At Liwan Pier, the soldiers on patrol retreated into teahouses and taverns on the street.
They had already received orders from their superiors: Today, no boats would be anchored into the river.
It was rare to have nothing to do, and it was raining again, so we made appointments in twos and threes and went into the teahouse and tavern to laze around.
Only the large ships that docked this afternoon still had ten people on board to guard them.
Because the cabins of those ships were all filled with food. It was purchased from the south by several grain merchants in the city.
In the past few days, people were making trouble everywhere, so the grain was not unloaded from the ship.
According to the plan, they would have to wait until the floods passed before they would be quietly transported to the city.
Of course, only a few confidants knew about such a big matter, so the soldiers responsible for staying behind did not pay much attention to it and were relatively slack.
Who wants to stand outside like a fool in this weather?
Therefore, those left-behind soldiers who could not go to teahouses and taverns to take shelter from the rain and have a drink instead found places to hide, chattering and cursing.
The wet and cold wind, carrying the drizzle flying around, kept blowing from the river to the shore.
The blowing made the lanterns sway wildly, and the blowing made debris fly everywhere on the silent dock.
The wind made some small boats docked along the coast sway.
"Bang!"
The watchman, wearing a raincoat, hunched his neck tightly and dragged his long shadow, sounded the first watch gong.
And as he got further and further away, many black figures emerged from the dark awnings of the small boats and sneaked into the water quietly.
Zhang Yun, one of the guys from the carriage shop, wiped his face after diving into the water, and looked worriedly in the direction of the embankment.
I prayed secretly in my heart: Nothing will happen to you, nothing to the dam.
…
And at the same time, on the other side. Bingzhou City and Xicheng Gate.
The two guard captains squatted by the small door built into the gate, muttering quietly.
"Listen to some noise. We can't hold Master Di back tonight."
"I know...Oh, I really surrendered to Mr. Di, but I was risking beheading. He is still so young..."
"He took the risk and we just followed him, so what else is there to say? He was the one who saved my son when something happened to him. If something happens to him, I will risk my life."
"I don't dare to say anything. He saved your son and also my mother. If it weren't for him, my mother would have died halfway, and I wouldn't even be able to see her... Isn't that what I am doing? , I’m just worried that something will happen to him.”
"It's okay, we have to believe him."
"Um!"
At this time, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Sounds like a lot.
The two quickly stood up and opened the small door.
People wearing bamboo hats and blank bags on their shoulders, who looked like poor people, filed in with their mouths tightly pursed and their heads pressed down.
When passing by these two people, they both bowed deeply.
Both of them were so moved that they almost shed tears, but they felt their blood boiling all over again.
The meaning of being a soldier may not lie in how many enemies you have destroyed or how many honors you have received, but in being moved by such a feeling and reaping the highest achievements.
And tonight, many people were moved by each other's feelings.
The people received the news in the afternoon, and the obedient people came quietly.
Even if he was doubtful, he still came.
Because they can't wait, and the soil in the ground can't wait.
Many of their family members were arrested, and they wanted to make a big fuss.
At that time, they heard someone whisper: Mr. Di, who has solved countless cases, promised them that they could get the rice and take back their families. No matter how hesitant they were, they were still willing to believe and fight once at this time.
Now that I saw that the city gate was indeed open, I felt relieved and became more cooperative.
The wind gradually became stronger, but the rain gradually weakened.
The common people buried their heads, followed one by one, pressed against the wall, and walked silently through the darkness.
It's extremely dark in Zhoucheng tonight.
The lanterns usually hung on both sides of the street were extinguished at some point.
Occasionally, I could only hear the sound of the watchman, which was still far away from them.
The sound of the hooves of the soldiers patrolling the city never came near.
The long queue stretched from one place to the outside of the city.
Some people whispered and ordered them to stand still and collect the grain bags they brought one by one.
Soon, bags after bags of items were quietly passed around.
It's rice, they can feel it.
You can even smell the fragrance of new rice on the tip of your nose.
Everyone was inspired.
There is food, there is really food.
Quick, spread the news!
Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up!
…
Inside and outside the jail of the Governor's Mansion, the common people who were also led to leave quietly also quickened their pace, followed the people at the front, and gradually joined the team delivering food.
No one can see who is who.
But everyone knows: the food has arrived, and there is a way to survive this year; relatives are back, they will be fine, and everything will be fine.
Some people quietly left the team and wanted to go somewhere else through the darkness.
He didn't slip far before he was knocked unconscious and dragged away.
At this time, there is something wrong with anyone who is disobedient.
Anyone who hears the noise and gets up to pick up a candle and wants to go out to check will hear a low and stern warning from outside the courtyard wall.
They retracted their necks, retreated into bed again, opened their eyes and ears, and listened.
They are also poor people.
The route outside is chosen to pass through the streets and lanes where poor people live.
The soldiers and horses of the Dudu Mansion were stationed twenty miles outside the city. In addition to those who accept special arrangements, such as guarding docks, the normal guard force of a normal state city is city defense soldiers.
Does not belong to a system.
Chen Jun, who was in charge of patrolling the city tonight and the leader of the city defense soldiers, was cooperating with all the actions tonight after being given instructions by his father.
His father said: "As a little patrol chief, you see the city in chaos every day, are you really not upset?
Thinking about the people in the states and cities who suffer disasters every year, aren't you almost dying of frustration?
But who has ever taken you seriously?
Your father and I wanted to seek justice for our tenants, but they were all slapped with boards and locked up. You could only send me some clothes and food.
What do you think I can expect from you? If Lord Di hadn't cleared away our grievances for your father and me and given us justice, your father and I would have died in the prison of the Governor's Mansion.
How dare you come to offer incense to your father then?
Go ahead, kid. Do what a man should do.
Even if you don't care about this kindness, just think about Mr. Di who is charging forward alone for the sake of the people. Go ahead. If anything happens, our whole family will shoulder it with you. "
Chen Jun is here.
