Mu Fengqie and Jing Xunche found an inn as their temporary lodging. The city didn't look as prosperous as they had imagined. The streets were desolate, with hardly anyone strolling around. It seemed like an empty city.
Mu Fengqie sat in the equally desolate inn, secretly sizing up the surrounding environment. After a while, the waiter brought the dishes they had ordered.
Mu Fengqie stopped the waiter. "May I ask if something has happened in this city? Why is there no one in the inn?"
The desolation of such a large city made Mu Fengqie feel uneasy. If she hadn't seen the still - open shops on the street and the sporadic patrolling troops, she would have thought the city was deserted.
The waiter sighed. "It's obvious that you, sir, are not a local. A great catastrophe is about to befall Pingzhou. Some people have fled upon hearing the news. This vast Pingzhou City is about to change hands."
Mu Fengqie couldn't help but feel puzzled. She hadn't heard of any war breaking out recently. But judging from the waiter's words, it seemed that a century - long war was about to start here.
Moreover, on the way here, Jing Xunche and Zhu Fei had told her many stories about Pingzhou. The governor of Pingzhou, Ouyang Heng, was a rare talent. He was good at using troops and knew military strategies, so the people of Pingzhou had always lived in peace and prosperity.
"But I've heard that Governor Ouyang Heng is good at using troops. How could the city change hands?" Mu Fengqie asked.
The waiter sighed heavily again. "Don't even mention it. If it were someone else, Pingzhou would surely be safe. But this time, it's the Tule Tribe that's coming. The Tule Tribe has always been invincible. Pingzhou City is in danger this time. Gentlemen, please leave early tomorrow."
Mu Fengqie and Jing Xunche exchanged a look. There were complex expressions in both of their eyes. Jing Xunche, in particular, looked very unhappy.
"What's the deal with the Tule Tribe? Do you know anything about it?"
Jing Xunche nodded slightly. "The Tule Tribe is the largest tribe on the grassland. Even the desert tribes submit to them. The people on the grassland are tough and capable, almost undefeated in battles."
When he used to lead troops in battles, he had never faced the Tule Tribe head - on. At first, the Tule Tribe didn't dare to provoke the Qin Dynasty. Now that the Qin Dynasty was far from what it used to be, it seemed that a real catastrophe was about to come.
Mu Fengqie also felt uneasy. No wonder the common people were fleeing. It seemed that the Tule Tribe was a powerful opponent this time. Were they really going to hand over this city to others?
Zhu Fei, who had gone out to gather information, returned at this moment. "Young Master, the Tule Tribe is about to attack Pingzhou. There aren't many soldiers left in the city. It's unlikely that we'll wait for reinforcements. Let's leave here as soon as possible after tonight."
Mu Fengqie frowned. She looked up at Jing Xunche. When their eyes met, Mu Fengqie already knew the answer. "Zhu Fei, find a way to send a message to the governor's mansion. We want to meet Ouyang Heng."
Jing Xunche also nodded. As a person of the Qin Dynasty, he couldn't just watch his own city be handed over to others. "Tomorrow, you should leave here as soon as possible. I'll stay."
"I've always said that where you are is my home. Even if you try to drive me away, I won't go. Last time I wanted to stay and fight side by side with you. I won't be a burden to you. Maybe there's something I can do to help."
Mu Fengqie's eyes were full of expectation. Although she didn't understand military strategies, she had listened to many historical stories with her grandfather when she was a child. With her intelligence, she might be of some use.
Zhu Fei quickly went to the governor's mansion to deliver the message, but the mansion was closed to visitors. Zhu Fei was turned away and returned to the inn dejectedly.
"It seems that things are indeed not that simple. We may need another way to meet Ouyang Heng. Did you notice anything at the governor's mansion?"
"The main gate of the governor's mansion has been tightly closed. I only saw a woman leading a child out of the mansion with several attendants. She should be the governor's wife."
Zhu Fei's words gave Mu Fengqie an idea. Maybe they could start with the governor's wife and enter the governor's mansion in a legitimate way.
"Find a set of men's clothes. Zhanzhi, we'll go out together later. Remember to address each other as brothers." Mu Fengqie said.
Although Jing Xunche didn't understand what was going on, he still chose to trust her. She must have her reasons for saying so. Maybe she had already come up with a good idea.
Mu Fengqie and Jing Xunche left the inn. There were only a few pedestrians on the street, so it was easier to set their target. They observed in the bustling part of the street. Fortunately, they finally found the governor's wife.
Mu Fengqie signaled to Zhu Fei not far away with her eyes and nodded at him. Zhu Fei also nodded, then covered his face and blocked the governor's wife's way in night - clothes.
"How dare you! Who are you? Do you know who you're blocking?" the governor's wife's attendant scolded.
Zhu Fei snorted. "The city is about to fall. I don't care who you are. Hand over all your money, or this little girl will..."
The little girl was pulled into Zhu Fei's arms and started crying loudly in fear. The governor's wife immediately became nervous. "Good sir, I'll give you whatever you want. I just hope you won't hurt my child. She's so young..."
At this point, the governor's wife began to choke. This child was born after ten months of pregnancy with great difficulty. The child was like her own life, and she would never let the child get hurt.
Before Zhu Fei could say anything, an arrow flew out with a swish and hit Zhu Fei. Zhu Fei pretended to be injured and quickly fled.
The governor's wife quickly picked up the little girl. Then she saw Mu Fengqie and Jing Xunche walking slowly over. She was excited and thanked them.
"Thank you, two chivalrous young men, for saving our lives." The governor's wife was about to kneel down.
Mu Fengqie helped the governor's wife up and felt a little guilty. "Madam, there's no need for such formalities. My brother and I were just passing by on our wandering journey. Saving you is just a matter of fate."
The governor's wife looked at Jing Xunche and Mu Fengqie and thought they didn't look like wanderers at all. But she was a polite person. They had saved her and her child's lives, so she couldn't just do nothing.
"If you two don't mind, would you like to come to my home for a simple meal? Consider it as my way of repaying your kindness." The governor's wife invited them warmly.
Mu Fengqie lowered her head to hide the pride and glee in her eyes. Sure enough, this move was right. They could enter the governor's mansion openly without any effort.
"This... Madam, you really don't need to take it to heart. My brother and I don't need any reward." Mu Fengqie replied hypocritically.