The familiar faces keep coming, huh? [Please vote for the monthly ticket]

Xie Qi naturally wanted to go save them.

After all, they had served together at court for many years and had all struggled to make a living under Zheng Qiao's iron-fisted rule. They were a perfect example of sharing both weal and woe. It would have been one thing not to know, but now that he knew they were in trouble, he couldn't stand by and do nothing, whether out of sentiment or reason.

Besides—

There were plenty of capable people among Xin Country's former officials.

They could still pick and choose some useful ones.

"Shi, Shi Cang, are you serious?"

Hearing this, the fleeing men were so moved they nearly burst into tears. Their tears mingled with the mud on their faces, carving long streaks through it. They looked wretched, yet faintly comical. They immediately forgot to ask whom Xie Qi served and poured out their story in a torrent.

But this wasn't something Xie Qi could decide on his own.

He still had to ask Chu Yao and the others what they thought.

Chu Yao pondered for a moment. "Is the place far?"

Rescuing them was secondary. Chu Yao cared more about the goodwill and connections they could offer. Their lord had been born with a poor foundation, and despite years of building her power, few had willingly joined her. Her staff came from humble backgrounds, which made it easier to speak with one voice, but if they wanted to expand their territory on a grand scale, their lack of manpower would only slow them down. If they could get these people indebted to them and forge a bond of goodwill, they would be more amenable to dealing with them in the future. Of course, if they arrived too late, then it could only be said that those