Chapter 1023: Chapter 859: At the Critical Moment

The man who was falsely accused of stealing a pocket by the fat officer had just punched a government official twice. As he raised his eyes, he noticed Yang Chaoying standing at the gate of the Prefecture.

His eyes flashed slightly, and he called out loudly, taking a few large strides towards Yang Chaoying.

Min Feng and several officials from the Ministry of Industry saw this and quickly scrambled backward in panic. The officials from the Ministry of Industry were even more frightened, as they were just weak scholars; when had they ever seen such a situation?

These disaster victims clearly wanted to capture court officials. Staying meant death, so while the disaster victims were still oblivious to them, they had to swiftly leave the area.

Min Feng’s heart was racing; Hangtian Prefecture was in chaos! This was too sudden.

The villagers of River Village were infected by the fervent excitement of these people and wanted to join in, but were stopped by the village chief.

"Don’t act rashly; going forward means death! Don’t charge ahead like a Man Niu or you’ll find yourselves dead without my warning. Think about your wives, children, and elders at home, they depend on you to get by."

The village chief stood in front, blocking the villagers, determined to ensure the safety of the villagers as long as he was the village chief.

This revolt clearly had something strange about it, the disaster victims were too easily swayed, and they would regret it someday.

"But are we just going to hide here like turtles? I’m a brave man..." A villager clenched his fists, his face ashen, his eyes glaring like bronze bells.

"I won’t stop you from going to die, but you can’t lead the villagers to their deaths!"

The village chief shouted, panting as he replied.

His wise eyes swept over the villagers, with his frail old body firmly guarding in front of them.

Though skinny and frail, his body looked as majestic as a towering mountain!

The man suddenly fell silent, turning to look at his wife and children with longing eyes, as well as the villagers with various expressions around him, his spirit flagging.

"Quick! Avoid here with me, or we’ll lose our lives!" The village chief urged the villagers to run, caring not even for pots and pans at this moment!

He led the villagers of River Village away to two miles outside the Prefecture, looking from afar at the commotion at the city gate.

...

Gu Chengyu had already disembarked from the carriage. He gazed at the chaotic scene at the city gate, frowning tightly.

"Sir, should we..." Ming Yan, seeing this scene, tightly gripped the sword in his hand. Although he wanted to do something, at this moment he didn’t know what to do.

These people were all civilians, how could he bring himself to attack them? Just stopping them alone was impossible with less than ten people, let alone quelling this revolt.

Ming Yan was excited, yet Gu Chengyu remained very calm. He waved his hand, "Wait a bit longer, it’s not the right moment yet!"

Ming Yan looked at Gu Chengyu’s serious expression, hesitating to speak. Not the right moment yet? Then when is the right moment?

Gu Chengyu had good eyesight; he could clearly see the commotion ahead at the place of Yang Chaoying. The tall man in a gray short shirt, already furious, was rushing towards Yang Chaoying.

The man dressed in a scarlet robe with embroidered cloud and goose official uniform must be Yang Chaoying undoubtedly, while Gu Chengyu seemed to glimpse Min Feng earlier.

Just in a blink, the other party disappeared without a trace.

Now Gu Chengyu certainly had no time to care about Min Feng; his focus was entirely on that man.

Judging from his attire, as such tattered clothes, he should be a disaster victim undoubtedly, but the other person’s demeanor and complexion didn’t seem like someone who often suffers from hunger.

Yang Chaoying noticed the threatening presence of the disaster victims opposite him, their eyes filled with anger, mingled with a hidden greed and excitement. Comparing these with the disaster victims he met the first time, he found it laughable!

He originally sympathized greatly with these disaster victims, and wanted to help them, but his heart was willing yet powerless!

Unexpectedly, just a few days later, these disaster victims were about to capture him, chilling Yang Chaoying’s heart instantly.

"Quick! Protect the officer! They’re going to abduct the officer." The government official beside Yang Chaoying shouted in fear.

Yet the government officials who were at the city gate had already joined the fight; now either surrounded by disaster victims or knocked down, who was left to protect the officer?

Wang Chu led the officials, armed with bows and arrows, grandly advancing. Wang Chu ordered the officials with bows and arrows to climb onto the city wall for a deterrent effect from above.

Yang Chaoying knew the current situation was very unfavorable to him, thus he turned and walked. Once on the city wall, with raised bows and arrows, the disaster victims would fear, become obedient.

He never expected these disaster victims to be so frenzied, even plotting to kidnap him, a court official; it was indeed outrageous.

He hardened his heart, making a silent decision. If these disaster victims wouldn’t listen and act recklessly, then a demonstration is inevitable.

Yang Chaoying had just taken a step, when the disaster victims behind him surged forward.

Hu Maoshen arrived in Hangtian Prefecture by carriage at last, watching the chaotic scene at the city gate. He hurriedly shouted at the driver, "Quick! Quickly stop!"

Then without waiting for the driver to stop fully, he scrambled off the carriage, spraining his foot in the process. But at this moment, he couldn’t care about much; if he didn’t stop it now, Yang Chaoying was in danger!

The tall man in the gray short coat who had already approached Yang Chaoying flashed a fierce gaze, then shouted, "Quick, grab him, he’s trying to escape!"

He tugged a nearby disaster victim, following closely behind the man’s back. Then his hand subtly moved, clutching the cold item tightly, swiftly moving aside.

And Yang Chaoying was still unaware, knowing these disaster victims were irrational now, his heart inevitably grew anxious. Fearful they might recklessly take him hostage.

Several disaster victims quickly blocked Yang Chaoying’s path, tightly surrounding him.

"Sir!" Wang Chu, who was on the city wall, turned pale witnessing this, hurriedly ran down the wall, drawing his personal sword.

"You dog officer, you dared to call archers, you disregarded civilians’ lives. Today, I will enforce heaven’s justice here!"

The man drew a shimmering dagger, raising it high, about to stab Yang Chaoying.

The surrounding disaster victims, initially furious, wanting to seize Yang Chaoying, were suddenly shocked witnessing the man draw a dagger.

"Sir, be careful!" Wang Chu’s eyes widened, pupils constricted; he dared not watch the ensuing scene. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Yang Chaoying finally sensed the impending danger, turning to see a chilling dagger hanging above him.

Hu Maoshen, upon seeing this, could only shout urgently, "Quick, calm down!"

Just as it seemed blood was about to spill, at this critical juncture, a sudden loud shout echoed.

"Rascal, how dare you!"