The Jiang family had set aside ten mu of land. With business in the city's shops doing poorly, Da Lang discussed with the shop staff and decided to close for two days while everyone returned to farm.
Many hands made light work. In just two days, the seedlings for ten mu of land were all planted.
The next two to three months passed peacefully with no major disruptions. It wasn't until the rice stalks in the fields had formed heads that chaos suddenly erupted.
At that moment, Jiang Wan was in the courtyard supervising Xiao Bao's training when Xiao Ma Zai suddenly screeched and lunged towards her.
Upon hearing the news Xiao Ma Zai brought, Jiang Wan's expression changed drastically.
“Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, quickly, pack your things! Gather all the valuables in the house, and the grain, load them onto the carts! Once you're ready, head towards the back mountain! I'll go to the city to pick up Mother and Eldest Sister!”
Su Shi and Zhang Qiao Xiu were startled. “Wan Wan, what happened? What’s wrong?”
Jiang Wan’s face was frighteningly pale. “Don’t ask, just go pack!”
With that, Jiang Wan rushed to the house opposite and said to Gu Chen Zhou, “Chen Zhou Ge, go to the medical hall immediately and bring Shi Gong and Mother here, quickly!”
Gu Chen Zhou, who was practicing calligraphy indoors, put down his brush upon hearing her. “What happened?”
Jiang Wan suppressed her panic. “The rebels are coming, heading towards Yao County. We must evacuate quickly. I need to find my second brother. The rebel numbers are too great, and second brother and the others are no match for them.”
“Chen Zhou Ge, you must bring Mother and Shi Gong here safely!”
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Wan felt a pang of unease. She grabbed Gu Chen Zhou’s hand and infused him with a significant amount of energy.
Gu Chen Zhou clearly felt something surge into his body from Jiang Wan’s hand.
This was the first time he had experienced such an anomaly.
However, he didn't have time to ask now. He nodded solemnly, “I will definitely bring them back. You also be careful. After you find Er Lang, come back quickly.”
Jiang Wan nodded and galloped towards the village on her horse.
She had to notify the villagers to evacuate first! Although some people in the small mountain village had their own little schemes, they had escaped together. On matters of great importance, she wouldn't abandon them.
When the villagers heard the bell and came running to gather, Jiang Wan’s voice struck them like a bolt from the blue.
“Everyone, pack your belongings, money, grain, and anything else you deem essential. Half an hour from now, my father will lead you to a safe place. Don't ask questions, move quickly! This time, the crisis is greater than any before. Your survival depends on your actions!”
After speaking, Jiang Wan didn't give them any chance to ask questions, jumped on her horse, and sped away.
Her first stop was the Cheng Residence.
“Aunt Cheng, please pack quickly. The rebels are coming. You should pack your things and head to the small mountain village. My father will lead you to safety. You must arrive at the small mountain village within half an hour, don’t be late.”
Next was the County Magistrate’s office.
Upon receiving the news, Magistrate Cheng’s face turned pale with fright. “Wan Wan, is this true?”
Jiang Wan said, “Uncle Cheng, I never lie. You must be quick; the rebels could arrive at any moment.”
Magistrate Cheng gritted his teeth. “I will notify all the citizens of the city!”
He could not abandon so many citizens and flee alone.
Jiang Wan didn’t stop him. After all, tens of thousands of people were in the city; they couldn't be massacred by the rebels.
After notifying Magistrate Cheng, Jiang Wan went to Wang Xiang Lou and her teahouse, instructing Da Lang and Jiang Xiao to quickly bring their people back to the village.
After that, she headed straight for the militia camp.
The militia camp was located ten li away from the county town. It wasn't too far.
Jiang Wan had asked Xiao Ma Zai’s friends to keep an eye on the rebel movements. When she learned that the rebels were less than ten li away from the militia camp, Jiang Wan quickly infused Xiao Hong with a surge of her abilities.
Xiao Hong ran so fast it left a blur, reaching the militia camp in only a quarter of the usual time.
At this moment, the people in the militia camp were completely unaware of the impending danger nearby, still engaged in their drills.
Er Lang was quite happy to see Jiang Wan. “Wan Wan, why do you have time to visit?”
Jiang Wan didn't even dismount her horse. She said directly, “Second Brother, quickly tell the militia camp members to return home and have them quickly take their families to escape. The rebels are attacking!”
Er Lang’s expression sharpened. “Is the news true?”
“Absolutely true! I’ve already notified Uncle Cheng and the others. The citizens in the city should be preparing to flee now, but the villagers in the countryside are still unaware of this news. So, quickly have the militia members go back and spread the word!”
Er Lang didn't dare to delay. He immediately jumped onto the high platform and roared to his comrades, “Listen to my orders! Return home quickly and inform your families to pack their essentials and flee. The rebels are attacking Jiangnan and will reach Yao County within an hour at most. Everyone, be fast!”
The militia members were thrown into a panic. They quickly grabbed their weapons and dispersed in all directions.
Er Lang looked at the instantly empty training ground, momentarily stunned.
Jiang Wan didn't give him time to dwell on it. She quickly grabbed him. “Second Brother, get on the horse quickly. The rebels are only a few li away from us. We need to hurry back and evacuate our family.”
Er Lang mounted his horse, and the siblings rode together towards the small mountain village.
Su Shi and Zhang Qiao Xiu had been very quick. The main reason was that there weren't too many things to pack carefully, and everything they needed to bring had already been loaded.
Madam Cheng and Cheng Si Nian had already arrived, protected by the household servants and guards.
Wang Hong Ye had also brought her son and mother-in-law.
Scholar Zhou had been living at the Jiang family’s residence for some time.
The villagers of the small mountain village had also packed their belongings and tied them securely to themselves.
Jiang Wan and Er Lang met Chen Yue Zhi, Divine Doctor Jin, and their party just outside the city gates.
“Mother, Shi Gong, you go back to the village first. I’ll go to the city to call Father and Uncle Cheng.”
Magistrate Cheng, unwilling to abandon the citizens in the city, had first notified everyone in the city after receiving the news and then remained inside the city.
As the responsible official of Yao County, he wanted to wait until all the citizens had evacuated before leaving.
Jiang Pan and Yan Li naturally couldn't abandon him, so they stayed with him.
Jiang Wan said to Er Lang, “Second Brother, follow Xiao Ma Zai. It will lead you to a safe place.”
“Wan Wan, what about you?”
“After I pick up Father and the others, I will come to meet you.”
Gu Chen Zhou thought for a moment and said, “Wan Wan, I’ll go with you.”
Jiang Wan shook her head. “Chen Zhou Ge, your martial arts are better than my second brother’s. You need to be responsible for protecting Mother and Aunt Cheng and the others. Don’t dawdle, time is running out, hurry!”
The rebels were already close to the militia camp.
The group dared not delay any further and quickly split into two groups.
Chen Yue Zhi was worried and leaned out of the carriage window, shouting to Jiang Wan, “Wan Wan, you must be extra careful!”
Jiang Wan waved her hand. “Don’t worry, Mother!”