Chapter 201 – Desolate Liangzhou (Part One)
Ye Beizhi and his group had already stayed in Liangzhou Prefecture for three days. Except for Tang Jinnian, who had remained inside his room the entire time, everyone else went about their own business daily without interfering with each other.
Today, Rao Shuang returned with an unpleasant expression on her face.
Inside the room, Ye Beizhi sat by the window, gazing blankly outside. Chi Nanwei was playing with Xue Niang, Baili Gucheng was brewing medicine and feeding it to Yang Lu, and Xue Qiming was napping in his own room, absent from the scene.
"Something’s happened," Rao Shuang said gravely.
Ye Beizhi and Baili Gucheng didn’t turn around, but Chi Nanwei looked over and asked, "What is it? What happened?"
Frowning, Rao Shuang replied, "It seems that Northern Qiang forces are attacking Liangzhou. I don’t know if it’s true, but many people in the city are clamoring to leave. A large crowd has already gathered at the city gates, demanding that the authorities let them go."
"Attacking Liangzhou?" Chi Nanwei gasped softly. "Didn't they say earlier that Northern Qiang was attacking Jibei? How come they’re now attacking us here in Liangzhou?"
"I don’t know, but the city is already in chaos," Rao Shuang shook her head. "The authorities refuse to open the gates, claiming the news is fake and is nothing more than a rumor."
"Where did this information come from?" Baili Gucheng asked abruptly.
Rao Shuang glanced at him and said, "Refugees. Some fled from the north, saying that Ze’an City and Dengchang City, which are just before Liangzhou Prefecture, have already fallen. Many have fled to Liangzhou, in hopes that its ten-thousand-strong garrison can ensure their safety."
"It seems this isn’t fake news." Baili Gucheng nodded. "The authorities likely don’t dare to open the gates yet. Doing so would mean acknowledging the news of the unexpected invasion. If that happened, then the city would truly descend into chaos."