Chapter 150: Information

After leaving the Governor's Mansion, Jiang Xiaomu's unease grew stronger.

Sir Zhao's arrogance and ignorance made him feel desperate; if timely measures were not taken, Wangzhou City would surely suffer utter destruction.

Returning to the inn, Jiang Xiaomu paced anxiously in the room.

He struggled to recall his past life's historical knowledge, trying to find strategies to deal with the barbarian invasion.

However, ancient warfare differed completely from modern warfare; those modern tactics and weapons could not be realized in this era.

With a "creak," the door was pushed open, and Jiang Xiaoyu walked in carrying a bowl of hot porridge.

"Brother, why do you look so awful? Is it because Sir Zhao refuses to believe your words?"

Jiang Xiaoyu asked anxiously.

Jiang Xiaomu forced out a smile and said:

"It's fine, Xiao Yu; I'm just thinking about something."

"Brother, don't worry, I believe you."

Jiang Xiaoyu placed the hot porridge on the table.

"Eat something first, don't starve your stomach."

Jiang Xiaomu nodded, took the bowl of porridge, but had no appetite.

His thoughts were wholly elsewhere, his mind filled with scenes of the barbarian invasion.

Suddenly, a carrier pigeon flew in through the window and landed on Jiang Xiaomu's shoulder.

Jiang Xiaomu quickly removed the small bamboo tube from the pigeon's leg, opened it, and found only a tiny slip of paper inside.

"The barbarian army is moving toward Wangzhou City, expected to arrive in three months; numbers unknown, equipment unknown."

Those few short lines struck Jiang Xiaomu like a thunderbolt.

This meant the system's words were all true; Wangzhou City truly faced a great crisis.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

Jiang Xiaoyu sensed Jiang Xiaomu's oddness and hurriedly asked.

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath and handed the slip to his sister.

"Take a look."

After reading the slip, Jiang Xiaoyu's face also turned deathly pale.

"What... what are we to do?"

"Don't be afraid, Xiao Yu; I will protect you."

Jiang Xiaomu said, forcing himself to stay calm.

Now is not the time to panic; he must calm down and devise a way to face this crisis.

Jiang Xiaomu immediately sought out Li Wenqing and informed him of the news brought by Ye Ying.

After reading the note, Li Wenqing was also shocked; he had not expected Jiang Xiaomu's prophecy to actually come true.

"Boss Jiang, what should we do now?"

Li Wenqing asked anxiously.

Jiang Xiaomu pondered for a moment, then said:

"Sir Li, we must quickly make defensive preparations."

"Although Sir Zhao does not believe us, we cannot sit and wait for doom."

Li Wenqing nodded.

"Boss Jiang is right; we must take action! But how should we do it?"

Jiang Xiaomu took out a defense map of Wangzhou City from his pocket and studied it carefully.

Wangzhou City's terrain is flat, easy to attack but hard to defend, and its walls are rather low, utterly unable to withstand the barbarian army's assault.

"Damn it!"

Jiang Xiaomu couldn't help cursing.

He racked his brains, but could not find an effective defensive plan.

"Boss Jiang, is there really no other way?"

Li Wenqing asked anxiously.

Jiang Xiaomu lifted his head, his gaze firm, and said:

"There is always a way! Sir Li, we need to recruit more soldiers."

"Strengthen the city defenses, and at the same time stockpile sufficient provisions and weapons."

"But Sir Zhao does not approve; we simply lack sufficient funds and manpower!"

Li Wenqing said helplessly.

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold chuckle.

"Since Sir Zhao refuses to spend money or effort, we'll find our own way!"

"Boss Jiang, you mean..."

Li Wenqing seemed to understand Jiang Xiaomu's idea.

"Exactly, we will mobilize the entire city's populace to jointly resist the barbarian invasion!"

Jiang Xiaomu said with a firm tone:

"I believe that as long as we are united, we will surely defeat the enemy!"

Li Wenqing looked at Jiang Xiaomu's resolute eyes, and hope also ignited in his heart.

He nodded heavily.

"All right! Boss Jiang, I'll work with you!"

Then, Jiang Xiaomu and Li Wenqing began secret operations.

They used Jiang Xiaomu's wealth and connections to secretly recruit soldiers, buy weapons and provisions, while actively mobilizing the townspeople, preparing to jointly resist the barbarian invasion.

However, their actions were quickly noticed by Prefect Zhao.

Prefect Zhao flew into a rage, summoned Jiang Xiaomu and Li Wenqing to the Governor's Mansion, and shouted at them:

"You two have a lot of nerve! How dare you secretly recruit troops and buy horses, disturbing the people's hearts! Are you planning to rebel?"

Jiang Xiaomu let out a cold laugh.

"Prefect Zhao, we only want to protect the people of Wangzhou City. What's wrong with that?"

"Protect the people? I think you're just looking for an opportunity to rebel!"

Prefect Zhao roared:

"Come, seize these two traitorous ministers and villains for me!"

Two guards responded and stepped forward to arrest Jiang Xiaomu and Li Wenqing.

However, Jiang Xiaomu flicked his body and went behind them.

With two crisp 'crack' sounds, the two guards went limp and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Jiang Xiaomu clapped his hands, as if brushing off dust, relaxed and at ease.

He gave Prefect Zhao a cold glance, pulled out Ye Ying's note from his bosom, and flung it in front of him.

"Prefect Zhao, can you read? Look for yourself!"

Prefect Zhao's face turned dark, his hands trembling as he unfolded the note.

After reading it, his brows knit tightly and his face alternated between gloom and clarity.

The news of the barbarian invasion struck him like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, leaving him unable to digest it for a moment.

Just then, a subordinate hurriedly came to report.

"Sir, Bosi merchant Hawei requests an audience."

Everyone was stunned.

This Hawei is a well-known merchant in Wangzhou City, usually just quietly making a fortune; why would he suddenly seek an audience with Prefect Zhao today?

Prefect Zhao's mind was in turmoil at the moment, too bothered to think further, and he waved his hand impatiently.

"Let him in."

Soon after, a tall Bosi merchant with a full beard entered.

He wore a splendid silk robe, with a string of jingling gold coins at his waist, exuding a rich fragrance of spices.

Hawei performed a strange salute to Prefect Zhao and spoke in fluent Chinese:

"Respected Prefect, I have a very important matter to report to you."

"What is it? Speak quickly!"

Prefect Zhao asked impatiently.

Hawei deliberately lowered his voice, feigning mystery, and said:

"Regarding the barbarian invasion..."

Prefect Zhao suddenly lifted his head, his gaze like a torch fixed on Hawei.

"You... what do you know?"

Hawei stroked his beard expressionlessly and said:

"My caravan, returning with goods from the Western Regions, discovered barbarian scouts beyond the pass."

"I suspect the barbarian army will soon march south, with Wangzhou City as a likely target."

"Wangzhou City is now in imminent danger; I fear my business will be affected."

"That is why I have come especially to seek information from you, sir."

Prefect Zhao let out a cold laugh and said:

"You're just a merchant; why aren't you minding your own business instead of probing military affairs?"

Hawei hurriedly explained:

"Sir, you've misunderstood! I did not intend to probe military affairs; I am merely concerned about the safety of Wangzhou City."

"After all, my business is all here; if Wangzhou City falls, my losses would be huge."