The Prime Minister is aware of who the rebels are. Perhaps they have already begun their actions and are secretly engaged in a power game? The area around Jiangzhou is a stronghold for the rebels. The secrets of Meixian are indeed vast! Yet, Zhang Fang stumbled upon them! Unfortunately, he finds himself in a dilemma. In front of him is Meixian, which he cannot enter. Behind him lies a flood, which he cannot escape.
Covering his forehead with his hand, Zhang Fang realizes he is beginning to feel feverish again. He rummages through his clothes and takes out a pill bottle, pouring out two pills and swallowing them.
Mu Qing asks him, “Young Master Zhang, what should we do now?”
Hao Zhuang feels a severe headache. Why does escorting a criminal to the border bring him so much trouble? Compared to the current situation, the previous issues feel trivial! Now he finds no way to escape!
He could paddle backward on those rickety wooden rafts, but it’s clear that the governor of Jiangzhou, Xu Chang, must have already received news of their crackdown on the bandits. By retreating, they would merely be heading into the tiger’s mouth!
Rain starts falling from the sky, drenching him, and the nearby citizens begin to stir.
“It’s raining again! What do we do?”
“Oh heavens! Please stop the rain!”
“Will we ever be able to live again! Boohoo!”
Crying, pleading, and cursing mixed together flood into Zhang Fang’s ears. Remembering those trapped on the mountain and those stranded on roofs waiting for rescue, Zhang Fang suddenly grips Chen Dage’s hand and speaks with determination, “Brother Chen, are you willing to be a hero this time?”
“I am not!” Chen Dage flatly refuses with an expressionless face.
Zhang Fang kneels before him, pleading, “So many innocent civilians are trapped outside the city. We are stuck here, and only you can help us enter. I ask Brother Chen to take us in!”
Chen Dage looks at Zhang Fang coldly and mockingly says, “Why should I take you in?”
“Brother Chen, just state your demands!” Zhang Fang gazes at him resolutely.
Chen Dage, feeling mischievous, tells Zhang Fang, “Let me hit you a few times.”
Zhang Fang nods, leans his face in, and even smiles at Chen Dage.
In response, Chen Dage raises his hand and delivers a fierce slap, causing Zhang Fang to turn his face aside.
This act startles the nearby citizens, who move away from Zhang Fang and his companions.
Mu Qing angrily grabs Chen Dage’s hand, wanting to deal with him.
Zhang Fang grits his teeth and says, “Let go of Brother Chen!”
This time, Mu Qing ignores Zhang Fang’s plea, continuing to hold onto Chen Dage, telling Zhang Fang, “He is retaliating against you! Young Master Zhang, don’t believe him!”
Zhang Fang understands, but at this moment, only Chen Dage has the chance to enter the city. Regardless of whether it will help, he must beg.
“Let go of Brother Chen!” Zhang Fang stretches out his hand to pry Mu Qing’s grip away.
Mu Qing, furious, slaps his hand away. He is filled with anger and wishes he could kick Chen Dage in the back and snap his neck!
With blood trickling from his mouth, Zhang Fang says to Chen Dage, “Keep going, Brother Chen!”
Zhang Fang’s pitiful appearance makes Chen Dage lose interest. With a disgruntled expression, he says, “I’ve lost my enthusiasm now!”
Mu Qing cannot bear to see Zhang Fang being humiliated like this. Zhang Fang is someone he admires. He directly kicks Chen Dage from behind, forcing him to the ground, quickly pressing his head down and forcing him to bow violently.
“Mu Brother!” Zhang Fang realizes he has completely offended Chen Dage, who will surely not help them now.
Chen Dage gets up from the ground, his face muddy and bloodied, with a pair of triangular eyes glaring at Zhang Fang filled with hatred.
Zhang Fang calmly says, “Knock him out.”
Mu Qing strikes Chen Dage with all his strength, finally feeling somewhat relieved.
“We’re leaving.” Zhang Fang stands up from the ground.
Hao Zhuang reminds Zhang Fang, “Even if we retreat now, we can’t leave Jiangzhou.”
“I know. Since we cannot leave, then we will not go.” His clear eyebrows are now as cold as ice.
Zhang Fang instructs Hao Zhuang, “Brother Hao, please lead these citizens to a high place to avoid the disaster.”
Hao Zhuang is confused, unsure of Zhang Fang’s intentions, feeling suddenly alarmed, and asks, “What do you want to do?”
“Draw water to flood the city; I need to get in.” Zhang Fang’s voice remains calm, but his gaze towards the city gate is harsh.
Hao Zhuang is frightened by this plan, stammering, “What about the people inside the city?”
“There will be enough time for them to move to higher ground before the water overflows into the city.”
Hao Zhuang grips Zhang Fang’s arm, trying to persuade him, “Young Master Zhang, calm down! There are tens of thousands of lives at stake!”
“If we delay any longer, everyone will die!” Zhang Fang is well aware that no one will save these disaster-stricken citizens. The officials of Jiangzhou would never let the news of the disaster in Meixian leak out! If they don’t take drastic measures, everyone is doomed.
Once the water enters the city, the loyal soldiers will surely grab their weapons and flee, leaving only helpless civilians behind. After that, they must band together to help and support one another. That is their only way to survive.
Hao Zhuang feels that this matter is too terrifying. Zhang Fang’s thoughts are too crazy. If the water situation goes out of control, the disaster will only escalate!
Zhang Fang leaves Hao Zhuang behind and takes the others away.
Hao Zhuang, anxious, stomps his feet and can only take action among the crowd.
“Dear villagers! The water is going to rise! The city will be submerged! We must find higher ground to escape!”
His loud voice breaks the tension amongst the people, and with a mindset of hoping for the best, many start gathering their belongings, preparing to leave.
Seeing people leaving, those who hadn’t heard Hao Zhuang’s words felt nervous and, following the crowd instinctively, grabbed what they could and left with their families.
The people outside the city gradually scattered, leaving the city guards bewildered. They thought the flood had receded and paid no heed.
Zhang Fang retreats with everyone, boarding their wooden raft, and wakes up Chen Dage.
Chen Dage, dazed, feels a headache; he isn’t fully awake.
Zhang Fang presses hard on his wound, causing immense pain that snaps Chen Dage to attention, baring his teeth and glaring at Zhang Fang. He immediately attempts to lash out at Zhang Fang but discovers that he cannot move his hands or feet. Looking down, he realizes he has been tied up.