The little boy nodded and handed over his hand.
Seeing the child's face flushed as if he had a high fever, the driver almost rolled off the shaft and waved his hands repeatedly: "They are all people with the plague... I dare not!"
Moreover, this situation seemed wrong no matter how you looked at it, as if there was some kind of disagreement... If he did something he shouldn't do or heard something he shouldn't hear, his life would be over!
The driver became more and more frightened and ran away.
The girl sitting in the car was Qiao Yumian.
Because Doctor Sun in the carriage was not used to sharing a carriage with other medical practitioners, Qiao Yunmian purchased another carriage. The driver was also hired by Qiao Yunmian at a high price with her own money. He promised to take her to Yuezhou and then leave.
Qiao Yumian had just followed the medical team. When she saw the fire ahead, she realized something was wrong, so she stuffed more silver into the driver's pocket and asked him to leave the team from the back to check out the situation ahead.
Seeing the driver leave, Qiao Yumian gritted her teeth, sat in the driver's seat, grabbed the reins, and shouted in a trembling voice: "... Go!"
She was previously blind when she fell off a horse when she was young. Although her eyes have recovered now, she still has an indelible shadow when it comes to riding a horse.
But she was too nervous to care about much at this moment. Qiao Yumian was shaking and crying uncontrollably while driving the carriage forward at full speed to report the news.
Soon, nearly ten thousand people from more than a dozen huts fled one after another, and more than half of the huts were on fire. However, because the situation was disrupted by Song Xian first, the people's desire to survive and courage were aroused, and the soldiers who were ordered to set fire could no longer intimidate and suppress so many people for a while.
Deputy General Yan Chenglu had a gloomy expression.
He had not expected such a situation to happen, so he only brought less than a thousand men. In fact, a thousand soldiers were already a lot. There were more than a dozen huts, each with hundreds of sick people gathered. Sixty or seventy soldiers were guarding each with swords. It was more than enough, even more than enough.
But the bad thing was that a young official came who didn't follow the rules, falsely conveyed the emperor's will, and acted without regard for the consequences! Moreover, this person was very sure that the emperor would not allow the people to be harmed, which made it difficult for many soldiers to distinguish the truth from the false. For a while, they did not dare to rashly kill the people, so they missed the best opportunity to control the situation in the first place, and the situation quickly became out of control -
Even at this moment, many soldiers were still watching uncertainly!
Yan Chenglu was extremely angry. He sat on his horse, yelling and ordering the soldiers to assemble.
If he really made things worse and let these people run away, causing the plague to spread again, he would be in big trouble! But as he led his men forward and saw the situation ahead clearly, Yan Chenglu laughed sarcastically.
The ignorant people panicked, fearing that they would be shot if they were left alone. With someone directing them, they almost all gathered together, followed the person in front, and fled in the same direction.
Most people cannot tell the specific direction when they are extremely panicked. Moreover, this place is hundreds of miles away from Yuezhou City, which is not the environment that the people of Yuezhou are familiar with. In addition, the dense vegetation in summer blocks the view ahead. They don’t know where the road under their feet will lead to. They only know that they can survive by running forward.
Song Xian, who was riding a horse to maintain order among the troops while holding a burned child in his arms, could faintly smell the damp air that dissipated the dryness. He looked ahead and could vaguely see the situation ahead from the height of the horse. His face suddenly changed and he shouted, "... Stop! Don't go any further!"
He quickly pointed the way: "Hurry through the bushes here and go to the left!"
But his voice was like a stone sinking into the ocean, without causing any ripples in the noisy crowd.
The crowd just ran forward like a flock of sheep being chased by wild beasts.
Until the soldiers in the rear gradually approached and began to slowly surround their left and right sides, forming a three-sided blockade, the only thing left in front of them was the fast-flowing Han River.
The river water was rising in the summer and kept flowing, blocking their only way forward.
They had no way to go, and no way to retreat.
An atmosphere of panic and despair spread among the crowd.
Song Xian got off his horse and stood in front of the crowd.
Yan Chenglu drove his horse and approached slowly, smiling and said, "It seems that this is God's will. God is kind and does not want to see the plague spread!"
Yan Chenglu said, looking at Song Xian: "This lord should be thankful that he has not made a big mistake this time. Otherwise, if the plague spreads, neither you nor I can bear the consequences!"
"Killing people to stop the epidemic is not the best strategy!" Song Xian pointed at the people beside him and said angrily, "Tens of thousands of lives are at stake today, and the saint has not given any clear instructions. How can you carry out this act of slaughtering the people!"
