Chapter 94 - 92: The Beginning of Chaos
"Farewell?" Song Changming was puzzled.
"Miss!" Xiu’Er’s expression changed from beside him, wanting to step forward, but was stopped by Xiao Shuyun’s hand gesture.
"After years of interaction, Chief Patrol Guard Song has rescued me many times. To me, Chief Patrol Guard Song is not an outsider, and such a matter needs to be spoken openly." Xiao Shuyun spoke in this manner.
Upon hearing this, Xiu’Er wanted to say something more, but Min’Er beside her tugged at her sleeve, and she ultimately kept quiet.
Seeing this, combined with the situation encountered on the way to the Xiao Mansion, Song Changming somewhat realized that what Xiao Shuyun was speaking of was likely something of extreme importance.
"A few days ago, my elder brother..."
Xiao Shuyun told Song Changming about Xiao Hongyang’s imprisonment and the precarious state of the Xiao Family.
Including the later defiance of orders by Governor Xiao, leading to the assembly of forces from three prefectures to launch a campaign, which left Song Changming dumbfounded.
Previously, after meeting Gu Wenhui, he was mentally prepared for the possibility that the Xiao Family might suffer a heavy blow, but he hadn’t expected that so little time would pass before the Xiao Family’s mighty vessel would become so endangered.
Mere defiance of orders from the Imperial Court is a matter of great significance, yet the governor does not consider fleeing but rather intends to defend Donglai Prefecture against the Imperial Court.
He was momentarily unable to fathom what this Lord Governor was thinking.
But possibly aware of the risks with no complete assurance, Xiao Jingchuan planned to arrange for the Xiao Mansion’s dependents to leave before the fighting began.
Thus, there was today’s farewell from Xiao Shuyun to him.
At that moment, Song Changming did not know what to say.
"Miss Xiao, take care!"
Xiao Shuyun pressed her lips together, watching Song Changming with her gaze filled with a mixture of emotions, seemingly wanting to say something else but ultimately leaving it unsaid.
"After today’s farewell, I hope there will be a day to meet again, to stroll the streets and chat leisurely with Chief Patrol Guard Song." Xiao Shuyun spoke with a heavy heart, her eyes slightly red.
Leaving one’s homeland would grieve anyone, yet Xiao Shuyun was quite strong, stubbornly holding back tears from welling in her eyes.
"Alright." Song Changming nodded.
One has to say, Xiao Shuyun had treated him generously over the years.
If Liang Chuan Mountain was his first benefactor, this fourth lady of the Xiao Family was the second benefactor who aided in his rise in Donglai County City.
Now with the Xiao Family in trouble and her departure, Song Changming felt somewhat uneasy about being unable to assist her.
"We probably might meet again someday." Turning from the Xiao Mansion, Song Changming looked back, whispering to himself.
That night, the northern city gate of the County City opened, and the Xiao family’s convoy slowly exited the city, merging into the night without pause and disappearing.
A few days later, forces from Nanyang, Seven Rivers, and Yongkang Prefectures assembled and officially invaded Donglai Prefecture.
As war loomed, the peace from the past vanished entirely!
Suddenly, the citizens within the County City were fearful, worried the flames of war would spread, consuming their homes and lives.
Some caravans, seeing the ominous signs, chose to leave quickly, unwilling to remain in places where war was spreading.
The price of grain in the city visibly soared, and various meat shops and grain stores were raided.
Everyone knew that food was the most precious commodity during times of chaos.
Song Changming had already instructed Father Song and Song’s Mother to stockpile provisions in the Song Residence on Houli Street, just in case. He also returned to live at the Song Residence.
No matter how chaotic the outside world became, he only needed to protect his family.
In fact, the situation did not become that dire.
Xiao Jingchuan had been prepared and had made numerous targeted defenses within Donglai Prefecture, learning of the attacks early and promptly deploying.
The forces he led included over ten thousand County Soldiers and over fifty thousand Private Soldiers in total!
Overall, approximately sixty thousand troops, a remarkable figure for any governor.
On the contrary, Nanyang Prefecture dispatched seven thousand troops, Seven Rivers Prefecture dispatched six thousand troops, and Yongkang Prefecture dispatched nine thousand troops.
The combined forces from the three prefectures barely exceeded twenty thousand.
With Xiao Jingchuan deploying those surprising sixty thousand troops, the battle quickly lost suspense.
Being a home-field defense, within half a month, the united forces from the three prefectures were decisively defeated, fleeing with haste, leaving Donglai Prefecture.
During the battle, only a few villages and towns were affected, while all twenty-two County Cities in Donglai Prefecture remained unscathed.
Not to mention the County City.
The united forces of the three prefectures appeared more bark than bite, leaving them ridiculed by people from other prefectures around.
Fufeng County, Gu Mansion.
"Brother, the governor returned victoriously leading his troops." Cousin Gu Ruxin said.
"Hmm, good news, our Gu family’s land and properties are all preserved." Gu Wenhui lay on the lounge chair, leisurely fanning himself with a purple and white fan.
Gu Ruxin paused for a moment, unable to help but cautiously ask, "Brother, do you wish for the governor to win?"
Gu Wenhui slightly opened his eyes, turned his head, glancing at his cousin with detachment before speaking.
"To me, the result of this battle is unimportant. As long as the battle starts, it is enough. Whether the world is chaotic or not.
Since all those ambitious people are hesitant and unwilling to act, then I shall personally usher in this chaotic era..."
...
Houli Street, Song Residence.
"Changming, I hear the fighting is over. Is the outside going to be alright?" Song’s Mother asked.
Song Changming just finished a session of body refinement at home, upon hearing his mother’s inquiry, shook his head and replied, "Mother, it’s not that simple."
