"What?"
A shocked voice came from behind Wei Maolin, and Gong Xishan, who was wearing a green official uniform, followed him out. He winked at the soldiers guarding the gate, and then said to Wei Yunlan, "Can I have a word with you for a moment?"
Wei Maolin nodded calmly to his daughter.
Wei Yunlan handed the reins to Steward Wang, and followed Wei Maolin and Gong Xishan into the gate of the City Lord's Mansion.
The oil lamps were still burning in the City Lord's Mansion, which was usually locked and turned off after dark. Footsteps could be heard everywhere, and it was obvious that there were still quite a few officials and soldiers staying in the City Affairs Office.
It seems that the speculation of Tianshu Pavilion is correct, and the second prince Huyan is imprisoned in the City Affairs Office.
Previously, when the border defense map was stolen, Wei Yunlan knew that there was an underground secret room under the City Affairs Office.
Now it seems that the Second Prince Huyan must have been imprisoned there.
"Lord Gong, father." Wei Yunlan spread out his palm, in which lay two scimitar tokens, one new and one old.
Gong Xishan's expression suddenly became serious. "Where did these two tokens in my niece's hand come from?"
"One is a relic of General Bai, a former guerrilla general of the Northwest Army. It was given to me by Old Lady Bai from the Bai family. The other one was found by someone in my family today on the way to Beiguan."
"I have seen this token left by General Bai and I recognize it. I did not dare to delay and came here in a hurry."
Wei Yunlan did not explain in detail the part about Heiyun picking up the token, and Gong Xishan did not ask any further questions about it.
It was normal for a family like the Wei family to leave some people in the nearby states to set up farms or do some business since they had settled in Beiguan. In his opinion, the "family members" mentioned by Wei Yunlan were probably the servants of the Wei family who were responsible for these businesses. They came to Beiguan City to deliver things at this critical moment, and naturally they were delivering food and winter clothes, which were the most in short supply in the city.
Just picking up a token doesn't mean anything.
But combined with the inexplicable smell near the South City Gate and the current situation in the dungeon of the City Lord's Mansion...
The possibility of barbarians raiding the North Gate has greatly increased.
And the time is tonight!
"Brother Wei, I will now order the city guards to strengthen their defenses and inform General Shi to send troops to support. I'll need you to keep an eye on the matters in the City Affairs Office." Gong Xishan looked hurried and left in a hurry to make arrangements.
"Lan'er, the City Affairs Office is full of troubles. I'll ask Manager Wang to send you back first."
The situation in the City Affairs Office is special right now, and Wei Maolin's first priority is to let Wei Yunlan avoid the chaos first.
Just after he said this, he frowned. His daughter had just mentioned that there was a strange scent of flowers spreading near the South Gate. There was a chance that the barbarians might attack the city from the South Gate. Going back now might not be safer than staying in the City Affairs Office.
Seeing his father's hesitation, Wei Yunlan said, "I will stay in the City Affairs Office with you first."
Many people living in Jingping Lane are skilled in martial arts, and they are protected by the shadow guards of Tianshu Pavilion in the dark. Besides, civilians live in that area, so even if the barbarians raid, they will not focus their attention there.
On the contrary, the City Affairs Office will definitely be the target of the barbarians' attack.
Even if my father wore soft armor with golden threads, he might not be able to withstand the swords of the barbarians.
She really couldn't feel at ease if she didn't stay here in person!
"Then just stay with me and don't move around casually." Wei Maolin didn't bother to persuade him any more. He also knew that there was something strange about his daughter, and that protecting herself should not be a problem.
The atmosphere in the City Affairs Office, which was already heavily guarded, became even more tense.
Soldiers patrolling the surroundings, one team after another, took turns patrolling around the City Affairs Office compound, not missing any blind spots.
The city remained quiet. Apart from the City Affairs Office strengthening its defenses, there seemed to be no impact elsewhere. Only a few people knew that the soldiers who were supposed to be on leave had been called up and were quietly hiding near the north and south gates and the city walls.
Some families living near the city gates have also been told by the city guards to place their elderly and weak family members in place in case of any unexpected events.
The night deepens.
The bright moon in the sky has risen directly above our heads.
The entire Beiguan City seemed to be in a deep sleep. At this moment, smoke suddenly rose in the distance to the north.
The soldier in charge of patrolling came inside to report immediately.
“There’s war on the border again!”
The officials who stayed in the City Affairs Office all looked solemn.
Gong Xishan, who had already returned to the City Affairs Office, raised his hand and rubbed his brows, and ordered in a deep voice: "Everyone, get ready. I'm afraid there will be a tough battle tonight."
After saying that, his gaze swept across Wei Yunlan who was standing next to Wei Maolin below.
Fortunately, the girl from the Wei family reminded us to make preparations early, otherwise there would have been a big trouble at the City Affairs Office today.
However, at this time, a war broke out on the border, and the troops stationed in the north might not be able to spare manpower to return to provide timely assistance. They could only rely on themselves to defend the city!
Since he was injured and left the front line, and was appointed to his current position, Gong Xishan could not remember how long it had been since he had picked up a sword. At this moment, he picked up the long sword with his uninjured left hand.
"Everyone, no matter what, we must defend this city tonight. Don't let the soldiers on the front line drag down, and don't let those barbarians in the north harm the people in the city."
"Tonight, it all depends on you!"
These words are both to boost morale and to speak to oneself.
Ordinary soldiers did not know this, but he knew that the most important hostage in this battle was hiding under the feet of his men.
And the only key to open the dungeon in the city is on him.
In any case, he would not give the barbarians an opportunity to take hostages.
The only way to open the dungeon is for them to step over his dead body!
…
The autumn wind is blowing.
The north is cold, and the capital is also filled with autumn.
The ministers were still unaware of the latest situation of the war in the north, but they were greatly worried about the Second Prince, who was acting as regent in the court.
Emperor Xiaoming had previously caused public resentment by collecting grain taxes. The Second Prince was now going too far in correcting the wrongs, and with a wave of his hand, he directly allocated 500,000 taels of silver to purchase grain and fodder.
In addition to supplying the army, another part was to be sent to areas where grain taxes had been increased and where people frequently caused trouble.
The purpose of this move is obvious.
It was just to win people's hearts and make people in the world believe that he was more qualified to be the emperor than Emperor Xiaoming!
The effect was remarkable. After the decree was issued, many people, under the guidance of caring people, began to praise the Second Prince's kind heart.
But the food has not been bought yet.
The price of grain in the capital and nearby states has soared by several percent. The most difficult thing is that there is no market for it.
Not to mention ordinary people, even wealthy families couldn't buy food.
Compared with Emperor Xiaoming's cowardice and inaction, the Second Prince's reckless actions, which only cared about achieving his goals and not the process, troubled the court officials even more!
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