Chapter 7: Man is born evil
The next morning, Lu Chenyang was about to set off again, while the injured brothers stayed behind to recuperate.
Lu Chenyang therefore gave the manager of the post station some silver and said, "This is their food allowance. My brothers are injured, please give them better food."
It was a sum of money that made the steward smile from ear to ear, and he immediately agreed: "Don't worry, Master Lu, I will take good care of them."
Lu Chenyang smiled gently, "Of course I'm relieved. They were all sent by the Emperor to escort the Prince of Zhenguo. When I arrive in Lingnan, they will return to the capital to obey orders. I'm completely relieved to have you take care of them."
The steward's eyes flashed. This little county magistrate was actually using the emperor to pressure others.
Lu Chenyang turned around and left some silver for the leader of the group. "It's safer to have silver on you. Take good care of your injuries."
The wounded soldier was deeply moved: "Sir, when we recover from our injuries, we will catch up with you. When we reach Lingnan, we will repay your kindness."
Lu Chenyang smiled, turned around and left with his men. As they left the city, they noticed the tense atmosphere inside. Everyone was discussing the robbery of the county jail yesterday. Lu Chenyang remained calm, as he hadn't robbed the jail anyway.
After leaving the city and reaching ten miles outside the city, the refugees had been waiting there for a long time, hiding in the woods nearby. They only came out when they saw Lu Chenyang and the others.
The group returned to the woods to talk.
This time, over fifty villagers, including their families, came with them, including women, children, and the elderly. Some knew they had no chance of survival if they stayed, so they decided to leave with Lu Chenyang. But others didn't come, reluctant to leave their homeland, and they didn't dare take the risk.
Lu Chenyang nodded. "It's okay. It's just a personal choice. Tan Feng, help the old man and the child into the car. Let's get going quickly. I'm worried that the remaining people will tell on us."
When the others heard this, they immediately took action.
Fortunately, there were no injured people, so their cars had a lot of space left.
Yan Xing watched him help the old man into the carriage and snorted softly, "Lord Lu, you know that if this matter of yours were known to others, your career as a county magistrate would be over."
Lu Chenyang said without turning his head: "The prince is right, but we must not let them know. Hurry, hurry, hurry and leave."
Yan Xing sneered, "You know those civilians who didn't come will betray you, do you think you can hide it? They may not know you, but the local Magistrate Sun will know who you are just by hearing your description. You're just a scholar, after all, and you still believe that human nature is good."
Lu Chenyang shook his head. "Your Highness, that's wrong. I don't believe that human nature is inherently good. I believe that human nature is inherently evil. That's why talented people need to study and be educated. They are ordinary people, living in poverty. They have been struggling for survival since birth and have never understood any principles. How can I force them to be polite, righteous, loyal and trustworthy? If they betray me to survive, I don't blame them. It's the fault of those who made it impossible for them to live."
Yan Xing was stunned for a moment.
Lu Chenyang urged, "Let's go quickly. If we get discovered, we won't be able to leave."
Yan Xing stopped talking nonsense and the group set off immediately. After walking for more than 20 miles, Lu Chenyang thought for a while and felt relieved that it was unlikely that County Magistrate Sun would risk his life to chase them for a group of people.
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