"This time our Lord Governor opposed the Imperial Court. Although the Imperial Court is currently fragmented, they won’t easily let the governor off."
"When will this ever end, sigh," Song’s Mother lamented.
After finally enjoying a few good years, she truly hoped there would be no more wars.
Song Changming couldn’t say much either; he had no ability to foresee the future, and how the world’s grand events would unfold was completely beyond him.
Who knows what it will eventually turn into?
All he could do was silently build up his strength, assess the situation when necessary, and keep observing.
If all else fails, he’d take the old folks and leave for a quieter place to start anew.
Once Song’s Mother left, Song Changming continued to practice his sword skills.
Nearby, Song Ping’an, who was sweeping the ground, watched intently, occasionally mimicking with his broom.
Song Changming noticed but allowed him to watch, not minding at all.
If this kid could actually learn even a bit from him in this way, it would only prove that the child had a good martial arts aptitude.
Beside them, Dahuang and White got excited, playing and tumbling around, turning into a tangled ball.
In their carelessness, the massive head of a dog crashed into the courtyard wall, breaking bricks and leaving a large dent.
"Dahuang! The wall was just repaired, and you’ve broken it again!" Father Song saw this and was jumping with anger.
The two dogs, much like children who got into trouble, hung their heads without a sound.
Father Song walked over, all the while nagging, but he still carefully checked Dahuang’s head, ensuring it was unharmed before reprimanding the damaged wall again.
After Song Changming finished a round of sword practice, he couldn’t help but marvel at the two dogs being genuinely tough.
Nowadays, he no longer saw Dahuang and White as ordinary house dogs.
He guessed that these two dogs probably carried some exotic blood, which made them extraordinary.
But compared to those real exotic beasts outside, these two dogs weren’t as mystical. At least they didn’t have horns growing from their heads or scales on their bodies.
They were just a bit larger in size than average dogs, appearing more imposing.
In terms of combat power, even ordinary martial artists in the Third or Fourth Realm might find it hard to take advantage of these two dogs.
Song Changming helped Father Song repair the courtyard wall, then trained the two dogs to be more mindful.
In case they break the wall again, it wouldn’t matter much, but if they hurt his parents’ bodies, they might end up being cooked as dog meat.
The next morning, bright and early, Song Changming rode a horse from Houli Street to the General Department for work.
Currently, Xiao Jingchuan was still the Governor of Donglai County, and both the Public Security Bureau and the Patrol Armor Bureau within the city were operating normally. The government’s power structures hadn’t collapsed due to the war.
So, Song Changming continued to do whatever he needed to do every day.
That day, Xiao Jingchuan led the grand army back victorious and held a grand celebration banquet to boost morale.
Even Song Changming, along with other Chief Patrol Guards, was brought to the banquet by Xie Shihuan, receiving a share of credit for steadfastly defending the rear.
Xiao Jingchuan also publicly commended their role in the security bureau, stabilizing the city’s public order and sentiment.
Of course, the protagonist today wasn’t the patrol guards, but rather the soldiers who went out to battle. The military’s rewards and recognitions alone took a full three hours.
And as for them, they were only mentioned briefly during leisure.
"It truly feels uncomfortable here today," Zhou Sixin whispered quietly, sitting next to Song Changming.
"Look at those officers, their arrogant demeanor. When the Governor mentioned our patrol guards earlier, the scorn on their faces was blatant, as if they feared others wouldn’t notice. Tsk, what a character..."
"Brother Zhou is right. This group from the military looks down on us patrol guards. On usual days without battles, they might be better, but now having won and gained merit, they’re almost strutting above the heavens!" Another Patrol Captain agreed.
"Forget it, it’s their moment today. We eat our food; why bother with them," Song Changming shook his head and said, clinking his cup with Zhou Sixin for comfort.
Sitting on Song Changming’s other side, Lu Zheng also heard Zhou Sixin’s comments but maintained his usual expression, sipping his drink without a word.
As the banquet proceeded and everyone was merry with wine, suddenly a general stood up and cupped his hands in salute, "Lord Governor, we’ve watched the dancers long enough. How about something more thrilling?"
"Oh, General Shi, what do you suggest?" Xiao Jingchuan, in high spirits today, chuckled.
"Lord Governor previously mentioned that the Public Security Bureau hides many talents, but unfortunately, there have been few encounters with our military. Now that we meet, why don’t we have some good hands from each side spar for everyone’s entertainment?"
As soon as Shi Lie said this, many soldiers began to cheer noisily, echoing their agreement.
Each voice was robust and full of confidence.
"Captain, Mr. Xie, what do you think?" Xiao Jingchuan looked at the leaders of both sides and inquired.
"I have no objections, just not sure if Mr. Xie would find it convenient," Fan Yun laughed, unwilling to disappoint his soldiers.
"Uh, this..." Xie Shihuan clearly hadn’t anticipated this segment tonight, caught somewhat off guard.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, if the patrol guards he brought were to perform poorly, not only would the military steal the spotlight, but even the governor might look down on them.
But at this point, if he declined, it would seem too cowardly. So he could only agree with a smile.
Behind him, the patrol guards exchanged glances, each with different expressions.
The dancers quickly retreated to the side, making space on the stage.
On both sides, the zither players timely adjusted their music, infusing the melody with a fighting spirit.
The atmosphere in the banquet hall changed in an instant.
"Alright then, since I made the suggestion, it’s only right for me to start first." Shi Lie laughed, brandishing two Copper Hammers, stepping over the table before him, and walking to the center.
He was burly, clad in the armor just off the battlefield, exuding an aura of evil qi, appearing very fierce.
His lofty gaze swept over the Chief Patrol Guards present, his smile tinged with ill-intent and mockery.
"Who will spar with me!"