Dust flew along the imperial road from the Provincial Capital to the Northern Three Counties. An endless stream of refugees trudged along it, their faces frightened and their clothes in tatters. Some carried dying relatives on their backs; others led hungry children by the hand. Their steps were heavy, their eyes filled with panic and despair.
These people had fled Bing Province and northern Qingzhou for Qingzhou Prefecture, crowding the imperial road as they headed toward the Provincial Capital.
Yet amid this sea of people that stretched beyond sight, a party wearing black cloaks over Flying Fish Uniforms rode against the current, heading north.
They were the fifty-odd Martial Suppression Guards under Zhao Feng's command.
From the refugees, they learned that after routing Qingzhou's defenders in the north, the rebels had already captured Pine River County.
The news left Zhao Feng's heart burning with anxiety. He immediately urged his horse on, picking up speed toward Big Stone County.
When they reached Hechuan County, they found the refugees' situation even worse. The entire County Seat was in chaos.
"The rebels are coming!"
"The County Seat won't hold!"
"Where are the rebels?" Zhao Feng grabbed several people and questioned them, but none could give him a clear answer.
"My lord, what should we do?" Yue Lang and Luo Xiong asked. Big Stone County lay to the east. If the rebels had reached it, the road ahead was effectively blocked.
But could the rebels really have arrived so quickly?
Zhao Feng looked toward the eastern side of the city, but saw no dust and sensed no signs of an army on the march. Judging by the distance, they should not have arrived so soon, either. They still had to cross the Fallen Phoenix Mountains.
"The plan stays unchanged. Ride out!" Zhao Feng ordered