When the morning sun rose, an atmosphere of panic and agitation had already enveloped the entire city. Faint sounds of battle could be heard from the direction of Qiantang Gate in the west, and the fire in the north seemed to be spreading, but the situation remained chaotic. It was unclear whether it was a battle between the army and the rioting civilians, or between the army and the troops of Fang La who had infiltrated the city. As this chaos spread, conflicts large and small erupted throughout Hangzhou, leaving people anxious and without direction.

As one of the most important and symbolic cities in the Jiangnan region, Hangzhou had not experienced warfare since the establishment of the Wu Dynasty. Even when the situation in the south was turbulent, with Fang La and others fighting in Shezhou, Wuzhou, and other places, the strict defense of the Wude Army here made everyone aware of the significance of Hangzhou. At least for those who had lived in the Suzhou and Hangzhou area for generations, the sense of crisis from war remained distant. Therefore, when the news came that Fang La's forces were approaching, turning the nightmare into reality overnight, the households in the city were suddenly caught off guard.

Hangzhou was wealthy at this time, and there were a considerable number of imperial troops and local militia stationed here, mainly under the command of the Wude Army. Due to the recent earthquake, the main force of the Wude Army had gathered, with about 30,000 troops defending the city. As soon as the chaos at Qiantang Gate began, the army immediately contracted, closing the four city gates, sounding the alarm, repelling the enemy, and suppressing the unrest within the city.

The army was not lacking in numbers, and the Wude Army defending Hangzhou was well-supplied and capable in battle. Amidst the chaos that began in the morning, Ning Yi and the others in Taiping Lane could only listen to the unfolding events, defending their alleyway. They couldn't clearly understand the direction of events. People on the street were anxious, hoping for definite news. Some came to ask Ning Yi what to do, but he simply waved his hand, telling his cook to go back and prepare breakfast.

War was a dangerous thing, and when it was so close and there were insufficient resources at hand, Ning Yi couldn't necessarily provide much guidance. At this time, a large fire was spreading in the north. Recalling Yuan Dingqi's appearance yesterday, and his being beheaded this morning, it was clear that Fang La's troops had taken advantage of the chaos to enter the city early. The exact number was difficult to say. At this point, one could only temporarily trust the fighting strength of the Wude Army and wait for more news to arrive, allowing the situation to become clearer.

Of course, all that needed to be done was not just waiting. At this point, what he could do himself also needed to be summarized.

Have porridge in the morning.

Various sounds came from all directions of the city, buzzing and disturbing. Ning Yi and his family sat in the courtyard eating breakfast. People still walked back and forth anxiously on the street, but the security units were mainly based on the streets, and no one dared to leave Taiping Lane rashly, lest they encounter Fang La's men who had entered the city. Ning Yi thought for a while, then ordered Dong Zhu to prepare the carriage. His decision startled the others, and Xiao Chan widened her eyes: "Master, what are you going to do..."

"Nothing..." Ning Yi was about to explain when the deputy neighborhood head also entered from outside the courtyard. It turned out that soldiers from the Wude Army had just come to order everyone on each street to guard their homes strictly and not run around arbitrarily. Some of Fang La's bandits were inciting riots in the city, and the Wude Army was encircling and suppressing them to prevent the bandits from taking advantage of the opportunity.

The deputy neighborhood head also said that according to the Wude Army's messenger, the disturbances near Qiantang Gate in the west had been prepared for, and the enemies had been kept outside the gate. Although the enemy wanted to break through the breaches in the city wall, they would certainly not succeed, so the people in the city could rest assured. Listening to the momentum in the morning, this seemed to be true. After all, Hangzhou had capable people, and they wouldn't be completely unprepared for the collapse of the city wall. It seemed that the officials had deliberately revealed flaws to lure the enemy in. The bandits who had entered the city, however, were able to create such a great momentum, which they probably hadn't expected.

Ning Yi's heart was slightly settled by this, but the officials could not be completely trusted, and what he had already decided to do still needed to be done. He told the deputy neighborhood head that he was going out later, showed him the commanding token of the Wude Army he had received yesterday, and gave some perfunctory reasons. The deputy neighborhood head nodded and then went to inform others that Taiping Lane would be under lockdown.

After the deputy neighborhood head left, Xiao Chan looked anxiously like she was about to cry: "Master, where are you going? The bandits have entered the city. What if you encounter them?"

Ning Yi said softly: "I'm going to visit the Qian family, do some things, and then see if we can get a boat. Going north by the canal is impossible, but there are still seagoing ships going east on the Qiantang River..."

"That won't work. It definitely won't work at this time, and there are bandits outside..."

"Let's take a gamble. Don't forget that your master is also the bloodthirsty 'Bloodhand Butcher'. Everyone is a member of the jianghu, so don't be afraid. I'll be back soon." Ning Yi smiled and comforted her, then put his arm around her and patted her shoulder. There were many family members around at this time, but he did this action so naturally and appropriately that Xiao Chan was stunned for a moment. She only vaguely heard Ning Yi muttering to himself, "Let's take a gamble, turn a bicycle into a motorcycle..."

