My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 176 Leaving the City Gate

To fight on the battlefield?!

Lin Ziping was somewhat dazed.

Suddenly I feel like this era is no place for humans to live, and I am now aiding and abetting evil.

They've driven people to the brink of despair, and now they're not even allowed to resist?!

If it weren't for the constraints of his job at the county government, Lin Ziping would have wanted to join them.

An arrow suddenly shot out from the city wall and landed right at Lin Ziping's feet.

Lin Ziping turned his head to look at the city wall, where Magistrate Wei, Assistant Magistrate Feng, and Inspector Chai were staring intently at him.

Through the crack in the city gate, Lin Ziping seemed to see the faces of Lao Huang, Shi Yong, and others.

Lin Ziping instantly sobered up and let out a long sigh.

I closed my eyes briefly, and when I opened them again, I withdrew the useless sympathy from my heart.

Adhering to professional ethics, he repeated, "There is no food in the county town either. Staying here will not help you. It's freezing cold, so go back as soon as possible."

"Young Master Lin, don't try to fool us. How could we not have enough grain after only half a month of requisitioning?" Li Zhen said. "If not, then where did our grain go?"

As she spoke, her voice trembled with a hint of tears.

"We don't care, if you don't give us food, we'll... we'll burn ourselves to death here!" Li Zhen's eyes were red, and his expression was somewhat mad.

"I will immolate myself here!"

"I will immolate myself here!!"

……

The people behind Li Zhen shouted loudly.

Lin Ziping looked behind Li Zhen.

Men, women, young and old, weak and thin, dressed in thin clothes.

Like Li Zhen, he had red eyes and an open mouth, letting out a desperate wail.

Lin Ziping nodded: "Any other requirements?"

Li Zhen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and rubbed his face: "We just want to live."

"Okay, I will convey your message." Lin Ziping turned and went back to the city.

The city gate opened a crack, and Lin Ziping squeezed through it.

"How did it go?" the constables asked when they saw Lin Ziping return.

Lin Ziping did not answer, but hurriedly said, "I will report to the lord first."

After saying this, he strode towards the city wall and recounted the events at the city gate.

A fire was lit on the city wall, and Magistrate Wei and others gathered around it to keep warm.

None of them spoke. The firewood in the brazier crackled and popped, and their expressions were inscrutable in the firelight.

Without instructions from the senior officials, Lin Ziping dared not move rashly. After reporting, he stood respectfully to the side.

"Mayor Feng and Inspector Chai, please share your opinions," Magistrate Wei broke the silence.

County Magistrate Feng and Inspector Chai stared at each other.

Inspector Chai said, "Sir, let Xiao Lin tell us his thoughts first, since he has just made contact with the people below the city."

Magistrate Wei nodded: "Xiao Lin, tell us about it."

Lin Ziping clasped his hands and said, "I don't know how long this snow will last. I think it's important to calm everyone down right now. How about we prepare some ginger soup for the people below the city gate first..."

Looking up and stealing a glance at Magistrate Wei's expression, Lin Ziping added in a low voice, "To avoid... to avoid them not being able to stand it and freezing to death at the city gate."

Magistrate Wei remained silent, as did County Assistant Feng and Inspector Chai.

"Alright, Xiao Lin, go out first. We'll discuss this together." Magistrate Wei gave a gentle smile.

Lin Ziping pursed his lips and looked up to meet the gaze of Inspector Chai.

"Yes." Lin Ziping took back what he was about to say, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and left.

After crossing the city wall and glancing at the people standing outside the city gate, Lin Ziping silently withdrew his gaze and quickly walked down the city wall.

"Ziping, why did you come down? What are the adults' plans?" Old Huang, who was standing closer to the city wall, was the first to see Lin Ziping.

The sound attracted the attention of others, who all looked at Lin Ziping.

Lin Ziping shook his head: "The adults are still discussing it."

Old Huang rubbed his hands together: "That's right, such a big matter, we really need to think carefully about what to do."

"Brothers, please wait here for a moment. I'll go back and change my clothes," Lin Ziping said.

Shi Yong said, "Go and come back quickly, or the adults won't be able to find you. Remember to wear more clothes."

"Understood, thanks for reminding me, Brother Shi." Lin Ziping said his thanks and strode away without waiting for a response from the others.

Turning the corner, Lin Ziping looked back at the constables guarding the city wall. They were hunched over, arms crossed, and occasionally bouncing around in place.

One city wall has three states.

Lin Ziping hurriedly changed into his county government clothes in the small courtyard, then returned to the city gate, a round trip that took about half an hour.

When he returned, there were a few fewer yamen runners, but Lin Ziping didn't ask any questions and found a sheltered spot to stand.

A short while later, a commotion arose from the street.

Lin Ziping looked toward the source of the sound and saw that it was Constable Qi coming over.

Looking behind Constable Qi, several constables were escorting a few people.

The people being held down had their heads down and bodies hunched over, making it impossible to tell what they looked like.

Lin Ziping narrowed his eyes. Why were the big shots bringing people here now instead of arranging for people to move grain and appease the people outside the city?

Turning his gaze away and suppressing his doubts, Lin Ziping stared blankly at the ground.

The things that have happened these past few days have been depressing and confusing. I want to do something but I can't do anything. It's so hard!

Before I knew it, snowflakes started falling from the sky again, and soon the whole area was covered in white.

Ignoring the stares from those around him, Lin Ziping stamped his frozen feet, breathed on his hands to warm them, rubbed them, looked at the city gate, and then at the city wall.

It's been so long, I wonder how Magistrate Wei and the others have come to discuss this?

Just then, Constable Qi came down with his men.

Lin Ziping looked over and saw that there were about ten other people behind Constable Qi, each holding someone under their control.

Shifting his gaze to the people being held captive, Lin Ziping was surprised to spot two familiar faces among them—Qi San and Gou Sheng.

What are they doing here? And in this posture?

Lin Ziping followed the other constables and moved closer to Constable Qi.

"Boss, what are the orders from above?" the man asked, leaning against the city wall and pointing to the sky.

Officer Qi looked around at everyone, his gaze lingering on Lin Ziping for a moment.

Lin Ziping felt a chill run down his spine. Just as he was about to ask Constable Qi what his orders were, he looked away.

Just then, Lin Ziping and Qi San's eyes met.

Qi San stared intently at Lin Ziping, his lips moving as if he were speaking.

Lin Ziping was somewhat confused.

Qi San's lips opened and closed.

"Open the city gates!" Officer Qi ordered in a deep voice.

"What?" The constable next to him didn't react.

Chief Constable Qi shouted sternly, "Open the city gates!"

"Yes...yes..." The constable who had just spoken hurriedly replied, running to open the city gate as he spoke. The road was too slippery, and he almost slipped and fell.

In the midst of the frantic activity, the heavy city gate creaked open.

Instantly, a cold front swept into the city, and everyone couldn't help but shiver.

"Take them out," Chief Constable Qi instructed.

After saying that, he took a few steps forward and turned back to Lin Ziping, saying, "You stay here and keep watch."

Lin Ziping looked around at the people and saw that they were all following behind Constable Qi, preparing to leave the city.

Qi the constable paused, and everyone stopped and turned their attention to Lin Ziping.

"Yes," Lin Ziping said, clasping his hands in a fist salute, and retreated to stand by the city wall.