In today's world, it is not possible to show your talents and serve the country just by having ambitions.
Now that he has such an opportunity to protect his hometown and do more for the people, Pei Yanli's eyes became firm.
He bowed deeply to Xiao Yunchen and said gratefully, "Sir Xiao, you are my mentor, and I am deeply grateful. I, Pei Yanli, will do my best to live up to your expectations."
A gentle breeze blew away the dark clouds in the night sky, allowing the moonlight to shine brighter and brighter, making the darkness brighter and clearer.
At noon the next day, bright spring light shone into the study of Shuixieju.
"Master, our people have already rushed to the northwest."
Xiao Yunyu hummed softly, his eyes fell on the northwest map on the table, and he frowned and fell into deep thought.
Suddenly, Qi Heng's panicked voice suddenly rang out, approaching from afar: "Brother Yu, this is bad, Brother Yu! Something happened in the northwest again!"
Qi Heng ran in with an anxious look on his face. "I thought the Xiyuan Kingdom would be like before, prioritizing the people's livelihood and being too busy sowing seeds in the spring to bother us. Unexpectedly, they've bucked their trend and are now launching an attack. The defenders outside Dong'an are already in a tough fight."
From the tone of his voice, it seems that he can't wait to set off for the northwest.
Xiao Yunyu waved at him calmly: "Come here."
Qi Heng hurried over and looked at the map on the table in the direction of his finger.
Xiao Yunyu: "Mobilize all the troops you can now and go guard here."
Qi Heng looked up in surprise when he heard this: "What about Dong'an City? You don't care about it anymore?"
Xiao Yunyu raised an eyebrow, "You mean, if the enemy advances, I block them, and if the enemy retreats, I defend?"
Qi Heng looked at him puzzledly: "Isn't that so?"
"Of course not." Xiao Yunyu raised an eyebrow and said, "Warfare is the art of deception."
Looking at Qi Heng's innocent eyes, Xiao Yunyu pulled down the corner of his lip and patiently explained: "The way of military strategy is to be strange and changeable, to come up with strange strategies one after another, to defeat the enemy with unexpected tactics, rather than to stick to conventional methods."
"Ah? Oh." Qi Heng nodded, not quite understanding.
Xiao Yunyu ordered: "Take the falcon trainers with you and set off with me tomorrow."
The subordinate replied respectfully, "Yes," and turned to leave.
Qi Heng was a little confused at this time. He had not yet fully understood Xiao Yunyu's plan, but this did not affect his obedience to orders.
"Then Brother Yu, shall I go back and arrange for someone now?"
Xiao Yunyu nodded: "Go ahead."
————
The city of Dong'an was in chaos. People were walking through the streets and alleys in panic, and everywhere was filled with people trying to escape.
Outside the city, the heavy sound of horse hooves rang out like drums, creating a haze of fear that quickly enveloped the area.
At the Li residence, the nurse whispered anxiously, "My dear, right now, I need to flee with my family. The world is in such a mess, I really can't bear to be separated from them."
Li Nian hadn't expected the war to come so suddenly. She forced herself to remain calm and said, "Don't worry. I remember you have two young children at home. You don't have a carriage, so it would be inconvenient to flee with them."
She looked at the nurse sincerely, her tone calm and soothing, "There are only two of us. Sisi can ride a horse, and there's extra room in the carriage. If you're willing, we can escape together. But you'll have to continue to take care of the child along the way, and I'll pay you double the wages."
The nanny's eyes lit up, but she gritted her teeth hesitantly: "Then, I'll go home and ask."
Li Nian breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.
The child is too young now and has not been weaned yet, and she has run out of milk a long time ago. As long as the wet nurse agrees, it is worth it even if she pays a little more money. Otherwise, she can only exchange it with the system using her life points.
In comparison, she still prefers to spend money.
"Okay, I'll wait for you. We'll set off in about half an hour. If you'd like, you can come earlier and we'll wait for you in the carriage."
The nurse nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I will come back as soon as possible."
At this time, Li Sisi hurried over and said, "Niannian, the carriage is ready. Aunt Pei just came to say hello and said she's waiting for us at the alley entrance. When are we leaving?"
Li Nian solemnly instructed Yu Niang, who was standing beside him, "Yun Niang, go get two of the thickest quilts in the room and put them on the carriage. It's cold at night, so you won't get cold."
"Okay," Yu Niang responded quickly, turned around and trotted into the house.
Li Nian pulled Li Sisi back to her room, closed the door, and spoke cautiously, "Sisi, let's keep all the banknotes on us, and hide the rest of the valuables in the bottom of the carriage. We need to keep it discreet."
Li Sisi nodded quickly and started packing her things while asking, "What did the nanny say? Will she come with us?"
Li Nian frowned slightly, and said in a noncommittal tone, "I think so."
Li Sisi sighed as she packed her things, "Ah, I don't know how things are going with Second Brother Pei. How about we exchange some gunpowder?"
At this point, she continued to speak on her own: "But we have no power, and our points are limited. Even if we can hold out for a while, if there is no subsequent support from the imperial court, we still won't be able to hold on. We'd better protect ourselves first!"
Li Nian frowned and said, "Let's protect ourselves. I heard that the generals of Dong'an City have already fled with their troops."
Li Sisi: ???
"No way? They...then who are fighting the enemy outside the city now?"
"I heard it was the Qi family army and some desperate soldiers who refused to flee in the face of battle. I just heard someone say that on the street. I don't know if it's true."
The two men had just packed up their things and loaded them onto the carriage when they saw a group of people fighting. It sounded like they were robbing property?
Li Sisi quickly closed the door and listened to the crying and beating sounds outside, which finally stopped slowly.
Li Nian held the child in her arms, her face heavy with worry: "We won't wait any longer, we'll do it now..."
"Knock knock knock--" There was a rapid knock on the door.
Li Sisi quickly protected Li Nian behind her and whispered, "You guys go back to the house first, I'll go take a look."
Li Nian nodded: "Then be careful."
"Hmm," Li Sisi came to the gate and asked, "Who's outside?"
"Second Miss, it's me!"
When Li Sisi recognized the voice of her nanny, her eyes lit up instantly. She quickly opened the door and saw her nanny and her family standing at the door. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's good that you're here. I'll drive the carriage out now. You take the children and get in." After saying that, Li Sisi turned around and called Li Nian and the others in the house.
Everyone got on the carriage, met up with Aunt Pei, and drove out of the city together.
Along the way, there were people who had fled together, and many of them were even acquaintances.
A carriage is always slower than a horse. Li Nian saw that Aunt Pei's face was full of anxiety, and she probably worried about Pei Yu'an.
Li Nian and Li Sisi were also very worried, but with their current abilities they had no way of resisting the thousands of enemy troops.
Li Nian thought of the care the Pei family had given them, and felt a deep sense of powerlessness and guilt for no reason.
She had been too content with her own little corner before, always keeping herself outside the world. Now that she suddenly had to leave Dong'an City, she inexplicably developed a sense of belonging.
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