Yan Chenglu sneered. The saint hasn't made it clear yet? Does this kind of thing need a saint's explicit statement?
How did these people become officials?
Yan Chenglu did not respond, nor could he respond. He just looked at Song Xian and said, "Sir, it is never too late to repent—"
Song Xian did not move an inch: "I was the first place winner of the imperial examination last year, and I am now working in the Censorate. I am here today, let's see who dares to hurt the people!"
Yan Chenglu laughed in his heart again. He was actually the top scorer!
“Excuse me.” Yan Chenglu raised his hand holding the reins without any respect: “Since you are the top scholar valued by the saint, I would like to remind you again. If you still insist on your own way——”
As he spoke, he glanced at the people: "Then, for the sake of the overall situation, I can only execute you on the spot for the crime of deliberately spreading the plague, along with these ill-intentioned people!"
It is true that he could not beat or kill officials in the court at will. If he had not had such concerns, he would not have wasted time talking to them.
But this is not the capital, and this is not the peaceful time when everything is controlled by civil officials. If the other party really does not appreciate his kindness, he can still kill him!
Seeing that Song Xian was unable to intimidate these soldiers, the old man surnamed Zuo said with tears in his eyes: "Your Excellency's kindness, we are grateful to you..."
As he said this, he knelt down and bowed deeply to Song Xian: "...If it is God's will, please go back!"
They have no way to survive, and if this gentleman can survive, he will be a good official who can benefit the people... There are too few such officials nowadays, so he must be alive.
Seeing Mr. Zuo like this, the other people couldn't help but shed tears. There was anger and unwillingness in their eyes, but more of it was the inability to accept their fate.
They were too scared and too tired, and no longer had the energy or energy to struggle.
At the very back, a woman near the water's edge tried to jump into the river with her child in her arms, but was stopped by the people around her.
The woman who was being held back cried out in grief, anger and despair: "...I would rather give my life to the Goddess of Han River than die under the knives of these beastly evil spirits!"
When they heard her mention the goddess of Han River, many people knelt down and cried towards the Han River.
There have been many legends about goddesses circulating along the banks of the Han River. It is said that the two goddesses of the Han River were intelligent and kind, combining both strength and gentleness, saving people from suffering and caring about the people.
“Please ask the goddess to show up… to uphold justice and lead a way out for us!”
"Please, Goddess, have mercy..."
More and more people knelt down and prayed for God's blessing with tears.
When Song Xian heard this, his heart was broken and he couldn't bear to look back.
These people first suffered from war, then were plagued by epidemics, and now are forced into such a desperate situation by the imperial court. They can only kneel down and pray for God's help... What kind of rotten world is this? !
After more than ten years of studying, he finally put on this official robe... Is it for serving in such a court and being loyal to such a king? It may be natural for a king to abuse his power, and it is not for him, a small Song Xian, to comment... But if the king only has the two words of abuse of power in his mind, what should the insignificant people do in the chaotic world?
Song Xianjing stood there motionless, but his heart felt like a collapse of Mount Tai. He felt that his past cognition was completely shattered. Sorrow and anger erupted from the bottom of his heart, burning the collapsed fragments into ashes.
At this time, Yan Chenglu's voice rang out: "Sir, my patience is running out."
Song Xian forced a sad laugh from his teeth, but only determination and courage remained in his red eyes: "Today, Song Xian, I swear to stand together with the people of Dasheng!"
You can say he is inflexible and stupid, or crazy for destroying his own future and life...
But if those who wear official robes and hold power are unwilling to stand in front of the common people, then this world will be destroyed!
If the world is about to end, Song Xian must also die!
He was not doing anything today, just to do what Song Xian should do! The people behind him cried loudly, not only for themselves, but also for the young official who had protected him with his life.
"Okay! Since Lord Song is so stubborn, I will help Lord Song realize his ambition to become a ghost hero!" As Yan Chenglu spoke, he suddenly drew his sword and drove his horse.
He had killed many people, but this was the first time he had seen a civil servant who considered himself to be upright.
In the past, he would have to think twice, but now is different! The world is in chaos, and the world is now ruled by their military generals. The court relies on them to kill the enemy, and the saints also rely on them to quell the rebellion! The pleasure of controlling life and death and looking down on others hit Yan Chenglu, and a strange bloodthirsty light appeared in his eyes.
He killed the troublesome Song Xian first, and the remaining lamb-like people would not dare to resist! While he was riding a horse and holding a knife, many people spontaneously blocked Song Xian, and many people protected Song Xian and retreated.
