818: Yun Ce Was Back [Please Vote for the Monthly Ticket]

Commoners in a chaotic age were like duckweed without roots, unable to withstand even the slightest wind or rain. On top of that, rumors were spreading among the people that the enemy had several times more troops than they did. The already-anxious commoners grew even more frightened. They were short on food, but no matter how scarce it was, running away could still buy them a few more days of life. If they foolishly stayed put and waited for the enemy's iron cavalry to trample them underfoot, they wouldn't even get the chance to barely survive.

And so, some commoners snuck away in the dead of night.

When their neighbors ran, those left behind wanted to take to their heels too.

As more people fled, fewer figures could be seen laboring in the fields. The officials responsible for the farmland realized something was wrong and hurriedly reported it. Patrol soldiers also caught a group. Seeing their bundles packed and their whole families in tow, how could anyone fail to understand what was going on?

The soldiers shouted angrily, "Where are you going?"

Why were they running around instead of staying put in a safe place at a time like this? Did they really think that, if they fled with all their belongings, the road ahead would be smooth and safe? What about the wild beasts in the wilderness and the fierce bandits who had taken to the hills? Weren't either of those enough to give them a hard time?

But to the fleeing commoners, the soldiers' anger crashed down like thunder. The man at their head hurriedly dropped to his knees, begging for mercy and pleading to be let go.

They were willing to trade all their possessions for a chance to live!

It was commonplace in troubled times for