately shouted:

"Lord Song! The situation is critical. What do you need to check?"

"Do you think it's too late at this point? The most urgent task is to get the people into the city as soon as possible to avoid being harmed by the Japanese!"

Song Ke immediately shouted, "No! Absolutely not!"

"Linbin City is of paramount importance! It cannot be lost. There are too many refugees. If there are Japanese hiding among them, it will be disastrous!"

Qian Shouyi's face flushed red, and he roared:

"Nonsense!"

"The Japanese army was too numerous and attacked Cangyang City with unstoppable force. I had no choice but to abandon the city and flee with the people."

"I encountered more refugees along the way, and I let them travel with me. Linbin City is heavily fortified, which is why I let them come here!"

"Where did these Japanese come from hiding among us? Lord Song, can't you even tell our own people apart?!"

By this time, the crowd had almost reached the city gate, and shouts rose and fell.

"Please, please open the door! There are Japanese soldiers behind us!"

"My lord, you can't abandon us!"

"I am not Japanese, I am a Daqian person! My name is Li Mutian, and my home is in Baishe Village!"

"My name is Tian Wen! My home is in Tianji Village! I am not Japanese!"

People cried out and screamed.

The scene was tragic and moving; even the soldiers on the city wall couldn't bear it and their faces showed a conflicted expression.

Su Hong, standing to the side, was sweating profusely, his face as pale as paper. For a moment, he didn't know how to speak until a loud shout rang in his ears, at which point he turned his head.

"General Su! Tell everyone on the city wall to nock their arrows and aim at them!" The voice came from Song Ke, whose face was frighteningly cold.

"Lord Song, you want to..." Su Hong began in astonishment, but before he could finish, Song Ke roared:

"Listen to me! You can't go wrong! Hurry!"

"Only in this way can we save them!"

Knowing Song Ke's character well, Su Hong did not hesitate any longer and immediately ordered his soldiers to aim their bows and arrows at the crowd.

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