Chapter 321
Zhu Xiao stepped forward, his gaze heavy as he surveyed Zhan Feiyu under the night sky. He observed her composed demeanor, her unwavering poise even when facing a formidable enemy, and she seemed nothing like a young girl from the countryside.
He then looked at Yang Xu, who was being held by He Nuan. In comparison, the young master of the Yang family, from a military household, appeared far more petty. At least, he lacked any semblance of self-control.
As for Qiu Jinyu, who stood among the crowd, Zhu Xiao paid him no mind. He spoke to Zhan Feiyu in a deep voice, "You are indeed a worthy disciple of Scholar Gu. Truly, a great teacher produces outstanding students."
"You flatter me, sir," Zhan Feiyu replied with a smile. Her gaze swept across the assembled people, and she cut straight to the chase, asking, "I didn't hear any news of the eldest young master leaving Xiangwu County before. I suppose he was fortunate, otherwise, he would be trapped in Xiangwu County by the barbarians right now."
The sudden encirclement of Xiangwu County by barbarians, yet Zhu Zhengrong's presence here – had he secretly left Xiangwu County like Qiu Jinyu, or had he known the news in advance and left earlier?
Everyone present was intelligent. At this moment, Lin Jiang and the others looked at Zhu Xiao and Zhu Zhengrong with renewed hatred and anger. If they had truly colluded with the barbarians, they deserved to be cut into a thousand pieces! "A scholar's pen is a killing blade. The reputation of 'Xiao Sanyuan' is indeed well-deserved," Zhu Xiao's voice boomed, yet his stern and imposing face showed no trace of anger.
Being accused of colluding with the enemy and treason was no small matter. Even the guards of the Zhenbian Marquisate would likely waver in their loyalty to Zhu Xiao.
"Miss Zhan, you need not make veiled accusations. My Zhenbian Marquisate stands tall and upright. How could barbarians appear outside Xiangwu County? It has absolutely nothing to do with my Zhu family!" Zhu Zhengrong declared forcefully. When he had first heard the news, he too had suspected that the Zhenbian Marquisate had collaborated with the barbarians.
However, after hearing his father's words not long ago, Zhu Zhengrong had dismissed this suspicion. His father was loyal to the Great Qing Dynasty; how could he possibly collude with the enemy and commit treason!
For someone like Zhu Xiao, it didn't matter if Yang Xu and the others looked at him with suspicion, or even if they verbally attacked him; Zhu Xiao would not pay them any mind.
As the heir of the Zhenbian Marquisate, Zhu Xiao had years of experience fighting on the battlefield and had achieved countless military merits. If Yang Shoucheng were present tonight, Zhu Xiao might have exchanged a few words with him. Yang Xu, a mere child, was not qualified to warrant Zhu Xiao's self-defense.
However, to everyone's surprise, the imposing and arrogant Zhu Xiao turned his gaze back to Zhan Feiyu, "Little girl, since you are so clever, tell me, did I let these barbarians in?"
The Yang family had not yet regained its former glory, and the military power of Longyou Road was now mostly in the hands of the Emperor, with a small portion belonging to the Zhenbian Marquisate. The Zhenbian Marquis was also advanced in age, so Zhu Xiao was the true master of the marquisate.
The Weizhou camp was under Zhu Xiao's jurisdiction. Therefore, the fact that the barbarians could bypass the Weizhou camp and appear outside Xiangwu County meant that Zhu Xiao was indeed the most suspicious.
"Yes and no," Zhan Feiyu said. As soon as she spoke, everyone else was still confused, but Zhu Xiao's eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing within them.
"The little girl is rather interesting. Tell me, if you speak well, I will let you leave safely." Zhu Xiao was genuinely intrigued.
Over the years, even with Zhu Zhengrong, his most valued eldest son, Zhu Xiao had never shown such patience. Perhaps this was a common trait among military men; their actions were usually forceful and decisive.
In the darkness, only the torchlight provided a dim glow. Although neither side had made a move, the atmosphere was tense and dangerous. Especially for Yang Xu and his twenty to thirty men, who were exhausted from a fierce battle and all wounded.
In contrast, the Zhenbian Marquisate not only had skilled guards but also hundreds of hidden soldiers. If Zhu Xiao gave the order, Zhan Feiyu and her companions would only be able to offer their heads.
Although Zhan Feiyu was young and just a girl, she was always straightforward. She now spoke directly, "If the Zhenbian Marquisate allowed them passage, then sir, you would surely ensure that Xiangwu County would not be breached, and these barbarians would be doomed to never return."
Despite the grave danger tonight, Xiangwu County had Qiu Zongxi and Old Man Tie within its walls. Even if Magistrate Zhu abandoned his post and fled, the barbarians would not be able to breach the city for some time.
If Xiangwu County were truly in danger, Zhan Feiyu believed that Zhu Xiao would either send reinforcements or send word to Stone Village to inform Old General Yang. He would never allow the barbarians to massacre Xiangwu County.
"But what if the city falls?" an angry voice sharply interjected. Yang Xu's eyes blazed as he stared at Zhu Xiao, saying word by word, "To whom will the slaughtered civilians cry out for justice then?"
Even if Zhu Xiao's plans were flawless, as the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes. Zhu Xiao was gambling with the lives of tens of thousands of civilians in Xiangwu County. If rivers of blood flowed and the land was filled with wailing, what use would Zhu Xiao's apology, even with his life, be?
With a scoff, Zhu Xiao coldly regarded the enraged Yang Xu. The young man's eyes were bloodshot, showing a bit of the fearless spirit of a newborn calf. Unfortunately, he was still too green. In this regard, his father, Yang Shoucheng, was truly a failure – a tiger father with a dog son.
"Even if I let the barbarians in, what can you do?" Zhu Xiao said in a deep voice, his tone calm yet all the more infuriating. "Even if I helped the barbarians breach Xiangwu County, what can you do? You can barely protect yourself, and you still need this little girl to lead people to rescue you. If it weren't for Yang Shoucheng's sake, I would have killed you tonight, and you would only be able to go to the underworld to file your complaint with King Yama!"
Yang Xu trembled with rage. If He Nuan hadn't held him back firmly, he would have likely lunged at Zhu Xiao to perish together.
If the one being mocked and ridiculed at this moment were not Yang Xu, Zhan Feiyu would have watched with a cold eye. After all, although Zhu Xiao's words were harsh, they were the plain truth.
"Sir, as the saying goes, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Do not bully the poor youth. Yang Xu only needs ten years," Zhan Feiyu's clear, small voice rang out. Ten years would be enough for Yang Xu to grow.