The road to wealth of a peasant widow

Chapter 194 Arrangement

Chen Cui did not let herself indulge in this depressed mood for too long. It was just one night. The next morning, she returned to her usual calmness and serenity.

Among this group of people, although Changan and Changfu have read a lot of books, their actual life experience is not rich, and they find it difficult to make decisions when encountering problems.

The others were either servants or guards, and some were just a few children. No one had the courage to make decisions when something happened. Until the crisis was resolved, she could only act as the leader of the team and help everyone make decisions.

Seeing Chen Cui appear in the living room as usual, everyone looked at her with worry, even a few guards.

"I'm fine. I'm just a little worried about the situation in Longnan Prefecture. I'll have to trouble Guard Zhuang to go out and find out the latest situation so that we can arrange the next trip in time."

Guard Zhuang immediately responded loudly.

In fact, even without Mrs. Chen telling him, he also had to pay close attention to the developments. This was originally his job. They wanted Longnan to be safe more than anyone else, as their master was there.

Although they could get a reward if they could safely escort the two young masters to Shuzhong, their livelihood would probably be ruined.

It is rare to find a master as generous and tolerant as Mrs. Zhang. Their daily work is leisurely and the remuneration is generous, so they all hope to continue working under her in the future.

Chen Cui hopes that there will be a turn for the better in this war, that the country's army will be able to drive the foreign enemies out of the border, that peace will be achieved in the country, and that they can return home and resume a peaceful life.

Unfortunately, things often don't go as we wish.

From then on, none of the news that Guard Zhuang heard was good.

"The Western Rong army arrived at Dingxi and quickly broke through the city gates. After entering the city, they burned, killed, looted, and committed all kinds of atrocities."

"After they arrived in Tianshui and entered the city, they not only destroyed the government office, but also hung the prefect's head on the city gate, just because the prefect led his men to resist, which caused the loss of their cavalry!"

If they could have remained calm after hearing the news from Dingxi, everyone became uneasy when they learned that Tianshui was only a hundred miles away from Longnan.

They have relatives in Longnan. What if this group of evil people break into Longnan Prefecture?

Guard Zhuang had been to the most places, so he drew a simple map on paper to let them know their current location and the attack route of the Western Rong people.

Judging from the terrain, according to the estimation of Zhuang Huwei and Chen Cui, their next target should be Baoji, and then they should head towards Chang'an. But no one can be sure. What if the enemy does not follow the routine?

Therefore, Longnan, which is closest to Tianshui, is in danger now!

Even Chen Cui and her group in Jiange County were so worried, and the people in Longnan Prefecture were trembling with fear.

Magistrate Ma had been sending people to follow the progress of the war. When he learned that the enemy had arrived in Dingxi, he started cursing, saying that those soldiers were useless and just allowed the enemy to advance so far!

When he learned that the Western Rong people had arrived in Tianshui, Magistrate Ma could no longer curse. The danger was so close to him, but he was helpless. He had neither the strength to fight nor the courage to escape. He was so worried that he could not eat or sleep.

Wang Hengzhi had been working hard these days and had become increasingly thin. When he learned that the Western Rong people were close at hand, he was silent for a moment, then regained his composure and calmly commanded the yamen runners and civilians to defend.

With the previous incident in Dingxi in mind, he knew that he must not let the Xirong people enter the city, otherwise the people in this city would have no way to survive. Life and death depended on those people's thoughts. For the Xirong people who were accustomed to killing, massacring civilians was as easy as crushing ants.

He had already prepared for the worst and was determined to hold on until the last moment. Even if he died, he would die on the city wall.

Fortunately, Lord Ma was an open-minded and good boss. As early as when Jincheng was breached, he handed over the full power of the government office to him, leaving all affairs to him, and he himself hid in the mansion, claiming to be ill and not going out.

Wang Hengzhi knew that he was just trying to evade responsibility. If Longnan could escape this disaster, Lord Ma, as the prefect, would certainly have the greatest credit.

If Longnan unfortunately fell in the end, he, the "patient", would be able to escape most of the responsibility, and all the blame would be placed on himself as the co-magistrate.

But if it really comes to that, does the charge still matter?

"When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact?" Doesn't Lord Ma really know this sentence? No, he knows everything, he just doesn't want to face it!

As the chief officer, he is usually ambitious and unwilling to do practical work, but at the critical moment, he is not even as good as a young man without a position!

Wang Hengzhi looked at Changping who came to report and sighed in his heart.

It's a pity that this child has not yet officially entered the official career, but may be buried here along with this city.

"Changping, if the Western Rong people attack and the city gates cannot be defended, I have something I want to entrust to you." Wang Hengzhi said calmly.

"Please speak, sir!" Changping said solemnly.

"Then you can take people to escort Madam to Shu. It should be safe after passing Jianmen Pass. Then escort Madam to her parents' home. This is the only thing I ask of you. You can't refuse!"

Changping was stunned. Although Mrs. Zhang did not say it explicitly, he knew that she would stand by her master through thick and thin, and was even prepared to fight to the death together.

"But Madam..."

"Don't tell her about this in advance. You can knock her out or knock her out when the time comes. I'm an official appointed by the court, and it's my duty to defend the city. But she doesn't have to die here with me. She should have had a great life, and it's all my fault!"

Wang Hengzhi's eyes were red, he was sorry for his wife, she was a delicate lady and shouldn't have to suffer with him. They were husband and wife, so he should make some arrangements and send her away at the last moment, which could be regarded as the last thing he did for her!

Changping's eyes also turned red, he knew what Lord Wang meant. He could have arranged other guards to escort the lady, but including him in the escort was also a way of protecting him and saving his life!

He could have refused. At this time, he should have expressed his sincerity and said, "Students and adults advance and retreat together." This can show his sincerity.

But when he thought of his mother and brothers and sisters who were in Shuzhong, he couldn't say such a thing against his will.

After all, he was afraid of death. He didn't want to give up the chance to survive. He wanted to continue living and reunite with his family. He didn't want to die meaninglessly under the butcher's knife of the Xirong people.

So, with tears in his eyes, he replied: "Yes, I will listen to your arrangements!"