In Anguangfang, North City of Yuanyang, the back house of the governor's Yamen.
In the living room, Tian Jingtong was sitting on the main seat, and on the left and right were officials from Yuanyang City.
The chief envoy Cheng Wenguang said: "Today's incident, there was no response from Prince Yong's Mansion. It's really strange!"
Tian Jingtong nodded. He was already prepared to deal with the prince's thunderous wrath, but unexpectedly, things did not develop as he imagined.
"Sir, maybe... His Highness King Yong has the same thoughts as us!" the next official said.
There was silence in the hall for a while, and since no one raised any objection, this statement was actually accepted by default.
After a while, Cheng Wenguang said: "If this is really the case, this prince who always cares about the people is just a villain who is just trying to gain fame!"
"Hahaha……"
The hall was filled with an atmosphere of laughter.
None of the people here have a good impression of Zhao Yanxun, so they make fun of him.
"Okay, everyone... I have something to remind you!"
Seeing Tian Jingtong's serious look, everyone stopped smiling and looked at him.
"All of you here are not locals. Now that Yuanyang is suffering from this catastrophe, we outsiders... must unite as one to survive this disaster!"
"I think you all can understand these principles!" Tian Jingtong said solemnly.
At this time, they, officials from other places, must join the regiment to maintain their status, otherwise they will become vassals of the local dignitaries in Yuanyang.
Is it possible that these people always push him out as a shield to fight against Prince Yong's Mansion and Dusi Yamen? Anyway, Tian Jingtong is unwilling.
Struggle is inevitable, but Tian Jingtong feels that he should take action for himself instead of being a puppet on the strings of Yuanyang's powerful gang.
Cheng Wenguang did not speak, but looked at everyone present. He and Tian Jingtong had the same view.
"Don't worry, sir, I understand these truths..."
Next, the officials expressed their attitudes and agreed with Tian Jingtong's statement.
But whether words sound good or not depends on how things are actually done, so Tian Jingtong didn't say any more.
"By the way, how is Magistrate Hou's health lately?" Tian Jingtong suddenly asked.
Hou Yunhe, the prefect of Yuanyang, has been ill for nearly a month and has escaped a series of recent troubles.
"The day before yesterday, I went to see the Marquis Mansion. The Marquis said he was thin, but he was in great spirits. I'm afraid..."
"What are you afraid of?"
"I'm afraid that after returning to the world, I will die soon!"
Hearing these words made everyone's hearts sink. A familiar person was about to die, which was enough to bring a great shadow to people at this time of approaching disaster.
After a few breaths of silence, Tian Jingtong said, "In a few days when we have some free time, let's go to the Marquis Mansion to see him!"
In fact, if you want to visit, you can do it now. The so-called free time is just for talking.
Essentially speaking, it is because Hou Yunhe is dying and has no use value anymore, so naturally no one is willing to pay more attention to him.
After all, all the manpower and material resources of Yuanyang Magistrate's Yamen were directly controlled by Tian Jingtong, so it was embarrassing to meet Hou Yunhe.
Officials here conspired, and in Longqianfang on the east side, Zhao Yanxun had finished his inspection and was about to go to Yongfu Palace.
The sun had already set at this moment, and the sky seemed a lot darker, but it wasn't time to light the lights yet.
Yongfu Palace is the residence of Princess Xue Baoyun. Zhao Yanxun spends half of his time living in Jinshen Palace, and the rest of the time is evenly divided among the three princesses.
"Dagui..."
"I'm here!"
"At midnight tonight, if you patrol around the palace a few times and find someone who has left their post without permission... bring the flag officer who leads the team to see me directly!" Zhao Yanxun said in a deep voice.
"As you command!"
The two of them were talking and soon drove outside Yongfu Palace. Lin Dagui stopped there. Only Huo An and other maidservants could follow Zhao Yanxun in.
Yongfu Palace has very strict regulations. When Zhao Yanxun stepped on the steps of the palace gate, Xue Baojun had already greeted him at the courtyard gate.
"Welcome Your Majesty!"
"My beloved concubine, please get up..."
The couple perfectly showed the slaves around them what it means to treat each other as guests.
"Your Majesty, please!" Xue Baojun stepped aside with a smile on his face.
Zhao Yanxun stepped forward, and Xue Baoyun immediately followed. After the two of them entered the palace, the slaves in the courtyard got up and started busy with their own affairs.
In the monastery in the side hall of Yongfu Palace, lamps have been lit at this moment, reflecting the exquisite lanterns.
Zhao Yanxun sat on the seat, and Xue Baoyun sat beside him.
After some small talk, while supporting the maids to serve the food, Xue Baojun asked seemingly unintentionally: "My lord, I heard that something big happened in the city today?"
"The government deceived the people out of the city and sent them to die!" Zhao Yanxun said bluntly.
"This afternoon...are the officials of the palace also making trouble about this matter?" Xue Baoyun asked again.
After looking at his wife for a few seconds, Zhao Yanxun smiled and said, "Why do you ask this so suddenly?"
There was a coldness in his smile, which surprised Xue Baoyun, and secretly said that he had not paid attention to his sense of proportion.
So he immediately made up for it: "I just asked casually, thinking that if the prince is upset, he will have time to talk!"
Zhao Yanxun nodded, but did not continue.
Soon, the dishes were placed on the table, and Xue Baoyun personally brought the dishes to Zhao Yanxun.
"My dear concubine, the situation will become more and more difficult in the future. Extravagance and waste must be eradicated in the palace. You must set an example!"
Xue Baoyun nodded and replied: "I am worried that the prince has worked so hard to prepare these dishes... It's just like this tonight, please don't blame the prince!"
"I feel relieved to be so alone..."
While eating, the two chatted, and time passed slowly like this.
While the couple was chatting happily, Huo An came in and announced that Lin Quan had something to see him outside.
"Let him in!" Zhao Yanxun was still smiling.
Lin Quan soon entered the side hall, saluted Zhao Yanxun and then walked to his side.
Bowing to Zhao Yanxun's ear, Lin Quan lowered his voice and reported back: "Your Majesty, more and more people who have left the city are gathering at each gate. The total number of the four gates is nearly ten thousand!"
This is almost inevitable, so Zhao Yanxun is not surprised at all.
"Send an order to Xu Hong to seal the palace tightly. No one can enter or leave without my order!" Zhao Yanxun said calmly.
If someone in the palace finds out, I don't know what complications will arise.
"As you command!"
On the sidelines, Xue Baoyun knew that something big had happened again when she heard her husband talking about sealing off the palace.
"Go ahead, continue to inquire about the news, and pay attention to your safety!" Zhao Yanxun said in a deep voice.
"Slave, take your orders!"
After Lin Quan retreated, Xue Baoyun held back and did not ask. She had just been beaten a lot, so she would not knowingly do it now.
In the palace, the lanterns were lit, wine and food were served, and it was a bustling scene.
At this moment, outside Yuanyang City, a large number of people gathered outside the city, begging the defenders across the wide moat.
"Sir, please save us, there are monsters outside... They want to eat people!"
"Sir, the little one kowtows to you, the little one kowtows to you..."
"Master Lord of the city, my uncle Yanpingwei's thousands of households, could you please open the door for convenience?"
At this time, any normal person would be thinking of various ways to enter the city alive.
Some people want to use words to impress the defenders, while others directly take action themselves.
For example, Huang Tianyan, Zhang Ziming and his party were separated from the crowd by a large distance and quietly tried to swim across the moat.
