“…” Lin Hai was speechless.

"And now, the reason you're so angry is because you've seen these refugees with your own eyes these past few days. You've seen their skeletons, only a breath of air beneath their skin. You've also heard their wails in the middle of the night, starving and unable to sleep. Do you dare say that the decrees you've issued these days don't contain a trace of guilt or compensation?"

"...So you're here to persuade me?"

"No, I'm just here to help you see clearly what's happened these past few days. You're more powerful than any of us. I've heard from storytellers since I was a child that powerful figures never care much about the lives of ordinary people. I don't know if this is true, but it seems that all powerful figures in history have been like this, so I'm not surprised you've become like this, and I don't want to stop you. But, Xiao Linzi, you also have to know that these survivors will become your people, and they will one day understand that they've come to this point, and their experiences, at least you have played a role. Do you think they will still support you wholeheartedly?"

Wang Shoushi paused, found a chair, and sat down. Running so far in one breath was still too much for him. He took a sip of tea and continued, "I know you're anxious, but I've seen clearly in Zhaoyang these days that the Chen Dynasty will continue to rot without your help. None of the four kingdoms can escape; they will all rot. I don't know the reason, no one knows, but we can all see that they're hurtling towards their doom, and there's no stopping them. They don't need your help."

"I understand what you mean." Lin Hai's expression was uncertain, and it was hard to tell whether he understood or was just pretending to understand. However, he quickly skipped over the question and said, "Then no matter what, are you really going to ignore the tens of thousands of refugees here?"

"Xiao Linzi, you are too anxious. This is your responsibility, but you shouldn't take action. Have you forgotten that the Southwestern Chen Dynasty has a ready-made enemy?" As the saying goes, the old are the wisest. Lin Hai immediately understood what Wang Shoushi said.

"Xue Wuxia, how many people can we gather now? I mean the kind that can fight." Lin Hai turned his head and asked.

"Reporting to the Lord, the guards and mobile forces in the refugee camp are under the command of Lord Wang, and there are about 600 people. The intelligence station can now gather less than 100 people." Seeing that it was serious business, Xue Wuxia could finally put down his pen and answered seriously.

"Alright then, leave a hundred men to guard the refugee camp, and gather the rest of us. Under the Khmer banner, we'll set out in the middle of the night to attack Zhaoyang City. We must force the Zhaoyang Tongzhi to send for help!" Lin Hai slammed the table and said, "We have to be quick."