And this has indeed been effective; at least for now, their team of about two hundred men has not been caught up by the rebels.

But the sounds of fighting grew closer and came from multiple directions, clearly indicating that the rebels had also dispersed their forces and were pursuing them.

It would take more than an hour to reach the west gate of Nanze. Given the long travel time, it was unlikely that they would make it in time. Therefore, Jin Xuan had no choice but to split the team into three groups and proceed separately again.

Another half hour passed.

The houses along the way gradually rise and fall, and compared to the eastern part of Nanze, this place is obviously more chaotic and dense, and even the roads are much narrower.

What's even more noticeable is the increased number of people; you can now vaguely see people hiding in the houses.

The area near the eastern city gate was a war zone, so many civilians fled to the west.

Just now, in some hidden corners, Jin Xuan could sense many eyes being cast toward him. These cowardly people had previously refused to be conscripted and openly defied the imperial decree. Now they were scattered everywhere, but they were gradually gathering here.

He sighed. If these people had been willing to take up arms and fight for their country back then, Nanze would never have been conquered so quickly.

Looking up ahead, we'll soon reach the suburbs.

There were few houses and mostly farmland there, and their group would be completely exposed to the pursuers behind them.

Just then, a tense voice came from inside the car:

How much longer until we get out of the city?

——

"Keep up the good work, we'll definitely finish planting before noon."

Under the blazing sun, Hu San shakily straightened his aching back, looked at the farmland that was already mostly planted, and breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to his son and said...

After escaping back from the east of the city the day before yesterday, he wanted to get out of bed as soon as he got home, but he was beaten badly by the soldiers and couldn't take it anymore, which is why he was delayed for a day.

This morning, despite still feeling pain all over, he couldn't stay in bed any longer and took his son to the fields. However, his son was too young and couldn't plant the seedlings deep enough. All the seedlings he had worked so hard to grow would be ruined if they floated on the water. That's why he didn't feel comfortable leaving them with his son.

"Dad, have some water," the son said from the other side of the paddy field. It was a small patch of paddy field that Hu San had specially reserved for him to plant. He would have to check it over after he finished planting.

The sun was too intense, and Hu San was indeed a little thirsty, but he still bent down.

"Drink after you've finished planting."

"It's almost noon, finish planting early and go home early."

He hunched over, picked up a rice seedling, and plunged it heavily into the yellow muddy water.

——

With a "snap".

The warhorse leaped to its feet, and Qin Ze, holding the reins, spurred the horse over the corpses beneath him.

Jin Fengluan was not in the capital, and the men he had sent to search for her were in full pursuit. At that moment, Qin Ze's sharp gaze was fixed ahead. The messenger had already pointed out the direction, so without hesitation, he shouted:

"The operation is complete!"