The officers and soldiers were holding back a portion of people, not allowing them to pass, while opening the gate to let some through. The blockage ahead was quite severe.
Jiang Yuhou rode up from the rear on a mule: "I found out that the guard on duty today is Deputy Commander Qian from the Military Section. I had some dealings with him before, so I should be able to say a few words. It's just..."
He glanced somewhat helplessly at the massive crowd behind them: "With this many people, I'm afraid it won't be that easy."
Huo Shu knew it wouldn't be easy. Such a large group of them fleeing the prefecture's borders would inevitably cause panic in the areas they passed through.
For the prefectural government, this would certainly affect the officials' administrative performance, so they would undoubtedly post guards to prevent it.
However, it seemed the prefect was extremely preoccupied with dealing with the rebel forces and hadn't yet had time to dispatch more troops to guard this area.
Huo Shu said: "This Deputy Commander Qian—does he recognize money?"
Jiang Yuhou didn't reply directly but exchanged a look with Huo Shu.
"Archivist Jiang, you finally made it. I thought you weren't leaving the town today. If we waited another hour or so, the shift would have changed."
The man in iron armor, seeing a group approaching directly instead of queuing, was about to shout a reprimand. But as he stepped forward and recognized Jiang Yuhou, his tone softened considerably.
Jiang Yuhou quickly clasped his hands in greeting: "My apologies for the trouble, Deputy Commander Qian. The road was crowded, which slowed our progress."
The deputy commander glanced past him at the large group and was taken aback. He urged: "Archivist Jiang, quickly bring your family forward and make haste. Another large crowd is approaching from behind. Once inspections begin for them, passing will become difficult and cause delays."
Jiang Yuhou gave an awkward smile, leaned in, and whispered a few words into the deputy commander's ear.
After hearing this critical information, Deputy Commander Qian's expression changed. He immediately took a step back and said urgently: "This massive crowd looks to be nearly a hundred people! Allowing them to cross the prefectural boundary would be disastrous. Archivist Jiang, you're really putting me in a difficult position!"
"These are all ordinary commoners from near Lianjia Village. The war flames have reached them, they are all unfortunate souls. They're just traveling together for mutual support and care."
"Even so, there are far too many people! How can I let them pass!"
Deputy Commander Qian had previously received Jiang Yuhou's recommendation to be promoted from a minor flag officer to the position of deputy commander. After the new prefect took office, many clerks were replaced.
But those of them in the Military Office, and especially those not in major positions, were unaffected. Furthermore, most of the prefecture's able-bodied soldiers had been conscripted by the garrison forces, leaving the prefecture itself short-handed, so they were reluctant to dismiss people easily.
Although Jiang Yuhou no longer held his official position, Deputy Commander Qian still remembered his past kindness. Granting passage for a minor border crossing—an insignificant matter—would have been a simple favor to grant.
But allowing passage to such a large group was an entirely different matter altogether.
Jiang Yuhou and Huo Shu had anticipated this and were not particularly surprised.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuhou glanced subtly at Huo Shu. Receiving his silent approval, he leaned in again and said quietly to the deputy commander:
"If they scatter, refugees will still find small paths to leave and seek refuge. This is something the prefect won't be able to suppress even if he wants to. With the garrison troops gone, he's already overwhelmed dealing with the rebel forces. How could he have the energy to manage minor matters like refugees fleeing?"
"Besides, where there's war, there are always refugee migrations. Didn't refugees from Hailin Prefecture also come to our prefecture?"
As he spoke, Jiang Yuhou discreetly stuffed a handful of silver notes into Deputy Commander Qian's robe: "The court is already beset with internal troubles and external threats. For the sake of your own family, Deputy Commander, you should make plans early. It's been a long night. The brothers guarding the boundary have worked hard. This small token is for everyone to have some tea money."
Deputy Commander Qian fell silent upon hearing Jiang Yuhou's words. He knew Jiang Yuhou had a brother who was an official in the capital, giving him connections that local officials lacked.
This gave him pause for thought. Then, feeling the weight of the silver notes tucked inside his robe, his stance immediately softened.
"How can I accept Archivist Jiang's generous offer?"
Though he said this, he made no move whatsoever to return the silver notes.
Jiang Yuhou knew the matter was settled. He said: "In these times of raging warfare, everyone is having a hard time. Those of us powerless to decide the start or end of wars have no choice but to look out for and help each other, hoping just to preserve our lives in this chaotic world."
"Archivist Jiang speaks wisely."
Deputy Commander Qian raised a hand. The soldiers behind him, understanding the order, immediately prepared to open the boundary gate: "Archivist Jiang, please hurry and go. Once past the boundary, try to disperse the group as much as possible."
Jiang Yuhou nodded repeatedly.
The two then turned back to urge the group to proceed quickly.
The villagers, seeing that many people were being stopped at the boundary, while they not only didn't have to queue but could also pass through in a large group, suddenly felt their admiration for Huo Shu grow several degrees stronger. They felt that following Huo Shu had been the right decision.
None dared to speak much or look around, proceeding silently and quickly out through the boundary gate.
Many of the women had never ventured beyond the borders of Tongzhou in their entire lives. That their first time crossing would be as refugees fleeing their homeland brought a wave of sorrow, and they could not hold back their tears.
A somber mood settled over the entire group.
Once beyond the prefectural boundary, they would soon arrive at Shuixi County—the northernmost county of Tongzhou. Huo Shu and his merchant caravan had previously stayed at an inn in its main town.
After passing through the county town and crossing Longwei Slope, they would reach Lianping Prefecture. By then, they should be able to travel with peace of mind.
But for now, still within Tongzhou prefecture, they couldn't help but feel apprehensive and dared not relax yet.
"Three hundred taels were slipped to him."
The horizon showed a sliver of fish-belly white, hinting that dawn was approaching.
Only after the entire large group had safely exited the prefectural boundary did Huo Shu ride his horse over to the carriage where Ji Taoyu and the others were.
Ji Yangzong had been organizing the villagers earlier. The villagers had listened to his instructions, and after speaking so much his mouth was dry and his tongue parched, leaving him utterly exhausted.
He now came over and climbed onto Huang Yinsheng's carriage to rest for a while. The two carriages traveled side by side.
Wu Lianhe, half-covering her face, was walking with Zhao Pan in the middle of the group. She had not gone ahead to join the Wu family, nor had she moved to be with Yuan Huiru and the others.
From her position, she could see both groups clearly, so there was no urgency to gather together immediately.
The various branches of the Ji family also gradually regrouped and continued walking together.
Thank you for the updates!!!
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