He only hugged her briefly before releasing her. Su Tan'er was watching him from across the way, but she didn't mind Ning Yi hugging Xiao Chan. She just walked to the side with Ning Yi and then spoke softly, "Xiao Chan is right. I'm afraid there are..."

"I know," Ning Yi nodded, answering quietly. "Seagoing ships can leave the city, but there certainly aren't many. At this time, I estimate that the people at the docks are already full, and we have no hope of going there. But as long as there is a bit of hope on the official side, they will never let ships leave, otherwise, the people will only become more chaotic, and that will certainly be the way back they leave for themselves. We must prepare for things with two hands. If we really get to the point of escaping, I must find a way to get some spots out: you, Wen Fang, Wen Ding, Chan'er, Juan'er, Xing'er... The Wude Army is prepared; the city won't fall too quickly. I must go to Qian Xiwen early. Not only for seagoing ships, but we also have to prepare for a third option."

"What about the others..."

"I'll do my best, but if they really break in..." Ning Yi thought for a moment, "I can only prioritize you."

Su Tan'er squeezed his hand and nodded: "... Husband, come back quickly. This side is under my watch."

Ning Yi nodded. After that, Dong Zhu harnessed the carriage. Ning Yi didn't intend to let him drive. There was a possibility of encountering danger outside at this time, but it wasn't likely to be great. However, after thinking about it, he moved two jars of gunpowder onto the carriage. He drove the carriage and left the alley.

Along the way, many streets and alleys had been tightly guarded by the people in the middle. The riots were still occurring in the area where the fire was spreading in the north of the city, but feeling it from afar, the main disturbances had been suppressed. At this time, it seemed to be spreading in small groups in all directions. That area was far away from here, so it shouldn't extend over here for the time being. However, after walking for a while, he saw that some streets and alleys were not guarding their own places. They seemed to have organized a certain number of guards and militiamen with weapons and were rushing somewhere. He encountered several batches of such people in a short time. Ning Yi lowered his head and thought for a moment in the carriage. When he encountered another batch, he leaned over and took out his token.

The leader of the group was suspicious when he saw the token, but after all, he didn't think Ning Yi looked like a bandit, so he said: "Someone notified us earlier to guard our own neighborhoods, but after a while, a military officer said to send some people to help defend the city and gather at Xichun Bridge. Those who don't listen will be dealt with according to military law. Who are we supposed to listen to in this kind of situation?"

Ning Yi separated from this team. Before long, he encountered another team of people who seemed to be going in a different direction, but they said that a messenger had told them to gather at Gu Mao Lane. That person was covered in blood, spoke sternly, and held the yamen's token, so these people naturally didn't dare to disobey. Ning Yi took a breath and told these people to go back and guard their homes. These people should have believed Ning Yi's words and began to rush back.

Similar things were probably happening in the city at this time. Although Ning Yi roughly saw some clues for a time, he had no time to care about them at this time. He came to the Qian family all the way. At this time, many of the Qian family's houses had also collapsed. A large number of Qian family's guards and escorts were guarding the nearby area. However, after Ning Yi asked someone to send a message, he was received by Qian Xiwen at the first time.

At the Qian family's ancestral home, Qian Xiwen's original house had not been shaken down by the earthquake, but a shed had been set up in the courtyard at this time. When Ning Yi was led over, the old man was sitting in a chair in the shed drinking tea. Because the courtyard wall had been shaken down, the smoke and dust in the northern sky could be seen from here. Seeing Ning Yi coming over, Qian Xiwen stood up and smiled, and then put down the teacup on the table. It seemed that the old man was quite calm. He appreciated Ning Yi's coming to him at this time and ordered his servants to pour tea.

"Liheng, sit down. The place is simple, so don't be polite. Although the house over there hasn't fallen down, the younger members of the family have been worried and only allow me, this old man, to live in a thatched shed. But having said that, the wall has collapsed, and the wind blowing in at night is quite cool. You're not having a good time over there either, right?"

Ning Yi bowed to him: "This junior came here to ask for Qian Gong's opinion on guarding the city."

Qian Xiwen nodded: "You offended the Lou family at the Liqiu Poetry Society. Although there was an earthquake later, you didn't come to me, which means you knew what you were doing. Today, you came at the first time, which means you're not just arrogant. It's good to know how to respond, advance, and retreat, and to have courage."

At this time, a servant served a cup of tea to Ning Yi. Qian Xiwen raised his teacup and gestured to the north: "I am a scholar. I can't grasp today's events, but I just looked for someone to ask. After the earthquake, Fang bandits took the opportunity to seize the city. The army was prepared. The Fang bandits at Qiantang Gate suddenly launched an attack, but the first wave of attacks has been completely defeated. If you ask me about the war, I can't say, but the person I asked has some confidence, although... the fire surprised them a bit, and the many situations in the city at this time indicate that quite a few Fang bandits have indeed entered the city. However, if the attacks outside the city are ineffective, with the entire city as the enemy, they can't be in chaos for long."