At this time, someone among the people in the rear suddenly shouted: "The Goddess of Han River has appeared... She has appeared!"
At first it was a child's cry, because he saw the waves on the water without wind -
People are always willing to believe what they want to hear. Under the shadow of death, this word of salvation quickly spread among the crowd. They shouted, as if the louder they shouted, the more likely it was that what was said would come true.
Just like those legends that can move the gods when remembered by all the people.
Yan Chenglu suddenly reined in his horse, stopped moving, and concentrated on trying to figure out something.
He never believed in ghosts and gods, and did not take the crazy words of the people before they died seriously, but he vaguely heard the sound of horse hooves approaching here, and the ground was shaking slightly -
Sure enough, after a few more breaths, the sound of horse hooves could be clearly heard, and its force was as strong as rumbling thunder in summer.
Song Xian, who was pushed into the crowd by the common people, suddenly turned his head to the right. If it was General Xiao, he would definitely come from behind those people, not from the side... If it wasn't General Xiao, then it would be...
Song Xian, who had already prepared himself for death, almost stopped breathing to identify the approaching party, until he saw a military flag waving in front of the approaching cavalry, and on it was an eye-catching word "Chang"!
Song Xian's resolute face suddenly showed an unprecedented expression that was hard to tell whether he was crying or laughing. He didn't know why the other party came, or whether he came for these people, but as long as it was her, it would be great! Song Xian hurriedly led the people to retreat and make way for the rolling iron cavalry.
Yan Chenglu was also driving his horse backwards, and the troops behind him all had their swords drawn and looked alert.
The flying dust was floating, drifting under the scorching summer sun. The armor of the cavalry seemed to be coated with flowing light by the shaking river water. In the distance, there were still people who were unaware of the situation and shouted "The goddess has appeared."
After leading the people back for a distance, Song Xian pushed through the crowd and walked towards the direction of the people coming.
The cavalry gradually slowed down, but as they got closer, the sense of intimidation they gave people only increased.
The path along the river was narrow, and the cavalry team was endless. The leader, a group of more than a hundred people, arrived first. After they reached the front of the people, they pulled the reins and turned the horses' heads. Both the horses and the people on them faced the direction of Yan Chenglu's soldiers.
The leader was very young, wearing a black robe with tight sleeves and his hair was tied up with a copper hairpin. His fine hair was slightly wet with sweat, but his face was more dazzling than the scorching sun, his eyebrows and eyes were dark, and he had a natural aura.
Yan Chenglu's eyes changed slightly. He had seen Chang Suining before, when he was in Xingyang -
Therefore, like Li Xian, to whom he was loyal, he did not have the slightest good impression of Chang Suining.
But he glanced at the cavalry that was still following him in an endless stream, and he didn't want to easily conflict with them, so he raised his hand and saluted, and asked tentatively: "I wonder if Envoy Changjie has come from afar, do you have any advice for me?"
The girl sitting on the tall horse did not answer at all, but asked: "What happened here?"
This condescending tone made Yan Chenglu very unhappy, but he still replied: "Empress Chang, you don't know that these people behind you are all Yuezhou people who are suffering from the plague-"
But he did not see the fearful and evasive expression on the girl's face as he wished. Instead, she interrupted him and said, "I want Lord Song to answer."
As Chang Suining spoke, he turned and looked at Song Xian.
Yan Chenglu gritted his teeth after being interrupted.
Song Xian calmed down a little, bowed to Chang Suining, and said bluntly, "The people under the command of Duke Han wanted to burn all the infected people to death. I fled here with the people, and there is no way to go... I hope Envoy Chang Jie can help us!"
Chang Suining nodded as if he would always agree to a request: "Okay."
She agreed very easily, and then turned back to look at Yan Chenglu and others, and said in a tone of notification: "You can't take these people away today."
This matter-of-fact tone made Yan Chenglu unable to suppress his anger any longer: "Envoy Chang Jie, are you going to disobey the Holy Order?"
"The Holy Order? Does the Holy Order order you to kill all the people who are infected with the disease?" Chang Suining said calmly: "That's not what the Holy Order said in the edict that was sent to the subjects of the world."
Yan Chenglu tightened his grip on the reins: "...We are not going to kill the infected people, but we are ordered to bring them back and resettle them. Please do not obstruct us, Envoy Chang!"
Chang Suining shook his head calmly: "That won't work either."
(I wish everyone a happy Women's Day, I wish Ningning, and I wish us independence, courage, abundance, equality, pride, freedom, happiness, and good night!
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