Chapter 149

She made as if to leave, her tone laced with provocation, turning and about to walk away.

Looks like I was sticking my nose where it didn't belong.

"Wait!" Jiang Xiaomu called out to her, his tone suddenly turning serious.

Help me out.

Ye Ying halted, turned, and gave him a half‑smiled glance.

Well, look at that—Jiang Boss actually needs something from me.

I want you to gather information about the movements of the surrounding barbarians; the more detailed, the better.

Ye Ying furrowed her brows.

Barbarians? Why are you investigating that? When did you become interested in these crude barbarians?

Jiang Xiaomu's eyes shifted, and he casually blurted out:

Business hasn't been good lately, has it?

I've heard there are some rare trinkets over in the barbarian lands; I want to go try my luck and see if I can make a fortune.

Ye Ying eyed him suspiciously, her gaze seeming able to see through Jiang Xiaomu.

She of course saw through Jiang Xiaomu's bluff; going to do business in the barbarian lands, he'd likely be torn to shreds before even arriving.

Fine, since you're being so stubborn, I'll help you out.

Ye Ying sighed, knowing Jiang Xiaomu was lying, yet she still decided to help him out.

She then summoned a subordinate, whispered a few instructions, and the subordinate departed to carry them out.

Only then did she turn around, looking at Jiang Xiaomu with a half‑smile.

This time I've really done you a big favor—you'd better thank me properly.

Jiang Xiaomu smiled faintly and said nothing.

His mind is now filled with the system's warning from just a moment ago.

Three months later, the barbarian iron cavalry will attack Wangzhou City; he must quickly think of a way to respond.

After Ye Ying left, Jiang Xiaomu could no longer sit still.

He returned to his room, pacing anxiously back and forth.

The system's cold notification tone kept echoing in his ears, like a death talisman.

"Defeat, city fallen, battle dead… Xiao Yu…"

Jiang Xiaomu muttered to himself, his fists clenched tightly, his nails almost digging into his flesh.

He walked to the window, gazing at the bustling crowd outside, his heart filled with helplessness.

Given Wangjiang Cheng's current situation, it is fundamentally impossible to resist the mighty barbarian iron cavalry, even if the Governor's Mansion still has twenty thousand elite troops.

Jiang Xiaomu walked down the street with a heavy heart; passersby bustled to and fro, vendors' cries rose and fell, yet it did nothing to lift his spirits.

The shadow of the barbarian invasion loomed over his heart, making him feel a sense of suffocation.

He must quickly inform Li Wenqing and the Prefect, otherwise Wangzhou City will face catastrophe.

Again he came to the Xian Ya, Li Wenqing was reviewing documents.

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu arrive, he put down the file in his hand and asked with a smile:

"Boss Jiang, why do you have time to come to my little temple today? Or do you have some profitable business to discuss with me?"

Jiang Xiaomu forced a smile and said:

"Sir Li, you're joking; this time I've come to report an important matter."

"Oh? An important matter? Do tell."

Li Wenqing looked at him with interest.

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath, organized his words, and said:

"I have received news that the barbarians will launch a major assault on Wangzhou City in three months."

Li Wenqing's smile vanished instantly; he sprang to his feet, his expression grave, and asked:

"Is this true? Where did you get this information?"

Jiang Xiaomu's eyes shifted, and he spoke mysteriously:

"This matter is of great importance; I'm sorry, but I cannot reveal the source."

"But I can guarantee that the information is absolutely reliable." He paused, then added:

"If Sir Li doesn't believe me, you can simply send someone to investigate."

Li Wenqing paced back and forth in the room, his brows furrowed, obviously weighing the truth of Jiang Xiaomu's words.

Although Jiang Xiaomu is young, he is not someone who speaks recklessly.

Moreover, the border has indeed been unsettled lately; the barbarians are restless, and an invasion is not impossible.

"Boss Jiang, this is no trivial matter; if you falsely report military intelligence and spread rumors, you could lose your head."

Li Wenqing said in a stern tone.

Jiang Xiaomu forced a calm smile.

"Sir Li, I guarantee with my life that there is no falsehood."

"But this matter is of great importance; I hope you will make preparations early."

Li Wenqing stared at Jiang Xiaomu for a long time, ultimately choosing to believe him.

He sighed and said:

"Well, better to believe it exists than to believe it does not."

"I need to report this immediately to the Prefect so we can discuss countermeasures together."

Li Wenqing brought Jiang Xiaomu hurrying to the Governor's Mansion.

Prefect Zhao Sir was buried in a pile of documents, he waved his hand without lifting his head, signaling the two to wait a moment.

Jiang Xiaomu, bored, looked around; the furnishings of the Governor's Mansion were luxurious, forming a stark contrast with the hardship of the city's commoners, making him feel somewhat uneasy.

Finally, Zhao Sir put down his brush, impatiently rubbing his temples.

"What is it? Make it short, I still have plenty of official duties to attend to."

Li Wenqing did not dare delay, and reported in full detail the news of the impending barbarian invasion to Zhao Sir.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sir's fat face showed a contemptuous smile.

"County Magistrate Li, are you just overworked lately? The barbarians attacking Wangzhou City? That's simply a huge joke!"

"Why would they attack our poor, remote backwater instead of the prosperous Yun Cheng?"

"Sir, this is absolutely true! Jiang Xiaomu has received reliable intelligence that the barbarian army will be at the city gates in three months!"

Li Wenqing explained urgently.

"Reliable intelligence? What reliable intelligence? Speak up and let us hear it!"

Zhao Sir glanced sideways at Jiang Xiaomu, his words full of doubt.

Jiang Xiaomu, steeling himself, said:

"Sir, this is absolutely true; please make preparations early!"

Zhao Sir's greasy face was full of mockery.

"I think you're just trying to seize the opportunity to gain merit? Spreading rumors, disturbing the populace—that's a serious crime!"

"Sir, please see clearly, I am speaking no falsehood!"

Jiang Xiaomu spoke with a firm tone, not at all intimidated by Zhao Sir's authority.

Li Wenqing also chimed in from the side:

"Sir, it's better to believe it might be true than to believe it might be false!"

"If the barbarians really attack and we are utterly unprepared, wouldn't that mean the city's fall and the people's death?"

"Enough!"

Zhao Sir slammed the table hard, his fat quivering.

"You two, do you think I've become senile?"

"Wangzhou City's economy has just begun to improve; attacking us would yield no profit at all."

"I think you're just bored and looking for trouble!"

No matter how Li Wenqing and Jiang Xiaomu explained, Zhao Sir simply would not believe them.

He obstinately believed the barbarians would not attack Wangzhou City, dismissing it as the two making a mountain out of a molehill, and even suspected they had ulterior motives.

Helpless, Li Wenqing and Jiang Xiaomu had no choice but to leave the Governor's Mansion resentfully.

Walking down the street, both remained silent, the atmosphere oppressive enough to make one breathless.

"Sir Li, what should we do now?"

Jiang Xiaomu broke the silence.

Li Wenqing sighed.

"What else can we do? The Prefect Sir doesn't believe us, and we're powerless!"

He lifted his head to look at the overcast sky, his heart filled with helplessness.

"Could it be that Wangzhou City is truly unable to escape disaster?"