Besides Yucheng, news of the massacres of other cities followed one after another.

It wasn't just the Dongyue royal family that carried out massacres; other powerful warlord families were also involved, not to mention the mixed Hu (non-Han) allied forces in the northern Central Plains.

The entire southern region was shrouded in extreme panic, and ordinary people were filled with gloom, fearing that the flames of war would one day reach their own heads.

The streets and alleys of every city in the South were deserted, and people no longer went out casually.

Conversely, the villages under Longtan's jurisdiction, upon learning of this news, flocked to the county town to inquire about the situation.

In no time, the entrance to the county government office was crowded with people, and guards were maintaining order.

When Lin Yiheng came out of the county government office, he saw a large crowd of people discussing something animatedly.

He took out a makeshift megaphone and said, "Please be quiet, everyone."

The villagers immediately stopped discussing and craned their necks to look at him.

"Don't be afraid, everyone. The rebel army won't open up our Dragon Pool. We will also strengthen security and defenses. Please go back first and don't wander around."

Despite his statement, the people of Longtan were refugees who had fled from the Central Plains. The Central Plains had been plagued by wars and severe famine, with many warlords and nomadic people using human flesh as food, and the people even resorting to cannibalism.

This is no secret; it's common knowledge worldwide.

They now live and work in peace in Longtan, and each household has painstakingly saved up some food. How could they not be afraid if the rebel army came to burn, kill, and loot!

So, some people started to secretly discuss it.

"Instead of living in fear like this, why don't we just hide in the mountains?"

"The officials at the county government all say there's nothing wrong, and you still don't believe them?"

"What if he's lying to us?"

“Think about it, from the time we arrived in Longtan until now, the people in the Longtan County government are different from the officials in other places; they have never lied to us.”

"That's true too." The man felt a little more at ease.

Someone whispered, "However, I'll still go back and dig a cellar to store the grain, just in case."

Upon hearing this, the others suddenly realized that because of the dampness in the south, they had never thought of digging a cellar, and had now forgotten about it.

The news spread quickly, and with the help of Lin Yiheng and others, the villagers soon dispersed.

Meanwhile, all the administrators of Longtan were having a meeting in the county government's council hall.

Yun Liu reported to everyone the news that had come from the Southern Prefecture.

"After the frost and snow in May, the Central Plains suffered severe famine, with most grain production reduced or even lost. Now, as we enter the twelfth lunar month, the Central Plains have experienced several heavy snowfalls, causing the Eastern Yue royal family to be unable to keep up with logistical supplies. The soldiers suffered from hunger and thirst, which led to the brutal massacre of the city after the city was breached."

"Has all the grain tax from Nanzhou Prefecture been handed over to Feng Yongyan?" Lin Yinan asked.

Yun Liu shook his head. "No, when Master Yun learned that the refugees were coming, he found an excuse to withhold the grain tax for the two seasons this year, saying that it would be transported away after the New Year."

Yu Shida was not in Nanzhou Prefecture, and thanks to Yun Zhenchuan's mediation, the grain did not reach the Yu family.

Leading troops into battle involves enormous expenses for food supplies and military pay.

Yun Mo: "Only sufficient logistical supplies can guarantee the fighting capacity of the army. If soldiers cannot be paid, their morale will waver. That's why the Wang family of Dongyue tacitly allowed their soldiers to plunder the people's property after Yu Shida led his troops to capture Yu City. This was to encourage and stabilize the army's morale."

Lin Yinan's elders had learned this when they were in school: there was another reason why the Dongyue royal family massacred the city. The expeditionary soldiers were under tremendous psychological pressure and resentment, and they needed a good outlet for their anger.

The soldiers were promised that they could take any gold and silver they wanted after the city fell. This greatly maintained the stability of the army and ensured that they had enough fighting capacity. Thus, the massacre of the city occurred.

Just like soldiers in modern America, they often commit suicide, self-harm, or brutal acts of torture and murder due to post-war psychological problems.

Yunye pointed to the cities surrounding Yucheng and analyzed them for everyone.

“The city is controlled by other powerful families on all sides. The Dongyue royal family’s move also serves as a warning to others. With their reputation for massacring the city, they can effectively deter the warlords who are eyeing the city. Some weaker warlords will have no choice but to surrender.”

Lin Yiheng's expression changed drastically. "If this happens, won't other warlords follow suit? If they all learn to massacre cities, it will be the ordinary people who suffer!"

Lin Yinan fell into deep thought. This meant that the South was not entirely safe either.

Yun Mo looked at her and said what was on her mind, "Then we should focus on deploying manpower in Chi'an so that we can keep track of the situation outside."

"Several heavy snowfalls have occurred in most parts of the Central Plains. Judging from the celestial phenomena, this extremely cold weather will also affect the entire southern region," Yun Liu said with concern.

Lin Shuo's eyes revealed deep anxiety and unease.

"Oh no! The potatoes we planted were only two months ago. If the severe cold comes, they might freeze to death!"

The potatoes harvested last time were all used as seeds; they were their only hope. If they froze to death, then all would be lost.

Lin Yinan's expression was calm and serene, as if she possessed a power that could make people feel at ease.

"Second Uncle, there's no need to worry. Potatoes are cold-resistant and can be harvested in another month, so the yield won't be reduced."

Hearing her say that, Lin Shuo felt a little relieved.

Yun Mo said, "The three foals that were born not long ago in the horse pen on the mountain, as well as the mare, have all been moved to the horse farm in the valley."

No one had any objections to this.

After the meeting, Yunyu and Hu Shao hurriedly left with their men. With the severe cold approaching, they needed to quickly inform the villagers below so they could prepare in advance.

We've been in the South for three years, and the winters here are not even half as cold as those in the Central Plains.

This year's sudden cold winter may freeze many people to death.

This year's cotton harvest was not large, so Lin Yinan had Wu Xingwang buy a lot more from other places in the summer. The garment workshop is working overtime to sew new cotton-padded clothes and hats for the soldiers.

Lin Yinan came out of the clothing workshop and met Yun Yu's wife, An Shi, on the way. She was taking her two sons in a carriage to leave the city, followed by another carriage full of things.

"Second sister-in-law, where are you going?" Lin Yinan asked with a smile.

The two children greeted her politely, and Madam An smiled and said, "The school is on holiday. My husband and I had planned to go back to Nanzhou Prefecture together for the New Year. My husband had to go out, so I thought I would take the children back to see my mother-in-law first. My husband is riding a horse, so he can catch up with us even if he leaves later."

Yunyu hurriedly sent someone back to say that she had gone out on business, but did not explain the specific reason. An Shi, a woman from the inner quarters, still did not know the situation in Nanzhou Prefecture.

Lin Yinan advised, "Second sister-in-law, I'm afraid you'll have to stay here for the New Year this year. The city gates of Nanzhou Prefecture are surrounded by a large number of refugees, and you probably won't be able to go back."

"Ah? Is this true? My husband didn't tell me." Madam An exclaimed in shock, covering her face with her handkerchief.