Ning Yi nodded: "So the army is confident."

Qian Xiwen took a sip of tea and waited for a moment: "Since you're in charge, you have to be responsible. When speaking, everyone has confidence, but without this earthquake, the situation would be much better."

"Qian Lao also has confidence?"

Qian Xiwen laughed and shook his head: "I said, I am a scholar, so I can't

say well, and I can't say it. However, Liheng can ask this question, for the sake of Siyuan, I won't avoid some things. The battle in the west, the Wuwei and Wuzhou armies have occasionally won or lost against the Fang bandits. Anything that happens is reported as a great victory, but in the military and political circles, superiors are deceived and subordinates are deceived. To say how credible this person's or that person's statement is, I still have to see it for myself. Honestly, although the Wuwei and Wuzhou armies have not been greatly defeated, the Fang bandits have not been seriously injured either. On the contrary, their momentum is getting bigger and bigger. This time he attacked Hangzhou, Hangzhou is an important town that has not experienced war for many years. The Wude Army can defend Hangzhou, this... I basically believe. But in my decades of life, I have seen many things. If by any chance... this is something I don't want to think about..."

The old man lowered his voice, not for any secrets: "The Wude Army is said to be an elite force, but it has not been in battle for many years. This time defending the city, there is no precedent, which is a disadvantage. Fang La may not be that powerful either. After all, they are people who can't even get enough to eat... I have never been in contact with war, but Siyuan once sighed that even if they look powerful, they may not be an invincible division..."

Qian Xiwen was not someone who could be easily fooled after all. A siege war, winning is winning, and losing means countless families are ruined. Although he thought they should win, he was ultimately clear-headed. Ning Yi listened to him and raised his head: "This junior is presumptuous. The seagoing ports to the south, in case of an accident, should be able to leave, right?"

"Yes, since the army is prepared, those ships were seized early on, but unless the city is broken, they won't move. There aren't many seagoing ships, and there are limited people who can leave. Once they start leaving, the port will definitely riot."

"At that time, this junior wants seven spots. This matter will definitely be richly rewarded."

"Seven is a bit too much." Qian Xiwen smiled, "But it's possible. I'll give you the credentials later. However, I won't be leaving by boat. If that time really comes, I can also kill my way out with the defeated army."

"Thank you. It's just being prepared for a rainy day. This junior has family, and Qian Gong also has family. I don't want them to be in trouble. Oh, when I came over, I discovered something..."

Ning Yi told Qian Xiwen about the situation he encountered when he came by carriage. Qian Xiwen frowned. Ning Yi said: "Although Fang La has been a threat not far to the west, after this earthquake, in seven days, they began to attack the city from both inside and outside. I think it's a bit fast. Those refugees who came over are not real refugees. They have to gather here slowly and try not to reveal their secrets. Most of them are definitely bandits who were selected in advance. Moreover, there is their own mechanism for transmitting orders in the city. It is not impossible to transmit false news, but it will also be difficult. They reacted so quickly, setting fires on one side and transmitting different messages everywhere. I don't know if there are other things in the city..."

"Indeed, someone is causing trouble near the Phoenix Gate. The city wall there has also collapsed. The Wude Army has sent heavy guards, but there are no signs of attacking the city from the outside." Qian Xiwen interjected, and then said, "Liheng, continue."

"That is laying down suspicious troops everywhere, cooperating with the city's external offensive to exhaust the Wude Army as much as possible. To blossom everywhere, those who come in must be good players and have such a good grasp, I think they must have had a plan even before the earthquake. Fang La came to Hangzhou, he must have prepared in advance, and then implemented it midway, encountered the earthquake..."

Qian Xiwen was stunned, and then sighed: "In this way... they got the right timing..."

"I hope Qian Gong will inform those responsible for the city's defense as soon as possible. The person planning these things is very powerful, and he must have entered the city. Otherwise, the response in the city will not be sufficient. If this person can be found, it may slightly reduce the pressure inside and outside the city." Ning Yi paused. He was not very familiar with Hangzhou after all. It was enough to just remind the other party. "In addition, I hope Qian Gong can get me a talisman."

"What talisman?"

"I want to persuade the wealthy merchants and various martial arts academies and镖局 near Taiping Lane. At this time, there are enough soldiers in the city, and they shouldn't need to be recruited to defend the city immediately. But if by any chance, they are needed, or everyone wants to escape, I may be able to make the situation better. After all, there are few ships and many people for the seagoing ships. I want to do what I can and leave a third way out."

Qian Xiwen looked at him for a while, thought for a while, and smiled strangely: "People who can be appreciated by Qin Gong won't be simple, I know, but I have always wanted to ask Liheng a question. What exactly is Liheng good at?"

Ning Yi thought for a while, and after a moment, he cupped his hands and said, "The disaster relief strategy last year was written by me. It's not good to say the rest."

Qian Xiwen nodded slightly after hearing this, and then opened the drawer and took out some talismans.

"... This will do." (To be continued.) Vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)

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