This grain transport mission was of great importance. An Yun personally took charge. Facing the bandits who appeared before him, though he knew they were once ordinary civilians, he also understood this was no time for softness, for hunger could drive anyone to desperate acts.
Under An Yun's command, everyone drew their swords hidden beneath the grain, preparing to defend themselves.
These bandits were originally civilians, lacking formal training. The moment they engaged, it was clear something was amiss, but it was too late. They were instantly killed with a single blow. Seeing this display, those behind them were already terrified and scattered in all directions.
For An Yun at this moment, the grain was the top priority. As long as the grain remained secure, there was no need to relentlessly pursue and fight these bandits.
Of course, they had to pass through several cities along the way. This is where Old Master Bai proved useful. His hometown was in Lin County, and under the guise of delivering grain to his clan, no one dared to obstruct them.
However, this method had limitations. Delivering grain to one's clan meant one couldn't transport too much, but it could still alleviate their immediate pressing need.
Just as in the original host's memories, the Emperor issued an urgent decree, ordering Bai Shuxue to quickly marry off to the border and secretly summoned Old Master Bai. Wu Caiwei didn't even need to think to know that the Emperor must have instructed her father to speak with Bai Shuxue upon his return, urging him to win over the鎮國將軍 (Zhen Guo Jiang Jun - General Who Guards the Nation) and mobilize troops in a timely manner to serve the imperial court.
Although her marriage was arranged hastily and with great urgency, with the imperial family's assistance, she was still sent off with a grand dowry of ten miles, a spectacle that made everyone anticipate her wedding as a means to change the current dire situation.
Ultimately, their hopes were misplaced. Bai Shuxue had been married for some time, yet the 鎮國將軍 (Zhen Guo Jiang Jun - General Who Guards the Nation) did not move a single soldier. Soon, news arrived that the 永定侯 (Yong Ding Hou - Marquis of Yong Ding) had bravely sacrificed himself. The imperial army, leaderless, retreated steadily.
All the vassal kings took advantage of this critical juncture to expand their influence. Huangfu Xingchen was no exception. The surrounding cities belonging to the imperial court had long since been incorporated into his territory.
Of course, he dared not make any overly ambitious moves, as his military strength was considerably weaker compared to other vassal kings. Although the Kings of Liang, Lu, and Wei were advancing rapidly, externally he was still the Crown Prince of Lu, and they wouldn't do much to him. But who knew what the remaining six vassal kings were thinking?
Furthermore, if he attracted the attention of the imperial forces, it would be too disadvantageous. The main reason was that he couldn't win.
In the capital, everyone was contemplating their escape routes. The clever ones had already secretly departed.
Wu Caiwei also wished to leave, but as an official of the imperial court, Old Master Bai absolutely dared not entertain such an idea. After all, they were still under the Emperor's jurisdiction. If they angered him, before the rebels even arrived, they would lose their heads.
For his safety, Wu Caiwei decided to remain in the capital. If anything were to happen to him, she could assist him in a timely manner, as he was her mission target, wasn't he?
Old Master Bai had considered this. He wanted to secretly send his daughter to a manor in the suburbs, but no matter how he tried to persuade her, Wu Caiwei insisted on staying with him.
He thought that Wu Caiwei was reluctant to part with him as her father. However, his assumption wasn't entirely wrong. He was deeply touched, feeling he hadn't doted on his daughter in vain, even though she sometimes dragged him into trouble.
What was inevitable eventually arrived. One night, as they were sleeping, the sounds of shouting and killing suddenly filled the air. A single listen was enough to understand what was happening.
The servants quickly awoke and guarded all the exits of the mansion. Firstly, they feared the chaotic army would enter and kill indiscriminately. Most of the residents were women, powerless. Only by guarding the entrances could their safety be ensured. Secondly, they feared that some might panic and take the opportunity to cause trouble.
Their worries were indeed not unfounded. The street they lived on was inhabited by various officials, so ordinary people normally wouldn't come here. But tonight, through the gaps in the doors, the servants could see that outside, the lights were blazing, and people were organized and disciplined in their plundering.
Their neighbor was also a third-rank official, recently promoted from elsewhere. His mansion was not managed strictly, and his wife was not capable of managing the household. He likely hadn't even considered this possibility. Not long after, they heard the frightened screams of the women. They dared not imagine what had happened.
At this moment, they could only maintain a high level of concentration, as they could sense that those people, having tasted success, would certainly not let the Bai manor off the hook. Each of them nervously peered outside through the door gaps, their palms sweating, feeling no chill despite the cold winter.
The screams from the neighboring house continued to rise and fall. A group of people also arrived outside the Bai manor. After observing the situation, they decided to enter through the side gate.
It was unclear where those people found a wooden log, which they used to repeatedly ram against the door. Although the Bai manor's servants had piled up layers of objects behind the door when they prepared to enter, preventing it from being broken or damaged, it likely wouldn't hold for long.
The people outside the door grew anxious, realizing this method wouldn't work and would delay them until dawn. Thus, they somehow found ladders, propped them against the wall, and began to climb over. Those who entered first, with their bare hands, were no match for the numerous servants and were killed. However, as more people entered, the situation began to spiral out of control. Eventually, they coordinated an inside and outside attack, forcing the door open.
As soon as there was any disturbance, Wu Caiwei went to Old Master Bai's room. The father and daughter sat in silence, looking at each other.
"I had planned for this day long ago. There is a secret room in this chamber. If the situation becomes dire, you will hide in there," Old Master Bai said, looking at his daughter with concern.
Before his words had even finished, Bai Shujie and his mother, and Madam Bai and her son, entered with expressions of fear.
"Master, you just mentioned a secret room. Quickly, quickly open it and let me in," Madam Bai said with surprise and delight. It was truly terrifying, and who knew when the robbers would break in.
"The secret room is very small, how can it accommodate so many people?" Old Master Bai said with a sigh. "Besides, if everyone goes in, and there are no masters, do you think those robbers will believe it when they enter?"
"Then what should we do? We can't all wait here to die! As the matriarch, I will go in first." As Madam Bai finished speaking, they heard the screams of the servants outside. Before they could take any action, the door was kicked open.
"Haha, all the masters of the mansion are here, and beautiful ladies too." A lewd middle-aged man leered at them with a disgusting gaze, looking them up and down.
His shout immediately attracted over twenty bandits, who surrounded them.
Old Master Bai, trying to compose himself, attempted to negotiate with them. "Good sirs, I am the master of this mansion. I know exactly where the gold and silver are hidden. I will lead you there, I only ask that you spare my family."
"We want the gold and silver, and of course, we won't let the beautiful ladies go, right?"
"Yes," the bandits shouted excitedly in unison.
Madam Bai heard this and broke down. "Good sirs, we are all old and not to your taste. My daughter is of marriageable age, you should look for her."
Before she could finish speaking, she had pushed Wu Caiwei out while everyone else was still taken by surprise.